G. David Felt

They are so cute, welcome to babyhood again Robert.

Appreciate the update Robert. I grew up in homes that were just smooth and Hospital White, so with this home, I got an air texture gun and did a medium to small splatter on the walls before painting the rooms eggshell white semi-gloss and then each room has an accent color based on who was sleeping in the room. Daughter went with her college color of a mustard color. My son went with a blue/grey color and my wife choose a light grey for our room. Rest of the house is the eggshell white color except the family room downstairs and office. Office is a peach color with white ceiling and Family room is a green and yellow two-tone room with white ceiling so it feels more like being outdoors.

This is very interesting read and why Toyota could very well end up failing as a company due to the stupidity of not changing due to the culture of losing face. Japan's Culture Of Consensus Means It's Slithering Into Hydrogen's 10x Energy Cost Economy - CleanTechnica

Very cool what is being planned for these old Coal plants, better for the Public and for Power Generation. Power Plants to Parklands turns old coal plants into useful land (thecooldown.com) I find this interesting as I am a gas stove owner and user and with proper ventilation, I have never seen the issues that some say happen with gas in regard to health / asthma. Induction stoves are pricey and yes while cool top to touch, they also have a requirement in new cook ware to take advantage of the induction cooking style an that cookware is not cheap. Induction stoves are superior to electric — what's the difference? (thecooldown.com)

Interesting, Toyota is one of a few companies that does not break out China sales, but based on this story I would have to say that China was a big reason for Toyota near 15% drop in auto sales for 2022. I would suspect that Toyota had sales losses much like other japanese companies as Japan has ignored the EV movement at their own peril. https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/japans-automakers-have-made-in-china-sales-crisis-2023-05-02/

Host a friend visiting last night. Cooked butter basted Ribeye steaks cast iron cooked with asparagus and scallop potatoes which has a mixture of smoked Gouda and Havarti cheese. Tomatoes salad, butter and Gewurztraminer wine cooked mushrooms and spicy shrimp as compliments. Did a wine vertical comparison of 2018 & 2019 Barbera.

Happy Hump Day Everyone and Welcome to the Randomness of this thread!

Belated Happy May Day Everyone. An interesting observation as I did a lunch workout at my 24hr club and then stopped at Costco to do the wives ToDo list. When I came back out, I saw 4 VWQ ID4 and 2 ID5 EVs, then a Tesla S and X as well as a Y and I have to say seeing all 3 side by side the 3 is very cheap and looks even more dated than the S and X, but all three look very dated compared to the VW ID's. Then there was 3 R1T and 1 R1S from Rivian. WOW those are sharp EVs, then a couple of Bolts and a Bolt EUV. Then there was my Escalade, a half a dozen Dodge chargers and a lone Challenger and then a bunch of older 300Cs, Impala and a mix of asian econo box cars. First time that in the immediate area of where I parked there was as many EVs as ICE and was very clear in a wider look that Hybrid Toyota and Honda have really taken over as well.

Beautiful, would be awesome to have it as an EV where you not only have the rear jumper seat, but the engine area becomes a frunk. AWD with electric motors between the front and rear and the battery pack a slim slab between the wheels enhancing the grip and low center of gravity. This would be AWESOME. Cracks me up the fake side pipes. Electric Car Motors | DC EV Motors, Controllers & Conversion Kits (ddmotorsystems.com)

