Odometer 9267 Mi Temp 19 F 10:20 PM "One Fat Cat and 3 Micro Cars"

This is what I call a hybrid: 2009 Fisker Karma

The car is priced at $87,900.

"The Karma has Fisker's "Q-Drive" powertrain with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a lithium-ion battery pack. It's a setup that gives the car a range of 50 miles on electricity alone and then calls on a gasoline engine with a generator that charges the lithium-ion battery. Fisker says "most" Karma drivers who plan to charge the vehicle overnight and drive less than 50 miles per day will get a whopping 100 mpg in fuel economy, averaged over a year. Top speed is 125 mph."

I'm not a big fan of hybrids, and I wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius in its current form (the 2010 model I'll reserve judgement) since it drives like a microwave w/training wheels instead of real tires. The Karma I would make an exception. Anything that tops out a buck and quarter while sits 4 in style get the thumbs up from me. Talk about your fat cat.

However, if you are like me and most folks, the Karma is a bit out of our price range. Also, if it's fuel economy and style (better or worse) you crave, here's 3 micro cars to consider at considerably less coin...

Fiat 500:

Baring striking resemblance to the original 500 in the 50s, it's already becoming a charmer in Europe. Though not yet on sale in the U.S. But w/Fiat's partnership agreement with Chrysler LLC, you might see it on our shores soon.

Toyota IQ:

If you want to get an idea of how big the IQ is, think its next of kin, the 3 door Yaris. Now, take the image of the Yaris, shorten it by at least a foot, you'll be close. Just bigger than its Smart competitor, the IQ measures just 117.5 inches in length, 66.1 inches in width and 59 inches in height. Toyota claims it's the smallest 4 passenger micro car in the world. And at 56-MPG, it's slated to be on U.S shores in 2010, badged as a Scion.

Nissan Cube:

Straight out of Japan, it's 20 inches shorter then it's nearest Scion Xb competition. It's asymmetrical swing gate is a signature styling cue. Though bigger than the two cars previously mentioned and doesn't do as well in terms of fuel economy vs. the above; this one is still a charmer, in your anime sorta way.

Odometer 8971 Mi Temp 25 F 7:53 PM "Snuggie"

By now, if you know me, you already know my position on this hideous thing called a "snuggie." If you don't, well, let's just say I'm not a fan massive fleece w/sleeves on backward and selling for only $19.95 (plus s+h) Millions sold!

I recall a similar article of clothing invented years ago...oh yeah, its call a robe!


Anyway, thanks to my cousin Andy for sending this! I can't resist.

Note: it's mildly offensive, but it's waaaayyyy too funny!

Odometer 8950 Mi Temp 17 F 11:39 PM "All about me"

With my recent days off, I've reading all types of blogs lately. I never notice there's SO much out there. There's practically every blog you can imagine out there: political, automotive, photography, food, travel, pets, the long lost love that you can't image without. You name it, there's a blog for it.

I thought I would be last person to start a blog, since I always under the assumption there's nothing about me that's special or any ideas I that I have people would be interested. Well, I guess that's the point. It's a place where you can post and vent anything you want (and boy do I want to vent about some things) and be surprise by people who share those feelings or the same ideals.

Now all of this should've been in my first blog entry but since I can't go back and edit it (well I probably can but I don't know how so I'm saying no until someone tells me otherwise), I thought it be good to list some things about this author, sans anything specific.

So here goes in no particular order:


-I was born in the country dubbed "freest economy in the world."
-I am a registered independent.
-I am a capitalist, I believe in free enterprise.
-I don't have a pet, though I would like a dog (golden retriever)
-I love driving and open road. (the more turns the better!)
-I can name just about every make, model, and approximate year for any car over last 20 yrs.
-I have a boxes of die cast vehicles (Matchbox, Hotwheels, Tomica) that is now in storage over the years I've collected. (Not so much anymore, I don't have the time or the money)
-I love anything automotive.
-I live somewhere along the Northeast, which I love.
-Just some places in world I've been: Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Taiwan, Stockholm, London, St. Petersburg, Beijing, and Berlin.
-Places in world I've yet to go and will go: Paris, Rome, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Amalia Glacier, Panama Canal, Anchorage, Cairo, Dubai, Moscow and Athens.
-I once held up an entire 747 back to the States because I had an urge for McD's.
-I got lost at Disney World.
-The sax was deemed too big for me, so I was stuck w/the clarinet for band.
-My artistic/intellectial talent at its greatest during the 8th grade.
-I was a peer mediator but never had to mediate anyone in school.
-I was offered for NHS, but I declined out of protest.
-I mistaken my BMX bike as a BMW when I was little. (it was either)
-I'm afraid of heights.
-I'm a bit OCD. All books, magazines, DVDs must be in a neat stack.
-English isn't my native language but it's my primary language.
-I see the glass as half empty most of time, but that doesn't mean I don't look ahead.
-I usually spill/trip/fall something at least once a week.





So now you know everything about me and nothing about me. Hopefully this will give you some insights for my future blogs.

Enjoy!

