It's only a dream

Michael Schumacher returns

First Lance, now Schumi!!! I'm so excited, hope he knocks that pussy (excuse the pun) Hamilton off track. More here.

Heffron Park Pt III

Awaken the beast

Photography by Mark Pakula.

I've not driven the GT-R since January LAST YEAR (Eastern Creek) where it developed a power steering leak.

A series of events since then forced me to give cars a break. Some of it's got to do with "finishing" the car, the journey, or part of it, was over. It was featured in Auto Salon Magazine which felt climatic. The car drove nothing like it used to around a track and I also went through some pain with my S2000.

I opted out of the scene after selling the S2K and thanks to a new found passion for bicycles I've never been so fit and wealthy in my life.

I had always been planning to get back into it, but I wasn't ever sure when. Sure I felt a little guilty for a few months, but I'm not one to ever let anyone tell me what I should or shouldn't do so feeling guilty about taking a break never really set in despite some of the comments I've heard directly and indirectly.

I did plan on getting the car going again AFTER the house rennovations are over but the house rennovations are taking longer than I thought (surprise surprise) and recently I've had a few dreams about the GT-R. At the same time I was thinking about getting a new car as I've had just one too many bad Jazz days lately (let's not go there). I've thought of an EVO 9, or a 350Z but then I decided to just get the GT-R going again, and to contemplate getting it street legal so I can drive it without the paranoia of being defected.

That said paranoia has to be the single most important factor for me. I know many of you don't give a crap about being pulled over in your modified cars but I personally cannot deal with it and I've chosen not to.

Initial reactions from co. were to cut my losses and sell the car. But I fucking love my car and I'd never make any money back on it. I've put so much into it (on so many different levels) that selling just isn't a viable option (I'd rather keep it and pass it on to my kids and let them deal with it when the time comes).

So it was a massive shock then when I saw this in my garage:


Almost burried alive.

Yes all that pea sized rubble on the floor was ON the car. Turns out there's a huge gap in the ceiling above the GT-R and all the construction work going on upstairs has literally fallen onto the car.

I swept most of it off, then filled up the power steering reservoir with fluid, turned the alarm off and turned the key. AMAZINGLY the car started first go!

It took a little while for the power steering to kick back in, and even then it was acting very strange. The car was idling mega lumpy but I managed to reverse it out, hose it down and then without hesitation I thought I'd drive over to Indy's.


Made it to Indy's.

The car drove fine, the power was still there but on Foreshore Road I spotted a bright green pursuit car and my heart started pounding. It's this feeling that I fucking hate. I stepped back into line and shifted down to 1st gear, crawling along hoping the cop car would go through the lights and that I'd be able to catch a yellow. It worked.

I got to Indy's and after some discussion with Indy, Paul and Zi I've decided that I want to de-tune the car.

We're talking street legal, full engineers certificate (valid one too not some dodgey cert) and whatever it takes to get there. Stock airbox, raise the car, rip out the roll cage, you name it.

I am upset about this, but I am also excited! More news as it comes.

Bad Jazz day

I've been having a whole lot of bad Jazz days lately where I feel embarassed for owning it.

Most of the time it's too slow, playing the fuel game where I aim to get 600km/tank every fill up is getting pretty boring and being bullied from behind is frustrating.

I think I want something that refects my status a little more. Something a little more mature and a lot classier than the Jazz but I don't want to sacrifice too much comfort.

Jazz traits I love:
- Can fit a lot of shit in it and I don't give a crap about getting the interior dirty.
- Great on fuel and cheap to insure.
- Don't give a shit about the exterior so much either, dirt, scratches, dents, bring it on.
- So easy to park in the smallest of small car spaces.
- Auto - ultimate laziness, perfect brainless A-B driving.

Budget for the new car would be around $30-35k and in consideration so far:
- EVO 7 GT-A/8/9

But there are sooo many cars in this price range-ish. IS250/350Z/RX-8/WRX/List goes on.

Any suggestions?

Goodbye chewy

At the end of 2006 Christina was given Chewy, a Siamese Fighting fish, as a present. He initially had a set-up at her place, then he kept Christina company at work (she was working in Saatchi at the Rocks) and since October last year he's been living on my work table, keeping me company. He's always been a tiny fish, like the runt of the litter, but he's always animated, full of energy and super friendly (especially at feeding time!). R.I.P. Chewy 2006-2009. He'll be sadly missed. :(

House rennovations update

The kitchen is coming along nicely and the master bathroom is on the way too.


We've knocked down a wall which separated the bathroom from the wardrobe and we're putting in a skylight to let more natural light in.


