Malibu Barbie

Most of you may be aware that I'm a car guy.  I subscribe to automobile magazines and follow the efforts and innovations of car makers all over the world.  So it should come as no surprise that I don't often keep a car for very long, I want the better mousetrap and the latest features.  I've had 6 new cars in the last 14 years.

My wife would still be driving her 1989 Pontiac Grand Am if we hadn't met.  For Lea Ann, the automobile is a thing that gets her to where she is going.  Transportation, something to be driven until you have to replace it because it won't move any more.  On the topic of automobiles, we couldn't be more opposite.

I've always wanted to be sure that LA had a good, safe car that would not nickel and dime us to death.  Unfortunately we have had our share of those nickel dime models.

LA's 89 Pontiac needed engine work at 81,000 miles, so we purchased a 1999 Chevy Malibu.  It was comfortable and quiet and, it got her to where she was going.  The front end was replaced twice, and the head gasket needed to be replace, all in the first 30,000 miles.

Deciding that the 99 would be a money pit, we searched for a replacement.  Assured by the dealer that Chevrolet had fixed those issues, and knowing that otherwise LA was happy with her Malibu....We bought a 2001 Chevy Malibu as a replacement.   It was even the same color as her old Malibu.

On a trip to Florida to see her Dad, in Early 2005 we rented a car at the Orlando airport for our run to Ocala.  The rental we chose was the newly re-designed Chevy Malibu.  I liked the car and convinced LA that it was time for a change.  This new design got better gas mileage, had more power, and the 2001 Malibu was making clunking noises just like the last one did before we had to replace the front end.  Shortly after we arrived home, we made the decision was made, and bought a 2005 Chevy Malibu.

Fast forward to late 2009.  LA had gotten a nice bonus from work.  I asked her what she planned to do with it and believe it or not, she said that perhaps she'd put it down on a new car.  Really?  I asked.  She gave me the task of finding a few good cars for her to choose from.  LA wanted to consider a small SUV.  She pretty much said that she didn't want another Malibu.  "I've have 3 Malibu's in a row".  LA chose to consider the Chevy Equinox, newly re-designed for Twenty Ten.  (See previous blog post 'Are you ready for Twenty?')

The Equinox is a popular car, and they fly off the dealers lot soon after they arrive.  It's hard to get one without ordering it.  Finding one to test drive is hampered by their availability as well.  We had recently received two different promotions from Chevrolet.  One would give us $3000 (the GM card rewards) off an Equinox or any GM car, and the other promised $1.000 off a Malibu, which LA through away.  With coupon (s) in hand, we were off to Bonner Chevrolet to see if we could test drive something.  (Did I mention that I rescued the $1000 coupon LA threw away

As I expected, there wasn't an Equinox to be had, or test driven, but right there in the showroom, a beautiful dark blue Malibu.  LA took off her coat and handed me her purse, then sat in the front seat.  She motioned for me to join her on the passenger side.  I asked what she thought about it, and with two arms outstretched, palm facing each other she said, "It's a car!"  The 12 year old salesman told us that this car was the model (LT) in the middle of the line.  There were two other models, one cheaper (LS), and one more expensive (LTZ).  One of each was in the garage portion of the dealership.  We had questions regarding 4 vs 6 cylinder, 4 vs 6 speed transmissions, and all were answered.  LA said she'd like to drive a 4cylinder model.  The salesman pointed to the LS and LTZ models, and headed outside to find a car for Lea Ann to drive.  Dismissing the LS as "looking really cheap", LA turned her sights to the metallic black LTZ model..  It was loaded.  V-6. 6 speed, power everything, XM radio with Bose speakers, cruise, 18" wheels and it's most unusual feature a two tone leather interior.  It was the color of Ebony and Brick.  Lea Ann sat in the car, looking at everything adjusted the seat and held the wheel.  She called me over and said, "I like this car."  I don't even remember if I had time to respond when she said slowly, "I 'really' like this car."   I clearly saw in my wife's eyes that she was excited about a car, and probably for the first time.  She actually wanted a car for more than its transportation value.  "Great, I said, then we'll buy it!"  Alas, this one was being prepped for its new owner.

