Spring? It Was Around Here Somewhere...

I have lived in California my entire life.  Southern California for the first decade, and Northern California since then.  As a relatively intelligent person, I hear the news from time to time.  I studied a variety of subjects during my formative years in school.  And yet, there is something I don't understand...

There are four seasons?

When did this happen?  How did I not know about this?

You see, I know about winter.  Not the snowy, blustery kind of winter that some people experience, but the kind of winter that ranges from about 30 degrees to somewhere near 60, and from zero rain to a downpour to zero rain.

I also know about summer.  The kind of summer where thermometers cry out in pain from 110 degree heat, and the northern wind dries the skin to the consistency of the outer layer of an onion.

But what is this springtime I keep hearing about?  What of the mild, breezy days, where the flowers bloom and the trees sprout leaves?  Since when do pine trees have leaves?  What of the gentle rain giving way to a soft wind rustling the hair?  I know not of such things here in Northern California.

I have also heard of something called "fall".  I always assumed that referred to people dropping into unconsciousness due to the heat, but someone told me that in other lands it is where leaves (leaves again?) change color and drop to the ground.  It's also known as "autumn".

What strange terms these are.  What interesting concepts.

Now if you will excuse me, the weather forecast says we should be hitting the high 90s this week.  Time to put the sunshades in the cars and check the old a/c.

SACRAMENTO Kings!

Well, Twitter just exploded.  At least it did for those of us following the saga of the attempted sale and relocation of the Sacramento Kings.

I'm not a rabid sports fan, but by reading my posts you will know that I do like us having an NBA franchise here in Sacramento, and I have always enjoyed rooting for the Kings.  You will also know that I think the Maloofs are some of the worst owners and biggest liars in NBA history.  So when it looked like the Seattle group was going to succeed at buying and moving the Kings, I was not happy.

Yet, Sacramento wasn't ready to give up.  A grass roots effort, with Kevin Johnson leading the way, found the money, found their voice, and found an arena plan, and fought for their team.

Today... the NBA relocation committee didn't just vote to deny the Kings move to Seattle; they did it on a 12-0 unanimous vote.  Twelve to zero!!

Does Seattle deserve a team?  Sure!  Give them an expansion team.  The Sonics should live again.  But Sacramento has shown over and over again that this is where the Kings belong.  Despite the idiocy, egotism, and incompetence of the Maloofs, the city always supported the team.  Now, with new owners and a new arena coming, maybe the glory days of the team can return.

In any case, to all who worked so hard to keep the Kings ... well done.  It doesn't mean much in the big scheme of things, but it's still pretty cool.

The Loss is Palpable - But So is the Love

Many people lost their lives these last two weeks.  In Boston and in West, people died under tragic circumstances.

Recently, my friends suffered loss as well.  I won't go into detail with their names, where they live, or what the precise details are.  Those things don't belong in my blog.  But there are some things that I feel need to be said.

This family was shocked and overjoyed when they found that they were going to have another child.  But that joy turned to dismay when the doctor informed them of the result of numerous tests.  Their child had a severe genetic defect that gave it virtually no chance of survival outside of the womb.  The doctors wanted to abort, but my friends are firm believers that since this child was alive, they did not have the right to take the gift of life bestowed on it by God himself.  They determined that the mother would carry their child as long as it, she, lived.  It was a difficult time, as the mother suffered health issues, the father had a serious health crisis, and at the same time they had to prepare for the death of their baby.  Arrangements had to be made.

When the little girl was born, the doctors were amazed that she was alive.  In fact, the little girl lived several hours, allowing time for the mother and father to hold her, for her sister to give her kisses, and for just a little while to be a family of four.  The defects were far too severe, however, and before the day was over, their little girl was gone.

Still, while she was alive, this little girl knew love.  She felt the touch of her family.  She was kept warm and as comfortable as possible.  She passed away and would be sorely missed by those who got to see her and know that she was their little girl.

