My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on October 12, 2011

Surprise! This is something to keep in mind when it comes to replacing the “starter battery” in a hybrid car … not the one to power the electric motors, but the smaller one to start the gasoline engine. As I recall, most gasoline and diesel only car starter batteries are significantly less than $530. This costly item might be something to think about as more and more cars switch to the start and stop hybrid system (oh, and by the way don’t get me going about the price of buying and replacing a Xenon headlamp … one lamp $90!)

Q: My exactly 4-year-old Toyota Camry Hybrid needed a new battery at just under 20,000 miles. The cost was $530! Is this a typical experience? I keep it garaged, get great mileage and otherwise love it.—Phyl Howard, Little Silver, N.J.

A: Starter batteries for hybrids can cost quite a bit, but like any battery in a modern car, they are under a lot of stress to keep up with the demands of a vehicle’s electronic systems which, like an office computer, never shut down completely. I keep my car attached to a trickle charger to keep the battery at or near maximum charge, which helps it last longer. Since the chargers cost about $50, they are worthwhile.

via Me and My Car – WSJ.com.

Category: Automotive | 2 Comments »
Tags: battery, hybrid

Posted By RichC on October 12, 2011

Love it or hate it, this week marks Fox News 15th year of growing into the “most trusted name in news” or at least the most popular name in cable news. They began competing where news was for the most part controlled by left leaning news organizations (and news anchors) and shook things up by offering an alternate angle. They call it “fair and balanced” although most recognize Fox for a line up of conservative commentators with respectable journalist and non-bias solid news in between. The recipe worked and Americans responded with tuning in and in recent 2011 primetime cable news research, Fox News has doubles the viewership of CNN and MSNBC combined.

From challenging interviews with presidents to pressuring those with hidden or not so hidden agendas … Fox News holds public officials feet to the fire and gives voice to a conservative population in American that has been neutered and ignored in decades past. Congratulations to those bucking the status quo and presenting the news from a different perspective. The business tycoon Rupert Murdock who risked building Fox News has certainly lived up to making it “the most powerful news organization in America.” Free speech and a variety of opinions has been the cornerstone of our country, and like it or not, it is good for America to hear views from all sides.

FoxNews | FN YouTube | FN Radio | FN Latino | FN Facebook | FN Twitter | FN Hulu

Category: News | 2 Comments »
Tags: fox news

Posted By RichC on October 11, 2011

Interested in a 1983 Ford Mustang Convertible? My mother-in-law has finally and reluctantly decided to sell her car knowing that a second car isn’t needed anymore. She has unfortunately put too many maintenance dollars into keeping this car in good shape, but it has spent most of the past decade parked in the garage. All in all, if you are interested in a Mustang Convertible of this era, this is a good one.

Before we list it publicly, I though I’d post it here to see if there in any interest from those interested in cars. Unfortunately it is not in Cincinnati, but in Jamestown NY. Send me an email if you are interested. (specs from my sister-in-law below)

1983 Ford Mustang Convertible
6 cylinders auto with 83,000 miles

Mom had a gazillion receipts in the glove compartment from all past service. Mileage 83,000 and something…….mom will check exactly tomorrow (I forgot to look)

It cleaned up nicely but I shampoo-d the carpets, ran it for about an hour-kept it opened to air all day sat……didn’t run bad, started right up, put some gas in it, washed down the seats, cleaned out of the glove compartment, went thru the car wash-mistake with a convertible-multiple water leaks-mom says it has leaked some since she bought it, and I OPENED THE TRUNK, which I don’t think has been opened in 10+ years…..

No rust on the outside, some inside the trunk near spare tire.  Top looks brand new-mom says she put new one on about 5 years ago.  Car actually looks really good and drove well for me but is not registered for road use so I was careful.

I have better pics on my other camera……I’ll put those on my computer tomorrow and make a CD……….no rust on the body at all. Took more pics inside, of tires, trunk and top…..

We don’t have an asking price yet (or confirmed with Brenda’s mom), but if you are interested in first dibs, toss an  offer my way.

