ShadowDog

Crap, I feel for you. It seems to happen a lot to me as well, lately. As far as Quebec drivers go, the only moment I ever took notice of myself really getting mad at another driver was this year when some asshat with Quebec plates pulled out of a gas station ahead of me and literally stopped moving in the 90 km/h two-lane rural road. I braked a little heavier than normal to slow down, but nobody was in immediate danger, but at least I'd been paying attention in the first place. It appeared as though the driver didn't know if he turned in the right direction out of the gas station and had to think about it in the middle of the road. Nobody else was coming or going, so it was still just the two of us. Only about five seconds passed before the driver decided to turn off to the shoulder. Naturally, one would assume he was pulling off to let me by... NOPE, just as I was about to pass by, he darts left again into the lane and decides to pull a U-turn in front of me. Already blocking me and unable to make the turn, he needed to back up to make it a three-point turn. At this point I was so livid to the ignorance of this guy that I decided to pull into the on-coming lane, and s-l-o-w-l-y pass around the front of his car with my horn blaring and showing him my middle finger. A more mature move would have been to do nothing, but I couldn't let this stupid move go.

What'cha wanna bet the operator needed to change his shorts after this one?

Exactly. We have a 3 month old along with our 2 year old and we go out to shop, not parade around and have people get all touchie-feelie with our kids. It's enough that we have to deal with what ever germs are around in a public setting; never mind people getting right up and breathing on them, touching their cheeks and shaking their hands. Now, while were not 'germaphobes', we do practice things like safe food handling and proper cleaning to avoid getting sick. One can't really do too much to constantly control the bad habits of others when they are compelled to touch and pinch our baby after wiping the snot from their nose, scratching their ass or crotch and what ever else most people do without thinking. ... I wouldn't put a sign on my kid. That's just weird.

What a winnar! I haven't come across something so '2st Grade' since, well, 2nd Grade! Dorkus Extremus.

"I'm sorry, sir. You said your car has what problem?" "It's time of the month. You know? When things overheat and it leaks fluid?" "Oh, my apologies. Just give the engine plenty of fluids, ask the parts counter for a box of tampons and everything will be fine."

At first, I thought about laughing. Then I realized this level of ignorance actually makes me irritated. Seriously, have people become so lazy that all they think they need to know about a car is how to start it and put it into drive? People put more thought into how to make their complicated, morning breakfast cereal than understand how to operate something that can kill them. Doesn't this piss anyone else off?

While I have read the subsequent posts and understood everyone's position, the underlining mentality that lingers is one that suggests nothing about our existing products should change until alternative fuels, engine design and other innovations are developed for mainstream production. Everything comes with baby-steps, otherwise, that is one giant leap before the public and consumers will accept those new products. The other point worth making is how the automobile companies will find themselves able to continue producing the old-school product for the select few consumers still desiring them. If the people have spoken and want the shift to green, it's the companies that have to answer the call. If GM wishes to remain a company that develops a product for all consumers, they hold the ball. Consumer demand dictates whether you will still be able to drive a high-performance / high-efficiency alternative product; and the only way a company will know this demand is through their existing sales that matches the desire found on forums and letter-writing campaigns.

I'd say the judge should award him $1 and require him to pay all legal fees associated with the case, as well as court fees and all expenses.

With all that hatred and backlash, then all the techno-jargon which will be obsolete yesterday, I want to end life.

That was my thought. The first thought that entered my head was, "So, what's different these days?"

Enter 68. ...in this case, his rants about the clean profile would really ring true. I'm not so keen on the crease-line of the quarter panel. Odd to have there, but even more odd if it's missing. A bummer of a necessity?

I appreciate the effort that went into making it appear and function in the classic sense. When I'm looking at the fuel gauge or speedometer, down toward the stereo controls where the sharp downturn of the dash completely separates from the centre console, I get the feeling that I literally am in an updated 70's Camaro. That's the goal here, going over the modern approach and developing a classic feel for the driver. Anyone can design a 'retroesque' interior, but to design one that appears to function in that same style to give the driver a classic impression is a huge goal to attain. Though I speak highly of the final design, about the only thing I consider a bit 'aftermarketish' in appearance is the placement of the centre information gauges. I mean, it's not as if just because GM went to such great lengths to give its customers a new Camaro there wouldn't be some things that would be considered a little 'off'. The 'spoiled children' comment makes it seem as though the car exists and must be placed on a pedestal, regardless of anything. That kind of thinking is reserved for import owners on kool-aid as thick as Jell-o, IMHO.

Anyone bitching about the unexpected cost for return need only be given a cheque in their pie-hole and a kick in the ass out the door. If a vehicle is the second-largest investment a person can make, that person should invest the appropriate amount of time to research and test drive their short list of choices. Oh well if people aren't so bright. That's no surprise. The marketing campaign is a solid one. It's not as though they're saying, 'What have you got to lose?' No, they're saying, 'Give us a chance. We think you'll be satisfied.'

Damn bean-buritos 'n fajitas stay out!

This would look a whole lot different, though amusing, if found it a bag of white corn chips.

