trinacriabob

backpack

I get a twinge of cognitive dissonance when I see a Pontiac GP, which uses the same platform as the car I ultimately bought. It has the same powertrain, too. This one is (light bulb goes on) Fusion Orange metallic, clearly an inaugural 2004 color that might have carried forward into 2005, because this unit, in sound shape and cruising effortlessly down the freeway, did not have a trunk lock cylinder. Also, one has to give Pontiac some credit for having the moxie to offer a polarizing and sportier color like this on the GP. Not so with other W-body GM vehicles of the same years. I don't know if I'd want to own a Fusion Orange metallic car, but I like(d) seeing these. This was on the 4th of July ... or the next day. Will never forget Pontiac! Have loved them for as long as I can remember.

Got it. I remember you saying that before. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene. I like most things with tomatoes but, like your pizzas, I may like pesto even more. I also have a "no way" list: anything spicy, eggplant, pecan pie, curry, and some types of shellfish are on that list. As for the ice cream with turkey in it, I haven't used the coupon yet (this weekend) and I've never had ice cream with tryptophan in it, so I'll let you know!

Most likely without a refresh, I'm thinking. - - - - - Back to food. Great salad dressing: Great ice cream:

Sun dried tomato vinaigrette salad dressing is one of the finest supermarket items I've habitually purchased. I used to routinely buy the Wishbone brand years ago. More recently, Kraft and Ken's made it. And I would buy it. Now, its availability has just STOPPED. Cue Eddie Murphy saying, "It just stopped, man!" I'm hoping this is temporary. It's ridiculous. Consumers are clamoring for it. Instead, they offer all these other creative but "stupid" salad dressing flavors. On a more positive note, Turkey Hill ice cream and dairy in headquartered in none other than ocnblu's Lancaster, PA region. "Interesting" name. Great stuff. And I've got a good coupon burning a hole in my pocket.

Maybe the next Malibu refresh will bring about some needed improvements and more options ... engines, trims, etc.

But that means the Spark continues. They need one econobox in the line-up. I didn't realize Sonic final assembly was in the U.S.. I'm almost sure Spark is foreign (Mexico, perhaps). Other weird "Seattle news" ... Why is Mary Kay Letorneau showing up on my homepage? It's because she just passed away from cancer. I remember when this saga was current and considered fairly scandalous. She was a peaches and cream Orange County (CA) girl who goes off to Arizona State Univ. for college and ended up in the PNW as a schoolteacher and was married with 4 kids. But none of that is what made her a household word.

Damn, why couldn't I get this one? Answer: hen - - - - - Moving right along: Gatorade * * invented at or by people associated with the University of Florida

Not embarrassed at all. Most people like to talk about their cars. It could have been like talking about your horse in the Wild West days.

diet

This thing is a real production vehicle? Those front headlights are goofy, but it manages to look like a sinister, testosterone charged, and updated version of the Wally World wagon. Could it be that it's also green? Not sure.

I knew there was a swap with Jeep. I didn't know the year it went over. So, for 5 years, the engine appeared to have been a shelved blueprint and production item. Never did figure out why they didn't get to "even firing" right away since they had to put electronic ignition, a catalytic converter, and all that behind the engine.

It talks about its awakening in 1975 (M.Y., anyway) from its slumber (temporary departure) back in 1962. It's a good read and talks about key milestones, including the 1995 intake manifold which usually lasted about 60,000 miles (according to the article) and how the engine could go the long haul if the intake manifold was changed to the after-market reconfigured one to eliminate coolant seepage into places it shouldn't have been going. (Lots of Series II 3800s around and lots of ~'98 Intrigues/Regals/Grand Prixs cruising effortlessly on the freeway, which tells me they probably have the newer manifolds.) Article written in April 2008 about the respected 3800 V6 engine which would be with us about one more year

It is indeed. Not a svelte looking car by any stretch of the imagination. - - - - - As for the sighting on Sunday described above, the guy was obviously surprised that someone was able to figure out he had crank windows by his trim level and basic hubcaps. The post seemed very clear to me. Of course, @ocnblu needs to add the typical "confused" reaction to ensure the post(er) looks stupid and which seemingly doesn't fetch any points. Time to grow up. God, where would be without points?

statin

Saw this tonight. Nice color. The lady left the top down and went into the store. It's a nicer area, so she figured it would be o.k. Anyone who owns a Cascada should hang onto it for a long time. Especially one like this.

provincial (note that there is both a neutral and negative definition for this word)

That opera window on that 1973/4 Olds is a real miss. It looks like it belongs on an AMC Hornet. The way that Gran Am was photographed looks svelte. The strong taper doesn't look good on more "conservative" trims of LeMans of the same years. I'm certainly not complaining about the concept, overall look, front grille, seating, and cool dashboard of that Grand Am you've posted.

Sharks (sorry ... that's why it doesn't interest me)

I surprisingly liked the Focus. Much more so as a sedan than a hatchback. I like the regular trunk for 2 suitcases and that's about it. If I've rented a car in the compact category, I've asked for them. And then crossed my fingers that I didn't get a unit with the transmission shudder found in some models/years.

It's the Fourth of July. I'm in another major city, in its suburbs. I'm stopped at a light. Next to me is a late model 4 door Chevy Sonic. The light bulb goes on when I see its plain Jane wheel covers. I put my window down and motion over to the driver. "Hey, your car has crank windows, right?" "Yeah, it does!" (sort of surprised and amused) Both of us drive off, chuckling, when the light turns green. All in good fun.

jet skiing * * looks like a blast; would like to try it someday

Yes, not exactly how I thought it would drive and ride, meaning more like the bigger Focus. The price points aren't even that different.

Based on a quick glance at the phone, I thought it was the iconic Cathedral of Learning. Evidently, it isn't. Even if Molson wasn't in the photo, that's unmistakably the Pont Jacques-Cartier and Ile Ste.-Helene, two great things about Montreal. The fireworks look like they're going off from La Ronde. Thank you, merci, efharisto, and belated Happy Canada Day to you, frogger, and other C&G members from Canada.

Happy Fourth of July, C&G folks ... wherever you may be ... And, last but not least, C&G's headquarters: Have a great holiday weekend!