God I Want One!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Ode To The Ute!
The Ute. Can anybody think of a car that has endured so much undeserved attention? But has anybody ever bothered to realize that it's not undeserved? No, Really! The Ute is an absolute genius plan. The bed of a pickup truck on top o the frame of a car. What isn't there to like about this concept. Ask yourself this question how many times have you used the full towing capacity of your F-250 or your Ram 1500? With the exception of the foreman or construction worker the answer is almost never. The fact of the matter is many of the people who buy pickups just want o have allot of junk in the trunk (god forgive me for referencing Fergie!) I would give anything for a new camino and hopefully pontiac will soon bring us a new G8amino, and so without further adieu here is an ode to the Ute made possible by the fine folks at Jalopnik!
God I Want One!
God I Want One!
Monday, July 07, 2008
It's Prius Rippin' Time
Toyota announced that the next generation Prius will offer photo voltaic cells to powers the car's accessories such as air conditioning and radio. The thing that concerns me is the fact that even though the Prius will be fitted with solar panels the company seems to be complacent with it's current tech level. That's not to say the company has no right to brag about it's "green" policies but it seems to me that their holier than though attitude is a bit hypocritical when their product line still includes beasts like the land cruiser which gets the worst mileage of it's class with 13 mpg city and 18 on the highway. This gas guzzlers ratings are only trumped by it's genetically identical cousin the Lexus LX570. Toyota cannot pretend that it's record is stainless. Toyota needs to look o it's Japanese brethren Honda for advice on brand imaging. Although Honda's hybrids have fewer MPG's than the Prius they still achieve excellent mileage as well as functionality and practicality. One needs look no further than the Civic Hybrid to see that a 40-45 mpg car doesn't have to look like a cockroach and doesn't have to be as limiting as say a Smart Car. The thing that I'm most excited about for the upcoming year is the VW Golf Twin Drive Plug-In Hybrid Diesel which is not slated for further development but is an impressive display of VW's ambitious plans in the "green-car" race. We need to keep our fingers crossed in hopes that VW does go into full-scale production of this mileage monster that makes the Prius look like an Escalade.
More Info:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/solar-panels-to-power-accessories-on-next-toyota-prius/
http://jalopnik.com/397945/new-toyota-prius-to-get-solar-panels-as-symbolic-gesture
http://jalopnik.com/397242/vw-golf-twin-drive-plug+in-hybrid-diesel-makes-prius-look-thirsty
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2009/chevrolet/malibuhybrid/101020816/VehicleComparison?basestyleid=101020816&styleid=100943566&styleid=100926241&styleid=100900433&styleid=100975664&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=specs
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/toyota/landcruiser/100946164/VehicleComparison?basestyleid=100946164&styleid=100954865&styleid=100903649&styleid=100960822&styleid=100909019&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=specs
More Info:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/solar-panels-to-power-accessories-on-next-toyota-prius/
http://jalopnik.com/397945/new-toyota-prius-to-get-solar-panels-as-symbolic-gesture
http://jalopnik.com/397242/vw-golf-twin-drive-plug+in-hybrid-diesel-makes-prius-look-thirsty
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2009/chevrolet/malibuhybrid/101020816/VehicleComparison?basestyleid=101020816&styleid=100943566&styleid=100926241&styleid=100900433&styleid=100975664&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=specs
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/toyota/landcruiser/100946164/VehicleComparison?basestyleid=100946164&styleid=100954865&styleid=100903649&styleid=100960822&styleid=100909019&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=specs
Thursday, August 09, 2007
R.I.P: B.C. Rich
Upon the return of my best friend Alfred my friends and I decided to party. What better way to party than buying a B.C. Rich Warlock guitar ("Guitbox" as they're known in the "Ol' West")for $12. Let it be noted that this guitar previously belonged to a stoner who gave it away so it was probably heading for an equally if not more violent demise. and so without further ado I present YouTube glory.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Con Law
I hate constitutional law. Actually let me re-analyze my statement, I hate my A.P. American Gov class for its useless projects about con law. What puzzles me is how the hell is this crap ass project, assigned by a certain individual that will remain unnamed, will help us for the A.P. exam? It's so goddamn arbitrary and pointless. FUCK!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Bank Atlantic Center
Ever since I can remember I have wanted to go to a Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) concert. There’s just something about tube socks, loud music, deep bass tones, and insane stage shows that called to me.
