Idle thoughts

This morning on the way to the farmer's market, I stopped at an ATM to get some cash.  A car pulled up to the machine right in front of me.  I switched my motor off to wait my turn.  The person in front of me left his engine running during his transaction.  Later, when I came out of the grocery store I noticed the car parked next to me was running.  There was a man sitting in it waiting.

Both of these incidents made me wonder again just how much gas is burned up while we are waiting.  Not just in traffic, but when we are parked.  Drive through lanes seem to be big ways that Americans waste gas, yet I've never seen any estimates of just how much is wasted waiting. Most people leave their engines running while waiting their turn.  I guess they either don't care that they are wasting gas or still believe the old myth that it takes more gas to turn your car off and on than to let it run.  This was true when carburetors were used, but not with fuel injected engines.

We are at the beginning of the cold weather season.  Many people will be starting their cars then going back inside while the cars warm up.  Modern cars warm up so quickly that manufacturers say that warming them up before driving them is unnecessary.  How much gas is idled away warming cars up for comfort or in the misguided belief that it is good for the car?

I wonder why no environmental agency has adopted a crusade to reduce idle time as a conservation measure.

Two Kinds of People

I've decided there are two kinds of people: those who read self help books and those who don't.  I am one of the former.  I believe that I am a work in progress.  I can be improved upon.  There is a better self who is kinder, thinner, more productive, wiser, etc.  The self I am is sadly lacking, but there is hope if one is willing to work hard to change.   Ah.  The Rub.

I might note that my wish to improve myself does not end at the boundary of me.  I also think that I can improve those around me.  Having read all those self help books has given me a font of knowledge that I am happy to share.  Just ask.   Or wait.  I'm sure I will point out some way you can improve, if you will just listen and follow my advice.

My former husband once said to me that he didn't think that people could change, that he certainly couldn't.  He was right.  He hasn't changed much over the years, except that he shaved his mustache and his head.  He is the other sort of person.  He doesn't read self help books.

 I believe people can change.  It is hard, but you can change.  I know that part of the reason I feel this way is because I had a father who was only too happy to point out all the ways I could improve.  As I noted, I internalized that trait.  It is one of the things I try hard to change.  So, thanks, Dad for pointing out that change is possible.  See, I did change.  I just realized that his criticism wasn't all bad. It gave me optimism and hope along with all the self doubt and lousy self image.