Das 908 Kind

Dyneema Team Experience - Tristan Schon

2011-01-28T00:19:00.000-08:00

I recently signed up to participate in a social media contest called the DYNEEMA TEAM EXPERIENCE. For those who aren’t sailors, Dyneema is a brand of fiber, that is used to make high-performance rope (“line” as we like to call it) for yacht racing.

The first step in the contest, is for me to gather a “team” of supporters, and have them sign up to my profile.

If you can help me out, I will reward you grandly at some time in the not too distant future (like a boat ride this summer, maybe?)

It only takes a few seconds; here’s what you do:

1) Visit my profile

Tristan Schon - The 908 Kid - das908kind - Dyneema Team Experience Profile

2) Look for the big RED button that says “follow me, click here”

3) Fill out the form, with your name and e-mail (you don’t need to be a sailor BTW)

4) Check your inbox, and your spam box; look for the confirmation e-mail

5) Confirm your e-mail address and you’re done

No, you won’t get spammed with offers to buy “line” for your boat; it’s just to make sure you are real. Your name will then show up on my crew list. The bigger my crew, the better a chance I have of winning! Heck, if you REALLY want to help me, forward this message to anyone who you think might be like to help me out as well.

Thanks for your support in advance, and feel free to e-mail me, if you have any questions.

Ranger

2010-01-29T13:30:00.001-08:00

Ranger
Originally uploaded by mstrsail

P2 Perini Navi

2010-01-29T13:29:00.001-08:00

P2 Perini Navi
Originally uploaded by mstrsail

Jaws 2 (1978) - Memorable quotes

2010-01-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

Jaws 2 (1978) - Memorable quotes

Martin Brody: Oh, Hendricks, good! Right this way. Excuse us, please. I want you to come in here and, er, check out this 908.
Hendricks: What the hell's a 908? I've never heard of a 908!
Martin Brody: 908 means get me outta there!

The Hamster Cage

2009-11-19T17:04:00.000-08:00

The Hamster Cage

This is a movie a friend of mine, Robert French, produced a few years ago (2006). We had a meeting today, discussing social media and viral strategies, as they apply to entertainment marketing. This project came up in conversation, so I thought I'd post a quick blog here about it, as a real-life example of how to canvas the internet and track the resulting traffic to a website.

Vancouver Convention Center Elevator

2009-11-17T20:50:00.001-08:00

Vancouver Convention Center Elevator
Originally uploaded by The 908 Kid

Architectural Feature of the Vancouver Convention Center, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Shot on Fuji Velvia (50 ASA).

See the full gallery.

Facebook | Your Photos - Stream-of-consciousness photography VOL 2.

2009-08-09T13:04:00.001-07:00

Facebook | Your Photos - Stream-of-consciousness photography VOL 2.

here's the concept: Take at least one picture a day, everyday, of anything, anywhere - spontaneously and without judgment, editing, or opinion. A record of everyday of my life, where I've been and what I do.

Shared via AddThis

What's YOUR act fo goodwill today?

2009-07-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

MY ACT OF GOODWILL; WHAT’S YOURS?

It started with a simple donation to an art-lovers collection, and has shifted into a unique friendship and technological experiment.

This project was inspired several months ago, when the following story appeared in the news:

What does modern communication offer to those who are permanently disabled; who are living their lives without the mobility and motor-skills that the rest of us take for granted?

WANTED: YOUR NEGLECTED (but functioning) COMPUTERS AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY.

Meet Norman. Intelligent human being, who likes gardening, collecting native art and hanging out at Rock Concerts (most recently Fleetwood Mac). So what’s the big deal? Nothing, except that - Norman lives in a Hospital bed, eats through a straw, has machines that breathe for him, and has virtually no movement left in his body - except for his face - which is more expressive then most people I know, BTW. I met Norman back in May, somewhat serendipitously, and we’ve slowly formed a unique friendship.

Something clicked inside me, and I felt compelled to reach out. Here’s what I did…

Having recently finished archiving my photography collection, I decided this would be an interesting opportunity to reach out and connect with a stranger, who might appreciate some human interaction, other than what he gets from the staff of professionals that work hard at ensuring his health and comfort, each and every day.

I happened to have had an extra print of a particular photograph of mine; depicting the "Rainbow off the Beach Whaling Canoe" at YVR, by Hesquiah First Nation artist Tim Paul. It is part of the YVR Art Foundation collection, and can be seen in the East Chevron Extension's "Pacific Passage" display, when returning or arriving in Vancouver…

I decided this would make a nice addition to Norman’s collection. I framed it, called the care center, and was invited for a visit. Here I am delivering the photo…

I won’t lie - the first encounter was strange and a bit uncomfortable. How would I react, the first time, meeting someone whose speech was limited to whispers, set to the rhythmic pace of a breathing machine? It took some getting used to, but soon enough, we found common ground and I was amazed at how communicative and lively a person Norman was. I’ve since visited him again, and am now attempting to start a pilot-project with Norman and the staff: How can we use all this digital-social technology that is now around us, which allows family and friends around the globe to interact and share life’s daily adventures like never before? Is it possible, to break the physiological gap and create a virtual “existence” that would help disabled individuals - like Norman - interact not only with the world at large, but others with the similar conditions? The tools exist (this blog being a small example, Facebook being another), the challenges are big, but everything has to start somewhere…

THINK IT’S A GOOD IDEA? HOW YOU CAN HELP…

1) CONNECT THE DOTS:

Leave a comment here, or share this story anywhere on the web where you think those who can help might find it. We are looking for people who…

…work in assistive technology, assisted living, nursing, social work, IT / computer-support, internet support, interface technologies and anything else that you think might be related or relevant knowledge.

