Smart car coming!

This car is even cuter than a Mini, and small enough to park anywhere -- or if you really can't find parking, maybe just put it in your pocket!

In Europe, the Smart ForTwo is a two-seater (thus the name, they also make a ForFour and a couple other models) that gets 70mph using diesel, does 0-60 in a whopping 20seconds, can park nearly anywhere. Cost in Europe is equivalent to about $13000.

Obligatory clicky

It's supposedly relatively safe for its size (three stars in crash tests -- not as good as a minivan or Volvo, but better than many direct competitors). Instead of having crumple zones (there is no room!) it ricochets.

Also, the body panels are modular, so you can change colors on a whim.

clutchless manual transmission, or automatic

did I mention that it's cute?

LotR on stage?

A few years ago, I performed in a theatrical version of The Hobbit at Glen Echo's children's theatre. The adventure of Bilbo, Gandalf, and Thorin (yup, just one dwarf!), and four extras that played lots of other parts. I was a troll, two different elves, a human (imagine that!), an orc, and the lord of the eagles (I had to learn to rollerblade while wearing a mascot-type costume -- and in one performance after they repainted the floor, I slipped, and my eagle-head popped off!).

But I'm not posting this to remember the good ol' days! I'm posting to mention that there is now a full-scale thre-and-a-half hour stage production of The Lord of the Rings playing in Toronto, but closing soon and moving to London.

article at WTOP


Just thought you'd want to know.