Wednesday, April 8, 2009

GPS With Attitude

Late Monday afternoon I was on my way back home from Portland. Now, I know how to get back home, but just out of curiosity, I set up the GPS my father-in-law lent me just to see which routes it would suggest. I had already planned to take the exit in Houlton because I'm more familiar with the road and it's less rural than Route 11, which is a truck route that travels through small towns, is very scenic, with lots and lots of woods. There's also more cell phone service throughout most of the route to Houlton, so I felt more comfortable taking that route alone, at night, with a car that has over 100,000 miles on it.

Well, when Tam Tam (as I'll call the GPS) suggested the first route, I passed right by it. Perhaps it was my imagination, but I could have sworn there was a tone when she said, "recalculating". Several miles down the road, Tam Tam suggested a second route. There seemed to be some excitement in her voice when it seemed like I was taking it, at least according to her map, but I also passed that one by. Then I heard that tone again when she said, "recalculating"; I know I did.

Eventually, the time came when Tam Tam made yet another suggestion for a route, and I again chose not to take it. This time I could swear that I heard attitude. Definitly a tone there. I just laughed and kept on going as Tam Tam continued to recalculate.

Finally, I arrived at my Houlton exit. Tam Tam decided to take one more try and suggest this route. I took it. I swear that I heard her say, "Finally!" under her breath as I took the exit and continued on the ramp. No kidding.

2 comments:

  1. That's funny. I have never used a GPS on my own. My hubby has one he uses mainly for fishing and long trips. The sound of the voice surprises me and I can't get used to the idea of following commands from a voice in a box.

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  2. That was great! I'll have to play with my gps and see if she has an attitude. I've noticed that my mobile phone voice has a personality, especially when I call home and she says...home...it's a warm voice...
    funny.......... : )

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