The 2008 season promises to be a busy one. To date, HotKarz has 60 shows on the calendar, beginning May 4th, and 25 cruise locations, just in Maine, alone. We have shows posted as far as Houlton to the NE and Millinocket to the north.
It has been difficult trying to get information on New Hampshire shows and cruises, but we'll keep trying - if you have any info on that, please send it along to ptwoodycrew@aol.com.
I had thought I would attend the show in Waldoboro on May 4th, but time considerations for other obligations prevents that - I will be attending the show at Starkey Ford in York, instead. So I am officially putting out a plea - if you go to Waldoboro, would you be so kind as to take pix and send them to me, so they can be posted for all to see? I would appreciate it.
For those who are interested, the Tuesday cruises scheduled at Gifford's Ice Cream in Auburn have been canceled, and from what I understand (I could be wrong), Maine Coastal Cruisers will be meeting at TJ's Pizza in Biddeford instead of Shopper's Village. (If you know this to be incorrect, please let me know - I am trying to get hold of Fritz to learn more about this).
Well, I gotta go work on the Woodie. Seems I blew something - neither the sound system nor the electric door locks are functioning. Already checked the fuses. Any suggestions? If I can't figure it out, I suppose I'll have to take it in for service.
See y'all soon!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Insanity
Earlier today I was in New Hampshire and paid $3.19 a gallon for gas. This afternoon, back in Maine, I got stuck for $3.59 a gallon.
The actual cost of a gallon of gas is less than $2.00 - the rest is federal, state, highway and assorted taxes. Maine, as we all know, has the highest taxes per capita of any other state in the nation - even more than New York or Massachusetts.
And it is costing us much more than we know! A Portland radio station recently reported that Maine businesses are emmigrating to New Hampshire - often to North Conway. Why? Taxes are much too high in Maine. And they report that Mainers buy their cigarettes and booze in New Hampshire. Why? You got it - taxes. And they report that over the last few years, a lot of Mainers have been leaving Maine, moving to New Hampshire. Can you guess why?
Maine is a beautiful state, with a tremendous amount of natural resources, not the least of which is its wonderful people. But Maine is losing people, jobs, businesses and more, while NH is growing - all because of the Maine legislature's complete ineptitude when it comes to taking and misusing our money. We all know this. But here is where it gets worse.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Well, guess what? Mainers are insane. They keep voting the same inept clowns into office. And they keep electing the same party into office. Doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting things to get better!
I will likely take a lot of flak for this, but I don't mind telling you I am not insane - insanity is fine when you are young, but I haven't been young since Moby Dick was a pollywog. Next time around, I'm voting for all new legislators, and for Republicans. The folks we now have in office have been unable to make anything better, and in most instances, have made things much worse. If you have kids in school, you know what I am saying. If you have been hurt by the debacle known as Dirigo, you know where I am coming from. And if you have noticed that the state is taking more of your paycheck - in one way or another - than the federal government, then perhaps it is time to stop doing insane things! In fact, the federal government and every state in the Union - except Maine - has made health care accounts (for self-employed or uninsured) tax free. Maine, however, taxes the income that a person puts into such an account.
And now the legislature - acting contrary to what the citizenry wants - has passed two bills that will increase gambling - and all the ills that follow it. Surprisingly, and to his credit, Balducci has refused to sign them. But don't think those clowns in the legislature are ready to let those bills die. They will return. And eventually they will pass. I have lived in several places where gambling is legal - including Vegas and Atlantic City. I have seen first-hand what follows. If you do not believe that an otherwise good young man who loses his rent & grocery money won't put on a ski mask and rob a liquor store in order to feed his kids, then you may not be living in the real world.
Thomas Jefferson said, "Every person gets the government they deserve." We have what we have because WE don't change it!
Maybe I notice it more because I spent most of my life in New Hampshire. Property tax is high, but it is close to being the only real tax. I pay almost $13,000 per year more in taxes now that I live in Maine. In other words, I could buy another $250,000 home in NH for the EXTRA taxes I am paying to Maine!
Think back - remember when Maine started the income tax so property taxes could be reduced? Well, have you seen your property tax bill lately? Then they voted in a sales tax, so the state income tax would not have to increase in order to keep property taxes down. Are your property taxes "down"? Not mine. So, instead of having one "big" tax, we now have three. And the legislators are crying that they do not have enough money yet! Brace yourselves...I think the air we breathe is about to get expensive.
