Potpourri 03/05/10
Posted by MADGestic, Mar 6 2010, 12:00 AM in Other
Potpourri 03/05/10
Kitty Ring Tone-
I tend to keep my leather jackets a good long time… even longer than my cars since it’s so hard to “crash” or “total” a leather jacket. In fact, I’ve had my current jacket so long that the Thinsulate® liner is in shreds; and if anyone can tell me where to get some Thinsulate® duct tape I would be ever grateful because I really love this jacket. It was the first I ever bought that had a dedicated cell phone “pocket”… indeed I had the pocket before I even had a cell phone, that’s how long I’ve been wearing it; and that is how utilitarian it is.
Say you’re walking down the sidewalk and from out of nowhere comes a tiny mewling kitten… totally lost, defenseless, and it’s gonna die unless you do something… so what do you do? You scoop it up and put it in your pocket… right?
(See where I’m going with this?)
I think it would be totally freaky if your cell phone ring tone emitted a ***mew mew mew*** tiny kitty plea from inside your jacket… especially when you’re in an elevator… and wouldn’t it REALLY freak them out if you actually HAD a kitten in your pocket?!!
***mew mew mew***
Oops, ‘scusa me, gotta take this…
Whah?-
In his Sci-Fi classic novel The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, author Robert Heinlein had his protagonist opine that there are basically two kinds of jokes: “funny once” and “funny all the time”. I submit that there is a third kind of joke that deserves recognition: “funny in my own mind”. (AKA: "Not funny if I have to explain it.")
For No Apparent Reason-
Making And Keeping Friends; A Self-Help Guide
(Oh I am SO tempted to name some names!)
$100,000 (Animal) Shelter+ Challenge
Posted by MADGestic, Feb 16 2010, 07:57 PM in Home
$100,000 Shelter+ Challenge
Once again, The Animal Rescue Site, besides being one of those rare birds that actually has the word “site” in its domain name (www.theanimalrescueSITE-dot-com; seems redundant) 
, together with Petfinder.com, is running its $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge.
Vote once per day for your favorite shelter (or humane society or foster network), and at midnight (PST) on April 18th, 2010, those organizations with the most votes will win prizes, up to a $100,000 grant.
There is NO COST for voting! Here’s how:
On the front page of the website, click on the big purple button that says: Click Here to Give – it’s FREE!, which will advance you to a new page. Just clicking on that button gives The Animal Rescue Site some income from its sponsors: Today, you have given the value of .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. But wait, there’s one more step:
Near the top of the new page, click the banner with the little doghouse and the words: VOTE TODAY! That will open up the Shelter+ Challenge page.
At your first visit, you must (at the very least) choose your state from the drop-down menu before voting. After doing so, bookmark this page and the website should remember your choice (presumably if you accept cookies). But if you want to vote for a specific organization, use the search tool until you find it; then press the “Vote” button next to it. Again, bookmarking the page should save your selection, thereby making subsequent (and daily) voting more convenient.
That’s it! Set yourself a reminder to visit the site every day and cast your vote. And of course, encourage your friends to do the same; the more votes the better. Speaking of which:
If you do not have a favorite organization, I would be very gratified is you would vote for the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Massachusetts (01970). This is the shelter were I adopted DaGirls (RIP) of MeAndDaGirls (MADG) fame. They’re a no-kill shelter/rescue organization that takes in animals from across the country (including Puerto Rico); they’ve got a fantastic facility (including dog runs and kitty “socializing” rooms ); and for 15-years I’ve been doing my best to help them thrive.
Indeed, I was there on Saturday, dropped off some kitty food and doggy treats, then “visited the kids”. I even met Featured Kitty Yogi and his pal Shaggy; and if I was ready to adopt again I would have scooped them up in a second!
Adorable little kittens come and go every day but the older kitties are a bit harder to place. My girls were 3- and 4-years old when I adopted them; and they were with me for 9- and 14-years. They were pre-trained, pre-socialized, and pre-sweetened. None of that “climbing the walls” kitten madness; they were adults like me. When the time is right I will once again be looking to adopt more than one adult kitties.
So if you can fit it into your busy schedule, a daily vote will help both the network and perhaps your favorite organization.
Thank you!
|
"I LOVE Spending Money!"
Posted by MADGestic, Feb 13 2010, 07:37 PM in Other
So yesterday, I’m riding up in the elevator, looking at the Captivate screen, thinking about the market, and definitely NOT paying attention to the several somewhat boisterous women that were chatting and giggling amongst themselves. (After all, this is why they put Captivate screens in elevators; so that you can plausibly ignore your fellow passengers.) I’m not sure what they were talking about but I think it had something to do with Valentine’s Day.
