Things I've Noticed

My 1997 Saab 900 S at 121,000 Miles: Detailed to A Mirror Finish

I spent much of the last two weekends, (probably 15 hours total), detailing my old car, a 1997 Saab 900 S, which I affectionately call "Caarma."  This car has seen some major happenings and lots of places; I've driven it in 12 states and 2 provinces.  So I think it deserved some special treatment.  I must say the it looks really good for 121,00 miles at the age of 9 years and 5 months.  While taking pictures for memory's sake, it appears that the reflective quality of the products I used make my car look more like mirror than black.

 
 


Products Used:
- Clay Magic Clay Bar
- Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish
- Meguiar's Show Car Glaze
- Eagle One Nano Wax
- Mother's Back to Black
- Armor All Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
- Armor All All Purpose Cleaner
- 303 Protectant
- Windex

Special thanks to Jeremy R and Wayne on the Saabnet.
http://saabnet.com/tsn/bb/detail/index.html?bID=5448
Even though it's not a "classic car," I hope to take it to the one-of-a-kind Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit this year.

+ Atul

Quick Quote on Where You Stand

"I'd rather be in no man's land than yes man's land."

+ Atul

Immortality: If It Became Possible, Would You Want It? Should Anybody Have It?

I came across some articles on what is becoming one of my favorite websites, livescience.com. 

LiveScience Article One on Immortality
LiveScience Article Two on Immortality

In this series of articles about immortality, the writer explores how the study of aging is leading science in the direction of drastically extending lifespans.  To some scientists, it's only a matter of time before this becomes possible.  The articles also examine how the world would change if humans lived significantly longer than they do today.  He's not just talking about an extra ten years, more like an extra hundred.  It's something to consider, and consider thoroughly.  What would be the implications of having a portion of this earth's 6 billion people living to be 200, or possibly even forever (until an accident or a hip fracture does them in)?

There would be many positives including more time to do the things you always wanted to do before you died.  Medical technology advancements would probably keep your body in decent shape.  You would also get to live through more of history to see how the world changes and to see your 115 great great great grandkids grow up, (although remembering all their names would be a problem).  Four marriages might become the norm because 170 years with one person might be a bit too much.

But there would be enormous consequences in terms of global population, housing, resource depletion and a host of other issues.  The length of one's career would have to be much longer to save for a much longer retirement and some people might have four careers instead of one.  Fewer people would be able to count on inheritances and newer workers might not find room in the job marketplace.  Social security would simply become a joke.  The young would not be given proper attention since there would be so many more old people to cater to and to attract votes from.  We might become a society that has to kill off people once they reach a certain age as in the movie "Logan's Run."

I've always said that I want to live to be a hundred just to see how the world changes, but I'm not sure where I would draw the line if I were given the opportunity to choose my lifespan.  At what age would you want to cap your lifespan if at all?  How much would you pay to have the option?

+ Atul

Cities of Residence And The Cool Factor

It's amazing how just the places I have lived seem to affect what people think of me in their first impression.  I've lived in 3 states, 4 medium to major cites and I have traveled to 47 of our 50 great states (including the District of Columbia), and I've also been to four of the Canadian provinces.  While traveling, people you meet often to ask you where you're from.  For a person like me, I never know whether they mean my ethnic origins or my hometown in the U.S. and I inevitably give them the answer they don't want.  Anyway, I eventually get to telling them that I live in Detroit and that I'm from Cleveland.

Many people from the "cool" cities instantly look down upon me because Detroit and Cleveland, (cities which I am proud to associate myself with), are not cool.  It continually annoys me and it's really just a form of prejudice.  I'm still the same person as if I told the other person I live in San Francisco, New York, or Miami.  But to them, I'm not the same person anymore.  Perhaps it's just insecurity they exhibit by using city of residence to feel that they're better than me.  They might base their self esteem on where they live, just like they might base it on what they own.

I'm not saying I would never move to one of the cool cities for career purposes, but there's something to be said about the humbleness and way people are grounded in cities where there's less glitz and superficiality.  We don't get beautiful weather 350 days a year and we can accept that.  We often get rain, cold weather, ice and snow.  It teaches us that you can't always get what you want.  Millions and millions of us are able to make the most of these cities, and the good part is that tourists don't get in our way.  It may take a little more effort to find great hang out spots or restaurants, but we definitely have them.  You can have a good time anywhere if you're with friends or family.  It's what you make of it.  In fact many people move from our uncool cities to the more socially acceptable ones only to find that they like their uncool hometowns better.

