Saturday, October 19, 02002
With regards to the upcoming Civic GX, Honda has a good long-term tech vision:
"It does us no good to be the only company on the block with this technology," said Robert Bienenfeld, a leader of the Civic GX NGV project. "We neither have, nor want exclusive rights to FuelMaker, because that could delay the widespread use of this technology. Even worse, it could force other companies to develop a rival refueling technology, which could confuse consumers," Bienenfeld said.
When are the U.S. automotive engineers going to do something better than fit thirteen cup holders in a seven passenger car ? Come on, even the lowly Canadians are starting to kick your collective ass. Sigh:
"It's a scientific type of thing," said Michelle Hunter, a product specialist for the Hummer. "They actually test the length of people's arms and their reach."
What's the U.S. automotive engineer's long-term tech vision ? Apparently, twenty-seven cup holders in a nine passenger vehicle getting one mile to the gallon, with the occasional free electric golf cart thrown in for chuckles.
Posted at 08:55 PM EST [Link][Comment]
In the same vein as the bobblehead fireman, there is now an Uncle Sam Duck.
United we bathe with tacky rubber ducks..
Oh yeh, there's now a Football Jesus Bobblehead
Posted at 03:14 PM EST [Link][Comment]
Marc Fisher writes about induced traffic in the Post today:
And get this: Not only does adding lanes boost traffic, but reducing capacity actually cuts down on traffic. Engineers in London studied more than 100 locations where traffic capacity was reduced (usually because of construction) and found that the impact on congestion was an average 25 percent reduction. If you unbuild it, they will go away.
There are a lot good Baress's Paradox references from the source himself. Another readable discription of induced traffic is available from the EcoTransit out in Australlia. Why no EcoTransit here ??
Posted at 12:48 PM EST [Link][Comment]
Friday, October 18, 02002
Want more roads for the burbs ? Pay for it with car taxes and property taxes for the houses out in the boondocks. Put more tolls on the existing roads. Why should the urban residents, especially those that depend on public transportation have to pay for the burbanites folly ?
Here are 10 more reasons to vote no. Even the Cato Institute doesn't like the tax.
Posted at 01:16 PM EST [Link][Comment]
Thursday, October 17, 02002
We interrupt this blog for some totally inappropriate Milk and Cheese fan fiction:
Take the Merv Griffin strip, but have M&C wrecking havoc at tailors and men's clothing stores, and instead of shouting "Merv Griffin" they are shouting "Suit My Fancy".
Sorry, had to get that out of the system. It was cracking me up. Now back to the regularly scheduled blogging, already in progress.
Posted at 12:42 PM EST [Link][Comment]
This way is wide and easy
Yet people love to stray
They love to take the sidetracks
And wander from the wayWhen the few are rich and wealthy
Living way above their needs
The granaries are empty
And the fields are full of weedsWhen rulers spend on weapons
And implements of war
It's a never ending circle
Of ever wanting moreWhen the rich have all abundance
What remains must surely dwindle
Having more than you can use
Is thievery and fraud and swindle
- Tao Te Ching 53, from Jim Clatfelter's very readable Headless Tao
Lots of other Taofoolery at this page of English translations
Posted at 08:47 AM EST [Link][Comment]
Wednesday, October 16, 02002
Yesterday my check engine light comes on. Must be time for first scheduled tuneup. Hurray, sort of like the first haircut for the new car. There's still about 200 miles before the manual says I need to bring it in. But what the hell, if I don't take it in right away it'll be up to 4000 miles before I bring it in. Plus the light is really very annoying. So I get it in to the shop, and the guy says "Your engine lights on". Yeh, that's not just to tell me its time for the first tuneup ? Nope, this is serious. An emissions problem... This is going to take all day. You weren't planning on waiting were you ? Sigh. At least my impatience pays off ! I go get a rental car for the day.
The shop calls a few minutes after I get to the office. The problem was there was a leak in the emissions system. Oh my. Sounds expensive. Damn my impatient early-adapter ways. What was I thinking getting a new-fangled fancycar. Couldn't I have just waited for those hydrogen fuel cell jetson cars.
Their solution. I should screw my gas cap on more tightly. It was on really loose, they said. After tightening it, the light went off. Wala. Makes sense. I was sort of preoccupied with getting out of the gas station as soon as possible over the weekemd. I should turn it until I hear at least three clicks. Doh. No charge. It's covered by the warrenty, Putzboy.
Posted at 11:14 AM EST [Link][Comment]
Tuesday, October 15, 02002
Posted at 12:07 PM EST [Link][Comment]
I don't mean to freek out any family readers, but the latest shooting was in a strip mall I frequent a lot. It's about 3 miles away. The tomato plants came from that Home Depot. I also used to work right across the street from this strip mall, back in the very early days of RSIS.
I know there's at least one blogger closer in the Bailey's Crossroads area, but I forget who. Guess I have to go trolling the local sources. I tend to ignore them too much, since all they seem to talk about is that Buffy show.
Update on the plants - they're over four feet tall now, but I never got any tomatoes. Too many plants in the same pot, and not enough sunlight I guess.
Posted at 11:20 AM EST [Link][Comment]
Sunday, October 13, 02002
Via SDN, the Peace Pumpkin Project. Sounds like fun, especially when I should be studying for an upcoming midterm.
Here's some info on using your computer to help carve a pumpkin. The War Resisters League logo looks pretty doable.
Update: Through the power of positive procrastination, I bring you my Peace Pumpkin: Ta-da:
Yeh, so what if it looks like it says "No Ear" and the left hand is holding a fox head instead of half a gun. It's the first time I ever carved a pumpkin with something other than triangle eyes and a lame smile. Looks damn spiffy if you ask me.
