Hello Happy Pitbulls

Bird decorations on my car

Last night I woke up completely nauseous at about 3:15 and couldn't get back to sleep to save my life. Around 4:30, I decided I might as well just get up and go to work, so I took my time getting ready for work and got out the door at 5:45. With time to spare, I decided to stop off at the touchless car wash robot since my car was covered with dead bugs from my evening commutes through the rice fields in Sacramento.

After the car wash, I am no more that 3 blocks away and I get this enormous bird shit on my windshield.  Of course, I said, "Shit!" and some other expletives not to be repeated here or otherwise. Moments later, as I got on I-5 towards Sacramento, I think the rest of the bird decided to drop in on me.  A bird - I kid you not - flew into my windshield and then up and over my car.

I hope someone will tell me that's good luck!

Warning, Warning, Warning...

The problem with have a car that is primarily controlled by computer is that stuff happens.  I was driving back from Davis last night when suddenly the Hybrid Warning Light, Check Engine Light, ABS light and I think one or to other lights came on, and a big banner across the Navigation screen appeared that said simply: "Problem!"

Apparently there finally a "voluntary recall" on certain 2004 Prii, although my car's VIN doesn't fall into that range with the problem.  I called our Toyota dealer and couldn't get anyone to talk to to tell me if I can even drive it from Woodland to Sacramento or be able to check it out until TUESDAY.  That's nuts.

Anyhow, I guess I'm glad we still have 3 cars.

Back in the Saddle Again

The Prius has been returned to me from the body shop and the navigation system is upgraded so I am no longer driving 30 feet off of the roads on the map in rural areas. While it was fun returning to the Miata for a couple of weeks, I missed the roominess and comfort of my Prius, not to mention the gas efficiency!

I was starting to get just a bit of a complex too. I've never really driven around in a car with a visible defect. For those of you just tuning in, I somehow managed to hit a tree limb that for some reason was across both lanes of a two lane highway at midnight in Sacramento. I tried to avoid it, but ended up with a cracked bumper, half of a front grill and a damaged fog light assembly. That's all better now, so I don't have to worry about what people were thinking about me anymore.

We went to Sacramento this afternoon and on the way over we passed this beater car whose hood was practically folded in half and was missing both headlights. I don't know how the guy could have been over the hood the way it was sticking up. Anyhow, glad to know no one will be looking at me the way Mike and I were gawking at him!

Mayor of New Haven Trades in His Navigator for a Prius!

Another politician goes Hybrid Happy and gets his Prius power on.

It's so exciting to read about more politicians who are walking the walk. (Link expired)

And speaking of Prius(es), mine is currently at the body shop getting a new bumper as a result of the "tree limb across both lanes of 160 at midnight" incident. Then it's going over to the dealer to get it's little navigation system upgraded. It's kind of like a makeover for my little car.

I love that car, have I mentioned that?

I'm driving in the fog-camouflaged silver Miata for a couple of days. Anyone want to buy a Miata???

MSNBC - Lexus hybrid SUV orders set record

MSNBC - Lexus hybrid SUV orders set record

Now all the fancy pants people who scoff at my Prius will have a car to buy.  My car still kicks ass...

Go Prius Go!

There's 4 cars in our driveway (not counting the dead one!)

We went to pick up the Prius this morning and 2 hours later, we are now the proud owners of a new, Salsa Red 2004 Prius!

First things first--they offered us $6k for a 1999 Honda Passport, which we could sell for $12k. So, Mike drove the Honda home. We're going to sell that and the Miata, hopefully by the end of the month! Now I have a car payment too!

I have to actually study the owner's manual because the car has a navigation system and lots of buttons and screens and is super hi tech. It's pretty cool though!

The Long Wait Is Over

I started getting calls from Toyota a few weeks ago. I have been waiting for this car since January! I originally ordered the seaside blue package 9 version, but when they offered me a white one a few weeks back, I said I would take any color other than white. Last Friday, I got a call offering me either a Salsa Red one, a black one, or some color called spruce or something that they didn't have a picture of. So....I'm getting the red one tomorrow!

We had the Honda detailed and it looks like brand spanking new, so hopefully we'll get a good deal for it on a trade-in. More to follow (maybe).