Quite a large bathroom now. Walk in shower at the end and the raised surface on the left is for the bath tub.


Doors are on.


All the doors and drawers feature a 45 degree angled lip which allows you to easily get your fingers in there to open. That means no door handles! Super minimalist FTW.


This wall was structural so we had to work the bench around it. Worked out fine me thinks!

Motorised bike Race #3

Had a race today, same guys as last time (MC Cyclery, Hell on Wheels, where are all the new guys with engine kits?!).


Grant's beast.


Mine.

I had the Go-Pro too for some video:



More pics here.

More pics from yesterdays Stromlo ride

Jing had a Go-pro camera yesterday, more pics on his Flickr.

Stromlo Forest Park Canberra

Just got back home from a crazy day out at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra.

In attendance was Jing (Trance), Zi (Blur LT), Crazy Dave (Anthem), Simon (Cell carbon hardtail) and myself (Reign).

I had little sleep last night, and was more than happy to bail but with a bit of pressure from Zi and Jing I considered my arm twisted and up I got.

We hit the M5 and stopped over at Pheasants Nest/Mobil for a bite of brekky ($25 for 2 sandwiches and a pie? What a rip!). I handed the keys over to Jing at this point and went to sleep for a couple of hours (thanks Jing!).

The carpark was full when we got there, the park featured all new signage and identity design since I was last here (Word cup). There was a big group of newbies playing around on logs in what looked like an introduction to mountain biking course of some sort (nice). And it wasn't long before we were sitting at the base of the mountain checking out the trail options.

We ended up going for trail Loop 2

Rating – Intermediate
Time – 45 to 90 minutes

Loop 2 is one of the shorter loops climbing, traversing and taking you to access points to most of Stromlo Forest Park. The trail uses the main trunk trail network to climb gently to the top of Mt Stromlo, before a long, flowing descent back to the car park area. Riders are rewarded with expansive 360 degree views of the ACT from the summit and a descent that will leave you smiling for days. This trail requires a degree of fitness and skill level as there are a number of challenging climbs and obstacles.

As soon as we got going there was a funny log ride structure the boys were standing around. I had Grant's saying "those who hesitate, masturbate" in my head and despite not being warmed up I did it and that pretty much set my confidence levels up for a good part of the ride. Helps I was riding flats too.

The trail had a lot of tight switchbacks making the climb up the mountain (all the way to the damn top) interesting (ie: less painful). Once we got to the top the view from the observatory was amazing. And from there the descent back down to the carpark was an enlightening experience (yes the climb was well worth it!). Fanging it through the massive green container into a massive series of berms put a smile on everyone's face.

We had a bit to eat and set out to do Loop 6:

Rating – Intermediate/Advanced
Time – 60 to 90 minutes

Loop 6 is a demanding ride that takes you over the Northern trails, climbing steeply to Echidna Gap before plunging down to the Western side of Stromlo Forest Park. The superb Double Dissolution trail drops you out near the Western Car park before you make your way back along the northern trails to the start point. The trail takes in a wide variety of the terrain and is able to be linked with a variety of other trails. Make sure you have your climbing legs on and enough in the tank to enjoy the fun and moderately technical descent

The climb was a little less fun than the last loop we did, steeper, more relentless but never boring. Again we climbed up to the top of the mountain but the descent down was more along side the mountain than straight down offering more variation in terrain. There was a silly see-saw thing that I had a go on too (only because the boys egged me on!) I almost fucked it, but managed to somehow pull it off :)

I was spent at the end of this, Zi had a few bad cramps, Dave and Simon were done too but Jing and Clifton wanted more, Zi decided the same but he didn't want to climb up again so the three were shuttled up to the top and did the downhill part of Loop 2 again, at this time the rain came too so I was glad I was all warm and cozy in the car lol.

All in all despite the farking cold weather I had heaps of fun. The signage was insanely clear and you were never ever lost. I did think that the trails we did felt very man made, in the end I couldn't help but feel that you really just had to climb up to the top of Mt. Stromlo in order to have fun going down.


6.30AM, stinging eyes but ready to roll.


7am at Zi's. Dave's Stagea is soooo hot. I love it. Lots.


M5.


A cyclocross event was happening.


Far from the best cyclocross bike there but unforunately the only one I got a snap of.


Decisions decisions!


Main map.


More trails!


Jing and Clifton just checking out some of the double diamond stuff.


At the very top of Mt. Stromlo these were these remains of an old observatory building.


I thought I'd go inside it and take a snap of the Reign.


We thought we'd check out the observatory building whilst we were here.


These things looked like space pods! So sci-fi cool.


Black Diamond warnings.


Loop 6.


