A Touch Too Much?
So, that was certainly an Alternate August, and now it is an Exceptional Early September. The Great Storm of ’11 (I say that in a way that pays homage to a certain episode of Vicar of Dibley that I hope some of you might recognize) did an amazing amount of disruption to the state of Connecticut and more (and less) in other parts of the East Coast. It could have been so much worse, but what this storm did more than anything else was show how incredibly fragile our wired (and wireless) infrastructure is, as this state in particular lost power in a very substantial fashion.
At our house, we were spared any damage to the structure itself but a mighty limb from a mighty oak from our mighty nice next-door neighbors came a crashing down in the driveway, and felled our power line (already dead, fortunately) our cable/internet line and our phone line. The phone line never quit, though. I found this amusing, for as recently as a few months ago static would render it unusable whenever it rained until a really sharp AT&T lineman finally figured out the problem and fixed it. As my beloved needed to get down said driveway to check on the horses which are six miles from here, I braved Irene’s reduced wrath as she was winding down and armed with my Farm Boss savagely severed the key limbs that blocked our way so we had a clear drive.
She got out fine, but then the real obstacle course around our town revealed itself. There were some series Ents blocking roads all over the place, and what was really bizarre to me about a lot of the results of this storm was the almost tornadic (is that I word? It is now) nature of the damage. In this case I’m referring to the contrast between trees left unscathed and trees left seriously scathed. To the best of my knowledge Irene (which was a Tropical Storm by the time it reached us) spawned no tornados or even much lighting around us, but there were certainly some microbursts of wind that took out some pretty serious vegetation. A lot of the new “tree wires” the power company installed recently to help prevent power outages or at least reduce repair time did a pretty impressive job of keeping the trees from hitting the ground and probably did prevent even worse damage, but probably not by that much due to the sheer scope of the storm.
So, let’s talk repair timelines. The storm hit late Saturday into Sunday, and we lost power (according to our standby generator’s log, which incidentally never missed a beat in nearly five days of non-stop service) at 9:17 AM Sunday the 28th. As our land phone line still worked fine (unlike our cell service, which died completely sometime Sunday as towers lost power), I was able to contact various concerns about outages and our need for repair. The power company had no estimate at all for restoration, which is completely understandable at this early stage of the crisis. The cable/internet company was really nice on the phone and said we’d have service by September 6th at the latest. Their tech showed up on Monday the 29th to access damage, and I was initially hopeful we’d have internet back sooner than later. This did not turn out to be the case, as I shall address later. I didn’t even call the phone company until Saturday, September 3rd, to tell them we needed them to rehang the fallen portion of still-functioning phone line. Despite me telling them there was certainly no rush as it was out of harm’s way, they showed up in a couple of hours and did the deed. Oh, and another aside: we started this event with only about 57% propane capacity for our generator, and once it was clear to me we might be without power for days I contacted to the propane company to arrange a refill. This meant stopping by their facility which is 10 minutes from here on Tuesday the 30th, and I was surprised to learn even though they have several massive submarine-sized tanks of propane they have no backup generator, meaning their computers were down in addition to facing unprecedented demand for their fuel. But a nice lady working there took down my information using the tried-and-true pad and pencil method, and assured me they’d be by to fill me up on Wednesday. They didn’t show up until Thursday, September 1, and didn’t even call to tell me they’d be late, but our generator refused to run out before then (word to the wise: you can dramatically stretch your propane if you turn off everything you don’t absolutely need to power yet keep your refrigerator, well pump, fans when it’s sweltering, etc. properly juiced. I know: Duh). When the gas truck did arrive about 11 AM the driver was clearly pretty tired, and told me he’s never seen anything like this week’s mess in his 40 years in the business. I certainly believe him. What I couldn’t believe was the chaos a bit earlier in the week when some gas stations couldn’t pump since they had no power and the ones that did started running out of gas. There were lines everywhere, which is always a weird sight, I figure traffic lights had battery backups, but they finally failed, too, and a lot of people had problems figuring out what to do. Scary, actually. Having an Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 urban-sport motorcycle proved great at getting around fallen trees, as well as frugal w/precious gasoline (although our Prius was even less thirsty. Think of that: the fact that it uses electricity to help propel it became key when there was not electricity to pump gas. Ironic).
