The Reiki Cafe 

Maybe Im the only one that was not aware of backover deaths..large autos such as SUVs and trucks, which we generally think of as providing a better view of the road ahead than smaller cars, have very large blind spots. Apparently there have been more than 2000 deaths caused by backing up an SUV or truck, usually over a child who cant be seen behind the vehichle. The following is from an online article from CNN:
"More and more people are buying bigger and bigger," said Consumer Reports auto test director David Champion, "and the bigger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot."

Champion illustrated the problem using 28-inch-high cones, about the height of a typical two-year old. The cone had to be 10 feet, 10 inches from the back of a Subaru Impreza sedan before it became visible in the rear-view mirror.

The cone had to be a little over 18 feet to be seen from the driver's seat of a Dodge Grand Caravan minivan and it was invisible up to 25 feet from the back of a large Toyota Tundra pick-up.

From the driver's seat of a Chevrolet Suburban, a large SUV, the cone wasn't visible until it was 46 feet, nine inches away.

For a shorter driver, the blind spots are even larger.

Various factors, besides just the size of the vehicle, can affect the size blind spots. Small windows can make blind spots larger, for example, while high-mounted seats can make them smaller.

"On these big vehicles where we see something like 20, 30, 40 feet of blind spot behind, that is where the problems are," said Champion. "That is where the deaths we are seeing in backover accidents are occurring."

It's a problem the industry isn't addressing right now, said Ron DeFore, a spokesperson for SUV Owners of America, an organization partially funded by car companies."

Besides the obvious issues this brings up,what struck me as I read this, was the issue of letting go of blame, letting go of the belief that the driver just wasnt being mindful enough....we dont always have all the facts no matter how obvious cause and effect may appear in the news.

peace & joy,
holobon

Good Morning!
I agree, these suv's and trucks are just too big! For many reasons. Yes, they are dangerous, in my opinion as pople get to feel they are king of the road and some become less responsible drivers in them, but also the use of resources to run them is an issue.

My husband has a pickup that has big tires and I never feel safe in it and feel like it is just oo big for the road. I won't drive it. I have a minivan and that has many blind spots as well. We have talked it over and our next vehicle is going to be small and will either be a hybrid or a smaller diesal that can use b-20 bio-diesal.

Thank you for your voice on this subject.
Tracey

holobon,

Hi,

SUV = singularly useless vehicle (or for this case, singularly unsafe vehicle).

It is estimated that in the US we now burn 9 million barrels of oil every day. With the precipitous rise in the number of SUVs on the road it is no wonder. I know there is a 'gas guzzler tax' and I feel any V8 engine should be subject to that tax regardless of advertised (or actual) miles per gallon ratings. And, if that tax were raised a bit perhaps (probably wishful thinking on my part) fewer SUVs would be purchased and some diminution in the rate we pollute the air might result.

Cheers,

RC

holobon,

Dia duit!

Yes they certainly are. We call them Chelsea Tractors over here, fully equipped with bull-bars (because of the vast numbers of rampant bulls which haunt the streets of London and other conurbations) designed to cause maximum damage to the unfortunate pedestrian they impact upon.

Most of these infernal machines never go off-road and are used to ferry little Tarquin and Fenella to school and back because the roads are sooooo dangerous because of (that's right, you've guessed it!!) THE VAST NUMBER OF CHELSEA TRACTORS ON THEM.

HA.

Sorry about the rant. In common with many Grumpy Old Men, chelsea tractors are one of my pet hates. They are a waste of resources both in building and running the damned things.

Plus, when I am out walking the dog in our usual sh*t weather, it is invariably an SUV driver who goes straight through the puddle and soaks me!! Demonstrating his vehicle's capabilities to the unwashed peasant, no doubt.

Anyway, as a good friend of mine once said, "Enough already!!"

Oiche mhaith agus beannacht leat.

Brian

I wonder if you Americans had to pay as much for gas as we do, if there would be so many SUV's on the road. Probally not, but it may deter a few.

Namaste

Rob
Truth is not a property of language because language has not been able to express abstract ideas as efficiently as concrete items

You are so right. I have seen more off Road vehicles in town, that I have ever seen in the country.
Many of the drivers of them also think it is ok to take up 2 parking spaces in car parks, and when you are trying to back out of parking space, they are the devils own troubles to see around. That is not safe, becuase if someone see's you backing out of a space, they just keep keep driving at you anyway.
Boy arn't we full of love and light today LOL

Namaste

Rob
Truth is not a property of language because language has not been able to express abstract ideas as efficiently as concrete items

Rob,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- yes, your petrol prices are a disaster - now even more than when my wife and I were on our most recent car tour of Scotland in 2003 (if I recall the average buy was probably 82p\litre)

- we, of course, hired out a 4-cylinder vehicle which, driving mostly on single track roads, kept speeds down (as well as fuel consuption)

- and photo ops high

>:-}}}}

- right now I pay $2.59 US per gallon (down from $3.09\gal just a few weeks ago)

- my next trip to Scotalnd may involve more localized angling, walking, and biking rather than motoring around all over the Highlands (if your fuel cost do not reced a bit)

- take care

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

We are currently around 98pence a litre, so around £4-60 a gallon or in US currency somewhere around $7 US.

