Autopiloting in a Tesla

February 26, 2016

Wow, today started out very interesting.  This morning at 9:35am I headed out to run a work errand that would take me into Austin's quaint Hyde Park to Antonelli's Cheese Shop.  My regular commute to most of Austin includes Farm to Market 2222 (a.k.a. FM 2222 a.k.a. RM 2222), one of the dangerous highways in Texas.  Regularly individuals are choose to drive with lack of control, using no particular care to pass pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles or other vehicles that share the roadway.

Unexpectedly, I had to slam on my brakes at the top of the steep hill of FM2222 due to a severe collision involving a dump truck that was not visible from where I was located.  Next thing I know a motorcycle flies into the opposite lane and a man is lying on the ground about 3 cars behind me.  After seeing others go to help the man and making a quick assessment of me being blocked in from all sides of the road I choose to make a U-turn (a safe, legitimate one as no cars are coming in the opposite direction) and then witness emergency services arriving and performing CPR on the man's chest.  Ugh.

Man! Sometimes you just need to start the weekend early so at 3 p.m. I hopped back onto FM2222 to head to Tesla Motors to follow through with an invitation from last November.  Again I pass another collision that was bad and again the traffic was backed up for a long time.  Thankfully, I was able to navigate around 2222 using back roads that most Austinites don't know about and those who do covet.  It wasn't until I drove the Tesla in autopilot mode on the busy highway I really understood the need for those smart technology vehicles to ease the craziness and road rage on our streets.  It seriously hit home today.

Being in a car with an autopilot mode is certainly a dream but one that you cannot truly imagine or understand until you are behind the wheel without touching it in the middle of rush hour traffic on Mo-Pac.  It was truly surreal.  I did not have to control the car. The Tesla sped up to 65 miles an hour and slowed down and continued smoothly in stop and go traffic with cars on all sides of me.  It even switched lanes on it's own with just that tap of the turn signal.  Amazing.  I mean ridiculously amazing.  Of course, we have all read the articles and consumer reports on auto pilot methods and self driving cars but to think that you know what the hell the industry is talking about until you have done it is a complete bologna.  Once you have auto-piloted a car or experienced a self driving car behind the wheel yourself, you have connected with the vehicle on an entirely different level.  So today I cruised the streets of Austin in Tesla's AutoPilot.  It was amazing! Insane! Loveable!

I am a very particular person when it comes to vehicle seat design and it's functionality.  I must sit straight up and cannot have some funky object touching the lumbar region.  My steering wheel must be perfect, not too skinny where I'm gripping so tight that my knuckles hurt and not to fat that I don't feel in control.  Somehow, this car was perfect to me the moment I sat in it.  And it's adjusts to everyone.  

Tesla Model S 70D is considered the Car of the Century by some and I can certainly understand some of the points.  At 32 years old, I've been strongly considering an SUV for my next vehicle for a multitude of reasons that do include travel, children, and pets.  The Model S sedan rectifies the need for an SUV by safely securing seven passengers when adding rear facing seats to the sedans package.  Insane!!!

To end the ride, my Tesla for the day backed into the parking spot on its own.  Lord Have Mercy.

So the day ended fabulously, but to my satisfaction the gallery set me up to take the car home next week to enjoy it on my own terms.  XOXO, get yourself a Tesla!

~Angela O'

Video Credit Tesla Motors via YouTube

Travel Tic Tac Toe

Original DIY Tic Tac Toe travel game board from the 1990's

I loved this DIY Tic Tac Toe traveling game so much as a child that I still have the original game that I made.  It's super easy to make for your child and even with your child that you may feel brave enough to have a large group of kiddos over to instruct.  Adult Child Group Fun!  a.k.a. birthday parties, project parties, rainy days, etc.  The best part... The game board and playing pieces are made out of felt so that when playing in the car, the pieces are not lost. So clever.

I think I was about 6 to 8 years old, so I believe it was my awesome Sunday School teacher Denise Kistner who instructed our class to make this project.  I don't want to leave out Connie Hester either...just in case it may have been her as she was another one of my awesome Sunday School teachers.  Kudos!

Make it yourself using the instructions below.

