The Media is Creating the News Again as the Tappen Zee Bridge is Demolished

The demolition of the remnants of the Tappen Zee Bridge which spanned the Hudson River was planned as it was replaced by the Mario Cuomo Bridge.  It was originally scheduled for last Saturday but was postponed until today since it was very windy.  This has been mentioned umpteen time in the media over the past week or so.  Restaurants actually scheduled viewing parties.  I guess they are just trying to make a buck over this event.  The television stations in NYC actually interrupted programming to show this demolition which lasted only 20 seconds.

I guess some people get excited out of viewing a demolition.  Some years back a friend drove from NYC to Philadelphia just to see Veterans Stadium imploded.  Whatever turns you on.

Some Thoughts on Fast Food Restaurants

I have been to most, but not all of the restaurants seen in the photo above.  I also would not classify IHOP, Applebees, Dennys, or Olive Garden as fast food restaurants.

I remember growing up I could go into MacDonalds and get 2 hamburgers, fries, and a drink for less than a dollar.  Now a similar meal costs close to $10.  You can't fight inflation.

Over the past few years, Dunkin' Donuts has deemphasized the donuts.  I believe they are rebranding as just Dunkin's.  I like their breakfast sandwiches.  Some of their restaurants have seats, while others don't.

Noise is often a problem at fast food restaurants as they attract kids of all ages.  A few weeks ago I went to the Arby's in Fresh Meadows where most of the seats were taken by high school kids just hanging out at lunchtime and not purchasing food there.  I  like the thin sliced roast beef and the special sauce at Arby's, but I eat in and like to sit.

Over the last week, I observed twice adults bringing in outside food and taking their sweet time eating and possibly preventing a customer from sitting.  I just think the manager should enforce the no outside food rule and give a time limit for eating.

Random Thoughts of the Day

I am gradually getting acclimated to the newer car. I really like its smooth ride.  The control panel can be confusing and there will have to be a learning curve for me.  I will have to consult the owner's manual.

When I bought the car I had to switch over the insurance.  My agent told me that there is a defensive driving course that I should take to get a 10% discount.  I am now taking it online and should be finished in a day or so.  It is much more convenient than having to sit in a classroom somewhere.  Most of what is discussed is common sense.

Today I drove to the Cinemart Theater in Forest Hills to see On the Basis of Sex.  I must say that it is excellent.  All patrons of this theater received a free bag of popcorn.  This never happened to me in all my years of going to movies.

Picture of the Newer Car My 2015 Chevy Cruze

My Red 2015 Chevy Cruze

Today, I felt more comfortable driving around with it.  I stopped in Crocheron Park in Bayside and spent some time reading the owners manual.  I opened the hood and looked around.  I was quite impressed with the sound system.  Can anyone guess what radio station I played?

Buying Chevys in Forest Hills: 1972 and Today

Today I got a 2015 Chevy Cruze from Sunrise Chevrolet in Forest Hills.  Let’s turn back the clock to April 1, 1972 and examine the parallels between then and now.

In spring 1972 I enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Rhode Island in rural Kingston.  I found out the hard way that is was very hard to get around without a car.  I lived in a room about 1 mile north of the campus and took a bicycle to and from the campus.  That area was very spread out and I was limited to where I could go.  I pleaded with my parents to get a car for me.  On April 1, 1972 my father took me to Luby Chevrolet on Yellowstone Blvd and Queens Blvd in Forest Hills where we bought a 1972 Chevy Nova.

Over the years there had always been a Chevrolet dealership at that location, but the name had changed.  It became Lawrence, then HB and now Sunrise Chevrolet.  So today, almost 47 years later I went with Karen today and picked up a pre-owned Chevrolet Cruze.

Since it was a cloudy, dreary day, I decided not to photograph the new car.  I'll do it tomorrow.

Video about the 2015 Chevy Cruze

This is the longest video that I found on the 2015 Chevy Cruze that I am getting tomorrow.  I just think all the controls are quite complicated, but I'll be able to handle it after a learning curve.  

I Bought a Newer Car Today

Well, I went through with it.  Karen and I went down to Sunrise Chevrolet in Forest Hills and put a deposit for a 2015 Chevy Cruze as seen above.  The actual car that I purchased is red.  It has only 18,000 miles on it, so I think I got a pretty good deal.  Since I am approaching 70 years of age, it is likely the last car that I will ever own.  I will try to do some more driving with it as I averaged only 3,600 miles/ year on my 2000 Chevy Cavalier.  That car owes me nothing as it gave me almost 19 years of reliable service.  The dashboard on this newer car looks much more complicated so there will be a learning curve for me.