My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on October 9, 2006

Add another Nuclear military power to the world today as North Korea announces a test of their nuclear capability. South Korean officials have informed the US government as of this posting that they measured 3.58 magnitude seismic activity about the time of the announced test but that there wasn’t any leakage detected. Most likely this post will just be for my personal blog record of events on October 9th, 2006 since news feeds have thousands of updates rolling in. Today promises to be an interesting day in politics and diplomacy. Sadly, the world feels a little less safe knowing North Korea has the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

I posted this prior to my much friendlier summary of our excellent EAA284 meeting on Sunday … but since its not finished and this news came in, I’ll wait until tomorrow.

Category: News, Politics | 2 Comments »
Tags: eaa284, north korea, nuclear, weapon

Posted By RichC on October 8, 2006

On a Tom Hanks weekend, the movie Castaway was on the TNT TV network Saturday night and although we watched it when it came out in the year 2000, my wife and I sat through the long and slow-moving movie again … this time with commercial interruption. “Where’s Wilson!”
The gorgeous scenery and South Pacific Island starting me thinking of another older movie — Blue Lagoon from back in 1980. It’s hard to believe it has been that long — that’s back before we were married. During those days I still has ‘serious’ dreams of sailing the South Pacific. Anyone interested in pledging a few bucks and buying it with me to buy a South Pacific Island?
🙂

Blue Lagoon for sale – $33,000,000 USD

The island is 225 acres in size, 1 mile long by 1/3 mile wide and 150 feet high, surrounded by a 5,000 acre plus lagoon which almost completely encircles the island, offering protection from extreme tides and providing the island with calm tranquil waters ideally suited for water sports. The crystal clear water has up to 200-foot visibility and is a comfortable 80 degrees Fahrenheit most of the year. The island was a safe haven from storms for Polynesian sailors over the centuries; the entrance to the lagoon is 35 feet deep and about 200 feet wide, and yachts over 200 feet have enjoyed the safety of the lagoon. The island still provides a safe and luxurious haven from the storms of everyday life and is the only resort in the largely uninhabited and pristine archipelago, offering visitors with a privileged image of Polynesian life as it was hundreds of years ago.

The island has superb sugar-white beaches on the east and western sides of the island, with the villa development on the western side to take advantage of the magnificent South Pacific sunsets. The island was an operating coconut plantation in the 19th century; therefore the entire island is littered with coconut palms giving a truly tropical aspect. The island is limestone and there are numerous caves and tide pools to explore as well.

The island is home to rare coconut crabs, giant clams, leatherback turtles, doves, and many other birds and marine mammals. The island has instituted a strict conservation program to ensure the preservation of all marine and wildlife. For more info check out the listing at DuttonDirect.

Category: Misc, Travel | 5 Comments »
Tags: blue lagoon, castaway, island, real estate, tom hanks

Posted By RichC on October 7, 2006

Rummors have been floated recently that internet powerhouse Google is looking to buy online video company YouTube. (see Businessweek) Like MySpace, the #3 destination on the Internet, YouTube has exploded onto the Internet scene as one of the top ten sites (see US Top Ten) on the web and most likely the largest bandwidth user. ($$$) When considering the number of terabytes of data YouTube floods the Internet with, and that it has not proposed a ‘for profit’ model as of yet, then perhaps selling to Google makes sense for them … but I’m not so sure it is for Google?

A purchase of YouTube by Google, this decades web services innovator and builder, would be out of character in my opinion. That in combination with the fact that Google already has its own relatively popular ‘user-driven’ video site, YouTube would be a duplication of effort. (although most probably agree that Google Video falls short when stacked up to YouTube’s usability) Nevertheless, Google has the cash to acquire bits and pieces in it goal to remain the preferred ‘Search plus Online application’ site on the Internet and they just might … although to me it would make more sense to aquire a ‘social networking’ leader.

