Diesel fumes

Posted by Glen in on 28 Jun. 2004, 6:06 pm

Behold, the new Dimock Family Truckster:

This big rig comes equipped with such advanced features as power steering, cruise control and intermittant wiper settings, and she’s a diesel. I was a little dismayed to learn that VW has discontinued the black-cloud-of-diesel-exhaust feature once found on DAD’s diesel Rabbit, but we’ll manage. It’s difficult to argue with 50 mpg in a station wagon. The cats disapprove of the purchase, having learned that they will be relegated to the trunk area with the aid of a pet partition. As for BU, she is currently looking for a new owner. I hear Dave needs a car… Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going cruisin’ for chicks (don’t tell Rachel). I hear they dig guys with station wagons.

Here’s the inside (before cats):

  1. Comment from Katie on 28 Jun. 2004, 8:37 pm :

    Interesting… it appears that mom’s suggestion to Rachel that a bigger “family” car would be the best choice was firmly planted and implemented. Well done. Babies next. Will they get a partition in the trunk area as well?

  2. Comment from Glen on 29 Jun. 2004, 5:19 am :

    Sheesh, you have a one-track mind! No, the extra space is for luggage, furniture, mulch, cats, etc. — not for babies. Remember, house and dog arrive before babies in the natural progression of things. If babies arrive within the lifespan of this car, they can ride on the roof rack. I have some sturdy bungee cords.

  3. Comment from Em on 29 Jun. 2004, 7:24 am :

    Ooooh, pretty….I can’t wait for my test drive!

  4. Comment from Tammy on 29 Jun. 2004, 7:50 am :

    It looks like a great choice, young sir! It manages to be a station wagon without really looking like one. I know you will enjoy having the extra room in the back for hauling things/cats around.

  5. Comment from Angela on 29 Jun. 2004, 8:19 am :

    Oooh, fancy! Congratulations! :)

  6. Comment from Glen on 29 Jun. 2004, 7:29 pm :

    Test drivers must first meet a strict stick-experience requirement. Next, they must understand the unique characteristics of the diesel engine. Rachel will brief you on the details, but just remember that peak torque occurs at a much lower RPM than you’re used to in a gasoline engine and that you should adjust your shift points accordingly. During the break-in period, I have been shifting well below 2000 RPM and driving around 1500. Finally, please be kind to the new engine! No hard acceleration. That is all.

  7. Comment from Em on 30 Jun. 2004, 6:56 am :

    I know I don’t have as much stick-experience as yo’ mama does, but I assure you I am quite dexterous. I have driven a diesel stick before, as well. Heh heh, she said “diesel stick”…

  8. Comment from Tammy on 30 Jun. 2004, 7:31 am :

    So the big question is, who gets to drive this car on a daily basis?

  9. Comment from Rachel on 30 Jun. 2004, 10:13 am :

    The answer to your question remains unclear. Right now it looks like we’re sharing it 50/50. (So we both can enjoy the feeling of having a new car).

  10. Comment from DAD on 30 Jun. 2004, 6:40 pm :

    How many miles on this new non-smoker?

  11. Comment from Rachel on 30 Jun. 2004, 7:42 pm :

    About 500. In order to get this apparently rare car, the dealer we bought it from had to trade for it with a dealer from Michigan. They drove it from Michigan to Chicago, and we drove it down here. So for us, it started with 279.

  12. Comment from Em on 1 Jul. 2004, 7:01 am :

    How nice you two are, to share like that. I doubt I’d let Pete touch my new ride!

  13. Comment from Glen on 7 Jul. 2004, 10:31 pm :

    The transfer of car sovereignty to Rachel will be occurring soon, and sharing is one way to prepare.

  14. Comment from John on 23 Aug. 2004, 9:13 am :

    sports car?

  15. Comment from Devon on 12 May. 2005, 9:28 pm :

    you got a great car to take the cats to soccer practice :-D haha. i kid i kid. Now Tammy , Derek and Dana just need to get VW’s and all the kids will have them. We are the trend setters. Maybe more will follow :-D

    haha I could see you guys putting the kids on the luggage rack. VW makes the luggage carriers now i believe. Just drill holes so they can breathe :)

BU blues

Posted by Glen in on 19 Jun. 2004, 5:14 pm

It’s a sad day in the life of BU (Rachel’s car). Due to abundant oil leaks, a bum timing belt, possibly-dead wheel bearings, and unsafe tires, we need to decide whether to place her on life support or slip into a snazzy new TDi Jetta (47 mpg hwy, better than a Prius in practice). We’re going to take her in for a second opinion before going German (how bum is the timing belt? maybe the bearings are okay?), but this could be the end of the road for ol’ BU. I’ve already started shopping, which is relatively painless via the Internet.

  1. Comment from Tammy on 21 Jun. 2004, 1:17 pm :

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

  2. Comment from Glen on 21 Jun. 2004, 5:42 pm :

    Things are still up in the air. Perhaps you would like to donate your mechanical expertise to install a new timing belt?