People who are pro-abortion would say that this woman should have terminated this pregnancy early on; that it was cruel to carry this child to term.  They are wrong.  This family felt the child moving in the womb; felt it alive; saw her in the ultrasound.  She was a baby.  She was alive.  The family felt that they had no right or cause to end their daughter's life in that way.  By waiting, they honored their Bible-based beliefs by showing respect for life, and they got to have those few short hours with their daughter.  I praise them, not for their sacrifice, but for their love - because it was love for God and love for their daughter that moved them to continue the pregnancy.

I am not pro-abortion.  But I would like to say something to those people who stand in front of schools with "shock value" posters and handouts trying to horrify people into standing against abortion.  These are the same people who think that taking the life of an abortion clinic worker is an acceptable trade-off, which smacks of hypocrisy.  Do you really want to make your feelings known?  Then do it with kindness.  Do it with patience.  Do it with love.  The strongest argument against abortion was made by this family of four, who got to know their little girl.  Yes ... their little girl.  Not a shock-value fetus or a non-viable biological entity.  This was their daughter.

I weep for this family's loss.  I hurt for them, and, having seen the pictures of them holding their daughter, weep for a little girl who never got the chance to grow up.  But yet, I have seen one of the strongest expressions of love that anyone can imagine.  And, whenever God brings this system of things to a finish, I hope to see that expression of love multiplied dramatically, as this family welcomes back their daughter in perfect health in a paradise earth.  Until then, I am sure that all of us who got to see their little girl, will never be the same, as we have truly seen the selfless love of a family for their children.

Was the DNA Testing Worth It? (Anyone Home?)

Readers of this blog know that I have been engaged in a search for my biological family.  As an adoptee, I never knew my heritage or family history. 

I subscribed to Ancestry.com and was able to identify my biological mother (who won't respond to letters and wants nothing to do with me), but nothing about my paternal side.  So I decided to take the plunge.  I purchased Ancestry's DNA test, as well as 23andme's test.  What have I found?

Nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.

These tests rely on others having taken the test who are in your family line.  Sadly, that requirement hasn't been met by anyone on the male side.  The closest I have found has been someone who may be a 2nd to 5th cousin.  That's no help at all.

I have posted for help on the two websites, and have received the advice that I purchase a more extensive test on a different website that will further map my genetic makeup.  I'm tempted, but that's more money for a test that may or may not tell me anything.  Where does it end?

Much of this could be resolved if my biological mother would just tell me who my father is, and then I could try to find out more.  Sadly, for one reason or another, she won't.  She won't even respond to tell me why she won't help me, even though I have said that I won't ask for further contact with her.  I can only imagine that my existence brings up very bad memories for her.  I'm not mad at her, but I am hurt.

Still, the quest goes on.  Will I take the other test?  Maybe.  But for those who have shelled out for either the Ancestry or 23andme test, or are thinking of doing so ... be aware that they only go so far.  Unless others in your line are as interested as you are in genetics, you may be spitting into a vial for nothing.

Why Hate Bronies?

Hello.  My name is Adam.

"Hello, Adam."

And I'm ... a Brony.

"That's okay, Adam.  Let it out.  You're among friends here."

What is this?  Bronies Anonymous??

OK, listen up.  To all those who wonder why grown men and women watch a children's show that supposedly was designed for little girls, give it a break.  Let me draw a quick comparison for you and then tell me that these Bronies and Pegasisters are weird.

I want to start with what "society" says people should be watching.  Movies in the theater are, for the most part, rated "R" and contain profanity, violence, nudity, and other picture postcards.  Television has become largely the same, along with the idea that cussing and sex are not only permitted now, but are ratings bonanzas.  If not that, then perhaps you might be interested in Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, or Honey Boo Boo.

Perhaps music is a saving grace.  Nope.  Rap with lyrics attacking women and promoting crime, violence, and sex are everywhere.  (Not picking on rap per se, just using it as an example here.)  Video games?  Give me a break.

And yet, people watch the news and see what happened on 9/11, in Boston, in Newtown, and can't understand why people do what they do.

A group of people have said, "enough", and have latched on to a funny, intelligently written cartoon, with endearing characters who promote friendship.  Yes, they have what may be called silly names, like Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Scootaloo.  Yes, they live in towns such as Ponyville, Canterlot, and Fillydelphia.