Helping, at this stage, can be as simple as sharing this story with your social network to spread the word...

...OR lending your advice or professional opinion if you’re in a related field...

...OR, finding someone like Norman, and volunteering 2 hours every few weeks with computer interaction, as I have now started doing!

2) WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW:

The facility Norman lives at is an expensive and complex undertaking. Needless to say, the computer room is a low priority where funding is concerned. With the rapid growth of technology what it is, why not donate your used laptop, desktop, router, wireless card, etc, to a group of people who can really use it?

Feedback is greatly appreciated. If this post proves to generate interest and momentum, greater effort will be made to further promote these intentions and who knows where this will go?

In the meantime -what’s was YOUR act of goodwill today?

Regards,

Tristan and Norman

SILVA BAY LAY-OVER 2009

2009-06-02T00:04:00.001-07:00

2009-06-01T15:08:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Silenciosporescuchar

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-05-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

here's the concept: Take at least one picture a day, everyday, of anything, anywhere - spontaneously and without judgment, editing, or opinion. A record of everyday of my life, where I've been and what I do.

Stream-of-consciousness photography VOL 1.

Stream-of-consciousness photography VOL 2.

Using FACEBOOK mobile and my HTC Phone Camera, it takes about 10-20 seconds from the moment I'm inspired to the point at which it's shared with my entire network. Unfiltered, unedited and completely spontaneous.

Astronaut Self-shot Over Earth

2009-04-01T16:23:00.001-07:00

Astronaut Self-shot Over Earth
Originally uploaded by eric.genn

Cool shot found via Twitter.

2009-03-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Ruf - Manufaktur für Hochleistungs-Fahrzeuge: CTR3

2007-04-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

Ruf AutomobileRuf Automobile GmbH - Manufaktur für Hochleistungs-Fahrzeuge - Startseite:

"Genau 20 Jahre nach dem CTR, dem legendären „Yellow Bird“, und gute 10 Jahre nach dem zweiten CTR präsentiert RUF anlässlich der Eröffnungsfeierlichkeiten des RUF-Werks in Bahrain den CTR 3."

TRANSLATION:

BEFORE...

....and after

...equals one sick mo-fo.

The non-degree?

2007-03-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

Rochdale College - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"The Rochdale application also described its 'non-degree': 'We are also offering Non-Degrees at comparable rates. A Non-B.A. is $25.00. Course duration is your choice; requirements are simple, we ask that you say something. A Non-M.A. is $50.00 for which we require you to say something logical. A Non-Ph.D. is $100.00; you will be required to say something useful.'"

Rochdale

2007-03-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

Amphetamine alarm Rochdalers warn of the:

"'One of the reasons people do speed so much is because there isn't much grass around, and the reason there isn't much grass around is because it's illegal.'"

Martini (cocktail) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2007-03-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

Martini (cocktail) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"'three-martini lunch'"

Wagner

2007-02-25T14:04:00.000-08:00

The Flying Dutchman (opera) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"A man of pale aspect, dressed in black, his face framed by a thick black beard, steps ashore. He laments his fate. (Aria: 'The time has come and seven years have again elapsed.') Having broken his troth, he is cursed to roam the sea forever without rest. An angel brought to him the terms of his redemption: at the end of every seven years the angry waves cast him upon the shore; if he can find a wife who will be true to him he will be released."

The Flying Dutchman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2007-02-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

The Flying Dutchman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"Versions of the story are numerous in nautical folklore and are related to earlier medieval legends such as that of Captain Falkenburg who was cursed to ply the North sea until Judgement Day, playing at dice with the Devil for his own soul."

Rigoletto - La donna è mobile

2007-02-03T23:48:00.000-08:00

La donna è mobile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"Woman is flighty
Like a feather in the wind,
She changes her voice — and her mind.
Always sweet,
Pretty face,
In tears or in laughter, — she is always lying.

Always miserable
Is he who trusts her,
He who confides in her — his unwary heart!
Yet one never feels
Fully happy
Who on that bosom — does not drink love!"

YouTube - Kelly Clarkson joins Metal Skool w/ her friend Jack Daniels

2006-11-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

YouTube - Kelly Clarkson joins Metal Skool w/ her friend Jack Daniels

YouTube - Daily Show - Borat

2006-11-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

YouTube - Daily Show - Borat

My former employers are at it again...

2006-08-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Movie & TV News @ IMDb.com - WENN: "Crash producer Cathy Schulman was forced to attend the premiere of her latest movie as the guest of actor Paul Giamatti, because of her ongoing feud with former business partner Bob Yari. Schulman and Yari made Giamatti-starring The Illusionist, which premiered in New York on Tuesday night, before their acrimonious split. Yari sued the Producers Guild Of America and the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences in March after he was removed from the Oscar-winning Crash's credits, because the Academy only allows two producers from each film to be nominated for the top prize. Crash was a surprise Best Picture winner, and writer/director Paul Haggis picked up the award for his producing contribution along with Schulman at the March ceremony. And, while legal action continues in Los Angeles, the pair are still not on good terms, especially as Yari ensured Schulman was not asked to The Illusionist premiere. Schulman tells PageSix.com, 'I was not invited to the premiere. I went as Paul Giamatti's date. When I saw Yari, I said hello. He didn't say anything, but let's put it this way - if looks could kill. And they didn't give me a wristband to get in the VIP section of the after-party. It's just an unfortunate and unnecessary situation. I still haven't been paid for Crash or The Illusionist.'"

