WA License Plates Require Replacement Every Seven Years

It appears that in 1997, a new law was passed requiring us to replace our license plates every 7 years to the tune of $24. If we opt to keep our current plates, we have to pay an additional $20. This is in addition to the cost of our tabs.

I did some research an found the following:
'State law passed in 1997 (RCW 46.16.233) requires periodic license plate replacement. 2003 Law allows you the option to keep the same plate number for an additional $20.00 fee.'
Link: http://tinyurl.com/2hkl85

'There are two reasons behind the replacement plate law, RCW 46.16.233, which was passed in 1997 and initiated in November of 2000:
  1. To have a standard and consistent background which improves identification of all Washington vehicles.
  2. The seven-year cycle was selected by the Department of Licensing after reviewing the guarantee by the manufacturer of the reflective sheeting material, which is used on Washington state license plates. Five other states have also adopted a seven-year replacement program cycle.'
Link: http://tinyurl.com/2z9hde

Open Office

Nice place to work!  This is a picture my friend Jeri sent me from the South Pole.

gas prices blow

Gas sucks!  I thought it was my car sucking the cash out of my wallet.  It appears it's the gas I've been putting in it that's been the culprit.  The cost of gas is going up these days faster than I've ever seen it rise.  I don't believe I'll ever see it at $0.75 a gallon like I did back in 1989 or the $1.30 I saw just two years ago.  

MSNBC has a few bits regarding gas prices.  Personally though, I find the current gas prices listed to be much lower than what I see when driving past the pumps.  To be worthwhile, I'd tack on an extra 0.05 or 0.10 to each.

It helps to know what factors influence the underlying dollar increase.  Reviewing some survey results shows I'm right with the rest of America, though it's interesting to note most people would elect to just stay home.  Me, I go to work and back again the most, so staying home isn't an option.  Other little traveling pursuits are short and close to home which necessitate driving the car.  Lucky for me I've got access to a bus system.  After calculating the costs to drive to a Park & Ride and ride the bus, it makes more sense to ride the transit system when the gas price is above $1.81.

weee

I have landed.  This is my first posting after setting up the account.  What better way to start it off than with a little about my day.

I just finished chatting with my brother using google's talk service.  Using a microphone, he could hear me and said the clarity was good.  Hopefully he'll get a microphone so I can hear for myself how good it is chatting from Idaho Falls to Seattle.

Also, I just finished adding a few dates to my google calendar.  I like google more and more everyday.  They're my number one search engine choice.

Do you use firefox?  (I do 99.9% of the time; the other .1% is from it being imbedded in the OS.)
I came across a neat little site earlier this week.  There are some neat videos at firefoxflicks.  Check out Song And Dance and follow it up with Jump Up And Dance.
They illicit a good laugh.  Poor bear.

If you don't have Quicktime, snag their standalone player and have at it.