Desperately seeking the missing mid-sized SUVs

Last weekend, Daisy and I were at the Pittsburgh Auto Show. I have to say that the newer convention center is much nicer than the old venue for the Auto Show that I remember from my childhood. It doesn't get nearly as hot inside, and the archetectural details that include nice big windows with views of the river provide a better backdrop for the shining cars than the old, bunker-like convention center ever did.

One thing that stood out to me as we walked around, though, was the lack of decent mid-sized SUV offerings. I found this truly disappointing, because this is what I went to look at.

We wanted to go to the Auto Show so that we could look at candidates to replace my 2005 Chevy Equinox. As much as I love by SUV, the repair bills are starting to climb, so I know we're going to be in the market to buy something new sometime this year. And, what's nice about the Auto Show is I can look at and sit in a variety of vehicles without having a salesperson breathing down my neck.

I am not trying to buy a new Equinox, because I really dislike what they have done with the newer models (it is now much less a blend of form and function, as my 2005 is, and much more all about the form and little function). So, I'm really venturing into untested waters with my next purchase.

Doesn't anyone plan for Valentine's Day anymore?

I stopped at the grocery store after my afternoon workout, and I found myself confronted by hordes of people frantically buying Valentine's Day-themed cakes, cards, heart-shaped boxes of candy, flowers, etc. Today. ON Valentine's Day.

Daisy and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, other than to say "Happy Valentine's Day" in the morning and maybe throw in an extra kiss. It's not that we aren't romantic. There's another day that we choose to celebrate our relationship. It's called our anniversary. And, really, any other day of the year works for us, too.

But, back to my point. For those people who do believe in Valentine's Day and celebrating it with their significant other, what are you saying about your relationship if you spent this afternoon searching through the picked-over remains of the card and candy aisle, desperately looking for a box of candy that doesn't look too cheap, or a card that doesn't sound too sappy or have a pair of wide-eyed puppies on it.

Next year, do your Valentine the favor of planning ahead. You'll feel better, and so will your significant other, when it looks like you took more than 30 minutes' thought into your gift to them.

This Valentine's Day, Daisy and I will be at the gym. It may not seem romantic to some, but to us, staying healthy so that we can enjoy many more Valentine's Days and other days together is the best gift we can give each other.

Penn

Mumford and Sons = cheap Dave Matthews Band

I'm going to say upfront that this is not the post for anyone who likes the band Mumford & Sons.

I seriously dislike Mumford & Sons. I make a kind of hissing sound whenever they come on the radio or are played at the gym. I don't want to literally say that I hate them, but it's pretty close.

So, obviously, I was horrified to hear this morning that Mumford & Sons won Album of the Year at the Grammy's last night. I didn't watch the Grammy's, one, because we don't have cable (we cut the cord a couple years ago and haven't looked back), and two, because I had better things to do (sorry, Grammy's). So, I had to get my rundown with my usual dose of NPR this morning.

Breaking up with Facebook

Since it was announced yesterday, NPR has repeatedly mentioned the recent Pew Research Center report which found 61 percent of Facebook users are saying they "need a break". It seems to be their new favorite story.

Daisy and I have had an "on again, off again" relationship with Facebook for years. Mostly, off.

It was a great tool for us when we were in a long distance relationship, each of us in opposite corners of the state, but as soon as we were in the same place permanently again, our Facebook usage dropped sharply. It's just too annoying!

Between the constant changes that they have made to their interface and the constant barrage of banality that appears on Facebook users' walls, we just couldn't take it anymore. We don't care about whether someone's kid finally used the potty on their own, nor do we care where most people had lunch, and we definitely don't care about so-and-so fighting with that person, again.

Daisy and I both still have Facebook pages, for "just in case", although the "in case of" what escapes me. At the most, we check out pages once every other month.

I think it partially boils down to growing up and realizing that there is more to life than being in touch with everyone, every second of the day. It's kind of nice to know we're in good company.

Penn

Gym joy! A resolution post follow-up...

Last Tuesday, I wrote about a recommendations I have for people who made a decision to get healthier this year. Well, on Friday, I saw the best thing ever, and I have to share.

While I was on the treadmill, I saw this group of 6 or 7 women gather at the row of elliptical machines near me. Some of them looked a little nervous, like they were getting started at the gym for the first time, but they all still seemed so excited to be there.

I am no "gym stalker". I'm just very aware of the happenings around me, wherever I'm at. Sometimes, I see things that I wish I had missed - like the woman I once saw wearing only a sports bra and a pair of tiny running shorts, who clearly had no business doing so. (I'll leave you to fill in the blanks for that image.) I found this group very entertaining, though.

While one of the women showed the others how to start up their elliptical machines, all of them were joking, laughing, and smiling. They looked genuinely excited about working out together, and they were making it fun for each other.

It made me smile to see a group of people who were having fun together at the gym and excited about working out.

Getting fit doesn't have to be painful or a drag. Gather up a group of your friends and decide to meet up at the gym instead of TGI Fridays. Trust me, you'll like the end result of gym meet-up much more than a meet-up over bacon and cheese-laden french fries.

And, if anyone got a taste of some gym joy of their own after my last post or this one, comment to let us know about it.

Penn