Ishtar: The Movie

2006-08-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

Ishtar: The Movie: "...dreaded Hollywood catch-phrase... no doubt about it, Ishtar left it's mark!
The tenacity of a handful of creative filmakers going against all odds resulted in one of the best loved cult movies of all time."

Ishtar

2006-08-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ishtar: "Ishtar
by Micha F. Lindemans
Ishtar was the ancient Sumero-Babylonian goddess of love and fertility. She is often described as the daughter of Anu, the god of the air.

In most of the myths concerning her, she is described as an evil, heartless, women who destroyed her mates and lovers. Her greatest lover was the farm god Tammuz, who is similar to the Greek Adonis. After he died she went into the underworld to retrieve him but her efforts were vain and she returned to the living world alone.

Ishtar Later, in the great epic of Gilgamesh, she tried to make Gilgamesh her husband, but he refused her and reminded her of her former lovers, whom she mercilessly killed or left injured. She reported this to her father, Anu, and he gave her the mystical bull of heaven to avenge herself. Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu stopped and killed the mighty creature and threw its headless body at her feet. They also insulted her, and she responded by sending disease to kill Gilgamesh's best friend Enkidu. She is one of Aphrodite's counterparts."

The business of selling baby pictures

2006-06-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Watch; more and more celebrities are going to have babies now, so they can cash in on the images.

Movie & TV News @ IMDb.com - WENN

20040226-20.jpg (JPEG Image, 377x500 pixels)

2006-06-26T00:42:00.000-07:00

Ooh!! Oooh!! RED PLEASE!!!

One day...

2006-06-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

....I'll escape.

HanseYachts 2005

And when I do, it will be with one of these. Pure elligence on the ocean.

World Cup 1, Hollywood 0

2006-06-19T18:43:00.000-07:00

Movie & TV News @ IMDb.com - Studio Briefing: "Movies competed bravely against the World Cup overseas over the weekend -- and lost."

Budvar

2006-06-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

For those who weren't aware, this is the ORIGINAL "bud" from Europe.

Budvar

Deutschland!!!

2006-06-14T15:59:00.000-07:00

2006 FIFA World Cup Match Detail: "A last-gasp goal from substitute Oliver Neuville gave Germany their second successive Group A victory against Poland in Dortmund."

Watchdog Criticizes Kazakhstan Over Ali G - TV.com Tracking

2006-06-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

Watchdog Criticizes Kazakhstan Over Ali G - TV.com Tracking

"Reporters Without Borders is criticizing Kazakhstan for going too far in its war over the words of British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, best known in the U.S. as the title character of the satirical "Da Ali G Show.""

Kazakhstan Threatens to Sue Ali G Comic

2006-06-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

Kazakhstan Threatens to Sue 'Ali G' Comic - TV.com Tracking

Borat Comes to America

2006-06-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

watch the Trailer

2006-06-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

What came out of my face today

Published

2006-06-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

The View

My first paid job as a writer. Have a look for the "24 Hours With..." column near the middle. This month we profiled Actor Steve Bacic.

YMMV - Glossary - CNET.com

2006-06-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

YMMV - Glossary - CNET.com: "your mileage may vary"

Mulholland

2006-05-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

Home: "The book you have waiting for is finally here.
This is the story of Mulholland, the man, the water, historical perspectives, and the racing that imortalized the famous road."

Ritualized Failure

2006-05-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

Variety.com - Telefilm seeks to raise profile

Coat of arms of Germany - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2006-05-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that's right. I'm German. Got a problem with that!?!?

Coat of arms of Germany - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"The origins of the Reich eagle (adler) on German soil probably date back to the time of Charlemagne. Around the year 1200 the black eagle on a gold field was generally recognised as the imperial coat of arms."

Rannoch Adventures :: Sailing Adventures

2006-05-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

Rannoch Adventures :: Sailing Adventures

One day I've got to do this.

The End of the Internet?

2006-05-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

www.shibumi.org/EotI: "Congratulations! This is the last page."

Vendee Globe - official web site

2006-05-11T00:36:00.000-07:00

Around the World

Single Handed

Non Stop

Without Assistance

The greatest human challenge

Played out on the world's most dangerous Oceans

Vendee Globe - official web site

SI.com - Magazine - Lance Armstrong: The Next Stage - Tuesday May 2, 2006 8:17AM

2006-05-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

SI.com - Magazine - Lance Armstrong: The Next Stage - Tuesday May 2, 2006 8:17AM: "When his passenger offered to take the wheel, the Texan fixed him with the Look.
You do the interview,' he directed. 'I'll drive the car and eat my lunch.' "

Gone but Not Forgotten: Westwood

2006-04-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

At the end of it's life, in the '80s, it was referred to as "Mountain High Racing", built into the side of the mountains above Coquitlam and Port Moody.

MORE INFO:
e-Tracks: World Motor Racing Circuits Guide - Westwood

Despite being a relatively short and low-key track, far off the beaten path from Road Atlanta, The Glen, Laguna, Sears or Riverside (major US tracks), Westwood attracked some major stars from the racing scene of the 50s to 70s.

It was well known for it's hairy, down-hill "Clubhouse Corner", forest setting, and imfamous "Deer's Leap" - a sudden dive in he middle of it's back stretch, which sent a number of high-powered cars launching into the woods.

Now, in modern times, it's nothing more then another parking lot of track-housing and Mc-Mansions, but back in the day, it was the place that caused me to fall in love with fast cars and tight apexes.

