RichC | January 30, 2013
Great YouTube videos by DudePerfect. Gotta love the fun loving “The Bearded Guy”, Tyler Toney and the young and as athletically gifted as Johnny “Football” Manziel. How real and how much was tweaked?
RichC | January 29, 2013
While packing my travel bag in the closet this morning, I had the feeling I was being watched … and no, not quite like CBS’s "Person of Interest," one of our favorite TV shows btw, but … Lo and behold, a couple of Brenda‘s little "beady" eyed "beany" somethings were looking up at me from […]
RichC | January 29, 2013
One of my favorite automotive sites Autoblog mentioned that the long awaited (2011 post) Chevrolet Cruze diesel will be making an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show as a 2014 model. According to reports it should compete handily in the fuel efficiency area with the Volkswagen Jetta TDI … although I’ll be anxious to see […]
RichC | January 28, 2013
Butler County Ohio’s high profile local Sheriff Richard Jones is addressing the recent hot button topic school security with a “two for one” idea by putting trained retired police officers in school buildings as substitute teachers. Many of our local schools once had resource officers in the schools, but budget constraints due to the slow […]
RichC | January 27, 2013
While we wait for the production version of the Mazda 6 Skyactiv diesel sedan to arrive at dealers in the U.S. later this year, Mazda is busy giving 3 of their diesels a workout at the #Rolex24 hours of Daytona race this weekend. Unfortunately they were not overly prepared to race and found all three […]
RichC | January 27, 2013
Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers continue to promote their talents as road performers on YouTube while touring which makes for enjoyable viewing and listening (here’s last year’s post). I regret missing their show during their two stops in Ohio last year, but think their Van Sessions exhibit more of their raw talent than any studio […]
RichC | January 26, 2013
This artist sure “one ups” the often seen “wash me” scribble on a dirty car, and on a Volkswagen Golf TDI no less — impressive! Posted via email from RichC’s posterous
RichC | January 26, 2013
It is great to see the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in the niche publishing of local “paper-based” magazine, Domestica (Domestica Magazine). This venture is somewhat close to home seeing that it is local … and edited by Rachel Kirkwood, a friend of our family. She started the community oriented publication using Kickstarter last year […]
RichC | January 25, 2013
OpenSignal.com offers a free online tool that compares cellphone networks in given markets. Obviously my choice of Sprint isn’t giving me the best service in south-western Ohio, but does improve when I drill down to my exact location … although I question the tested download (.81 Mbps?) and upload (9.03 Mbps?) speeds (below)? I’m still […]
RichC | January 25, 2013
In order to resolve my ongoing “up the mast” electrical issues when it come to anchor lights, I’ve picked up a portable low-draw 12 volt anchor light for Encore. The Davis MegaLight gets reasonable reviews from those needing a simple way to be legal when mooring or anchoring their boats. According to the information, the […]
RichC | January 24, 2013
Hmm, not much in the immediate future to put a smile back on shareholders’ faces. If Tim Cook has something up his sleeves, it might be a good time to turn on the magic. ($AAPL trading at $450 down 12% Thursday morning) Posted via email from RichC’s posterous
RichC | January 24, 2013
It may be 15 degrees outside, but that doesn’t keep my firebug wife from heading out to burn landscape grasses and who knows what else. She asked if I had a larger fire blanket (I gave her a small one for Christmas this year), and since I didn’t, she settled for a 5 gallon bucket […]
RichC | January 23, 2013
Apple Inc. (AAPL) will report results for its first fiscal quarter this afternoon. Investors are on pins and needles wondering just how business has been going with slowing computer sales and increased pressure from Android devices on iPhone and iPad sales. Apple stock has already been beaten down and if the numbers are lackluster could […]
RichC | January 23, 2013
Getting the testing done and appropriate governmental safety and FAA approvals takes time, but the Terrafugia experimental airplane/car is continuing to make progress. The company has over 100 orders and has had few setbacks considering their undertaking in their goal of producing the first commercially viable flying car. The video PR makes it all look […]
RichC | January 23, 2013
Volkswagen is showing off a new DSG all wheel drive Diesel Hybrid this year at the 2013 auto shows and getting a fair amount of praise and criticism — it is hard to make everybody happy. Some chastise the hybrid concept and others the unglamorous styling. Others see it as the SUV that they’ve been […]
RichC | January 22, 2013
Pulitzer-Prize winning historian and biographer Jon Meacham made a few comments that had me nodding my head Monday evening in a discussion with Bill O’Reilly. I snagged a bit of audio while replaying for my wife. He was able to succinctly communicate the fiscal issues facing our nation and the seeming lack of urgency President […]
RichC | January 21, 2013
Our nation has come a long way in race relations in my lifetime in large part due to Martin Luther King Jr., a 1960’s era civil rights leader that we remember and celebrate with a national holiday today. Considering the United States has come “a long way” since slavery and segregation, we … and the […]
RichC | January 20, 2013
Selling a long term project like building an airplane leaves me with mixed feelings. In part, I’m glad to be lessening my hobby load of “things to do,” but sad to part with a project that has consumed so much of my time and been a focus this past decade. As family we took trips […]
RichC | January 18, 2013
Although retail unleaded gasoline is down 25 cent per gallon since last year at this time in SW Ohio, we remain just above $3.00/gallon in most areas. (I paid $3.09 and $3.07 this week while traveling in north east Ohio) Since I’m thinking about a new diesel car this year, it is be frustrating to […]
