trinacriabob

Well, your observations are mostly accurate. They involved some profiling and I think that, if street smart and with some of life's mileage, profiling often works. And, if it works, don't fix it! I'm not much a TV watcher, so I didn't know who they were, either. But I kept seeing them on my homepage from time to time, so I clicked on the link. They are Joe and Teresa Giudice of ... yes ... New Jersey. She was in the show "Real Housewives of New Jersey," which sounds like having one's teeth pulled to have to watch. Amazingly, these two remained married for a long time for being associated with the entertainment world and had 4 daughters. As for Joe, he got nailed for tax evasion or wire fraud or something like that (I don't remember) and was deported to Italy. That is where he now lives. I find it insulting how American media bastardizes the pronunciation of their last name, which, in Italian, means "judge." (We can't do that with Hispanic names in America.) This is what they looked like when they were young, taken on a beach somewhere, probably on the Jersey Shore. She's probably the most stereotypically Italian woman I've ever seen ... even after just getting back from Toronto! Like I said, it would be "never a dull moment" with folks like these on one's block.

Good morning ... Now that I have your attention, Happy New Year! * For the world, more peace ... a LOT more peace. For everyone else here, whatever makes you and yours happy and that you all stay healthy. Cheers! * when I first saw their photos, I didn't know who they were because I don't watch much TV. Now, had they not been celebs and just regular people, these are the kinds of folks you'd want as neighbors, largely for their comic value.

PHOTO GALLERY Exterior Side view of the latest Hyundai Elantra Angled front view of the Elantra, showing the new blacked-out latticework in the grille This new gray color is sort of interesting, but I don't care for the blacked out alloy wheels, though the design itself is appealing This is the side sculpting and character lines found in the latest model This is the blacked-out applique in the rear pillar or sail panel that hinders visibility to a slight degree and, once closer to it, the little horizontal lines look sophomoric Interior This is the sweep of the dash and the front seating area in the cabin; the continuation of the horizontal band that has the air conditioning vents is somewhat attractive I'm not a fan of that diagonal grab bar. It would make it difficult to climb over to the other side. I've had to do that a time or two in my current GM sedan, but my console surface is quite a bit lower I do not care for this IP cluster that looks more suited to an economy car ... note that the temperature gauge at the left is confusing in that it uses bars, but I do like the digital readout of the speed, as well as odometer, trip odometer, and outside temperature in the same area. I have a mixed opinion of this infotainment center. Being able to put your hand behind it makes it feel cheap and that same feeling applies to the left extension (with nothing in it) at the left side of the center IP cluster The climate control center is fairly easy to use, as are the attachment areas beneath it Just a dumb joke here: if you have the heated seats only turned up halfway, would that imply that you're "half-assed?" The trunk is fairly tall; however, note that there is no split folding rear seat, as many cars of this genre tend to have ... perhaps it was the trim level of this particular Elantra that dictated that The trunk is also deep and they did a good job with utilizing space within this mid-size car's silhouette Mechanical In the engine bay, it seems that most things are accessible, thus easy for the owner to check fluids or change a few items ... or for a mechanic to do so. That battery will also be easy to change. (Take care of it and it will take care of you.) Thankfully, this is a 2.0 liter DOHC 4 cylinder engine ... a displacement that has been around for decades across so many brands, which works out to about 120 cubic inches in "old school" talk. Take note that no turbocharger is used. However, rather than have a geared automatic transmission like the outgoing model, the "Smartstream" inscription on the engine cover is Hyundai's branding for their CVT, and this vehicle had a CVT. It looks like you could replace an air filter and access the throttle body somewhat easily This is a side/longitudinal view of the engine compartment showing the accessory drive belt and an easily serviceable alternator - - - - - End of photos

