Turn Signals Are Not An Options Package

The lack of turn signal use by other drivers has always bugged me, but 3 identical incidents at the same intersection coming out of my neighborhood in the last 3 days prompted me to write something about it.

First of all, turn signals are not optional on a vehicle these days. You cannot request the model without them, because that model never came off the manufacturer's assembly line. Why do you think a standard dirt bike isn't "street legal"? Because it doesn't come with turn signals, among other things. So, anyone who thinks they're optional equipment, they're not.

Secondly, why aren't they optional? Because with so many cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, XUVs, hybrids, motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, semis, and other vehicles on the roads today, we all need to be aware of what the next person over plans on doing. Turn signals were not installed on vehicles for our pleasure or enhanced driving experience, they were installed to safely alert other drivers of your intention so they can make wise decisions while on the road.

It's common sense - the hundreds and thousands of drivers around you need to know what your next move is so they can plan their next move accordingly, otherwise we get stupid, avoidable accidents occurring left and right.

So, I implore those of you who fail to use turn signals, and use them properly, to start doing so. Consider it the next time someone pulls out in front of you and cuts you off, or randomly turns off a highway when you're not expecting it and you have to slam on your brakes, or, what happened to me lately: you're waiting to make a turn, and an oncoming car plans on turning down the same street but never signals so you have to wait that much longer when you could have been halfway up the street.

Boy do I welcome comments on this one if you've got 'em.

Share the Road

Ok, I've been wanting to rant (briefly) about this for some time. A recent incident finally ignited the spark to do so. It has to do with bicyclists and the concept of "sharing the road." Let me explain.

Bicyclists, that is, true "hardcore" bicyclists who are decked out head to toe and have a bike with the same look, would like those who drive cars to "Share the Road" with them. That's fine, since it's obviously legal to ride a bike directly on the street as you would a car. However, the bicycle enthusiast who commutes regularly in this fashion needs to follow the same laws and rules as someone driving a car, and therein lies the issue: many of them have no concern for traffic laws.

So, the bicycle rider wants us car drivers to obey all traffic laws while treating them as fellow [equal] users of the roadways. Yet, I always see people riding bikes on the street who get to a red light, then proceed to run it! So, us cars have to sit and wait, although "the coast may be clear," while someone riding a bike is above the law and can keep right on pedaling through the intersection. To reiterate with a scenario: we've cautiously passed a bicycle, only to approach a red light shortly after where the bicycle comes pedaling up alongside, and even ahead, of us to the traffic light. And then they continue going if there are no other cars (or bikes) coming. After a short wait we get the green light, and have to pass them yet again.

Any thoughts on this? It doesn't make sense for us to treat bicyclists as equals on the roads while we obey all traffic laws, and for them to do as they please, when they please, without regard for the laws that affect us - BOTH of us.

I welcome your comments on both sides! That's my rant, and I'm sticking to it! Of course, until someone can argue against it and put my mind at ease ; )

New Social Network That Pays

Alright, so how about this for a concept?

A social network is created and is built around paying its users for the activity they generate on the website. They make money from advertising, and advertisers spend money for all the users they're reaching and the clicking around that they're doing, so why not share that ad revenue with the users at the end of the day? I think they're on to something here.

What company is doing this? Well, it's called Yuwie, and the growth it's experiencing right now is phenomenal, considering it just launched back in May and it's still in beta.

Check out the cool videos explaining how it works, then sign up and try it for yourself. If you sign up after clicking on that link then you will automatically be added as my friend. Visit www.justyuwie.com to check it out.

There is much more to come regarding this social network, and you can only expect good things!

Reactivating the Knoxville Carolina Club

Since I've recently moved to Knoxville, I attempted to contact the acting chair of the Knoxville Carolina Club to get more details. Unfortunately, the local Carolina alumni club for Knoxville has faded and is no longer active.

So, I took it upon myself to reactivate the Knoxville Carolina Club, and hope to make it as successful as ever. We've officially come out of dormancy with myself at the helm, but it may take a little time to build up a strong foundation of members and start planning some nice events in the area. I will post updates here on my/our progress!

