Jesus Loving Bumper Stickers and Fish Decals

By Joe Gokaho 2009.11.17 D2

I came across this blog entry http://www.stuffchristianculturelikes.com/2009/08/94-jesus-fish-decals.html. I always want to know the origin, or the purpose of fish and birds that people put on the cars.

Recently at a church parking lot, I came across a family of 5, hopping out of their family mini-van with 5 fish in varies size decals. From the blog post above, there is a Dodge van with many fish (2 big fish, 2 medium fish and 5 small fish), representing a family tree.

Windows 7 and Multiple Physical CPUs

I was ready to give my old computer an upgrade to the new operating system - Windows 7.
I tried Vista 7 - couldn't take it - and continued on with the XP Professional for another 2 years. The buzz is about IT roll out plan for Windows 7; to me, it is a message for me to learn Windows 7.

The special offer, $150, provided 3-user license for upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium. I thought it was a good deal!


I upgraded my Thinkpad T61 (Core2Duo, T7300 2.0GHz) to Windows 7 Premium 64-bit. It works ok, many of the hardware are still hard to find, still having many unresolved "!" "?" on many devices.

The next PC in line is a IBM Intellistation Pro Z. Yes it's old, but the benchmark performance on the Dual Xeon (P4) setup is still pretty good. I was counting on the 5x500gb SATA in RAID to pull ahead. Spent hours and hours trying to figure out why Windows device managers shows 4 CPU while the perfomance monitor shows 2 CPU history. Why?

After googling for many hours, and many of my own testing
Windows 7 Home Premium supports
1 physical CPU with multi-cores.

Windows 7 Home Ultimate & Professional support.
2 physical CPU with multi-cores

More googling from a foreign website, it confirm my greatest disappointment.

# # #
From the BIO setup, I turned off HyperThreads function
Device manager sees 2 CPU, MSCONFIG & Performance monitor shows 1 CPU Usage History

From the BIO setup, I enabled HT function
Device managers sees 4 CPU, MSCONFIG & Performance monitor shows 2 CPU Usage History

I unplugged one of the CPU, leaving it with just 1 CPU, with HT function enabled
Device manager sees 2 CPU, MSCONFIG & Performance monitor shows 2 CPU Usage History

The biggest bummer of all - it going to cost $200 to upgrade to Ultimate version 7 if I want to see both of XEON processor at work!

There are fewer dual or multiple Processor, MP systems on the market, the trend is toward 1 cpu-multiple cores.

Notes from Fortune Cookies

1. The harder you work, the luckier you get (in bed). * 2009.11.10


2. There's more to balance than not falling over. * 2009.11.10

3. A person is never too old to learn

4. Inspiration within is waiting for you. It's time to go deep

Adding Ethanol to Petrol Fuel Doesn’t Improve Air Quality

by Joe Gokaho/2009.10.31.D6

Key backer of ethanol fuel wants to increase the amount of ethanol into typical petroleum fuel mix. Many of the large cities use “improving air quality”, as the reason for doing so to comply with the federal, EPA, air quality mandate.

It’s tested by many organizations, like MotorWeek, showing the overall fuel efficiency has drop significantly in many vehicles. Even though “per gallon” pollution has reduced as the result of combining petroleum fuel with ethanol, but it takes more “gallon” to get to where you want to go.

I live in a city, where the area is not subjected to the “tougher clean, ozone days”, but we are approaching to the EPA limits. Many of the gas stations dispense fuel without ethanol. The gas stations at the nearby city dispense fuel with 10% ethanol mix. Here is my personal repeated many times over - “1 data point” experiment done on my vehicle (not optimized to run ethanol, no turbo to take advantage of higher compression etc).

Fuel with 10% ethanol = 20.5 mpg
Fuel without ethanol = 22.0 mpg

10% ethanol may have reduced the polluting compound, but it takes 7% more of the blended fuel than conventional fuel. The net results are:

1. More CO2, for the global warming stuff – (according to some scientists)
2. It costs me more money to take me to places
3. It’s doesn’t really make air cleaner, it actually makes it worse because we need to burn more of it.
4. We get burned on both ends, by paying (subsidizing) the ethanol producers, and use it more at the pump.

