Good thing you got in before NEM 3.0. I hope the Governor kills NEM 3.0, it basically gives the IOUs all the power and will completely undermine both existing and future solar projects.
However, if NEM 3.0 does happen I think it will be very good for the battery industry and I think you will start to see residents fully cut the grid and leave the IOUs.
Yep, I think NEM 3.0, if it happens will be good in the short term for the IOUs but disastrous in the long term. NEM 3.0 could further help the battery industry, making batteries more efficient and cheaper so those with solar will just add a few more panels and 2 or 3 batteries and just fully leave the grid behind.
I get how proponents feel that non solar homes subsidies those with solar but it will be even worse if people just fully leave the grid.
I do think Newsom will kill 3.0. California won’t be able to achieve its climate goals with NEM 3.0.
To elaborate a bit on my EBCE comment below, I'm not certain that PG&E hasn't deliberately screwed up the EBCE component of my PG&E bill to encourage me (and others) to ditch EBCE.
My side dish is a recipe I made up myself through dozens of trials. A whole fresh butternut squash - not frozen, not pre-cut. Peel, scoop & cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch cubes. Irregular shapes are fine. Toss in a bowl w/ garlic-infused olive oil and salt. Do not add any spices or supplemental garlic, because it will burn. Convection roast for about 40-50 minutes at 350 degrees. Yes, that's a long time. Check after about 35 minutes. The squash goes through two stages - the first where it steams itself with the water inside it. After this stage, it's cooked butternut cubes. Around minute 40, there's a lot less water and it goes into carmelization mode. The edges start toasting. Once it starts turning, watch it closely. Once it's nice and toasty - like home fries, take out and serve immediately. It will taste very sweet. Everyone fights over the last serving.
Newish variation on an old favorite: Roasted pork loin, seared first, glaze of mustard & maple syrup, with balsamic glazed roasted brussels sprouts with pancetta and a baguette with blue cheese compote to spread. Paired with a 2005 August West Pinot Noir; homemade ginger snaps for afters.
I used to make various fighter jet models. I also had the SR-71 and the "first" stealth F-19 fighter that wasn't real. Also the real F-117 model. I hung a few on the ceiling in my room.
My dad built models, so he got me some plastic models too. I built the Tirpitz, USS Missouri, USS Saratoga, an F-4 Phantom, Fock Wulf 190, a Sherman tank, and a Curtiss P40 Warhawk. I started building them fairly young, so I didn't have great hand-eye coordination or patience, nor could I resist playing with them. So they were really ugly when new and broken a few weeks into ownership.
Same here. My favorite brand of model was Tamiya from Japan. Built tons of tanks (Tiger, Panzer, half-tracks, etc.) Always used Humbrol paints from the UK (far better than Testors). I also purchased the airfix 1/72 figures and painted them, including the Roman legions and Britons.
Yeah, we used the lead foil from wine bottles to make pretty realistic looking flags - what's funny is until this very day, I was unaware that when I turned 14, I lost all interest in building models.
In the early sixties, it seemed like everyone (boys anyway) built lots of plastic model kits. Cars, planes, ships, submarines, rockets, anatomical models, dinosaur skeletons, movie monsters, TV shows, comic book heroes. All great fun. Some were motorized. I was a lousy painter though.
My cousins had some planes with the tiny gas engines. I built some balsa wood models but never put engines in them. They were so flimsy it was ridiculous. But fun.
I remember having a couple of T-34 tanks, one of them painted winter white with mud splashed; the rust colored since the Soviets lacked the time to paint them. That one was fun to do.
The model brands I remember were Monogram (planes and ships?) and Aurora (Movie monsters, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman). Some other more obsure brands for the Visible Man and Woman, and the Visible V-8 which was one of my favorites. Also made large scale (about a foot long) Jaguar XKE and Corvette. Lots of detail in those.
I started vacation at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, December 23. The last report of a staff positive was case no. #163 (email dated 12/22/2021). Since that time -
Thu., Dec. 23 - #164
Sun., Dec. 26 - #165, #166
Tue., Dec. 28 - #167
Wed., Dec. 29 - #168 to #172; #173 to #178 (2 emails)
Thu., Dec. 30 - #179 to #186
Fri., Dec. 31 - #187 to 189
Sun., Jan. 2 - #190 to #195; #196 to #203 (2 emails)
So far, no emails about positive cases today. So far.
oh...interesting. It's a ways but maybe I'll go check it out.
