RichC | December 31, 2012
One of the pleasures of life is tinkering with my favorite little diesel car … the Volkswagen TDI. My daughter’s Jetta TDI is “parked” in our driveway this weekend while she is in Iowa meeting her fiancé’s family — parked, cough, cough. With Sunday off, I was able to doing a little “needed” maintenance on […]
RichC | December 31, 2012
Here is the annual Lake Superior State University 2013 List of Banished Words: KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD DOUBLE DOWN JOB CREATORS/CREATION PASSION/PASSIONATE YOLO – You Only Live Once SPOILER ALERT BUCKET LIST TRENDING SUPERFOOD BONELESS WINGS GURU http://www.lssu.edu/banished/current.php
RichC | December 30, 2012
It has been a busy end of the year, but spending the last couple of days with just the family was a great way to wind down 2012. We enjoyed talking, eating (too much), opening presents and watching a movie together – Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer. (expand photo slideshow below). Taylor has been home from […]
RichC | December 28, 2012
Those old enough and wise enough to know how the sausage is was made in Washington DC have noticed a change in recent years. Politicians of different stripes and philosophies are no longer coming together for the common good … and the lack of a leader (aka: POTUS) willing guide congress is shocking. Here we […]
RichC | December 28, 2012
Although Pastor Keith Thomas and I do share a few friends (here is his blog), I know there are also a few reading here that also might enjoy Keith’s first attempt at video and editing. I think the camera was new to him (for this trip) and recall he was hoping to document a bit […]
RichC | December 27, 2012
Good news from Google if you’ve been using the Gmail web interface to make calls to phones. I’ve found call clarity to be top notch and a perfect replacement for what was once a free service from Skype. I still would mind having both services offering free calls in North America, but glad Google will […]
RichC | December 26, 2012
If you are confused over the privacy settings on social networking sites, particularly Facebook, you are not alone. Short suggestion: Assume everything you post is public … because it can certainly end up that way … just ask Randi Zuckerberg. As networks grow and friends connect to other friends, eventually the images and comments you […]
RichC | December 26, 2012
We drove up to Columbus and enjoyed “catering” a Christmas dinner at Katelyn’s fiancé Drew’s house. The two of them (both in their residency) were working the night rotations … Katelyn just off a 24 hour stint at Nationwide and Drew his week of 13 hour nights at OSU. We have postponed our family gift […]
RichC | December 25, 2012
Our rapidly desquamating Christmas tree (photo) is barely holding on to its needles in hope of “A visit from St. Nicholas” on Christmas eve –although even bringing up the poem now known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” is an invitation of literary debate. No thanks, I’m tired of debates after 2012! The well known […]
RichC | December 24, 2012
After catching up on a bit of automotive reading, I realized that improvements propulsion for cars is moving us toward hybrid vehicles and that there will come a day when “almost” all our day to day vehicles will have some sort of hybrid drive … be they battery electric or some other booster technology. Mentioning […]
RichC | December 23, 2012
A WSJ article highlighted the best and worst advertising for 2012, but didn't mention my current favorite – the Geico commercial featuring two antelope wearing night vision goggles. I just can help smiling and turning up the volume.
RichC | December 22, 2012
Here’s a tool tip (pun intended) right up my alley from a Cruising World reader … sharper-wedge shaped needle nose pliers (used for pulling staples, etc). I regularly modify cheap screwdrivers for a variety of project … and will add this modification to one of my junker pliers.