Let’s save the subsidy toward making ethanol, let farms grow corn where it most suited – for food. (cost vs benefit).

The subsidy can be better used, for encouraging use of “proving” technology that actually burn less fuel. Here are some examples:

1. Manual transmission: It’s improves city driving fuel efficiency.
Consumer Reports test result shows, 2008 Honda Accord, 4 cylinder
18 mpg for 5-speed manual
15 mpg for 5-speed automatic

That’s whopping 20% improvement,
20% less of CO2
20% less of money spent on “possible foreign oil”
14% less of “pollutants” than running E90
2. Making more gears, and more aerodynamic shape vehicle
Consumer Reports test shows, a 8-speed automatic 2009 Lexus LS460 improves fuel consumption (32 mpg) over the 5-speed 2003 LS430 (29 mpg highway) by 10%

Well, going green, consuming less is great and we should. But we need spend money (subsidy) wisely, congressman.

End Subsidy on Ethanol, Add Subsidy for Proven Fuel Saving Technology

by Joe Gokaho/2009.10.31.D6

Key backer of ethanol fuel wants to increase the amount of ethanol into typical petroleum fuel mix. Many of the large cities use “improving air quality”, as the reason for doing so to comply with the federal, EPA, air quality mandate.

It’s tested by many organizations, like MotorWeek, showing the overall fuel efficiency has drop significantly in many vehicles. Even though “per gallon” pollution has reduced as the result of combining petroleum fuel with ethanol, but it takes more “gallon” to get to where you want to go.

I live in a city, where the area is not subjected to the “tougher clean, ozone days”, but we are approaching to the EPA limits. Many of the gas stations dispense fuel without ethanol. The gas stations at the nearby city dispense fuel with 10% ethanol mix. Here is my personal repeated many times over - “1 data point” experiment done on my vehicle (not optimized to run ethanol, no turbo to take advantage of higher compression etc).

Fuel with 10% ethanol = 20.5 mpg
Fuel without ethanol = 22.0 mpg

10% ethanol may have reduced the polluting compound, but it takes 7% more of the blended fuel than conventional fuel. The net results are:

1. More CO2, for the global warming stuff – (according to some scientists)
2. It costs me more money to take me to places
3. It’s doesn’t really make air cleaner, it actually makes it worse because we need to burn more of it.
4. We get burned on both ends, by paying (subsidizing) the ethanol producers, and use it more at the pump.

Let’s save the subsidy toward making ethanol, let farms grow corn where it most suited – for food. (cost vs benefit).

The subsidy can be better used, for encouraging use of “proving” technology that actually burn less fuel. Here are some examples:

1. Manual transmission: It’s improves city driving fuel efficiency.
   Consumer Reports test result shows, 2008 Honda Accord, 4 cylinder
   18 mpg for 5-speed manual
   15 mpg for 5-speed automatic
   
   That’s whopping 20% improvement,
   20% less of CO2
   20% less of money spent on “possible foreign oil”
   14% less of “pollutants” than running E90
2. Making more gears, and more aerodynamic shape vehicle
   Consumer Reports test shows, a 8-speed automatic 2009 Lexus LS460 improves fuel consumption (32 mpg) over the 5-speed 2003 LS430 (29 mpg highway) by 10%

Well, going green, consuming less is great and we should. But we need spend money (subsidy) wisely, congressman.

Car Problems Repairs, Acura, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Subaru

2007 Lexus RX350 FWD 18"  235/55R-18

wear/fuel/handling/braking/comfort
Michelin - Pilot® MXM4®   50,000
  8/ 9/10/ 9 / 9

Michelin - Energy™ MXV4® S8   50,000
 8/10/ 9/ 9/10

Michelin - Pilot® Sport A/S 3  45,000
10/ 9/ 9/ 8/10

Bridgestone - Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia (eco)


# # # # #

third update 2013.04

second update: 2012.05

first update:  2012.04

Acura MDX 2002
Lexus RX350 2007
Honda CRV 2011

======

Model: 2011 Honda CR-V SE  FWD
Spec: 4 Cyl 5AT
Miles Driven: 26,000 (on going)

