My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on March 17, 2008

A friend of mine asked me where he could find television content streamed on his notebook computer when he was away from home, and I joked “get a Slingbox.” After thinking, I mentioned that most networks air their recent episodes online (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX) and that I tried a service call Joost which I thought was the best service. (EDIT: removed the Joox link) BUT …

I was wrong — Hulu.com is better, and here’s why: tons of content. From television programing on demand to full length movies all in excellent streaming quality … even full screen isn’t too bad. Hulu is doing a fantastic job and best yet it is now out of Beta … so all you need to do is to sign up for a free account and check it out. You won’t be sorry. (I just enjoyed episode 1 (Pilot) of WKRP in Cincinnati – what you want, when you want.)

Hulu team at Launch – from their blog

Hulu’s ambitious and never-ending mission is to help you find and enjoy the world’s premium content when, where and how you want it. We hope to provide you with the web’s most comprehensive selection from more than 50 content providers including FOX, NBC, MGM, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, and more to deliver premium programming across all genres and formats, television shows, feature films, and clips. Watch full-length episodes of current primetime TV shows such as The Simpsons and The Office the morning after they air, classics like Miami Vice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and clips from Saturday Night Live, Nip/Tuck, and others. Hulu also offers full-length feature films like The Usual Suspects, Ice Age, Three Amigos!, and The Big Lebowski as well as clips from films such as Napoleon Dynamite, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Devil Wears Prada and many more. Hulu is free and ad-supported — available anytime in the U.S.

Hulu was founded in March 2007 and is a joint venture owned by NBC Universal and News Corp. In addition, Hulu has closed a $100 million investment from private equity firm Providence Equity Partners.

Hulu’s small, but growing team is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a Research and Development team in Beijing, China.

Also … one can embed!

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Posted By RichC on March 16, 2008

Having lived in the Cleveland Ohio area for 13 years, and about 5 or so miles from Hinckley Ohio, I know what the “Turkey Vulture” means to this area … especially on March 15th.

Each year the annual return of the buzzards to Buzzard Roost (State Rd. & West Drive – see map) in the Cleveland Metroparks is a notable event. The story goes back almost a century and is tied to a legend about an 1818 Hinckley Hunt. The legend claims that after hunting the butchered game attracted the turkey buzzards to the area now known as Hinckley Township and permanently make their home in the ridges area along the Cuyahoga River valley each summer. (see Cuyahoga Valley National Park)

How well do you know Cleveland: Where is the above logo from — hint, look at the title of this post?
😉

In 1957, a Cleveland Metroparks Ranger, Walter Nawalaniec, commented to a Cleveland Press reporter that he had observed the buzzards returning to Hinckley on March 15th for six consecutive years and that another individual named Charlie Willard logged the event for 23 years. Interest grew and naturalists, ornithologists and reporters continued to repeat (and embellish) the story until people started to come from all over the state just to see the birds arrive on schedule. The township was unprepared in 1957 for hubbub that saw 9,000 people show up.

Since that original “Buzzard Day,” the township celebrates the event with a variety of exhibits, a pancake breakfast and craft event. Nowadays, the event is celebrated as a sign that spring has arrived as naturalist Robert Hinkle ‘clocks’ in the first buzzard to arrive … he is the official “Buzzard Spotter.”

Posted By RichC on March 15, 2008

When I heard about the passing of renown conservative William F. Buckley, Jr. on February 27th 2008, I started to reminisce about the impact he had on my life. I am able to put a finger on a few people who have played a significant role in developing my personality, my interests, my views and philosophies — some that I subconsciously emulate. (If not for Buckley, I doubt my blog would be called Desultory?) My parents of course were influential, my grandfather (namesake) who died before I was 10, a singer/songwriter and sailor (JB) encouraged my socially conscientious, a youth pastor (MK) who taught me to sail as a teenager and helped instill my faith and values … and William F. Buckley, Jr. Let me explain.

