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Richard, I am the one that should apologize. I was not serious, and I guess it doesn't come across that way in a post. Believe me, the stars were a great fun reward but I don't mind if you have a star that is a full page in size.
I always look forward to your posts and I admire the way you present your stories and posts. I have friends who can make slightly insulting remarks, but it is completely in fun and we know it. I am just used to doing it if I get a chance...but you couldn't have known that.
Truly, any negative remarks are only a misunderstanding...and only done in jest. I have 100% respect and admiration for you....ah, maybe 84% in choice of SUVs.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Wasn't he the one with the "really big shoe?" At least that's what I remember my grandparents telling me!
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
That would be sweet! I have always wanted a 2003/4 Maurader and if they made a new one it would be hard to resist. Of course, any new Panther platform product will cease to be in the coming year. Talk about an end of an era, I would love to know the total number of Panthers that were made since 1979 between the three models.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
link title
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
To this day, I'll never forgive what Daimler-Benz did to Chrysler. PT Cruiser was a landmark car for Chryco. Benz gave Chryco all it's spare parts for continued development and treated the company like a red-headed step child ("merger of equals" my posterior). Cerebus was no better. They had zero idea about how to develop or make cars. I hope Chryco can turn it around with their new Fiat partners. I have a lot of fond memories of hemis, Chargers, Road Runners, Challengers, etc.
LR...Thanks. I'm blessed, that's for certain. Dodged a bullet. As my "doc" said, given my family history, it wasn't a matter of "if" but "when" it would happen. It wasn't my "time", yet. There will be a few more Macanudos out there for someone else.
Funny, went to my "new" cadio doc yesterday. Never had a cardio doc before. Plus, this all happened while I was away from home, in Chicago. Great team there who took care of me (hats off to Northwestern University Hospital).
I used the term "mild heart attack" in talking to my new "doc". He said there is no such thing as a "mild" one. That opened my eyes.
I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but for a fascinating read of the Chrysler / Daimler "merger", get a copy of the book "Taken for a Ride".
Good insights into the personalities of both Bob Eaton (Chrysler CEO) and Jurgen Schrempp (Daimler CEO), plus Bob Lutz and Kirk Kervorkian. It's amazing how lack of communication - coupled with some shrewd strategic moves by Schrempp - totally bollocked the deal up.
You couldn't find two companies more dissimilar in how they went about their business if you tried - Chrysler, riding high on the success of the minivans, Ram pickups, and the Durango SUV; DB, losing its way as an automaker as it delved into the aerospace industry (Fokker), commercial vehicles and other non-auto related ventures. Chrysler did most everything off the cuff, whereas DB planned to a fare-thee-well. Corporate cultures did not mesh one tiny little bit.
Most of the Chrysler upper management figured out that it wasn't a "merger of equals" pretty quickly, but it was too late to do anything about it.
Richard
Richard
He had it put on and in two hours they were gone, they coated the asphalt with old used dirty motor oil, it never dried and was it a mess. He called me the next day and I spent my own time driving all over the area looking for the truck, he had a good description, alerted all my buddies and three days later one of my friends arrested them for contracting without a city permit, fraud etc. I'll never forget the what old used motor oil looks like on asphalt, it looks GREAT, but in never ever dries and for heaven sake don't ever walk on it.
Richard
Sigh. At least I'm not kicking up my feet and having them shovel dirt on me...
We're beginning to look at the possibility of heading to the Outer Banks for the last week of August. very kind of you southern folks who consider that to off season because the kids are back in school. Those of us where the kids don't go back until the day after Labor Day really appreciate it!
Glad to hear it!
I am going to nominate you for a gigantic platinum star at the end of the year.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I am glad you wrote about that experience because I envision that is what would have happened if I got the 2 young guys with their cart to do the driveway.
A neighbor just had his drive done by a company that has been in business for 25 years and they used a new material that seals it and lasts a long time, and they don't mess up the bricks or anything. It is a perfect job. But, I like the sounds of that stamped concrete.....that would be my first choice if it can be done at a reasonable price....after my calculations...comparing cost per year etc.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
They must know I'm not working terribly hard.
Do it by the minute/second and it's an even more irresistible deal. :P
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
we are headed to Hatteras next weekend.
At least it will keep down the bugs....
I only do that if the numbers still look bad after yearly, monthly, weekly.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I forget, what do you do and why are you working at your age? I guess it isn't too hard if you can write posts while you are there.
Don't take it the wrong way (I have a habit of insulting people even when I don't mean to) because I was at work too. Although we are a wholesale distributor, we open the doors to the public once a month.
I get a feeling of what it is like dealing with the public (much better dealing with a retailer in most cases), so I get an idea of what it is like for you poor car salespeople. Since it is related to the topic, I think I should get another star.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Hope you and Explorer enjoy your visits to North Carolina. We do have a beautiful state. If you ever want a change, try our mountains. Asheville, Blowing Rock, Boone, Chimney Rock, etc. are wonderful places to visit, especially in October with the foliage at its peak.
