Finally found my neighborhood garage band. Wanted so bad to stop and thank them for not sucking. But the neighbor right behind me was stalking them. So I didnt stop.

Greece - the sequel. Opens Friday.

Honestly, I've been bummed since Sunday night when I found out about the whole EU "rescue".

One, I don't even like Gyros that much.

Two, I was responsible and didn't fuck up any of these economies. And, frankly feel pretty resentful I have to pay for every else's retardedness.

Three, oh yeah?!... California is about to drop into the ocean. We don't have the money to lend to any other countries. Duh. On Friday the Tardinator is going to release the revised budget - because you know... our tax revenue was down 25-30% for April.

No biggie though. The Tardinator just says "grab all those cities redevelopment funds" to close the budget gap. The cities respond "the fuck you, I say. I'm not doing that".

Oakland Ca, is a mere 5 weeks from claiming bankruptcy. Unless of course they can come up with a full 10% of the city budget all gansta style and make a payment due on July 1. Here.

Update - my bad. They have a year. Nothing to see here.

What does it all matter anyway. The feds will make money if we roll over. They now own credit default swaps in California. Here. Awkwarrrrd.

Certainly California won't announce like Rhode Island did that they aren't sending out any refunds until new money comes into the coffers. Would they?

Listening to a meeting where they keep talking about leakage. And as infantile as I am....it makes me laugh internally each time.

It all started with a duck. Continued.

Over the past year or so - I've come down with almost a complete obsession with kitchy old diners. It isn't that I have a thing for history. I'm more rushing towards the future type of gal. It is just an experience you can't really describe.



I'm pretty sure it started when I went to Sacramento. They still have a bunch of these old Americana style diners. And not the ones "trying" to be Americana. Real, I'm rushing towards suicide slowly through jamming my arteries full of crap, style diners. These places have virtually scrubbed clean in the Bay Area. Replaced by strip malls that look virtually the same in every city. In the outskirts however, you can still find a few.

So, when we thought we were going to a car show on Saturday we figured we would pre scout out a breakfast place. Which is usually our routine. I don't eat breakfast at all during the week. So, on the weekends breakfast is a must. The place we decided on took us about 30 minutes out of the way. It was an old "divey?" roadside diner from the description. They didn't even have regular bathrooms. They had porto potties. Thank gawd for the warning from yelp. That way I didn't have to break my ban on porto potties.

Thankfully when we arrived, it wasn't divey. Just built as a roadside diner. And will probably be shut down by some people with disabilities lawsuit. Like the Squeeze Inn.

All of a sudden the car show was a "maybe". We'd gotten out so late. There was some traffic slowdown on the Martinez bridge that added a half hour to the trip. We didn't get to the restaurant until almost 2. They stopped serving breakfast at 1. Which was a bummer.

Then we decided to just hang out in the town and try to get some High Dynamic Range photos. But, while we'd remember to bring the tripod - I'd forgotten the camera platform. So that was out too.

It was still a nice day. Just more effort full than it needed to be.

A place in time.

Honestly - I rebranded this photo. It didn't come out how I imagined it in my head. Still, sometimes I grow to like them later. Not for the reasons I thought I would.

Perhaps I love that we completely stumbled on this place by accident. It was this old moody cemetery. This headstone was one of the oldest of the bunch made of wood from the 1800's. The rocks on the top a sign someone was still stopping by. Or possibly had been undisturbed.

The place right in the middle of a pretty upscale neighborhood, yet totally unkempt looking.

Maybe I like it because it didn't turn out like the perfect photo I imagined. And maybe that's enough.

It all started with a duck.

Today has just been one of those days where nothing has come very easily. Mr S. and I couldn't decide what we wanted to do today until very late last night. So, we wound up having a miscommunication and slept in till 10.

First thing leaving the city - we were on a three lane highway. I saw a duck with some chicks start to cross the highway on the other side. Once she got to the far side of lane one - she just laid down in the road.

Within the span of a few seconds I tried to figure out if I could get across the highway to the other side, and when I looked back, a car was passing me and ran over the family. It was really nothing they could do. It was one of those scenarios where it was a blind hill and once you crest it, you are doing 65. There was no way to see them in time.