Model: 2002 Acura MDX
Spec: 6 Cyl 5AT
Miles Driven: 180,000 (on going)
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 24k – A/C Compressor (out)
@ 67K – Engine mounts (2 places) – replaced
@ 90K – Window shield wiper arms
@ 102K - Engine transmission
@ 138K - check-engine - EGR Valve (cleaned)
@ 158K - SRS, front driver seat belt buckle sensor
@ 164K -  A/C heater blower blower motor resistor (AC/front blower stopped working)

Model: 2007 Lexas RX350 Fwd
Spec: 6 Cyl 5AT
Miles Driven: 37,000 (on going)
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 6K Tire – low pressure sensors (complaints)
@ 6K Difficulty opening center console storage bin
@ 28K - leaking rack-n-pinion, power steering
@ 33K - rear brake rotors

Historical Models
Model: 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5S
Spec: 4 Cyl - 4AT
Miles Driven: 152,000/disposed
@ 128K - Starter
@ 128K - Alternator (un-necessary repair)
@ 146K - headlight (wear and tear)

Model: 1992 Subaru Legacy L
Spec: 4 Cyl - 4AT
Miles Driven: 74,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
(compaints)
@ 30K - sticky ac control panel - no repairs made



Model: 1992 Acura Integra 3dr
Spec: 4 Cyl - 5-speed manual
Miles Driven: 67,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 20K - Engine mount replaced
(complaints)
@ 30K - ABS (on - and off) - no repairs made

[2] # - # - #

Model: 1995 Toyota T-100 DX
Spec: 6 cyl 4AT
Miles Driven: 125,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 90K - shocks absorber repalced
@ 114K - driver side hydraulic brake line replaced

[3] # - # - #

Model: 1996 Nissan Maxima SE
Spec: 6 cyl 4AT
Miles Driven: 104,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ none (complaints)
@ 40k - alignment needs a lot of correction

[4] # - # - #

Model: 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE
Spec: 6 cyl 4AT
Miles Driven: 96,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 15k Sunroof water seal replced
@ 85K right CV-joint boots replaced


Model: 2003 Honda CRV Real Time 4WD
Spec: 4 Cyl 4AT
Miles Driven: 105,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 66K – A/C Compressor

3 Levels of Inferior Learning – and Global Warming

Joe Gokaho/2009.10.22.D4

I recently heard on a radio show where someone was describing the current health care reform debate. I thought the terms were funny, but they can also be used to describe our own learning behavior.

According to the online dictionary, the 3 terms

Stupid – Slow of mind, lack of interest

Ignorant - resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence

Gullible - easily duped or cheated

Of course, no one can be that “stupid”. Everyone’s a lifelong learner, so being “stupid” is not what we were born with, rather what we’ve grown into it.

We are often fall into the trap, believing, simple, convenient, and comforting answer as truth. Are we easily turned away the moment encountering first rock on the path, and settle in for that scare answer? When we look around, it seems ok, because everyone else is also setting for that simple, convenient, and comforting finding as the ultimate truth.

Seeking out advice from “expert” is a sure short-cut to greatness. Could have one’s desire for quick answer from “experts” lead to being ignorant all over again – believing everything for granted?

When it comes to our global warming issue, no one is stupid, but we are not too far from being “ignorant” and “gullible”. Believe me, when VP Gore says “all science facts show…….” I would argue, being skeptical may be the first step getting closer to truth – how did VP Gore know “all science”, or just only the “all science” he knows or want you to know.. 

Joe Gokaho/2009.10.22.D4

I recently heard on a radio show where someone was describing the current health care reform debate. I thought the terms were funny, but they can also be used to describe our own learning behavior.

According to the online dictionary, the 3 terms

Stupid – Slow of mind, lack of interest

Ignorant - resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence

Gullible - easily duped or cheated

Of course, no one can be that “stupid”. Everyone’s a lifelong learner, so being “stupid” is not what we were born with, rather what we’ve grown into it.

We are often fall into the trap, believing, simple, convenient, and comforting answer as truth. Are we easily turned away the moment encountering first rock on the path, and settle in for that scare answer? When we look around, it seems ok, because everyone else is also setting for that simple, convenient, and comforting finding as the ultimate truth.