GMC has announced today the new extreme versions of their Sierra HD truck lineup with the AT4X and Extreme AEV edition trucks. These trucks have the following enhancements starting with an off-road capability of 18,500-pound max trailering, offering most trailering tech in class and first-class luxury features. The 2024 Sierra HD AT4X give you premium off-roading the GMC way. Building on the revamped foundation of the 2024 Sierra HD, the Sierra HD AT4X highlights are as follows: Available 18,500-pound max trailering capacity Factory-installed 1.5-inch (38mm) suspension lift Multimatic DSSV dampers Rear e-locking differential 35-inch Goodyear Territory tires Specific front upper and lower control arms and specific steering knuckles Larger steel transfer case skid plate and front aluminum skid plate Unique Obsidian Rush interior featuring premium appointments like massaging, full-grain leather-wrapped front seats The Sierra HD AT4X also includes a new Off-Road Mode. When engaged, the Off-Road Mode adjusts various vehicle calibrations, such as the anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control, to provide optimized performance when venturing off-road. Additionally, Off-Road Mode alters throttle progression and transmission shifts to allow for better off-road control and performance. The HD AT4X allows you to trailer anywhere, while allowing you to not have to sacrifice the comforts of home. If this is not enough for the adventurous you, then move to the 2024 Sierra HD AT4X AEV edition. This edition adds the following features to the AT4X: Robust stamped steel bumpers with integrated recovery points and front winch. Heavy duty steel skid plates covering vital components 18-inch Salta wheels with unique exterior badging and interior cues To quote AEV CEO and Founder Dave Harriton: “The Sierra HD is an ideal foundation when it comes to on-road performance, off-road capability and insane pulling power, as with the Sierra 1500 before it, we took AEV’s signature performance-driven approach and dedication to detail to elevate the aspects that off-road customers want and demand in their heavy-duty truck. The result is an awesome truck with capability and confidence in all the right spots.” HD Power Train Choices Standard 6.6L gas engine Optional 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel 470 HP / 975 lb-ft of torque 10 speed transmission on either engine choice Trailering GMC ProGrade Trailering System includes a suite of intelligent assistance technologies that allow you to streamline the hitching and towing process with integrated tools that enhance safety and confidence. This includes industry-first Transparent Trailer View for Goosneck and Fifth wheel trailering, Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert and adaptive Cruise Control with Trailering. Interior Luxury and Comfort These new HD truck trims levels come with a 13.4-inch-diagonal infortainment touchscreen which is complemented by a 12.3-inch -diagonal configurable driver information center and a 15-inch heads-up display. Sierra HD AT4X offers luxurious premium interior materials with the Obsidian Rush Interior that features power massage front seats, full-grain premium leather and a Vanta Ash Wood Decor complimented by a 12-speaker Bose Premium Series Audio system. The AEV edition includes the AEV logo on the fonrt-seats and a unique AEV-floor liner. The 2024 GMC Sierra HD AT4X and AT4X AEV editions will be available at dealerships Fall of 2023. Pricing to be announced at the start of production. 2024 GMC Sierra AT4X & AT4X AEV Edition Specifications View full article

Running errands and clearly the Polestar road show this weekend that is here at the Bellevue Polestar dealership is busy as there seems to be plenty of them on the road driving around.

? Seems Consumer Reports believes the Kia EV6 is the most reliable EV dropping Tesla from the top spot. Most Reliable Electric Car Isn't a Tesla or Toyota, Says Consumer Reports (motorbiscuit.com) OUCH, seems more and more problems for Ford and I do not think 2 to 3 years will be allowed by consumers in waiting for Ford to figure out how to build better quality products. Ford's 10-Speed Transmission at the Center of Another Class-Action Lawsuit (msn.com) I agree with this persons review that the EV9 SUV will be a hit and help many to convert from ICE to EV. The Kia EV9 is set to change the game in electric cars | Digital Trends

Thank you Robert for sharing, that is too funny that the Fiber is now going in as you are leaving. Selling point to future owner. $79.99 is not bad, good price and way better than your old service cost. Good to see that in the future AT&T will have fiber in then you can hopefully have them battle for your service at a lower price. Interesting to compare rates across the country on pretty much the exact same service. Makes one wonder why the price difference when it is the same service pretty much.

