I tend to dislike the April Fools jokes that hit the web.  Most tend to be rather lame. Expedia, however, has a good one this year…

(larger version here 1, larger version 2)

And when you try to book…

I haven’t watched new episodes of Family Guy recently, but I thought I would check out the latest (thanks to Hulu) because of the guest stars – the cast of Star Trek:TNG. That was the treat but this episode is great all around!

Enjoy.

For about a week now I’ve had a bit of a sore throat. It was nothing too bad, more of a feeling that I would get every once and awhile than a full blow sickness. Well, today I believe my condition decided to go full blow “flu” on me.

My right ear is killing me, as is the right side of my throat. My back hurts… it almost feels like someone with boots decided to walk all over me… and I have little energy. This is NOT what I was looking for today as I had a number of things I wanted to take car of.

I’ll be dialing into my meetings and taking care of work related items but I’m nowhere near top performance today.

I really enjoyed my past them – fracticles – but I started to run into issues with the theme and plugins The whole point to have a plugin on your site is so it can improve some aspect of the user experience… so, when I cannot use the plugins of my choosing, time to look elsewhere.

At the suggestion of Gianna, I needed to install a “subscription to this post” feature.  A feature that didn’t want to work in the last template. 

Now that we’ve moved on to the Bella theme, it looks as if my issuse are now resolved.  I you run into any problems, please let me know.

Even thought it is spring, I sit here and look outside and the sky have a fall feel to it.  I would also expect to see people walking around with cider, going to Halloween festivals, planning for Thanksgiving and the like… but it’s not.  

I’m sitting here having the stew that I made the other day, the smell of cinnamon faintly in the air, all of which helps bolster the feeling of autumn.  I’m shocked to say the stew tastes FANTASTIC today.  That is to say, this is a dish that actually tastes amazing after sitting for a day or so. 

Technical aspects of the site.

Yesterday evening, one of my reader asked that I add a subscription feature to the comments on the site.  This is something I’ve wanted to do for some time but for some reason the plugin I install malfunctions.  

What happens is this…

The plugin ends up placing the “subscription” option at random places on the post page and it changes each time I attempt to active the plugin.  I am not sure if this is a problem with the plugin OR with the template I am currently using. Oddly enough, this behavior takes place no matter what template I use which would make me think there is an issue with the framework I’m using.

I’m attempting to resolve this issue so please hold tight as I try to figure this out.

GM, Chrysler and the Government

With Wagoner out at GM, it looks like the Government is laying down the law…. and the funding that will be provided is VERY limited.

Obama, flanked by several administration officials at the White House, announced a short-term infusion of cash for the firms, and said it could be the last for one or both.

Chrysler, judged by the administration as too small to survive, got 30 days’ worth of funds to complete a partnership with Fiat SpA, the Italian manufacturer, or some other automaker.

GM got assurances of 60 days’ worth of federal financing to try and revise its turnaround plan under new management with heavy government participation. That would involve concessions from its union workers and bondholders. The administration engineered the ouster of longtime CEO Rick Wagoner over the weekend, an indication of its deep involvement in an industry that once stood as a symbol of American capitalism.

First, I am surprised by the announcement because it now appears the government is pushing automakers toward bankruptcy.  In my mind I had expected some negative news on Chrysler today, and while 30 days of funding is not at lot, it’s more than I had expected. The big surprise for me was that General Motors only obtained 60 days of funding.

Last evening, I made the statement the government actions were socialist. I stand by those claims.  Now the U.S. government is providing warranty coverage for GM and Chrysler products.  The American Automotive makers are, essentially, under government control.  

The “One A Day” pill to cut the risk of heart issues?

I am very skeptical of Big Pharma.  As more evidence come to the surface, it is becoming clear  drug companies are more concerned with creating drugs that help their own bottom line – not helping people address their medical issues.

So, please understand how view this story with skepticism:

The experimental combo pill was as effective as nearly all of its components taken alone, with no greater side effects, a major study found. Taking it could cut a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke roughly in half, the study concludes.

The approach needs far more testing — as well as approval from theFood and Drug Administration, something that could take years — but it could make heart disease prevention much more common and more effective, doctors say.

How much will this cost?

$17 a month.

While this may seem trivial, this is HUGE business, and potentially political, news:

The Obama administration asked Rick Wagoner, the chairman and CEO of General Motors, to step down and he agreed, a White House official said.

