(no subject)
You know what's annoying? When Americans don't understand simple aspects of their own language and grammar, yet we expect immigrants to.
For example, one fairly common phrase I see that drives me nuts is when people misuse conjunctions, specifically "didn't." Expand that: did not. Simple?
"Bangor didn't get rain today and so didn't Old Town." What that really says is "Bangor did not get rain today and so did not Old Town." Now, we all know the point that is being conveyed, but that's just terrible wording. And to top it off, I'm pretty sure most people talk like that just to sound smart. I seriously hate seeing the "..and so didn't..." sequence in sentence. Same thing can be said for "aren't."
In other news, I made yet another high priced impulse buy because I got suckered in to talking to an employee of Best Buy. This time I upgraded my camera (again) to get a Sony cybershot DSC-H9. Unfortunately I quickly outgrew my Canon A540 and needed something that would be more practical. Since the only thing I really use the camera for is wildlife/birds, I needed something with a good zoom and capability of taking good shots in low-light settings. This camera has a 15x optical 5x digital zoom and after one day in the field I'm impressed. The price tag was lower than an DSLR, and I didn't see enough of a benefit in the extra ~$400 price tag to get the Canon XTi Rebel (which I had previously been coveting). Plus, this camera has a good line of accessories out there (including a telephoto lens, for when the 15x zoom gets boring).
School is fast approaching and I'm already looking past it, to next summer. Why? Because at that time I will hopefully be purchasing a new car. And not just new-to-me, I mean totally new. As of right now, here is my top three:
1) 2006+ Saab 9-3 Aero;
2) 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX;
3) 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6.
I never thought I'd want a Saab, but I'm really impressed with the 9-3 Aero. 3.8L(t) V6 with 250bhp and a 6 speed, room for enough people, plenty of options and good gas mileage should my job make me travel (which it more than likely would). The problem is that it's a little pricey for the motor I want. The pre-2006 models have the (now) base model engine: 210hp 2L(t) V6. Faster than anything I've driven, but still- why hold out? I want the power.
The WRX is something that I've always been partial to. It's a good balance of speed, comfort and durability. The AWD will help in the winter and the 225hp will be enough to satisfy me. Plus, you can build one on their website for the price of a used 2006 Saab (roughly $25k). The thing I like about that is being able to upgrade my exhaust and intake straight from the factory, two mods I would undoubtedly do at some point. It's a toss up between those two at this point.
Finally the WS6 is something I've wanted since I was a kid. I don't know why, but there has been something about the Trans Am that I've always been drawn to. Maybe it's how it was marketed with the Tasmanian Devil back in the day, or maybe it's the fact that the 2002 puts down 335hp and an ungodly amount of torque to match. To top it off, it's sexy and gets close to 30mpg highway. The downside is that it's no longer in production and finding one the way I want would be tough. If I own a TA, it's going to be EXACTLY how I've wanted it since I was a kid, so I'm thinking it might be best to make this car wait until I'm 40 and having a midlife crisis. Plus, it's made by GM so the interior is quite tacky and outdated (I know Saab is owned by GM, but at least they put a little extra effort in to those cars). Honorable mention with the WS6 goes to the 2006 GTO, also made by Pontiac. Looks more modern than the WS6 and has an even beefier motor. Practicality in Maine is a problem, though.
For example, one fairly common phrase I see that drives me nuts is when people misuse conjunctions, specifically "didn't." Expand that: did not. Simple?
"Bangor didn't get rain today and so didn't Old Town." What that really says is "Bangor did not get rain today and so did not Old Town." Now, we all know the point that is being conveyed, but that's just terrible wording. And to top it off, I'm pretty sure most people talk like that just to sound smart. I seriously hate seeing the "..and so didn't..." sequence in sentence. Same thing can be said for "aren't."
In other news, I made yet another high priced impulse buy because I got suckered in to talking to an employee of Best Buy. This time I upgraded my camera (again) to get a Sony cybershot DSC-H9. Unfortunately I quickly outgrew my Canon A540 and needed something that would be more practical. Since the only thing I really use the camera for is wildlife/birds, I needed something with a good zoom and capability of taking good shots in low-light settings. This camera has a 15x optical 5x digital zoom and after one day in the field I'm impressed. The price tag was lower than an DSLR, and I didn't see enough of a benefit in the extra ~$400 price tag to get the Canon XTi Rebel (which I had previously been coveting). Plus, this camera has a good line of accessories out there (including a telephoto lens, for when the 15x zoom gets boring).
School is fast approaching and I'm already looking past it, to next summer. Why? Because at that time I will hopefully be purchasing a new car. And not just new-to-me, I mean totally new. As of right now, here is my top three:
1) 2006+ Saab 9-3 Aero;
2) 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX;
3) 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6.
I never thought I'd want a Saab, but I'm really impressed with the 9-3 Aero. 3.8L(t) V6 with 250bhp and a 6 speed, room for enough people, plenty of options and good gas mileage should my job make me travel (which it more than likely would). The problem is that it's a little pricey for the motor I want. The pre-2006 models have the (now) base model engine: 210hp 2L(t) V6. Faster than anything I've driven, but still- why hold out? I want the power.
The WRX is something that I've always been partial to. It's a good balance of speed, comfort and durability. The AWD will help in the winter and the 225hp will be enough to satisfy me. Plus, you can build one on their website for the price of a used 2006 Saab (roughly $25k). The thing I like about that is being able to upgrade my exhaust and intake straight from the factory, two mods I would undoubtedly do at some point. It's a toss up between those two at this point.
Finally the WS6 is something I've wanted since I was a kid. I don't know why, but there has been something about the Trans Am that I've always been drawn to. Maybe it's how it was marketed with the Tasmanian Devil back in the day, or maybe it's the fact that the 2002 puts down 335hp and an ungodly amount of torque to match. To top it off, it's sexy and gets close to 30mpg highway. The downside is that it's no longer in production and finding one the way I want would be tough. If I own a TA, it's going to be EXACTLY how I've wanted it since I was a kid, so I'm thinking it might be best to make this car wait until I'm 40 and having a midlife crisis. Plus, it's made by GM so the interior is quite tacky and outdated (I know Saab is owned by GM, but at least they put a little extra effort in to those cars). Honorable mention with the WS6 goes to the 2006 GTO, also made by Pontiac. Looks more modern than the WS6 and has an even beefier motor. Practicality in Maine is a problem, though.