RHCP began their ’06-’07 tour supporting their latest studio album “Stadium Arcadium” in Anthony Kiedis’s birthplace of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I along with a couple thousand other Floridians was lucky enough to catch them at their stop at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. Although this may not have been the most important stop on their tour or a unique set, it was still one of the most unforgettable concert experiences I have ever had.
I arrived about 45 minutes before the opening act (Gnarls Barkley feat. School of Rock) even started playing and I had nothing better to do that sit in anticipation of the chunky funk-metal styling’s of RHCP. The worst part was that I had to endure almost 30 minutes of Cee-lo and Danger Mouse’s Gnarls Barkley outfit before even getting a whiff of one of RHCP’s roadies prepping the instruments for the main course.
My years of waiting finally paid off as the arena lights dimmed and the audience exploded into a cacophonous rage of applause, bass riffs, drum beats, and guitar chords.
The first 40 minutes of the concert I can honestly say I felt like I was trapped in the 1990s with Flea and John Frusciante playing fan favorites from their better-liked earlier albums such as “By The Way” (2002) “Californication” (1999) and arguably their best record “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” (1991).
“it was a good concert, not great but good, simply because it was not an intimate venue at all.” Said Alfred Stein a senior at North Broward Prep. “too many people in too big of a stadium. otherwise, an awesome setlist, and Flea.... Flea!!!”
However the fans were constantly brought down from their state of euphoria by interspersed singles from their most recent endeavor “Stadium Arcadium” (2006). Only a few tracks on “Stadium Arcadium” have replay value but those that do really turn the crowd on. But arguably the best moment in the entire concert was the final song in the encore, the song that broke them into the mainstream: Give it away. After the 4 minute song Kiedis exited stage left leaving only Smith, Frusciante and Flea to have their way with their instrument, for a whole16 minutes. These 16 minutes of insanity were thoroughly sprinkled with ample opportunity for each of the musician to show their musical prowess.
Music Quality: A-
Overall the music was amazing. The set could not be described mostly due to the fact of the sheer amount of improvisation that went on, featuring at least 5 jam sessions throughout the concert.
Vocal Quality: B+
Kiedis used his entire vocal range during this concert, from slow and evocative for “Don’t Forget Me”, to the extremely upbeat fast and fresh style he has adopted with their latest endeavor in “Snow ((Hey Oh.))”
Crowd Participation: A-
The entire arena exploded before and after every single song.
Special Effects: A+
The special effects were stunning in their simplicity: the major part was the set design which consisted of four video screens focusing on the licks being laid down by the strings.
RHCP began their ’06-’07 tour supporting their latest studio album “Stadium Arcadium” in Anthony Kiedis’s birthplace of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I along with a couple thousand other Floridians was lucky enough to catch them at their stop at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. Although this may not have been the most important stop on their tour or a unique set, it was still one of the most unforgettable concert experiences I have ever had.
I arrived about 45 minutes before the opening act (Gnarls Barkley feat. School of Rock) even started playing and I had nothing better to do that sit in anticipation of the chunky funk-metal styling’s of RHCP. The worst part was that I had to endure almost 30 minutes of Cee-lo and Danger Mouse’s Gnarls Barkley outfit before even getting a whiff of one of RHCP’s roadies prepping the instruments for the main course.
My years of waiting finally paid off as the arena lights dimmed and the audience exploded into a cacophonous rage of applause, bass riffs, drum beats, and guitar chords.
The first 40 minutes of the concert I can honestly say I felt like I was trapped in the 1990s with Flea and John Frusciante playing fan favorites from their better-liked earlier albums such as “By The Way” (2002) “Californication” (1999) and arguably their best record “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” (1991).
“it was a good concert, not great but good, simply because it was not an intimate venue at all.” Said Alfred Stein a senior at North Broward Prep. “too many people in too big of a stadium. otherwise, an awesome setlist, and Flea.... Flea!!!”
However the fans were constantly brought down from their state of euphoria by interspersed singles from their most recent endeavor “Stadium Arcadium” (2006). Only a few tracks on “Stadium Arcadium” have replay value but those that do really turn the crowd on. But arguably the best moment in the entire concert was the final song in the encore, the song that broke them into the mainstream: Give it away. After the 4 minute song Kiedis exited stage left leaving only Smith, Frusciante and Flea to have their way with their instrument, for a whole16 minutes. These 16 minutes of insanity were thoroughly sprinkled with ample opportunity for each of the musician to show their musical prowess.