RichC | December 21, 2012
It has been a quick couple of days for my dad, brother and me in finalizing the desires of my mom for her funeral. She was organized and detailed right to the end and it was probably a good thing because she was leaving this planning behind to three “men.” We did our best mom […]
RichC | December 17, 2012
I’m sending a quick personal post from my phone to update those who have politely sent messages concerning my mom. I wanted to update that she passed away peacefully this morning — 12/17. My brother and I will be with my Dad to finalize the funeral plans at Cromes Funeral Home in Sidney Ohio. Thanks […]
RichC | December 16, 2012
I’ve been spending most of my time by my mother’s bedside (previous post), but wanted to share a little cheer as well. My daughter Katelyn had a wonderful bridal shower hosted by the friends of her future mother-in-law (Barb Oostra) in Toledo on Saturday. They enjoyed brunch and presents at the Inverness Club and […]
RichC | December 15, 2012
This Thursday thru Saturday has been challenging for my dad, brother and me. My mom, who has been in hospice care the last few months, is now in the "active dying" stage according to the nurse. Her vital signs have been up and down the last couple of days and we’ve been trading round the […]
RichC | December 13, 2012
Ah … we’re finished with this year’s Corbett Christmas Letter … they are in the mail! (click for a PDF copy) One of my favorite things about celebrating Christmas is the reminiscing — especially when putting up, or just looking at, the decorated tree in our house. We have a mish-mash Christmas tree with decorations […]
RichC | December 11, 2012
Got to love the “balanced” approach to the fiscal cliff of Sen. Harry Reid. [sarcasm] Does he really represent his constituents and does he know we “all lose” if congress and President Obama can’t manage spending? Posted via email from RichC’s posterous
RichC | December 11, 2012
Those of us watching the “dance” in Washington DC over the looming taxes and possible spending cuts closing in on every American can make one’s head spin. What we all know is that our government spends too much and seems unable to even come close to balancing their budget or coming up with a plan […]
RichC | December 10, 2012
While following the Kabuki Theatre between President Obama and congress in Washington DC focused on increasing the top tax rate, cutting government spending and dealing with what has become known as the “fiscal cliff,” it was interesting to hear what European’s think of our latest governing hurdle. The BBC offered up a video interview with […]
RichC | December 8, 2012
My kids roll their eyes when I strike up offhanded conversations with strangers in parking lots, gas stations, etc. Take Friday for instance, I saw a guy get out of his new Passat TDI and glanced over to ask how he liked his new diesel. He grinned and exclaimed, “I’m getting 47 mpg!” which I […]
RichC | December 7, 2012
Tell me I’m not crazy, but this is the third time that I’ve purchased an all-in-one multifunction printer in the past several years. For one, inkjet printer heads and ink are challenging to keep flowing without problems, particularly when using refills and remanufactured inks – link. The customer support phone line suggested that using “their […]
RichC | December 6, 2012
I remember Cox model plane and car engine when I was a boy, but this “Tiny” 4-stroke “popper” is as impressive as a Swiss watch.
RichC | December 6, 2012
Jeep is heading back to market again and giving diesel another go in the US. According to WardsAuto, the Grand Cherokee will be available in the first quarter of 2013 and will have to continue to compete in a crowded SUV and car platform CUV market. The 3.0L diesel engine currently being sold in Europe […]
RichC | December 5, 2012
Autoblog posted a full review of the newly unveiled 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible TDI which makes it the first diesel soft top in North America. On top of more aggressive and decidedly more masculine styling, the TDI will also be available with a 6-speed manual gearbox … and in “red” may be just the new […]
RichC | December 4, 2012
Although I had to parallel park to pass my driver’s test, I don’t recall being taught to do it this way???
RichC | December 4, 2012
I know the clickity-click (or is it clickity-clack?) is to be expected when wearing flip flops, but some pairs are noisier than others. A few months ago I purchased a new pair of Keen Waimea H2 sandals that I intend to keep on the boat because they have toe protection, but I can’t figure out […]
RichC | December 3, 2012
After the first RAM-Mount iPad holder broke at the clip, I called the customer service line and they gladly replace the previous plastic part with a new “slightly beefier” clip ($9 shipping charge). I’m still not convinced the new part (left) will hold up for the long term as it is still a bit snug […]
RichC | December 2, 2012
I finally finished planting all the new bulbs Brenda purchase a few weeks ago as the weather on Saturday was in the high 50s and dry. I also decided to mark the locations using a few photos then marking it up on my iPad using Notablity … an excellent PDF app, by the way. Marking […]
RichC | December 1, 2012
Posted via email from RichC’s posterous
RichC | December 1, 2012
This past week, I talked to a younger friend of mine about his growing family and making fiscally sound decisions. He politely told me how much he respected my opinion as he asked for some advice … and my head swelled with the less than deserved accolades (but who doesn’t appreciate complements?) His primary question […]