So, I mostly just find myself inundated with hybrids lately

I sorta quit watching the ones on the road.

What I have been watching, however, is the tech for things like the Volt. And the new Nissan Leaf.

That's interesting stuff. I'd like to see the Volt revive GM. The design is attractive (unlike most of the rest of GMs' line, which is boring and yawnworthy). I mean, don't get me wrong. I loved my old Chevy Trailblazer. If they ever came up with a Trailblazer that was hybrid and got at least 30 mpg, I'd be there with cash in hand.

But, most of their cars? *Yawn*

I dunno about the Nissan Leaf yet. On the one hand, I like the idea of an all-electric car. On the other, I realize that they're just not practical unless you live in a major city and have no designs for traveling anywhere that isn't in a major city or along an interstate that is populated by electric charging stations. See that coming anytime soon? Nah.

Still, the idea has merit. Okay, okay... so next is the "what about electric? the power comes from coal-fired plants!" Alright. Sure. It does sometimes. Unless, like me, you live in a nuclear power zone.

Still... do you want to contain dangerous emissions from over a few thousand power plants, or from millions of automobiles? Obviously, it'd be easier to address pollution at the source. The power plant itself.

For now, I keep watching the hybrids.

And wondering how long before the joiners who snapped up a Prius when they traded their old SUVs will miss having a truck and trade that Prius back in to the dealership. ;)

Maybe then I'll actually consider buying one used. For now, I love my Honda Civic. Great mileage, lower price. :)

Argh! I haven't updated in ages!

I've been incredibly busy for the past month. Actually, I've been consumed by my new mission. That's another story for another time, but suffice to say, I've been working out for going on 4 weeks straight without skipping a day, and I feel great!

Well, okay, my calves hurt some, but otherwise, I love it. :)

There's a red one! And another!

This was pretty funny. They were almost directly across from one another, in the same parking lot.

The Honda Fit Hybrid?

And a new Prius-fighting hybrid....

Very interesting article...

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, I think the more the merrier comes to mind.

On the other? I want plug-in hybrids, like... yesterday.

Tales from the elementary school parking lot...

Okay, there are no big stories to tell. My 2 younger kids are starting 2nd and 5th grade on Monday.

As we were leaving the parking lot following open house, we saw these cars.

(And there were 2 more, just on the way out, but alas, we could not grab the camera fast enough!)

Even more interesting is the fact that the parking lot there is relatively tiny. :)

I read a fascinating article last week...

Denise Gray, Battery Czar

I really do hope that GM comes through with the Chevy Volt. It would certainly help to vindicate them after the EV-1 debacle.

I think they're in it just to beat Toyota to the punch, but as long as it means cars that use less fuel, I'm all for a bit of free enterprise.

So anyway...

As I said down there (gestures toward the post below this one)...

Back when I started crunching numbers to trade my evil Jeep, I also started noticing a dramatic increase in the number of hybrids I saw on the streets every day.

I think the highest number I've counted in a single day of regular driving (to work, maybe stop at the store, come home that sort of thing) is 12.

I should note that one of my neighbors drives a Civic hybrid, and a coworker who sits just a few cubicles away from me owns a Prius, so I see those every day, pretty much.

I decided I'd start snapping pictures of them when I think of it. I might even try to sort out whether they are the same cars (by the plates) or different cars.

That'd be interesting. This is sort of like birdwatching, I suppose.

It keeps me amused, anyway.

I threw up a pic (on Twitter... see the sidebar over to the right if you want to follow me) of one my boyfriend and I saw yesterday at the grocery store, for starters. I just installed Twinkle on my iPhone, so I thought it'd be fun to tinker with it.

And it did not disappoint. LOL