I went to NYC for the car show this weekend, and I think that if I can't get a day off during the week for the one next year, I may not bother to go.
Overall, it's just too crowded for it to really be enjoyable, so you don't really have much chance to explore the cars you're interested. Also, it seemed that this year was underwhelming relative to years previous.
The sky was a perfect blue however, so I enjoyed a nice walk afterward. It was much too long since the last time I went, which is unfortunate; seeing as how I have this city and all it has to do available to me a fairly quick train ride away, I don't nearly take as much advantage of it as I should.
Maybe when the spring and summer come around I'll come up with some reasons to reacquaint myself with NYC. It's been too long since I last explored it.
Some thoughts:
* I don't really care for big sedans. Also, while I understand the functionality and usefulness of minivans and sport utes, they are still too big for me too. My preference is for cars that pack the most usefulness into small packages. So, the Mini Cooper is ok, but the car that I think fits what I'm looking for most is the VW Rabbit 4-door hatch(and this one bc. they don't offer sunroofs in the two door.) Now, if only they had all wheel drive.
* I no longer buy into ethanol as the saving grace. Great...let's raze the rainforest in order to grow corn for our cars. And while we are at it, let's make the price of wheat sky rocket.
There are some interesting hybrid plug-in hybrid technologies that might for some interesting enhancements in the near future. I think there's a shit-load of money in tech related to energy efficiency.
* Completely unrelated to cars. Remember that song "Pencil thin Mustache" by Jimmy Buffet? No? I don't know how this trend ever started, but guys are taking this up a notch and growing pencil-thin beards. WTF is up with that? It looks absolutely stupid.
3.31.2008
3.24.2008
Things that make me go Grrrrr
I was perfectly fine this morning, but for the second time in three months, I'm coming down with another cold. This one promises to be a bit more entertaining, as there's already coughing involved, and I also have a slight fever. Crap.
I guess that's the thing with office buildings; breathing recycled air can't be that great for you anyway, but throw a couple of sick people in, and whatever they have will eventually come your way. You can be hypervigilant about it, but sooner or later...bam.
I think I'm gonna go "play cat" and curl up somewhere.
I guess that's the thing with office buildings; breathing recycled air can't be that great for you anyway, but throw a couple of sick people in, and whatever they have will eventually come your way. You can be hypervigilant about it, but sooner or later...bam.
I think I'm gonna go "play cat" and curl up somewhere.
3.23.2008
Arbitrary #1
I went to the Mercer County Park, and I was driving in, I noticed two signs on the side of the road: one was a friendly reminder that deer run across the street; the other, was announcing a pedestrian crossing.
Helpful, both, to be alerted that people and deer cross streets. Conversely, I think it would be kind of funny to have a sign of a car to alert the deer and people that cars have a tendency to drive right across their path.
Helpful, both, to be alerted that people and deer cross streets. Conversely, I think it would be kind of funny to have a sign of a car to alert the deer and people that cars have a tendency to drive right across their path.
3.19.2008
I'm kinda jealous
Tomorrow I get to drive my brother and the family to the airport so that they can all hop into a big plane that will eventually take them here:
Needless to say, I'm kinda jealous! I don't think I'll be going to Switzerland this year.
As much as I'd like to go along with them and see all the kids discover for the first time a big part of where they are from, I'd most likely be relegated to sleeping on a sofa or something. Not ideal.
Still, there will most likely be a great deal of food involved, and at some point, molten cheese Fondue for sure. I'm not even going to think how many bottles of wine they'll go through.
Grrrrr. Hopefully they'll bring something cool home.
Needless to say, I'm kinda jealous! I don't think I'll be going to Switzerland this year.
As much as I'd like to go along with them and see all the kids discover for the first time a big part of where they are from, I'd most likely be relegated to sleeping on a sofa or something. Not ideal.
Still, there will most likely be a great deal of food involved, and at some point, molten cheese Fondue for sure. I'm not even going to think how many bottles of wine they'll go through.
Grrrrr. Hopefully they'll bring something cool home.
3.18.2008
Sleep
There are some nights when I'm not nearly tired enough to get into bed and head off to sleep. I just end up staring at the ceiling.
I'm fighting the temptation to put on one of my Netflix movies, but doing that now would most likely only lead to a rather rotten Wednesday.
Over the weekend, I saw another German movie, called The Counterfeiters (my dad tells me the translation of the title wasn't right, but I got the idea). It's about, you guessed it, a counterfeiter, and it is set during WW2. He gets thrown into a concentration camp, and seeing as how the Nazis know of his brilliant ability to counterfeit foreign currency, they put him to work and set him up in a sequestered section of the camp, along with several others who can print and produce the currency. The moral dilemma lies in between personal survival by producing the foreign currency that cripples foreign economies and keeps the Nazi war effort going.
It was a brilliant movie, yet brutal. I didn't read many reviews going in, so I had no idea what to expect. It showed Nazi physical and emotional torture unflinchingly.
