Michael’s Blog

I just saw the Halo 3 trailer.  I can’t say for sure, but it looks like they got more creative, or they got better writing.  Halo 1 and 2 in my opinion suffered from bad story telling.  I never knew what was going on for sure.  The balance between run and gun and story was non existent.

I guess I’ll be purchasing the next Microsoft system, the Xbox 360.  Paul has purchased enough of the gaming platforms, and I know I’ll be playing many of the games on the 360.  Games like Forza Motorsport 2, Splinter Cell, Project Gotham, and of course Halo.

My faith in Sony has gone down the drain with their latest version of Gran Turismo, called Gran Turismo 4, when in actuallity, it was more like 3.5.  Multiplayer took a huge hit in that game graphically and functionally.   Track logos and detail seemed to revert to GT2 quality, whereas, GT3 looked really good.  Fullscreen replays were a thing of the past aswell.  Splitscreen replays suck, as you can not follow the race winner only.  Its almost dizzying to try and focus on 2 cars at the same time.  The only way I could find around it was to direct each replay, setting the lead car to the rear cam.  It was less seizure enducing, but the graphic detail was so poor there wasn’t much point to watching the replay anyway.  On top of that, you couldn’t even save your crappy quality replays.  So if you and a friend had a down to the wire finish, you only get to enjoy it one time.  Yay…

Microsoft however is about to release its sequel to Forza Motorsport.  I don’t think its been more than 2 years.  Polyphony Digital released a short version of GT5, called Vision GT I believe.  Whooptidoo.  Their full version will be released in 2008.  Good for them.  It will probably be more like 2009 since they can’t meet deadlines, even when they recycle the models of the cars and sounds.

It looks like Sony and Polyphony will tank together if they don’t get their major titles out in a timely manner.  I hold no loyalty to either company, and if one of them makes a superior product, thats the one I’ll enjoy.

Just got back from the LA Autoshow this weekend and changing Scott’s exhaust system on his GSXR. That went REALLY well. We didn’t have any issues, and my halogen lamps worked like a charm. His bike is so loud now, I’d say definitely above 95 db at wot.

The autoshow was pretty fun. We went with some really good friends, in fact, with people who hadn’t met each other before. They seemed to get along pretty well, which I was happy for, because you never know how people will get along. Side not, get there early. It was easy sailing at 9:30 since most of the crowd was probably still making its way out of bed.

For the first time I got to sit in a Porsche Carerra. A $75,000 sportscar, in fact, one of the most highly acclaimed in the world next to its brother the 911 Turbo. I was very surprised they had this car open for people to sit in, as other supercar names were under exclusive lock and key. In fact, those in charge had to like you to let you in closer to the cars. So, as I waited in the line to sit in this icon, I imagined the high quality leathers and refined interiors. Finally, it was my turn to sit down, shut the door and touch everything inside. My first thought was, “hypocrites!”. The Carerra was filled with the same “cheap” plastics that “low class” supercars like the Corvette were filled with. What kind of a crock is this? $75,000 for plastic door panels and dash? 0-60 was 5.5, not even the performance was mind blowing. In fact, on paper, a $25,000 Mustang GT is faster in a straight line, and the interior is on the same level. Where do these Germans get off? BMW wasn’t any better, and neither was Mercedes. In fact, with BMW, to get something out of the ordinary (quality better than Chevrolet and Ford) one would have to reach into $75,000+ level with cars like the M class and the 7 series. Anything else was lathered with “leatherette” and plastics. How can it be called luxury, when I can’t even sit on a real dead animal?

The Carerra was definitely an eye opener, and it made me wonder, besides the exterior and the engines, was Ferrari and Lamborghini the same way? Has my deriair sat into supercar level comfort with the Recaros I get to sit in everyday? It sure feels like it. But nay, most of the Ferrari line is filled with Carbon Fiber accented interiors on the dash, floorboards and even the steering wheel. I don’t think I’d be left wanting in an F430.
Maserati had a little surprise at their display. The MC12 graced the show with its presence. What an amazing car to behold in person. It wasn’t easy to capture the right images of it either, as people swarmed the exhibit. Ropes seperated the money from the peasants, and I had to sneak around into the sacred grounds to capture some of the sweet tail on this car. “Baby’s got back” almost describes it. Its tail was wide and low. It had an integrated wing that drooped stylishly off the sides of the car, and the carbon fiber venturi tunnels seemed to bring the eye back to the duotone blue and pearl white paint. Nothing is better than Form meeting Function with such harmony. This is one car thats allowed to be an angry beauty.

