I have just been watching a series on the Outdoor Life Network. A guy went from New York City to Washington D.C. on electric bikes powered with electricity produced from garbage. It wasn't the easiest of trips to make, between cold temperatures and a busted throttle cable, but he did it.
On a stop in Amish county, he learned that the Amish are not totally opposed to technology. They are just very conservative about how they use it. By way of example, an Amish man pointed out that they use solar panels to charge the batteries for the signal lamps that the law requires on their buggies. You might consider the Amish the uber energy conservationists.
On the trip, the host of the show also saw some other electric cars, powered from garbage produced electricity. One was a kit, put together by a teacher. It was a small, three wheeled car. Unfortunately, it was a convertible, and therefore pretty cold. Another was a Pontiac Feiaro (however that is spelled) that had been converted to an electric car.
Given the opportunity, I think I might like to have a small electric car of my own. I would have to be able to produce my own electricity though. I wouldn't want to have to charge a car off of the grid. It would just cost too much for my liking. The environmentally responsible vehicle would be a lot of fun to have. I only drive short distances, so it would be practical for me.
Maybe if the manufacturers produced something affordable and usable, maybe they would be in higher demand. Battery technology has come a long way. So has the production of clean energy. It could be time for the green car.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Good neighbour policy
I told you once that I would write a bit about the way I walk around the building each night. It is all part of my "Good Neighbour" policy, regardless of where I might be living. My idea is that, if my home involves others, as an apartment building implies, I have certain responsibilities as a proper neighbour.
Each night, when I take out the garbage, I take a short stroll about the building. I look at the cars in the lot, to see if there has been any attempt at vandalism. While I don't actually look into the apartments, of course, I do look at the windows, to see if there is damage or if someone has attempted a break-in. Particularly on the first floor.
I also make a habit of noting who comes in and who goes out, with particular attention to strangers. The building I live in has had problems in the past with drug dealers. While the new landlords have taken steps to remove the pushers, it pays to keep a close eye on things.
I am in a very good position to watch over at least the one half of the building. With a window right near the front entrance, I can see the comings and goings, and have made it possible for the superintendent to have a picture of what is happening when he can't be here himself. Some might call it being nosy. I call it looking out for the young families that live in the building with me.
I would hope that my neighbours would share in this policy.
Each night, when I take out the garbage, I take a short stroll about the building. I look at the cars in the lot, to see if there has been any attempt at vandalism. While I don't actually look into the apartments, of course, I do look at the windows, to see if there is damage or if someone has attempted a break-in. Particularly on the first floor.
I also make a habit of noting who comes in and who goes out, with particular attention to strangers. The building I live in has had problems in the past with drug dealers. While the new landlords have taken steps to remove the pushers, it pays to keep a close eye on things.
I am in a very good position to watch over at least the one half of the building. With a window right near the front entrance, I can see the comings and goings, and have made it possible for the superintendent to have a picture of what is happening when he can't be here himself. Some might call it being nosy. I call it looking out for the young families that live in the building with me.
I would hope that my neighbours would share in this policy.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Autumn Aria
We are finally starting to get some autumn weather here. That is both a blessing, and a curse, depending on the time of day and what I'm trying to get done.
I have always loved the fall colours. When other kids complained about having to go back to school, I was too busy looking out of the bus windows at the trees. I could almost hear the leaves crunching under my feet as I went by particularly large stands of maples. Show me a kid that doesn't like to jump into a pile of freshly raked leaves, go on, show me.
I also rather liked going to school. Living out in the boonies, it meant access to a lot of things I had to do without over the summer. A decent library for example. My parents didn't have the time to drive me to the library as a kid, so I had to read the books that I had over and over. With the start of the school year, I could read a new book every two or three days if I chose.
I still like the crisp sound of leaves underfoot. A brisk breeze on a sunny day puts a smile on my face. When the fancy takes me, I'll put on a sweater and go for a stroll and look at the colours. The smell of a wood stove is like heaven to me. There are a number of people in my neighbourhood that use wood stoves to heat on cool evenings. It's a very romantic smell, in my opinion.
The downside of the fall weather is the positive chill at night. The heaters have to come on, and that means a dusty smell for the first while, because you can never vacuum all of the dust out of an electric baseboard heater. It's an added problem this year, since the unit in my wife's bedroom is not working. We are still waiting on the electrician to come and figure out what is wrong with the wiring.
Another problem is that we are getting more rain, and taking out the garbage becomes a pain. For the sake of ten minutes to dump a small bag of trash in the bin and do a check around the building (more on that another time), you get soaked, or at the very least, wet socks.
The weather can't quite seem to make up its mind either. It rains for fifteen minutes, clears up and then rains again. The unexpected showers are a real pain. You can't plan anything outdoors.
All things considered though, I think I'll just put on a sweater, pull up the quilts, and enjoy the season.
I have always loved the fall colours. When other kids complained about having to go back to school, I was too busy looking out of the bus windows at the trees. I could almost hear the leaves crunching under my feet as I went by particularly large stands of maples. Show me a kid that doesn't like to jump into a pile of freshly raked leaves, go on, show me.
I also rather liked going to school. Living out in the boonies, it meant access to a lot of things I had to do without over the summer. A decent library for example. My parents didn't have the time to drive me to the library as a kid, so I had to read the books that I had over and over. With the start of the school year, I could read a new book every two or three days if I chose.
I still like the crisp sound of leaves underfoot. A brisk breeze on a sunny day puts a smile on my face. When the fancy takes me, I'll put on a sweater and go for a stroll and look at the colours. The smell of a wood stove is like heaven to me. There are a number of people in my neighbourhood that use wood stoves to heat on cool evenings. It's a very romantic smell, in my opinion.
