Friday Follies...
With this being the FIRST weekend of February, it's a rather important weekend.
NO, I don't mean the "Super" Bowl, either.
It's...Welfare Weekend!!!!
(thunderous applause)
All the "locals" have gotten their checks (courtesy of YOU, the working people), and you can sure tell by the way they've been acting.
It's like feeding time at the damn zoo.
Everyone is a bit more "manic" than usual.
I much prefer the last 2 weeks of the month...the charm has worn off, the bloom is off their "rose", and they're getting antsy for that NEXT check. Unfortunately, that's when they get uppity and start committing crime to feed whatever habit they have.
Nice to know that SOME things never change, isn't it?
But wait...it's not ALL bad news.
Unless you're driving a TOYOTA, that is...
*** The car company has been installing a "fix" (called a shim....a bloody SHIM???) to correct the acceleration problem.
Toyota (after several new complaints) is now looking into the computer assist for braking on the Prius. Nothing like whacking a pothole and then having the brakes fade, right?
You have to remember, we're in the 21st century now...all the old, reliable MECHANICAL parts have been supplanted with electronics.
Not necessarily a good thing.
With my 26 year old Firebird, all my accelerator/braking is done MECHANICALLY, as in cables and linkages. There is a "power" assist for the steering and brakes, but that's HYDRAULIC in nature, NOT electronic.
With these new cars, it's close to the "fly-by-wire" gig you have with aircraft. A computer does all the "work" receiving signals from sensors, which in turn activates motors (and other parts) that are SUPPOSED to "get 'r done", when it comes to braking or accelerating.
Sometimes, these "brains" get a might screwed-up, and then things aren't working the way they were supposed to.
That's called "TROUBLE, my friends...right here in River City" (under your hood).
What you may see happen in the near future is a return to a more reliable mechanism for PRIMARY on board systems in vehicles.
I say if something WORKS...don't change it.
But that will occur ONLY if the car companies can make a ton of money off of you in the process, got it?
*** Now, while you're waiting for that car to fail...OR get fixed, you might want to think on this:
People are NOT drinking the "top-shelf" alcohol products in the quantities they used to. Don't get me wrong...people are STILL drinking MORE liquor (and in this present-day world, what's the reason NOT to drink,hmm?), they're just opting for the cheaper stuff.
And people are drinking more AT HOME (good idea when it comes to driving - no one ever got a DUI on their SOFA)
Industry growth slowed in 2009, with supply UP 1.4%.
That's the smallest increase since 2001 and below the 10-year average of 2.6%.
I do like Chivas Regal (scotch), but I'm choosing to get brands like Passport and Clan MacGregor, because of the price. Taste about the same, too.
Ditto for bourbon. While Jim Beam is enticing, I'll go with either a sale on Wild Turkey, or a lesser brand. And yes, I DO cook with booze.
Whiskey is pretty much the same when it comes to blended Canadians (my personal favorite), so the field is wide open there.
Same can be said for basic white rum. Vodka I use in small quantities, so that's not a problem. And while I love Tanqueray gin, I'll go with a Seagrams or even a Gordon's smaller bottle (with tonic and lime).
I was never one for all these "specialty" liquors, so that saves money at the start.
My wine choices are few...perhaps a bottle of Zifandel or a Lambrusco once every several years.
Just so you know...if you HAVE to drink (and like I said, who doesn't these days, ESPECIALLY if you live in a neighborhood like MINE?) there are plenty of good choices out there...for cheap. We're not doing the cheap-ass VS or Thunderbird wine gig yet, gang. Leave that to my "neighbors"...LOL!
*** Indianapolis schools get a post-Super Bowl "delay".
Welcome to the Unites States of Entertainment, folks.
We care MORE about a damn football game that our children's education (apparently).
The school system (there) originally wanted a TWO-hour delay, but the state "boss" of education didn't want ANY delay at all.
There this compromise, though; a ONE hour delay. Guess being accountable for one's actions and having a level of personal responsibility doesn't mean what it USED to, does it?
First off, is there ANY reason this game HAS to be played at 6 PM? It's in FLORIDA, for cripes sake.
Why aren't they playing it at NOON...or even 3PM, instead of this damn dumbass 6 PM thing?
Playing a Super Bowl at night is just wrong...
They don't run the Indy 500 at night, do they?
Haven't seen the Kentucky Derby run after the sun sets, have you?
Guess the NFL (lapdog of the corporate juggernauts) doesn't give a rat's ass about people staying up past 11PM (especially kids and school bus drivers) with all the "post-game" partying that's going to happen. Hell, they're getting THEIR money, so what do they care, right?
All that doesn't really matter to ME, anyway.
I plan to enjoy this Sunday in the BEST manner possible...
By watching the PUPPY BOWL on Animal Planet!!!
Say what you want, think what you may, THAT is the place to be this Sunday.
I'm "down with that", as our current vernacular would infer.
*** We're also staring at the winter storm heading this way (up from the southwest)...probably a couple inches up here in NE Indiana (2-5 is the best guess), but I see that further south and east will get substantially more.
One buddy in Delaware might be looking at up to SIXTEEN inches (yowsah)!
To my friends and followers in those areas....DO be careful.
Take your time shovelling, rest frequently, and go inside if you become fatigued.
And stay warm!
Death never takes a holiday, and we don't need to be adding to any "celebration", do we?
And if you HAVE to be on the roads in those areas, remember that slow and steady wins the race.
That's why they give everyone those "1" and "2" gears on the instrument panels of your vehicles.
They're NOT there to look nice or to "balance out the space" between NEUTRAL and DRIVE.
They have a purpose...as do we all in life.
So have yourselves a great weekend, wherever life finds you.
May you all learn something every day, and be an even better person for it on Monday than you are this minute.
Do well, make a difference today, and...as always,
Stay safe out there, America.