The Big Restore really got cranking on Thursday, and as our own Connecticut Light and Power crews (as well as those from United Illuminating that provides power in certain parts of the state) were understandably swamped there were utility crews from all over the country coming to our aid. Our lines were restored by some wonderful men and women from Michigan, and it’s a really interesting outfit as they go all over when there’s a crisis and help put the grid back together. As every utility company has its own particular way of doing things, think of how much experience comes into play when you arrive from far away to fix a local system. They did a great job at repairing our fallen power line, and I have a lot of admiration for these people. Rescued our electrons, they did. Power was restored (and the Generac got a much-earned rest) at 7:26 PM on September 1st, and there was much rejoicing.
Friday night at about 9PM or so a truck from the cable company arrived, and re-hung the cable/internet line. As of now, though (Sunday the 4th at 2PM), we still have no service. Bummer. Once again, as it has throughout this crisis, a local Bagel cafe has served me well as they have satisfyingly quick free wi-fi. The smartness of my phone (once the cell service was re-powered mid-week) has also been a major help with keeping the email, texting, surfing, etc. So all in all, we got through this storm with only a bit of inconvenience, unlike countless thousands of others who really got slammed by this bitchy witch called Irene. Hopefully some good will come of this, and steps will be taken to fortify the grid better in the future. I should point out that despite perfect weather starting Monday morning there’s still folks without power here, and God help all those people in parts of New York state, Vermont and elsewhere who are dealing with the flooding we were spared from here, on top of everything else the storm dished out. We take so much for granted while the weather is mild, no?
Yes, for those of you that may recognize the dialogue in the title of this piece I’m a big fan of the film The Day the Earth Stood Still. I’m referring to the original, not that lame remake with Keanu Reeves. Although the latter was an interesting movie, it just wasn’t even in the ballpark of the original and shouldn’t have had the title because it was such a different beast. But in both films, there was a very imposing robot named Gort who had a very unique look. I have just spent quality time with a vehicle that really reminds me of the original Gort, in that weird way that something visually somehow reminds you of something you’ve seen before.
The Gort-like vehicle that is currently being a silent sentinel out in the driveway is the Infiniti QX56, which is your basic velvet tank that is as massive and powerful as it is decadently luxurious. The styling is very Gortish, and yet the smooth lines also work on another level as it look as if it was carved from a solid block of some rare metal and the quality of the Mountain Sage paint finish is extraordinary. It’s as big as a house, and built on the Nissan Titan’s robust truck frame (with some significant differences, like an independent rear suspension along with other more civilized components). The engine room has a lovely 400-horsepower V8, and this along with a (count ‘em) seven-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD system that includes an Auto mode facilitates your guiding this universal law-enforcement robot bus damn near anywhere it will physically fit. This is a very expensive unit (loaded as ours was it tops $72K), but I have to admit it really feels like a lot of expense and time went into the thing.
We had the optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system that (in Infiniti-speak) works like this: “Suspension travel is automatically controlled by hydraulic chambers integrated into each shock absorber. The chambers are cross-linked with piping, allowing for the transfer of hydraulic fluid, managed seamlessly by nitrogen-charged accumulators, from one side of the vehicle to the other. This enables the system to vary suspension travel independently on either side of the vehicle, thereby counteracting body lean and creating a luxurious, flat ride previously unavailable to drivers in this segment.”
