trinacriabob

Haha. As soon as I saw the front grille slats on the YouTube cover, I knew it was an 1984. I'm a little partial to the mid-'70s for sentimental value and, mostly, liked that GM cars then did not have CCC (Computer Command Control), so not much at all in the way of sensors and electronics to control the engine ignition system. The downsized intermediates were actually more attractive, especially with the 1981 reskinning! Their only down sides were that their widths did not allow for the really interesting sculpted dashboards of the mid-'70s and, for those who wanted them, (stock) engines with displacements of 350 c.i. and above. That said, the most comfortable car I've ever owned was also a 1984 (don't know if I'm repeating myself) Cutlass Supreme coupe. And really comfortable because it was the Brougham model. With a measly but reliable 3.8 liter (carbureted) V6, I referred to it as "The Little Cutlass that Could." Here's a scan of a photo taken of it in NorCal. I miss this car.

Too funny. I was not expecting this news. Thought that this graphic might only show Bill, which would have been "drier" in its humor.

Bingo. It all comes down to it being enclosed. Put me at the top of a skyscraper. As long as it has a railing or it's glassed in. I loved visiting the CN Tower in Toronto. I've been 3 times - first in 1996. Being over 100 stories above Toronto and the lakefront is remarkable. I'm easily up there for over 1 to 2 hours. I might agree with your parents if it's a real edgy and substandard road. My parents got wigged out by CA-1. Driving south on CA-1 - a good road - between Monterey and San Simeon is not the place a driver should get overly confident. (Unless it's a chase scene from "Basic Instinct" or something.)

Random thought: a blast from the past ... A Challenger seen in a parking lot in a small town in the hot and dusty Central Valley of California while on a late 2013 road trip from Portland to SoCal and back up.

Getting groceries this first weekend of May, I decided that the funkiness of this Oldsmobile grille might be suitable for a spotting post. Historically known for more elaborate grilles, this grille, with what look like two small semicircular air scoops, was featured on some full-size 88s (the jelly bean greenhouse ones, and this one had alloy wheels, too). This design vocabulary also found its way onto the grilles of an Olds Bravada or two. I always notice it because these vehicles aren't too common, and neither are Oldsmobiles that look like this.

I am happy to say that I've had both injections. As soon as it was announced that it would open up, I jumped on 2 retail pharmacy websites and, lo and behold, found an appointment just 2 days away at a location about 1:15 from me. I was ecstatic. I was given Pfizer. Surprisingly, those same retail pharmacies around me were giving Moderna, but this store was giving Pfizer. I was happy about getting Pfizer. Some friends have had some transient side effects from the Moderna. From what I've heard, Pfizer is the one mostly dispensed at hospitals while Moderna is more likely to be dispensed at retail pharmacies. The only side effect both times was a dull headache for about a day or so after the injections. Ibuprofen took care of that. It's very sad to me that this has become politicized. A friend of mine is trained as a nurse and she did not want it. This didn't surprise me because the mindset in her household is very Christian (not the more denominational kinds) and very Republican. The response to the vaccine seems to be "packaged" with predictable beliefs and attitudes that lend themselves to stereotyping, and the pollsters' numbers prove that. I'll STOP right there with the politics. With the amount of effort thrown at this, and with pharmaceutical horsepower so advanced compared to decades ago, I was waiting for this. I knew there are risks involved. And, if they detect some issues, they'll probably find new pills to fix the old problems and correct the vaccine formulation. If we need boosters, I'm ok with that, too. I see this as a money printing press for Big Pharma, but it is what it is. I can deal with having it rolled in with the flu shot ... or as two separate annual episodes. I will do what it takes to TRAVEL. That said: R-O-A-D T-R-I-P !!!

