Grip Pad For Car Dash & Blue Tooth For Visor

I have long used a piece of no-slip material that “semi-sticks” to the dash (without any adhesive or residue) to hold a cell phone, Mi-Fi or other device.  I have found these devices to be very useful, the phone gets better signal on the dash, and so does the Mi Fi –and it is also a good place for other things.  They don't move, even in hard stops, starts and turns, and yet are not "stuck' to the pad either.  Nice.

 But over the summer my favorite version got overheated and ruined.  No more sticking. 

So, I set out on a quest to replace it.  Not as easy as I thought.  I tried on the net and after many looks on Ebay and other places, ordered one for $3 including freight, and another type for a  little bit more.  Some offerings were up to $10 and more (ridiculous prices)

Then, I went to Western Auto / CarQuest and bought a $5 version that seems to work, is pretty tacky and thus grips objects and the dash well.  Has little ridges on it.  Then, tonight I found an excellent one (see photo) at Wal Mart for $3.00 ----   in the automotive department, under a category called "Cell Phone" accessories. 

PS --- I use Blue Tooth "hands free" phone device that clips to the sun visor, after trying two brands, and reading many reviews, the one I have now is outstanding, battery life is  exceptionally long and it shuts off the battery if there is no vibration for an hour (car is parked).  It was highly rated.  Amazon was the end source.   The phone just sits on the dash --- on the grip-pad.  If you are interested in buying one, here is the link, it is on sale for $40, I paid $79,  I believe.  It is a very good deal at $40 with free shipping.  Has noise cancelling and other top end features. 

http://www.amazon.com/Jabra-JOURNEY-Bluetooth--Car-Speakerphone/dp/B005YZZJDY/ref=sr_1_33?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1353438218&sr=1-33&keywords=bluetooth+phone+for+car

Electric Car Update

I have Blogged about the advent of electric cars (or electric assisted cars)  before.  Today’s WSJ has a story "California Spurs Electric Cars".  It has little really new information, but it does state that due to California’s strict pollution laws and the new Federal mandate that cars average 54.5 miles a gallon soon, auto makers are having to down play power and speed as a marketing tool, and play up “lower cost of operation”.  And, as this article points out, automakers lose money on every electric car in California  -- $8,000 or so. 

Chrysler will use a Fiat 500 model in California as their all electric offering, losing some money on each car.  But likely they will figure a way to fix the losses once they get going.

What was news to me is that other states are copying California’s new pollution laws,  New York, New Jersey and Maryland are first to follow. Others will probably pile on.  Smog, air pollution, certainly things that affect rich and poor alike. And depreciate property value, so probably hit the rich a bit harder than the poor in terms of dollars.  China is also adopting California like laws, and, having been in Bejing 20 years ago, it was certainly in need of an air clean up. Then.  Much worst now I think.

Also new to me, just last night, was the discovery at our new Whole Foods store here of special parking places for electric cars.  I parked last night next to a space reserved for electric charging vehicles, and saw it had an electric connection kiosk.  So, pregnant ladies, handicap folks, and now electric vehicles seem to be getting special parking places.  

A friend in Northern VA had a Toyota XLS hybrid (fabulous car, I rode in it, super quiet in town and smooth) and just got the top of the line, perhaps plug in Prius. He says he loves it, and takes it on long trips – heads up GPS projection and other advanced things make his prior vehicle look sort of obsolete.

As someone wrote somewhere “There will come a day when we will laugh at the good ole days, when we poured a flammable liquid in our cars, and then sat just above it in the back seat while on the trip”.  On we go.

Flu Shots for 2012 - 2013

This will be a short post.  Flu Shots are available and everyone (in my opinion) should get one.  I was not able to get one earlier because I had the sniffles.  But I got one tonight at Walgreens (no charge with whatever Medicare insurance provides) and discovered something new:  Over 65 you are now recommended to get the HD version of the shot, which is more powerful.

I was not aware of that. It is new this year.  It is “optional”, although recommended for those over 65.  I took the HD version and have had no side effects (so far) and they said I wouldn’t have any.  By going at nearly 10 PM, I didn’t have to wait at all, and had an excellent person administer the shot.

I have had pneumonia shot (once in a lifetime I think) and earlier this year I had the shingles shot (also once in a lifetime I think).  Shingles vaccine was very scare at times this year and last, but is now available in decent quantities, but might still have to be special ordered (it has a very short shelf life at the pharmacy, and it must be in a freezer I think – and transported to the pharmacy in a freezer equipped truck).

Stay healthy, share any of your experiences with shots by commenting here.