Plug Me In

California. Good lookin' out.

Toyota and the University of California will be testing plug-in hybrids there as part of a development program to make them a reality. Plug-in hybrids are more powerful versions of the hybrid car and can achieve more than 100 m.p.g. The plug-in models will be more costly (of course) but will save a significant amount of fuel, and with $4.00 - $5.00 gallons of gas looming on the horizon like the headless horseman in that crazy Walt Disney cartoon, we can all appreciate a little more m.p.g. for our money.

Of course, you could just ride a motorcycle (even a Harley gets around 50), a bicycle, or find work that's close to home. I know, easier said than done. I will admit that riding my bike to work every day in St. Paul pretty much ruled. I lost weight, gained muscle, and I loved getting outside. Plus, I didn't pay for parking, my insurance was lower, and I didn't have to buy gas for weeks on end. I think I made it 6 weeks on one tank. Never underestimate the mountain bike, brothers and sisters. Oh, bad weather sucked though. The rain started to not bother me after a while, but once you get over 6 inches of snow, you can just forget about riding.

Milk in Glass Bottles

I started buying milk in glass containers lately. It seems to taste better. Because of the soaring price of petroleum, milk prices have been going up as well. So when I saw that a local dairy was offering milk in bottles at a competitive price, I decided to buy some. It tastes awesome. It's a higher quality product that has been minimally handled, and is fresher because it takes less time to get it to the market and has less of a chance to be mishandled. Lamers Dairy in Appleton, Wisconsin (Dairyland's Best) produces the bottled milk, and I must say that I like it. I predict some of the dairy products produced locally will grow in popularity as the price of fuel rises, because there is inherently less cost to get the products to your local store.

Why I Watch T.V.

If it weren't for these following shows (and PBS, which I don't consider to be t.v.), I would probably boycott television.

My 10 Favorites:

TLC Turbo - comprised of American Chopper, American Hot Rod, and Hard Shine. I love hot rods and custom rides, especially when they are innovative and theme-based. The best series by far is American Chopper. I saw my first episode in the hospital when my son was born back in '03. I am still a fan in '07. I love their crazy accents and non-stop shop antics. They almost seem like they are from northern Michigan. These guys are the kind of guys I used to hang out with in my 20s.
Hard Shine is o.k. I think there isn't enough material there to form a series, but I like to see the fabrication of the cars. It is certainly no Chopper though, but then again, how many places have a Mikey?

The Wire - I am a latecomer to this innovative and addicting series, so I am only through season 2 on my Netflix list. I look forward to every episode. I love how the details of a case are built, the technology used, and the character development is first-rate (see my previous post about Omar, who I think is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy t.v.).

Deadwood - Who says Shakespeare is dead? I think he has been resurrected, complete with a 6-gun and a 5th of whiskey. Al Swearengen is another reason I love watching t.v. He rules. I want a guy like him in my workplace, just to hear him work people over in his office. Seriously, some sh*t would be getting done at work if this guy were around.

The Sopranos - I resisted this series for about 5 years, because I was sick of gangster flicks and wannabe-Goodfellas t.v. shows. I think I am at the point where I am going to rent complete seasons 1-5. I have seen a few episodes, and I do have to say that it is engrossing. Another HBO triumph.

Six Feet Under - I know, it's been over for over a year, but since HBO is dominating this list, it needs a mention. The idea was so original and the series so profane, funny, horrifying, uplifting, hysterical and philosophical, it cannot be ignored. The episode when the mom accidentally takes ecstasy is a classic, as well as when Nate discovers his dad's "hidden room" above some storefront.

Curb Your Enthusiasm - Larry David is a bald P.O.S. -- and I love him. Although my favorite character is his fat f#ck friend/agent Jeff. Hysterical. I also look forward to seeing Wanda on there. She and Larry have some seriously funny scenes.

Carnivale - O.K. - one more HBO series just because this network has singlehandedly done more to destroy the Hollywood movie industry than anyone else (except for the theater companies who want you to shell out 8 bucks for some t.v. retread film featuring either Owen Wilson or Ben Affleck. Or some lame flick featuring a billion dollar CG budget with no fu#k*ng script [that's you, Transformers!!!]. With something like the Sopranos on television, how can you even seriously think of putting out such rubbish and charging people an arm and a leg to see it?)

Anyway, Carnivale gets a mention here because it was crazy, innovative, freaky and funny. I wish they gave it more time to develop. Seriously, how many t.v. series can say they feature a carnie gimp, a sociopathic minister possessed by the devil, a bearded lady, Maggie from Field of Dreams, a midget and a momma-daughter titty act? Totally watchable. It's a shame it's not still on.

Mythbusters - Science rules. I think I like it so much because Jamie has a moustache and a personality a lot like my buddy Adam, although Adam's moustache is bigger, if that's possible. I will watch any show that involves blowing stuff up.

The other 7 Honorable Mentions:

Lost
The Office
Man Vs. Wild
The Daily Show
Family Guy
Peep and the Big Big World
Late Night with Conan

Why I Love Omar Little

I am a fan of The Wire. I'm a bigger fan of Omar Little. He lives by a strict code. He only robs drug dealers. He takes his grandmother to church. He wears a trenchcoat and carries a shotgun around the projects. He announces his presence by whistling "The Farmer in the Dell."

In one episode when he was providing jury testimony, Barksdale attorney Maurice Levy called him a parasite who thrived on the drug trade, to which Omar quickly pointed out that Levy was essentially the same thing. "I got a gun --- you got a briefcase. It's all in the game though, right?"

More poignantly, he might be the only character in this HBO series that makes it a point to not use profanity. He's one of the toughest characters around, yet he's gay, which most people stereotype as being wimpy or overly feminine. His character is a walking paradox, which is fascinating to me, and shows the smartness and depth of writing in this show. His honesty, lack of materialism & commercialism, and strict adherence to his ethics makes him fascinating and unique.

And did I mention he walks around with a shotgun whistling "The Farmer in the Dell?" Classic. You gotta love him.

Chicken Sh*t

Leave it to Minnesota. My old state is mad smart. Eggheads you might say. Progressive, for sure. So I wasn't surprised to hear that they are going to operate a power plant fired by poultry litter. As you know, chicken crap IS a renewable resource. You can listen to the NPR story here.

Karl's Gone

So long Karl. I am going to miss you. Really. No, really.

Catchiest Tune Ever

Your vote for catchiest tune ever? I don't know, but I just might cast my vote for Penny Lane. It's not my favorite, mind you, but every time I hear it...

Hey, by the way, why do the Beatles always sound better when turned up to 11?