ABC News: 'Malcolm's' Muniz Leaves Hollywood Rat Race for Pro Racing

2006-04-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

ABC News: 'Malcolm's' Muniz Leaves Hollywood Rat Race for Pro Racing: "The 20-year-old 'Malcolm in the Middle' star has applied the breaks to his acting career, at least temporarily, to race for Jensen Motorsport in the Formula BMW competition. "

The Ring

2006-04-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

N�rburgring - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

TheNOJO.com - The Official Website of The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra

2006-04-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

TheNOJO.com - The Official Website of The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra

Kurt Elling - the words - Lyrics - Night Dreamer

2006-04-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

Kurt Elling - the words - Lyrics - Night Dreamer: "NIGHT DREAMER
From 'Live In Chicago', 2000
Music by Wayne Shorter
Solos by Wayne Shorter and Lee Morgan, 1964

LISTEN TO THIS SONG

Lonely the roses of Avondaire / sing as though somebody still may care.
They live only for the dream of living / so come follow where / they will take you there.

I once was apprenticed / to a man who was living
in the eye if the hurricane / to know despair,

He knew all the dreams by heart / just like sailing in a boat of
crystal silence / seeing visions / of the world / of life within a life.

In a turning / like a burning / came turning /
out of everything stirring / and what had begun before

but all wrapped up / in one great godly becoming -

Tumbling / and fumbling / and stumbling
into bumbling / and rumbling along -

whirling it / and swirling it / and twirling it / and hurling it /
and overturning it / and burning it again.

I shared a whirling dervish out on the side of a hill called metaphore vivace
swinging en route to a nascent solar / with the scissored visored blizzard wizard /
gizzarding planets and secrets within / like an avatar.

While meanwhile / in turnstyling / and spinning over him
spells bespeaking kingdoms in the dark

calling me to yield / knighting me in a field / covered with armies
and with princes. All were signing / cannons shining / pennants flying.

And when he spoke to me he sang / and his words really rang -
this child of the knowledge of the beauty of the night -

he sang to me of masters passing on / of father after father after father
climbing up into the lotus bloom / upon the tortoise's back

and of grandfathers / who danced through their living a longer time ago.
He showed me a palace in time / in which all the talismans
from all the zeuses / swing upon a pendulum of secrets
in a circle that remembers / and when asked a question will surrender

every secret key to every hero's message / given to every heart in time
but only known to but a few /or so it seems.

When I asked of them / what shall I do / to see the god?
They only said / the goldenrod / which grows inside of
every secret dream you dream / while waiting for the god -
it-s a symbol from the man in the fire.
ling you the thing you desire
is a garment that covers the riddle of everything secretly wished for
and of the world of which you are an inheritor.

Suddenly the chamber was flooded with light /
hurling me skyward like a meteorite/

When I fell to earth / I saw everything in a blur.
I saw that time was accelerating in a curve

and the palace in which I had stood / it was flowing, like lava, on acres of woodland
like a pompei-an mountain volcano / making archipelago
and destroying the planet / at fortissimo

bulldozing everything down / to make room for what
was a byzantine / a labarynthine / knotty mess of
manifolding passageways / a tangle of confusion /
where the walls made / an asylum of baroque.

Like a joke / words were spoken
to provoke me / and to toss me
nude and empty / to the sea.

But I would have none of it.
I simply turned my back and walked out/ of the dreamscape/
into landscape / like a bedroom / where I heard that

Lonely the roses of solitaire / sing as though somebody still may care.
They live only for the dream of living / so come follow where they will take you there.
Stay awake - no mistake - dance the dream awake - and awake."

Kurt Elling - Live at The Green Mill

Variety.com - Homer going to bat in '07

2006-04-03T19:42:00.000-07:00

Variety.com - Homer going to bat in '07: "Twentieth Century Fox will formally announce today that its long-awaited 'The Simpsons''The Simpsons' feature will open worldwide in theaters on July 27, 2007.
It's the official confirmation since the reveal was done over the weekend with rule-breaking behavior worthy of serial prankster Bart Simpson.
The first step was a promopromo during Fox's 'American Idol' broadcast on Wednesday when animated Springfield newsman Kent Brockman announced that long-awaited news would be revealed on Sunday's broadcast of 'The Simpsons.' Fox then introduced a 20-second teaser trailer Friday on prints of 'Ice Age: The Meltdown,' panning away from a tight shot of Superman's 'S' logo to show the symbol on a three-sizes-too-tight T-shirt worn by Homer Simpson, who was otherwise clad in his underwear. The release date was flashed.
Within hours of the film's opening, Web sites like Ain't It Cool News were dotted with sighting reports, and Web wonks tempered enthusiasm with skepticism, thinking the trailer might be an April Fools' Day joke.
It's no prank.
'That trailer is running on 7,000 screens this weekend, committing us to opening every place in the world on the same date,' executive producer James L. Brooks told Daily Variety Friday. 'Which means, we'd better get started.'
Brooks and his co-conspirators are in the storyboarding stage following two years of script drafts and three covert cast readings. Though news of the movie became known when a feature option was made part of contract renewals for show regulars in 2001, the script and release strategy were successfully cloaked in secrecy by Brooks and Fox AnimationFox Animation president Chris Meledandri.
'We've taken script security to the point of lunacy, though it helped that we wrote it in Aramaic" quipped Mike Scully, who penned the script with creator Matt Groening, Brooks and series vets Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, George Meyer, David MirkinDavid Mirkin, Mike Reiss, Matt Selman, John Swartzwelder and Jon Vitti.

David SilvermanDavid Silverman, the "Simpsons" supervising animation director who co-helmed 2001's "Monsters, Inc.," is set as director.