I learned of Buckley in 1976 while in high school through my passion for sailing by thoroughly enjoying his book Airborne. I was struggling to understand politics and where I fit into the rebellious youth movement that was happening all around me. I was sort of a “faux-rebel” … attempting to fit in while keeping my feet firmly planted in traditional, small town, America. Remember, it was the 1970s and our country was quite splintered. I, and many of my friends, found it challenging to figure out where we fit in after Vietnam, Watergate, the Oil Crisis and the rise of a radical Islamic movement Iran. (déjà vu) I found both escape and a helpful political footing from WFB while reading about his sailing adventure. He was my first exposure to conservative ideals and it has remained part of me ever since.
I began absorbing his conservative politics while in college and by the time Atlantic High was published 1982 my course was set. I was regularly reading WFB’s non-nautical writings and applying them to how I saw the world. I “attempted” to listen to his discourse whenever I could — one only has to listen too Buckley to understand what I mean by “attempted” — and easily found myself part of the Reagan revolution. Buckley’s ‘thinking’ contributed to my independent entrepreneurial spirit and desire to forge my own company in 1986. He triggered my desire to campaign for Reagan and I’ve been a solid supporter of conservative Republican principles ever since.

As mentioned, WFB influenced me outside of politics too. He inspired my wife and I to buy our first sailboat Brenich early in life; we spent our summers living and cruising within appropriate distances from work — I wouldn’t trade these pre-kid memories for anything. (summer 1985 below).

In reading “Remembering WFB” entries over at the National Review, Buckley will be missed by many, including me, yet I am grateful to his contribution to conservative politics and for his guidance in forming my political ideology. His passing has triggered me to pull his books off the shelf and evaluation my life and my dreams just a bit. I started by re-reading the third in the series of sailing books last night called Racing Through Paradise, A Pacific Passage and the reminiscing felt good. No regrets in my life, but as I approach middle-age (most say I’m past it), I do need a kick start so as not to slip into mediocrity.

EDIT June 2008:
I enjoyed seeing an article in Ocean Navigator that spanned a full page mentioning William F. Buckley, his sailing and contribution to the publishing world which included books, magazine and television. Here’s a larger ‘page’ image of the article that appeared in the May/June 2008 issue.

Category: Books, History, Memories, Obituary, Personal, Sailing | 10 Comments »
Tags: Books, memories, sailing, wfb, william f buckley

Posted By RichC on March 13, 2008

A few months ago mention the name Ikea would have meant very little to me. After an Ikea Store grand opening in my area today (North of Cincinnati), it is difficult to ‘not’ know about this Swedish company. For those of you living under the same rock I must have been under, this is very large European contemporary furniture store has a cult following. Shoppers in my area camped out just to be one of the first to get in the doors during the grand opening on March 12th.

The products found in this store are “ready-to-assemble” furniture which according to some can’t be found anywhere else. It requires some DIY skills to put together the furniture and a load your own cart, check yourself out and load your own vehicle. The model store offers tons of ideas and decorating tips with about everything needed to set up an apartment or phone.

Ikea was started in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad and got its name from the founder’s initials (I.K.) plus the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the Swedish farm and village where he grew up, according to the company’s Web site.

Category: Local, Shopping | 10 Comments »
Tags: idea, ohio, store, west chester

Posted By RichC on March 12, 2008

Speculators traded crude oil up to an all time high of $109 per barrel Tuesday morning while fuel stations in SW Ohio bumped gasoline prices up 20 to 25 cents per gallon. Most local stations in my area are matching each other at $3.45 per gallon for unleaded regular gasoline; this seems to have caught many by surprise and asking “what’s going on?”

A local poll by Cincinnati’s Local 12 News seemed to confirm the frustrations of those in my area. It is definitely taking a bigger bite out of our family budget and can only imagine how stressful these prices are for those who’s budget is already stretched. I wonder if prices are high enough to cause Americans to make some lifestyle changes?

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Posted By RichC on March 11, 2008

The large 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI SUV equipped with the 3.0 Liter diesel was reviewed on the PBS program Motorweek this past weekend. I took a test drive back in August (here) and was impressed with this expensive and large vehicle. It certainly benefits from the diesel powerplant which will be upgraded with Urea injection later this year (reduces NOx to make it 50 state compliant). Although the overall test loop of 23mpg isn’t all that impressive, this is a big heavy full size SUV. The GL320 CDI will pull 7500 pounds and comfortably carry 7 adults – specs. The 2008 model starts at a bit over $54,000, but you’ll be hard pressed to find one without a few options which puts the price over $60,000. (If you don’t need the 3rd row seat but like the 3.0 L diesel CDI SUV, consider the Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI which starts at $45,825 – specs)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LuyN6pKfYUk