Category: Automotive, For Sale | 1 Comment »
Tags: auto, car, convertible, for sale, ford, mustang

Posted By RichC on October 11, 2011

According to the Detroit News and reporter Scott Burgess, there were a few areas still in need of improvement before 2013 Chevrolet’s diesel Cruze will satisfy most American drivers. He points positively to the estimated 50 mpg and 800 range, but in a recent 587 mile trip around Europe, he was only able to return 42 miles per gallon … but on a wide range of roads. He also commented that the Cruze is currently “loud and proud” meaning the clackity-clack of the diesel injectors hasn’t been muffled enough … yet. He suggests that this is something “Europeans don’t seem to mind that much, but Americans will hold their nose up at it like a Frenchman looking at processed cheese.” On the other hand, the 130 mph speed on the Autobahn is something sure to bring a smile to those who have a need for power and speed. Not many 2.0 passenger car engines are delivering performance like that and still able to return combined tank fuel efficiency run above 40 mpg.

Volkswagen TDIs are still the diesels to beat when it comes to small diesels in America, but I for one am glad to see a domestic car company inching into their space and pushing the bar higher … and hopefully the prices lower?

Category: Automotive, Diesel | No Comments »
Tags: Chevrolet, Cruze, diesel

Posted By RichC on October 10, 2011

It was a rough night for passengers on a big ship. The Norweign Cruise Line’s Freedom of the Seas was never in danger according to the company, but a passenger aboard Freedom told Cruiseradio.net a different side of the story:  “It was crazy. The ship was on it’s side, everything broke all over ship, medical emergencies all over, and people ordered to their cabins. The elevators are off, scary.”

Reports are that seas exceeded 18 feet and some vessels stayed in port because of the nor’easter.”

“Freedom of the Seas continues on its regularly scheduled seven-night itinerary, which includes port calls to CocoCay, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Phillipburg, St. Maarten. The ship and will be arriving in Coco Cay, Bahamas, Monday morning, as scheduled,” says company spokesman.

Bad weather and rough seas continue to batter the east coast of Florida. Carnival Fascination is arriving into Jacksonville late today because of the same storm. “Carnival Sensation had to overnight at the dock in Port Canaveral due the adverse weather conditions, but departed this morning at 8 a.m.,” a spokeswoman from Carnival told us.

via Freedom of the Seas gets rocked by rough weather; damage to public areas | Cruise Radio.

Category: Sailing, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: cruise, freedom of the seas, ship

Posted By RichC on October 10, 2011

Brian “Sully” Sullivan, one of my favorite reporters and business news anchors who is now on CNBC, wrote and interesting post that addressed  unemployment, growing the economy and the correct way to increasing tax revenues — “all without spending a dime of taxpayer money.” The point of the article is that of the 14 million unemployed, there are 3.2 million job opening left unfilled. The problem from the employer side is that these position require skills that the unemployed don’t possess. We need workers with the skills to do these jobs. Unfortunately  schools (public and private) aren’t training their graduates with the skills needed for the opening or students aren’t seeing an education in the field where the jobs are offered?  Even the Obama administrations job plan and stimulus billions are targeting the need. They keep throwing borrowed money and sacrificed taxpayer dollars at “green” job training where there aren’t any or many available jobs.

Solution: Corporate balance sheets are for the most part good, at least far better than in 2008. Companies have openings for skilled workers that are needed to grow their business, few successfull companies are in business with the intention of remaining stagnant. Also, investment capital for solid companies is at an all time low … why not train your own workforce … or as Sully’s colleague Herb Greenberg says … “train, don’t complain.”

My addition to this would be to run an in-house scholarship training program in a way that both promises a job after successful completion and contracts for that job (x number of years) to guarantee a skilled worker (think military ROTC). This would  be WIN, WIN, WIN investment. 1) an American gains skills and gets a good job, 2) an employer fills the position available with a skilled worker, 3) the U.S. taxpayer has one  less burden and someone who now pays taxes, increases the nation’s GDP and spends their earning which in turn creates more jobs.  If government wants to help … don’t tax those companies doing the training, but encourage them with tax breaks equal to their cost of training (which will be less than extending unemployment, foodstamps and welfare).

Want to add about $100 billion more annually to the US economy and lower the unemployment rate by more than a percentage point—all without spending a dime of taxpayer money?