We arrived at their floor, and they exited the car without breaking conversational stride (so to speak). As they walked away, one of them loudly pronounced:
“I LOVE spending money!”
The others were still laughing about that when the closing doors shut me off from their gaiety, and the cables once again tugged me upwards, toward my waiting responsibilities. “Wonder if the market will stay above 10,000,” I pondered.
That “money” comment must have sneakily tucked into the back of my mind because, as I was driving up to New Hampshire today, it spontaneously came to the forefront; and after mentally holding it up to the light and looking at it from different angles, I realized that I just didn’t “get it”.
Yes, it’s unremarkable that someone would say something like that; especially in a happy casual social exchange; wherein others would intuitively know to laugh along, or even join in with: “TELL me about it!” or: “Don’t I know it!” It seems to be that kind of group-bonding exposition; a sort of interactive facetiousness intended to get a conversation started (or to keep one going).
But what does it really mean?
Well, for one thing, in these difficult economic times, joking about money with one’s friends and peers can be a valuable stress reliever; a sort of commonality that, at a topical level, can make one feel less isolated in one’s financial struggles. True, money is one of those subjects that one might not discuss in polite circumstances; yet this kind of comment can emphasize not only the shared nature of an unspoken condition, but also the comedic value of: “I can’t believe she ‘went there!’”
However in this case, “love” would be of the virtually unattainable variety: “I usually can’t do it (spend money) so I ‘love’ it when I can.” As they say: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
But that can’t be right… people spend money all the time. Heck, they can even spend it when they don’t have it. (“Credit Crisis”, anyone?) Surely it can’t be the ACT of spending money that gets them off… can it?
This is what I would have liked to ask that “love spending money” crowd. DO YOU LOVE:
- Paying bills?
- Paying taxes?
- Paying parking/traffic tickets?
- Paying alimony?
- ”Lending” money to folks that you should know won’t ever pay you back?
- Giving money to “street people” or doorknockers who are ballsy enough to ask you for it?
- Going to the doctor, dentist, or emergency room?
- Exiting a casino as something other than a “winner”?
- And so on, and so on, ad infinitum?
There are AMPLE examples of “spending money” that only a masochist could “love”. Indeed, if it’s only DEBITS (or negative cash flow) that one genuinely LOVES, then that would be at best a FETISH… or at worst, a symptom of genuine mental illness. (Let’s call it: Financial Psychosis.)
If it’s just a fetish and you can afford it then… hey… enjoy! Far be it from me to criticize how you spend your money. It’s yours; do with it as you like. [***] But for most… NO… no no no… that’s not it. I can’t believe that it’s the “spending” part that they “love”… it must be something else...
… what can it be?
***- By “you” I mean actual people, not corporations. The recent SCOTUS ruling is a bit disturbing from a “buy a politician and/or an election” perspective. In that context it would be everyone’s business how “you” spend “your” money since it would/could affect all of “us”… but that’s a topic for a different discussion.
For most, I don’t think it’s the “spending”… I think it’s the BUYING… the acquisition… the “WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?” bit. Goods, services, influence… STATUS… (tattoos)… THAT’S the “love” part. “Spending” is just the manner in which it happens… the medium of exchange. “I can afford this” is a very short-lived novelty… WHAT “I can afford” is something else altogether.
Does this make sense? Why else would someone “love spending money”? New things and showing off… right? Or more specifically… isn’t this why anyone would PROCLAIM that they “love spending money”? That they CAN… or DO… or WANT TO… and get something out of it?... and they’re somehow proud of that? Hmmm?
See, this is why it’s wrong to talk about money in social circumstances… there’s virtually no way to do it without being attributed with less-than-honorable intentions. You’re either begging or bragging, and there’s nothing attractive in between.
If you want to share good news with others … like buying your first home or paying off your student loan (etc)… that’s okay so long as you don’t go into the details. There’s nothing wrong with throwing a “mortgage burning” party… it’s a happy occasion and you want to share the good feelings. But asking or telling the numbers?... no, happy (and polite) people don’t go there.
Similarly, if you’re in dire straits, and need your support network… there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that either… just keep it close and personal and don’t make it a social event.
Finally… after all this analysis… I’ve decided that I do NOT “love spending money”.
I enjoy MAKING money… I very much like SAVING money (self-admitted coupon queen)
… I’m keen on INVESTING money, and am thrilled when that pays off… and yes, I often “love” the goods and services (including entertainment and advancement) that I can purchase WITH money… but SPENDING? That’s actually kind of humdrum… and too often disturbing. Had the young lady exiting the elevator proclaimed: “I am VERY SATISFIED that I spend my money efficaciously!”, I probably would have clapped and cheered her: HEAR HEAR!!!