I have an at-home test that Anthem sent me but I was going to save it in case one of the boys needed it to get back to campus. And mine really just seems like a cold.
I have a cold that only had the achy bones symptoms. I did go out driving with the top down in 50 degree weather and shot BB with my kids so I'm thinking that's the cause of the cold. But we did go to the Warriors game last week. I'm the only one that has a cold so I'm thinking it's just a cold.
10-year old nephew caught the 'Rona at a Christmas party. He is vaccinated. Tested positive on Friday and Sunday so he will not be going to school. Since he visited us since the Xmas party probably will get Omicron even though I'm vaxed and boosted.
Fauci is talking along the same lines. We are going from "either get vaccinated or get COVID" to "we're all gonna get COVID anyway, so get vaccinated so you don't go to the hospital"
Yeah I was trying to look for some since the kids need them to go back and can't find any locally. I ordered some off Amazon and they're going to take at least a week to get here.
I was able to get 4 at home test from 2 different CVS’s last Friday and I was able to get my daughter and son tested immediately from our healthcare providers drive up without any wait. I don’t doubt that it is hard and I’ve seen the lines but not being able to get tested or a test hasn’t been my experience.
No joke.. After news of Betty White's passing, one of the first things I thought about is how crazy it is there isn't a group or org out there called The Gulden's Girls, for fans of the eponymous mustard.
Hate yellow mustard. Used to get the deli mustard at Costco with the Hot Dogs but those haven't returned. Neither have the Onion dispensers. I guess both of those are now gone for good.
It's the secret ingredient to French dressing. You can't even really taste the mustard. And by "French Dressing", I'm not talking about the orange-colored ketchup-based one invented by Americans.
It's a bit smaller than that. The Ridgeline shares its chasis/platform with the Odyssey minivan, which while not body-on-frame truck is still larger. This is a restyled Hyundai Tucson crossover, which would be more akin to if Honda made a "pickup" version of the CRV.
Ford similarly has come out with the Maverick, which gets its unibody from the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport (the small one) platform.
So, this is basically a new segment ("pickup" version of crossover) not exclusive to Hyundai (see: Ford, and others will likely follow)
turns out if you keep growing the likes of the F150 and even the Ranger, there's a gap in the market to be filled. I saw a very positive video review of the Hyundai online, they really seem to making some good cars these days.
Yeah, I'm not quite sure what the utility is with these tiny truck beds though. My favorite segment all time was the mid-1990's compact pickups. Once owned a 96 Tacoma SR5 extended cab, 6ft bed, and that model is my favorite automobile I ever owned.
I recently turned in my 2018 Tacoma lease and finally made the executive decision to go back to suv/crossovers.
Even for the bloated "compact" pickups (Tacoma, Ranger, etc.), most of the ones available on dealer lots only come in the "quad-cab" 4-door variety, with only a 4 foot bed -- which basically means it has rear seats that are worse than an SUV, and a bed that is less than ideal for many pickup truck needs, especially when they come with a fold up hard tonneau cover that takes up space, but still have clunky road manners -- so they're sitting in this weird middle ground of pros vs cons.
I finally realized that for me it was more of a "manly" novelty, being a pickup truck guy, and opted for comfort now -- realizing that when the need arises for a pickup I can get one from Home Depot or Lowes for pretty cheap for a whole day. Which I do for home reno stuff when I need plywood or certain dimensional lumber.
I had a 95 Ford Ranger from 2001 to 2015. Single cab, bench seats, no AC, manual, no power steering, no power windows and now power locks. After marker CD player.
I loved that truck. It had 333k miles on it when I sold it for $500 dollars. Original engine and never gave me any problems. The bed was a standard size which was big enough for what I needed.
IIRC GM considered bringing the Holden ute over as a retcon El Camino, but the pricing just didn't work - a portent of what was going to happen when they tried selling the Holden Commodore as the Chevrolet SS.
1/6 Commission gets testimony that TFG got multiple requests to intervene with Insurrection and did nothing. DOJ not willing to do enact dereliction of duty charges (yet) to disqualify man-baby from running in 2024.
Oklahoma starting QB Caleb Williams is in the transfer portal. Oklahoma fans must be at Chernobyl meltdown status as they and everyone else expects him to end up at USC.
It seems like the college playoffs have been scientifically designed to produce unwatchable games - whereas the "normal" bowl games on New Year's were a lot of fun.
I enjoyed the first half and when I checked the score of the second half after dinner, I decided to watch a movie with the missus & the younger daughter.
