Posted by
lkight |
Wow, do I love the new high-end electric roadster - the Tesla. I've been hearing a lot about it lately. I love cool cars, and I love green cars, but the thing that I love most about the Tesla is that it's real. It's been produced. You can order one right now.
I know other car companies, especially General Motors, are working on improving fuel-cell technology but the process seems so painfully slow. I'm sure they are working smart, and hard, and will ultimately end up with great products that will change how we all live, work and drive. But Tesla scores on the cool factor of getting something to market now.
Read more at the Tesla Web site.
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Posted by
lkight |
No matter where you live, there is one universal sign that school is back in session: the crossing guard. It almost seems like the weather changes overnight and the trees turn a little golden when the crossing guards and orange cones emerge for the morning commute.
Back in my day, crossing guards were paired with elementary school children who served as "safety patrols." The adult crossing guard was always present (well, most of the time) to boldly walk into the middle of the street to stop traffic and allow children to cross an intersection. The patrols wore a bright orange belt that was affixed like a shoulder-crossing seatbelt, and carried a flagpole to keep the waiting gaggle of children off the road until the guard called out, "Crossing!"
If you were lucky enough to BE a patrol in elementary school, then you had the enviable task of affixing a vinyl orange flag to something to form an acceptable flagpole. The best poles were made with bamboo. They were strong and you could easily role up your flag when the job was done. Some kids used an old broomstick. I had a piece of PVC pipe. (At the time, I thought it was a very modern and cutting edge choice. But, really, it's just because I couldn't find any bamboo.)
I had a nice career as a safety patrol. I proudly worked my way up from a lowly silver-badge private to a sargeant (green badge), lieutenant (red badge) and then...at last...the coveted captain (blue badge). Occasionally one of us would perform some feat of safety that would inspire our P.E. teacher (and safety patrol sponsor) to award us The Gold Badge, which we got to proudly display for one week. I still have that photo of the 5th grade patrols with the P.E. coach...
Why all the fuss about crossing guards and patrols? Safety. Here are some key things to remember when school is in session:
- Obey the speed limit. If you hate slowing down, find another route in that doesn't involve a school zone.
- Pay extra attention in a school zone -- even if you are in a hurry. A child was killed in Texas last year when morning sun was in a driver's eyes. The car struck the little girl at a slow speed, but she did not survive.
- Do not talk on a cellphone in a school zone. It's distracting, and some municipalities have already banned hand-held cellphone use in school zones.
- If you are a student or parent walking to school, do not listen to an MP3 player while walking. You need to be aware of your surroundings.
- Stop for a school bus whenever you see its red flashing lights. Most children are injured while entering or exiting a bus.
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