Grimes, by the way, recently thought that Israel's Iron Dome missile system somehow kept Palestinians from attacking Israel via underground tunnels.
Speaking of McConnell, remember #mcconnelling?
Friday, October 31, 2014
Kentucky Democrat is not Barack Obama
The Dems are going to lose the Senate on Tuesday, thanks to Obama's low approval ratings in many states. Here is Alison Grimes, who is running as a Democrat in Kentucky against soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Grimes, by the way, recently thought that Israel's Iron Dome missile system somehow kept Palestinians from attacking Israel via underground tunnels.
Speaking of McConnell, remember #mcconnelling?
Grimes, by the way, recently thought that Israel's Iron Dome missile system somehow kept Palestinians from attacking Israel via underground tunnels.
Speaking of McConnell, remember #mcconnelling?
Citroen CX Coast-to-Coast
Chris just bought a CX, and I hope to get a ride in it this weekend. (Whadayasay?) Here is a neat promo film of a couple of CXes driving from NYC to San Francisco.
Happy Halloween!
I only watched two black and white TV shows as a kid. The Munsters and The Three Stooges. Did you know the actress who played Marilyn was the daughter of the U.S. Treasurer?
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Amy Poehler
The comedienne has a memoir out and was interviewed on Fresh Air. She seemed very humble, down-to-earth, and funny.
Here she was at the Golden Globes. The James Cameron joke was the best.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Jay Leno's Mercedes 600
Now that's a car! H/t to mtc, aka Motoring Con Brio.
My former partner had one of these in the '80s. One of his clients couldn't pay his fee so he accepted a 600 in lieu of cash. I have to ask him more about it.
My former partner had one of these in the '80s. One of his clients couldn't pay his fee so he accepted a 600 in lieu of cash. I have to ask him more about it.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Afghanistan's first and only cosmonaut
If you have an hour this weekend, I highly, highly recommend this documentary.
It's the late '80s. The Soviets were winding down their war in Afghanistan and needed positive PR. The rest is history. Great archival footage of pre-Taliban Kabul (exposed women's hair!) and of the Soviet space program. The burly mission commander is a hoot too. It's a fantastic story.
It's the late '80s. The Soviets were winding down their war in Afghanistan and needed positive PR. The rest is history. Great archival footage of pre-Taliban Kabul (exposed women's hair!) and of the Soviet space program. The burly mission commander is a hoot too. It's a fantastic story.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Canadian Sergeant-at-Arms
Here he was, just after the guard was shot, and before he killed the terrorist.
And here is a standing ovation for him, today.
And here is a standing ovation for him, today.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Official Citroen Museum
Things are looking good. The person I am in contact with there instructed me to write back in December as she is not scheduling anything in February yet.
This is just a fraction of the 400+ Citroens at the museum.
This is just a fraction of the 400+ Citroens at the museum.
More here.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Storing extra cars
Story No. 3. If you've followed this blog for years, you'd know that it takes me a long time to pull the trigger when it comes to car purchases. The Phaeton search took over a year, as did the Volvo search. So when I tell you that I am looking to buy a weekend fun car, you know it's not going to happen overnight.
But before I can buy the extra car, I need to look at my storage options. We only have a two-car garage and some of my neighbors are quick to complain when too many cars are parked on the street. Plus, I will soon need a storage space to tuck away some work-related stuff.*
I've heard for years that some local car collectors kept their cars in airplane hangars at the municipal airport. I called today and learned that in order to rent or buy a hangar, you have to own an airplane. It's a shame, as the airport would have been ideal. It's located close by and is next to a major freeway. Plus, it's very secure.
Now, I am back to square one. If I rent a place, it has to be super secure (for my work stuff and for my weekend car). I have also considered buying a space, but do the tax advantages outweigh the hassle? I'd like to hear your thoughts if you have any experience with this very First World Problem.
And if money were no object, and I lived closer to San Jose, I would consider this.
But before I can buy the extra car, I need to look at my storage options. We only have a two-car garage and some of my neighbors are quick to complain when too many cars are parked on the street. Plus, I will soon need a storage space to tuck away some work-related stuff.*
I've heard for years that some local car collectors kept their cars in airplane hangars at the municipal airport. I called today and learned that in order to rent or buy a hangar, you have to own an airplane. It's a shame, as the airport would have been ideal. It's located close by and is next to a major freeway. Plus, it's very secure.
Now, I am back to square one. If I rent a place, it has to be super secure (for my work stuff and for my weekend car). I have also considered buying a space, but do the tax advantages outweigh the hassle? I'd like to hear your thoughts if you have any experience with this very First World Problem.
And if money were no object, and I lived closer to San Jose, I would consider this.
*Ideally, there would be extra space so that the storage unit could act like a clubhouse. I have to relocate my Maserati coffee table anyway, as it is not allowed in the house anymore.
A tale of two Jags
Story No. 2. A colleague was telling me about his experience with Jags. In college back in the 1960s, he spent his entire life savings on a Jaguar E-Type. It promptly overheated and he didn't have any money left to fix it. He put it up for sale as a non-runner. A guy came by with a VW Squareback. The colleague traded his E-Type for the VW and $100 cash.
Ever since, he has been scared off by Jaguars. Recently, he decided to treat himself to a really nice car. He had a list of 20 choices, and the XKR was near the bottom. Guess what he ended up getting?
Ever since, he has been scared off by Jaguars. Recently, he decided to treat himself to a really nice car. He had a list of 20 choices, and the XKR was near the bottom. Guess what he ended up getting?
