tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203693272024-03-12T19:39:42.335-07:00THE GRIDLOCKSMITHTHE GRIDLOCKSMITH, traffic safety activist, "Roads Scholar," former "Road Warrior" who lost a brother (aged,15) on the road in 1969, has compiled many observations and ideas about traffic safety after 3 decades of driving for a living.
"Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
Set a safe example in traffic." You, too, can be a gridlocksmith.
"Road-Peace is a step toward World Peace." - Earl ShoopThe Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-81971047247595358892012-06-19T20:05:00.003-07:002012-06-20T23:24:55.082-07:00RIP, Brother!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
June 19, 1969, was the last day my brother, Ricky, rose from his sleep. He packed his gear and hit the road to continue his bicycling trip to Minneapolis. He did not make it. </div>
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His loss is one of the main reasons that gridlocksmith cares so deeply about traffic safety, and it is appropriate to remember him, now. Rest in Peace, brother!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">On a lighter note, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">we have <a href="http://verkoren.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/top-this-for-a-speeding-ticket/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this story</a> about two British traffic patrol officers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">who may feel lucky to be still alive, after their hand-held radar</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">device locked on to a NATO fighter aircraft.</span></div>
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Going shopping? Help gridlocksmith promote "<a href="http://www.road-peace.com/" target="_blank">Road-Peace</a>" by using this link, each time you shop at amazon.com. The small referral fees add up, and your help is so very appreciated!</div>
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<iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="60" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gridlocksmith-20&o=1&p=26&l=ur1&category=green&banner=1BJYH57CE2BW9QWJQTG2&f=ifr" style="border: none;" width="468"></iframe><br />
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"Road-Peace is a step on the road to World Peace!" </div>
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There is commonality that advances both traffic safety and World Peace: kindness, forgiveness, patience, compassion, </div>
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gratitude and loving thoughtfulness.<br />
Whether we bicycle, drive, or walk, we can model </div>
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the behavior that true world peace will require of all humans, </div>
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while making traffic safer, and more fun.<br />
This "grass roots" movement needs you </div>
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to model that peace making behavior, </div>
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and to help spread the word. </div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/rd.peace" target="_blank">road-peace is now on Facebook.</a></div>
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<br /></div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-71872801827737194962012-04-11T23:49:00.003-07:002012-04-12T00:03:28.452-07:00R U 4 PEACE? ARE YOU FOR PEACE? ...Everywhere?<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d;"><i>Well, sure, of course.</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
Are you ready to make peace? You may have to make some changes in your own life. Are you ready for that?<br />
<i style="color: blue;">Uh, whatcha mean?</i><br />
Here's the thing... True World Peace is not just about nations refusing to fight wars against each other. It means that we humans (as individuals) care about each other...<br />
<i style="color: blue;">You mean, even my knuckle-head brother-in-law?</i><br />
Maybe he's just doing the best he can. We're not all as smart as you, ya know. But let me get to "Road-Peace."<br />
<div style="color: blue;"><i>"Road-Peace?"</i></div>That's right, "Road-Peace." I can't think of a better place to start making peace than on the road, where we all know that our lives are in each others' hands. Can you?<br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I'm with you. So, if we all act nice to each other on the road, then we have "Road-Peace."</span></i><br />
Basically. We need to realize that it will not always be easy to be kind and thoughtful and forgiving...<br />
<div style="color: blue;"><i>Forgiving?</i></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Right</span><span style="color: black;">, forgiving... like when someone does something that really gets your goat, you know?</span></div><div style="color: blue;"><i>Like yesterday, when this guy cut me off?</i></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">What do you mean, cut you off?</span></div><div style="color: blue;"><i>Yeah. Like I'm driving along, when suddenly, this guy pulls right in front of me, and I felt pretty whizzed off!</i></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">He practically ran you off the road? ..with not even signalling?</span></div><div style="color: blue;"><i>Oh, no. There was plenty of room, and I think he did signal.</i></div>What happened then?<br />
<div style="color: blue;">He got off at the next exit.</div>I see. I guess I'm more literal than most folks. When I think of being "cut off," I'm really being "Cut Off." If I'm trying to get into the right lane, so I can take the next exit, and other drivers see my signal and speed up to get in the way... that's what<i> I </i>call, "Cut Off!"<br />
<div style="color: blue;">Wow! I see what you mean. Do you forgive them?</div>Sure, but it can be really challenging. Especially the one that was right behind me, who moved over to the right and sped up... or when a parade of tail-gaters... I mean, It's hard not to believe that they are deliberately being rude. But, they have no way to know if I'm forgiving them or not. Forgiveness of others benefits me, more than it does them.<br />
<div style="color: blue;">Right. That way, you don't hold in all those negative feelings... the kind that can make you crazy.</div><br />
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You've got it. They might even be trying to get me angry... <i>as though more angry drivers on the road is a really swell idea</i>...<br />
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I guess they think it's a lot of fun to play mind-jerk games, on the road. They seem to crave the attention of another driver, speeding up to catch up and make faces. Forgiving them gives me the pleasure of disappointing those characters. Another driver, who cares less than I do about survival, will play that game, and if they both kill themselves... I chalk it up to Darwin.<br />
<div style="color: blue;">Darwin?</div>Right. Survival of the fittest, on the road, means survival of the kindest and wisest and most attentive... those who want "Road-Peace," which is a step on the road to World Peace.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifirRnGzYZgqFbHq0azEqik0TXhA41pxXGrLuftTT0TWh-ObFk6B22E5Gs_IQNtdi-n_296dlJfHQBTvyT0Qb4jovW7AklHOlWqEoQwxQz18ktrIKo7e2-S87zXTONC2Z0Rb4p/s1600/road-peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifirRnGzYZgqFbHq0azEqik0TXhA41pxXGrLuftTT0TWh-ObFk6B22E5Gs_IQNtdi-n_296dlJfHQBTvyT0Qb4jovW7AklHOlWqEoQwxQz18ktrIKo7e2-S87zXTONC2Z0Rb4p/s320/road-peace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Visit <a href="http://road-peace.com/"></a><a href="http://www.road-peace.com/" target="_blank">road-peace.com</a> to help spread the message. (...also on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/rd.peace" target="_blank">Facebook</a>) <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">===+++===</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>One of the most important elements of true peace is... caring for each other (and ourselves). We can do that, right now, by signing petitions, provided by Causes.org: <i style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/cobb-county-ga-release-grieving-mother-of-hit-and-run-install-a-crosswalk#" target="_blank">Release grieving Mother of hit and run + install a crosswalk</a></span></i><br />
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<div id="change_BottomBar"><span id="change_Powered"><a href="http://www.change.org/" target="_blank">Change.org</a></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=20369327&postID=7187280182773719496">|</a><span id="change_Start"> Start an <a href="http://www.change.org/petition" target="_blank">Online Petition</a> »</span></div><script src="http://e.change.org:80/flash_petitions_widget.js?width=300&petition_id=274555&color=1A3563" type="text/javascript">
</script>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-7842580053880527642012-03-02T15:46:00.001-08:002012-03-02T17:15:05.100-08:00Md SHA Meets Our Community<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On Tuesday evening, February 28, in the cafeteria of Blair HS, folks from the Md SHA set up displays of a proposed detour to lighten the traffic load on the Rte 193 bridge at the I-495 interchange during the planned two year reconstruction project. Since it was a come and go event, attendance varied from minute to minute. I guesstimate that the total attendance was between 200 and 300 people. My number may be short, since I did not arrive until just after 6 o'clock, and the doors were to open at 5:30.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a pleasure to meet Dr. Gridlock (Robert Thomson) of The Washington Post. He was generous with his time, and seemed amused by the verse and designs of gridlocksmith.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SHA folks expressed appreciation for the input given by members of the affected communities. Gridlocksmith shared some chocolate kisses at the end of the evening, to assure that they left with a good taste in their mouths.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAb44Ldi-hwjq_U-DGCoLJdiqofeo7HgEyXcdhfic8KF1w4zaVC5nmqQfYUmUzPhiRYX7OUYmKtBFkItU3Nnqhhuvcoq1AssbWa5l0z4T22rC66y7a0LOO-EdXLCuT6iKYCLd/s1600/DrG%252CJill_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAb44Ldi-hwjq_U-DGCoLJdiqofeo7HgEyXcdhfic8KF1w4zaVC5nmqQfYUmUzPhiRYX7OUYmKtBFkItU3Nnqhhuvcoq1AssbWa5l0z4T22rC66y7a0LOO-EdXLCuT6iKYCLd/s320/DrG%252CJill_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">ISCA President, Jill Ortman-Fouse, makes the acquaintance </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">of Robert Thomson (AKA, Dr. Gridlock, of The Washington Post).</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipncU8i2yoXo-bjEpJ8g_HiEm1sQtbRP9S2OXdUQOtlidmaq3zAVPtZKhDXHv_fV93REI2otQT9rGV_ezaVKb7O2IwxVq38hfjDkcWMlAf-JAorCW4CXJsxAl925U24W-l095q/s1600/SHAtable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipncU8i2yoXo-bjEpJ8g_HiEm1sQtbRP9S2OXdUQOtlidmaq3zAVPtZKhDXHv_fV93REI2otQT9rGV_ezaVKb7O2IwxVq38hfjDkcWMlAf-JAorCW4CXJsxAl925U24W-l095q/s320/SHAtable.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Maps, photos and explanations filled the information tables.