On April 10th, 2001 in a big hospital in Chicago, IL I became a father. I made the commute in time to Chicago to be there for the big day, and I like to think that despite distance have been a good father. We have made trips, gone places, learned things, played games, and had lots of fun daddy daughter moments.
Well on April 10th, 2011 my little Novali Alexys Centellas turned ten years old. It was a whirlwind for me, the week leading up to her party I was in four different states, consulting and presenting for two universities and at one national conference. I made it back into Chicago late the night before her party...
So needless to say leading up to her party I didn't have much time to reflect. Then right after her party that Sunday I worked a ten hour day preparing for our campus concert, and Monday I worked... 16 hours! (yes straight in one day). So the entire week I was trying to catch up on work, life and of course some sleep.
This weekend, well on Saturday specifically I was the chair of a teen driving school. I have been involved with the Tire Rack Street Survival program for several years now. So today when we were doing introductions to the student several coaches mentioned their kids doing the school and without thinking I said during my introduction and that in a few short years... my daughter would be driving...
So it hit me... what? In five years she can get a drivers permit? In 6 years she will have a license? Will she get a car? Will she crash my Z? Will she want to autocross? Will she be a good driver? Oh man... I am the parent of a ten year old!
I am still a little bit in shock... will she in one of my classrooms in five years? Learning how to overcome a rear slide on wet pavement at the Tire Rack test track...
Luckily I have a long time before I worry about that with Cruz... but man my little girl is growing up so fast and now I am really feeling old!
Edit: Party Pictures
4.16.2011
3.30.2011
So I Was Thinking... I like Modern Family, not just cause of Vergara... well kinda.
Sofia Vergara, don't worry this blog is PG... well maybe PG13 at times. Well the show Modern Family features her as a sexy younger Latin bride to the man I grew up with as Al Bundy.
The show took off and I get it, the family roles it shows are progressive and more representative of the current American family. I mean, the fact that my parents are still married is rare and people are shocked when I tell them... weird huh? So modern family takes odd American relationships, highlights and magnifies the stereotypical areas for mass appeal.
So this blog isn't about the show... so is it about Sofia Vergara? Is it about her role as a saucy Latina trophy wife and my thoughts on that role. My first thing is that here is a big "I told you so" to everyone... I loved her since Univision on Fuera De Serie when she on that show they did a trip to Bolivia. So I caught the show and was a fan since. I was in high school then... so for those of you playing along at home you can do the math and figure out how long she has been on TV before hitting it mainstream.
What does this have to do with anything? Well Al Bundy is dating Sofia Vergara... and what does that mean for America? I think it is good... I mean you have a 40 year old woman seen as an sex icon, you have an traditional American white guy in a relationship with a Latina... and no one talks about her age, or more related to my upbringing; their bi-racial relationship. Call me a sap, but thats pretty cool I think, that what people focus on in his young trophy wife, not their cultural backgrounds (even though it does make for some funny side stories).
So thanks Modern Family, thanks for bringing Sofia into Prime Time Network Television and making a little bit of me more acceptable. And yes, can't go without saying, "I told you so", she is HOT.
The show took off and I get it, the family roles it shows are progressive and more representative of the current American family. I mean, the fact that my parents are still married is rare and people are shocked when I tell them... weird huh? So modern family takes odd American relationships, highlights and magnifies the stereotypical areas for mass appeal.
So this blog isn't about the show... so is it about Sofia Vergara? Is it about her role as a saucy Latina trophy wife and my thoughts on that role. My first thing is that here is a big "I told you so" to everyone... I loved her since Univision on Fuera De Serie when she on that show they did a trip to Bolivia. So I caught the show and was a fan since. I was in high school then... so for those of you playing along at home you can do the math and figure out how long she has been on TV before hitting it mainstream.
What does this have to do with anything? Well Al Bundy is dating Sofia Vergara... and what does that mean for America? I think it is good... I mean you have a 40 year old woman seen as an sex icon, you have an traditional American white guy in a relationship with a Latina... and no one talks about her age, or more related to my upbringing; their bi-racial relationship. Call me a sap, but thats pretty cool I think, that what people focus on in his young trophy wife, not their cultural backgrounds (even though it does make for some funny side stories).
So thanks Modern Family, thanks for bringing Sofia into Prime Time Network Television and making a little bit of me more acceptable. And yes, can't go without saying, "I told you so", she is HOT.
So I Was Thinking... New Blog Theme?
Lately on my Facebook page I have been posting starting with the title phrase of this post today.... So I Was Thinking...
A couple of my posts got a lot of feedback, comments and dialog. So I kept it going and doing it more. I was thinking should I track them all? Or maybe the posts should be the title part of a blog so I expand more on my thoughts? Or do people even care what I have to say? Or do I want to write for me? A way to get things off my mind? Or maybe I enjoy writing even though I am not very good at it?
Well here goes one. Let me know what you think... I might have to get another blog to rarely use...
A couple of my posts got a lot of feedback, comments and dialog. So I kept it going and doing it more. I was thinking should I track them all? Or maybe the posts should be the title part of a blog so I expand more on my thoughts? Or do people even care what I have to say? Or do I want to write for me? A way to get things off my mind? Or maybe I enjoy writing even though I am not very good at it?
Well here goes one. Let me know what you think... I might have to get another blog to rarely use...
3.13.2011
Here I Go Again
Well for those who might remember I started doing Alternative Spring Break trips while at Albion College. I was never the big "Community Service Guy" in college, but I was raised to give back and my fraternity at Western Michigan always did more community service than the rest of the groups. While at GVSU my fraternity had many top volunteers and I helped with events like Make a Difference Day and others.
I have raised my daughter to give and show compassion. We started a Black Friday tradition that she buys a toy for the children's hospital in Chicago and she is always wanting to help people. She raises money for different causes and once again this year is the highest fundraiser at her school for Jump Rope for Heart. She raised $550!
Well while at Albion I started helping our Organization for Latino Awareness (OLA) with their fundraising and planning for their annual Honduras Service Trip. I attended the trip twice and it was a phenomenal experience. So when I started at IU South Bend and people said we no longer had a community service office and I had ZERO Student Organizations with a service focus... I knew I had to help change that.
We have since started a handful of service based organizations, did some local Alternative Spring Break programs and now this year... I am taking 15 students to Kentucky to work with Appalachia Service Project. I have worked now for two years with Indiana Campus Compact who funds a portion of our trips and I am also the campus Community Service Director. Its not a new office, just one more title and more work to do but I have really enjoyed it.
Leaving at 6AM today (the day of spring forward) might not of been one of my greatest ideas... but I am up and ready to go. I am up early because two of my students heeded my warning of the time change so well they called me an hour early wondering where everyone was...
Wish us luck... we won't have internet, and maybe not even cell coverage for a few days. I know it will be good for us, I know we will learn a lot, and hopefully we don't just change the lives of those we serve, but change ours lives as well.
God Bless.
I have raised my daughter to give and show compassion. We started a Black Friday tradition that she buys a toy for the children's hospital in Chicago and she is always wanting to help people. She raises money for different causes and once again this year is the highest fundraiser at her school for Jump Rope for Heart. She raised $550!
Well while at Albion I started helping our Organization for Latino Awareness (OLA) with their fundraising and planning for their annual Honduras Service Trip. I attended the trip twice and it was a phenomenal experience. So when I started at IU South Bend and people said we no longer had a community service office and I had ZERO Student Organizations with a service focus... I knew I had to help change that.
We have since started a handful of service based organizations, did some local Alternative Spring Break programs and now this year... I am taking 15 students to Kentucky to work with Appalachia Service Project. I have worked now for two years with Indiana Campus Compact who funds a portion of our trips and I am also the campus Community Service Director. Its not a new office, just one more title and more work to do but I have really enjoyed it.
Leaving at 6AM today (the day of spring forward) might not of been one of my greatest ideas... but I am up and ready to go. I am up early because two of my students heeded my warning of the time change so well they called me an hour early wondering where everyone was...
Wish us luck... we won't have internet, and maybe not even cell coverage for a few days. I know it will be good for us, I know we will learn a lot, and hopefully we don't just change the lives of those we serve, but change ours lives as well.
God Bless.
2.24.2011
8 weeks already...
Well our Mr. Cruz has now passed the 8 week mark... WOW. The time has really flown by, and I can't believe how much he has changed. I finally got more pictures posted and we compared his newbord pics and you can already see such a difference.
Here is a link to his pictures: Second Month (top bar has navigation to check entire album)
This week we started looking at local daycare providers... it is an interesting process. I mean we can't make cost an issue, cause this is about getting good care for Cruz that will help him develop and grow... BUT we are on a budget. I nearly made if the kids at a place are cute an issue, cause this one kid scared me when he (she/it) turned around and looked at me... all I could say was, wow, "he likes to eat doesn't he?" I realize that was a little rude, but the parents weren't there, and I am sure they already know its a problem.
