Ernesto fizzled out!

Thank God!

Ernesto is starting...

The skies have darkened, rain has started and winds have picked up.

Long Line at BP

The Calm before Ernesto

Megatron is Less Than Meets the Eye

I was disappointed when I learned Bumblebee will be a Camaro, I was shocked when the flaming pinocchio Optimus Prime photo was leaked but now, now this is becoming offensive.

This is Bay's version of Megatron...






WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS PILE OF SHIT?!?!

While I understand the need to modernize and even support that need, this is too much. As a kid, this is the Megatron I grew up with...



I knew Megatron. I played with Megatron. This is not Megatron. This is the bastard son of the Predator and Guyver. Sure it looks evil, bad ass and scary maybe too scary for little kids but it isn't Megatron. It has zero resemblance to Megs, it doesn't even transform into a pistol but an alien jet and it is missing the trademark cannon on the right arm!

Bay is slowly destroying the Transformers and it is still months away from July 4, 2007. Michael Bay, you fucking suck.

RIP Megatron.

 Technorati Tags: Transformers, Megatron

God Speed Pluto, you meant the world to us

The International Astronomical Union decided yesterday to strip Pluto of its planetary status and demoted it to a dwarf planet. I wonder how he feels... I mean, he's furthest from the sun, he's small, cold, dark, very lonely and now he's being shunned. Poor little guy.

Now our galaxy, the Milky Way, has 8 planets officially.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.

 Technorati Tags: Pluto

Transformers Robots Confirmed and More Leaked Photos

Yahoo! hosted a live webcast with Transformers writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman and they announced the official names and descriptions of the robots.

Autobots:
Optimus Prime
Bumblebee
Jazz
Ratchet
Ironhide

Decepticons:
Megatron
Starscream
Brawl
Bonecrusher
Barricade
Skorponok
Frenzy
Blackout

Here are some more leaked photos...

Bumblebee -



Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Megatron concept art -



Close-ups of Optimus Prime -





I still hate the flames but Optimus in robot mode isn't too bad.

 Technorati Tags: Transformers, Yahoo Webcast

E90/E92 2007/2008 BMW M3 Pricing?

Internet rumors are that BMW North America has released pricing details for the next generation M3 to its dealers.

Major Standard Equipment

- 4.0L V8 307kW 420Nm (bi-VANOS 3rd gen.) engine
- Adaptive Xenon Headlights
- Carbon Fiber Roof
- SMG III 7-Speed transmission with DRIVELOGIC
- 18" M Double Spoke Alloy Wheel
- 18x8F/18x9R with P235/45ZR18 Front, P265/40ZR18 Rear Performance tires

Invoice $49,117 Base Price USA Port of Entry $53,975

Vehicle Options List

- Metallic paint $475
- Nappa leather $1,450
- Carbon fiber trim $300
- Aluminum trim NC
- Comfort Access $500
- M Multifunction Seats with Active Width Adjustment $1,900
- Front Heated Seats $500 / ZCW
- Power Rear Sunshade $350
- Head-Up Display $1,000
- Navigation System w/I-Drive $2,100
- Power Rear Sunshade $350
- Rear Park Distance Control $350
- 19" M Double Spoke alloy wheel $1,750
- 19x8.5F/19x9.5R with P235/40ZR19 Front, P265/35ZR19 Rear Performance tires.
- Logic 7 sound system $1,200
- SIRIUS Satellite Radio $595
- High Definition Radio $500
- Premium Package (ZPP) $3,100
- Cold Weather Package (ZCW) $750
- 6-speed manual transmission NC
- Rear Spoiler Deletion NC

While there are doubters of this price point as it borders on the "too good to be true" category, if it is in fact true pricing from BMW North America, then the E90/E92 M3 will be a bargain. It is only 5% higher than the outgoing E46 generation and priced significantly less than its closest competitors, the Audi RS4 and upcoming Nissan GT-R, which both base in the $60K range.

I'll take mine in Laguna Seca Blue with SMG III and 19" BBS LM's please.

 Technorati Tags: E90/E92 2007/2008 BMW M3

New R56 2007 Mini Cooper S

Some highlights on the all new R56 2007 Mini Cooper S...

- Exterior and interior designs are evolutionary, rather than revolutionary. As the old saying goes, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."
- 4-cylinder 1.6 litre turbocharged engine producing 175HP.
- 40.9MPG!
- Slightly longer by 4 inches and visibly wider.
- More agressive design.

The new Cooper S looks as good as its predecessor with more power and better gas mileage. The only item that I don't like is its ENORMOUS speedometer.

