Smart Top Ten

Ok... I've had Maxwell for over a year, and these past months had given me some insight as to why it's better to have a Smart (as opposed to other cars)

My top ten list (in no particular order):

10) Parking...Yesterday I pulled smoothly into a space a Mini Cooper passed up.

9) Gas mileage... I've had it for over a year, have driven over 10,650 miles, and I just filled the tank for the 30th time. Heh.

8) Great way to meet people... I have found that everyone that comes up to me to ask me about the car is smiling and friendly and some of them have turned into actual friends.

7) Driver courtesy... I know they're probably just doing it so they can get a better look, but other drivers are more likely to let me go ahead of them or will make space for me when I'm changing lanes.

6) Green... Did you know the Smart Car is made of recyclable materials? http://tinyurl.com/smrtgrn

5) Fun... Yes, even after a year, it's still a total blast to drive. The sub-woofer underneath the driver's seat doesn't hurt.

4) Service... The few times I have had to take Maxwell in for service, such as the recent transmission computer software upgrade, the Smart dealer people have been more than courteous, friendly, happy to see me and VERY efficient. They even filled my tires with more eco-friendly nitrogen (http://www.getnitrogen.org), and gave him a bath. They also make excellent coffee. Great company all the way around.

3) Fame... I live in Los Angeles, which means I occasionally run into someone famous. And they usually remark about the car. The most recent was in a Trader Joe's parking lot; Hugh Laurie (of "House" fame) walked by and called Maxwell 'brilliant' and said he hadn't seen one since he was in the UK. Too cool. Plus I've been interviewed for several newspaper articles and TV segments.

2) Economical... I've been able to talk myself into half-price parking because "it's only takes half a space..."

1) Nobody asks me to help them move or be a designated driver any more.

Only five more days...

This is a very important time of year as thousands of selfless and giving men and women go about the long work in raising money for and then walking in countless AIDS WALKS around the country and the world.

Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $105 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world.

Please allow me to introduce you all to my friend, Ian Jopson. He is a source of great inspiration to me, and has dedicated time and tireless effort to this cause -- help me help Ian raise money and awareness for HIV programs in the US and worldwide.

I hope everyone will take a moment to visit his personal website and please send him a donation.

Thank you, Ian, and thanks to all of you! Click this link to visit Ian's personal web page and help him in his effort to support AIDS Walk New York...

http://aidswalknewyork2009.kintera.org/ianjopson

Fliegen: September 1990 - April 28, 2009

Little Fliegen passed away at 10:22am on Tuesday April 28 while I cradled her. Although her medication had stopped her seizures, it became apparent that the brain tumour was rapidly affecting her in multiple ways and I could no longer let her suffer. She spent her last night sleeping next to me so I thankfully had a chance to say a proper goodbye. At 19 years, her little body had lived all it could - although her ears stayed perky right up until the end.

I wanted to take the time to thank all of you for your kind thoughts.

"No amount of time can never completely erase the memory of a beloved companion from your heart... and no amount of vacuuming can ever completely get all of their fur off the couch." ~Anonymous