As I made my way back, one of the people watching the area caught me out of the corner of their eye, and made their way over to the group of droolies called my friends. She began to talk about the other Maseratis, cars we weren’t interested in in the slightest. Then she got to the MC12. Its a 1.4 Million dollar car, she paused for effect. I leaned over to Aurelio and audibly said, “yes, but does it have cup holders”. She smiled and laughed to herself, then replied “if you were driving this car, you would need both hands on the steering wheel”. Even supercars need cupholders . The super rich have to drink coffee just like us regular folks, and where would they put it if they wanted to enjoy their cup ofjoe walking along the beach, or were in a rush to work and that was their last chance at a good cup of coffee?

This year, like last, was Big and Bland in the car world. Its definitely sobering when things are so boring. Although, it does make it easy for the bargain bin cars like the Evo, STi, Corvette and Concept Camaro to shine when compared to overpriced mediocre German lines.

Its finally Friday! I’ve been looking forward to today all week. Scott is coming over tonight and we’re changing his exhaust on his 2006 GSXR. Its probably going to sound pretty aggressive now. That little street legal race bike is going to scream.

I am a bit worried though. Exhaust parts have never been kind to me. They’re under such intense heat, and then cool down to whatever the temperature outside is. That continual change in temperature usually makes the bolts very difficult to remove.

Once we’re done with that I hope to wash the xB. The poor little guy is filthy thanks the the winds last week and the rain the week before.

After that, we’re off to the LA Autoshow early Saturday morning. Its something I look forward to every year. I’m hoping that if we get there early, I can sit in all the cars I like without some jerkoff thinking its his turn already. Some people are asshats. And those are the people I close the door on and sit touching stuff in the car for an extended amount of time. I adjust the seats, play with the steering wheel, push all the buttons, adjust the mirrors, adjust the seat again, play with the pedals. They love it.

I ate lunch with Bill today at Wahoos. It was pretty fun. I drove the girl who took my order nuts because I couldn’t remember what burrito I usually order. It was also the first time in a long time someone asked what was new in my life. Not that many people do, and it took me by surprise. I actually had to recount whats going on before I could respond.  Bill was also cool enough to drive.  I’m starting to resent having animals.  The wifey drags so much cat hair into our cars it drives me nuts how often I have to vacuum and detail the dash.

Ah well, that aside, I’m looking forward to this evening and tomorrow.

Ah, I love the new Charley and the Chocoloate Factory. Who would have thought they could make Willey Wonka any stranger.

Anyway, here again at work. I read some of Bill’s blog, and yes, it is REALLY odd that he IMs with perfect punctuation and grammar. In fact, it rubs off on me, and makes me want to respond properly aswell.

I’ve been driving the xboc more (the xB) lately. I feel less guilty rotting in traffic in the box than in the Evo. Plus, it has a handy dandy glove box that fits my 7″ DVD player. Playing movies when I’m stuck in rush hour really takes the edge off the stress. I don’t feel quite as zombi-like when I get home lately.

Last night Tara and I watched Biggest Loser. The first hour the trainers visited 2 highschools and helped some of the kids lose weight. They visited the school’s cafeteria, and all that was available to the kids was fried food and pizza. It was ridiculous. One of the facts they mentioned, was that for the first time ever, the life expectancy of parents was longer than that of their children due to obesity and obesity related illness. Crazy stuff.

I felt so bad watching those kids trying to run a mile under 9 minutes. I have such a sick sense of humor, that I laughed at them at the same time my eyes welled up with tears. In highschool I took my physical health for granted. I could run a mile under 6 minutes no sweat, and I could eat as much food as I wanted without gaining a pound, and these kids were running around in little fat suits that were their bodies. One of the cafeteria ladies laughingly responded “we have to make money” when asked about donuts being offered as a breakfast. I wanted to smash her head into the hot tater tots and ask her how funny she thinks that is. The trainer had to hold his tongue, but I could tell he reacted the same way I did.