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Posted By RichC on October 6, 2006

Late Friday update with a ‘lowest price seen’ photo for gasoline prices around Ohio: The photo above is a Murphy’s Oil in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and was selling gasoline for $1.92 or perhaps $1.89 if you play the Walmart 3 cents off game. I was driving the VW TDI (diesel) this week so didn’t save those few pennies, but instead I filled with B20 (biodiesel) off exit 151 on I-71 between Cleveland and Columbus for $2.53. Regular diesel was as low as $2.31 in the southeastern part of the state, but the least expensive I saw was at the Flying-Js – $2.37.

According to a summary from Credit Suisse today, they expect oil to remain under $70/barrel for the next 3 -4 years. Credit Suisse research predicts that OPEC surplus during this period will keep the prices at these levels although we should expect swings between 50 and 70. (see MSNBC)

Will alternatives continue to grow during this period or will US consumers return to their ‘gas guzzling’ ways? I’ve already heard SUV sales have be on the uptick with the recent 30% drop in retail gasoline prices?

Category: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on October 6, 2006

Most universities across our country pride themselves on offering students diverse views by inviting notable and controversial people to speak throughout the year. For the most part differing points of view are welcomed on most campuses and fairly well received by both student and faculty. I’ve often believed that one of the hallmarks of college life is giving students an opportunity to hear as many points of view as possible and seeing the “right to free speech” put into practice.

At Columbia University the other day (Oct 4th), the founder of the Minuteman Project, Jim Gilchrist, and two other members were invited to speak at the Roone Arledge Auditorium to be followed by a question and answer session. Unfortunately, the guests were shouted down and a “chaotic brawl” involving more than 20 students and others broke out. The protest was a well orchestrated and planned (and promoted) according to reports and the International Socialist Organization unfurled a yellow banner reading, “No one is illegal!” Other banners contained both Spanish and Arabic writing rumored to say some pretty inflammatory things. After the banner was unfurled the protesters rushed the stage and the speakers were ushered out of the Columbia auditorium.

When protest participants were asked about infringing on the right that the Minuteman Project had to be heard, one protester who wished to remain anonymous said, “I don’t feel like we need to apologize or anything. It was fundamentally a part of free speech. … The Minutemen are not a legitimate part of the debate on immigration.”

Groups invited to speak at Columbia require a sponsor and must provide appropriate management, including security, for the event. The Columbia University College Republicans were the sponsors for Gilchrist and two other speakers from the Minutemen. An interesting comment from a Columbia student is that only ring wing speakers have required added security and have had events threatened or disrupted. Just as individuals like Ward Churchill, Ann Coulter, Michael Moore or Shawn Hanity bring blood to the boiling level, the Minutemen speakers seem to be able to do the same. There have been no arrests to date of anyone that has stormed the stage and disrupted the event, but University spokesman Robert Hornsby said that he could not discuss the consequences because the investigation is ongoing. Check out the YouTube video of the disruption below.

Category: Education, Politics | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on October 5, 2006

It was a sad day for my daughter and her 2001 VW Jetta TDI after an Audi bumped into her door in a parking garage. Needless to say she was not happy and neither was the Audi driver; the door of the Volkswagen was no match for the Audi’s bumper. While stopping to see her tonight I snapped a quick photo with my cellphone to gain sympathy from fellow VW lovers. In critiquing the damage, it was contained to the drivers door and thankfully there was no ‘people’ damage, unless you count emotions.

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Volkswagen | 10 Comments »
Tags: akron, dent, door, garage, jetta, katelyn, parking, tdi, volkswagen

Posted By RichC on October 4, 2006

The stock market continues its October rally as the Dow soared up another 123 points today closing at an all time high of 11,850.61. The rally is credited to lower interest rates as Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke sees a strong economy even with a slumping housing market. The big news was General Motor saying “no” to an alliance with Nissan and Renault which sets up a continuing power struggle in remaining the world’s leading car maker.