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-EzhJ14uSIphILptD97RU3E3PuoXHVF7ItmTCqQaAKg9hcH4U6pipghDZBBJAKNnC9ZuFicnrTOon30qWLae-dKbG3kaj5qHUBAbcij8_By6Jbc6zRFy8JQTNbkKHrAghNwV/s1600/DrG%252CSHA%252CHuck%252CPete.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-EzhJ14uSIphILptD97RU3E3PuoXHVF7ItmTCqQaAKg9hcH4U6pipghDZBBJAKNnC9ZuFicnrTOon30qWLae-dKbG3kaj5qHUBAbcij8_By6Jbc6zRFy8JQTNbkKHrAghNwV/s320/DrG%252CSHA%252CHuck%252CPete.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">As the evening drew to a close, the late hangers-on included, </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">(L-R) Robert Thomson(Dr. Gridlock), Benjamin Hokuf and two coleagues </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">at SHA, Del. Tom Hucker and Pete Lafen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><u>Please, feel free to make comments, below, </u></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><u>to add information, make corrections, etc.</u></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gridlocksmith is now working on launching a new peace movement:</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ghysj76YUjidn_R5AhTIo463TpE54jFFe9-WJJNyGkB3dY98dmW631mhxa6aq0CaKaoUA7aHKI-8ccFnsQwZ_b8OJCR1zhcIf5W_ruh8fvFM9169zAKt4MPQc-7izlaf3gG7/s1600/road-peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ghysj76YUjidn_R5AhTIo463TpE54jFFe9-WJJNyGkB3dY98dmW631mhxa6aq0CaKaoUA7aHKI-8ccFnsQwZ_b8OJCR1zhcIf5W_ruh8fvFM9169zAKt4MPQc-7izlaf3gG7/s320/road-peace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.road-peace.com/">www.road-peace.com</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> All sorts of volunteers are needed.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Now on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/rd.peace">www.facebook.com/rd.peace</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-71541741912245172512012-02-09T15:55:00.000-08:002012-02-17T22:21:03.338-08:00KINDNESS - vs - ROAD RAGE<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next week is "Random Acts of Kindness Week." Let's get an early start. In fact, why not be kind every day, every week? ...to everyone?</span><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the greatest kindnesses that we can show each other is to think well about our safety. From that thinking, we are likely to become more patient, thoughtful, and forgiving. (Who among us has never done an "oopsy!" from time to time?) </span><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kindness in traffic can be challenging, especially when others do stupid and dangerous things. During 30 years of "driving for a living," I have seen more than a few ragers running rampant on the road. Not being authorized to pull them over and lecture them, it made no sense to chase after them, but it left me feeling angry that these clowns were endangering us all. That is what makes Road Rage" so dangerous; anger spreads like a virus, making more and more drivers impatient, less kind and thoughtful...</span></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQyAcFe5dYiZxLzQAomMiNFLUEzUBERxERHrpLJm7JOUmp6t9uka2paih8Gir3DDodjRhFa_6KYF8gubPAZBWwkq2PkZuMYLx-K_-rLmAQzTHQqtIuLK9X3msjfYWhDoAWCQJ/s1600/DANGER-i,b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQyAcFe5dYiZxLzQAomMiNFLUEzUBERxERHrpLJm7JOUmp6t9uka2paih8Gir3DDodjRhFa_6KYF8gubPAZBWwkq2PkZuMYLx-K_-rLmAQzTHQqtIuLK9X3msjfYWhDoAWCQJ/s400/DANGER-i,b.png" width="326" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, what is a rational driver to do? First, we have to remember that the only attitudes and behaviors we can change... are our own. Actually, that may be enough. The most powerful thing that we can do to influence the behavior of others is to set a good example. Many manic drivers are looking for someone to race them, or, simply take joy in irritating others. If we don't rise to the bait, it spoils their game. Each time we see rage, but stay calm, we win. Here is a rhyme I use to help keep cool:</span></span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Road Rage Remedy" </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">-gridlocksmith.com<br />
<br />
We know a cheery fellow<br />
Who likes the traffic mellow,<br />
But, when drivers intrude,<br />
With attitudes, rude,<br />
He sometimes used to bellow!<br />
<br />
He soon saw that was folly.<br />
So, to make himself quite jolly,<br />
He said, "Yes-sir-ee, Bob,<br />
They're doing a fine job;<br />
They keep me alert, by golly!"<br />
<br />
When traffic has you in a bind,<br />
And there's no short cut you can find,<br />
To improve the flow,<br />
Here's all you need know:<br />
It's much better, when you are kind.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqJg5kKZKtJ5o9eYdcOmm_Kb1Yo27dCIgDG17n-24joqgC7i_ue3pB8aNFG4wfGZfelIsAdMrN6ndVMDPjvQyHJBeWfIqBP8C66QRlegbsdAhASCrDzVxTPcgjm3LMXxsdGvC/s1600/RevengeFool.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqJg5kKZKtJ5o9eYdcOmm_Kb1Yo27dCIgDG17n-24joqgC7i_ue3pB8aNFG4wfGZfelIsAdMrN6ndVMDPjvQyHJBeWfIqBP8C66QRlegbsdAhASCrDzVxTPcgjm3LMXxsdGvC/s400/RevengeFool.png" width="341" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the most unkind things one can do in traffic is to be <u><i>so</i></u> <u>disrespectful</u> of others, that one becomes distracted by cell phone use and/or <b>texting while driving!</b> This can so easily lead to <a href="http://youtu.be/9k-e30YX3kE" target="_blank">terrible consequences(video)</a>. I believe <you tube=""><a href="http://youtu.be/dGUea4fcagc" target="_blank">this sensible message</a> should be viewed by every person who uses texting devices. Here is <a href="http://www.thegridlocksmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/gotta-sing-loud.html" target="_blank">another blog post</a>, dedicated to this issue. It includes more links and new lyrics (Dexter Texter) to an old tune (Davy Crockett).</you></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When kindness is shared in traffic, whether we walk, cycle, or drive, we become part of the solution. We all can feel more relaxed, think more clearly, be safer, endure less stress and have healthier hearts. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a deal!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More articles, poems, photos and humor are at <a href="http://gridlocksmith.com/" target="_blank">gridlocksmith.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Volunteers are needed to help kick off the new<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1801765644"> </a><a href="http://www.road-peace.com/" target="_blank">"Road-Peace Movement."</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRs1C9kzLTBMs-ZV6WAK0qhyoDmf8F9nS4cTV0pzM_sz2eGKO_yA7DSi9dTWK25et7FD3aKoZN0YmF9FOsc_Uhl_bKaSDS-3IdIAngho2ylymsaMDFmsB4AkdZhTQ0FNm7vUJ/s1600/road-peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRs1C9kzLTBMs-ZV6WAK0qhyoDmf8F9nS4cTV0pzM_sz2eGKO_yA7DSi9dTWK25et7FD3aKoZN0YmF9FOsc_Uhl_bKaSDS-3IdIAngho2ylymsaMDFmsB4AkdZhTQ0FNm7vUJ/s320/road-peace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember the advice of Gandhi...<br />
You must be the<br />
<div style="color: #660000;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHANGE</span></u></div>you wish to see in<br />
<div style="color: #660000;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">THE WORLD!</span></u></div>(Be safe out there.)<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-69423728028801656192012-01-13T21:10:00.000-08:002012-01-13T21:42:10.036-08:00What Brings Good Luck?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">DECIDE TO BE HAPPY</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(It brings good luck.)</span><br />
<br />
[...but first, this word from... well, not exactly a sponsor, but...<br />
gridlocksmith has become an Amazon Associate.<br />
This means that if you use the link on this page<br />
to do your Amazon shopping,<br />
you will help support the work of gridlocksmith,<br />
promoting the end of road rage<br />
and the creation of Road-Peace - a step on the road to World Peace.] <br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gridlocksmith-20&o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=amazonhomepage&f=ifr" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">1-13-12 FRIDAY 13TH!!<br />
<br />
DECIDE TO BE HAPPY<br />
(it brings good luck)</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At least, that's what I read in an article lately... (Where did I put that thing?) Maybe it will pop up in a search... Hmmm...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"happiness brings good luck" in the search field, aaaannnnd...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">O-Kay.. I will obviously not find it by deadline, so, here is at least one source of Luck Resources... <a href="http://wishgoodluck.com/%20" target="_blank">http://wishgoodluck.com/ </a> -which is loaded with quips and quotes and questionable comments, completely compiled to settle the riled... Allow this exemplary example to entertain your attention:</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Being generous, just helping one’s relatives and being blameless in one’s actions; this is the best good luck. ~ Buddha</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Exactly! Kindness completes the karmic contraption. Or something like that. Hey, what do you want from me? It's freaking Friday the thirteenth, for Pete's sake! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">OK, I'm better, now. Friday is still Friday. It could be a Monday! (the 13th!) Oh yes. That could be really bad... why, I remember, as a youth, going fishing on a Monday the 13th... not only was I having no good luck with the fishing, but, while my back was turned, I got a bite that took my pole out to the middle of the river! Later, after losing still more of my tackle, I wandered down river to a spot where the water gently flowed over a small spillway. I decided to cross. After just a few steps, my foot encountered a mysterious clump. Curious, I investigated, and found that the clump was the business end of a broom. Lifting the broom out of the water, I saw a wire attached to the top of the handle... and more wire.. a wire cage... a cage with a fish inside! But this was no carp or catfish, this was a </span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/634904/walleyed-pike" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" target="_blank">Walleyed Pike</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">, about two feet long!</span></i></span><br />
<i><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Happily, I took home my prize, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> where a friend showed me <a href="http://www.cleanafish.com/cleanawalleye.html" target="_blank">how to fillet</a>.</span></i><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</i><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Happy, the boy, who learned </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> that bad luck need not last all day.</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> =======</span></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is a special week-end. Monday will be a day off for lots of folks, in celebration of our good fortune to have had a man like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr" target="_blank">Martin Luther King, Jr.</a> walk among us, leading the important struggle for civil rights. It should be a day for reflection on what our common humanity has in store. Will we learn how to end war? Will war put an end to us?</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is something that we can all do, anytime we are involved in traffic, to promote progress toward World Peace... Be kind and thoughtful of others. By setting the safe and courteous example, we begin the process of creating <a href="http://www.road-peace.com/" target="_blank">"Road-Peace"</a> as a step toward World Peace. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">M.L.K.<br />
