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Posted by David (94SEL) on September 13, 2002 at 19:05:55:
I see 3rd Generation Maximas. They're everywhere. My apologies to anyone who was worried seeing the cripple peering though their windows (only to check if it was an auto or a manual). I was just being a bit sad, and veering towards divorce "...if you say 'Oh look, darling, there's a 3rd Generation Maxima' one more time..." Shortest pursuit in history. Oneida / Herkimer NY. While proceeding in an orderly manner, emerge over a hill and there's a cruiser, assuming the classic position at right angles to the road. Brakes, swearing, Anna telling me "Oh look, darling, there's a Crown Victoria." (Personally, I thought that, although the timing was impeccable, such sarcasm was completely uncalled for.) Hasty recap of excuses, quick check that the yellow line was indeed on the left, thank God, anxious staring in rear mirror. I pulled over the moment the lightbar went on, assuming it was probably for my benefit. Hasily don pukkah English accent to guess that he'd pulled me over "...because I was very probably driving far too quickly? (83, apparently)And I'm awfully sorry..." To my great relief, he sent us on our way with a "Slow down, OK?" He did ask for "License and Registration" but thankfully didn't ask me to "Step out of the vehicle" I think my next line, "Could you pass me the crutches, dear?" (that would be to Anna, not the cop, I hasten to add) would not have done me any favours. I also saw Winnebagoey things with actual cars, and on one occasion an F-150 in tow. I could not believe my eyes. I'll have to visit Mr Google to see what they run in those things. Toronto. How can anyone cope with it? Mendacious road signs, continually missing exits, yet finding yourself on what might be the right road after all. I had to go and have a drive in London traffic to soothe my nerves. Having only seen "Due South" and knowing a few Canadians, all of whom were graced with very good manners, I was shocked at the Torontonians' viciously aggressive and frankly crap driving style. If I'd known, I'd never have been so enthusiastic about bikes to Glen S. Sell the Suzuki. Buy an Abrams. The Concorde was well out of its element, and a bit of an omigodwe'regoingtodie liability. Kick it down and you get the revs, but nothing much else happens. An ugly sounding engine as well. Mustangs. (Budget in Toronto hire them. I didn't, just blagged lifts) I'd overlooked these before, because they are a bit small. I'm now a fan of GTs in red. 5 litre engine chucking out tons of TVR noise. Rubbish build quality, though. Doors clang shut tinnily, the whole shebang lurches, squeaks and rattles over potholes, the Honda NSX / Ferrari side intakes look really tacky, but it was a total laugh, and I loved it. And it had a scoop on the hood. Finally, I was moved and deeply impressed by the show of flags and air of respect for the anniversary which I saw everywhere.
Hired a Chrysler Concorde LXi. Not bad, not great, ugly, needs another couple of feet on the bonnet, comfortable, takes a bit of pushing into corners. No owner's manual, so was baffled to (eventually) find the hand (parking) brake is a left foot pedal high up under the dash. How quaint. Bizzare even... Push on, release with a bonnet release style pull handle. Would require a lot of practice to execute handbrake turns with any aplomb at all. No accel / speed to speak of, but it compensates by having more blind spots than Ned Kelly.
New York, (carless, naturally.) Impalas do not really look the part in NYPD livery. Yellow Cabs. Wow. Had lots of Playstation moments in them. Hartford, Granby CT, Concord (a bit bloody chi-chi) loads of other places, Albany, Boston. Very odd to be able to just walk into the Senate like that. Akin to tourists wandering around the Houses of Parliament Committee Rooms. Niagara. A cliche, but stunning in real life.