In terms of lifestyle, I prefer the fact that I live in a decent house with a yard, trees, and a two car garage.  I don't have to commute 2 hours each way from my home so I actually have time for myself and can go out more.  I could even fly to a "cool" city once a month for a weekend and actually save money for my retirement because I don't have to pay $2,000 a month to rent a tiny apartment, (one that may also come equipped with rodents).  I also can drive whenever, wherever I want and not pay $25 to park downtown.  I don't have to depend on cab drivers who put my life in jeopardy every time I get in the back seat. 

So to those of you in the "cool" cities, remember that we deserve perhaps more respect for being from one of the "un-cool" cities because of the negative connotations that we endure.  But we're still the same people regardless of where we live, just as you are.

+ Atul

Quick Quote on Coffee

"Coffee is liquid motivation."

+ Atul

I've Been Tagged to Answer 50 Questions about Myself

I came across Charme, (based in the UK) and her blog Ad Nauseum just after I had my brief stint on www.23peeps.com.  The fun only lasted 3 or 4 days, but one thing led to another and now I've been tagged by her to answer these questions.  It took me a while to answer them because there are 50 of them!  Here's a link to her answers by the way... http://charme-uk.blogspot.com/2006/07/what-goes-round-comes-round.html

1. What swear word do you use the most?

S__T is probably the one, but I don't swear too often.  It ruins the emphasis if I swear all the time.  I do swear more while I'm driving though.

2. Do you own an iPod?

I just bought a Creative Zen and I've "ripped" music from about half of my CD collection so far, in (highest quality sound since I'm all about sound quality not song quantity).  It takes a long time to pick out the songs I like on hundreds of CD's.

3. Who on your MySpace Top 8 do you talk to the most?

Although I'm on it, I'm too old for MySpace and don't really participate or talk to anybody on it. 

4. What time is your alarm clock set for?

On weekdays, it's set for 8:00 so I can get to work at 9:30.  I like to go in late and stay late to avoid traffic and get lots done after everybody leaves.  I'm a night owl.  On weekends, I like to be out of bed before 10.

5. What color is your room?

My room is an off-white, the way the house came when I bought it.  I'll paint it sometime soon to brighten things up.

6. Flip-flops or sneakers?

Flip-flops are annoying in more ways than one. Sneakers are the way to go.

7. Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?

I would rather take the picture as I like photography, but I'm not afraid to be in a picture.

8. What was the last movie you watched?

The last movie I saw was Mission Impossible 3.  It wasn't bad and I could follow it, unlike MI1.

9. Do any of your friends have children?

Many of them do, and I'm not even married yet, but I do have 4 nephieces (term for nephews and nieces)

10. Has anyone ever called you lazy?

Just my parents, but then whose parents haven’t?

11. Do you ever take medication to make you fall asleep faster?

No, although a beer works sometimes.

12. What CD is currently in your CD player?

I still listen to CDs and I was just listening to Tori Amos this morning, Scarlet's Walk.  Track 2, "A Sorta Farirytale", is amazing.

13. Do you prefer regular milk or chocolate milk?

Regular ½% milkfat

14. Has anyone told you a secret this week?

No

15. Have you ever given someone a hickey?

Not intentionally.  I don’t like to embarrass girlfriends.

16. Who was the last person to call you?

A customer of our company, work-related.

17. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?

Of course, but it’s all good stuff I’m sure. :-)

18. Did you watch cartoons as a child?

Yes, and today I watch the adult animated shows like the Simpsons, and Family Guy.

19. How many siblings do you have?

One older brother (4 yrs older), one older sister (8 yrs older)

20. Are you shy around the opposite sex?

Not really.

21. What movie do you know every line to?

None.  I only remember lines to songs.

22. Do you own any band t-shirts?

Not anymore.  I don’t go to many concerts, would rather buy CD’s.

23. What is your favorite salad dressing?

Trader Joe’s Shiitake Sesame dressing

24. Do you read for fun?

Not books, but lots of news on-line and magazines like The Economist, Road and Track, Maxim

25. Do you cry a lot?

Hardly ever.  I used to cry a lot as a kid.

26. Who was the last person to text message you?

My friend JN.  (She wouldn’t want her name on a public blog.) 

27. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?

Laptop because I like to compute with wireless anywhere in the house.

28. Are you currently wanting any tattoos or piercings?

No to both, and I hate tattoos on women.  Why mess up a beautiful body with cheesy ornamentation that will fade and look funny when the skin wrinkles?

29. What is the weather like?

Rainy, warm and humid here in Detroit.

30. Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos?

Never.  See my answer to #28.

31. Is sex before marriage wrong?

No.  It’s up to the individual.