I have to think that the pressure got to the kicker and he brain-farted. His set-up is as if he think the goal posts are to the right of the hash. He's looking at the right hash, the approach is from way left, his shoulder are aimed right of the hash, and the ball didn't shank off his foot. I think he hit right where he was aiming, but he'll never admit that if that's true.
Sean Clifford is coming back for his 6th year because clearly he realizes his ginger a$$ will likely be less attractive to the ladies when he is no longer the starting QB for Penn St.
He's basically the B1G's Chase Garbers, however, and his slightly above-average play pretty much puts a ceiling on PSU's 2022 season.
Well, sure, that applies when Ole Miss is playing Alabama....but the Sugar was a pick 'em, so when in doubt, it's always a good idea to go with the team that has not lost to Cal in the last decade...which would be Baylor.
Oh...this is the first time I've seen "edited XXX min ago". I guess that's because I usually don't refresh and I think the edited text shows up after reloading the page.
I don't know - he was an excellent return guy but not really a big-play threat on the field other than that. There were a couple of painful drops (Oregon game?)
The Bulldogs have a better passing offense, and Haener's a decidedly better thrower of the football than Garbers, so Nikko will probably have a solid if unspectacular 5th year as a possession guy.
That Texans team isn't as awful as people think. In addition to LAC, they also beat the Titans in Nashville, something the Niners couldn't do, and should have beaten the Pats and the Fins...
I thought the Culley hire was pretty uninspiring, but he's kept that team playing hard with a rookie QB and all the Deshaun Watson distractions.
The Texans are 4-12 and were sitting at 4th worst in total DVOA at Football Outsiders, before the Niners loss. Most of those losses were by 2+ scores. They're bad.
Agree...the way that Saints offense is struggling, I'll take Matty Ice as a home dog (+4.5). New Orleans was all out to beat a dreadful Carolina team at home.
Speaking of, Matt Rhule is going in the wrong direction in Charlotte.
Yep, I remember when we got him to flip from Colorado to us. I thought he was going to be a big time contributor at corner or maybe move to safety with his size.
If we can get a split against SC or UCLA then we can be sort of confident that things are trending in the right direction and we have emerged from the Wyking doldrums.
Great fun with neighbor kids. Lots of us made them in the ‘50’s. Build, glue (no sniffing then), paint, hook up the u-control lines, crash, repair, repeat.
My former business partner led a leveraged buyout of Cox (gas powered planes) and merged it with Estes Industries (model rockets). After a few years both businesses were spun out as separate entities at a higher valuation.
My first one was a “TD-3 Flying Circus” stunt airplane. Crashed it & reglued stuff till it was too heavy to fly. Baby Bee Motor then powered multiple subsequent planes.
Cox was eventually liquidated in 2009. Actually there was a problem with a contaminated factory site in Southern California which incurred liabilities that the company couldn't overcome. Wiki mentions that Estes acquired Cox. Estes is still around and sells lots of rockets at Wal-Mart, hobby shops, and the like.
So I set up a large $340K solar array, it took 7+ months to get PG&E to connect it to the grid, and what happened then?
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
They sent me a bill for the power I'm putting into the grid!
Is this solar array for you and your energy needs? You have a grow operation up north? That is a big array, how many panels and kw? 350kw?
Also, any battery storage with that?
Well, it's on the top of a 108,000 sq ft building, off-setting 6 accounts; I'll probably never go over usage.
No Battery
Wow, that’s a big operation you have up there.
Good thing you got in before NEM 3.0. I hope the Governor kills NEM 3.0, it basically gives the IOUs all the power and will completely undermine both existing and future solar projects.
However, if NEM 3.0 does happen I think it will be very good for the battery industry and I think you will start to see residents fully cut the grid and leave the IOUs.
That's my thought, too. NEM 3.0 could backfire on the IOUs in a big way.
Yep, I think NEM 3.0, if it happens will be good in the short term for the IOUs but disastrous in the long term. NEM 3.0 could further help the battery industry, making batteries more efficient and cheaper so those with solar will just add a few more panels and 2 or 3 batteries and just fully leave the grid behind.
I get how proponents feel that non solar homes subsidies those with solar but it will be even worse if people just fully leave the grid.
I do think Newsom will kill 3.0. California won’t be able to achieve its climate goals with NEM 3.0.
Whoa, I hope that gets fixed!
Yeah, 1/2 hour phone call today, so inane.
To elaborate a bit on my EBCE comment below, I'm not certain that PG&E hasn't deliberately screwed up the EBCE component of my PG&E bill to encourage me (and others) to ditch EBCE.