RichC | January 17, 2013
We’ve all been there. Weighing the choice to put in sweat equity to save money or spend money to save time. This year is no exception and sided with spending money to save time. Life has been busy and priorities like spending time with my mom in her final months, and my dad in recent […]
RichC | January 16, 2013
It is becoming increasingly clear the the answer the federal government’s excessive spending is to “broaden the base” … but before the attacks from Democrats begin, let me clarify my reasoning (highlighted below) and explain. The current debate in Washington DC is whether to address the deficit (and mounting debt) by raising taxes on the […]
RichC | January 15, 2013
If you enjoy reading history and military biographies, the new General Stanley McChrystal autobiography My Share of the Task will be your “cup of tea Joe.” I ordered an ebook version last week after reading a couple short reviews and found it difficult to put down. In fact, I found myself rewinding the Tivo buffer […]
RichC | January 14, 2013
Tell me this is not worth looking at? Mmm, mmm, mmm. The VW CrossBlue concept is Volkswagen’s midsize SUV that is larger than a Tiguan and not as off-road performance oriented as the larger Touareg. The CrossBlue concept has six-seats in three rows and could seat up to seven if they offer an optional bench […]
RichC | January 14, 2013
Jeep officially revealed an updated version of its hot-selling Grand Cherokee this morning at the North America International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. The high-brow SUV features a number of mechanical enhancements and luxury additions. Of course the biggest news is the inclusion of diesel power. Chrysler is offering a 3.0-liter compression-ignition engine in the […]
RichC | January 14, 2013
Phil LeBeau of CNBC interviewed Jonathan Browning the President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America and highlighted not only their outstanding 30+ sales growth year in 2012, but the commitment to expanding the TDI diesel line-up in North America. The interview from the floor of the Detroit Auto Show also mentioned the addition of […]
RichC | January 13, 2013
Hmm, did the content I post to the blog get less interesting or are Internet users getting their fill of personal blogs? Maybe there is just too much content available? After years of increasing blog readership, at least in pageviews, 2012 was the first year My Desultory Blog saw a decline in the numbers across […]
RichC | January 12, 2013
One would expect some of the conservative western or southern states to adopt deterrents when it comes to criminals targeting gun free zones like public schools, but the Montpelier Exempted Village School Board of Education has been quick to adapt here in Ohio. They approved (5-0) to permit four of their janitors to carry handguns […]
RichC | January 11, 2013
Here’s a helpful “Tech Friday” post that is really just some smart advice – it has nothing to do with the photo of Tootsie above except that it was taken with the iPhone 5. Anyway, a client of mine regularly upgrades his high end phone (and now his iPad) every 2 years as permitted by […]
RichC | January 10, 2013
The popular automotive site, Autoblog, wasn’t overly complementary when it came to parting with a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI after a 12 month 20,000 plus mile test drive. This current and slightly larger body style has been widely criticized for its "cheapened" feel and less than European driving characteristics. Autoblog drivers did however say positive […]
RichC | January 9, 2013
Jacksonville, Florida beachgoers (although it is a bit cold for swimming) have had a large visitor named Mary Lee the last few days. I seems a 16-1/2 foot 3500 pound great white shark has been wandering very close to shore. Ocearch, a shark research group, has tagged and is tracking “Mary Lee” on a website […]
RichC | January 8, 2013
I’ve held off until now before adding a couple thoughts to the discussion on the high profile killings last year which concluded with the December mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Commenting while emotions were raw was not something that was going to further logical debate … and probably still won’t since from what […]
RichC | January 7, 2013
My travel schedule this week was modified slightly to include a couple more cold calls in the Cleveland area that I’ve been putting off until the new year … not really my choice … but it works out so that my son Taylor will be able to go to a seminar and workshop while he […]
RichC | January 6, 2013
http://www.nfl.com/playoffs/playoff-picture Posted via email from RichC’s posterous
RichC | January 5, 2013
Another ultra-small car (the third 3-cylinder) his headed for the U.S. according to reports from Mitsubishi. They have struggled to make inroads due to the stiff competition and sluggish economy, but are hoping Americans will consider their 1.2 liter 3-cylinder Mirage. Their small three cylinder economy car will compete with Ford’s EcoBoost turbocharged 1.0 liter […]
RichC | January 4, 2013
Up and coming shoe technology that charges gadgets could be one of the more interesting inventions this year. I suspect we’ll see more wearable charging in the future. "This charger works using pressure, as you walk you generate pressure that in turn generates energy, once you have arrived where you were going you can now […]
RichC | January 2, 2013
Well the “fiscal cliff” has been averted for the time being … a sort of a “kick the can down the road” decision was made in Washington DC … to use two of the banished terms for 2013 (link). The deal with hardly dealt with spending, the deficit or the looming under-funded entitlements which are […]
RichC | January 1, 2013
I’ve never been much for resolution making and am a bit lax in goal setting overall … or at least I’ve never made it a focus to accomplish projects in timely fashion (Sonex, MGB, sailing) … but after talking with my son and CinciTDI friend about New Year’s resolutions, I’ve decided 2013 would be the […]