2005-09-30

Beware The GPS My Son

We were travelling to a small village just south of Northampton. The GPS SatNav was in charge. We were half an hour away when Digital Dorothy, possibly confused by the double roundabaout at the motorway junction, told us to "Turn Left, then make a U turn."

The driver, slightly distracted by this odd instruction, turned left and left again, and we were headed the wrong way down the M1. 12 miles to the next junction, but still plenty of time. Until we reached the enormous queue and sat stationary for three hours with the engine off (but the ignition on for the radio and demister). Further ahead, a coach and lorry had collided and several cars had become involved. The northbound carriageway was also closed temporarily so that the air ambulance could land.

When the traffic started moving again, we didn't. Something in the electrics was unhappy, but the radio was still working. The fast lane of the M1, stuck. Fortunately, the cars behind were also stuck and their drivers were quick to offer to push. It is encouraging to know that even with engine management, fuel injection and electronic ignition, a push start will sometimes get you going again. Thanks, guys. We might still be there. Posted by Picasa

2005-09-27

Test of Picasa

There is a new version of Picasa which allows posting direct to Blogger, so I thought I'd better try it out.

Here is a picture of the Maths Building at Manchester University. When I visited there in 1970-mumble, they told me that it was leaning and would one day fall down. (Does every university have a "falling down" building?) Seems like that day is finally here. Posted by Picasa

2005-09-06

Loved Ones

I hate that expression. It's like the cheap sentimentality that you'd find inside a greeting card with a picture of a kitten on the front. It reeks of insincerity. It used to be an American thing, but now it has infiltrated the BBC and it gets my goat.

Where did it come from? As far as I can remember, it used to be used solely by fictional undertakers when referring to the recently deceased. Now it has been extended to include the possibly deceased.

Is it just lazy journalists who can't be bothered to say "friends and family"? Perhaps there isn't a single word which encompasses acquaintances, those related by blood, partners both legal and common-law including their blood relations, etc., but as a journalist they should try harder and think up something.

I've tried to decide why I hate it so.

I think partly it's because it is usually associated with the intrusion of reporters on the potentially bereaved, who are awaiting "news of their loved ones". With a close-up of tears on photogenic faces.

And partly it's the plain awkwardness of it. "Ones"? Surely there can't be more than one "one". Simply saying "loves" should suffice, as in "the loves of your life", but that makes the hypocrisy a little too visible.

But mostly it is the mawkish implication that you must "love" anybody that you are concerned about. Missing family members might well be unloved and it is entirely possible to empathise with the plight of people who you have never even met. It is the emotional exaggeration for effect which rankles. Everything has to be elevated to a human tragedy.

Don't get me started on that Lady Diana thing.