Are you an EBCE customer by chance?
Because I live in Berkeley, I am by default an EBCE customer and I'm not sure it hasn't messed up my PG&E billing.
I am, but I don't think that was a factor.
I'm taking care of my friend's cats, and in trying to get to Vassar Ave, ended up on Michigan Ave instead. It's like a DCT family reunion up here.
Wow that's a giant kitty!
Beary, a Berkeley Balcony survivor, has passed away.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59854917
too bad. Thanks for the news
DBD test kitchen
My side dish is a recipe I made up myself through dozens of trials. A whole fresh butternut squash - not frozen, not pre-cut. Peel, scoop & cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch cubes. Irregular shapes are fine. Toss in a bowl w/ garlic-infused olive oil and salt. Do not add any spices or supplemental garlic, because it will burn. Convection roast for about 40-50 minutes at 350 degrees. Yes, that's a long time. Check after about 35 minutes. The squash goes through two stages - the first where it steams itself with the water inside it. After this stage, it's cooked butternut cubes. Around minute 40, there's a lot less water and it goes into carmelization mode. The edges start toasting. Once it starts turning, watch it closely. Once it's nice and toasty - like home fries, take out and serve immediately. It will taste very sweet. Everyone fights over the last serving.
Harissa chicken w/ chickpeas & carrots over bulgar wheat simmered in chicken broth.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/wprm_print/34818
Newish variation on an old favorite: Roasted pork loin, seared first, glaze of mustard & maple syrup, with balsamic glazed roasted brussels sprouts with pancetta and a baguette with blue cheese compote to spread. Paired with a 2005 August West Pinot Noir; homemade ginger snaps for afters.
Tons of model planes when I was 10-13, mainly WWII, model tanks, making them was fun, the real skill was in how they were painted. Also, painted tons of Airfix 1/72 figures (popular in England) https://us.airfix.com/shop/figures?encoded=JYzBCsIwEAX_JjdBLRR7WLx59l7KsibbGKhN2N1A-_emep03b-4LrfFJ9gZKMqftVNXNaTEWHT-0BrIsO_4JvvZpLJJD9YZV0ZNxbPMEjxSrsLpCkTEFuPb90DnNYu0DNyfsswTF0iKHA93558LlCw
I used to make various fighter jet models. I also had the SR-71 and the "first" stealth F-19 fighter that wasn't real. Also the real F-117 model. I hung a few on the ceiling in my room.
My dad built models, so he got me some plastic models too. I built the Tirpitz, USS Missouri, USS Saratoga, an F-4 Phantom, Fock Wulf 190, a Sherman tank, and a Curtiss P40 Warhawk. I started building them fairly young, so I didn't have great hand-eye coordination or patience, nor could I resist playing with them. So they were really ugly when new and broken a few weeks into ownership.
Same here. My favorite brand of model was Tamiya from Japan. Built tons of tanks (Tiger, Panzer, half-tracks, etc.) Always used Humbrol paints from the UK (far better than Testors). I also purchased the airfix 1/72 figures and painted them, including the Roman legions and Britons.
Yeah, we used the lead foil from wine bottles to make pretty realistic looking flags - what's funny is until this very day, I was unaware that when I turned 14, I lost all interest in building models.
That's when I stopped, too.
In the early sixties, it seemed like everyone (boys anyway) built lots of plastic model kits. Cars, planes, ships, submarines, rockets, anatomical models, dinosaur skeletons, movie monsters, TV shows, comic book heroes. All great fun. Some were motorized. I was a lousy painter though.
My cousins had some planes with the tiny gas engines. I built some balsa wood models but never put engines in them. They were so flimsy it was ridiculous. But fun.
I remember having a couple of T-34 tanks, one of them painted winter white with mud splashed; the rust colored since the Soviets lacked the time to paint them. That one was fun to do.
The model brands I remember were Monogram (planes and ships?) and Aurora (Movie monsters, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman). Some other more obsure brands for the Visible Man and Woman, and the Visible V-8 which was one of my favorites. Also made large scale (about a foot long) Jaguar XKE and Corvette. Lots of detail in those.
H.O. train layout many years ago.
Today in Covid
our County Case rate is solidly over 20/100,000 right now.
Omicron is spiking at EBMWU.