And you know what?  It's fun.  It's funny and kind and a break from the hatred in the world.  This isn't your grandmother's My Little Pony, where the stories were dumbed down and designed just to sell dolls; where the animation was third rate and the general feeling was probably, "Make it stop!"

Lauren Faust, who re-created this show, was also the driving force behind the Powerpuff Girls, which was also a hit with all ages.  She does something odd, in that she communicates with her viewers, young and older, and treats them as important and friends.  She doesn't dumb anything down, and made sure that the voice talent was top notch, the animation was fun, and the songs were memorable.  What a terrible thing she has done.

So leave the Bronies be.  Let us have our 22 minutes of happiness away from the terrible things of everyday life.  There are a lot of them out there.  And oddly enough, that message they get from the show?  They try to pay it forward.  How terrible that is, eh?

Why Sacramento Needs to Keep the Kings

A lot has been written about the Kings and their impending move to Seattle.  I would refer you to a website called Sactown Royalty for the most up to date and interesting information on the attempted theft of the team.

However, I would like to take another tack on this argument.  Yes, I want the Kings to stay because I like the idea of professional sports in Sacramento.  I like to have a team in the race and to see the name "Sacramento" on a uniform while the team is playing in New York, Los Angeles, or Dallas.  But even if you don't give a rat's rear end about sports, Sacramento residents should be desirous of having an arena built in the Downtown area.

1)  An arena helps businesses in the area.  No matter what even takes place in an arena, the businesses in a several mile radius from the arena get more business before and after an event.  Argue against that if you would like, but it is true.  Restaurants, shops, hotels ... all gain from the extra foot traffic.

2)  An arena adds to urban renewal.  When an arena is built, investment around that arena picks up.  People invest in the buildings and businesses nearby, and they realize that good-looking, well-kept locations attract those customers, so investment in current and new businesses goes up.

3)  An arena adds jobs.  I'm not just talking about the jobs created by the businesses around the arena, which definitely adds up, but construction, maintenance, food service, taxi service, etc., etc.  It's a natural progression.

4)  Even if you are one of those that couldn't care less about the first three reasons, (and if you don't, I wonder about your logic, reasoning ability, and current residence), know that a new arena will bring more attractions to the city.  Would a top-notch musical performer want to play at the Sleep Train arena in a few years?  It's falling down, and the acoustics stink.  But a new arena downtown would bring all sorts of attractions, and would give the people of the area more to do and see and would keep them from having to travel to the Bay Area to see these performances.

In the end, it is up to the NBA now as to whether the Kings stay in Sacramento.  But the people who complain about the money being spent on an arena are not looking at the big picture, and they need to do so.  This area needs to pull the wheat stalk out of the teeth and become the destination it should be.

Just Another Freakout Friday

Wow.  What a week it has been.  We start on Monday with the bombing of the Boston Marathon, and end the week with a manhunt for the remaining suspect.  I wrote earlier this week about Boston, so I won't rehash it here.  I would just like to add this one thought:  I'm glad that people generally waited to find out who was responsible before accusing this nationality or that religion (except for Fox).  I'm reminded of a quote from West Wing after an assassination attempt on the fictional president:  "It was the act of madmen."

Since it is a Friday, I get to rant on a variety of subjects flopping around in my brain like a fish thrown on the shoreline.

Kings and Maloofs and the NBA:  The NBA says that the decision about the fate of the Kings is so complex that it will take a couple of more weeks of agony for Sacramento fans to hear the results of the votes.  During that time, we have to hear more stupidity from the Maloofs, saying, for example, that they prefer the Seattle offer.  No duh.  But haven't you stuck it to the city of Sacramento often enough wherein you can show some class and shut the heck up?  For once?  Morons.

Still, it has been suggested over and over again that the best solution is expansion.  For what it's worth, I agree with that sentiment.  That way, we keep our Kings, Seattle gets their Sonics, and the owners get richer.  Win, win, win.  But the NBA Board of Governors definitely needs to look at the history of the Kings in Sacramento, the loyalty of the fans through thick and thin, the way the Maloofs have jerked the city around ... and then watch the video of the last game of this season.  Then I dare them to say in good conscience that the Kings belong in Seattle.

