It sucks when things go wrong. I mean, sometimes things can go SO wrong that it's overwhelming. Sometimes we just lock up for a while, when things get too out of hand. It happens. Accidents happen. Surprises happen. Shock happens.
But let's face it, when you create a problem that negatively affects the lives of others, and you start screwing up our planet, you have a responsibility to make it right. Especially (in my opinion) if you've created that problem in the process of cashing in on a natural resource, like oil. I mean, it's underground. Sometimes it's not only underground, but underground beneath an ocean. We're safe from it while it's down there. Mother Earth has seen to it. We ought not go down there.
But if you decide to go punching holes in the Earth to bring the oil from there to here, just so you can turn it into money (or numbers), then you become responsible for any mess you make in the process. Seriously. It's really simple and most of us learn it at a young age; you make a mess, you clean it up. If you don't want that responsibility as adults, find a different line of work -- even if it pays a few billion less per year.
This BP disaster in the gulf... they need to be responsible. Exxon was not a responsible citizen in their actions following the Exxon Valdez. They left an environmental disaster for time to clean up. A mess for others to deal with. Life changing messes. Life ending messes.
Oil companies have been recording record profits while many responsible businesses struggle and even die trying. This mess in the gulf is going to be an expensive one to fix, IF they choose to make every effort to fix it. So will they? Or will this be a repeat of the lip service following the Exxon Valdez spill? It's a safe bet that oil executives and consultants have kept excellent notes over the past 20 years on how to 'manage' public perception, the legal system, and protect their ass-ets. Exxon muddied things up in court for 20 years. If you think BP is pumping mud now...
There are BP stations in most of our towns -- Exxon's too. That's where we (the people) cast our votes. That's where the oil becomes money. Many people cast their vote once a week, I generally vote once a month.
Use less gas. Vote less often. It's actually a lot of fun. And if these oil companies choose not to act as responsible citizens, support something that does. Show some discipline. The alchemy of turning oil into gold is vulnerable at the pump and YOU call the shots, there.
Back to the basics -- if BP doesn't effectively fix this mess they've made, they should expect consequences. The best place to really get their attention is when you vote at a gas pump -- or don't.
Sometimes people look at me funny. I drive a funny looking little car. And I'm passionate most days, about using less fuel. And yeah, I'm a little negative when the subject of Big Oil, (and Big Pharma, and Big Business in general) come up. I guess I'm a little jaded. My trust in the system has waned as I age. But what the hell? How could you be aware of the things that go on at the top and not be moved by them? Upset by them. How could you not want to change them? I mean, you ARE aware, right?
Why then, when the topic of simply using less oil comes up, do so many people blow it off? How is it not a good thing to use less fuel?
Well, it's not better if you're in the oil business. And it's easy for many to simply let things roll as they have for decades, trusting Big Oil, trusting our governments, and not taking the time to learn about what we're doing to our planet and its future. Life just goes on, right? I mean, we couldn't possibly screw this all up, could we?
Here's a simple challenge. I challenge you to take 45 minutes out of your busy schedule and watch a documentary titled "Black Wave". Watch it through to the end. It's a documentary on the fallout and results from the Exxon Valdez disaster. Remember? The oil spill? Drunken tanker captain? Images of dieing wildlife covered in oil? Images of beach cleanup? It was twenty years ago. Take some time to figure out how the wheels really get greased.
Watch the documentary. And encourage someone else to do the same -- someone who doesn't seem to care about their MPG. Learn about failed corporate promises that things will be OK and will be "made whole" for the people in Cordova Alaska. It's sad. But the remaining environmental effects to the area and wildlife in the area -- to this day -- are flat sickening. All the while, Exxon is enjoying record profits in recent years. I'm willing to bet the Exxon execs are not vacationing in Cordova Alaska.
Just watch the documentary. Discovery has been airing it lately. Then decide where and how much gas YOU want to buy in the future. I hope it's somehow less than you're using now. Yeah, it's negative, but in my opinion this is never going to be fixed at the top.
Cool news from Lincvolt! Out with the rotary and in with a Capstone micro-turbine. I'm thrilled to hear this. I was a little critical of the rotary (my son had one... PIA). Cool engine and all but I was never too keen about it in this application. And let's face it, a turbine is multi-fuel and is going to sound way cool. Anyway, check the latest Lincvolt Gazette for the news and a hint of more live video feeds on the horizon. Man, I want a micro-turbine.
Larry (L.A.) Johnson, Shakey Pictures Producer and a Champion of Lincvolt passed away January 21, 2010.
I'm saddened to hear the news and extend my sincere condolences to family and friends. I had the opportunity to work a bit with Larry on the Lincvolt project. It was obvious he was behind Lincvolt 100% and was always prepared to dig in and make something great happen. I've also enjoyed his work with Neil and Shakey Pictures, musically and visually, for decades.