I started vacation at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, December 23. The last report of a staff positive was case no. #163 (email dated 12/22/2021). Since that time -
Thu., Dec. 23 - #164
Sun., Dec. 26 - #165, #166
Tue., Dec. 28 - #167
Wed., Dec. 29 - #168 to #172; #173 to #178 (2 emails)
Thu., Dec. 30 - #179 to #186
Fri., Dec. 31 - #187 to 189
Sun., Jan. 2 - #190 to #195; #196 to #203 (2 emails)
So far, no emails about positive cases today. So far.
What is EBMWU?
Getting coronavirus tests this morning. We just found out my sister in law is positive and we were on vacation with her all last week.
Super long lines... Already stood outside in 29 deg weather since 730a. That was more than 3 hours ago ...
and the verdict is .. we are all NEGATIVE on the rapid test.
they say the PCR results will be ready in week!!
i mean, what is even the point ..
congrats!
Are there walkup places? I'm not sure those are available out here in the Bay Area.
There was a walkup tent in a park near me yesterday. Might still be there today. near San Rafael.
Which park?
Niven Park. Corner of Barry Way and Drakes Landing Road.
Thanks.
I just took the dog out and it looks like they're just starting to set up the tent.
Oddly, I do not see this location on the Marin County website: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/testing#views-bootstrap-libraries-block-4-collapse-2
oh...interesting. It's a ways but maybe I'll go check it out.
I have an at-home test that Anthem sent me but I was going to save it in case one of the boys needed it to get back to campus. And mine really just seems like a cold.
Doesn't CoCoCo have testing sites? In SF, there are city run testing sites with same day appointments available for residents/workers.
The county ones are scheduling a week out.
The state ones I found are walkup but required appts. The LHI.care website sucks.
I have a cold that only had the achy bones symptoms. I did go out driving with the top down in 50 degree weather and shot BB with my kids so I'm thinking that's the cause of the cold. But we did go to the Warriors game last week. I'm the only one that has a cold so I'm thinking it's just a cold.
Can’t have Covid if you don’t take a test.
Moraga CVS had some so we bought some. Looks like it's a + for me, but not for No 1. No 2 is going to test as well as my mom.
Unless I did something wrong with the procedure. Gotta try to find a place to get a PCR test.
No one else tested positive. So maybe it's a false positive? Though I don't think that's possible unless I messed up the process.
pqtm. true.
10-year old nephew caught the 'Rona at a Christmas party. He is vaccinated. Tested positive on Friday and Sunday so he will not be going to school. Since he visited us since the Xmas party probably will get Omicron even though I'm vaxed and boosted.
looking like Omicron don't care about vaccination :(
Omicron is highly transmissible. Omicron's virulence, though, is in doubt.
For infection, no. For protection against serious illness, yes.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/02/fauci-covid-omicron-hospitalizations-case-count
Fauci is talking along the same lines. We are going from "either get vaccinated or get COVID" to "we're all gonna get COVID anyway, so get vaccinated so you don't go to the hospital"
CDC reconsidering their controversial guidance of only 5 days of quarantine
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/587918-cdc-to-reconsider-five-day-isolation-guidance-amid-backlash-rise-in-cases
The thing is that requiring a negative test to break quarantine is also ridiculous since tests are unavailable in lots of places.
Yeah I was trying to look for some since the kids need them to go back and can't find any locally. I ordered some off Amazon and they're going to take at least a week to get here.
Same. Or you could go wait in a line for hours at a testing site, but that doesn't work for a lot of people either.
It's a massive failure that this country can't get tests to its citizens like a lot of others do.
I was able to get 4 at home test from 2 different CVS’s last Friday and I was able to get my daughter and son tested immediately from our healthcare providers drive up without any wait. I don’t doubt that it is hard and I’ve seen the lines but not being able to get tested or a test hasn’t been my experience.
I called around to a few CVSes near me and they all were out. Maybe I need to just drive to a bunch and see.
There are regional variations. In dense blue-leaning areas I think there are more likely to be supply problems.
Lucky you.
Mustard
I spent a summer in Dijon once and went to a mustard museum! Was cool
I will not eat a tuna fish sandwich without mustard on it. Full stop.
I support you and your mustard efforts
Interesting. Your wording ("on it") suggests spreading mustard on bread.
Or do you include mustard in the tuna itself?
Spread on bread. (That was a three-word poem.)
Sounds like a good idea. I'll have to try it sometime.
A culinary haiku.
Does that include mayo too ?
Yup.
Ehhhh. That’s a lot of condiment to go with your seafood. I am more of a minimalist when it comes to that type of “extra”.
People put mustard in tuna fish sandwiches? I'm that way with potato salad.
