Weekend link round up: Self-driving cars, "Cool" Amazon find, first dates pay

3 Things this week and a poem from my recent contest

Thanks for spending some time this weekend with Things I Wrote Down.

Jumping right into the link round up today. Read to the end catch a lovely poem that made the long list of the TIWD Poetry Contest!

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Let the car drive you

Will we finally become the Jetsons?

Tesla is making a push for FSD, signalling that self-driving vehicles are the way of the present and the future.

Would you let the car take over and bring you to your destination?

A few weeks ago, I noticed on X the stat that only 10% of drivers use the feature, because it's $99 a month. Musk responded to the user’s post directly, now we're seeing ads like this.

Note: I drive a used, gas-powered suv that's been around for more than a decade.

This game changing Amazon purchase

Not getting the cool air your room needs?

Here's a product I recommend. We've been in a heat wave in south western Ontario and at night it can impede sleep (our house is just over 20 years old and there's a few spots where the cool air just doesn't cool, including in our room).

This booster fan, designed to insert directly into the vent, is a game changer. Good for summer and winter, maximizing and boosting hot or cold air.

Jetsons indeed!

Should men pay for the first date?

Of course they should! But turns out, with Gen Z, they aren't. So much just became clear.

I saw this viral video of Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk talking about who should say “cheque please” on the first date and what it signals to the person across the table and to the world.

What do you think?

Poem

Each week I share a poem with my link round up, and I've been enjoying sharing entrants to my recent poetry contest.

Here's a poem that made the long list of the First Ever TIWD Poetry Contest, from Dave Tippett.

So Much

Sand, it starts
Thinking nothing can live
There.
Coarser and finer
Particles. Not a home
For much.
Yet. 
We are they.
Coarser and finer.
Opportunity to see.
Them all.
Something can live
There after all.
In the sand. 
We sift. Looking.
For life.
To build it.
Seeking to see beyond.
To not let it
Slip seep through our fingers
But catch 
Ways to lift
Up
And not
Discard. 
Each grain. A
Heartbeat. 
Worthy
Of the effort. 
To build. 
From coarser and finer
To countless bliss.

About Dave Tippett

Dave Tippett has worn many hats  in his life: published author and playwright, freelance writer, actor, standup comedian, speaker, HR Director, corporate trainer, church drama, youth and kids worker, board member, amateur magician, optimist, advocate for people with mental health conditions, and an above-average husband.

After retiring, he started volunteering for NAMI as a Master Certified HelpLine Specialist. He also works with his church’s youth, children, and drama programs.

Dave graduated from the University of Toledo, and lives in Gibsonburg, Ohio with his wife Jill, and assorted ‘fur’ children. One of his favorite quotes is from Mark Twain, who said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." You can follow him on LinkedIn and Facebook.