Anyhow... no matter who you ask they tell you, "Don't go there, go here." But each person lists the place someone else mentioned as a no on their yes pile, and vice versa. So who do we listen to? Do I just judge it based on cute kids? Cause that seems easily something I can measure according to my own standards.
So to all four people who read this blog... suggestions? Ideas? Scholarship options? Maybe a grant? He has a couple of weeks of being home with mom before off he goes... all growns up... all growns up...
Here is a link to his pictures: Second Month (top bar has navigation to check entire album)
This week we started looking at local daycare providers... it is an interesting process. I mean we can't make cost an issue, cause this is about getting good care for Cruz that will help him develop and grow... BUT we are on a budget. I nearly made if the kids at a place are cute an issue, cause this one kid scared me when he (she/it) turned around and looked at me... all I could say was, wow, "he likes to eat doesn't he?" I realize that was a little rude, but the parents weren't there, and I am sure they already know its a problem.
Anyhow... no matter who you ask they tell you, "Don't go there, go here." But each person lists the place someone else mentioned as a no on their yes pile, and vice versa. So who do we listen to? Do I just judge it based on cute kids? Cause that seems easily something I can measure according to my own standards.
So to all four people who read this blog... suggestions? Ideas? Scholarship options? Maybe a grant? He has a couple of weeks of being home with mom before off he goes... all growns up... all growns up...
2.21.2011
Daddy Daughter Construction
Our basement when we bought the house was partially finished... I say partial very loosely because because basically all they did was paint the concrete walls and lay down some cheap stick on vinyl tiles (that are all peeling already). One wall was framed up down there, and in true previous owner fashion they only finished one side of the wall. I have been meaning to get to it since we bought the house...
So last week I bought some paneling Heather and I picked out. I was going to finish that wall off and this summer we would paint and finish that storage room a little more. So one room in the basement would be "done" and actually "finished".
Well I got lucky and Novali had a four day weekend she got to spend with us... and guess who likes doing projects? Yep... thats my girl! We got the circular saw out (and safety glasses), hammers, nails, tape measure, power drill.... and we even ended up needing my reciprocating saw...
First we got a claw out and pulled nails, Novali unscrewed the shelf brackets and we removed everything from the wall. That weird wood bracket that was built in we had to cut out! The previous owners had nailed it on with huge nails and then bent the backs of the nails so I could not remove it... but we got it out.
Novali helped me cut the top of the paneling to fit under the ceiling, we measured and used the circular saw. Yes she wore glasses, and no I didn't actually let her use that saw. She did all on her own assemble the large storage closest (wardrobe) on all her own. She followed in the instructions and I only had to help her snap in some of the hard pieces and pull the cover over the frame.
There is our finished product... we still need to put one more piece of paneling up. I need some 2x4s to frame up where to mount the last piece and we will be done... well at least with that one wall.
More pics of the project: Novali's Site
What is funny is that during that afternoon we went and looked at a house in our neighborhood for sale. It is one block over and I like snooping to see what other homes look like and their value. It was listed at more than 2.5 times what we paid for ours... and had everything done I want to do to our house... and that includes finishing the basement. When Novali saw the basement there she said, "This could be a cool place for me to hangout"... hopefully that will keep her motivated to keep helping me out and get that basement done.
So last week I bought some paneling Heather and I picked out. I was going to finish that wall off and this summer we would paint and finish that storage room a little more. So one room in the basement would be "done" and actually "finished".
Well I got lucky and Novali had a four day weekend she got to spend with us... and guess who likes doing projects? Yep... thats my girl! We got the circular saw out (and safety glasses), hammers, nails, tape measure, power drill.... and we even ended up needing my reciprocating saw...
First we got a claw out and pulled nails, Novali unscrewed the shelf brackets and we removed everything from the wall. That weird wood bracket that was built in we had to cut out! The previous owners had nailed it on with huge nails and then bent the backs of the nails so I could not remove it... but we got it out.Novali helped me cut the top of the paneling to fit under the ceiling, we measured and used the circular saw. Yes she wore glasses, and no I didn't actually let her use that saw. She did all on her own assemble the large storage closest (wardrobe) on all her own. She followed in the instructions and I only had to help her snap in some of the hard pieces and pull the cover over the frame.
There is our finished product... we still need to put one more piece of paneling up. I need some 2x4s to frame up where to mount the last piece and we will be done... well at least with that one wall.More pics of the project: Novali's Site
What is funny is that during that afternoon we went and looked at a house in our neighborhood for sale. It is one block over and I like snooping to see what other homes look like and their value. It was listed at more than 2.5 times what we paid for ours... and had everything done I want to do to our house... and that includes finishing the basement. When Novali saw the basement there she said, "This could be a cool place for me to hangout"... hopefully that will keep her motivated to keep helping me out and get that basement done.
2.17.2011
Ice and more Ice
Well we broke snow records this fall... so that means once it warmed up that we would be breaking records for the amount of ice. On Sunday Heather and I were driving back from the store and we saw lots of houses with broken eaves troughs and roof damage and I thought... man that sucks.
Well Sunday we went to bed, and a little before midnight... Heather and I were actually sleeping (yeah!) and we got woken up by a huge CRASH! It sounded like a car crashed into the house... so I ran downstairs and looked around... wasn't sure what happened. I thought the noise was by our bedroom and so I went to that part of the house on the lower level...
Our house is a two story house, with a one floor addition on the back of the house. The addition to the house is only one story and has a flat roof that buts up to the original brick house. The guestroom, first floor bath, and family room are the addition to the house.
I started by looking in the guestroom... at first I looked at the ceiling as I walked in... didn't see anything... but then I turned to my left looking towards the bathroom and saw all the cracks. The ceiling had cracks, the wall had cracks down it and even a split in the wall. Whew... then I walked into the bathroom and the walls were cracked all over, the door frame was cracked really bad and paint flakes and chips all over the floor.
What happened is that our eaves trough gave out on the back side of the house. So a HUGE stretch of ice fell onto the flat roof. It was about 10 inches in diameter, like a tree trunk... no wonder it made so much noise when it fell.
Luckily our roof isn't leaking so we aren't under an emergency. Our insurance is going to cover the repairs. The decision for us right now, is do we follow through and do an insurance claim or maybe repair it all ourselves and save ourselves doing a claim (which raises our rates, we have a deductible, etc.).
I have tons of pics, but for insurance reasons I am not going to post them here until we decide what we are going to do. Luckily like I said the damage isn't critical like leaks or something not usable in the house. So we are safe, the house is warm and we are enjoying Mr. Cruz... and the warm weather got us a chance to take him outside in the stroller!
Well Sunday we went to bed, and a little before midnight... Heather and I were actually sleeping (yeah!) and we got woken up by a huge CRASH! It sounded like a car crashed into the house... so I ran downstairs and looked around... wasn't sure what happened. I thought the noise was by our bedroom and so I went to that part of the house on the lower level...
Our house is a two story house, with a one floor addition on the back of the house. The addition to the house is only one story and has a flat roof that buts up to the original brick house. The guestroom, first floor bath, and family room are the addition to the house.
I started by looking in the guestroom... at first I looked at the ceiling as I walked in... didn't see anything... but then I turned to my left looking towards the bathroom and saw all the cracks. The ceiling had cracks, the wall had cracks down it and even a split in the wall. Whew... then I walked into the bathroom and the walls were cracked all over, the door frame was cracked really bad and paint flakes and chips all over the floor.
What happened is that our eaves trough gave out on the back side of the house. So a HUGE stretch of ice fell onto the flat roof. It was about 10 inches in diameter, like a tree trunk... no wonder it made so much noise when it fell.
Luckily our roof isn't leaking so we aren't under an emergency. Our insurance is going to cover the repairs. The decision for us right now, is do we follow through and do an insurance claim or maybe repair it all ourselves and save ourselves doing a claim (which raises our rates, we have a deductible, etc.).
I have tons of pics, but for insurance reasons I am not going to post them here until we decide what we are going to do. Luckily like I said the damage isn't critical like leaks or something not usable in the house. So we are safe, the house is warm and we are enjoying Mr. Cruz... and the warm weather got us a chance to take him outside in the stroller!
2.14.2011
Valentines Day
Ah the day the single hate, old married couples remember the "good old days" and young couples fret over doing just the right thing for the holiday. So where does that leave a couple like us? Married less than two years, with a 7 week old at home, and with a roof that just nearly caved in (more on that in a later post).
Well I remembered this morning that Novali had hidden a card for us last time she was here. So I pulled that out from her top secret spot she told me about and gave it to Heather. Always fun getting her cards. She works so hard on her crafty items and I have a little box where I save every last one.
We love you to Novali and we will call you tonight!
