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Gina finished teaching a few weeks ago. She was keeping herself (really) busy creating a curriculum from scratch and teaching a lecture + lab at U of M in Dearborn. It went so well that she’s been asked to teach again next winter!

Our Nephew’s first birthday was last weekend. Personally, if 50 people showed up for one of my birthday parties, I would have had an anxiety attack! The little guy handled it well, though… especially the ceremonial first cake. All it took was one taste of Gina’s handiwork, and fist-fulls of cake were consumed in record time!

With some of her earning from teaching, Gina bought herself a new-to-her 2008 Impreza Outback Sport! I tease her that I’m jealous to cover for the fact that I’m actually jealous! It’s a nice ride: heated seats, wiper de-icers, premium sound system and averaging about 26 miles per gallon!

Racing season is right around the corner. I’ve been on edge trying to get our new racecar prepped. Gina helped a ton over the past week so I would be a little less stressed. Right now the car is fully assembled and waiting to be loaded into our trailer for a visit with Glenn for alignment and some scale time.

- Duane

I couldn’t just stop with a few guitars, could I? As noted in my last post, I’ve been working on my guitars over the past few days as time between car work, side work, and work-work has allowed. When I began inspecting the first acoustic I owned, I found that the tuning hardware was failing. It’s a great sounding acoustic guitar (no electronics) that my parents bought for me many, many Christmas seasons ago (about 17 years…). I couldn’t find the exact tuning hardware, so I got a slightly better version: gold-colored Gotoh magnum locking tuners (SG381-MG). It’s such a huge improvement, I’m tempted to replace my remaining non-locking tuners with locking versions. The hardware is noticeably heavier and the gear ratio (1:16) is much more precise. With new strings, a little T.L.C. and new hardware, it’s like having a new acoustic.

- Duane

After last week’s band practice, I realized that I’ve really not been replacing my strings as I should. I dusted off my Telecaster for the first time in several years (yes, I’m a bad guitar owner… I know) and though it (surprisingly) sounded exceptionally nice, it really needed new strings. I figured it would be a good time to try some different strings on different guitars. So I headed off to The Music Man in Brighton and picked up D’Addario EJ17 Medium Gauge strings for our acoustics. A set of GHS Heavyweight Boomers (10-46) for my Telecaster. A set of D’Addario XL (9-42) for my PRS Tremonti. And, finally, a set of Ernie Ball Slinky Hybrids (9-11-16-26-36-46) for my Parker Fly… essentially, the first 3 strings are from a set of 9’s and the bottom 3 strings are from a set of 10’s. Nice flexibility for the "solo" strings with great tone for the "rhythm" strings. 6 guitars and a few days later and I’m really glad that I snagged a winder tool to use with my cordless screwdriver. I really must be better at replacing my most played strings on a monthly basis.

- Duane

I really haven’t been posting much. Every once-in-a-while, I get burned out and just stop posting. For the 2 people out there that still read my updates: I’m sorry.

I’ve been running around a lot a work. It’s all quite exciting for me, but the details are sure to bore most everyone out there. Consider yourself spared. However in the category of "almost interesting" is how much work my brother (Christian from Degen Development Corp.) has gotten done on our basement project. He’s been coming over during the week when his big projects allow and we’re just a day of work away from insulation and drywall! I was stunned by how precise and meticulous his work has been. I didn’t expect anything less, but the level of detail in everything he does is amazing. Of particular interest is how cleanly he removed the old drywall from the basement stairs. It looks like it was just installed and the old stuff was never even there!

The weather has allowed temperatures to peek above the 50 degree mark on several occasions recently. That means that I’m officially obligated to get my butt out to the shop and finish up my race car for the season! More to come…

- Duane

It appears that my previous rant did not fall upon deaf ears… or at least that’s what I would like to think. Although not officially confirmed, the Buick Regal GS looks like it could actually make it to production. All-Wheel Drive, turbo EcoTec 2.0 liter 4 banger, 6-speed manual transmission, sport-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes! Now the only question is whether or not it will actually be in a competitive price range. I have a feeling that dealer and manufacturer incentives will make it work… I hope.

The Buick Regal GS Concept In Person (via AutoBlog)

- Duane