RichC | September 29, 2008
Although there is enough blame to go around, here’s a partisan CSPAN video that at least shows that a couple legislators were trying to get a handle on the business practices and corruptions going on over at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac back in 2004. When people “ask where the oversight and regulators” during these […]
RichC | September 28, 2008
I’m reading the latest document from Capital Hill on the government’s rescue effort from my congressman John Boehner. (PDF – September 28, 2008 | 6:31 pm) Also, here is the letter from the Office of Management and Budget on Rescue to Boehner’s office (see below). Nussle to Boehner – Upload a Document to Scribd Read […]
RichC | September 28, 2008
Hurricane Kyle is heading just west of Halifax Nova Scotia today and could leave many without power and create more than just a disruption along thia pristine coastline. Each inlet, which already experiences significant tides, could have additional water along with wind and rain heading their way. Most of us don’t think of hurricanes affecting […]
RichC | September 28, 2008
Not that it matters, but the Cincinnati starting quarterback Carson Palmer is just sitting on the sideline today as he watches his 0-3 Bengals take on the equally struggling Cleveland Browns. According to reports, he is capable of playing, but his elbow is sore after receiving beatings in the first three game. The franchise quarterback […]
RichC | September 28, 2008
As I watch a bit of news before bed early Sunday morning, congress negotiators look to have come up with a ‘bailout’ plan. The whole group of leaders are walking out smiling at 12:28 AM and Nancy Pelosi announced that they have a “package to stabilize markets” and “protect citizens and taxpayer.” They still need […]
RichC | September 27, 2008
No real winner, no real loser … that’s the conclusion in my unscientific reading of the newspapers and websites garnered this morning. I thought both candidates handled themselves well considering the heavy focus on Capital Hill over the economic crisis. Both candidate are in support of government coming to the aid of our nations’ banks. […]
RichC | September 26, 2008
It’s always great to see these headlines … New VW Jetta Diesel Tops Prius in Fuel-Economy Marathon Test … although its a bit misleading. The Prius still tops the 2009 VW Jetta TDI with DSG in the city, but the clean diesel surpasses the Toyota Hybrid on the highway (Jetta: 45.4 MPG | Prius: 44.8 […]
RichC | September 25, 2008
On Wednesday night, President Bush addressed the nation in order to explain the economic crisis and layout the administration’s plan in order prevent a “deep recession.” From studying the comments from the past few day, this credit crisis isn’t going away without some kind of intervention by the government … and if a Republican is […]
RichC | September 24, 2008
It is a frightening time to be an American family and businessperson, as the credit markets in the United States dry up and near collapse. Our elected politicians posture in Washington DC in hopes to prevent a slide into a deep recession or possible depression. President Bush request time to address citizens on Wednesday night […]
RichC | September 23, 2008
Once upon a time back in 2007, Volkswagen TDI advocates anticipated factory warranty coverage for higher blends of biodiesel — its not happening as of 2008 or from the looks of things, for the new 2009 ‘clean diesel’ TDIs. We had been told that ADM and VWoA were contemplating B20 as an acceptable blend (they […]
RichC | September 22, 2008
Here are several YouTube music videos mentioned by Amber MacArthur and posted on her blog dealing with technology. A couple videos have been around a while, particularly if you are a YouTube addict … but a couple have just launched in September of 2008. There are some talented people posting their work to the web. […]
RichC | September 22, 2008
Volkswagen TDI Cup racing had 18,000 fans watching at the Iowa Speedway this past weekend for the 5th racing in the circuit. Jimmy Underhill of Denver, Colorado, took first place at the speedway driving the Jetta TDI for the 33 lap 30 minute sprint. He lead every lap in this impressive VW ‘clean diesel’ and […]
RichC | September 21, 2008
It is not that having a day alone is all that unusual, but its feels a bit more like I’m alone? Instead of driving my son back to college with my wife today, she is doing it alone and leaving me to chores at home (and there are plenty after the latest wind storm) and […]
RichC | September 20, 2008
Its often the small things in a day that can trigger a smile. Here’s a text message from a long distance friend that had me laughing … of course the actual word was “coworkers” but the shortened message that came to my Treo smartphone was a bit more comical. (Thanks for the laugh Scott!)
