travelguy_73

We are headed to the LA Auto show next weekend, and I can't wait to see some of these cars!

I don't have an installer for you (Craigslist?), but I did recently install GutterStuff (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11490677&cm_mmc=BCEmail_468-_-BANNER-_-4-_-GutterStuff) purchased from Costco. It's a bit of a pain to get into the gutter, but it seems to work really well. We have a massive red oak that is dropping leaves like crazy right now and they are staying out of the gutters.

That one looks almost identical to the plates they used until 2001/02.

LOL, I want the Sesquicentennial plate from 1986 back!

Those first ones look like the stupid-expensive plates that they were trying to sell when the economy went under. I really like some of these!

eta: Oh, it is the same thing, but now recession-priced for our consideration ($55-195/yr).

The first company that was awarded the contract to run My Plates ceased operations last fall, citing the U.S. economic crisis. In August 2009, TxDOT awarded a new contract to a joint venture between Pinnacle Technical Resources of Dallas (www.pinnacle1.com) and Etech, Inc. of Nacogdoches (www.etechinc.com). My Plates sales resume November 19.

http://www.myplates.com/Press20091029.aspx

I would'nt call it copying since the Audi design chief moved to Kia, and only the rear resembles Audi. They almost, literally ripped the taillights off the A4. I don't see any other Audi resemblance on Kia's other vehicles.

2010 A4 Rear

The back end of the Forte screams Audi A4 to me. And the interior has a similar look (though not a similar feel).

Wow, look at it in black!!! Never new a Kia can look this good. I want one.

I know the former Audi design chief moved over to Kia, and that he is responsible for these new hot designs we are seeing, but I guess I'm surprised at just how blantant Kia is in copying the look we see on new Audis. Same guy, yeah, but isn't there some sort of design look-and-feel that becomes the property of the company the designer works for? I guess they can argue they are merely taking "design cues" from Audi, but geez those taillights could have literally come off an A4.

I think it is but, it looks a little to much like the 7-Series for me.

i don't think that is a bad thing, as the current 7-series is pretty attractive. However, I don't like the blunt front end. I know it is to meet pedestrian safety rules, but I just don't think it fits a car of this size (looks better on the 7).

Design-wise...

It isn't bad, but it doesn't do a lot for me, at least in this artist's conception.

That is the most generic Top 10 list ever! Outside of Acura (ummm, which Acura cars?), they might as well say "makes that sell the best are stolen most." OK, thanks.

What is the Ford sedan that James Bond drives while in the Bahamas in the movie Casino Royale? I liked it.

That's the current gen Mondeo, which is highly regarded in Europe...pretty much the standard for mid-size sedans.

I'd be curious to hear from anyone who already has had a smart meter installed and how they are using it to monitor their electricty usage.

We haven't used it at all yet. I'm not sure that any of the energy marketers have integrated the smart meters into their websites, so I'm not sure how easy it is to follow usage just yet. Hope I am proven wrong, though!

I think that there will definitely be more layoffs, at least at my company there will be. From what I have seen and conversations I have had with friends, many companies have done an admirable job trying to "wait out" the recession, and retain their talent for the turnaround. But at some point, you start feeiling the cost pinch and layoffs are inevitable.

So I think that while we might officially be out of the recession, we are going to be feeling it for a while to come.

New Buick Regal unveiled:

Based on the Opel Insignia, it's pretty nice looking. Keeps the family resemblance to the new LaCrosse, though I'm not wild about the tail or the wheels.

http://carscoop.blog...photos-and.html

Have we heard anything on where they are starting with this or where they are currently working? This works with the google tracking software correct?

i have had mine since August, but haven't taken the time to get to know it. In some ways, I don't like it as much since it is more complex (rotating digital display, instead of the constant(ly turning) dial. I wish CenterPoint would send out a how-to-read guide, especially since I hit some sort of reset button and now I get a flashing 0000 part of the time. Apparently that doesn't stop the billing, though.

eta: nevermind, here is the guide

http://www.centerpointenergy.com/staticfiles/CNP/Common/SiteAssets/doc/How%20to%20Read%20Your%20Smart%20Meter%200060209.pdf

Definitely like the S60, but I'm not a fan of the Jetta. The tail is attractive, but I don't like the front end, at least compared to the outgoing one. Too generic. Wonder if the new Passat replacement will be as bland?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6713346.html

Brown endorses Parker

City Councilman Peter Brown today endorsed City Controller Annise Parker today in the mayoral runoff contest.