WOW, every 6 to 8 months a gas station screws up and mixes the wrong fuels is just crazy. This just continues to re-enforce my feeling of moving to EVs where we do not have to deal with this on top of less maintenance. My SS 2008 Trailblazer has 200K miles and as such had to have a variety of issues repaired in cluding the 4 corvette cats and sadly GM does not make them, so went with 3rd party cats that were considered equals and I then had to replace the O2 sensors all 8 of them as they were not able to handle the free flowing cats that went in. Then at 200K miles, part of fixing the sensors going off was having to replace the fuel injectors. I had them cleaned at 100K miles, but the tips due to the heat were shot, so new injectors. I love my SS, but it is time for so many things to wear out and of course I have brakes coming up again. Escalade also just went through stuff as it approaches 200K. Had my rear bearings replaced when I did the brakes just before winter as they found one that was starting to fail, so replaced them both with new OEM bearings. Just had to have the heat shields welded back in place as they rusted loose. So while I am all ICE now, no auto payment, the repairs are getting expensive, but waiting for the EV trucks and full size SUVs to hit the market so I can buy. No more ICE for me. 800V modern EV for me.

Great to hear the painting is starting and that you got service for Internet so working from home is good. 1GB Service from Spectrum I have never heard of them. If you do not mind me asking how much is 1GB service there? Here I have Ziply, formerly Frontier, formerly Verizon Fiber service, so 1GB fiber service is $69.99 a month, plus taxes makes it $89 and change a month. Will never go back to Comcast aka ComBLASTIC and I love my choices of streaming services. I use Netflix, Vudu and then via my Verizon cell service I get Disney +, Hulu and ESPN. Never use the ESPN service but happy with the rest.

How is the painting going?

Australia seems to have the highest level of dangerous or deadly creatures. I had wanted to visit, but after having a coworker from there in Seattle and he said he had no desire to go back, I highly doubt I would ever visit. Then consider the toilets spin backwards due to being on the southern side of the equator.

Interesting, it seems Brazill GM is helping in development of all Ultium EVs so that they are global in nature and can contribute to what other needs might not be so obvious to US market only. GM Brazil Is Collaborating In Ultium EV Development (gmauthority.com) I honestly can see this bringing in a subcompact EV that is possible to be at $20K to $25K as a starting price.

@Robert Hall My post made me think of another question to you about your new home. Are you going to have them texture the walls first or do a texture paint to update the look and feel of the walls? Also, due to the age, have you thought of having them seal the inside first and then paint? I have always used KILZ Smoker sealer paint. On my house since it was so old, I used the oil based true fire sealer paint that is used on partial burnt homes before they repair the home as it truly seals the burnt smell of the home. With my daughters Amy's house, I used the KILZ Premium 3 paint which is a water clean up sealer base paint. Totally changed overnight the smell of the home to like new.

Seems Honda and Kia are upping their sales forecast for EVs. Honda And Kia Up EV Production Goals As Segment Growth Booms (insideevs.com)

I have used Sherwin-Williams before, and it is solid quality paint. There are a few stores around me, but they seem to be more catered to the paint companies and builders. Last time I did the bedrooms, the wife and I went in and we were pretty much blown off. As such, they lost our money and future money. I have to say that Behr Premium Plus is awesome paint on par dollar for dollar with Sherwin-Williams. When my daughter bought her first home 2yrs ago, I smoker sealed the whole inside to seal in any smells, mustiness, etc. Then used Behr Premium Plus on the whole inside. The daughter choose off white also for the whole place. Well-sealed and will last a long time, smells like new. She loves her home. So for me, getting 5 gallon buckets of Behr Premium Paint from Home Depot is how I roll on painting. Got my own splatter gun too that hooks up to my air compressor, so just buy the mud, add water to get it to the proper slurry consistency and then I re-textured the whole inside. Medium splatter and it looks modern even though it was built in 1962.

Happy National Prime Rib Day!

@caddycruiser GM has joined the larger group of Software auto group. GM Ramps Up Effort to Bring Customers Seamless Software Experiences Through Unified Automotive Standards General Motors announced today that it is joining the Eclipse Foundation, one of the world’s largest open source software foundations. It has also contributed “uProtocol” as a starting point for greater standardization, enabling increased software productivity across the automotive industry that can lead to easy-to-use, software-enabled customer experiences. This protocol aims to speed up software development by streamlining the creation of software that is distributed across multiple devices within vehicles as well as across the cloud and mobile.

Robert what colors are you going with on the inside? Whole house being repainted or just some rooms inside?