Mossimo is the dude walking behind Lori. It's a manipulation of his name, Massimo, which is Max or Maximillian. USC has really come up. They've always had good medical, dental, and pharmacy schools. They are the biggest archi school in L.A. proper. The law school might be slightly behind UCLA's, and ditto for the MBA program. However, if you plan to make your living in SoCal, a USC sheepskin gets the foot in the door, so the rankings become sort of moot. All of their academic departments are good. UCLA pulls slightly ahead of it because it probably conducts more/better research. In the past, having a 3.5 in high school (when the upper limit was 4.0), an 85th percentile SAT, and a pulse would get most people in. They might have even relaxed that a little bit if coming in from a high school that has prestige, that they like, or that they have a relationship of sorts with ... or, to be realistic about it, for affirmative action purposes. It's a good thing that they opened the new train line that connects the USC campus to either DTLA or the beach at Santa Monica. Their alumni network is definitely the best in Southern California. Mossimo himself went there but didn't finish. I think Mossimo's dad was a USC grad. I didn't give a rat's ass about these people and then, when this scandal broke, learning about them was "slightly" interesting.

Every Mexican and Mexican-American I've told this one to nods, smiles, and/or laughs, so it passes the "ok" test ... Q: Why were there only 500 Mexicans at the Alamo? A: They only took 7 cars.

I knew her name and face but never watched that show, either. I also did not know that Mossimo - her husband - was a person. I thought it was an arbitrary label for "way cool" surfer apparel. If your kids can't get into USC on their own merits, they're not the sharpest tools in the shed. It's a good enough school, but it has only become really competitive to get admitted within the last decade or so. I know a lot of people who went there - it would have been commutable for me at the time, but in a crappy neighborhood - who were/are far from brain trusts. As for "Full House," I have never watched it, either. My having a problem - yawning - with all these TV shows that seem to take place in one or two rooms seemed to coincide with losing interest in my TV.

I am in awe of the craftsmanship ... most types of craftsmanship. In February, I was able to go through the MFAH (Museum of Fine Art Houston) on cheapskate day and, in the first building, you see the paintings and portraiture that look real and that were painted by the famous artists of centuries ago ... as well as furniture from those periods. Then, you go into other buildings with more recent and modern art, and you see things that involve craftsmanship, humor, and even technical savvy, such as lighting shows. The MFAH is a stellar museum. - - - - - This photo is from one of the mansions you can tour in Galveston, about 45 miles southeast of Houston and on the Gulf. And every room in the mansion has this caliber of woodwork.

Man, I had gotten tired of seeing THIS particular photo. We were inundated with it. I guess I got tired of how "chipper" she tried to appear given what was going on. She stopped looking so chipper as time went on. I hope that she doesn't write a book to tell us what she learned from the experience ... you know, to make herself look humble and sh!+.

I agree with this. Like I said: Exterior: Thin whitewall tires "Spirograph" wheel covers (these probably "disappeared" quickly because they looked sharp for being wheel covers), or the stock up-level alloy wheels for this car Body side moldings Sport mirrors, dual body colored Optional: landau top Interior: New seat belts instead of the budget black ones that come with it Optional: the upgraded interior, such as a 60-40 seat, that would be stock for this car (or for the MC, and would fit) Mechanical: Nothing. These engines have a 7 main bearing crankshaft. They should be able to deliver 250,000 to 300,000 miles if meticulous about maintenance. And they're less complicated than a V8, or vee-design. Except for the tires, which one would replace when worn, and the optional items, these fixes would cost less than $ 500. I wouldn't pay the $ 9,000 they are/were asking, but somebody probably stepped up to the plate for it.

Excellent!

Standard: '75, '76 - 250 c.i. inline 6 '77 - 231 c.i. V6 (odd firing) '78 through '87+ '88 RWD models - 3.8 (231 c.i.) V6 (even firing) - - - - - Not surprised you don't like it! You weren't on board with my entertaining the purchase of a '77 colonnade I saw in the U.P. of MI that I posted pictures of.

