New Wheels

I wanted a car with a lot of tech and a comfortable ride. The LS460 meets that requirement exceptionally well. It's taken about six months to find a used one that met my criteria for purchasing and the Smokey Gray Mica 2007 LS460 L that you see in the driveway is the outcome of all my research. It is loaded!

The laundry list of features is too lengthy to list, so here are a few highlights: self parking package (I don't need it yet, but you never know), laser cruise control, adjustable air suspension including height adjustment, rear comfort package which includes reclining seats and a separate air conditioning unit with separate controls for rear passengers, blue tooth, heated steering wheel, an eight gig hard drive, power open and close trunk button and power door closure for all doors, XM with Nav traffic updates, push button start, adaptive swivel headlamps, Lexus Link, Mark Levinson surround sound, rear view camera, DVD player, chrome rims with new tires, etc, etc.. This car is a certified Lexus with a three year hundred thousand mile bumper to bumper warranty (you need that with all the tech stuff).

A non smoking lawyer leased this vehicle for three years and bought another one just like it a few days ago. His new 2010 is the same as his 2007 except with seats that massage the back. This is the third leased Lexus that the sales consultant has sold to this customer, so he knew every nuance regarding the particulars of the vehicle. Compared with many other ones that I looked at, this one was the best - by far.

Lexus has some damage control to deal with in regards to recent recalls on the LS460, so dealers are dealing on this model, especially before the media does an Apple 4G like media blitz on their luxury car. However, the cloud over the 460, as to quality issues, did help on the price. Lexus will probably get bashed by Consumer Reports for these quality control issues in the near future. Since I'm a die hard Lexus, (and Apple) fan - I'm not really affected as to how I feel about the brand and the recent news. The recall info has been on the Lexus forums and blogs for weeks now, but it hasn't had much affect on sales. My last one (Lexus LS430) was the best vehicle that I've ever owned and the best dealership experience that I've yet to encounter.

I kept my last Lexus for six plus years and I may keep this one longer, if the tech stuff holds up that long. Tech-wise it's already dated somewhat, since it is an 07 model. I really get a kick our of playing with the tech stuff. Having just turned sixty-five, what else is there to get excited about? Incidentally, my Apple 4G paired perfectly with the car, via blue tooth, the first time around and with no glitches. Hallelujah! I wasn't expecting that to happen!

We're headed to Monterey this weekend for our first road trip in the new Lexus and I'm anxious to see how it does. I'll fill you in after we return.

Blogger Update

The Blogger web site has recently been having problems with the posting of pictures to their blogs. Hopefully, this has now been fixed. I plan to add some new photos soon. So stayed tuned, as I'll have some pics of the LS460 in a few days.

Video of Fontaine Ferry Park - A Racial Powderkeg

I must forewarn those who view this YouTube posted video, regarding Fontaine Ferry Park, that the title for the video is racist, ignorant as to it's intent and demeaning to Blacks. However, it does reflect the polarity that exist when discussing various views regarding the closure of Fontaine Ferry Park. I am appalled by the wording, but it serves to demonstrates the deep seeded prejudice that still exist in our country. A disgusting reality, I fear.

The video is well balanced in its content and provides a historical record of Fontain Ferry Park.

"Westenders", at least us senior types, will recognize a lot of scenes from the below clip featuring Louisville's Fontaine Ferry Park. Most of us become rather nostalgic when discussing the park and we often express difficulty in understanding all the issues behind the park's closure. Nevertheless.. it was great fun for those who had the opportunity to experience Fontaine Ferry and especially for those who lived in the West End. Fontaine Ferry contributed significantly to our upbringing, for better or worse, I suppose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqV7ios9eqI&feature=geosearch

Spring Time!

The weather in Sacramento is finally looking more like spring. Our May weather was unseasonably cool and the rainfall was significantly more than normal. With temperatures on the rise and lots of sun forthcoming, I plan to take several photos during the outings Nancy and I have planned over the next couple of months. Monterey is definitely one of our summer destinations. We're also considering a couple more cities to visit this summer, particularly ones that we have never visited.

My most recent pics show Brandon helping out at a Big Breakfast Sunday get-together and one of Chili Dog letting everyone know just who is in charge of his favorite chew toy - a rawhide shoe.

You can see a video of a recent Big Breakfast Sunday on our Flip channel. As an added bonus - I've also posted a video of Chili Dog digging around in her blanket while attempting to find a morsel from her Chief Michaels (Purina Brand) dog treats. If you look closely, you'll see a piece hidden in her blue blanket. Hey, there is always some form of entertainment happening at the Davis household. Never a dull moment. Enjoy!!!

To see the videos, click on the link and fill in:

http://www.flipshare.com/view.aspx?nRecipient=ZWY3Y2EyYjYtNDZmNi00YTUwLTgwN2UtNDI3Y2M0ZGJkZTdi

email address - jrdmobile@yahoo.com
password - opentheflip

Correction to Derby Pick

I may have slipped up a little in regards to my choice for the winner of last week's Kentucky Derby. I probably should have suggested that everyone back up their win bet on Sidney's Candy, with a place and show bet on Ice Box - silly me. Whatever... anyway, I guess we can all just LOL about that minor oversight and start to focus on the next leg of the Triple Crown - the Preakness on May 15th.

If you have concerns about the farm you may have lost from making that partial Derby bet - rest assured - you will easily recoup the lost with my surefire pick for the Preakness. Now hang in there and keep your chin up. My "insider" info will provide us with the right stuff to make a bundle on the next race. Joy to the world!

Derby Pick - Sidney's Candy

Starting from the twentieth post position shouldn't hurt my horse in this race. It's better than being on the rail. However, if the track is real sloppy, he may have a problem. I've been going back and forth between Ice Box and Sidney.... but it's time to pick a horse - and even though Ice Box should have way better odds - I'll put my money on Sidney's Candy. This should be a very good race, especially if the favorite (Lookin at Lucky) runs out of the money. Hope everyone has a fun Derby Day! Don't forget, bet the farm on Sidney's Candy.

I'm Amazed

The Louisville band, "My Morning Jacket", with Jim James and the boys, has a unique sound that you probably either love, or hate. Myself, I give the band a big "thumbs up" - and not just because they started in my home town of Louisville, Kentucky... well, maybe I am a little biased, because I grew up in Louisville, but you might become a fan as well, after you hear the band on You Tube - performing their hit song, "I'm Amazed".

You'll notice that Jim James likes to move around a lot on stage, with his head down, even with the rather dim lighting that the band favors. That may have been the reason he fell and injured himself while performing on stage a while back. Of course, there may have been other reasons as well, I don't know for sure.

The concert footage of the band performing, "I'm Amazed", is handheld and raw, but it gives you a good feel of the band playing live, rather than in a studio. Check it out and let me know how you like Jim James and My Morning Jacket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEslfjy9HCQ&feature=PlayList&p=1BA6609BA8E709DC&playnext_from=PL&index=3