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Posted By RichC on October 4, 2006

Windows Users be warned: think twice before running bootleg copies of new Microsoft software … as not only will the software giant refuse updates, but according to an Associated Press article they will begin to “curtail functionality.” The software piracy intervention is just another step toward fending off the multi-billion dollar illegal software business … I mean ‘criminal activity.’

Most Microsoft users have been aware of the ‘call home’ features/snooping that happens with current versions of the Windows XP operating system, but for the most part its done in a gentle way and hasn’t restricted useage if Microsoft software found not to be licensed for that particular machine. This is about to change with the launch of Windows Vista as according to Thomas Lindeman, Microsofts senior product manager, the system will “curtail functionality much further by restricting users to just the Web browser for an hour at a time.” The company is also taking an even more agressive step since hackers have learned to just prevent the OS from ‘calling home’ — so the system will now be able to perform some piracy checks internally, without contacting Microsoft over the internet.

According to the article, Microsoft has the right to curtail illegal distribution of its software, but that these new agressive anti-piracy tactics will keep some people from upgrading to Vista. I suspect that many, even legitimate software users, will slow their purchase of Vista and instead continue to run XP. Vista is expected to be released to businesses first, possibly in November 2006 and then to the public in January of 2007.

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Posted By RichC on October 3, 2006

Let’s talk about the new 2007 Honda CR-V … even though its not a diesel although a diesel will be coming [see link1 and 2]. They will also have a unique self-contained catalyst system that will help meet new stringent US emission standards. That aside, Honda has made significant investments near my home town and western Ohio; they continue to expand production facilities in western Ohio. (Indiana too) They have been a well received employer in the rural areas and have retained their Japanese reputation of quality in the U.S. facilities. It is a shame domestically owned companies continue to play catch-up both in perception and reality.
🙁
Honda of America History:
The US corporation was established in 1979 to build motorcycles and added car production in 1982. It’s comprised of four Ohio manufacturing plants – the Marysville Auto Plant, the East Liberty Auto Plant, the Anna Engine Plant and the original facility, the Marysville Motorcycle Plant. Honda employment in Ohio totals about 16,000. Major operations include Honda R&D Americas Inc. in Raymond; Honda Transmission Mfg. Inc. in Russells Point; Honda Engineering North America Inc. in Marysville and Anna; and the American Honda Motor Co. Inc. service parts and procurement center in Troy. (my first Honda was an imported ‘primer-gray’ 1977 Civic two-door Sedan – photo above – and it served me well.)

The cross-over Honda CR-V:
The Honda CR-V has been heavily redesigned and is being produced in the East Liberty Ohio Plant, which is the same facility that builds the Honda Civic Sedan and Honda Element; it began producing cars in 2002. The plant runs two shifts each day and as shift one did the majority of the work including the painting on the first American built
CR-V, the second shift did the final assembly and rolled the Nighthawk Black Pearl CR-V off the line at 7:17 p.m. on Monday. I can’t say I “CRaVe” the small SUV, but it does look like a nice all-wheel drive vehicle. (bias? … we own a Honda Pilot?)
Although the CR-V is built in the East Liberty Ohio plant, it receives many of the components from other local facilities, including the engine in the Anna, Ohio engine plant only 40 miles away. The new ‘crossover’ 2007 CR-V is expected to go on sale later this week and includes safely improvements as well as aerodynamic styling. The six airbags, antilock brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) are all standard in the new CR-V. Here is a brief flash video review of the CR-V by Motorweek. (aired 9/30/2006)

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Posted By RichC on October 3, 2006

For Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006, the Dow Jones Industrial Average close at its highest level ever at 11,727.74 after spiking at 11,758.95. The surge in stocks was credited to oil slumping to a 14-month low. The thinking is that lower energy costs will boost consumer spending and prevent a slowdown in the U.S. economy.

One Year Chart of DJI – Oct 2005 – Oct 2006

Intraday chart of DJI for 10/3/2006

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