Odds And Ends

I don't have a funny post for Saturday Sh!ts and Giggles today. Nothing came my way that struck me as particularly funny this week and I'm too lazy to go find something. I'm doing a lot of work in the gardens to prep for fall. Hedge trimming, relocating perennials, and doing a final weeding.

So, I'm going to do some blog housekeeping:

Chevy Volt
I updated the Chevy Volt post to include some photos of the design version. Now you can compare the promised vs production.

Reality TV: Project Runway
• Heidi Klum's style is really bugging me this season. I don't know if it's the short hemline, the really high heels, or her legs, but she's irritating me from the waist down.
• I like designer Korto the best. She has great designs and doesn't seem to get caught up in all the catty bullshit.


• I found designer Joe to be the most attractive. Straight, though. But what was up with his smile? Very toothy, top and bottom, like he's showing off his years of orthodontia work. He got the boot last week.


Reality TV: Big Brother 10
• I liked Big Brother 10 winner Dan from the start. Handsome with a compelling quirky personality. Too bad he's a crazy Catholic with ideas like a woman can't be president. Oh, and he's quite the manipulative liar. He's very fuckable but not LTR material. If only he was about 20 years older, agnostic, gay, and trustworthy, he'd be perfect! I know, that's a big if only!


• Dirk should be happy that his favorite BB10 houseguest Keesha received $25K as favorite player/juror.

Portentilla
I updated the Little Yellow Flowers post with a correct title and updated labels. Why Oh Why? regular reader/commenter Alex correctly identified them as Potentilla.

That's it for today!

GM Introduces Production Volt

General Motors unveiled the final production version of the Chevrolet Volt. Some enthusiasts are expressing disappointment that the production vehicle isn't as exciting looking as the angular design car used in ads and at auto shows. Engineers said design changes were needed to enhance aerodynamics and increase fuel efficiency.

An electric engine drives the car 100% of the time. When the batteries get low, an on-board E85-capable gasoline generator kicks in to re-charge the batteries. The end result is that the Chevy Volt will be able to travel 40 miles without a drop of gasoline. Unlike other electric vehicles, if you run out of charge, you aren't stuck. The gasoline generator can always fill up the batteries, and you can always fill up the gas tank. If you never plug it in, it is expected to get an impressive 50 mpg.

GM expects the Volt to be more expensive than the average American will want to pay at first. But hopefully mass manufacture of the lithium ion batteries will bring the price below $30,000 without too much trouble.

The Volt won't be available until late 2010 at the earliest, and speculations at GM indicate that it will cost more than $35,000. The price of gasoline will determine whether that is considered expensive or a bargain.

Update: Here are some pics of the show car.