signs that make you think

Here’s a couple of signs that I’ve spotted that’ll make you think -

gilmark

Idling in Connecticut

I found this sign at a rest stop while driving through Connecticut. I thought it was a bit strange, as I can’t imagine any state police officer driving by and taking a stopwatch to your car, especially as their own vehicle is idling. (They are probably covered under (b)(3)(C)(iii).) I was just going to post the photo of the sign, but thought I’d better include the regulations in case you are ever idling your vehicle in CT. Now you’ll have no excuses; if stopped in CT for excessive idling, just pull out your laptop with wireless connection, get to this blog, and you’ll have all the answers and excuses you’ll need to avoid a citation. Good luck.

This document contains the Connecticut regulations for the abatement of air pollution with the recently adopted revisions to the regulations that became effective April, 1, 2004.
Section 22a-174-18. Control of particulate matter and visible emissions.
(b) Visible emission standards.
(3) Mobile sources. Except as provided in subsection (j) of this section, no person shall cause or allow:
(C) A mobile source to operate for more than three (3) consecutive minutes when such mobile source is not in motion, except as follows:
(i) When a mobile source is forced to remain motionless because of traffic conditions or mechanical difficulties over which the operator has no control,
(ii) When it is necessary to operate defrosting, heating or cooling equipment to ensure the safety or health of the driver or passengers,
(iii) When it is necessary to operate auxiliary equipment that is located in or on the mobile source to accomplish the intended use of the mobile source,
(iv) To bring the mobile source to the manufacturer’s recommended operating temperature,
(v) When the outdoor temperature is below twenty degrees fahrenheit (20 degrees F),
(vi) When the mobile source is undergoing maintenance that requires such mobile source be operated for more than three (3) consecutive minutes, or
(vii) When a mobile source is in queue to be inspected by U.S. military
personnel prior to gaining access to a U.S. military installation.

Be informed!

gilmark

Flying Pigs

I spotted this sign on the back end of a car several weeks ago. The car was also adorned with a rather garish flying pig hood ornament.

According to Wikipedia, the know-all, end-all electronic Encyclopedia for the ages, here’s an explanation for pigs flying -

A flying pig is a symbol of an impossible event coming to pass. The popular saying “[it will happen] when pigs fly” (or when pigs have wings) is traditionally used to mean that the specified event will never occur.

Although there are several opinions about the origin of the saying, in Cincinnati, the story is that when the hogs were delivered from one side of the river to the slaughter house on the other side, they were loaded on flat top barges. As they stood on the barges and moved across the river, the early morning fog would often rise off the water and cover the barge bottom. The only thing that could be seen were the pigs “floating” above the water. This gave the appearance, according to the locals, that the pigs were “flying” across the river. This is the reason that so many “flying pig” items can be found in the airport and in other gift shops around Cincinnati.

I can’t guess what this all meant to the car’s owner, but it must have been very important.
And good for you, Cincinnati.
Just fodder for your mind.

gilmark

2008 election sign

Here’s a sign that appeared in my neighborhood a few weeks ago. I live in a seemingly unpolitical neighborhood, a lot of McMansion owners who know they are Republicans and don’t need to advertise it. I’m not sure what the message is supposed to convey here; it’s not really political, just the facts I guess. Frankly, I thought someone would take it away by now.

a sign to cover all possibilities

I was out yard sailing this morning, and spotted this sign in a North Providence, RI neighborhood -

I can hear the phone call to the town hall office -

Concerned citizen – “Someone is walking their ____________ (choose one – coyote, wolf, dingo, jackal), and they are not picking up the poop.”

Town Official – “Ok, we’ll put a sign up in your neighborhood.”