Prius: Latin for 'Keep your pants on'

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, my wife and I are on the waiting list for a new Toyota Prius, since our car is dying, and we liked the idea of a Hybrid.

We ordered the car back on Jan. 31st, and were told that we'd get the car by August. "August?" I thought, "Surely they're just saying that to cover their bets. I could build the car myself by August. I bet we'll have the car by mid-May." In fact, so sure was I that we'd get the car early that I skipped my regular oil change, and didn't bother recharging the refrigerant in my car's AC system, since I was sure it would be arriving before it got hot. Well, mid-May came and went, as did mid-June, and now, mid-July. So maybe August wasn't so ridiculous after all.

I wouldn't really mind the wait, but what's starting to bother me is that everyone keeps asking us about it, since it's kind of interesting -- both the wait, and the car itself. So now I really want this car, just to end these constant questions that remind me that a) my car is really terrible, and b) that a new one will be coming "someday."

Calls to the dealer are getting me nowhere, so I did the only thing I could think: I tried building it myself. The results weren't too good, so I did the next best thing. I scheduled my car for an oil change and AC recharge tomorrow. Under the "washing your car is the surest way to make it rain" principle, I figure the call from Toyota will come within hours afterwards.