Security Issues

It's been a rough week. I haven't felt much like blogging. One week ago today we were attached to our favorite form of media watching things unfold in Virginia. What an awful day. Working at home, the risk of facing this situation myself is pretty slim. However I have one sister in a public school and another in a law firm.

As the week went by things just became worse. While we found out more and more about what happened, we realized how little we could have done to prevent it. There was no obvious scapegoat. No person who ignored the warning signs, no gun swap meet where he bought his weapon, no relationship that went sour and no cries for help ignored. No one trigger or person has emerged to set off this chain of events.

So we all are left to look around for the next one. As 9/11 did, 4/16 left us all a little less secure.

Except for Baxter. On the lighter side of this week, Baxter is finally rolling on his back and sleeping. After two months together, he now feels comfortable enough to roll over on his back and sleep or play. For a dog owner this is a big occasion as you have earned the trust of your pet.

Baxter feels secure, let's all try and do the same.

Bean In The Oven

It's my 50th post and I can't think of a better way to celebrate then announcing another niece/nephew is on the way. My sister Jennifer is expecting and I'll be an uncle again November 25ish.

This is about what we all look like at five weeks. Some say "bun" but at this point I think we resemble a bean. I hope Jen doesn't mind that I posted an ultrasound of her insides on my blog page. She's doing fine, though not wanting to eat much which is very un-Jordan of her.

Feel free to send suggestions for names which I will kindly pass along.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Back on 02/02/07 in "Insert Dog Here" I shared with you a glimpse of my dismal looking backyard. Well I did put the dog there and some trees and shrubs. So here's an update on how things look.

Ok a little better, but we have a ways to go. As you can see the grass situation is well, "challenged". Texas is a pretty dry place despite the rain we had last month. The trees and shrubs have been planted and a few more may go in. We'll see.

Today the first of a few sprinkler companies strolled trough my backyard to give me an estimate on putting in a sprinkler system. In order to have a decent looking yard, it's absolutely necessary to have one here in Austin.

It's not easy being green and it's certainly not going to be cheap either.

1964

We're in for a long long long presidential campaign leading up to the 2008 election. It's not going to be fun, but you'll be very happy to know I've made my choice already. I won't be loosing any sleep debating my decision going forward. So don't worry about me.

How fortunate are we that the choices facing us this time are so many. We are a nation of consumers and if it's one thing we all enjoy is shopping. Like wandering through the breakfast cereal aisle, there is something for everyone. Based on the picture above, I believe you know my cereal of choice.

It has been a rough seven years for our country. We went from relative personal and national security to great uncertainty. From an unprecedented attack to a war we're not sure why we're in or how we're going to get out of. Our founding fathers were wise enough to give us an instrument of change every four years.

And change it will be. The voters will decide the extent. But why Hillary Clinton? A valid question and one we have to ask ourselves before we head to the voting booth. I'm offering some transparency into my decision here.

I'm looking for a breakthrough. It's been 42 years since we've passed the Civil Rights act of 1964 and we've yet to have a President that is protected under what I consider the two most significant protections, sex and race, color or creed. Back in 1964 white males held an extraordinary amount of power and this historic act was meant to level the playing field. It's only since last year the Speaker of the House fell under these protections and now it's time for a President. What a remarkable moment in history for our country.

I tend to believe that breakthroughs bring a since of optimism. A can-do-spirit per-se. The Apollo 11 mission to the moon, the end of the cold war, the dawn of the internet age all spurred feeling of optimism and reminded us of all that is possible in this country. While we're all protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we've yet to elect a woman or a racial minority to our nations highest office.

I know you're saying "what about Obama"? If this were 2000 it would be different race and the choice between the two would be a lot harder. But it's 2007 and our world has changed. Experience counts and Hillary has it in spades. She was not running the country from 1992-2000, but she was very interested and learned some very valuable lessons.

And besides, how can you run a negative campaign ad about someone we know all about anyway?

Irrelevant

Car and Driver arrived in my mailbox last week. It's done that monthly for the past 26 years. I've never missed an issue and I read it cover to cover. It's still my favorite buff book car magazine.

It's not to say there aren't things I don't like about Car and Driver. See the picture above, the 2007 Cadillac SRX SUV going through a slalom course. One of my big pet peeves with Car and Driver, is that every car has to be judged on performance when it was not necessarily meant to be a performance vehicle. Putting a picture of this SUV going through a slalom, is about the most ridiculous thing I've seen. Imagine the laughter if they put a Mustang GT towing a boat on their next cover.

I've always been drawn to Edmunds.com and InsideLine.com for the more sensable approach to testing vehicles. (They also pay my mortgage.) Car and Driver does an fantastic job at covering sports cars and low-buck racing, but they always loose it when they have to test a vehicle with 65 series or higher tires. Not every car was built to excel on the race track because not every driver is looking for that in a vehicle.

