I've always been a GM owner...however...

Let's see...GM declares bankruptcy...which they have now miraculously completed....Preplanned? Absolutely...In the process they eliminated hundreds of local dealerships, many which were profitable to the company! Why?

It's simple economics. They are eliminating supply. Now their new ads declare "it's never been a better time to buy a GM car, since the price you pay is the price on the car"...I translate that into you pay sticker price!!
Period, no negotiating, no deals. What? Grrr.

Declare bankruptcy, which screws investors...Eliminate supply, which screws local businessmen... Then refuse to work out a deal...who does that screw...Hmmmm...everyone....I expected better...really.

I think I'm going to check into Fords, for my American car option...the company (Ford) has been well run in the last year (a tough business environment to say the least!)...They have not declared bankruptcy, or accepted government assistance...(However, I believe they eliminated dealers like GM, and Chrysler...corporate management across the industrial board has been ruthless the last year or so)...Is that ok? Is it good old capitalism? Or is it something else? (Another post for sure.)

Anyhow...Ford Motors the only US car company not mostly government owned...and I think you can still make a deal at the local dealer...the best time to buy a GM car my foot...it smells...bad...don't you think?

The Javanilla Shake....RIP

This was the best milk shake on the planet (no kidding)...and they were FREE on Fridays at Borders if you bought their ground coffee...if I needed coffee on a Friday, that is where I would go...and now they are discontinued...Now what?? Anyone have suggestions on fantastic coffee shakes? Better yet FREE coffee shakes?

To my young friends...revised...

This was in another post...however....I thought I was not expressing myself very well. I am not in a position to really address this...it's complicated...so I put it on my blog...maybe they will read it...and I don't want to go and insult other friends either...so this is revised....

To my young friends (you know who you are) trial separations do not solve marital problems. The problems will still be there after you get back together. You have to compromise and work things out. Get help if you can.

IDK, maybe if you tried to view your marriage as a permanent relationship, just like the one with your kids. It doesn't matter if they (kids) behave badly, or disappoint you, right? You keep trying, and trying. Sometimes it eats at your gut, I know! But you are not giving up on them (kids)...ever...no matter what...hard as it is. And the work will most likely be worth it in the end...Syd and I try to apply that concept to our marraige...and I don't deserve her, I know, so I am thankful for that.

It's hard, and there are no guarantees in marriage (or life really). Many marriages end, even with a lot of effort...but back to my point...trial separation? Hmmm...Getting help? A pastor, friends, family, a counselor? Better...
And try to kop that attitude..."I want this to be a permanent relationship"...it gives you staying power.
I love you guys...hang in there.

Sameasthem?

"Sameasthem" is an internet name I chose to indicate that at the end of the day we all have a lot in common. (and noone else had used it so it was a good screen name) :-)...

The point is, weather your young or old, rich or poor, educated or not, live in a big city or in a remote village in the jungle. We all want to feel like we matter, that we are loved and are able to love someone else. We all laugh, cry, celebrate, worry, and think things through. For all that makes us unique, we still share these qualities. So what, right? Tell you something you don't know, right?...I'll never do that! :-) ha

So why pontificate? It all goes back to health care...Gotcha! No, don't stop reading here, I really want to make another point. It might even be seen as a prayer request. I would love meaningful health care, at least a safety net...in case I (or those I love) ever need it, but I am not hopeful that it will happen...which brings me to the point of all this blather...

The political climate in this country has even more gotten toxic than during the Presidential election. (I didn't think that was possible.) It's so bad we (friends, family, neighbors) can't even talk about things anymore. Maybe more important, our leaders can't talk about important issues. We are so polarized.

The truth is, first, like I said, we are really in many ways all in the same boat. And second, both sides of each issue are probably about half right, as well as half wrong. The best solutions tend to be in the middle. We won't get there if we just dig in our heals and flip each other off...(ie California)...or pick your own example, there are many...there, now I'm done...