I joked on my Facebook that I had seen that ChikFilA was doing a candelight dinner tonight from 5pm to 8pm... or that I had gotten a $5 VDay Coupon from our local chinese buffet... Hum, what would Heather and I do? I am actually still not sure, because when I asked Heather what she wanted to do tonight and when we exchange gifts she said...
"I already gave you a gift, your son to pass along your name." I told her, but that was 7 weeks ago. She replied she is going to use this gift for many many years. She has a good point, it was a pretty sweet gift.
I am glad I have a wife that I don't have to worry about if I bought a big enough diamond, spent enough money, reservation at the best place in town, or if the purse is a real designer one or not.
We can be laid back, enjoy each others company and maybe I can get a big steak. I did however buy her a little something that Novali helped me pick out... so I will have to see what she thinks...
Well I remembered this morning that Novali had hidden a card for us last time she was here. So I pulled that out from her top secret spot she told me about and gave it to Heather. Always fun getting her cards. She works so hard on her crafty items and I have a little box where I save every last one.
I joked on my Facebook that I had seen that ChikFilA was doing a candelight dinner tonight from 5pm to 8pm... or that I had gotten a $5 VDay Coupon from our local chinese buffet... Hum, what would Heather and I do? I am actually still not sure, because when I asked Heather what she wanted to do tonight and when we exchange gifts she said...
"I already gave you a gift, your son to pass along your name." I told her, but that was 7 weeks ago. She replied she is going to use this gift for many many years. She has a good point, it was a pretty sweet gift.
I am glad I have a wife that I don't have to worry about if I bought a big enough diamond, spent enough money, reservation at the best place in town, or if the purse is a real designer one or not.
We can be laid back, enjoy each others company and maybe I can get a big steak. I did however buy her a little something that Novali helped me pick out... so I will have to see what she thinks...
1.29.2011
Buela!
Yesterday was my mom's birthday (yes I called her) and today we scheduled to video skype with them and Cruzo. It was great having my mom here while we were learning to be parents and listen to the stories my mom (and dad) told of when I was young. It is really is interesting how being a parent helps you connect in a different way with your parents... now we understand how hard it was for them raising us. Whew...
Well thank you mom for the help and tips, happy birthday, and we will try to get Cruzo to smile for you later on today!
Cheese!
Well thank you mom for the help and tips, happy birthday, and we will try to get Cruzo to smile for you later on today!
Cheese!
1.27.2011
Just the three of us and the plumber...
So this week was our first week with just the three of us... well and the plumber but I will explain that later.
It was great that our parents helped for the first couple weeks... but now it was fun to be on our own, figuring out our schedules and handling our new lives as parents. This week Cruz got a lot of fun tummy time, learned how to hang out in the Moby wrap, and finally started sleeping (for 2 hours who hoo!) in his bassinet. We also did a trip to the famous Sears photo studio for his baby pictures. He was a riot there and we are still sorting through photos and will post some soon.
I posted a page of photos from his fourth week as our little man. Enjoy: Cruzo!
So this plumber situation... well it was a fun one. There was some water in our basement... at first my dad noticed it on their last day here... threw some towels down thinking it was just the 40 inches of snow we got melting and some was backing into the house. Well day after day it got worse... so I went downstairs to see if I could figure something out.
Well I figured it out it was coming from a pipe... so I traced it back to a valve and turned it off hoping to stop the leak... leak didn't stop... so then I turned off the water to the entire house... didn't stop the leak... MAN! So we called our home warranty company and I set up a water collection system to buy us time until the water stops...
The plumber tried to shut off the water to our house from the main outside supply and guess what... didn't stop the water! ARGH! So we had to call the city... finally after another day of waiting the water to the house was shut off and the leak stopped. So the plumber came in and had to replace a ton of valves and pipes in the basement... ah this old house...
So anyhow, we enjoyed our week with Cruz, we also are enjoying our new pipes and this week gave us a good excuse to finally buy extra shelves and organize the basement (and finally put away Christmas stuff...).
It was great that our parents helped for the first couple weeks... but now it was fun to be on our own, figuring out our schedules and handling our new lives as parents. This week Cruz got a lot of fun tummy time, learned how to hang out in the Moby wrap, and finally started sleeping (for 2 hours who hoo!) in his bassinet. We also did a trip to the famous Sears photo studio for his baby pictures. He was a riot there and we are still sorting through photos and will post some soon.
I posted a page of photos from his fourth week as our little man. Enjoy: Cruzo!
So this plumber situation... well it was a fun one. There was some water in our basement... at first my dad noticed it on their last day here... threw some towels down thinking it was just the 40 inches of snow we got melting and some was backing into the house. Well day after day it got worse... so I went downstairs to see if I could figure something out.
Well I figured it out it was coming from a pipe... so I traced it back to a valve and turned it off hoping to stop the leak... leak didn't stop... so then I turned off the water to the entire house... didn't stop the leak... MAN! So we called our home warranty company and I set up a water collection system to buy us time until the water stops...
The plumber tried to shut off the water to our house from the main outside supply and guess what... didn't stop the water! ARGH! So we had to call the city... finally after another day of waiting the water to the house was shut off and the leak stopped. So the plumber came in and had to replace a ton of valves and pipes in the basement... ah this old house...
So anyhow, we enjoyed our week with Cruz, we also are enjoying our new pipes and this week gave us a good excuse to finally buy extra shelves and organize the basement (and finally put away Christmas stuff...).
1.20.2011
Now just us...
On December 27th our lives changed... we had Mr. Cruz join our lives. When he was born Heather's parents were here and it led a string of visitors. Hermen and Erin visited us in the hospital. Greg (Heather's youngest brother) and my older Brother Miguel and his family came to visit during our first week home. Once the DeCourval's left my parents came and joined us to help out. During their time here we also had my younger brother Andres visit. Novali has also visited twice, so its been busy, hectic, but lots of help holding the baby (and lots of pics).
Well yesterday I took my parents to Chicago and they are now down in Oxford, MS with my older Brother Miguel. I only get to see my parents twice a year when they visit the states, but the visits are always long and since they are retired we get to spend a lot of time together when they are here.
So now... it is just Heather and I and the new baby. We luckily have a lot of support near and far. Here in town Heather's staff is bringing us meals and my office is mega flexible with my work so I can get some work done, but be home all that I need. Far away we have friends all over who keep sending little presents and even more importantly the moral support that we need during this stressful first couple weeks.
I am trying to keep up on posting pictures. I am update to date with my most recent post, enjoy: Third Week
Thank you to everyone for the support and keep checking his website for updates on his growth.
Well yesterday I took my parents to Chicago and they are now down in Oxford, MS with my older Brother Miguel. I only get to see my parents twice a year when they visit the states, but the visits are always long and since they are retired we get to spend a lot of time together when they are here.
So now... it is just Heather and I and the new baby. We luckily have a lot of support near and far. Here in town Heather's staff is bringing us meals and my office is mega flexible with my work so I can get some work done, but be home all that I need. Far away we have friends all over who keep sending little presents and even more importantly the moral support that we need during this stressful first couple weeks.
I am trying to keep up on posting pictures. I am update to date with my most recent post, enjoy: Third Week
Thank you to everyone for the support and keep checking his website for updates on his growth.
1.14.2011
Cruz Time
Yeah the blog kinda died... but that is because I am honestly been busier than ever during the past month!
Well first off... getting the house ready for junior to come into the world was busy. Cleaning rooms, organizing our stuff, putting up smoke detectors, organizing our crap again, finishing up and the baby room and of course preparing for the holidays.
It was all fun and games though until the baby came... Mr. Cruz Daniel David Centellas was born into our lives a few days early on December 27th! So then the real busy started! We had assumed he was coming late... so we were ready, but not ready ready.
Luckily we had Heather's parents here for the birth and to help us transition to having a baby in the house. It was a lot of work... but we made it... and we survived hosting guests... So far we had visits from Greg (Heather's youngest brother), from my brother Miguel (oldest) and his family (Kate and kids Javi and Amelia). Novali was here for a weekend, and then now my parents have been here for a little over a week.
So it has been hectic... but we did manage to get a website up for Cruz. For Christmas I got Heather everything she needs to be a hot high tech mom. So far its working out for her, got her a webcam for showing off the boy-o, an AppleTV for showing people pics on the big screen, got her a Mac Mini and new software and set up a website for Mr. Cruz. Enjoy and follow his progress at:
Cruz Centellas
This weekend my brother Andres will be here as well as having Novali for the weekend. So we will have a full house, and hope people can sleep through a crying baby... cause he likes to keep us up at night... so it might spread to the other upstairs bedrooms.
We are enjoying our Mr. Cruz... you can call him Boy-O, Cruz, Cruzo, Cruzer, or Mr. Cruz... but you can't call him Cruzie...