RichC | September 19, 2008
Big changes for the financial markets as the SEC steps in to slow short selling of 799 financial companies and secure Money Market Fund holders on the heels of an injection of loan money from Uncle Sam earlier this week. Predatory short selling is in part to blame for the meltdown in financial sector. In […]
RichC | September 18, 2008
Sorry about that “incorrect information” … 🙂
RichC | September 17, 2008
Whoa … kind of shocking when I walked into our local grocery store to pick up a few items for the kitchen — the coolers and freezers were all bare! I suppose I should have given it a bit more thought since much of the area is still without power. Schools in my area have […]
RichC | September 16, 2008
The news for long term investors, home owner equity and equity oriented retirement plans is pretty ugly. Monday’s drop of 504 points of the Dow as continued news that financial companies in the U.S. are in serious trouble triggered by Lehman Brothers facing bankruptcy. Another company, AIG fell 49% on Tuesday morning and has brought […]
RichC | September 14, 2008
Hurricane Ike didn’t just come ashore and disappear after the Texas and Louisiana landfall, but continued to leave damage in its path. On Sunday here in Ohio, the strong winds arrived and were gusting over 70 mph between 2 and 6 PM. Here in the Cincinnati area, power outages were widespread — 650,000 in the […]
RichC | September 13, 2008
There is a lot of discussion on TV about the possibility of a significant rise in fuel prices in the wake of Hurricane Ike hammering Texas and Louisiana. As I post this message on Saturday morning just a few hours after Ike came ashore, the conclusion is that the shipping channel in Houston is ok, […]
RichC | September 13, 2008
As I head to bed on Friday night, I watched Hurricane Ike come ashore as a very wide storm pushing a surge of up to 20+ feet into some areas of the Texas coast. Although my thoughts and prayers are with those who are affected directly, the rest of the U.S. will likely feel Ike’s […]
RichC | September 12, 2008
More on potential for petroleum interruption and platform damage along the Texas/Louisiana coast. (click for larger image)
RichC | September 11, 2008
As December 7, 1941 was for the Greatest Generation, the September 11, 2001 attack on our nation will live “in infamy” for generation remembering 9/11. Today as our country reflects on those tragic events, and the loss of so many of our citizens in New York City, the Pentagon and in Shanksville Pennsylvania, I recall […]
RichC | September 10, 2008
Hurricane Ike is growing stronger as it heads across the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday after killing at least 80 people in the Caribbean and toppling aging building in Havana Cuba. Forecasters said the Category 1 storm could grow into a major Category 3 or 4 before targeting somewhere along the Texas […]
RichC | September 10, 2008
On Tuesday both campaigns, Obama and McCain made swings through Ohio — we must be an important state? 😉 (photo above and video below from Cincinnati.com) Nevertheless the McCain/Palin campaign were in the town next door and they were greeted by much larger groups than McCain alone. There is certainly something that attracts people to […]
RichC | September 9, 2008
During the TDIFest OH8, I put my daughter to work logging in names and tabulating times during the “timed drive” Road Rally. A fellow planner and friend gave her a new ‘red’ badge for her TDI which she installed this past week. She sent me a photo and I thought it looks pretty nice.
RichC | September 8, 2008
After going a couple weeks without a television (well Slingbox on my notebook computer doesn’t count), it was nice to have a TV back in our bedroom. Besides being busy with the Taildragger Fly-In and TDIFest last weekend, I’ve had trouble deciding on just what flat panel technology and brand to purchase. I had convinced […]
RichC | September 7, 2008
Friends and family regularly forward me ‘cute’ things on the Internet, although I rarely post them on my blog. Here’s a YouTube clip that impressed me enough to share. Perhaps it is because as a boy I played with a yo-yo and tried to learn a few simple tricks — but never like this!