Matt Smith and the Doctor:  I know ... I know ... I write about television too much.  But each time I watch Doctor Who, I like Matt Smith more and more.  Granted, in interviews he dresses like a street urchin, but he clearly loves the role, loves the show, and is a great incarnation of the Doctor.  Tennant was great.  Smith may just be better.

Springtime in Sacramento:  Doesn't really exist.  We're going to hit close to 90 degrees next week.  Global warming?  We've been living with it for decades!

The Fiat:  We have been driving the car for about two weeks now.  Is it possible to love the car even more now than when we bought it?  Only problem:  black exterior and interior.  Summer is going to suck.

Favorite Podcasts:  I listen to a few, such as PTI and Around the Horn from ESPN.  My favorite by far, however, is the Tony Kornheiser Show.  Give it a listen.  It's a show about whatever he feels like yodeling about, and the variety of his friends who share the radio with him makes it always fun.  Not dirty.  Not really political.  Just easy to listen to no matter how stressful the day may be.

That's enough for now, I think.  David Stern will be speaking from New York soon about the NBA meetings.  Maybe he'll have some good news.  And maybe Fox will endorse Hillary Clinton for President.

Webcomics

I have always liked comics.  From my youth, I was addicted to the Peanuts gang, with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Linus keeping me company every day in the newspaper and in books for hours on end.  I miss Calvin and Hobbes, and wish Fox Trot was a daily again.

Fortunately, there is another source comic enjoyment out there, published online by people who start out doing it for the love of it and who hope to make it a career.  I have discovered many great comics, such as Real LIfe (www.reallife.com) written and drawn by Greg Dean, and the brilliant Girl Genius (www.girlgenius.com) with artwork and narration that is simply stunning.

There is a lot of good stuff out there, along with some rubbish, of course.  But I do want to make a complaint in this blog.  The complaint is not directed towards the artists or writers, but towards the so-called "fans" who send emails and comments to the comic artists, complaining heartily if there is any kind of delay in the latest installment.

Let's consider a few points related to these webcomics that so many enjoy:

1)  The artists may get money from banner ads on the site, but they generally have a day job or go to school.

2)  Those of us who read the webcomics are generally not paying a dime for the happiness that comes from reading these strips.

3)  Readers have the option of not reading any more, without costing themselves any money for doing so.

Pretty simple stuff, isn't it?  In addition to getting to read these comics for free, we tend to get regularly updated storylines all for the cost of a click of a mouse.  Truly a bargain, isn't it?  No newspaper subscriptions to pay, no ink on the fingers ... just open the laptop and "bang", there you go.

What I'm trying to say here is that if you enjoy webcomics, great!  Let the artist/writer know by your comments and emails.  If you see an ad link that interests you, click on it so that the artist can earn a few pennies.  But if, for whatever reason, a comic goes awhile without updating, keep your comments to yourself.  You could, however, go to that comic's forum, if they have one, and check to see if something has happened.  One artist turned out to have virtually severed his thumb in a household accident, and had to go through surgery and rehab to get back to being able to draw again.  Wouldn't you feel ridiculous complaining and then finding that out later?

Give these guys a break.  Give them a note of praise or an ad click if you like the comic.  Tell others about comics that you like.

Just don't complain if, heaven forbid, your comic isn't updated on time.  Read a book.

Changing the World - the Wrong Way

Wow.  Idiots everywhere.

First, the bombs at the Boston Marathon.  Now, letters mailed to various politicians, including President Obama, containing the deadly poison ricin.  (This poison kills in 48 hours and has no known cure.)

It's staggering to think that there are people out there who think that acts of terror are the only way to change things in the world.  In fact, they seem to think that they will change things for the better!  How, if I may ask, does an act of violence or intended malice make things better?  Answer: it doesn't.