32. When was the last time you slept on the floor?

A few months ago, when I had lots of family visiting for my graduation.

33. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

I need 6.5 hours to function somewhat tired, 7.5+ to function well

34. Are you in love or lust?

It varies.

35. Are your days full and fast-paced?

Always.  I always find things to do and keep me busy.

36. Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages?

More attention to the percent of calories from fat.

37. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?

I will be 35.  I can’t believe it, and just today a co-worker thought I was 28.  Bless her.

38. Are you picky about spelling or grammar?

Yes, very.  I used to be a speller, was one word from going to the nationals in Washington D.C. and won a TV instead of the trip, more studying, and encyclopedias.  I’ve lost some of my edge since 8th grade though.

39. Have you ever been to Six Flags?

One of them, but Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is the best amusement park in the world.

40. Do you get along better with members of the same sex or the opposite sex?

I get along well with both, need variety.  I can’t take being around one sex all the time.

41. Do you like cottage cheese?

Yes.  It’s great with pineapples, peaches, or on a baked potato instead of sour cream.

42. Do you sleep on your side, tummy or back?

Back mostly, some side.

43. Have you ever bid for something on eBay?

Yes...tires, speakers.  I only ended up buying the speakers.  I tried to sell a car too, but that didn't work out because the car was in an accident due to some lady not yielding to me while she was turning left in front of me.  She cost me mucho money!

44. Do you enjoy giving hugs?

Always.  It’s therapeutic too.  I’m not sure if I should hug some people though.

45. What song did you last sing out loud?

Zooropa by U2

46. What is your favorite television show?

The Simpsons, (still), after 16 years.  Family Guy and 24 are great too.  I love documentaries on nature, astronomy, psychology, even some history.

47. Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you want to have lunch with?

Madeline Stowe or Diane Lane, just because I think they’re so sophisticated, beautiful and they seem really nice too when I’ve seen them on talkshows.

48. Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?

Before I met a certain someone for the first time. 

49. Name one thing do you wish you had?

Right now, somebody to help me organize all my things in my house.

50. Favorite song lyrics?

The Fixx has some great song lyrics like…

“There’s no virtue if there’s no sin.”

”When the wrong word goes in the right ear, I know you’ve been lyin’ to me.”

TAG goes to the first person I know that reads this (except for Charme of course).  I can tell where people are visiting from on my Sitemeter account.

+ Atul

Quick Quote on Pets

"The smartest pets are the ones that don't do tricks."

+ Atul

Money money money money... money

RW of Chasing Vincenzo is up to bat this week for the roundtable post, and he wants to be stinkin' rich (some of the time).  If that's not possible, at least he would like to have enough money to live off the interest.  Have a visit to his blogpost and leave your two cents.  Every little bit helps.

+ Atul

Quick Quote on Diamonds

"Diamonds are forever expensive."

+ Atul

The Overblown Piracy Issue

I just purchased an MP3 player, the Creative Labs Zen 30 GB model which I like except that the user interface could be more intuitive.  The sound quality and features are amazing though.  I "ripped" songs from about half of my hundreds of CD's (at full quality so I can get the best sound at the expense of song storage).  All this ripping reminded me of the media companies and their lawsuits against major copyright infringement offenders, (and the embarrassing lawsuits against kids).  Stealing songs or movies is illegal, but these companies have partially brought the problem upon themselves.  They were greedy and frequently charged outrageous prices for music, $17+ for a CD!  So, of course music aficionados without lots of cash found alternative ways to get their favorite music.  The answer was Napster.  The free version of Napster is gone, but various peer-to-peer file sharing alternatives still exist.  To me, piracy isn't as bad of a profit loss problem as software/media producers say.  Some people 'steal' stuff they never would have bought in the first place so those instances of theft aren't lost income.  Then, these 'thieves' often become loyal customers and ambassadors who spread the word and advertise the product for free (as in buzzmarketing).  The message gets to some people that can afford to buy it, and would not have bought it in the first place because they would not have know about it.  Potentially, those who stole a band's music will eventually get to the stage in their life where affordability stops being an issue.  Then they can buy future CD's or software. 

eMusic's FREE Daily Download!

Hopefully the media/music/software companies will continue to innovate in how they deliver content and will not continue their greedy ways.  If they lowered prices on music and software, fewer people would steal, and profits might increase.  Again, I don't condone illegal free downloads because if all the profit goes away, fewer artists will produce content for us to enjoy and the quality might go down.  But major media and content providing  corporations must stop exaggerating the problem and begin doing a better job of adapting to technological and market conditions.  To do so would only help their credibility and their profits.

+ Atul