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.

Can I count the chicken, please.

Well, a little bit more than a week to go 'til election is upon us.
The latest polls suggest that Obama has a good shot to win, but
of course the McCain campaign thinks that can still come from
behind and that polls don't mean a thing. I hope there are wrong.
I came across this cartoon that, I hope, reflects the status of the race.



Something new. I created a new list that will list some great restaurants
I visited in this area. Every place will get a Schnitzelwagen rating from
0(uneatable) to 5(can't live without it).
Latest place I went. Sizzling Sticks Cafe in Northville, it's a typical
Mangolian style BBQ place. The food was fresh and it even had a
salad bar. The staff was a bit confused, but friendly. I'll give is a solid
3/5 out of 5.

Final Stretch

Well, it looks like we are heading into the final stretch of the presidential
race. Thank goodness, it is getting OLD. I actually watched the last
debate and I must say Obama looks a lot more presidential. McCain looks
more like Waldorf, the grumpy old man from the Muppets. And then,
they send Sarah Palin to SNL to show how 'funny' she can be. I actually
felt sorry for her. She was used as a cheap prop and the jokes were pretty
tasteless. Just like overall SNL in general. I do not understand why these
candidates think they need to go to these shows. Do you really base your
vote on how funny the candidate is?
Sounds like the GOP clearly is running out of ideas to attack Obama. I mean,
calling him a 'socialist'? That's the best you can do? Why not call him a
communist, or a hobbit or maybe a Borg.
Since we are talking ridiculous here, we might as well go all the way.
I am fairly hopeful that the voters will see through all these smokescreen and
that Obama will be elected. BUT, I was wrong before. Last time I thought
there is NO way that the voter would be so STUPID to vote for George again.
Well, we'll know soon and then we can start to prepare for the 2012 campaign.

Movie Update:
Body of Lies: Run of the mill middle eastern spy movie. Evil terrorists,
heartless CIA, and the hero in the middle of everything. I thought the
acting was good, but the movie missed pace and was too predictable.
(3/5)

VP Debate

Did you see the VP debate???
Good for you, because I didn't. But Christian? You may ask, you always
been following politics, why not this debate? Pretty simple, first, I am
tired of the whole campaign thing. Every time I turn on the TV, there is
one ad after another. And its never about the issues, its always pointing the
finger at the other guy. Second, I don't think either Biden or Palin have
anything new to say and I am not watching these guys go after each other,
just to wait for a gaffe or stupid comment. It just doesn't matter for me
anymore. I can't vote and quite frankly, after the last 8 years we had, I
can not understand how someone could vote for McCain anyway.
As for the debate, I am sure I will get summary at work tomorrow. I have
two colleagues at the extreme opposite of the spectrum. One, left winged,
believes McCain is a traitor and the right wing colleague, who actually
believe Palin would make a good president.
It'll be entertaining to listen to their take on the debate.
I can't wait for this presidential campaign to be over.