Posted By RichC on July 15, 2014
I didn’t think I spent all that much time posting comments to Twitter, but over the years it does add up. I noticed that my Volkswagen Crossblue post Monday hit the 9000 mark (below). But then it occurred to me that those tweets don’t include the automatic notifications sent out by WordPress MyDesultoryBlog.com … add a few more (right). I guess I do my share of choking the Internet?
Posted By RichC on July 14, 2014
As hinted a few times before, Volkswagen has now officially announced that it will be building the new “yet to be named” seven passenger CUV in Chattanooga, TN. The attractive American-sized crossover will help VW compete in the popular SUV/CUV market come 2016. Many VW enthusiasts (and potential new customers) with growing families have struggled with how to own a Volkswagen and still haul the whole family. The Tiguan is too small and the Touareg, well an expensive and heavily built SUV that isn’t necessarily a family hauler … this new Crossblue (???) just might be the ticket. VW Group of America’s CEO says it will be offered with a diesel … we’ll see about the diesel hybrid?
“The Chattanooga-built midsize SUV will allow us to fulfill the wishes of our dealer network, bringing new customers to our showrooms and additional growth for the brand,” VW Group of America CEO Michael Horn said. “We are eager to be entering this growing vehicle segment with a world-class, seven-passenger SUV from Volkswagen.”
Volkswagen’s yet-unnamed SUV will begin rolling off Volkswagen’s Chattanooga assembly line by the end of 2016, the company said today. Horn also said the MQB-based crossover will be offered with a diesel variant.
Posted By RichC on July 13, 2014
In analyzing my Sodastream Christmas gift from the kids … after polishing off the original soda flavors … my 5 gallons of Diet Coke concentrate will last about 6 months. 
My wife Brenda unfortunately did not become a fan (lifetime Diet Pepsi addict) although I adjusted my daily refreshments choice to primarily the paintball carbonator version of Diet Coke. I still treat myself to the occasional Diet Mountain Dew (my favorite) so that may skew the “priceonomics” when doing accurate financial calculations … but have concluded my modified Sodastream use is about two $60 cubes per year plus about twelve 20 ounce CO2 carbonator refills – one per month ($3.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods). This totals to about $170 per year … which still seems extravagant until I compare it to my approximately “one case of cans per week” calculation – 52 x $6/case (avg) = $320 per year. All in all IF I could switch totally I’m looking at about a $150 per year savings.
Marketing: Notice “all” the bottle shapes on this Diet Coke/Taylor Swift video. 
EDIT: Hmm, just realized that we also recycle our cans which just last week paid us $40 for a carload (plus a few aluminum printing plates). Maybe that tweaks my savings per year to about $130??? Also, in my opinion, adding the small Sodastream on Encore make even more sense. No cans or bottles to haul from the store to the boat or boat to the trash … a no-brainer.
Posted By RichC on July 12, 2014
In planning our upcoming trip visiting the kids, a quick search of the weather indicated that we are in for a cooling spell which will feel good in mid-July IF it happens. 
I also ran across the National Weather Service predictions for a weak-to-moderate El Niño. According to the NOAA site, “typical El Niño impacts in the U.S. include above-average rainfall in the West and suppressed hurricane activity in the East, although neither is guaranteed and largely dependent on El Niño’s strength.” I don’t have a problem with the “suppressed hurricane activity” but then it only takes one coming ashore to wreak havoc and devastation.
Evenings here in SW Ohio have been very pleasant this past week and have given both Brenda and I time outside in order to work in the yard and enjoy the summer weather and the lower than normal humidity. I continued my lumberjack-lite imitation and split some of the logs from last weekend; this was reminiscent of our early years when we heated our house with wood and coal. We always stayed warm.
It still felt good putting away some seasoned firewood for winter … even though with our gas furnace it is not a necessity anymore. I kind of miss those early years.
Posted By RichC on July 11, 2014
Those who enjoy tinkering with Linux and the small and inexpensive
Raspberry Pi will love the new $45 (Intro price) credit card sized HummingBoard computer.
