Why Do I Bother?

I came across this list of the “Meanest Vehicles” for 2007. These are vehicles that have the most negative impact on the environment. If you see one of these on the road flip them off or something. Just kidding, but you can glare at them since they are evildoers (Sorry, Bryan).

Here’s the list in order from worst of the worst to best of the worst (baddest to bad). The score preceding the vehicle name is explained below:

14 - Volkswagen Toureg
16 - Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI
17 - Lamborghini Murcielago
17 - Jeep Grand Cherokee
18 - Bentley Arnage RL
18 - Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI
18 - Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI
18 - Maybach 57 S / 62 S
18 - Bentley Azure
19 - Ford F-250
19 - Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab
20 - Lincoln Navigator

This list is according to GreenerCars.com. Below is a summary of how they rate vehicles.

We analyze automakers’ test results for fuel economy and emissions as reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, along with other specifications reported by automakers. We estimate pollution from vehicle manufacturing, from the production and distribution of fuel and from vehicle tailpipes. We count air pollution, such as fine particles, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and other pollutants according to the health problems caused by each pollutant. We then factor in greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) and combine the emissions estimates into a Green Score that runs on a scale from 0 to 100. The top vehicles this year score a 57, the average is 30 and the worst gas-guzzlers score around 14. Further information can be found on the GreenerCars.com Methodology page.

The Honda Civic GX made the top of the good list if you’re curious.

Technorati Tags: vehicles, environment, GreenerCars.com

Tags: Our Planet by Jeffrey
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Mel comes back this Saturday and I’m sure she is expecting to find a huge mess. She predicted that with her gone I would quickly revert to bachelorhood as most men do when the boss … err wife is away. But I have not devolved into that primitive state. I remain as much a modern married man today as I was one week ago.

A whole week has passed and not once have I worn dirty underwear. I have not gulped milk or juice directly from the carton and placed it back in the fridge. I have not parked in front of the television for days with a case of beer and a box of Captain Crunch. I have not taken to scratching, belching, and farting in public.

In fact, I have accomplished quite a lot without Mel around to remind me of my responsibilities. Let’s see … I have taken down the Christmas lights (yeah, I know it’s February). I have cleaned up the fallen branches in the yard from the recent storms. I have emptied the litter box. I have fed the cats. Hell, I even washed the cats all by myself. I paid the bills. I did all the laundry. I helped Dad with some moving around his place. I ate a can of “Healthy Choice” soup for God’s sake! I can take care of myself for a whole week!

Alright … it hasn’t been all good. I have to admit that I did order a pizza and bread sticks for dinner the other night. I did drink a beer while watching a movie. I have played too many video games and too much poker. I have not shaved everyday. I chose not to shower on my day off. I bought a carton of strawberry Whoppers.

But let’s face it, I do those things when she’s home too.

Technorati Tags: bachelorhood, married, bachelor

Tags: Love and Marriage by Jeffrey
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Mel heard back about the job that she had interviewed for. “Another applicant was chosen” which was disappointing to her, but she still seems hopeful. We will still be moving to the Seattle area, we just won’t be in such a rush. Many of the things that were motivating us to relocate still are factors in spite of this setback. It might actually be a blessing of sorts because it will allow us to be a little more thoughtful and purposeful about the move. I was getting a little worried about having to sell the house in a hurry and possible taking much less than it was worth. Now we can breathe a bit and do this right.

Speaking of the house, my brother Chris who is not only a famous bus model but is also a real estate agent/broker did a “price check” on our home for us recently. It seems the value of our house has increased over $100,000 in the 2 years we have owned it. That is incredible to me and very exciting. It means that if we sell it for near its value we will be able to be completely debt free (I don’t count school loans and car loans since they go on forever) and still have money left for a sizable savings account AND a down payment for our next home!

Finally, I have decide to put school on hold next term while we work all this out. Continuing my education is still a priority for me, but I have learned a few things about myself recently. One is that I don’t manage stress and anxiety all that well, the other is that I function much better in a traditional classroom setting than in a purely online setting. I plan to pursue a more traditional education track when we get to Washington.

Technorati Tags: Seattle, real estate, education

Tags: Home, School, Work by Jeffrey
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Here’s what I cooked today. I thought I might make this a semi-regular feature titled “What am I cooking?”.

Low Fat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Recipe was altered by me to include chocolate chips and eliminate walnuts

2 eggs
2/3 cup white sugar
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup nonfat milk
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray a bread pan with non-stick cooking spray, and lightly dust with flour.
2 Beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in bananas, applesauce, milk, oil and vanilla.
3 In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture, mixing just until blended. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4 Bake in preheated pan until golden and a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour. Turn bread out onto a wire rack and let cool.

Servings: 12
Yield: 1 9″x 5″ Loaf
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Ready in: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 serving
Percent daily values based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 217.92
Calories From Fat (20%) 44.10
% Daily Value
Total Fat 5.21g 8%
Saturated Fat 2.11g 11%
Cholesterol 41.56mg 14%
Sodium 182.64mg 8%
Potassium 184.20mg 5%
Carbohydrates 39.03g 13%
Dietary Fiber 1.74g 7%
Sugar 16.55g
Sugar Alcohols 0.00g
Net Carbohydrates 37.29g
Protein 5.03g 10%

Tags: Features, What am I cooking? by Jeffrey
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I wish I could remember where I found this, but I have to share it with you. Ms. Dewey at www.msdewey.com will help you search the internet with a unique and entertaining interface. You really have to see it to appreciate it. Go ahead … click here …

Technorati Tags: Ms. Dewey, search

Tags: Computers and The Internet, Just For Fun by Jeffrey
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