Sunday, July 28, 2019
Cooking on a navy ship
The USS New York has steel from the World Trader Center built into it. Whenever I watch these videos, I just think how much money the American military spends just on logistics.
2019 Radwood Norcal photos
Another success!
After over a decade of going to car shows and museums, I am pretty jaded. But the Radwood shows, which focus on 80s and 90s cars, never disappoint.
Of course, the parking lots to these shows often have true gems, like this 4WD Toyota cargo van.
And this Aztek.
This diesel VW Dasher was recently purchased from this used car lot, which always has interesting inventory.
This old Subaru sedan was very clean.
When I posted these pictures on Twitter, this Escort GT and Buick Regal got the most comments and nostalgia-filled stories.
One of ten McLaren Mustang M81.
This was the highlight. Francisco bought this from a Michigan widow. The Impulse had been in storage since 2006! Two-toned, turbo, RS.
I thought this was a concept car, but it's an Acura NSX widebody. And it's for sale.
After over a decade of going to car shows and museums, I am pretty jaded. But the Radwood shows, which focus on 80s and 90s cars, never disappoint.
Of course, the parking lots to these shows often have true gems, like this 4WD Toyota cargo van.
And this Aztek.
This diesel VW Dasher was recently purchased from this used car lot, which always has interesting inventory.
This old Subaru sedan was very clean.
When I posted these pictures on Twitter, this Escort GT and Buick Regal got the most comments and nostalgia-filled stories.
One of ten McLaren Mustang M81.
This was the highlight. Francisco bought this from a Michigan widow. The Impulse had been in storage since 2006! Two-toned, turbo, RS.
I thought this was a concept car, but it's an Acura NSX widebody. And it's for sale.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Taco Chronicles on Netflix
This is a very well-made documentary series. Each episode covers a different style of taco. They interview food experts, cooks, farmers, servers, and customers. It's just beautiful all around. And, it's subtitled.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Monday, July 15, 2019
Eating the Globe: Romania
I bought this Romanian snack off of Amazon. There are just three ingredients, and it tasted like wet cardboard. I ate a few and I'm tossing the bag.
Countries tried so far:
Africa: Algeria, Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark,
North America: Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, St Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, USA
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga
On the local bus authority advisory committee
I want to serve my community so I am trying to get on the bus authority's advisory committee. My town council unanimously appointed me; now I just need the bus authority board's approval. I am very excited about the opportunity.
The bus authority serves ten suburban towns and unincorporated parts of our county. According to Wikipedia, it has 131 buses and 48 paratransit vans. I have only ridden two routes-- the one serving my home (the stop is just a block away), and a free shuttle serving the area's busiest shopping district. I'm thinking of riding all the routes with my boy, for research purposes.
The bus authority serves ten suburban towns and unincorporated parts of our county. According to Wikipedia, it has 131 buses and 48 paratransit vans. I have only ridden two routes-- the one serving my home (the stop is just a block away), and a free shuttle serving the area's busiest shopping district. I'm thinking of riding all the routes with my boy, for research purposes.
The evolution of BART maps
If you are a fan of public transit or maps, this 28 minute podcast is for you!
Original map:
1995-2010:
Current:
Original map:
1995-2010:
Current:
Friday, July 12, 2019
Thursday, July 11, 2019
A new addition and 2019 highlights so far
I am happy to announce that we have a new baby girl! Mother and daughter are healthy and happy. Big brother is confused. Cooper is Cooper.
My highlights this year are very family-focused.
January: I drove 11 hours and visited Lassen, Modoc, and Siskiyou Counties. Out of California's 58 counties, those were my 55th, 56th, and 57th. I just have Alpine County left to visit.
February: Discovered a new trail.
March: Survived a bomb cyclone in Denver.
April: Celebrated the boy's second birthday.
May: Went to the Indy 500! Tried to order oysters at a steakhouse after the race but was told that Mr. Mario Andretti and Mr. Aaron Rodgers' party ate all the seafood in stock already.
June: New kid!
My highlights this year are very family-focused.
January: I drove 11 hours and visited Lassen, Modoc, and Siskiyou Counties. Out of California's 58 counties, those were my 55th, 56th, and 57th. I just have Alpine County left to visit.
February: Discovered a new trail.
March: Survived a bomb cyclone in Denver.
April: Celebrated the boy's second birthday.
May: Went to the Indy 500! Tried to order oysters at a steakhouse after the race but was told that Mr. Mario Andretti and Mr. Aaron Rodgers' party ate all the seafood in stock already.
June: New kid!
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
Even if we are giving up the TSX wagon soon, it needs fresh tires. I just checked the tire code and they are the original tires that came with the car! It's a model year 2014 TSX but the tires are from 2013.
Tirerack recommended these. Are they any good? I want dry weather handling, some wet weather handling, and I don't care about snow because we never go to the mountains to ski. Treadwear is not super important.
Tirerack recommended these. Are they any good? I want dry weather handling, some wet weather handling, and I don't care about snow because we never go to the mountains to ski. Treadwear is not super important.
Friday, July 05, 2019
VW EV beats 20 year old Nick Heidfeld Goodwood record
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
Eating the Globe: New Zealand
I planned on eating some New Zealand lamb, but I found some wine instead. I'm not a huge fan of Sauvignon Blancs, so these tasted just okay.
Countries tried so far:
Africa: Algeria, Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark,
North America: Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, St Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, USA
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga
Fordlandia, a rubber plantation in the Amazon
I'm currently reading The Tango War, which is about Latin American involvement in World War II. It briefly mentions Fordlandia, a planned community in the middle of Brazil. It ultimately failed due to rubber disease and pissed off workers (no alcohol or meat allowed). Here's a book about it.
Tokyo G20 motorcades
Thanks to rchen for this. Lots of interesting stuff. Most leaders got the Mercedes treatment. Japan had a Lexus. Saudi Arabia got a Mercedes with a Chinese plate along with G-wagen support vehicles. Turkey got a Maybach. China, Russia, and America brought their own weirdo limousines as well as unique, non-Hiace, support vehicles.
