You might not think so, but this is what a 1996 Volvo 960 station wagon looks like after it’s been totalled.

This post isn’t about being grateful that no one was hurt in this accident. Although I am. What I’m mostly grateful for is the fact that we live in an area and our lifestyle is such that losing this car will not seriously affect our lives. In fact, we’ll probably come out ahead.

There are many, many people, I’d guess the overwhelming majority of Americans, who absolutely depend on their car. Without a car they would not be able to get to their jobs. They would not be able to get to a grocery store to buy food. Or, at the very least, doing those things without a car would add a huge burden to an already stressful life.

For most people, if they were in our situation, they’d have to take the little bit of money from the insurance company and put it towards a new car. Which means replacing an old but very reliable car with either an expensive new car or a used car that may or may not be reliable. Stress and financial burden on top of stress and financial burden. Their lives could be seriously impacted because some kid was driving his parents’ Lexus recklessly and crashed into their parked car. How fair is that for the owner of the parked car?

We are the lucky ones. Keli has been enjoying walking to and from work (two miles each way) since she started her job a few weeks ago. I work from home. We’ll still use a car a few times a week, to go to Trader Joe’s, to go to our favorite restaurant, and for odd needs here and there. But for that we’ve got ZipCar. And there are plenty of ZipCars within walking distance from our apartment. Even though the old Volvo was paid off long before Keli took it on as her own car, it still costs us close to $150 per month for insurance and gas. And that’s with using it very rarely. $150/month pays for a whole lot of ZipCar. More than we’ll really need.

So, yes, I’m very happy that Keli wasn’t in the car when it hit. But I’m also very happy to live a life that allows us to get by from day to day without owning a car. I’m grateful we can walk to many places for food. We can take the bus to places that are beyond walking distance. And we can quickly and easily get a shared car when that’s what we need. I’m gratefully to be so lucky in that regard.

I just got wind of the November Gratitude Project and I’ve got enough time to make my first entry before the first day has ended.

Let’s just start with the obvious. And that would be my girlfriend. Or, I should say, fiancée. Pronounced in the most obnoxious, over-the-top manner possible, because I think that word is at least slightly ridiculous.

But. There it is. How could I start the Gratitude Project with something other than my girlfriend?

This is the photo I took of us shortly after I asked her to marry me. Less than ten days ago. Fortunately we are getting some real pictures taken tomorrow. I can’t wait to get my hands on those.

Richard Grefé, AIGA executive director, urging the Obama Administration to cancel the Art Works poster contest:

This demonstrated lack of respect for the value of creative endeavors is exacerbated by the stipulation that ownership of all the creative property submitted, whether or not selected, is transferred to the campaign. And it is particularly contemptuous to ask the creative community to donate their services in support of a jobs program for other American workers.

What an embarrassment. Do work. Give up all rights to said work. Do it FOR FREE. And do it in the name of creating jobs. Holy WTF.

Last night I lost my iPhone. Somehow. In my small apartment.

After making a few rounds, continually checking the same places over and over again, I realized I could use the Find My iPhone feature to make it beep at me. So I fired up the app on my iPad to do just that. But no such luck because the app was telling me that location services for my iPhone were turned off. What?!

I eventually found my phone (my girlfriend had laid down on the couch, on top of my phone, and fallen asleep). So I was able to confirm that, indeed, the Find My iPhone feature was turned on. But it wasn’t working. I had to toggle the setting, turning it off and back on again, to make it work. Had to do the same drill with my iPad.

It might have to do with the fact that, since iOS 5 came out, I started using a Apple ID for the iCloud features. So, previous to iOS 5, I’d used my MobileMe account for all the syncing features and the Find My Phone feature. Now I’m using the same Apple ID I’ve used for iTunes purchases since 2003. Perhaps something in that transition caused the Find My iPhone feature to stop working.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve updated to iOS 5, and you want to use the Find My iPhone feature (why wouldn’t you?) please confirm that the feature is actually working for you before you lose the phone and need to use the feature.

Someone originally sent this to me in the late 90s. I still think it’s kind of funny.

MANLY QUIZ:

1. In the company of females, intercourse should be referred to as:

   a.  lovemaking
   b.  screwing
   c.  Driving the pigskin bus into tuna town
   

2. You should make love to a woman for the first time only after you’ve both shared:

   a.  your views about what you expect from a sexual relationship
   b.  your blood-test results
   c.  five tequila slammers
   

3. You time your orgasm so that:

   a.  your partner climaxes first
   b.  you both climax simultaneously
   c.  you don't miss Sportscenter
   

4. Passionate, spontaneous sex on the kitchen floor is:

   a.  healthy, creative love-play
   b.  not the sort of thing your wife would ever agree to
   c.  not the sort of thing your wife needs ever find out about
   

5. Spending the whole night cuddling a woman you’ve just had sex with is:

   a.  the best part of the experience
   b.  the second best part of the experience
   c.  $100 extra
   

6. Your girlfriend says she’s gained five pounds in weight in the last month. You tell her that it is:

   a.  No concern of yours
   b.  not a problem, she can join your gym
   c.  a conservative estimate
   

7. You think today’s sensitive, caring man is:

   a.  a myth
   b.  an oxymoron
   c.  a moron
   

8. Foreplay is to sex as:

   a.  appetizer is to entree
   b.  primer is to paint
   c.  a line is to an amusement park ride
   

9. Which of the following are you most likely to find yourself saying at the end of a relationship?

   a.  "I hope we can still be friends,"
   b.  "I'm not in right now, please leave a message at the beep,"
   c.  "Welcome to Dumpsville, population, YOU."
   

10. A woman who is uncomfortable watching you masturbate:

    a.  needs a little more time before she can cope with that sort
        of intimacy
    b.  is uptight and a waste of time
    c.  shouldn't have sat next to you on the bus in the first
        place
    

SCORING:

• If you answered “a” more than 7 times, check your pants to make sure you really are a man.
• If you answered “b” more than seven times, check into therapy, you’re still a little confused.
• If you answered “c” more than 7 times, “YOU DA MAN!”