On the other hand… that’s probably why my coworkers don’t invite me to join them for lunch, and consequently ride the elevator with them… adequate (and private) financial management is such a buzz kill at parties.
AGB: Lawsuit Against Hate Crimes Act
Posted by MADGestic, Feb 9 2010, 10:08 PM in AGB: Anti-Gay Brigade
AGB: Lawsuit Against Hate Crimes Act
Introduction:
Obama signs hate crimes bill into law (excerpts)
October 28, 2009 7:39 p.m. EDT
© 2010 Cable News Network
Washington (CNN) -- President Obama on Wednesday signed a law that makes it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
The expanded federal hate crimes law, hailed by supporters as the first major federal gay rights legislation, was added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill that Obama signed at a packed White House ceremony.
[…]
"Because of the efforts of the folks in this room, particularly those family members standing behind me, the bell rings even louder now," Obama said. When he finished his remarks, he hugged the weeping relatives as the audience applauded.
Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality. However, [Attorney General Eric] Holder has said that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, not to prosecute speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs. (emphasis added) […]
Some have criticized the fact that the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was added as a rider to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (HUGE PDF file); but I wonder if those folks complain every time an unrelated rider is attached to a bit of legislation, or is it just because of “the gay thing”?
Yes, I suppose it’s at least somewhat ironic that the first substantive “gay rights” measure signed by President Obama was attached to a military spending bill, considering how the debate over eliminating the US military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy is now front and center; a rich and fertile topic for the blogosphere.
But that is not the topic here as I intend to address… well… this:
New Federal ‘Hate Crimes’ Law Challenged on Constitutional Grounds
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
By Susan Jones, Senior Editor
copyright 1998-2010 Cybercast News Service (CNS)
(MADGestic: Formerly known as “Conservative News Service”.)
(CNSNews.com) – A conservative civil liberties group is challenging the constitutionality of the recently enacted federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.
The new law, attached to a defense authorization bill that President Obama signed on October 28, 2009, makes it a federal crime to attack someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Michigan-based Thomas More Law Center says it elevates people engaged in deviant sexual behaviors to a special, protected class of persons under federal law.
The lawsuit naming U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder (emphasis added) was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of three pastors and the president of the American Family Association of Michigan.
All of the plaintiffs “take a strong public stand against the homosexual agenda, which seeks to normalize disordered sexual behavior that is contrary to Biblical teaching,” the Law Center said in a news release.
“There is no legitimate law enforcement need for this federal law,’ said Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center. […]
Rather than quote all the claims in that “news” article which is not much more than a rewritten TMLC press release, let’s get right to the heart of the artichoke…
… the complaint itself (PDF file)
1. This case seeks to protect and vindicate fundamental constitutional rights. It is a civil rights action brought under the First, Fifth, and Tenth Amendments and the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution, challenging Defendant’s authority to enforce 18 U.S.C. § 249, the so-called “Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act” (hereinafter referred to as “Hate Crimes Act” or “Act”). Specifically, Plaintiffs challenge §249(a)(2) of the Hate Crimes Act, which criminalizes so-called “bias” crimes motivated by a person’s “actual or perceived” “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” and thus elevates those engaged in certain deviant sexual behaviors to a special, protected class of persons under federal law. […]
Perhaps you’d like to go ahead and read the actual complaint (lawsuit) before continuing to read this missive, since in the interests of full disclosure and intellectual honesty, I don’t want to influence anyone’s opinion before they have a chance to form their own. I’m going to add a few spaces so as not to spoil that for you. (This is your last chance.)
…
…
…
…
…
OMFG! Have you ever read a more ridiculous complaint?!!! Right from the first paragraph you know this is a Postcard From Bizzarroland! Not only do they use the insult/qualifier “so-called” TWICE, they already jump the rails with: “those engaged in certain deviant sexual behaviors”. Trust me it only gets better from here!
Aside from the somewhat stilted language and legal citations that are typical of such filings, much of this complaint reads like a fundraising letter from any Anti-Gay Brigade (AGB) organization… (or in modern parlance: La Familia). Boilerplate yet fact-free assertions, wild accusations, all with a carefully constructed façade of protestations of victimization… one might almost forget that the TMLC is one of the junkyard dogs of the AGB.
Let’s get a bit more specific:
Note that they automatically translate “orientation” and “identity” into “behavior”. The law says nothing about “behavior” (aside from the criminal behaviors of those committing violent acts), yet they immediately sexualize the issue. This is Standard Operating Procedure for the AGB: “Whenever possible, make it all about SEX!; and relentlessly ‘go there’ again and again and again.”