Whenever one of these guys such as Timothy McVeigh or Ted Kaczinsky gets captured, they are never well-spoken, eloquent, clear-thinking individuals.  They are psychopaths and nut cases who pursue their own variety of wickedness.  And when we look at those who represent organizations like Al-Qaeda or the Taliban, they always come off as about 51 cards short of a full deck.  Devious and imaginative at times, but always mostly nuts.

Even when "successful" in one of their terror attempts, the world never changes for the better for them or anyone else.  Acts of evil always... always ... make the world worse.

Sadly, it seems to be inevitable that these type of people will be out there.  There will always be those who think that killing innocents is justified, or that the violent overthrow of a government is God's will.  When the overthrow of any government is God's will, God will take care of it.  He won't use men to do it.  So you nut jobs need to quit blaming or giving credit to God for what you are doing.  You want to give credit to someone, credit your own insanity and the wickedness that the Devil has brought into the world.

As for me, I'll keep my eyes focused on the bright future that the Bible holds out for peace-loving people and will try to help others do the same.  And I will remember that when the time comes in the near future for Jehovah to change the world, he'll do it, and everything ... everything ... will be better for him doing it the right way.

Boston

I'm sure that thousands of blog postings today will focus on the bombings in the city of Boston.  That is only right, as blogs are the voices of those who write them, and there is little else absorbing the thoughts, fears, and concerns of people today than the vicious attack that took place by incredibly cowardly people at the end of the Boston Marathon.

Amazingly, it was my wife who posed the most pertinent question to my mind: What did they hope to accomplish?

Basically, that's another way of asking, "Why?"

Why would anyone attack innocent people who were running a race that demanded courage and strength?  Why would anyone attack civilians?  Why would they use devices designed, not just to kill, but to maim and mutilate?

These are people who are too cowardly to attack military targets.  These are people who are out to kill and hurt for no reason other than their belief that they are justified in doing so.

Look at the list of those murdered (yes... I chose that word on purpose) and injured.  What possible excuse could anyone have for killing an 8-year-old boy?  On top of that, they timed their attack to murder, not the race winners, but the bigger crowd who would be coming in later; the average runner thrilled to be finishing a marathon.

Some might try to blame God for looking the other way.  This isn't God's fault.  He isn't the one who used his free will to disobey a simple rule.  Men did that.  Just as men (or women) committed this heinous act.  This isn't God turning away from man.  This is man turning away from God.  This is humans seeking to justify their acts through one excuse or another.  I can only imagine what Fox News is saying today.  Whether one believes in a loving God or not, there is still the basic internal knowledge that murder is wrong.  In every country on earth, murder is illegal.  Nowhere do they say that you can kill as you wish.  Thus, even the most uneducated person carries within them the understanding that killing is bad.  But people like this ignore that voice within.  They push it aside in favor of the evil that moves them to take another life.

This isn't God's fault.  Jehovah had nothing to do with this.

If you want the one responsible for influencing evil like this, look to the one who encouraged ignoring rules in the first place.

My heart goes out to those injured, and the families of those killed in Boston.  May they somehow find the peace they will so desperately need.

Friday rants

It seems to me that not only have I not posted for awhile, but I also haven't given way to a great big rant in awhile.  So, without further ado:

Kings and Maloofs:  I wanted to get this out of the way right up front.  This whole saga of Kings to Anaheim, Kings stay, new arena, Maloofs back out, Kings sold to Seattle and moving, Kings staying in Sacramento... Has any other city been subjected to this kind of abuse?  Granted, the Baltimore area had the Colts moved to Indianapolis, and then Art Modell moved the Browns from Cleveland in the dead of night.  Seattle had their Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City.  But let's face an important fact here:  Indy, Cleveland, and Seattle all have other major league sports franchises!  The City of Sacramento has the Sacramento Kings!

Ever since this team lost in the playoffs to the Lakers, the Maloof family has done everything possible to alienate, abuse, and generally assault the feelings and loyalty of some of the best basketball fans in the country.  (The latest rumor has them wanting a hockey team or a baseball team:  attention NHL and MLB, RUN THE OTHER WAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!)