Seeking out advice from “expert” is a sure short-cut to greatness. Could have one’s desire for quick answer from “experts” lead to being ignorant all over again – believing everything for granted?

When it comes to our global warming issue, no one is stupid, but we are not too far from being “ignorant” and “gullible”. Believe me, when VP Gore says “all science facts show…….” I would argue, being skeptical may be the first step getting closer to truth – how did VP Gore know “all science”, or just only the “all science” he knows or want you to know.

CPS - Build Nuclear Power Plant NOW

Part 1 - I want lower rate !! For the next 40 years

Part 2 - Get real - overly Hyped "Green Technology

Why Green Technology Doesn't Work .. Part 2 of 2

By Joe Gokaho 2009.09.30 D3

I don’t think a City of San Antonio should bet on the green technology yet because,

1. Solar, Wind technology – is heavily subsided and provided by the federal government (funding is no problem there – our senators and representative are not bounded by the deficit spending).
   
   No state and local government is spending money on these technology, because – local/state government can’t just print money – “bang of the buck” still rules.
   
   Sad to say, we are already paying higher utility rate because of the green technology. Why no one complaint yet? –Because it doesn’t show up in your monthly utility bill, it’s all paid by your children, and many other rich people.
   
   Accelerating this green technology adaptation through government heavy subsidy is a very stupid policy; money can be better spend on improving conservation technology. Or something else.
   
   
2. Solar and Wind power generation are not only unpredictable and they are typically producing out of phase usage cycle. For example, most of the wind power is generated during night time, where the electricity consumption is at least.
   
   If the solar and wind are to be the primary source of electrical power producing source, then the secondary system -” non-green/nuclear power will have to be “big, capacity wise” to do double duty – pickup where the “green technology” is out of season - "NO SHOW".

My take on the energy solution should go in the following order: The backbone of power generating source, should be controllable, somewhat; The uncontrollable power generating source, like solar, winds should be acted as alternative.

Primary Source – Nuclear power, Fire/steam (may be burring switch grass pellets (instead of coals), Hydro (somewhat controllable), thermo (like Iceland)

Secondary Backup – Wind, solar generating, conservation, oil/natural gas.

New Electrical Power Plant for Texas Part 1 of 2

By Joe Gokaho 2009.09.30 D3

My utility company is a non-profit – city owned. Currently the electric rate is about 25%-30% cheaper than the neighboring cities with privately owned providers (for profit). I have come to enjoy having dry and cool air conditioned rooms during the long and hot Texas summers. One last thing on my mind would be that spike in electricity bill in the summer time.

The population growth for the State of Texas is faster than rest of the country, the long and hot summer seasons, and ever larger new home constructions also play a great demand on electrical power generation requirement on all Texas utility providers.
City of Houston (once called Houston Light and Power), asks residence to participate a rolling black out program –in hope to cut down power consumption enough to avoid either brown out scenario or building new power generating plants. Other cities also have tried that idea. I bet in a few years, new power plants have to come online, somewhere on the grid to fill in increasing demands. The “green movement” and newly yet to be approved carbon tax – once can only image the great financial burden imposed on Texan in a few short years.

City of San Antonio is the process proposing, building new nuclear power plants. The new facility will be an expanding of existing South Texas Nuclear Power Plant. The price tag is steep, it projects to raise the electric rate by significant amount, but yet it’s still far less than the market rate in the nearby cities like Dallas, Austin and Houston. One would argue, why not spending the money now on the project, when the project is complete, city of San Antonio will be able to enjoy the same electric rate, where other cities (for profit providers) will continue to pay even higher rate, and buying extra power from the open market.

Strong opposition came out , against the nuclear power plant. Everyone says – we should go green, think of solar, wind. The opponents argue, even though the current technology is high, but the cost of these green technology are go down, it’s better for our children and environment.

I hate to use the line from Clinton era, "It's economy, stupid". If we spend money on the green technology without the heavy government subsidy, everyone will shocked to find how expensive it is to go green now, or just in the next decade.

