Unchained

I'll be the first to admit, I've traded some of the uniqueness of the beach cities for suburban comfort and affordablity. I can't imagine a chain of national anything that has not set up shop here in Round Rock. You can basically sample any franchise opportunity you might think of investing in.

But that's not necessarily Austin. "Keep Austin Weird" is the city's motto. Round Rock's is "Purpose, Passion, Prosperity". The latter sounds like something announced after a corporate reorganization. I hardly believe we're ever going to hear "Keep IBM Weird".

Every city has it's local treasures. I believe you can still be a unique and local even with more then one location. I'm in love with Alamo Drafthouse. The concept behind this local theater chain is eating dinner and drinking while watching a movie at the same time. You may scratch your head, but this concept works amazingly well. Along with first run cinema, several unique theme nights are on the calender. Check it out at www.alamodrafthouse.com

I ate at Thundercloud Subs today after Baxter went to the park. The location on Lake Austin Blvd is in an old house, not a strip mall. The other night friends took me out to Amy's Ice Cream down by the UT campus. It was as eclectic and unique as I expected being near the UT campus. As we headed home, we passed a Cold Stone Creamery that had closed it's doors. It was sad to see a franchise business close as I'm sure someone had high hopes for it and they are usually owned by small business people.

But the old adage rings true. Location, location, location.

We have one open in Round Rock.

Just Thinking About The Weather

For the past seven years, weather was something I pretty much ignored. Weather wise, Los Angeles was pretty much like Groundhog's Day. Everyday was the same. Well not here.

It's now the tail end of planting season. As you can see by previous posts, I'm keeping true to my word that I WILL do something about that backyard. March and early April are the planting seasons in Austin. While some might groan at the overcast and rain, it sure beats digging through limestone when it's 100 degrees and sunny!

Happy Arbor Birthday

The tree is the thing this year. Many thanks to my parents who bought me two and to my friends Mike and Toby who bought me one as well. Let's see if they help me plant it. (I hope you're reading this Toby) Today Eric and I planted the Bradford Pear and Elm tree my parents gave me. Jen acted as water girl and dog/child herder. My friend Mark stopped by for a photo opportunity with the new trees.

At the end of the day we all headed out to Driftwood to go to Salt Lick for dinner. Some of the best BBQ I've had in Texas so far. Come visit me and I'll take you.

Best of all? Of course, Chocolate Ice Cream Cake to end the day.

Erin Go San Antonio

It's St. Patrick's Day which is always a good excuse for a parade. Today Jen, Eric, Brady and I went to San Antonio to go see the Alamo. They came in town for my birthday weekend. The weather was perfect and a great way to show them Texas in the spring. Our special guest this trip was Flat Stanley who's headed back to my friend's niece's home in Pennsylvania.

Enjoy the pics from today's trip!

A Worthless Feeling

So far I've been sitting on the sidelines just taking it all in. The second sale of Chrysler is coming and it's not going to be pretty.

Bob Eaton knew what was happening back in the mid to late 90's. He knew Chrysler could not stand on it's own. Nothing has changed and today matters are much worse. There is far to much competition in the US market and lower cost producers were going to eat Chrysler for lunch, if not the entire US based auto industry. Chrysler could not go it alone.

Chrysler's portfolio has only one significant player, the mini-van. They do it very well, but it's a market who's importance is waning. Cross-over's are the new mini-vans, and Chrysler has the half-baked Pacifica. Jack Welch once said that if you're not number one or two, get out of the game. Chrysler is clearly number three, if not four these days in every market segment.

If Chrysler and it's portfolio folded, would you miss it? Some one may buy the fabled Jeep brand. But even that these days has been watered down by "front wheel drive" based products. Not very Jeep and they would shed their underpinnings on the Rubicon Trail before the ride was over.
Editor's Note, I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4.

It's recently been published that Chrysler is worth approximately $5 Billion. You may say "Wow" to that, but hold your breath. Ford sold 90 percent of Aston Martin this week for about $850 Million. Ford's share is worth $77 million making it worth near a $1 Billion dollars. What's the significance of all this?