RichC | September 6, 2008
On Thursday night at the RNC, prior to Senator John McCain‘s speech accepting his party’s nomination, he was introduced by a short movie about his love for country and his life of service to our nation. His mother posed the question: “Where else in the history of the United States of America, have you had […]
RichC | September 5, 2008
I stumbled across the first 2009 Volkswagen Sportwagen TDI that I’ve noticed in my area. Here are a few photos of the ‘sold’ vehicle in the FairfieldVW showroom. Sticker was just a bit over $25,000, but the car had that impressively huge moonroof. I could go for this 6-speed manual in black! Picasa Google image […]
RichC | September 5, 2008
Senator Barack Obama and Bill O’Reilly (Fox News – O’Reilly Factor) sat down and had a 2 hour talk on Thursday in Pennsylvania before the RNC speeches; part one of the interview ran at 8PM EST Thursday night and the balance will follow next week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I though both did a […]
RichC | September 4, 2008
Although hurricane Ike is a few days away from the United States, it currently looks to be the most threatening storm heading towards the U.S. mainland this year. Predictions have it at a CAT4 ( 131-154mph wind) with the current path of south Florida. As someone with family in Delray Beach, this storm has me […]
RichC | September 4, 2008
Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin delivered one of the finest speeches at a political convention that I can recall which without question re-ignites the slumbering McCain for President campaign. Palin’s energy and speech delivery were exactly what the Republican convention needed. I think America is going to like and listen to her. From her smart ‘small […]
RichC | September 3, 2008
In keeping with short posts and photos, my EAA Chapter 284 had its annual Fly-In and Pancake breakfast this past Sunday morning. Thanks to the great weather and hungry pilots, our event was well attended and the most profitable in the last several years. Who said high priced AVGas would keep taildraggers away?
RichC | September 2, 2008
Although I spent most of my time behind the scenes working with my fellow planners to keep the TDIFest organized, I did take a few moments to walk through the parking lot and Rally destination (Red Stewart Airfield) taking a couple photos.
RichC | September 1, 2008
I’m back dating a couple of blog entries so I can include a few photos and video from this past weekend — TDIFest OH8. Here’s a great video by TDIClub member “TeDeEye1” of the “timed drive” Road Rally: TDIFest OH8 Road Rally from Fred on Vimeo.
RichC | August 28, 2008
Currently a tropical storm packing peak winds of 60 knots, Gustav the killer storm in the Caribbean looks to be taking aim at the Gulf Coast of the United States. Cities like New Orleans are not taking chances and are getting early information and preparations in place. The predictions are for Gustav to strengthen and […]
RichC | August 27, 2008
I’m hoping its the fact that too many things are going on right now, but I’ve not found time to do much more on the Internet than answer a few emails. After moving my son (photo right – moved his stuff to the ninth floor! Ugh!) and daughter to college, visiting my father-in-law for his […]
RichC | August 26, 2008
I’ve used this photo for the last couple years but knew it was from a birthday celebration at my parents house in August of 2008 … so since I’ve updated the “ABOUT” page on 6/2011, I’m archiving the older photo in the year it was taken. I still like it …
RichC | August 24, 2008
We spent Friday and the weekend moving kids to college and tacked on a day celebrating my father-in-laws 83rd birthday in western New York. All in all was successful trip but it was a long weekend. While returning we stopped to fill up at the Mt. Gilead renewable fuel Sunoco station on I-71 (exit 151 […]
RichC | August 23, 2008
As mentioned earlier, there is a great country airshow in Waynesville Ohio this upcoming weekend. (Red Stewart Airfield) Also for those camping out under the stars or just flying (or driving) to the airport on Sunday morning our EAA Chapter (284) will be fixing a pancake breakfast.
RichC | August 22, 2008
I’ve commented on the handy free service called Jott before, and am giving their new Twitter Jott Link a try — not that I spend much time using Twitter. After two years in Beta, Jott.com has move to an advertiser and pay-for-services model. As more and more subscription based Internet components arrive, I’ve become less […]
RichC | August 21, 2008
North Carolina TDIClub member “coolbreeze” may bring his new 2009 Volkswagen Sportwagen TDI to the TDIFest over Labor Day weekend – thread. If he does, it will be the first one most of us will have seen. Crossing my fingers that you can make it Bruce!
