Elio Motors with their P5 is closer to a production prototype

| October 31, 2015

While there is interest in the stock offering by Elio, most following this new American car company prefer to focus on the P5 prototype. I’m still amazed that they still are planning to their new “from the ground up” engine in the P5 and not something off the shelf. It will be interesting to see […]

Mantus Snap-On Light is a sturdy and handy boat gadget

| October 30, 2015

Well know anchor manufacturer Mantus created a nifty light that they debuted at the fall boat shows this year; the Mantus Snap-On Light look well made and like something Encore needs ($55.00).  I also like their RAM mount Mantus Rail Clamps!

Confused over direction: Both for Twitter and $TWTR stock

| October 29, 2015

Now that the popular social networking company Twitter has a “rudder,” Jack Dorsey, CEO, one would think confidence  would be higher? That is difficult to tell when reading and monitoring those who are paid to research, have deeper insight and advise investors (graphic on right). The consensus is wildly split, both on the direction of […]

Finding photos that stir good memories #TBT

| October 29, 2015

An old friend Charlie Matthews (Kamikaze) and I are closing in on a memorable December 1977 road trip we took together in his Volkswagen bug. We had a great time (minus the medical incident) and started a yearly trip for me with buddies that repeated for years. I ran across a couple more when my […]

My 2015 TDIFest swag arrived this week

| October 28, 2015

It has been a while since attending a TDIFest, but each year I do help with the finances and bookkeeping for a popular Volkswagen diesel car club. One of the quirks of the TDIClub is that it is based out British Columbia, Canada and yet our annual “fest” is held in the U.S. The 2015 […]

A Walgreens buying Rite Aid deal could be $10 Billion

| October 28, 2015

With a few connections in the drug store world, it is always interesting to see who’s next in the acquisitions and mergers. On Tuesday, the financial news filled up mid-day with the latest deal: Walgreens Boots Alliance seeking to buy Rite Aid Corp. This would merge the second and third largest chains together and reduce […]

Sorting through old business files this autumn evening

| October 27, 2015

Great memories of busy days logging the register cash deposits from the walk-in trade back in my Cuyahoga Falls office. It seems like a lifetime ago … and yes, I do kind of miss it. Keeping the business growing was challenging as the digital age matured, but those early days gave me a sense of […]

More work than expected on the BMW X5 35d diesel

| October 26, 2015

I picked up Brenda's 2010 BMW X5 35d on Friday night and started tinkering with it this weekend (yes, my wife's — bummer! — but her 1998 Rav4 needed to be replaced). She absolutely fell in love with the panoramic sunroof (see below) and didn't seem to mind the “many” creature comforts either. There were […]

Time Warner Cable commercial — “Back and Forth”

| October 25, 2015

It is interesting how certain commercials are bring smiles to our faces … but we always seem to stumble on a commercial that sticks in our heads. This one from Time Warner Cable has Brenda and me doing  back and forth “yes, welcome” to each other … just as one from Geico did in 2012. It’s […]

How a lock and key works

| October 24, 2015

Hurricane Patricia at category 5 will be devastating

| October 23, 2015

Hurricane Patricia is well above the category 5 level on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale with maximum winds of 185 MPH. It cannot be overstated how much danger this storm poses to communities on Mexico’s west coast, including Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, and the numerous small towns between the two. At its current speed, it is not only […]

TechFriday: Can YouTube Red compete? Coming 10/28/2015

| October 23, 2015

The best known video streamer, YouTube, has entered the subscription based video streaming service with their YouTube Red. They are asking $9.99 from potential subscribers for ad-free content that can be viewed on a variety of devices or saved for offline viewing. They’ll compete with services from several others who have significant content libraries (movies) […]

Got to love the Ultimate Driving Machine — BMW

| October 22, 2015

I’m fortunate to have a son, who even at 26, seems to enjoy and appreciate hearing his father opine and help hunt for new car. The two of us spent hours emailing back and forth, several weekends looking … and a few evenings after work test driving over the past couple of months … in […]

Continuing to search for Taylor’s next car

| October 21, 2015

Obviously helping (enjoying) my son Taylor look for “his next car” has not been good for me. I end up finding vehicles that I want rather than what HE needs. As my son-in-law mentioned, “you need to thin down your fleet” … so true! He has pretty much given up on economical and reliable, as […]

Rep Paul Ryan is open to running for Speaker

| October 21, 2015

It looks like Rep Paul Ryan is open to running for Speaker of the House “if” all the political components in the Republican party can unite. In today's divided congress (not just Democrats and Republicans), this will not be a small task. I personally hope that this Miami grad (MU Ohio) will be able to […]

A creative way to open and close your business

| October 20, 2015

Very ingenious …

What about a diesel SUV … do I dare?

| October 19, 2015

While helping Taylor look for his next car, I ran across a higher mile (highway), one owner 2010 BMW X5 35d that needs a little work. I'm confident I can take care of the minor body work and paint … but nervous about the computer issues and non-working AC. After a little research on how […]

Finally … we bought a new refrigerator

| October 17, 2015

We waited long enough in deciding what to do with our 20+ year old KitchenAid refrigerator as the cheap paint fix can only do so much in extending the life of our old refrigerator. We opted for the Samsung that I’ve been sitting on the fence about for over a year and realized that we […]