Last year Aston Martin sold about 7000 cars, making them worth about $145,000 per car, close to their transaction price. Chrysler made approximately 2.7 million vehicles. Their value? About $185.00 per car.

Say goodbye to Chrysler.

I'll Fix You

Hiding under my desk doesn't help. You're a black dog on white carpet.

Tomorrow Baxter is being neutered. He has his appointment at the Austin Animal Trustees at 7:30 AM. If you adopt a dog at the Town Lake Animal Shelter by law you must fix the dog within 30 days. While not one to break the law (usually), it's just the right thing to do.

On occasion I run into people who don't fix their dogs and question why I would do so. For me it's pretty simple. Out in the wild the process of natural selection and the food chain takes care of overpopulation. Dogs are now domesticated animals, they are kept in the house/yard and sleep in your room. Hardly the call of the wild.

Every year thousands of unwanted dogs are euthanized. While not entirely preventable, it can be better managed. Spay or neuter your pet if you don't plan on breeding it. You and your pet will be much happier.

Only $30.00 at Austin Animal Trustees. The price is right.

Same Old Lines

Some people dread overcast days. For anyone who has to wax a car, particularly a black one, we find these days very welcome. Mother Nature obliged this weekend and provided me such a gift.

The Mustang is back, what we thought was a engine rebuild turned out to be an airflow sensor. I was so happy I had to pull her out of the garage and wax the 'stang up.

It dawned on me I have been waxing the same car for about 26 years now. I've only owned this Mustang for about 2 years, but my Mom's first Fox body Mustang came to the Jordan's in about 1982ish I think. It was a white hatchback with red interior and the straight 3.3L six. She still has a Mustang today, red thank you.

Ford introduced the Fox Mustang in the fall of 1978 and it lasted until Spring of 1993. That's a 14 year run with the same body panels. The front and rear fascias had changed during that time, but the lines of the car remained the same. That's a hard run to beat these days.

So here's ole familiar, all shined up.

Water Dogged

I've always wanted a water dog. All my previous pets have been snow dogs, Max the St. Bernard and Bart the Malamute (well mostly). Put a snow dog near the water and they freak out. Baxter the Lab mix, loves the water. I discovered this the other day when I was washing the car and he kept jumping on the stream of water.

So today I took him to Red Bud Isle here in Austin. It's an island at the beginning of Town Lake. The island is mostly a dog park and for a water dog this is heaven.

As I approached the shore it was all go with Baxter. No coaxing, he just jumped right in.

That's my boy.

Play Date

Baxter had his first play date today. My friend Dax brough over his Black Lab, Gracie. All went well, Baxter is exhausted but it was good to wear him out so I could get some work done in peace.

SUV4-1

The Mustang is not gone, it's going for an overhaul of the engine. This is going to take some time, so I need wheels. I'm proud to introduce to you my Jeep Grand Cherokee.

When you are entrenched in the automotive world, everyone scruitinzes your decisions regarding automobiles as you're presumed to know everything out there about cars. So why did you choose a Grand Cherokee?

Many many factors. While very fond of the 2000 F-150, that would have been an easy choice to go back to. However, the gas mileage is very miserable, it's difficult to park (even in Texas) and it just won't fit in the garage. My driveway takes on the full force of the Texas sun for 12 hours a day and any vehicle would just bake. It's very Texas to own a pickup, so thankfully when I need one, I have no shortage of friends who will lend me theirs.

This is the second Jeep Grand Cherokee I've owned. I did have a 1995 model for three years. Despite catching on fire, it was a great car. The Grand Cherokee is what I call the SUV for one. Jeep knows this as well and has refused to make it any larger or add a third row of seating. Grand Cherokee owners are single professionals who want an SUV for the utility, but have no need for the mass of an Expedition/Tahoe. There is a Grand Cherokee with a third row and it's called the Commander. It's such a failure for Jeep, that it's being pulled from the lineup after 2009/2010 according to industry gossip. Jeeps are nimble, capable off-roaders and not large leviathans. My model has the Quadra Drive 4x4 system so it will be able to handle the occasional off-road adventure.