I recall that you might have driven from MI to NJ with someone in their Cutlass that had a 250 c.i. inline 6. I didn't recall about someone you knew with a Malibu 250 c.i. 6, unless I got my facts crossed. The reason I get so wigged out by ones like these is because I would actually roll up my sleeves and do the work, and how inexpensive they theoretically would be to maintain, especially if someone lived in a temperate climate. Right, as to its being plain, but, just like above, adding a handful of those things to its plain exterior could help. As for the Caprice above, Chevy definitely did their own thing with the sheet metal, especially in that beltline at the passenger window and the creased back lite. Now, if we're talking Chevy, as I've mentioned before, I'd like a hobby '94 to '96 Caprice with one of the plush interior set-ups and the smaller 200 hp V8.

Meant to say "how long* this sled could last." As a hobby/second car, anyway. * not into low riders ... no thanks.

I stumbled onto this Curbside Classics vehicle. A very basic '77 Malibu Classic in impeccable condition. You scroll down and see a bullet proof inline 250 c.i. 6 and nothing much else except the automatic trans, power steering, and power brakes. So, no A/C, no electric accessories, but nothing to spruce it up. either. I think it could be much helped with (1) a set of thin whitewall tires, (2) some nicer wheel covers (like the "spirograph" ones of that era), and (3) 2 body colored exterior mirrors ... and (4) some blue seat belts. This is basic, reliable motoring at its best. I wouldn't mind having this. https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-for-sale/cc-for-sale-1977-chevrolet-malibu-classic-simply-good/ Pampered, it would be amazing how low this sled could last.

I "sort of" like it, but then I've got a weak spot for pop-up headlamps. You may be onto something. At first, I thought Pontiac, because it's more "out there" and the rear wheel skirts would be seen on so many of their standard sized cars going forward, even if sporty. But, with the way the front grille is treated, plus some "rocket-like" styling cues along the sides, it could be an Olds. I like it more than not ... for its day.

Sounds like this song was too much for one Florida woman ... https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/florida-woman-beats-roommate-over-repeatedly-playing-le-freak/ar-BB1ejuS0?ocid=msedgdhp The song:

This is what I'm talking about. For some people - stupid people - someone's being an entertainment figure automatically has pull. They think it gives them credibility and competence. It shouldn't be automatic. If you're going to be a key elected official, let's see that law degree, which is usually preceded by a degree in political science or economics. This is how people who want to make policy and who know they may shift from law to being public servants prepare themselves for that treadmill from their late teens. It's not a cut and dried rule, but it's a starting point in putting them under the microscope to see if you want them as your elected official. If they're douchebags, then they don't deserve your vote. It was somewhat hard (and unhealthy) to grow up in an area where "everyone wants to be a star!" That they now want to be our governors and presidents is even more difficult to accept.

WTF? Potentially governing a state with almost 40 million inhabitants, and where about 1 in 8 Americans live? Check this out

This goes right along with one of my favorite expressions: "Some people don't know how much they don't know."

All of them. Definitely love the Toro in the middle - trestle shifter and scrolling speedometer. Also, come to think of it, Olds did a nice job with the "split grille" treatment and slightly protruding front fender wraparound treatment on both the full size and that Cutlass. It rode a very short and shallow crest of popularity, most likely because opera windowed stuff sold like hotcakes. For a while, some people thought they were clever to have bought one. Beyond the Cordoba's few initial years, it really started to sputter when they began messing with new, overwrought grilles, different geometries in opera windows, and scabbing other Dodge/Plymouth nameplates onto this chassis and body style. It is downright hilarious that, in the commercial, it is referred to as a "small Chrysler."

I very much enjoyed the 4 years I spent living in this area. I never went up to, or near, Mt. Rainier. What free time I had, I tended to spend it up and down along Puget Sound, and going as far north as Vancouver, British Columbia (a 2 and a half hour drive), which is making me miss that taken for granted ability to cross over into Canada way too much these days.

Look at some of these moves and vibes that you just don't see any more. Things go better with Soul Train! A great chapter of Americana.