Never Ever Buying a GM Product

As I wrote in a previous blog about my encounter with my company van, I was rather displeased that the entertainment/stereo system was not operating correctly. Well, I took in the van again since the part they said was defective had come in. I was told that it would only take an hour, two at the most. The two hours at the most turned into almost the whole day with the van not fixed. They told me that it will take at least another day since they were having problems with programming the computer and with the computer communicating with the entertainment system. They were nice to rent a car for me but little did I know that the dealer does not cover for insurance of the rental. So, I had to dish out 30 bucks for insurance! Right when I thought they were turning their customer service into a more favorable light, I get a load of crap.

I just got contacted by the Chevy dealer that they are not able to repair my van and that they need to get another part. Of course, the part is on national back order and may take up to 3 weeks to get it. So, I now have to waste my time again at the dealership when I have to bring my van in for the 5th time for the same problem! I basically wasted a whole day at the dealer and now I get to do a repeat of it. The next time though, I will ask them to give me a rental if it takes more than two hours. You know, I figured that they would be able to have some sort of shuttle service for people who live close by but they don't. Of course they don't. I was silly even thinking that they would have something like that for great customer service like what my Nissan dealer does. How could I expect the same level of service from GM? Silly me.

For those of you who are planning to buy a GM product and specifically a Chevy Uplander, don't do it unless you want to hang out at the dealer during your waking moments of the day. I've had so much bad luck with Chevy's that this has sealed their fate as far as me making a future purchase from GM. They suck...plain and simple.

Tiring Weekend

Well, Easter has come and gone and left me rather tired. Unfortunately, I had trouble sleeping Saturday night and had to wake up at 4 AM on Sunday morning. I fell asleep around 3 AM and thus my sleep was sort of a power nap. I guess that's what happens when you basically sleep all day Saturday. Yeah, the lazy bug hit me hard on Saturday that I basically vegged in bed. I was so bored and tired that I fell asleep staring at the ceiling. You know with a creative mind, you can make some interesting patterns with the acoustic textured ceiling.

You must be asking, "Is this guy nuts waking up at o'dark o'clock on a Sunday?" Well, I had to wake up before the rooster crowed to play at my church's Easter sunrise service. At least I got a free breakfast out of it and we played a funky tune featuring my bass playing. Hehe, I had Rick James on my mind while I was playing...She's a very kinky girl, the kind...oops, I did mention church so I must banish this tune out of my head...for now.

After playing in the band on Sunday morning, my fiance and I went to her cousins house way out in Corona. During the travel on the freeway, we got to smell the earthy aroma of a billion cows. Naturally, I looked at my fiance thinking that there was a release of organic methane in the car, of which she adamantly denied. I knew it was the cows but I wanted to keep her on her toes. On the way to her cousin's house, I had to prepare my self for the massive crowd of relatives that usually gather during holidays and special events. I'm still trying to get used to a crowd of people. You see my family is rather small compared to my fiance's. Her family can build what seems to be three basketball teams, coaching staff, and an arena of fans while my family could only make the members of the medical/waterboy team.

We all had a great time at the cousin's house. It was actually fun watching all the kids running around the yard during the Easter egg hunt. At least they used plastic eggs filled with candy for this hunt. I remember as a child, we used actual eggs. It wasn't good when we couldn't find all of them. Eventually, my dad would find the missing eggs several weeks later accompanied by very colorful remarks.

Well, I hope you all had a great weekend. Now I just have to look forward to this coming weekend and be mentally challenged with my taxes. Ugh!

Changes on My Blog

I had to make a change on my blog by removing the Tag board because somebody placed some sort of code displaying something on the Tag board. I really don't know what it was but it was affecting my whole blog page. I really don't understand why anyone would want to do such things. I mean I don't go around doing malicious things to other people and more or less mind my own business.

I know of other people who had their blogs altered by unknown parties, virus infected into their servers and other bad things. I really think that people who do such things are the biggest cowards in the world. Yeah, they wouldn't last 5 minutes with me in a room. Plus if someone wanted to screw with my living place they would have to meet two of my friends...Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson. I just don't understand the mentality of people who go out and do malicious things. I guess they make trouble because they don't have a life at all. They are probably some dweeb with very little social skill who can't even get a date even if they paid for it. My guess is that the only contact they have with the opposite sex is a virtual one.

Well, so much for my Tag board. I thought such things were neat to have. Sorry all but the Tag board is no more.

American Vehicles Suck!

