HemiSam

All, I could use some advice on where to purchase an important watch for my wife here Stateside. Big anniversary coming up. At our 10-yr I purchased a gold Omega for her with a mother of pearl face that went over very well. In the past I have relied on Alan Furman out of DC. They have always been good to deal with (previously known as Alan Marcus if memory serves me) and handled themselves reputably with my transactions. I don't mind spending it. Just don't want to give it away so some discount would be nice. Watch must be new, boxed with all paperwork, and have the appropriate warranty, etc... I am leaning towards a Cartier, but I am still browsing. Thanks. HS

The song and the video were both better than I expected before I hit play... Good find IMO. HS

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This place is going to make me spend more money than I already do, which is saying something. I don't own many watches....although that is becoming more challenging following this thread. I love the Omega stuff. Had a nice Seamaster swiped when we were relocating during a stint in South America. This is one I bought myself a couple of years ago. It's a Seiko Japanese model I purchased though Massdrop (meh on this vendor). Something about "Cocktail watch". I wear it quite a bit to work. It's a nicely made watch although I have to say the clasp/buckle mechanism is not only funky for being upside down compared to what I'm accustomed to but it's a lot of work as the length of band setting mechanism often comes out of the hole and I have to chase the secondary belt for the band all too often. 48 hour reserve which is not bad nor great as I've used it a while now. Didn't seem to like our watch winder although I should put more effort into that. All in all pretty good value for money and it kept me from buying something more expensive while we pour money into our kids, our old home and my crack habit like pursuit of vehicles.... I used Massdrop's pics as the ones I took with my phone were, shall we say, lacking. The specs: 6R15 automatic movement Seiko Cal.6R15 Manual 23-jewels 21,600 bph Hand winding compatible Hacking seconds Case: Stainless steel Crystal: Domed Hardlex Case width: 40 mm Case height: 13 mm Lug width: 20 mm Power reserve: 50 hours Water resistance: 50 m Made in Japan HS

A lot of truth to that. Take fancy china and crystal from wedding gifts. What's the point if you don't use them now and again... Probably a bad example after the manly wood chopping one...lol. HS

Ford Fiesta breaking hearts.... HS

Ford Focus to be made in China??? https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/your-next-generation-ford-focus-will-be-built-in-china/?ftag=CAD13782fc&bhid=25929228263003360050844531033783 HS

RIP, Vic. I believe they've tried to sell quality stuff. Not a lot of MOPAR love, but heck that's the same for most vendors. We don't have the numbers live the Ford and GM guys. Godspeed, Vic....hope you get to race and have fun wherever you are. HS

In case this is of any use... http://www.smokedbbqsource.com/best-smoker-thermometers/ HS

Spirited exchange... HS

RIP Flounder... HS

Looks like the new Honda Civic Type R is headed stateside. There's a convenient vid in the photo gallery for the less than motivated. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2017-honda-civic-type-r-preview/ One thing Honda can do is build motors. Really impressive mills they make IMO. Not a big fan of the looks, but that's just me....old school. HS

Truly heart wrenching. HS

Deezer sent this one my way HS

Kind of funky but working for me on a lazy Sunday...give it a few seconds to settle in suggested HS

Oh no.... Iconic figure in my early years. So good at that twisted role and series. Worked for me in the early '70's. Godspeed, Adam... HS

For fans of the rotary engine... https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/05/31/four-cycles-three-chambers-60-and-50-years-dual-anniversaries-for-the-wankel-rotary-engine/?refer=news HS The post above I thought was posted days ago...LOL. Oh well. This one was intended for today....with some luck. Made me chuckle. HS

Real shame, DC. Mine lasted a good long while, but the new ones will make you tear up... HS

I was a huge fan of the Sharp Aquos line back in the mid to late 2000's after I found that my dear Sony's went to chit more than on one purchase (their picture quality and build quality was very good for me back in the 80's-90's. I found a year or two ago now that the Sharp's are serious crap. Unfortunate. New tech and new plant equal low price which doubles into piss poor IMO. Shame as I had a few Aquos last me a good long while with nice pic and construction quality. HS

Very enjoyable series, Grahame. Thanks for posting! HS For fans of the rotary engine... https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/05/31/four-cycles-three-chambers-60-and-50-years-dual-anniversaries-for-the-wankel-rotary-engine/?refer=news HS

Be strong, DH! I have a similar dilemma. Love my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. AWD with the 6.4L HEMI and the 8-speed trans with paddles and big Brembos. Maybe 11K miles. They're coming out with the Hellcat (supercharged) version of the Jeep called the Trackhawk...ugh. Must......be......strong HS

Audi's interiors are impeccable. The one thing I struggle with them over is how much they charge for add'l power. They go crazy differentiating the sporty version from the base version when it comes to the pocket book... HS

Looks like Volkswagen is bringing the Golf R spec back to the US for the 2018 model year. No price point or real timing offered... https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2018-volkswagen-golf/preview/ HS

Here are my two bits. I have an offset smoker I had made for me 12 or so years ago by Pitts & Spitts when they were actually worth a shit. Offset firebox where the wood and charcoal go and I have a grate above that fire box should I want to grill over wood/charcoal. I have a propane log starter so it's easy to get going and I had it tapped off of and run to an industrial grade burner under the smoking area grate so the wifey can grill on it. There's a ball valve on one end and I fill the barrel with water up to the point where there's a cut out at the wall of the firebox...this allows more of a moist smoke and an easy drain of the remaining water and fat drippings. It gets the job done and is a true smoker but I had it customized to avoid two boxes behind the house. I thought about having a cold smoker box added on the opposite end of the firebox but I'm glad I didn't. I wouldn't have used it. My rig at the neighborhood Turkey Fry (we fry about 35 turkeys for the folks in the hood and I smoke ribs for everyone, jambalaya by a gent out of New Orleans, taco truck shows up for breakfast...big party). and of course...drinking games Back to the point... The Traeger type units are great in that they're very convenient and require a lot less work. They're basically ovens in many senses vs a true smoker. Nothing wrong with that, it's just a different animal and I certainly see their appeal just like I see the appeal of a Big Green Egg (porcelain smoker/grill that's great for chicken and ribs...fairly small grate IMO)....it's a specialty item that's highly dependent on what you want to cook and how much which is the moral of the story IMO. So I think the key is figuring out if you're going to grill mostly or if you're going to smoke mostly and how much convenience you like. The whole digital, remote temp thing is a game changer and it's wonderful for many as you don't have to mind the fire per se. Not how I cook, but how I smoke is an investment in time and is a lot of work (e.g. a bone-in pork butt of say 8-9lbs is easily a 9-10 hr job when cooking at 225 degrees (aka low and slow). A brisket can be a 12-15 hr affair. Then there's the clean out of the firebox. Can't beat the results if you really like smoked meat though....Texas will do that to one. So my recommendation is figure out how you'll cook and use the item and then if you plan on using it regular and/or keeping it long pay attention to the materials used (e.g. if they don't state what kind of steel they're using I'd be suspect even if it's a $2K unit). My boat anchor weighs about 450lbs and it's held up great uncovered under the eve behind my home. The stainless used is 304 grade. Best of luck and happy smoking... HS