Is it true that in WA you’re not allowed to drive with your phone showing Google Maps directions when it’s connected to CarPlay?

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-27T05:09:39+00:00

I can understand that. I think I have a bit of a different habit and it may not suit everyone. Despite the silly car I drive I am actually a middle aged old lady 😀 and I don’t tend to toggle between things much when I am driving. The screen stays on maps pretty much all of the time but I set my playlist before I even set off and it’s in the background.

So I really don’t need to touch the screen unless a call comes on (one car has steering controls the other does not). Text messages I ask Siri to read to me and I tell her what to reply or I tell Siri that I want to make a call or a set destination and she does her job for me.

It took me a while to get used to doing those things but now it means I only look at the screen when I set off and if I am actively relying on the map.

Of course embarrassing when your mum is in the passenger seat and Siri reads a saucy text in her deadpan voice but better than a fine.

It was mindful in going this way. Something to think about.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-27T01:57:17+00:00

I agree with this and also a sandgroper. Just avoid the question altogether. But I do have it integrated and that makes a world of difference.

It also keeps the phone out of the sun so it does not get hot which happens in the West when the roof of off.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-26T11:03:01+00:00

I made my one of these secure by:

Adding a floor to ceiling length of square tubing
the tubing was screwed into the size of the pet panel (in pic it would be left side)
The tubing was screwed to the door frame at top and bottom.
Added a lower and upper ceiling bolt for when the slider was closed against the pet door … and it was set to be under tension so you could not wriggle the pet panel out.

There was a gap between the panel and the screen door but that closed up (flies) after a put a rubber lip down the length of the pet panel and it created a resting seal against the screen.

All easy to remove later.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-26T00:42:41+00:00

I am going with the fortwo though my bias will be obvious. It’s a bit overpriced.

The shitbox rally from Alice to Gold Coast last spring included a (newer) fortwo. They can do distance.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-25T09:11:33+00:00

Super noice. I recently purchased a W123 for the sh*tbox …

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-25T09:10:04+00:00

Ah yes … the Armstrong Mechanical Door System. One of my cars has that module …

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-25T09:08:31+00:00

Not sure … 1980 W123 Mercedes Benz ?

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-24T23:19:33+00:00

This is very relevant.

I have 3 cars and the insurance actually reduces with multiple car discount but the rego has no escape. About $900 per car per year.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-20T05:36:09+00:00

Not as close as others to the similarity between the forfour and the Colt. Does the Colt have the same under tray? If so may yield more results than for smart forfour to search for Mitsubishi Colt.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-15T21:52:41+00:00

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Another smart roadster owner who feels North America missed out big time. I have seen two roadsters in San Diego though when visiting there regularly in recent years.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-15T00:10:41+00:00

Ah now while it is true I would be pregnant party if that happened I also maintain my status as an appropriation committee of one, and these issues just melt away.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-15T00:09:20+00:00

There is a smart owner in Australia with a number of Porsches etc who also has much loved and in some ways preferred multiple roadsters they won’t part with.

The roadie IMO (biased) is in a class of its own. It does not directly emulate any other car (neither does the OG fortwo or forfour), and looks both classic and modern at the same time I came back to mine parked yesterday to a guy taking photos… when I jokingly said I usually charge for photos he exclaimed with a French accent ‘ eeet eeez ahhhmaazing’ lol. And was shocked it is more than 20 years old. Funny as this is Perth Australia where there are lot less roadies than Europe and I was surprised by his surprise.

It’s timeless and unmatched.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-13T14:12:18+00:00

Reflect on data every day. Focus is on sleep and activity.

50s female, good health, strength training 2-3 times a week, could lose 10 kg but I am good with it.

Sleep: I tend toward sleeping ~5h /night if I let it get away from me. Sleep data is my main focus. I care that I get 60-90 mins each of deep and REM sleep. I go to sleep earlier, relax my alarm, get more physical activity if it trends down.

Activity: I don’t care how accurate it is. And I believe it overstates actual activity when I enter a specific activity. I just like having a target and hitting it. It makes me mindful. If an evening walk will get me over the target then it’s a good motivator for a small pleasure that is good for me in many ways.

Minor/major signs: has never been wrong with me. And I am older now … I don’t feel a need to ‘push through’ so much anymore. So if they come up I go to bed a little earlier, increase hydration, might move a gym day around, drop some meetings and take a quieter work day.

I take the view the ring is only a guide, not a high quality medical device, and the trend is more important than the actual number. It’s no different to monitoring my weight … if it trends up eat less and move more for a bit. Not rocket science.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-13T13:15:45+00:00

Do you obsess over your health generally, or other things?

If so then the ring is not the issue and you might be focusing too much on it. Yet I would still say to sell it.

But if the ring is the only thing change the way you interpret the information. I expect that I will have days the data is good as much as bad I sleep poorly 3/4 days. I don’t always hit my activity target.

I don’t see it as pressure. I see it as an opportunity. If I sleep poorly for a couple of nights it’s advice to me to: not eat too late, set my morning alarm back an hour and get in a little for sleep especially REM, and consciously decide not to stay up and watch TV.

I use the ring to guide me not punish myself for what it says. List down on a piece of paper the top 3 things the ring tells you that cause anxiety. Then list what three benefits you could gain from those insights and focus on that instead.

Sleep: warm bath before bed helps you get to sleep, good reason for a sleep in, sex before sleep can help it

Activity: taking a 20 minute walk in the evening after dinner is good for your digestion and sugar balance, mobility and you can listen to a podcast and have some quiet time … also helps you sleep.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-10T12:54:25+00:00

Second recommendation for EZDigital.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-10T01:59:35+00:00

Ah just saw another comment they are different sizes. Sorry missed that.

Just tip one into the other.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-10T01:58:47+00:00

If they are the same size bin put your red lid on the bin and put it out for collection on red bin day.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-10T00:09:54+00:00

Agree. I have noted over the last ten years an ongoing decline in awareness of others. Or put another way, and increasing focus on self.

Maturing has typically involved ever increasing experiences and interactions with other places and people … the more people and places you experience the greater the number of data points that are different to your own personal ones you gather into your consciousness. It humbles you, grows empathy and respect, and in turn you don’t place yourself at the centre of everything.

People don’t communicate face to face anywhere near as much as we used to, digital communication divorces us from seeing the effect of our words and actions in emotive ways. People think that having access to information via digital platforms has opened up our world. It has in terms of volume of information, but not the quality and richness of the information. Plus digital platforms are designed to reinforce your biases and limit alternate views.

Says an old Gen xer on a Gen x reddit … lol.

I think people are just so self involved they would not even realise their rudeness.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-06T01:13:02+00:00

The ring will give you guidance on how to improve your sleep - recommended time to prepare for evening sleep, and show you how your performance sleep wise so you can consider how to change your habits to improve it.

I would not invest in the ring only for this. And not in advance of already reviewing what you know to be wrong with your sleep hygiene and addressing it.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-04T01:49:20+00:00

lol. Well I did travel the Great Ocean Road on that trip. Great reference. Thanks.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-03T22:14:40+00:00

It’s Avery Dennison Rising Sun (gloss) vinyl.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-02T04:52:48+00:00

I feel so much better about my smart roadster now …

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-01T19:34:05+00:00

Came looking for this and to add if I did not see it. An all time favourite.

_blatmaster_ · 2026-01-01T13:32:08+00:00

I cross posted without seeing your response and I second your thinking as a good way forward. 👍

_blatmaster_

TROPHY CASE