Deals are done with show regulars Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden and Tress MacNeille.

"We've also set Albert Brooks, Minnie Driver and the real Erin Brockovich, so you should be able to deduce the plot just from that information," said Jean, who is running the show in its 17th season.

The original intention, said Groening, was to delay the film until the show was done.

"We tried to save this until the end of the series, but that intention was undone by good ratings," said Groening. Last month, Fox committed to two more seasons of the show.

"The movie has been so daunting, and the contract between us has always been to wait until we all felt the script was right," Brooks said. "We tell a feature-length movie story with each episode, but we feel we now have a story and script worthy of a movie. And there was so much secrecy that it's actually a relief to be able to speak about it now."

Brooks is producing with Groening, Jean, Scully and Richard SakaiRichard Sakai.

Date in print: Mon., Apr. 3, 2006, Los Angeles

YouTube - Leprechaun in Mobile, Alabama

2006-03-31T10:41:00.000-08:00

YouTube - Leprechaun in Mobile, Alabama: "Leprechaun in Mobile, Alabama"

Look for the "ethnic" Irish guy and his flute. It's worth it.

Porsche 917 Engines Become Lifesavers

2006-03-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

SPEEDTV.com: "My reaction when I learned the engines had been stolen, said Dempsey, was, 'Who would be dumb enough to steal Porsche 917 engines?' These are the 'crown jewels' of the Porsche empire. I was incredulous, I mean, how can you sell them?"

How to Argue With Females :: Points in Case.com

2006-03-30T22:40:00.000-08:00

How to Argue With Females :: Points in Case.com

Porsche's Back, BABY!!

2006-03-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

Sebring 2006 - Provisional Grid

Mike's back, BABY!!

2006-03-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Official Formula 1 Website

Telefilm Canada - Canada Feature Film Fund

2006-03-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

Telefilm Canada - Canada Feature Film Fund

Wanna make a feature film in Canada? Good luck!!

"NOTAG"

2006-02-28T14:27:00.000-08:00

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Automobiles (Licensed to Bill): "Four weeks later he received his first notice for an overdue parking fine, from faraway San Francisco, and within days he began receiving dozens of overdue notices from all over the state on a daily basis."

Fatherly Advice

2006-02-28T11:57:00.000-08:00

A Simpsons Page: "Abe (Grampa) Simpson
'Oh, Son, don't overreach! Go for the DENTED car, the DEAD-END job, the LESS ATTRACTIVE girl.'"

The Rebel

2006-02-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

"Dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die today."

- James Dean

Inductees

2006-02-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

Max Hoffman, on many levels, is responsible for the sowing the early seeds of Porsche enthusiasm in North America. He was the first to import the 356 in the 50s, displaying them in his Park Avenue show room. He's also the man that reportedly convinced the Porsche family to build the Speedster for the North American market, a car that has become an icon, both for Porsche and post-war America.

Inductees: "During the war years, with very little in money in his pocket, Hoffman decided to make jewelry out of plastic, and plate them in metal. Due to the shortage of metal during the war, sales were so profitable that by war's end, Hoffman had accumulated enough capital to be able to return to his first love, automobiles. "

This is another great story, of the entrepreneurial spirit over coming adversity and rising to the top of the pile.

Welcome to MichaelMoore.com!

2006-01-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome to MichaelMoore.com!: "Friday, January 20th, 2006
Michael Moore Statement on Canadian Election
Michael Moore is currently in production on his next movie. As an avid lover of all things Canadian, he has issued the following statement regarding Canada's upcoming election on Monday:
Oh, Canada -- you're not really going to elect a Conservative majority on Monday, are you? That's a joke, right? I know you have a great sense of humor, and certainly a well-developed sense of irony, but this is no longer funny. Maybe it's a new form of Canadian irony -- reverse irony! OK, now I get it. First, you have the courage to stand against the war in Iraq -- and then you elect a prime minister who's for it. You declare gay people have equal rights -- and then you elect a man who says they don't. You give your native peoples their own autonomy and their own territory -- and then you vote for a man who wants to cut aid to these poorest of your citizens. Wow, that is intense! Only Canadians could pull off a hat trick of humor like that. My hat's off to you.
Far be it from me, as an American, to suggest what you should do. You already have too many Americans telling you what to do. Well, actually, you've got just one American who keeps telling you to roll over and fetch and sit. I hope you don't feel this appeal of mine is too intrusive but I just couldn't sit by, as your friend, and say nothing. Yes, I agree, the Liberals have some 'splainin' to do. And yes, one party in power for more than a decade gets a little... long. But you have a parliamentary system (I'll bet you didn't know that -- see, that's why you need Americans telling you things!). There are ways at the polls to have your voices heard other than throwing the baby out with the bath water.
These are no ordinary times, and as y"

Team Push 924

2006-01-22T10:59:00.000-08:00

This totally obsurde.

HOME: "Since prepping it basically involved a Porsche specialist saying 'looks alright, apart from the brakes' and then walking off, we reckon we're still playing by the rules."

They drove a 924 beater, purchased for only 300 English Pounds, from Plymouth to Dakar. A 4000 Mile cross-continent road trip.