Depreciation on a 2012 Mercedes CL550
Despite working a long day, I've got three great car stories.
First story. I was talking to a friend who is into cars. He's currently trying to sell this SSR.
You'll notice the two Mercs in the background. The white 560SEC is his daily driver. He bought it from the original owner just a few years ago. The car had very low miles, as it was used mainly to ferry the owner from his home to the grocery store.
My friend drives his clients around in the black S600 Biturbo in the garage. He is a master at buying fancy cars after someone else has eaten the depreciation.
He has maxed out on the number of cars he is allowed to own at a time (I think he also has an SUV and an Audi TT convertible with baseball glove stitching), so he sold the S600 Biturbo and bought a 2012 Mercedes CL550. The CL sold new for $114,000+. He picked it up for $29,000. What a deal!
In talking to him, he mentioned that if he could find space for his cars, he wouldn't have to sell the SSR, which he loves dearly. That's another story.
First story. I was talking to a friend who is into cars. He's currently trying to sell this SSR.
You'll notice the two Mercs in the background. The white 560SEC is his daily driver. He bought it from the original owner just a few years ago. The car had very low miles, as it was used mainly to ferry the owner from his home to the grocery store.
My friend drives his clients around in the black S600 Biturbo in the garage. He is a master at buying fancy cars after someone else has eaten the depreciation.
He has maxed out on the number of cars he is allowed to own at a time (I think he also has an SUV and an Audi TT convertible with baseball glove stitching), so he sold the S600 Biturbo and bought a 2012 Mercedes CL550. The CL sold new for $114,000+. He picked it up for $29,000. What a deal!
In talking to him, he mentioned that if he could find space for his cars, he wouldn't have to sell the SSR, which he loves dearly. That's another story.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Supercharged Xterra
Walked by one this morning while walking the dog. Didn't realize they made a supercharged version between 2002 and 2004.
It bumped the horsepower from 180 to 210.
It bumped the horsepower from 180 to 210.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Recommendations for tire pressure gauge
Any suggestions? I've always used pencil-shaped gauges. I'm ready to move up. Thanks in advance.
McLaren F1 owner's manual
Source, via @DasPretzels, who happens to be @TelstarLogistic's brother in real life.
Here is a manual for sale. I emailed the Canadian company to ask for the price.
Here is a manual for sale. I emailed the Canadian company to ask for the price.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Electric fan cripples Florida governor debate
This is just pathetic and emblematic of American politics. Both candidates are immature dicks. The Democrat (the guy with the fan) used to be the Republican governor and got engaged to a woman just to quash rumors that he is gay.
The Republican (the guy who was mad at the fan) is the incumbent. Before his political life, he ran the largest for-profit health care company in America which paid a $600 million fine for defrauding Medicare.
The Republican (the guy who was mad at the fan) is the incumbent. Before his political life, he ran the largest for-profit health care company in America which paid a $600 million fine for defrauding Medicare.
Buick or Taurus?
The current Buick ad campaign in America wants to convey to prospective buyers that new Buicks are modern looking!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Taking off ebola containment suit
It seems like the protocol is lacking and the "suit" is less-than-ideal in design.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Kobani ISIS combat video
Don't worry, there is no blood and gore in this video.
Do you get the sense that these guys think this is just one big elaborate paintball game?
Do you get the sense that these guys think this is just one big elaborate paintball game?
Saturday, October 11, 2014
1987 compact truck track racing
The diversity of the trucks! Isuzu, Jeep, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Ford,.... Top speed of 150, with an average of 80 around the lap. Incredible.
2004 anti-Howard Dean Iowa ad
Just imagine the size of our deficit if we had that supposed $1,900 tax hike. But then again, I drive a Volvo and read the New York Times.
Thursday, October 09, 2014
The state of Monrovia, Liberia, today
I heard on the radio that the Monrovia airport is capable of unloading two, maybe three, airplanes per day, at the most. It's surreal to watch this epidemic blow up in slow motion. This video is pretty eye-opening, especially the interview with the hospital director.
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Monday, October 06, 2014
Nissan racing history
Lots of cool shots, with an '80s vibe. Does anyone know more about compact pick-up track racing? Looks pretty dope.
Land Rover Discovery drives around the world
This is a very sedate trip set up by Land Rover's PR folks. There is no narration. Rather, it's just random footage of two new Discoveries along the journey. If anything, it's neat to see what people were driving around the world in 1998.
Sunday, October 05, 2014
3rd generation Nissan Maxima
The 3rd generation was my favorite. It looked great and the SE had a 190 horsepower V6. Nissan was at the top of its game when these were sold between 1988 and 1994.
Cooper's first trip to the beach
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With temperatures reaching 40 degrees C, we headed for the beach yesterday. Cooper was terrified of the water.
Dallas Buyers Club car anachronism
We watched this last night, and it was just okay. I respect actors who lose weight/significantly change their looks for a movie, but this movie was just not that special.
What annoyed me were all the misplaced props. The movie takes place in the 1980s, but there was a 1990s Saab in the background and a couple of newer Crown Vics that didn't belong. There were also TV sets that were ahead of their time. There was even a flat screen!
The biggest offense was this Lamborghini poster in the background.
Friday, October 03, 2014
Thursday, October 02, 2014
Madrid police cars
The Phaeton used to be the mayor's official ride. Don't know how the Renault Megane RS in the background ended up being a police car.
Wednesday, October 01, 2014
Please diagnose this sound on my Volvo
It just started today. Every time I shut off the engine (no matter what the ambient temperature is), it would buzz like this for 15-30 seconds.