Great signage througout.


Great names too.

BikesMoveUs.com CBD night ride

Last night's Sydney city CBD night ride was epic.

I made my way over to MC Cyclery to meet up with Grant (Thursday night closing time is 7PM). Ash is back from his 3 weeks away in Japan and I tried my best to concentrate on a few of his crazy stories, but in reality I was huffing and puffing hard from the small ride to the shop from my place. In the back of my mind I was already thinking of quitting the ride due to my sorry state of fitness, then... it started absolutely pissing down rain.

Grant and I were thinking of bailing out but we knew that all that was needed was a little shove, so I called Felix, who was already at the memorial rendevous point in the city and he said the weather in there was perfect, so to hell with it, off we went.

The rain was so hard that it felt sharp on my face. Not sure what it is about Sydney drivers, but some of them tend to speed up even more in the rain (perhaps because they're frustrated with the drivers that do slow down). On Anzac Parade we had one fucker in a 4WD horn the fuck out of us. It reminded me of why I don't like riding on the roads for sure.

I tried my best to keep up with Grant on the ride in. I was riding my Reign and he was on his fixie (brakeless too). Watching him skid around in the wet on Anzac Parade was awesome.

We made it in, late (sorry guys!) and we had a healthy crew of blinking lights at Hyde Park, diverse bikes too. A few fixies as expected, Adam had a DJ bike, Tom brought his BMX and Matt brought his cool commuter Boulder (I like it!).

We decided to head into the Australian down at the rocks. My fault for being on the side path on Elizabeth St but a lady in an Audi came lunging out of a carpark and almost took me out. So glad I was on the Reign and not my fixie. I would definitely have gone down.

Grant did the hugest skid on his fixie near the Opera house. It was almost as if skidding made him go even faster and seeing the cars and busses roll beside him whilst he was sliding down the road just looked so fucking rad. Blew my mind, blew Matt's mind too who was sure he was a dead man! Can't believe he was riding so fast, in the wet and running no brakes. Such a great sight which made me wish I could ride my fixie with so much confidence.

The group was split up due to confusion. A few of us headed to the Opera House whilst Tom and Andy headed straight to the Australian. Brandon scored a flat and Grant went over the bars trying to get up some steps on his fixie (?!).

We all met up at the Australian, Jarod left us at this point (too bad Jarod it only got more hecktic afterwards!!!), beers, chicken wings and pizza were consumed and with heavy bellies and cold wet feet/shoes (fuck it was uncomfortable) the havoc began.

We decided to hit the hustle and bustle of George Street which was rad. Seeing Tom getting loose and hopping up 4 consecutive park benches pretty much set the mood (get this man more beer! he was on fire!). Riding the bus lane felt right. If only it was a cycle lane (one day...). We then hit Oxford Street and stopped by the Local pub on South Dowling which was serving up some strange German beers on tap.

I said my goodbyes at this point and did the lonely ride back to Maroubra Beach from here. I just paced it, was cold and boring but I got home at midnight on the dot.

EPIC! The excitement of riding a bicycle was renewed for me, riding in a crew in the city felt safe/r, even for the guys who had never really ridden in traffic before, seeing them on the road was cool.


I knew a fair few fixie guys were going to be there so I thought I'd slap this sticker on my bike.


Grant, Felix and Andy @ Hyde Park.


Opera House.


The Australian.


Shit! Rabbits under the bridge!


Brandon, Matt and Adam on George St.


Locked up bicycle pyramid outside The Local pub on South Downling St.


Tomfoolery.

Kitchen is almost there

Check the CaesarStone bench top on the floating bench, it's so damn massive I can't reach the other side (the picture fails to do it justice). Splash back behind the stove is also made from CaesarStone. Pimp or what? So awesome to see a design go from a 2D drawing (with pen and lined paper sticky taped together!) into a reality. We did good me thinks!

JDMST EOMM Video

Last month Ryan Lewis shot a cool little video at the JDMST End Of Month Meet (EOMM) at Fox Studios, it'll give you a little insight to what our meets are all about!

JDMST EOMM - June '09 from Ryan Lewis on Vimeo.

Bicycle Film Festival

Yesterday Grant and I had a meeting at Single Origin cafe on Reservoir St. with the Bicycle Film Festival guys.

Cool guys, great coffee and some good ideas. The street has come a long way since I used to live on it, back then there was nothing at all there but now there are cafe's, furniture stores, a design book shop. Culture is breeding.

Weekend wrap

On Saturday we went for a little drive to Palm Beach, always reminds me of Byron. I came close to seriously considering living in and around Palm Beach once.


