Moving on to other cars

After the debacle at the Smart dealership, we decided to try out some other cars we're considering. What are we up to? Well, our current car is almost paid off and we know gas prices are only going to get more insane, so we're looking at our options. Maybe a second car for day-to-day city driving, thereby allowing us to preserve our beloved TSX much longer than the current 120,000km-in-4-years (75,000mi-in-4-years) pace we're driving. Or perhaps bite the bullet and get rid of the TSX altogether in favour of a full-time gas miser.

So next stop was a Honda dealership, who were much more accommodating and polite about the test drive situation. We wanted to try a Civic Hybrid, but there were none on the lot. So we got into the other Honda we were considering, the Fit. I didn't have a lot of expectations for the Fit - it's your basic econo-box. I was slightly surprised by its peppiness. It's no racer to be sure, but it had some decent get-up-and-go. The Fit's real magic is in its seat configurations. Push the front seats forward and the back seats flip down in a way that allows the rear seat head rests to slide right under the front seats. This makes the back seats capable of folding flat. I mean totally flat! Flip the seats back up and the seat bottoms (the part you sit on) stick to the backs on the way up. This creates a huge storage cavity between the front seats and the back seats (see picture), while still having the usual hatch storage area behind the rear seats.

Speaking of seats, Darlene was looking to see if the front seats were comfortable. She doesn't like seats that have a raised ridge at the front, because it causes discomfort where the ridge meets the bottom of her thighs, right behind the knees. The Fit's front seats are much flatter, with no ridge. So she was totally cool with that. For my part, the only thing I could find wrong with the car is that the steering wheel doesn't adjust telescopically. So with the seat adjusted to the right position, the steering wheel is just too far away. I could probably get used to it, but I'm quite spoiled from my TSX.

After doing some serious number crunching, I came to the shocked realization that the Fit doesn't get so much better gas mileage than my TSX to justify buying one. The Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid are another story entirely. And when I get a chance to drive those puppies, I'll weigh in on them as well.

How NOT to sell a car

Darlene and I decided we wanted to take a Smart Car out for a test drive today. We've been curious as to how we would fit into such a car (as a second car for everyday running around town).

We got to a dealer that sells the Smart and had to wait patiently for a good 20 minutes just to speak to a Smart representative. When it was our turn, we asked to take one for a drive. They made it clear we could not have the vehicle to ourselves.

You really need to think about this for a moment. A 2 seater car that we both have to be comfortable in - and we can't take it out for a quick test drive together. The salesperson said it had to do with the fact that the Mercedes dealership (which sells Smart in Canada) treats the $20,000-ish car with the same degree of paranoia err respect as the $100,000+ Mercedes models. Something about insurance blah blah young kids can't be trusted blah blah (our combined ages are greater than 95). I said that I couldn't very well buy a car without knowing how we fit in it together. They wouldn't budge.

So we walked. Needless to say, the likelihood of us buying a Smart car now is less than the chances of a Liberal landslide in the next Canadian election.

Another restaurant loses out to a new favourite

Not long ago, I blogged about a newly discovered restaurant - Cravings Market Restaurant. I didn't think I'd be blogging about it again so soon, but the restaurant we had planned to eat at today (White Spot) was closed temporarily due to 'mechanical difficulties'.

So we drove back to Cravings. This time Darlene had the Steak Sandwich, which she said was good (that's a lot coming from her). I had the Bison Stew - which should more aptly be called Bison Goulash, because the base was much more reminiscent of a goulash than a stew, although it was chock full of potatoes and other vegetables. I gotta tell ya - if you're a fan of bison or have always wanted to try bison but were a little shy about it - you have to try this stew. It was awesome.

"You think you're the only superhero in the world?"

Some nice folks were kind enough to give Darlene a free movie pass for two. So we decided to go see Iron Man. I was a little worried that it might suck, after all, not every comic book hero translated to the big screen well - especially once Hollywood got their hands on it.

But I have always liked Robert Downey Jr. and I used to read the odd Iron Man comic as a kid, so I was excited. I don't know what it is, but the suit rocks, in my humble opinion. I read some people reviewing the movie and complaining about how once Tony got the suit on, it was no longer about the guy inside. But I didn't focus on that at all - I was mesmerized by that mask - that face. It's freaking Iron Man dude! Thumbs up from me. On the advice of others, I stayed past the credits for 'something special'. Come on..... you can figure out what the something special is already, can't you?

Maybe the post's title gives you a hint...?

The new propaganda

Folks were invited to photoshop old style propaganda posters with modern issues. Some of them are quite funny. I chose to post this particular one keeping with the vein of discussion my friend Bernie and I have been on regarding the Olympics.

