Friday January 29th 2010, 8:55 am
Filed under: Jibber Jabber
…and here’s why.
Let’s get the fluff out of the way; yes, it’s an Apple product and very much experience based rather then feature packed - but this is what Apple’s good at and one of the many reasons I’ve ultimately converted back to running my practice completely on Apple technology. There’s no doubt it’s going to look GREAT, feel AWESOME, and help me GET STUFF DONE!
If the Keynote application’s functionality on the iPhone gets transferred to the iPad, which I have no doubt it will this in itself will make it worthwhile. Although the app is neat on an iPhone, it’s really tough to use in a real world presentation - the viewable space on the iPad makes this actually functional. I know, I tried.
The second real feature that would make my life a whole lot easier would be the ability to store and pull up pdf’s or client contracts at will. Not to mention the ability to process e-forms and e-docs. In a real world scenario - pull up a client’s contract, have them sign, save then email the both of us for our records. Done. Simple.
Aside from these functions, I’m attracted purely do to the original reason the Macbook Air appealed to me - it has always been a challenge for me to leave a notebook at home when traveling, the iPhone has all but solved this - iPhone is great in an emergency, but it’s no Macbook, the iPad however should at the very least make internet browsing, ftp access, and typing a whole lot easier.
So 16GB | Wifi | $499? Steve Jobs…you have a deal.
Sunday January 17th 2010, 8:22 am
Filed under: Jibber Jabber
Right about this time last week Matt was wrapping up his spontaneous visit to San Jose. Matt and I actually met some 4 or 5 years ago in the middle of Times Square, New York. He and some of his buddies were there for Waterfest (a HUGE Volkswagen gathering in New Jersey) and I was there visiting David and some friends. Since then we’ve kept in touch and he eventually moved from Chicago to Santa Monica. Out of nowhere, he tells me he’s flying up for the weekend, and on a fly we drum up an agenda.
Apparently he doesn’t go anywhere without a camera, so with his trust 5D-mkII (yes, that’s a Canon reference…only one of a few you’ll find on this blog) and 50mm prime he captures our first evening in San Jose. Crystal and I were unprepared for the apparent consistent but near phantom skills of Matt, as I had no idea he was snapping away all night.
We kicked things off with another one of his buddies Jason at Original Joe’s. I haven’t been here since I was a child and the experience was reminiscent. From Original Joe’s we decide to celebrate Matt’s arrival with more drinks; from Tanq to Temple and finally to Mission Ale House where toward the end of the evening Matt on a spur decides to liven up the party by getting up and dancing on the bar - this gets him promptly thrown out. Pretty awesome. We laughed all the way back to his hotel.
The following day wasn’t so awesome, in fact I haven’t been that hung over in awhile. I think I woke up just to meet the buyer of my Land Rover then went promptly back to bed, might have dry heaved a couple times as well. Crystal was also apparently out as I didn’t see her until something like 8 or 9pm. Needless to say, we didn’t do anything Saturday night.
Sunday arrived and we met up with Matt at Naglee Street Cafe, which was actually a good experience other then the fact they don’t like photos taken of the interior. So, don’t go with a camera, but do go for the food. Reminded me of the pacific north west for some reason - I dug it. After brunch, Crystal had to run some errands and since Matt and I were both vehicle-less we explored the San Jose Auto Show then drank beers and watched the Cardinal’s break Green Bay at San Jose Bar & Grill.
Sunday January 10th 2010, 11:01 pm
Filed under: Jibber Jabber
I have always loved Land Rovers, especially the Defender series and the Discovery series - there’s just something about those rear sun windows and well…this tribute video from Top Gear pretty much sums it up.
Earlier in 2009 I finally decided on a whim to pick up a Land Rover Discovery Series II in this beautiful Niagara Grey color. I figured it would be a better vehicle then my traditionally asphalt hugging, summer tire only vehicles. You know, for camping, backpacking, snowboarding trips as well as a secondary vehicle to lend to visitors. My grandfather was hospitalized and relatives planned to visit often, for the foreseeable future - what we didn’t see was his passing shortly after the diagnosis.
