Using the SPS
I noticed lately that whenever I give directions to project sites, I usually make reference to Starbucks. Yes, Mapquest is nice and all, but sometimes one doesn't have access to the ever-so-helpful Internet. So I rely on my not-very-global Starbucks Positioning System. The conversation goes something like...
Random Architect: Where is Project Blah located?
Me: Oh, it is at the corner of Main and First. It is a big hole in the ground right now.
RA: Main and First, how do I get there?
Me: Do you know where the Random Street Starbucks is?
RA: Oh yeah, I get coffee there all the time..
Me: Ok, you drive there, get a cup of coffee, [insert typical directions here] and about a mile up you should see the big hole, I mean site, on the right hand side.
RA: Got it, thanks!
Not every conversation goes so smoothly, but it seems to work most of the time. Perhaps architects, contractors and engineers just drink more coffee, I don't know.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of flaws in my system. First, I don't know the location of every Starbucks. New ones are being built as I scribble this down. Second, some people have never been to one or have never drunk coffee. gasp So my innate ability to locate places relative to an overpriced Seattle-based coffee chain is lost on them.
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coffee2 Comments
haha-- good positiong system. i think it wouldn't be as useful here in vancouver, though, where on one street alone we have about 12 starbucks branches. it would have to broken down into intersections. (except there is one intersection where there are two branches diagonal to each other.) many starbucks victims around here.
That street <i>would</i> be problematic. I have never seen two at one intersection before. That sounds like a dangerous corner for those who can't get enough frappuccinos.