Seize the storm

So the Today Show is having the president of Exxon come on their show – great, I’m glad someone agreed.   He’s the only one of 5 or 6 Big Oil companies to respond.   First of all, I’d rather buy my gas from someone who is at least standing up to the pressure.   Now, to my email to the Today Show.   However insightful it may be, I doubt it will make it on.

It is sad that one of the greatest freedoms in this country is being shaved away – the lure of the open road.   No longer can we just “get away from it all”.  

At the same time, I am stuck in this paradox of being glad that America is learning to consume more efficiently but gas is becoming more out of reach for the low and middle class.   But those with the $’s can keep on filling their guzzling SUVs so they can go to the lake cabin for the weekend.  

So now I sit here wondering if I should lay down the keys of my 98 Ford Escort (33 MPG) and hop on a moped (80 MPG)…only to do “my part” to conserve?   When is doing “my part” enough?!?!   Toyota is pulling the same card as Big Oil is, demand is high for hybrids – so I definitely can’t afford one of those.

Question: I want to know where all these profits are going because if Exxon or any other Big Oil company is to outlast oil, they better be researching other ways to power a car.   This “gravy train” is going to come to a halt someday…are you prepared?

The tire dream (sooner to become a reality)  

It was confirmed again that I need new tires on the first chase of the season. My car rather complained as I was heading into Yankton and I hydroplaned a bit. It helps to have tread on the tires to channel the water. I’m still biding my time to get all the other repairs paid off which ended up costing me $383.

The new tires will be $112.43 a piece and that includes installation. I was going to go with the Goodyear TripleTred but they don’t come in the 185/65/14 size that I need. I even emailed Goodyear and they told me there were no plans to expand the 14 inch size line. So, in keeping with my warning to Goodyear, I informed them that I would be purchasing their competitor’s tire – Michelin Hydroedge. I’m kind of saddened by this because the TripleTred clearly beat out the Hydroedge in all my research. Now my goal is to see just how far these 90,000 mile warranty tires will carry me. The guy at the repair shop I go to was pretty much dumbfounded, “I just don’t know how they can make it that high. What the heck are they putting in there?!?!”

The “Santa would sure be cool if…” dream

1. $ 500 – Antenna system for data
2. $ 800 – Video Camera
3. $ 130 – Pinnacle Video Editing
4. $1000 – Digital Rebel
5. $ 500 – Photoshop
6. $ 250 – Scanner/HAM radio
7. $ 300 – In-car mounting, power solutions

Donations?

Have you heard of those e-panhandling sites?   Some girl got $20,000 of her debt paid off that way.   Maybe I should setup a “Donate to a Worthy Cause” button on my website…hahaha. If only Bill Gates would swing by carpetempestas…stop dreaming Ed.

I’ve sit here all day doing an armchair chase of a new Tri-state system that started in Kansas and rocked all the way through Missouri and is now rocking Illinois.   Great day of watching everything pop up though and was a good test of my forecasting abilities.   It definitely looked like today was going to be a huge day.   I now wish I would have archived this data.

Out of the Area

Anyways, back to the purpose of the post.   I sit here under a Winter Storm warning.   Here’s what the driveway and surroundings look like:

We’re supposed to get 6-10 inches total.   Let’s think about this for a second, winter storm warning in South Dakota and tornado warnings in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois.   Yeah it’s spring, and March is definitely in like a lion.

Out of commission

My vehicle is out of commission.   I have a worn out tie rod, a cracked serpentine belt and tires that will need replacing.   Preliminary cost estimates are $650 for all of this.   I’m thinking $800+.   It’s a sad, sad day.   The car still works and I’m driving it but safety-wise, I’m driving on borrowed time and there will be no chasing until all issues have been resolved.   All I can say is good thing we have three pay days this month.

Update

Well, it looks to be like it will be on target with my estimate.   The belt will cost about $70-80 and  the outer tie rod end will be about $85-95.   Most likely I will need new brakes & rotors along with that which will run about $170.  

The tires – Michelin Hydroedge – best deal is through Wal-Mart at $468 with install, taxes and all that jazz.   Plus I get free rotation, balancing and if I ever get a flat, then they will do all that for free – for the life of the tires.  

Grand total: $834