October 30, 2007 · Derek

An Aside About Parking - the Ghost Valet

Since we’re on the topic of parking…

Behold, the automated valet parking system (Click the link and watch the movie). Can’t you just see one of these things in downtown Tacoma? Me neither.

Still, a developer in Bellevue is including it in a project. Not that we want to emulate Bellevue… but it is kinda cool.

Thank you, Todd

Filed under: Parking

21 comments

drizell November 30, 2007

Did they even have a Santa for little Natascha growing up in the Soviet Union? Just curious…
elle November 30, 2007

and yet, she’s yet to show up on my door step or in my inbox.
Mofo from the Hood November 30, 2007

Wow! Is it any wonder that some children grow up mistrusting adults?

Yes the Tacoma Gnome exists. Yes the Tacoma Gnome is a dummy. Yes there is a dummy within all of us.

Once one recognizes the distinction between the dummy and the dummymaker, then one can discard any notion that the dummy can become the dummymaker.

Of course instead, one could always become a New Age dummy, and then like Hinduism, say things like All is One.
Vidiot November 30, 2007

I think there are others who want to know who he is too.

When the Tacoma Gnome stopped by Stadium Video he was followed by two men in long black trench coats driving a black SUV.
elle November 30, 2007

and why does everyone assume that the gnome is photographed by a man? He’s owned by a woman.
Droid16 November 30, 2007

What do you mean elle? I have read that he has relatives all over the world, and know that he has mentioned his mom and his sister on his blog, but I saw nothing about his being committed to anyone. If he is in fact “owned” by a woman, is she too a gnome. Perhaps that is part of their gnomish vows. Go ahead and travel the world, just know that I “own” you. Sounds a bit constricting to me.

“If you love a gnome, let it travel, if it comes back, it’s yours, if it doesn’t, it never was.”
drizell November 30, 2007

I would agree that many of us—myself not included—are gnomes. It has to do with our ancestral lineage. There are tons of people here with Scandinavian blood. However, when I lived in Norway I never saw a single gnome. Maybe the Tacoma Gnome is being dishonest about his origins.
Jenyum November 30, 2007

I myself am a hobbit, so you know it’s not me.
elle November 30, 2007

Droid,
Perhaps I should have phrased that differently. TG currently resides at the house of a woman. Or rather it was a group of women that helped arrange his visit to the US.
tacomagnome November 30, 2007

Thank you for a wonderful piece, editors of Exit133!

You do understand my mission.

Here’s to a happy holiday season, and more adventures throughout Tacoma!

-TG
Bell Capt: November 30, 2007

Stay the coarse TGnome !
As 2008 dawns, continue to be sharing all the “COOL” this city has to offer. The BellCart rides remain FREE and the Savi ladies await you’re return !!
James M November 30, 2007

I hereby move to select the gnome as UWT’s new honorary mascot—The University of Washington Tacoma Gnomes. Do you think Gnomes could play good basketball?
Joel413 November 30, 2007

Hey!

Anyone with graphic skills want to make a T-shirt that Says, “I know who the Tacoma Gnome is, do you?”

Just so long as it doesn’t change into “Who shot TG?”
tacomachickadee November 30, 2007

So awesome! Just about fell off my chair.
Bell Capt: November 30, 2007

And the proceeds to the TGnome’s favorite charity ! Start the printer-game ON !How much can TG raise for a good cause at Holiday time ?
carly December 1, 2007

I would love to make these t-shirts!!! E-mail me if you would like one, cover the costs, and we’re good. :)
Jenny December 2, 2007

Beautiful…And where are the TG t-shirts? They’ve been promised to us for a long time…
Kristin December 2, 2007

I just spotted the TG skiing down “Rasputin’s Revenge” in Ski Magazine Dec 2007 page 67: “Over 40,00 wishes Fullfilled Every Day.” He IS real. And busy. Bless his heart. :)
Kristin December 3, 2007

Drizell:

I too lived in Norway. Are you thinking of trolls? Certainly their may be both, however my experience has been that they never show themselves to humans.

On the topic of Norway and relevant to housing issues: The New York Times had a front page piece today about Narvik (population 18,000) a northern town in Norway that unfortunately invested city money in American real estate securities. Their annual budget of $163 million suffered a quarter loss and municipal workers have gone without pay this last month. They will be forced to borrow money and pay it back by cutting education, senior programs and closing of a museum which hosts a magnitude of WWII information from Hitler’s first siege to control the northern Norwegian port. Norway was occupied by the Germans and my grandmother (mother, aunts and uncle) lived through it. My grandfather was a navy pilot who fought for the resistance and my great uncle died in a concentration camp. My grandmother tells stories of the Germans coming to inquire about my grandfather’s whereabouts . . .

The piece is harrowingly sad in that our subprime mortgage market has lead to financial hardship even in small town Narvik where a quarter of their budgeted funds are now gone.

No wonder the gnomes and the trolls stay away from us. :)
joel413 December 3, 2007

I would love to make these t-shirts!!! E-mail me if you would like one, cover the costs, and we’re good.

an e-mail address to send to would be helpful
tacomagnome December 3, 2007

Kristin,

Re: The gnome you mention on post 18

That is not me, I don’t really grant wishes, let alone 40,000 of them.

Plus, that gnome is a resin or plastic lawn ornament.

-TG