I had the most wonderful day yesterday. I drove from San Diego to Los Angeles to visit three fabulous cousins I hadn't seen in twenty-five years. What a delight! My cousins are terrific and I had a great time with them.
I have plenty of experience driving all over San Diego and Orange Counties, but not Los Angeles. But I felt quite confident with my trusty but rebellious GPS at my side. I have nicknamed her “Miss Guided” when she gives me proper directions, and * “Misguided” when she sends me on a wildly wrong-way adventure, or so it seems at the time.
I have plenty of experience driving all over San Diego and Orange Counties, but not Los Angeles. But I felt quite confident with my trusty but rebellious GPS at my side. I have nicknamed her “Miss Guided” when she gives me proper directions, and * “Misguided” when she sends me on a wildly wrong-way adventure, or so it seems at the time.
To be extra cautious, I printed MapQuest directions to compare to Miss G’s guidance. I use Miss G quite a bit locally, and have grown accustomed to her repeatedly telling me to turn around and make legal u-turns. I was hopeful that she would be quite helpful in the unfamiliar expansiveness of Los Angeles.
After High Tea with my cousins, I got into my car and activated the command to “go home”. While waiting for “Miss Guided” to map my route, I called a cousin on my blue tooth device to tell her about the get together. From that moment on, when “Misguided” spoke to me, she and I ended up arguing. "Where are you taking me, why turn here, where are we?" and "OMG I think she is crazy" comprised the first ten minutes of my argument with the talking machine. My cousin is of course howling with laughter that I am arguing with my GPS. I try to explain to her that I must be excused briefly to talk to this voice that is sending on odd streets. " But we didn't come this way, why highway 10 and then 60?” And “seriously, are you taking me to Palm Springs?" My cousin is laughing so hard she can barely speak as I rant and rave with Miss G. Finally “Miss Guided” wins and she gets me to Highway 5. I thanked her for the circuitous route home and promptly turned her off.
My Irish nature has gifted me with a birthright of wanting to buck the system. But seriously, arguing with someone who isn't real! Hmm. I wonder how many of us have declared our GPS to be terrific when helpful but a pain in the ass when they are not. Is it only those of us who are Irish?
After the experience with “Miss Guided”, I recalled previously giving a San Diego address to “Misguided” and her repeatedly stating that there was no such address. After several attempts, I consulted a USA map and realized that “Misguided” was giving me directions for Baltimore, Maryland. And yesterday when inquiring about Santa Monica Boulevard, “Misguided” gave me directions to New Jersey. Thank heavens I didn’t listen. I would still be driving!
After High Tea with my cousins, I got into my car and activated the command to “go home”. While waiting for “Miss Guided” to map my route, I called a cousin on my blue tooth device to tell her about the get together. From that moment on, when “Misguided” spoke to me, she and I ended up arguing. "Where are you taking me, why turn here, where are we?" and "OMG I think she is crazy" comprised the first ten minutes of my argument with the talking machine. My cousin is of course howling with laughter that I am arguing with my GPS. I try to explain to her that I must be excused briefly to talk to this voice that is sending on odd streets. " But we didn't come this way, why highway 10 and then 60?” And “seriously, are you taking me to Palm Springs?" My cousin is laughing so hard she can barely speak as I rant and rave with Miss G. Finally “Miss Guided” wins and she gets me to Highway 5. I thanked her for the circuitous route home and promptly turned her off.
My Irish nature has gifted me with a birthright of wanting to buck the system. But seriously, arguing with someone who isn't real! Hmm. I wonder how many of us have declared our GPS to be terrific when helpful but a pain in the ass when they are not. Is it only those of us who are Irish?
After the experience with “Miss Guided”, I recalled previously giving a San Diego address to “Misguided” and her repeatedly stating that there was no such address. After several attempts, I consulted a USA map and realized that “Misguided” was giving me directions for Baltimore, Maryland. And yesterday when inquiring about Santa Monica Boulevard, “Misguided” gave me directions to New Jersey. Thank heavens I didn’t listen. I would still be driving!
Almost at my house I saw two double rainbows at different locations, I must be doing something right with Miss Guided.
It was great to get home to my four-leggeds. Upon my return, they wagged their tails, licked my hands, and were ready to play. Thank heavens they didn’t want to talk (or argue)!
* Marcia Q Neel coined this word in 2003
It was great to get home to my four-leggeds. Upon my return, they wagged their tails, licked my hands, and were ready to play. Thank heavens they didn’t want to talk (or argue)!
* Marcia Q Neel coined this word in 2003
Love your writing, Sheila. It was funny, sweet and oh so true! xxxoooR
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