Just might say,<br />
Peaceful, kind driving<br />
And safe arriving<br />
Makes my day!</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_world_gandhi_magnet-147966284128632041?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738"><img alt="Change-World-Gandhi magnet" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/change_world_gandhi_magnet-p14796628412863204128r_325.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></a><br />
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</div><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><div style="text-align: center;"><input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="LP38TVGQGZ6WA" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" type="image" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a happy and safe week-end!</div></form>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-43676170642402771282011-12-11T20:29:00.001-08:002012-03-23T12:00:54.329-07:00GOTTA SING LOUD...<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /><br />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="LP38TVGQGZ6WA" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />"Will blog 4 food."</b></i></span><span style="background-color: lime; color: orange;"></span></form><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As the great poet/philosopher/song writer/singer, Arlo Guthrie said, "Ya gotta sing loud if ya wanna end war and stuff." But, all the songs have been sung... millions - no, make that guzzillions of times, and we still have "war and stuff." </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Perhaps we expect too much of a song. Maybe, a more modest goal could be served with a song. How about texting while driving? Could a song help people make better decisions in that regard? Let's give it a go...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Remember the tune about Davy Crockett? He was the frontiersman of great renown who is said to have said, "Be sure you're right, then, go ahead." You can hear the late Fess Parker (the actor who played Davy) sing the tune, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txcRQedoEyY&feature=colike" target="_blank">here</a>. Or, you can see and hear the words, along with some clips from the Disney production, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PQQ0ck5030&feature=colike" target="_blank">here.</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What could be more fitting than to use his tune to convince people to make sure they do the right thing and put away texting while behind the wheel?</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When and if permission can be obtained from Disney, you may hear the tune with new lyrics in radio spots. Until then, there should be no reason not to sing it yourself, and teach it to others. Especially if you teach, or run a driving school!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Without further ado, here are the new lyrics. Teach the children well.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>DEXTER TEXTER</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Born to be distracted as you can see.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Talked up a storm when he was only three.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Raised on the boob tube, watchin' comedy.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Made up his mind to live dangerously.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dexter, Dexter Texter, texted his life away!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Texting while bicycling made friends perplexed</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Behind the wheel, he was surely hexed</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Because he decided he had to text...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The devil saw this, and said, "You're next!"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dexter, Dexter Texter, texted his life away!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We've come to the end of our sad, sad song.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Humans ain't built like old King Kong.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Texting is distracting, and that's just wrong.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Life is short, but, forever is long.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dexter, Dexter Texter, texted his life away!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">(suggest alterations in comments, below...)</div><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">YouTube has some vids that may be helpful in the spreading of distracted driving awareness...</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">like <a href="http://youtu.be/fDlYSPVro0Q" target="_blank">this one</a>, with Dr Phil, and the debut of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zricfLwhQtU&feature=colike" target="_blank">Dexter the Dead Texter</a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA__2yzQIz4&feature=colike" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" target="_blank">this message</a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> from Dexter the Dead Texter. (OK, just <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGCYkD9RzfU&feature=colike" target="_blank">one more</a>, with a Sarah McLachlan song.) This, just in... as of Jan. 25, 2012, I am following: <a href="http://textingkillsthumbbands.blogspot.com/">http://textingkillsthumbbands.blogspot.com/</a> Check it out - thumb bands as reminders!</span></span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>Did you say, "There oughta be a bumper sticker?" </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>We got yer bumper stickers...</b></i></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/notextingwhiledriving_bumper_sticker-128373222736104271?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738"><img alt="NoTextingWhileDriving bumpersticker" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/notextingwhiledriving_bumper_sticker-p128373222736104271f82_325.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><br />
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Be careful out there, and drive kindly.<br />
Remember, also, <a href="http://road-peace.com/" target="_blank">Road-Peace is a step toward WorldPeace.</a></div><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> "Spare Change?"<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /></div></form>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-73719397134426098352011-11-18T20:25:00.000-08:002011-12-07T00:22:32.946-08:00World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOFQMbwAFPSHSJjWhyoAg1-P3HrlMvnNvr7cvN52Psy2ACCeIZObdMWPJ3oiX-5T127MosfUJfG7_raBjJwCHSSKqTRWmPfYx7-tnewbpgE1d9aohmZgVdM6oCxmjUSmpXSuI/s400/road-peace.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just as "Road-Peace" is nearing launch, the </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.worlddayofremembrance.org/" target="_blank">World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims</a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">arrives, this Sunday, November 20, 2011. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">"...observed every third Sunday in November each year. This will be a major advocacy day for road traffic injury prevention and WHO and the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration encourage governments and NGOs around the world to commemorate this day."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/roadtrafficvictimsireland?sk=wall" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Check out the facebook page, here.)</span></i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic/activities/remembrance_day_handbook/en/index.html" target="_blank">(There is a handbook, available, here.) </a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, which began in May this year, has the goal of saving five million lives. A global plan for the decade provides a framework for governments, civil society and the private sector to work together to improve road management; upgrade the safety of roads and vehicles, and educate drivers, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">passengers and pedestrians on safe behaviour."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">I will not feel that my brother died in vain, </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">if we become more aware of the need </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">for patience, forgiveness, understanding and kindness </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">for one another on the road. </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The qualities </span><span style="font-size: small;">needed to make </span><span style="font-size: small;">"Road-Peace" </span><span style="font-size: small;">possible,</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">are the same that will make </span><span style="font-size: small;">World Peace</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">possible. </span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please, visit <a href="http://www.road-peace.com/">www.road-peace.com</a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and help spread the important message that </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.road-peace.com/" target="_blank">Road-Peace is a step on the road to World Peace.</a>"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The folks wise and gentle enough to create World Peace, </span></div><div style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">will not treat each other as we do, on the road, today. </span></div><div style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If we hope to become those people, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">we need to start making changes... now.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSBSJeEHNhM9qGczXDjAN_kBRCSgaAvsGA-axSqiQn2nR_RrSHaUXMlB_jqjyfjN2mcalgImzeW5ID7S2TpGvF5R1aYtEMVr-RXiotrZq1rAjueNJ7srOmgyu1KU2p9ZXzZSy/s1600/z2You-CHANGEtheWORLD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSBSJeEHNhM9qGczXDjAN_kBRCSgaAvsGA-axSqiQn2nR_RrSHaUXMlB_jqjyfjN2mcalgImzeW5ID7S2TpGvF5R1aYtEMVr-RXiotrZq1rAjueNJ7srOmgyu1KU2p9ZXzZSy/s320/z2You-CHANGEtheWORLD.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Remember the Sunday before Thanksgiving.<br />
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Drive with care... everywhere. <br />
