Gaddafi's next stunt? Saddam and 7 y.o. boy hostage

Remember this image?  Look for Gaddafi showing his "softer side" soon.  The end is near.

Libya statue gold fist American jet

One word: Tacky.

Cheers: To Peru's Alan Garcia for cutting diplomatic relations with Libya.
Jeers: To Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega and Fidel Castro for supporting Gaddafi.

What was Gaddafi's van/truck?

Update: It's a Precedent Golf Cart with the optional hard cab!

Gaddafi made a brief appearance on TV last night to assure his loyal subjects that he has not absconded to Venezuela.  But what was he riding in?  It looks utilitarian, and Italian.  It sort of looks like a large Piaggio Ape.

Stipistop's Ape

Borders sale & human nature

The travel section at Borders-- 20% off

Borders, one of the largest bookstore chains, has filed for bankruptcy.  200 stores across the country are closing and holding sales.  We drove by a store yesterday and decided to check it out.

It was pandemonium inside.  Books were strewn all over the floor.  The magazine rack was a mess-- I saw a Playboy next to a National Geographic.  The line for the cash register wound like a snake to the back of the store.  It was easily 150 people deep.  I asked a couple of people near the front of the line and they told me that they had been waiting for more than an hour.

But you know what?  Aside from the magazines, which were 40% off, everything else was just 20% off.  Do these people realize that you can easily get any book on Amazon for more than 30% off?  With no sales tax and free Super Saver Shipping with purchases of $25 and more on Amazon, I witnessed 150 people wasting a lot of time, and money.

Random travel book on Amazon-- 36%

San Francisco: Libya protest Saturday, February 26, 2011 @ 1pm @ UN Plaza

Update: Pictures here.

Be there or be square.

Here are my observations from the Egypt demonstration.

American Jeep J8s used by Libyan security forces

Source

These modified Jeep Unlimiteds (built in Egypt) are being used right now by the Libyan government against its citizens.

Official J8 site here.

Romanian revolution of 1989, Libyan revolution of 2011

One can't help but make comparisons between the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe and what is happening across the Middle East and North Africa today.  And just as what happened in Romania was more violent than the norm (942 deaths), there are massacres going on right now in Libya.  I light heartedly speculated about where Gaddafi will retire, but in light of developments since that post, I think he should consider himself lucky if he receives a quick trial and an even quicker (and relatively painless) execution (think Ceausescu).

This video shows some incredible images of the Romanian revolt.

It's gonna snow in San Francisco this week!

The last time there was significant snowfall in San Francisco was 1976.  It may happen again by the end of this week.  More pictures and info here.

Libya will be the next to fall

The Libyan ambassador to China just resigned during a live on-air interview.

Gaddafi's son is rambling on TV and talking down to his subjects like they are children.

The 500,000 strong Tuareg tribe just joined the 1,000,000 strong Warfala tribe in the uprising.

So the question is, where will Gaddafi be exiled?

Italy?

Or Venezuela?

Click here for updates.

Spark 1/43 Pedro de la Rosa Sauber C29

I'm collecting cars Heidfeld drove in 2010.  The last car I need is the Sauber C29.  I can't wait for Minichamps to roll out theirs in June, so I am trying to get the 1/43 version Spark just introduced.  Except...there are other lunatics who want it too!  I am in a four-way battle for one on eBay.  Who in their right mind is collecting Pedro de la Rosa cars?!