The only reason I saw them at all is a few times lately Mr S. has been reporting that he has seen odd wildlife dead on the freeway. Like turkeys, and a cougar. Deer are somewhat common, but not those things. Those are really odd. So when I saw something that looked like a bird - I naturally thought it might be a turkey. The whole Bay Area seems to be getting over run with them.

We were going to go to a car show. But honestly - cars are played out. I'm not a car blog. I'd rather be doing technology. There isn't really anything interesting going on in technology right now.

Cont....

Ungrateful.

I just picked my canister vac up from the repair shop. Apparently if you run it without a bag - you get the black smoke of death.

Duh! You think.

Still in my defense I use it so rarely I just assume it has a bag.

Anyway. My robot vacs were pissing me off - so I figured I might as well fix the canister. I guess when the repair shop fixes it, they stick a fragrance in the bag. So I immediately thought, Awww, that was a nice touch.

However - after running it for a few minutes I realize they filled it with old people smell.

Couldn't they have picked some nice lilac or strawberry? Instead they picked baby powder. Now I have to air out the house.

Such irritating tools.

Listen government - it isn't that I don't trust you. But, I don't trust you.

How is it that ADP (which up until this weeks unemployment data) has been taken as a gospel source of data, says only 32,000 jobs were created. Yet the government says 290,000 jobs were created. And not those unconvincing "temporary census jobs". Video here. "Broad based" hiring they claim.

From the ADP website.
The ADP National Employment Report
April 2010 Report

Nonfarm private employment increased 32,000 from March to April 2010 on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the ADP National Employment Report®. The estimated change in employment from February to March 2010 was revised up, from a decline of 23,000 to an increase of 19,000.

Additionally - How is it that google keeps claiming the unemployment rate is 10.2. Here. Surely google must have it wrong. Right? Still, see that button right at the top that says "more info"? When you click it - you get taken right to the website for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Yesterday I realised now when Mr S. calls to see how I'm doing, and I respond "not well" the market was down 1000 points - it can no longer be considered dramatic sarcasm.

It was a bloodbath.

Oh. You thought I was going to talk about the stock market. There will be plenty of time for that.



The thing about having velveteen lop bunnies - is that they don't have the normal protection most bunnies have. All of the really short breeds have problems with their feet, but the velveteen seems to have an especially big problem. Not only is her hair short, but it isn't as cush as say a Rex. So she doesn't have the padding on her feet.

Many years back, we found that just living on short carpet was too abrasive, and she got moved to towels in her cage. Oh yes. Towels. And it isn't like they don't chew them up occasionally - so don't buy a bunny. They are really expensive.

Anyway, from time to time (usually once a year) she manages to hit the pad on her foot getting out of her litter box and splits it open. The first couple of times I thought she was dying. Only to find out she'd hit her foot, and she was completely fine.

This morning I'd gotten up and Mr S. says to me - Binny hit her foot last night and really bled out. I've checked her and she's fine. Oh yes.. a grown man uses the word Binny. It's much more manly than Pink Paisley Princess. Which is what her name really is. I had to shorten it because even I was embarrassed to call her that.

So I go to investigate and check her out, only to freak out a little. She'd really had a big bleed. Mr S. and I do the once over, because I can't believe her foot made that much blood.

Just a couple of days ago we were joking that we needed to make some kind of booties for her. But, you know bunnies chew everything so we put it out of our minds.

I have to say. Market down 1000, bunnies bleeding out. My nerves are a little frayed.

You can see she is indeed alive and well. Just in case you were suspicious.

There has never been a better example of how "we are all in this together" is the great lie.

Is it odd I just saw a guy with a beggar sign - but his pants had a crisp press line?

Huh.

What do you mean the market doesn't think Greece is going to default anyway despite getting a German bailout. You'd think all of a sudden they became wise to the fact that Greece basically got a liar loan to get into the EU in the first place. Thus has no ability to pay back any monies. Since they never made as much money as they claimed. Say it isn't so!

I've got nothing else to give.

