Category: daily tedium

It’s time to buy a new car to replace the Blazer. Yes, it’s time to leave the land of the SUV and get something that’s a little more fun to drive. The Blazer was good until it started having fun (and expensive) electrical issues. Apparently, they all do that. Why do they have to do that?\
I haven’t had time to go test drive anything, so my experience in other cars has been reduced to rentals on trips (Ford Taurus: bleagh, Buick Century: I moved down a class just to avoid you, Pontiac G6: more later, Ford Focus Maxx: you were kind of fun, but I think that’s because you were in France). Here’s my initial list, which will get pared down once I start test driving and doing “real” research. You should get some idea of what I’m looking for from the list. If there’s anything you think I should add to the list, please post a comment. It’s got to be under \$20k, have relatively low miles, get reasonable mileage, fit two boys in the back and be fun to drive. Here’s my initial list:

• Pontiac G6: I rented one on my last trip to Mountain View, and it was actually a really nice car. It was zippy, comfortable and the controls were pretty well laid out. I kept trying to find things I hated about it because it’s a Pontiac, but I really didn’t find anything. Plus, I can probably get a 2005 and come in under budget.
• 2003 Nissan Maxima: I don’t like the redesign. How is the Maxima different from the Altima now? But, I dig the 2003-2004 model. That’s a unique and cool looking sedan.
• 2003 Volvo S60: I rode in a friend’s S80 a couple years ago and it was really nice. Plus, I really like the looks. I would go for the S40, but the review I just read says it’s cramped inside, which is bad (in case you missed it, I’m not a small man).
• 2003 Audi A4: I love the way Audis look, especially the newer ones. If I had no budget at all, I’d get a new S4. But, I have a budget. The ratings I just saw didn’t look so hot, but I’m willing to dig some more.
• 2006 Honda Civic: I read the “car of the year” review in Car and Driver in a waiting room, and it was compelling enough to check out. They’ve got a good reputation for reliability, and the new one looks good.\
  There you go… that’s the list. Anything I should add?

I got Taipei Monkey this week and really want the two Taipei Buddies sets. Who wants to trade? I’ve also got Oslo Finance and Shanghai Tech Vector. And if you’re not already signed up for free delivery from IconBuffet, you should be. It’s free!

On March 20th, Albert Einstein published his theory of relativity, John Lennon and Yoko Ono got married, America attacked Iraq (the second time), the first woman was put to death in the electric chair, a bunch of other stuff happened, and thirty years ago, I was born. Wow… I’m thirty… and I still have hair.

I keep forgetting that in a couple weeks, I’ll be thirty years old.\
You’d think I’d remember something like that.

Just to clear the air, I’m sorry. I really am. To everyone at work who’s had to listen to me sniffle, sneeze and blow my nose, I’m sorry. If I had known that every single decongestant known to man would fail miserably in the never-ending onslaught of mucous, I would have stayed home. If this cold weren’t the worst cold ever experienced by man, I would have stayed home.\
I’m hoping that by Monday, I will have stemmed the viscous tide and can return to work without the hideous nasal ooze that’s haunted me all week. This cold has lingered for a week, and I’m sick of it. I’m starting to think this might be the worst allergy attack in history. Ok, I exaggerate. I’m not turning red, puffing up into a ball and breaking out in big blue spots… but my nose will not stop. I’m considering cork…

Because I taught that class on blogging, I now have a PayPal budget, which I’m now going to call my T-Shirt Budget. I used part of my new T-Shirt Budget to buy one of these (the torch one in gold).\
I don’t know why having a t-shirt budget makes me happy, but it does.

I told you last week (or was it early this week) that I had more thoughts about buying local. Well, it’s ready (and I did it at lunch today while eating chili). I present to you, my faithful friends and family: I BUY LOCAL. Right now, it’s just that first post, but I’m hoping it blossoms into a group blog full of local business-supporting goodness. I’ve already got one blogger lined up to help me (when he “officially” joins up and posts something, I’ll let ya know), and am looking for more.\
It’s not going to be a big thing, just a small thing that will hopefully help someone realize that where they get their goods and services from does make a difference. Thinking, even just a little bit, about who’s affected by the money we put into the community is a start. I know I’ve just started.\
If you’re interested in helping out (we’ll have stickers soon), let me know (kevin-at-ibuylocal.info).

I lost my keys. In the house. After using them. We tore the house apart, and we still can’t find them. I’m at a loss. I have no idea where they could be, and the worst part is, I can’t check my work mail without them (you know those SecurID things? Yeah, on my keyring). If you see my keys, nursing a scotch in a bar, skydiving, riding Space Mountain or mooning nuns, could you drop me a line? I’d really like them back.

I still have a job. A lot of people I know don’t. Layoffs are horrible, and I’ve seen a few by now. A lot of people I enjoy working with are no longer working here, and it’s a horrible feeling, knowing they’re not dead, but feeling like they are. I have no idea what to say. I talked to one friend who’s leaving, and I think I made her cry. It wasn’t on purpose.\
I still have no idea what to say.

Blah, blah, blah… I’ve been busy. I’ve been writing lessons for the class (which is going swimmingly so far), working on a new top secret personal project, a top secret work project, and throwing my shoulder out of socket (no idea how or when I did it, but man, does it hurt).\
Life is good, and I can’t wait for Thanksgiving. The California Contingent is in town, and it’s been a lot of fun seeing Samantha with Max and Brian. We stood Brian up to her the other night, and they’re the same height. Brian is six months, and Sam’s a year. I don’t know how we do it, but Jen and I make big babies.\
I’ve got lots to talk about, really I do. I just need to find time to write it all, and right now, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to go around.