It is noteworthy that in every one of the highest taxed states, the services provided are the worst. You would think it would be the other way around, but it's not. Think about it a moment - a state that uses its citizen's money wisely and well would naturally require less in taxes. States where the politicians are incompetent and irresponsible can never get enough tax money to pay for their stupidity. So, if you are subject to high taxes, then you have incompetent people at the State House and in the legislature.
Remember: while the cost of education is high, the cost of stupidity is much higher. It's time we stopped the insanity, fired the incompetent, and elect people who will do something different. Because doing the same things, over and over, and expecting things to get better is just plain nuts.
So, you're probably asking, "What's all this got to do with HotKarz?"
Your cars are sucking up $4.00/gallon gas, just like mine. Your discretionary income for your hobby is much smaller than it should be. Some of you will go to fewer cruises and shows because of the high taxes.
And as that happens, we will miss you dearly. Meanwhile, we're looking for a new home - in Wolfeboro, NH. We expect to be moving next year.
And the $13,000/year we'll be saving in taxes will insure we can continue going to the cruises and shows with the folks whose company, friendship and cameraderie we enjoy - YOU!
The actual cost of a gallon of gas is less than $2.00 - the rest is federal, state, highway and assorted taxes. Maine, as we all know, has the highest taxes per capita of any other state in the nation - even more than New York or Massachusetts.
And it is costing us much more than we know! A Portland radio station recently reported that Maine businesses are emmigrating to New Hampshire - often to North Conway. Why? Taxes are much too high in Maine. And they report that Mainers buy their cigarettes and booze in New Hampshire. Why? You got it - taxes. And they report that over the last few years, a lot of Mainers have been leaving Maine, moving to New Hampshire. Can you guess why?
Maine is a beautiful state, with a tremendous amount of natural resources, not the least of which is its wonderful people. But Maine is losing people, jobs, businesses and more, while NH is growing - all because of the Maine legislature's complete ineptitude when it comes to taking and misusing our money. We all know this. But here is where it gets worse.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Well, guess what? Mainers are insane. They keep voting the same inept clowns into office. And they keep electing the same party into office. Doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting things to get better!
I will likely take a lot of flak for this, but I don't mind telling you I am not insane - insanity is fine when you are young, but I haven't been young since Moby Dick was a pollywog. Next time around, I'm voting for all new legislators, and for Republicans. The folks we now have in office have been unable to make anything better, and in most instances, have made things much worse. If you have kids in school, you know what I am saying. If you have been hurt by the debacle known as Dirigo, you know where I am coming from. And if you have noticed that the state is taking more of your paycheck - in one way or another - than the federal government, then perhaps it is time to stop doing insane things! In fact, the federal government and every state in the Union - except Maine - has made health care accounts (for self-employed or uninsured) tax free. Maine, however, taxes the income that a person puts into such an account.
And now the legislature - acting contrary to what the citizenry wants - has passed two bills that will increase gambling - and all the ills that follow it. Surprisingly, and to his credit, Balducci has refused to sign them. But don't think those clowns in the legislature are ready to let those bills die. They will return. And eventually they will pass. I have lived in several places where gambling is legal - including Vegas and Atlantic City. I have seen first-hand what follows. If you do not believe that an otherwise good young man who loses his rent & grocery money won't put on a ski mask and rob a liquor store in order to feed his kids, then you may not be living in the real world.
Thomas Jefferson said, "Every person gets the government they deserve." We have what we have because WE don't change it!
Maybe I notice it more because I spent most of my life in New Hampshire. Property tax is high, but it is close to being the only real tax. I pay almost $13,000 per year more in taxes now that I live in Maine. In other words, I could buy another $250,000 home in NH for the EXTRA taxes I am paying to Maine!
Think back - remember when Maine started the income tax so property taxes could be reduced? Well, have you seen your property tax bill lately? Then they voted in a sales tax, so the state income tax would not have to increase in order to keep property taxes down. Are your property taxes "down"? Not mine. So, instead of having one "big" tax, we now have three. And the legislators are crying that they do not have enough money yet! Brace yourselves...I think the air we breathe is about to get expensive.
