Things I’ve Learned.

It’s always a good thing to learn something new. So far with this new job, I’ve learned two things with certainty: Skype is damned cool and works great, and the Chevy HHR is a good example of why GM is losing money.

I’m in California for some training, and the company uses Skype for internal long-distance communication. If you’ve got anything even resembling broadband, it’s terrific. I have a Chevy HHR rental – that’s GM’s copy of the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

I don’t know about the PT Cruiser, but the ergonomics of the HHR suck. It’s got adequate power and is very roomy inside, but I just don’t fit. The beltline is too high and the door post is located so as to make it impossible for me to put my arm out the window. It’s a little buzzy, and it just feels cheap. The sun visors are damned near useless – they cover almost half the windshield when down, but don’t cover really any of the side windows if you try to position them there. Driving into a setting sun is an experience, let me tell you. Either you hunch over to look under the thing, or leave it partway up so that it’s aimed at your forehead like a knife blade. Either that, or you just leave it up and squint. I won’t be renting another one, I hope.

Thus concludes today’s filler post. Time for bed.