I hate to be negative and try to look on the positive but I think I had enough lately with my brand new company van. On my way down from Northern California, the stereo system went wacky on me. I went to a rest stop to release the two liters of water that I drank and then got back into my car and behold, the stereo would not activate. Instead, I got this blinking LED on the dash. My first thought was the antitheft feature is going bonkers but then the van did start up. So, I went to check out the owner's manual. Yes, I do look at vehicle owner's manuals. In fact, it makes great bathroom reading material. Anyways, it says that the red LED indicates that the stereo is not programmed for the vehicle or that it was installed incorrectly.

At this point, I'm getting into my troubleshooting mode and decide to turn off the van and turn it back on hoping that the stereo would come on. Well, it worked...until my next stop. My next stop was to get my weekly fix for my addiction of In and Out Burgers. After savoring my two Double Double's protein style, I hopped back into my van and turned on the engine. Again, the stereo did not come on and the LED was blinking again. I turned off the van and started it up again...no luck. I tried for what felt like an eternity all in vain. So for the last 200 miles of driving, I had no stereo. I was going insane driving with no music for 200 miles! All I had was listening to the van as it traveled along. I changed lanes to hear something different other than the van droning on and bugs splattering on the windshield. It was strange that the sound of the tires going over those lane reflectors were such a welcoming sound change. Of course I did not make lane changes often since that would result in the highway patrol wanting to give me a thank you note for contributing to their funds.

I figured that I needed to take the van into a dealership so they could check out the stereo problem and thus made arrangements the next business day. Well, they said that it needed to be reprogrammed with the latest software which they did. That fix only lasted for two days. I figured that maybe OnStar would be helpful in my problems so I activated it. All I got was silence. It appears that for OnStar to work, the stereo has to work. I just wanted to scream and pluck out that blinking LED. Yeah, that LED was like some irritable person who would not stop winking at you. So, off to the dealer I go to resolve this problem. Well, they told me that part of the computer system is malfunctioning and that I should come in tomorrow when they get the replacement part. So I leave and return again the next day. After waiting for an hour and a half, they tell me that the part is not there and that it is on a national back order. It took 1.5 hours to find out they don't have the part?

This shows how much American cars are not built with quality and customer service sucks! And GM wonders why their sales are dwindling and they may face bankruptcy while other car makers such as Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are gaining marketshare in North America. I've owned a Chevy when I was in college and that car sucked. It received 5 recalls...3 of which were recalls of recalls. It constantly broke down and was in the shop more times than on the road. It was a financial nightmare for a college student. I vowed then to never own an American vehicle. I then purchased a Nissan after I got a job. I ran it for 180,000 miles with no problems. I was so pleased with it that I got another Nissan. My Maxima has given me no problems at all and rides as advertised, a four door sports car.

All of the company vehicles I had were all American vehicles except for a Toyota Sienna. Two Fords, a Taurus and a Windstar, and now a Chevy Uplander. All of them gave me problems. The Taurus had major electrical problems as well as a defective windshield wiper...I found that one out during a downpour on the freeway. The Windstar had transmission problems, electrical issues, and engine problems. Now, the Uplander is giving me computer problems. The Sienna that I had for a month worked like a champ and it had 190,000 miles on it when I received it. When is Detroit going to learn that their quality, design, and ergonomics suck? What is it with American cars? We can send someone to the moon, send satellites into deep space, but we can't make a troublefree car. After my experiences with American cars, I will definitely never buy an American car and I'll stick to Japanese cars. American vehicles suck!

Been Away Too Long

Ok, I've been away from blogging way too long. It is so hard to keep up on the blogging with work, travel, and going through wedding preparations. Ok, I'll add some laziness on my part. I really miss reading other people's blogs like I used to. I just feel bad for my regular blog friends out there that I haven't done any updates in a long while. I hope they continue to read my blogs. I will make an effort to try to blog at least a couple of times a week.

Well, the wedding is almost a month away. I really can't wait until it is over and done with. All the prep work is just driving me crazy. I bet more so with my fiance since she is doing the bulk of the work along with keeping up with her job and taking care of things around the house since her parents are ill. Work for me has been good and steady but the bulk of the work is done in the evenings and I've been doing a lot of stuff on my end to get ready for the wedding between service calls, plus spending time with my fiance is making it very difficult to blog regularly like before. Ok, I'm done whining about my lack of blogging. Anyways, to my regular blog readers I hope you come back and visit again.

