Driving & Insanity - Can You Relate?

     There is a definition (a loose one anyways - it’s not in the dictionary) of insanity; doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. Each week, I sit down at my laptop and think, “I’ll just bang out the blog in one shot”. Why I think this, I have no idea - because I know, somewhere in the back of my mind, this is not going to happen… ever. Case in point (again) this week.

     I was reviewing what was written last week as well as some emails. The “you have no idea what you’re talking about” emails were practically non-existent. There were numerous ones containing kudos as well as some great topics to discuss in future blurbs. I’m a strong believer that hate-mail does not exist; simply because it’s either written by people who never leave their name, comes from a somewhat bogus (read:

extremely generic) and not their personal or work email or just goes to the spam folder anyhow because of the junk it contains. So - if you’ve written an email that fits on of these categories & I haven’t replied, it’s your own fault. Tough shit.

     One email I received from Carl out in California thought the section on automotive electronics I can’t stand was rather humorous. He also stated that more cars than not are equipped with those options where he lives and warned me about the perils of driving in his state if I were ever to visit. In his opinion, he feels that many people simply do not know how to drive - never mind the distractions of cell phones, GPS, or whatnot. That got me to thinking about several other comments I’ve heard over the years from family, friends, and other emails. While most were related to city driving - be it Atlanta, the DC area, Boston, or LA - the bottom line was, no matter where you are, people do not drive as well as they used to.

     Those memories reconnected me to a story I read about a group of car enthusiasts who embarked on a trek (a mission in my book) of traveling through India via antique and performance car. While this may not seem like a big deal to most, travel experts will flat out tell anyone not to drive in that country if you are visiting. There are too many people, the roads are “useable” in the city (and horrible in the country), and modern amenities such as traffic lights, marked lanes, speed limits, and road signs are just suggestions and often ignored. Author Rob Kinnan, who not only survived the journey, as did his vintage Shelby Mustang, was noted as saying that driving was actually exhilarating… once you adjust to the initial shock and start going with the flow of things;“Passing a slow moving truck requires a decision making process. There’s more to just “driving” on a highway in India. This is because the marked lanes and the general direction of traffic are merely suggestions. The highways do not have barriers or median strips, and breakdown lanes are few. Half the time, traffic flows in both directions using two lanes apiece. However, at any given moment, as many as all four lanes are used for one direction of driving and vise-versa. It all depends on what is happening at that point in time. You move into an open lane to pass the truck, only to find that another vehicle is coming at you… in your lane… at 50 mph.”

     Rob went on to write that it took him about 30 minutes to get used to this phenomenon, but then was actually able to get into a comfortable groove. He also stated that while cars & trucks are nowhere near as numerous as they are here in the states, you have to mind other things such as rickshaws, mopeds (with as many as 3 people on them) and cows. Apparently the cows are everywhere.

     If you’re a visual person, go onto You Tube and type in “India traffic jam”. While the short film has been sped up a little, it gives you a rough idea of what Mr. Kinnan is referring to. The interesting thing is, is while there are millions of people, and just as many near misses, there are extremely few incidents of actual contact. Why? Because it seems the drivers in India know their limits and boundaries. There are also no distractions - the drivers are focused on one thing - driving! Kinnan noted that if people in his home state of California were subject to the same driving conditions as in the cities of India, about 85% of them would be involved in an accident within 5 minutes. He also commented it may be a decent way to alleviate the traffic gridlock out there as well.

     I can relate somewhat to what the author is referring to; when I drive my antique hot rod I actually become more aware of my surroundings. While the only creature comfort in the Mustang is a radio / CD player, it’s only on half the time. I find myself listening to the motor, the roar of the exhaust, glancing at the

gauges, and checking my surroundings. Even though the deck is equipped with a jack for my MP3 player, I leave that at home. Most of the time I have one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the 5 speed shifter. There isn’t much time to be fiddling with other things, ‘cause the last time I checked, I didn’t have three arms and hands.

     My intention is never to preach (at least directly). I’m never one to say what someone should do or not do. Everyone has a 16 pound computer in their head… it’s called a brain. We just need to use it. Vehicles are wonderful things. Modern performance and technology have come a long way. Let’s not take it for granted.

     Until next time - peace out,
     Dave

Does Liking Warmer Weather Prove I'm An Old Geezer? Or Just Old School? Does It Matter?

     Thanks for the comments, emails, and even Tony with his rant (see - I told you I would include it in my next blog post; you owe me $100 bucks). I was going to write about something else when something totally beyond my control swayed me away from that topic to the one you’re gleaning over now; the weather.

     A warm early spring day to be specific. Here in northern New England, it’s a cool thing when all the snow is gone (at least where I live) by the end of March. Even better, when the sun comes out and the temperature gets into the upper 50’s for the first time in months. Better still, on that same day, people start firing up their

old rides (motorcycles & choppers included) and give them a good airing out.

     That one action by several others got me to thinking. Each person I talked to that day, was in a fantastic mood - from enjoying the weather to wooding the throttle (given the chance). It also made me realize the other side of the coin. Your everyday ride. Each morning when you walk out to it, it’s there. If you don’t take a moment to at least like it and appreciate it - the color, the vibe, etc., regardless of year, make and model - then chances are you have the wrong car. I’m going to go a little old school here again for a moment, but if you can unlock the doors without a key fob - even better. And yes, I hate Smart Keys.

     When you put the key in the ignition and start the motor, what does it do for you? Sorry, but pressing a  “start” button (except for the Dodge Ram 1500 SRT-10 truck) doesn’t count. Can you actually groove on

that sound before hitting the tunes or MP3 player? If you drive a Prius, I’ve probably already lost you. You can’t hear the damn thing anyway regardless of what it’s doing.

     As the weather continues its journey towards summer, I know I’ll see many more antiques, street rods, bikes, and hot rods. It’s a natural draw to the street and the outdoors. A chance to get out of the house, away from work or chores, maybe even a chance to enjoy some quality time with your kids or loved one. Hey - how ‘bout both? If you own uber-modern performance iron, don’t let that stop you. Join the fray.

     There is also a common thread that all of us who drive and enjoy performance anything - be it an old AMC to a macked out twin turbo Volvo - we have to be aware of some of the things that are out of whack with our current surroundings. It’s might happen to you and I know it’s me - but seeing some of the modes of transportation on this warm day triggered some thoughts. First, I saw a guy on a beautiful Harley chopper. He stuck has arm out to signal he was making a right handed turn to go into a gas station. This was on a busy street and I’m sure there were a few who had no clue what he was doing. When was the last time you saw someone using hand signals?

     It also occurred to me that I may be of the last generation to be taught about hand signals, driving a standard, and actually maintaining a car in a class type setting through a school. I took my Drivers Ed classes using a 1977 Plymouth Volare. I took my drivers test in a ‘76 Ford Granada. This was before the days of 29 LED bulbs that make up the back lighting system on a vehicle and the sensor in the dash that tells you which one is out. My Granada was a 2 door hardtop with a hood that was at least 6 feet long and had blind spots out the whazoo. I passed on the first try by the by.

 

     In a sense, we have to go out of our way to understand the automotive days gone by and fully appreciate our gearhead past to be in the present. We’ve heard this phrase before; “We seem to be losing a sense of our history.” Yes - I believe that is true. Even in the automotive corner. Preserve what we have & what you have as an individual. In my humble opinion, we’ve lost too much already.

     Until next time - peace out,
     Dave