  3. Comment from Tammy on 22 Jun. 2004, 10:13 am :

    Ha!!! Okay.
    Actually I thought I had a timing belt installed not that long before Rachel bought it. I could be wrong.

  4. Comment from Glen on 22 Jun. 2004, 7:01 pm :

    Yes, but it’s covered in oil. Apparently oil degrades the rubber, which means it may need to be replaced. We still need to get a second opinion.

  5. Comment from Tammy on 23 Jun. 2004, 2:51 pm :

    Poor BU! Well, I would rather you guys have a safe, modern car for all of your drives to Maryland! BU has had a good long life.

Gmail

Posted by Glen in on 14 Jun. 2004, 7:17 pm

If you want a Gmail invitation, email me within 24 hours. Otherwise, my 3 invites will be joining my AirTran Free Drink coupons on eBay.

  1. Comment from Angela on 15 Jun. 2004, 10:17 am :

    What the heck? Sergei wouldn’t want you to -sell- your Gmail invites!

  2. Comment from Glen on 15 Jun. 2004, 5:46 pm :

    Where’s your entrepreneurial spirit? Tom Mierzwa would be disappointed. Is Google some sort of grass-roots volunteer organization? No, I think Sergei is too busy rolling around in his vault of gold coins to notice my $5 eBay sales.

  3. Comment from Angela on 16 Jun. 2004, 10:16 am :

    Oh, man, I can’t believe you pulled the TM card. That is LOW! Somehow I can’t believe that $5 matters that much to you either. But will you be using that money to help the homeless? Then I will get on board with the sale of e-mail accounts that will be imminently available to the public for free.

  4. Comment from Em on 16 Jun. 2004, 1:36 pm :

    Some idiot is selling 10% off Lowes coupons for $10 on E-bay. Well, I suppose I shouldn’t call that guy an idiot–I should reserve said moniker for the people who are actually bidding on them, when you can get them FREE on Lowes website.

  5. Comment from Glen on 16 Jun. 2004, 3:14 pm :

    See, now that’s entrepreneurial spirit! Angela, I am only trying to recoup my losses from a certain AirTran Free Drink Coupon auction for which I never received payment. Though I gave her positive feedback in good faith, the winner, a family member and frequent flier, immediately declared the auction a scam.

  6. Comment from Angela on 17 Jun. 2004, 9:08 am :

    Your auctions -are- scams! Tamara is right to withhold payment!

  7. Comment from Glen on 17 Jun. 2004, 6:26 pm :

    If I deliver the goods as advertised and make no attempt to deceive, how is it a scam? If somebody is willing to pay above fair market value, that’s just business.

  8. Comment from Angela on 17 Jun. 2004, 10:51 pm :

    But that’s like scalping tickets. It’s unfair and taking advantage of people. Above fair market value is one thing for a house or something that actually has real value but I think it’s a bit disingenuous to sell things that you got for free. Reward drink coupons and gmail accounts aren’t meant to have monetary value, are they?

  9. Comment from Em on 18 Jun. 2004, 8:07 am :

    I’m with Gwendolyn. If people are dumb enough to go for it, why not? Ignorant people annoy the crap out of me and I am all about taking every opportunity to undermine their existences. A fool and his money….

  10. Comment from Angela on 18 Jun. 2004, 10:00 am :

    But that leaves it wide open. If it’s ok to take advantage of other people being “dumb” about little free things, where do you draw the line? Is it ok to take people for $100, $1,000, a million, if they let you? Also, if all’s fair when it comes to ebay and ignorance, then would you be ok with being scammed because you had a dumb moment? (we all have those)

    Anyway, this debate might be getting annoying for some so I’ll stop now. Like you, I think it’s amusing to see what people are willing to pay for certain, free things but I have a problem with the follow-through of taking that money, especially if it’s insignificant and wouldn’t really make any sort of difference.

  11. Comment from Glen on 18 Jun. 2004, 1:06 pm :

    First, I agree that my blog is not the most appropriate venue for a nuanced debate on economics and business ethics. That having been said, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and to the extent that their sales do not bring harm upon the buyers, the manufacturers or the economy, I think it’s irrelevant to decide whether these items are “meant” to have monetary value. If somebody is willing to pay $7 for the convenience of saving $13 on drinks without having to sign up for a rewards program, book a qualifying flight, and wait six weeks, I don’t see how that makes him a victim. Similarly, with Gmail invites, perpaps somebody with a common name is willing to pay $5 to secure a good username before the accounts are readily available. Wait six weeks for a free account, and RSmith could become RSmith0183.

    And by the way, I gave all of my Gmail invites away to friends. Have you guessed how I obtained _my_ Gmail invite?

  12. Comment from Angela on 21 Jun. 2004, 9:08 am :

    You know, I somehow have unlimited invites to give out. So if anyone wants one (for free!), contact me! :-D I haven’t guessed how you got -YOUR- gmail invite. All I know is that I invited you too but apparently that was of no use to you!

