For the past couple of years we have all heard that the police are constantly cracking down on vehicle enthusiasts who are modifying their vehicles.

Some people took it for granted, others said it is not accurate information, and there is no such profiling that exists.

The other day I was with a friend of mine casually driving the streets of Mississauga. We were behind a police cruiser in an area that can be associated with high numbers of modified vehicles. The vehicle in front of the cruiser was a somewhat modified WRX STI.

As we pulled up to the next intersection, we could tell the STI was going to be pulled over. It left the intersection slowly, with it’s exhaust system in a deep rumble. It got maybe 10 feet when the cruiser turned it’s lights on.

The STI is worth about $30k Canadian. Add 5-10k for modifications and you have a $40k car. Why does the police take it upon themselves to profile modified vehicles, as there are many more important issues at hand?

Reading the Toronto Star, there was an article explaining how all but 7 of the 150 drug dealers rounded up in last weeks raids are out on the street continuing their crafts. Should the police not dedicate more manpower to such issues rather then trying to destroy a hobby?

With spring quickly approaching I was looking to get into some outdoorsy hobbies. Checking the yellow pages I quickly headed for the local hobby shop Hobby Hobby. It is a very well stocked shop with lots and lots of stuff for radio controlled planes, helicopters, cars, boats and trucks. It is situated in small strip mall in the outskirts of Mississauga. While I was there I test drove some plane on a virtual monitor and computer system with realistic controls they have set up, which was kinda cool. I was even offered some HydroxyCut by one of the employees, which pretty much makes this a one stop shop for all my after hours needs. Maybe this was their way of saying I need to go on a diet prior to taking on some strenuous activity such as R/C planes.

I did not end up buying anything there that time, but have returned many times since to pick up small items here and there for this fine new hobby that I have found.

I will update the progress of the progress of this from time to time in order to keep you guys up to date of the latest local radio control scene…

Well on Friday, we had a mini discussion at the office… Appearently a Canadian Tire gas station at Mavis and Britannia in Mississauga was selling gas for $0.65 per liter. Appearently the line was reaching waaaay back to the 401 in order to get cheaper gas. Unfortunately the promotion ended at 9am. Now the debate we had, was that how much did you have to wait in line to save on the gas? Is your time worth anything? What if you were one of those unlucky ones that got there at 9:05am? Did you have enough gas from idling so much to make it to the next gas station?

All these pressing questions came to light as many of us commute longer distances, and gas prices keep hovering around the $1.20 mark. I’m scared to add up how much I spend on gas a month, as it seems $60 lasts me 3-4 days at the most.

I think I’ve heard on the radio, that most people don’t have budgets for ultra expensive gas, and I’d be curious to see how much companies are losing due to extra fuel surcharge additions.

I believe the government should subsidize gas prices and keep them affordable, as this will only lead to more problems and higher inflation down the road.