When the company introduced GPS systems in the plumbing division's vans, the plumbers thought it was a cool idea to help them locate their assignments faster. They later learned through the reprimand of a few crewmen that they got more than they bargained for because the same system was utilized to check on the locations of the vans at any given time. It turned out some of the crewmen were using the vans on the weekend for personal use, charging fuel to the company; also on a few a occasions to stop off at "unapproved locations", such as "the liquor store" during work hours. So in the case of preventing time and fuel theft, I'd say this kind of equipment has its place.

While so many consider it over the top, I look at it this way. If texting while driving is considered worse than drunk driving, and the fatality rate for accidents related to drunk driving is high, you can bet that the potential for death in a texting accident is up there too. At the very least, this stupid action is sure to raise the insurance rates, especially for inexperienced drivers. Not that this matters much since mommy and daddy will end up putting the car in their own name just to save the dough.

I don't know why it's called 'Big Brother' when, really, it's just a more efficient means to do a job; not to mention protect private property, whether vehicles or just plates from falling to the wrong hands. Why is it such a bad thing to have something other than an officer's eyeballs scoping out for bad things?

moan

It's not important, but a meaningful letter to my wife sure looks better in my handwriting than in block letters. It can be considered an artful expression to put some care into the written word. Communication with a computer only gets one so far. The sticky note is still all powerful. At work, if I have to give out a notation for directions or specifications in quick time, it's on paper. I don't waste my time opening up a text program to type, then print it out on a massive piece of paper for someone to fold for their pocket. The fact that I can write cursive legibly and quickly makes for efficiency. Aside from that, sync-problems and computer malfunctions easily lose notes. People easily lose pieces of paper, but at least a piece of paper is still somewhere to find.

My last boss was an excellent leader. The only problems were that he'd been at his job for so long and had subordinates whom were more popular than proficient at their jobs spreading negativity about him to others. Respect for him from some of these 'others' isn't high as they consider him a warlord of a rule-maker. These rules are simple customer service guidelines that are put into practice everywhere, "No cellphones on the floor", "Be on time for your shift", "Meet your deadlines or stay late", etc. The only thing that irked me about him was that he sometimes had unattainable goals and large projects that required more manpower than the sales per man hour budget could afford. I tried scaling him back a bit, providing spreadsheets and support over more than just the usual, "...can't be done" argument; however, he always pushed us to make it happen. This usually meant me staying an hour or two late every day on a weekly basis. Even worse, he felt I need to find an answer to my efficiency issues that kept me from getting home instead of staying at work. Still, he was a great guy and I miss working for him. My current boss is ... oh, anything but a manager. Sure, he owns the company and knows how to do everything but some of the administrative; however, he keep stating, "We need to make sure we... (insert rule here)." But he never follows through on his own rule, as if 'Do as I say, not as I do' applies. His communication sucks, plain and simple. He takes calls on his cell but doesn't relay the information to me. What ever calls I receive that require his attention are recorded on my Comm Log for him to review later. He might look at the log once a week while I end up receiving calls from people wondering why they haven't got an answer yet. I'm supposed to co-ordinate the projects; however, half the time the crew tell me where they've been told to show up the next day. At least they feel the same I about the boss as I do. They know I'm always kept in the dark and they know why. Despite being hired to assist in the development and expansion of his business, I can't help but wonder how much of it is completely out of my hands because of his complete lack of budgetary concept and cash-flow understanding. If it keeps up the way it's going he'll be out of business before next summer. Until then, I'll do what I can to ease the blow. Maybe I'll consider talking to my previous boss about another position. Heh. At least we'd both be happy again.

The concept of neutral-lock is the stupidest design feature I have ever heard of. I fail to understand why the driver did not have the sense to even consider dropping to lower gears. The engine would eventually have blown and the car would have been significantly easier to slow down. I suppose it all comes down to panic and lack of clear thinking in an emergency situation. Bummer. Anyhow, speculation on murder-suicide is easy for us to consider. Heck, considering the circumstances and all the questions we have, why rule it out?

Curious. How do you mean?

Holy crap, this just reminded me of something that really made me upset. In Calgary, while waiting at a set of lights to cross traffic there was a city bus to my left in the left-turn lane. When the green-turning arrow illuminated I eventually heard a horn honk from somewhere behind us and noticed the bus wasn't moving. When I looked over at the driver, the bitch was hunched over her steering wheel with a Blackberry-sized cell device in her hands with a big smile on her face. She looked up, but instead of putting the phone down, she continued with it in her hand whilst spinning the steering wheel to start her turn. I don't think she was looking at it after that, but who the hell knows?! About the only thing that made me feel a bit better was that the bus was 'off duty' at the time, so no passengers. Still, would you like to be the one slammed by a 12 ton vehicle? I damn-near reported #5080 at the time; however, I didn't think it was my battle to fight. Still, I feel a little guilty about not calling.

What possible reason would a car company have to shift a steering wheel off centre to the seat? If there isn't an extremely good reason, that's a completely stupid oversight.