Sometimes I don't get upgraded, but most of the time I seem to. It's not because I push for it. It's that the rental agencies don't have much inventory so I'm given a nicer car to putt around in. This latest time, I had rented a compact. The only thing I asked for was a vehicle with a trunk ... or, if was going to be a SUV/CUV, that it had the retractable storage area cover. The rental agent was one of the most relaxed people I've ever come across in this line of work. He told me that, with the way the market is going and with the current state of supply and demand, one should opt for a standard car (one notch below full-size) while setting up the rental if a person wants a car that will have a trunk. He had no problem with giving me the upgrade. I was put into a Hyundai Elantra, of which I'd seen the latest rendition on the road. I reviewed the last generation Elantra here a few years back. This car made for reliable and pleasant enough transportation for a week or so. I gave it back after having put some 650 to 700 miles on it. That's not that obnoxious for a week. But it's more than enough to tell you if you'd want to live with a car on "the regular" or not. PROS: - powertrain that is supposedly reliable and comes with a generous and lengthy warranty - nimbler handling on 2 lane roads, at low speeds, and in parking lots than the previous generation model - excellent fuel economy: mixed, with mostly highway, coming it at about 36.5 mpg - enough power for everyday driving and to merge onto controlled access highways - ergonomically acceptable front bucket seats where the side bolstering is neither too aggressive nor too flat; fairly good for a person of average height and proportions - plentiful rear leg room and trunk space for its size; space is utilized well - freshened up blacked-out front grille (also see cons) is more interesting than that of the previous generation model - remote fuel filler door release (something I really appreciate having because I have always bought after-market locking fuel caps for my cars) - fairly good sense of what the tires are doing at all times - sensibly laid out and accessible engine compartment CONS: - CVT's "launch gear" is not convincing; whether you feel a shift from the fictitious 1st to 2nd is, well, variable ... and, if merging or passing, the CVT spools the engine upward in rpms, causes it to hum fairly loudly, and then settles it down into lower rpms - freeway driving isn't as nimble as at lower speeds and the vehicle provides a smooth enough ride, but more tire thum than the likes of a Toyota Camry, or similar, continues - spartan fit and finish, including the quality of the upholstery, but the stitching patterns in the seats create some interest - not especially pleasant red and white instrument cluster with a confusing combination of analog gauges and bar gauges; it took me a while to figure out that the temperature gauge consisted of a gauge with bars - steering wheel controls are a little fussy and the logic always seems to differ between automakers - Bluetooth seems to keep asking you to keep setting it up "further" - maybe it's me, but I don't recall these sorts of message from other vehicle brands I've rented - once up close, black lattice work in front grille looks cheap (also see pros) - thankfully not a jelly bean shape like the recently refreshed Hyundai Sonata, but the sharp creases look a little forced; the front fascia, together with the headlamps, is not that attractive, while the rear fascia is more so - The blacked-out plastic applique in what could have been yet another window toward the C-pillar and sail panel cuts down rear visibility, but, compared to most vehicles today, it's still fairly acceptable - the "Corvette like" diagonal "handle" at the right side of the console and separating it from the front passenger's footwell is more suited to a sports car than to a car in this category - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING

Here we see Laura Branigan peforming in Chile in 1988 and singing Alphaville's "Forever Young" (1984) to a live audience. She seemed like a neat lady. And the Chilean audience can teach SOME Americans a thing or two about class, which makes sense because Chile is often considered the most progressive country in Latin America, with Argentina and Uruguay also in the running.

PNW weather has been very weird this year. It has been even worse in Whatcom County, right next to Canada, than it might have been in King County (Seattle), which is NO picnic. Every once in a while, there's a winter with no snow in either Seattle or Portland. Then, there are Decembers in which it snows. It's usually never that prolonged, but, in 1916, a winter snowfall took down the dome on St. James Cathedral downtown and they put the church back together ... without the dome. I remember going to Northgate Mall with a friend to see "Godfather 3" when that was new. It was drizzling when we went in. It was snowing steadily when we exited. My dad's RWD car couldn't even get out of the mall parking lot. Also, @David, every time you post a neighborhood photo with that baby blue house, I get heartburn. I guess your subdivision doesn't have CC&Rs. Yikes.

On this wintry day, on which a white Christmas has been delivered to many, "Merry Christmas." If you don't celebrate it as such, "Happy holidays." And, to @oldshurst442: "Kala Christougenna," "Joyeux Noel," and "Merry Christmas."

