Total Devastation.

Canal Street in downtown New Orleans is flooded out while people stranded on their rooftops due to the massive flooding are being rescued by Coast Guard and military helicopters as looters begin to raid stores for essential and non-essential items.

This is a total devastation of New Orleans.

This is our Tsunami.

The images from the Tsunami seemed horrific yet so foreign and distant to me because it happened literally half a world away. Now these images coming out of New Orleans are eerily familar. The roof of the SuperDome damaged as thousands are using the facility as the modern version of Noah's Ark, the French Quarter in ruins, most of New Orleans under water, reports of many, many bodies floating in the flood waters, millions are now homeless, flood water are rising instead of receding. As a former Tulane undergraduate, these images and stories hits home hard.

I survived Andrew, and while the devastation to Miami was horrific, we weren't below sea level and didn't experience floods. Katrina has dealt a devastating blow to New Orleans. I'm wondering if Tulane will reopen this semester or ever? If I will be able to ride the Trolley on St. Charles once again? See Tulane play in the SuperDome? Have a Hurricane at Pat O'Briens? Mardi Gras? Take a stroll at RiverWalk? Eat cajun food and have gumbo? Will New Orleans survive and can it ever be the same again? I hope so.

Often life passes me by and rarely do I stop to appreciate the simple things. Like having a/c, having a home to come back to from work, functioning street lights. I thought Katrina hit us unexpectly hard here in Miami, but she spared us for what she dealt to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region.

Hurricane Katrina makes landfall.

Katrina just made landfall at 7:10AM as a Category 4 Hurricane with 155MPH winds.

Katrina's Eye passing over my house

The fountain in my lake is going sideways. I just lost my DirecTV signal, I hope the dish is still there. My garage door is vibrating violently, I hope it doesn't get ripped off. I'm hearing loud bangs all around. Water is coming through my front door. This is not good.

Tropical Storm Katrina is coming!

Google Talk

The next big thing from Google is out... Google Talk. IM/Voice Chat. Goodbye MSN Messenger, AIM and Skype. Hello Google Talk.

Beyond Words...

These photographs are beyond words.

2003 Honda S2000 owned by Spankee.

Professional Photography by aqb.

Personal Space Invader Alert!

Don't you hate it when your 2 feet personal space is invaded? I am.

Today I went to Quizos to grab lunch and the guy behind got so close behind me that I felt him breathing on me. I moved over to the side as he closed in, hoping against hope that he would realize that hes too close. But no, as I opened up a small gap, he quickly closed it. By the time I paid and left, I almost turned around to yell out "Hey man back the fuck off!"

New Episode of Crash

Last night, when my fiancee, Maria and I left a local S2000 meet, we headed home. When I got back to my house, Maria called and told me that she had a flat and she was pulling over at the Shell in a local mall So I jumped back into my S2000 and went over there.

When I got there, I went to park and a guy in a black MKIV VW Jetta backed up into Maria's passenger side front door. He also narrowly missed hitting Maria by inches. In fact, at first I thought that he had ran her over. So anyways the damage to the car is slight, a dented and scraped up door. The scrapes can probably be buffed out, the dent isn't bad but too big for dent wizard so we'll decide if its worth fixing or not when we sell the car next year for her new car. The other driver is some kid with bloodshot eyes and the stink of Budweiser on him.

Immediately after I confirmed Maria was OK, I took a picture of the kid's license plate with my phone in case he decided to run. At first the kid said he had insurance, then when asked for his information, he didn't have insurance, then he did have insurance again, then he didn't, he did, didn't, he flip-flopped and bs'ed us more than Bush-Kerry during the election. At that point, I said fine I'm calling the police. Then he offered $200 to settle, claimed to be an agent with Progressive Insurance and said that the damage is no more than $200. He started going into previous damage to the car, that it was an old car, etc. I said no, previous damage and the car's age has no bearing... I want $500 (on the high side but within reason - I thought it to be a fair offer to settle). He replied are you serious? $500? I replied nah I'm not serious, I'm just joking. I mean do you see me laughing or joking because I'm not. Then he went up to $300. No, $500. Then $400, no $500 take it or I'm calling the cops. He said no you're playing me Miami-style, so I dailed 911 and he goes fine I'll go get the money. As he left to go the cash from the ATM across the street, I reminded him that he have his information and I have pictures of the accident and his tag and should he leave, its a hit and run and I will press charges and makes sure he goes to jail. I didn't want to go with the guy since I noticed that he had a gun inside his car.

So the kid comes back 15 minutes later. Maria thought that he left. I was about to call the cops on him and he shows up. He said that hes broke and only has $300. I said nope $500 was the deal, find another $200 in cash now or I'm calling the cops. He went back to his car and "found" another $150. He pleaded with me over $450. Finally, even though I knew he was bs'ing us, we said fine give us the $450 and we're call it a day. So he gives us a bundle of $20 bills and a $10. I count it... $350. Maria counts it... $350. Dude you're short, f*ck you, I'm done playing around, I'm calling the cops. I call the police and while talking to the dispatcher, hes pleading with me... $400. I told him no its $450 as we agreed and if you try to f*ck me one more time, it'll be back to $500. Finally he gave up the $450, and I'm counting the money with the cop on the phone. 20-40-60-80-100. 20-40-60-80-200. 20-40-60-80-300. 20-40-60-80-400. 20-20-10. 450.

