Posts by BenWilson
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
Field Theory: Gruts, in reply to Isabel Hitchings,
Thunderpants are Teh Awesome as are Fanny Adams (which are kind of like thunderpants' sensible aunt).
That doesn't make sense at all "Sweet Fanny Adams" was always a play on "Sweet F(uck) A(ll)" which would suggest a thong...
-
Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Ross Mason,
AKA: "The General NZ Driving Arsehole". And you can't tell me you don't see them everyday!!
It's kind of weird, but I've noticed that the manners of NZ drivers actually go up and down quite mysteriously. When I first went to Australia, I was amazed at how careful/lawful they were. Not so the last time I went, it seemed the other way around, that NZ was much more considerate. Paying close attention to things like giving up right of way, I noticed that NZers (well, OK, Aucklanders) do this quite a lot now, particularly in high traffic situations. There's a lot more stopping and letting a stream of stuck traffic flow through than there used to be, and when people do that they don't get angry honking behind them as they used to. Ozzie, on the other hand, seems to have developed a case of the "fuck 'em, they chose the wrong way" with hundreds of cars in a row stubbornly refusing to help because it might cost them a few seconds.
I don't know what could/would be driving this kind of dynamic. My own theory is that it's not something that changes slowly, but can actually switch around on public mood, and certain ideas that make traffic better or worse can spread virally in feedback loops. It only takes a few people being rude to you, and you're much more likely to be rude to someone else. Similarly, if a few people let you in here or there, you feel more inclined to give back. A small amount of constant pressure in the right direction can make a massive difference, turns a vicious cycle into a virtuous one.
When the signs came in here on motorway on-ramps, that said "Merge like a zip", I felt that the improvement in merging was quite drastic. It used to be something that was all about getting advantage, holding right of way, etc, and highly stressful and dangerous. But almost immediately people saw that "merge like a zip" was far more sensible, that the whole idea is to make traffic flow evenly and fairly. Cars on the motorway pulled back to let one car in, and the merging cars stopped trying to speed ahead to gaps. It was a powerful idea.
"Let buses go first" is another good one. Once you get it into your mind that a bus carries as many people as 60-100 cars, you feel a whole lot less bitter at "some motorist trying to take cheap advantage, bullying you with a huge vehicle".
-
The number of times I've been hit by motorists, who then burst out, "ooh, I didn't see you" (while I was wearing flouro orange and three flashing lights) is staggering.
That said, most of the times I've been hit in a car they've said the same thing. It's so much less shameful and damning than "I didn't even look". Or worse "I actually have very poor vision".
-
Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Greg Dawson,
Yes it does.
I'll have you know that any pretty girl except my sister has been able to get it hard in seconds with only a few pumps, and can ride it as long as they can handle.
-
Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to James Butler,
if a driver really wants to take issue with me, they're welcome to step out of the car.
A motorbiking guy I knew once crashed into the side of a car doing a stupid U-turn in front of him on a highway. He was quite badly injured, but the driver of the car was also knocked out cold. Apparently his fist smashed right through the side window and punched her clean in the face. It's the wickedest punch I've ever heard of anyone getting.
-
I suggest saying "I like your undies" would bring an instant hush to the lavatory.
"I like your hat" would do the same. In fact, if they were circumcised, they might think you were mocking them.
-
Field Theory: Gruts, in reply to JackElder,
I can't say I've found that. On the occasions when I've had to go commando, I've usually found out the hard way that the crotch seams of men's dress trousers is prone to intimate chafing.
All right, except on a bike. On a bike, I'll concede that undies all over your whole body is the most comfortable.
-
Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Kyle Matthews,
I know it sounds strange, and that you wouldn't get any motorists into a helmet, but it is true.
Well, it's possible that helmets might lead to more accidents, as people would feel even more invulnerable. I think that's why a lot of the safety features of racing cars are actually not allowed in streetcars. Roll cages, double crossing belts, etc. Deathproof, anyone?
That was me, except there really wasn't much mocking.
Unless your nickname at school was "Stackhat", it wasn't you. Mind you, I doubt this guy knew that was his nickname, I never saw him talk to anyone, ever.
I believe certain NZ cities plan to introduce them for bus drivers.
Because they're also effective against fists?
-
Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to giovanni tiso,
I think people on the whole are more worried about looking silly than looking dead.
Yes, that's why they made helmets compulsory. I remember the poor kid at school who always wore one back when they weren't compulsory, and was mocked pretty much every single day about it, usually by the kids who had cars. Thinking back on him, I'm guessing he was autistic.
Minimal private protection, giving others the impression that the cyclist is then "safe".
There's some evidence that even for the purposes of protecting your health in an accident they come with their own dangers. Your head is a little safer, but your neck is much more likely to get twisted.
-
Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Lilith __,
I'd rather take a few moments fixing my hair on arrival than not wear a helmet.
I presume you don't go in for anything elaborate?
Last ←Newer Page 1 … 587 588 589 590 591 … 1066 Older→ First