More Znow and iZe...

For once, forecast was pretty accurate. The snow we got yesterday evening sort of melted away (pretty nice day actually) but later in the afternoon, the skies opened up and snow was falling again. It was a lot, and it was wet. It came just in time for the evening commute, and once it stopped (snowing), the cold air rushed in. Everything just frooze, everything! Not just water, everything! Traffic grinded to a complete halt since the moisture on the roads turned into a nice solid - and slick - sheet of ice.

It was sort of fun to see how a little bit of moisture can completely bring this rugged part of the US to a total standstill. Not sure why that is, but rain (in a city known for its rain) creates havoc in traffic. Snow, in a city that sits at the foothills of the majestic Cascade Range, does it in even worse. I guess people are just not thinking.

When it's icy, 4x4 does not really help, nor does feverishly spinning the wheels in hope of getting some traction. But, I guess most people never tried, or was taught how, to drive in snow and on ice. Gentle "movements" (steering, accelerator, brakes) are always best and once you actualy do get some traction, it is not that much different from "normal" driving - s long as all movements are s-l-o-w.

Judging from the interviews on TV, people think they need a big, heavy, SUV in order to drive in snow, but the very opposite is almost more correct. The heavier the vehicle, the more mass to control, to skid, to loose control over, and eventually "ditch". I drive a big SUV (Toyota LandCruiser) and I always joke that the only benefit you get, is that you can get much farther before you get stuck. I.e., longer to walk back out!

One of the better cars for snow driving is a traditional front wheel drive like the old Saab 900. Big wheels, long suspension travel, decent ground clearance, a lot of weight over the wheels with traction, and still not not too heavy of a car. In one of those, I'd challenge almost anything out there when the white stuff is falling. A Subaru AWD is not to bad either, but it needs to have decent sized wheels, like to Outback models.
Don't get me wrong, the LandCruiser is a fantastic vehicle, but like all big trucks, when it gets slippery, you really have to slow down! No modern systems/gizmos can beat the laws of gravity!

Some "unbiased" reporting on today's snow here.

First Znow!

November this year has so far been a month to remember. We are on a good running for the wettest month EVER (over 15" of precip), and to top that off, we actually got a fair amount of snow late today. Not often we actually see it here in the lowlands, but so good to see it. Reminds me of winters in Northern Sweden, or in the French Alps. Actually miss - living in - the snow more than I really remember.
Took the wife and the dogs first to Home Depot and then up to Rose Hills so they (dogs only) could romp and run around in the white fluff. Cool to see them so happy. Will likley have to take a day and do some snowhiking with Phoebe up at the pass this week. She'd love hat!

Forecast calls out for bitterly cold weather over the next days so this could be an interesting week!

ThankZgiving...

...is day of feasting. As "always" we did not have to take that many steps across the street to join John&Jan and their family&friends for a great feast. The bar war sitting higher this year after the "risgrynsgröt" article. But, I hope I was able to deliver - again.

As for John, anything he touches turns in to a great meal. Yes, he does have good helpers, and he spends time, but at the end, it is always good. Thanks guys for another splendinf evening!

For Americans, this 4-day weekend is just as sacred -and filled with food - as the long Christmas holiday in Sweden. There is one big difference though. As where in Sweden one can rest and relax on the 25th and 26th of December after feasting on the 24th, Americans are up before dawn in order to get the best "deals" on the very first day of the holiday shopping (day after Thanksgiving, aka "Black Friday").

I read some articles that people had started lining up at 12.30PM on Thursday afternoon in order to get "that" laptop or "the" game console. Heck, is it really worth screwing up the only real extened weekend of the year and forego all the food and friends, for an electronic "gizmo", that can just as well be bought a few days later. Or even better, when one really needs it.

Holiday Zpirit

Took the bus to downtown Seattle today to meet up with Magnus for a stroll in town and a lunch (as well as to pick up a new phone).

Grizzly day with rain, but it really did not matter. Downtown Seattle is a great place to be before the holidays. One can really "feel" the spirit and with many shops already decorated for Christmas, it looks like Santa will be coming this year again.

Even in the pouring rain it was a nice stroll through downtown and up to Magnus and Marie's place. Got to see and test the new Squeezebox. Seem to be a great device for finally getting all mp3s off the computer and into the living areas. Maybe Santa will bring one...

Zwedish Cultural Imperialism...

...can one read about in in today's Seattle Times:

It is a little story about a very loved dish on the Swedish Christmas table...

WorldZ beZt car...

Toyota have a reputation for making great cars. Maybe not the sexiest, but nevertheless a car that takes one from point A to point B in some type of class.

When it comes to the LandCruiser, this is also valid in roadless terrain. Few cars, possibly with the exception of the LandRover Defender, have seen such diverse conditions in all the four corners of the world as the venerable LandCruiser.

But like all mechanical beings, they break down or get worn out. For possibly two years, I've had an issue with the starter (solenoid) not being 100% realiable. Initially, it was more like the battery needed to "juice up" since the car always would start at 2nd or 3rd attempt. But, once in October of this year, luckily in the garage, it just would not turn over. Glad it happened when it did, could have been on a distant forest service road, or worse, on vacation far away.

Some quick research pointed to the starter contacts being burnt out. Normally happens on the LC after some 70K-90K miles. I guess it was my turn.

On any and all vehicles, pulling the starter is done in 30 minutes. But Toyota in the development of their DOHC V8 engine (that first showed in the Lexus) decided to put the starter on top of the engine between the cylinder banks, under the intake manifold. Not a bad position, since it is pretty well protected and sits high up so you can ford a stream w/o having to worry about water getting into the starter. The only drawback though is when you need to do some maintenance on the starter - such as right now! The normally 30 minutes takes about 4-6 hours in the shop. Oh well, I was in no real rush anyway.

A couple of good posts from Tundra Solutions and IH8MUD.com provided more than enough info to tackle this job. And, parts totalling only about $30 made this an easy decision compared to dragging the truck to the dealer (~$900).

I did post some feedback on Tundra Solutions, but for those who do not want to venture away from this blog, here are some pictures from the surgery...

Election Day

Well, in a few days I hope to have some scattered comments and ideas on this years election, an election that finally went the "right" way. Still hope for this country!