Thanks for all you've done, Larry. Your work changed my mood for the better, many times over the years. I've always been able to count on that. In fact, I'm off to watch some things you've done right now.
Rest in Peace, Larry. I'll miss you asking how my mileage is doing.
Takin' a trip across I O A
Gonna see some corn pickers along the way
It's harvest time
Yup. I haven't made a trip outside the daily commute in the car since summer. This will be 300 miles or so, round trip. Hoping for 70+ MPG. Car is clean and ready, tires at 48.5 PSI. Playlist for today is Fork In The Road and Year of The Horse. You can't beat Big Time for road music. Should be a nice ride across Iowa to a meeting. Farmers are getting their crops out now. It's always cool to see a string of unlike Combines going down a road. It means farmers are working together to get each others crops out while the weather is right.
Anyway, I'm out!
Update: Pretty much blew out my mileage. I left late and ended up running 75 much of the way out. Trip average was still 63.4 MPG. Return trip was interesting. I stopped by a place I've driven by a hundred times. Never had time to stop until yesterday. I learned that it's official name is "Old Cars on the Hill", which is fitting, but I failed to photograph their sign. It's a farm and home of a collector in Iowa, visible from Interstate 80. A couple quick phone pics follow. Very cool place. The owner was out working in the fields but the nice lady in the house let me look around. It's peaceful walking among old iron. If only these cars could talk.
- Lincvolt Photo Wall: Currently updating throughout the day.
- Next live Ustream feed: Unknown
- Webcam: UP (View a larger image.)
- (10/16/2009) -- We had a live video feed from Roy Brizio's shop on Friday afternoon. Neil, Crackle, Larry, Uli, Vic the tuner, and others were there. It was great to see everyone in the garage again. The Haltech ECU has been removed and Lincvolt's rotary is now sporting a turbocharger to up compression. Uli and Vic are planning to make the turbo boost variable. Testing Uli's homebrew E-85 fuel on an engine stand run with engine dyno.
I just returned from HybridFest. Met some great people there. Threw some ideas around. Talked with Hobbit, who was living in his car at the local campground for the weekend. Very interesting, inquisitive and smart guy. His car is a real testbed.
I enjoyed a session presented by Ford Hybrid Engineering Team leader, Praveen Cherian, and Wayne Gerdes from over at CleanMPG.com. Seems to me Ford is stepping up and getting it right. The new cars will auto-stop up to 45mph and the dash presentation rocks. Great info for drivers and you can set the display to as much or little info as you want. I'm seriously thinking about some Ford stock.
I wasn't able to arrive early enough on Friday to participate in the MPG Challenge but I'll post the results below. Congrats to all who participated.
My personal challenge was to do the trip on without fueling the car, which was a success -- although I think it made my wife a little nervous toward the end. :) This was a 605 mile round trip through Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa -- 2 people in the car, suitcases, laptop, cooler, binoculars (our first night was a concert in Chicago), photo gear, bag chairs -- a pretty good load of common road trip stuff. But a nice comfortable ride using the A/C in econ mode about 30% the time and tires at 46 lbs. The Insight took 9.6 gallons when I returned home for just over 63 MPG average on the trip.
Hobbit demo'd a CFL bulb powered by his Prius all weekend. You can see its reflection in the pic below but I was actually shooting his "Go Around" message in the rear window. :)
I had the opportunity to talk a while with Matt Kelly from NextGearGreen.com. He noticed my Lincvolt shirt and we chatted a bit about the car. (Note to Mr Shakey, Matt is based in LA, and very interested in Lincvolt. He'd love to talk with you.) So Matt was filming and I promised to post some of his work here. Follows is a segment he shot of Wayne Gerdes, talking about how he and his team were able to squeeze over 1400 miles out of a tank of fuel in the Ford Fusion Hybrid. That's 80+ MPG, folks! Wayne's presentation was great and I was very impressed with the Ford engineer who preceded him, telling us about the improvements to the car and Ford's commitment to making their vehicles more efficient. He pointed out that in the past, an engineer needed to present a 10% improvement get get anyone's attention at the top. Now they're looking at all the 1 percent ideas. That's progress! I was signed up to test drive the new Fusion Hybrid but it didn't work out so I'll be visiting my dealer. They've really made some nice MPG improvements on this model. Because of this presentation, Ford has my attention. Their new regenerative braking is so efficient, you're seldom even getting into the brake pads. Thanks Ford, for your presence and support of HybridFest, for listening, and for your commitment to making more efficient vehicles! Heeeere's Wayne...
Here's another clip from Matt Kelly, talking with Fords Hybrid Team leader Praveen Cherian about their new improvements. I was really impressed with Mr. Cherian. Matt provides some excellent documentation and links here. Great reporting, Matt!
In the event you were in Madison and are trying to put a name with a face or a website with a car, this is my Insight.
Hobbit demo'd a CFL bulb powered by his Prius all weekend. You can see its reflection in the pic below but I was actually shooting his "Go Around" message in the rear window. :)
