München, Germany

Three trains and two hours of sleep and it was 5:30am when we pulled into the station. Munich was already awake to welcome weary travelers. I could not check into my hotel until 11:00am so I walked around the station looking for a place that had WiFi. I tried a Starbuck’s and after a hot chocolate, a chocolate muffin and three hours of trying to decipher a German set of instructions on how to get an hour of free surfing, I gave up and went over to Burger King where I was able to get some kind of internet even though it surfed at the speed of a Slowski. It was 10:00am and I walked to my hotel praying they would let me check in early. I know they have WiFi; I made sure of it before I booked the room! I get to the hotel and check in and find… that the WiFi access point on my floor doesn’t work! In fact, the only way that I was going to get internet is to hang out in the lobby with the nice lady at the front desk.

I wanted to crash and sleep for a few hours at this point. But, knowing that I only had a couple of days to see Munich, I decided to walk up to Olympiapark where Munich hosted the 1972 Olympics. It was nice to see the park still alive with people and that all of the facilities were still being used. I thought about Rachael’s task of creating a facility for the 2012 Olympics in London that would still serve a purpose long after the games were over.

Um, ridiculous. Close to Olympiapark was the BMW dealership and museum. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like this. People were coming in to test drive or pick up their new BMW. I watched cars being taken up elevators and being driven down the ramp. Restaurants, bars, kids jumping into the seat of any BMW they could open the doors to; it was amazing.

Munich is considered the “Beer Drinking Capital of the World”.  So, later that night, I decided to join a little tour that took you through various beer halls. At each hall, we got to sample a different beer that was recommended by the tour guide. I got into a friendly competition with a couple of guys from Australia that we would only order beers by the liter or “leedah” as they would call it. For those following along at home, that is almost 3 beers (34 oz). At some point during the night, I wanted to prove that my camera was indeed water proof. I took the above picture with my camera inside of my mug. Fortunately, it still worked this morning.

I got a little lost on my way back to the hotel. I knew how to get there from the train station so I attempted to ask someone if they could point me in the right direction. I found a guy who was speeding towards me and asked “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” to which he replied in perfect English, “I do not speak German”. I thought, “Fantastic!”. “Can you point me in the direction of the train station?”. His reply was “I’m sorry but I can’t help.” as he continued to speed by me. I don’t know if he thought I was trying to mug him or if he had a fear of Germans. Needless to say, I found a German guy who helped me get back to the hotel.

[Via http://racheandanthony.com]

Vanguard Performance Titanium Exhaust System BMW E9X M3

Vanguard Performance Titanium Exhaust System For BMW E9X M3

Vanguard’s BMW E9X M3 Titanium Exhaust system is a proven performer, made from high grade titanium alloy for maximum performance and weight savings. A fully bolt-on system, specifically designed and manufactured for the latest BMW M3 high performance vehicles, unleashing the potential of M Power’s potent S65 V8 powerplant. Its twin canister design provides both a deep rumble as well as an aggressive high-rpm tone without drone or excessive idling noise.

• Aircraft grade titanium alloy for Ultra-lightweight performance (19 lbs vs 55 lbs stock system)
• Dyno-proven gains, 15+ HP, 5+ lb/ft TQ at the wheels on Mustang MD-500 (*)
• Twin-canister design for maximum flow and aggressive tone without droning
• Complete bolt on system including titanium connecting pipes, no cutting or other modifications necessary
• Fully adjustable tips for perfect fitment on Coupe (E92) Sedan (E90) and Convertible (E93) M3 models

[Via http://blog.pyspeed.com]

Moses Lake continues not-so-secret project

Officials in Grant County continue to work behind the scenes on what they’re calling “Project Chinook,” which is the not-so-secret effort to lure a plant that would build car parts for BMW.

According to a recent television report from Spokane, officials of SGL Group still haven’t decided between locating the plant near Moses Lake, or at an undisclosed location in Canada. KXLY-TV reported, however, that a decision is “weeks away.”

The plant — which would cost $200 million to build and employ 200 people — would produce carbon fiber car parts for BMW.