It is noteworthy that in every one of the highest taxed states, the services provided are the worst. You would think it would be the other way around, but it's not. Think about it a moment - a state that uses its citizen's money wisely and well would naturally require less in taxes. States where the politicians are incompetent and irresponsible can never get enough tax money to pay for their stupidity. So, if you are subject to high taxes, then you have incompetent people at the State House and in the legislature.
Remember: while the cost of education is high, the cost of stupidity is much higher. It's time we stopped the insanity, fired the incompetent, and elect people who will do something different. Because doing the same things, over and over, and expecting things to get better is just plain nuts.
So, you're probably asking, "What's all this got to do with HotKarz?"
Your cars are sucking up $4.00/gallon gas, just like mine. Your discretionary income for your hobby is much smaller than it should be. Some of you will go to fewer cruises and shows because of the high taxes.
And as that happens, we will miss you dearly. Meanwhile, we're looking for a new home - in Wolfeboro, NH. We expect to be moving next year.
And the $13,000/year we'll be saving in taxes will insure we can continue going to the cruises and shows with the folks whose company, friendship and cameraderie we enjoy - YOU!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
HotKarz.com Super Cruise
Hey, folks! Well, the 2008 Super Cruise trophies are in. Check 'em out here. First place is 26" tall! Details on how this will work can be found here.
Y'all will want to win one of these cool awards, so make sure you check HotKarz.com every Sunday beginning about mid-May, to find out where ballots will be available for that week.
Later!
Y'all will want to win one of these cool awards, so make sure you check HotKarz.com every Sunday beginning about mid-May, to find out where ballots will be available for that week.
Later!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
HotKarz Super Cruise Trophies
HotKarz.com wants to show their appreciation to all those who sponsor cruises, and all of those wonderful people who attend those cruises and allow others to enjoy their cars.
So we have decided to offer our own "HotKarz Super Cruise" trophies this summer, and everyone who has 4 wheels powered by something other than a mammal is eligible to win (except me, of course).
Here's how it works (I hope):
Throughout the season we will try to visit as many different "cruise-ins" as we can, at least once. And for ONE time at each cruise location, we will pass out ballots, then collect the votes. Car owners and spectators may vote, but we ask that no one votes for their own vehicle.
Later in the season, at a car show or cruise to be specified later, we will count up all the votes that were cast throughout the season and we will award three trophies for the Hottest of the Hot Cars.
This is strictly People's Choice - no special categories. And the trophies will be both big and beautiful (we will post the pictures when the trophies arrive).
Now, it is important that you find out on which nights we will be passing out ballots at which location, so you can plan to attend. We will post the dates and places each week, on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, letting you all know where we will be passing out ballots that coming week. We will post it on our home page at www.hotkarz.com, and on this blog, so watch for it.
So, I guess you will just have to come visit HotKarz.com every week. But that's OK - you will find a lot to entertain you. We post pictures of the shows and cruises, pics of the winners, a few comedy pix, a Featured Car of the Month, classifieds, this blog and more. So please make HotKarz.com a regular spot to visit.
Now, break out the polish and window cleaner....the season is upon us :o)
Bill, Robin & Criss
So we have decided to offer our own "HotKarz Super Cruise" trophies this summer, and everyone who has 4 wheels powered by something other than a mammal is eligible to win (except me, of course).
Here's how it works (I hope):
Throughout the season we will try to visit as many different "cruise-ins" as we can, at least once. And for ONE time at each cruise location, we will pass out ballots, then collect the votes. Car owners and spectators may vote, but we ask that no one votes for their own vehicle.
Later in the season, at a car show or cruise to be specified later, we will count up all the votes that were cast throughout the season and we will award three trophies for the Hottest of the Hot Cars.
This is strictly People's Choice - no special categories. And the trophies will be both big and beautiful (we will post the pictures when the trophies arrive).
Now, it is important that you find out on which nights we will be passing out ballots at which location, so you can plan to attend. We will post the dates and places each week, on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, letting you all know where we will be passing out ballots that coming week. We will post it on our home page at www.hotkarz.com, and on this blog, so watch for it.
So, I guess you will just have to come visit HotKarz.com every week. But that's OK - you will find a lot to entertain you. We post pictures of the shows and cruises, pics of the winners, a few comedy pix, a Featured Car of the Month, classifieds, this blog and more. So please make HotKarz.com a regular spot to visit.
