Fastest BMW?

Oh my - a Smurf Blue supercar killer. This M6 based car from G Power can do 228mph. Producing 750 bhp via a little supercharger dropped into the already powerful V10 'base' engine, the car has the go to match the looks (which I must say I kinda like).

I know of one lady who has a bit of a smurf blue fetish, so guessing this might go on her list....

via Jalopnik

Who said the IPO market was dead?

Although I think there was only 1 IPO last quarter (and it was some Chinese company), it looks like there might be one to match it this quarter as well. And the company is from Boulder. And it's kinda in the industry we play in (well, we use their data via Microsoft's Virtual Earth, or through ESRI's ArcGIS Server).

I'm doubting that this signals the full blown restart of the IPO market (but what would I know), but it does help solidify the point that if you've got a compelling business that's ran well, there'll be people interested in funding you.

DigitalGlobe sets IPO pricing terms : Local Business : Boulder Daily Camera

Getting Old....

I think this news story was the biggest when I was growing up. Some guy picked up a shotgun, walked around a neighbouring town (it was about 10 minutes walk from my front door), and shot pretty much everyone he saw. It's the 20th anniversary today, and it kinda made me realize how long ago that was. It also made me realize I've spent more of my adult life in the US than I ever did in the UK now, which is kinda weird in itself.

The main thing I remember about this was that I was the only one of our group who had passed his driving test. We went down to take a look a day or two after the incident (it's amazing what curious 17 year olds would do...), and Nev drove. We went down the street, passed the guys house (and the mobile incident unit) and suddenly realized the other end of the road was blocked off. It was a pretty tight little road - one of those you see on movies about England, with big old trees on either side, and just enough room to fit two small cars down it (it would be a tight fit for your F150 on it's own..).

Nev was driving, but he hadn't passed his test yet, so I was the qualified front seat passenger for him. He freaked a little about reversing back down the street, so I ended up jumping in the driver's seat. I just remember being terrified of crashing, even though we were doing no more than 10 mph. I wasn't insured for the car, had never driven it before (it was a blue Austin Allegro if you know what they look like), I was reversing down a ridiculously narrow street with cars parked on one side, and had to pass pretty much every local police man that was currently working. Talk about pressure. Anyway, I guess it was punishment for going to take a look at something we had no right going to look at, but I survived to live another day.

BBC NEWS | England | Tyne | Survivor remembers shooting spree

Follow Swine Flu Live

Just in case you weren't getting panicked enough by all the coverage on the TV, radio, internet, water cooler, you can now follow the live and breaking Google Map view of confirmed/probably/already dead outbreaks of Swine Flu around the world right here (as they're confirmed by the WHO - that's the World Health Organization, not the doctor, or the band from the 70's, just in case you were confused).

And apparently, it's been announced that it's still safe to eat pork, which is good, coz I set off the bbq pork ribs (country style) in the slow cooker before I left for work. And I'm going to enjoy every last drop of them tonight when I get in.

Ad War - BMW vs Audi

So last weeks news (or probably more like 2 or 3 weeks ago), but I had some issues getting this photo uploaded, and then I was busy for a week, so never got the chance.

Audi and BMW basically started having billboard wars out in California. This was BMW's response (and obviously, anytime a response is done using an M3, I'm a big fan).

Normal service will now be resumed

I (rightly) got a bit of grief off my kid brother yesterday for my fascination/obsession with The Hills, and he wasn't having none of my explanation of "I just happen to be in the living room when the wife watches it". So, I'm resuming normal service with the Porsche promotional video of the new GT3, and Walter Rohl taking it nice and smooth around a track. This car consumed a decent part of the conversation last week, and lets face it, apart from Ross's ability to injure himself on a regular (pre-track day) basis, cars were the main topic of conversation. Needless to say, I want one - better remember to buy the lottery ticket tonight I guess.

The Hills Update

I never realized these little snippets existed until today, so if you ever miss The Hills one Monday night, check them out. They cut out the adverts, show almost as much of the show, and only take up 5 minutes of your time. Maybe I can persuade the wife to watch the shortened version from now on? Somehow I doubt it....

Detox - MTV Shows

Lotus Advanced Driving School

There's going to be a big post on this when I get some time, but for now you'll have to make do with the photos here, and the video below, that Todd took on our instructor demo laps. I think I was in the car in front, but the whole two days was a bit of a fantastic blur.

I'm now a much better driver than I was when I went, and of course am trying to work out the finances for a trip back there sometime soon.

Transformers 2 - Revenge of the Fallen

Looks like there's gonna be a couple of good movies this summer


*Exclusive* Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Footage from Bay Films/Michael Bay Dot Com on Vimeo.

Viral Marketing at it's best - 370Z

Micah Speaks My Language

I've never actually met Micah (although I am hanging out with some of his colleagues next week at the driving school), but I think it would be a lot of fun. And like I said in the title, he speaks my kind of language (which you'll know if you've ever been in a meeting with me when I'm letting loose).

And congrats to Brad on his Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brad Feld is a Fucker

Stig's Helmet

The auction has ended (which is probably a good thing for my bank balance), but Stig's signed helmet was for sale (charity auction ran by The Sun apparently). This would have come in very handy next week, although I think four grand my be better spent on the tables at Bellagio - must better chance of at least keeping some of that money in my possession.

Excitement is building

Lotus School - Group Photo, originally uploaded by losborne.