Overrated Toyota Hybrid – It Still Burns Fossil Fuel

Joe Gokaho, 2009.09.24 d4

I was waiting for friends in front of a local popular Mexican restaurant, and over heard a conversation about their “hybrid” family car to friends whom they had dinner with. The intrigued friends kept referring to the Prius as an electric car, but the owner went on the entire “computer logic” flow how the vehicle switches between gasoline engine, and electricity, the condition of which the vehicle would operate as an electric car etc. The intrigued friends was lost in the conversation, but the inquirers were interested in about “green” aspect of the Prius.

Wake up! It’s still a fossil fuel power vehicle, the electricity is just by product from burning fossil fuel. The owner implied they own a “green” vehicle, in this case the Toyota Prius, was a bit stretch.

Nearly all of our current fossil fuel sources are not “renewable”, so Prius is not a “green” car. Even the future plug-in 100% electric car like Volt – isn’t green unless the it doesn't charge it with power generated from coal, or natural gas or even nuclear power plants.

# # # #

Well, you can get a pretty fuel efficient car without the use of expensive electric motor/battery pack, like the Prius. 3 basic attributes makes the car efficient – weight of the vehicle, aerodynamic drag/resistance of the tires friction, and the efficiency of the power plant (engine). Except the "tax incentives - kick starts the "hybrid scheme"..

Just for comparison

Toyota Prius

Weight – 2,965lbs

Aerodynamic Cd, drag – 0.27

Engine – 1.3 Liter & electric

City 34 mpg

Highway 47 mpg

- Source Consumer Reports

(say a 2006 Honda Civic 4 dr)

Weight – 2,900 lbs

Aerodynamic Cd =

Engine 1.8 Liter

City 18mpg

Highway 43mpg

- Source Consumer Reports

The highway driving, both cars have pretty similar fuel economy; Prius is better at managing power at city driving (stop and go situation), less energy is wasted by “shutting down engine” and use electric power to assist acceleration, avoid over revving engines.

If you commute, less of the Washington DC stop & go driving, save yourself a few dollars, just get an aerodynamic car with small engine displacement. It's hard to come up $3,500 worth of fuel saving.

Highway Tractors

I made 6-connective weekend trips to a neighboring city. I came across many 18-wheelers on the interstate highways. Some were old, boxy Peterbilts, some were very aerodynamic looking Freightliners and Volvos. Regardless of the boxy cabs, or aerodynamic cabs, they all have some kinds of "add-on" to improve the aerodynamic of overall setup. Without out a doubt, the raised wind deflector over the trailer was every one I have came across.

Another interesting observation about the trucks - there are only a few brands of truck cab integrators:

Freightliner

Volvo

Peterbilt

Kenworth

International

Ford

Mack

Further more - Detroit Diesel, Cummins are popular engine choices for truck manufactures that don't have their own branded engines.

The Original Bexar County

Joe Gokaho/2009.09.14 D2

I found Texas history is quiet interesting. My latest fascination is about the original Bexar County, before formation of the Republic and joining the Unions.

The Texas Republic - encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S. state of Texas, and parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. There was only county, Bexar County, that encompasses the current west Texas (1/2 of Texas, and New Mexico Colorado and Wyoming. Image, the you're the one - Bexar County Sheriff, overseeing an area larger than the state of California ..

Pushing Shopping Carts Over Curb

Joe Gokaho 2009.09.09 d3

I was at the local Costco store over the weekend. I had my vehicle parked close to a near by “raised curb island”. There were couple shopping carts parked on the “curb island” – that was nice, at least, I, as the next shopper won’t run into the run-away shopping carts.

I though it would be nice to bring one of the cart back to the store, may be I will help out the Costco associates collecting the carts back to the store front. I drag the cart off the island, somehow the carts lost footing, one of wheel stuck on the grassy island, the other wheels ran off the curb. The cart was in a awkward position – lost its balance and tumbled down and landed on the side. I didn’t realize how much “force” was needed to just bring the cart off the curb, despite I wasn’t successful at it. I can only wonder how much force is needed to lift the oversized shopping cart on the curb, and park it on a narrow strip of “Curb Island”.

There was a “return cart” slot – 5 parking spaces over from the “curb island”. I would think it is a lot easier to push the cart over 5 parking spaces than lifting the shopping cart on the island. Why would people do that? Not only has it taken more effort to lift the cart onto the “curb island”, it also blocking someone entering from the passenger side of the vehicle.