Now, break out the polish and window cleaner....the season is upon us :o)
Bill, Robin & Criss
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Hopeful
Well, it has been a long winter, and though technically it is now spring, we still seem to be a ways from spring weather. Enough snow has melted so I can now see the Pacifica I parked last fall, but there is still about 20" of snow left to melt.
But spring is inching its way to Maine.
And with spring, we are putting together the 2008 calendar of cruises, shows and events. We already have a lot posted, but we are still waiting to hear from many others. If any readers know of any cruises or shows that we do not yet have posted, please send the info along to me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com
Looking forward to getting out into the gardens again! Of course, once I can get out and start gardening, the enthusiasm will wane quickly as the aches and pains begin to set it. But it still beats shoveling all that "global warming residue" out of the driveway. According to NASA, this has been the coldest winter, worldwide, in over 20 years.
Speaking of spring cleaning...
One of the most wonderful, comforting feelings in life comes to me one day each spring, when the sun shines, the temperature rises to 70 degrees, we can open all the windows, and listen to a baseball game on the radio or TV in the background as we do the spring cleaning as a family. THEN you knows it's spring! Takes me back to my childhood. Of course, in my family, the "family" that does the spring cleaning usually disappears to WalMart while I get stuck doing the work. But that's OK - as long as the ballgame is on in the background, with someone rounding third.
It is April, and in just four short weeks, cruises and shows will begin. I hope you all made it through the winter, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Bill, Robin & Christi
But spring is inching its way to Maine.
And with spring, we are putting together the 2008 calendar of cruises, shows and events. We already have a lot posted, but we are still waiting to hear from many others. If any readers know of any cruises or shows that we do not yet have posted, please send the info along to me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com
Looking forward to getting out into the gardens again! Of course, once I can get out and start gardening, the enthusiasm will wane quickly as the aches and pains begin to set it. But it still beats shoveling all that "global warming residue" out of the driveway. According to NASA, this has been the coldest winter, worldwide, in over 20 years.
Speaking of spring cleaning...
One of the most wonderful, comforting feelings in life comes to me one day each spring, when the sun shines, the temperature rises to 70 degrees, we can open all the windows, and listen to a baseball game on the radio or TV in the background as we do the spring cleaning as a family. THEN you knows it's spring! Takes me back to my childhood. Of course, in my family, the "family" that does the spring cleaning usually disappears to WalMart while I get stuck doing the work. But that's OK - as long as the ballgame is on in the background, with someone rounding third.
It is April, and in just four short weeks, cruises and shows will begin. I hope you all made it through the winter, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Bill, Robin & Christi
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Winter Blues
Darn, it's only February - gonna be about 3 months before anything starts cookin' again.
I had hoped some of our readers would submit stories, projects or news over the winter months, but I'm afraid that has not happened - perhaps we're just too new. If any of you have anything to submit, please feel free to do so.
I have begun putting together the 2008 calendar. While I have not been able to drum up a lot of stuff yet (most sponsors still do not have any schedule put together yet), I will keep collecting and adding data. If you know of any shows, cruises or events that are not yet posted, please submit as much info as you can, and I will get it up.
Back in December a bunch of us got together for a Christmas party at Two Trails Fabulous 50's Diner in Standish Maine. We had a good time, with good friends and good food. And Gibbs was presented with a huge trophy of his own, for a change. The plaque read "Two Trails Fabulous 50's Diner, Best Cruise Night Host, from The Gang, 2007". Gibby was surprised, to say the least. Gibbs has done so much for us car folk, and has never asked anything in return. If anyone deserved a trophy, he's the one!
Well, I cannot promise to blog a lot for the next few weeks, as there is too little to write about during the winter. But I will try to keep you all up to date.
Later!
I had hoped some of our readers would submit stories, projects or news over the winter months, but I'm afraid that has not happened - perhaps we're just too new. If any of you have anything to submit, please feel free to do so.
I have begun putting together the 2008 calendar. While I have not been able to drum up a lot of stuff yet (most sponsors still do not have any schedule put together yet), I will keep collecting and adding data. If you know of any shows, cruises or events that are not yet posted, please submit as much info as you can, and I will get it up.