And yes, it has the V8.

This Doesn't Mean There's A New Pope

What a weekend. My friend Billy came in to help me work on the Mustang. It was supposed to be a simple job, but I'm waiting to hear what went wrong.

Every gasket/seal eventually needs replacing on a car. My 'stang being 17 years old, needed new "O" rings on the fuel injectors. Simple job, just take off the upper intake manifold pull the fuel rail and pull the injectors. Put on new rings and seal it all back up. Something's gone wrong in the rebuild and after 10 times of puting it back together with new gaskets everywhere, it's not working.

So the white smoke ensues. Coolent is making it into the intake. Off it goes to the shop for a more professional diagnosis.

Stay tuned....

Sleepy Puppy

This will be somewhat of a lame posting. I'm kinda busy working on some projects.

As Baxter is a little under the weather, he sleeps a lot next to my desk. I bought him a soft bed, but I'm not a good judge of size as you can see. As he has kennel cough, I won't take it back and risk giving that to another dog.

Maybe dog number two will be a little smaller.

Home Office Companion

During my lunch break yesterday I cruised down to Town Lake Animal Shelter and picked up Baxter. He's not fixed yet due to a case of Kennel Cough. Pretty common in pound dogs. He's not taking his medication well, but that's to be expected. He cried a little last night. I haven't heard him bark yet, but I'm not complaining!

So far his favorite place is under my chair while I'm working. He just curls up and falls asleep. A very good dog.

You're The One That I Want

I'd like to introduce my new buddy, Baxter.

Here are a few photos from our "get acquainted" meeting today at the shelter. Baxter needs to get fixed on Monday and then I get to take him home.

He's tons of fun, unfortunately that does not relate to camera shots. He's happy and always moving around. Typical for a six month old puppy. He is very affectionate and of course, being a Lab, chewy. So far my arm was his favorite chew toy.

More adorable puppy pics and adventures to come. It's very clear that I'm going to need to get a pickup truck rather then a sedan. He's going to be at least 60 pounds of fun.

What's In A Name

The Pontiac G8. Someone please just put the "R" inbetween "G" and "8" and get it over with.


Wasn't this the new 2008 Five Hundred Last Month?


Sadly for Pontiac, which debuted the G8 sedan at the Chicago Auto Show, the biggest news at the show was the return of the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable.

The Sable had been off the market for more then a year, the Taurus just a few months. Ford had sold over 7 million Taurus models during the production run from December 26, 1985 to sometime last fall. The end date is a bit muddled as the car was avaliable to fleet buyers only for a time. As a fleet/rental vehicle it was Ford's best selling car for 2006. There are an estimated three million Taurus' on the road today.

The name Taurus has a lot of brand equity in it. The day the last Taurus was produced was so newsworthy it made the nightly news. No one lamented the passing of Chevrolet's Cavalier that way. In the end, I guess it's a smart move on Ford's part to rename the updated Five Hundred the Taurus. It was not a horrible car who's wheels fell off or the gas tank exploded. It was just bland late in life.

And now for the Pontiac G8.

So good bye Grand Prix and Bonneville. Both names relate to great races. G8 is 27 less the Infiniti's G35 Coupe. Or one letter short of the discription of Frosted Flakes. Pontiac disposed of the name Grand Am to the ho-hum name of G6.

Thankfully Mustang is a name no one dare touch.

I've Been Coke Free For A Year

Let's not get carried away here. It's been Diet Coke.

One year ago I was at the Chicago Auto Show and could not find a Diet Coke anywhere. Rather then lower myself to drink a Diet Pepsi, I just went without. This stubborn streak of mine continued on for two whole days.

Two days became 365 days this week. While I have most certainly run across Diet Coke during this time, I have not had one. It was amazingly easy to give it up acutally. I was a heavy Diet Coke drinker, consuming 2-3 cans a day. I gave up the beverage and replaced it with water for the most part. An extremely healty thing to do for someone who is not prone to extremely healthy behaviors at times. Can you say "Taco Tuesday!"?