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</div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-79975013975611593482011-11-18T08:37:00.000-08:002011-11-18T08:42:18.471-08:00Signs of the Times?<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Millions of dollars have been spent on signs, in the US. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">If the signs are disregarded, the money is not well spent.</span> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the cardinal rules for gridlock prevention is: "If you can't get out, don't go in" (the intersection). So, what sort of signs do we see in D.C. to admonish drivers not to block intersections? </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"DON'T BLOCK THE BOX" </span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...Really? How many drivers, surrounded by big boxes that we know as buildings, are going to equate "BOX" with intersection? Can't we do better than that?</span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How about signs that simply say:</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">| |</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">--------<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span> KEEP <span style="font-size: large;">--------</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">INTERSECTION</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">--------</span> CLEAR <span style="font-size: large;">--------</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">| | </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Sorry, my Apple</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">w</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">orks6 has gone on strike, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">refusing to allo</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">w</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> me to put up a decent graphic image. Any volunteers?)</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">...enclosed in lines at right angles, forming a diagram of a crossing should complete an image that leaves no doubt</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. The sign will also be a positive , rather than negative, motivator.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is a theory that holds that the human mind likes positive thoughts and motivations, and sometimes eliminates the negativity, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">while </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> keeping the positive. Might this account for drivers</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">, seeing a sign that begins </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">w</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">ith "Do not," </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">doing the <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">opposite of </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">w</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">hat the</span> sign says</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">?</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Another example... </b></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vNz6fWPThEzgspPX6h1nyG6VwC4LZHa87FcM4-eDTpSalTpMDJnVDojU4pC7md0MvIlzLNn5GdHgUh7eG1KzCAOpTv_itYb3S5F2yn0GAQh9vRcOyxm4QAcOwffUPtmSPZ8M/s1600/DoNotBlkDrvwy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vNz6fWPThEzgspPX6h1nyG6VwC4LZHa87FcM4-eDTpSalTpMDJnVDojU4pC7md0MvIlzLNn5GdHgUh7eG1KzCAOpTv_itYb3S5F2yn0GAQh9vRcOyxm4QAcOwffUPtmSPZ8M/s400/DoNotBlkDrvwy.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi8uO37FUgv1TiNH1MExBgoqZKK_J7gDYosm9Ptm4N1IxwODO9T3KD753-Gvb4M3e_HkLgDYWSvMXGkpw6EMFZKHCAtYQK6mljTmosavLd2eICb1qVJpfzqSeJc7MMLpHFvtr/s1600/DoNotBlkDrvwy-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi8uO37FUgv1TiNH1MExBgoqZKK_J7gDYosm9Ptm4N1IxwODO9T3KD753-Gvb4M3e_HkLgDYWSvMXGkpw6EMFZKHCAtYQK6mljTmosavLd2eICb1qVJpfzqSeJc7MMLpHFvtr/s400/DoNotBlkDrvwy-2.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Driveways and minor streets, near busy intersections are often blocked by thoughtless drivers, in spite of easily understandable signs.</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83HV0dcqlXW8nfTj-ZgrUBBeE3viamtzVAoBA2Kdc6T7Vj9G-wAOT5eSXw903MiTexk1rtKUJKcAaphnVVXuYWsXYdUDc83bxZcljJd1HxXpvPW7QovImhTmILT8Ecgr1W6qw/s1600/DoNotBlkDrvwy-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83HV0dcqlXW8nfTj-ZgrUBBeE3viamtzVAoBA2Kdc6T7Vj9G-wAOT5eSXw903MiTexk1rtKUJKcAaphnVVXuYWsXYdUDc83bxZcljJd1HxXpvPW7QovImhTmILT8Ecgr1W6qw/s400/DoNotBlkDrvwy-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a frustrating way to start your journey, when you can't even enter the flow of traffic. At this particular location (a parking lot for a medical building), it is especially difficult to make a left turn upon exiting, since one is likely to be blocked by all three lanes of traffic.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, one wonders </span></div><div style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">if these drivers pay attention to signs at all. </span></div><div style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How about this one?</span></div><div style="color: #660000; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqdjOejTliJLmWSB_rx5s-75Y3cTTNhzmcODLvPIabbZsq-_Oh75zvHzr90gQfBSTvgTdkdsNegdVSH6lvsWmEIklWs6Ne1dJyhgttisNqBZII30F_Squ6PZrgw9rxEUEVwc8/s1600/sign-underwater.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqdjOejTliJLmWSB_rx5s-75Y3cTTNhzmcODLvPIabbZsq-_Oh75zvHzr90gQfBSTvgTdkdsNegdVSH6lvsWmEIklWs6Ne1dJyhgttisNqBZII30F_Squ6PZrgw9rxEUEVwc8/s320/sign-underwater.jpeg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You may be fallen-crested</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As your patience is tested</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By those of dull</span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">wit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, don't have a fit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just laugh, like you've been jested.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">You're a mover and shaker;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not a slacker or faker. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">The example you set</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Becomes the </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">w</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">orld you get.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">You're a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1823643618" target="_blank">Road-Peace</a><a href="http://www.road-peace.com/" target="_blank"> </a>maker.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drive kindly!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.road-peace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Check out developments at road-peace.com. </span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-49949617600657535222011-11-11T21:04:00.000-08:002011-11-11T21:04:02.657-08:00THANKS TO OUR VETERANS!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a Vietnam veteran, myself, I understand that the purpose of our military is to keep peace. Folks in the military </span><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">w</span></span><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ant peace even more than the rest of us. The fact that they are so devoted to defending us, that they make such great sacrifices, should not go unappreciated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> So, gridlocksmith says to our defenders.. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THANK YOU!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Perhaps the very best sho</span><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">w</span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> of gratitude </span><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">would be to </span></span></span><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">work for peace, </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">so that they do not have to fight, anymore.</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">I kno</span></span></b><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">w</span></span></b><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"> that sounds naive, but...</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">Will peace only come to the world when we have wiped ourselves off the face of the planet? With bio-chemical and nuclear weapons, that scenario is becoming a real possibility.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">There is another, brighter option. It may be a "long shot," but, considering the other course, it is worth giving it maximum effort. "We the people" - not the governments, will lead as peacemakers. This action is based on Gandhi's advice: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Social mores have not yet evolved to the point that we humans consistently treat one another as precious, loving and intelligent beings that deserve respect, patience, forgiveness, helpfulness and thoughtfulness. By choosing to evolve, as individuals, we create a more evolved society.</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"><br />
We all need to be treated.... well. <br />
We all need to treat others.. well, <br />
in order to be treated........... well. <br />
<br />
Whether or not we feel that we (or anyone else) </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">deserve to be treated well, is not relevant </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">to our progress toward becoming <i>"peace full"</i> humans. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">As we learn to be kinder</span><br style="color: #351c75;" /><span style="color: #351c75;">It will be a reminder</span><br style="color: #351c75;" /><span style="color: #351c75;">There's no need for chagrin;</span><br style="color: #351c75;" /><span style="color: #351c75;">For the kindness within</span><br style="color: #351c75;" /><span style="color: #351c75;">Becomes a </span><i style="color: #351c75;">"true self"</i><span style="color: #351c75;"> finder.</span><br />
<br />
The decision to "evolve" into our true selves is crucial!</span></span></b><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">Love, forgiveness and compassion are instrumental, along with thoughtfulness, patience, respect and kindness, to any effort to create "World Peace." </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">"We must become the change we wish to see in the world." </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;"><br />
My proposal is that all humans who desire peace commit themselves to evolving into such beings through the practice of kindness in <b>traffic</b>. It is a place that will provide challenges, lessons, and the incentive of survival to keep us alertly engaged in the process of becoming the peaceful humans we need to become, as we create "Road-Peace," a milestone on the road to World Peace.<br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526169" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1320954497526180" style="font-size: small;">The mission of <a href="http://road-peace.com/">road-peace.com</a>: to encourage people to evolve into the kind, caring, thoughtful, compassionate, forgiving, patient and loving humans that we need to become in order to establish world peace. </span></span></div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-20011487893050786652011-10-09T01:24:00.000-07:002011-10-09T01:24:15.004-07:00ANOTHER DEXTER THE TEXTER?... HOW FUN!Ideas seem to float about in the ether, waiting for minds to tap into them. So, it is not too surprising that "Dexter the texter" would appear from other sources, besides gridlocksmith.<br />