Music Quality: A-
Overall the music was amazing. The set could not be described mostly due to the fact of the sheer amount of improvisation that went on, featuring at least 5 jam sessions throughout the concert.
Vocal Quality: B+
Kiedis used his entire vocal range during this concert, from slow and evocative for “Don’t Forget Me”, to the extremely upbeat fast and fresh style he has adopted with their latest endeavor in “Snow ((Hey Oh.))”
Crowd Participation: A-
The entire arena exploded before and after every single song.
Special Effects: A+
The special effects were stunning in their simplicity: the major part was the set design which consisted of four video screens focusing on the licks being laid down by the strings.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The workforce
Whoever said getting a job is easy should be given a stern talking to. Honestly ive been at it since December, and so far prospect have been very very slim. Pretty much the only prospect I had, and actually I guess they were my employers for like a grand total of 2-3 minutes was teavana in the Galleria mall; Speaking of which I never did collect my paycheck for those 2 minutes, o well. The thing was I had all my paperwork filled out, all of my stuff in order and then I come in on my first day on the job, decked out in full uniform (khaki’s, a RHCP t-shirt, and the Teavana required vest thing) and my boss tells me she doesn’t have time to train me.
That infuriated me, by telling me to come in on the 21’st she signed a verbal contract with me stating that she would begin training me on said date. Instead after I go through the hassle of coming in for work, getting changed into my uniform and re stocking 2 tin’s of tea, only to receive a nice big “F you” from my boss. Screw that, if they don’t have the time to train me then I guess I don’t have the time to work there do I?
On the flip side I am being a little picky with what it is that I’m willing to do for a job. Ideally speaking I’d pick a Barnes & Noble, or maybe a Best Buy to work in. Somewhere where I could genuinely feel excited by the product im selling and use that to be enthusiastic towards making a sale. But most people would take any job they could get. Which puts me in a tough situation, not only does it make me look like a stuck-up prick for not taking a food-service industry job, it also leaves me without a job.
So now I’m temporarily working for the padre, translating his online stores policy into a vaguer, flowery, more customer friendly format. Basically to fill it with enough fluff so that the customer doesn’t understand what the hell it’s saying. Worst part is my Dad wants to keep it direct, its several customers who feel “threatened” by the policy that want it changed. So my dad comes to me to make the meaning get lost? That’s a real confidence booster right there. Well at least I know what he thinks of journalists and writers.
Come to think of it I think if a legitimate novelist heard me use journalist in the same caliber as him I would be shot. But really journalists aren’t as bad as they seem. Bu 9 out of 10 journalists write utter crap but then there’s that one guy whose heavy use of metaphor and style just eclipses everything you ever thought you knew about journalistic style. He turns a simple and mediocre car review into what seems like an epic that could rival Homer’s great works. Well that’s just my rant for this week.
That infuriated me, by telling me to come in on the 21’st she signed a verbal contract with me stating that she would begin training me on said date. Instead after I go through the hassle of coming in for work, getting changed into my uniform and re stocking 2 tin’s of tea, only to receive a nice big “F you” from my boss. Screw that, if they don’t have the time to train me then I guess I don’t have the time to work there do I?
On the flip side I am being a little picky with what it is that I’m willing to do for a job. Ideally speaking I’d pick a Barnes & Noble, or maybe a Best Buy to work in. Somewhere where I could genuinely feel excited by the product im selling and use that to be enthusiastic towards making a sale. But most people would take any job they could get. Which puts me in a tough situation, not only does it make me look like a stuck-up prick for not taking a food-service industry job, it also leaves me without a job.
So now I’m temporarily working for the padre, translating his online stores policy into a vaguer, flowery, more customer friendly format. Basically to fill it with enough fluff so that the customer doesn’t understand what the hell it’s saying. Worst part is my Dad wants to keep it direct, its several customers who feel “threatened” by the policy that want it changed. So my dad comes to me to make the meaning get lost? That’s a real confidence booster right there. Well at least I know what he thinks of journalists and writers.
Come to think of it I think if a legitimate novelist heard me use journalist in the same caliber as him I would be shot. But really journalists aren’t as bad as they seem. Bu 9 out of 10 journalists write utter crap but then there’s that one guy whose heavy use of metaphor and style just eclipses everything you ever thought you knew about journalistic style. He turns a simple and mediocre car review into what seems like an epic that could rival Homer’s great works. Well that’s just my rant for this week.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
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