VW should hire a new FAST – the Bengals Andy Dalton
Posted By RichC on November 11, 2015
An uncanny resemblance: Volkswagen's “FAST” and the Cincinnati Bengals Andy Dalton.
Remembering our veterans on Veterans Day 2015
Posted By RichC on November 11, 2015
At exactly 11:11 a.m. every Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the sun aligns perfectly with the Anthem Veterans Memorial north of Phoenix, Arizona to shine through the ellipses of five marble pillars representing each branch of the Armed Forces. The desert sun illuminates The Great Seal of the United States in the shadow of the memorial. What an impressive tribute to all the men and women who serve to protect the citizens of the United States.
The first Veterans Day (Armistice Day):
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.
The #GOPDebate hosted by FoxBusiness and the WSJ
Posted By RichC on November 10, 2015
As a big fan of the Wall Street Journal and the FoxBusiness network, I’m looking forward to the next GOP debate tonight (9PM Tuesday 11/10/2015) and am hoping the moderators do a better job than last months CNBC hosted debate. I suspect Maria Bartiromo, Neil Cavuto and Gerard Baker will work particularly hard to avoid “gotcha” questions or ridiculing the candidates. Shamefully for CNBC. Hopefully they will be able to draw a few more details from the leading candidates regarding how they will govern, negotiate with congress to move the country forward and deal with our adversaries overseas (and at home).
There will also be an earlier 7:00PM showing with 4 second tier candidates – 3 governors and one senator: Christie, Huckabee, Jindal and Santorum. That one-hour debate will be moderated by Sandra Smith, Trish Regan and WSJ’s Gerald Seib.
I’m particularly fond of a tax overhaul and fiscal responsibility in Washington DC, but not confident that any “electable” candidate will be able to infiltrate the culture which rewards politicians who dole out entitlements, tax loopholes and promises benefiting their particular constituents. The system is broken. On the other hand, let’s not give up on a compromise in order to gain a little ground for the best interest of the whole.
I’m hoping moderators steer the conversation around the actual issues and avoids the personal attacks. It is bad enough when they come from candidates’ supporters, but really turns me off coming from the moderators and the candidates themselves.
The graphic above has to do with the “pop” in social media in the previous CNBC GOP debate. I think it is Twitter only, but indicates what kind of comment generates an public response from viewers … the Cruz blue spike was his chastising CNBCs’ moderators and the long stretch of red is a vocal base of Trump supporters. What will tonight bring?
Fans of Manual Transmission Can’t Let Go
Posted By RichC on November 9, 2015
I’m in “sync” with Alan Macey and the minority when he says, “we find joy in those fleeting moments between ratios; the crescendo of rpm, the gentle click of the gate, the building inertia in our chest as the drivetrain becomes whole again.” Let’s save the manual transmission!
No matter how tightly the clutch, stick-shift enthusiasts can’t reverse trend toward cars with automatic transmission.
Source: Do You Drive Stick? Fans of Manual Transmission Can’t Let Go
Lost at sea: the man who vanished for 14 months
Posted By RichC on November 9, 2015
In November 2012, Salvador Alvarenga went fishing off the coast of Mexico. Two days later, a storm hit and he made a desperate SOS. It was the last anyone heard from him – for 438 days. This is his story
First road trip for our new-used 2010 BMW X5 35d
Posted By RichC on November 7, 2015
I took “Brenda’s” car on its first road trip this week without asking while making calls in NE Ohio – whoops?!?! It sure was an enjoyable car to drive … too bad it replaces her 1998 Toyota Rav4 and not my 2006 Honda Pilot.
Jealously aside, I was anxious to see just what kind of fuel economy this 2010 BMW X5 35d would return … finished the trip at about 24.8 according to the trip computer (will be checking the manual numbers on the next fill). So far it’s not going to hit 30 mpg, but “maybe” I’ll be able to figure out how to get it above 26 mpg (the top for my 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel that I often drive in good weather) … but the driving performance is way better than I expected – nice!
The Cincinnati Bengals remain undefeated: 8-0 #TNF
Posted By RichC on November 6, 2015
It was an exciting night watching the Cincinnati Bengals host the Cleveland Browns on CBS's Thursday Night Football. We call it “the battle for Ohio” and the game pits my TWO home teams against each other (we lived 13 years in Cleveland). This year it is more important than ever for the Bengals as they are having a great season and the best start in their franchise history.
The game started with Cincinnati taking an early but only modest lead and going into the second half up by only 4 points. Still the Bengals looked better and relatively mistake free — their Achilles heel. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Cincinnati extended their lead by adding 3 more points with a combination of short passes and a solid running game.
Then we come to the 4th quarter … and the best team started to really shine. I felt bad for the Cleveland Browns and their fans as they really looked as they didn't belong on the same field. Both the offense and defense for Cincinnati dominated giving the Bengals another win keeping their season undefeated at 8-0. Final score was CIN 31 – CLE 10. On both sides of the ball, the Bengals look like they are for real this year.
Video: Skydiving and flare guns do not mix
Posted By RichC on November 5, 2015
My favorite inexpensive smaller low wattage LED light bulbs
Posted By RichC on November 4, 2015
Over the last couple years, my son-in-law and I have been slowly upgrading our home light bulbs with varied LEDs. For both of us it has been an experiment in getting the most satisfactory bulbs for the least number of dollars … 
unfortunately that usually means ordering a box from China in bulk (gambling with quality).
One “small” 110v E27 bulb I bought has been a favorite and has been performing beautifully … and they were inexpensive ($2-$3 ea). The small LED uses 5 watts and casts a warm enough (2800-3000K), yet bright enough light to rival the previous 25-40 watt incandescent light bulbs they replaced. I use them in our 5 outside garage lights where they are near perfect and run dusk til dawn. I use one in my office just a background light to leave on 24/7. On the boat, I have a 110v over the chart table light that is my favorite for reading and sitting at the desk staying cool … and consuming minimal amps is a plus. Still the many 12 volt DC only lights are more efficient in the long run rather than running off the inverter.
We recently replace our old Kitchenaid refrigerator with a new Samsung frig and before sending the old to the recycling heap, I took the LED bulbs that I replaced out of it noting one wasn’t working. Before tossing, I was curious what made this little guy my favorite and cut it apart to take a look (above). Nothing special … but I would buy them again IF I could find this exact ceramic based bulb.
Enjoyed The Daily Skimm’s review of the Keystone XL Pipeline
Posted By RichC on November 3, 2015
TransCanada requested a suspension of the U.S. permit on the Keystone XL Pipeline and one of my favorite “short take” email headlines did an appropriate refresher:
Keystone XL Pipeline: not a beer. It’s a major oil pipeline project that would carry a LOT of crude oil from Canada to Texas. It’s also a major political headache. The GOP and oil companies say it would create US jobs and reduce North American reliance on Mideast oil. Democrats and environmental groups say ‘ever heard of oil spills? Or global warming?’ It’s up to President Obama to give the final OK on the project, but he’s been taking his sweet time (think: his entire presidency) deciding whether or not to give the green light.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.