Hmm, interesting, gonna try that.
BTW I meant I don't like mustard in potato salad.
Interestingly, potato salad with mustard, (sans the mayo) is pretty good. Has to be spicy mustard.
No joke.. After news of Betty White's passing, one of the first things I thought about is how crazy it is there isn't a group or org out there called The Gulden's Girls, for fans of the eponymous mustard.
Dijon is a frequently used condiment in the Slug household, mostly by me.
Hate yellow mustard. Used to get the deli mustard at Costco with the Hot Dogs but those haven't returned. Neither have the Onion dispensers. I guess both of those are now gone for good.
Love all things mustard. That's all I wanted to say.
I find that I prefer mustard to both ketchup and mayo in a lot of applications.
Especially this guy!
https://youtu.be/H-tA0X1oVUo
It's the secret ingredient to French dressing. You can't even really taste the mustard. And by "French Dressing", I'm not talking about the orange-colored ketchup-based one invented by Americans.
Great emulsifier.
I make a basic olive oil / garlic/ lemon salad dressing at home and just a touch of mustard pulls it together nicely
The NY Times mustard vinaigrette is my go-to. You wouldn't identify it as mustardy, just absurdly tangy and delicious.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013467-mustard-vinaigrette
they stole my recipe!!
(Gazes at rows of Kraft French dressing in cabinet)
In the parlor with the candlestick
Colemans
Grey Poupon?
But, of course!
Hyundia apparently wants you to drive it's version of the Subaru Brat
https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/41906/2022-hyundai-santa-cruz-review-a-charming-small-pickup-thats-weird-for-the-better
Seems more like their version of the Honda Ridgeline.
It's a bit smaller than that. The Ridgeline shares its chasis/platform with the Odyssey minivan, which while not body-on-frame truck is still larger. This is a restyled Hyundai Tucson crossover, which would be more akin to if Honda made a "pickup" version of the CRV.
Ford similarly has come out with the Maverick, which gets its unibody from the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport (the small one) platform.
So, this is basically a new segment ("pickup" version of crossover) not exclusive to Hyundai (see: Ford, and others will likely follow)
turns out if you keep growing the likes of the F150 and even the Ranger, there's a gap in the market to be filled. I saw a very positive video review of the Hyundai online, they really seem to making some good cars these days.
Yeah, I'm not quite sure what the utility is with these tiny truck beds though. My favorite segment all time was the mid-1990's compact pickups. Once owned a 96 Tacoma SR5 extended cab, 6ft bed, and that model is my favorite automobile I ever owned.
I recently turned in my 2018 Tacoma lease and finally made the executive decision to go back to suv/crossovers.
Even for the bloated "compact" pickups (Tacoma, Ranger, etc.), most of the ones available on dealer lots only come in the "quad-cab" 4-door variety, with only a 4 foot bed -- which basically means it has rear seats that are worse than an SUV, and a bed that is less than ideal for many pickup truck needs, especially when they come with a fold up hard tonneau cover that takes up space, but still have clunky road manners -- so they're sitting in this weird middle ground of pros vs cons.
I finally realized that for me it was more of a "manly" novelty, being a pickup truck guy, and opted for comfort now -- realizing that when the need arises for a pickup I can get one from Home Depot or Lowes for pretty cheap for a whole day. Which I do for home reno stuff when I need plywood or certain dimensional lumber.
This could be a sign of getting old too.
I had a 96 Tacoma too!! But it was bare-bones. No AC, no power windows, no nothing. Loved that truck.
I had a 95 Ford Ranger from 2001 to 2015. Single cab, bench seats, no AC, manual, no power steering, no power windows and now power locks. After marker CD player.
I loved that truck. It had 333k miles on it when I sold it for $500 dollars. Original engine and never gave me any problems. The bed was a standard size which was big enough for what I needed.
The smaller-than-a-tank pickup truck is definitely an automotive niche that needs filling
sad, no jump seats
I wonder if a modern version of the El Camino would be popular. I guess not since no one has made anything like it.
since GM shut down Holden, Ford Australia is the keeper of the flame. https://www.ford.com.au/about-ford/history/falcon-ute/
I wish they sold utes here in the US...
IIRC GM considered bringing the Holden ute over as a retcon El Camino, but the pricing just didn't work - a portent of what was going to happen when they tried selling the Holden Commodore as the Chevrolet SS.