The salesman found an identical car in MD which had a 4 cylinder engine, and no sun roof.  Just the way that LA wanted it equipped.  We used our two coupons, took advantage of the fact that the Malibu also came with a 2 grand rebate.  The dealer subtracted a full Six Thousand Dollars from the sticker price and another 7400 for her trade.  The deal was done and Lea Ann's 4th Malibu arrived three days later.

Now you may think I'm silly, but I've had a custom of naming my cars.  My Volks Diesel Jetta is no exception, it's name....Otto.  (Get it?)  I asked LA what name she'd call her new Chevrolet.
"Barbie", she said, "Malibu Barbie".

Now is the time for Twenty! Are you ready?

Just 10 years ago we were preparing for our entry into a new century.  Not really because the new century began with the year 2001.  (Two Thousand One).  We were face to face with the end of time.  Surely all of the clocks in the world would stop, because computer programmers hadn't planned on a year beginning with 20 instead of 19. Airplanes would fall from the sky, and nuclear defense systems would collapse at the stroke of midnight January 1, 2000.
When we awoke on New Years Day that next morning, the sun had come up as it had for centuries, the newspaper was in the mailbox and small birds few across the sky in erratic patterns.  Just as Ebenezer Scrooge awakened on Christmas morning and everything was, as it was, and it was good, so had we awakened to the dawn of a new day, and it was New Years Day.  The world had not ended.  There was hope.  The new decade was here, and those next ten years were certainly tumultuous.  However, as we look backward at those years how will we label it?

I grew up in the 60's and 70's.  LA and I were married in the 90's.  Maybe we could call the last decade the Two Thousands.  A local radio station personality quipped they should be called the 'Naught Years'.

Further complicating the this dilemma is the fact that some people referred to some individual years as 'two oh four', 'two oh six' or 'two oh nine'.  When I took my car for service, the tech at Bonner Chevrolet would ask me which car I had for service that day.  I'd say, "I have the Oh four Impala", or "The Oh five Malibu.  He understood.  LA is considering a new vehicle in a few months, how will I refer to it's year of origin?

I recently watched an episode of "The Colbert Report", where Stephen refers to the Vancouver Olympics as occurring in "Oh ten".  So is the next decade to be nameless as the last?  Shall it fade into obscurity?  Will the next decade be an extension of the unnamed one just past?

Let's cut the cord and separate the past decade with the new one born this week.  I say we are ready for Twenty!  "Twenty Ten".  It has a familiar ring to it.  It wasn't so long ago that we started all of our years with "Nineteen".  Let's not be satisfied with another year or decade of indecisiveness by calling next year "Two Thousand Ten", or the inevitable predictable "Oh Ten".

If we don't act now, we run the risk of having future generations wonder why we weren't thinking ahead.

Happy New Year, Twenty Ten

Click the link to the right. "Twas the night before Christmas"

  I took a day off from work last Friday.  There were some things on my mind I wanted to get in done before the Holiday's.  My Christmas shopping was finished.  I wanted to straighted up and clean the basement.  An unusual  thing to have on my mind to do, perhaps a small dose of OCD kicked in, as I'm not usually that fussy.  The completed project would have taken a few days,  but what I did took 2 hours.  I just wanted to remove some trash, get the place a bit more organized, and to sweep up.
  Once finished I took some time for relaxing.  Sat in my chair with the laptop computer sitting where it's name implies.  I noticed that a tiny lens at the top of the laptop lid was facing me.  With a camera, I should be able to make a recording, I thought.  Once I found the related software and started it up....I was looking at a video of myself, looking at myself.  Soon  I was able to record myself looking at a video of myself.
  I spotted a book with Santa's face on the cover, picked it up, started the recorder, and recent history was made.  My first production.  I hope you enjoy my video debut.
     Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays..

