Robert Hall

I had heard about the backlog... quite different than it was a few years ago... IIRC, I got my renewal in about 4 weeks, maybe less in the spring of '04...

The BBC World Today news podcast.

The insurance biz is an interesting animal... I worked for almost 5 years in a software company that built policy and claims management systems, primarily for state worker's compensation funds (which are primarily monopolies) and a little bit in the auto insurance space. It's a strange, complex business domain with mucho regulations and rules...

It's a good way of thinking of it...Saturn has moved up into Olds territory. I could definitely see the Aura with an Intrigue badge. It's too bad they didn't keep the last Aurora and rebadge it as a Saturn Aurora..the name Aurora would fit well with Astra and Aura, maybe it can be used for a Zeta-based Saturn.

Nope, I haven't received his premiums...he's probably unaware of it also. Maybe I should change my first name to one of my middle names...my first name+last name is just too common.

I've had my PS2 for over 6 years now, still works ok (I don't use it much). If I got another console, I'd probably get a Wii.

Very slick..I like the fastback roofline.

Pretty cool presentation... and so far, Boeing seems to be a pretty good company to work at (I've been working the last 4 weeks on a contract at a Boeing subsidiary).

Over the weekend, I logged into my State Farm account to pay my homeowners insurance...I saw the listing of my policies--my home owners insurance, 4 car policies..then I realized one of the car policies was for a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe...which I don't own. Clicked on the details, and it's a policy for a guy in another town 50 miles away with the same first and last name, different middle initial. What a screwup. Called up my agent this morning, they were unaware of it but said they'd fix it.. I spent almost the last 5 years building insurance claims and policy software, so I'm amazed at how something like this could happen (if State Farm's data model is anything like what I worked with, people should not be linked to policies by name but by a unique identifier).

True enough, but regardless of generation, once you go Toyota or Honda, you don't go back (at least that's my real world observation of serial T/H owners).

Interesting...now what I'm waiting for are public toilets with individual sound-deadened fully enclosed stalls...nothing more irriating than trying to download in a noisy environment.

Interesting mix of the ancient and modern...I've been to Stonehenge, the Roman Colloseum, the Acropolis, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty (and to the top of the World Trade Center and Empire State Building). I definitely want to visit the other sites eventually, esp. Sydney Opera House, Petra, the Alhambra. Speaking of soccer stadiums, here's my local one, went there for the 4th--- known as 'The Big Dick'. Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Whatever...I like the new Challenger design, it's a modern yet retro interpretation of my favorite design from my birth year (1970)...like the current Mustang and upcoming Camaro, it's satisfyingly retromodern, IMHO.

I'm lucky, I guess...never broken a bone, though I've had some major sprains (ankles) and nasty bruises (elbows, knees). I've never been naturally balanced or agile (I can't skate, can barely ski and snowboard, am decent on a bicycle, am dangerous on cobblestone or brick streets) and am not exactly light on my feet (6'0", 225lbs).

I'd like to drive a Euro Focus RS (ST?). They are supposed to be a blast...

Yet another compact crossover/SUV/whatever. Boring.

That would be one badass commuter car..but I don't think it fit in the drive thru at Starbucks...

I would presume it's going to be new, since the current generation has been around 6 model years with one mild facelift...

Chrysler does build their own stuff profitably.. minivans, Rams, etc. The margins on cheap tiny cars are so small that they likely can't do it profitably (a 10k car costs as much to develop as a 30k car).

This is a subcompact..Chrysler already builds a compact--the Calibre. The reason they are outsourcing it that probably there is no way that Chrysler could profitably engineer, design and build a $10k car themselves, let alone build it the US...just like Wal-Mart, import the cheap crap from China.

I think there is room for a Mustang in the $15k gap between the GT and the Shelby...maybe a 350 or 400 hp Mach 1.

Or a Prius Type-R..

What a cool ad...first time I'd seen it. My favorite Audi ad is probably the great one in the '80s, where the 5000 parks between a BMW and an MB.. (after spinning around and sliding between them).

Sounds fun.. I did my island trip in April (a week in Hawaii).. I'll probably take a week around Labour Day and go to Nor Cal, visit friends in Oakland and San Jose and head up to Sonoma & Napa..

Well, it's passing on the first name and middle name(s) usually.. my brother is a Junior.. my middle names are other family names.