<br />
Someone else has taken Dexter the Texter to new heights (or lows?)...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/t7vgI8Y9JkA">http://youtu.be/t7vgI8Y9JkA</a><br />
<br />
It looks like they had fun doing this. It is fun to watch.<br />
<br />
Gridlocksmith's effort was quite modest by comparison.... <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/rip_dexterthetexter_card-137874390378212764?gl=gridlocksmith"><img alt="RIP-DEXTERtheTEXTER card" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/rip_dexterthetexter_card-p137874390378212764y3_500.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/rip_dexterthetexter_card-137874390378212764?gl=gridlocksmith">RIP-DEXTERtheTEXTER</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith">gridlocksmith</a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/custom/greetingcards">Create a greeting card</a> online<br />
<br />
</div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-3794803413392247622011-09-21T22:16:00.000-07:002012-01-28T13:57:21.301-08:00"Road-Peace" is a first...(EDITED)<div style="text-align: center;">( rewritten/edited 1-28-2012 )</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Traffic safety is, as you know, a big issue for me, and I often think about how we can get individuals to behave, in traffic, as though they gave a whit about each other. The top-down approach of writing more and more laws cannot, in the end, be totally successful in the eradication of poor behavior (on or off the road).<br />
<br />
I believe the need for people to treat each other with kindness in traffic should have far more attention. That is why I am in the process of starting a new campaign for world peace, that encourages folks to choose to evolve, socially, into the humans we must become in order to make world peace possible. "Road-Peace" is offered as a first step. In traffic, we have the perfect training ground, full of opportunities to choose, moment to moment, to set a good example. Our patience and forgiveness will be challenged, giving us a means to gauge our progress.<br />
<br />
Back when this was originally posted, the new site was not ready to view, but, now, although not fully functional, it is ready to begin spreading the concept that "Road-Peace is a step on the road to World Peace." <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.road-peace.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvtgMpmN0FdoBhY0etk53nb4NqetSd3DqSetqb3wEraH8fwhysKbBUDucV2m4dUuVPoYeG2Mw_kEdt_uW_2TGmiM6eNMUU9iAgnqYVVS4swZPk5UjLiZIdsyJZGo2oa5xrSis/s400/road-peace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Melissa Smith, of <a href="http://www.homemade-preschool.com/index.html">Homemade Preschool</a>, </div><div style="text-align: center;">who gave a hand finishing the banner, which is a link to the site.<br />
<br />
Perhaps, some day, this book will be available.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXePUSJGvFno8YJG6DowVak4I4zlJN-uX1flMJyWqcG0w-hZWgbAvQDsF5KiI6uCgN9ou9WIhYt0O5WhInbAAellj3tpLHYtk8E3Hz52qWi_eb7rbYJTOm_kp-s_xz1_3q6Nz/s1600/NewDUMMIEScvr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXePUSJGvFno8YJG6DowVak4I4zlJN-uX1flMJyWqcG0w-hZWgbAvQDsF5KiI6uCgN9ou9WIhYt0O5WhInbAAellj3tpLHYtk8E3Hz52qWi_eb7rbYJTOm_kp-s_xz1_3q6Nz/s320/NewDUMMIEScvr.png" width="247" /></a></div>Alas, it is only a novelty cover. You can make one, yourself, <a href="http://covers.dummies.com/share.php?id=14627" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
*******<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will you, dear reader, help spread the word among those in the "Peace Activism Community" by sharing this post with your friends? It is through such contributions that a true "grass roots" movement or campaign gets its beginning. Thank you!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As allies in the peace movement, let's share connections...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here are some links: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lynnehazelden.350.com/1995_Peace_doc.htm" target="_blank">http://lynnehazelden.350.com/1995_Peace_doc.htm</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a short piece that I encourage everyone to think about.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Many more are coming, but, I am being dragged away from the computer to visit our grand daughter, who is one of the reasons I do this.)</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> (The remainder, below, is all that is left of the original post.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472795" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472794" style="font-family: Arial;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472793"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472792"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472791"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472790"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472789"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472788"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472787"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472786"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472785"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472784"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472783"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472782"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472781"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472780"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472779"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472778"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472777"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472776"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472775"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472774"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472773"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472772"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472771"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472770"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472769"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472768"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472767"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472766"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472765"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472764"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472763"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472762"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472761"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472760"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472759"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472758"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472757"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472756"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472755"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472754"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472753"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472752"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472751"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472750"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472749"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472748"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472747"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472746"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472745"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472744"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472743"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472742"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472741"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472740"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472739"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472738"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472737"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472736"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472735"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472734"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472733"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472732"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472731"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472730"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472729"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472728"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472727"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472726"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472725"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472724"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472723"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472722"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472721"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472720"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472719"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472718"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472717"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472716"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472715"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472714"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472713"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472712"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472711"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472710">The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is a fitting day to announce the start of a new "peace movement," but it was pure chance. Had it been planned, the announcement would have been more elegant, and the site, "road-peace.com," would be ready to view. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472795" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472794" style="font-family: Arial;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472793"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472792"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472791"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472790"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472789"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472788"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472787"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472786"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472785"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472784"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472783"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472782"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472781"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472780"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472779"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472778"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472777"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472776"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472775"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472774"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472773"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472772"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472771"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472770"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472769"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472768"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472767"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472766"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472765"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472764"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472763"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472762"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472761"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472760"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472759"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472758"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472757"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472756"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472755"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472754"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472753"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472752"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472751"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472750"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472749"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472748"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472747"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472746"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472745"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472744"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472743"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472742"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472741"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472740"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472739"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472738"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472737"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472736"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472735"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472734"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472733"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472732"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472731"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472730"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472729"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472728"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472727"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472726"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472725"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472724"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472723"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472722"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472721"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472720"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472719"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472718"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472717"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472716"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472715"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472714"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472713"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472712"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472711"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13163234034472710">It will be, soon. There have been too many other projects - like finding money to pay the bills - to allow me to devote all my time to designing and developing. BTW, why not wander over to <a href="http://www.gridlocksmith.com/">gridlocksmith</a> and test the yet unused PayPal button and help support the cause?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">"Be safe, out there."<br />
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</div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-3364536475140607362011-07-02T22:14:00.000-07:002011-07-02T22:37:35.865-07:00"ROAD PEACE" IS PATRIOTICMany of my friends are fond of saying that "Peace is patriotic!" I like to say, "Road Peace" is patriotic...<br />
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A lot of people carry on about "World Peace" without doing much about it... really, what can a person do? Here is what: realize that peace will not come until we become the sort of kind-hearted, thoughtful, patient, forgiving and caring and loving people that we are required to be. This will be no small task, but, there is a great place to get started... on the road! Yes, if we dedicate ourselves to persistently set the example, as we drive, we begin to evolve into the humans we need to become. Our better behavior will naturally spread into other areas of our lives. ...and so on...<br />
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Will you help spread the word? Will you join the effort.... the "Drive For Peace?" <br />
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I am looking for folks to help start a nonprofit project that I call, "Drive For Peace." Perhaps a nonprofit org will sponsor the project?<br />
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Since improving our behavior on the road is in our best self interest, should it be hard to choose to evolve into the kind of humans who will be capable of living in peace?<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/visualizeroadpeace_bumper_sticker-128279426318293242?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738"><img alt="VisualizeRoadPeace.. bumpersticker" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/visualizeroadpeace_bumper_sticker-d12827942631829324283h9_325.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/visualizeroadpeace_bumper_sticker-128279426318293242?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738">VisualizeRoadPeace..</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />
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<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/worldpeacebegins_bumper_sticker-128768493174101224?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738"><img alt="WORLDPEACEbegins bumpersticker" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/worldpeacebegins_bumper_sticker-d12876849317410122483h9_325.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/worldpeacebegins_bumper_sticker-128768493174101224?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738">WORLDPEACEbegins</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />
See more <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith+bumperstickers?rf=238257199335868738">Gridlocksmith Bumper Stickers</a></div><br />
Have a safe and happy celebration of freedom! </div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-84118300101494316352011-06-07T23:26:00.000-07:002011-06-07T23:26:21.510-07:00DUMMIES BOOK COVER FUN<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">As the fisherman explained, "Just for the halibut." Well, it was fun and it was free. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvt0MqhvDsuKlzYzc7mq24_p3y-I7N-9BdcZVu9cTiU3Yq42XR0RdIUC238-xNFchw6s1IwEO3NuBlhouOGy3zPrD7wtWs5t4UaDwCkzcV4BCha6WesORPEPnfcfD3rTAEknA/s1600/gls-Dummies-cover453.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvt0MqhvDsuKlzYzc7mq24_p3y-I7N-9BdcZVu9cTiU3Yq42XR0RdIUC238-xNFchw6s1IwEO3NuBlhouOGy3zPrD7wtWs5t4UaDwCkzcV4BCha6WesORPEPnfcfD3rTAEknA/s320/gls-Dummies-cover453.png" width="247" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">It is only a cover... for now. </span>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-10245334664031604062011-05-07T23:27:00.000-07:002011-05-07T23:27:53.085-07:00HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And just what makes one a Mother? Kids, of course. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out <a href="http://www.safekids.org/">http://www.safekids.org/</a> for some great tips on keeping the kids safe.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Highly recommended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are spending time with our daughter and son-in-law, who are expecting our first grand-daughter, soon. (Due next Friday, the thirteenth - hey, I never understood that <i>"Friday the thirteenth"</i> stuff - at least it is a <u>Friday</u>... Monday the thirteenth has to be worse.)</span><br />
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<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/safe_raccoons_mug-168880451332578566?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738"><img alt="Safe-Raccoons mug" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/safe_raccoons_mug-p1688804513325785662o3v5_500.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/safe_raccoons_mug-168880451332578566?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738">Safe-Raccoons</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's keep all the kids safe.</span></div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-1696500589903297062011-04-21T23:41:00.000-07:002011-04-21T23:41:58.751-07:00New Cards, New Bumper Sticker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl36FAw54cPMDDWdfFOD3oqp6eAoYZQXkG4jWEus0jgsWKqyJPolNn4j8vq30xKbOPAfGfKqqsv1qW61qojSX9l-AR63swGKWkUMyEPhYhaMtmlf5ikHhRN5IXlZnPoHJzTQJ/s1600/NewCards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl36FAw54cPMDDWdfFOD3oqp6eAoYZQXkG4jWEus0jgsWKqyJPolNn4j8vq30xKbOPAfGfKqqsv1qW61qojSX9l-AR63swGKWkUMyEPhYhaMtmlf5ikHhRN5IXlZnPoHJzTQJ/s320/NewCards.JPG" width="286" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This photo of the new business cards does not do them justice. They look better (more readable) in person... on both sides. I look forward to getting them into many hands... and onto many bulletin boards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also, recently designed... a new bumper sticker...</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/flustered_bumper_sticker-128198692339395209?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738"><img alt="Flustered? bumpersticker" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/flustered_bumper_sticker-d12819869233939520983h9_325.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/flustered_bumper_sticker-128198692339395209?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738">Flustered?</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />
Create <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/custom/bumperstickers?rf=238257199335868738">bumper stickers</a> on zazzle.com</div><br />