Must admit a lot of us over here do have a quite snigger to ourselves when we hear Americans complain about the high cost of gas and think to ourselves, if only you knew and if only you were here.

Oil unfortunatly is a finite resource and with no real viable alternative at the moment, we could all be in trouble if we run out before a sensible alternitive is found.
Would higher prices help? Well there would be knock on effect in the price of everything, so infaltion would run rampant as well.

I can see the point in using a SUV to drive in Scotland. Some of those tracks down to the rivers need something that will cope with off road driving.

Namaste

Rob
Truth is not a property of language because language has not been able to express abstract ideas as efficiently as concrete items

Rob,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- some of those tracks down to the river can be navigated quite well with a pair of Gortex hikers and a medium backpack for gear

bagl

- flyrods and flies and nylon waders and a few refreshements really don't make for much of a burden

- the tariffs $$$$ for angling some beats is another matter, of course

bagl

- in the States I can buy one permit for an entire year ($10.00 US in Alabama) to fish all public fresh water (some states also requiure a salt water license)

- some states also have Lifetime licenses one may purchase.

- of course, if I fish in another State I'll need a visitor's permit but, again, usually under $15 US for 3-8 days

- but, of course, no Highlands here

- yes, the next major technical revolution will have to be a viable replacement for the internal combustion engine - whoever does that one may make more $$$ than Bil Gates or J.K Rowling

- take care,

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Rob,

Dia duit!

I was full of love and light until some numpty in an SUV drowned me and the light was extinguished temporarily!!

No doubt it will soon be rekindled.

Beannacht leat

Brian

A Peadar, a chara,

Dia duit ar maidin (your time).

Conas ata tu?

A question - how much is a permit for catching folk??

bagl bagl bagl

And don't hold your breath for fuel prices to come down over here - a ridiculous percentage of each litre of fuel goes to HM Daylight Robbery Dept in tax - something like 75% I think - current diesel prices here are around the 95pence per litre mark.

A guy in South Wales was caught by the Gaugers (Customs and Excise) last year I think, running his car on used vegetable oil. Apparently it was detected because it smelt like a chip shop on wheels! He was prosecuted for evading duty. How's that for encouraging green motoring?

If you fly to Lunesdale International Airport (the field next to our house) I'll lend you my push-bike.

Oiche mhaith agus beannacht leat,

Brian

I was not aware of this "backover" phenomenon. Thanks for letting us know. I am not a fan of unnecessarily large cars...i.e. in town, one driver, etc. However, some of my friends drive them, and many are equipped with an alarm that tells the driver if something is behind them when they back up.........now I know why!!!! I always am concerned about wasting anything......too much house, too much car, too much of anything. Probably because it is not harmonious.
I hope we get a little tired of paying so much at the pump and get wise.
Love,
Feather

Brian,

/*\ Namaste mein freund :-}}

- Tráthnóna maith (my time)

- Tá mé go maith. Cén chaoi an bhfuil tú?

- push bike??? Oy. Scaoil orm, scaoil anois orm!!

bagl

- that is really bizarre - being punished for burning an alternate fuel

- catching folk?? In the States it is called Bounty Hunting, bagl, and I do not know what licenses for this 'privilege' go for.

- however, no permits needed for bagging snipes - though in some places too close to other people one might get complaints of disturbing the peace (calling here snipe, here snipe too vigorously)

bagl, bagl

- Feicfidh mé arís thú>

- Go mbeannaigh Dia duit

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Peadar,

Coimeadain ar an tine agus mo cara,

Ta me go hiontach, go raibh maith agat.

Plenty of self reiki seems to be doing the trick.

I will oil the chain in preparation for your arrival. We have plenty of owls around here which will keep a friendly eye on you as you wobble down the road.

bagl

I am sure we can organize a snipe hunt for you.

rofl

As you are half-way thru the day, we end it, so,

Bon fin de soiree mon cher ami,

Nos da, oiche mhaith agus beannacht leat,

Brian.

