BMW R75/5

BMW R75/5
Originally uploaded by treough.

I like BMW motorcycles because they're quiet, reliable and there's no chain to adjust.



This one was parked across the street. On the side of the engine it says R75/5. It is much older than I'm used to seeing.

We Have Moved!

We Have Moved!
Originally uploaded by treough.

After 12 years living on 6th Avenue we have taken the plunge and bought an apartment on 8th Avenue. It's a beautiful original 1914 Arts and Crafts style building. We're having fun learning how people lived before WW1.



The unpacking has begun, but for the moment I'm just resting here and thinking how lucky we are.

Haight Ashbury

A friendly young Australian bloke bought my speakers and amp at todays sale, but needed help moving them to his apartment on Haight and Cole. There was plenty to watch while I waited for him to unload the stereo.

Moving Sale

Take a look at my moving mess at the old place.

The new place is coming along slowly. Our work never ends. Movers did all the heavy lifting, but now we have to put everything away, reassemble furniture, run cables, and wait for utility companies to show.

Moving Experience

Moving Experience
Originally uploaded by treough.

Today a big yellow truck came and took away almost everything we own. We used "One Big Truck- One Big Man". We've used this moving company before, and they're now 2 for 2. I recommend them. The two young students did a great job, and no attitude.



Because we're moving to a smaller apartment we have things to sell.

This weekend we'll sell or give away what we didn't take with us. Some things are already on the sidewalk waiting for new owners. Other items will go on Craigslist, and I'll post the link here.

Trash Day

Trash Day
Originally uploaded by treough.

What a mess! Our neighbours moved out over the weekend, dumping their accumulated trash in the alley, and immediately leaving town...

Civilian Gun Trucks of Iraq

These are the vehicles used by the rent-a-soldiers of Iraq. Like Mad Max to the power of 10.
More photos at Flickr.


Thanks anti-factory
Categories:Cars

Temperature at Work

Temperature at Work
Originally uploaded by treough.

It was 104 deg (according to the thermometer in the Mini) when I got to work in Fremont at 4pm today.

Almost 200 people didn't come to work because of the heat. It gets very hot in the factory, and there's no air conditioning.

What's Captcha?

From Gizmodo:"You've probably seen website sign-up forms with a graphic of some crazy-looking twisted alphanumeric characters that you're asked to type into a form. That's to ensure that an actual human being has to do the signing up. It's called text Captcha (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart)."

www.captcha.net

NORBA

Rocky sent me this photo from last weeks Cougar Mountain Classic. He was shooting the event for Cycling News and his photos are featured on their website.

Categories:Sports

Moving Four Blocks

On Friday Lani picked up the keys to our new place! The movers will be here on Thursday so we have a few days to prepare for the move.

Today, like the rest of the week, has been unusually hot for SF, so it wasn't a good day to start packing. We'll start tomorrow. And then I have Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday off work to pack.

Autoblog Green at Tesla Event

Tesla = Lotus Elise + Electric Motor

You can clearly see the Tesla's Lotus Elise origins in these images from Autoblog. That's not a bad thing, and credit must go to Lotus for developing this car. And mention must be made of the many Lotus engineers now working for Tesla.

I only wish the car was assembled in San Carlos so that I could apply for a job.

Categories:Cars

NY Motorised Taxi Cabs 100 Years Old

If you're in NY from September to December 2007, you'll notice many of the taxis sporting colourful artwork.

The Garden in Transit Project starts this September with NY school children painting on decals that will later be applied to the cabs.

Thanks Gothamist

Tesla Motors

Tesla Motors is a 2003 start-up electric car maker in San Carlos, south of San Francisco. They will unveil their electric roadster at an invitation only event Wednesday evening. Pictures will be available on their website Thursday 20th.



From the Tesla website:

• 2-seater roadster configuration
• Soft-top standard, optional hard top
• Tesla-designed 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor, rated at 248hp, max torque at 0 rpm; redline at 13,500 rpm
• Costs about a penny per mile to drive, assuming a time-of-use meter and off-peak charging (about 2 pennies per mile otherwise)
• Zero emissions

Google's Sergey Brin and Larry Page have invested in the company, so money is not a problem for Tesla. But money might be a problem for anyone wanting to buy the car: It's rumored to be priced in the Porsche-Ferrari range.

