I watched a program not long ago about the German BAB. It was a real eye-opener, the host was saying the German automotive engineers were really confounded when they began getting requests for driver side visor mirrors and cup holders and DVD players and other things that Americans take for granted in their vehicles. He explained the driving experience for German people was very much different than that of Americans. There driving was the experience, while here it was but a small part of the experience of getting from point A to point B. We eat, talk on the phone, shave, brush teeth, apply make-up, brush our hair, drink, and some idiots even read. In Germany they drive, and do all the other things mentioned above elsewhere. It's not surprising to learn, that they have far fewer accidents per capita than Americans. They make a very good argument for the idea that it's not speed that causes accidents, as we seem to think, but the driver's lack of focus on driving.

TallPoppy, looking at a map of New Zealand, it appears to be about four hundred miles from Auckland to Wellington. Four hundred miles would be a good day trip in the US; one that would be well planned out ahead of time. I mean it's not like we just hop in the car at the drop of a hat and drive four hundred miles over here; that doesn't happen very often, but to put things in perspective if I were to take a notion to visit DM in Huntsville, he's currently my closest TallTalk neighbor, he's about the same distance from me, that Auckland is from Wellington. To visit Arch and BBabe, that's about seven hundred miles, and to visit Amy or BK they are three times that.

Artistamy · 2010-02-07 21:45:26

The man buying my house is 6'1", and loves my kitchen

TallPoppy · 2010-02-09 09:41:45

Archer wrote:

TallPoppy wrote:
I have already done a couple of "long"-distance drives in the car (I am guessing 5 hours is nothing to you Americans). It is quite fun, in a way.
You are right TallPoppy. That is nothing to Americans. I see people driving here all the time while eating, talking on the phone, texting, reading the newspaper, etc. Driving is nothing to us. We pay so little attention to it while we are doing it.

I hope I didn't come across as meaning that Americans are bad drivers or that all Americans are the same etc (i.e. I hope you are kidding) - I meant that the US is so enormous that Americans must be a bit more relaxed about long car journeys than NZers or the British, or other small countries.

TallPoppy · 2010-02-09 09:44:30

"Bad News" Bob wrote:

I watched a program not long ago about the German BAB. It was a real eye-opener, the host was saying the German automotive engineers were really confounded when they began getting requests for driver side visor mirrors and cup holders and DVD players and other things that Americans take for granted in their vehicles. He explained the driving experience for German people was very much different than that of Americans. There driving was the experience, while here it was but a small part of the experience of getting from point A to point B. We eat, talk on the phone, shave, brush teeth, apply make-up, brush our hair, drink, and some idiots even read. In Germany they drive, and do all the other things mentioned above elsewhere. It's not surprising to learn, that they have far fewer accidents per capita than Americans. They make a very good argument for the idea that it's not speed that causes accidents, as we seem to think, but the driver's lack of focus on driving.
TallPoppy, looking at a map of New Zealand, it appears to be about four hundred miles from Auckland to Wellington. Four hundred miles would be a good day trip in the US; one that would be well planned out ahead of time. I mean it's not like we just hop in the car at the drop of a hat and drive four hundred miles over here; that doesn't happen very often, but to put things in perspective if I were to take a notion to visit DM in Huntsville, he's currently my closest TallTalk neighbor, he's about the same distance from me, that Auckland is from Wellington. To visit Arch and BBabe, that's about seven hundred miles, and to visit Amy or BK they are three times that.

Some people drive to Wellington, but most (me included) would fly or take the train. Just came back from there, actually - it was my father's 60th birthday the day before yesterday and the family got together for a small celebration.

TallPoppy · 2010-02-09 09:46:05

Bamboo wrote:

TallPoppy wrote:
Thanks - I hadn't even noticed how close I was to Quite Tall! How exciting.
I have already done a couple of "long"-distance drives in the car (I am guessing 5 hours is nothing to you Americans). It is quite fun, in a way.

i think we might have to contact the new zealand registry of motor vehicles to get tallpoppy's license revoked.
she hasn't really posted here since she got her license to drive......

