My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on September 14, 2006

BIRDING NEWS — Ramana Athreya, member of India’s Mumbai’s Natural History Society, has detailed a new bird species he calls the Bugun Liocichla. It is a multicolored bird and is located in the remote Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. The bird has been named Bugun Liocichla after the Bugun tride which lives in this area and is said to resemble Emei Shan Liocichla, although has many differences in plumage and calls, especially song. The Bugun Liocichla is also about 10% larger in all measurements except for the beak, which is smaller, according to the Indian Birds Volume 2 Number 4 (full 13 page PDF with photos is available here).

Athreya has netted two of the species although released them after photographing and making detailed notes. The bird has a black cap, a bright yellow patch around the eyes and yellow, crimson, black and white patches on the wings according to Athreya’s notes. Ramana Athreya commented that he first spotted the bird in 1995, but it wasn’t until May this year that he was able to document his earlier spottings. Birdlife International described the find as “the most sensational ornithological discovery in India for more than half a century.”

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Posted By RichC on September 13, 2006

Car Buyer’ Notebook reported that there is a new charity auction on Ebay today. I found the story interesting not for the car, but for the questionable vanity plate. The hopeful promotion, which will benefit Girls Inc., is selling Warren Buffett’s 2001 Signature Series Lincoln Town Car and includes the famed investor’s – THRIFTY – vanity plate. Now … all Volkswagen TDI drivers know, this plate does not belong on a Lincoln, but on a popular fuel efficient diesel car built by Volkswagen. All VW TDI models, the Golf, Jetta, New Beetle and Passat, are extraordinarily “thrifty” when compared to the Lincoln Town Car. What other family vehicles are able to set the cruise control and maintain Autobahn speeds while returning 50mpg? (and do it running clean US grown and produced renewable biodiesel!)

Before you place a bid, here’s a little disclosure on a possible ‘reliablity’ issue with this particular Lincoln Town Car: A few years ago Mr. Buffett picked up fellow billionaire Bill Gates for dinner. After paying the $35 “thrifty” dollars for their two dinners, both men returned to Buffett’s car for the drive home. Unfortunately the 3 year old Lincoln wouldn’t start – it seemed the steering wheel lock prevented the key from turning. Considering the combined genius of the nation’s two riches men, neither of them could figure out how to get the key to turn. They ended up calling a cab. (WSJ)
😀

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Posted By RichC on September 13, 2006

In keeping with my desultory theme, I’ll offer a congratulations to my good friend Tim and his wife Julie on the birth of their 3rd child … their first son. Nathan was born on 9/12/2006 at 8:20AM at 6lbs 15oz and 19 3/4″ – long or tall – which is it? Nevertheless both mother and child are doing well while Tim sent me an email with the wrong last name correcting it in a later email with: “I apparently was still delirious when I wrote that email this morning. “. I’m just glad he doesn’t work in the hospital nursery!
🙂 Congratulations again Tim and Julie … I look forward to watching you pull your hair out as your raise your three wonderful children.

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Posted By RichC on September 12, 2006

Apple Computer Inc. had their semi-surprise news shindig today as Steve Jobs announced that they will be selling Disney new releases on their iTunes Store for $14.99 for a full-length download. This alone is probably good news, but then the company also introduced a ‘bigger’ iPod player for $349. (long awaited as timeline as technology goes) Jobs also indicated that they will sell older films for $9.99.

According Mr. Jobs, the new iPods will also have brighter screens and longer battery life than older models and storage of 30 gigabytes and 80 gigabytes. The largest models charged battery will last as much as 6.5 hours according to Apple.

The hot selling iPod Nano models will also get a boost for music and voice lovers with a model boasting up to 8 gigabytes and costing $249. The diminutive iPod Shuffle also gets a bit more flash memory; its at 1 gigabyte and sells for $79.

For those waiting for the iPod cellphone … you were probably disappointed, although I don’t think anyone really expected one this month.

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Posted By RichC on September 12, 2006

I’ve been planning my comment regarding the 5 anniversary of 9/11 just like everyone else, but fear there is no way to do it properly. How does one respectfully acknowledge the murder of 3000 ordinary citizens without getting angry and showings one’s bias? Initially I was going to just do a somber reflection, but as the different newspapers, magazines and talking heads conversed on the subject, I realized how much I’ve lost focus on the “War on Terror.” It has only been these last couple of days that has made me remember ‘who our enemy is,’ and that their desire to kill those who do not conform to their ways.
]
A Nation divided over War:
It’s difficult for me to recall the days of Vietnam, but I’ve noticed over the last several years that the homefront has taken a similar flavor. There are those connected and focused on hunting down terrorists and their cells, those protesting the ways in which we do this including governments flirting with our citizens’ liberties (or even those in Guantanamo), and then unfortunately the majority who complacently goes about life in America. Sadly, this group which I find myself slipping into, has forgotten the enemy is still out there waiting to strike again. This enemy is the same group of radical Islamists who struck us on 9/11 … and did it several times before. Wake up … they’re not stopping or going away.

Americans … where is your concern, your support of those being sent to fight an enemy somewhere outside of our borders? Where is that original outrage we all felt when those airliners were slammed into buildings? How often do we need to remember that the enemy is real, is killing every day and is actively plotting against those of us who appreciate freedom. I fear that most of us either don’t believe or have forgotten that there is an enemy plotting to strike the west again.