Thanks Josh
Categories:Cars

Ferrari 250 California Spyder Update

The 2953cc 60˚ V12 engine from the Ferrari 250 California Spyder overheated and seized! After consulting with a chemist, the insides of the engine were given a chemical bath. With luck, and heat from the sun this will free up the pistons.





June 26th, 2007

Thanks to an anonomous tip, and to the help of members of FerrariChat forum, I have concluded that this is not a real Ferrari 250 California Spyder, but a reproduction using various Farrari and non-Ferrari parts.



Categories:
Cars

Marin County Deputy Sheriffs

The deputy in charge told me that Sunday had been a slow day, so he'd taken some junior deputies for impromptu training. The deputy has a pistol , but for the exercise he makes a gun with his hands. We both couldn't help smiling. It felt like 'cops and robbers'.

Bicycles on Sears Pt. Race Track

Here's a chance to improve your driving skills on the 2.52 mile Sears Point road circuit: On Saturday the 15th, join the Children's Charities Road Ride on Infineon Raceway between 1 PM - 2 PM. Examine the track surface/camber/apex/turn-in/braking points, at a leisurely pace.
There will also be all kinds of mountain bike competition going on in the hills around the road circuit. More info here. The complete schedule is here.

Che's Food Bowl

These are my favourite food bowls for Che and Jawa. I first saw them at Wishbone (7th and Irving) 5 years ago for $20 each, then found them a few weeks later at Target for $5.

As part of National Pet Month, APNY has their Top Ten list of pet bowls here.

Pratt and Whitney Radial

This is the larger of the two air-boats that fly out of Richardson Bay. You've probably seen it flying over the city, or moored by the bike-path between Sausalito and Mill Valley.

This day, the engine cover was off for maintenance. The Pratt and Whitney air cooled radial engine looks like a massive Harley Davidson V-twin engine that 'goes all the way around'.

Crash

Arnold Odermatt, retired Swiss Police photographer, had a long career documenting car accidents (and very serious handgun practice).

More images here.

Thanks We-Make-Money-Not-Art
Categories:Cars Art

Luna light and Air Door

When I was in Venice, many years ago, my hotel room had security window blinds that adjusted to provide light and ventilation in the same way as these doors. So it's no surprise that an Italian company came up with this design.

Thanks Apartment Therapy NY

Loo With a View

Architectural artist Monica Bonvicini created this public toilet using walls of one-way mirrored glass.

A spokesman for the artist talking to the BBC News said:
"It will arouse curiosity because people can come and just use it, although there is a question of whether people will feel comfortable doing so. They may be wary of desecrating a work of art or may be uneasy that because they can see out, other people can see in."

The user has an experience that is new and challenging. That's modern art!

Thanks Jon
Categories:Art

Aeroplanes

These photos by Jeffrey Milstein freeze the 'planes in flight so we can take our time examining them.

08/01/16 Update:  Visit the Jeffrey Milstein page at Artsy.net for Milstein's bio and over 40 of his works. 

Thanks Manny Mota, Matt D
Categories:Art

Do Not Call List for Cell Phones in California

Since my home phone number has been on the national Do Not Call list I've only received unsolicited calls from charities, my bank and credit card company.
But very soon telemarketers will be able to cold-call us at our mobile phones.
David Hurlburof the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9410 sent out this warning today:
"8 days from today, all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National Do Not Call list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years."

Categories:Consumer

Ivy IV

Landscapers have been using drip feed for years to irrigate plants while conserving water. So it was just a matter of time until someone used an IV to feed house plants.

Thanks Josh Spear

Categories:Design

MG Rover Not Dead?

Autoblog is reporting (via UK mag. AutoCar) that car production will resume at Longbridge.

Their guess is that the car will be the MG TF mid-engined roadster.

From AutoCar:

"Chinese firm Nanjing Automotive has confirmed that it is to go ahead with car production at the former MG Rover factory in Longbridge, which closed last year with the loss of around 6000 jobs.

"Nanjing, which has a 33-year lease on part of the Longbridge site, will also build cars in China. The firm is believed to be keen to keep Longbridge because of the paint shop there - an expensive facility which is difficult to move."

DOE Historical Nuclear Weapons Test Films

The Dept. of Energy is selling declassified nuclear test videos made between 1945 and 1976. The full length films are about 30 minutes on VHS for $10 plus shipping and handling.

Thanks platform8 and we-make-money-not-art

Categories:Movies

The Cayman Islands

Rocky and Aileen are back from two weeks vacation in the Cayman Islands This is the view from their hotel room.