As a result I ended up with a Discovery II just for myself. The following 8 or so months have been an interesting, there were times when I loved this vehicle and had a lot of fun with it - such as camping at Big Basin or Henry Coe, and then the usual Land Rover reliability testimonies came to haunt me - the battery, the alternator, the abs module, not to mention not just brakes and rotors but the entire caliper as well. Maintenance on these vehicles weren’t exactly bad, but didn’t exactly leave me with the most confidence. Contrary to Ham’s closing remark - that “Land Rovers are often somewhere else doing something important,” many Discovery II’s apparently were busy leaving their owners stranded due to a variety of issues. I think I practically fixed every issue with this truck, and paid specialty Land Rover shops a premium to diagnose and repair many electrical issues as well as repair any necessary work - I’d imagine this truck will serve it’s new owner well.
All issues aside they’re great trucks, they serve their purpose beautifully.
However, practicality struck and I realized that the Disco is much too slow and not having a Volkswagen product in the garage leaves an empty void in me. So, to remedy that it’s car shopping season - a Volkswagen Touareg is at the top of this list, and maybe a well kept Land Rover Defender 110 down the road.
Sunday January 03rd 2010, 9:11 am
Filed under: Jibber Jabber
Although I can’t speak for everyone else, as so many seemed to have brought in this fresh decade with a big cheer of relief, I actually had a GREAT 2009. Still not sure why I passed on Oahu this New Year’s, was probably due to deadlines but I digress, last year we brought in 2009 in tropical weather - how could this possibly be a bad thing?
I also discovered that one is able to travel back with Leonard’s Malasadas, but TSA might try and confiscate them from you for their own stomachs.
February came around and I was back in the middle of Amgen’s Tour of Califorina cheering Lance on as he makes his re-entry into the cycling world. However as this was all unfolding I lost my Grandfather to lung cancer.
It certainly wasn’t an easy time for me, but just proved to me how supportive of a cast I had around me - especially Crystal who stood by my side through the entire process, never questioning or doubting my actions. Sometimes we all just need a ear to hear us and a shoulder to lean on, she was mine and I could only hope to return the favor.
As the sun crept out and the weather warmed up we began to visit wineries again, our first of the year was Thomas Fogarty in Woodside.
Then we headed up to Russian River and discovered Preston Winery, recommended by Paul Kirchner.
Crystal also made more feline friends.
When April rolled along Crystal got me good.
Made a long delayed return to Los Angeles, and finally scoped out the Getty.
Loved the Getty.
Later on that same month Zagi and I went down south for a trackday with FRRG, in fact this is the first real experience I had with FRRG which will later develop into a great relationship.
Seth and Brandon are funny guys. Definitely enjoyed the weekend with FRRG.
Toward the end of April I found out we needed to cancel our annual Sykes trip, so Sunny and I sucked it up and headed out to Big Basin. This was also the first excursion in the Land Rover.
As May came around we made a couple big changes, first Crystal moved within her complex once more. Sniffy’s still not sure what happened.
And we finally went out to a “BIG” dinner. For the previous three or four months we laid low, I think the only ‘fancy’ night out was a Valentine’s dinner at Alexander’s. We did well cooking at home for once.
We roll into our sixth month of 2009 and I make my way up to the city to join Crystal and friends at opera in the park, little did I know it was more like opera on the jumbotron - not live. Tricked.
Once again we found an excuse to shoot up to Napa. Only this time we were smart and took the Shelby, less attention, more maneuverable given the road widths and types as well as just a whole lot more comfortable and not to mention the cargo room!
We celebrated Glendy and Drew’s union again, and the following day we discovered the Laundry Gardens and brunch at Ad Hoc.