On a personal note: Laurie is back at work, part-time, at first, but doing well. Thanks to all who have kept her in their thoughts and prayers!<br />
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Be safe!The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-42716259424211450092011-03-18T00:58:00.000-07:002011-03-18T00:58:26.265-07:00NYC "Hack"Now and then, I search for a traffic safety related phrase to see if something interesting pops up. The phrase, "gentle drivers" produced, of course, a variety of results, ranging from computer drivers to Star Wars At-At drivers. It also pointed out <a href="http://newyorkhack.blogspot.com/2005/10/some-gentle-suggestions-for-drivers.html">this blog post from a NYC cabby,</a> in which pedestrians, as well as drivers, are admonished to behave themselves in a way that... well, check it out for yourself.<br />
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As you may have noticed, I'm way behind in my blog posting. There are quite a few "draft" posts, waiting for my artful prose to find its muse. Eventually, they will be posted, not in the order that they see the light of cyberspace, but in the order they were saved as drafts... so, they will, shall we say, back fill.<br />
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This will happen more frequently, as my wife continues to recover from the operation that added 2 rods and 12 screws to her neck fusing C-3 to T-1. Being a wisp of a <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">**</span></span> year-old lady with CP, the rehab has had some challenges, but she is eager to resume a life of adventure, and longs to hit the hiking trails.<br />
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The gridlocksmith store has different departments... this one is just for bumper stickers... Buy 'em by the dozen and give them to friends! <br />
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<embed flashvars="feedId=117207935507488917" height="300" src="http://www.zazzle.com/utl/getpanel?zp=117207935507488917" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" wmode="transparent"></embed>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-76905529996292790012011-01-11T00:17:00.000-08:002011-01-11T01:09:43.155-08:00X Marks the SpotIn South Dakota, I noticed as a child, that there were numerous signs bearing a large "X" that alerted folks that someone had died at that spot. Groups of "X" signs were at many sharp curves, effectively warning those who cared to slow down. (Slow up?) If such signs were marked with the name of the victim, we could memorialize and make others wise.<br /><br />If such a program were to be instituted in other states (or nationally?) there might be a public awareness campaign...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"X" Marks the Spot. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Give it Some Thought.<br />When you pay some attention<br />To the hazards we mention,<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">You'll not be distraught. </span><br /></div><br />Comments, I always crave.<br />Whether a pan or rave,<br />I'll think for a spell,<br />And then say, "Oh, well,<br />"It's like a smile and wave."<br /><br />For you Smilers and Wavers for whom Changing the World is your bag,<br />may I suggest a bag like this...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_the_world_gandhi_bag-149885507613807529?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738"><img src="http://rlv.zcache.com/change_the_world_gandhi_bag-p1498855076138075292w90n_325.jpg" alt="CHANGE THE WORLD-GANDHI bag" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_the_world_gandhi_bag-149885507613807529?gl=gridlocksmith&rf=238257199335868738">CHANGE THE WORLD-GANDHI</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />Create <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/custom/bags?rf=238257199335868738">photo bags</a> from zazzle<br /><br />The design can be had on other items, such as shirts and mugs,<br />and is found in the "Other Cool Stuff" section.<br /><br />Be a safe and gentle driver,<br />Cool and calm as MacGuyver.<br />Don't do stupid tricks<br />Like text limericks.<br />You will be a survivor.<br /><br /></div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-14850041145680590842010-11-24T23:47:00.000-08:002010-12-16T00:09:18.240-08:00A FELLOW FOR "MELLOW YELLOW"With gas prices going up, it occurs to me that many folks would enjoy this side benefit of "Mellow Yellow," saving gas.<br /><br />What is "Mellow Yellow?"<br /><br />First, let's get a feel for frantic yellow. When one is close to an intersection when the light turns yellow, especially in the age of red light cameras, one may get frantic. "If I stop, will I get clobbered from behind? If I go, will there be a ticket in the mail? Just how long is the light going to remain yellow?" A quick decision must be made. Sometimes, we may accidentally run a red light... or, get clobbered from behind. Since the actual length of time the light remains yellow can vary, it tends to be confusing. Some have even accused authorities of "shaving the yellow" to enhance revenues.<br /><br />"Mellow Yellow" to the rescue!<br /><br />Wouldn't it be nice to be twice as far from the intersection when the yellow light warns that we should consider stopping?<br /><br />That is what "Mellow Yellow" will do. Here is how: the yellow light period is doubled, so that it overlaps the green light. When the green disappears, half the yellow is done. This means that if the driver has not covered at least half the distance to the intersection since the yellow appeared, stopping is in order. In fact, as folks get used to being aware earlier of the impending red light, they may elect to save gas by coasting to the light.<br /><br />An additional bonus: improved traffic flow for those on the other side of the intersection waiting to make a left turn. A larger gap between those who proceed through the intersection and those who are stopping should materialize. As people realize that gas prices won't rise as fast if we do everything we can to help each other conserve gas, that gap could grow even more.<br /><br />The safety implications of "Mellow Yellow" are obvious; who wants to get ticketed when it is so easy to avoid? And they can't complain about "shaving the yellow!"<br /><br />Perhaps insurance rates could improve in communities with "Mellow Yellow." Hmmm...<br /><br />What are your thoughts? Please, feel free to comment. Should it be implemented first at camera locations? What sort of public education would be needed?<br /><br />Comments on the (70 or so) bumper sticker designs will also be appreciated...<br /> <div style="text-align:center;line-height:150%"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/pdkindly_nomfc_y_o_bumper_sticker-128929677947618336?rf=238257199335868738"><img src="http://rlv.zcache.com/pdkindly_nomfc_y_o_bumper_sticker-d12892967794761833683h9_325.jpg" alt="PDKindly-NoMFC-y+o bumpersticker" style="border:0;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/pdkindly_nomfc_y_o_bumper_sticker-128929677947618336?rf=238257199335868738">PDKindly-NoMFC-y+o</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />See other <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/bumperstickers?rf=238257199335868738">bumper stickers</a> on zazzle.com</div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-30517779220039769192010-09-10T18:28:00.000-07:002010-11-09T00:48:18.482-08:00TEXTERS AND DIALERS, OH MY! (And a cute poster)It seems that Virginia authorities have encountered a problem with enforcement of the anti-texting law... they could be witnessing dialing, rather than texting. Oh, dear! What to do?<br /><br />Could the answer be to simply enforce the "full attention" provision? (Actually, doesn't this make the newer laws... redundant?)<br /><br />On another note, the poster, below, can be found at <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">the gridlocksmith store</a>, and would be perfect for daycare centers and anywhere that children might be...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK1-IgdnqCUOGbDsIO5SENEyeu6TajHu5lyR9SgCfabHfxfVzLYdOwTjP6bE2n5PbcK9yg4SkE8RWFSzXM9kruv4gy9s7IbvL7nwAoDtbJKPOa6iuliThK6hqK9LxRaIEcsQH/s1600/SafeCoons%252Cpng"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK1-IgdnqCUOGbDsIO5SENEyeu6TajHu5lyR9SgCfabHfxfVzLYdOwTjP6bE2n5PbcK9yg4SkE8RWFSzXM9kruv4gy9s7IbvL7nwAoDtbJKPOa6iuliThK6hqK9LxRaIEcsQH/s400/SafeCoons%252Cpng" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537462323371743282" border="0" /></a><br />It is hard to imagine the anguish of backing out the driveway and feeling the sickening bump as one kills a beloved child! Rip this graphic off this blog and print it out for your dashboard if you must, but don't allow tragedy to strike your family!The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-52445825971624469292010-08-27T23:59:00.000-07:002010-09-16T13:03:57.220-07:00"Caution: Drive...Distractedly?"That was the heading on a letter to the editor of The Washington Post, last Sunday, on page C5. The writer, Meda Ling, of Reston, Virginia states,<br /><br />"An electronic sign on the outer loop of the Beltway approaching a construction zone in Tysons Corner: 'I-495 Advisory. Dial 511 for Info'<br /><br />"What? So we should be pulling out cellphones while driving into a construction zone to listen to a traffic advisory message? Whose brilliant idea is this?"<br /><br />Gridlocksmith just has to put in his two cents worth on this.<br /><br />While one should doubt that the sign was meant to encourage the action described, it certainly does nothing to indicate otherwise.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(Meda - 1, Va. SHA - 0)<br /></div><br />Perhaps the SHA could frame the intent more clearly with the additional words, "Before you go, be in the know." Hopefully, if one calls "511" (before departure) the info will consist of suggestions for better times, alternate routes, and the like.<br /><br />Naturally, those drivers with the wisdom to have a passenger along to handle phone calls could get the latest info, without committing distracted driving.<br /><br />It might be a good idea for drivers to call SHA to praise their efforts to keep us informed, while suggesting that they be more aware that, since we are driving, we may take their signs too literally.<br /><br /><br />The gridlocksmith store has different departments... one is just for bumper stickers...<br /><br /><br /><br /><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.zazzle.com/utl/getpanel?zp=117207935507488917" flashvars="feedId=117207935507488917" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="300" width="450"></embed><br />Create a <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/create">personalized gift</a> at Zazzle.<br /><br /><br /><br />How about some key chains?<br /><br /><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.zazzle.com/utl/getpanel?zp=117803197450476387" flashvars="feedId=117803197450476387" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="300" width="450"></embed><br />Shop other <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/">personalized gifts</a> from Zazzle.<br /><br /><br />Until next time, be safe and kind to each other.... and<a href="http://montgomerysideways.blogspot.com/2010/08/this-afternoon-rachel-and-i-took-years.html#links"> check out the latest adventure of my visually impaired friend, William Smith.