The good news that yesterday the gazebo project moved ahead as the pilings were sunk and cemented before the rain came. The bad news is that it is a damp day today, but ‘lo and behold‘ the construction crew is working this morning … according to the ustream.tv channel I’m broadcasting. Setting up a webcam and checking in is probably a little over the top, but since I have the video camera and the view, I thought it would be fun to set it up. (I also regularly check on another construction project, although it is a bit bigger – University of Akron stadium construction)
I’m embedding the live stream below for neighbors, or by clicking the photo a separate window should open with the ustream.tv live video stream.
Finally … we are moving ahead with the repairs/replacement of our homeowner association’s damaged gazebo. The lake was pumped down yesterday and the contractor is hoping for a few rain-less days in order to get the piling in place so construction can start.
The original gazebo stood for 15 years and was blown over by hurricane Ike last fall (link) and we have had a challenging time finding an appropriate contractor (and ‘acceptable’ bid) to tackle the project. I’m crossing my fingers that all goes well and am looking forward to having the picturesque structure back on our small lake.
Since I’ve been tinkering with some odds and end computer and video hardware, I also set up a ustream.tv feed.
Also, I’ve installed the WordPress plug-in called Lightbox 2 which improves the “enlarged photo” view when someone clicks on a photo on my blog. (click on the photo to try it out) So far it seems to work well.
Lightbox 2 allows you to present images in a slick window, while darkening the rest of the page. It makes your site look professional, and adds very little to page load times. It does not require any browser plugins to work, and works on just about every web browser out there! When a browser doesn’t support javascript, the code fails gracefully.
The brilliant Lightbox 2 javascript/css was written by Lokesh Dhakar. I simply made it into a WordPress plugin. Krembo99 and Tanin added the beautiful auto-lightboxing code.
The new VW Golf shows off its lines at the New York Auto show on April 8, 2009. The new looks is a tad bit more chiseled than the previous model, but retains all the functionality and sporty European handling known to Rabbit and Golf owners. All in all, its a good look.
Volkswagen also showed off a TDI-powered Golf that featured a few upgrades not seen on the North American models last year, including a Dynaudio stereo and automatic climate control. A DSG automatic transmission — with six forwards speeds — will be standard on all Golf models, except for the base vehicle.
According to an “Wheels” article today in the New York Times, Stefan Jacoby, president and chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America talked and promoted clean diesel over electric and hybrid vehicles a the New York auto show. He was the keynote speaker at the annual breakfast for the press and took the opportunity to point to Volkswagen’s efforts in improving fuel efficiency and in competing to “find the fuel of the future.”
According to the article, ” Jacoby said that technological improvements in clean diesel “will improve miles per gallon” without incurring big expenses.” He commented that the VW Jetta TDI, which has achieved 58 miles a gallon in testing and believes we can expect to see “50 to 70 miles a gallon would be possible in the next 10 years.” The VW executive also said that “Some of the new technology is 20 years off,” he said, clearly meaning electric-battery power and fuel-cell technology. “And we may find better options.”
His real push is for tax incentives in order to encourage Americans to buy new cars, as well as additional incentives that will target the more fuel efficient clean diesel cars. “A cash for clunkers program, or “fleet modernization,” as Mr. Jacoby called it, similar to what Germany has in place, would go a long way to help consumers, dealers, suppliers and the environment.”
Perhaps I’m offering up some free advertising to Sprint and their soon to be release Palm Pre smartphone, but I am pretty ‘geeky’ excited about getting my hands on this new gadget and don’t mind being used. Some expect it to show up this month (I doubt it), while others believe its release will be targeted just before the first iPhone contracts run out early this summer? It has been a closely held secret … that’s for sure. The new video ads (above) and the mesmerizing Sprint NOW site loaded with web widgets are certainly putting Palm’s live or die smartphone front and center. The way I see it, if this gadget can keep me from looking at expensive diesel cars, then it’s saving me money?
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Nissan announced a couple new 370Z models today in New York including the 2010 370Z Roadster. This impressive and affordable performance car is winning over enthusiasts and will by the end of summer have a top down sibbling. The 2010 Nizzan 370Z Roadster sports a no-touch convertible top will make for a very easy to operate soft top, while still retaining solid performance and outstanding styling. If I were not a diesel oriented sort, this roadster would be a sure fire replacement for our old ragtop MGB. See the video announcment published at 7:30PM Tuesday evening at the Nisson 370 website.
Although my confidence is low that I’ll be able to reduce the number of “junk faxes” being sent to me, I’m going through the procedure put in place by the FCC anyway. The steps are fairly straight forward in entering a complaint online, but I suspect results may not be all that forthcoming?
My suspicion: I believe that fax numbers are sold to different fax marketing firms who cater to the ‘cheap’ travel and boiler room investment types. Some may be pure scams and others may offer a product which I suspect is sub-standard. I’m also suspicious that just like the links on emails asking to be removed from an email list, that entering your fax number may increase the likelihood that you will receive more faxes rather than less (probably disguised as being from a different marketing firm). My advice is not to attempt to be removed from these lists but to ignore the marketing. I’ll update results from my complaint to the FCC here.
4/18/2009 Update: I received a letter from the FCC the past week:
I’ve never been all that attracted to the ‘add-on’ chrome tailpipe trend which has become the norm in recent years, but now that many of these cars have a few years of age they are becoming downright ugly. While spending a few days driving this past week I notice a relatively late model Nissan sporting some rusting chrome tips and remembered why I didn’t like these add-on fashion statements.
Who knows who will begin to bring the conservative movement and the Republican party back to life and attract new American voters? If big government and the spending of the current Democrats joining the honeymooning President Obama isn’t enough to help unite conservatives, then perhaps it is time for some new blood. Take a look at Rep Paul Ryan (R) from Wisconsin as he talks with Fox News correspondent Carl Cameron. Does he have what it takes to carry the torch and convince Americans that conservationism is best for our country?
Even a frugal diesel guy like me can’t resist enjoying watching 705 HP of American steel (and fiberglass) do 185mph in standing mile “warm up run.” That’s flying.
The good news that yesterday the gazebo project moved ahead as the pilings were sunk and cemented before the rain came. The bad news is that it is a damp day today, but ‘lo and behold‘ the construction crew is working this morning … according to the ustream.tv channel I’m broadcasting. Setting up a webcam and checking in is probably a little over the top, but since I have the video camera and the view, I thought it would be fun to set it up. (I also regularly check on another construction project, although it is a bit bigger – University of Akron stadium construction) 
According to an