As for going back to school, we used to start after Labor Day because the farmers needed their children in the fields. That's no longer the case. I remember my first teaching job in a little rural school (I was the only Caucasian among the staff and students.). I started the first day with 5 students that September. During the month, my class grew to 50 students as the farmers completed their work. It was quite a challenge to catch the new arrivals up to date. I taught all subjects. It was also a bit of a challenge to prove that a "Honky" could love his students regardless of the color difference. After all, this was the early '60's. In May, I took all 50 of them to the beach. These teens had never seen the ocean. That trip has to be at the top of my list for rewarding moments.
Sorry for getting carried away.
Richard
As far as active and alert I'm not too much of either as it is. This has to do with never having a decent hemoglobin level. Amongst many chronic ills (I have a lot of weird, serious ones) my bone marrow doesn't make blood correctly. For the last year and a half I have to go in and do chemo for maybe 45 minutes 7 days out of every 28. That rather restricts travel though I do intend to bring my daughter back to China in a couple of years so she can see where she came from. So far, once we got on the regular chemo schedule and got this thing (it's called myleodysplasia) stable I at least haven't had to not go where I wanted to go. For two years before that I didn't go anywhere because I was just too fatigued.
Gee, that sounds cheery now, huh? That's life - you take it as it comes.
I'm not sure I could maintain your always positive attitude.
40-something guy comes in with his buddy to look at a CPO XK. They go for a drive. When they return, salesperson (young guy) asks what they thought. The buyer answers "Its pretty nice. But its too damned loud. Is it supposed to be that loud?" Come to find out he has a Shelby GT500 he is looking to replace because IT is too loud. The Shelby only has 3k miles on it. It is already obvious this guy has more money than brains, but it gets better. He says maybe he'll be back. Walks out the door. Someone else is immediately looking at the same XK.
Guy returns maybe 5 minutes later. Sits down to talk numbers. Gets a price, finds out there is 2.9% financing and gets interested again.... but... he'll be back. Leaves... comes back again. Now he wants to talk about his Shelby. Now, remember, he is trading cause its too loud... and now also says it is too fast. Then, while trying to get a trade value, he starts in about the $40k in modifications he has done to the car! This is where I had to work hard and not laughing as I was listening in on all this. So this car... which is too loud and too fast... he made LOUDER and FASTER!! With $40k!! Did I already say more money than brains?
Moving on... he says it is value by insurance company at $90k. He'd like $60k. GM calls a wholesaler. They don't know what to make of such a car, but come back at $30k. Guy is insulted, of course.... but then says to be done with it, he'd probably take $40k. WOW! A $20k swing just like that, huh?
Wish I could know what the end result was/will be. But that's as far as I got. He left again AND returned again just as I was on my way out.
I'll tell ya, I already had respect for what salefolk put up with, but some things I saw today took it to a new level.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Maybe we could make a deal. I have more brains than money. Maybe he could give me money and I could occasionally tell him when is doing something dumb. Actually that sounds like more than a part time position.
One of my first practice teaching assignments was in a little country school about half an hour out of the city. I had a grade 2,3, and 4 class all in one. The kids were so excited, "It was the first time they had a man teacher", that was a big thing. Some memorable moments, there were cows on the playground, a different kid got to ring the big school bell each week, and I am sure every kid had peanut butter sandwiches for lunch...the classroom smelled like a peanut factory at lunch time.
I think mmy teaching career went down hill from there.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have been here a few times for short visits during the winter months; have walked on the beach in February in t-shirt and jeans. It's not Florida, of course, but can be very beautiful indeed at that time of year.
To keep this car related: it's interesting to see the differences in what the car dealers stock. There aren't that many dealers, and they definitely emphasize the SUVs, trucks and the ruggedly practical, in general. They showcase the big stuff right out front; the sedans are tucked away in the back of the lots.
Are you kidding? They were scared to death of the ocean. I finally got them to put their feet in the surf. You should have heard them telling the other kids at school about their experience. It was priceless.
Richard
Richard
Like the Shelby story, btw!
We have a sale at our warehouse once a month and a few thousand people turn out. We have new releases as a loss leader for people who are looking for a current bestseller. So, we have The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo on sale, full price is $14, and we have it for $9. You can't buy it for less anywhere and we sold all 30 copies we had. When there were still about 10 copies left, the guy looks at it and says, I saw it at the used bookstore and I can get it cheaper there. A used bookstore sells it for half price or $7, so he is going to take the chance it is still at the used bookstore (probably was read by someone with a contagious disease and has coffee stains on it) over a brand new copy for $2 more!
Thank goodness, the sales to the public are just once a month.
