This Just In: New on the Net

Given how much I ask it to do, my trusty little IBM ThinkPad—running Windows XP—is pretty stable.  But obviously, its maddening idiosyncrasies occasionally reduce me to a seething, profanity-spewing toddler who just wants to go kick holes in something. So I found the Matrix Runs on Windows pretty funny. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Talk about irony. Shannon Nicole Adkins’ senior project was a study how dangerous the roads of her rural county were for young drivers. She died Monday after being struck head-on by a drunk driver who crossed the center line. Damn, that’s sad. MSNBC
• Apparently, the recent drop in gas prices is still translating into increased sales of SUVs. And while I know this isn’t the first time I’ve talked about this ridiculous phenomenon, I feel like I have to keep mentioning it. Seriously America, maybe it’s time to start thinking further ahead than lunch? ABC Charlotte
• Looks like the next gen Scion TC is going to be RWD. The car itself will be the product of the long-awaited Toyota/Subaru partnership, and I can’t wait to get a look at one in the flesh. Which company’s do you think will look hotter? My money is on Toyota. CarScoop
• When I walked into the office on this morning, my credentials for the LA Auto Show were sitting on my desk. Now, it’s not clear which member of editorial team is going, but I can tell you that the General won’t be hosting any press conferences. Yikes. Freep