"24" will be back!

As the season six finale of Fox's 24 approaches, it's been announced that the show will be back for two more seasons through 2009. To me, and countless others, this is great news. I was having doubts that the show would be back, but now I can relax. Considering this is the only TV show I watch regularly, I'm a pretty happy camper. The 24 website has more if you're interested in the series.

New Company, New City

In the month since my last post, I have started full time with a web hosting company called Slamdot, and, as of this past Monday, I have moved to Knoxville, TN, because of it. I'm excited about the opportunity and the new city.

I hope this new career in technology and the Internet will allow me to post more regularly than I have been. Any ideas on how to get into the habit of consistent posting would be appreciated, as I'm still very new to the scene.

Loyalty Done Right At Sprint-Nextel

When I called recently to take advantage of a special 15% discount on my Sprint-Nextel bill, I also found that I was eligible for an automatic 10% discount on my monthly bill and a $150 credit towards a new phone just for being a loyal customer!

Sweet deal to me. I've had great service and support since I've been with them, and I definitely need a new phone, so now I can keep them for a while longer and get 10% off my regular monthly bill, and finally upgrade from my 2003 phone (yikes!).

Voicemail to Text with SimulScribe

As I was reading the latest print version of Business 2.0, I jumped back in amazement as I read about SimulScribe, which takes voicemails and turns them into text, in "The Next Net 25" feature. Ok, I didn't "jump back" (does anyone literally do that?), but I did have a "HOLY COW!" moment. The reason? I had thought of this idea exactly one year ago; I even remember it was this day, March 10, because I was out watching the ACC basketball tournament that night when I thought about it.

That evening, I had received a hilarous voicemail from a friend of mine, and thought, wouldn't it be cool to save priceless voicemail messages in a text format, as a sort of keepsake? It was more of a B2C idea than B2B. When I got home I jotted it down as one of my [only] "million-dollar ideas." Sure enough, this company is getting $5 million in funding for the idea and the business they've developed around it. Congrats to the founders, James Siminoff and Mark Dillon, as well as Jess Wachtel. Good luck guys!

NCAA March Madness On Demand is Back!

Yep, when I checked my email this morning I had a message from NCAAsports.com with the same title above, "NCAA March Madness On Demand Is Back For 2007!" You can't even guess how excited I was. That means I can watch all the other NCAA basketball tournament games outside of my viewing area again, online, for FREE! If you're bewildered at this point, check out the March Madness On Demand post from last year. It'll explain my hype.

So, now I can get my VIP pass to have faster access to the games. What a great feeling to be "ahead of the game," so to speak - no pun intended. I'm so glad I signed up to receive their email notification. This proves that there are some emails worth opting in for, if the interest is right up your alley.

Go Heels!

Organizing My Life, One File at a Time

A file cabinet. Four drawers, two of which lock, and hanging folder rails. That's what I asked for at Christmas - and I got it! Only I, of all people, would be excited to get a file cabinet for Christmas. Most people were getting new cell phones, iPods and plasma TV's, but I was asking for an upgrade from my two-drawer file cabinet. It was getting so full!

So why the joy? Well, I tend to be very organized and neat, even when I'm not; my messes are organized. That's why I love the show Monk on USA. I don't have all those issues, but definitely the one about certain things being unorganized or out-of-place.

I'm always trying to organize my life better, whether it's files, emails and feeds on my computer, or bills, important documents, or to-do lists in my office. Even clothes in the bedroom, and toiletries in the bathroom. Or food and kitchen items. Thus, the additional filing cabinet will give me much more space to keep my financial and other personal documents organized, one file at a time.

Here's to organization and the neverending journey towards ultimate efficiency. What are ways you stay organized, whether it's at home, in the office or anywhere else in the world?

Back Posting Again

Unfortunately, I've been on a blogging hiatus since October, but have returned in hopes never to abandon it again - at least not for such a long period of time. Heck, we've been through four major holidays since I last posted: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

Oh well, at least I'm back at it. Cheers!