Humor for the sleep deprived.

Seen today.

Spocom 2010

I went to this thing yesterday. I didn't find it that interesting. Except for this brushed metal BMW I found in the parking lot. Outside of a Delorian (which I hate) I've never seen a brushed metal car. I initially just thought it was flat grey, but once I got close I could see it wasn't a coating.



Other shots here, here.

The funniest thing about this trip was - the security guards at the Menlo Park fairgrounds are sort of aggressive. I don't know what happens out there, but when I went to the bike show a few weeks back, they asked to search my camera bag. No big deal. When I said yes, they had a flashlight inside my bag so quick I actually couldn't believe it. It was a really small show, and it wasn't like it was filled with biker gangs. It was so lightweight they had a Christian biker group. So, I thought the security was a little funny.

Anyway. When I arrived yesterday I immediately noticed they had put up metal detectors. Again - no big deal. I'm prepared to have them search my bag. I walk through the detector, the bag goes through the outside. They ask to search. I comply.

Mr S. walks through the detector and is carrying an aquapod. Which is a half sized water bottle. They make him toss it.

Now, what is funny about this is - they are so bunchy about security. But, my bag has two compartments. Both times I've been to the fairgrounds, they've only searched one. It isn't like I couldn't fit a large sized weapon in the other compartment. When I open my bag my camera is in one compartment and the other side hits the table with a large thud. I'm sporting 12 double A batteries. It isn't like you can miss the sound.

Just a thought. If your panties are in a big enough bunch you feel the metal detectors are warranted - maybe you should search a bag that makes a large thud when one side hits the table. Just sayin.

This is the nerd I am.

I was at a car show yesterday, and I was more excited about running across a QR code there. Of course, neither of Mr S's or my phone decrypt them. The palm pre or the HTC touch pro. If you aren't an iphone or and android you just don't exist.

It seems to me like it was just a big ol' commie rally.

Today I was down at the San Jose immigration rally. I want to start by saying that I think immigrants should come in legally. Having said that, living in California - illegal immigration is really just something we turn a blind eye to. Two years ago I'd say there was pretty much no one who didn't come into contact with an illegal on a daily basis. It was the worst kept secret on earth. It's just something you get used to, and don't think much about. It's always been this way since the time I was a kid.

So, the immigration issue is something I am actually really liberal on. I've said it before on my blog, they should just grant them work visas. Create a new category, and let them come in to work. Go home when they want.

Having said that - I came away from the whole rally pretty bitter. Really, really, bitter. Take the first picture for example. Xenophobe? Really? Two years ago, they were predicting Latinos would become the largest segment of the population in the US in 5 years. Everyone looks like you! There is an effing taco stand or truck on practically every corner. We are scared of them? Seriously.



The rally honestly was huge. I'd guess 20 thousand people. The biggest rally I've ever seen in the bay area. Which to my eye was dominated by unions for Obama, Che lovers.. and just plain communist groups.









What really irritated me the most was the mindset of the group. Is this really what they think most Californians think of them. Just because we don't want everyone hopping the fence? It's really a slap in the face.





The other thing that was odd was - how many people with census shirts there were. What is that all about?

My inner tard thinks - hypercolor Bentley is an awesome idea. I'm an idea person.

Complete contrast from last weekend. Savage traffic all around the Valley.

Nothing says I love you - like an IOU.

Update - I guess I just realized it is Friday. No money comes in on the weekends. So that is our budget shortfall. 3.2 billion.

I mean, since I haven't gotten my tax refund- I'm guessing they haven't processed them all yet.



It looks like we need to find a little over 3 billion - today - to meet the 10.2 billion budget target. Tax receipts really fell off there on the 29th.

Who is going to be our sugar daddy? Hmmmm? See previous post here.

I'm sure it means nothing.

We absolutely need a complete churn of government. Starting with the, I can't keep my mouth shut the remaining few months, Aaaarnold.

Oh, I'd run for President if I could. Then I could just hang around at car shows all over the county and do nothing.