Also note that they automatically translate “orientation” and “identity” into GAY; i.e.: “special class of persons” (verse 2); even though those terms cover EVERYONE, including those making the complaint. Above I provided a hyperlink to the 655-page PDF of the full bill, and I defy anyone to find terms such as “gay”, “homosexual”, “transgender”, “queer” (etc) anywhere in there. No really, go ahead, check it out for yourself… you’re not going to find them but don’t take my word for it.
Finally note that they repeatedly insist that this law is solely intended to deprived them of their freedoms of speech, associative assembly, religious practice, and whatever else they can throw in there… even though it includes explicit (and constitutionally unnecessary) protections against such. Indeed, their first “Statement of Fact” is titled “God’s Word on Homosexuality”… obviously a totally subjective interpretation and therefore not a “fact”.
If anyone would like to discuss this TMLC complaint with me in greater detail, please go right ahead and
Rather, what I find interesting is how this complaint fits into the larger context of:
- The arguably poor performance of the AGB (defense) in Perry v Schwarzenegger, the federal challenge to California’s Proposition 8, which stole away the existent and basic human right of marriage from some citizens… (note that the TMLC complaint references marriage even though that has nothing at all to do with “hate crimes”.)
- The American AGB’s role in the Ugandan ”Kill The Gays” bill; and…
- The American AGB’s recent trend of opining for the (re-)criminalization of homosexual activity in the USA[***].
[***]: It should also be pointed out that Glenn is among the plantiffs in the Thomas More Law Center's lawsuit challenging the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 on the grounds that protection for gays is part of an effort to "criminalize the Bible and use the threat of federal prosecutions and long jail sentences to silence Christians from expressing their Biblically-based religious belief that homosexual conduct is a sin."
Hmmm… funny that…
27 winners of 2010 Top Safety Pick Award
Posted by MADGestic, Jan 27 2010, 09:27 PM in MMH Fuel Journal (Automotive)
27 winners of 2010 Top Safety Pick Award;
New requirement to win is good rating for protection in rollovers
(Press release, emphasis in original; see also Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
Arlington,VA November 18, 2009 -- Nineteen cars and 8 SUVs earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2010 (list on p.2). For the first time, good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover is required to win. TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control, which research shows significantly reduces crash risk. This is the second time the Institute has tightened criteria since announcing the first recipients in 2005.
Subaru is the only manufacturer with a winner in all 4 vehicle classes in which it competes. This automaker earns 5 awards for 2010. Ford and subsidiary Volvo have 6 winners, and Volkswagen/Audi has 5. Chrysler earns 4 awards, continuing a recent trend of improving the crashworthiness of its vehicles. Two new small cars, the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul, join the TOP SAFETY PICK list for 2010.
"With the addition of our new roof strength evaluation, our crash test results now cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "Consumers can use this list to zero in on the vehicles that are on the top rung for safety."
[…] (continue reading)
I’m not sure why I received an email today about this November 2009 press release, but assuming that the IIHS is not some kind of mutual-admiration club, this seems to be a fairly significant achievement. How often does an automotive manufacturer’s entire model line win a safety award?
Full Disclosure: As many already know, I am the proud, happy, satisfied, and occasionally scared s***less owner of a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi; which I lovingly think of as (among other things): my “little hotrod”. Almost 6-years old, less than 30,000-miles, and it still looks and plays the part of hell on wheels. I can’t even drive it in the winter because it has the original “summer performance” tires, which one automotive columnist breathlessly called “barely street-legal”; just right for midlife-crisis wannabe boy racers like me. (See attached image; not mine.)
In addition to that, Subaru is what?... about 1% of the US market? (HINT: Dealers are willing to deal.) Their all-AWD lineup has for many, many years relegated them to almost cult-like status; and this “award” accomplishment strongly emphasizes how niche-marketing, when done properly, can keep small players strong… or at least in the game.
The delicious irony is that I saw this email on the same day that I heard about Toyota (the largest carmaker in the world?) essentially freezing the production of, and market for much of its passenger car product line. Then again, maybe it’s not irony… just more smart marketing by Subaru.
This emphasis on rollover prevention/protection is one of the reasons that I recently replaced the 2006 MMH with the MMX MMH: ESC (Electronic Stability Control). When inertial sensors detect possible tip-over (the euphemistically semantic variant of “rollover”)… the brakes are automatically and selectively applied to individual wheels to try and bring things in line. It’s not a panacea and applies only to those borderline scenarios… (virtually any serious accident in an SUV has high tip-over probability)… but any improvement is better than none… right?