</a>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-297223299449064812010-07-20T21:40:00.000-07:002010-12-15T22:20:16.470-08:00CONGRATULATIONS, VINCE and LARRYAccording to the July 15, edition of The Washington Post, "...the accident-prone duo have sacrificed piles of arms, suffered battered chests and endured countless cases of whiplash, all in the name of protecting drivers and passengers." They will be part of an exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.<br /><br />Many of us recall how these dummies raised awareness of the benefit of the seat belt. (I sometimes refer to it as a "life belt.") Can't you just hear them: "Even a dummy knows enough to buckle up!"<br /><br />Congratulations to the danger driven duo, Vince and Larry!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;">These two have done their part to change the world, will you?<br />Here's just the thing to remind ourselves (and others)<br />that we all have a part to play in creating a better world...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_the_world_gandhi_mug-168439956005547112?rf=238257199335868738"><img src="http://rlv.zcache.com/change_the_world_gandhi_mug-p1684399560055471122o3v5_325.jpg" alt="CHANGE THE WORLD-GANDHI mug" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_the_world_gandhi_mug-168439956005547112?rf=238257199335868738">CHANGE THE WORLD-GANDHI</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />Browse more <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/chalkboard+chortles+mugs?rf=238257199335868738">Chalkboard chortles Mugs</a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;">If we are not part of the solution, are we not part of the problem?<br /><br />Be safe, and be kind.<br />A better world, we may find.<br /></div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-73211905531232272892010-04-21T22:28:00.000-07:002010-04-26T14:26:11.550-07:00CAN EVERY DAY BE "EARTH DAY?"<div style="text-align: center;">EARTH DAY EVE<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We surely have no dearth<br />Of love for our dear Earth.<br />Would it not be great<br />If we celebrate<br />Its day with lots of mirth?<br /><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/roadpeace_healthy_mug-168383140493382818?rf=238257199335868738"><img src="http://rlv.zcache.com/roadpeace_healthy_mug-p1683831404933828182gt4m_500.jpg" alt="RoadPeace-healthy-mug mug" style="border: 0pt none ;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/roadpeace_healthy_mug-168383140493382818?rf=238257199335868738">RoadPeace-healthy-mug</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I can think of no finer way to celebrate Earth Day, than with a commitment to help replace "Road Rage" with "Road Peace," and put us on the path to Earth Peace.<br /><br />Last Sunday, a local environmental group, "Friends of Sligo Creek," sponsored a "Sweep the Creek" event. Your friendly, grass roots traffic safety activist was there to lend a hand...<br /><br />Most of the volunteers were younger folks; some were high-schoolers who had to fulfill a community service requirement. (Although the concept of forced volunteerism seems a wee bit oxymoron-ish, it may not be an entirely bad idea.)<br /><br />Since I arrived alone, I went to work alone. Soon, however, I met Tanya, who, as you can see, was well equipped and attired for some serious cleaning up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QnRM0rIUOhdvAidRgCe5Ykt_mCN5tyqHEwQ4MxNxZwPwk3jxjZk_VTKj4jpqIOmmuZOU17e2bc7XwM0fjAfh2VGcYWjWzB2gFtLwFEjBKQfm-_YoqmYhLoGx_xPXP7XVWezu/s1600/Sligo-Tanya1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QnRM0rIUOhdvAidRgCe5Ykt_mCN5tyqHEwQ4MxNxZwPwk3jxjZk_VTKj4jpqIOmmuZOU17e2bc7XwM0fjAfh2VGcYWjWzB2gFtLwFEjBKQfm-_YoqmYhLoGx_xPXP7XVWezu/s400/Sligo-Tanya1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464231412576871538" border="0" /></a><br />Tanya is a physical therapist, and knows the usefulness of the reach-and-grab-gizmo (that's a technical term) in her hand. She is a veteran at this sort of thing, and knows that the bags can get heavy, and dragging them can lead to undoing your work. The two wheeled transporter is lined and ready for things that may not fit well in bags.<br /><br />Tanya's spirit and enthusiasm was contagious. She had a number of people following her into the most challenging terrain and underbrush to snag all manner of objects<br /><br />By the end of the event, we had accumulated quite an assortment of trash.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE-_XL6E-vUEpUKdtb7DMCmARy_2Kv6-ctxKZ2PrOlr0EnMUO1WpHfdEXYeCbtJfsO-eXIt9IPoINkUYLuScDjzYTWzHNoj8QgHQ8R4mf2K6N2945d9ftQ3BoMCsCdysjF5Zi/s1600/Sligo-gls2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE-_XL6E-vUEpUKdtb7DMCmARy_2Kv6-ctxKZ2PrOlr0EnMUO1WpHfdEXYeCbtJfsO-eXIt9IPoINkUYLuScDjzYTWzHNoj8QgHQ8R4mf2K6N2945d9ftQ3BoMCsCdysjF5Zi/s400/Sligo-gls2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464230969771007874" border="0" /></a>Gridlocksmith surveys some of the booty for recycling potential. The suitcase (behind leg) became a carry-all for a ragged green tarp (left)which may find itself mulching a garden, and an inflatable Halloween decoration, all of which went home with avid recycler, Tanya.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MBCYSVqKSieiLH9yE-AZZN_mo1s8PznGr-Ds-DwINHRJIk34Nq0ygYiH14PviM9hvNCN6grZEgIhxgRiUsEnMrQz15ZPPbFO_kbSsEWujrsGNclmWePZ6K-4okxWnrsa2n9C/s1600/Sligo-Tanya3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MBCYSVqKSieiLH9yE-AZZN_mo1s8PznGr-Ds-DwINHRJIk34Nq0ygYiH14PviM9hvNCN6grZEgIhxgRiUsEnMrQz15ZPPbFO_kbSsEWujrsGNclmWePZ6K-4okxWnrsa2n9C/s400/Sligo-Tanya3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464230328336843234" border="0" /></a>Is Tanya looking forward to next Halloween?<br /></div><br /><br />Caring about the environment makes great sense. We need clean air and water, and freedom from toxic wastes and radiation, etc. Many believe that by learning to care more about other animals, we learn to treat each other better. There is no shortage of Earth (and human behavior) improvement tasks.<br /><br />While it may be difficult to focus on more than one of these concerns at one time, we can support each others' efforts. In fact, if we are loving, caring and thoughtful, we may find ourselves doing all these things as part of our lifestyle. I'm sure that we can find ways to make these behavior changes fun. Once we start having fun, we will behave better, by habit.<br /><br />Happy Earth Day!<br /><br />Oh, yes... I can't say enough about this <a href="http://www.onemillionactsofkindness.com/">fellow who is traveling around the country to promote kindness!</a><br /><br />My most recent addition to the store (in the "Other Cool Stuff" category) works well with kindness...<br /><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_the_world_gandhi_bag-149885507613807529?rf=238257199335868738"><img src="http://rlv.zcache.com/change_the_world_gandhi_bag-p1498855076138075292w90n_500.jpg" alt="CHANGE THE WORLD-GANDHI bag" style="border: 0pt none ;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_the_world_gandhi_bag-149885507613807529?rf=238257199335868738">CHANGE THE WORLD-GANDHI</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />View more <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/chalkboard+chortles+bags?rf=238257199335868738">Chalkboard chortles Bags</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gridlocksmith.com/">Link to gridlocksmith.com</a><br /></div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-59167851267440948022010-04-10T22:22:00.000-07:002010-07-07T11:27:04.868-07:00MARYLAND LEGISLATURE SAYS...Thou shalt not text, nor chat on a cell phone while driving. "Hands Free" will be excepted, however, and police need some other reason to pull you over. As long as you are attentively observing all other traffic laws, you need not be too concerned. If you are foolish enough to give them another cause to pull you over, don't worry; the fine will only be $40.00.<br /><br />Pretty tough, eh?The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-67490134739431145842010-03-26T20:06:00.000-07:002010-09-02T13:49:21.957-07:00ROAD-RAGEOUSNESS!*********************************<br /><br />Police in Baltimore are shot during a traffic stop by the motorist.<br /><br />Dump truck and Jag tangle in Virginia and gunfire ensues.<br /><br />The list goes on and on.<br /><br />What the devil is going on in the heads of some drivers??<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Take a "chill pill"<br />Before you kill, Bill!<br />Use your dead head<br />Before you're dead, Fred!<br /><br />Spring is here; it's a pleasin' season.<br />We shouldn't be dying for no good reason.<br /><br /><br /></div>The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369327.post-38498493829006024442010-03-20T23:58:00.000-07:002010-03-30T00:26:32.196-07:00R.I.P. Davy Crockett, AKA Fess ParkerLast Thursday, the 18th, saw the passing of <a href="http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tv/davy-crockett.htm">Fess Parker</a> at age 85. He is famous for playing the role of Davy Crockett, one of my early heroes.<br /><br />The sage advice of Davy, "Make sure you're right. Then, go ahead." was advice I always tried to follow. In fact, I tried to go further, and make sure it was perfect, as well as right... which did not serve well, since "perfection" is so illusive. If one can't proceed with something unless it is guaranteed to have perfect results, nothing tends to get done. A pretty good idea might be good enough to proceed with, and adjustments can be made, later. But, if we think an idea to death, we accomplish nothing. Sadly, with me, that has been the case, too many times.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So, now I proceed, in my imperfect style<br />To offer some thoughts, which I tend to compile.<br />Now, we should all drive<br />With the aim to survive;<br />If we are lucky, we can do so and smile.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">PROGRESS REPORT:<br />The store has a new Department, "Other Cool Stuff," which has designs that are not necessarily related to safety on the road, defeating Road Rage, or promoting "Road Peace."<br /><br />Here is a sample, from an ongoing series that I call, "Chalkboard Chortles." The design is available on a wide range of items: T-shirts, mugs, cards, and magnets, etc, etc...<br /><br /></div></div> <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_world_gandhi_mug-168601304054817167?gl=gridlocksmith&lon=0&rf=238257199335868738"><img src="http://rlv.zcache.com/change_world_gandhi_mug-p1686013040548171672gt4m_325.jpg" alt="Change-World-Gandhi mug" style="border: 0pt none ;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/change_world_gandhi_mug-168601304054817167?gl=gridlocksmith&lon=0&rf=238257199335868738">Change-World-Gandhi</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/gridlocksmith*">gridlocksmith</a><br />Create <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/custom/mugs?rf=238257199335868738">cheap personalized mugs</a> on zazzle.com<br /><br /></div>Being kind is a good start in our effort to change the world... especially, as we drive.The Gridlocksmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125867408541589923noreply@blogger.com0