I occasionally see an SS around here whose owner did the needful and rebadged it as a Holden Commodore
There's a guy on the vinwiki youtube channel that talks about that.
hahaha, that's funny.
those SS models are WILDLY inefficient - you'd get better mileage on a similar vintage Suburban. (I'd still rather have the sedan tho)
Thanks, Chicken Tax.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax
The mullet of the muscle cars.
a V8 and it can haul lumber? Sign me up
Brazilian President Bolsonaro is reportedly full of sh*t
https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-brazil-sao-paulo-jair-bolsonaro-abcc68eb638f2ff6117f964a8bfebff0
Our crumbling democracy
This is actually a very good idea, IMHO.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/03/1063985757/why-your-local-library-might-be-hiring-a-social-worker
1/6 Commission gets testimony that TFG got multiple requests to intervene with Insurrection and did nothing. DOJ not willing to do enact dereliction of duty charges (yet) to disqualify man-baby from running in 2024.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/03/politics/donald-trump-january-6-committee/index.html
I mean, why would you actually enforce the rules on a "rich" old white guy, that's un-American
Look at this sleepy, low-energy person not even bother to blackmail.
https://twitter.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1477761580007833609
Elsewhere in college
Oklahoma starting QB Caleb Williams is in the transfer portal. Oklahoma fans must be at Chernobyl meltdown status as they and everyone else expects him to end up at USC.
Update on the number of Pac-12 players in the transfer portal (per 247):
Arizona: 11
ASU: 8
Cal: 7
CU: 14
UO: 4
OSU: 3
'furd: 6
Southern Branch: 10
USC: 14
Utah: 4
UW: 12
WSU: 10
It seems like the college playoffs have been scientifically designed to produce unwatchable games - whereas the "normal" bowl games on New Year's were a lot of fun.
I agree and I really hope they don’t expand the playoffs because we don’t need 2-4 more unwatchable playoff games.
Especially when chances are it will involve a 3rd SEC team...
The Rose Bowl was a masterpiece. Such a wildly entertaining game.
Ratings for the championship game are going to be awful.
I enjoyed the first half and when I checked the score of the second half after dinner, I decided to watch a movie with the missus & the younger daughter.
DeRuyter going to Texas tech as DC
https://twitter.com/TimDeRuyter/status/1477786118410149888?s=20
Just a bit outside
https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1477329947425394693
I have to think that the pressure got to the kicker and he brain-farted. His set-up is as if he think the goal posts are to the right of the hash. He's looking at the right hash, the approach is from way left, his shoulder are aimed right of the hash, and the ball didn't shank off his foot. I think he hit right where he was aiming, but he'll never admit that if that's true.
ouch.
Wow. Penn State really shit the bed after their QB got hurt.
Sean Clifford is coming back for his 6th year because clearly he realizes his ginger a$$ will likely be less attractive to the ladies when he is no longer the starting QB for Penn St.
He's basically the B1G's Chase Garbers, however, and his slightly above-average play pretty much puts a ceiling on PSU's 2022 season.
Matt Coral demonstrates why players going to the draft commonly opt out of bowl games
https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1477469620999266304
I feel bad for him. Was rooting for Ole Miss.
The Las Vegas Rule of Cal triumphs again....
When two good, evenly matched teams go head to head, always bet on the one that has not recently lost to Cal....
I mean... if a team loses to Cal, they are going to have flaws that make them more likely to lose...
Well, sure, that applies when Ole Miss is playing Alabama....but the Sugar was a pick 'em, so when in doubt, it's always a good idea to go with the team that has not lost to Cal in the last decade...which would be Baylor.
Oh...this is the first time I've seen "edited XXX min ago". I guess that's because I usually don't refresh and I think the edited text shows up after reloading the page.
Makai Polk declares for NFL draft, takes time to thank Cal staff and program.
https://twitter.com/showtimemakai/status/1477746921552838656?s=21
TIL: There is a Steve Spurrier Jr. and he coaches receivers at Mississippi State
Day 2 pick. Smart move to transfer.
Nikko Remigio to Fresno State.
https://twitter.com/nikkoremigio/status/1477709672647958528
Wonder how he'll do under Tedford
I don't know - he was an excellent return guy but not really a big-play threat on the field other than that. There were a couple of painful drops (Oregon game?)
I would wager he fair caught more balls than he returned.
The Bulldogs have a better passing offense, and Haener's a decidedly better thrower of the football than Garbers, so Nikko will probably have a solid if unspectacular 5th year as a possession guy.
But man, that Oregon drop was rough.
