I also worked at Druther’s in Sellersburg, IN in the late 90′s.

THANKS !
M

It changed to Druthers and later was a Mexican place. The one in New Albany Indiana became a Hardee’s, I think.

I’ve been trying to work this into a post, but I’m doing it here instead. This is what I expect to see in the next few years:

Somebody kinda famous in The Industry, not Scorsese or Herzog but someone notable nonetheless, makes the little movie he’s been trying to get made for decades. Not for TV, not for a studio, not for proper release, not with a proper budget, but with a few interns, students and pals with the camera he typically uses for the kid’s birthday parties, editing with Sony Vegas or something and unleashes it upon Dailymotion, Youtube or the like.

At which point the first nail in the coffin is flushed to the surface.

I also look at the movies as further evidence of our Idiocracy-like decline. People will no longer bother with the cinema. Thus, it’s left to the young & to those who can’t afford a better rig at home.

It will get worse as the industry dies. That’s my guess.

With today’s 30-ish, 40-ish car buyer trained to buy a Toyota or a Honda, and those cars not available, they are expanding their focus and buying the three brands mentioned above. I think Nissan has an edge, despite their reputation, because they are “Japanese”. These shoppers otherwise have no interest in where their car is screwed together or where the corporate headquarters happens to do business. (Remember, Nissan is actually French.) They care about the reviews and whether the guy down the street or in the office across the hall had a bad one. In this environment, the Americans could do well because being American is no longer a sin.

The impression that middle adopters, if you will, like something that looks unique for their additional investment has been around for years. Going forward, a hybrid or whatever else may be coming can only sell in a mass market if it offers dramatically higher fuel efficiency than similar cars, including those by other manufacturers. In the current market, a car that achieves 50 MPG can seat four hardy Americans and looks like ass might be the only non-relative hit of the decade … no matter where it is built.

In any of this, the Volt fails.

I’m glad to learn I haven’t missed much, though that was always my suspicion. I was attracted to the butter burgers on the billboards, but people only talked about the desserts when I asked if they’d been there. Should have known…

I don’t understand why anyone who owns a restaurant would serve crappy fries. It just makes no sense as a business strategy. Do those bland fucking things honestly taste good to anyone? Especially in an age where, like it or not, McDonald’s over-the-top insanity is the benchmark? It just makes no sense to me. In fact, I find it offensive.

The absurd prejudices and opinions I’ve acquired over the years is weighing especially heavily on me of late. But that’s because I’m in the process of re-inventing myself yet again.

I hope you are not having serious health issues, Stan. Be well & take care of yourself.

Your comparison of the Volt to a radio is a good one. It is overly styled. I think that was done on purpose to appeal to those consumers.

I admit at this point I actively hate car culture, so I don’t have anything but a 100,000 foot view. My opinion is definitely of a ‘drive by’ nature, and I may be projecting my assumptions. Still, I don’t think it’s coincidence the models that are beating the Volt are foreign.

But I see Minis, 500s, Smarts, etc. in SF. Lots of cubes. No Volts. (Of course, we also see Ferraris, Lotus, & Lamborginis on the street with a regularity that would have floored a 10 yr old version of me. Still, no Volts.)

I do think it’s because it’s American. I’d be glad to be wrong, but… We’ll see. I’m sure they’ll keep trying. Until they don’t?

Even without the Japanese supply chain issues (which I’m told will end soon or are ending), I think cars sales will grow slowly for awhile for the same reason the economy is stuck in the doldrums: easy credit over the last decade. The oughts were pedal to the metal throughout. Nothing but stimulus to consume. Well, people did. Now, however, they can say no. Either they bought when the outlook was sunny, or they can’t afford shit. Cars will always sell in America, but I think you’ll be looking at a crazy market for some time to come. Yes, I blame Alan Greenspan.

I know it is hard to believe this place exists at this point in time in America. The simple focus on core competencies is, at this stage of the game, un-American.

You perfectly described my reaction to the fries. I think they’re amazing.

The Druther’s in Campbellsville is still open, although just for breakfast and lunch, not sure what time they close but I never see it open pass 6 P.M.

And the Imperial burger was the burger like the quarter pounder and the royal burger was the double decker like the big mac.