the ulitmate commuter car

So I've been considering getting a cheaper car to commute with. My original motivation was to get an ugly ass hybriad as they are allowed in the HOV Lanes, in addition to not spending >$100/week on petrol. However, HOV access for hybrids is only going to be allowed for only another year. I love my motorcycle, but city riding is frikken suicidal. I don't think a day passes where I don't have some type of close call. Unfortunately I'm not a(nother) bald wanker that is able to ride his mountain bike to work. (yeah I am jealous).

But I do like the idea of an electric car. Sometime around 1998 or 1999 I got to test drive a GN EV1. It was quiet of course (the motor is only on when you drive), and the acceleration and handling was awesome. Problem is, it only had about a 100 mile range. That totally sucked.

Finally, someone is coming out with a new car that will be tasty. In a CNN article which I read while waiting for someone to get a system back online, I discovered a company called Tesla Motors (not to be confused with the physicist or the big hair band.

The Roadster will be able to drive about 250 miles on a single three-hour charge, drive up to 135 miles per hour and accelerate from zero to 60 in four seconds! Tasty!!

Here's the major downside. It will cost between $85,000 and $120,000. And where would one go to have it worked on? Can't really just drive it up to Radio Shack and have some pimply nerd work on it. Oh well... to quote the prophetess Kim...

"It's good to want things."

new tv thoughts

The ultra nice flat tv that's pictured below the Texas Longhorn is unfortunately not coming with the new house. this sucks.

Currently, my largest flat panel tv is a 35 inch lcd. I plan on doing a projector in the basement, but meanwhile i need something for living room. i'd like to get something that is 42-50 inches (prefer 50), 1080p, and has 4000+ contrast. Unfortunately i have no idea what that might be.

any thoughts?

Beer Necessities

This weekend was the 10th Annual Old Dominion Beer Festival, which was held in the metropolis of Ashburn.

While lucky enough to miss the crap weather, I managed to enjoy multiple beers from multiple vendors. Some were good, some were crap.

Hefeweizen seems to be a new trend in the US with most of the breweries presenting some version. Unfortunately I didn't taste a single one that tasted anything like the Hefe's I've had in Germany.

Legend Brewing out of Fredericksburg VA has a Brown Ale that was bold, nutty and full of flavour - with no bitterness in the aftertaste. It became my hands down favourite. So if you get a chance to drink some - I highly recommend it. Look out Newkie Brown.

Bong Manor

So it's official. August 1st I'll be moving into Bong Manor. This place rocks. hugeass kitchen, awesome deck, prewired for audio everywhere, and all sorts of fun. It is also on the 9th hole of a very nice golf course.

Shame I hate golfing. Maybe I can tan naked on my deck and scare the golfers with my Canadian Windmill(TM).

A slideshow was also done by the real estate people.

Learning the ropes

Day two: Some arena in Portsmouth, Va.

So a few months back, I officially cured my fear of heights. How? I completed my Ropes Rescue Technician Level III class. Ropes III is the highest level of rope rescue training you can get in Canada and US in the fire service. It was damned fun.

Cheesy notice at my fire station's website is here

Best part of the class was when we built a horizontal and vertal rope system that went off a 150foot platform. We needed the first human load (i.e. victim) to go over the side and ride the system. One of my classmates said...

"Let's send the Canadian, they're expendable."
















This is me! (you can tell by my Special Needs helmet).

This is still me.

And this is what caused the (un)expected need to change my undies.