The Conquistador's Picture Of The Day

[a9127]

Still trying to decide what to do regarding RV's for our summer travels...

Brought this one home today. Neighbors called the cops.

She still wants a large trailer. Claims it has more living space than a "Class A." I don't think so and we will still need a "5th wheel" to pull it. Made a deal with her. If she lets me buy this truck, I'm all in...

But most likely we will end up like this couple. Such is married life...

[ila]

Originally Posted by a9127

But most likely we will end up like this couple. Such is married life...

That's Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

[a9127]

Yes. I know. It's from the "Long Long Trailer" (1954). I've seen it before. Probably on TCM. I still don't see how that car could pull all that. Thinking about the movie has given me second thoughts about this whole "endeavor."

Of course all the options we are looking at use Cummins or Detroit diesels. So I am optimistic... Well, sort of.

Here's a few scenes from the movie. 1954 I believe was before the US Interstate system. The trek through the mountains is scary. I have driven through the Rockies twice. Interstate 70 today is a lot better than wherever he is in the movie.

(Lucille Ball was known as a comedienne but also considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. The last picture is of course one option I am considering. My wife not so much.

Prevost makes many of the actual "tour buses" used by bands and celebrities. They are the same dimensions as the "Class A's" we've been considering but are outfitted with bunks and other stuff more appropriate for a band and appear to be taller. The black one pictured has a "margarita machine" for example and sleeps 12. They are upwards of $1,000,000-$2,000,000 USD in some cases. So I don't think we'll be getting one of those... Unless Taylor wants to give me hers. )

[a9127]

Couldn't help adding one more. This is a 1997 Prevost on sale for only $99,999 USD. Powered by a Series 60 Detroit. The band was "High Mileage." Looked them up. They're still around. 80's and 90's rock. Fuck yeah!!! Have to see if they need a drummer...

[a9127]

They said I couldn't take another one out for a test drive...

[a9127]

Today from WXYZ 7 in Detroit:

(CNN) -- Coca-Cola is hoping a failed product from the 1980s will help it go viral in 2019.

The company is bringing back a limited number of New Coke cans in honor of the upcoming third season of "Stranger Things," in which the product is featured.

"Stranger Things" creators Ross and Matt Duffers came up with the idea to bring New Coke back as a way to promote the show, which will start streaming on Netflix on July 4. The third season of the show takes place during the summer of 1985 — when Coca-Cola debuted a new recipe for its iconic beverage.

So-called New Coke was a flop: Consumers reacted so poorly to the new drink that Coca-Cola pulled it from shelves after a few months. New Coke was rebranded as Coke II, and sold in some places after 1985. But this is the first time Coca-Cola is bringing back New Coke with that branding.

In my MBA marketing class we each had to research infamous product “failures.” I was assigned “New Coke.” In the early to mid 80’s they were facing major competition from Pepsi. The big thing back then were so called “taste tests.” Research had indicated that consumers preferred a “sweeter” drink like Pepsi. After its debut in 1985, Coca Cola pulled the original version. Consumers reacted and hoarded the “old” coke. Psychologically the idea of it being “gone forever” drove demand for the original formula. Eventually Coca Cola backtracked and re-released the old formula as “Coke Classic.” The “new” formula was sold into the 90’s as “Coke II.” Today what you buy at the store as “Coke” is essentially the original formula.

Many people at the time including some marketing experts thought CocaCola had done this intentionally to revive interest in their product. I came to the conclusion that it had been a “major fuckup” (yes I put that in my paper). CocaCola’s research was faulty and they failed to take into account the psychological aspects of this decision. Either way it cost CocaCola millions. Very risky and expensive marketing strategy if that was the intent. But the controversy did revive interest and increase sales. So… over 30 years later, the debate goes on.

Starting in the early 90's, “New” Coke was re-branded “Coke II.” I have tried “Coke II.” It was “different” somehow. Not bad. But not earth shaking either. Just OK. I usually drank Pepsi as a kid. In high-school and college I used to consume SoBe “Lizard Lightning” regularly. This, caffeine, testosterone, and lots and lots of vitamin supplements worked for football. Now we have many more and better healthier choices available to us. When I do drink Coke it is the so-called “Mexican Coke" made with real sugar.

I am too young to remember this commercial but given what we know today I’m not sure it helped… The first thing I'm thinking is "OMG! He's putting something in her drink." In 1985, here’s what Mr. Cosby had to say about New Coke:

"Attention Pepsi drinkers, introducing the new taste of Coca-Cola, the best Coca-Cola ever. That's all I'm going to say, in fact that's all I have to say. No more words."

