I’m finally home after a whirlwind trip down to Williamsburg, VA. The weather down there was positively splendid–80 and sunny as I tramped around the old-time Colonial Williamsburg desperately seeking potential amusement for a pack of jaded high school students (and myself). Alas, it was not to be, as Colonial Williamsburg is a bit hard up on fun and excitement. (But they’ll LOVE Busch Gardens.)
While on my little 775 mile road trip, I took along Husbandito’s Garmin Nuvi (a navigation thing). I don’t really require a GPS as I’m my father’s daughter and a bit of a savant when it comes to geography and directions (and modest too!). Nonetheless, Husbandito foisted “Garmie” upon me and I took her, if only for the company. I enjoyed her prim little voice ordering me to “Turn left on Virginia One-Nine-Nine” or my personal favorite, her imperious ”Recalculating” whenever I veered off her prescribed course.
Incidentally, I am almost finished with my book from my solitary meal last night–Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard (nonfiction). Shepard is frustrated with the poor attitudes and materialistic individualism in today’s youth and wants to see if he can make something from nothing to prove it can be done. Here’s a blurb about it if you’re so inclined:
I’m going to start almost literally from scratch…with $25 and the clothes on my back. Via train, I will be dropped at a random place somewhere in the southeastern US that is not in my home state of North Carolina. I have 365 days to become free of the realities of homelessness and become a ‘regular’ member of society. After one year, for my project to be considered successful, I have to possess an operable automobile, live in a furnished apartment, have $2,500 in cash, and most importantly, I have to be in a position in which I can continue to improve my circumstances by either going to school or starting my own business. I can’t use my previous contacts, college degree, or credit history. I cannot beg for money or use services that others are not at liberty to use. -Adam Shepard, Scratch Beginnings
Now that I’m home, I put the book on my nightstand because I’ve got plenty of other reading ahead of me–I have to catch up on the 17 blogs I subscribe to so I can see what YOU GUYS are up to! I was keeping an eye on your blogs from Virginia, but I have to read today’s posts now. Have a great weekend. 
I did laugh about the sat nav. The voices are a little polished to say the least!
) You can imagine them all telling him where to go!
One of the ‘best sellers in sat navs is a one called ‘Tom Tom’, I was swapping direction tips with a cousin and fellow driver when we attended a family wedding…
” Did you come down the M62?” I asked…
“oh” he replied, “There was no chance of me getting lost… I had three Tom Toms in the car with me!”
I looked around and saw his wife and her sister smiling back!
.
I’m not an avid reader but I should get gold stars for the amount of books I _try_ to read. I manage the first 5 or 6 pages in every book I pick up… I just have to try and get past that sixth page syndrome! Have a good weekend!
(It’s a holiday weekend in the Uk, so no work until Tuesday! Yay!)
CWG says: lol@ tom tom cousin! have a swell weekend and enjoy your extra day off. lucky dog!
That sounds like a very interesting book. I just might have to check it out. I’m already dieing to know how things turn out for him.
CWG SAYS: here, i’ll save you the trouble: the guy buys a lottery ticket on his 65th night of being homeless and wins a million bucks.
JUST KIDDINGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!
I also have the Garmin Nuvi, and take her along with me on almost every journey….even ones i know….I like the company! She can get annoyed when I specifically go off her route, but eventually she falls in line! My Daughter (who is a police officer does not like it at all!)
Did husbandito not tell you the voice can be changed to Male? Maybe he would be jealous!
Your book choice seems interesting. And your comments about Williamsburg are welcome as it is in the ‘must-visit’ list of my wife if she can ever get me on a plane for 8 hours to visit the New World!
Nice to have you back!
CWG says: do you have your ‘Garmie’s’ voice set to the English accent or the American one? We had ours set to the English one for a while, but it started posing a hazard because we couldn’t understand her sometimes and almost missed exits and turns. What the heck is a round-about, anyway?
Glad you’re back safely! Your students will be most appreciative of the change in plan I am sure.
I’ve never used a GPS, we just drag along the old paper atlas. A little outmoded I suppose, but I don’t think John or I would like being told what to do.
Reminds me of a funny story. When we were out in Iowa, John & I my dad got up early one morning to go help my G-ma. My dad was driving and he said he needed to find a Borders before they headed over to my G-ma’s place. So he types it into his GPS, gets the directions, then proceeds to completely IGNORE THEM. John was laughing so hard when he told me — the thing’s saying “Turn Left Here,” John’s like Hey Paul, I think you need to turn Left – as my dad completely ignores them both and keeps going straight. This of course is the man who taught me how to drive and would perhaps explain why I got voted “Most Reckless Driver” in our senior superlatives. Oh well.
The book sounds interesting. I am finishing one now called The Know it All – I think you’d enjoy. Very funny.
My Nuvi 2000 has ‘American English’ (which I did not know!)but is defaulted to ‘British English’! And I am an Irishman living in Scotland!
I’m going out to the Scottish/English Borders today as it is a public holiday, so will try the ‘American English’ and let you know.
If only we could get her to say please and thank-you, then she would be perfect.