Only a week to go, and I have the privilege of joining up with some of last years attendees (at least the ones who avoided breaking their ankle snowboarding in Vail....) of the Lotus Driving School, just outside of Vegas. Judging from the emails that have been flying around (and the fact that I'll be spending 2 days on a track in a Lotus), it's gonna be a lot of fun.

This is probably the furthest in advance I've booked anything for a good number of years (as you would know if you've ever seen me a few weeks before a planned trip back home without flights booked yet), so I've been trying to put it out of my mind. But now it's only a week away, flights are booked, hotels are sorted and the final plans are being put in place. Now I just have to find out where I put my helmet for the winter.....

Paint it White

A while ago, Heidi had the great idea of painting a wall in the kitchen with blackboard paint - it turned out great - keeping the kids entertained when they come over (and the adults too at various parties). It also has magnetic paint underneath, so we can stick cards and notes and stuff on it, so it's pretty perfect.

Now, the people over at IdeaPaint have released whiteboard paint. I don't think it would work in our kitchen, but painting an office wall might work pretty well. And no doubt it would be a little easier to clean than the blackboard.

Hoverboard's are real (well, nearly)

I don't think they're quite released yet, but you can register your interest on the site to make sure you're first in line when they do. Doubt they'll be cheap, but 'surfing' through the mall car park has to be worth a decent chunk of change....

Why?

So, BMW goes and makes a car/truck/thing that nobody is quite sure why should exist (lets make an SUV that isn't really big enough to be an SUV, and then make it handle just like a car, instead of just making it a car in the first place...).

And then, they persuade/force/bribe the M division to sell their soul and work on this instead of the lsd equipped 1 Series M that every car geek/reporter/fan is waiting for.

I think it would have been a lot cheaper and easier to just bring the M5 Estate (wagon) over here, and save everyone the trouble.....

Iron Man Baby

Too cute not to post. You can buy these if you can read Japanese I guess....

(source Likecool)

Cool Rocking Chair

Not only does this thing look cool, judging from what it's made of (stainless steel), it'll keep you cool. Apparently, it also costs a cool $161k, which in the middle of a recession, seems just what you need.

Kogi BBQ - Social Marketing Done Right

late night street life-42, originally uploaded by kogibbq.

Apart from the fact that I got very (very) hungry looking at these photos, I found Fred's article on how they're marketing themselves over in LA to be pretty interesting. It's definitely work building a brand and getting your name out, but with a bit of hard work and ingenuity, it can happen so much quicker (and cheaper) than in the pre-internet days.

Remote Control Car

And it's a real car as well. Controlled by an iPod Touch. I think the thing I like most about this is the fact that the remote and the car aren't controlled directly - they each connect to the internet and then talk, meaning you could be on the other side of the world and really freak out the people back home. I just hope he's got some decent security on there as well, coz hacking into this would definitely be something fun if you had the technical skills.

Funny how timing works, but I started this book at the weekend, which also features remote control cars. Still only half way through, but it's a great book so far, and highly recommended (especially if you're a bit of a geek).

I've got a Hunch

Whoever sent me the invite for Hunch, thanks 8-) I feel special (Hunch description here - if you fancy an invite, drop me a line, but I've only got 3 to give out, so be quick).

Get Yourself an AMEX Black Card

AMEX Black Card, originally uploaded by Clemson.

Thanks to my darling wife, she sent me this site last week. It basically covers the Black Cards you can get these days, what perks you get etc etc.

I've always fancied getting one of these. Unfortunately, I've never been quite sure how (I was told at a young age it was invite only, and you had to be famous), and I was pretty certain I wasn't rich enough (got the Platinum Amex, and even though the benefits pretty much pay for themselves each year, I still have heartburn when the fee hits the card each year...).

It turns out that one of the key qualifiers is to spend and pay off at least $250K in the previous 12 months before they'd even consider you. Unless I suddenly start flying transatlantic in business every couple of weeks for work, this is unlikely to happen any time soon (lottery is up to $140 million for tomorrow night though - just need to remember to get a ticket...), so I'll make do with what I've got. At least I have something to aim for now....

Skateboard House

When I was growing up, I would have killed for this house. Now I'm certain that this house would kill me (if the wife didn't get to me first).

As a side-note, I've actually been without a skateboard for almost a full year now, after an embarrassing and slightly painful showing off exhibition for the neighborhood kids in the middle of the street ended exactly as the adult onlookers predicted. I blame the shoes....

(note to self - never sell things that caused you to bleed while you're still bleeding. You will not negotiate a good price)

Focus RS - US Bound?

Once again, the rumors have started. Now that I think Ford has confirmed they're not going to fall off the edge of a bankruptcy cliff, and that they're bringing over the Focus in de-tuned form, we have the whisper of the RS making it to these shores. Given the pretty amazing reviews that Evo Magazine gave it back home, if the price comes in somewhere in the reasonable range over here, it might be somewhat tempting as my daily driver. It's even got the ready made snow shovel on the front for those Colorado winters (or spring this year I guess).

Now, orange or green?

Oops (wish I hadn't done that edition)

Source - Jalopnik

Porsche 911 - 998 Spy Photos

It looks like the next version of the 911 is under full development already. What's interesting is it looks like the next version might have a bit of a new backside - it reminds me of the 959 from way back when.

Source - autoblog.it