GAS!

I commute over 600 miles a week. Unfortunately, my employer does not allow telecommuting (unless you live in CO). When I bought my home, I didn't anticipate gas prices rising this fast. Now, I actually have to budget for gas. Mass transit is not an option due to my child's school schedule and lack of routes. Where I have gassed up lately:

• Arroyo Grande = $4.59
  
• Lompoc = $4.59
  
• Santa Barbara = $4.62
  

I've now gone over the $100 a week mark and I hear that gas will be $6-$7 a gallon by year end. I am frustrated with the rapid increase in gas prices. I am even more frustrated that our government doesn't appear to have a sense of urgency to alleviate this situation.

This article states

Starting in 2011, U.S. automakers will be required to raise the average fuel economy of new cars and light trucks from 25 mpg to at least 35 mpg by 2020 - a 40 percent increase. Reaching 35 mpg by 2020 will save 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, save consumers billions of dollars at the pump and significantly reduce global warming pollution.

That's still years away. Will I be paying $10-$15 a gallon by then? And my car already gets 31 mpg!

We're also still years away from mass production of hydrogen cars because of cost and limited access to refueling stations (You could be the few to test drive a Honda FCX Clairty if you live in Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine and can dish out $600 a month)

I've even investigated natural gas vehicle. Some government vehicles and school busses are already powered by natural gas. The Honda's Civic GX ($25K) is sold in CA and NY and are "greener" than gasoline-electric hybrids.

Downside, it's really hard to find fueling stations and they don't have as much driving range as gasoline powered cars. In addition, their fuel tanks take up more space in the trunk. I have found fueling stations in San Luis and Santa Barbara and Honda does sell a refueling pump ($3000) for homes.

Natural gas has always been cheaper than gasoline (although natural gas is up nearly 50%). There are federal tax credits up to $4000-$7000. There is also a $1000 tax credit for the pump. Sounds like a great alternative but Honda has no current plans of expanding sales beyond NY and California.

My little 2005 Nissan will be paid off next month. Yeah!! I could trade it in and buy a Prius or the Honda's Civic GX, but with a new mortgage, property taxes, bills and college loans, I really can't afford another car note.

I am all for drilling and/or finding renewable, affordable, steady alternatives.

hotpads.com

great resources for forclosures....

Court rejects death penalty for raping children

"The death penalty is not a proportional punishment for the rape of a child," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in his majority opinion.

Then what is? If it's not proportional then how about an eye for an eye - rape the rapist. His crime should be shouted out through the prison walls so the inmates can rape the "s..t" out of him.

As a mother, I was anguished. Especially when I read articles like this where the judge basically gave the rapist a slap on the wrist for repeatedly raping a child over a four year span starting when she was seven.

Children should be protected.

Puerto Escondido

Got back from Puerto Escondido (pics) on Wednesday early morning. I had mentioned before that we were visiting Puerto Escondido during its wet and low season. It rained everyday that we were there. The first couple of days, it rained in the evening so we had the day to explore,surf and took advantage of the hot sun.


The last several days, it rained during the day, so we stayed in doors or under tiki huts and explored the night life. Kevin attempted to surf during the rain but became sick just hours later. I also was sick the latter part of the trip. We were looking forward to the comforts of our home by weeks end.



We stayed at the Hotel Flor de Maria.

The restaurant was closed during May and June because it was the low season. There were only 2-3 guest at the hotel along with us. It is located in Playa Marinera
.
We had the best room in the hotel - small little patio with ocean view. There was a pool on the roof top where we spent most of our late afternoons cooling off from the hot sun and humidity.

It was a Very immaculate hotel and the staff were very cooperative. Since the restaurant was closed for lunch and dinner (free continental breakfast), we had to make our way unto Playa Zicatela every night in the rain. I remember already being drenched in the rain and looking up to see a truckload of police officers (toting machine guns) trying to splash water on me with their vehicle and laughing. I wasn't too thrilled about that.

Lots of bar/restaurants on Playa Zicatela. For breakfast, "El Cafecito" was a favorite. For lunch, we lounged at Los Tio's as we watched the surfers tackle the 10-12 foot waves. Our favorite dinner place was "La Siesta" owned by Francisco. The Pulpo con Ajo (octopus and garlic) and Filet Veracruzana style (peppers, onions, tomatoes, peppers, olives) were unbelievable. For the night life, we opted for a an evening at Casa De las Iguanas - trendy bar with pool tables.

Our last night (Monday), we had dinner at Cabo Blanco where they had all you can eat mahi fish and dance party.

We also ventured out unto the Harbor at Playa Principal

and uptown during the day.

Another day we rented a scooter and went down to The Pointe and also to another beach called Playa Carrizalillo. I didn't have my camera on me so I wasn't able to capture the beauty of Playa Carrizalillo. It was a great beach to go swimming and snorkeling.

There were stray dogs everywhere frolicing in the sand or following you around the beach.

Most of them appeared sickly with flees and open sores. I must have counted 15-20 of them. I was told that the rich people who live in the hills get them as puppies and then release them unto to beach when they get older. I don't know how much of that is true, but it was a sad sight.