Sunday, May 10, 2009
Das Autos...HDR
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Weekends go by WAAAY too fast
Why can't we be like the Germans and work 4 days a week? Weekends go by WAAY too fast. ARG. Well, I said I would get this post together, so off we go! Hmm, what to talk about first.
Bye-bye Pontiac, bye-bye Saturn, hello Fiat? Ok...let's look at GM's business. They can't get rid of Caddy. The CTS and XLR are the only two cars that I would personally consider, because they are both RWD (or optionally AWD with the CTS) and they are both amazing cars. The XLR is significantly different enough from the Corvette for them to both exist, and the CTS will be the only sporty rear-wheel drive sedan in the GM lineup once the G8 is gone. The CTS is the ONLY vehicle that can honestly compete with BMW. Don't get me started on the Escalade though. Buick still has an old man image (even if they have some nicer models now and Tiger pimping their wares) Pontiac has some unique models in it's price range for GM and some "Badge engineered" models. GM should find a way to keep the G6 line, the G8 platform (RWD Impala, Caprice, Chevelle?) And either the Pontiac Solstice or the Saturn Sky (since it is shared with Opel as the GT, the Sky would be more likely here). Ditch the Cobalt and move the Astra to Chevy to again keep that cost down by sharing the platform with Opel. The G5, G3 and the rest of the Pontiac line can go though. Same with the rest of Saturn.
Shut down GMC and merge the line with Chevy OR migrate chevy trucks to GMC. While there are some features that are unique to one or the other, does sales volume at this point really dictate a differentiation anymore. Stop pretending to be environmentally concious with things like the Tahoe hybrid. Bring some of the Euro diesels state-side and phase in working hybrid technology in lower-level models where it makes sense. You tried to put the cart before the horse by skipping straight to the Volt.
Fiat....well....that one we will have to wait and see for. I am on the fence about that one (assuming the merger goes through). Oh, and Chrysler....what small cars do you have? The Avenger, and Caliber and....umm......Bueller....Bueller? Even investors are told to diversify. Can't wait to see the 2010 Golf with a TDI in dealers though. Maybe they will finally bring a Tiguan TDI in a couple of years too. *I HOPE*
Well, lets see...what else. We went to IKEA Saturday in College Park....damn how things have changed there (and we only went to the IKEA and saw the area directly around that). We bought a new entertainment center and spent Saturday night and Sunday morning getting that swapped out and everything re-connected. We continue to hang more photos around the house too.
Dad & Cyndi dropped by today to see us out here in bumfuck. We went to lunch at the really good Italian place (which is actually in a strip-mall, but it is REALLY good) and then came back to the house for a few more hours and just chatted. They are going to meet us for lunch in Tampa when we are on our way down to Bradenton, Fl.
Hmm....that's all for now.
Bye-bye Pontiac, bye-bye Saturn, hello Fiat? Ok...let's look at GM's business. They can't get rid of Caddy. The CTS and XLR are the only two cars that I would personally consider, because they are both RWD (or optionally AWD with the CTS) and they are both amazing cars. The XLR is significantly different enough from the Corvette for them to both exist, and the CTS will be the only sporty rear-wheel drive sedan in the GM lineup once the G8 is gone. The CTS is the ONLY vehicle that can honestly compete with BMW. Don't get me started on the Escalade though. Buick still has an old man image (even if they have some nicer models now and Tiger pimping their wares) Pontiac has some unique models in it's price range for GM and some "Badge engineered" models. GM should find a way to keep the G6 line, the G8 platform (RWD Impala, Caprice, Chevelle?) And either the Pontiac Solstice or the Saturn Sky (since it is shared with Opel as the GT, the Sky would be more likely here). Ditch the Cobalt and move the Astra to Chevy to again keep that cost down by sharing the platform with Opel. The G5, G3 and the rest of the Pontiac line can go though. Same with the rest of Saturn.
Shut down GMC and merge the line with Chevy OR migrate chevy trucks to GMC. While there are some features that are unique to one or the other, does sales volume at this point really dictate a differentiation anymore. Stop pretending to be environmentally concious with things like the Tahoe hybrid. Bring some of the Euro diesels state-side and phase in working hybrid technology in lower-level models where it makes sense. You tried to put the cart before the horse by skipping straight to the Volt.
Fiat....well....that one we will have to wait and see for. I am on the fence about that one (assuming the merger goes through). Oh, and Chrysler....what small cars do you have? The Avenger, and Caliber and....umm......Bueller....Bueller? Even investors are told to diversify. Can't wait to see the 2010 Golf with a TDI in dealers though. Maybe they will finally bring a Tiguan TDI in a couple of years too. *I HOPE*
Well, lets see...what else. We went to IKEA Saturday in College Park....damn how things have changed there (and we only went to the IKEA and saw the area directly around that). We bought a new entertainment center and spent Saturday night and Sunday morning getting that swapped out and everything re-connected. We continue to hang more photos around the house too.
Dad & Cyndi dropped by today to see us out here in bumfuck. We went to lunch at the really good Italian place (which is actually in a strip-mall, but it is REALLY good) and then came back to the house for a few more hours and just chatted. They are going to meet us for lunch in Tampa when we are on our way down to Bradenton, Fl.
Hmm....that's all for now.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A full post is coming...honest
I am going to do a full-size feature length post this weekend if not sooner. In the mean time, enjoy the new design of MikeCrutchfield.com. I still have to do the 'Trips' page and I am going to add some more info to the Garage eventually, but for now, it replaces what used to be there.
In other news, I still hate my job.
In other news, I still hate my job.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Why the hell am I awake? Ramblings of a crazy person @ 1:30AM
Why am I awake? I can't sleep right now. This sucks....I am tired all f-ing day and can barely stay awake, and then night comes, I sleep for a couple of hours then I wake up...WHY????
Work is miserable. I am fighting against the "Not invented here" syndrome even though it means I will have one less project to work on, because, even if I work on it, it won't be used. Normally, it is the other way around, with the programmer saying "I can do this much better...see" but when the programmer is the voice of sanity...that's just not right. Add to that the constant stupid computer questions I get because I am the "computer guy" my cube quad, the lack of meaningful work, and the constant feeling that I chose the wrong job, and work is just downright depressing right now. That doesn't help my desire to stay awake, or even my desire to even go there.
I have complained about jobs in the past, but usually, I still felt like I was doing something worth-while. I may not of liked it, but at least I could get SOME job satisfaction out of it. Well, now, I don't even have a performance plan under our new system (even though the cycle ENDS at the end of July) and our pay increases will be directly tied to the score you receive on said performance plans if pay-banding actually goes though. FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK! (Where's an exploding head smiley when you need one, I will just have to settle for this one:
)
I keep joking that we need to win the Mega-Millions jackpot so I can call in rich. I love the stability of being a govie, but I want to be able to work on my terms, money be damned. I would probably have more fun selling PCs at BestBuy than I would at my current job, I just can't afford to take the pay-cut.
All of this stress/depression caused by work makes it really hard to work on losing weight, because I am an emotional eater. I eat when I am bored (which is CONSTANTLY at work), I eat when I am depressed (which is CONSTANTLY at work AND follows me home) and my eating/weight contributes to that depression. I just can't win.
Once the alarm clock goes off this morning, I will check our Mega-Millions ticket (even though we didn't win, I'm sure) and then trudge off to work just as miserable as ever.
Oh, and I am going to start re-upping my meds..when they were perscribed, I was told I could ramp up to 4xday (2 morning, 2 night) as needed. Well, I had been doing fine on 1 for a while, but that just ain't cuttin' it no mo'. Yesterday, I added the first night pill (which might explain why I am awake since insomnia is a side-effect) and next week, I will ramp up to 2 in the morning and one at night.
Here's to hoping for better living through chemistry.
Work is miserable. I am fighting against the "Not invented here" syndrome even though it means I will have one less project to work on, because, even if I work on it, it won't be used. Normally, it is the other way around, with the programmer saying "I can do this much better...see" but when the programmer is the voice of sanity...that's just not right. Add to that the constant stupid computer questions I get because I am the "computer guy" my cube quad, the lack of meaningful work, and the constant feeling that I chose the wrong job, and work is just downright depressing right now. That doesn't help my desire to stay awake, or even my desire to even go there.
I have complained about jobs in the past, but usually, I still felt like I was doing something worth-while. I may not of liked it, but at least I could get SOME job satisfaction out of it. Well, now, I don't even have a performance plan under our new system (even though the cycle ENDS at the end of July) and our pay increases will be directly tied to the score you receive on said performance plans if pay-banding actually goes though. FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK! (Where's an exploding head smiley when you need one, I will just have to settle for this one:
)I keep joking that we need to win the Mega-Millions jackpot so I can call in rich. I love the stability of being a govie, but I want to be able to work on my terms, money be damned. I would probably have more fun selling PCs at BestBuy than I would at my current job, I just can't afford to take the pay-cut.
All of this stress/depression caused by work makes it really hard to work on losing weight, because I am an emotional eater. I eat when I am bored (which is CONSTANTLY at work), I eat when I am depressed (which is CONSTANTLY at work AND follows me home) and my eating/weight contributes to that depression. I just can't win.
Once the alarm clock goes off this morning, I will check our Mega-Millions ticket (even though we didn't win, I'm sure) and then trudge off to work just as miserable as ever.
Oh, and I am going to start re-upping my meds..when they were perscribed, I was told I could ramp up to 4xday (2 morning, 2 night) as needed. Well, I had been doing fine on 1 for a while, but that just ain't cuttin' it no mo'. Yesterday, I added the first night pill (which might explain why I am awake since insomnia is a side-effect) and next week, I will ramp up to 2 in the morning and one at night.
Here's to hoping for better living through chemistry.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Migraines - Day 2
UGH...Migraines. They started yesterday (along with the fun numbness on one side of my body) and today, they continue. I went to work yesterday, but felt utterly useless because the Fioricet (Tylenol + Barbiturates for those of you who don't know) made me an absolute zombie. Today will be more of the same...hopped up on Fioricet, trying to focus on my computer screen at work. In case you are wondering, I am typing this blog entry with my eyes closed (the good thing about being able to type without looking at the keyboard).
In other news, the Jetta has been running amazing since I changed the fue filter on Sunday. That old one was REALLY black, and since I made the change, the Jetta hasn't made any large soots in first gear and hasn't been vibrating as much. I think the sooting might have come from the engine running a little lean from a clogged filter and then some excess fuel being dumped into the chamber. Anyway, as it approaches 70,000 miles (it is over 68,000 now) I will probably do the oil change this weekend to get it done. The Rabbit is going to need an Oil change soon as well, but we don't drive that as much. Maybe we will take it today.
Today, much like yesterday, will be a day of chrissy driving. I managed to sleep most of the way to and from work yesterday (the migraine meds helped ensure that) and I feel like today will be much of the same.
Oh, while we were eating at Chevy's the other night, Chrissy saw an advertisement in the bathroom for mobile rim repair. That will be a good way to get the curb rash cleaned up on the 18" Hufs I have in the garage that are destined to go on the jetta. of course, there aren't actually any in our area, so I will have to get one of the people across the bridge to do it.
It is just going to be one of those days. I probably shouldn't go to work because all day I will just be having a hard time staying awake and staring at the computer screen. Writing programs with my eyes closed is doable, but not as easy as typing a blog entry (and coding has to be uch more precise) If I misspell a word here, or leave out a paranthesis, no big deal, but if you do it in a program...*BOOM*
Ugh..guess I need to decie what I am going to do today. Maybe if my migrain improves, I will post again later (and a post that makes more sense too).
In other news, the Jetta has been running amazing since I changed the fue filter on Sunday. That old one was REALLY black, and since I made the change, the Jetta hasn't made any large soots in first gear and hasn't been vibrating as much. I think the sooting might have come from the engine running a little lean from a clogged filter and then some excess fuel being dumped into the chamber. Anyway, as it approaches 70,000 miles (it is over 68,000 now) I will probably do the oil change this weekend to get it done. The Rabbit is going to need an Oil change soon as well, but we don't drive that as much. Maybe we will take it today.
Today, much like yesterday, will be a day of chrissy driving. I managed to sleep most of the way to and from work yesterday (the migraine meds helped ensure that) and I feel like today will be much of the same.
Oh, while we were eating at Chevy's the other night, Chrissy saw an advertisement in the bathroom for mobile rim repair. That will be a good way to get the curb rash cleaned up on the 18" Hufs I have in the garage that are destined to go on the jetta. of course, there aren't actually any in our area, so I will have to get one of the people across the bridge to do it.
