Posting from my new cell phone – a Treo 650 PDA/phone. Switched back to Verizon because I’m sick of getting the run-around from Sprint.
Dear Sprint: I hate you.
So after losing my phone in Vegas, I was assured by Sprint that I’d have a new phone in my hands today (Monday). Well, the day has passed, and no delivery. After calling Sprint, I was informed that my phone wasn’t due for shipment until NOVEMBER 9. This is ENTIRELY unacceptable, and made that very clear to them. They’ve again assured me that I’ll have a new phone by the end of the week, but now I’m very skeptical.
So here’s the line in the sand. Either I have a new Sanyo MM-5600 in my hands by 17:00 Friday, or I’m switching carriers. Again. I’m not paying $100/month to Sprint, including $5/mo “insurance”, and getting jerked around while I don’t even have a phone to use.SEMA Wrap-up
Got back in to Nashville in the wee hours of the morning. Had a great time in Vegas, except for having my cell phone picked off sometime Wednesday and having to deal with Sprint. Hopefully I’ll have a replacement handset by the first of the week. They insist they must ship me a new phone, even though there was a huge Sprint/Nextel store right at the Las Vegas Convention Center where I could have picked one up.
Had a great time at the show. Took almost 400 pictures, most of them ended up blurry or otherwise bad, because I’m a terrible photog and have unsteady hands.
 |
| SEMA 2005 |
SEEEEEEMMMAAA
Flying out from Nashville (BNA) at 06:00 Wednesday to Las Vegas (LAS) for SEMA at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Been wanting to go to this show for years, and finally got an industry pass. Thanks, Marie!
Got the camera, got an extra SD card, and some comfortable shoes. Still have to pack everything and find a hanging garment bag to take. Should have tons of pictures upon my return. VIVA LAS VEGAS!Consider this…
The FBI’s statistics also concluded: “Violent crime rates are highest overall in states with laws limiting or prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms for self-defense.” (FBI Uniform Crime Report, 1992)
Deal’s Gap, 16 October 2005
Went back to the Gap on 15-16 October 2005. Took the BMW up as I’m not back on the bike yet (and its starting to get too cold to worry about it this year anyway). EastTNRiders.com had the EOSB (End of Season Bash) at the store Saturday night, and it was great to put names and faces together.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS
Medical Briefing
The external fixator and pins which have been a thorn in my side (or, perhaps more accurately, my wrist) were all removed yesterday by the fine medical staff at Vanderbilt. Now begins the task of physical therapy to restore a full range of motion and strength.
Alex took video while they pulled the pins and unscrewed the fixator. Interesting stuff, not too bloody. I’ll post the videos soon; I have to do a little editing first. In the mean time, I did post pictures:
FOLLOW-UP: Doctor says the infection in the middle pin site needs attention. Have to have outpatient surgery to go in and clean it up. Shouts to Allison and Crocket, my buddies at the Vanderbilt Hand Clinic.
Motorracing Roundup
I just realized it has been over four months since I updated anything here. Sorry for letting things get so stale. I updated a lot of the sub-pages last week. Here’s a roundup of what I’ve been up to.
I bought another bike back in May after selling one of the Kawasakis. Its a 1998 Yamaha FZR600R, and was in perfect shape with street and track bits. I did a track day back in early August with Ed Bargy Racing School and got competition certified for WERA. I don’t plan to compete for a while yet, but there are a LOT of track days coming up. Alex and I took a trip to Deal’s Gap at the end of August, and I slipped up and high-sided the FZR. Bike came out OK (needs upper fairing and some touch-up paint), but I managed to shatter my wrist in the process. I had surgery at Vanderbilt to reconstruct it, and I’ve got an external fixator on for six weeks total (three weeks more). That’s keeping me off the bike, and making me mental. I am getting rather quick at typing and tieing my shoes with my left hand, however. I’ve been driving the Jaguar since I can’t shift the BMW. I’ve become interested in this new podcasting fad, and there are three podcasts in particular that you should check out.- MotoGPod – Bob Hayes’ podcast on MotoGP, and sometimes other motorcycle road racing.
- The F1 Podcast – I’ve listened to a few Formula 1 podcasts, and this is the best.
- The A1GP Podcast – Same guy that does the F1 podcast; this one is all about the new A1GP series. More on that later.
- MotoGP – Of course I was dead-on about Rossi. Who could miss that? Too bad he posted his first DNF of the season today at Suzuka, or he might have clinched the championship. Gibernau has really put me off; I can’t stand his attitude, and I hope Rossi makes good on his promise to prevent him from ever winning another MotoGP race. Really pulling for Edwards and Hayden; both are having decent seasons. Disappointed for Shakey Byrne and the whole KTM deal. I really, REALLY like Shakey, and hopefully a decent team will pick him up and give him a competitive ride. *edit* This just in — Camel Honda signed Shakey to ride the next two races for the injured Bayliss. Awesome!
- Formula 1 – Wow. Talk about blowing it. I wasn’t even close. First, thanks, F1, for spoiling the USGP and putting off a generation of fans in this country. Regardless of who is most at fault, it was a total farce. Please don’t screw it up next year KPLZTHX. Renault is doing me proud. Alonso is awesome in my book; I’ve been pulling for Alonso and Coulthard since race one this year. Speaking of Red Bull, looks like they’re getting serious about this. They may be F1’s saving grace, especially with their commitment to put an American in the driver’s seat of at least one car. GG, Red Bull. Also interesting is BMW looking to have a go for next season. Best of luck to them as well, and please send me a new 3-series guys. This season has been good so far, but I’m really looking forward to 2006 and 2007 with the new teams and new rules.
Sultan of Brunei
The Sultan of Brunei has an automotive collection of 5000 vehicles, all logged onto a central computer system.
More information in this article