Thankfully, this reign of error is almost over.  In about a week, the NBA owners will decide if the Kings stay in Sacramento or go to Seattle.  Based on the latest of the latest rumors, it seems as though Mayor Kevin Johnson lobbed a last-second shot from way beyond half court and swished it!  We'll see.  But when all of this is said and done, I think the city of Sacramento should classify the Maloofs as personae non gratis and kick their devious, greedy, selfish butts out of town.

North Korea:  Does anyone else think that Kim Jung Un looks like a badly drawn cartoon character?  Seriously, China has to ask itself a question:  Who would you rather have on your border?  A country that you own (the U.S.?) or a country that you own with an absolutely loco guy in charge?  (No ... not Iran.)

Sequester:  It's amazing how people still think that representatives represent.  Who likes what's going on in Washington right now?  Anyone?

Guns:  I simply do not understand the NRA.  How, in the name of sanity, can an organization justify owning military hardware?  And how often does someone protecting his family NEED a 30 bullet magazine?  And who hunts deer with an assault rifle?  Are they afraid the deer is armed, too?  I would say they need to return to sanity, but I'm beginning to wonder if they aren't too far gone.

Cartoons:  I'm so glad Animaniacs is back on the Hub.  A whole new generation will get to see the brilliance of that show.

Doctor Who:  First two episodes with Jenna-Louise Coleman as the newest companion:  meh.  Love her ... hated the scripts.  I am curious, however, why the Tardis doesn't seem to like her.

Leverage:  A pox on TNT for canceling this series!  A pox, I say!

Castle:  I wonder if anyone can name another show where the two lead characters, who had never been romantic but whose fans wanted to see a romance, got romantic, and the show didn't tank.  If anything, this show has gotten better.  Full credit to the writers, producers, and actors on this show.  They not only didn't jump the shark, they cut the shark up into sashimi!

NCIS:  How can a show that's been on the air for 10 years keep getting better?  I ask you!

That's it for today.  Let's see if I can keep this train rolling!

Exercise vs Lethargy

I admire folks who exercise.  But I'm not talking about fanatics with bulging muscles and thighs the size of tree trunks.  Yes, they exercise, but I sometimes wonder if they aren't addicted to it.

No, I am writing of those who exercise despite hating it.  Those who run on treadmills three times a week or take spinning classes twice a week or who jog outside for 10 miles a week.  These are people who know they have to do it, and do it.  I've never been that kind of person.  For me, exercise is an enemy who I fight against and frequently conquer from the comfort of my couch.  The gym is akin to having a prostate exam by a nearsighted doctor.

My wife is one of those folks I admire.  She generally goes to the gym three times a week; running, working her abs, doing squats, and generally sweating through the pain.  She is amazing.  She has run 5k races, 10k races, and has done it despite claiming that she doesn't like it.  She looks good.  She looks over a decade younger than her chronological age, and she is as healthy as can be.  I wish I could be more like her, but I'm not.  I run ... if chased.  I plank ... when playing pirate games.  I have a tee shirt that shows the silhouette of a T-Rex chasing a guy with the saying, "Exercise - Some motivation required."  That's only because they didn't have one that said, "Exercise - Not even if being chased by a dinosaur."

How do people do it?  They run on treadmills with their earbuds plugged in and seem to have boundless energy.  They pump iron and jump rope and crunch and generally keep at it until they can't do it anymore!

I especially admire those overweight folks who have made the decision to lose the pounds and go to the gym despite the musclebound behemoths eyeing them as strangers invading their territory.  No, Goliath, they deserve praise for their determination.

So I ask myself: "Self?  What can you do to get motivated?"  Fear of an early grave doesn't seem to work.  I just think of going to the gym and my brain gives me a million excuses why I can't.  I think and I ponder and I try to figure out an exercise that I will enjoy and will keep doing.  I tried tennis and enjoyed it until I had a motorcycle accident and dislocated my foot.  Now I've been away from it so long that I have no desire to grab a racket.  Jogging outside doesn't appeal to me, because any change of weather that moves the temperature above or below 65 degrees will give me an excuse not to go.  Weights?  No thanks.  Classes?  Absolutely not.  Those women are crazy!