Then the kid left, but he kept driving around the Shell station several times. Knowing that he was drunk and had a gun, we were afraid that he might come back and try something. I quickly changed Maria's tire to her spare and we went home.

The end of another award-winning car accident story. Stay tuned for the next episode of Crash narrated by yours truly coming to a computer screen near you hopefully not too soon.

Ms. Sheehan Enough is Enough

"George Bush killed my son!" proclaims Cindy Sheehan. Hmmm I thought her son, Casey, was killed by terrorists in Iraq not our President. But wait... oh... I understand now. Sheehan blames Bush for the death of her son, not the terrorists that are really responsible for her son's death. In her mind, she thinks that because her son freely volunteered to be in the military and that his unit was called to serve in Iraq to fight for Iraq's independence from a sadistic leader, to protect our own freedoms and way of life and continue the fight in the war on terror that it is somehow Bush's fault that her son was killed by terrorists. I'm surprised that she doesn't blame the recruiter who recruited her son or the transport pilot who flew her son to Iraq. They must share some of the blame too. Hey maybe his third grade Math teacher should be blamed too.

So while Cindy Sheehan is demanding an one-on-one meeting with President Bush, one that she will probably never receive, she is making a fool out of herself, disgracing the memory of her son and all those who have died and demoralizing our already demoralized military. Sheehan calls herself a Catholic and often quotes passages from the Bible to make her points, yet I am embrarassed to refer to her as my fellow Catholic. She is nothing more than one of those religious nutjobs in Pinellas County months ago protesting the feeding tube removal and eventual death of Terry Schiavo.

Cindy Sheehan needs to shut up, pack her shit up and go home.

Problems with my AEM V2 Intake

The allure of AEM's V2 Intake System is incredible. It features proven power gains, that roaring sound and its relatively inexpensive, definitely cheaper than most other air intake systems for the S2000. The Comptech is $400, a Spoon snorkel and filter costs $800, Mugen is around $1400, J's Racing is $1150, GruppeM (M's in Japan) is $1800 and the ASM intake in all its carbon fiber glory is... I hope you're seating down... $3000! The AEM V2 only costs $250 in comparison. I once thought yeah an intake is an intake and $250 for one that delivers proven gains and roars is an awesome deal. The disadvantage is of course the small risk of hydrolocking but from what AEM told me, as long as I avoid heavily flooded areas and submerging the filter, which I should anyways, I'm fine. As a precaution, I plugged my rain channel drain hole just in cause too. Wow the AEM V2 is a great intake!

Sure... until I almost hydrolocked... twice. Last year, around this exact same time, in my full post Tour de France bandwagon mode, I was looking at some road bikes to get back in the sport again. While going to different Trek dealers, it started raining. Then as soon as it started, it stopped. The sun came out and all was right with the world again until I stepped on it. At 4000 RPMs, it was like I hit a brick wall. My S2000 suddenly lost power, the revs went from 4000 to less than 500 RPMs in an instant. It almost shut off. I turned pale thinking hydrolock hydrolock hydrolock. The next day, I removed my AEM V2 intake filter and it was pretty moist. I let it sit in the sun to dry for some hours. Reinstalled it and took it for a test drive and saw 9000 RPMs with no problems. Whew!

For the past year, I've been considering different intake options - Mugen, J's Racing or M's. For the past year, I would check the Weather Channel before deciding if it was safe to drive the S2000 today. Any hint of rain, forget it. Being in Miami where it rains almost all summer long, I've barely driven my S2000. I was paying for something that I rarely enjoyed but OK, better safe than sorry.

Then last Sunday came. Weather was clear, the forecast looked good, its safe! By 8PM, we were at a friend's house celebrating her birthday and it started pouring rain. Pouring so bad that the rain went horizontal and when that happens people, its bad, very very bad. Eventually the rain let up, so I left. Driving home in the rain, I avoided the flooded areas. I got home safe and sound.

Tonight I was planning to go to my Youth Group then an S2000 Meet. Of course, you can't go to an S2000 Meet without the S2000. So I took it out. When the temperature reached 3 bars, I stepped on it. 4000 - 5000 - 5500 - lost power - 500 RPMs. Ah shit not again! Made an U-turn, headed home. Took off the filter and yes it was still moist, even after 4 days. The AEM V2 piping was a little humid on the inside. Everything else looked OK, its idling fine, oil looks good. Tomorrow I'm replacing the filter with a new one. No later than at the end of this year, I will replace and throw away my AEM V2 for a real intake.

When I ordered my AEM V2, I called AEM to ask them about the hydrolock issue. The AEM representative stated that it is not a concern unless you drive through a heavily flooded area and completely submerge the filter. Bullshit. Regular light rain can result in problems, which it did for me, twice.