@oldshurst442 I believe Opel has just been spun off over there. I don't know if they coexist with other brands the way VW does with SEAT and Skoda. I haven't conversed with anyone over there to gauge their perceptions of Opel and the Mokka. As soon as I saw one, I wanted to know what it was, what they called it, and what the transmission was. Obviously, it was a stick. A lady in a Volvo dealership in Northern Italy that was near my hotel several years ago told me that people are really liking automatic transmissions. These were nicer Volvo products, though. What's not to like? Especially if driving in crazy, urban Italian traffic. - - - - - In which part of Montreal was your cousin's Acura stolen? Did they recover it? The last time I rented there, the guy at the counter was really cool (as most Montrealers are to me) and said that the most stolen car is the Honda CRV and that a fair number of thefts occur in Montreal-Nord and also, surprisingly, from driveways in suburban places like Ahuntsic, Laval, etc. I don't think I'd ever drive a Honda CRV. Not my thing. As for the most stolen cars in Italy, they are far and away the Fiat Punto, Fiat 500, and Fiat Panda. The Opel Corsa makes the top 10 list, but it's toward the bottom of it. Most of the car thefts occur in Puglia (Apulia) where it's mind boggling that 3 cities are named, around Naples, around Rome, and in Sicily. In the North, it's mostly around Milan, with other northern areas having much less of a problem. (Then you wonder why there are stereotypes and northern Italians have not historically cared much for southern Italians ... sometimes, just looking at hard statistical data speaks volumes.) If you think about it, Puglia (the heel of the boot) puts the perpetrators near water transport so the stripped parts can then make their way to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. - - - - - How do you say Merry Christmas in Greek? In the meantime, I'll wish you "Buon Natale."

Interesting but not surprised that the Encore is going. It's not really Buick enough and never was. You see them in Europe where, in some countries, they are the Opel Mokka. They run with an even smaller engine over there. I developed a weak spot for the Chevy Spark based on rentals. They were cute little turds. They were cheap to rent, cheap to refuel, and a go-kart to scoot around in (with not much of a trunk for luggage). I hate to see the VW Passat go. I had come to like them and it was constantly evolving into a more dignified model. I believe they are retaining the more expensive (but not a good value) VW Arteon, but I'd have to recheck that.

Today's list shows that it's Surreal's b-day - @surreal1272 - and many more.

This was sort of funny and sort of deja vu. I had posted this song not long ago. On the curved beachside promenade on Playa de las Canteras in Las Palmas, Spain was that gentleman (on the left) performing. It was only instrumental, but it was clearly Albert Hammond's biggest hit "It Never Rains in Southern California" ... very appropriate song for this sun drenched region of Spain, where it was in the low to mid 70s (F) daily in early December.

Thank you. Even though I hate the part of the year when the days are short.

My retroactive and last November car spotting entry, taken sometime after Thanksgiving and someplace pretty damn far away. There were snow showers, but no steady snowfall to speak of.

With regard to YouTube 1, there was a whole slew of Buick commercials done with the same kind of lighting and similar jingle. That first pan over it was flattering to the car. Again, this gen of Riviera was a great car, but not every angle on it was flattering. With regard to YouTube 2, that is a great looking interior ... when car interiors were more about relaxing long-range driving than trying to get us to be astronauts. (That is, if a person only has 1 or 2 cars in the driveway that are daily driver type cars.) Kudos to the rear seat design as well, and that armrest. Also, the rear backlite looks great from the interior. It probably helps to have one like that to work around that thick rear pillar. It's funny when he cranks it over, how the (3800) GM V6 can sound a little "farty" compared to a GM small block V8, but they have proven to be just as reliable over the long haul. That's a nice looking one and the price isn't that bad for a Series I 3800 V6 (a successful rendition of it), providing it has been kept up and the body is tight (upon further inspection). @NINETY EIGHT REGENCY Yes, if you open yourself up to a bucket seat model, that will give you a lot more leeway and increase your chances of snagging one. Take your time. You might save even more coin in the interim with one car. Of all the colors you mentioned in another post, the light driftwood metallic with the similar color interior would be my first choice. With the finned alloys, it looks great on the car. As for that yellow, I thought it was a weird color and more suited to a 1977 Coupe de Ville with wheel covers ... just my 2 cents.