The first snowfall....and Santa Claus

LA and I were out and about yesterday, picking up 'stuff' from here and there.  I was the passenger in the car, so I had the pleasure of noticing just how splendidly the first snowfall of the season had blanketed the landscape.
It really was beautiful.  To use an overused metaphor, it was just like Currier and Ives.  Light fluffy snow adorning every twig, on every branch of every limb on every tree.  It covered the lawns, but left the roads clear and wet.
I remembered being 8 years old, born and raised on Davies Alley, we didn't have much, but we had the best sleigh riding hill for blocks.  There was a good excitement about the first snowfall.  We knew that it wouldn't be long and Santa Claus would once again traverse the globe giving presents to all of the good boys and girls.
I really don't remember this part, but I am told, that when Santa arrived in downtown Pittston, my sister was charged with the task of getting me to town to see Santa.  There were a lot of good boys and girls there, and the line for Santa was very long.  Mary Louise (my sister) and I persevered, after what seemed like hours for both of us, and for completely different reasons.  I sat on Santa's lap and told him what I wanted for Christmas.
Afterward, on the way home, I spoke to Mary Louise.  "Weesa, I've been thinking about Santa Claus....and", and my sister is thinking, "Oh my, here it comes.....", as I continued, "I think that 'HE' was the real Santa Claus."
And you know, I was right!  He was there.  Amidst all of the decorations and children and parents, Santa Claus was there.
Let's not one of us forget how we once looked forward to snow, and Santa Claus.  Don't forget how we rode our sleds down long neighborhood hills.  Remember when you sat on Santa's lap and knew that he might deliver that football, EZ Bake Oven or a Red Rider BB gun on Christmas morning.
There will be plenty of time left to curse the snow covered road and icy sidewalks.

"If a tree falls in the woods..."

Happy Thanksgiving one and all.  Have you ever heard the philosophical question; If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it does it make a sound?  This post will provide the facts I need to answer the above question.  I would like to think that this blog is used by someone other than myself.  Actually, I'm not even sure that my wife reads this.  So is it all for naught?  With no one here to read it, does it send a message?

I think it does.  This blog actually gives me an opportunity to comment on things as I see them.  My views are valuable, just because they are mine.  You......Yeah, You..... You too have valuable insights that should be shared, just as I do.  Here is the opportunity to explore the possibilities of sharing your views with me.  I'm doing my part, now it's your turn.

Prove to me that the tree makes noise when no one is there.  Do you hear the silence?  I do, and it's sometimes deafening.  We can ponder the meaning of life, and perhaps answer the question once and for all..

Post a one word comment.  It's time for roll call.            Happy Thanksgiving.

Here comes the Sun -- Do en do do

If you see me smiling on a sunny day, it's partly because I'm saving money.  Last month you may have seen the "Keystone Energy" van parked in my driveway.  Lea Ann and I decided to invest in Solar Energy, and had 16 panels installed on the rear roof of our house. They are generating electricity from sun up to sundown.  In direct sunlight, our system is capable of producing over 4000 watts of electricity.  That's enough to power a hair dryer, a microwave and 15 - 100 watt light bulbs.  When we don't use all the electricity we make, our meter spins backwards.  (I've seen it)

The system was not inexpensive, but with State and Federal incentives, it's downright practical.  We hope to have the system pay for itself in about 8 years.  With PPL increasing rates in January, our savings will increase too.  And the Sun never increases it rates!

Have any questions about it, just ask me  I'm beaming!

Sharing isn't fun, when it's the flu.

LA and I enjoyed a long weekend celebrating her Dad's 80th birthday with the family, as we all converged on Las Vegas last week. The weather was nice, for the desert. We ate too much, slept to little, and managed to have a terrific time. We had three family dinners which united four families living in 3 different states, that's something that doesn't happen enough,

Sitting in a 757 on the tarmac of McCarren International Airport, first delayed by the fact that AF1's scheduled arrival in Newark, coincided with ours. Then being pull back to the gate, and waiting an additional hour to service a malfunctioning door, makes you aware of how many people aboard aren't feeling well. Coughs, clearing of throats, crying children accompanied by a warm aircraft being cooled by a poorly working air conditioning system; We were sitting in a 250 passenger petri dish. I had the flu by Tuesday, LA had it by Thursday.

I had my seasonal flu shot three weeks ago. Perhaps it was H1N1, but we weren't tested to see what it was. Maybe it's better not to know if there's another round looming. Sharing isn't fun when it's the flu.