- Bill Cosby

I'm not sure exactly how Bill Cosby appealed to younger consumers. My favorite commercials however featured “Max Headroom” a character from a TV show of the late 80’s. This guy I DO remember.


The best comment I could find regarding “Coke II” was “Ew! Gross…”


(I realized I kept typing “New Cock.” Subliminal? Or just poor typing? )

[a9127]

Of course using celebrities and sports heroes has always been effective at reaching younger consumers. MJ was perhaps my #1 hero growing up. Now if he said "Coke is the Real Thing" then I'd drink it... So I did.

Same for Gatorade... Every guy my age wanted to "Be Like Mike."

But Pepsi fought dirty. This is Cindy Crawford from her famous 1992 commercial.

(If Hayley Williams advertised anything today you know I'd buy it. )

[a9127]

Originally Posted by a9127

She (my wife) still wants a large trailer. Claims it has more living space than a "Class A." I don't think so and we will still need a "5th wheel" to pull it...

Turns out she was right (she usually is... ). What she had seen on the Internet was called a "toy hauler." Very large. Some can hold a small car or motorcycle.

Last Friday we went to get it. It's a 2020 "Grand Design Momentum 397TH." About the size of a semi trailer, it does indeed have more living space than a typical "Class A." We will still need a Heavy Duty "dually" with a fifth wheel to pull it however. I am going to work on that as we speak. The dealer recommended nothing smaller than a Ford F350 for this particular trailer.

The "LED's" change color. Green is what it was on when I snapped the picture. I'm just over 6'4" so you get an idea of how tall it is. Don't hit my head in this one. What appeals to me most is the ability to "decouple" from it so we don't have to drive a "tour bus" to go shopping or visit. We already have a place to store it out in the country.

The other pictures are from their website when it was on the dealer's lot.

[a9127]

These are cookies my friend made for the Indy Pride Festival last week. They are selling them all this month. And they’re really good!

[a9127]

My wife and I are all ready to head out on vacation. We will be leaving after the July 4th holiday and returning in August. We will be pulling the RV shown a few posts above.

Needed a truck big enough to pull it. Think I found one. Saved money too.

Told my wife "Let's make our first stop Franklin Tennessee and go visit Miley, Hayley, and Taylor." You can see what her reaction was.

But I have learned a lot about RV's in just a few short months. Especially how to empty the waste tanks...

[a9127]

OK. One more “retro” post and I’m through. This was the “Visible V8” model kit. As far as I know they are still made. My dad got me one for my 6th or 7th birthday. We worked on it together in his home office/den in the evening and made good progress. It was fun and I learned a lot from it as well. As we got close to completion, I became “impatient” (Me? Imagine that… ) and tried to finish it one day by myself while my dad was at work.

I fucked it up of course. Even with my dad’s and uncle’s (of the dark green ’69 Chevelle 396 fame) knowledge and expertise it could not be saved so I was left with only one working cylinder. At least it sort of “looked” like an engine and sat in my room until my mom threw it away while cleaning.

[ila]

Originally Posted by a9127

OK. One more “retro” post and I’m through. This was the “Visible V8” model kit.

I also had one of those. I found it quite interesting to put together. The only thing that beat it was when I got to tear down a real V8 and later put it together again. As an added bonus I was paid to do it (my job). I will say the real one was much easier to put together than the model.

[a9127]

Grisly bit of US history. As we head home, stopped to see “Ft. Smith” in Arkansas. Once the “Outpost” of the United States and Seat of Justice for the Western territories (many taken from Mexico and Native Americans) not yet admitted as states.

Was walking around checking out the cannons when a white “stage” over in the corner of the grounds caught my eye. First thought was “Did they have bands play back then?”

Upon closer inspection the “stage” was actually large gallows with a “trap door” capable of hanging up to six condemned criminals at a time.

Judge Parker, portrayed in Western novels and films as a "Hanging Judge," also had his courthouse at Ft. Smith. Parker had to govern a territory the size of several “states” and was known for his contributions in rehabilitating offenders, reforming the criminal justice system, and advocating the rights of the Indian nations.

While fictitious, the Clint Eastwood movie “Hang ‘em High” depicts a Federal judge in a similar situation with Clint as his Deputy. Of course the “hanging scene” in the movie is much more prolonged and dramatic. The testing of the gallows with sandbags…

Tomorrow we will have to decide if we want to head up through Tennessee and look for where the Paramore video for “Ain’t It Fun” was shot and see where they all gathered in the middle of the road for a group picture. I think I can find both places now. Looking forward to it. Hayley…

If we don’t do that then we will head on to Myrtle Beach and drive up the East coast. My wife has never been to NYC so that is something to think about. Also see the old neighborhood where we used to live.