Photo Source: mini2.com

 Technorati Tags: R56 2007 Mini Cooper S

Honda Dealer wrecks S2000

The next day, 8/Aug/2006, before I had spoken with anyone at Russell and Smith, I got a phone call stating that the technician had lost control of my car and wrecked it, while test driving it. Obviously, the first question was "WHAT WAS HE TEST DRIVING IT FOR!?!"

This is yet another example of how the S2000 is a great car but Honda dealers don't have a clue about how to support it or its owners. The $35K S2000 is not a $17K Civic and S2000 owners are not Civic owners.

I always believed that most Honda dealers in the US are ill equipped to support the S2000 and its owners. They are used to dealing with Civic and Accord owners, who care less and demand less. Many S2000 owners are car enthusiasts.

Sometimes I wished that the S2000 was sold under the Acura brand in the US.

Link: Honda Dealer wrecks S2000

 Technorati Tags: S2000, Dealer Accident

World Trade Center Review

My wife and I went to see World Trade Center last night. Going in, I had mixed feelings about the movie. On one hand, I thought that it is too soon and inappropriate for a movie about 9/11 too be released just only 5 years after. I also wasn't sure if Stone would attempt to inject politics and his views into the movie or not. On the other hand, the reviews have been good and I read that what was portrayed in the movie was very true to real life events, down to the detail.

I wasn't disappointed. Stone never injected politics into the movie. Bin Laden, al Queda, Muslim extremists were never mentioned. It was more of a documentary with good acting. It was sad and uplifting at the same time. You're happy that Jimeno and McLoughlin survived but sad over the devastation of that day. In the end, I'm glad I saw it.

 Technorati Tags: World Trade Center, 9/11

Bigfoot Sighting on my350z.com

Link: my350z.com

 Technorati Tags: Bigfoot

Two Divorce Letters

Divorce Letter #1

So your man cheated on you and you're thinking divorce. How do you tell him? Well lets take out a huge ad billboard in the middle of the city!



Ouch.

Divorce Letter #2

Dear Connie,

I know the counselor said we shouldn't contact each other during our "cooling off" period, but I couldn't wait anymore. The day you left, I swore I'd never talk to you again. But that was just the wounded little boy in me talking. Still, I never wanted to be the first one to make contact.

In my fantasies, it was always you who would come crawling back to me. I guess my pride needed that. But now I see that my pride has cost me a lot of things. I'm tired of pretending I don't miss you. I don't care about looking bad anymore. I don't care who makes the first move as long as one of us does.

Maybe it's time we let our hearts speak as loudly as ours hurt. And this is what my heart says "There's no one like you, Connie." I look for you in
the eyes and breasts of every woman I see, but they're not you. They're not even close. Two weeks ago, I met this girl at Flamingos and brought her
home with me. I don't say this to hurt you, but just to illustrate the depth of my desperation.

She was young, maybe 19, with one of those perfect bodies that only youth and maybe a childhood spent ice skating can give you. I mean, just a perfect body. Tits like you wouldn't believe and an ass that just wouldn't quit. Every man's dream, right? But as I sat on the couch being blown by this stunner, I thought, look at the stuff we've made important in our lives. It's all so superficial.

What does a perfect body mean? Does it make her better in bed? Well, in this case, yes, but you see what I'm getting at. Does it make her a better person? Does she have a better heart than my moderately attractive Connie? I doubt it. And I'm never really thought of that before.

I don't know, maybe I'm just growing up a little. Later, after I'm tossed her about a half a pint of throat yogurt, I found myself thinking, "Why do I feel so drained and empty?" It wasn't just her flawless technique or her slutty, shameless hunger, but something else. Some nagging feeling ofloss. Why did it feel so incomplete? And then it hit me. It didn't feel the same because you weren't there to watch. Do you know what I mean? Nothing feels the same without you. Jesus, Connie, I'm just going crazy without you. And everything I do just reminds me of you.

Do you remember Carol, that single mom we met at the Holiday Inn lounge last year? Well, she dropped by last week with a pan of lasagna. She said she figured I wasn't eating right without a woman around. I didn't know what she meant till later, but that's not the real story.

Anyway, we had a few glasses of wine and the next thing you know, we're banging away in our old bedroom. And this tart's a total monster in the sack. She's giving me everything, you know, like a real woman does when she's not hung up about her weight or her career and whether the kids can hear us. And all of a sudden, she spots that tilting mirror on your grandmother's old vanity. So she puts it on the floor and we straddle it, right, so we can watch ourselves. And it's totally hot, but it makes me sad, too. Cause I can't help thinking, "Why didn't Connie ever put the mirror on the floor? We've had this old vanity for what, 14 years, and we never used it as a sex toy."

Saturday, your sister drops by with my copy of the restraining order. I mean, Vicky's just a kid and all, but she's got a pretty good head on her shoulders and she's been a real friend to me during this painful time. She's given me lots of good advice about you and about women in general.