I'll keep thinking, and I'll keep trying to find my exercise niche.  For some reason, my wife and son don't believe that playing baseball and soccer on my Playstation counts as exercise.

Fiat gets it right

When the Fiat left the United States in 1984, their reputation was rubbish.  People loved to use the expression "Fix It Again, Tony" when describing their cars.  In many ways, that reputation was deserved, and the United States was left without a true Italian car in their market.  Oh sure, there were Lambos and Ferraris for the rich and famous, but Fiat was nowhere to be seen.

Fast forward to the year 2011, when Fiat returned to our shores with the Fiat 500.  It was retro cool, and it was tiny.  But there was something appealing about that little car.  With a combination of old-fashioned looking buttons but modern technology, the 500 was a great choice for Fiat to try to pry its way into a Japanese-ruled small car market.

This year, circumstances dictated that my wife and I buy a second vehicle.  We have a Honda Civic in very good shape that we use for everything that requires a four door mode of transport.  But for our second car, we wanted something inexpensive, good on gas, low cost to insure, and small.  And being small, whatever car we chose needed to be a manual transmission, so that we could really enjoy driving it.

We narrowed our choices down to the Chevrolet Sonic, the Ford Fiesta, the Honda Fit, and the Fiat 500.  There are no subcompact cars out there that score perfectly on Consumer Reports' reliability scale, so we did our homework, did some test drives, and made our decision.

The Honda Fit was out of the running quickly.  Although a great car with Tardis-style room on the inside, it is not very attractive and was unavailable in the Sport model for anything less that $18,000.  That's more than we wanted to pay.

The Chevrolet Sonic was next, but we just weren't that impressed.  Granted, it's a step up for Chevy from the Aveo, but the car itself didn't move us.

We test drove the Ford Fiesta.  The price was right for the model we wanted (we got a quote of around $14,000 for the SE model with a stick).  We made an appointment with the dealer for a test drive and headed out.  When we arrived we were incredibly annoyed that the sales department had not arranged for a manual transmission to be available.  What?  We make an appointment to test drive a manual and when we arrive there isn't one?  Strike one.  We decided to at least drive the automatic.  It wasn't quick, it wasn't fun, and the audio system in the center console was a complete nightmare.  Strike two.  While the car is excellent in terms of quality and build, it is a four-door, and we already have one of those.  If we were going to buy another one, the car had to be enjoyable to drive.  The sales person said that if we wanted to leave a $500 deposit, they would arrange to have a manual transferred over for us to drive.  What?  What?  Strike three.

Finally, we went back to Fiat.  First of all, kudos to Fiat of Sacramento for having their final prices on their website.  Too many dealers list just the MSRP on their site and expect you to wheel and deal with them.  Not Sacramento Fiat.  We saw the prices, and that's what they were.  We test drove a Fiat Pop (the base model) listed at $14,100.  While the interior was very nice and the build felt solid, the little engine just didn't have the "pop" (sorry) that we were hoping it would.  It would be fantastic for city driving, but the long clutch play and the softness of the suspension wasn't exactly what we wanted.  Still, it was one up on the Fiesta.

Then we drove the new 500 Turbo.  Oh ... my ... goodness.  The clutch was completely different, as was the engine.  The sound was more guttural, and the turbo gave it the kick it needed.  There was leather everywhere, and the suspension was tight and responsive.  Granted, it was a bit more expensive (it was listed at $16,900), but what a difference.  It didn't take long to know that we were down to a tough decision:  the Pop at the lower price, or the Turbo with the better feel.  After talking and thinking and calculating, we contacted the dealer and let him know we wanted the Turbo.  Everything went smoothly at the dealership, and we climbed into our little Italian 500 and drove off.  Then, something amazing happened.  As we hit the freeway and merged into traffic, I looked at my wife.  She had a smile on her face.  I realized that I had the same smile!  Yes, I had just parted with a large chunk of money, but I had no regrets.  For the first time in my life, I felt perfectly at ease with a car purchase.  Yes, my Honda is great.  But this Fiat pushes all the right buttons.  Bluetooth voice controls, leather, sport feel, retro but modern, a kick to drive, a blast to maneuver, a breeze to park, and complete confidence in the solid feel to the build and sound to the entire vehicle.  We were happy as could be, and a week and a half later, we're happier still.