I've been reading, just been a bit hectic with my life lately - my best friend just broke up with her longterm boyfriend so I had her staying with me, then my brother and his girlfriend stayed with me, then I spent a week in Wellington. Haven't had much time to myself lately.

But thank you for missing me!

TallPoppy · 2010-02-09 09:46:52

Artistamy wrote:

The man buying my house is 6'1", and loves my kitchen

Hooray! Drinks all round. Congrats on the sale!

BadKarma · 2010-02-09 11:18:48

TallPoppy wrote:

Archer wrote:
TallPoppy wrote:
I have already done a couple of "long"-distance drives in the car (I am guessing 5 hours is nothing to you Americans). It is quite fun, in a way.
You are right TallPoppy. That is nothing to Americans. I see people driving here all the time while eating, talking on the phone, texting, reading the newspaper, etc. Driving is nothing to us. We pay so little attention to it while we are doing it.
I hope I didn't come across as meaning that Americans are bad drivers or that all Americans are the same etc (i.e. I hope you are kidding) - I meant that the US is so enormous that Americans must be a bit more relaxed about long car journeys than NZers or the British, or other small countries.

Drive in SoCal for a while. Supposedly there is a hands-free law for cell phones (meaning you can't drive while holding your phone) but everyone seems to ignore it. Plus, they mostly drive like a bat-out-of-hell, while eating, putting on makeup - the women seem better at that than the men, better multitaskers I guess (joking, but LA ain't that far away, and the '80s seem to be making a comeback), holding their latte', messing with the GPS, and looking for something in their laptop computer.

Archer · 2010-02-09 23:17:54

TallPoppy,
We didn't misunderstand you at all. I was simply making a sarcastic statement about American drivers. I don't even mean ALL American drivers. I do think that some Americans think they are such good drivers that they don't have to focus on the road. They believe they are one of the few who are capable of multi-tasking behind the wheel. Unfortunately the cemeteries are full of their mistakes.
Drive safely and enjoy the experience!

DosMetros · 2010-02-10 01:05:17

When I'm driving everybody is a bad driver, well except me, of course. That's my definition of defensive driving, everybody on the road is out to get me and I have to avoid getting hit by an idiot Huntsville driver.

Sooner · 2010-02-10 01:10:49

Don't know of anyone who doesn't live in the city that has the worst drivers.

Most mean something..........

Artistamy · 2010-02-10 04:08:15

My city isn't too bad--the worst I recall is Pittsburgh. People get to the end of on ramps for the highway and STOP!! Then in FL you have the 'old man in a hat' syndrome where they putz along and swerve. Sigh. L.A., they are just crazy.

Artistamy · 2010-02-11 21:50:38

House came through inspection just fine--they discovered a leak in my toilet that caused a large puddle in the crawl space, so getting that dealt with today. The hot water heater also needs to be replaced, so they have asked for a $1000 credit for that. I find that reasonable, though Marc doesn't. Oh, well. Other than that, they had a total of 6 things they found, the inspector usually finds over 30 in each house. YAY!

Still no word on the other house

DosMetros · 2010-02-12 01:04:12

Congratulations Amy! Sounds like you're going in the right direction in selling your house and purchasing the house of your dreams. I agree with Marc, that's too much for a water heater.

Archer · 2010-02-12 01:12:36

Amy,
I am a bit of a do-it-yourselfer and have installed a couple of water heaters (not that difficult) and repaired a few more. Saving the cost of installation, $1,000 would buy two or three heaters depending on size and electric versus gas. Anyway, I hope all goes well and you enjoy the new house. Luck!

bikerbabe · 2010-02-13 20:55:00

Since this is the Sound the Trumpets page, I have lost a total of 25 pounds now since December 2nd. Still have a long way to go but feel like I finally am on the right track.

Tall Talk

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