HemiSam

A lot of truth to that. Take fancy china and crystal from wedding gifts. What's the point if you don't use them now and again... Probably a bad example after the manly wood chopping one...lol. HS

Ford Fiesta breaking hearts.... HS

Ford Focus to be made in China??? https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/your-next-generation-ford-focus-will-be-built-in-china/?ftag=CAD13782fc&bhid=25929228263003360050844531033783 HS

RIP, Vic. I believe they've tried to sell quality stuff. Not a lot of MOPAR love, but heck that's the same for most vendors. We don't have the numbers live the Ford and GM guys. Godspeed, Vic....hope you get to race and have fun wherever you are. HS

In case this is of any use... http://www.smokedbbqsource.com/best-smoker-thermometers/ HS

Spirited exchange... HS

RIP Flounder... HS

Looks like the new Honda Civic Type R is headed stateside. There's a convenient vid in the photo gallery for the less than motivated. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2017-honda-civic-type-r-preview/ One thing Honda can do is build motors. Really impressive mills they make IMO. Not a big fan of the looks, but that's just me....old school. HS

Truly heart wrenching. HS

Deezer sent this one my way HS

Kind of funky but working for me on a lazy Sunday...give it a few seconds to settle in suggested HS

Oh no.... Iconic figure in my early years. So good at that twisted role and series. Worked for me in the early '70's. Godspeed, Adam... HS

For fans of the rotary engine... https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/05/31/four-cycles-three-chambers-60-and-50-years-dual-anniversaries-for-the-wankel-rotary-engine/?refer=news HS The post above I thought was posted days ago...LOL. Oh well. This one was intended for today....with some luck. Made me chuckle. HS

Real shame, DC. Mine lasted a good long while, but the new ones will make you tear up... HS

I was a huge fan of the Sharp Aquos line back in the mid to late 2000's after I found that my dear Sony's went to chit more than on one purchase (their picture quality and build quality was very good for me back in the 80's-90's. I found a year or two ago now that the Sharp's are serious crap. Unfortunate. New tech and new plant equal low price which doubles into piss poor IMO. Shame as I had a few Aquos last me a good long while with nice pic and construction quality. HS

Very enjoyable series, Grahame. Thanks for posting! HS For fans of the rotary engine... https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/05/31/four-cycles-three-chambers-60-and-50-years-dual-anniversaries-for-the-wankel-rotary-engine/?refer=news HS

Be strong, DH! I have a similar dilemma. Love my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. AWD with the 6.4L HEMI and the 8-speed trans with paddles and big Brembos. Maybe 11K miles. They're coming out with the Hellcat (supercharged) version of the Jeep called the Trackhawk...ugh. Must......be......strong HS

Audi's interiors are impeccable. The one thing I struggle with them over is how much they charge for add'l power. They go crazy differentiating the sporty version from the base version when it comes to the pocket book... HS

Looks like Volkswagen is bringing the Golf R spec back to the US for the 2018 model year. No price point or real timing offered... https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2018-volkswagen-golf/preview/ HS

Here are my two bits. I have an offset smoker I had made for me 12 or so years ago by Pitts & Spitts when they were actually worth a shit. Offset firebox where the wood and charcoal go and I have a grate above that fire box should I want to grill over wood/charcoal. I have a propane log starter so it's easy to get going and I had it tapped off of and run to an industrial grade burner under the smoking area grate so the wifey can grill on it. There's a ball valve on one end and I fill the barrel with water up to the point where there's a cut out at the wall of the firebox...this allows more of a moist smoke and an easy drain of the remaining water and fat drippings. It gets the job done and is a true smoker but I had it customized to avoid two boxes behind the house. I thought about having a cold smoker box added on the opposite end of the firebox but I'm glad I didn't. I wouldn't have used it. My rig at the neighborhood Turkey Fry (we fry about 35 turkeys for the folks in the hood and I smoke ribs for everyone, jambalaya by a gent out of New Orleans, taco truck shows up for breakfast...big party). and of course...drinking games Back to the point... The Traeger type units are great in that they're very convenient and require a lot less work. They're basically ovens in many senses vs a true smoker. Nothing wrong with that, it's just a different animal and I certainly see their appeal just like I see the appeal of a Big Green Egg (porcelain smoker/grill that's great for chicken and ribs...fairly small grate IMO)....it's a specialty item that's highly dependent on what you want to cook and how much which is the moral of the story IMO. So I think the key is figuring out if you're going to grill mostly or if you're going to smoke mostly and how much convenience you like. The whole digital, remote temp thing is a game changer and it's wonderful for many as you don't have to mind the fire per se. Not how I cook, but how I smoke is an investment in time and is a lot of work (e.g. a bone-in pork butt of say 8-9lbs is easily a 9-10 hr job when cooking at 225 degrees (aka low and slow). A brisket can be a 12-15 hr affair. Then there's the clean out of the firebox. Can't beat the results if you really like smoked meat though....Texas will do that to one. So my recommendation is figure out how you'll cook and use the item and then if you plan on using it regular and/or keeping it long pay attention to the materials used (e.g. if they don't state what kind of steel they're using I'd be suspect even if it's a $2K unit). My boat anchor weighs about 450lbs and it's held up great uncovered under the eve behind my home. The stainless used is 304 grade. Best of luck and happy smoking... HS

RIP, Gregg. Eat a Peach...countless listens to that gem. This one seems befitting. Godspeed.... HS

The Daytonas are yummy. That Seiko is insane... HS

Oh no....two greats. RIP, Mssrs Hayden and Moore. And most definitely heartfelt thoughts to the victims of the concert. FUBAR. HS

I can't get there. Call me old school... HS

RIP, Chris. I recall listening to a lot of his music when I used to cycle and while driving around in my car (simpler life for me back then single and all...). Such a distinctive and amazing voice. And his eyes on the vids cycled on MTV were on the haunting side. Hope you find what you were looking for on the other side... HS