Anyway… just thought I’d share.
|
MMH MMX: 2010 Has Arrived
Posted by MADGestic, Jan 16 2010, 08:35 PM in MMH Fuel Journal (Automotive)
2010 Has Arrived
No, not just the year… I mean the 2010 (MMX) Mercury Mariner Hybrid (MMH) that I ordered almost 3-months ago. It was well worth the wait.
The salesman was a nice guy and seemed genuinely concerned that the order was taking so long. I suppose some other customers would have been more irritated that it took longer than the projected 6-8 weeks for delivery. But for me, not only did I have to wait full 3-months for the 2006 to arrive; I was still driving and enjoying it! (And maybe I just relish the anticipation more than others.) And it’s not like there’s anything wrong with the 2006 that it “needed” to be replaced… 4-years and 65,000+ miles later, it still looks good and serves well. In fact, my brother is the proud new owner of “Mary Mariner”, and I’m confident that he will enjoy her as much as I have.
I did use her for one last “Christmas Circuit”… (out to the Berkshires, down to NYC, then the whole thing in reverse)… and notably, she did lose another ABS sensor ring during the trip [***]… but the circuit was completed with safety, utility, comfort, and economy as always. Also, Sailor John got to check her out… although that was kind of a tease since he too had to wait for the delivery of the MMX MMH.
[***]- The ABS sensor ring (or “tone ring”) is part of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). There is one on each wheel, coupled with a sensor that “reads” the ring, determines if the wheel is locking during braking, and “flutters” the brakes on that wheel to help curtail the lockup. (Tires work best when they’re rolling, not skidding.) A cracked ring can result in unnecessary fluttering; which can be discomforting when unexpected, but is not serious enough to be a deal-breaker when driving. Indeed, I probably drove over 500-miles with it, but got it repaired (under extended warranty) as soon as I got home.
Interesting side-note: I thought that finding a NYC Ford dealer with Service open on the Christmas weekend would be a problem. Little did I realize the finding a NYC Ford dealer AT ALL would be the issue. Apparently most of them didn’t “make the cut”. Somebody check me on this: Go through recent Yellow Pages and see how many numbers for Ford dealers have been disconnected. I mean, even Universal Ford in LIC… that was Ford Truck Heaven with 24-hour service when I lived down there.
Man, this “getting old” stuff really sucks sometimes.
So if the new purchase decision wasn’t based upon necessity, than why do it?
Ummm… because I really wanted a new car? :-)
Oh no, wait… actually, I was just doing my part to stimulate not only the general economy, but specifically the automotive market. Yeah, that’s it… Compassionate Capitalism. ;-)
The MMX MMH has so many improvements (and bells and whistles) over the 2006 that it is essentially a different car. It’s a quantum leap. And yes, I’ve become more comfortable calling it a “car”… although it is still a compact SUV, a crossover, and a pretty little truckster… it’s essentially a tall car. The Mercury Mariner is based upon the Ford Escape, which is based upon the Mazda Tribute, which itself is based upon Mazda 626 technology and design… so yeah, like my Mom, you can call it a car. But driving the thing, you really don’t care where it came from… it would be sweet ride even if it wasn’t a hybrid… that’s just a thick layer of icing on an already delicious cake.
Rather than just sing its praises… and criticisms… (which you can find elsewhere on the Internet)… I will instead write about what I know: What it’s like going from a 2006 MMH to a MMX MMH… the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s mostly (and hugely) good, there’s a little (sometimes nitpicky) bad in there; and frankly, “ugly” is in the eye of the beholder.
In order to hopefully end on a good note, I will start with “the bad”; specifically with things that are worse in the MMX than the 2006:
Negatives- New:
- Rear Drum Brakes: This must have been a cost-cutting (and/or weight-saving?) decision because there are simply no valid performance considerations for such retrograde braking… none.
- No Cigar (Cigarette) Lighter: Although there are 2 12-volt power sockets, neither of them work with a cigar lighter. The 2006 had one cigar lighter socket and one power socket[***], and although going to 2 power sockets can be seen as a positive; as a smoker, this is a step backwards.
- Head Unit Display: By “Head Unit” I refer to that thing in the middle of the dashboard that controls the sound system, houses the navigation system, and displays the hybrid and vehicle-operations screens. (I.E.: The busiest place in the car.) And although the Head Unit is an order of magnitude more advanced in the MMX… I sometimes find it hard to read. This would be and should be a very minor matter… except that I’m actually driving the car; and peering down to scrutinize the detailed information sort of… you know… detracts from that. True, I have not yet learned or programmed the “voice control” interface (which would largely obviate this issue); but still, as compared to the 2006, the display can be harder to read.