Well first off... getting the house ready for junior to come into the world was busy. Cleaning rooms, organizing our stuff, putting up smoke detectors, organizing our crap again, finishing up and the baby room and of course preparing for the holidays.
It was all fun and games though until the baby came... Mr. Cruz Daniel David Centellas was born into our lives a few days early on December 27th! So then the real busy started! We had assumed he was coming late... so we were ready, but not ready ready.
Luckily we had Heather's parents here for the birth and to help us transition to having a baby in the house. It was a lot of work... but we made it... and we survived hosting guests... So far we had visits from Greg (Heather's youngest brother), from my brother Miguel (oldest) and his family (Kate and kids Javi and Amelia). Novali was here for a weekend, and then now my parents have been here for a little over a week.
So it has been hectic... but we did manage to get a website up for Cruz. For Christmas I got Heather everything she needs to be a hot high tech mom. So far its working out for her, got her a webcam for showing off the boy-o, an AppleTV for showing people pics on the big screen, got her a Mac Mini and new software and set up a website for Mr. Cruz. Enjoy and follow his progress at:
Cruz Centellas
This weekend my brother Andres will be here as well as having Novali for the weekend. So we will have a full house, and hope people can sleep through a crying baby... cause he likes to keep us up at night... so it might spread to the other upstairs bedrooms.
We are enjoying our Mr. Cruz... you can call him Boy-O, Cruz, Cruzo, Cruzer, or Mr. Cruz... but you can't call him Cruzie...
12.15.2010
Operation Fire Comcast
It seems like no matter who you ask people tell you they don't like their internet/cable carrier... and for the most part I was reasonably happy with Comcast for our Cable and Internet bundle here in South Bend. Over my years I have had DSL and Cable internet and am well versed in the pros and cons.
Well at home we have been wondering if what we paid for cable was worth it. In our bedroom upstairs we have just used an antenna since we bought out house. We get the main networks and a few other channels and the picture is better HD than we get from Comcast on our TV downstairs.
So we thought, lets cut the cable and save money. Well the hangup was, if we only got one thing from Comcast we would lose the bundle discount. So to go from cable plus internet to just cable we would of only saved $15 a month... WOW. We could save $20 a month if we went with their slowest internet speed, but without cable would also require a service visit we had to pay to have them come and install filters to ensure we didn't get cable and just internet.
I did some research and found that if I went with AT&T DSL at their fastest speed we would save $50 a month... it was a no brainer and Operation Fire Comcast commenced. There were a couple hang ups and things I had to be sure fell into place during this tactical operation.
First was purchasing an antenna for the main floor TV. After some research and reviews I picked up a $24 antenna from RadioShack and it worked like a charm. NBC, ABC, CBS, Weather, CW, PBS, and a few other channels all come in crystal clear (full HD) and with surround sound (5.1 Digital)!
Second was getting DSL installed. Our phone lines were all cut, but we got it all wired up and had a live wire in our kitchen that I found. I got it configured and the speed tests at the same speed I was getting with Comcast. the downside is that I need to find a good place to mount my router since it has to be in the kitchen (until this spring when I can work to run lines through our crawl space under the addition).
While I was at it I took the time to rewire everything. We don't need a cable box now, so I moved all of our equipment (DVD, VCR and Receiver) under the TV and it is all tucked away nicely in our built in cabinet.
Today was the final manouver of Operation Fire Comcast. I took all the equipment back to Comcast and turned off my service. The lady at the desk tried to tell me she could see if she could get me a special deal... I told her don't bother, I asked the people on the phone if they were offering me the best deal... they said yes, so I moved on. Any last minute tactic from them on a lower price because they saw I was serious about leaving wasn't going to work now...
Well they owe me $43.11 for the month I paid for already. So I guess the final move in this Operation is in their court now... to send me a refund. I am sure they will do their best to nickel and dime me out of my money, but I am ready to fight for it!
So hopefully AT&T will work well.... so far it is good and the air TV reception even through the snow storm has been great. I do miss ESPN... but hey the savings are worth it, and there are better things I can do with my time.
Well at home we have been wondering if what we paid for cable was worth it. In our bedroom upstairs we have just used an antenna since we bought out house. We get the main networks and a few other channels and the picture is better HD than we get from Comcast on our TV downstairs.
So we thought, lets cut the cable and save money. Well the hangup was, if we only got one thing from Comcast we would lose the bundle discount. So to go from cable plus internet to just cable we would of only saved $15 a month... WOW. We could save $20 a month if we went with their slowest internet speed, but without cable would also require a service visit we had to pay to have them come and install filters to ensure we didn't get cable and just internet.
I did some research and found that if I went with AT&T DSL at their fastest speed we would save $50 a month... it was a no brainer and Operation Fire Comcast commenced. There were a couple hang ups and things I had to be sure fell into place during this tactical operation.
First was purchasing an antenna for the main floor TV. After some research and reviews I picked up a $24 antenna from RadioShack and it worked like a charm. NBC, ABC, CBS, Weather, CW, PBS, and a few other channels all come in crystal clear (full HD) and with surround sound (5.1 Digital)!
Second was getting DSL installed. Our phone lines were all cut, but we got it all wired up and had a live wire in our kitchen that I found. I got it configured and the speed tests at the same speed I was getting with Comcast. the downside is that I need to find a good place to mount my router since it has to be in the kitchen (until this spring when I can work to run lines through our crawl space under the addition).
While I was at it I took the time to rewire everything. We don't need a cable box now, so I moved all of our equipment (DVD, VCR and Receiver) under the TV and it is all tucked away nicely in our built in cabinet.
Today was the final manouver of Operation Fire Comcast. I took all the equipment back to Comcast and turned off my service. The lady at the desk tried to tell me she could see if she could get me a special deal... I told her don't bother, I asked the people on the phone if they were offering me the best deal... they said yes, so I moved on. Any last minute tactic from them on a lower price because they saw I was serious about leaving wasn't going to work now...
Well they owe me $43.11 for the month I paid for already. So I guess the final move in this Operation is in their court now... to send me a refund. I am sure they will do their best to nickel and dime me out of my money, but I am ready to fight for it!
So hopefully AT&T will work well.... so far it is good and the air TV reception even through the snow storm has been great. I do miss ESPN... but hey the savings are worth it, and there are better things I can do with my time.
12.05.2010
Daddy Daughter Decorating
One item on my to do list with our house has been updating our light fixtures. Well with a baby on the way spending money on lights has taken a backseat to painting baby room, refinishing my childhood dresser (for the baby room), and assembling cribs and baby stuff.
Last weekend when putting up the Christmas tree we noticed that some of the lights in the living room chandelier were flickering. I started working on it and noticed the electrical connections were in bad shape, and the chandelier actually had some bad parts that should get fixed.
So I did some research... you always see the home shows when they paint old chandeliers and update a room. I found some info on concerting ours to match the rest of our oil rubbed bronze fixtures we got for the curtains. I found parts to fix the electrical connections and decided, lets rehab this old chandelier, and better yet it will be a Daddy Daughter Decorating project as a gift for Heather for Christmas.
I researched and found all the parts that I needed right here at my local Menards. We got Rustoleum Metallic Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint for $5 a can, all new candelabra sockets ($6 per pair), and new socket covers ($4 for 6). So in total I spent under $30 and I scored some wire, connectors and extra roll of electrical tape to round out project supplies.
This weekend Novali was here and we started the project. She was excited and really wanted to make it a surprise for Heather... but I think she would of noticed us sneaking around the house with a big chandelier so I told her it is the thought that counts and Heather will love it either way.
Saturday morning we popped off the chandelier, she held parts and handed me tools while we brought the light down. We took a break during the day and watch Toy Story 3 at IUSB and made time for shooting baskets (she is shooting now at 9.5 feet!).
In the afternoon it was back to work. She cleaned the chandelier while I figured out how we would wire up the new sockets and do the painting. Once it was cleaned and prepped for paint we hung it up in the basement. I got a little paint trigger so it would be easier for her to paint and she was a champ at painting and learning how to spray surfaces.
We did a few coats of paint and in between worked on the electrical connections. I explained electrical connections to her. We had to make pigtails that we would hook up to the new socket and twist wire connect the pigtails to the wires from the chandelier for each candelabra. She cut the wires to the right length and stripped them for me. I took the stripped wires and put the connectors on the end to clip into the socket bases. It was a nice little assembly line. Then she helped connect the wires to the socket bases.
We needed more paint at night so we had to wait until the morning to finish the electrical. After she went to bed I did some prep on the lights and cut the old socket bases out and prepped the wires to get connected.
In the morning we made quick work of the connectors. She screwed on the socket bases, then we put the twist connections on and taped them into the socket base. Then we slide the socket covers on and got ready to get her hug back up. We tested it and it all worked! So we got it mounted up, tossed a big Christmas bow on it and presented it to Heather... Merry Christmas!