I though Costco stores have pretty good parking lot layout, “shopping carts return slots” are will strategically positioned – there is no reason not to return the carts to designated area, that makes everyone “safe” and their cars “safe’ from shopping carts.

US Military and CIA are Already Exercising Moral Superiority

Joe Gokaho 2009.09.02 D3
So2pp.blogspot.com

I would argue, any rational person will agree that US is already exercising higher moral superiority than our enemies. Because we don’t do what enemies do to captives.

Americans have not:
1. Decapitate captives
2. Allowing remains of the captives to be mutilated, dragging captives on the streets
3. Using captives for propaganda purpose
4. Using captive as human shields
5. Killing captives without trials

I will reconsider the “moral superiority” argument when our enemies stop doing immoral acts.

Health Care – Where’s Beef

Joe Gokaho 2009.08.31 1D

There is my understanding of our "health care" system.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Myth and F reek-0-nomics

Health Care - Where's Beef

There is my understanding of our "health care" system.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Myth and F reek-0-nomics

My Understanding of Health Care .. Shortcuts

There are loop holes in my talking point; it’s just like any other government managed shared resource program. But the goal is to make American understand that there is a cost associated with health care, and it’s not free

We budget for food, housing, transportation, but not everyone allocate funding for retirement, education, or our own health care. Our government can’t just continue to escalate the burden on “have” to pay everything for those so calls “not as well off”.

A homeless person, without assets, is already received “free” emergency room care at the tax payers’ expense. Under the reform, when does tax payers money begin to extend100% free health care to individuals – when is one too poor contribute into the basic health care system?

Everyone needs to take responsibility for himself; otherwise, soon or later everyone catches on how the system work - We don’t have to do anything (work, contribute), and government will take care of everything

My Understanding of Health Care (Part 3 of 3)

This is my health care reform “pass-fail” check list:

1. Government needs to fix/make Medicare a viable program first, proving to tax payers that government knows how to direct, manage health care Otherwise, why should we believe we are getting something better, or creating even bigger government funded heath care program.

2. Government health care benefit must be a self-sustaining system, without the aids of other form of taxes. What’s being collected in premium, out of pocket expense shall be the same as the payout for medical service.

3. The “so call minimal heath care” shall be clearly defined. Everyone needs to know “what are we buying” and “how much we are paying”. The definition of “minimal health care” needs to be adjusted yearly according to our ability to pay.
The maximum tax rate burden to fund “minimal health care”, should not exceed 1.45% of the income; it’s an arbitrary number, but it is to keep the definition “minimal health care’ in check.

4 Health care premiums should be same for everyone, regardless of income level. The benefit package should be the same for everyone – everyone’s being created equal. If we collectively want more in benefit, then we will have to pay more. No cheating, no special treatment – everyone must be treated equally.
If special assistance is need to low income earner (progressive tax is implemented), at a minimum of 4 out 5 rate payers (80% rate payers) are set to maximum tax rate. Assistance/progressive rates can only apply to 1 out of 5 rate payers.

Coke, No Ice

2009.08.28

We, as American, all enjoy icy cold soda, either from a chilled soda can, or loaded lots crushed ice. The 90’s plastic bottles are great, it performs well at keeping soda from going flat, but it doesn’t keep the soda cold for very long.


When flying to Europe, I am a bit surprised to learn many of the passengers around me didn't want ice with their soda, I wonder who wants warm soda, that's wired.

Later I learn they were European. They would trade 'cold soda' for "cool soda" for the full flavors. I guess we like the watered down "American Coffee" - as long as it hot to hold in a cold day; and we like our soda served icy cold too.

May be there is another reason – economics. Years ago, I was told to fill the 1/2 of the drink cup with ice before dispensing soda. Ice is cheaper than the carbonated soda & syrup, the restaurateur makes more money that way. May be European are smarter -wanting "full flavor" of the soda, not washed down version because – it’s €4 for a 12oz soda, accompany that €22 3-course dinner at corner café.

I usually finish my “brown bag” lunch in no time; I end up with 1/2 cup full of ice. I am copying European way of ordering drinks now, Coke - no ice please..