Well, I’ve traded in the GTI. He served me well for those 88,000 miles, but it was time for a change. I was really looking forward to not making car payments anymore, but the fickle car gods had other ideas. After a string of repairs that made me nervous about its future, I decided to go ahead and trade it in while it still had value.

So the quest for a new vehicle began in earnest about a month ago. Since I don’t commute long distances or in heavy traffic anymore, my options seemed limited only by my wallet. I even tried to get on the list for the new Dodge Challenger SRT8 despite how foolish it might have been. (Unfortunately, they’re going for as much as DOUBLE sticker price!) I test drove everything from hatchbacks (the Volvo C30 is seriously fun) to haulers. Since I don’t commute long distances or in heavy traffic anymore, gas mileage isn’t a big issue for me, and a truck really made a lot of sense. After a ludicrous amount of analysis and internal debate, I eventually settled on the magnificent beast you see below.

So, meet Herman.

I polished up the stove top tonight. You’d think it would be something I’d do more often, but I really only did it so I could get this cool reflective surface to use for taking pictures of Hot Wheels.

This one is the “Shooting Star” — Racer X’s car from the old Speed Racer cartoons.

I’m really looking forward to the upcoming live action movie of Speed Racer. Usually those movie adaptations fall flat, but I have high hopes this time around.