So Novali really likes trying to help me do stuff... she even then wanted to help me change the wheels on Heather's car. I got her a set of snow tires on a used set of rims for a steal on craigslist. So I needed to swap out the wheels and it was cold out... but she toughed it out with me (well mostly) and helped get the wheels off and changed on the Jetta. Novali might be a good future crew for Team PLP... Now Heather and Lemon are rolling on some super grippy snow tires!
I posted more pictures and descriptions: Daddy Daughter Decorating (and pit crew)
Last weekend when putting up the Christmas tree we noticed that some of the lights in the living room chandelier were flickering. I started working on it and noticed the electrical connections were in bad shape, and the chandelier actually had some bad parts that should get fixed.
So I did some research... you always see the home shows when they paint old chandeliers and update a room. I found some info on concerting ours to match the rest of our oil rubbed bronze fixtures we got for the curtains. I found parts to fix the electrical connections and decided, lets rehab this old chandelier, and better yet it will be a Daddy Daughter Decorating project as a gift for Heather for Christmas.
 Before |
I researched and found all the parts that I needed right here at my local Menards. We got Rustoleum Metallic Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint for $5 a can, all new candelabra sockets ($6 per pair), and new socket covers ($4 for 6). So in total I spent under $30 and I scored some wire, connectors and extra roll of electrical tape to round out project supplies.
This weekend Novali was here and we started the project. She was excited and really wanted to make it a surprise for Heather... but I think she would of noticed us sneaking around the house with a big chandelier so I told her it is the thought that counts and Heather will love it either way.
Saturday morning we popped off the chandelier, she held parts and handed me tools while we brought the light down. We took a break during the day and watch Toy Story 3 at IUSB and made time for shooting baskets (she is shooting now at 9.5 feet!).
In the afternoon it was back to work. She cleaned the chandelier while I figured out how we would wire up the new sockets and do the painting. Once it was cleaned and prepped for paint we hung it up in the basement. I got a little paint trigger so it would be easier for her to paint and she was a champ at painting and learning how to spray surfaces.
We did a few coats of paint and in between worked on the electrical connections. I explained electrical connections to her. We had to make pigtails that we would hook up to the new socket and twist wire connect the pigtails to the wires from the chandelier for each candelabra. She cut the wires to the right length and stripped them for me. I took the stripped wires and put the connectors on the end to clip into the socket bases. It was a nice little assembly line. Then she helped connect the wires to the socket bases.
We needed more paint at night so we had to wait until the morning to finish the electrical. After she went to bed I did some prep on the lights and cut the old socket bases out and prepped the wires to get connected.
In the morning we made quick work of the connectors. She screwed on the socket bases, then we put the twist connections on and taped them into the socket base. Then we slide the socket covers on and got ready to get her hug back up. We tested it and it all worked! So we got it mounted up, tossed a big Christmas bow on it and presented it to Heather... Merry Christmas!
 After |
So Novali really likes trying to help me do stuff... she even then wanted to help me change the wheels on Heather's car. I got her a set of snow tires on a used set of rims for a steal on craigslist. So I needed to swap out the wheels and it was cold out... but she toughed it out with me (well mostly) and helped get the wheels off and changed on the Jetta. Novali might be a good future crew for Team PLP... Now Heather and Lemon are rolling on some super grippy snow tires!
I posted more pictures and descriptions: Daddy Daughter Decorating (and pit crew)
11.28.2010
Thanksgiving Deals by Sam
So this past weekend was the big shopping weekend... In the past I have done the crazy Black Friday deals, gotten up early, fought crowds and got mad over deals lost, and excited over some good deals.
This year, with a baby on the way, and my new frugal (well trying to be) self had no plans on hitting up the morning sales. Most of the deals are on stuff I don't need, and regardless of how much you "save" you still have to spend money and extra money. That is the part people forget... yes you are saving, but really you save more by just not spending at all.
Now I am not saying that we didn't buy anything this weekend... but we were more careful, and were sure that things we bought, we really "needed". So here is a recap of my fun special buys for the special holiday shopping.
Ladder - scored a good deal on a ladder at Lowe's. I know, exciting right! Well it really was, because the one I bought (online - ship to store) the store didn't have in stock. So they upgraded me to the next up in weight rating. So I got a $67 ladder, for $19 (the original sale ladder was $53) so I really got a deal!
Shoe Tree - Last year I got a few shoe trees and really love them. So I wanted two more, and have been waiting for a good sale on some. This weekend Men's Warehouse had their nice ones for buy one get one. Now theirs normally sell for $14.99 and are nice, the cheaper no name brand ones from Meijer are regular price for $9.99 (not as nice). So this way, I got the nice ones for $7.50 each pair. Can't beat that! (better still, I resisted buying another pair... despite it being a good deal, I don't need to spend on more).
Tools - yep... I like tools. Well I try to buy them when they are on sale, not when I need them. That way I get them at a good price, not at whatever price they are when I need them. For my Z a few months ago I bought a Craftsman screw remover and the part was so rusted it broke the remover tool. I returned it for store credit (love Craftsman warranty). I saved the card until now, and this weekend they had the screw remover and bolt remover for 50% off. So I got both tools for the price I paid for one this summer. Score.
Mac Mini - so I used to be a MacAddict, I had it bad. I was the first person to own a iPod... had one in 2002, and got into Mac Laptops before every college kids begged for them for Xmas (actually most begged to not get one). Lately I have gotten way behind.... but the PowerBook (my old G4 ABook) that Heather has been using was on its last leg. So I started looking for a used Mac Mini, she doesn't need high power, but does need something more reliable, and something we can hook up back up drives for photos and video of the pending family addition. So I found one, with a broken superdrive (DVD burner)... but I can get an external one and we saved about $400!
So there it is folks... deals by Sam. Feel pretty good about the weekend. Did buy things like light bulbs, outdoor light strings, and little things like that... but held off on big frivolous items.
This year, with a baby on the way, and my new frugal (well trying to be) self had no plans on hitting up the morning sales. Most of the deals are on stuff I don't need, and regardless of how much you "save" you still have to spend money and extra money. That is the part people forget... yes you are saving, but really you save more by just not spending at all.
Now I am not saying that we didn't buy anything this weekend... but we were more careful, and were sure that things we bought, we really "needed". So here is a recap of my fun special buys for the special holiday shopping.
Ladder - scored a good deal on a ladder at Lowe's. I know, exciting right! Well it really was, because the one I bought (online - ship to store) the store didn't have in stock. So they upgraded me to the next up in weight rating. So I got a $67 ladder, for $19 (the original sale ladder was $53) so I really got a deal!
 |
 |
Tools - yep... I like tools. Well I try to buy them when they are on sale, not when I need them. That way I get them at a good price, not at whatever price they are when I need them. For my Z a few months ago I bought a Craftsman screw remover and the part was so rusted it broke the remover tool. I returned it for store credit (love Craftsman warranty). I saved the card until now, and this weekend they had the screw remover and bolt remover for 50% off. So I got both tools for the price I paid for one this summer. Score.
 |
Mac Mini - so I used to be a MacAddict, I had it bad. I was the first person to own a iPod... had one in 2002, and got into Mac Laptops before every college kids begged for them for Xmas (actually most begged to not get one). Lately I have gotten way behind.... but the PowerBook (my old G4 ABook) that Heather has been using was on its last leg. So I started looking for a used Mac Mini, she doesn't need high power, but does need something more reliable, and something we can hook up back up drives for photos and video of the pending family addition. So I found one, with a broken superdrive (DVD burner)... but I can get an external one and we saved about $400!
 |
So there it is folks... deals by Sam. Feel pretty good about the weekend. Did buy things like light bulbs, outdoor light strings, and little things like that... but held off on big frivolous items.
11.12.2010
Dear Nissan
Nissan Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
Dear Consumer Affairs,
I know that I have exhausted my options on this warranty item and a final decision has been rendered. I still feel I want to express formally how utterly disappointed I am in Nissan USA. As a valued customer for the past 8+ years I would have never expected this type of treatment. I wanted to outline my dissatisfaction with not only the final decision, but the process and how you handle the promotion of your extended “Service Agreement” as part of purchasing a Certified Nissan pre-owned vehicle.
I have been a loyal customer since my younger brother purchased a 1991 Nissan Stanza when I was in college. The car was a good lucking tank named George, ran proud and true and so when I was looking for a used car a few years later while I was in graduate school I stumbled into and purchased a 1991 NX 2000. It was not only a cheap dependable car but I eventually turned it into a second car and started using it for SCCA Autocross racing. There began my love for Nissan vehicles. My next car was a 2000 Sentra GXE that I purchased used from an economy lot of a Nissan dealer in Grand Rapids, MI. That car was a great vehicle and the first time I financed a car all on my own.
