One of the things I made sure on this trip was to hire a car with GPS. It saves the hassle of trying to find my way round an unfamiliar area. Generally, it has been worth its weight in gold, but on several occasions – especially in areas with twisty turns – it gets lost, even though I am not. This is somewhat ironic given the system’s name: Neverlost.
“Please proceed to the highlighted route”, intones Niamh (that’s the name I’ve given the GPS computer – it means ‘Neve’ in Irish, as in Niamh R. Lost). Her sultry tones generally chime in as I am negotiating hairpin bends, usually at breakneck speeds because I can’t bother to turn off the cruise control (yes, I know, that laziness will probably kill me one day)…
Anyway, the result is that I panic suddenly, thinking I’ve taken a wrong turn, only to look down at the display and realise that Niamh has had one too many Conoco Cosmopolitans and is getting dizzy in the turns. The directional arrow is either pointing the wrong direction or is located in the middle of a black void 2cm from the road. Then, a minute later, Niamh comes to her senses, straightens her frock and corrects herself. I am back on track, and the panic is over.
So on this Cinco de Mayo raise a glass (preferably containing Margarita) to Niamh R. Lost and her amazing navigational skills, because I never get lost but she sometimes does, and also because you know as well as I do that guys never ask for directions.
sir, you MUST turn off that cruise control! not only would the masses suffer if we lost you and your great photograpy and witty blog, but hamish! think of hamish, man!
jromer is right. What would Hamish do without his human. And as for the navigational system, I find most technology to be ironic and unable to keep pace with rush of everyday life.
For examle three of my friends recently had each of their digital cameras malfunction just as we were on a way to a ceramony and party of a close friend. Luckily I had my trusty 35mm with me and saved the day by refusing to put up with the hassels of lagging technology. Just one of the many reasons why I haven’t invested in digital.
jromer – I think Hamish is probably cursing me right now from his small “room” in the cattery back in Bermuda. He is probably plotting my downfall as we speak…
allykay – I tend to be pretty low-tech myself at home, but that’s because I spend every day working with technology. But I have to admit that in-car GPS is a godsend, as is my flip-top ultra SD card (allows me to plug straight into my laptop without any card readers)…
i have had some interesting experiences with GPSs as well, have you ever had them yell at you when u don’t follow their directions? “Turn right NOW! Turn Right RIGHT NOW!!!! TURN NOW!!! You MUST TURN NOW!!!”