Retro - New

2010 Camaro Vs. Dodge Challenger

The 2005 success of the retro cool Ford Mustang has infused a new trend that is blossoming about for US automakers. As an aficionado of all things retro, most notable is the Chevy Camaro and the Dodge Challenger. These vehicles have their obvious muscle car bloodlines from yesteryear with their nostalgic lines.

They are unquestionably great looking but they couldn't come at a worse time. With cash flow being at an all time low and per gallon gas prices chasing the minimum wage, are these cars practical?

The answer is a resounding "hell no" but you don't let your practical side make all the judgements anyways.. Do you? If you want practical, you would be driving a Toyota Corolla that will still be around for your first born to drive.

What's more awesome than driving around a mean modernized American classic that is powered by a huge engine to make it fast, gobbles gas, and grumbles more than Bale's Batman?

"Do I frighten you? ... Is it my scar?"

"It's your car."

Batman - Dark Knight

What is there to say. If you haven't seen this movie (at least twice), I don't know what to do with you. When you eventually buy your ticket from the teenager behind the movie counter, ask her to be kind enough to include your nuts back - as you will be the last person in the world to see this film. The only excuse is if you are waiting to see the film in IMAX format since the tickets were limited. Although if your first viewing of the film is in IMAX, I personally think it's too potent for you to comprehend (like trying to get high from your first hit).

For all the comic book based films that have grossly disappointed your expectations. All will be made good again. The Dark Knight restores faith in every respect. It's not just a good superhero flick, its a great stand alone film in general.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

There is a new burger joint in town (California at least) and its called.. Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

The consensus is that In & Out makes a great burger. It has been the gold standard for a typical burger run but recently off of the suggestion of a friend, I stumbled into a Five Guys in Carson (the only location in all of California).

The menu was rather simple.. but it took me a while to order. Building my own burger was a bit mind boggling as I was used to the prefabricated recipes sold in so many burger chains. I wanted to say yes to every single topping as I have this unexplainable greedy nature when it comes to food (I have a love hate relationship with buffets ..but that's a story to be told another time).

Upon receiving my burger, I would rate the presentation as a 2/5. Truth be told this is not a good looking burger. The reason being is that the patties don't seem perfectly processed to be thin squares/circles and the bun had the hand print of the burger artist due to having to smash and condense the burger down to a manageable shape. Basically all the tell tale signs of a home made burger.

It took me all of 1.5 minutes to finish. The burger was great. The mushrooms that i added to the burger were plentiful. The burger had the right consistency. The bun was soft to the touch and almost dough like (making it susceptible to hand prints). The fries were thick with the skin on. The place definitely hit the spot.

I can't crown this place as better than In & Out but it is definitely an equal. There is something about In & Out .. maybe since we've had so much history, it's hard to brush it away so quickly. It will take a few more visits to Five Guys to crown it as a favorite.. until now I suggest you check it out for yourself.

** Note: I ended up eating at Five Guys 2 times in the same weekend after the first visit.

No Substitutes

The Blackberry Bold is advertised this way:

"Be Bold. Accept No Substitutes. Power the passions you pursue with a smartphone that....."

First off, nothing in this world can be advertised with the connection of having "no substitutes" other than a Porsche. It's a mathematical proof that in life, everything can be taken out of its place to fill another with the one exception, with that being, the ultimate automobile none other than the Porsche.



With that said, this Blackberry is one fine looking phone. It is the latest evolution of the "Crackberry." It's capabilities have me thinking of getting one. Emails (personal and work) at a touch of a button... The newly slim figure with keypad.

I will substitute this phone however, with money in my pocket beside my un-smartphone. With cell phone companies charging what they do for service for Blackberrys ($100/mo.) and smartphones, in 1 year, I could afford a whole months payment of a 911 Porsche Carrera ($80K).

Coldplay Revelation

The serious thinking is done essentially on the drive to/from work. Having had all the quirks worked out early on, the drive is basically autopilot. I have strategically worked out a route to work, where I can take the minimal amount of lane changes on the highway. I will ride on the ass of a big rig for minutes before I realize that I need to switch from autopilot to manual override mode and actually switch lanes – I seldom like to do this. Call it lazy, or call it a science..Regardless it allows for the best time for reflection and thought.

This morning, I popped in the new Coldplay cd – Viva La Vida. After a few tracks, a revelation came to me. Aside from a few random phrases here and there, I could not decipher what Chris Martin was singing about. Having owned two other Coldplay cds, I was stricken with the notion that I don't think I know or understand any of their past or present songs. This was a little unnerving. I deduced that Chris Martin's lyrics and singing are registered in my mind as a just a melodic mush. An agreeable mush albeit. I find myself merely waiting for the words that I can decipher to come up again during the song so that I could find some connection. Until the curiosity overtakes me to look into the lyrics, I will continue to appreciate arguably the largest band in the world's music on the level of a baby mouse.. or infant at best. With that I will reserve my review on the album.

It's not bad..worth checking out.

A Man and his Automobile

There is a sacred bond between a man and his automobile.

From childhood we added the sound affects to our matchbox cars with our “vrooms.” Later we tried to dress up our first beater car and find someway to personalize the hand me down. The next phase in the man (and his car) relationship comes after the first legitimate job.

A man in his twenties with his first job really should still be driving his highschool/college beater to save money for the grandest of investments – a house. This would be the smart play, but genetically it’s not possible. You see between now and marriage, essentially a guy can buy a completely impractical car. He has no need for a backseat, he has no children. There is no wife to tell nag him about what a financial mistake he’s making. It only needs to make sense to him alone.

Wide-eyed with a few extra bucks after rent, the scope is limitless (within reason).

A fan of European cars myself, I have to say recently I have been eyeing the Mustang. The retro-futuristic design is very appealing. Drawing design cues from yesteryear. The 60s Mustangs are head turners till this day. That means if you were an original owner of a 60s Mustang, you’ve had a badass ride for 40 years.

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 ladies and gents. I had this dream where I pick up my son in this vehicle (ahem light years from now – knock on wood). With the v8 still grumbling I motion for my son to get in… his buddies now behind the chain-link fence looking on with a sparkle in their eye with a mutter.. “wow ____’s dad has a cool car.”

Celtic's Dream Team

Going into the office this morning, a cloud of disappointment filled the air. The NBA regular season is over, the Boston Celtics were victorious. The Lakers in Game 6, and the whole series for that matter got trounced. I couldn’t help but watch the whole game, with the lead painfully growing with the Celtics coronation building. I guess what struck me was how the Lakers lost. Listless… without even a sense of urgency.

Say what you will, I thought in the Finals with no one stepping up for the Lakers, I would get to see Kobe Bryant ala 2005/2006 with his 35 ppg. If the Gasol passes weren’t working he should have taken care of business the old fashion way. He’s not on the MJ level … yet.

Regardless.. a season without the San Antonio Spurs or Detroit Pistons in the finals is a win in itself. The NBA is getting interesting. Thanks David Stern.