My photo of Mike Morris’ 993 C4S also made the gallery at Work Wheels USA.
July began with a roar, literally. Moto GP rolled into town and we had a great time. Rossi took first, and Dave gave it his all.
Also went indoor skydiving for the first time, which oddly enough made me rethink my stance on real sky diving.
They also didn’t fib when they said the summer was time for camping. We went on two in July, the first was Henry Coe. Where we really just car camped and played bocce all weekend.
The second was another one of those reality check, what did we get ourselves into now moments. After years upon years of talking about it, we finally did Half Dome. Wow, was that ever difficult - and wow were we out of shape.
We made it though, I think it took all of some 9 hours but victory was ours!
Then we didn’t do much for awhile. I guess I was traveled out or over worked, but all I wanted to do on weekends was rest. Crystal on the other hand, fed the ducks at the pond across the street.
Sniffy just moshed around as usual.
…Surprise! We’re in Hawaii again! This time for Laurie and Rob’s wedding.
I also finally got to check out Oahu’s infamous fish market, second only to Japan’s is what I’m told.
The first thing I do when I arrive home is figure out a way to devour all the Malasada’s I brought back - enter the Malasada Burger. I submitted it to ThisIsWhyYoureFat.com but I guess it looked too ‘gourmet.’
Picked up a Nikkor 10mm Fisheye and had a bit of fun with it.
I also found a house that made me sink into my chair…
…and mutter, “wow. now I need to win the lotto 10x”
Guess what…we’re in Napa. Again. Luis and Lisa came up for the weekend for the big Cal v. USC game so we did Napa the day prior.
The following day Crystal discovered Bouchon’s macaroons and we discovered our current favorite winery - CADE.
I just don’t have enough good things to say about CADE; the view, the tasting, our hosts, and let’s not forget the wine.
Right after Napa we took a day trip to Half Moon Bay and attempted to relax a bit at the Ritz despite the insane winds.
Then just when we thought we were done with wine country for the year, we go up one last time in November with Mike, Janine, Sia and Shebani. Couldn’t travel with better company, and yes…the entire point of this trip was CADE.
Napa is just gorgeous during this time of year, blocks of colors, soft winds, and well…the first time the Land Rover stranded us.
As 2009 comes to a close, Crystal asked me to pick up poinsettias on the way over for her hair dresser. Well, on my way over I somehow ended up with a Christmas tree sapling, and that’s how Crystal got her first tree.
Sunny helped me wrap up my birthday celebrations with a long night of conversation and laughter at Alexander’s, and I brought in the new year with Larry and Clara at En of all places.
I had a very memorable 2009, thanks for being a part of it. Here’s to 2010!
Sunday January 03rd 2010, 7:53 am
Filed under: Jibber Jabber
After some six months of for sale ads, and just before I was about to list the vehicle on eBay and AutoTrader a buyer showed up this past Friday evening - A Happy New Year indeed. Lunchbox, aka Tangerine, was a fully loaded Mark IV Volkswagen GTI GLX with a blueprinted VF-Engineering built motor and supercharger, Projektzwo kit, DTM Kreuz Split 10’s and a host of other modifications all dipped in factory Tropic Orange.
I can honestly say that I’ve had more fun in this project car then all of my previous vehicles. There has never been a vehicle with such personality and individuality in my garage then this GTI. A couple favorite memories in the car was it’s initial trip from San Diego back to the Bay Area, Sunny being my co-pilot and us flying back up the grapevine under the cover of night. The other being one of Frank’s Bar-B-Cruise’s where we cannonballed from Berkeley to Pt. Reyes.
This car was hard to disappoint and aside from it’s German quirks (after all, this GTI was actually built in Germany - not Brazil or Mexico), I enjoyed everything about it - right down to it’s iconic VR6 exhaust note.
Now it’s funny to not have a VAG product in the garage, hope to remedy this in a month or two. New Year, New Project huh?
