I want to kiss the feet of the person who created the GPS. Seriously. I think Roger Easton (I’ve just googled “who invented the GPS”) may have actually saved my marriage. Roger, if you’re reading this, send me a line and I will kiss your freakin’ feet.
As many of you know, I recently crossed off one of the items on my life list (http://superviva.com/people/star79) and spent 3 weeks traveling in France. I spent months planning this trip for my husband and I – reading hotel reviews, plotting potential travel routes, assessing costs, debating transportation options – and when February 8th finally arrived, I had a perfectly organized duotang (man, I love duotangs!) with all the flight schedules, hotel confirmations, reservations numbers and important information. We decided to rent a car and at the last minute (although after weeks of debate, I might add), we decided to suck up the expense and book a rental car with a GPS. And thank Roger Easton, it was the best $135 I’ve ever spent.
My husband and I are infamous arguers. We’ve been known to make people significantly uncomfortable with our incessant bickering, and although we’ve definitely gotten less combative over the last few years, I actually think both of us secretly enjoy the daily battles. But let me tell you, battling in a car is not fun, especially a teeny tiny car like those driven in Europe. A good argument needs personal space – space to back up, reassess, launch the next attack – this is not possible in a teeny tiny car. And when directions are at stake (especially between a man and a woman), epic battles undoubtedly brew.
Not with Giselle! (as we so affectionately named our GPS). In her prim and proper British accent, Giselle always had the answer. Even when we screwed up and took the wrong turn, Giselle was there with a reassuring “Recalculating!” followed by a simple solution. Giselle helped us navigate the death-defyingly fast freeways, and the world’s narrowest streets, during rush hour and after dark and she always remained calm. Even when my husband swore a bloody streak of profanity at her, she pleasantly replied “In 400 meters, turn left.” When we panicked, she stayed sane. When we got turned around and totally lost, Giselle re-routed us.
This would NOT have happened if it were just the two of us in the car. One of us would likely have come home deaf and/or ready to file for divorce.
Turns out, sometimes the most rational voice is the one outside the situation. Giselle didn’t have to go home with us every night (although we didn’t leave her in the car – we didn’t want her stolen from us!) and she wasn’t personally involved with either one of us. She could calmly assess each situation and help give us direction. She was a mediator and a life-saver all in one.
So, thank you Roger Easton. Msg me. I owe you bigtime.