Washington is a global leader in composites research and manufacturing, in large part because Boeing pioneered the use of composite materials in aircraft with the 787. Washington has research centers at the University of Washington and worker-training centers at both Edmonds and Everett community colleges. And last year, Italian automaker Lamborghini created an advanced composites lab with UW in Seattle to study ways to use composites in the auto industry.

Become a fan of IAM 751 on Facebook.

[Via http://iam751.wordpress.com]

Track Days

Well this could be a interesting way to start this Randoms Blog, i am in the process of finding a track day car, this will be following in the shoes of my Brother who has been showing his talents in a BMW 325 at York Airfield. I am personally looking also for a BMW as all i have heard is raving reviews but i am open to suggestions if any of you have recommendations and videos just to make your argument more juicey

[Via http://xtremeplayer.wordpress.com]

Extraordinary Mistakes - Mario Wagner and Thomas Stüssi

March 20th to April 17th 2010
opening reception Friday March 19th – 6 – 10 pm

The janinebeangallery presents mixed media of the German native artist Mario Wagner, based on magazines of the 50ies and 70ies. The other half of the group show features objects and installations of the Swiss artist Thomas Stüssi.

[Via http://janinebeangallery.wordpress.com]

Work Hard for the Money

Wifey left me…  she’s out on the road pushing her product; I put her ass to work! It ain’t what it sounds like though you bastards…

She’s up north selling her jewelry to tourists who I’m sure will wonder, is that girl native, asian, hispanic or something we’ve never heard of. She keeps em guessing, and loves every minute of it.

Lemme think here, what do I really want once she gets the cash flowing… a new X-box, another new pair of Air-Forces, a BMW 335i.. sigh, the possibilities are endless. Eh, actually to be honest, I would be perfectly happy if she just paid a bill or two. I can dream can’t I?

[Via http://jcastro8188.wordpress.com]

Avatare masini

[Via http://download4full.wordpress.com]

Top 20 Blogs of 2010

The Blogosphere is still going strong, with lots of interesting information and inside scoops coming from all corners of the world every day. With the iPad release just around the corner, the Apple Insider and iPad blogs are more popular than ever.
For art lovers there is the increasingly popular BibliOdyssey and the less known Flickr blog for photo lovers.

Environmental blogs are of course a must this year, with Solar Power Forum and Eco Geek paving the way before the much awaited Chevrolet Volt. Of course, other car manufacturers have hybrids and electric cars coming out this year too, according to rumors from the auto blogs of Audi Rumors, Mercedes Rumors, and BMW Rumors.
There are plenty of rumors on other technology fronts too, such as with Chinese Clones of everything from iPhone to iPad, even though Chinese tablets have been released before the iPad.

Major events this year one can follow through blogs are of course the FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP and
EUROVISION 2010. Not to mention the continued popularity of the Twilight Saga on blogs such as Breaking Dawn, Bella Cullen, Eclipse, Edward Cullen, and Werewolf Jacob.
Oh and I hear Perez Hilton is still a popular blog.

[Via http://nothuffington.wordpress.com]

2010 BMW Z4 GT3

BMW Motorsport announced the GT3 version of the Z4 sportscar. The car will make its debut in 2010 and will compete in international and national championships in accordance with GT3 regulations, such as the FIA GT3 European Championship, International GT Open and the ADAC GT Masters.

The BMW Z4 GT3 is powered by a 4-liter, eight-cylinder engine equipped with a 408 ECU and a Power400 control unit. The engine delivers a total of 480 bhp and is mated to a sequential, six-speed gearbox.

Sales will begin in the second quarter of 2010 at an estimated price of 298,000 Euro.