Brown's announcement at downtown's Tranquility Park is expected to be followed by one from three of his major backers that they are supporting former City Attorney Gene Locke in the runoff. The three — Rev. Bill Lawson, Pastor D.Z. Cofield and Bishop James Dixon — had formed a major piece of Brown's support among the city's African-American voters.

I have had good luck at the Hampton Inn in Chelsea on W 24th. Good balance between cost, convenience, and cleanliness.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d268216-Reviews-Hampton_Inn_Manhattan_Chelsea-New_York_City_New_York.html

We typically buy the same things each week, and usually shop at the Kroger on W Gray. Since we do buy the same things, when the HEB on Buffalo Speedway opened, we decided to try it out for a few weeks, and then compare prices to our previous purchases at Kroger. For us, the savings at HEB is about $10 on the $150 each week that we spend (including using the Kroger card). And it's pretty consistent: Some items are more expensive by a few cents, but the majority are cheaper, and there are a few items that worked out to be a lot cheaper, driving most of the savings. Now this isn't every week as vegetable prices move all over the place, but it is pretty consistent overall.

Combine that with HEB's superior customer service (and the fact we are supporting a Texas company), and for us it is a no-brainer.

As the title states, I have some fresh hardwood mulch I want to get rid of. We took advantage of the sliding scale on delivery charge to order an extra couple of yards to get free delivery. We ended with probably a full cubic yard left. We are in Eastwood, and would like someone to load it up on Saturday (weather permitting). With a couple of guys, it will probably take 15 or so minutes with shovels/pitchforks.

PM me if you are interested. I expect to get a lot of interest (It's free! It's mulch!), but I'll try and be good about replying in a timely manner.

Thanks!

I think I read somewhere (Television without Pity, maybe?) that most of the House Hunters episodes are filmed when the buyers are already closing on a property. So the realtor is pretending to show them around, and they are pretending to be interested. I'm not sure if that's true, but if it is, it explains quite a bit.

That's correct. They are supposed to either be closing or have already closed on the home. The two decoy homes are just ones that happen to be for sale at the time of filming. That would explain the abundance of (1) furniture "included in the deal," and (2) why you can't believe they chose the worst home of the bunch (because the better ones weren't on the market at the time they signed the contract!).

Also, since you have an old house, if you have knob and tube wiring, you shouldn't insulate around it. Air flow is needed!

Feel like an idiot...was adjusting the brightness on my exterior gas lamp post, it went out, and now I can't figure out how to light it! HELP?!

If yours is like mine, then you have to attach one of those gauzy things to the tip, and then just use a lighter stick to light it, as gas is always being emitted. It's a pain for sure, so I try my best not to mess with it.

Wow, the Third Ward got destroyed.

I wonder why Third Ward looks so wiped out compared to Fifth Ward. Perhaps Fifth Ward is older, more established neighborhoods?

This is pure speculation on my part, but I think the foreclosures were fueled by relatively recent purchases, 2005-2007. The Fifth Ward probably has relatively little turnover, and not a lot of home ownership, but long-time renters and equally long-time landlords. The Third Ward was starting down the gentrification path with townhomes, flipping, and creative financing, whereas no one was looking at the Fifth Ward as a place to live or make any money. So there was a different kind of buyer.

Eastwood has been relatively unscathed as well.

I would have expected to see more in the Midtown and Montrose area as people stretched thin to buy, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

http://blogs.chron.c..._neighborh.html

http://www.scribd.co...on-Foreclosures

What is interesting is the number of foreclosures in the Third Ward/Riverside Terrace area (south central inner loop) and the area along the western part of the North Loop (lots of townhomes there).

As long as they don't make noise! I can't hit the mute button fast enough on some sites.