RipCordless

A pop-culture consumer who keeps it, by design, in the shallow end of the pool.

Driving

More Top Gear

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I’m a huge fan. In all honesty, Top Gear could be the number one TV show in recent history. I know I blather on about House, and Weeds (which lost its appeal in season 3), and a plethora of other shows, but Top Gear has taken over top spot. They have a unique formula which I cannot get enough of.

As I mentioned before, The hosts (pictured left to right) Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond create a wonderful combination of chemistry I seen few rival on US TV, let alone globally. They are down to earth, died in the wool, gear heads who genuinely laugh at each others jokes. What’s more, I recently found a way to see more of their shows. A lot more.

I was currently restricted by the BBC America but recently discovered a friend who has season 4 onward and is letting me watch them at my leisure. I’m just a nutter for this show now. I cannot get enough… I’m watching about two episodes a day and I just don’t have time to do that with school, and other responsibilities. But I don’t care. The wit, the passion, the cars. It all combines into one helluva viewing experience. I think, most of all, having this decent and witty look at my homeland is also warming to the soul. I’m hooked. You should be too. If you want more information on the show, check out their website.

England’s Roads

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England has an amazing road system. Really.

If I were to create a country named, um, nothing witty jumps to mind, I would model the road system after the English. Why? Because it works, and it works well.

The English road system consists of clearly marked and well maintained roads, strict speed limits, and drivers who pay attention. Oh, one more thing, they have no stop signs in England. Intersections are mostly handled by round-abouts. Not the US version with strict lanes of travel as you drive around the circle. No, wide open round-abouts which leave drivers to work out their troubles and right of way themselves. Like adults. Quite refreshing.

Speed limits? Sure, they have them but the slow lane runs at somewhere around 70mph. Drivers use the middle and fast lanes for passing. You won’t see drivers weaving through traffic because slow cars actually stay in the slow lane when not passing. If one comes across a slower moving truck, drivers will pass in the middle lane, then promptly report back to the slow lane. Once more, the slow lane isn’t really slow at all. And considering the fact that you can get anywhere in England, by car, in a very reasonable amount of time (England is roughly the geographical square-mile equivalent of Louisiana), driving is some much more rewarding.

Bravo England, for treating drivers like adults. Well done.