She's pulling for us to get back together, Connie, she really is. So we're doing Jell-O shots in a hot bubble bath and talking about happier times. Here's this teenage girl with the same DNA as you and all I can do is think of how much she looked like you when you were 18. And that just about makes me cry.

And then it turns out Vicky's really into the whole anal thing, that gets me to thinking about how many times I pressured you about trying it and how that probably fuelled some of the bitterness between us. But do you see how even then, when I'm thrusting inside your baby sister's cinnamon ring, all I can do is think of you. It's true, Connie. In your heart you must know it . Don't you think we could start over? Just wipe out all the grievances away and start fresh? I think we can.

If you feel the same please, please, please let me know.

Otherwise, can you let me know where the fucking remote is.

Love, Dan

This is an instant classic. Poor Connie will need professional psychological counseling for years to come.

 Technorati Tags: Divorce

Button P1 Hungarian GP

Jenson Button and Lucky Strike Honda F1 has finally done it - first victory in its third generation!!

It was a great race at a wet Hungaroring, with Button starting from 14th after a ten grid position engine change penalty and quickly charging up the field to eventually first place.

I have to admit, I had my doubts at Honda F1. Testing looked great and they started the season strong, however it soon collapsed. Honda went from a front runner to a rolling chicane, the RA106 was slow, Button himself stated he didn't think they could win. I thought it was over. I was wrong, very wrong. Since the German GP, Honda F1 has made an incredible, miraculous resurgence.

Hopefully now with the monkey off their backs, we will continue to see Button and Honda F1 win some more, and maybe one day a championship.

 Technorati Tags: Honda F1, Jenson Button

Miami Vice Review

This remake of Miami Vice from the old school TV series in the 1980's to the movie theater version in 2006, has been highly anticipated since the beginning of this year. As a kid, I loved the TV show and Miami Vice was party responsible for the rebirth of Miami and South Beach. Fast forward to 2006, much has changed in Miami. Miami is modern, luxurious and culturally rich. It has a Casablanca allure that attracts celebrities, such as Will Smith and Anna Kournikova, to call Miami home and people around the world who dream of visiting one day. Like how Miami has modernized itself over the past two decades, so has the show that made Miami famous. Out is the Ferrari Testarossa, brick cell phones, and pastel-colored clothes. In is the Ferrari F430, Nokia cell phones, Hugo Boss wardrobe, Sama sunglasses and IWC watches.

On the surface Miami Vice 06 has little in common with Miami Vice 80's, with the exception of being filmed in Miami, the names of the characters and Sonny still drives a bad ass exotic car. Replacing Don Johnson as Sonny Crockett is Colin Farrell and sliding into Philip Michael Thomas' character of Ricardo Tubbs is Jamie Foxx. At the director's chair is Michael Mann, famous for Heat and Collateral, two of my favorite movies of all time. Despite the departure from the original, the new Miami Vice carries the spirit of the original through its style and coolness and in the end, it works perfectly.

The movie starts off a little slow in the first hour, setting up the back story for later and in my opinion, spent a little too much time of the Sonny/Isabella love story. However once the second hour hits, Michael Mann takes you on a thrill ride and never lets you take a breathe until the credits roll. The storyline, acting and action sequences are very real and believable, thanks to Mann's obsession with realism. I've read that Mann hired actual Miami-Dade Country Police Officers to train Farrell and Foxx and be consultants during the filming.

I was disappointed that some scenes from the previous trailers are missing from the movie, such as the powerboat race and the Ferrari F430 driving down Biscayne Blvd. Hopefully these missing scenes will be included in the DVD version. With the running time at almost two and a half hours, its understandable why some scenes had to be cut.

Overall, Miami Vice is one of the better movies that I've seen so far in 2006.

 Technorati Tags: Miami Vice

Optimus Prime from Transformers Movie leaked

Well the good news is that he isn't a fire truck as first rumored. The bad news is Optimus grew a flaming long nose and looks nothing like the big red truck we all liked as we were kids growing up in the 1980's.



Sigh. Its official... the Transformers movie will bomb and Optimus Prime isn't Optimus Prime unless he looks like Optimus Prime. Its like Superman without the cape, Batman without the gadgets and Spider-Man without his spider sense. Maybe there would be some salvaging of hope if this hacked version vaguely resembled the real Optimus but it doesn't and doesn't even make an attempt at trying.

 Technorati Tags: Transformer Movie, Optimus Prime

Fidel Castro

Looks like the end is finally near for Fidel and there is light at the end of a very long road back to a free and democratic Cuba.

My father, if still alive, would have loved this news. I hope now that I be able to meet my family in Cuba one day soon.

News Link: MSNBC

 Technorati Tags: Fidel Castro, Cuba