What’ll you have?

On January 19, 1915 Georges Claude received a patent for the neon discharge tube specifically to be used in advertising, and a huge part of mid 20th Century Americana was born.  Neon signs became a ubiquitous part of American life from the 1930’s through the 1950’s, popping up in the big city commercial districts, on Main Street in small towns everywhere, and along the highways and byways of the post-World War II era.  Though “neon signs” can still be seen all over today, the technology used to make that bright colorful glow is much cheaper and safer than the neon tubes of old which often contained mercury vapor and lead coating.  I always smile when I pass bars that have been around since I was a kid and they still have those old 70’s and 80’s era neon beer signs in their windows…

This Neon lasted a long time as well, but wasn’t quite as showy and never sold out…. well, except for that bumper sticker with my blog’s address on it.

And now we’ll officially turn on the blinking “OPEN” sign in our window and answer this week’s Share Your World questions from Di!

Bzzzzz….bzzzzz…..bzzzzzzz….

What is the most comfortable vehicle you have even ridden in or driven?

There aren’t any that stand out.  Both my Sonic and erstwhile Neon were pretty comfortable for me, at least.  Any passengers that had to ride in my rolling garbage dumps probably wouldn’t have agreed.  I know a lot of the modern “comforts” that are put into cars these days are not my idea of comfortable.  The SUV my parents had a bit over a decade ago was my first experience with heated seats.  My Dad turned them on and I felt like I was being barbecued alive.  No thanks….

The result of heated seats…

What is the most uncomfortable vehicle you have even ridden in or driven?

I’ve survived road trips in the rear facing seats of the family station wagon, which probably wouldn’t have been comfortable as an adult, but quite cool as a kid.  Sitting on the wheel humps in the back of my Dad’s old pickup wasn’t particularly comfortable….. but cruising down the highway at 55 (allegedly) in the world’s coolest convertible?  I’m so glad I got to experience that before the safety nazis took it away.

Wheeeee!!!!

If we can count it as a vehicle, then the most uncomfortable trip I’ve ever taken would undeniably be my flight home from New York after my Millionaire taping in 2001, after which it took several days for my back to recover from…

And I haven’t been on an airplane since. Coincidence?

Have you ever ridden a horse?

Yes, twice.  Once when I was a kid that I only remember enough of to recall that I was on a horse.  The other time came during a family trip to Colorado in 1996, where it was decided for some reason that we should do horseback riding.  They had to get the heftiest horse on the farm to carry my fat ass around, and all I remember is that its name was Julep…

Julep felt like I did after that flight having to lug me around…

If you could have one of these as a pet, which would it be and why
(Black panther, cheetah, leopard, lynx)?

They all have an exotic nature to them that would make any one of the four cool to have around the house…. though I’d worry a bit for my squirrels.  As this photo from my collection shows, there’s already a black panther on the prowl around these parts anyway…

Rawr!

Gratitude: Never forget to tell the Special Someone in your life that you love them.

Yeah, I’ll get right on that.  BTW, Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day this Saturday!