Someone who looks like you is playing in the playoff as a Magic.
One of the most disappointing sport stars of all time. The most celebrated dunker -> the most underwhelming millionaire athlete. Can anyone suck more?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
real Carter please stand up
Someone who looks like you is playing in the playoff as a Magic.
One of the most disappointing sport stars of all time. The most celebrated dunker -> the most underwhelming millionaire athlete. Can anyone suck more?
Sunday, May 23, 2010
to mod or not to mod
....that is the question.
Honda S2000 ended its 10-year production run last year (2009 or Heisei 21). For an S model (S500, S600, S800 etc) it was considered successful. It's never meant to be a mass market highly profitable dime-a-dozen car. In fact we can't really be sure it was profitable for Honda until you factor in such intangibles like brand image. Now it begs the question- should I mod my last-production-year top-of-the-line S2000, or leave it as stock as possible, hence preserving the will of its designers (most importantly Uehara-san's).
If I decide to mod it (fully tuned in above pic)
good: more capable, personalized, more trackable
bad: expensive, not as clean, regrets 10 years down the road
If I decide against it (bone stock pic above)
good: very clean look, linear power delivery
bad: not tapping into its truest potential
Well I guess another choice would be going to Spoon (the best modder out there who knows Honda's balance) for some light tuning. Maybe that's what I'm going to do.
Honda S2000 ended its 10-year production run last year (2009 or Heisei 21). For an S model (S500, S600, S800 etc) it was considered successful. It's never meant to be a mass market highly profitable dime-a-dozen car. In fact we can't really be sure it was profitable for Honda until you factor in such intangibles like brand image. Now it begs the question- should I mod my last-production-year top-of-the-line S2000, or leave it as stock as possible, hence preserving the will of its designers (most importantly Uehara-san's).
If I decide to mod it (fully tuned in above pic)
good: more capable, personalized, more trackable
bad: expensive, not as clean, regrets 10 years down the road
If I decide against it (bone stock pic above)
good: very clean look, linear power delivery
bad: not tapping into its truest potential
Well I guess another choice would be going to Spoon (the best modder out there who knows Honda's balance) for some light tuning. Maybe that's what I'm going to do.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
May updates
Has the world always been so fucked up (short answer: yes), or have we just grown up? (another yes?) So what has the reality come to in this one month's time?
THE GOOD:
Elena Kegan as a US supreme court justice (if confirmed)
sees US seeking intellects to staff important public offices. It's time to move on. The world has changed. It is the 21st century. Now let's just wait for baby boomers (60 y/o) to die out so we can have a more progressive society.
Miss USA a Lebanon-born Muslim beauty
Whether she can keep her crown may be a different story. But if the world wants to survive the second half of this century we're going to have to find a solution to religious/cultural clash between the West and the Middle East. I think she qualifies in all aspects but beauty-eye-beholder. Now Israel why are you so Nazi-like?
THE BAD:
BP oil spill
Is oil gushing out thousands of gallons per minute a spill? By definition it still is. Fishing gone, marine ecosystem lost, pollution up 1000%, and no end in sight. We're fucked as ever.
Thailand anti-government demo
A full blown state-of-emergency war on the ground is going on between the battle-ready army and Red-shirt demonstrators. They're fucked. We can only hope there is a silver lining behind the massive clouds.
THE UGLY:
World population projection in 40 years
tops 9 billion. If the projection is correct (likely), by 2050 we'll have to double current food production, which already uses 99.9% of cultivatable land on earth, to accommodate the extra 2B people. Pretty much every single problem in the world can be solved by having a smaller population. Please, have fewer kids! China's one-child policy won't look so bad in 20 years (not that it's humane; educating women would probably do). We're mega-fucked.
THE GOOD:
Elena Kegan as a US supreme court justice (if confirmed)
sees US seeking intellects to staff important public offices. It's time to move on. The world has changed. It is the 21st century. Now let's just wait for baby boomers (60 y/o) to die out so we can have a more progressive society.
Miss USA a Lebanon-born Muslim beauty
Whether she can keep her crown may be a different story. But if the world wants to survive the second half of this century we're going to have to find a solution to religious/cultural clash between the West and the Middle East. I think she qualifies in all aspects but beauty-eye-beholder. Now Israel why are you so Nazi-like?
