The LEAF

I sooo didn't want to go to the LEAF event today. When I got home from work, the house was cold so I snuggled under some blankets to watch TV. I got very comfy, so I was having a hard time convincing myself to leave the house. But, since I started this blog to keep myself accountable, I knew that I would have to write that I didn't go, and that would make me feel bad. So, I managed to put on a presentable (and even kinda cute!) outfit and go to the event. WIN!

Of course, when I left the house, I accidentally left on the television, the cable box and my laptop. FAIL!

But anyway, back to the event... They gave out free t-shirts and had some people that could answer questions about the car. One of the local Nissan dealerships was also there, taking down names and e-mail addresses so that they could contact you when cars were available. Reservations for cars will be taken beginning in March of 2010, with the cars actually arriving in December. I'm seriously thinking about reserving one, and then making my final decision after a test drive. I just hope that the cars are available for sale, and not just for lease, because I have no desire to rent a car for 4 years. That's just not my thing.

I have absolutely no idea what I should do for New Year's Eve. I am thinking that since I have made no plans, I will likely just wind up at home watching TV. That's ok, though. TV is cheap entertainment, and I need to save my dough for solar screens, power strips and a solar PV system.

If anyone reads this, have fun and say safe this New Year's Eve!

Solar Screens and Randomness

This morning, Dan from Solar Screen Solutions came to my house to give me an estimate. I have decided that solar screens are a necessity in Tucson, since it gets so hot here, and solar screens keep the heat from the sun from even reaching your windows. My bedroom is the hottest room in the house, and hopefully some solar screens will keep me from cranking up the AC this summer.

Later today is the Nissan Zero Emission LEAF tour. I really want to go, but I'm so sleepy. I don't know if I'll be able to stay awake. What do you think of how the LEAF looks? I think I like the Prius better, but 100 miles on a charge is tempting...

Is Botox eco-friendly? The idea of injecting a toxin into my forehead seems a little crazy, but every body's doing it, right?? I mean, after all I did jam barbed wire into my forehead the other day. How much worse could Botox be?

I went a little crazy on iTunes today. I consider buying music on iTunes green since you save all the waste from the packaging. I bought John Mayer's "Battle Studies" and Michael Buble's "Crazy Love." Plus about a million other songs. Yup, I'm saving the planet through iTunes.

Electric Cars

So today I decided to surf the internet to educate myself about electric cars. I wrote to Mini USA to find out when the electric Mini Cooper would be available mass market. (Right now, it is only available for lease in certain areas.) Apparently the electric Mini is only in the "Field Test" stage, so I don't expect to see it in Tucson anytime soon. Although I think that Mini Coopers are some of the cutest cars on the planet, I am a little leery of paying $50K for an electric. I mean, seriously, it's going to be TWICE AS MUCH as a normal Mini?

The Nissan LEAF is scheduled to do their Field Test here in Tucson, so maybe I can get in on that. It is expected to be more reasonably priced, starting at $25K, with a range of 100 miles per charge. Considering my commute it 39.25 miles each way, I should be covered, but skeptics are saying it will likely only make it 70 miles under normal driving conditions. That leaves me stranded 10 miles from home. There is a LEAF tour event here in Tucson in a few days; I RSVP'd for that event, so maybe I can get some questions answered about that vehicle.

Tesla is also making electric cars. Their cars are more expensive, but the Roadster is said to go 244 miles on a charge. The Roadster costs $100K, but they are expected to release a sedan in a year or so that should be much more affordable. Too bad there are so few Tesla dealers around!

I'm actually thinking seriously about a Chevy Volt. It's a hybrid, but according to the Chevy website, it only uses gas when the charge runs out, which is after 40 miles or so. That means that I could get to work without using any gas. And if I could plug it in at work and let it charge, I wouldn't have to use gas going home, either. The question is, do you think my employer (aka The MAN), who is supposedly oh so green, will allow little old me to plug in a car? Or will The MAN call it stealing?

For now, though, I will be driving my Altima.