<br><br> <div class="gmail_quote">On Dec 18, 2007 8:51 AM, Paul McCloud <<a href="mailto:pmc033@earthlink.net">pmc033@earthlink.net</a>> wrote:<br> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid"> <div bgcolor="#ffffff"> <div> <div>Actually, there are studies that show that using a cell phone while driving is actually like driving under the influence of alcohol.  In fact, the studies showed that you are more impaired than using alcohol.  Even if you use a hands-free device.  I have actually missed an exit more than once while conversing on the phone.  It's not like you're listening to the radio.  Your mind goes somewhere else.  Check out this link:    </div> <div><a href="http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Cell_phone_use_and_driving.html" target="_blank">http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Cell_phone_use_and_driving.html</a></div><font color="#888888"> <div> </div> <div>Paul McCloud</div> <div>San Diego</div></font></div> <div> <div></div> <div class="Wj3C7c"> <div> </div> <blockquote style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <div style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </div> <div style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial"><b>From:</b> <a title="mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com" href="mailto:mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com" target="_blank">Farrell</a> </div> <div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>To: </b><a title="pianotech@ptg.org" href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" target="_blank">Pianotech List</a></div> <div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> 12/18/2007 5:51:39 AM </div> <div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> Re: a ltitle help/off topic</div> <div><br></div><font size="2"> <div><font face="Arial">Let us know when you are on the road so that we can be sure to stay home.....</font></div> <div><font face="Arial"></font> </div> <div><font face="Arial">Actually, I think driving while talking on a cell phone is good policy, and I salute those who do.</font></div> <div><font face="Arial"></font> </div> <div><font face="Arial">Terry Farrell</font></div> <blockquote style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <div style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div> <div style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial"><font size="3"></font> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">On Dec 17, 2007 11:47 AM, Michael Magness <<a href="mailto:IFixPianos@yahoo.com" target="_blank">IFixPianos@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:<br> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid"><br> <div>I use my cell phone frequently while driving, when I RECEIVE a call, I make calls on the highway with my vehicle in cruise after having predialed the number </div></blockquote></div></blockquote></font></blockquote> </div></div></div></blockquote></div> <div>I understand that may be true for many of you who haven't had the experience I have. I worked as a professional driver prior to beginning my career as a piano technician. I also augmented my income in the early days of my tech career by driving taxicab. </div> <div>I do not allow other people, things or conversation to detract from my main job of driving. I watch the road and follow the rules, if the situation becomes difficult the conversation stops!!</div> <div>My point in stating that I make calls on the highway with my truck in cruise is that I do not hold traffic up by slowing down as I talk, I set my speed and hit the call button on the phone. I'm on a 4-lane interstate freeway so all I have to do is steer. The problem with this is????????????????????? </div> <div> </div> <div>My mind does not go "elswhere", I multitask just as I do when I tune, I can tune and still plan my evening, observe and evaluate the function of the piano, listen to the conversation from the next room, write an estimate in my head and still do an excellent  tuning. </div> <div>My eyes never leave the road, my hands never leave the wheel just as they don't when I talk to a passenger. As I said I'm a professional driver my "audience" is right next to me and can hear me just fine, I don't have that "need" to see the reaction to what I'm saying so my eyes stay on the road whether I'm on the phone or talking to a passenger.  </div> <div> </div> <div>I would have to question those studies and ask if they included any piano techs. I have trained myself to concentrate on what I'm doing to the point that I can do a concert tuning with a migraine headache, the pain stops while I tune and only returns when I stop! A few years ago I had an inner ear virus that made me feel as if I were going to faint, the area in front of me began to spin but then came back to center, started again to spin and came back to center. When I explained this to my Doc she was flummoxed until I explained about my concentration powers and the migraine thing then she was impressed that I was controlling the dizziness and not allowing it to make me feel faint. Recently I had some bouts of vertigo but learned to control it and again surprised the doctor when I told him how. </div> <div>So when I concentrate on the road and talk at the same time, there really is no danger to others or myself, I won't allow it!</div> <div><br>Mike<br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>People who say it can't be done, should not interrupt those of us who are doing it.<br>Michael Magness<br>Magness Piano Service<br>608-786-4404<br><a href="http://www.IFixPianos.com"> www.IFixPianos.com</a><br>email <a href="mailto:mike@ifixpianos.com">mike@ifixpianos.com</a> </div>