As I progressed in my career I got nicer vehicles. I sold my NX 2000 and eventually purchased a 2002 Nissan SpecV from a Nissan dealership in Jackson, MI. That car was purely an autocross car, I got a jacket and put Nissan patches on it and enjoyed being one of the few Nissans in my race class (which I would regularly win). Around the time I got my SpecV it was time to get more grown up and I purchased a 2005 (two years old) from a Nissan dealer in Battle Creek, MI. I searched and searched for a used Altima with a 5-speed because I like driving stick and that costs of ownership on a stick are lower (well usually).
Recently I sold my SpecV in exchange for a 1975 Datsun 280Z. Have you picked up on how much I have enjoyed my Nissan ownership experience? I wear Nismo hats, I am on all the Nissan online forums, and I even subscribe to Nissan Sport Magazine (I just renewed).
I have enjoyed having a certified Nissan car. I purchased it with the understanding that the car, with the exception of regular wear items, would be worry free until 100,000 miles or 5 years from purchased date. I know, and never complained when I needed tires, brakes, and other regular maintenance items needed to be done that were not covered.
My first concern was at around 40,000 miles (I purchased the car with 27,000 on the clock). In stop and go traffic in Chicago the clutch pedal went limp. I was able to pull up on it to shift gears and get off to the side of the road. I was preparing to call Nissan when I started the car again and it drove fine. I took it to the dealership right away, thinking the hydraulic fluid was over heating, or something went wrong. The dealership (Les Stanford in Jackson, MI) said nothing appears wrong with it. My issue was that it clearly was something wrong, and they told me when it did it again to let them know.
The issue came up again at about 60,000 miles. This time I took it to Gurley Leep in Mishawaka, IN. This is the dealership that had been servicing my SpecV and Altima and I was EXTREMELY pleased with them. They checked it out, of course the issue did not repeat itself, but I know that the issue happening caused wear on the clutch when the pedal failed. They helped cover some of the cost as they drained the fluid and upgraded the type of fluid used in the transmission.
The issue happened again about a month ago. Once again once I let the car cool down it went back to normal. To me that means the clutch cylinder or something else must be the problem causing it to lose hydraulic pressure. I took it to the dealership with that issue and some clunking in the front of the car. They could not reproduce the clutch issue (again) but did warranty some of the steering items.
Well three days after picking up the car… my clutch pedal felt weird, but it was not the same feeling as before though. The clutch was slipping. That never happened before, before it was the clutch pedal not having pressure. Luckily the car was drivable still so I brought in to the dealer the next day. Well by the time I got to the dealer with clutch was completely slipping.
Of course at this time is when the service manager at Gurley Leep says the clutch isn’t covered and quoted a price of $1280 with one clutch and $950 with a cheaper clutch. I was not in a negotiating mood, kept my cool in the service department and went outside for some fresh air. That is when I was approached by a salesman about buying a new Nissan. Normally I would have loved to chat cars, and about how my wife and I have discussed trading in her Jetta for a Murano this spring once we have our first child (expected Dec 30th). He told me to let him know if he can help with the service department, or if I want to trade the car in like it is. I told him I would contact him, but I wanted to contact Nissan customer service first about my warranty. (That evening I sent him an email, the following day he didn’t respond, and only called once I complained to the service guy that I thought I was blacklisted from the dealership now)
So the following day I called and started Report # 6983311 with (agent) who was very nice on the phone. He explained that my case was “worth investigating” and I could expect a 24 hour response from a Regional Specialist. Here I thought, now I am getting somewhere. I did ask (agent) what would be a typical response, he explain it could be anywhere from covering the repair, to helping with the repair to not covering any of it. I explained my years with Nissan and he thanked me for being a loyal customer. I optimistically waited for the response.
I got a call from (Regional Specialist) from Consumer Affairs and promptly called her back. I was explained that because of the mileage on my car that they would not cover the repair. I explained about the miles on my certified warranty and about how I had taken the car in several times about clutch pedal pressure issues that would of clearly caused the clutch to go bad faster. She explained the decision was final. So I asked, “So I am stuck paying for this entire repair?” She then explained that the dealership told her they offered me a $300 discount on the repair. Which I explained to her was not true, they just offered me a lower quality part to be used instead. She told me she could do nothing but said they “care about my business”, to which I told her clearly you don’t. It is of course her job to refute that, she did, and I wasn’t going to argue so I told her have a good day and hung up.
My mother taught me that actions speak louder than words. My grandfather taught me that loyalty is the most valuable trait from a business. He was a small business owner and had a car repair and tire store. He taught me about business and how to treat people. He retired a successful business man because he knew that his word was all he had to show people and to earn their business. So he made his word count for something. So Nissan, I want to say that this is the most disappointing thing that you could have done. Your word from a dealer in selling me a car, to your word about standing behind your products, and your words of “valuing my business” mean nothing.
I called the dealership back. The service manager (who I know is working hard for me) was only able to get the repair down to $828 for me. Where is my $300 discount that I was supposed to get? A local recommended shop quoted me $750 to do the repair. So a place that doesn’t know anything about me is getting me a better deal than the company with whom I have spend thousands of dollars at for cars and service. Big Nissan, who values my business can’t beat this little local shops price?
The worst of this is… I never thought I would have to think about doing a safecar.gov posting about my dear Nissan. I didn’t think I would ever want to no longer where my Nissan jacket, or even contemplate selling my Datsun race car or give up on talking the wife into the 350Z summer car I have been wanting. I never thought I would be shopping for anything but a Nissan, and now I might be shopping for anything BUT a Nissan.
I know it doesn’t mean much now, because as your agent said this issue is finished, but you lost a costumer. Maybe you get these letters a lot, maybe business is so good you don’t care, but I am writing in the hopes that you do care. If you don’t, shame on you Nissan. Shame on you for losing a valuable customer.
Sincerely,
Sam Centellas
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5s
2002 Nissan SE-R SpecV
2000 Nissan Sentra GXE
1991 Nissan NX2000
1975 Datsun 280z
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
Dear Consumer Affairs,
I know that I have exhausted my options on this warranty item and a final decision has been rendered. I still feel I want to express formally how utterly disappointed I am in Nissan USA. As a valued customer for the past 8+ years I would have never expected this type of treatment. I wanted to outline my dissatisfaction with not only the final decision, but the process and how you handle the promotion of your extended “Service Agreement” as part of purchasing a Certified Nissan pre-owned vehicle.
I have been a loyal customer since my younger brother purchased a 1991 Nissan Stanza when I was in college. The car was a good lucking tank named George, ran proud and true and so when I was looking for a used car a few years later while I was in graduate school I stumbled into and purchased a 1991 NX 2000. It was not only a cheap dependable car but I eventually turned it into a second car and started using it for SCCA Autocross racing. There began my love for Nissan vehicles. My next car was a 2000 Sentra GXE that I purchased used from an economy lot of a Nissan dealer in Grand Rapids, MI. That car was a great vehicle and the first time I financed a car all on my own.
As I progressed in my career I got nicer vehicles. I sold my NX 2000 and eventually purchased a 2002 Nissan SpecV from a Nissan dealership in Jackson, MI. That car was purely an autocross car, I got a jacket and put Nissan patches on it and enjoyed being one of the few Nissans in my race class (which I would regularly win). Around the time I got my SpecV it was time to get more grown up and I purchased a 2005 (two years old) from a Nissan dealer in Battle Creek, MI. I searched and searched for a used Altima with a 5-speed because I like driving stick and that costs of ownership on a stick are lower (well usually).
Recently I sold my SpecV in exchange for a 1975 Datsun 280Z. Have you picked up on how much I have enjoyed my Nissan ownership experience? I wear Nismo hats, I am on all the Nissan online forums, and I even subscribe to Nissan Sport Magazine (I just renewed).
I have enjoyed having a certified Nissan car. I purchased it with the understanding that the car, with the exception of regular wear items, would be worry free until 100,000 miles or 5 years from purchased date. I know, and never complained when I needed tires, brakes, and other regular maintenance items needed to be done that were not covered.
My first concern was at around 40,000 miles (I purchased the car with 27,000 on the clock). In stop and go traffic in Chicago the clutch pedal went limp. I was able to pull up on it to shift gears and get off to the side of the road. I was preparing to call Nissan when I started the car again and it drove fine. I took it to the dealership right away, thinking the hydraulic fluid was over heating, or something went wrong. The dealership (Les Stanford in Jackson, MI) said nothing appears wrong with it. My issue was that it clearly was something wrong, and they told me when it did it again to let them know.
The issue came up again at about 60,000 miles. This time I took it to Gurley Leep in Mishawaka, IN. This is the dealership that had been servicing my SpecV and Altima and I was EXTREMELY pleased with them. They checked it out, of course the issue did not repeat itself, but I know that the issue happening caused wear on the clutch when the pedal failed. They helped cover some of the cost as they drained the fluid and upgraded the type of fluid used in the transmission.
