For my new job I do quite a bit of driving around, so I purchased a GPS device for my car. We’ve all see the commercials where the guy professes his love for his GPS before regaining his senses, realizing that it is just a mechanical device. That won’t be my problem. I often do talk to my GPS as it’s talking to me, but we’re usually arguing. I even switched the voice to that of a British woman, hoping that the accent would make it seem like much less of a nag. It doesn’t. Here are a few sample conversations between me and my GPS:
GPS: In two tenths of a mile turn right………….in one tenth of a mile turn right……..in 200 feet turn right….
Phil: I know, I’m turning right!
GPS: Turn right
Phil: Shut up! I’m already turning. Leave me alone!
Or another example is when we disagree on directions. For instance yesterday I asked it directions to a specific restaurant and it wanted me to get on a toll road for something like a quarter mile.
GPS: Take ramp on left in 200 feet.
Phil: No. I’m not going to pay a toll just to go a half mile.
GPS: Take ramp on left
Phil: No. I’m not going to. I can see the restaurant from here.
GPS: As soon as possible make a U-turn.
Phil: No, I’m not going to go on the ramp. SHUT UP! I can see the restaurant.
GPS: Recalculating. Travel two tenths of a mile to destination on right.
Phil: See? I told you!
Perhaps my terse demeanor is why my GPS sometimes gives me wrong directions and possibly tries to get me killed. It often has no regard for my safety when it directs me through crime infested, gang run neighborhoods, or down streets that are closed for construction. I think it’s out to get me. At some point I imagine myself pulling the thing off the dash and flinging it out onto the highway as I’m traveling at a very high rate of speed, laughing maniacally as it tumbles to it’s tiny electronic death still babbling at me. If I’m ever stranded on a desert island I’m sure as hell not taking my GPS with me to keep me company. To quote the great philosopher, me, technology is the opiate of the asses.
if i had a gps, i’d want it to sound like pierce brosnan.i used to have one made by magellan. it wasn’t nearly as manic as yours. think of it as a girlfriend.it’s time for an upgrade, baby.
Hi Phil! Jeepers, i don’t stop by for a bit and when i do, i find you’ve turned into a cell phone person…shame shame shame LOL.Had a blast catching up on all your flying experiences, hope you and the family are well :o)
McKay- You’re right. This is definitely one girlfriend I wish I could break up with.Michelle- Yaa! It’s nice to see you again! How are things down under? During my training in August I hung out with some of your countrymen one night.
You should bring it…at least youd have someone to argue with.
But I agree with the british accent. I would have thought that it would have been more delightful to listen to.
That sounds like riding in the car with my sounds dad. Getting rid of the GPS is probably easier than getting rid of him…
Gotta love GPS. It was made by satans elves, you know. I bet you didn’t know that satan had elves, huh? He does.
Arguing with the GPS.Don’t get it angry or it will take you to Arizona by way of Paris one day just to get back at you. The things are alive and they’re evil.
When you said a british woman, I immediately thought of the Monty Python PepperPots…and then I imagined you flying down the highway laughing and laughing and then losing your way because you were laughing so hard.But I see I was wrong. It amazes me that you’ve managed to develop such an acrimonious relationship with your GPS. I didn’t think it was possible!