Christmas Gift

Christmas in November? Why not. I've been thinking of buying a new TV
for a while now and last week I finally took the plunge. I was looking
around the local shops here, but I eventually ordered it from Amazon.
Usually, I don't like getting these big items through an internet store, but
the price advantage sealed the deal. And, as usual, Amazon delivered.
I ordered the TV on Sunday night and on Wednesday I got an email that the
TV was ready to be delivered. I made an appointment for the next day and
they showed up on time without hassle. So, I am now the proud owner of
a 40' LCD TV. The picture looks great, if you put HD in the mix it is awesome.
Since I have HD channels through my cable it makes for nice viewing. :)
Today, I also bought a new TV stand to round up the early Christmas present.
It took me a while to put everything together, but it all works and looks great.

Rant of the week:
Lately, I noticed a couple really annoying ads featuring German stereotypes.
First, the stupid IHOP commercial showing some 'typical' German, with
leather pants and a tube saying 'Streusel'. Jee, if you show a guy with
a fake German outfit and a fake German accent, at least let him
pronounce the word "Streusel"right. And then, these bad VW commercials
with the beetle talking and Broke Shields saying that people get
babies to buy the precious VW minivan. First of
all, the minivan is basically a Chrysler Town&Country and the
talking beetle is terrible. What ever happened to ads where you make
fun of Germans in a clever way.
This just makes me sad. I think I will get my tube out of the
closet and play a polka tune to cheer me up.
In the meantime, here are two of my all time favorites ads featuring Germans:




An absolute classic!



VW is in the house!

Go Packers!

Finally, after 2 lackluster games, the Packers played today's game up
to their potential and convincingly beat da Bears. This was an important
game for the Pack, since they needed to keep touch with the top spot of the
NFC North. Unfortunately, I could not watch the game, since I am stuck
with the Detroit Lions for the TV schedule. Since the Big 3 are asking for
bailout from the feds, they might have a couple billions for the Lions.

A lot of people asking me lately on my position on the proposed bailout
for the 3 Detroit carmakers. I am kinda torn on this issue. On the one hand,
I believe in the market forces and if your product isn't good enough you
shouldn't be in business. In that case, only a 'Chapter 11' solution will bring
the dramatic changes that GM, Ford, and Chrysler need to become more
competitive.
On the other hand, there are a lot of jobs at stake and maybe the government
should support the companies to get over the hump and keep them alive, so
they can make the changes without going into bankruptcy.
Hard to say, but it looks like there will be some kind of bailout. We'll see if
this will be enough or just another money pit.

Restaurant Update:
Ajishin, Novi. I went to this Japanese restaurant for lunch the other day.
The sushi I had was ok, the service fast and friendly. 3.5 Schnitzelwagen.
Big Boy, Novi. Typical sit-down fast food place. I had their 'Famous'
BigBoy Burger and I wasn't impressed. Even for a fast food place the burger
was sup-par. 2 Schnitzelwagen.

Winter's here

I woke up to a gray and cold morning and when I looked out the window
I could not believe that there actually was a slight dust of snow on the
ground. Not much, just enough to realize that old man winter is
knocking on the door. I thought it was kinda early, but than I realized
that it is already November. Wow, time is flying is bye. It'll be
Christmas soon and I will be on my way to Germany. I was checking on
flights yesterday and thanks to the frail economy, the prices are way
down. Good thing, I bought my ticket a couple of weeks ago when prices
were high. You are welcome, Lufthansa.
Ah well, you win some you lose some.

Back to Business

Well, after election day, the dust has settled and we are getting used to
Obama, president elect.
In the mean-time, life goes on. On Monday, I went to court to pay off
my speeding ticket. What? Christian? How could this happen?
You are right, I usually don't speed......much. But a couple of weeks
ago I was on my way home from work, when I 'lost' track of my speed
in a construction zone. When I saw the cop car and I checked my speed,
I knew I was busted. There was hope for a couple of seconds when I
monitored my rear-view mirror, but then I saw the cop car pull out and
turn the lights on. Damn!! This was so classic. My first ticket in the US.
Ah well, in the end, the cop gave me a break and I just had to pay a fine,
no points.
I also had to fill up the car today and guess what I saw.
Gas for under $2. Hard to believe
that I payed more than $4.50 just
a couple of month ago. Wow.
Makes me wonder. Were the high
prices just a trick by the oil companies
to test our limit? Or, did people
really wise up and drove less.

I am sure the gas price will go up again,
but for now I am enjoying filling up the car for under $30.

Barack Obama is President Elect of the United States of America.