Let's see, I did say that I was up in Northern California for work. Well, I'm back to my home base in Southern California. I was great being up north for a week. I kind of liked it up there but I am glad to sleep in my own bed. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed. It's kind of like wearing your own clothes and not wearing borrowed clothes I guess. While I was up north, I received a new van from my company. It is great to ride a new vehicle...ah, that new car smell. Some how I really like that smell. I noticed that other people enjoy that smell also. I wonder why? Is it because it is engraved in our minds having it associated with something new and wonderful? I mean that new car smell is just all the fabric and plastics outgassing their chemicals. I wonder if it is safe since the smell is from man made chemicals?

Latest Debate on Calcium and Dairy

There seems to be a growing conflict between groups that favor an increase in dairy consumption to increase dietary calcium intake and those that say dairy calcium is inefficient. The argument is strongest between the U.S. Government and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which is a pro vegetarian group.

Although I am not pro vegetarian (I like to eat juicy charbroiled cows...mmmm....steak...), I really feel that the issue of increasing calcium intake to prevent osteoporosis is not resolved by increasing consumption of low-fat dairy products. Instead, an increase in consumption of dark green vegetables is the best source. Other foods rich in calcium are taro, seaweed, and tofu.

There have been numerous studies showing dairy to be inefficient in providing the body with calcium. Some studies indicate that only 10% of the calcium in dairy is absorbed to be used while calcium obtained from vegetable sources has a better assimilation rate of 70%+. Of course pro dairy groups dispute those studies. I would have to disagree with the pro dairy groups based on my own observations and conclusions from reading various nutrition articles.

What have I observed or read? Well, let me ask you this question. We know milk contains calcium, right? Where did the calcium come from? Hmm...it came from the cow eating grasses in the field. It's not like the cow drinks its own milk along with some cookies or pops a calcium pill. Did you know that grasses such as barley is a rich source of calcium? I'm not advocating that we get rid of our lawn mowers and eat grass (there are barley drinks out in the market that are good for you, provides calcium, and can detoxify your body). Instead, if cows obtain calcium from vegetable sources, why can't we? At this point you might be saying, "Well, I can get calcium from milk too" and that is a good statement. However, for adults to consume milk is unnatural. Man is the only species to consume milk from another species and the only species that consumes milk as an adult. Also, the majority of the world's adult population is lactose intolerant. I guess there is a reason why most adults become lactose intolerant...yeah, because we are suppossed to be weaned off of milk like the rest of the mammals once we stop being infants.

Another point is looking at ancient Hawaiians or Polynesians in general. They were and still are big. Have you ever seen Samoans, they can be huge! Well, in ancient times they were still big and strong but leaner. Well, their strong bones did not come from drinking milk. Instead, their calcium sources was from taro. Still another observation, why is it that there are increasing incidents of osteoporosis in countries with high dairy consumption? Wouldn't this be the opposite if milk was a great source of calcium? Finally, growing up as a child, I was lactose intolerant and hardly drank milk but yet I was told by doctors that I had very healthy and strong bones. I still remember one doctor saying, "You must drink a lot of milk." I surprised him with my answer of, "No, I just eat a lot of vegetables."

I'm not saying I am anti dairy. In fact, I love to eat raw cheese and raw butter and drink raw milk. I'm just saying that dairy is not a good source for calcium. If you want to obtain rich sources of calcium, along with phytonutrients, antioxidants, and fiber (you gotta have fiber...makes your morning flow well), then consume vegetables such as kale, collard greens, brocolli, spinach, bok choy...any dark green vegetable are great sources.

Here's a great low carb recipe for kale:

Lacinato kale - about 3 bunches, cleaned and coarsely chopped into 3 inch strips.
4 slices of thick sliced bacon, chopped.
3 cloves of garlic sliced or chopped.
2 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
1 Tablespoon of butter.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Heat a dutch oven or a stewing pot to a medium heat. Add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and the chopped bacon. When the bacon is turning brown, add the sliced/chopped garlic. Do not burn the garlic! When the garlic becomes soft, add the kale. Once the kale starts to wilt, add the butter and salt and pepper to taste. Do not overcook the kale. Prior to serving pour the remaining olive oil.

Political Sattire

I found a pretty funny site about President Bush's second term of office. Some may think that it is anti Republican but I just think of it as just plain funny. I don't think it's anti Republican and this is coming from a diehard Republican. It is by the Jib-Jab brothers and I just cracked up watching it. Here is the link for it: Second Term.

I hope you all enjoy watching it. You know laughter is great for the body so laugh away! Note: You may want to adjust your volume on your speakers before you play this if you are at work. Don't get caught...hehe.