Charles Bukowski

2006-01-19T21:23:00.000-08:00

Charles Bukowski: "the lucky ones
stuck in the rain on the freeway, 6:15 p.m.,
these are the lucky ones, these are the
dutifully employed, most with their radios on as loud
as possible as they try not to think or remember.
this is our new civilization: as men
once lived in trees and caves now they live
in their automobiles and on freeways as
the local news is heard again and again while
we shift from first gear to second and back to first.
there's a poor fellow stalled in the fast lane ahead, hood
up, he's standing against the freeway fence
a newspaper over his head in the rain.
the other cars force their way around his car, pull out into
the next lane in front of cars determined to shut them off.
in the lane to my right a driver is being followed by a
police car with blinking red and blue lights - he surely
can't be speeding as
suddenly the rain comes down in a giant wash and all the
cars stop and
even with the windows up I can smell somebody's clutch
burning.
I just hope it's not mine as
the wall of water diminishes and we go back into first
gear; we are all still
a long way from home as I memorize
the silhouette of the car in front of me and the shape of the
driver's head or
what
I can see of it above the headrest while
his bumper sticker asks me
HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR KID TODAY?
suddenly I have an urge to scream
as another wall of water comes down and the
man on the radio announces that there will be a 70 percent
chance of showers tomorrow night
�2001 Linda Lee Bukowski
reprinted with permission of Black Sparrow Press "

Uncle Nestor's Online House of Country-fried Rock 'n Roll

2006-01-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

These guys are friends of mine. A truely great group of people. Check out their website and watch the music video we did in Kamploops last summer.

Uncle Nestor's Online House of Country-fried Rock 'n Roll

The West Memphis 3

2006-01-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

: "The same police officers coerced an error-filled "confession" from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late� Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994. "

CNN.com - Saving Iraqi baby a new mission for U.S. troops - Dec 28, 2005

2005-12-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

CNN.com - Saving Iraqi baby a new mission for U.S. troops - Dec 28, 2005: "'We ... collectively decided this is going to be our project,' said Sgt. Michael Sonen. 'If this is the only contribution we have to defeating the war on terrorism, this is going to be it.'"

WHAT the fuck!

Just when I thought this sort of thing only happened in movies. This reeks so heavily of spin-doctoring and political damage-control, I have a hard time convincing myself of the beauty in all this.

Is this what it's come down to? Just a week after Bush admits to listening in on "the other phone up-stairs" and doing a very poor job of convincing Americans that it was all legal, despite no court-approval, we get this. Another easy way to to clear the front pages of dirty "anti-patriotic" news that bashes our fearless leaders, and replacing it with the innocents of a helpless child in jeopardy. How many did they leave behind? How many have already died?

I can't help but ask myself, how many homes they broke into, looking for sick children, until the casting director stepped in and said "Him. He's perfect. Quick, someone take a picture."

Merry Shopping

2005-12-22T19:28:00.000-08:00

Consortiumnews.com: "While an outsider arriving in the United States might see a nation celebrating Christmas with an unrivaled intensity and extravagance, the Right�s media has created another world for its followers � where Christians are persecuted for celebrating their faith, where they are repressed by cruel non-Christians and evil secularists."

CNN.com - Judge rules against�'intelligent design' in science class - Dec 20, 2005

2005-12-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

Holly Crap! We needed a LAW to determin this?

CNN.com - Judge rules against�'intelligent design' in science class - Dec 20, 2005: "A Pennsylvania school district cannot teach in science classes a concept that says some aspects of science were created by a supernatural being, a federal judge has ruled."

Bob From Accounting: "Life as a Trainwreck"

2005-12-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

Bob From Accounting: "Life as a Trainwreck": "McDonald's Adult Happy Meal to Include Blowjob (participating locations only)"

Paramount to buy DreamWorks

2005-12-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

Reuters Business Channel | Reuters.com: "The transaction also sharply raises the profile of Brad Grey, the Paramount chairman and chief executive who was brought in earlier this year to shore up operations after the studio stumbled in recent years. Freston had said Paramount had failed to pursue big budget but risky films that could bring big paydays."

I LOVE this guy!!

2005-12-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

Trials of Saddam Hussein - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "He called the court a 'play aimed at Bush's chances of winning the U.S. presidential elections.' He emphatically rejected charges against him. 'This is all theatre. The real criminal is Bush,' he stated. When asked by the judge to identify himself in his first appearance before an Iraqi judge, he answered, 'You are an Iraqi, you know who I am.' 'I am still the president of the republic and the occupation cannot take that away,' Saddam declared."

NBC.com > Christmas at Rockefeller Center

2005-12-05T18:07:00.000-08:00

NBC.com > Christmas at Rockefeller Center: "Brian was kind enough to sit down with NBC.com for a few moments before a recent Tonight Show appearance. "

Anti-French sentiment in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2005-12-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

Anti-French sentiment in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Anti-French sentiment in the United States is characterized by disapproval of many or all things French."

Numa Numa

2005-12-04T22:33:00.000-08:00

Numa Numa Dance Fat Kid - Google Video

Could this finally be it?

2005-11-29T19:02:00.000-08:00

Erlk�nig-Abstimmung: VW Scirocco- Volkes Rasemann - stern.de: "VW Scirocco- Volkes Rasemann"

A Painting

2005-11-27T22:45:00.000-08:00

Norman Rockwell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Response from K.S.B.

2005-11-27T18:58:00.000-08:00

Response from K.S.B.: "'It is a serious offense to mock God.'"

...you heard the man.....

All Hail the Chief!!

2005-11-27T18:28:00.000-08:00

Open Letter: "Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster."

Mirror.co.uk - News - EXCLUSIVE: BUSH PLOT TO BOMB HIS ARAB ALLY

2005-11-26T05:04:00.000-08:00

America trying to level the Al Jazeera news network? Never!!