Odometer 8852 Mi Temp 36 F 12:08 AM "Continue Ed"

The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.
-Tom Bodett

Coming out of my CE course this afternoon, I can't help but think why there's so many tests out there. Just sitting at the testing center, for example, there's this man there for an IT exam. Then there's this woman asking questions about another test and look worried (my guess is some type of college entrance exam). The lady that worked there apologized for the long wait to yet another another man who's there, as she explained that they had to clear a group of 15 testers, whose test apparently had an oral section, therefore they had to wait for everyone to finish first. The man just smiled and nodded.

Counting mine, that was 4 different tests.

Other test that comes to mine: In school, you have your P.E, CAPT, SAT, and Admissions tests. If you play sports or cheerleader, there's probably tryouts-a test. As a teenager, most oblivious test that comes to mine is Driver Ed/License test. After you graduate, then you probably had a pre-interview test even before you meet the hiring manager. Then after you get the job, you may need a drug test to make sure you comply with the company. You may even need a professional designation test complete to ensure your employment.

But what about not so oblivious test at first glance? New leaders we elected; this is a test of trust we place on them that they would change the status quo. CEOs are tested against ethical standards, doing the right thing vs. making a profit anyway they can. Love is a test of true feelings. Relationship is a test of trust with one another. Marriage is a test of commitment. Divorce is a test of strength to oneself. Children is a test of responsibility. Religion is a test of faith. Dying is a test of character, do I die gracefully or bitterly? Even death is a test of a man's worth. Did he contribute to society?

So who decides to be the administrator and who decides to be the tester? Is it us? Is it our government? Or it is someone from a higher power?

When did life become one giant never-ending CE course with no options to go back but only forward. Then all of a sudden...you have complete your course, check out the score, print a copy and proceed to Heaven or Hell.

I don't attempt to try to explain or to answer these questions. It's just been stuck in my head all day and so I thought I bring it up. I welcome your comments.

Odometer 8532 Mi Temp 14 F 1:02 PM "Change"

There's a been a lot of changes recently.

At work, where I'm sad to say folks I have known through the years are no longer there. Friends I know that is worry about their own jobs security. A new President taking over on Tuesday during one of the toughest time in our history. The weather, when this blog started we had cool mornings, warm days, and cold nights. Now it's just plain cold.

There's some good changes too though.

I'm happy to say I feel better after starting working out this year and I'm determined to make this routine. I'm happy I'm making progress in making a name for myself in the company. And my commuter friend has received a much earned, much deserved promotion. I've reference a number of times my fellow carpool and commuter friend on this blog, and after initial hesitation to start a carpool in the first place, I'm sad and happy to see this carpool come to the end. Sad as I'll miss the conversations that has change a lot of my views, happy to see a good friend edging closer to his career goals.

As such, this blog's title has to change with it. Not so much in content but in references. So as I tackle Life beyond the HOV Lane, hopefully my thoughts and comments would be more in depth or more stupider, depending on my commute. "Accident, 4 Mile Delay" Bring it On!

Welcome to The Flying Commuter, Life Next to HOV Lane.

Odometer 8356 Mi Temp 31 F 11:15 PM "Resume Builder"

With everything going on in the economy and inspired by recent events at work, I decided to brush off my resume. I always tell folks that you are always interviewing for you next job, I just didn't realized that I'm was talking about myself potentially. Funny thing, though I won't say I'm not worry, let just say I'm not losing any sleep over it. Perhaps this is contributed to the long workdays (by choice because coming in after 9 makes me feel lazy) and adding exercise to the list, resulting in 12 hrs + days. Things like this used to worry me and keep me awake at nights. No more. Because I realize life is a crap shoot, you just need to roll the dice and hope it lands on a payout.

But just in case, I think I'll get some practice w/interviews. I'm taking my cue from Monty Python.

Odometer 8286 Mi Temp 23F 7:50 PM "Got Lipitor?"

I'd figure it's never too early to plan my next road trip. And since I've been fairly good at going to the gym recently, the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, AZ would be a good start.

Besides the, AHEM, "waitresses", they offer the 8000 cal plus quadruple bypass burger. Just what the doctor ordered.


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And should you survive after eating this...well, then you should head down to Amarillo, Texas to the Big Texan Steak Ranch for its 72 oz steak, cook just the way you like it!

Somewhere the folks at Pfizer must be smiling.

Odometer 8023 Mi Temp 33F 11:02 PM "Made in China"

The conversation was a bit fuzzy to me now...but somehow it was decided that the Chinese finger traps would be a good items to give away for the annual membership drive for my work employee network in celebration of Chinese New Year (Year of the Ox BTW). That and fortune cookies.

Now, I don't mind giving out trinkets and I LOVE fortune cookies (yummm....vanilla and yellow #5 coloring!) , but either of which turns out to have anything much to do with Asian culture.

It was especially concerning when I saw this...



I'm not too sure Trekkies (No offense if you are one!) boosts enough credibility to increase membership.

Now...Wu Tang



and Wang Chung on the other hand...TOTAL STREET CRED!

Odometer 7833 Mi Temp 32F 6:52 PM "Pocket Full of Square"

Finally here is one nagging question that I wasn't able to resolved last year, but now has found the answer: How to fold a pocket square.



Can it be that easy?! I will try this next time I wear my suit.

Next up: the full Windsor knot.

Another 09 resolution resolved!