I'm still calling Parkinson's on him. Do you see how his head shakes? He's got some kind of tremor going on there. I'm convinced he's not all right in the head. A lot of times he's got that ill Regan stare. Not being mean. I'd just bet money eventually he will reveal one of those neurological disorders.

It makes me smile.

The tech magazine wired.com used one of my photos from Robogames. And linked my site! Check it out.

Hey Germany - would you like to bail out California?

Update - Amount needed to meet budget target jumps to 1.6 billion a day. 2 days left.

I wonder if California is feeling a little scared today. With that whole Greece thing. And Portugal. Then Spain.

For the past couple of days, the tweetosphere has been alive with the California budget issues.

On the 23'rd I saw an article that said California needed to bring in 927 mil each remaining day till the end of the month to meet the budget. Here.

Then on the 26th, I read we needed to bring in a billion each and every day. Here.

Yesterday morning I saw a tweet that said we still needed to bring in 4.2 bil - In four days. The budget goal is 10 billion this month.

This morning no tweets. Uh Oh, I thought.

Though - I did see that California douchebag Sen. Steinberg thinks he can get 3-4 billion from the feds. Self I said - we must need 3-4 billion to close the gap, or he wouldn't be saying that. So, I went directly over to the controllers office and saw we still need to bring in 3.6 billion in the next three days. That is 1.2 billion a day. I'm sure everything will be completely fine. Consumer sentiment is up!

Let us recap. We went from needing to bring in a little over 900 million a day, to 1.2 billion a day. Which means tax revenue is falling quite below expectations.

Of course, we did get offers to buy some of the Government buildings for 2 billion. I think. The news media is really working overtime trying to obfuscate the data. First I read it was 2 billion, then I read it might only be slightly over 500 million.

Who even cares at this point. We owe the Feds almost 9 billion for the depleted unemployment fund. What is an extra 3-4 billion dollars?

Plus, I look at the market today and think - why are you guys to effing happy? We've got our own little meltdown right here.

You've got to be kidding me Sprint.

So, today - I went in to my local Sprint brick and mortar store to pay my bill. I've been doing this the whole time with Sprint. Close to 9 months. When the rep asked how I wanted to pay, I told him - in cash. Oh, he says. Last week they changed the computer software and now you have to pay a fee of 5 dollars to pay with cash.

I couldn't believe my ears. With cash? I confirmed. Yep. He says. They want you to use your debit card. Which signals to me that they get some fee for making people use a debit card.

Even more irritating is - that is almost a full 3% of my bill. When did companies start charging for accepting cash? Because, I'm not going to pay any of their fees. I'll just plug it into my online banking and they can bite me.

If I was close enough to the end of my contract, that would be enough to make me switch.

Perhaps Sprint should take a clue from Verizon.

The Associated Press
"NEW YORK - Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), the largest wireless carrier in the country, is finding there's an end to the number of people who will sign two-year contracts for cell phone service."

You know what will make people sign contracts? A one year contract, and the first cell company that starts doing that will get a flood of people like me who understand that technology is moving too fast to sit in a two year contract.

And, be charged 3% for the pleasure of paying cash.

Can I have a tiny pony?!

Honestly, I'm not into horses - but, I want a tiny pony. Here.

My bunnies weight more than this thing. And, they are medium breeds at 8 pounds. Not even heavy breeds. They still weigh a full 2 pounds more than this thing.

I love my bunnies, but I had to get my dog on this weekend. Which sounds creepy. It isn't. Sometimes I just need to hijack some else's dog. Temporarily.

I don't really want to own a dog. But, I love them, and Mr S. is allergic.

So allergic - I let a dog kiss all over me this weekend and Mr S. swelled up, just from kissing me. A contact kiss.

My thing about horses is I'm against owning anything that when it dies, you have to rent equipment to get it off your property. Mr S's sister had a horse die in the middle of a snow storm and had to wait to get someone out to remove it. And, it isn't like you can hide a dead horse. It is right there. Well, under the snow. But still.

So.. a tiny pony it is. Even though I bet it will have all sorts of health problems.

Oh yeah.

Lambo doors on a plane.

Mr S. is the bathroom Jesus.

