My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on May 26, 2009

Being on the Ohio roads regularly for business and pleasure had me pondering my home state’s ranking in the National Motorists Association‘s Memorial Day review of the least friendly states for drivers. The survey used 17 criteria that unfortunately placed Ohio just behind New Jersey as the most unfriendly state for drivers. The state rankings were calculated based on items related to specific traffic laws, enforcement practices, the treatment of traffic ticket defendants by a legal system might be  construed as a kangaroo court.

Full List Of State Rankings From Worst To Best

1. New Jersey
2. Ohio <===========
3. Maryland
4. Louisiana
5. New York
6. Illinois
7. Delaware
8. Virginia
9. Washington
10. Massachusetts
11. Colorado
12. Oregon
13. Tennessee
14. California
15. Michigan
16. Vermont
17. Maine
18. Florida
19. Pennsylvania
20. North Carolina
21. Alabama
22. Rhode Island
23. West Virginia
24. New Hampshire
25. Arizona
26. New Mexico
27. Missouri
28. Texas
29. Oklahoma
30. Nevada
31. Georgia
32. Connecticut
33. South Carolina
34. Iowa
35. Hawaii
36. Arkansas
37. Alaska
38. Kansas
39. Mississippi
40. Wisconsin
41. Utah
42. South Dakota
43. Indiana
44. Minnesota
45. North Dakota
46. Kentucky
47. Nebraska
48. Montana
49. Idaho
50. Wyoming

List of Criteria Used To Generate Rankings (no particular order)

1. Speed Traps Per Capita (# of speed traps listed on www.speedtrap.org indexed to population)
2. Does the state have “driver responsibility” fees?
3. Does the state have mayor’s courts?
4. Does the state authorize the use of roadblocks?
5. What are the freeway speed limits?
6. Does the state have red-light cameras?
7. Does the state have speed cameras?
8. Are there toll roads in the state?
9. Is a jury trial available for traffic violations?
10. Is trial by declaration (asserting a defense in writing without appearing in court) available?
11. Is the state a member of the Non-Resident Violator Compact?
12. Is the state a member of the Driver’s License Compact?
13. Are radar detectors banned in the state?
14. Does the state have a primary seat belt law?
15. Are there adult helmet laws in the state?
16. Are there move-over laws in the state?
17. Is cell phone use banned?

Category: Automotive, Local, Politics, Travel | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on May 25, 2009

Memorial Day weekend was the first chance I had to get a close up view of the ‘new to North America’ V-6 TDI 3.0L version of the  diesel Volkswagen Touareg 2. Most TDI advocates have been wondering just when the ‘realistic’ version of a VW SUV was going to arrive in the states … seeing the V-10 behemoth a bit of an overkill — it can tow  a Boeing 747 (not to mention it’s premium price).

Nevertheless, I was disappoint that the options on the model at my local dealer built a diesel Touareg that was a bit pricey; it had about $10K worth of options pushing the priced over $52,000 — that’s right up with the BMW X5 35d and Mercedes Benz CDI SUVs. For those trying to be a little more realistic, the base price of the VW Touareg2 V6 TDI is about $42,000 (about $3K more than a gasoline version) and is relatively well equipped. If you are interested in the one in the photos below, I’m sure Stew Williams at FairfieldVW would be glad to sell it to you — tell him Rich sent you!
🙂
Stay tuned for an eventual test drive report, but for now I’ll include a few untouched photos from my trusty Palm Treo 700p.

_

Category: Automotive, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: diesel, SUV, tdi, touareg, volkswagen, vw

Posted By RichC on May 25, 2009

While listening to my wife reminisce about Memorial Day days traditions when she was a child, I found myself looking down with a little embarrassment since I didn’t establish the same thoughtful traditions for our family. Disclosure: her father, WWII vet, was the only one in the family who actually prioritized the day. Nevertheless, the discussion brought me to thinking about the original 30th of May purpose for Decoration Day established in 1868: “designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.” In 1882 the name “Memorial Day” was used in combination with Decoration Day, but it wasn’t until after World War II that it became commonly used. In 1967 Congress officially declared the day Memorial Day and then in 1968 the Uniform Holidays bill moved the three holidays of Washington’s Birthday (now Presidents’ Day), Veterans Day and Memorial Day to a specific Monday in order to create a 3-day weekend. The change from May 30th (originally Decoration Day and Memorial Day) to the last Monday in May.