THE BAD:
BP oil spill
Is oil gushing out thousands of gallons per minute a spill? By definition it still is. Fishing gone, marine ecosystem lost, pollution up 1000%, and no end in sight. We're fucked as ever.
Thailand anti-government demo
A full blown state-of-emergency war on the ground is going on between the battle-ready army and Red-shirt demonstrators. They're fucked. We can only hope there is a silver lining behind the massive clouds.
THE UGLY:
World population projection in 40 years
tops 9 billion. If the projection is correct (likely), by 2050 we'll have to double current food production, which already uses 99.9% of cultivatable land on earth, to accommodate the extra 2B people. Pretty much every single problem in the world can be solved by having a smaller population. Please, have fewer kids! China's one-child policy won't look so bad in 20 years (not that it's humane; educating women would probably do). We're mega-fucked.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
JDM cars in the pipeline
or rumored to be...
There are plenty of speculations, spy reports, insiders' leaks on these "secret" developments. So I'm not going to speculate any more here. Assuming all of them will make production in 5 years (2011 - 2016), this list would be my favorite.
1) Honda new NSX (or whatever it'll be called) based on HSV-010 GT
why? If the name Honda NSX isn't enough persuasion, then there is the most menacing stance I've ever seen with a Japanese car. An instant classic. VTEC V8, FMR lay-out, light, pure as pure comes.
2) Mazda RX7 (2012?)
why? Despite this ugly picture of a mock-up, the sight of a brand new RX-7 would be very incredibly attractive, not to mention long overdue. As wonderfully flawed and unique as the RX-8 is, it's time to move on.
3) Mazda Roadster (MX-2? 2012?)
why? Going back to MX-5's root. What made it such a good car isn't the power, but the weight, or the lack of it. 990kg (~2181lb), handles.
4) Honda CR-Z Type-R (non hybrid)
why? The half hearted hybrid is for the general public. Now give the enthusiasts a reason to buy Honda again, come on.
5) Subaru WRX STI coupe (or sedan)
why? Subaru is known for their special versions. This one would make a few more people happy. Niche market!! A few more dedicated performance parts as well please!
6) Subaru AE86 STI (in my dream?)
why? Why the hell not? FR, Toyota AE86 bloodline, Subaru's boxer engine, perhaps turbo charged, STI treatment.
7) Mazda Furai (first Mazda production supercar?)
why? Mazda won 1991 Le Mans with a 787B. Show us the sky is the limit, pretty please?
to be continued................
There are plenty of speculations, spy reports, insiders' leaks on these "secret" developments. So I'm not going to speculate any more here. Assuming all of them will make production in 5 years (2011 - 2016), this list would be my favorite.
1) Honda new NSX (or whatever it'll be called) based on HSV-010 GT
why? If the name Honda NSX isn't enough persuasion, then there is the most menacing stance I've ever seen with a Japanese car. An instant classic. VTEC V8, FMR lay-out, light, pure as pure comes.
2) Mazda RX7 (2012?)
why? Despite this ugly picture of a mock-up, the sight of a brand new RX-7 would be very incredibly attractive, not to mention long overdue. As wonderfully flawed and unique as the RX-8 is, it's time to move on.
3) Mazda Roadster (MX-2? 2012?)
why? Going back to MX-5's root. What made it such a good car isn't the power, but the weight, or the lack of it. 990kg (~2181lb), handles.
4) Honda CR-Z Type-R (non hybrid)
why? The half hearted hybrid is for the general public. Now give the enthusiasts a reason to buy Honda again, come on.
5) Subaru WRX STI coupe (or sedan)
why? Subaru is known for their special versions. This one would make a few more people happy. Niche market!! A few more dedicated performance parts as well please!
6) Subaru AE86 STI (in my dream?)
why? Why the hell not? FR, Toyota AE86 bloodline, Subaru's boxer engine, perhaps turbo charged, STI treatment.
7) Mazda Furai (first Mazda production supercar?)
why? Mazda won 1991 Le Mans with a 787B. Show us the sky is the limit, pretty please?
to be continued................
Friday, April 23, 2010
playoffs underway, but F1...
...is where my heart is at this season.
NBA basketball is booooooooooooring! Where are the stars? Maybe they'll pick up the pace deeper into the post season.
I'll have a bucketful of Formula One instead please. I don't really have a clear favorite but I guess I'm naturally rooting for last year's driver's champion Button. Wait, before you bash me, hear me out.