In the end I think this was more a test of my will. And I'm happy to say that I passed. However, I still have my vices.

Don't think of getting near my chocolate and peanut butter.

Ice On My Plane

What a wonderful day to be traveling to Chicago. Yes it's another set of media days, this time the Chicago Auto Show. Like a dog in a bacon factory, I don't know where to go first.

It's about 4 degrees here. Having lived in Chicago for two years this comes as no surprise. Landing here was a breeze, but getting to the gate was another matter. They had run out of de-icing solution and the gates were taken with frozen planes waiting to depart. Forty-five minutes after landing, I had a gate. Could be worse.

I sure don't miss this weather.

Ice In My Veins

Nothing makes you feel more like Cruella DeVille then leaving the dog pound without a leash in your hand and a dog on the other end.

Today I completed my application at the Austin Town Lake Adoption Center. I was approved, which was not difficult, to adopt a dog today. Due to my upcoming travel schedule to Chicago for the Auto Show, I thought it best not to bring a dog home then throw it in the kennel for a few days while I'm away.

There were many that stole my heart, I would take everyone home if I could. There were old dogs, puppies, quiet and shy dogs, happy dogs and very scared dogs. The latter steal your heart as they tend to the dogs that are a few years old that long for their master. They bark and howl and lack the carefree indifference of a puppy. As I left I could here an abandoned Alaskan Malamute singing.

If you ever think you have it all together, leave a dog pound without a new friend in your car.

Insert Dog Here

And some grass and a few trees...

Here is my backyard. It's the only bad part of my house. I do need to get on the landscaping thing this March. I promise.

It's been exactly two months since I left Los Angeles. On Dec 2nd I made it to Round Rock. I'll admit the big empty house is getting to me. I enjoyed my parents flying in for a visit a few weeks ago and giving this place some life. I have friends that I have lunch with on a regular basis, but now it's time for a dog.

I knew I would be getting one, just a matter of time. So the search begins. Be ready to be inundated with adorable puppy pictures.

Home Office, Take 2

In my November posts I discussed my home office and how I'm moving back to having one. Here is an updated photo from the new house. The equiptment hasn't changed, but the view sure did improve.

I have now become the Kravits of Balmorhea Lane. I can see the comings and goings while working away. But it's the best view I've ever had in an office. Thankfully the houses across the street are all single story, so at night I can see the lights of Round Rock off in the distance.

It's not the beach, but it ain't bad.

Ice Creamed

Day four of inclement weather. There will be no bent sheetmetal today as the roads are just too bad to attempt a run to Houston to pick up the folks. Tomorrow things are going to warm up and I'll get them then.

When I said I had not left the house, I meant I had not left the house. I wandered out to my back deck to cook some chicken on the grill. Much to my surprise, it was covered in two inches of ice. Everything. Including the knobs. Guess I should have invested in the grill cover.

Another slow day, no gym. You can tell how slow it is. Look at the time I've posted this!

Snow Daze

I didn't sign up for this. I'm farther south then Los Angeles and it's snowing and icing.

Ok, I've been in the house for three days now. Mustang's weren't made for ice and snow. My driveway is covered in ice and I'd never make it up into the garage again. Cabin fever is setting in, but thankfully my friends Toby and Mike rescued me and took me to dinner. Most of Austin is shut down, but for a Chili's. I've never been so thankful for chain food and good company.

So here's the downside of tellecommuting. Most everyone had the day off, but my upstairs hallway is thankfully ice free so I made it to the office today. All the neighbors were out playing with their kids in the snow and I had to do my homework.

Of all the days in the year for the world to come to an end in Austin, my parents happen to be flying in today. Well sort of flying in. They made it as far as Houston and tomorrow I'm headed there to pick them up. NOT in the Mustang, but a soon to be determined rental car.

Keep your fingers crossed that tomorrow's posting does not feature bent sheetmetal.

Round Rockin'

I'm back. And so is the blog. Here are some images from Round Rock. Thanks to E-bay I found a camera cable for about $8.00. I had expected to pay a LOT more.

So more pics to come, hopefully daily. Life here is good.