Another Addition of Brain Smatterings

I had a conversation with a fellow blogger and she reminded me that I have not been blogging enough, so here is a conglomerate of things rattle around in my head...(I hope you are happy)

• HBM and Beard update: still have both, just trimmed everything even though I want it all longer and better. Just started to wax the 'stache again, even did a new run of homemade wax. Beard is now long enough that I really have to pay attention when eating food that requires no utensils or I am eating the beard too
• Frustrated with getting communication established with my daughter's school. I may be separated by distance, but that does not mean I am not active in her life. Do your job, because I am definitely going to try my best to make you do it.
• The country I am living in is going down fast, we have no strong leadership, and they are supported by people that are not awake enough to see what is happening. 
• Racism and bigotry is still alive, it is just now out of the closet once again. And I have friends that want to defend it via the 1st amendment. Maybe you people need to also look at the 5th and STFU, just saying...
• I bought a bicycle. This summer I have made a valiant effort of getting back into shape, round is a shape BTW, and have been good about getting out and exercising. I have tried running, but the knees are just not into it (too many years of officiating and long seasons of plate work), add in that I am over weight and old (once again too many years of plate work). So let me see if I remember how to ride a bike...what is that old colloquial?

'Nuff for now, until next time...

Looking for a Vehicle

So I am in need of a vehicle, and I have looked at several different ones that fit my needs and wants. With this in mind, it has moved me toward several, a used Mini Cooper; small, semi-efficient and sporty, a Toyota 4Runner; utilitarian and less efficient, and Mercedes wagon; I like wagons and these come in 4matic regularly.

The Mini Cooper

 Probably the most unreasonable choice on the list currently, but hey why not... I actually went and drove one to see if I could fit into one and was surprised on the amount of room on the inside. The real issue of this car is it is a BMW product and has high maintenance needs and costs. The price of used ones are all over the map and the various needs of each vehicle is also scattered. If I decide to go this way, I would like a 6-speed (the automatics are notorious junk), non-S (the supercharged ones are also notorious junk) and in the Clubman model (I said I like wagons). Preferably in a neutral color like British Racing Green, Quicksilver, or Bright Red. Almost pulled the trigger on a Spicy Orange one, just could not do the color.

The 4Runner

I have always loved these vehicles, and this probably fits my present need the most, roomy, ok gas mileage, great for all weather, and built to go for ever. Not many available but at least they are all around the same price for the same miles and features on them. The interiors tend to go on these first, so I would have to over look that...also looked at a couple Land Cruisers by Toyota (the bigger brother of the 4runner), but the gas bill would kill my monthly budget.

Mercedes Wagon

Talking to my trusted mechanic, this was his suggestion. He advised me to stay away from Audis (love), BMWs(hate), and Saabs(owned 5 but they are getting hard to find parts for and people to work on them). The 'cedes cars go for ever with a little regular maintenance and it does have a certain class and prestige to it. I almost bought one before when I went into a Volvo XC wagon, but it was all white (outside and inside) and I had kids and dogs, so no. The problem is finding one on the market, people keep this family wagon because they go forever, so why get rid of it. They also come in almost all neutral colors like black, dark blue, dark green, and silver, never seen any in crazy colors like Spicy Orange.

Well, back to hunting...