It's Getting Closer

I can't believe it! It's only two months away before I become married. It is truly amazing how time flies. I know my fiance reminded me about it but it has finally sunk in as I sit here blogging this. Two months! I still have to clean my apartment! Yikes! All in less than two months. Actually, I need to clean my apartment before my parents get here since they are planning to stay at my place. Dang, so many things to do I'm going crazy!

I am proud that I finally cleaned my bedroom. It was interesting the way my bedroom evolved prior to cleaning it. I actually had a trail leading to my bed. I had all kinds of receipts and junk about the floor but of course it was arranged so I could get to my bed via the trail. Well, no more trails. I got rid of the junk and actually vacuumed the whole place. I even vacuumed the top edge of the bedroom door! My mom would be proud of me. It is amazing what vacuuming can do to a lamp. I didn't even know that my lap was actually black and not grey until I cleaned it. Yes, I know I can't live like my usually slob self after I'm married. Hey, I'm trying to reform, okay? Now my next task is to clean the kitchen. I just have to scrub the counters and the stove. I might have to rent a sandblasting machine to clean the stove top. Well, at least the refridgerator is not a biohazard. Yeah, there were times where my fridge was pretty bad. I swear that I had anthrax and penicillin growing in the same environment. Well, those days are over. It was just a pain to clean and deodorize a fridge that I never let it happen again. I had to use so much bleach and cleaning products that my fridge turned from a biohazard to a chemical hazard. Hmm, now all I need is some radioactive material and I've covered all three forms of weapons of mass destruction!

After cleaning out the kitchen would be the next daunting task of cleaning my office. I have so much junk in there along with boxes of stuff. I really don't remember what's in those boxes so I just call it stuff. I remember the last time I saw the contents of the boxes was when I packed them four years ago. I think that's a sign that I need to get rid of it.

Up In Northern California

Well, it has been a few days since I've blogged and I miss it. I've been so busy with work and with cleaning my apartment that I just didn't have time to do any blogging. So, here I am blogging in my hotel room in Northern California near Napa.

Basically, my boss wanted me to come up and work with him in this area so he could evaluate me on what I know and how much more training I need before I get to go out and take service calls on my own. He called me this morning and asked if I could come up this week to work out here. So, I did a load of laundry, packed up my suitcase and drove up here in record time.

The drive out here was surprising pleasant. With all the rains that we had, the way up here was lush with greenery and with many wildflowers in bloom. Of course there were the idiot race car drivers out there thinking that the freeway is the Indy 500. So I really couldn't appreciate the view like I wanted to.

On the way up here, I made a couple of stops for gas and to release the internal flood gates. At these stops, I would observe the people around me. There was one person that was a bit interesting. I was trying to figure out if this person was an extremely ugly woman or an extremely femine guy. The first thing that came to mind was the character from Saturday Night Live called Pat. I mean I couldn't figure if this person was a man or a woman. I just found that pretty funny. Have any of you ever seen a person like that?

One thing I know when I travel away from home is that I miss my fiance. I never really felt that way about anyone before so this feeling is still new to me. I guess it's just something I need to get used to. I'll just leave it at that to spare everyone the mushy stuff.

Performed My Civic Duty

Today I did my civic duty by being a jurist for the day. I had to go to the courthouse early to beat the crowd at the security screening. Made sure that I left all of my guns, ammunition, Stinger missles, and dirty bombs at home so I would be able to pass through security smoothly.

Once I got there, it was a long wait process. I didn't get selected for a panel for about 5 hours. 5 hours of waiting around and reading newspapers and magazines. At least I got to read an old issue of Cosmopolitan while I was in the jury pool waiting area. Boy, that magazine is almost the same as Playboy, which of course I only read the articles.

With all the boredom of waiting to be selected to be on a jury, I really wanted to take a nap in the waiting area. Unfortunate for me, I snore like a freight train. I could have easily sucked the paint off the walls in the waiting area. So, I tried to stay awake by drinking coffee. Well, drinking a lot of coffee has its consequences. I had to go pee like a race horse several times. Luckily, things subsided once I was called into a court room to be a potential jurist. However, I was extremely thirsty. I guess it is better to be thirsty than to feel like the flood gates of the Hoover Dam.

I did not get to be on the jury and was told that my duty is completed and I could go home. I actually wanted to be on this case. It involved a person with a prior conviction charged with possesion of meth and a handgun. I had served on a jury twice. One was a criminal case where we found the guy guilty of assault with a the intent of causing great bodily harm and battery. That case was very interesting. Let's say that the DA really did his homework and the defense attorney was like a 25 watt light bulb. The other case was a civil case where they eventually settled.

Well, at least I got to have the day off and see my tax dollars at work. Hopefully next time I get to serve on a jury.