1) Button drove for Honda in 2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08
2) That means there is a connection between him and my S2000, and NSX, which he owns (owned). Kind of like Senna and the NSX.
(not his actual car in this pic)
3) Jessica Michibata being the coolest, needless to say gorgeous, sportsman's girlfriend, good choice so far (yatta indeed, Jessica)
4) But most importantly, his driving style. (smooth as silk)
5) And what a down-to-earth all-around laid-back dude.
Yes, yes, yes, you're right. Hamilton is a better, funner to watch driver. And yes you're right again Button doesn't have as much consistency as, say Schumacher, or Alonso, nor did he win the championship with Honda. But to me he's (tire-management) smart. Going fast gets you somewhere, but being smart and pretty quick makes the race that much more interesting. Go Button.
NBA basketball is booooooooooooring! Where are the stars? Maybe they'll pick up the pace deeper into the post season.
I'll have a bucketful of Formula One instead please. I don't really have a clear favorite but I guess I'm naturally rooting for last year's driver's champion Button. Wait, before you bash me, hear me out.
1) Button drove for Honda in 2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08
2) That means there is a connection between him and my S2000, and NSX, which he owns (owned). Kind of like Senna and the NSX.
(not his actual car in this pic)
3) Jessica Michibata being the coolest, needless to say gorgeous, sportsman's girlfriend, good choice so far (yatta indeed, Jessica)
4) But most importantly, his driving style. (smooth as silk)
5) And what a down-to-earth all-around laid-back dude.
Yes, yes, yes, you're right. Hamilton is a better, funner to watch driver. And yes you're right again Button doesn't have as much consistency as, say Schumacher, or Alonso, nor did he win the championship with Honda. But to me he's (tire-management) smart. Going fast gets you somewhere, but being smart and pretty quick makes the race that much more interesting. Go Button.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Otaru
How much I would love to up and move to Otaru, Hokkaido (北海道小樽市). Why? For one it possesses all the main ingredients to be a great place to live.
A brief view of Otaru (in English)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2RirZ_pDxs
overview in Japanese
It's the right size
243.13 km^2 (93.9 sq mi)
pop = 137,693 (2008 est.)
It's in the right place
20 odd kilometers from Sapporo
coastal Hokkaido facing Japan Sea
port city, relatively culturally diverse
It has the most balanced geological features
Several mountains, plenty of hills
coastal, sandy beaches
It has the right kind of climate
snow in winter, great for skiing
hot in summer, short and not humid
Okinawan music surprisingly matches the atmosphere 3000km away
On a very different topic, Otaru residents are seeing snow tonight, smack in the middle of April. Neighboring Sapporo is experiencing hurricane-like wind speeds. This is recording breaking unseasonal weather at its best/worst.
latest weather report, winter tires a must!
A brief view of Otaru (in English)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2RirZ_pDxs
overview in Japanese
It's the right size
243.13 km^2 (93.9 sq mi)
pop = 137,693 (2008 est.)
It's in the right place
20 odd kilometers from Sapporo
coastal Hokkaido facing Japan Sea
port city, relatively culturally diverse
It has the most balanced geological features
Several mountains, plenty of hills
coastal, sandy beaches
It has the right kind of climate
snow in winter, great for skiing
hot in summer, short and not humid
Okinawan music surprisingly matches the atmosphere 3000km away
On a very different topic, Otaru residents are seeing snow tonight, smack in the middle of April. Neighboring Sapporo is experiencing hurricane-like wind speeds. This is recording breaking unseasonal weather at its best/worst.
latest weather report, winter tires a must!
Monday, March 29, 2010
is it spring yet?
eh...........
On my vacation, kid at school, wife at work, the sun behind wintery spring clouds. I stare at my S2000 sitting in the driveway, wishing winter would go away. Right now? 5 degrees Celsius, roughly 40F. Overnight low is -1C. A winter day in the beginning of spring, er no, a number of winter days. It's been cold.
With the road wet, I can still go and have a drive, but not as hard as I'd like.
With the rain coming down, I can't have the top down, which sucks.
It's hard to look at the paint job being so dull.
I eagerly wait until this last spurt of winter leaves my patch of roads.
