I Like Numbers

[@PM]

I remember when Mr. Carter was assuring us all that the metric system was the wave of the future and that it was imperative that we all learn it as soon as possible. I remember it being fairly simple to learn in -- whatever it was -- sixth or seventh grade. And then I remember it simply disappearing. Ol' Jimmah was wrong, it turned out, and Americans did what we do best, which is to do whatever we want and expect the rest of the world to deal with it . . . or not, as they see fit.

It's hard to change things people are used to. As you probably know we've changed currency 14 years ago. From Dutch gulden, German mark, French franc etc. to the euro. It's taken years for a lot of people to get used to it and put their old currencies (and their exchange rate with the euro) in the past. I think it would be a similar story when you would start to use metres, kilograms, Celsius and bar.

 

[Pucker]

Interesting side note about learning things that disappear:

I don't remember exactly when I studied the metric system, but I do know that in seventh grade -- when I would have been 12 years old -- I got ahead of most of the kids in math, so for extra credit, I learned how to use . . . get this:

A slide rule.

It was actually kind of fun . . .

And completely useless.

 

[danie]

I remember when Mr. Carter was assuring us all that the metric system was the wave of the future and that it was imperative that we all learn it as soon as possible. I remember it being fairly simple to learn in -- whatever it was -- sixth or seventh grade. And then I remember it simply disappearing. Ol' Jimmah was wrong, it turned out, and Americans did what we do best, which is to do whatever we want and expect the rest of the world to deal with it . . . or not, as they see fit.

It's kind of funny, actually. I see kids (and when I say "kid," I'm talking about people under 40) where I work struggling with the idea that there are 12 inches to a foot and using calculators to multiply 11 x 4 and I realize that it wouldn't really have mattered either way.

; )

Yes, I remember Jimmy pushing it too. Maybe we're close in age, because I was thinking around my sixth-grade year also?
Too bad we can't change our ways.

 

[danie]

Now that's familiar. I'm pretty adept in mental arithmetic and often faster than someone hammering on a calculator. Even when I tell them what the outcome is, they still want to finish entering the sum in the calculator, only to find that it agrees with me. I lost count of how many times I've said "told ya" in such occasions
I was taught to make it simple. For example 12 x 29 is kinda hard. But when you make it 12 x 30 - 12 it becomes a lot easier. I use that trick a lot, but everyone else seems to have forgotten it.

When I taught math, I used this method, and it helped a lot of the students.

 

[Pucker]

Yes, I remember Jimmy pushing it too. Maybe we're close in age, because I was thinking around my sixth-grade year also?
Too bad we can't change our ways.

In my experience, change comes only slowly -- if at all -- and often too late to do much good.

But then again, I am finding myself less and less willing to accept all that business of "too late."

Perhaps there may be hope yet.

I certainly hope so.

; )

 

[@PM]

I see. So those Brits are the mixed-up ones when it comes to driving.
If I moved to England, and wanted to take my car with me, would it be illegal to have the steering wheel on the left?

No in most countries that's not illegal. Australia is an exception to that rule, maybe New Zealand as well and possibly some Asian countries.

You would however need to make other modifications, For example the headlights shine a bit further on the right, so you can see earlier what's at the side of the road. In the UK that would hinder oncoming traffic, so a modification is required.

There are more countries that drive on the left, Ireland of course as it's fysically connected to the UK; Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, South Africa and some other Asian and African countries. Sweden was the last country in continental Europe switching from left to right, I believe in the late 1960s.

 

[FlakeNoir]

We do have cars here with the steering wheel on the left, it's legal.

 

[danie]

We do have cars here with the steering wheel on the left, it's legal.

Good, coz when I come to visit you, Flake, I am not giving up my car.

 

[@PM]

We do have cars here with the steering wheel on the left, it's legal.

I've searched around a bit, and it's New Zealand where the basic rule it's illegal. However danie if your car is over 20 years old, it's apparently possible. Or you must be a diplomat

 

[FlakeNoir]

I've searched around a bit, and it's New Zealand where the basic rule it's illegal. However danie if your car is over 20 years old, it's apparently possible. Or you must be a diplomat

Oh you're right, I forgot to mention that they're all classic cars that I've seen this with.

 

[@PM]

Oh you're right, I forgot to mention that they're all classic cars that I've seen this with.

That's no surprise in itself, most right hand drive cars around here are also classic cars, usually British, like Triumphs and MG's, although there are also some rare Japanese cars (often only or mostly made in right hand drive) of a more recent date.

I also know someone who imported a Mazda 3 from the UK as it was several thousands of euros cheaper than he would've paid here for a similar car. To him that difference made it worth the trouble of having the steering wheel on the 'wrong' side.

One quickly gets used to it, so I'm told (I've never driven a right hand drive car myself yet, might one day get on my list for the something I experienced in my later years topic), the major disadvantage in traffic is it's hard to see oncoming traffic if you're planning an overtake manoeuvre (which is probably why the NZ government discourages left hand drive cars). It's also awkward to have to drive through a McDrive or entering a parking garage backwards

 

[danie]

That's no surprise in itself, most right hand drive cars around here are also classic cars, usually British, like Triumphs and MG's, although there are also some rare Japanese cars (often only or mostly made in right hand drive) of a more recent date.

I also know someone who imported a Mazda 3 from the UK as it was several thousands of euros cheaper than he would've paid here for a similar car. To him that difference made it worth the trouble of having the steering wheel on the 'wrong' side.

One quickly gets used to it, so I'm told (I've never driven a right hand drive car myself yet, might one day get on my list for the something I experienced in my later years topic), the major disadvantage in traffic is it's hard to see oncoming traffic if you're planning an overtake manoeuvre (which is probably why the NZ government discourages left hand drive cars). It's also awkward to have to drive through a McDrive or entering a parking garage backwards

I have a Japanese Mazda RX-8 that I will be bringing with me, consequences be damned!

 

[FlakeNoir]

I have a Japanese Mazda RX-8 that I will be bringing with me, consequences be damned!

I sense a Thelma & Louise moment in our future...

 

[danie]

I sense a Thelma & Louise moment in our future...

Girl, don't be daring me...I generally will do what people dare me to do just for the shock.
What if I show up on your doorstep?

 

[FlakeNoir]

Girl, don't be daring me...I generally will do what people dare me to do just for the shock.
What if I show up on your doorstep?

I'll grab my wallet and jacket and wave bye bye to my family...

 

[danie]

I'll grab my wallet and jacket and wave bye bye to my family...

Yay! Flake's a Daredevil!

 

[GNTLGNT]

Yay! Flake's a Daredevil!

....ummmm, if you're planning on this journey, I haven't heard mention made of ship darlin'...so you may want to invest in a Wet-Vac...you'll need it, cuz we don't want the Flakester's tush getting damp....

 

[@PM]

I have a Japanese Mazda RX-8

Nice! I like those.

 

[danie]

Nice! I like those.

My favourite thing to do is drive, and it's a lot of fun!
Red, six speed, of course.

 

[FlakeNoir]

....ummmm, if you're planning on this journey, I haven't heard mention made of ship darlin'...so you may want to invest in a Wet-Vac...you'll need it, cuz we don't want the Flakester's tush getting damp....

Is this a ride-on vacuum cleaner?