Posted By RichC on July 10, 2014
I listened to a debate on CNBC on Wednesday morning featuring Princeton economics professor Alan Krueger discussing the problems of long term unemployment which lead to Joe Kernen suggesting there are financial disincentives to taking entry level jobs … the kind of work the unemployed need to gain experience. Krueger discounted that people weigh the numbers and choose not to work, but seemed troubled when faced with the financial calculations in some states which heavily favor continuing to accept government handouts and remain unemployed.
| CNBC Squawkbox – Alan Krueger and Joe Kernen (mp3) July 9, 2014 |
It reminded me of a CATO Institute study from 2013 that shocked me: “… in the three most generous states, a person on welfare can take home more money that an entry-level computer programmer.”
Add taxes to what you would need to make in these states to equal the government support, and your hourly pay would need to match the chart below in order to break even.
Posted By RichC on July 9, 2014
Cable and phone companies generally get the bad rap for arranging questionable appointments and providing disappointing in-home service. Well a third company is in contention for the top spot: AE Door & Window.
Last week we had another spring break in our garage door (different one) and since we could drive a different car, this was not an “emergency” call. 
I instead politely called to set up the appointment for Monday, which following a holiday weekend was pushed to Tuesday. The service department took a few detailed notes about which door and even commented that he could see that they were recently out to replace a spring. I chuckled ‘yes’ and then asked if they knew what time on Tuesday and if it would be the same technician. He wasn’t sure … but promised to call on Monday so I could schedule the time off … Déjà Vu.
Then late on Monday I received the call that a service technician would be out to replace the spring between 12 – 5pm Tuesday. Ugh! I asked, “can’t you narrow it down a little more?” No not really … that’s how they schedule, but the technician would call 20 minutes before he arrived. Great … my Tuesday afternoon was shot.
Tuesday … the lunch hour, and then some, passes without a phone call. Finally about 3:30pm the technician calls to ask if he can still come later or if he should re-schedule. “NO, no, no, come tonight” I beg, “come tonight” … I’ve been here all day and don’t want to schedule another day off. He arrived about 6:15pm and looks at the spring and says, “I’m not sure I have that one in the truck.” Huh? Another appointment anyway???
He is going to have the office call to set up another appointment and THEN proceeded to fill out his paperwork bill me for $59! I remained calm externally, but was pretty hot under the collar. I refused to paid … and proceeded to leave the office voicemail machine a “frustrated customer” phone call. What would you do?
Posted By RichC on July 8, 2014
Although it may seem as if our garage of family Volkswagens has dwindled in recent years (we’re down to Taylor’s GTI), I’m still thinking “seriously” about the new Golf Sportwagen IF it comes equipped as rumored in early 2015.
Hopefully decision-makers are paying close attention to about every VW TDI enthusiast that I know (including the written comments below) and that the new 2.0 TDI diesel will be offered with AWD and a manual 6-speed … although I’d be tempted if the quick shifting DSG had extra gears. Certainly the “more room” is a plus for those of us trying to transition from minivans and SUVs.
BUT … until the new Sportwagen arrives, I’ll have to be content ogling my friend Tim’s “soon to arrive” 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI. He placed his order yesterday and teased me by including a message showing the purchase agreement. I’ll be anxious to see how it is equipped and how it drives. Hurry up!!
maastrichtian
I will order one as soon as I can IF I can get this exact configuration: 1. Diesel, 2. AWD, 3. 6spd manual. Current owner of VW Jetta Sportwagen Tdi 6spd manual.
wain
We currently own Jetta sedan and Golf MK4. the configuration that maastrichtian described will convince us to take the plunge, Best cars ever.
Bon
I have 2010 tdi cup edition dsg, blue eshmer metallic
issy54
I’d kinda like an 8 speed DSG.
M3
Sweet! Might have to trade in the ’13 Beetle on one. Pricing info, please?