[Via http://autowheel.wordpress.com]

New Hotspot: Hanging out with Mom & Dad

Indy & fresh-pressed Demon Bunny with his winter tires

Chilling with Mom & Dad, (undisclosed location in North Jersey),

Busy weekend so far, keeping up with Mom and Dad. Yesterday Mom and I embarked on her goal to walk the entire length of Fifth Avenue; we started at 60th and walked down to 30th, with a quick pit stop at Connolly’s, on 47th between 5th and Madison (three other locations as well, http://www.connollyspubandrestaurant.com/dev/), and at Dylan’s Candy Bar, on 60th and 3rd (http://www.dylanscandybar.com/). We always go to Connolly’s on St. Patrick’s Day amidst the revelers (Brian at 13 years old: “Mom, there were guys peeing in the sink!”). We had the lobster clam chowder, a creamy, addictive interpretation that brings to mind a fine tomato basil soup, and the smoked salmon potato pancakes, which piled the salmon generously on some deep fried heaps of mashed potato. Delicious. We couldn’t resist braving the throngs of preschoolers to fight for some green M&M’s at Dylan’s after dinner.

Today, Dad and I took on the filthy Demon Bunny and brought it back to life; we clayed the car, then he polished and I followed with Black Magic wax. Six man-hours of labor later, DB was restored to its former glory, and we discussed strategic modifications to keep DB in top shape for the upcoming autocross season without bumping ourselves into the next, more competitive class.

Meanwhile, Mom and Indy took on the recipe for vegan Mac N Cheese that Kate send me earlier in the week; an inventive take on the traditional dish that successfully re-creates the unholy yellow tinge of Kraft’s classic, vegan Mac combines vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, and turmeric with a box of macaroni with mixed results. We plan to re-attempt the recipe in the near future, with the addition of avocado, for creaminess that might better mimic cheese, garlic, for taste, and peas, to break up the monotony of fluorescent noodles.

I tried to give Indy a bath earlier in the day, but his scabs from surgery are still a little too fresh. He is off the hook for now, and is currently out cold at my feet, from all the excitement of the day. In about a half hour, I will be in the same boat; whoever said Boomers were starting to slow down was clearly mistaken.

[Via http://loqiii.wordpress.com]

love breathing

three word wednesday: frail, sacred, amaze
photo:  gasitech, flickr

we’re in love….
with the blue expanse above
with the 2-door sexy fire engine red convertible bmw my friend just took me for a ride 
with the frail freedom we so freely embrace
with the birth of unborn love
with the cost of never letting go
with the having won a hard fought battle that cost everything
with the perfectly run half-marathon under two hours
with the lifelong secret sacred dream coming true
with the first flower of spring’s approach yellow crocus blooming

amaze! we’re in love

[Via http://pieceofpie.wordpress.com]

Now here's something slightly different

Coming from us, anyway, since big, heavy, six-figure executive saloons are usually pretty far from our collective consciousness. C/D recently roadtested a Quattroporte, 7-Series, and Panamera, ranking them in that order from last to first.

This one’s subjective (we see this going any one of three ways for folks, depending on one’s objectives), but for us it’s a no-brainer: we’d take the “Four-door.”

In this rarified class, for this amount of money, it’d be hard (for us) to choose a car that doesn’t elicit passion, and the Quattroporte, with its Ferrari-derived engine and sculpted Italian sheetmetal, offers up pasione in spades (we’re sure at least one aging rock musician would agree). In contrast, the big, anonymous 7er may as well be DOA, and as tidily as the Panamera purportedly drives, we just can’t get over its looks.

Of course, we get that our priorities aren’t necessarily someone else’s, so in this class, we can see how less enthusiast-minded individuals might go for the big BM, and how someone else (who perhaps places more emphasis on engineering and quantifiables) might go for the Porker.

Our unsolicited alternative in this class would be…? A used Audi D3 S8, arguably our top choice of the bunch.

Images: Car and Driver; Jan Baedeker

[Via http://bulgogibrothers.wordpress.com]

GO GREEN! FIRST EVER PLUG-IN HYBRID PORSCHE = REDICULOUS.

Hailing from the grandeur of the 2010 Volkswagen Preview x Geneva Auto Show, this is without a doubt the dopest concept car of the “go green” age. Porsche plans to set the bar for hybrid sports cars unveiling the 918 spider, a 500hp beast that gets 78 mpg and 16 miles on one plug-in charge.

Read more @ TreeHugger

Looking a bit like a Carrera GT evolved, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors (one for each axle) producing an additional 218 horsepower or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 62 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and nip 198 mph on the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 78 miles per gallon and emit just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

[Via http://trapanati.wordpress.com]