Mirror.co.uk - News - EXCLUSIVE: BUSH PLOT TO BOMB HIS ARAB ALLY: "The attack would have led to a massacre of innocents on the territory of a key ally, enraged the Middle East and almost certainly have sparked bloody retaliation."

I JUST found this story now, yet it's dated Nov. 22nd. OK, I'll admit, I don't read the paper or watch the news as much as I should, but this sounds pretty big. Between "The Daily Show", blogs, internet lounging, CBC and CNN, you'd THINK I would have heard about this, right? You'd THINK would have been talked about just a LITTLE more.

What's my point? To me, this is HUGE and extremely scary news, had Bush done what the article suggests he wanted to do. Isn't it amazing how stories of such importance and potential global impact are so easily over looked? Kind of reminds me of another little memo that was floating around some time ago.

The other Downing Street Memo...

...and a website dedicated to it.

So what did I get INSTEAD in my news-watching this week? Something about Oprah being on Letterman next week, AND....

Bush shakeing hands with a Genghis Khan look-a-like somewhere in some Asian-esc country.

Of course, I don't know WHICH Asian-esc country, but that's not really important. What IS important, is that this said country was not, I repeat, NOT America. See? We can be worldly, right? We get along with other countries? Weird lookin' people in forin' places gooood!

Then again, for all that I know, it could have been a sound-stage in Burbank. Maybe even the same one where this famous photo was taken.

(no offense Neil)

A quick check on CNN's site, reveals nothing, but American reps denying everything (surprised?)

CNN.com - 'Bomb Jazeera' memo: Media warned - Nov 23, 2005: "Two men face trial under Britain's Official Secrets Act in connection with release of the memo, and the attorney general's office warned news organizations that the case against them should proceed 'without prejudice.'"

Well, that about wraps it up then, right?

"A White House official told CNN, 'We are not going to dignify something so outlandish with a response.' And a Pentagon official called the Daily Mirror report 'absolutely absurd.' "

Well, if the Pentagon says it's so, then it must be so, right?. Case closed.

Reuters reported the following on the 25th:

National, World and Business News | Reuters.com: "The Daily Mirror newspaper reported on Tuesday that a secret British government memo said British Prime Minister Tony Blair had talked Bush out of bombing Al Jazeera's headquarters in Qatar in April last year."

So...let me get this straight. Help me out here. A bunch of guys in England are on trial for a memo that's being denied even exists. When asked about it, the british refuse to comment, and the American's blow it off as utter nonsense (or as the Queen would say, "Rubbish"). Oh, and Oprah is opening on Broadway in a few weeks.

Even scarier, this "memo"(keep in mind I'm still undecided on ANYONE'S credibility here) was from APRIL, which means, WHO THE HELL CARES! THE PHANTOM TRAIN HAS LEFT THE METAPHORICAL STATION.

Well shoot Billy-Bob, they're just a bunch A-Rabs out to take our freedom and liberty and what-not, anyway, right? F*CK 'EM ALL!!!

craigslist - community classifieds

2005-11-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

craigslist - community classifieds

Need a job? An apartment? have something to sell? looking for a date? A friend? A funny story? Want to rant to the world? It's all here.

BBC - Comedy - Little Britain - Clips - TV and Radio

2005-11-24T22:28:00.000-08:00

hi-larious.

BBC - Comedy - Little Britain - Clips - TV and Radio

Watch a clip:

Series One Clips

The Other Head

2005-11-22T22:18:00.000-08:00

How I wish I looked.

The Head

2005-11-22T22:16:00.000-08:00

What I may or may not look like.

My Daily Quote

2005-11-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

"I've seen the emerald city, and I know were the wizard lives."

- Me, right now

Stanley Tookie Williams, Could be First Gang Member Executed in California

2005-11-19T14:34:00.000-08:00

Stanley Tookie Williams, Could be First Gang Member Executed in California: "Throughout the years he has published several children�s books and autobiographies. He has been nominated for Nobel prizes but never won, and although he has been convicted for serious crimes, his accomplishments as a death row inmate are impressive."

SEMA 2005 - Volkswagen Project R-GT

2005-11-17T22:16:00.000-08:00

This is WAY cooler then my dad's Jetta. he tries, but not hard enough...

SEMA 2005 - Volkswagen Project R-GT

Urban Dictionary: crackalacin

2005-11-14T18:49:00.000-08:00

Urban Dictionary: crackalacin: "what hapeening chiling and relaxing"

Steely Dan - The Mu Major Chord

2005-11-12T22:02:00.000-08:00

Steely Dan - The Mu Major Chord: "Just what IS the mysterious Steely Dan mu (µ) major chord?"

Remember

2005-11-11T16:29:00.000-08:00

"Remember there is a law of averages so come on dearie turn a trick five francs ten francs two dollars oh boy what's that an American voice? me for her. What the hell a song in the parlor and a swig of cheap cognac and let's go because out there in the east the place they call the western front there is a little old guy keeps a book and figures averages all day long and all night long he never makes a mistake. Flor da lee. Flor da lee. God save the king. Come on up honeybunch lonsesome wanta try something new parley vous fransays? A gallon of red wine like water and sourdough bread and maybe please god I find an American girl who don't talk heathen languages. Jig-jig hell that's not what I want. I want something loud because there is a voice I want to drown out. It's a voice that doesn't make a sound but I can't get away from it."

"Somewhere it is being prepared. Somewhere deep in the heart of Germany the shell is being made. Some German girl is polishing it right now polishing it and cleaning it and fitting the charge into it. It glistens in the factory light and it has a number and the number is mine. I have a date with the shell. We shall meet soon."