The issue happened again about a month ago. Once again once I let the car cool down it went back to normal. To me that means the clutch cylinder or something else must be the problem causing it to lose hydraulic pressure. I took it to the dealership with that issue and some clunking in the front of the car. They could not reproduce the clutch issue (again) but did warranty some of the steering items.
Well three days after picking up the car… my clutch pedal felt weird, but it was not the same feeling as before though. The clutch was slipping. That never happened before, before it was the clutch pedal not having pressure. Luckily the car was drivable still so I brought in to the dealer the next day. Well by the time I got to the dealer with clutch was completely slipping.
Of course at this time is when the service manager at Gurley Leep says the clutch isn’t covered and quoted a price of $1280 with one clutch and $950 with a cheaper clutch. I was not in a negotiating mood, kept my cool in the service department and went outside for some fresh air. That is when I was approached by a salesman about buying a new Nissan. Normally I would have loved to chat cars, and about how my wife and I have discussed trading in her Jetta for a Murano this spring once we have our first child (expected Dec 30th). He told me to let him know if he can help with the service department, or if I want to trade the car in like it is. I told him I would contact him, but I wanted to contact Nissan customer service first about my warranty. (That evening I sent him an email, the following day he didn’t respond, and only called once I complained to the service guy that I thought I was blacklisted from the dealership now)
So the following day I called and started Report # 6983311 with (agent) who was very nice on the phone. He explained that my case was “worth investigating” and I could expect a 24 hour response from a Regional Specialist. Here I thought, now I am getting somewhere. I did ask (agent) what would be a typical response, he explain it could be anywhere from covering the repair, to helping with the repair to not covering any of it. I explained my years with Nissan and he thanked me for being a loyal customer. I optimistically waited for the response.
I got a call from (Regional Specialist) from Consumer Affairs and promptly called her back. I was explained that because of the mileage on my car that they would not cover the repair. I explained about the miles on my certified warranty and about how I had taken the car in several times about clutch pedal pressure issues that would of clearly caused the clutch to go bad faster. She explained the decision was final. So I asked, “So I am stuck paying for this entire repair?” She then explained that the dealership told her they offered me a $300 discount on the repair. Which I explained to her was not true, they just offered me a lower quality part to be used instead. She told me she could do nothing but said they “care about my business”, to which I told her clearly you don’t. It is of course her job to refute that, she did, and I wasn’t going to argue so I told her have a good day and hung up.
My mother taught me that actions speak louder than words. My grandfather taught me that loyalty is the most valuable trait from a business. He was a small business owner and had a car repair and tire store. He taught me about business and how to treat people. He retired a successful business man because he knew that his word was all he had to show people and to earn their business. So he made his word count for something. So Nissan, I want to say that this is the most disappointing thing that you could have done. Your word from a dealer in selling me a car, to your word about standing behind your products, and your words of “valuing my business” mean nothing.
I called the dealership back. The service manager (who I know is working hard for me) was only able to get the repair down to $828 for me. Where is my $300 discount that I was supposed to get? A local recommended shop quoted me $750 to do the repair. So a place that doesn’t know anything about me is getting me a better deal than the company with whom I have spend thousands of dollars at for cars and service. Big Nissan, who values my business can’t beat this little local shops price?
The worst of this is… I never thought I would have to think about doing a safecar.gov posting about my dear Nissan. I didn’t think I would ever want to no longer where my Nissan jacket, or even contemplate selling my Datsun race car or give up on talking the wife into the 350Z summer car I have been wanting. I never thought I would be shopping for anything but a Nissan, and now I might be shopping for anything BUT a Nissan.
I know it doesn’t mean much now, because as your agent said this issue is finished, but you lost a costumer. Maybe you get these letters a lot, maybe business is so good you don’t care, but I am writing in the hopes that you do care. If you don’t, shame on you Nissan. Shame on you for losing a valuable customer.
Sincerely,
Sam Centellas
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5s
2002 Nissan SE-R SpecV
2000 Nissan Sentra GXE
1991 Nissan NX2000
1975 Datsun 280z
11.05.2010
Thanks ND. You did the Right Thing.
Its not good news, but it is the news I had hoped would come. Today ND put out a press release about the death of a student on their campus.
ESPN News: "President: Notre Dame responsible"
I wrote a blog the other day and if you didn't read it I basically just wondered if ND would do the right thing.
They didn't dance around the issues, they didn't blame the kid for not bringing down the lift, they didn't say we didn't know the weather was that bad, we didn't ____... they said this:
"Declan Sullivan was entrusted to our care, and we failed to keep him safe," the Rev. John Jenkins wrote. "We at Notre Dame and ultimately I as president are responsible. Words cannot express our sorrow to the Sullivan family and to all involved."
Obviously he wrote more, but that is sometimes all you can ask for when tragedy strikes. So thank you to Notre Dame for restore faith that in the midst of a legal battle, during a losing season, during hard times they just flat out said "We failed".
I think in the midst of all the current politics, mud slinging, elections, and other distractions in the world this is refreshing. Someone just flat out said, "We failed".
So ND answered by blog Will ND Do The Right Thing? They did and today I am proud of their actions, and even though it won't bring Declan back hope it brings the family more closure. I just became a little more Irish today.
ESPN News: "President: Notre Dame responsible"
I wrote a blog the other day and if you didn't read it I basically just wondered if ND would do the right thing.
They didn't dance around the issues, they didn't blame the kid for not bringing down the lift, they didn't say we didn't know the weather was that bad, we didn't ____... they said this:
"Declan Sullivan was entrusted to our care, and we failed to keep him safe," the Rev. John Jenkins wrote. "We at Notre Dame and ultimately I as president are responsible. Words cannot express our sorrow to the Sullivan family and to all involved."
Obviously he wrote more, but that is sometimes all you can ask for when tragedy strikes. So thank you to Notre Dame for restore faith that in the midst of a legal battle, during a losing season, during hard times they just flat out said "We failed".
I think in the midst of all the current politics, mud slinging, elections, and other distractions in the world this is refreshing. Someone just flat out said, "We failed".
So ND answered by blog Will ND Do The Right Thing? They did and today I am proud of their actions, and even though it won't bring Declan back hope it brings the family more closure. I just became a little more Irish today.
11.04.2010
I Hate Elections
I hate elections because at the end of the day people don't listen to each other.
I hate elections because I hate going and casting a vote knowing that no matter who I vote for things won't really change. I can vote on a property tax cap, but that just means sales taxes will get raised and parks will get closed cause the government won't actually learn to operate on less but give me less instead and still end up charging more. Did that sentence even make sense?
I hate elections because I hate knowing that people judge your intelligence on if you agree with them or not. What? I thought intelligence was defined as your ability to comprehend and learn from experiences. So why is me having a different opinion then yours make you: 1. Better than me. 2. Smarter than me. 3. More connected with reality than I am.
I hate elections because no matter the outcome everyone ends up mad. You either lost and are mad at people like me who aren't as smart as you and didn't vote the same way. Or you are mad because it took two years for you to win your seat back. Or you are mad because you should of won by more. Really?
You want to know what I really hate? No like really, really hate... You don't want to know but here it is anyways.
I hate elections because at the end of the day people don't listen to each other.
I hate elections because the winners assume that winning means that they don't have to listen to the losers views. The losers assume they have to do everything they can to undermine the winners chance of success in order for them to become winners next time around. So technically everyone loses and we do it all over again next time.
I hate elections for the simple fact that they divide people. They divide us into colors, regions, views, income brackets, and pit us against each other. So things like if you believe in a certain something, makes you vote against things that someone who believes something different brings up regardless of if that thing a good idea or not. I call it the Ex-factor. You hate your Ex, you hate your Ex so much that you hate things they like, if even you used (or still do)to like it you say you don't anymore.
I hate elections because they are about winning. They aren't about helping people, making things better, or improving the lives of our future children. They are about winning at all cost, saying anything (even if you don't mean it) and then doing a happy dance when you won (or a cartwheel I guess).
I do love when elections are over and I don't have to see the yard signs and and attack advertisements on TV. So to that I am thankful, but all the money spent on elections could of helped feed all the homeless in our area, put my daughter through college, and fixed the roads around here. Instead it was spent on electing someone who promises to do those things (but won't).
I hate elections because at the end of the day people don't listen to each other.
If you are wondering, yes I voted. If you want to know how it doesn't matter, it was my opinion on the issue.
I hate elections because I know you really want to know how I voted, because you want to judge me based on it. Did you listen to anything I wrote above?
I hate elections because at the end of the day people don't listen to each other.