  13. Comment from Glen on 21 Jun. 2004, 5:44 pm :

    I never got it. My spam filter is top-notch, and apparently your invite didn’t make the cut.

Case closed

Posted by Glen in on 10 Jun. 2004, 10:28 pm

They finally found my bag (it was missing), thus completing my Finland trip. Judging by the ripped tags and extended stay in customs, the bag was apparently routed through Baghdad, affirming my decision to stow Rachel’s heavy Iittala candleholders in my carry-on. But despite my entire summer wardrobe hanging in the balance, the lost bag experience was like water off a duck’s back, thanks to American Airlines’ automated customer service line. Featuring space-age voice-recognition technology (really), this system consistently impressed my engineering side while calming my frazzled nerves. It even recognized “Dimock”, though it corrected me on my pronunciation (I think you said “di-MOCK”, spelled D-I-M-O-C-K. Is that right? Say Yes or No…). The future is now. That, or American keeps a warehouse full of low-wage “voice-recognition” workers somewhere near O’Hare.

  1. Comment from Angela on 11 Jun. 2004, 9:26 am :

    ew, ew, ew, I hate those voice recognizing automated things. I always press zero for a live person. If it doesn’t like it, then I keep pressing zero until it becomes a problem and someone comes to check what the hell is wrong. Oh, man. I’m officially cantankerous :( But I’m glad they found your bag. That ski jacket must be preserved for another season!

  2. Comment from Glen on 11 Jun. 2004, 5:35 pm :

    But the automation is so impressive! It recognizes my last name! And for the readback (”I think you said Dimock…”), did they record a real human being saying “Dimock”? If so, did they record 300,000 other obscure names as well? Or do they have somebody who records new names as new baggage claims roll in? I should file a baggage claim under an eight-syllable alias to find out. All I know is, the readback sounds like a human voice.

    By the way, you have to press “3″ or say “Agent” to reach a human being in the American system.

Insomnia

Posted by Glen in on 1 Jun. 2004, 11:58 am

Things I have learned while in Finland:

  • 21-hour daylight is cool for about 10 minutes, especially without blackout curtains. Just ask Al Pacino.
  • There exists a wheeled form of cross-country skiing.
  • Judging by a few English translations, Finnish is a very direct language (ATM message: “Money is coming out now”).
  • Fazer Mints are only sold around Christmas (sorry, Angela).
  • At 4-way intersections, stop signs exist only in the mind.
  • Cloudberries are bitter, but better with yogurt.
  • I may not see Lapland during this trip, but one of the pilots here offered me a beer or two after the certification mess is over. I will most likely take him up on the offer.

    Things I have learned while checking the news: CNN needs to stop crying wolf with their constant declarations of “BREAKING NEWS”. The large, red banner blazing across the top of their website always startles me into a momentary post-9/11 panic, until I realize that the bulk of the story is carried in the headline. Today’s heart-stopper:

    > BREAKING NEWS AP: Wesleyan University spokesman says historian William Manchester, author of “The Death of a President,” has died. Details soon.

    Not to belittle the tragic death of William Manchester, but I will not soon be checking on those details.

    1. Comment from Angela on 2 Jun. 2004, 9:00 am :

      1. I was v. sad about William Manchester’s death. Why must you belittle my grief by poking fun at CNN’s breaking news feature now?! It’s not a new thing they’re doing. Also, they’re are legions of Manchester fans out there to whom that news was important!

      2. I’ve never heard that Fazer Mints are a holiday candy. Hmm… I hope you have plans to bring back gifts of Nokia phones instead.

      3. I thought the proper geographic term was “Saamiland” and not that L-word.

      You only get suspicious looks today GAD.

    2. Comment from Glen on 2 Jun. 2004, 1:38 pm :

      I think “Lap” is bad, but “Lapland” is acceptable. That’s how all of my guidebooks and maps print it, how everyone around here says it, and how it’s labeled on the train schedules. I have not once heard reference to “Saamiland”.

    3. Comment from Em on 3 Jun. 2004, 8:44 am :

      Make sure you bring me a Finnish bell!

    4. Comment from Glen on 4 Jun. 2004, 10:26 am :

      I will bring everyone souvenirs as soon as I have 4 hours of free time here… which will be the next time I’m in Finland.

    5. Comment from Katie on 4 Jun. 2004, 5:06 pm :

      Why 4 hours?

    6. Comment from Glen on 4 Jun. 2004, 11:58 pm :

      4 hours to walk around and see stuff and buy souvenirs.

    7. Comment from Katie on 5 Jun. 2004, 12:49 pm :

      I still don’t understand why it has to be 4 hours. Is 4 hours optimal in some way?

    8. Comment from Glen on 6 Jun. 2004, 9:21 pm :

      I think you’re reading too much into that figure. The point was that I didn’t have time to do any tourist things.