Sometimes, it's not easy being a tree-hugger

[Areometer]

So I want to drive around 60 - 65 mph on the highway, but do others let me? The slowest car on Rt 3 (NH) usually races at around 75 mph easily (driven by elderly people too). Sure I can make a scene and be the ultimate slowest, but I don't want others to relate extreme sluggishness w/ the Prius so I catch up to their speed always.

I want to use 100% recycled toilet paper. But why does it cost so much more than regular toilet paper when in Asia the exact opposite is true?

I want to use as few plastic bags as possible, but supermarket clerks insist to double bag everything that is over 1-lb, I actually have to beg them to use less bags and their facial expression is like: Don't sue us if it breaks & hurts you.

[bookrats]

In a slightly similar vein, I was driving home in the evening a few weeks ago from work, in the right-hand lane of I-5 going south, north of Seattle. (About 6 miles north of Northgate).

At that place in the road, I-5 is 3 lanes wide (4 if you count the carpool lane). Traffic was light, and the lanes uncrowded.

I was driving between 55-and 59, in my usual Prius Zen mode driving. A truck has just merged in behind me, and is trailing me uncomfortably close.

He then starts to blink his lights on and off at me, as if he wants me to move to a slower lane.

We're in the right-hand lane. There is no one in the passing lanes -- both of them -- to our left.

So either he wants me to (a) pull over to the curb to let him pass, or ( he wants to force me to drive faster.

I didn't. He got off I-5 two exits later -- plenty of time to pass me -- honking his horn and shaking his fist.
[hr:5c03399189]
It's times like this when I understand why it's a good thing that I'm not armed. A can of live hornets through his front winshield would have been a judgement from God.

But I calmed myself by remembering a line from an old Bill Cosby routine:

[align=center:5c03399189]"Come around, idiot, come around!!!"[/align:5c03399189]

[Wolfman]

Oh, I got SWEEET justice yesterday!!

I'm on my way to work, and hear the V1 begin to announce the presence of a local Southlake cop parked around a blind curve. I'm already only doing 55, of which the speed limit had just dropped to from 65, and this gal in a chevy minivan proceeds to blow by me like I'm standing still - right into the officers waiting radar. I actually had to get into the FAST lane in order to get out of the cops way as he put on his disco lights and headed after the van.

I've managed to be "in the right place" a few times in the last couple of days.

A full size chevy truck pulls up behind me as I'm travelling on I-35W northbound to go stop by the new housing development. Speed limit here is 65, and I have the cruise set accordingly. Chevy driver tailgates me for about a minute, before planting his foot to the mat to pass - only to have a southbound Northlake cop make an immediate "U" turn in the median, (yes, the V1 was announcing his impending arrival as well,) and chasing him down. He still hadn't stopped for the cop when I got up to my exit at FM 2449, and we had all covered quite a few miles by then.

[skruse]

Purchase good quality cloth bags (www.rei.com). When you go to the store and are asked "Paper or plastic?" at checkout, say "cloth!" and hand them your bags. Many grocers now charge for bags (up to US$0.17 per paper or plastic bag) and give you a US$0.05 credit for each bag you bring and reuse."

Regarding those who "substitute oil for knowledge," increase in oil prices is making people think more critically. When driving a multiple-lane highway, I generally drive at a reasonable speed using cruise control (66 mph) or drive in the farthest lane to the right (55-60 mph) - in every case trying to match my speed with the traffic.

I get quite a few "thumbs up" as others recognize they are passing a fuel-efficient, AT-ZEV Prius.

[bookrats]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skruse\";p=\"74319)</div>

Purchase good quality cloth bags (www.rei.com). When you go to the store and are asked \"Paper or plastic?\" at checkout, say \"cloth!\" and hand them your bags. Many grocers now charge for bags (up to US$0.17 per paper or plastic bag) and give you a US$0.05 credit for each bag you bring and reuse.
[/b]

We do that too. One of the nice advantages: cloth straps that are a lot sturdier than paper ones -- very sturdy.

[finman]

change to more effiecient/less wastefull ways is not easy, but inevitable. Slowly, people WILL realize that the salad days are up ahead, not behind them. Meaning the frugal will win. Of course, I'm as optimistic as they come. Prius zen-speed, I love that!

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bookrats\";p=\"74294)</div>

He then starts to blink his lights on and off at me, as if he wants me to move to a slower lane.[/b]

Jeff:

Maybe he was already near his truck's top speed, but still wanted to be ahead of you by 0.000217 seconds. Or maybe he was "drafting" you to ease his fuel bill??

[jeepien]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wolfman\";p=\"74317)</div>

I'm on my way to work, and hear the V1 begin to announce the presence of a local Southlake cop parked around a blind curve. ...
[/b]

Other than a type of golf ball, what exactly is a "V1" ?

[oxnardprof]

There are other simple steps in the vein of every little bit helps:

Use compact fluorescent bulds where possible.
Turn lights off when you leave the room.
Turn off TV, other devices when no one is watching.
Compost kitchen scraps (not meat products.) We gain a benefit of volunteer tomato plants each Spring.

Etc.

The main point in the previous messages is the impatience of many drivers, who accellerate too quickly and drive too fast (for fuel efficiency). I also drive the speed limit, and use the cruise control - and stay to the right or middle lane. No matter what speed you drive at, there might be a fruitcake who believes you are driving too slowly.

[Wolfman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jeepien\";p=\"74406)</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wolfman\";p=\"74317)

I'm on my way to work, and hear the V1 begin to announce the presence of a local Southlake cop parked around a blind curve. ...
[/b]

Other than a type of golf ball, what exactly is a "V1" ?[/b][/quote]


It is a Valentine One radar detector. In addition to displaying signal strength and type, it will give you the number of radar sources up to 9, and point out where they are coming from (ahead, from the side, or behind). Once you learn not only where all of your typical false alarm points are, but how many sources of radar exist within them, you can then determine if a cop is using this "hot spot" to hide. While I'm not a speeder in the sense that most who willfully ignore the limits are, I do use it to give me advance warning of upcoming radar in instances where using my cruise control would not be ideal, as I do have a heavy foot, and tend to creep up over the limit. It will also do laser, and point out it's source as well, but not give a count. I've noticed better than a mile of advanced warning even with laser.

Pricey equipment, but worth every sent. It's saved my bacon a couple of times since I installed it, and have even used it to prevent one of our local towns with less than ethical speed trap antics from "scoring" any customers by pulling an entire line of 50 plus cars down to 10 under the limit going into town. Yes the "cop" noticed that I was deliberately way under, and he was NOT happy to see that line behind me. :mrgreen: