I've finally begun experimenting with Picasa web albums - Google's version of Flicker.
I've started out by up loading some of the photos from my family's February cruise vacation. They can be found here.
Also, here are some photos of a cruise Boze, Nuke and I took Thanksgiving, 2006.
I'll try and upload photos salient to blog entries in the future - to go along with the photos I embed in the blog entry itself.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Monday, July 09, 2007
The Rabbit of Seville
Years ago, my friend Boseman and I were driving to breakfast early one Sunday morning. He'd driven up from Wilmingotn for the Saturday NCSU football game.
We were listening to WUNC on the radio. Back then, WUNC played classical music. I kid you not, they were playing the soundtrack from this on the air. We drove around until it was over.
Some opera is better than others.
This, of course, is a classic:
I thought of this because this year is the 50th anniversary of What's Opera Doc?.
Both classics. But The Rabbit of Seville is one of my all time favorite cartoons.
We were listening to WUNC on the radio. Back then, WUNC played classical music. I kid you not, they were playing the soundtrack from this on the air. We drove around until it was over.
Some opera is better than others.
This, of course, is a classic:
I thought of this because this year is the 50th anniversary of What's Opera Doc?.
Both classics. But The Rabbit of Seville is one of my all time favorite cartoons.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
I Hate Wasting Money
This entry isn't about anything current. It definitely fits into the Dull and Random Thoughts category.
I hate wasting money. Don’t mistake me – I don’t mind spending money. But I despise wasting money.
For example: I spend a lot of money on NCSU sports via the Wolfpack Club. I truly enjoy the games and the camaraderie that goes along with inviting people to join me.
Between the yearly required contributions, long term stadium and arena construction (which I obligated myself to help fund by agreeing to ‘Life Time Rights’) and the actual season tickets to football and basketball games – I spend about $3,000 yearly. Because I enjoy college sports so much - to me - this is money well spent.
Money wasted is if someone accepts an invitation to a game – and then cancels – or waits till the last minute to decline an invitation. Especially if there's little time left to invite someone else to take their place. That’s ticket $ spent, not used, and thus wasted. Sure fire way to piss me off and never get an invite again.
I was thinking about wasteful spending last Saturday while at CrossRoads Ford having my car serviced (It needs a new power steering pump).
I have a 2003 SUV (purchased used) and a 2006 Focus (purchased new).
I originally had a 1998 Contour. It started to suffer major engine problems – actually timing belts – 3 times in 6 months. The 3rd time it was in the shop – I angrily on the spur of the moment purchased the used SUV in 2003.
I had always wanted a small SUV for hauling household stuff and possible camping. When I bought it (while the Contour was in the shop) – it was kind of a back up car to get me to and from work since the Contour repairs were taking a week at a time.
Eventually the Contour AC system failed during the late summer of 2005. The estimate to repair was over $2000 – far more than the value of the car. I continued to drive the car through that winter until the weather began to turn warm. Spring 2006 – time for a dependable vehicle with AC. I gave the Contour to a friend who needed it.
That’s when I made a mental error.
I had become accustomed to having 2 vehicles. A commuter car and a weekend truck for chores and stuff. So I blithely went about looking for a Contour replacement. Flirted briefly with the mid-life crisis automobile syndrome. Looked at Mustangs and, gasp!, seriously considered buying that BMW I’ve always wanted.
Fortunately my temporary BMW insanity passed and I bought the practical Focus for commuting. Got the sports package which makes it a ton ‘o fun to drive.
Saturday while waiting at the dealership service department – it suddenly dawned on me: I never needed the Focus!
I simply should have just used the Ford Escape as my multipurpose vehicle. It’s capable of hauling anything I’ve ever needed; it gets decent gas mileage; it seats 4 or 5 comfortably; it’s in great condition and will last a very long time. There was no reason whatsoever to purchase a ‘commuter’ car. I just didn’t think things through!
So – my game plan is this. I’ll only use the SUV when it’s needed – such as hauling stuff around or whatever (i.e. saving SUV mileage for future use). For everything else – I’ll use the Focus.
I usually keep a vehicle for 160,000 to 180,000 miles. At my typical rate of about 20,000 miles per year – the Focus should be at the 160k – 180k mileage in about 7 years or so. With minimal use, the SUV should still have a couple years mileage available on it at that time. Eventually, when the SUV wears out, I’ll just buy a single multiuse all around vehicle.
Basically – I "wasted” the $17,000 I spent on the Focus. I could have left that money invested and earning some sort of return. Plus the yearly second vehicle insurance and taxes is money down the drain.
Like I said - I hate wasting Money. I got pretty miffed at myself while I was thinking this all out. Thank God I didn’t spend 50 grand on a BMW. Had I done that - I would have gotten totally pissed off . . . . Probably would have had to beat myself for being stooopid.
Still – the Focus, in spite of being an ‘econo-car’ – is a blast to drive. Light weight, the 'sports package option' - extra torsion bars, heavier struts / springs, fat 17-inch tires - its FUN! (Nuke jokes and says it’s the spoiler on the back that does it – LOL) It’s the first car I’ve ever had that’s actually ‘sporty’. When I’m driving it on a 2-lane country road out here in the sticks . . . . Watch out!
I hate wasting money. Don’t mistake me – I don’t mind spending money. But I despise wasting money.
For example: I spend a lot of money on NCSU sports via the Wolfpack Club. I truly enjoy the games and the camaraderie that goes along with inviting people to join me.
Between the yearly required contributions, long term stadium and arena construction (which I obligated myself to help fund by agreeing to ‘Life Time Rights’) and the actual season tickets to football and basketball games – I spend about $3,000 yearly. Because I enjoy college sports so much - to me - this is money well spent.
Money wasted is if someone accepts an invitation to a game – and then cancels – or waits till the last minute to decline an invitation. Especially if there's little time left to invite someone else to take their place. That’s ticket $ spent, not used, and thus wasted. Sure fire way to piss me off and never get an invite again.
I was thinking about wasteful spending last Saturday while at CrossRoads Ford having my car serviced (It needs a new power steering pump).
I have a 2003 SUV (purchased used) and a 2006 Focus (purchased new).
I originally had a 1998 Contour. It started to suffer major engine problems – actually timing belts – 3 times in 6 months. The 3rd time it was in the shop – I angrily on the spur of the moment purchased the used SUV in 2003.
I had always wanted a small SUV for hauling household stuff and possible camping. When I bought it (while the Contour was in the shop) – it was kind of a back up car to get me to and from work since the Contour repairs were taking a week at a time.
Eventually the Contour AC system failed during the late summer of 2005. The estimate to repair was over $2000 – far more than the value of the car. I continued to drive the car through that winter until the weather began to turn warm. Spring 2006 – time for a dependable vehicle with AC. I gave the Contour to a friend who needed it.
That’s when I made a mental error.
I had become accustomed to having 2 vehicles. A commuter car and a weekend truck for chores and stuff. So I blithely went about looking for a Contour replacement. Flirted briefly with the mid-life crisis automobile syndrome. Looked at Mustangs and, gasp!, seriously considered buying that BMW I’ve always wanted.
Fortunately my temporary BMW insanity passed and I bought the practical Focus for commuting. Got the sports package which makes it a ton ‘o fun to drive.
Saturday while waiting at the dealership service department – it suddenly dawned on me: I never needed the Focus!
I simply should have just used the Ford Escape as my multipurpose vehicle. It’s capable of hauling anything I’ve ever needed; it gets decent gas mileage; it seats 4 or 5 comfortably; it’s in great condition and will last a very long time. There was no reason whatsoever to purchase a ‘commuter’ car. I just didn’t think things through!
So – my game plan is this. I’ll only use the SUV when it’s needed – such as hauling stuff around or whatever (i.e. saving SUV mileage for future use). For everything else – I’ll use the Focus.
I usually keep a vehicle for 160,000 to 180,000 miles. At my typical rate of about 20,000 miles per year – the Focus should be at the 160k – 180k mileage in about 7 years or so. With minimal use, the SUV should still have a couple years mileage available on it at that time. Eventually, when the SUV wears out, I’ll just buy a single multiuse all around vehicle.
Basically – I "wasted” the $17,000 I spent on the Focus. I could have left that money invested and earning some sort of return. Plus the yearly second vehicle insurance and taxes is money down the drain.
Like I said - I hate wasting Money. I got pretty miffed at myself while I was thinking this all out. Thank God I didn’t spend 50 grand on a BMW. Had I done that - I would have gotten totally pissed off . . . . Probably would have had to beat myself for being stooopid.
Still – the Focus, in spite of being an ‘econo-car’ – is a blast to drive. Light weight, the 'sports package option' - extra torsion bars, heavier struts / springs, fat 17-inch tires - its FUN! (Nuke jokes and says it’s the spoiler on the back that does it – LOL) It’s the first car I’ve ever had that’s actually ‘sporty’. When I’m driving it on a 2-lane country road out here in the sticks . . . . Watch out!
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Southport 4th of July
I woke up early as usual; 0600 – drove over to a nearby restaurant - had breakfast and read the paper. Stopped by Port City Java on the way back to get a foo foo coffee. Just in time too. The police were clearing the main street for the parade. I got my coffee just as my truck was being eyeballed by the tow truck guys.
The parade started at 1100 and lasted about an hour and a half. Typical small town floats and such. I was surprised there was only one true marching band. I guess that since its summer, schools are out and therefore the kids aren’t readily available.
The local US Congressional delegation marched in the parade.
Not to be outdone – the NC General Assembly participated in the parade as well.
Walked around a bit and saw some of the exhibits.
Came back to Nuke’s apartment and took a nap for a couple hours.
Later we went out for dinner. Then walked down to the waterfront to listen to the bands and watch the fireworks.
Just got back. I'm sitting in the back yard doing this entry, listening to folks shoot off fireworks and watching the traffic on the streets around here not moving an inch.
A good full and fun day.
Heading back to Raleigh first thing in the morning. Going straight to the office. Should be about a 2.5 hour drive.
Happy 4th of July, folks.
The Fast and Furiously Stupid
Ran across this little news tidbit today:
http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=99589
I didn’t know Ray Ducharme was well enough to drive.
;-)
Almost a Darwin Award candidate - Close but no cigar.
Related Ducharme Entries:
http://bill-1956.blogspot.com/2006/07/pray4ray.html
http://bill-1956.blogspot.com/2007/04/hold-my-sangria-and-watch-this.html
http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=99589
I didn’t know Ray Ducharme was well enough to drive.
;-)
Almost a Darwin Award candidate - Close but no cigar.
Related Ducharme Entries:
http://bill-1956.blogspot.com/2006/07/pray4ray.html
http://bill-1956.blogspot.com/2007/04/hold-my-sangria-and-watch-this.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)