Engine: 2,987-cc turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V-6. Aluminum block with ultra-heat-resistant aluminum cylinder heads.
Net power 215 hp @ 3,800 rpm
Net torque 398 lb-ft @ 1,600 – 2,800 rpm
Compression ratio 16.5:1
Fuel requirement
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.
Fuel tank (capacity – reserve) 26.4 gal – 3.4 gal

Fuel and ignition system: Third-generation Common-rail Direct Injection (CDI). Four valves per cylinder. Variable Nozzle Turbocharger (VNT) with electronically adjustable turbo blades. Exhaust gas recirculation with electronically controlled valve. Electronically controlled air intake throttling.

Transmission: 7-speed automatic. Steering-wheel-mounted shift buttons allow for Touch Shift gear selection. Electronically controlled shifting. Driver-adaptive programming adjusts shift points to the driver’s current driving style. Driver-selectable Comfort mode starts the vehicle moving in 2nd gear or 2nd Reverse gear, and upshifts at lower rpm to help improve control on slippery surfaces.

Drive configuration: Permanent full-time 4-wheel drive, with 50/50 front/rear torque split.

Front and rear axle ratios: 3.45:1

Off-road driving program: One-button off-road program allows driver to simultaneously engage programming recalibrations of the traction system, ABS, engine management, and automatic transmission designed to enhance control in conditions typical of off-highway driving.1

Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR): Driver-activated DSR automatically modulates the throttle, brakes, and ABS to maintain a preset crawl speed when descending hills. Speed is preprogrammed at 4 mph but may be adjusted between 3 mph and 10 mph via the multifunction steering wheel. DSR can be used when the gear selector is in Drive or Reverse. Driver can override DSR by pressing the accelerator or switching DSR off via its console-mounted switch.

Hill-start assist: To help prevent unwanted vehicle rollback when taking off from a stop on uphill or downhill grades (15 percent or over), hill-start assist automatically maintains brake pressure for approximately one second after the driver releases the brake pedal. The system is automatically deactivated when the vehicle is level, the gear selector is in Park or Neutral, or the parking brake is set.

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Mercedes | No Comments »
Tags: diesel, mercedes, mercedes benz

Posted By RichC on March 10, 2008

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Posted By RichC on March 9, 2008

As reflected in my recent blog posts, I’ve been drawn into the Presidential primaries and battle for the nomination. Thankfully for the Republicans, the bickering is over and McCain now only has to raise money and have his appearances reported. (a challenge perhaps?) For Clinton and Obama the end is not quite so clear, and some have said it could come down to the Democratic National Convention in Denver Colorado?

Few primaries in my lifetime have been as tightly contested as these two Democrats. I was a bit too young to have first hand experience 40 years ago during the 1968 Presidential primaries — it may have been the last time Democrats were this divided. As I recall war, race and gender were issues in 1968 too. For a good summary check out 1968 with Tom Brokaw, a History Channel special that reviewed a difficult year in our nations history. To see the program, look at the schedule for a re-broadcast, pick it up at the History Channel store or it might be available in your local library.

If you prefer downloading the Four Part Quicktime video to your computer, enter the password here.

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Posted By RichC on March 8, 2008

Last night Bill O’Reilly, of the O’Reilly Factor, had former Bush advisor Karl Rove on his television program to discuss campaign strategies. Rove concluded that although last Tuesday was a win for Senator Hillary Clinton, she will need to win 58 percent of the remaining delegates whereas Senator Barack Obama needs only 42 percent. That’s a significant hurdle for the Clinton campaign.

Concerns for the Republicans will be keeping Senator John McCain front and center now that his nomination has been clinched. He offered some ideas as to how that might be accomplished. A worthwhile interview from a pretty savvy campaign strategist.

Category: News, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: bill o'reilly, foxnews, karl rove

Posted By RichC on March 7, 2008

If you have a website or a blog, try the script from Answers.com called AnswerTips. The script allows for the display of small bubbles of information triggered by double-clicking any word on an AnswerTips-enabled page. Try double-clicking desultory since that’s still the most common question emailed to me.
😉
Want to try it on your site … then click the icon in the right sidebar or AnswerTips to try it free.

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