I hate elections because I hate going and casting a vote knowing that no matter who I vote for things won't really change. I can vote on a property tax cap, but that just means sales taxes will get raised and parks will get closed cause the government won't actually learn to operate on less but give me less instead and still end up charging more. Did that sentence even make sense?
I hate elections because I hate knowing that people judge your intelligence on if you agree with them or not. What? I thought intelligence was defined as your ability to comprehend and learn from experiences. So why is me having a different opinion then yours make you: 1. Better than me. 2. Smarter than me. 3. More connected with reality than I am.
I hate elections because no matter the outcome everyone ends up mad. You either lost and are mad at people like me who aren't as smart as you and didn't vote the same way. Or you are mad because it took two years for you to win your seat back. Or you are mad because you should of won by more. Really?
You want to know what I really hate? No like really, really hate... You don't want to know but here it is anyways.
I hate elections because at the end of the day people don't listen to each other.
I hate elections because the winners assume that winning means that they don't have to listen to the losers views. The losers assume they have to do everything they can to undermine the winners chance of success in order for them to become winners next time around. So technically everyone loses and we do it all over again next time.
I hate elections for the simple fact that they divide people. They divide us into colors, regions, views, income brackets, and pit us against each other. So things like if you believe in a certain something, makes you vote against things that someone who believes something different brings up regardless of if that thing a good idea or not. I call it the Ex-factor. You hate your Ex, you hate your Ex so much that you hate things they like, if even you used (or still do)to like it you say you don't anymore.
I hate elections because they are about winning. They aren't about helping people, making things better, or improving the lives of our future children. They are about winning at all cost, saying anything (even if you don't mean it) and then doing a happy dance when you won (or a cartwheel I guess).
I do love when elections are over and I don't have to see the yard signs and and attack advertisements on TV. So to that I am thankful, but all the money spent on elections could of helped feed all the homeless in our area, put my daughter through college, and fixed the roads around here. Instead it was spent on electing someone who promises to do those things (but won't).
I hate elections because at the end of the day people don't listen to each other.
If you are wondering, yes I voted. If you want to know how it doesn't matter, it was my opinion on the issue.
I hate elections because I know you really want to know how I voted, because you want to judge me based on it. Did you listen to anything I wrote above?
I hate elections because at the end of the day people don't listen to each other.
10.28.2010
So I want to know... will ND do the right thing?
In my law class in grad I always remember the line from my professor, "There is the wrong way to do things, the right way, and the legal way."
I use that phrase all the time, and for those who know me know that I have thought about going to law school for a long time. I am the risk management and legal consultant for my fraternity and we use that thought process to make decisions.
I train my board members and national volunteers how to respond during a crisis. I am reflecting on how we handle things, and looking at how ND is going to handle this situation with the death of a student.
You are trained in crisis management to avoid legal issues (civil suit) to:
Never Apologize
Never admit responsibility
Say you feel bad
Say good things about the victim
Say good thing about the people who (accidentally or on purpose) caused the incident
Say you sympathize
Never let anyone, but someone trained to speak, speak to the media
So far since the death of the student last night at football practice the ND statements have been just as outlined above. The football players have been instructed not to answer questions, and no one from the team but Coach Kelly and Father Jenkins have given a statement. Those statements were completely along the lines stated above.
So I want to know... will ND do the right thing?
Now we are in day two... so will the statements change? I am sure ND is worried about getting sued by the family. I am sure ND is trying to figure out how to mitigate their liability. I am sure ND is worried about what this means for their football team.
So I want to know... will ND do the right thing?
Will they say, "NO" to their lawyers and come out and say they are sorry? Or will they keep up the song and dance to try and avoid a bigger lawsuit? Will someone call the family? Or will they send a heartless, tight rope walking letter hoping to get sued for less?
Here is the difference... just like my fraternity, ND isn't a heartless corporation. They aren't Walmart trying to not get sued for a lot of money and have to raise prices. They are a values based institution that values human life and more importantly doing the right thing. There are banners all over campus that talk about ethical education...
So I want to know... will ND do the right thing?
Will Coach Kelly take a press release. Will he look straight at the camera and say, he is sorry. Will he say that he is ultimately responsible for everything that happens. Wins, Losses, Signing the best players, and yes... when something tragic happens. Will Coach Kelly say that hindsight is 20/20, but he can't go back and make different decisions. Will he say we should of not had him up there. Will he say that they might not of had a good process for deciding if the lift should of gone up. Will he say, that he knows that no matter what he says he can't bring him back, but that he will do all he can to ensure his memory is forgotten.
More importantly, will Coach Kelly, as a father himself, call the father of that young man and say... I am sorry. I can't bring him back, but I will do anything in the world in my power to make this right.
ND. Do The Right Thing. Do the Right Thing and make us all believe that sometimes its about more than money, or more than admitting a mistake... and make me believe that even if I become a lawyer someday, and I have to answer a question like this in my fraternity that I will do the right thing.
So I NEED to know... will ND do the right thing?
I use that phrase all the time, and for those who know me know that I have thought about going to law school for a long time. I am the risk management and legal consultant for my fraternity and we use that thought process to make decisions.
I train my board members and national volunteers how to respond during a crisis. I am reflecting on how we handle things, and looking at how ND is going to handle this situation with the death of a student.
You are trained in crisis management to avoid legal issues (civil suit) to:
Never Apologize
Never admit responsibility
Say you feel bad
Say good things about the victim
Say good thing about the people who (accidentally or on purpose) caused the incident
Say you sympathize
Never let anyone, but someone trained to speak, speak to the media
So far since the death of the student last night at football practice the ND statements have been just as outlined above. The football players have been instructed not to answer questions, and no one from the team but Coach Kelly and Father Jenkins have given a statement. Those statements were completely along the lines stated above.
So I want to know... will ND do the right thing?
Now we are in day two... so will the statements change? I am sure ND is worried about getting sued by the family. I am sure ND is trying to figure out how to mitigate their liability. I am sure ND is worried about what this means for their football team.
So I want to know... will ND do the right thing?
Will they say, "NO" to their lawyers and come out and say they are sorry? Or will they keep up the song and dance to try and avoid a bigger lawsuit? Will someone call the family? Or will they send a heartless, tight rope walking letter hoping to get sued for less?
Here is the difference... just like my fraternity, ND isn't a heartless corporation. They aren't Walmart trying to not get sued for a lot of money and have to raise prices. They are a values based institution that values human life and more importantly doing the right thing. There are banners all over campus that talk about ethical education...
So I want to know... will ND do the right thing?
Will Coach Kelly take a press release. Will he look straight at the camera and say, he is sorry. Will he say that he is ultimately responsible for everything that happens. Wins, Losses, Signing the best players, and yes... when something tragic happens. Will Coach Kelly say that hindsight is 20/20, but he can't go back and make different decisions. Will he say we should of not had him up there. Will he say that they might not of had a good process for deciding if the lift should of gone up. Will he say, that he knows that no matter what he says he can't bring him back, but that he will do all he can to ensure his memory is forgotten.
More importantly, will Coach Kelly, as a father himself, call the father of that young man and say... I am sorry. I can't bring him back, but I will do anything in the world in my power to make this right.
ND. Do The Right Thing. Do the Right Thing and make us all believe that sometimes its about more than money, or more than admitting a mistake... and make me believe that even if I become a lawyer someday, and I have to answer a question like this in my fraternity that I will do the right thing.
So I NEED to know... will ND do the right thing?
10.27.2010
I don't want to be Holster Guy... But...
Oh man... got bad news today, I guess smart phones aren't supposed to be kept in your pocket. When they are transmitting data they are supposed to be kept a certain distance from your body, it is even in the fine print of the instructions.
Apple iPhone recommends 15mm (5/8 of an inch)
Blackberry recommends 25mm (7/8 of an inch)
I saw it this morning on the CBS Morning show... "Cell Phones in Pockets"...and this one really got my attention. I am trying to find what the distance is on my Palm Pre.
WOW that is a lot... so for the ladies who keep it in their purse, that is fine. For me and I bet tons of other guys we just keep it in our pocket. I personally hate holsters... I don't want to be holster guy...
I tried a holster a little this summer because it was annoying always carrying it in my pocket at work. I didn't like it...
So what am I to do? Man bag? Murse? Or the dreaded holster?
Apple iPhone recommends 15mm (5/8 of an inch)
Blackberry recommends 25mm (7/8 of an inch)
I saw it this morning on the CBS Morning show... "Cell Phones in Pockets"...and this one really got my attention. I am trying to find what the distance is on my Palm Pre.
WOW that is a lot... so for the ladies who keep it in their purse, that is fine. For me and I bet tons of other guys we just keep it in our pocket. I personally hate holsters... I don't want to be holster guy...
I tried a holster a little this summer because it was annoying always carrying it in my pocket at work. I didn't like it...
So what am I to do? Man bag? Murse? Or the dreaded holster?