I'm going to give you a funny post, because, before long I'm going to start bitching about the economy. Traffic everywhere in the Valley was dreamy this weekend. Which means, things will probably start getting dicey again soon.

So, you know all these car shows have porto potties. Which I am insanely phobic of. I will leave any event in which I can't find a proper bathroom. Excepting that snooty car show in Monterrey where I had to pay a lot of money to get in.

Down there, they had porto trailers. Which had sinks and carpeting. I totally wanted to take photos, but I was too self conscience. Think about it - way to stand out and show you aren't "one of them" by getting caught snapping photos of the inside of super snooty porto trailer toilets.

Anyway, I'm off track.

Getting in and out of Half Moon Bay pretty much sucks. Coast traffic. One lane. Oddly timed traffic lights. So, by the time we got into the car show I had to pee. I was ready to stop at the first set of portos. Which I thought might be the cleanest. Then decided against it. Then, started scoping out the handicapped portos.

I'm not above shoving a handicapped person out of the way to use their bathroom. Oh yeah. I said it. Though I guilted myself out of it. Destined to hold it the whole way and leave early. Squirming to the very end.

Mr S. wanted to go look at the planes. I kept just wanting to go look at the cars. His agenda was to get to the hangers, where he found me a beautiful old fashion bathroom. It was the most awesome thing ever. And saved me from having to lose my ban on freaky porto johns.

You are awesome Mr S!

Unusual, but not bad ass.

Other shots here and here.

I'm pretty over the car show from the weekend. I was going to put a lambo in here. Because, they always seem to get on the blog. But seriously - I am so bored of Lambos I could lose my mind. Which sounds like a really ridiculously snobby thing to say.

Plus, I almost hate taking pictures of them now. The owners always want to have all the doors open, and it is just a bitch to get a great shot.

This copper car I'd seen before. I'd just never seen the back - and that is the interesting thing.

That is all. I'll save you from the rant about trying to photograph it. Oh, screw it.

Guy walks up to me and says "oooh - I really like this one. Do you like this one"? Then walks right in front of my shot. My thought bubble says "no - I hate it, which is why I'm trying so hard to get a clean shot".

I guess I didn't save you that much from the rant.

Bad Ass. Noble Edition.

Other shots here, here, here, and here. Because, Mr S. says that guys want to see the cars from other angles.

Today I was up at a car show in Half Moon Bay. It's getting harder and harder to find cars I haven't seen before.

The interesting find from today was not in the show - it was in the parking lot. Almost un-noticeable. It was sandwiched in between a truck and a mini van. I only noticed it because of the wing, and initially thought it was a Lotus.

Once I started taking shots of it, I realised I didn't know what it was. I'd never heard of a car or a company called Noble. Neither had Mr S.

Turns out it is out of Noble Automotive Ltd. And, is a pretty rare car. It's a Noble M12 GTO-3R. While it isn't that expensive of a car - it does 0-100 in 5.8 seconds. 0-60 in 4 seconds. So I think it fits into the bad ass section.

Robogames 2010.

Obviously today, I was out at Robogames. You can see that from the title.

I have to say - I honestly don't know how to feel. I'm going to have to give Robogames a good review this year.

They moved it over to San Mateo. To a smaller venue. It was right sized. It was enjoyable. They had interesting stuff. Good for them.



One of the thing I found most interesting was this robot out of Willow Garage. The PR2. Which you may know as the towel folding robot. Youtube video here. It was impressive how easily it moved. Last year, home assistance robots seemed not doable. Now, I'm thinking "maybe". After all, allegedly one of these things can plug itself in. Video from the Willow Garage. I only say allegedly because I haven't seen it with my own eyes. And video is a perfect environment.



From Morav. Website.



This one I was transfixed on, because on a television monitor - they were showing it transform into a rolling robot. Which is what I imagine most walking robots will be capable of in the future. Dual purpose. It doesn't mean that will be reality. I just can't figure any other way to navigate all types of terrain with one system.

I thought the woman told me she had videos on her site, and youtube. Or I would have gotten more information. Website here.



I'm not sure who made this.



R2D2's having lunch.