Wasted time filling out and returning my census form today

| October 31, 2009

In my opinion, the American Community Survey — aka: 2010 Census —  is a waste of time and money. For one, it is an oversized packet of paperwork being sent to 3 million Americans and is costly to print, mail and tabulate; wouldn’t it have been far more efficient to produce as a Scantron card. […]

Living with a large coyote or coywolf in the neighborhood

| October 30, 2009

My apology for the lousy Palm Pre ‘enlarged’ photo of a large coyote who has been roaming our Liberty Township Ohio neighborhood.  It has been a source of concern for neighbors and pet owners  that we’ve had a few more coyotes than normal … and that this particular large male has decided to make his […]

The new transparency in Washington DC – Where is it?

| October 29, 2009

For those citizens trying to follow the political goings on in Washington DC, it is irritating  to trying to figure out just what is being debated and discussed by those we elect to “do the people’s business.” The current health care debate and varies bills being proposed in the House and Senate are prime example […]

Why car companies are offering auto parallel parking features

| October 28, 2009

Enjoyable to watch the patience of drivers … how long do you suspect this woman took to park her car? It’s no wonder automakers are building cars with automatic parallel parking features. From comment on previous post — thanks Marielle.

Previewing Google Wave

| October 28, 2009

A quick thanks to Lee for expediting my Google Wave beta request, although I still feel a bit late to the game in getting a chance to play with this new Google app. Although I’ve talked to a few people about how they foresee using this new web based communications tool, I’m still struggling to […]

Model making – a Pan Am World Airways 747 cabin

| October 27, 2009

Some of us  have built some interesting things in our garages … but Anthony Toth in Redondo Beach California tops most of us — he’s built a vintage Pan Am World Airways 747 cabin from the 1970s and 80s. His cabin replica comes complete with Pan Am logo swizzle sticks, napkins and salted almonds sealed […]

Our burning bushes are on fire

| October 26, 2009

Color has indeed made it to the trees and leaves here in southwestern Ohio. The autumn sunshine and second Indian Summer has really brought out some spectacular color. I should be clicking away with my Canon Digital SLR, but a Palm Pre photo of the burning bush will have to suffice. Did you know: The […]

Honda Pilot: Satisfied with the overall cost of ownership

| October 25, 2009

I’ve been happy with the overall cost of ownership of my 2006 Honda Pilot SUV … including the fuel efficiency. Besides oil and fluid changes, the only other expense of ownership over the past 87,000 miles to date has been a battery and of course gasoline. Click for larger image After posting my latest fill-up […]

Building a TDI diesel engine

| October 24, 2009

Although the Science Channel program “How It’s Made” isn’t one of the most exciting television programs, it does offer a glimpse as to what it takes to manufacture complex items. I happened to watch an episode on how Audi builds its 6-cylinder TDI diesel engine the other day and found it interesting (video clip below). […]

Windows 7 OS arrived today

| October 23, 2009

The copies of Microsoft’s new computer OS  Windows 7  arrived today! I’m not planning to update anytime soon as I’m  currently running  Win 7 RC on both of my PCs.  (they should operate until 2010)  I’m certainly not planning to ruin this weekend by stripping the computer and re-installing all my software (the scheduled colonoscopy […]

Having fun riding the waves even without standing

| October 21, 2009

Since my balance and stability are no longer functional enough even for a longboard, my only wave riding is going to come from the bodyboard or sponge. Here’s an encouraging — and well done — video demonstrating spongeboard surfing can still be quite the adrenaline rush! 😀

Algae based Biofuel/Biodiesel highlighted

| October 20, 2009

An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal highlighted algae based biodiesel as one of the “Five Technologies That Change Everything”  recognizing that a new generation of biofuel made from nonfood crops is one of the more promising sources of energy. Snippet from WSJ Article: Researchers are devising ways to turn lumber and crop wastes, garbage […]

Incommunicado last week

| October 19, 2009

Of all the boats we looked at … this was the only one in my price range! I don’t have an excuse for not posting to my blog last week except for being on vacation. I had the best of intentions to post a few times while I was dreaming of new sailboats in Annapolis […]

Another Blackberry accessory for my Palm Pre

| October 10, 2009

In a previous post I mentioned that the Blackberry slipcase protected the Palm Pre nicely when used as a pocket case. It has worked very well, well enough that I’ve given up on the screen protectors. Unfortunately the good eating on a cruise this summer has added a few ‘too many’ pounds and I’ve been […]

EAA news, but archiving for my own information

| October 9, 2009

From EAA.org news — archiving so I can more easily share. Revised “51 Percent” Policy Good News for Builders, Kit Makers October 7, 2009 — For the past four years, EAA and the amateur-built aircraft community have been facing perhaps the most significant threat ever faced by the homebuilt movement. But today, we’re confident in […]

Sprint’s cell service and customer service is improving

| October 8, 2009

As a long time Sprint (and previously Nextel) customer, I was the first to complain to friends about poor service and even poorer customer service, but the past year or so there has been a significant and noticeable improvement. After having a few issue with my Palm Pre, I was reluctant contacted Sprint customer service […]

Stitcher podcast application for the Palm Pre

| October 7, 2009

The new podcast listening app available for the Palm Pre has just improved the sophisticated smartphone ten-fold when in comes to listening to audio. On the heels of the iTunes sync webOS 1.2.1 release/repair/update, the App Catalog new arrival of Stitcher now makes listening to podcasts a cinch. After a quick download and install (providing […]

Replaced my Jawbone bluetooth headset with the Jawbone Prime

| October 6, 2009

I have been satisfied with my well used first generation Jawbone bluetooth earpiece and have found its noise canceling technology to work exceptionally well (old MP3 test). It is a bit cumbersome to wear regularly, especially in public, but has been a real help while in a car. I’ve taken to leaving in the earpiece […]

Adobe Labs Flash 10.1 on Palm Pre demostration

| October 5, 2009

Unfortunately Adobe Flash is not available ‘just yet,’ bu t one can see from the demo that it is getting closer and looks to be yet another reason to patiently wait for the webOS upgrades.  As I’ve mentioned previously, the webOS 1.2 upgrade has been a great improvement on my Palm Pre and as a […]

Planted a nice variety of native Ohio trees

| October 4, 2009

We are continuing to plant trees of variety in hopes one day a mature woods will be part of our way-backyard. Thankfully I have a brother who is particularly astute as to varieties that grow in our area and enjoys a hobby business of growing trees from seedling — his current catalog. His love of […]

Saw my first 2010 Volkswagen TDIs today, but just lookin’

| October 3, 2009

While picking up some touch up paint today, I saw the first couple 2010 model TDIs. Here’s a nice looking diesel Sportwagen in a Plat Grey color (Palm Pre photo) … and sporting the new front end. It definitely looks ‘sporty’ … although this one was the DSG transmission.

Surprise pricing by Volkswagen on the 2010 Golf TDI

| October 2, 2009

Volkswagen diesel fans have been waiting  a few years for the return of the Golf (Rabbit) TDI. It’s due arrive to North American shores as a 2010 model. Shockingly the four door 2010 Golf TDI will be priced $150 cheaper than the four door gasoline powered Rabbit: base price $19,890. See Motor Trend’s Wide Open […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog