Rockwell would understand

In 1984, a musician (term used generously here) named Rockwell released the song entitled "Somebody's Watching Me." Rockwell may have fizzled into Motown oblivion, but the song remains lyrically apropos. The sense of being watched can produce paralyzing feelings of paranoia.

Especially when you are being watched by people in a vehicle.

In fact, it would appear that the number of people watching you is inversely proportionate to the amount of agility one can exhibit.
For your consideration, the following scenario: Man in car stopped along side a full school bus.

One or two children look at driver of car = Man forgets how to naturally use hands. Actions become stilted. Cell phone flies on to the floor

This attracts attention of more children = Man now unsure how to hold mouth, where to look, or how to retrieve cell phone. In an attempt to look casual he sweeps his hair back. Sadly he misjudges and pokes his left eye.

Now the majority of the school children are watching the man. Gestures, rude faces and hooting abound = Man rapidly loosing control of motor functions and other bodily abilities. Breathing is labored, bladder control fails.

Light turns green and the school bus departs. Man in automobile is reduced to a gibbering mass flailing in his own filth. Outraged drivers behind him begin honking. Man looses consciousness and later awakens in Trauma Center at St. Mary's Hospital.

I guess that this is why many school buses now have darkened windows.

Name for the Van

Some of us have started referring to the van as Vincent or Vinnie, for short. This comes from the name on the side of the van: Van-Go.

But, I don't know that we officially agreed to this as a group. Did we? What are the procedures for naming the van?

The Van is On Facebook

The vanpool now has its own Facebook page. So drop by and add us as a friend.

Rare License Plate

This morning when we picked up Heather and Ann we saw a rare license plate: a state of Minnesota "Pearl Harbor Survivor" custom plate. I bet there aren't many of those around; I couldn't even track down a picture on the web. However, here's the FAQ and a link to the form in case you are eligible to apply.

I never realized there were so many specialty plates available.

My first vanpool dream

I dreamt last night that the vanpool was in Alaska - we were all there for some conference. We didn't drive there, but once we got there in the plane, we all got into our beloved Vinnie the VanGo van and headed into Alaska. We talked about a glacier and how great it was that it was still around, and how we'd drive past it in about an hour. I woke up before I got to see the glacier, though.

So, vanpool field trip?

Audrey Writes About the Vanpool

Today Audrey posted about the vanpool over at everythingaudrey.com. She's an infrequent but honored guest passenger.

Where's the chicken?

Since poetry and chicken seem to be recurring themes in the van, I thought I would share this wee bit of a poem that I wrote the other day. It will offend the sense and sensibilities of poetry and chicken lovers everywhere.

I dropped a piece of chicken,
I know not where it went
The chair, the stairs, the ottoman?
Down the heating vent?
I looked high and low and in between
Then underneath the rugs.
Though I guess I needn't worry,
'Twill be eaten by the bugs!