Well well well, my first blog entry ever, and I’m doing it at work.  Haha.

I’ve wanted to keep one of these since I was 20.  It never happened. So I thought I’ll definitely start one when I’m 25.  Now that I’m 26… I’m finally writing this thing.

A little about me.  I was born September 23rd, 1980, in the city of Orange CA.  I was born 2 weeks early, and I was a little guy.  5 lbs, 10 ounces, but I ate like there was no tomorrow.  At 8 months I was running and walking.  None of that crawling business for me.

I had a normal childhood.  Nothing supremely bad happened to me.

Now that I’m all grown up, I’m easily enamored by any type of 4 wheeled machine, especially those of the exotic variety.

I’ve found that I have nitro methane in my veins, and the sound of a tuned import, V8, V10, or V12 turns my head faster than any naked super model flaunting herself down the street.  In fact, if both were to happen down the same road at the same time, I’d courteously ask the women to step aside so I could admire the true beauty behind her.

Being 26, I can’t exactly afford a Ferrari F430 as my daily driver, or even the more practical Corvette Z06 for that matter.  And I’d have to say, I’d take the Z06 over the Ferrari any day, and take the extra 70k to the bank along with any other Ferrari’s pink slip that wanted to flex its muscle.  Except for the Enzo of course.  In 2005 my wife and I bought ourselves a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.  Being a fan of the underdog, I liked the understated demeanor of this car.  By all means, a 2.0L 4 door All Wheel Drive sedan should never strike fear in the heart of any high dollar sports car owner, but I think the Evo with its buldging fender flares, snooty humungo wing, and ferocious front facia says a little more than a Toyota Camry.

It may be a 2.0L, but its a Turbocharged 2.0L that puts out 276 horspower, and 289 lb.ft. of torque.  Thats almost 150 horsepower per liter.  Talk about effecient use of materials.  The 2.0L propels the car to 60 in 4.8 seconds.  Thats .1 faster than the new GT500 with 500 horsepower, and I can seat 5 comfortably.  The Ferrari F430 and standard Corvette do 0-60 in about 4.0 flat, but the Corvette is almost 20 grand more, and the Ferrari is $130k more.  Do I enjoy the bang for the buck, lets me think.

Its been a fun car to own, and I’ve gotten some interesting comments from people on it.   One friend got out of the car swearing to the heavens that its quicker than a Porsche Carerra.  And considering a recent comparison test to the new Porsche Cayman, a $60,000 machine faster than the Carrera in some tests, I’d say he was onto something.

Top Gear and Fifth Gear have also found some love for the ugly Evolution.  At one point they put a 400 horsepower variation called the FQ400 up against a Lamborghini Murcialago and the little 4 door kept up quite well.  In fact, its performance numbers for a 400 horsepower car are astounding.  0-60 in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 175.  That kind of power is Carerra GT, Ferrari Enzo and Pagani Zonda territory, at a fraction of the price with a 3 year warranty.

Evo ownership does come at a cost though.  Tires will run you $1000 easily.  And if you drive the car like you stole it, you’ll be paying Mr. Yokohama at least once a year.  People are drawn to the mystique of the car aswell, and not always with good intentions.

My car has been scratched, pelted with dirt and spit on on different occasions.  Too many people want to see what the cars got, and not in the most legal places either.  I like do like the misjudgement made by some people. They see the huge wing and clear tail lights and assume its just like any other Honda out there.  The Evos not appearce on US soil in 2003 has contributed to that benefit.  Some people I’ve met have never seen one before.

Many younger inexperienced drivers have gotten behind the wheel of this car, their rich parents assuming its a cheap $30,000 car.  By all means, its 4 doors with All Wheel Drive, it must be safe!  Many evos have been wrecked street racing.  The lack of respect for the power and privilege to drive on California roads period, is saddening.

I have yet to race an BMW M3, Audi S4 or Subaru WRX STi.  These cars are right up the Evo’s alley.  And at a $20,000 difference to the M3 I’ll be happy to keep up, or better yet win.

I think I’ll end it here for today.  Ha, my first blog and all I did was talk about cars, go figure huh?  That’ll learn ya.