rostasi

My suggestion to folks who ask me about my car (even while I'm driving, people will roll down their windows to ask!) is that if they want to know more, they should try renting one for a weekend (locally, Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers a Prius) and just drive it around like you normally would any other car that you own. People's driving habits and needs differ of course, so I'm only able to answer their questions on gas mileage, how it handles, and the always "Do you have to plug it in?" question. Also, for non-hybrid cars, I rented an '06 Toyota Camry while in New Mexico and that was one of the smoothest riding cars I've ever driven and the mileage on that was pretty good too - about 35-38 mpg.

You're right - not on that Honda Hybrid are you're gonna come out ahead because it's not a true hybrid and gets a paltry 25 mpg. Still, for gas mileage, reliability (most problem-free), customer satisfaction ("would you buy this car again?"), and ageing more gracefully (less problems as they age), I'll stick with my Prius'. The only problem that I've had with my car was that the navigation disc wouldn't read every once in a while but, the disc was from 2001 and probably was getting worn... but that's it! These cars have lifted an enormous "worry-weight" off of my shoulders.

I have two. What would you like to know? Manufacturing technologies and real costs. Well, your statement is a little "Jack Webb" for me to understand, but, Erik is correct about his reading that it can take about 6 years to recover initial costs (Consumer Reports April '06), but in my many years of reading CR, they have a tendency to be pretty conservative when it comes to certain issues - gas mileage would be one of those areas. Of course, they try to come up with what they think an "average" driver may do and so there's some leeway there. Anyway, the six years is based on paying full list price and getting only 44 mpg in an '06 plus a few other things. All I know is what I've experienced so far for the past few years and that is that I've yet to have a problem with either of them - heat nor cold doesn't affect it's starting or driving - and besides the fact that I'm currently averaging 49.6 mpg (and climbing) and only have to fill my tank at the beginning of each month, it's just plain fun to drive! I've stayed with Toyota because my last two Corollas took me to nearly 200,000 miles and were still running strong when I got newer Toyotas. The cars before that were real pieces of crap.

I have two. What would you like to know?

Sheesh...I don't get it? What's the big deal about a "babe thread"?

Just heard the news. Apparently, he died soon after his Knitting Factory gig on Saturday night. Checking for details now. If you were/are a Swell Maps fan, then you know... Sudden Death Rod

I think the really strange bit is that if it is meant as a prank, then how does Nissan think that this may help their image or sales?

http://www.rupyb.com/at/political/us_elect...mystery_solved/ (but at least you're smarter than the Canadians) But, as it says...always check with Snopes on these kind of things.

A wonderful book on the band Can that's nearly 500 pages of great quality analysis, statements, and interviews. Instead of being presented as a biography, it's a wonderful artistic reconstruction which is what much of their music was about. Physically, it's a well made book on good quality paper that gives it an amazingly hefty weight and sturdiness that is often found in higher priced "art" books.

Pink Nissan

I was in our nation's crapitol most of last week and was excited to come across an article on Go-Go God Chuck "Bustin' Loose" Brown. Apparently, he's doing quite well now with his new funky DC Lottery commercial for their "Rolling Cash 5" game. Haven't heard the commercial yet, but an extended version should be released on his new CD (sans the Lottery lyrics natch ). The article is available here for only a couple more weeks if you're interested. He has a "myspace" site too if you want to check out what's up with him lately.

Other than most of what passes as "smooth jazz," I have no idea... this will take some time... no Norah Jones? Oh! and no Wynton. (actually, he may be on a compilation...hmmm...)

...or you could just keep the record light on all of the time...

I have a friend who's manic-depressive. I think he's the perfect couple.

Yup! that about sums him up alright! One of those (often) "Can you believe he said that?" kind of writer. The times I've read him, I never know whether to laugh, shake my head, cuss, or all of the above (and more). I suppose he's kinda the Stanley Clownch of the classical critics. If you can stomach it, here's a collection of recent columns.

I think the Plasmatics performance was included for it's over-the-top value - maybe helps sell the set. I'm hoping for future volumes in the future. Not sure what to think about including complete shows- coulda fit more music - but maybe there was some kind of contractual reason for doing it this way. I have to admit that there's some non-music moments that are funny reminders of that time. Just before the Patti Smith interview (I think), there's the introduction of the "never before seen" game Simon. Anyone remember this big round game with flashing lights and sound that was an electronic version of "Simple Simon"?

Who plays Juliet Greco?

The line-up:

God, even here I can't get away from that Lebrecht prick.

It's a great slice of the past! The only one that I saw previously was the infamous John Lydon/Keith Levene/P.I.L. episode with Tom getting all bent. R~

Man, I had no idea... I know...and I love that show. I hope these kids have a life beyond that show and da cult.Someone should send Red over to their HQ's so he can put a foot up their collective ass.

Man, I had no idea...