The felt pieces don't fall off when tipped over

Write the kid's name and a message of your choice

Materials Needed:

• Felt, 4 different colors
• Pinking Shears
• Foam Core Board
• Glue
• A Permanent Marker
• Gallon Size Zipper Bag

Instructions:

• Measure the foam core board to 8 inches by 8 inches and cut.
• Write a message on the back on the side you have determined to be the back of the board.
• Measure felt color #1 and cut with the pinking shears. Approximately 8 inches by 8 inches (make sure it's large enough to cover the board!).  Once cut, glue this to the foam board.  Gluing it now will allow it to have some time to set prior to adding the next layer.
• Measure strips from felt color #2 and cut using the pinking shears. Approximately 1/2 inch by 8 inches.  Not too thick, not too thin.  If the fabric is cut with the pinking shear points lined up then the width may go a little over a half inch, that is okay.  Make 4 of these.
• Measure rectangles from felt color #3 and cut using the pinking shears.  Aproximately 1 inch by 1 3/4 inch.  Again this is approximate, the main point to remember is to make sure the pieces are large enough for hands to pick up easily but small enough for them to fit inside the tic tac toe boxes. Make 5 of these and perhaps one back up if you'd like.
• Measure circles from felt color #4 and cut using the pinking shears. Approximately 1 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch.  Again this is approximate, the main point to remember is to make sure the pieces are large enough for hands to pick up easily but small enough for them to fit inside the tic tac toe boxes.  Make 5 of these and perhaps one back up if you'd like.
• Glue the measured strips that you cut from felt color #2 to the felt covered foam board, using the lattice style method.
• Do NOT put your foam rectangles/circles on the foam board until you know the board has completely dried.  You wouldn't want to accidentally glue pieces to the board making them permanently unplayable, would you?
• When complete, store in a zipper bag and keep it in the family car.

With Angela O'

Make at least 5 pieces each shape

BAG IT AND STICK IT! in the car

PSA for Texas Drivers

Anyone who has ever lived or visited Texas can validate that it is a Deep-Texan thing to drive without a care to others on the road.  Seriously the state government really needs to address this.

1) Try driving in your lane.  NOT over the line so that you are half in your lane and half in the shoulder.  NOT over the line so you are half in your lane and half in someone else's lane.

Anoymous Texas Driver heading from Ennis, Texas to Italy, Texas

2) Turn OFF your engine while pumping gas.  There is an extreme amount of offenders in the Ennis, Texas area.  Just because you are ignorant does not mean that I want to blow up.

3) If you are on the highway then move over and allow people entering from the ramp to get on to the highway.  This is a big problem in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, drivers refuse to let others come in on the entrance ramp resulting in many stopped cars.

4) Just because you have a truck does not mean that you can use your cow catcher bumper to push your way through traffic.

5) If there is any moisture on the ground try SLOWING DOWN.  Just because you think that you are invincible does not mean that your car or the others around you are.  

February 2012 Austin, Texas FM2222 at Riverplace Blvd

6)  Please learn how to judge your time accordingly.  Just because you want to pull out on the big hill does not mean that there is no one coming from the other side.  Slamming on your gas pedal doesn't always equate to us being able to slam on our breaks.  Especially if you are on the FM620 hill near Comanche Trial and Steiner Ranch Steakhouse.  

Come back for regular pictures and updates.  If you have a picture you want to share let me know. Try not include license plates but if you have no choice I can blur them.

The Fun Car of My Dreams

One evening John and I went to for a company meet up at a local dive bar. Upon our arrival we parked near a super fun car that I now want to create myself.  I have wanted a Volkswagen bug since I was 14 and have only dreamed of one.  Note I said bug not beetle!  I want one of the cute originals in a beautiful light powdery blue with a soft top and another of practically any color in a hard top.  


Now everyone knows that I am quite the do-it-yourself  creative type so seeing this car really has me going.  I want to find a junker that runs and deck the baby out to my strongest desire.  If I could fill an olympic size swimming pool with glitter, diamonds, rhinestones, and anything sparkly I would.  Be sure to add the diving boards.  Seriously when Mr. McDuck in Ducktales swam in his gold is honestly what I am envisioning with anything sparkly and glamorous.  Call me a girl.


This car actually reminds me of how my bedroom(s) where decorated during my jr. high and high school years.  The outlandish creative girl where schoolmates were surprised that I could do something cool.  Yes I majored in fashion and I loved to be a trendsetter but I think I was far too early for my years because it wasn't always an appreciation of the coolest with teenagers.  Eventually some things I did caught on.  Remind me and I promise I will post some old pictures one day.


Anyway here is this crazy awesome car.  Points for the artist who spent their time and energy creating such a wonderful piece.  I hope that I run into you and your car again someday!