It is just going to be one of those days. I probably shouldn't go to work because all day I will just be having a hard time staying awake and staring at the computer screen. Writing programs with my eyes closed is doable, but not as easy as typing a blog entry (and coding has to be uch more precise) If I misspell a word here, or leave out a paranthesis, no big deal, but if you do it in a program...*BOOM*
Ugh..guess I need to decie what I am going to do today. Maybe if my migrain improves, I will post again later (and a post that makes more sense too).
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Fun with File Recovery
Chrissy's laptop died. Just died. It won't power on with either the battery or the power adapter anymore (even when the battery has a charge). I even shelled out for a new battery thinking that was the problem based on how it had been behaving. DOH! Dead laptop.
So anyway, I wanted to make sure I could recover any files from the drive so I bought one of these. It is a USB to IDE & SATA for 1.8"-5.25" drives. Great! it arrived today. I rip the hard drive out of the laptop plug it into my windows PC and Windows gets confused and says the drive has to be initialized before it can use it. Umm...no...I will try something else. So I plug it into my Mac Mini, and low and behold, it works perfectly. Now I will take the time to point out that it was a WINDOWS laptop with Windows XP Home edition installed and for some reason VISTA had a problem reading the hard drive but OS X read it perfectly. Way to go Micro$0ft.
Anyway, the USB device works great. Windows on the other hand.
So anyway, I wanted to make sure I could recover any files from the drive so I bought one of these. It is a USB to IDE & SATA for 1.8"-5.25" drives. Great! it arrived today. I rip the hard drive out of the laptop plug it into my windows PC and Windows gets confused and says the drive has to be initialized before it can use it. Umm...no...I will try something else. So I plug it into my Mac Mini, and low and behold, it works perfectly. Now I will take the time to point out that it was a WINDOWS laptop with Windows XP Home edition installed and for some reason VISTA had a problem reading the hard drive but OS X read it perfectly. Way to go Micro$0ft.
Anyway, the USB device works great. Windows on the other hand.
Google's April Fools Joke - Very Involved
As I continue to be sick and going to work yesterday only made me worse today, I am still home. I popped into GMail and noticed a new "Feature" that magically appeared today called "Google Autopilot". I am going to grab screen caps because this is too good an April Fool's joke to stick around.
First, let me mention Rampenfest. When BMW decided to launch the 1-series in the US, a fictional German town (Oberpfafflebachen) decided they would hold a "Launch" party and fly a BMW 1-Series "From here to San Francisco" BMW really wanted people to take the red pill and find out how deep the rabbit hole goes. Not only did they make the mock-u-mentary about the Ramp, the made the official website of the town of Oberpfaffelbachen, a cafe-press store that sells souvaneers, the website of the town bakery, the stuntman who was going to peform the stunt and the PR Firm that set all of this up. Unfortunately, Sepp's Stunts page has already disapeared
Back to Google Autopilot, and more specifically, CADIE (Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed Intelligence Entity). CADIE has a blog, a YouTube channel (with a time-space continum problem - the videos were posted BEFORE CADIE was "turned on"), a Google Earth add-on, and a Google Chrome feature that allows you to view pages in 3-D by printing your own 3-D goggles. Wow...that rabbit hole went deep. I am kind of dissapointed that CADIE didn't add pandas to google.com though.
Oh, and don't forget Youtube's new video viewing style.
Good ol' April Fools day. What next, The Onion reporting REAL news?
First, let me mention Rampenfest. When BMW decided to launch the 1-series in the US, a fictional German town (Oberpfafflebachen) decided they would hold a "Launch" party and fly a BMW 1-Series "From here to San Francisco" BMW really wanted people to take the red pill and find out how deep the rabbit hole goes. Not only did they make the mock-u-mentary about the Ramp, the made the official website of the town of Oberpfaffelbachen, a cafe-press store that sells souvaneers, the website of the town bakery, the stuntman who was going to peform the stunt and the PR Firm that set all of this up. Unfortunately, Sepp's Stunts page has already disapeared
Back to Google Autopilot, and more specifically, CADIE (Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed Intelligence Entity). CADIE has a blog, a YouTube channel (with a time-space continum problem - the videos were posted BEFORE CADIE was "turned on"), a Google Earth add-on, and a Google Chrome feature that allows you to view pages in 3-D by printing your own 3-D goggles. Wow...that rabbit hole went deep. I am kind of dissapointed that CADIE didn't add pandas to google.com though.
Oh, and don't forget Youtube's new video viewing style.
Good ol' April Fools day. What next, The Onion reporting REAL news?
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