- Where’s the Leather?: While the façade elements of the MMX interior are not necessarily unpleasant, the 2006 had more leather-facing (doors, dash, and console).
- Two Stalks to One: Front wipers (all settings), rear wiper (all settings), washers (all settings), high beams (solid and temporary-contact), directionals (solid and momentary)… ACK! Stalk overload!!!
[***]- Not all 12-volt automotive power sockets are equal, especially when it comes to cigar lighters; which (let’s be honest here) were the original design and intention of those round and powered holes. I recently overheard in the Service Department that cigar lighter sockets are wired and fused differently than “power” sockets; and that using a cigar lighter socket to (let’s say) power your laptop dramatically increases the likelihood of blowing a fuse. Think about it: If the lighter gets stuck in the socket, your whole dashboard might catch fire or melt away, and you would want a lower fuse rating for that. OTOH, charging and/or powering other 12v-capable apparati is a more “steady” load… not like trying to heat to inflammatory temperatures.
Negatives- Carryover:
- There is STILL no light in the glove box! TRUE you shouldn’t be looking in there when you’re driving, AND there is plenty of (direct and ambient) lighting available for a front-seat passenger to poke around… and indeed it’s not much larger than a carton of cigarettes (which is the benchmark as far as I’m concerned)… but still; what would it cost? About a buck to put a little bulb in there? Yeesh… this is supposed to be (at least) a quasi-“luxury” vehicle… get with the program.
- There is STILL no “engine temperature” gauge; and the totally useless hybrid “charge/assist” gauge is still prominent on the dash. Oh goody; ignoring this is very nostalgic for me.
- No permanent/lighted ashtray: Yeah, in this day and age, this is quibbling… but I’m a smoker, dog vomit.
- You still have to remove the rear seat “headrests” in order to fold the seats forward… (although 60/40 is still available).
Addressing 2006 MMH complaints:
- The thumb-controls on the steering wheel are now not only illuminated, but also have tactile distinctions.
- And they now include media controls, as opposed to cruise control-only.
- Automatic climate control added.
- Automatic headlights added.
- Front seat-warmer controls moved to the lower dash; no longer “crash-the-car buttons” located way down near the bottom of the doors
- Rear seat passenger cup holders moved up to center console from the floor.
- Total noise- and aerodynamic-redesign reduces engine-, wind-, and road-noise.
- I forget, was there anything else I complained about the 2006? It’s only been 10-days but it’s so hard to remember!
New and Improved:
- Smooth, sweet, gorgeous, delicious, and sexy.
- Virtually parks itself: “Hey Mom… watch this…”
- Performance appreciably more “peppy” than the 2006… still not a hotrod, but some doors have indeed been blown off. (“Hey, was that a hybrid?”)
- Sirius, SYNC, multi-input tunage… whah?
- Vari-colored pushbutton accent lighting… “The seat recliner is over here my dear….”
- BLACK… pinstriped… tinted windows… machined-aluminum 12-spoke wheels… looks like a demon limo…. did I mention BLACK?
- Hey, the valets at the hotel where I park really like it, so….
- Ummm… BLACK…
- The gasoline engine interface is now virtually indiscernible. You turn the key and it DOESN’T start… and will NEVER start unless you need it. The “regular” starter motor is GONE, and only the “insta-start” motor remains; which, coupled with the improved soundproofing, means that if you’re not paying attention to the indicators (IFR)… it’s totally seamless.
- This and so much more… stylish and sexy… you wish you were me…
Just Sharing
Posted by MADGestic, Dec 4 2009, 10:59 PM in Other
Just Sharing
I recently sent a message to someone close to me; most of which is personal… but I can share this part:
Speaking of missing keys, this is kind of funny. Two seasons ago, I misplaced the ignition keys to my lawn tractor… I figured I could wait until I found one of the keys, and could just push the thing around as needed in the meantime. But after more than a year of not being started, I felt I had to take care of this matter, lest the tractor’s motor rust itself into a boat anchor. So I started doing research on the Internet, with the intent of learning how to replace the ignition switch… or at least how to hotwire it.
Imagine my embarrassment when I learned that Sears lawn tractor keys are not unique, and all I ever had to do was order a new one out of the catalogue. I was so relieved that I ordered 3 of them.
Imagine my embarrassment when they were delivered and I discovered that each order consisted of 2 keys… so now I have SIX [friggin] ignition keys to the lawn tractor that I don’t even use anymore…
DOH!!!
At DaFirm, the chief administrator sends a daily email to staff, indicating whether or not we will have “important visitors” the next business day. This is the manner in which the staff is notified that the dress code is bumped up a notch. (I.E.: From “Not Confrontationally Grubby” to “No Jeans”.)
Today’s email informed us that an important potential client… Yada-Something-Sumitoyota (totally made-up name)… would be in the office on Monday. This being Friday… and momentarily losing my practiced and professional restraint… I injudiciously hit “Reply ALL”:
Okay… who invited the Japanese to visit us on Pearl Harbor Day?!!!
Looks like I better wear a suit and tie come Monday.
Saw a cool old Riviera today… the one with the triangular rear window… rumbling down Seaport Blvd. I miss big cars.
Finally… although I have a lot of things to learn about making chicken soup, this particular lesson will stay with me:
COOK THE ORZO beforehand and add it at the last minute; otherwise it will absorb all the moisture like wingnut-fringe “Christians” sucking the fun out of a room; and you’ll be left with something that’s barely a side-dish instead of a main course soup…
No, really… you’ll want to avoid that… ***ahem***… ***cough cough***…
Potpourri; and Sum Kina Soup
Posted by MADGestic, Nov 26 2009, 09:28 PM in Other
Potpourri; and Sum Kina Soup
Happy Thanksgiving!
It turned out to be a very nice day weather-wise, and hopefully in most other aspects for everyone.
Today I did my traditional Thanksgiving Day Drive. No, not to go visiting; to see what’s open around here. I get nervous thinking I might not find a Dunkin Donuts that’s open… but I always do. Just have to drive a bit further than usual (like 20-miles)… so I took the STi and listened to Rainbow to make it more palatable. Traffic did get a little silly at one point but I was able to scoot around it.
I had defrosted some chicken thighs in the fridge so I’d have something to grill. I’d like to say that I had planned to make a thing but… well… there wasn’t much planning involved: Grilled chicken thighs and uhhh… whatever… meat first, right?
There I go, into the fridge for the condiments to make the grilling sauce. Since I’ve been eating more chicken, I’ve been working on this mustard-beer-hot sauce-cinnamon-pepper thing, trying to get it just right. Yeah, it sounds odd, but I’ve been working it… a sort of Jerk Fusion thing… (and I’m the jerk who eats it!) Added a little balsamic vinegar tonight but, like the alcohol, it mostly cooked off… trial and error… adventurous cooking.
Washed the thighs, patted them dry, was mixing up the sauce… when I did one of those Scooby Doo double-takes (ah-roo?). Were those fresh vegetables in the fridge? Oh my goodness, what are those doing in there… a bachelor’s refrigerator? Okay, maybe they weren’t the “freshest” of fresh vegetables… but what the heck, more to grill.
Brief Tangent: The veggies were in there for the same reason that I’ve been eating more chicken… the “healthy eating” thing that I’ve previously mentioned. Hey, don’t knock it; I bumped my HDL (“good”) cholesterol into the normal range, cut my triglycerides by a third; and since April, when the doctor “suggested” that I lose 5-10 pounds… I’ve lost twelve: 190# to 177.5# (take THAT ya bastid). Even though I think the BMI (Body Mass Index) thing is borderline [baloney]… (especially since I became “overweight” because I lost an inch of HEIGHT)… I beat it anyway. (Look it up: Male, 5’11”, 177.5#... by a nose!) I dunno what everyone complains about; this is a snap: all you have to do is lose your enjoyment of eating and smoke more cigarettes. See how easy it is to be healthy? ;-)
Here’s where it gets funky; the “vegetables” were… (okay, maybe I should say “produce” instead)… the PRODUCE were: Sweet Onions, Celery (which I discovered too late to put on the grill), and… PARSNIPS. I bought the parsnips because I wanted to try them in chicken soup, and because the carrots at the store didn’t look so hot that night…
(Carrots didn’t LOOK so hot… get it? LOOK? if you “get it” then you’re a nerd; and if you don’t get it then just ask me to explain.) :-)
Sweet Onions on the grill are a staple; just slice them in half and tuck them in a corner… you don’t even have to skin them because the outer layer is there to keep the innards moist. Just brush away the dry, flaky bits before you do, and put those in your kitchen composter. The parsnips I skinned and trimmed like carrots, and just threw them on the grill as well… (using a “grill buddy” so they wouldn’t fall through). They were softer and a bit seared by the time the chicken was done.