Archive: An email response on the GOP and Dem debates

| October 16, 2015

I wrote and email the other day explaining my thoughts to someone commenting that they were impressed with the Democrats and and not so impressed with the Republicans after watching three recent debates by 20+ different candidates. Since I put a little time and thought into my reply, I figured it might be blog-worthy … […]

Out with the old – Taylor sold his 2007 Volkswagen GTI

| October 15, 2015

Who knows if this was a good decision or not … but my son Taylor decided to sell his 2007 Volkswagen GTI (no … not a diesel TDI tarnished by the VW emissions scandal) and is looking to buy something new. Maybe it was due to driving a full size pickup and a large SUV […]

Admiring the new look of my old building had me reminiscing

| October 14, 2015

  My old Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio office in 2015 and before moving in back in 1987 While calling on customers in NE Ohio last week, I had an hour to enjoy the sunny autumn weather and drove by to see my old building. RC Norman Construction has been in it a few years now and […]

A stopper knot that won’t slip – Herb McCormick

| October 13, 2015

From Cruising World’s Facebook page: It’s How-To Tuesday! Here is one of our favorite, quick and easy ways tie a dependable stopper knot that won’t slip.

Return to work day for Brenda after her summer accident

| October 13, 2015

It’s been almost 10 weeks since Brenda fractured her pelvis and busted up her shoulder and today is “return to work day.” We are hoping she can tolerate it. The physical therapy has gone well but it has been a challenging recovery in getting to this point. Brenda is exceedingly appreciative to one particular occupational […]

Archive: Try Shoo-fly bug sprays for screens and openings

| October 12, 2015

Lynwood Laboratories, Inc Shoo-Fly – save information and purchase link to be tried aboard Encore. It doesn’t matter what you call them—no-see-ums, gnats, sand fleas—yeah, you know who I mean … those maddening flying teeth! And it’s beyond belief how these little Houdinis can get through, or around, even the finest and most tightly-fit hatch […]

Contemplating gerrymandering changes in U.S. politics

| October 11, 2015

After an enjoyable polictical conversation with a client this week in Akron, I'm unsure where to come down on the long political practice of gerrymandering verses risking changing it. On the surface, there must be a better way, but with change can come an unbalanced and equally questionable re-alignment. Here is an article forwarded from […]

Seamanship: Few people can handle a dinghy like this …

| October 9, 2015

SEAMANSHIP: The art and skill of boat handling, ranging from maintenance and repairs to piloting, sail handling, marlinespike work and rigging.

Music: Another day, another song. All for You – Sister Hazel

| October 8, 2015

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Music: Run-Around from the 90s by Blues Traveler

| October 7, 2015

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The Elio P5 prototype is fitted for the new engine

| October 6, 2015

Since I’m “all in” with a “spot in line” to purchase an Elio, it has me focused on following the progress towards building a production vehicle. I’m skeptical that this new company can achieve the high bar they have set (especially the $6800 price), but I’m enjoying the ride with them. This week a few […]

Unfortunately I’ve had Tootsie’s age wrong all these years

| October 5, 2015

  According to my records, we call October 5th Tootsie’s birthday … so Happy Birthday to “this man’s” best friend. It is possible to be off a few days when knowing a dogs birthday, but unfortunately I’ve had her age off for several years now – she is 17 (again)! Whoops … I added a […]

How great thou art (The Singing Contractors)

| October 4, 2015

I have fond memories when working during the summer when I was in college and listening to a couple talented guys … not quite this good, but they were still great.

Bosch Dishwasher Recall – US and Canada

| October 3, 2015

Wouldn’t you know … ours! On October 1, 2015 BSH Home Appliances Corporation, the manufacturer of Bosch® dishwashers, voluntarily agreed, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada to conduct a recall to replace the power cords on certain models of Bosch brand dishwashers. The Bosch brand dishwashers were manufactured […]

TechFriday: Apple filed patent for a smart ring device

| October 2, 2015

What do you think??? I think I need thicker reading glasses. Apple could be developing a new wearable device even smaller than the Apple Watch: an Apple ring. That is, if a recently filed patent leads to an actual product. The ring, which could be made with or without a touch display, would be linked […]

The U.S. eastern seaboard keeps a leery eye on Joaquin

| October 2, 2015

Projection are currently up and down the east coast of the United States (and offshore) for Hurricane Joaquin’s path, but most models have it turning north and gaining speed. As of posting this on October 1st, the storm is a category 4 and pounding the Bahamas with rain. It is moving slow and expected to […]

A lack of foreign policy experience and a portrait of weakness

| October 1, 2015

The world around us is degrading into chaos as Russian “tough guy” President Vladimir Putin sent his militarily into the middle east and has quickly backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the supposedly the terrorist group ISIL/ISIS who is aggressively building their Caliphate and the American backed pro-western rebels (well, maybe … but who really […]

Getting to know the candidates: Marco Rubio in @theskimm

| October 1, 2015

Marco Rubio and his family in Parade.com from September 2013 Getting to know those running for office is always interesting …  but most likely knowing his coffee preference and reasoning isn’t most important factor in supporting a candidate. Early on, we only hear the debate snippets and talking head conversation, but it is also helpful […]

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