This helps what should be a big, ungainly walrus of a vehicle get around in a much more competent fashion, and along with the splendid job they’ve done with suspension isolation the QX flattens road irregularities (and the odd, slow-moving Smart Car) with nary a shudder or rattle in the cabin. It really does feel like the upscale premium SUV it is, and certainly wouldn’t be out of place taking a sheik to dinner in Dubai or ferrying a Royal to examine the moors for stranded ponies. From the crisp acceleration to the surprisingly good brakes there is a lot here to appreciate, and what really surprised me was not just the overall level of quality (including the solid craftsmanship evident all over the cabin) but the fact that I even saw 17 MPG which is actually not bad for a small village on wheels.So, the QX56 is a pretty successful attempt at being what it’s supposed to be. That is actually not always the case with autos, even when you get to the upper echelons of the pricing pyramid. Yet, the thing that made my day about this rig was the how much it reminded me so much of one of my all-time favorite robots, from one of my favorite films. This is pretty weird when you think about it, but such is the world of the machines we trust with our lives in all kinds of situations. Gort the Infiniti will not only warn you if you stray from your lane, he will apply the brakes on one side to try and keep you inside the lines. The adaptive cruise control actually works well (this technology has been pretty hit and miss for years), and will apply the brakes to help keep you from rear-ending the car in front of you. There’s lots of other black box stuff to help protect you from yourself and others, which means this Gort (in addition to a certain similar visual presence) has a lot in common with the robot version in terms of stopping violence in your own personal universe. Lest you don’t understand the similarity, its a good excuse to watch a really excellent film.
“Don’t try to frighten usssss with your Sorcerer’ssss waysss, Lord Vader.”
-Imperial Dude w/ Snake-Like Imperial Lisp In times of great personal challenge and uncertainty, we often find ourselves asking ourselves, “What would Vader Do?” Yes, the Dark Lord of the Sith does seem to have a handle on things during times of crisis (in his universe, anyway). And today (while I wasn't even in crisis mode) the question was answered before I had the chance to ask it, which is a special bit of kismet when it happens.The answer was this here Caddy CTS-V Sport Wagon, and the (slightly altered) question was, “What Would Vader Drive?” Naturally, he’d go for this fine, insanely powerful Millennium Caddy, with its 6.2-liter Supercharged V8 that puts out 556 rebel-chasing horses and 551 lb.-ft. of planet-crushing torque. It’s much like the CTS-V sedan I mumbled about in an earlier post, and has all kinds of wicked goodness such as Brembo brakes, Caddy’s Magnetic Ride Control and a Bose sound system that is a fine medium for John Williams’ soundtracks. Oh, and best of all it’s black. Very black. They call the premium finish Black Diamond, which almost puts Mr. V’s lovely obsidian raiment to shame. Almost.
But while I’m on the subject, can you actually shame a Dark Lord, anyway? Nah. But you can say, “Kudos, Sith Master,” for this crate puts the hyper in hyperdrive. It’s every bit as fun as the sedan, yet you can haul far more light sabers, nuclear nunchuks and even an extra helmet or two. It’s almost enough to go over to the Side that is Dark. Almost.
I often get way too delighted by what some folks would consider mundane things, but hey, mundane is in the eye of the beholder. Regard the Roadgear Programmable Digital Tire Gauge, which is especially designed for motorcycle use (I will allow you to use it on other things, though. If you must). Behold its cool backlit screen, that makes a pressure reading easy to see even if you require +2 diopter reading glasses at close range (not me, of course. I have the near vision of an Aussie Cattle Dog. Oh, crap).
Where was I? I can’t see what I wrote. Oh yes: The greatest. Tire gauge. Evah.
Feel its solid construction. Marvel at its “Double Bridge” processor, that helps the gauge adjust for changes in humidity, temperature and altitude to maintain a claimed accuracy of plus or minus 1%. The programmable part is simple: you put in the desired pressure for each tire separately, and you can recall these values when you check the air and they will be displayed below the measured value to tell you where you are, pneumatically speaking. The head swivels and is mounted at a 90-degree angle so you can access hard-to-find valves, and, coolest of all, an LED flashlight is incorporated into the body to help locate said valve in the dark (and/or the whole motorcycle if you’ve tossed it into the shrubbery).