Breylan Deal-Eriksen
YES! When can I order one? And can I seriously get the 4Motion with the TDi? Because if so, I may have just died.
stevem
Yes, diesel, manual trans & AWD! What they need to compete w/ the Subaru out west though is increased ground clearance, not decreased.
Agree. I live in Colorado, and the the combo I’d like to see is 2.0 TDI, AWD and 6MT. The DSG is nice, but maintenance is costly for a small performance gain. Also, it could get expensive with TDI, DSG and AWD
Don
One more vote for a diesel, AWD, and 6-speed manual.
Bernie
…finally, a TDi awd wagon. I’ll change my suv for it in a heartbeat!
Well, yes, yes and yes. it’s about time. and after Wagon, diesel, manual, add one more yes for AWD! Why has it taken Audi, BMW, and everyone SO LONG to bring the Euro-Norm to us real enthusiasts?!
Joline
Close to perfect! With more clearance it would be perfect!
Thanks! When can I order one?
bruce
looking forward to ordering one as soon as possible… hopefully with 4Motion too…
Hankster
I will RUN to the VW dealer with cash in hand as soon as I can buy a genuine diesel, 6 speed manual, awd wagon. It doesn’t get any better! Why has it taken so long? We are so overrun with porky SUVs I want to gag.
John
Diesel 6 speed manual wagon? Hell yes!
rob repp
current: 2004 golf r32. eager for new options. awd would be a plus.
Ed
Been waiting on something like this for years! Just sold my 2011 A4 Avant Quattro. They only come auto and with the 2.0T. Had a GTi 4 door previously and always loved the bang for the buck I got in the VW. Looking forward to an AWD, 6spd manual diesel!
Chris
You couldn’t have put this out last week BEFORE I bought a 2014 Jetta Sportwagen TDI manual on Monday?? What I really wanted was a Passat wagon, which they don’t make any more in the U.S. Maybe I’ll trade in the JSW next year. But for now I’m happy.
Carol
I currently own a 2009 Jettta TDI sportwagen with 90,000+ miles on it. The extra cargo space plus the diesel make this an easy choice over the Subaru Outback for my next car.
Posted By RichC on July 7, 2014
First … my son Taylor took a few days away from work in Williston, North Dakota 
to going backpacking with a few guys in Glacier National Park – Montana. His weather was picture perfect and besides being out of shape for the long an challenging hikes, he had a fantastic time. I’m so glad he is taking the opportunity while young and single to enjoy the beauty around him … even though driving though Montana isn’t exactly close. Gorgeous views.
Katelyn on the other hand is already enjoying her new home and life in Minneapolis. Husband Drew worked on July 4th, but cousin Justin and his family invited Katelyn to celebrate the day with them. Every time I see Maddy and Evan’s photos I realize just how fast life is moving. I hope Justin and Katie know how much I appreciate them making both Katelyn and Drew feel welcome in Minnesota?
As for me, I spent part of my time in Florida doing some hurricane prep on the boat. I stripped the sails and bimini off of Encore (photo right with just sail down) and gave my friend 
Mark a hand with one of his “up the mast” projects. He did the hard work of hoisting me aloft, while I enjoyed the scenery from my perch in the bosun’s chair. 
I took measurements in hopes to find a fair prices on a few lines (halyards, sheets, furling), and dropped my genoa (sail) off at SouthSails for some restitching.
Brenda 
worked on July 4th and so we celebrated our time together on the weekend. We worked in the yard, fixed Angus Dogs and then ribs on Sunday afternoon. The weather was about as nice as one could ask on both Saturday and Sunday … the humidity was low and temperatures warm. For those few times when the working in the yard and cutting down dead trees had me sweating, there was always the pool (which still needs to be cleaned BTW). It couldn’t have been much nicer 4th of July and weekend … except maybe having the the family back home?
As you can tell from the below photo, I pretty good at the supervising! 
Posted By RichC on July 6, 2014
Now tell me that these electric surfboards wouldn’t be fun? Depending on charging and battery life, having one of these would be great at a beach cottage or to have when cruising or chartering. An Aquila Electric Board has to be better than “sea lice” when it comes to noise.
