Regurgitation
There is a sort of meme doing the rounds.
This one, I don’t mind because no one is tagged. You just pick it up if you feel like it.
The idea is that you link to the site where you got the idea, and then regurgitate [I love that word] an old post for whatever reason.
The first bit is difficult for me as I have seen it on a few sites. There’s K8 the Gr8, Grannymar, Robert Sweetnam, and of course GoingLikeSixty who I think started the current rash this side of The Pond.
The second bit is difficult too. I have to find an old post that I am proud of, and that most of you newer readers will have missed.
I have made my choice. My reason for choosing it is not because I think it is my best, but because it gave me most enjoyment. It caused a lot of confusion. There were serious discussions about it on various bulletin boards. I love causing confusion.
I will reprint in full to save you hopping around…..
-oOo-
New traffic system coming to Ireland
[First posted 4th January 2007]
In the run up to the next General Election, the Government has announced a new initiative to bring Ireland in line with our European partners.
The following is the essence of the announcement made this morning.
For centuries, Ireland has been the poor relation of England. We inherited their laws, their architecture, their language and their way of life.
We see ourselves now as an independent state that is more European than British. We have adopted the Euro as our currency. We have established Irish as an official language within the European Union. We have won the Eurovision Song Contest more times than anyone else. It is time for the next step.
We propose that from the 1st of July 2007, we will adopt the European standard of driving on the right hand side of the road.
This is a major initiative that will bring us in line with the rest of Europe, along with metrication. Furthermore, with the rate of immigration expected to increase, by the year 2010, the majority of the population will have originated in countries that drive on the right.
We already have the physical infrastructure in place. It is just a matter of public education.
Starting from the 1st of February, motorists will have a five month period in which to have their vehicles adapted to left hand drive. During this period, road signs and traffic lights will also be adapted. All new vehicles sold after this date will be configured for left hand drive.
Starting on the 1st of July, there will be a period of transition.
Period of transition
Initially, all buses and articulated vehicles will move to the right to allow for a period of adjustment. Car owners may opt to make the switch themselves on an individual basis, depending on their level of confidence.
Starting on the 1st of August, all motorists outside city limits will be required to drive on the right. And finally on the 1st September, all city traffic will make the transition.
It is appreciated that there will be some confusion initially, but death rates within the first year are expected to be below the 50,000 mark. This is a small price to pay for the estimated five lives a year that will be saved after the transition.
Some initial confusion
The Government is committed to reducing the appalling death rate on our roads, and to further harmonisation with our European neighbours.
Glad I was home before 1st July!
I may never leave home again.
Unfortunately they never took me up on it. I think it was a great idea.
And I thing the idea of a period of transition is even better!
I was wondering if you were going to pick up this meme of sorts and which old post you would use.
The one with your likeness compared to Mischa Barton was hilarious.
Hey your pal Nicole Ritchie was recently thrown in jail for driving on the wrong side of the road! She truly is a Grandad fan ๐
Hey, Hey, Hey, I left you out of it! I can follow orders. Sounds like others can’t.
Wonderful post!
Robert – You mean This one?
I’d forgotten about that. Maybe I should have held an opinion poll?
K8 – Fair play to her! Another convert!!
Sixty – You didn’t. It was a voluntary thing. Actually, the only meme that really p*ss*s me off is the “Eight Things You Don’t Know About Me” one. And that’s because I have run out of interesting things to say.
Yep. That’s the one. I think that was the very first post that I read on your site too.
Well, Robert, I have to admire your patience. You have been hanging around since November waiting for something funny to turn up?
You make us think. And by us I’m referring collectively to all of us who read your blog (I hope the rest don’t mind!). And by thinking? By that I mean we enjoy your ramblings in more ways than just amusement; although you manage to amuse us quite a bit too ๐
There are still plenty of us about who respect our elders (hopefully that won’t be seen as an insult!), and like to learn and listen to how things have changed over the years and maybe even take heed and learn. We might then apply what we may have learned from you to our own situations in this day and age. And of course compare and contrast in our comments.
Long may it continue. ๐
Robert,
I read the above, and quite frankly I feel very humbled.
I suppose I am in an unusual position in that I grew up in the 50s and 60s, yet have managed to keep up with technology to an extent that I am comfortable with it [most of the time] and am in a position to use that technology to impart my thoughts.
I have no objection to be referred to as an ‘elder’. While my chronological age is ticking away, mentally I’m stuck in a time-warp and am still in my thirties.
Thank you, Robert. That is the nicest comment I have yet received.
I feel a blog post coming up…!