iamsuperdan

Today I'm pleased that my instincts are correct. The weather channels have been predicting snow for the past week. "Watch out, it's going to snow later today" Yeah, well hearing that evewry day for the past week or so, and not seeing anything. Well yesterday, I got this feeling, so had our promo/events truck put in our shop and it underwent the winter mode transformation. And sure enough, last night, we got our first blast of winter. It started raining while the kiddies were trick or treating, and then we wake up this morning to wind and an inch or two of snow. And my drive was just fine, because winter tires are awesome. Ugly, but awesome. This pic was taked yesterday afternoon, before the weather turned.

Well, although I'm one of those oddballs who likes winter, and loves the snow, we got our first blast of winter over the past 24 hours. And although my garage is insulated, it's not heated, so painting models is going to be a challenge for a while. So for the next few months, every time we go see my parents, I need to bring a car body or two and use my dad's spray booth.

Unfortunately no. The one time the post office guy doesn't process something with a tracking number this happens. And I ALWAYS get tracking numbers. I think pretty muich everyone here I ever traded with gets a tracking number. This time, it was missed, and of course... Anyway, I'll give it to the end of the week, and then plan B goes in to effect.

Bob (Dragline) appears to have had a delivery issue. There may have been some mail theft involved. Hoping it shows up this week, and is just on a really slow mail truck.

Holy heII that is awesome!

Excellent work! I dig the laptop details.

Very cool!

For funsies, here's my halloween costume from a couple of years ago. I grabbed a van here at work, and decked it out. Then slow cruised our parking lot, beckoning to the girls in our rental department.

Went to a train swap meet on the weekend with my dad. Found a couple of kits. I like dealing with train guys, because they don't give a hoot about models, so want to be rid of them. These were both factory sealed, and cost me $15.

I'm curious about the Van. Have you got some pics of that one?

For those who dig it, here's a decent 14 minute doc. Perfect to watch while on coffee break or while eating lunch.

Very impressed. That weathering looks perfect.

The kit from Dragline just arrived here at work. Got back from lunch, box on my desk. Yay! The first indication that something interesting was about to happen was from the shape of the box. This was NOT a box for a Revell, AMT, Monogram, or any other domestic kit. And upon opening and review, I have this to say: If the goal was to have us step out of our comfort zones...Bob, you have 100% succeeded! And I am looking forward to this challenge! This is not something I would ever have thought to build, so with zero preconceived notions about what this is supposed to be, consider this project underway!

I'll be honest...I thought he died years ago. I don't think his playing gets the credit it deserves. Wrote some great tunes, but his piano skills were even better.

Wow. Your attention to detail is fantastic! Should take some pics outside, won't be able to tell it from the real thing!

Actually, if you look at past Mazda concepts, and the current line of cars, this isn't too far out of line. Could easily be foretelling the next Mazda 6. Or maybe they'll bring back the 929, calling it Mazda 9 of course. Mazda doesn't do high end, so I think this would remain affordable for most.

This woody gives me one. Want.

This monring I got to the bottom of the delays on my new truck. The storms and subsequent flooding in Texas washed out some of the rail lines, so the trains delivering trucks from Mexico literally had nowhere to go. As of yesterday, my truck is officially in Texas and now has an ETA of Nov 16. So it's a month or so late, but it is coming.

Yup, very Aston-ish. But that's not a bad thing.

Interesting design idea, excellent craftsmanship, ugly esthetics.

I normally don't like these insanely built "tv" cars, I love the stuff that comes out of the Kindig It shop. Will have to look for this.

Compared to some of the cars coming out of Toyota and Nissan, the simplicity of this design is refreshing! If they do a production car that looks anything close to this, I'd consider it. And having owned two Mazdas in the past, with a total of 6 in the family over the past 20 years, I'm familiar enough with the quality to consider it even more. I'm guessing there's some sort of hybrid powertrain in there?

lolz

Hey Tom, what parts specifically are you looking for? The one good hobby store left here in Edmonton has a pretty big train section, I do need to head out there this weekend. I'd have a poke around, see if I can find what you need.

A few thoughts about technology that I know several people will disagree. No point in arguing it, as I have experienced everything I'm about to ramble on about. I don't fear technology, and I don't fear change. In my experience, these new transmissions, despite being far more complex, are actually quite a lot more reliable. Computer modelling, virtual testing, and a lot more road testing prior to launch have resulted in better product. I've been in the auto industry since 1991 and have seen the good and the bad over the years. Personally, when a manufactuer can build an 8-speed transmission that reliably handles the demands of 285hp minivans, 395hp trucks, and cars with over 800hp, all with just some tweaks to gear ratio and programming, I think that says something. And it wasn't that long ago that domestic manufacturers were building 4-speed auto transmissions that blew up at 150hp. And 4-cylinder engines that couldn't handle highway speeds. I know from experiencing these newfangled 8, 9, and 10-speed transmissions, that you need not fear them. We've been running the 8-speed FCA and GM vehicles, and the 9-speed Jeeps in our fleet for the last two or three years, with zero issues. Our total fleet is approx 10,000 vehicles. In my division, we have about 2,000 vehicles, and I've had exactly one transmission issue...on a 2015 F350 running the old Ford 6-speed auto transmission that's been around for years. In fact, the only modern vehicles with issues for us are Ford trucks, 2015 and newer. We've had multiple EcoBoost turbo failures, doors not working properly (recall just announced), rear end failures, electronic issues aplenty. Not to mention that it's over $500CDN to repair a door ding on an aluminum door panel. Guess what brand I don't recommend to clients! And their new 10-speed scares me. We have a bunch in the fleet now, and I'm feeling anxious about them. With a lot of these new transmissions, they have a sport mode, which does more than just hold the shifts longer. In the Grand Cherokee, Charger/Challenger for example, it changes the shift patterns, changes throttle response, and when you use the paddle shifters, it allows you to downshift exactly where you would with a manual tranmission. it's almost, dare I say it, fun. And there's the problem with the new cars. As much as I like the new product, the manufacturers are losing sight of the fun factor. There is something immensely satisfying about a car with a manual transmission, and few/no babysitting controls, and an empty road. Ferrari and Lamborghini haven't built a manual transmission in a decade. Porsche have switched to their PDK in their highest performing cars. Same for BMW. The Bugatti and Aston Martins are all autos with manual modes. Mercedes haven't had a manual for sale in North America since the original SLK, and good luck finding one of those. And these cars are all great, and fast, and reliable, and all that. But they're not as satisfying to drive. I know the auto is faster, and that the computer can shift faster than a human, and measure all the car's telemetry and downshift exactly where needed. But working the left pedal and rowing the gears is just more fun. I would gladly drive a slower car just to get that feeling. And personally, I want quite a few of the high tech "fancy" features. Despite the cost, I want LED headlights. Heated seats & steering wheel? A must have. Upgraded stereo, with bluetooth streaming? another must have. A vehicle without AC? Yeah, that's called a bicycle. Rear park sensors and backup cameras? In my truck when hooking up a trailer? Oh yeah, need that. As for our own garage? Yes, I drive new trucks. Always current model year, and change them like underwear, but I consider that job research and I never lose money, so it's all good. Wifey drives a 2006 Volvo XC90 with 220,000km, loaded for the time, but nowhere near the equipment levels of new vehicles. As for toys, over the past few years, they've ranged from mid-80s VWs to a mid-90s VW and Camaro to a new Challenger 392. And every one has been a blast to drive, and none has been fully loaded. Anyway, my two cents.