stuff123

It’s winter in Canada so the days are shorter and it always reminds me that human beings are just another animal on this planet and maybe not the smartest one either. I think the big bear comes out in me at this time of year. Although I think my “hibernation” is more a reaction to staying in out of the cold because I don’t ski or play hockey like I used to.

So it seems you still get tired and a good nap is in order to recharge the batteries. For the last three nights I have had the perfect accompaniment for this nap. It’s professional hockey’s all star break so there was the NHL All Star game, the AHL All Star game and tonight the Leafs are back playing. They all were more like shinny games we played at the local open air rink as kids. Lots of scoring and no defence.

There is something about the crowd noise and the announcers voices that is comforting. It’s almost like your mother’s tranquilizing voice singing a soothing lullaby. I guess for Canadians, that’s not too far from the truth. It is our game although others argue that lacrosse is more correctly our national game. They both have very strong routes here, there can be no doubt of that.

The preamble to the AHL game was doubly embarrassing when a former American Idol finalist butchered both the Canadian and American national anthems. And somehow Toronto was part of the Planet World Team and got booted out of Canada because Milwaukee, Hershey, Scranton and Worcester all got transplanted to Canada for the game. So I didn’t miss anything there either. When did Wisconsin get a navy—The Milwaukee Admirals?

And the Leaf game. Last time I looked it was 6-1 for the Minnesota Whatevers in those awful red and green uniforms—Minnesota Wild? I remember two teams in Minnesota—the North Stars and the Fighting Saints (NHL & WHA). Once again Wiki came to the rescue when I couldn’t recall the Saints team colours even though I was working in team sales for Cooper at the time. The last two seasons had a notation that I thought was only reserved for car racing—DNF (Did not finish). They folded the team twice in the dying years of the World Hockey Association.

The WHA had two teams with the same team colours—Edmonton and San Diego. Made the equipment managers earn their keep after a fight. It added a new meaning to delaying the game. I guess San Diego Hamburgers in a brown and red uniform wouldn’t work. Ray Croc of McDonald’s fame was the owner.

Oh yeah and the DNF thing. That reminds me, NASCAR will be starting soon. Sunday afternoon will be nap time again. Nothing like the drone of 43 engines on steroids to lull you to sleep.

Those are power naps!!

TK has made her decision on a new car and is standing firm despite her friends “giving her the gears” regarding the car of her choice.

Aussies and Canucks have one thing in common. We are verbally polite. You have to read between the lines to figure out what we are really saying. It’s TK’s decision and you know where you can put yours. Hint: It’s kinda’ dark in there. I don’t leave as much space between my lines as other Canadians do.

So I haven’t kept up on all the latest stuff in new cars because I’m still driving the new car I bought in 2002. It works just fine and Alfonso fixes the minor stuff and the wear and tear stuff that the car gets in the light use I put it through.

But why did TK pick a Mazda 2. Truth is, I was wondering if she actually read gonna update my car and the answer is maybe. Looks to me that she has chosen a very functional and basic car and will most likely add a few personal touches to it in the final negotiations. Get them to throw in the better stereo for free or it’s no deal.

So I google Mazda Australia and Mazda Canada and Mazda USA. We don’t have a Mazda 2 in North America. The closest car I can see is going to be the 2010 Mazda 3 Sport which isn’t available yet. It’s really a 2009 but the car market here thinks we’re stupid or something so they think it makes the car “newer” if they lie about its age.

The Mazda has a very fuel efficient 1.5L engine and doesn’t have too many options—extra stuff. The Mazda 3 Sport will come with a 2.0L engine standard and then a whole list of options or extra junk (junk is just useless stuff)—Bluetooth, a military-like display for your dash, a 10 speaker stereo (where do you sit with all those speakers in the car), remote starter, remote keyless entry, bigger wheels, heated seats (I won’t tell you how I heat my seat), etc. etc.

So the 2010 Mazda 3 is going to cost us a whole lot more than what TK is going to pay for her Mazda 2. With today’s state of the world economy, we need Mazda 2’s. Not just in cars, but everything. That doesn’t mean that the higher priced models with more options aren’t still relevant. We just need to have the choice and we, the customer, will decide which one is right for us today.

The Mazda 2 idea is something I remember in my friends’ first cars. I didn’t get a car or license until my mid 20’s because I didn’t need one. Public transportation, friends and the fact that I was the youngest of 3 boys in a one-car family made that decision very easy. My friends had Volkswagen Beetles, Minis, Honda Civics, 6-cylinder Camaro’s with bench seats. Air conditioning meant you rolled down the windows by hand (if the handle worked) and drove quicker. The only real option you dealt with at the dealership was the colour.

So, for the North American car manufacturers, if you want to see your business improve give us Mazda 2’s and 3’s and 4’s, but let us decide what an entry level car should be and not you. And call a 2009 a 2009. Otherwise, when I get my next car in 2025, I’m going to ask for 2 stereos or it’s no deal.