Where Have You Been?

Someone once asked me what happened to my blog writing... okay, so it wasn't really "someone", it was my Dad. And it wasn't really nondescript time like "once", it was specifically yesterday. Back to the point.

My Dad asked me yesterday what happened to my blog, and why hadn't I updated it in a while. The answer is simple. I use Twitter (Tw) and Facebook (Fb) a lot now, so I haven't felt the urge to wax poetically via this jolly medium.

Since I'm pretty much just talking to my Dad now, I can take a moment and explain what Twitter and Facebook are. They are two forms of a relatively new internet thing called social media sites. They're like online fan clubs for anyone. Anyone. Including you. To that affect, I just created you your very own Twitter account, and your Twitter name is "alfanutjay" or "jaynuxoll". I made two because I wasn't sure which one you'd want. I'll send you the passwords and login information via email.

So basically, you log into www.twitter.com and start saying stuff - anything - in 140 character sound bites. Anyone that wants to can "follow" you and thus hear your sound bites. I am "joeracer" on Twitter, and you're already following me with your two accounts. :-) You're welcome. I send updates via my phone - wherever in the world I am, and everyone that's following me (lots of geeks) hears about it instantly.

As for Facebook... That's a slightly different animal. Think of it as a way to stalk your ex-girlfriends from PRESCHOOL. Yes, everyone on the planet is on it, and you can find them. And they can find you. People post pictures, updates, stories about their vacations, videos of kittens falling asleep... you name it. In fact, Rule 38 would apply, but Fb is limited to non-pornographic content. I linked my Tw and Fb accounts, so I just post to Tw and it shows up in Fb for all my ex-girlfriends from PRESCHOOL to see. Believe me, they're watching. And waiting. And hanging on to every single last word I type.

At least in my dreams.

Ta ta for now, Dad!

- Joe

Working Conditions

I have my laptop in an ice tray because it's so freakin' hot today.
The kitties are also taking advantage of the tray.

- Joe

(sent from my i3GS)

Shooting Mt Rainier

We're up on top of Crystal Mt Resort for dinner.

Soft Top

This is somewhat old news now (1 1/2 weeks), but I installed a soft top on the Lotus and it is now 427 clicks more awesome. I love this car even more now. It takes about 2 minutes (tops) to install or remove the soft top, and it stows in the trunk very easily in a bag like a camping chair.

I spent today (my birthday) cruising and checkin stuff out. It was great! I looked at motocross bike trailers, test rode an Aprilia Scooter, then test drove a VW Touareg V6 TDI. I also spent a good deal of time chatting with the folks over at Silicon Valley Auto Group about doing a race instruction series for their supercar buyers.

Later I had dinner at the Quinn's and recorded another podcast episode. Life is good - even though I'm an old bastard now.

- Joe

(sent from my iTelephone)

Daytona Prototypes at Laguna Seca

I put a set of photos up on flickr from the Monterey Festival of Speed at Laguna Seca Raceway this weekend. The Rolex Daytona Prototype race was 2h 45m long in the BLAZING sun. I am totally sunburned, but it was fun watching the VERY FAST line through these corners that I drive so often. My best time at Laguna was a 1:41 in a Radical SR3 (after only 2 sessions); the Lotus gets a 1:45; and these guys qualified with a 1:19. Geesh.

- Joe