Pro
Josh Giddey (19Y 84 days) becomes youngest player with a triple double.
https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401360369
Raiders inexplicably beat Colts, could make playoffs by winning next week.
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2022/1/2/22863659/week-17-final-score-raiders-23-colts-20
I believe the Raiders can make the playoffs with a Chargers loss if the Steelers lose one of their two remaining games and the Jags beat the colts.
The real interesting thing is the Steelers and Colts lose, do the Raiders sit their starters for the Chargers game? I would assume so.
Gotta beat the Chargers though. Will see if they can do it against Herbert.
Chargers can't be trusted. They lost to the Texans last week.
That Texans team isn't as awful as people think. In addition to LAC, they also beat the Titans in Nashville, something the Niners couldn't do, and should have beaten the Pats and the Fins...
I thought the Culley hire was pretty uninspiring, but he's kept that team playing hard with a rookie QB and all the Deshaun Watson distractions.
The Texans are 4-12 and were sitting at 4th worst in total DVOA at Football Outsiders, before the Niners loss. Most of those losses were by 2+ scores. They're bad.
No, Jacksonville is bad. You have to play well to beat the Texans, and they're solid v the pass. Niners did, Chargers did not.
Jacksonville is worse, I'll give you that. Not many other teams are.
Yeah, this. The Chargers should win but the Chargers are basically Cal of the NFL.
Nearly all fanbases can claim they are "tortured', but Chargers fans (and Cal fans) actually have cause.
It made the transition to Cal fandom easy
Niners beat Texans behind Trey Lance, still need to win or get help to make the playoffs next week
https://www.ninersnation.com/2022/1/2/22864115/49ers-shake-off-a-sluggish-start-to-score-20-points-in-the-second-half-to-beat-the-texans-23-7
I can't believe the terrible Saints are still in this.
That defense is keeping them alive...hopefully the Falcons can help the Niners out.
I could see the Falcons doing it. They've been terrible against good teams but consistently competitive against the mediocre-to-bad teams.
Agree...the way that Saints offense is struggling, I'll take Matty Ice as a home dog (+4.5). New Orleans was all out to beat a dreadful Carolina team at home.
Speaking of, Matt Rhule is going in the wrong direction in Charlotte.
He plays "Lady of Spain" again
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/organist-from-iconic-slap-shot-movie-begins-first-real-life-hockey-gig-playing-at-kraken-games/
Meanwhile, in DC
https://twitter.com/thomasrp93/status/1477749044441227275
Jaylen Brown drops 50
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1477820341128998912
More proof that the prolonged Tatum+Brown experiment is a failed one
[Looking at Vontaze Burfict] I would not be surprised if Antonio Brown has CTE.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/antonio-brown-removes-jersey-storms-field-dramatic-team-exit-rcna10655
He needs to take care of his mentals
We all do...but AB more right now
Scale model
Cal
Jaylen Martin in the transfer portal
https://twitter.com/RivalsPortal/status/1478065084215742466
Sounds like he barely played. Has he been passed by the younger guys?
Yep, I remember when we got him to flip from Colorado to us. I thought he was going to be a big time contributor at corner or maybe move to safety with his size.
Handily beat ASU yesterday; almost a 20 point halftime lead.
If we can get a split against SC or UCLA then we can be sort of confident that things are trending in the right direction and we have emerged from the Wyking doldrums.
It's safe to say things are trending in the right direction, regardless of whether we can beat a top 10 team.
Tournament teams get a split v the LA schools this year...I'm pleased the Bears are simply playing competent basketball.
Cal's up to being a Q2 opponent at Haas. Been a while since we could say even that.
Go Bears!!!
Model airplanes w/ .049 engines
Great fun with neighbor kids. Lots of us made them in the ‘50’s. Build, glue (no sniffing then), paint, hook up the u-control lines, crash, repair, repeat.
My former business partner led a leveraged buyout of Cox (gas powered planes) and merged it with Estes Industries (model rockets). After a few years both businesses were spun out as separate entities at a higher valuation.
Any idea if Cox is still making models?
My first one was a “TD-3 Flying Circus” stunt airplane. Crashed it & reglued stuff till it was too heavy to fly. Baby Bee Motor then powered multiple subsequent planes.
Cox was eventually liquidated in 2009. Actually there was a problem with a contaminated factory site in Southern California which incurred liabilities that the company couldn't overcome. Wiki mentions that Estes acquired Cox. Estes is still around and sells lots of rockets at Wal-Mart, hobby shops, and the like.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cox_model_engine