I am such that person. I do own an SUV and sports car. I love the way my Mustang GT takes a curve on it's Dunlop SP2000's. It's light, responsive, and a blast to drive when the off ramps get twisty. It does not loose it's composure. In the other hand is my Jeep Grand Cherokee with Quadra Drive (4x4). No, it's not light and responsive but I'm not looking for it to be. I'd be a horse's ass if I was out there on it's all-weather tires trying to push it through the corners as fast as I could. I don't ask my Mustang GT to get me through a rain storm or take a load home from the nursury. And I don't ask my Jeep to give me any thrills.

The buff books are in big trouble, Car and Driver included. Advertising dollars are plummeting while readers move to online magazines such as ours, InsideLine.com. Car and Driver celebrated it's 50 year anniversary last year and InsideLine.com it's second. Insideline.com has triple the readership of CarandDriver.com.

Online magazines are supposed to provide content to the consumer faster then traditional publishing and Insideline.com succeeds at that. I had to take a picture of my own copy of Car and Driver as that issue has not made it to their website yet and it's over a week old.

Car and Driver, if you could shape up your editorial skills and publish online simultaneously, you'd give Insideline.com a run for the money.

Stay the course and your future is Life.

-Life is Over

Flex For Me

2009 Ford Flex

Ok, now something I really like at Ford besides the Mustang.

Most non-gearheads probably don't know that New York City is now hosting their big international auto show this week. Yesterday Ford pulled the wraps off their latest new product, the 2009 Ford Flex. Wow.

This design first appeared in 2005 as the Ford Fairlane concept vehicle. Ford sat on it for a year and then decided to go ahead and build it. Too bad for us it's a year later then it should be, but at least it's coming. The minivan, the vehicle we all hate but really love, is officially dead. The replacement is the "People Mover".

I'm in love with the look of this vehicle and I can see myself in it. That's truly a stretch as I'm just a single guy with a dog, granted I do live in a subdivision where it would be right at home. The low roof (painted in a contrasting color), clean sides and short front end recall BMW's Mini Cooper and Scion's Xb. Neither vehicle you'd be embarrassed to be seen in. Can't say that about a Dodge Caravan.

2007 GMC Arcadia

When I see the Flex I think of three terms. Clean, simple and purposeful. In contrast when you look at GM's entries into this "people mover" segment, the Outlook/Arcadia/Enclave, I think aggressive, heavy, lethargic. I doubt there will be many cross shoppers between Ford/GM products as you're going to go for one look over the other. Has this happened in the past? You betcha. In the 1960's Ford's Lincoln Continental was a clean and simple (award winning) design versus Cadillac's large/ostentatious themed vehicles.

1961 Lincoln Continental
1961 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

In the fight for the "people mover" market share, the biggest looser may acutally be Chrysler who's banking on the loved/hated minivan. They have nothing competitive in this segment now, then Ford brings out the Flex.

I think Ford just brought down the value of Chrysler by a billion dollars.

Getting Bigger

From February 14th posting.

Today

One of the best things about getting a mixed breed puppy is that you don't know what it's going to grow up to be. Or how big it's going to grow up.

Baxter has put on about 12 pounds since I picked him up about seven weeks ago. He's now about seven months old and 60 pounds. He's going to be a big dog and that's quite alright with me. I'm not that gentile anyway and I can play as rough as he can. It's a pretty good match.

I was working today when I looked down to see how he was doing and snapped a shot of him. Looking back at the pictures of when I first picked him up I noticed now he REALLY does not fit in that bed.

For the record, his nighttime bed is about three feet by three feet. He fits in it very nicely.

For now.

Bad News, Good News, Bad News

March sales figures for new cars are going to be posted today. The bad news, Detroit's sales will slump again. This makes for great headlines but those who know Detroit aren't overwhelmingly concerned. Rental car and fleet vehicles are a market Detroit dominates and now they have cut these sales dramatically as they close plants. GM and Ford have produced fleet only vehicles at some point just for those customers, ie. Malibu Classic and Taurus. These vehicles were sold to keep the factory running and barely broke even if that at all. One of the best selling cars last year was the Ford Taurus, but you could not find one at your local dealer. It was fleet only.

The good news is that GM, Ford and Chrysler have put the brakes on dumping these discounted vehicles into fleets. For example, you can pick up a Ford Crown Victoria on fleet for about $19,000. Lowest price at the dealer, about $22,000. Guess what happens when that fleet vehicle goes to auction. Yup, it sells for about $13-14,000 and your dealer bought Crown Victoria isn't worth much more despite your higher purchase price. With fewer vehicles going into fleet markets, your vehicle retains more value on resale as there is a much smaller pool to pick from. Supply and demand.

But if you're in the market for a new car, the bad news. Used car prices are up dramatically. According to Automotive News in the March 26 edition, used car prices are on the rise. If you're in the market for a used car in the next nine months or so, buy it now. One example they quoted showed a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer going for $2000.00 more then a comparable 2006 model 12 months ago. This is the effect of fewer vehicles on the market.

For the past few years, the losses GM/Ford/Chrysler posted subsidized the used car market. Now the days of the subsidized used car is over. Get yours before it's too late.

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.