Biancar, nice to hear from you...you have been missing lately,
Fezo, You are a trooper. I admire people who have health problems, but can continue on, but still make the world a better place for those around them....and can still be positive.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
LOL. I had a nightmare a few weeks ago that I was charged $270 at Oxmoor to have a couple $40 sway bar links replaced. No, wait a minute... that one really happened.
Just got back fron the beautiful beaches of Panama City. Beautiful crystal clear waters as far as the eye could see. No oil or tar balls thank goodness. They did have workers walking the beach (for $175 a day I was told), and did have some military personnel riding around in a ATV looking though.
We were at the Outer Banks probably July 1. We are now hunting for a place for that last full week of August. Anyone with a nice, cheap place to recommend....
I live 5 miles off our local barrier island and for four years lived on the island. I've been on the beach in winter many times but up here (30 miles north of Atlantic City) you don't do that in a t-shirt. I could absolutely live for good stretches of time at the beach but I'll admit to liking having a good sized city close enough to drive to and back for the evening. Mostly so when, say, Lyle Lovett tours I can do a night checking him out.
On the health front since I've been dealing with things since I was a little kid I pretty much don't know another way. I figure you can only play the hand you're dealt and it sure beats giving up. I have a house full of beautiful young ladies and manage to keep my head above water... If anyone really wants the gory details drop a line to my carspace but I figure to be around for a fair bit yet. My dad made it to 90. I'd hate to not do the same.
By he way, my student teaching experience was kid of the opposite of those posted here. I was in a high school in the town that was where the white flight from New Brunswick, NJ went. Well, when that happened the middle class black population followed and the tensions that had been in the city merely followed into the suburb. They didn't have to shut down the school for a week in my stint there but they did the previous semester and the subsequent one. Add to this a "cooperating teacher" who viewed me as a way for him to go hang out in the teacher's lounge all day and you get why I never taught beyond that. Went into libraries instead which worked out OK. I'd still take that beach walking gig. I'd have to retore first so I could add a pension to that.
Even so, you have a great attitude. Don't change and you'll always do alright.
My dad made it to 90. I'd hate to not do the same.
Well, that might be more than we could take from you here. So don't push your luck.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Thanks.
I bought an '07 GTI they had that was supposedly traded in on a Range Rover.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Richard
Fezo, we all admire you even more now !
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Richard - I've dealt with ol' arthur since I was a kid. Real fun. Again, you can't let it stop you. It's gotten worse in my fingers in my left hand in the past few months. You have to do exactly the opposite of instinct - for me that means playing my guitar rather than letting the fingers rest. After a bit of noodling around they loosen up.
Of course if I got that Panama City Beach job I'd have to have an assistant to actually pick up the oil.....
We've stayed in nicer places on the island, but the value and cleanliness of Harborside is a good deal. Just don't expect fancy accommodations. Please understand that I am viewing this from my perspective. Having stayed in hotels in places like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, the Harborside Motel is like the Hilton. Just Google Harborside and see what you think. Good luck.
Richard
I like to use salt and pepper shakers to explain, but please try to follow along;
* He was visiting someone at the hospital, he drove in got a ticket, gate went up, and he parked.
* When it was time to leave, he assumed there would be a guy, to take his ticket, and he would pay. Of course in this day and age, they have a bank of machines just before the door to the garage, where you insert your ticket, pay, and get a ticket so you can exit.
* Well, he missed that and got directly into his car and proceeded to the exit.
He didn't see a person collecting money so he drove past the post where you insert your card and drove right up to the barrier. He realized the barrier wasn't going to go up, after waiting for 5 minutes so he put the car in reverse. Just then, a woman drove up behind him, stopped at the ticket machine, inserted her ticket, and of course my brother saw the gate go up, and so he put his car into forward and drove out.
* Now the woman is stuck there, she no longer has a ticket and has to try to explain to the garage people how she paid for her parking, but didn't get out.
My brother told us the story, not realizing the poor woman was stuck and wouldn't be able to get out. I think she must have been very upset. :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Is that a union job? This is a serious question. Much of the administration's strategy has been to set up for unions to have work.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I also have a pet peeve about the ones they used to have at Ohio State where you put in a $20 and it gave you change in dollar COINS. I also learned the ticket taker was inside the booth but sat in a way that you couldn't see him until you were already up at the window, past the pay by cash/credit card machine. The sign warned that booth was not manned all the time and use the autopay machines. I was so PO'd to find him, I gave him back $10 of his dollar coins (which I hate because they are easily confused with quarters).
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Where do I send my application? Will they accept Canadians? I will try to obtain my green card if necessary. Love to spend my days on a nice sunny beach.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Richard - thanks for the Harborside tip. We may use that depending on whether SIL and family are coming or not. We passed that while in Ocracoke and commented on it looking like a place we'd like.