Gasoline tanker explodes in the “MacArthur Maze” – what we locals call the intersection of I-80, I-580, and I-880, just beyond the east side terminus of the Bay Bridge linking San Francisco and the East Bay. I love this quote from the San Francisco Chronicle. The tanker, which was traveling from I-80 full of vehicle-ready gasoline, [...] » Read more

After four months of searching, I was getting worried about buying a Prius in time for the September 30 deadline for full federal tax credit (it drops to 50% after that and phases out in the following quarter). Toyota Oakland and Alameda were content to offer us the wrong color or [...] » Read more

Yesterday morning we were woken up by a cop. Turned out at around 6 or 7 am someone decided to break into my car and grab the stereo. The people across the street saw this happening and called the cops, but by the time they showed up the thief had gone. I’m [...] » Read more

It’s like it’s L.A. around here all of a sudden. 30 minute car chase yesterday (watch the video). 14 year old goes on joy ride with stolen SUV. Another car chase today. Almost makes me afraid to drive to Home Depot at night. I’m sick of painting, accidentally ripping up paint with [...] » Read more

Headlight assemblies, from Autolights Inc.: $303.60 Socket wrench set, Home Depot: $39.96 3 shattered Dremel emery cutting wheels: $0.75 6 hours labour: whatever Realisation that I [...] » Read more

The car has been insured, passed the smog test (needing only a gas cap replacement, the inspection of which seems to fall under the purview of emissions control), and has been properly transferred to my ownership. I have not hit anything or anybody – other than my narrow driveway, scraping the right side of [...] » Read more

I finally got my driver’s license today. Ten years behind the curve, but who’s counting? The test went well, all things considered. My stress levels weren’t helped by the fact that the car sent by the driving school didn’t have up to date proof of insurance. The drive tester was definitely not happy [...] » Read more

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