I completely forgot...it won the Best Foreign Movie Oscar this year for Austria.
I'm fighting the temptation to put on one of my Netflix movies, but doing that now would most likely only lead to a rather rotten Wednesday.
Over the weekend, I saw another German movie, called The Counterfeiters (my dad tells me the translation of the title wasn't right, but I got the idea). It's about, you guessed it, a counterfeiter, and it is set during WW2. He gets thrown into a concentration camp, and seeing as how the Nazis know of his brilliant ability to counterfeit foreign currency, they put him to work and set him up in a sequestered section of the camp, along with several others who can print and produce the currency. The moral dilemma lies in between personal survival by producing the foreign currency that cripples foreign economies and keeps the Nazi war effort going.
It was a brilliant movie, yet brutal. I didn't read many reviews going in, so I had no idea what to expect. It showed Nazi physical and emotional torture unflinchingly.
I completely forgot...it won the Best Foreign Movie Oscar this year for Austria.
3.11.2008
Easter Bunny of doom
I love this extra hour of sunlight we have in the early evening after work! I love it so much, that this afternoon, I went to...the mall.
Doesn't make all that much sense to me either, but I had a few things I wanted to check out there, so...
Anyway, I discovered something. I don't know how, when, or why, but it seems as though I am totally creeped out when people are dressed up as giant representations of cartoon characters. While at the mall, the Easter Bunny was walking around to all the kids doing the things an Easter Bunny's supposed to do. I purposefully avoided the guy. I wanted no part. They are kind of like mimes...but mimes hidden beneath unnecessarily large costumes.
Come to think of it, I suppose something similar happened a few months ago. In one of the big strip malls in my area, a giant Elmo was handing out coupons for something. I walked completely out of my way to avoid that big red muppet.
I think the same thing can actually apply to people dressed as sports mascots. Generally, I like to be where they are not.
And while I'm at it, I'm not a big fan of audience participation. I went to a Blue Man Group show once in NYC, and I think I spent quite a bit of time making sure I didn't make eye contact with any of them.
Watch me have some sort of nightmare now with Pluto, Mickey Mouse, and Elmo.
Doesn't make all that much sense to me either, but I had a few things I wanted to check out there, so...
Anyway, I discovered something. I don't know how, when, or why, but it seems as though I am totally creeped out when people are dressed up as giant representations of cartoon characters. While at the mall, the Easter Bunny was walking around to all the kids doing the things an Easter Bunny's supposed to do. I purposefully avoided the guy. I wanted no part. They are kind of like mimes...but mimes hidden beneath unnecessarily large costumes.
Come to think of it, I suppose something similar happened a few months ago. In one of the big strip malls in my area, a giant Elmo was handing out coupons for something. I walked completely out of my way to avoid that big red muppet.
I think the same thing can actually apply to people dressed as sports mascots. Generally, I like to be where they are not.
And while I'm at it, I'm not a big fan of audience participation. I went to a Blue Man Group show once in NYC, and I think I spent quite a bit of time making sure I didn't make eye contact with any of them.
Watch me have some sort of nightmare now with Pluto, Mickey Mouse, and Elmo.
3.09.2008
Funny Games
I watched an odd movie from Austria last night, called Funny Games. (There'll be an American re-make coming out in the next few months, helmed by the same director.)
I think I am starting to tire of movies that feature psychopaths. Who comes up with this stuff?! I know the writer has a message he wants to get across and is trying to say something transcending the mere movie, but I'm gonna start looking for movies from who are "trying to say something" that doesn't involve violence (or, as in the case of this movie, infer violence from off screen.)
Something interesting, though, that I noticed. He drags his scenes out and really lets the actors fill the space. The performances by the husband and wife were incredible. There were times that the actors had to portray such shock that they couldn't move, and the director just left the camera on. On one occasion, I thought the DVD was actually stuck.
I don't know if I'm all that interested to see this story again. However, I'm curious as to how he'll change it for this market and this audience. I wonder if he can pull off dragging out scenes like he did in this one. I don't know if we have that kind of patience.
On another note, spring forward! One more hour of sun at the end of the work day. Yay! It won't be dark by the time I leave my cube, and that's a good thing.
I think I am starting to tire of movies that feature psychopaths. Who comes up with this stuff?! I know the writer has a message he wants to get across and is trying to say something transcending the mere movie, but I'm gonna start looking for movies from who are "trying to say something" that doesn't involve violence (or, as in the case of this movie, infer violence from off screen.)
Something interesting, though, that I noticed. He drags his scenes out and really lets the actors fill the space. The performances by the husband and wife were incredible. There were times that the actors had to portray such shock that they couldn't move, and the director just left the camera on. On one occasion, I thought the DVD was actually stuck.
I don't know if I'm all that interested to see this story again. However, I'm curious as to how he'll change it for this market and this audience. I wonder if he can pull off dragging out scenes like he did in this one. I don't know if we have that kind of patience.