Tonight I also listened to President Bush. He stressed that our country really does face “a struggle for civilization” in fighting the war on terrorism. He commented that “the war against this enemy is more than a military conflict; [it] is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century and the calling of our generation.” The President compared this “calling” to that of our fathers and grandfathers in Europe and Asia. He commented that “if we do not defeat these enemies now, we will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons,” and that “we are in a war that will set the course for this new century and determine the destiny of millions across the world.”

Even if one doesn’t believe that the threat from radical Islam will impact our country, one has to realize what will happen in the middle east without the moderate influences from democracies in the world. Regardless of what brought us to Iraq and Afghanistan, there will be little progress if the countries fall back in the hands of militant leaders, dictators and terrorists. We have far more to gain in seeing a democratic rule is in place before we leave, not only to prevent a terrorist breeding ground, but because a positive and productive relationship with the millions of peace-loving people is better for all.

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Tags: 9/11, opinion, patriot day, terror, terrorism, thought

Posted By RichC on September 11, 2006

A picture is worth 1000 words if you are driving a diesel car or truck. This spread is the largest I’ve ever seen. Hopefully we’ll see a little down pressure on diesel fuel too, as some friend traveling in Kentucky spotted diesel fuel priced around $2.50/gallon. (I’m posting from my Palm Treo 700p camera while driving by the ‘normally’ low cost area leader just north of Cincinnati Ohio)

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Posted By RichC on September 11, 2006

In keeping with the VW posts, J.D Power annouced that Volkswagen Ranks Highest in a new Automotive Environmental Index. According to J.D.Power and Associates “2006 Alternative Powertrain Study,” Volkswagen of America is the industry’s most environmentally friendly automaker. Volkswagen placed three products on the list of low emission vehicles which included the Golf, Jetta and New Beetle gasoline, diesel and hybrid powered vehicles.

The study includes EPA data as well as “voice-of-the-customer” information. A quote from Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, chairman of the Volkswagen brand stated that “The ‘Alternative Powertrain Study’ is testament to our intensive and global commitment in the area of economic engines. And this innovative strength continues to have an impact, via our range of TDI vehicles. No other manufacturer has sold more diesel cars in the United States and that upward trend continues.” Volkswagon has in particular lead in the diesel area with its top selling American models that to date have little if any competition from other foriegn or domestic brands. From the economical 1.9 liter TDI 4 cylinder engines to the first SUV with a particule filter, the V10 TDI Touareg — Volkswagen to date pretty much owns the entire US passenger car diesel market.

See full J.D.Power Report.

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Posted By RichC on September 10, 2006

Dan Ball brought both his Volkswagen TDI (above) and his brother’s TDI to the garage today — his brother’s had a power and ‘smoking problem.’ With my uncanny powers of observation, noticing he brought it on a trailer, I recognized that it was in need of some TLC.
😉
Thankfully the CinciTDI mechanical gurus had already assembled, consulted and prepped to make a “How-To” video clip (not available yet) for the CinciTDI website: Replacing a Jetta A4 TDI Turbocharger. Dan and his brother Dustin had already purchased a VNT15 turbocharger from World Impex and installation kit from TDIParts and were prepared lend a hand in documenting this 6 hour procedure.

In preparation, we debated as to exactly what to include in the video procedure since half of the procedure is a duplication of our 2006 club fundraiser: Intake Manifold Cleaning DVD. The brother’s had also removed a few parts and cleaned the intercooler which was as expected … full of oil. The conclusion was that we’ll not show the removal of the intake manifold and recommend that people see the Intake Manifold DVD or TDIClub PDF files for those procedures.

After the installation Dan and his brother started the car to an unwelcomed cloud of smoke from the excess of oil left in the exhaust pipes which was expected. This along with about a pint of oil dribbling on the cardboard that we wisely put under the tailpipe prevented most of the oil from hitting the driveway. The guys were happy and heading for home at about 9PM after thanking Bruce Bowling and Tim Hunter who once again go over and above in volunteering their time and energy to members of our group. (after realizing where Dan works —Reebok — we should have hit him up for Bengals T-shirts! BTW, here’s summary of Sunday’s 23 -10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs)
🙂

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Posted By RichC on September 9, 2006

After two weeks of delayse do to weather and technical problems, the shuttle Atlantis and mission STS-115 rocketed into space and to its mission to continue the buildout of the International Space Station. The launch was not without a few launch worries in regard to debris once again, but program manager Wayne Hale indicated that there is no sign of damage to Atlantis. The crew will follow up the preliminary camera views with the mandated inspection of the heat tiles on Sunday.

According to Reuters (photo above from Reuters), since the accident NASA has flown two missions to test fuel tank redesigns, in-flight inspections and heat shield repair techniques. The early report was that there were two “sprays” of debris believed to be tank foam and a piece of ice that broke away more than four minutes after the shuttle left the launch pad — well past the time they would pose a threat to the ship. By then, Atlantis was nearly out of the atmosphere so the debrris would have little aerodynamic force.

See Reuters article and one minute lauch of Atlantis video.

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Posted By RichC on September 9, 2006

The memories of Friday night High School football — not that I ever looked quite like these two. (or was I that goofy?) The week comes to an end and the Friday night game is still a big deal in my hometown(ship). Even with Lakota East having a 0-2 season two games into the year the school spirit still seems high … as you can tell from my son and his buddy. They sure had fun dressing and painting themselves with school colors in order to help cheer on their team this first “home” game of the season. When I questioned if they were permitted to look like this I received the reply, “We can do this now since we’re upper classmen.”

Oh to be young again and BTW … Lakota East beat neighboring Mason 20-10.
🙂

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