RichC | August 20, 2008
My son had an end of summer cookout and bonfire (sorry for the lack of focus above) this week for he and his good friends head off to college this fall; most will be parting ways and heading in different directions. As a parent, its been great to know my sons core group of friends, […]
RichC | August 19, 2008
Another circumnavigation record falls … this time its a trip around the world in a “whirlybird.” Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik set a new world record for the fastest trip around the world in a helicopter. They circumnavigated the globe from LaGuardia Airport crossing the Atlantic, traversing 20 countries, 12 time zones and 49 states […]
RichC | August 19, 2008
Automotive sales and production worldwide has slowed a bit this year as economies slow, but the production of Volkswagen vehicles in China continues to grow. According to Automotive News, sales are up 23.2% for vehicles build in the communist country, with over one-half million vehicles produced. This number move very close to VW’s production in […]
RichC | August 18, 2008
Fay, currently designated a tropical storm, drenched the Florida Keys on Monday. The rains flooded roads and created a handful of possible tornadoes as it moved north according to emergency management officials. Whil The storm killed at least five people in the Caribbean according to news reports, but there were no reports of injuries or […]
RichC | August 18, 2008
I really wanted to take off early today and head home to just lounge in the pool, but the pile of work to be done is not getting smaller. The summer is getting away from me and don’t see much slowing down before September. First, we’ll be moving my son to college over the weekend […]
RichC | August 17, 2008
Once again TV in our house was tuned in to watch the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Saturday night. We were anxious to see Michael Phelps swim again — and swim he did. This time Phelps did it with his American teammates — Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen and Jason Lezak — in the Men’s 4 x […]
RichC | August 16, 2008
Using a Zipcar might be an attractive option for some urban-ites, particularly if their city has decent mass transit and a Zipcar.com footprint. I know a few, very few, people who live in larger metro areas and have learned to live without owning a car — although as a Midwestern suburban and rural oriented person […]
RichC | August 15, 2008
Rick Warren, famous for his book “The Purpose Driven Life” and as pastor at Saddleback Church, was interviewed on Friday about political figures like Sen. John Edwards who recent affair was exposed. His comments on Forgiveness and Trust were excellent (below). Warren will also be moderating a “Civic Forum” with guests Senator John McCain and […]
RichC | August 15, 2008
Yet another gold medal for Michael Phelps — number six for 2008 Beijing Olympics (Friday in China, Thursday night in the U.S.). Phelps currently looks unstoppable as his win in the Men’s 200 meter individual medley set another world record: 1 minute 54.23 seconds. Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh finished second in 1:56.52 to collect his third […]
RichC | August 14, 2008
Read this story this past week and thought it was interesting … although odd. I wonder if we’ll start seeing this kind of ‘artwork’ on this side of the pond? MADRID (Reuters) – A one euro coin has turned up in Spain bearing the face of cartoon couch potato Homer Simpson instead of that of […]
RichC | August 13, 2008
Aquaman Michael Phelps is now greatest Olympic gold metal winner of all times — 11 Golds with 3 more swimming events to go in Being. It is hard to believe that at age 23, he is only 3 victories from breaking Mark Spitz’s single-Games record of seven golds, set in the Munich pool in 1972. […]
RichC | August 12, 2008
Click image for larger version of poster
RichC | August 11, 2008
Let’s hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. Quite a few people are now hooked on Gmail as their primary email address.
RichC | August 11, 2008
Although I’m not planning to send my mobile phone number to the Barack Obama for President campaign, I thought this was an interesting way to broadcast the Vice Presidential running mate campaign choice announcement. Technology is changing the way we keep abreast the latest information. Be the First to Know Barack is about to choose […]
RichC | August 11, 2008
We have once again spent our evening watching NBC’s coverage of the Olympics from Beijing China. For a second night we’ve watch the impressive Michael Phelps swim, although this time as a team of four U.S. men battled the favored French 4x 100M relay swimmers. The American team had a little extra inspiration preceding Sunday […]
RichC | August 10, 2008
Instead of renting a movie, we watched swimming (and some beach volleyball) coming from China Saturday night here, Sunday morning there. My wife being a swimmer has been looking forward to rooting for Michael Phelps, so without objection I sat politely to watch his impressive performance … as did President Bush, although he in person. […]
RichC | August 9, 2008
A little local political humor in hopes to drum up business … 😀 “Asked at a St. Louis town hall last week how people could contribute to the effort to conserve fuel, Obama said that steps such as inflating tires to the correct levels could make a difference. Republicans have seized on the comment to […]