The AEM V2 Intake is cheap piece of shit. I regret buying it; I should have purchased a real intake from the start. Any of the aforementioned above would have done and done much better. Hell, I'll even take a PRM intake right now. So if you are considering the AEM V2, Injen or some cheap replica cold air intake for your S2000 or whatever car, believe me, don't do it. Either stay with your OEM intake or buy a real one. Just say NO to AEM!

Update...

There was water in my intake pipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mind you I never drove through any flooded areas or submerged my filter in water as AEM said I needed to in order to get water into my intake or hydrolock.

I brought a new K&N filter and before I installed it, I stuck a towel inside the intake pipe to check. I took it out and it was soaking wet. I was absolutely shocked. I ended up taking off the lower intake arm and poured out 1/4 of a cup of water.

Afterwards I reinstalled everything, I took off the spark plug cover and spark plugs, no sign of water so I think/hope I didn't get water up into the engine. It started fine, idled fine, drove at low RPMs fine, VTECed all the way to 9000 RPMs fine. I'm almost due for an oil change, so tomorrow I'm going to take it to the dealer and have them recheck everything in case my mechanically challenged ass missed something.

Update 2...

I had the tech at Rick Case Honda double check everything and do a complete diagnostic and all is well. Looks like I dodged another bullet by AEM. However I don't think I'll be as lucky a third time. This damn AEM V2 is coming off as soon as my new intake comes and I cannot wait. I'm even considering reinstalling my stock intake for the time being if I can figure out what screws and bolts are missing.

Damn $28 in Gas!

Kahlua is famous!

Kahlua, our beautiful little Chihuahua, made the local news!

I not understand.

So my fiancee told me about this new promo that Bellsouth is offering their DSL/Boardband customers a new lower price. Only catch is that you have to call and request it, its not something automatic.

So anyways, I call and go through their ignoring menu press 1 for this and 2 for that. Finally I get through to a human being and guess what? His name is "Bob" and he sounded like he was from the Middle East. I didn't know that Bellsouth has joined Dell, Microsoft and the rest of the evil companies who have moved their call centers to India or Pakistan. But OK fine, I ask "Bob" about these new DSL fees and that I wanted them applied to my account. Unfortunately all "Bob" could say in his Middle Eastern accent was "Please repeat slow again."

"WHAT ARE THE NEW DSL FEES"

"Please repeat slow I not understand."

"THE NEW DSL FEES"

"Please repeat slow I not understand."

"DSL FEES"

"Please repeat slow I not understand."

"DSL"

"Oh ah yes DSL. We have DSL."

"No shit Bob." click

A New Level of Ownage

First, lets create a thread about posting photos of your girlfriend or boyfriend.

Second, some random guy named GI- posts a picture of his girlfriend's ass.

Then the truth is discovered. Ownage #1.

After denials by GI-, he is owned again through some photographic analysis. Ownage #2.

Then, the ultimate ownage by the model herself. Ownage #3.

Finally, hes being tagged as the "Forum Liar" and this story is spreading through the internet like wild fire. Ownage #4.

The Island

We've heard much about cloning in recent years/months/weeks/days. It only a matter of time when a human will be successfully cloned amidst heated moral and ethical debates. Does a clone have a soul? Is it morally and ethically right to clone a human person? What will be a human clone's purpose? Some have suggested to improve and expand the life of the original person, in other words, the clone will act as a spare parts toolbox for the original. Arm severed in an accident? No problem, chop off an arm from the clone and reattach it on you. Need a new liver from drinking too much? No problem, take the good liver from the clone and put it in you. Diagnosed with leukemia and need a bone marrow transplant? No problem, the clone has plenty of bone marrow. This spare parts toolbox concept is what The Island tackles.

Its 2019, and the Earth has been contaminated. The survivors live in this seemingly utopian but carefully controlled society. All the residents dress the same, are given what to eat, work boring jobs, exercise, sleep, leading their otherwise mediocre life in a contained facility. They all dream of one thing. Being picked in a lottery system to go to The Island, the last uncontaminated place in the planet. In reality there is no contamination, the survivors are clones used as a spare parts toolbox for their original counterparts in the real world at a cost of $5 million, the utopian facility is a prison and going to The Island means that your original human couterpart needs a kidney or two.

Ewan McGregor's character, Lincoln Six-Echo soon discovers the truth through his need to ask questions - human curiosity. Jordan Two-Delta, played by Scarlett Johansson, is picked to go to The Island but in reality her original is a supermodel who is involved in a serious car accident and needs multiple organ transplants. Lincoln makes it his mission to save Jordan from The Island and both escape into the real world.

In classic Michael Bay style, the action gets intense from here. Lincoln and Jordan are hunted and chased down. Car chases, hovering motorcycle chase, they fell from a highrise building, they are chased on foot, bullets flying, bombs exploding, good stuff.

The cast is expecially strong, highlighted by Steve Buscemi's weird funniness and Michael Clarke Duncan's brief but vitally important role.

The Island is a great movie dealing with a very relevant topic supported by a strong cast, explosive action and a good plot. I give it a 8/10.