Back in December a bunch of us got together for a Christmas party at Two Trails Fabulous 50's Diner in Standish Maine. We had a good time, with good friends and good food. And Gibbs was presented with a huge trophy of his own, for a change. The plaque read "Two Trails Fabulous 50's Diner, Best Cruise Night Host, from The Gang, 2007". Gibby was surprised, to say the least. Gibbs has done so much for us car folk, and has never asked anything in return. If anyone deserved a trophy, he's the one!
Well, I cannot promise to blog a lot for the next few weeks, as there is too little to write about during the winter. But I will try to keep you all up to date.
Later!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Passin' time...
Well, it's official - I am now working on my SECOND million. I gave up on the first. My brother Bobby told me I should have married for money. I reminded him that I did, with my first marriage, but as soon as her $36.42 was gone, so was I.
I started out with nothing, and I'm proud to say I have most of it left. And I agree with Ben Stein, that I should give Uncle Sam 10% more of my income. What the Hell - 10% of nuthin' doesn't come to very much, anyway. In fact, I'm willing to offer twice that much. If someone needier than me can make good use of it, I say "go for it".
But my generosity doesn't stop there - I'm going to give you twice as much this Christmas as I gave you last Christmas. But not my ex-wife. She's not gonna get anything else from me until she uses what I gave her last Christmas. That burial plot cost me too much to want to see it go to waste.
Seriously though, my ex wasn't that bad. And that was the problem. If she had put a little more effort into being BAD, we might still be together. But it still wouldn't have worked - $36.42 can go just so far.
The aliens were here again last night. They left their bigfoot tracks in the snow (otherwise known as "global warming residue"). But not before they participated in a carcophony of noise that almost sounded like refrains of "Silent Night". My wife says they left without incident once she gave each of them a cup of hot cocoa.
I'm already giving some thought to my 2008 New Year's resolutions. Since no one keeps their resolutions anyway, I have decided to be more tolerant of liberals, and maybe I'll even give Hillary the benefit of the doubt.
Nah! That's going to far.
My wife dyed her hair blonde, and now her brain is like teflon. She forgets everything in 2.3 seconds flat. I know it's not a precursor to alzheimers because she has no problem remembering every little mistake I have made in our 16 years together. She just can't remember why the car keys were in the fridge.
The other day, as I was snow-blowing all that global warming residue out of the driveway, my wife came out to help, shovel in hand. But no boots on her feet! I sent her back into the house to get boots on, and when she reappeared, the shovel was gone. She couldn't remember where she put it, but at least she had boots on. I kissed her, then finished plowing.
Gonna be a lo-o-ong winter!
I started out with nothing, and I'm proud to say I have most of it left. And I agree with Ben Stein, that I should give Uncle Sam 10% more of my income. What the Hell - 10% of nuthin' doesn't come to very much, anyway. In fact, I'm willing to offer twice that much. If someone needier than me can make good use of it, I say "go for it".
But my generosity doesn't stop there - I'm going to give you twice as much this Christmas as I gave you last Christmas. But not my ex-wife. She's not gonna get anything else from me until she uses what I gave her last Christmas. That burial plot cost me too much to want to see it go to waste.
Seriously though, my ex wasn't that bad. And that was the problem. If she had put a little more effort into being BAD, we might still be together. But it still wouldn't have worked - $36.42 can go just so far.
The aliens were here again last night. They left their bigfoot tracks in the snow (otherwise known as "global warming residue"). But not before they participated in a carcophony of noise that almost sounded like refrains of "Silent Night". My wife says they left without incident once she gave each of them a cup of hot cocoa.
I'm already giving some thought to my 2008 New Year's resolutions. Since no one keeps their resolutions anyway, I have decided to be more tolerant of liberals, and maybe I'll even give Hillary the benefit of the doubt.
Nah! That's going to far.
My wife dyed her hair blonde, and now her brain is like teflon. She forgets everything in 2.3 seconds flat. I know it's not a precursor to alzheimers because she has no problem remembering every little mistake I have made in our 16 years together. She just can't remember why the car keys were in the fridge.
The other day, as I was snow-blowing all that global warming residue out of the driveway, my wife came out to help, shovel in hand. But no boots on her feet! I sent her back into the house to get boots on, and when she reappeared, the shovel was gone. She couldn't remember where she put it, but at least she had boots on. I kissed her, then finished plowing.
Gonna be a lo-o-ong winter!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)