VACATION UPDATE
The sun actually made an appearance after 2 days' absence. Warmed up the little rocket and went for an after-rain 12 noon drive. I've been living here in this part of Japan for more than 5 years so I know these country roads like the back of my hand. They are mostly empty except a couple of main arteries that run into the "busy" parts of town. The roads were just dry. Steam rising from the asphalt.
It leaves me only one question really. Should humans be given this much power on command by a flick of the wrist? And it's merely an S2000.
On my vacation, kid at school, wife at work, the sun behind wintery spring clouds. I stare at my S2000 sitting in the driveway, wishing winter would go away. Right now? 5 degrees Celsius, roughly 40F. Overnight low is -1C. A winter day in the beginning of spring, er no, a number of winter days. It's been cold.
With the road wet, I can still go and have a drive, but not as hard as I'd like.
With the rain coming down, I can't have the top down, which sucks.
It's hard to look at the paint job being so dull.
I eagerly wait until this last spurt of winter leaves my patch of roads.
VACATION UPDATE
The sun actually made an appearance after 2 days' absence. Warmed up the little rocket and went for an after-rain 12 noon drive. I've been living here in this part of Japan for more than 5 years so I know these country roads like the back of my hand. They are mostly empty except a couple of main arteries that run into the "busy" parts of town. The roads were just dry. Steam rising from the asphalt.
It leaves me only one question really. Should humans be given this much power on command by a flick of the wrist? And it's merely an S2000.
spit on it while it's under your choke hold
Bill Maher's latest editorial on Real Time asks the Democrats to forget about bipartisanship now that they have won a hard fought battle of health care reform. I really want to believe the fairy tale of governments of a large country like the US care about the people.
It's a lot like teaching math. You can't teach everything from the get-go. You'll have to ignore the little things that still don't make sense to little school kids. Yes pi = 3.14, and that's all you need to know, for now.
Bipartisanship, partisanship, non-partisanship or the like = 3.14. That's what we have to know if we need to get anything done in the real world. We'd want to tackle the problems of politicians are in a happy marriage with multinational corporations where the only concerns are their very own well being.
BEING SELFISH
Why are we still at war?
Because with a "few" sacrificed young men and women, even we're at the wrong war, we send a strong message to the Middle East - Don't fuck with us! Other benefits include, but not limited to, global arm race, military industrial complex, country building (ironic), etc.
Let's pretend the world isn't run by a few rich private empires that operate and act on their own profits. If the lowly people want to get a little bit of a percentage of what we really want done, we'll have to stick to the value of our pi, for now.
It's a lot like teaching math. You can't teach everything from the get-go. You'll have to ignore the little things that still don't make sense to little school kids. Yes pi = 3.14, and that's all you need to know, for now.
Bipartisanship, partisanship, non-partisanship or the like = 3.14. That's what we have to know if we need to get anything done in the real world. We'd want to tackle the problems of politicians are in a happy marriage with multinational corporations where the only concerns are their very own well being.
BEING SELFISH
Why are we still at war?
Because with a "few" sacrificed young men and women, even we're at the wrong war, we send a strong message to the Middle East - Don't fuck with us! Other benefits include, but not limited to, global arm race, military industrial complex, country building (ironic), etc.
Let's pretend the world isn't run by a few rich private empires that operate and act on their own profits. If the lowly people want to get a little bit of a percentage of what we really want done, we'll have to stick to the value of our pi, for now.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Porsche steals show in Geneva
2. Porsche's game changer at Geneva Motor Show 2010
3. Monstrous hybrid the sweet future?
4. What happened to Porsche's lazy designers? (/sarcasm)
5. Can Porsche keep ludicrous promises?
6. VW not hindering Porsche's growth
Any number of these would be a completely valid title. Car enthusiasts around the world got hit by a fresh-faced all new hybrid concept by the secretive Stuttgart auto manufacturer. No one saw it coming, not the spy photographers, not industry insiders, not even rumors.
Not very often you'd go to an auto show where nobody even gives a second glance to stunning Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Pangani, not even Bugatti. People were there to see Porsche 918 Spyder Concept that they didn't know existed until last week. It is the center piece of the whole event.
Has Porsche gone bat shit insane claiming these numbers?
V8 engine = 500hp
motor = 218hp
0-100km/h (0-62mph) = 3.2s
Top speed = 198mph
fuel economy = 78 miles per gallon
carbon dioxide emission = 70 grams per km
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)