Exerts from the novel "JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN", by DALTON TRUMBO

Rashguards - Surf Rash Guards - Rash Guard Shirts

2005-11-08T22:15:00.000-08:00

Rashguards - Surf Rash Guards - Rash Guard Shirts

WOW!! Rash Guards!!

Who the F**CK keeps spamming my blog? Sometimes I think the only people reading my irrelevant posts are automated computers designed to advertise "Rash Guards" and "windsurfing" accessories.

2005-11-08T21:36:00.000-08:00

“By this time all the guys figured Jose was crazy. But they also figured he was kind of smart crazy. When he told tall stories about his native Porto Rico the guys paid more attention to him figuring that since his story about the girl was true there might be a fifty-fifty chance that his stories about Porto Rico were also true. Jose was a very funny guy but then the bakery was full of funny guys and it was just as well not to question them too closely. You took them as they came and said nothing.”

“They all got interested then because everybody at the bakery wanted a better job only none of them ever found one. ‘Where did you get this better job, Jose’? ‘In a studio, of course’, said Jose. ‘That is why I came to California. Didn’t I tell you I came to find work in the studios?’
Nobody said anything. They just stared at Jose. From anybody else this would have seemed more bull but from Jose they knew it was the truth. How did you like that? As far as the guys at the bakery were concerned the studios might just as well be in China as in Hollywood. They paid good dough but nobody except an uncle or maybe a nephew could crack them. Yet Jose just as calm as a cucumber had walked into one and got what he wanted.
‘How did you get this job, Jose?’
‘I asked for it,’ said Jose.”

“Did anybody ever come back from the dead any single one of the millions who got killed did any one of them ever come back and say by god I’m glad I’m dead because death is always better than dishonor? Did they say I’m glad I died to make the world safe for Democracy?”

“Nobody but the dead know whether all these things people talk about are worth dying for or not. And the dead can’t talk. So the words about noble deaths and sacred blood and honor and such are all put into dead lips by grave robbers and fakes who have no right to speak for the dead. If a man says death before dishonor he is either a fool or a liar because he doesn’t know what death is.”

Exerts from the novel "JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN", by DALTON TRUMBO

National, World and Business News | Reuters.com

2005-11-07T18:50:00.000-08:00

National, World and Business News | Reuters.com: "Porsche is now Volkswagen's biggest shareholder, with a near-19 percent voting stake."

Atlas F1 Bulletin Board - [pending] Case #18:Fans vs FIA-FIA puts commercial interests over sporting interests

2005-11-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

"Court"? "Hearings"? "Fans vs FIA"? These guys REALLY take their racing seriously.

All pre-moderated and screened by a panel of "judges" to weed out flaming and on-line fist-fights.

Atlas F1 Bulletin Board - [pending] Case #18:Fans vs FIA-FIA puts commercial interests over sporting interests: "The court has chosen to bring these arguments together in a case known as Fans vs FIA, and to divide this case into three distinct subcases for which separate hearings will take place."

More "cases" can be found here:

Atlas F1 Bulletin Board: "The Atlas F1 Court
The place to settle new and long-standing racing issues and arguments.
Watch the Atlas F1 'legal' system at work, as BB members present their cases to our panel of judges. Posts submitted to this forum are pre-moderated."

Best Water Skiing and Water Skiing information

2005-11-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

I don't get it. This guy posted comments on my blog, and this was the website he sent me. I've never waterskied, or have I ever even hinted at my interest in the sport.

Fake checking accounts in Nigeria is one thing, but this is ridiculous.

Best Water Skiing and Water Skiing information: "Water Skiing
Your Best Water Skiing Information"

Turandot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2005-11-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

Wow!! It's been a while since I've posted. Last night: Turandot at the Queen Elizabeth Theater, in Vancouver.

Turandot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Turandot is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini (which was left unfinished by Puccini at his death, and completed by Franco Alfano) to an Italian libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, based on the play by Carlo Gozzi. First performance: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 1926. Turandot is a Persian word meaning 'the Daughter of Turan', Turan being the region of Central-Asia."

The QE Theater

Pelican Parts Technical BBS - The Ultimate (wilderness) Accesory

2005-09-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

The ultimate tail-gate party.

Watch the ad, and you'll understand.

Ripley's Believe It or Not!� :: Official Web Site - Ripleys.com

2005-08-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm a winner!!!

Ripley's IQ game

The Restoration of Spyder #550/01

2005-08-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

wow. I really, really, dig this stuff.

Restoration Photos

This car is Porsche's first purpose-built competition car, built for the Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico, during the 50s.

It was restored from the frame / body up by:

Joe Cavaglieri, Cavaglieri Restorations, Sherman Oaks, CA.
The car is owned by the Collier Collection in Florida.

Here's the finished product, as seen on the cover of the 356 Registry magazine...

Photos by Hal Thoms

Send Hal a message

Ticket Quota Cover-up Continues with Pennsylvania State Police

2005-08-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

Ticket Quota Cover-up Continues with Pennsylvania State Police: "In 2002, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette uncovered the creative methods that top police officials developed to avoid the letter of the law. The specific number of tickets that troopers must now meet is known as the 'station average.' Each trooper must log the number of traffic stops and citations and if a trooper for any reason issues fewer tickets than his colleagues -- the station average -- he will be disciplined."

ALMS News - Porsche RS Spyder completes first tests.

2005-08-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

ALMS News - Porsche RS Spyder completes first tests.: "The new car, named the RS Spyder after the car which first gave Porsche international motorsport recognition in the 1950s, ran for three days at Estoril, with Porsche factory drivers Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr sharing driving duties."