I’ve mentioned the HGTV program Living With Ed a couple of times before (2006 & 2007 links) and enjoy the humorous way the host Ed Begley and his wife Rachelle discuss ‘greening’ our homes. From the simple process in replacement of incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs to adding off the grid solar power, the program has interesting ideas for all of us.
This week, Ed visited with Sharon Lawrence at her 1950s mountain home that is being updated with a soybean based ‘bio’ foam insulation. The spray on foam looks to be an appropriate replacement for petroleum based foams, but I’m still not sure I’m comfortable with trapping moisture against wood surfaces? (clip no longer available)
Cessna, the best selling and most flown airplane in the world will be offering a Thielert turbo diesel engine option in it Skyhawk 172S airplane in mid- 2008. The Thielert Centurion 2.0 liter turbocharged 185 horsepower in-line 4 cylinder diesel will be certified to operate on Jet-A fuel and offer the efficiency and long term reliability of a diesel engine. The idea of lower fuel burn, economy and reliability has been a dream of many diesel admiring pilots for years and with the clout of a Cessna Aircraft will give diesel a great opportunity to eventually be standard fare for all of us who like to fly. (the diesel in the 172S offers 27% improvement in fuel economy over the ‘old-school’ Lycoming AVGAS engine engine | est. 6-7 gph cruise)
Since my son and I had the privilege of visiting and learning about cars from a fellow who owns several Porsche 911s this past weekend, I thought I would include a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car YouTube video clip in today’s post … its wickedly fast! For us, besides just admiring the collection, we had the opportunity to take one of the 911 Carrera Cabriolets out for a drive, something we didn’t get to do at Mid-Ohio earlier this year. The 964 model was in near original condition just like all of his cars as he tempted me by indicating it was for sale. Gulp. It was impressive, but not as powerful as I expected. (FYI, I didn’t drive the Turbo S) Whether or not I eventually ow a Porsche 911 (a car I’ve always wanted), it was fun to see them.
We rented a DVD movie called the “The Lookout” with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels which was set in a small northern farm town. The main character was a high school hockey star named Chris Pratt (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), and he foolishly drives his convertible with friends down the highway with the headlights off … and proceeds to crash into farm machinery. The accident kills two of his friends and leaves him with a brain injury that affects his memory. Chris is able to only function with the aid of a notebook and to work a janitorial job in a bank. He lives with a blind friend (Jeff Daniels) who is exceptionally sharp, but become involved with a group of bank robbers that proceed to convince him to assist in robbing the bank he works at.
The movie isn’t anything exceptional, but does offer a unique cameo appearance by a vehicle a few reading this blog will probably recognize.
🙂
Thought this comment was interesting:
If you look at the Jetta that Chris drives, you will notice that the amount of damage to the bug-deflector on the front of his car changes almost every time we see the vehicle. It starts off with the left side of the bug deflector missing, then both sides are missing and finally it goes back to just the left side missing.
I didn’t get a chance to post a comment, but my son has a great group of high school friends. A bunch of them got together for photos on Saturday before they senior year Homecoming dance. Have such great kids sure makes being parents of teens less stressful; we are very fortunate. Thinking back, I recall my own teen years and realize just how ‘off-ish’ — or as I would claim, independent — I was with my parents … and for no particular reason. Sorry mom and dad.
According to the group waking up in our basement the next morning, the dance was great. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the evening. Even the couple of new faces invited as dates seemed to fit comfortably into the group. All 20+ friends enjoyed the dinner, dancing and late night/early morning socialization on our back porch. (thanks for being quiet)
🙂
We had a great time tonight watching both an excellent high school football game and see my son’s close friend Katie crowned homecoming queen. Congratulations Katie! (and Anthony)
My wife and I enjoyed the game with friends on a warm October evening. Our Lakota East Thunderhawks scored in only two plays after a strong initial runback. By halftime though, Fairfield closed the gap to within one point. Thankfully, after a great halftime show by two excellent marching bands, the Lakota East players buckled down to basics and exploded with a solid ground game and a defense that intercepted several passes. The final score made for a sweet homecoming win of 46 – 20.
I took a quick photo out my sunroof as I followed the blimp “Spirit of Goodyear” and its support bus and semi on my drive up to northeastern Ohio this week. We paralleled each other heading north on I-71 and I eventually passed the icon airship on I-76 heading into Akron Ohio. The current Ohio based blimp, which replace the “Spirit of Akron” after a crash 8 years ago, was probably heading home to it hanger east of Akron.
For those in the U.S. waiting for debatably the best handling diesel to arrive, BMW has recently announced that it will bring its 3.0L twin-turbo diesel engine to the U.S, but did not offer a time frame. (reports have suggested that it could come in late 2008?) This impressive twin-turbo engine is currently available in many of BMW’s European vehicles and was previewed the engine in its 3, 5 and 6-series cars at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. Although BMW has not announced which models will get the 3.0 liter twin-turbo, it is likely to be the 3 and 5 series. The European 335d is capable of 35 mpg while producing 286 horsepower and 427 lb-ft of torque.
An Airbus A380 made a low pass over northern Cincinnati suburbs making a promotional fly over the General Electric Aviation plant in Evendale this morning. The double decker plane which surpassed the Boeing 747 landed at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
The A380 is the world’s largest passenger plane carrying 520 with a wingspan of a football field. Its GP7200 engines are designed and built by the Engine Alliance, a 50-50 joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and GE Aviation, headquartered in Cincinnati.
It has been a rare vehicle that has charmed me the way my 2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI has … but all good things eventually come to an end; today I sold my car. I’ve spent the last year trying to solve a sore leg/hip problem that has been aggravated by my regular four hour trips in a small car. It may have had something to do with the firm seats and low seating position, yet after several foam wedge combinations and some NYC taxi cab wooden beads without relief, I have decided to part with my Jetta. It was bitter sweet day since I have never owned a car that pleased me more than this one. I will miss this great little diesel VeeDub. I wish the new owner, Jacob, as may happy miles in his new car as I have enjoyed. I suspect we’ll see him at a GTG someday soon?
I’ve mentioned the HGTV program Living With Ed a couple of times before (2006 & 2007 links) and enjoy the humorous way the host Ed Begley and his wife Rachelle discuss ‘greening’ our homes. From the simple process in replacement of incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs to adding off the grid solar power, the program has interesting ideas for all of us. 
Since my son and I had the privilege of visiting and learning about cars from a fellow who owns several 
We rented a DVD movie called the “
For those in the U.S. waiting for debatably the best handling diesel to arrive, BMW has recently announced that it will bring its 3.0L twin-turbo diesel engine to the U.S, but did not offer a time frame. (
An Airbus A380 made a low pass over northern Cincinnati suburbs making a promotional fly over the General Electric Aviation plant in Evendale this morning. The double decker plane which surpassed the Boeing 747 landed at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
I’ve spent the last year trying to solve a sore leg/hip problem that has been aggravated by my regular four hour trips in a small car. It may have had something to do with the firm seats and low seating position, yet after several foam wedge combinations and some NYC taxi cab wooden beads without relief, I have decided to part with my Jetta. It was bitter sweet day since I have never owned a car that pleased me more than this one. I will miss this great little diesel VeeDub. I wish the new owner, Jacob, as may happy miles in his new car as I have enjoyed. I suspect we’ll see him at a