In case the pic is hard to see the grafitti says "keep politics out of Olympics - it's about money"

You can't trust everything you see

Do you like illusions? Here's a blog with a few that I hadn't seen before. It's fairly new but promises a new illusion on a regular basis.

[shrug] RIAA still don't understand consumers

This stuff just makes me so sick and tired. Just when signs pointed to the RIAA finally getting it that DRM isn't working, nor is it desirable by the consumer, they go and reveal that they don't quite get it and plan to re-introduce DRM in a big way in the future.

Cory Doctorow from BoingBoing tells the tale best, with a link to the original story.

Only in America.....

The ABC television station in Memphis TN is giving away a free paternity test each weekday afternoon during ratings sweeps period this month.

"Watch Maury weekdays at 4pm for the 'Paternity Case Number of the Day,' which will be displayed during one of the commercial breaks. Then watch Eyewitness News Everywhere at 5pm that same day, immediately following Maury, for the cue to call. Be the designated caller with the correct 'Paternity Case Number of the Day' and win!"

You just can't make this stuff up.....
Thanks again to my friend Ernest for the tip.

Geo-trivia

Stand here in North America and the Pacific Ocean will be east of the Atlantic Ocean.

Where are you?

I've updated this post with a picture now that someone got the answer......

Real simulated sex included

The latest TV series Darlene and I decided to watch is Tell Me You Love Me. It was touted by TV critics last fall as one of the best new shows to hit the airwaves and it aired on - you guessed it - HBO. Fortunately, they wasted no time getting the show out on DVD, so I bought it in February and we just got around to watching the first season.

The show follows the relationship struggles of 3 couples of different age groups (4 if you include their therapist) and their particular issues. Like most cable network series, it is not terribly censored and lives little to the imagination. You feel like a voyeur watching this program. But if that doesn't scare you off, the acting is brilliant.

RPM 16

A member of this band said, "In our music, we make the machines sing."

Name the band.

[update] Is this too tough or are my readers getting too apathetic about this game?

Having fun at the expense of the Pope

There seems to be a lot of folks online who share the same opinion regarding the unfortunate dastardly looks of the current Pope. Notice I didn't say 'evil', that would have been in really bad taste.

So, I decided to have a little fun and threw in a Star wars reference popular with some of my friends.

When risk pays off

Here's a bakery in Kitchener Ontario that rounds its prices off to the nearest quarter so that in a pinch, you can grab your baked goods and drop your cash into a fare box from an old bus.

Yep, they use the honour system - and it's working.

Tipped off by BoingBoing

You go Cory!

One of the reasons I love the internet so much is that stories about ordinary people who have a bone to pick with the companies they do business with get to see the light of day. Because big media sure wouldn't air a story like this one, considering that the folks who own big media probably wouldn't want you getting any ideas of your own.

Briefly, it's the story of a guy who has taken his ISP's CEO's words to task about an announcement that "Network Neutrality was "bollocks" and that Internet services would have to pay for premium connections or be relegated to the "Internet bus-lane." So the guy's cancelling his ISP account. It's a great read.

For the guy who has almost everything

Give him a 1470 piece Craftsman tool set.

Only $8600. Look at the bright side - he'll never be able to use the excuse "I don't have the proper tools to do that job" when confronted by the updated 'honey-do' list.

Sorry guys. But look at that! I wonder how big of a tool box you'd need for that sucker.......

Where is it - Edition 44

Look what we have here! A new edition of Where Is It.

Slight twist. Don't name the city.... name the ummm..... facility.

Click the picture for a bigger version.

That circle is about 3km in diameter.

Bon voyage

In this witty little clip (supposedly commissioned by Robbie Williams for an album), young Magnus is about to run away from home. But his parents aren't quite convinced, especially when he turns back before the end of the block.

The ending is hilarious and certainly not safe for work.

Foamy Sony

You've seen my posts about the other Sony ads, the one with the coloured balls, the bunnies and the one with the paint, right?

Well, have you seen the latest Sony commercial with the foam? Check it out here - make sure you click the 'watch in high quality' link first.

Message to online content providers like Hulu...

WTF?

A lot of video clips are suddenly only being hosted on content providers like Hulu, which are blocking viewing from anywhere outside the US. Yeah, yeah, I know all about the ridiculous ramifications of showing programming, even clips of programming, whose rights haven't been secured by content distributors from other countries. OH!! Here's a thought...... maybe if people from other countries could see a sample of your fantastically wonderful programming, they would get so excited as to actually drum up demand for their country's TV networks to consider buying the rights to show those programs in those countries. For those of us who've already paid our dues and have already seen these shows on our own networks, or paid ludicrous cable TV fees so we can watch your networks to see these popular shows...... pony up!