Love me some travel. Right after Thanksgiving, I bolted across the pond, more so to Iberia for some nicer weather, and stayed about two weeks, flying home the day after my birthday so I could be home for the holidays. It was a paid One World (American and its allied airlines) ticket and it wasn't all that pricey in the economy cabin for an "open jaw" trip. I went outbound on American's partner Finnair, laying over in Helsinki, to get down to Portugal. Helsinki isn't all that far from the Russian border and is an incredibly clean, high functioning, and slightly expensive city. This is the ubiquitous Airbus A330 and I've got a few seats on this one I like. Finnair appears to be slotting in Airbus A350s to replace them, but I prefer 2-4-2 seating to 3-4-3. I returned on British Airways and, again, had to have the treat of flying on the Airbus A380. It's now not that hard to do because they're using them to/from London into at least 4 U.S. gateway cities that are big American Airlines hubs. That would be the ride across the pond to Chicago O'Hare for the next plane connection. There's another A380 parked behind it and I didn't look to see where it was headed. To the right of me would have been the MIA and DFW bound superjumbos. This one going to MIA had just pushed back and was getting ready to proceed to the taxiways and runway. Pushing back and sitting upstairs way in the back, I could see that other two-level beast that was parked at the gate to the right. I'll find a few more photos to put up in the Airplanes thread.

Good morning ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Kari

This is downright frightening ... so much so that I had blocked these from my memory.

The World Cup final game for the championship is on, with Argentina and France.* (Edit: they appear to be tied at this point.) I have no loyalties here. I like both countries. It's being played in Qatar. That sure brought on a lot of administrative and political baggage. * I did watch France beat England from a hotel bar across the pond and a local there, who was intoxicated and for whom every 4th word was the F-word, didn't know when to shut up and had to have the police called on him, who hauled him away in their paddy wagon. This hotel belonged to a somewhat nicer chain, so not a folksy kind of place. It's the first time I've seen someone actually being hauled off for this kind of behavior. One of my favorite cities in the world. There are no words. And I'm almost envious that you live there. I'm kidding. I'm actually happy for you.

I had never seen one before until I took this photo. I love those plates. Another RWD car from the Northwest Territories ... taken down to Denver. Interesting. What's interesting is how there's a link (possibly energy sector driven) between places like Denver and Alberta (Calgary) and Saskatchewan. As for Denver, I remember when it was way less expensive. And when I took a cool little Buick Century 3300 rental that ran very quietly and thriftily from Denver Airport to Boulder to Estes Park and over some high mountain road that took me to Idaho Springs from where I got onto I-70 back down to the city. That whole circle trip that day was sublime. No mountain lion or bear sightings or encounters, either.

Stunning photo. It has the SkyTeam badge up front, but it's hard to figure out which airline in the alliance is the operator.

@riviera74 Yet another birthday per the C&G list. Enjoy!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. @David Per today's birthday list, happy birthday! Did you arrive to this world on Thanksgiving Day proper? Enjoy your day. I am sure good food will be involved.

Yesterday, a '91 or '92 Buick Riviera coupe was coming the other way. With my window down, the exhaust growl was acceptable, but not as quiet as it could have been. It was triple black - black exterior, padded black landau, and a black leather interior. This car has always been a little tricky with the vantage points. It looks better in angled views. From the front, the grille looks too short in the vertical sense. From the back, it's another story. As I pulled away and looked in the rearview mirror, the padded landau overpowered and the taillamps looked small and not that interesting. From an angled view, and without the landau, the rear taillamps combined with the formal back lite look great. No landau roof for this gen of Riviera. In short, the Olds Toronado fraternal twin of the same years looks better from all vantage points.

It will be interesting to see what else you will find with this new up-line model. It's definitely true to the Buick vocabulary but also trying some new things (the diamond pane seating pattern). Also, many car's tan offerings for interiors aren't even tan, but off-white. This is both in domestic cars and in foreign ones, such as VW products. That big touch screen to the right of the IP is a little overpowering. I have seen it in showrooms. A grainy engine at this price point is a no go. And, I agree with you, if these pick up any steam, some should be built in North America. And, I'm including Oshawa ON, since it has historically been a very good plant.

Backtracking to October A Charger exactly the way I would have ordered one, based on the exterior, if in the market. It's the $30K base model (no spoiler). Adieu, Dodge Charger as we know it and which has aged like a fine wine. I don't see many of these post-Dust Buster minivans anymore. This is a Chevy Uplander, which might have been named a Chevy Venture. These ran with Chevy built 3400 V6s, which held up well in Impalas and Monte Carlos. I would have probably liked the BOP equivalents (Terraza, Silhouette, and Trans Sport) a little more for their slightly better styling and how they're trimmed out. Here's a Maserati coupe, but don't know which model it is. Lastly, here is something I've never seen before. This Mustang has a license plate from Canada's Northwest Territories. It says "Spectacular Northwest Territories" and the plate is shaped like a polar bear! What? A RWD car in the Northwest Territories?