Fill America’s more than 3.2 million open jobs.

via US Has 3.2 Million Job Openings Unfilled – CNBC.

Category: Education, Financial, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: jobs, unemployment

Posted By RichC on October 9, 2011

As the autumn weather takes hold in my part of Ohio, we’re seeing a few more hot air balloons drifting by in the evening. This past weekend we had one a bit lower than usual which in turn set the dogs off in the neighborhood … especially when the gas burner roared.

I happened to have my Palm Pre with me as I went out to see what the barking was all about, and although I’m envious of the newer 8 megapixel cameras on the latest phones running Android and the new Apple iPhone 4S, it is still nice to have a fair quality camera with video (below) on my first generation Palm Pre (and perhaps last?)

Category: Aviation, Cellphone, Video | No Comments »
Tags: balloon, palm

Posted By RichC on October 9, 2011

As the U.S. economy tries muddle along,  few new jobs are consistently being added to put Americans back to work. With confidence in the U.S. fiscal situation and our own personal finances low, it’s no surprise to see even new efficient “diesel” passenger vehicle sale struggle. According to the latest numbers, diesel passenger sales through the end of September 2011 were up 30.9% over 2010, but off 13% in the month of September compared to August.

The efficient “green” vehicle sales in general are a pretty small as a  percentage of overall passenger car sales, considering the push many of us hear coming the media. Diesel accounts for only .73% of overall passenger car sales in the U.S. compared to the even smaller .17% for plug-in EVs. Even Hybrid vehicle sales seems small, coming in at only 1.68%. Perhaps the improving gasoline efficiency, less complexity and price point continues to keep Americans buying traditional gasoline powered vehicles?

Led by the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Golf TDI, diesel vehicles have slowly inched their way up the sales charts. No U.S. automaker sold even a single diesel passenger vehicle in September of 2011.

Sales of the segment leader, the Jetta TDI, checked in at 4,158 units in September, bringing the diesel sedan’s year-to-date total to 41,083. The oil-burning Golf didn’t fare nearly as well, but its sales of 694 units in September landed the diesel hatchback in second place. In third, with 610 sales, was the diesel-fueled BMW X5 xDrive35d. And coming in fourth, with 449 units sold, was the spectacular BMW 335d.

via Diesel passenger vehicles sales slip 13% in September; VW, BMW on top.

Category: Automotive, BMW, Diesel, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: diesel, tdi, volkswagen, vw

Posted By RichC on October 8, 2011

This is a miscellaneous post to test the WordPress Super Cache plugin on the new server install. I’ve been having a few update problems with posts and am tweaking the advance setting that will rebuild the cache after each post. Hopefully all domains DNS records will now update with the current post, rather than just the MyDesultoryBlog.com domain?

I’m also adding an image to a favorite shirt – one that I’ve worn for years which is now getting a marketing reintroduction by wolsey.com –$74 isn’t cheap, but it is a well made shirt.

Category: Blogs, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: plugin, super cache, wolsey, wordpress

Posted By RichC on October 8, 2011

My wife and I have been discussing our house. As the kids move out and frequent gathering of friends coming over dissipates… or will hopefully be in the next couple years … we wonder just how necessary it is to stay in our bigger house. We both have things we appreciate about the home we designed and built, but also know the waste it is for just the two of us. Do we really need the excess of bedrooms and bathroom or for that matter the excessive room and home theater that we use too infrequently? I do appreciate the privacy of our acreage, the neighborhood in which we live and having my tools and workshop area, but could do with less. Brenda enjoys putting her touch on and in each room, from art and furniture to personal photos and antiques, but it becomes a collection to what end? Neither of us find the cleaning and maintenance appealing and we are becoming increasingly aware of the dollars that exit our budget to pay for the insurance, utilities and taxes. Unfortunately for the time being though, even if we were to sell and could get an acceptable price for our home, I’m not sure we could agree on what to buy, build or even where? And now that I think of even dealing with the thought of downsizing and the hassles, I’m not sure it would be worthwhile? No, making that change alone will probably keep us here a few more years … or until we can no long afford to stay.

Category: Misc, Personal | 2 Comments »
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