On another note, spring forward! One more hour of sun at the end of the work day. Yay! It won't be dark by the time I leave my cube, and that's a good thing.
3.06.2008
Bottle of red, bottle of white
I've heard "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" three times on three different stations in the last two hours. What's that all about?! Are the radio Gods trying to tell me something?
3.05.2008
Seattle?
I've always wanted to go to Seattle, and I may now have my chance!
A friend of mine I work with works from home in Seattle, and knowing that I've wanted to check out Seattle and see the Pacific, asked whether I'd be interested in housesitting for a week in July...conveniently when the weather is perfect in that area of the Pacific Northwest.
I must say, I am fairly intrigued. I may just take off of work for the week and really explore the area. There's quite a bit to see and do out there.
How cool!
A friend of mine I work with works from home in Seattle, and knowing that I've wanted to check out Seattle and see the Pacific, asked whether I'd be interested in housesitting for a week in July...conveniently when the weather is perfect in that area of the Pacific Northwest.
I must say, I am fairly intrigued. I may just take off of work for the week and really explore the area. There's quite a bit to see and do out there.
How cool!
3.03.2008
I blame MicroSoft
I'm having a writer's block. A friend sent this to me, and I thought it was funny:
Gates vs. GM
For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated,
'If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.'
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating:
If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash........Twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single 'This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation' warning light.
7. The airbag system would ask 'Are you sure?' before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the 'Start' button to turn the engine off.
Gates vs. GM
For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated,
'If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.'
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating:
If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash........Twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single 'This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation' warning light.
7. The airbag system would ask 'Are you sure?' before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the 'Start' button to turn the engine off.
3.02.2008
So, I went skiing and snowboarding last weekend, and I am happy to say that all my limbs are still attached and pointed in the right direction
Thursday, after work, I drove to DC, where my friend Greg had flown in from Orlando. On Friday, we took the 5 hour drive to Snowshoe, in the back woods of West Virginia. It was quite surprising (and curious) how few cars shared the roads with us after we got off the interstate. The weather got progressively nastier, and once we got to Snowshoe, we could barely see 20 feet ahead of us, the fog was so thick. My sister and the youngin' Gio met us about a half hour later.
On Saturday, Greg and I thought it wise to learn how to snowboard. My conclusion: snowboarding is painful to learn. I think I developed new muscles just so I could make them sore. Also, it seemed as though the icy spots on the slopes were magnets for my knees, as I don't think they missed a one. Still, after all that, I still had a fun time...the conditions to learn weren't ideal, but I may try it again. At least I know how to stop now.
Sunday made the trip for me. After a gigantic breakfast, I rented skis while Greg stuck to the snowboard. I made a couple of quick runs on the training slope to get back my ski legs, after which we met at the top of the mountain (right by our condo! ski in, ski out is fantastic) We rode down with my sister, so that was really cool. I had played some sort of mind game with myself that I couldn't remember how to turn. Thankfully, I did, and it came back fairly quickly. Granted, I did bust after about 10 feet into my first run. Overall, though, i felt much more comfortable, and I was actually able to keep some semblance of control. It helped that the conditions were perfect: blue skies, fresh snow, and not terribly cold.
Sunday evening, we had a traditional Swiss meal of Raclette...I don't think there's anything better than melted cheese after a cold day.
A great trip, and as usual, to short.
Thursday, after work, I drove to DC, where my friend Greg had flown in from Orlando. On Friday, we took the 5 hour drive to Snowshoe, in the back woods of West Virginia. It was quite surprising (and curious) how few cars shared the roads with us after we got off the interstate. The weather got progressively nastier, and once we got to Snowshoe, we could barely see 20 feet ahead of us, the fog was so thick. My sister and the youngin' Gio met us about a half hour later.
On Saturday, Greg and I thought it wise to learn how to snowboard. My conclusion: snowboarding is painful to learn. I think I developed new muscles just so I could make them sore. Also, it seemed as though the icy spots on the slopes were magnets for my knees, as I don't think they missed a one. Still, after all that, I still had a fun time...the conditions to learn weren't ideal, but I may try it again. At least I know how to stop now.
Sunday made the trip for me. After a gigantic breakfast, I rented skis while Greg stuck to the snowboard. I made a couple of quick runs on the training slope to get back my ski legs, after which we met at the top of the mountain (right by our condo! ski in, ski out is fantastic) We rode down with my sister, so that was really cool. I had played some sort of mind game with myself that I couldn't remember how to turn. Thankfully, I did, and it came back fairly quickly. Granted, I did bust after about 10 feet into my first run. Overall, though, i felt much more comfortable, and I was actually able to keep some semblance of control. It helped that the conditions were perfect: blue skies, fresh snow, and not terribly cold.
Sunday evening, we had a traditional Swiss meal of Raclette...I don't think there's anything better than melted cheese after a cold day.
A great trip, and as usual, to short.
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