Fiat wasn't great in the early 80s.  But today, I'm proud to say that I am the owner of a Fiat 500.  Welcome back to America, Fiat.  Here's hoping you stay.

Been awhile, hasn't it?

OK.  I know what you one or two readers are thinking:  "Oh, here we go again."

Blogs are funny things.  You start out writing and hoping that someone will read what you write, will think it's interesting, will comment, will tell others, etc., etc.  Or, you write for your own enjoyment, not expecting any kind of feedback or results.

I wrote for the prior reason.  However, I wasn't consistent in my writing, and I certainly didn't promote the blog.  (Gee ... and nobody read it?  What a surprise!)

Let's try this again and see what happens, shall we?

And let's start with a video review.  Really.

I really like going to musicals.  Not high school type performances, but real honest-to-goodness professionals who can sing and dance displaying their skills in a wonderfully written format.  I have gone to a number of such musicals, and can attest that my favorites, in no particular order, are "Cats", "Les Miserables", and, shockingly "Mamma Mia!". 

When it was announced that Les Miserables was being produced for the big screen, I was excited and hoped that it would be as good as the 10th anniversary performance DVD that stars Colm Wilkinson as Valjean, Phillip Quast as Javert, and Alun Armstrong as a fantastic Thernardier. 

Then I heard the casting news:  Hugh Jackman as Valjean.  (Thought it would be okay with his musical background.)  Anne Hathaway as Fantine.  (Thought she would be great, as I heard her sing at the Oscars and was impressed.)  Then, as they sing in the musical, "it all went wrong".  Russell Crowe as Javert?  Amanda Seyfreid as Cosette?  Sasha Baron Cohen as Thenardier?

I decided to give it a chance, but never got around to seeing it in the theater, or even on dvd until this weekend.  The result?  I turned it off.  I have vowed never to watch said dvd ever again.  Yes, that's a bit dramatic in itself, but let me just jot down some issues I had with almost the entire cast.  (Nina Gold is listed as being in charge of casting.  Shame on you, Nina.)

Hugh Jackman disappointed me.  His singing wasn't strong, and for some reason I never saw him as Valjean.  Not the worst performance, but there was little power to his voice.

Anne Hathaway was great.  No complaints there, but let's face it ... Fantine can't carry an entire movie.

Russell Crowe:  Oh lord ... someone made a dire mistake here.  I blame everyone, including the director for this miscasting.  There was no force to his singing, or his character.  Go back and watch Phillip Quast in the 10th anniversary show.  That is how Javert should be played.  That performance got the audience on their feet, appreciating that even the bad guy can be a great performer.  Crowe should have been writing parking tickets for horses in violation of local ordinances.

Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter:  Kill me now.  Sasha couldn't decide if his accent was French or English, and they were about as humorous as an impacted wisdom tooth.  I was left begging for Alun Armstrong and Jenny Galloway.

Amanda Seyfried's voice reminded me of Snow White's.  The vibrato and pitch made our neighbor's dog howl.  (Ok ... that may be an exaggeration.)

Overall, while I was impressed with the grandeur of the film, the performances left me absolutely flat.  I want to take this dvd, package it with the film version of Mamma Mia!, and drop them down a pit somewhere.  They are that bad.  Fortunately, I'm going to see Les Mis performed live again in June, so I'm hoping that will wash away the bad sounds still ringing in my ears.  All those responsible for this film should be ashamed.  They wasted a lot of time and a lot of money for a performance that was miserable in so many ways.

Fortunately, I have the other performances on CD, mp3, and DVD.  I'll watch Colm Wilkinson as Valjean instead of the Bishop (which he also did well), and feel the goosebumps as the cast sings "Can You Hear the People Sing?"