There is a loverly beat of the River Spey, where to get the beat for a week would cost more than many of us earn in year.
Ok that does cover 10 rods and you do get a butler bring you your Malt in glass in the middle of the river (LOL)
And there is absolutly no guarentee that there will be Fish in the river ( a fish being defined as a Salmon)

I have seen the beat and have fished the one below it, where the ghille will make you a cup of tea, but you have to go to the hut to get it.

Of course there is inexpensive Salmon fishing in Scotland, but only on Rivers that don't get that good a run.

When you and Mrs Firekeeper are over next, I do have a freind who owns a lodge in Ireland. I think on the Moy, which if you hit it right is very prolific. So I could always ask, that is if you want to see Ireland.

Namaste

Rob
Truth is not a property of language because language has not been able to express abstract ideas as efficiently as concrete items

Rob,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- most kind.

- my wife did a shamanic retreat in Ireland the first time we came over - I fished in Scotland while she shamaned.

- that same trip I fished a day on River North Esk - standing mid stream (the ghille took a great pix which, if I can find it, I will E-mail to you if you wish) there were salmon everywhere - brushing my legs - breaking tghe surface - but they were on the spawning run so that day had no more interest in my beautiful, tasty flies than they would a McHaggis

bagl

- if only I had been able to transform into a bear and just reach out with some sharp claws (but that would not be kosher for a fly fisherman) - tea served on the bank

bagl

- I did better the next day at Loch Leven (some trout) and also later for salmon on River Forss (a spate river, largely, that was spating that year)

>:-}}

- but I would love to come back to the Highlands and take a hop to Erin for a week or so - I will have to go to the maps to locate the Moy and do a bit of reading

- Brian has touted the sea trout angling for me as well in some spots he knows

- take care,

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Otoharo!

Holobon, thank you for bringing all this to my attention. I am so short, I try always to park so that I can drive forward and not have to back up. I have pillows to raise me somewhat. I do have information that it is good to be driving a vehicle that will run on vegetable oil for use after the big shift. Oil and gas will become obsolete. I once filled a pick-up at the wrong barrel, deisel instead of gasoline. It did a bit of snorting, but went down the road. I drove small cars when my kids were small. I still drive a small pick-up.

I'd be laughing too, but i don't know any gaelic accept bean sidhe. : )~

conflag,

Dia duit ar maidin (good morning to you)

Ah, the Bean Sidhe (not the Bean Lord of the Sith). The first time I encountered one was in the film "Darby O'Gill and the Little People", also featuring my namesake, King Brian of the Leprechauns.

rofl

Scaaaaaaaaared the sh*t outta me!!!!( I was only about 6 at the time - we were much less sophisticated in the days of yore)

Google is a good source for Irish and Scottish Gaelic translations.

Must go and earn some shopping tokens for bean mo chroi (the woman of my heart) now, so,

Slan go foille agus beannacht leat (Bye for now and Blessed Be)

Brian

I loved that movie. Makes me wanna drink and entertain leprechauns in my home. GO DISNEY!!!

hi Finality,
wow, do please give me the recipe!
it is a shame we can't 'go back' to the horse & cart days! but with the world 'quickening' just not possible....
back then there were people who looked after each other, helped out each other, in sickness & health,& a real rare thing,'they all knew each other'...& they call to-days world PROGRESS!... HA!
luv to you, wendy x

conflag.

I'll dispense with the Gaelic for now. Yes a brilliant movie - I still watch it whenever I can at the ripe old age of 56(almost) and have a dram or three whilst doing so.

Told my grandson about Leprechauns last year and gave him a bag of coins that one of the Wee Folk had given me when I met him at the foot of a rainbow. He still believes in them and only the other day, told me that Seamus the Leprechaun had been to visit him at school, but got thrown out for being naughty. I even build fairy houses at the foot of trees in the woods for the kids. Who's the biggest kid??

bagl

The innocence and imagination of childhood - long may it flourish.

Really must go now.

Beannacht leat

Brian

Peadar, a chara,

Dia duit ar maidin.

I see I shall have to hone my fish poaching skills.

Slan go foille agus beannacht leat

Brian

Brian,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

Tráthnóna maith (your time).

- does my memory take the coyote's face?

- bagl

- if it was not you who, at one comment, mentioned sea trouting then I apologize to you and to the one to whom the credit is due

- poaching? I'll have to look that one up in my handy-dandy lexicon

>:-}}

- I only know the definition of catch-and-release

>:-}}

- Feicfidh mé arís thú. Go mbeannaigh Dia duit.

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Peadar

Dia duit ar maidin (your time????)

I did indeed.

What I neglected to say was that we would be catching them by foul means rather than fair - hence the reference to poaching (not in a culinary context).

More fun that way. Better not say any more in case any bailiffs are about.

SHHHHH - computers have ears!!!

bagl, bagl, bagl.

Slan go foille agus beannacht leat

Brian