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.
EPA, Volkswagen Spar Over New Emissions Claims
Posted By RichC on November 3, 2015
When there is blood in the water, it’s a feeding frenzy. Just as we Volkswagen diesel advocates were thinking “maybe” the company would come up with a fix … then the second shoe dropped. This news includes more diesel vehicles, this time the 6-cylinder TDIs adding Audi and Porsche diesel SUVs. According to earlier comments, “a Volkswagen spokesman said the auto maker doesn’t plan to halt sales of the affected models as it did with the 482,000 diesel-powered vehicles.” As Yogi Berra would say, “it ain’t over till it’s over.”
Volkswagen installed defeat devices aimed at manipulating U.S. emissions tests on thousands of additional diesel-powered vehicles, the EPA said, widening the scandal at the German auto maker.
The EPA said its recent tests found Volkswagen installed devices aimed at manipulating U.S. pollution tests in some Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche diesel-powered vehicles. The regulator said the vehicles had increased nitrogen-oxide emissions up to nine times the allowable standard.
“VW has once again failed its obligation to comply with the law that protects clean air for all Americans,” said Cynthia Giles, the EPA’s associate administrator of enforcement and compliance assurance, in a conference call.
A Volkswagen spokesman disputed the EPA’s findings, saying the auto maker didn’t install emissions-test evading software on any of the newly identified vehicles. “It is a permissible software,” he said, adding: “What’s at issue here is clear: Does the U.S. want competition in the American market or not?”
More in the WSJ: EPA, Volkswagen Spar Over New Emissions Claims
Bengals 16 – Steelers 10. Not pretty but another win.
Posted By RichC on November 2, 2015
This should have been a weekend working on autumn chores like raking leaves or closing the pool, but instead I tinkered around in the garage (and “on” the garage) on Saturday while the weather was “so-so” and then watched football on Sunday when the weather was nice. The excuse I'm using is that the Cincinnati Bengals were playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is always an intense game and this weekend it was exactly that … although both teams made way too many mistakes. In the end the low score was a 16 -10 win for the Bengals keeping them 7-0 and undefeated. How games against the Steelers make fans uptight in Cincinnati (or for that matter, Cleveland — I'm still a Browns fan). Hm … Thursday night should be interesting with the battle for Ohio on Thursday Night Football.
Even though we've had plenty of frost and cool weather, the grass still looks green and humble looking rose bushes are still blooming around the house. Seems strange to see new flowering roses in November?
The etymology of “pay through the nose”
Posted By RichC on November 1, 2015
I don't recall why I used the phrase “pay through the nose” this past week, but this sounds about right …
Instead of fighting the invaders, some English kings preferred to pay the Vikings to leave them in peace. These payments were called 'Danegeld' (meaning 'Dane debt' or Dane payment). The Vikings collected tribute in other countries too. In Ireland in the 9th century they imposed a tax and slit the noses of anyone unwilling or unable to pay, and that is the origin of the English phrase 'to pay through the nose' meaning to pay an excessive price.
LINK
Elio Motors with their P5 is closer to a production prototype
Posted By RichC on 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 if they can continue to make progress without a delay in order to have a production car by 2016 – that’s pretty ambitious.
Body Modifications Boost Aerodynamics, MPG
The front end of the P5 will be slightly longer and slightly more aerodynamic than the P4. This generates two important benefits:
- Continued aerodynamic improvement; and,
- The longer front-end makes the Elio look more futuristic and stylish.
The P5 also will feature side-exhaust that will replicate how the exhaust is likely to look in the final version.
Interior Upgrades
Body styling has always been important for catching the consumer’s eye. But, the reality is, people spend their time in the vehicle. Over the last decade, automakers have put more emphasis on interior styling, amenities and functionality. Elio Motors knows the interior will be important to our fans and customers. We’ve made some nice upgrades on the P5 that are likely to help differentiate the vehicle when we reach production.
Most of these changes are very subtle, but they’ll make a difference in comfort and convenience:
- The arm rest on the door was raised;
- The rear seat was lowered to create more passenger headroom;
- Additional foam was added to the rear seat for a cushier feel.
We also upgraded the instrument panel for better aesthetics:
- A redesigned iPad holder;
- The A-pillar shape will be less intrusive; and
- Brushed metal was added to the dashboard to provide a more modern look.
None of these changes are revolutionary, but each one helps add up to an improved driving experience for both the driver and the passenger. It also shows just how many small engineering details need to be considered on the road to production.
The P5 represents a significant step forward in vehicle dynamics with the new IAV engine and transmission. It also gave us the opportunity to refine many of the details that we know are important to our consumers.
Mantus Snap-On Light is a sturdy and handy boat gadget
Posted By RichC on 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
Posted By RichC on 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 the stock and success of this social networking company.
Most investors and stock market traders realize that new and innovative companies need growth more than profits in order to sustain their stock price, unfortunately the 3rd quarter financials for Twitter didn’t impress (LINK). Neither growth or profits currently favor $TWTR as an investment … but the service is still a very popular outlet, especially for the news media and as a way to report real time information and give feedback. Some of are waiting for a sugar daddy buyer – Google, Apple, Microsoft or a media company?
Many of us (yes I own $TWTR) are hoping that Dorsey can infuse some direction into this fledging company. His instincts have been good and the current active user base for Twitter is a good mix – most importantly expendable income type users for advertisers to market to. I’d like to see some consistency in advertiser growth and a steady predictable stream of innovative tweaks. With the right leadership, this shouldn’t be that difficult to manage. As for the volatile stock price and chart direction … that’s probably not going to change until analyses can come to some consensus.
Finding photos that stir good memories #TBT
Posted By RichC on 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 brother and I were cleaning out my mom and dad’s house in Sidney (two new ones below taken by dad while were packing) … the photo “finds” make sorting through things and getting the house ready for market a slow process.
What great memories … I’m so glad I have them.
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.