As I remember those who died in order to preserve and protect our nation by flying my flag at half staff until noon, I’ll say a prayer of protection for those who continue to do serve in our armed forces. Thank you for the freedom I enjoy.

Category: History, Misc, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: Memorial Day

Posted By RichC on May 24, 2009

It has been an emotionally tangled weekend as one of those parenting situations beyond my ability to intercede and fix has come up.  Searching for good advice has been challenging and I’m thankful to have a caring God to turn to, knowing that He is big enough to handle even my smallish issue. — “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Rev 22:13)

Psalm 113

¹ Praise the LORD.
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.

² Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.

³ From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.

⁴ The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.

⁵ Who is like the LORD our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,

⁶ who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?

⁷ He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

⁸ he seats them with princes,
with the princes of their people.

⁹ He settles the barren woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD.

Category: Personal | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on May 23, 2009

The long running automotive magazine program Motorweek praised the 2009 Volkwagen Jetta TDI as their 2009 Driver’s Choice pick for car of the year, while not mentioning the sister “Sportwagen” TDI … until today.

_

Category: Automotive, Biodiesel, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: motorweek, sportwagen, tdi, volkswagen, vw

Posted By RichC on May 22, 2009

I was able to get some of the vegetable garden planted this past week and fenced in order to protect the tender plants from the ravenous bunnies we have around our house. One would think that Tootsie, our Australian Blue Heeler could defend the property, but the rabbits seem to populate despite her efforts to keep them at bay? Besides the food garden, my wifes’ flowers are starting to add color to our landscape. I think its going to be an enjoyable summer in the backyard?

Tootsie

Category: Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: flowers, garden

Posted By RichC on May 21, 2009

Next best thing to waking up next to my beautiful wife … 😆 …  is waking up to a beautiful sunrise.  Today’s sunrise over Akron, Ohio was no exception and  I did my best to capture it out my hotel room window on my ‘long in the tooth’ Palm Treo 700p smartphone (the Palm Pre is coming!).

What a great start to a beautiful day.

Category: Cellphone, Photos | 1 Comment »
Tags: akron, ohio, sunrise

Posted By RichC on May 21, 2009

I’m taking advantage of the ‘hopefully’ short window between my son’s return from college and summer employment. I’ve put him to work edging a few landscape mounds and spreading our mulch. Hmm … what else needs to be done?
😀

Oh … and although he doesn’t read this … Happy Birthday to my brother Ron.

Category: Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: taylor

Posted By RichC on May 20, 2009

Now that we all know that the Palm Pre will be available for consumers on June 6th, where is the best place to buy it?

One would think that heading to the Pre’s exclusive carrier Sprint, but you might be wrong. According to an Engadget post, Best Buy intends to sell the long awaited smartphone for the $199 promoted price without making buyers pay $299 requiring mail in rebate forms and waiting who knows how long to receive the $100 check.

Category: Cellphone, Shopping | No Comments »
Tags: best buy

Posted By RichC on May 20, 2009

It is long past due that I mention that a friend’s second coffee shop location for Coffee Beans & Brew in Monroe, Ohio location is open for business. Steve’s first CBB is on Yankee Road near the Cincinnati-Dayton Road intersection in Liberty Township has been one of my favorite coffee houses and I’ve been anxious to see the new location since I’ve been looking at the drawings and discussing the plans with him for over a year.

I’m sure most of the flavored coffees and fancy cappuccinos are fine, but I enjoy regular coffee or the full flavored Kauai coffee beans to brew at home. The local favorite seems to be Buckeye Brew which I mix with Swiss Water Decaf about half and half so I can have a second 16 oz cup … although find that the homemade milkshakes and fruit smoothies hard to resist  in the summer. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and is a great place to meet friends and clients, but perhaps the most appealing feature at the moment is that neither location is terribly crowded. It does make it a convenient and quite place to connect to WiFi or just finish up morning or end of the day paperwork. Both locations are spotless and have friendly staff; for those who prefer a drive thru, the Monroe location has one and is only a short mile to I-75.  Stop by and say hello to Steve … or look around for me.

Category: Business, Local | No Comments »
Tags: coffee