I'm holding up a finger in your general direction. Can you guess which one?

I'm pissed. Can you tell?

Whose F#@$-ups are these anyway?

Are you a fan of the improv TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway (the North American version)? I certainly am. It's one of the things that got me interested in improv in the first place.

Anyhoo, I found some YouTube vids of some of the outtakes and bloopers from the show. If you start at the first link, you'll see plenty more in the right sidebar under 'related videos'.

Warning..... not safe for ears that are easily offended. The gang from the show seem to like to antagonize the censors.

10 things you might not know about marijuana

An interesting, if not smile-inducing list.

My favourite (although not very revealing) tidbit:

6. Marijuana interferes with short-term memory so that users forget what they just said or did. Not only that, marijuana interferes with short-term memory so that users forget what they just said or did.

Make sure you ruin those games real good......

My friend Bernie and I were discussing my idealistic wishes for the Olympics. Today, he sent me a link regarding what may actually be planned for our own Winter Olympics in 2010 in Vancouver.

It doesn't take a lot of Googling to discover that there's some serious stuff being organized in the form of protests.

And my post title was dripping with sarcasm, in case you were wondering.

Need more proof that airline security is irrelevant?

Some of the air marshals that are supposed to be on certain flights to protect you, are being denied entry to the flight because their names are close to or a match with names on the 'no fly list'.

I'm just full of ideas..... again

Darlene and I, if we ever go into the cosmetics business, have already picked out the name of our introductory product for women. Baby Bum Skin. Go ahead.... say it out loud. Baby Bum Skin.

[with a look of mad genius] Catchy ain't it? It just rolls off your tongue. Baby Bum Skin.......... Baby Bum Skin....

Best line heard from a movie I probably won't watch

From The House Bunny, about a Playboy bunny (Shelly) who gets kicked out of The Mansion because she's too old (27) and has to try to find a new life outside Hef-dom. She's visiting the place the house mothers of the sororities live....

Shelly: "This will be perfect for me..."

House mother: [with slight look of disdain] "This is not a brothel."

Shelly: [shaking her head] "Oh, I'm not looking to make soup..."

Better luck next year boys.....

Well....... [sulk].......... the season is over for my beloved Montreal Canadiens. Unlike some fans of some other hockey teams I know of (who shall remain nameless), I am not bitter. The Habs put on a great regular season, fooling all the pundits in the process. As far as I'm concerned, they have nothing to be ashamed of. I truly enjoyed it while it lasted.

Honestly, I think this sets the perfect stage for their next season, when they'll be celebrating their 100th anniversary as a hockey team.

Yeah.

I'm just full of ideas....

I came up with a great name for a band - No Sudden Moves. Their shtick would be that they're all over the stage, jumping around and stuff, but at a certain (and after a few live performances very predictable) point in each song, they would freeze on a song pause....... then on the next drum beat start prancing around the stage again. Prancing? OK, maybe not exactly prancing. But you get the drift.

Moments in time

A page of very stylish photographs for your viewing enjoyment.

This was one of my faves.

Where in the world are you?

Right now, some of my blog readers are probably wondering, "What the heck is up with this guy? He's getting very 'interactive' with his readers." Well, I'm not done.

Being the curious individual that I am, I'd like it if you would share with me your location - where you call home. I already know what area some of you live in (some of my readers communicate outside of this blog, and/or have blogs of their own that make it obvious where they are). But I'd love it if you could chime in with a hello and where you're at.

In case you haven't figured it out yet...... hello from Calgary, Alberta, Canada!

Omelet - in ya know.....

I'm a big fan of breakfast brunches. So Darlene and I go searching out any new ones in our area and revisit other ones from time to time to see if they've changed.

Buffets can be hit and miss. Often, some items run out and don't get replenished quickly. Other times, food gets cold because of the inadequate heat sources under the serving trays. A new phenomenon I'm not too keen on is where if they have an omelet station, they ask you to fill out a form describing what you want in it. When the omelet is ready, the chances of it getting to your table hot is dependant on whether your server is around to notice it's done. Seeing as how I like my food hot - this does not usually bode well. Plus, there's no sense getting the other food items that you want to enjoy with your omelet until you actually get the omelet. This is the case at Jameson's Pub. At Kilkenny's, another pub quite nearby, they have the same issue, but it's worse - not only do you have to fill out a form, but you have to do it at your table, so now you also have to wait for your server to get around to getting the form before your omelet order is even placed. Then there's the fact that if you can't watch your omelet being constructed, you can't ask the chef for more cheese, or more green onion....

Message to restaurant owners who employ this strategy.... STOP IT!!