On Monday, President Barack Obama is to unveil his plans for the auto industry, including a response to a request for additional funds by GM and Chrysler. The plan is based on recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, headed by the Treasury Department.

The White House confirmed Wagoner was leaving at the government’s behest after The Associated Press reported his immediate departure, without giving a reason.

From the business perspective.  

While GM has been under the mismanagement of Wagoner & Co. for some time, I find it extremely unlikely that the current administration would call for the CEO’s resignation if they did NOT intend to provide some for of funding/financing to the company, even if said financing is for a short period of time.  

Bottom line – expect the Government to provide some form of a lifeline to General Motors on Monday.  Maybe not a full-blown bailout but some form of assistance with heavy restrictions on how the money will be utilized. 

What you don’t see in the press this evening (well, now this morning) is any mention of Chrysler.  Since the Fiat partnership has fallen onto hard times, it seems as if things have become very grim for the company.  If I were a betting man, and I think I am, I would guess that some form of Bankruptcy is in the offing for the home of Jeep and Dodge…unless they can pull together something quickly.

From the political perspective.

The United States is officially a socialist country.  I know that sounds VERY extreme so ignore your initial thoughts on what socialism is and hear me out.  

Socialism is political idea that supports government (“the state”) ownership and management of companies.  

How else can one describe the state telling a PUBLIC company what it must do in order to obtain something?  Yes, banks can do so as conditions of a loan but the U.S. government is not a bank.  Interestingly enough, no bank is even willing to give GM or Chrysler loans… because their business model has failed…. because financial institutions, as messed up as they are, know that extending credit or funding to these members of the auto industry equates to a poor business decision.

In the end…

The Administration decided to take a very, very dangerous path if they continue to push for recovery without Bankruptcy and if they are truly calling the shots within the automakers.

Today has proven to be… well… just LONG.  While I have been able to get decent sleep over the last week – restful sleep – I find that my stamina is rather low for some reason. After four hours of activity, even very basic things, I’m am in need of a nap.

Switching topics, I’m very glad I obtained the rim and wheel insurance through my deal when I purchased the new car.  Why?  I hit a small pothole, apparently bent the rim, and my tire is leaking air.  

Most people would pass up the insurance, and I usually would as well, but ever since having run flat tires I’ve learned that the insurance is a MUST.  Over the life of the car the coverage pays for itself as run flats are very costly.  I’m talking $340 per tired costly.  Basically, my choice of getting the insurance has already paid for itself.

Sweet call!

Rishi’s Mundan

I was up and about at 9AM this morning.  You have to understand something – for me this is an accomplishment.  On the weekends I tend to wake up around noon, if not later.  So, I’m happy I was able to get up and function.

Anyway, today was my Nephew-in-law’s Mundan, a Hindu rite of passage where a child gets their first haircut.  It was a cute little ceremony and Rishi was so very calm.  I cannot believe how laid back the little guy is…. 

Ceremony has a very interesting history behind it and it was very cool to witness.  Unfortunately my parents were unable to join as they were having issues at their house.  I hope that turned out OK for them.  They were missed, that’s for sure.

Muffins

I didn’t have a chance to make dinner today, but I did make some muffins.  I’ll be posting the info over on yeswecook shortly.  

Enjoy the rest of the day (what is left of it!)

This is not a criticism but it will sound like one – with a young child why would an individual engage in extreme, life threatening, activities?

Shane McConkey was, apparently, a top extreme athlete.  I know nothing about extreme sports but doing a quick search using my personal search assistant (the Google) it looks as if he was a decorated freestyle, extreme and base jumping skier.  

On March 27th he died during a base jump.

I have no issue with people deciding to life life in whatever way they see fit, but I simply do not understand why one would want to do such dangerous activities while being responsible for a young child.  

Now, I know some people will say that you take a chance every time you get behind the wheel of a car or when you cross a street but I think it is hard to compare every day activities with willingly throwing yourself off of a mountain and then trying to deploy a parachute.

Maybe this was all he knew of life, and maybe he didn’t want to be out of the sport, but the responsibilities that come with parenthood would seem to outweigh such activity – even if that was ones given profession.

Again, this is not a criticism..  I understand the difference in priorities between him and I play a factor but I simply do not understand how one could live such a lifestyle while having a child. It just sounds very selfish to me.  There is nothing wrong with selfish, just don’t have a child then…

Ah, yes… the new car.

fter much searching I have found the car for me – a Monaco Blue BMW 550i with a Tan interior.  The car is a dream!    A pure dream. The closest thing I’ve owned in the past was my BMW X5 (built on the old 5 Series platform) but this new sedan blows everything away.

