---
I'm going to take some advice from Shaky and try to blog with less intent. I think what he meant was for me to be more easygoing about the whole blogging thing, to be less serious about it, to be more engaged, to just be me, be real. Well, I have to tell you that I'm having a hard time of it - I think I've been hard-wired to put my guard up and also to have to justify all that I say here, to make it all have some kind of meaning because otherwise it's just not worth it (I'm not worth it). Why? I don't know all the reasons why and I don't want to get into it - I'll just end up analysing and analysing. Maybe that the way I really am and I can't change it. But oh well, I'll make a go of it anyway. I trust Shaky will encourage me along the way and let me know if he sees a difference!
---
My mom got her wallet stolen a couple of weekends ago at the Chinese grocery store. Luckily, years of experience told her not to bring any of her major credit cards because she wouldn't need them in a cash-only environment.
So what did the pickpocket get?
- my mom's bank card, which she promptly cancelled
- The Bay store credit card, also cancelled soon after the incident
- a library card, which we found out was inactive when I called the library (my parents didn't want the guy to take out stacks of books and not return them, thereby leaving my mom with a huge library fine because he spent so much effort stealing my mom's wallet and getting almost nothing in return - see below - yes, my parents have a vivid imagination)
- Air Miles and Shoppers Optimum points cards, also cancelled, with points redirected to new cards (yeah, only my parents would do that!)
- $4.18 (only my mom would be able to figure this out to the penny...)
So, no real harm done. My mom HAD gone to the bank prior to entering the store, but she kept her money elsewhere in her bag because she doesn't like bulky wallets. Who knew that this strange quirk would come in handy some day? My mom was shaken up to have her personal belongings violated, but she consoled herself by saying, "$4.18. Joke's on him - he doesn't even have enough to buy lunch!"
---
I decided some time ago that if I was going to buy a car, I'd want to buy a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. I was convinced that I would choose the Honda Civic Hybrid because it looks just like a normal Civic, while the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight look too "strange" for my liking. However, after driving the 2004 Prius, I might have to reconsider...
I rented the Prius at Discount Car Rental the other day. It cost me $5 more to rent than an economy car, but I just couldn't resist - I AM a "tree hugger", aren't I? And I figured I'd at least break even on gas if not save on it anyway.
It was a bit awkward at first, but once I got used to it (which even for me didn't take long), it's pretty cool to drive. For instance, the "key" is the little rectangular thing with the lock/open/panic buttons on it, not a traditional-looking grooved key; you have to press "power" to turn the car on and off; and there's a display screen that tells you when you're regenerating the battery (no, you don't have to plug the car in to recharge the battery - it recharges while you drive it - when you're coasting, going downhill, braking) and where all the energy is coming from to move the car when you're driving (gas or battery, or both). The display also tells you what your consumption is at all times and what your average consumption is for the trip. Also, the car actually stops "whirring" (it's quiet!) when you're at a stoplight, so no idling!
My only complaint is the poor back window design, but all in all, it was, amongst other things, a fun car to drive. I was more aware of my driving habits and I was excited to note that I was polluting less and saving more. At the end of the day, I paid $12 for gas for a round trip to Peterborough (I usually pay between $24 and $28 for the same trip with a regular car) and my average consumption was 4.9 L/100 km for the trip. I'm sure some people reading this will already know all the above from reading car reviews, but I encourage you to test out this car if you have the chance because you'll be saying the same things I'm saying!
---
A final question:
Why is it that when your parents tell you to drive carefully, it sounds like they're nagging you (which is annoying), but when your boyfriend says the exact same thing, you feel warm and fuzzy inside (you think: awww..he's sweet)?
posted by Sonia @ 11:50 p.m.
1 Comments:
One step at a time...so far so good :)
Post a Comment
<< Home