Monday, February 25, 2008

Caution Wet Floor


In case you didn't notice... showers make the floor wet.
I caught this picture in the locker room of the pool. I found it amusing that it was necessary to inform people that the floor might be wet in the vicinity of the showers.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Picking Apart and Putting Together R35 GT-R


Today I had the opportunity to poke around at bit at two R35 Nissan GT-Rs. As far as I am aware they are the first two GT-Rs in consumer hands in the United States, they are JDM models that were shipped over from Japan. While the JDM models are interesting. There might be more changes in store for the US market (Nissan wants to make sure the car is ridiculously fast). Even still the Japanese get DOT glass and headlights. It looks like Nissan saved money on parts by making things to US standards from the get go.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Automotive Forums R34 GT-R at Time Attack


Woo I was on tv... The piece aired on Redline TV which runs on the Speed Channel. The footage is over two years old.

This was also the event where I managed to brand my face with a brake rotor. Lesson learned... do not lean in too close when adjusting tie rod ends immediately after the car gets off the racetrack...

Sunday, February 17, 2008

I Love Cookie Monster


A friend sent me a link to an NPR interview with Cookie Monster. It was a cute video to watch. I have quite a bit of Cookie Monster related merchandise. I earned the nickname Cookie Monster in high school and he was always my favorite Sesame Street Character. I also call my blue BMW 335i the turbo Cookie Monster because the blue color reminds me of CM's blue fur.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Valentine's Gift


My mom sent me a silly Valentine's Day gift. It is a fuzzy pink winged dragon thingy. I am a sucker for adorable stuffed animals so I find it to be a very cute present. When the left foot is squeezed the wings flap about as fast as a humming bird, it hums a little tune and blows kisses. Since I brought my USC Fight Song playing Traveler horse (another gift from the mom) to work in order to bug my UCLA graduate cubicle mate the dragon thing has taken its place atop my television.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Need More Time


Between working, swimming, gymnastics, eating, writing and sleeping time is hard to come by. I particularly need to cut out some of the time spent sleeping, rearrange my swimming schedule slightly and spend more time on the work thing. I figure if I start waking up super early and hit up morning practice I can get more time in the pool and also spend more time at work which would show great commitment on my part. Maybe then I will need to bring a pillow to work to take naps during lunch time as well... My supervisor spends about 14 hours at work every weekday. It is hard to match his level of commitment. I think it is just my competitive nature to try.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Leaving the Gym


This is one corner of the gym where I spend my Tuesday and Thursday nights each week. I snapped a quick pic when we all cleared out to close up for the night. This place is the training ground for some AMAZING gymnasts. So much extension and artistry it is very inspiring. Two junior elites on the National Team call this place home. However, one is now old enough for senior eligibility and thus is in potential running for the 2008 Olympic team. Rumor is that she impressed the national directors during a recent training camp. I hope she can put together a fantastic year and really give it a shot.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Fuel Cell Equinox


The picture above features a Chevrolet Fuel Cell Equinox. The vehicle is part of GM's Project Driveway program. 100 fuel cell Equinoxes get to be tested by the hands of general consumers. The vehicle recipients are in varying parts of the United States, but at least have access to hydrogen fueling stations.

The fuel cell vehicles are interesting. The powertrain has significantly less moving parts than a traditional ICE powered vehicle. However, of course that means trades offs to more exotic materials and newly developing technology. I love improving emerging technology though. That is why I do what I do... I hope this Equinox will teach me some new things too.

Monday, February 4, 2008

7lbs of Cake


Thank you Costco for the 7lb chocolate cake. I was told by the person that bought this that they got me a present that weighted 7lbs, it was liked by everyone and it was secured in the backseat of the car with the seatbelt. I thought it was something like a puppy. No, it was a big ass chocolate cake. Thanks!

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Swim Practice

I have spent about 19 years of my life swimming competitively. Although there have been a couple significant periods of time where I only hit the pool to stay fit (or more like recover from surgery). Even when I didn't take the time to race others, I was still competing with myself so I believe it still falls in the competitive swimming category. Anyway I hardly have any digital evidence of all my swimming efforts. I have a few videos of swimming from age group through college. However, it is all on VHS. I have put some on DVD now, but I digress. I particularly lack any underwater swimming shots though. That is the good looking stuff too. I really can't say that I know all that much about what I look like swimming underwater. At USC I did some underwater stroke analysis, but I don't have copies of any of the footage. That is why I was excited today when fellow masters swimmer Lauren was taking shots at practice. I asked her to send me photos so I had something for the memories. The images below are what she captured.





Next time she is going to try and capture some video for me. I really need to get a lot of underwater breaststroke footage... just for my own analysis benefit.