My last vehicle was a BMW 335i, a pure driving machine…. or so I thought.  The 550i, while bigger, handles like a pure sports car. Actually, the width and length of the car do not seem much bigger – while behind the wheel – than my old 335i.  The 550 has a very tight steering wheel, and a suspension that allows for the ultimate performance at all speeds.  Turns out the 550i is also a pure driving machine.

One major complain a number of people have about the BMW 5 Series, as well as the BMW 7 Series, is the inboard computer system called iDrive. A number of people find the iDrive system to be confusion or difficult to operate, also known as unintuitive, but I have no such problems.  The dealer was trying to warn me of potential difficulty and wanted to sit with me as I had my first exposure to the system, but I kindly thanked them and continued on my way.  

Maybe my lifelong exposure to technology prepared me for the system, maybe the people who complain about the iDrive have little exposure to technology, but the second I sat down at the controls I felt as if I knew exactly what I was doing.  No confusion.

I have not spent a large amount of time highway driving the 550i as of yet, but the car just begs to be pushed while out on the open road.  I have a feel this car will really show how it can perform once I get it up to around 70.

For most of my driving life, the 3 series was perfect for my lifestyle.  The performance, power and comfort offered was a perfect balance. Recently; however, it seems as if the car has become too small for me needs.  The cockpit seems slightly cramped, the back seat doesn’t offer much leg room, and the trunk space could be a bit more significant.  The 5 Series answers these needs for me without me having to move up to the extremely large, yet still performance driven, 7 series.

Once I have the chance, I’ll post a picture…. Good times are abound in that car, that’s for sure.

This past week…

I cannot express to you just how happy I am now the week has come to an end. 

In no way do I mean to give the impression the week was bad, for the most part it was rather positive, there was just something that seemed to emotionally drain me as the week progressed.  I attempted to isolate what, exactly, could have been the driving factor… but no luck.

Interestingly enough, the more wiped out I felt the more introspective I became.  Not in the “oh my god, my life is a waste” way, rather in a “this is how far I’ve come… this is what I have available to me… where is it I wish to go?  With the good and bad I have and experience, what is it I wish to make my life?” kinda way.

I’m not sure but I have a feeling the next month or so will be very interesting from a life/personal growth perspective.

Old friends…

One interesting event took place this week – I ran into an OLD friend that I had not seen in roughly 11 years.

Life pushed us apart, not that it was a bad thing, it simply was.  We both ended up following different paths, we both grew in different directions, but life ended up bringing us back together.  

At first the mood was a bit awkward. Well… maybe more like we were not sure what to say to each other.  After a few moments; however, it was as if we had never stopped talking.  We started talking about how we got to where we are today, about past interests, just about life all around…

And it was good.

He made a comment about neither of us changed all that much.  That stuck with me as there are parts of me today that still persist from years past, but there is plenty that has changed since the days of old.  We are planning on meeting up within the next two weeks to catch up, it should be a good time.  I look forward to sharing how I have changed… most of which I suspect will surprise him.

I also got a phone call from a friend I haven’t spoken with in a few months.  He is one busy world traveler and usually is short on time.  While we did not have the chance to speak on the phone, I do hope I have the opportunity to this weekend (we are planning on it).  

He is an individual I respect greatly, a friend who has been with me and provided guidance in some of the hardest of times, and I cannot wait to hear how his job and life are playing out – especially as he works with a major finance company.

Time for a new purchase….

As I had mentioned last week, it’s about time for a new car.  My current one is coming off lease, and as such, I believe there are a number of other values on the market I can utilize.  As last Friday showed me, my loyalty to BMW will continue as my needs AND wants in a vehicle can be matched by only a few other makers.

Please do not assume that BMW automatically means expensive.  Yes, the cars do cost more – brand new – but a certified pre-owned vehicle can be had for the cost of a NEW domestic (or Japaneses brand) while equaled or superior quality.

Translation…bargains are a foot.

And finally…

This weekend will see a number of postings over at yeswecook.com

Saturday evening will see the posting of and old childhood favorite – “Mom’s Old Fashion Stew”.  I also hope to get a batch of muffins out as well. Sunday will bring Hummus and Mediterranean Chicken. 

It should be fun!