Posted By RichC on 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 the wind and surge, but the amounts of rain due to flood the surrounding areas AND well inland. Stay tuned.
Most Intense Storm Ever Recorded in the Eastern Pacific
—
Category: Weather |
1 Comment »
Tags: hurricane, mexico, patricia, storms, tropical, weather
Posted By RichC on 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) and large subscriber bases – chart below. YouTube (Google) has the deep pockets to acquire content and are in a strong position to stream live broadcasts to connected devices, but will need to expand more of this unique live content that is not available currently (think high school/college athletics, newscasts from all over the world and unique streaming events).
Comparison graphic above from Forbes
Category: Entertainment, Technology, Video |
No Comments »
Tags: red, services, streaming, subscription, tech friday, techfriday, video, youtube
Posted By RichC on 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 search of the perfect next car. He (and I) finally concluded that the BMW brand was going to be the next vehicle … at least until we come face to face with maintenance woes.
Last night Taylor finally decided on his car … a BMW 528i xDrive (In with the new, after out with the old). It’s a few years old and has enough miles on the odometer to make it affordable, but this beautiful "space grey" sedan looks and drives perfectly. The one owner car had detailed records and was recently thoroughly serviced by BMW of Cincinnati. I doubt the trunk was ever opened (it’s that clean) and 3.0 liter inline six is probably the best engine BMW ever built. With new tires, impeccable paint, rear biased all-wheel drive and a long list of interior comforts, I think Taylor will be happy for a long time.
Category: Automotive, BMW, Personal, Photos, Video |
No Comments »
Tags: 528i, BMW, cars, taylor, video, xdrive
Posted By RichC on 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 we’ve met a couple times after work to test drive a couple BMW 528Xi sedans … the one on the left is a 2009 and the one on the right a 2008. Neither is going to be economical or low maintenance, but I do understand a young man’s urge to not always be frugal or logical. I’ve always struggled with the same yin and yang my entire life — usually giving in to logical and sensible.
Category: Automotive, BMW, Shopping |
No Comments »
Tags: BMW, cars, Shopping, taylor, used
Posted By RichC on October 21, 2015
Rep Paul Ryan leaving his office on Tuesday
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 bring both the traditional moderates wing and relatively new conservative right wing of the party together. I hope he gets the chance.
WASHINGTON—Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) indicated to House Republicans on Tuesday that he would be open to running for speaker under certain conditions, according to lawmakers attending a closed-door meeting.
The Wisconsin Republican told the lawmakers that he would need the support of the hard-line conservative group the Freedom Caucus, centrists in the Tuesday Group and the Republican Study Committee, a larger conservative group within the caucus.
Mr. Ryan has said he doesn’t want the job but has been wooed by his colleagues as the one lawmaker with leadership and vision to bridge the divides in the fractious conference. On Tuesday night, he gave his GOP colleagues his strongest indication yet that their entreaties could pay off.
Mr. Ryan said he wanted to know by Friday if the three major caucuses would endorse him. He said he wouldn’t support rules changes to benefit any one caucus, said Rep. Charlie Dent (R., Pa.).
According to a Ryan aide, if the members “agree with his requests and share his vision, and if he is a unity candidate—with the endorsement of all the conference’s major caucuses—then he will serve as speaker,” an aide said. “He will be all in.”
Full WSJ article LINK
Category: News, Politics |
No Comments »
Tags: congress, paul ryan, republican, speaker
Posted By RichC on October 20, 2015
Very ingenious …
Category: Innovation, Misc |
1 Comment »
Tags: close, open, sign
Posted By RichC on 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 to connect to the vehicle without a dealer's assistance with the onboard computer, it sounds a bit more challenging than our Volkswagens with my VAGCOM setup. We'll see how my offer and negotiation skills go (stay tuned) … half the battle has already been won — my wife's approval.
Category: Automotive, BMW, Diesel, Volkswagen |
No Comments »
Tags: BMW, diesel, SUV, x5 35d
Posted By RichC on 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 were not going to be remodeling the kitchen anytime soon. The new refrigerator fits great, looks good and is a quiet as a mouse. Although the ice maker doesn’t make and store as much as the old, the in-the-door feature and added freezer space is a plus. The only glitch is that the brushed stainless steel doesn’t match the Bosch dishwasher perfectly … but as I pointed out to Brenda, the angles are different and with the lighting you’d be hard pressed to notice.
Let’s see if I’m as pleased in 20 years!
Category: Misc, Personal, Photos |
1 Comment »
Tags: home, improvements, kitchen, refrigerator, samsung, update, upgrade
Posted By RichC on 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 … or maybe not???
Sorry to hear that all you digested 16 person field of Republican candidates was the press ballyhooing Donald Trump’s comments (BTW, NPR is not going to give you balance).
Before you jump onboard Democratic Socialist movement (currently their leaning), you better review history as it relates to presidential leadership necessary for a peacemaking superpower nation:
- National security — what does it takes to protect Americans, prevent war in the world, ethnic killing and terror training sanctuaries?
A: Strong U.S. leadership, a "big stick" approach feared by those who pose or attempt to be a threat and has the ability (with a strong leader) to build a coalition that respects and follows a perceived winner.
- Strong economy — what creates upward mobility and financial success?
A: Balanced budgets, smaller government, low taxes, fewer entitlements, companies competing in free market capitalism(stimulates innovation) and a minimum amount of regulation. This strength creates more and better jobs with higher wages searching for the best employees and demanding more from schools and universities.
- Moral Values — how do we continue 200+ years of American exceptionalism?
A: By adhering to and teaching traditional American values that built this nation which derived inspiration from biblical principles and upholds basic rights granted to each "individual." Government should not impinge this liberty (judicial branch),yet needs to uphold the laws (executive branch) enacted by the people (legislative branch). Building this foundation starts with encouraging family – preferably a mother and father to teach by example and extending to the citizen directed locally controlled schools.
You don’t have to go too far back in history to see what happens when nations don’t pursue the above:
- Weak international leadership = national security problems.
- Centrally controlled bloated government = slow economy, loss of jobs, low wages.
- Disregard for morality = single parents, disruptive and failing schools, disregard for rule of law, lack of purpose or focus, poor work ethic, corruption, lack of respect and a nation in decline.
Let "history" be your guide … as philosopher George Santayana is credited, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Think more about the philosophy each candidate (and party) will be pursuing rather than those saying things for attention or pandering to interest groups for their endorsement, campaign donations and votes.
–signed–
PS. Remember Margaret Thatcher’s comment, "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money."
Category: Archive, Politics |
No Comments »
Tags: candidates, capitalism, debate, dem, gop, opinion, Politics, socialism
Posted By RichC on 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 in Williston, North Dakota for the last two years or perhaps it is just a young man wanting a change? I suspect one of the issues is the age old “dollars to repair verses dollar toward a newer car” debate we’ve all been through. Nevertheless, his sporty little performance car now has a new owner … a young girl just learning to drive a stick. Let’s hope this little pocket rocket doesn’t get her in any trouble.
Speaking of Volkswagen things … I just replaced my daily VW water thermos bottle with a new Klean Kanteen. The old one was given to me as a gift when our CinciTDI car club hosted the TDIFest here in Cincinnati. I dropped it one too many times and the vacuum seal has leaked and it no longer keeps my water as cold as it once did. Hopefully the new stainless steel thermos will live up to its $24 and positive reviews.
Category: Automotive, Tidbits, Volkswagen |
1 Comment »
Tags: bottle, gti, kanteen, klean, sold, taylor, thermos, volkswagen
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 the wind and surge, but the amounts of rain due to flood the surrounding areas AND well inland. Stay tuned. 