The downside of the fall weather is the positive chill at night. The heaters have to come on, and that means a dusty smell for the first while, because you can never vacuum all of the dust out of an electric baseboard heater. It's an added problem this year, since the unit in my wife's bedroom is not working. We are still waiting on the electrician to come and figure out what is wrong with the wiring.
Another problem is that we are getting more rain, and taking out the garbage becomes a pain. For the sake of ten minutes to dump a small bag of trash in the bin and do a check around the building (more on that another time), you get soaked, or at the very least, wet socks.
The weather can't quite seem to make up its mind either. It rains for fifteen minutes, clears up and then rains again. The unexpected showers are a real pain. You can't plan anything outdoors.
All things considered though, I think I'll just put on a sweater, pull up the quilts, and enjoy the season.
Friday, November 2, 2007
My mechanics
Yesterday, I wrote about listening to my wife (eventually) when she said there was a problem with the car. Today, I'd like to tell you a little bit about the mechanics that save my bacon on a regular basis.
Jim and Dave McEwen (I wish I had a picture available) are probably the best mechanics I have ever met. They care very much about their clients. They will not let me drive anything that they deem to be unsafe, even if the law doesn't require something. The twins have been known to go out of their way to steer people clear of what would turn out to be a lemon.
What makes this odd is that they are also in the business of selling used vehicles. If the old stereotypes held, they would be the shiftiest characters in the world. If Jim and Dave give you a quote, they stand by it.
In the case of the latest problem with the car, I literally showed up on their doorstep with no notice. They had their third hand drive me home, so that I wouldn't have to walk, and put it up on a hoist the instant it was available. When they called me, they gave me an honest assessment for the problem and what it would cost to repair. All three of them went to work on it, and then returned the car to me, again so that I would not have to walk across town.
Jim and Dave do not advertise in the papers. They don't have the budget for radio or television. They rely on word of mouth. Well, I have a big mouth, and I am not afraid to use it on their behalf.
Where else am I going to find mechanics that will fit me in at the last minute, do quality work, and then let me pay in installments?
Jim and Dave McEwen (I wish I had a picture available) are probably the best mechanics I have ever met. They care very much about their clients. They will not let me drive anything that they deem to be unsafe, even if the law doesn't require something. The twins have been known to go out of their way to steer people clear of what would turn out to be a lemon.
What makes this odd is that they are also in the business of selling used vehicles. If the old stereotypes held, they would be the shiftiest characters in the world. If Jim and Dave give you a quote, they stand by it.
In the case of the latest problem with the car, I literally showed up on their doorstep with no notice. They had their third hand drive me home, so that I wouldn't have to walk, and put it up on a hoist the instant it was available. When they called me, they gave me an honest assessment for the problem and what it would cost to repair. All three of them went to work on it, and then returned the car to me, again so that I would not have to walk across town.
Jim and Dave do not advertise in the papers. They don't have the budget for radio or television. They rely on word of mouth. Well, I have a big mouth, and I am not afraid to use it on their behalf.
Where else am I going to find mechanics that will fit me in at the last minute, do quality work, and then let me pay in installments?
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Always listen to your wife
For the last couple of days, we have been experiencing a bit of a problem with the car exhaust. Again! I indulged in a bit of wishful thinking, and thought that maybe we had just gotten some bad gasoline. Sandra was adamant that it sounded too loud to her.
We had to go out for groceries the other day, so we took a quick drive out to my parents' house. My father, being more agile than I am, was able to get under the car. Yep, the exhaust was in danger of falling apart. He thought the muffler was coming away from the mid pipe.
So, finally listening to what my wife had been trying to tell me for two days, I took the car to our mechanics, who declared that the mid pipe was done and had to be replaced. All three guys at the garage dropped what they were doing and put the car on the hoist. It took them less than half an hour to get her fixed and returned to us.
The lesson here, always pay attention when your wife tells you that something is not right. Wishful thinking will get you stranded on the side of the road somewhere. Most likely when it's cold and wet out. Besides, sometimes another ear is needed to hear these things. Your wife may tell you things you'd rather not hear, but they need to be said.
If your wife tells you the car doesn't sound right, chase it down. If she tells you that you have been hitting the fridge to much, get on the scale tubby. Our wives want what is best for us, and only by paying attention can we hope to learn.
On that note, I'm going to pay attention to my wife again, take my vitamin pill and call for an appointment to get my flu shot.
We had to go out for groceries the other day, so we took a quick drive out to my parents' house. My father, being more agile than I am, was able to get under the car. Yep, the exhaust was in danger of falling apart. He thought the muffler was coming away from the mid pipe.
So, finally listening to what my wife had been trying to tell me for two days, I took the car to our mechanics, who declared that the mid pipe was done and had to be replaced. All three guys at the garage dropped what they were doing and put the car on the hoist. It took them less than half an hour to get her fixed and returned to us.
The lesson here, always pay attention when your wife tells you that something is not right. Wishful thinking will get you stranded on the side of the road somewhere. Most likely when it's cold and wet out. Besides, sometimes another ear is needed to hear these things. Your wife may tell you things you'd rather not hear, but they need to be said.
If your wife tells you the car doesn't sound right, chase it down. If she tells you that you have been hitting the fridge to much, get on the scale tubby. Our wives want what is best for us, and only by paying attention can we hope to learn.
On that note, I'm going to pay attention to my wife again, take my vitamin pill and call for an appointment to get my flu shot.
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