New ride

May I introduce to you: "my" new toy: the Toyota Prius!



Well, not really. It's actually a company car, so I get to drive it and pretend that it's mine. But I can use it for personal use, so that means it's as good as mine. ;)

Ok, ok, I'll tell you more, you don't have to twist my arm...:P
It's a 2010 pearl white Toyota Prius, a hybrid with 136 BHP. Lot's of gadgets, navigation, bluetooth, cruise etc etc. The interior took some getting used to, as it looks quite futuristic compared to my old "conventional" car. I like it now, it's my private spaceship. The silent electrical mode only enhances the spaceship experience. :)



Now, why did I choose this car? I guess two reason we're most important: reasonably cheap, and reasonably environmentally friendly. As far as environmentally friendly can apply to a car.
Now the first can't really be debated. It is subsidized by the government for being a "green" car.
The second however can, as you can read here and here among others. Pro's and con's as you can see.

As it does have good fuel efficiency (I've done 1500km so far, averaging 4.9l/100km), the debatable factor is the construction process. parts area being constructed in various parts of the world, and the transport of course leads to more CO2 output. Another much heard downside is the battery production. When producing the battery, nickel, dysprosium and neodymium are used. And when the car is "dead", the batteries remain potential pollution source.

To be honest, I don't know what to believe and what not to. I haven't seen any scientific evidence to support or discard either theory as of yet. And since I have a scientific background ( if I remember correctly), I tend to put science above popular opinion.

I'd love to be able to drive my bike to work but the distance is a 100+ km. So I'll pass for now. Public transport is not an option either so I'm stuck with my Prius. Ow the horror. ;)

Ah well. I think I'll just give my new toy the benefit of the doubt for now. Getting cars more a little "greener" is a process, which takes development. Development takes time.

One step at a time, and in 10 years we'll all be cruising along using magnetic propulsion. Hardly producing any emissions at all. ;)

Renovation.

And there it is. Update was way overdue, I know!
Lot of stuff "behind the scenes" have been done by know. Everything is kinda comin' together. Except for the bathroom...we had a tiny setback there. Ah well, you win some you lose some. ;)
So, here's the list:
Central heating: out with the old:
Uh....hmz. Something went wrong here. Damn camera phones.
But anyway: and in with the new!

And the new fusebox. I put in 5 new groups, 9 in total now. The kitchen apparently needed 4 groups. How greedy.

We also made a new sewer connection for the bathroom and the washing machine. No pics there, nothing to see really. ;)
And then there's some stuff that's not behind the scenes. The new floor! Not all in yet, because the kitchen floor has to be renovated first (in progress as we speak), but to give you an idea:


And then there's another bedroom ready! This will be our bedroom. Ow....anyone remember how to put the clothing wardrobe back together? :S
Before and after again:

Cold turkey

I guess everyone has had this experience, in one way or another. You know how it is, you have something you use often. Or even more than often. You use it for just about everything.....all day long. When you wake up, the first thing you do it use it, right after you pour that first cup of coffee. Just before you go to bed, you use it. Not really because you want to, but it's a habit. You can do without it now and then, during holidays for example. But never too long.
Now I've been a user since 1996. Occasionally at first, but more and more frequent as the years progressed. I guess without really realizing it, I've become dependent on it. Addicted even perhaps, although I find that to be a strong word. Then again, acceptance is the first step they say. ;)
And then suddenly......someone takes it away from you. Without notice. Cold turkey. Brrr.....scary thought isn't it? Well, it happened to me. 2 weeks ago someone took it away from me. They promised to have it back to me in a day or 2, but alas. No go. I called and called, and they promised and promised. Broken promises as it turned out, every single one.
I almost got used to it. Not using. It kinda grows on you I guess. There are other things in life.
Then, this morning, it happened. It was returned to me! After my first cup of coffee, I got to use it! IT'S BACK! It is as it was before, nothing has changed. I had missed it, but it hadn't even noticed I was gone.

No matter. It's back. My name is Mark, and I'm an internet-holic.

Renovating - part III

So, it's time for part three I guess. I'm so tired I hope I can find the correct letters. If not, forgive me my mistakes. ;)

We planned to have some stuff ready. We do have some stuff ready, but not quite as much as we hopes. That just goes to show you, don't plan. When commencing such a project, things always take longer than you expect. Always. So you plan, and don't make your deadline. And it pisses you off. ;)
Screw the deadlines, no more! Ok, maybe 1.........we're moving most of our stuff tomorrow, haha. Now the place is nowhere near ready, but that's ok. Kitchen is almost ready, bathroom has a new floor, we have power in more than half of the house, and we have warm water. Ow, and a fridge with some cold beers, and juice for the pregnant ladies amongst us. What else could one ask for?! Enough typing (with surprisingly few mistakes I believe!), on with the pictures:

Putting in the new bathroom plumbing. Yea, that's me on the floor. Don't worry, I'm fine. I got up. ;)

New concrete floor!
And a little insight in how it will look....

Then the first room that is finished!


Ceiling is out, isolating before the new ceiling is put in.

Tadaaa: new ceiling, paint, wallpaper, and carpet. Bring on the furniture. :)

There are loads more pics, but for another post. Bedtime now. As I said: tomorrow is moving day. Not looking forward to it, but when it's all done, it will be worth it :) G'night!