Pointless Announcements

This is close to what's standard for many small businesses in the small city I live in. 10-6 Tu-Fr, 9-5 or 6 on Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. Some of the larger small businesses are open 7 days a week, but most of the smaller shops are closed at least one day a week, usually Sunday or Monday. These are places that offer things you won't find at your typical big box store, though. I'm not going to find a pair of Chacos or Danskos at Wal-Mart, nor can I buy a Shun or Global knife there, and while they certainly carry coffee, it's not single origin organic fair trade and it's not locally roasted. I'm also not going to drop money at Sports Authority, where the salespeople know next to nothing about running shoes, when I can pay roughly the same price at the local running store, where they will also do a gait and fit check to make sure I leave with the perfect shoe.

This isn't to say I don't shop at big box stores, because I do, but small business lives on and thrives in parts of our country, and I'm happy that I live in one of them. Honestly, a person in my town could easily go without shopping at any big box store, or even a major grocer, without difficulty. One thing I've noticed is that there seems to be a myth that small business = more expensive product, which I've found patently untrue. Our local home goods store beats Bed, Bath, and Beyond pricewise consistently, which is nice.

 

in a funky mood for no good reason

 

Glad I slept in this morning.

 

Nerd stuff Infographic: What's the fastest ship in sci-fi history?

 

yep...an 2016 Acura ILX...and I'm LOVING IT!!
I've never driven such a fun car.

There's a BIG difference than the 2015 & 2014 model...which most critics were down on for the auto class.
They REALLY kicked it up a notch for this year.
The ILX the smaller model has the same motor as the TLX the bigger model...so it takes advantage of power more with less weight. (and even fits me perfect, 6.2 QB build with most of my height in my torso...always hard to find a fit)

Bonus, since the previous years were less than stellar...the company & dealers are giving exceptional pricing to get back in the market by undercutting their competitors. (vs other brands, I saved $10K to $15K )

I got the Premium and A-SPEC packages to kick it up a notch even more...and make it really good
but I didn't find it necessary to spend on the Tech package...just more things to break, I don't need voice control, etc...and I saved on no AWD or NAV...which all the vendors are hyping and pushing as a selling point.
Instead I hooked up a NAV app on my iPhone to it by HDMI for only $60...shows up right on the car screen...and now it stays more up to date and is less proprietary. (same affect, less impact, less maint, more current )
And I'm in the city, why do I need AWD?? Again, another thing to break and maint.

Damned fun, rides like a dream, manipulates the road like I'm in Fast & Furious, kicks in with great torque. (IMHO and experience...can't speak for anyone else)
It's almost like I got a bucket list item checked sensation, even though it wasn't on my bucket list. I just needed a new fuckin' car...something to date in and do business in for Sr. Exec level. (an 8 yo Sentra doesn't do it...)
And strangely, more & more people are spontaneously admiring it...even the pros, even the damn Acura folks themselves (even their service shop staff and they're the most cynical of the bunch)

It will drive forever being basically a Honda, no fuss, little maint...great on gas/MPG...I didn't lease, so no worries about mileage. (can anyone say ROADTRIP?? )

Seriously, I couldn't be happier.
Now I can focus on other things...with a smile on my face going to them.