But once I broke out the chicken and veggies… and even though I was grilling… I was thinking “chicken soup”… some kind of meaty, marrowy, brothy-frothy, veggie, yummy, HEALTHY chicken soup; IOW:
SUM KINA SOUP
So as I was grilling, I also got a pot boing. (Ummm… let’s try that again….) So as I was grilling, I also got a pot BOILING.
The trimmed bits of celery and parsnips went in there. When everything came off the grill, a half onion, all the chicken skin and bones, and a couple of larger parsnip bits went in there as well. Thus the RENDERING could begin! (I wonder how many horror movies actually used the term “rendering”? This kind of thing keeps me up at night.) Yes, the chicken skin must not be eaten because that is not HEALTHY (see above). Instead it must be RENDERED… because when you finally set aside your broth, a skin of chicken fat not only adds flavor; like chocolate pudding, it also seals it in better than Saran Wrap.
So how did Sum Kina Soup turn out?
I DON’T KNOW… it’s still reducing up there. Why the heck do you think I’m sitting here writing all this… for my HEALTH? :-)
It was either this or continuing to play Sid Meier’s Pirates: Live the Life… (Game of the Year ***cough cough 2004 cough***)… for another umpteen hours. I’m tired of dancing with Governor’s daughters… (and you don’t get to say THAT every day).
Speaking of which… I’ve been striving to come up with clever [Captain]-[Flagship] names. I first played the default (Captain Incognito) but then had to mess around… so my first try was:
[Captain] Paddy O’Torch… and his flagship, the “Ruddy Complexion”. (See where I’m going with this?) Lately I’ve taken to naming my flagship “Squidward’s Ghost” just so it stands out; but I’m still looking for clever combos. My best so far? [Captain]-[flagship]:
JAVIER KAKEN- EDITH II
More later.
:-D
Automotive: Tires-N…
Posted by MADGestic, Oct 17 2009, 08:06 PM in MMH Fuel Journal (Automotive)
Automotive: Tires-N…
I went to a tire retailer to replace the MMH originals… (now with 60,000-miles wear)… with something a little more effective in deep snow. Steered toward the Michelin® Cross Terrain, I listened to the pitch, nodding my head agreeably… yes, these are really good tires.
But having done my homework, I asked: What about the Michelin® LTX M/S?... and as it turns out, that series is the intended replacement for the Cross Terrain. Indeed, it’s newer, better, AND… (drum roll)… 5-dollars per tire LESS EXPENSIVE!.
Great!... A genuine no-brainer! I LOVE it when this happens!
Remarkably, when I asked them about Nitrogen Tire Inflation, they didn’t seem to know what I was talking about. Had this been a casual, social, dinnertime discussion, I would have given them a pass… especially since >>>I<<< didn’t know what I was talking about (which is why I asked the “professionals”). But for a nationwide tire retailer… ummm… shouldn’t they have at least heard about this?
I’m not saying it’s better than air… Nitrogen is 78% of “air” as it is anyway… and I don’t make my living selling tires; much less puffing them up. But, hey…
Chalk another one up under the “missed sales opportunity” column… right?
I’m just happy that they returned my chrome valve caps.
Bought a Piston Engine Today
Posted by MADGestic, Oct 11 2009, 05:56 PM in Home
Bought a Piston Engine Today
Well, not really… although I did finally “install” the piston-driven trash compactor that I purchased and humped home a few weeks (months?) ago. I just had to move some things out of the way… grab the hand truck to haul it out of the living room and into the kitchen… tighten my belt to avoid hurting my back because it weighs as much as a medium-weight body; AND…
…
… find enough trash to see if it actually works… which, as you very well might imagine, wasn’t that tough.
I did… and it does.
There were 2 “incidents of refuse” that led me down this path. One was my visit to Victor and his spotless kitchen… (kinda gay for a STR8 guy although maybe not in California) … PLUS… my home town’s decision to go “automated trash pickup” once per week… one bin only.
(Sean Connery, Captain Ramius,The Hunt for Red October: Give me a bin, Vasily. One bin only please!)
Of course, since this house was built almost 50-years ago, I can’t use any other electrical appliance if I’m using the trash compactor… I know how to put a penny behind a fuse but circuit breakers are still too newfangled for me.
So here are the “rules” for the compactor:
- Nothing wet or stinky.
- Drain fluids.
- Put cardboard, glass, metals, and plastic into the recycling bin.
- Put vegetable matter into the compost heap.
- Start a compost heap if necessary.
- Put meat/bone waste into the “regular trash”… (or throw it into the woods)…
- Only what’s left can be compacted.
Ummm… wow… can someone remind me why I bought this thing? Oh wait a minute… that’s right…
KITCHEN KRUSHER!!!
***RUH-RUH-RUH!!!***
(flexing)