For the past several weeks I have been engaged in an on and off search for a vehicle to fit my new mental, philosophical, and spiritual state. I have mentally titled this endeavor "geek my ride". I have been researching, test driving, and hunting Toyota prius vehicles in my home area. The Prius appears to be the only vehicle to fit the mental metamorphosis I have experienced.
I have a personal agenda on the green front as a logical attempt to be the insane, back yard, solar powered amateur scientist rascal, and the prius engages that bizarre element within me.
Hacking the prius for individuality is pretty well known at this point and the danger close hacking problems identified. The concept of mileage, resource savings, & mega-geek technology logically makes this the vehicle for me.
There is in fact a name for mega-milers in Japan, "Nenpimania" a title for those japanese prius Otaku's determined to squeeze 116 miles per gallon out of a 60 mpg rated stock vehicle (no lie these folks really produce 116 mpg). I must admit that I wish to join that bizarre crew of individuals determined to display to the House of Saud that they can eat their oil….
The problem is checks and balances---the Toyota USA Carny worker sales force does not understand that you do not buy a prius to display your sexual prowess (as Mr. T would advise, "pity the fool" trying to pick up squeeze in a prius) --- you buy one to save money on gasoline (and display your geek for life status) and if the purchase price is raised to the point that it requires four years of gas savings merely to break even on the rhu-rhuing you get from the dealer there is no incentive to make a change for better technology, cleaner air and a sane society. Of course explaining this to Boo Radley the Toyota sales boy of the month elicits a return of merely a blank stare and a dazzling "huh?" statement….meanwhile Boo the sales boy is anxious to return to banging on a black monolith with a bone in his hand (obscure film reference there for sure)
I have looked at new vehicles, and gently used versions of the prius. Besides absolutely despising the car purchase process---there is a part of me that overreacts to a new vehicle….with a new vehicle I am overcome with the desire to keep it as absolutely new ‘like’, pristine so to say, for as long a period of time as possible. As if my new vehicle was the bubble boy of cardom. Therefore, my overall plan is having difficulty standing up to reality. Reality involves felonious car salespeople, bubble boy activity and all the subsequent bru-ha-ha rolled into one spiritually disgusting process. I am not sure that I wish to actually deal with myself through all this....i can barely stand being around myself during this process.

Ok so we knew it would happen at some time...a world discovered that has been scientifically determined to be capable of sustaining water,as well as maintaining a viable temperature for earth-patterned life to form on has been examined and photographed by a remote spacecraft telescope. Now is this cool or what? Gliese 581C, tremendous planet name by the way, almost as good as RV-426, is otherwise being called superearth because of it's size. This may, down the roadway create a philosophical problem in the two countries--who are tied with the largest percentage (30%) of populations who absolutely refuse to believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, ---the United States and let's see--that scientific beacon of hope, progress and very large mustaches--- Turkey! Progressive nations with good health care and outstanding educational systems record only between 1 to 3% of their populations expressing total disbelief in darwinism and placing their bets on creationism. Do you think we could connect the dots on this information???(of course this poll excludes countries where the AK-47 assault rifle is considered a "must have" fashion accessory)

Cause we are gonna eventually find life out there as our technology improves and that life will have followed an evolutionary pathway. Now this is going to be two strikes against some belief systems. Life and evolution...There are going to be a lot of very pissed off hillbilly TV preachers, nuns and blustering Republicans trying to explain things away when it's finally proven that God actually does'nt like them the best...this is going to get interesting.

Here's a few new architectural concepts intriguing me...http://www.ecoms-tsubomi.com/ a japanese firm specializing in the construction of space extensions..sort of like tagging on a whole wing to your business through a window. Basically these guys prefabricate your addition and suddenly you have instant space with either parking or an alley drive through capability below the structure. Try their site, it's interesting. i just really enjoy this parasite architecture for the simplicity that it is. The next is http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses.htm tiny, real houses capable of being put on a small trailer with a fork lift and you tow it with the family car to your location of choice and hook it up. These are what i like to call uni-bomber hootches---perfect for hiding out inthe woods and building that special pencil box to mail to your friends---but if you have that spectacular piece of land and just want a zen out spot or are really,really, really,really into downsizing check these out.

i guess i have successfully upset everyone from the just named biggest car company in the world to the nuns that taught me how to print perfectly by using a pointer like a samurai...and therefore i publish.