Now, I’m not saying you have to buy a motorcycle if you don’t have one in order to use this gauge, although you probably should. But it works well with any tire (or tyre) you might come across, and measures up to 99.5 PSI. The battery is replaceable, and the ergonomics of this handsome device are exceptional. Roadgear.com will sell you one for $32.90, and they sell a boatload of other great stuff too, especially catered to the touring motorcyclist. Check ‘em out, bro.
As much as I crave brilliant, sharp chronology when it comes to posting things on this elegant, user-friendly venue (thank you, Posterous), I am now taking you back in time to before the New York International Auto Show (non-Depraved, see below) to a month they call March and a thing they call Bike Week in Daytona Beach. I knew I was poised for an interesting trip when on the flight down, I could actually see the contrail of the Space Shuttle Discovery just above and in front of the 737 I was riding in. The Discovery was returning to earth after its final mission (see photo), and I was overcome with nostalgia. Crikey, I can remember its maiden voyage. Has that much time really gone by? Wow.
The title of Hunter Thompson’s groundbreaking magazine piece that launched his career as the father of gonzo journalism was, if memory serves, “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved.” Now, I’m not implying that the New York International Auto Show is in any way, shape or form like the violent, puke-filled orgy of weird that was, and I hear still is, the Derby. In my experience New York’s annual Metal Mashup doesn’t even rate on the same scale in the D &D department, and is arguably a more benevolent gathering (and almost completely free of galloping horses and gambling. I think. I have never expected every last nook and cranny, though).
In keeping with the topic of space utilization touched on by the previous smart passion cabriolet discussion (see previous post, complete with Red Green Appreciation photo), we have a vehicle that, while certainly not huge on the outside, could almost haul said weenie little smart car around in its cargo area. This Master of Space doesn’t refer to itself in the lower case like the smart does, either, and proudly calls itself the Ford Transit Connect. This is a very European take on the van/minivan genre that is not only quite brilliant, but a great fit for a lot of folks in these United States. The basic chassis foundation is the same starting point as found on the Ford Focus, although it’s really a very different beast. What we ultimately have here in the T-Connect is a front-drive minivan with a very tall roof, great mileage and a really impressive amount of room. The version I tested had a rear seat (but no third row although there’s certainly room for one), and a decent number of creature comforts for about $25K. With the rear seat in operation you have 78 cubic feet of load space, and with that seat folded you have 118 cubic feet of cargo-gobblin’ goodness. This is a lot of room by itself, but when you see how small the vehicle’s footprint is it’s very smart packaging indeed.
The lone powertrain is a 2-liter Duratec Inline Four with 136 horsepower, with is mated to a 4-speed Automatic transmission. Basic stuff, and certainly no dragster (0-60 in about 11.4 seconds), but it gets the job done around town just fine and delivered 24.7 MPG in mixed driving. I loved this thing. The moment you sit in it you see a Spartan yet nicely done Mobile Rolling Box Environment (MRBE), and I immediately looked around and started thinking about how a contractor could totally have their way with this vehicle and configure it to be the ultimate, fuel-efficient working companion. While you can’t quite stand up in the back of it, it does load an unload easily (two conventional doors in back, and a sliding door on both sides). Provided reliability is decent, I could see very low operating costs and considering it gets 10 MPG (or more) better mileage than most full-size pickups and has a lot of locking storage capability (even the hood opens only with a key-great for urban street parking security), it could be a very smart choice for many independent working folks. The question is, why did it take until 2011 for such an obviously useful vehicle so show up here?
There’s nothing quite like diversity, eh? It does tend to sweeten the pot, and make a potentially mundane field of daisies (like economy cars) much more interesting. I like outside of the box thinking, even when it goes across the street, into the neighbors shed and into that box of old golf magazines that’s been there of decades. I think that’s what the makers of smart cars (yes, they deliberately keep themselves lower case) have done, because when I first fired up a passion cabriolet and headed out into the world of larger cars, I was reminded of an ancient Harley-Davidson golf cart I once guided around a golf course in Plano, Texas, many, many years ago. It was the sound of the engine and the similar size of the two vehicles I think that took me down memory lane, although the golf cart had more cargo room (but it was always exposed, unlike the smart).