Din Tai Fung - still one of my fave haunts for dinner.


The dumpling kitchen window.

On Sunday Christina spotted a whale jumping out of the water at Maroubra Beach, we pulled over and it jumped out 3 more times, one breach was so big we almost saw his tail! That sparked us to go to the Zoo!


The bird show (awesome!).


We didn't even think about how packed it would be due to school holidays, but it wasn't that bad.


The Giraffes.


Sunset.

Still in limbo. Living at Mums place and trying to now work from her place instead of coming home to work (the construction noise is just too much). Going to Europe for 3 weeks next month too (!).

I've been spending a lot of time in Microsoft Word writing a new business plan (something I've never done). It's been crazy, intense, awesome. I'm gunning after a new business, more on this when I'm allowed to talk absout it!

A car free Sydney CBD

Surveys have shown that a lot of people would consider riding into work if they weren't so scared of cars and bad Sydney traffic.

The City has allocated $70 million over the next four years to build an effective cycle network across the City. The implementation of the network reflects the commitment of the City to deliver greener, connected neighbourhoods and maximise the benefits of cycling, which include reduced traffic congestion, cleaner air and better community health.

I'm 100% for this, it really excites me. What excites me even more is that Clover Moore is pushing for a completely car free CBD. Imagine George St. minus the cars, an open mall a lot like Pitt St. Mall.

There's something really nice about the idea of returning the city to the people, especially considering that the city is one of Sydney's greatest assets. Sure, public transport within the city (trams anyone?!) will have to be amazing, and parking just outside the city for those who drive in from outside the city has to be realised but I think it's possible and perhaps forcing Sydney drivers to share the road is the only way it's going to happen.

I've created a thread about it on BikesMoveUs.com. Interesting that even cyclists on the forum are being a little negative about the council's plans. I'm hoping that's just a typically Australian knee-jerk reaction though, and that everyone will get excited about it once they see the change happening. Click here to view the discussion.

Happenstance - The RISE of the bikes

Earlier this year (or was it late last year? I forget!) it was a sunny day on Crown Street and I met up with Daniel Dittmar (who rode in on his killer SE Quadangle BMX) and Ozlem Eskicioglu who were working on launching a new magazine.

Launching my own magazine has always been a dream of mine. At one stage I got very close with ACP Magazines, the guys who publish Rolling Stone Magazine (and a whole lot more) but the money side of things fell through. In restrospect I probably shouldn't have been so greedy about the money.

Anyways, when I met these guys (Daniel and Ozlem). They had that energy you have when you first work on starting something new, they also had a load of confidence. They interviewed me for an article on bikes and yesterday I got issue #1 of their amazing magazine Happenstance in the mail.

It's so slick. Opening the first page there's a stamp to tell me that my edition is one of a limited run of 1000. The design work and writing is amazing. I'm so excited and proud of these guys.

The bike article also made the cut and I love it. I've asked permission from Daniel to post up the 7 page article. So here it is, hope you enjoy it:

Click here to read the whole article in PDF format.

They're already planning iussue #2 and #3 so be quick and grab this first issue of Happenstance from their site, or check out the list of local stockists.

Twitter sux

Tweet this twit that WTF is the appeal of it?

I've been reading the local newspaper a bit lately (only because I've been staying at Mums and it's always on the table in the morning) and every day I spot the word "tweet" in an article. Whether it's about the masses tweeting whilst watching Michael Jacksons memorial concert, some gay dancing with the stars judge being told to stop tweeting on advertisement breaks or Lance Armstrong tweeting to avoid real life interviews. The fact that the papers use "tweet" as common vocabulary just further strengthens this crap.

So this morning I get a mail from my good friends Tom and Sue who have just released a lovely line of anti tweeting T's available from their Tomsuey Store. Me likes :)

Holy weekend

I'm not Religious, but this week was super holy.

On Friday night I forgot to bring my camera to Christina's local Eastwood priest's Golden Jubilee dinner at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL (talk about over the top, fake jungles with bird sounds, water fountains with fire features!).

I got a bit excited when we sat down at the RSL's roulette wheel but just as I was about to slip a fiver into the machine the call came and we had to attend dinner.

Father Kevin's speech was great, he's an old guy but he's sharp and funny. Good to know as he's most likely going to be the guy who's going to perform our wedding ceremony.


The back of a man about to get married.


"God thinks sex is great!"

On Saturday we attended a relo's wedding which was held early at 10am in a lovely church on Oxford St. Paddington.

The highlight of the ceremony was the priest, who gave the most exciting homily I've ever heard in a church. He brought up sex, the very word alone, spoken through a microphone in the church seemed a little sharp, a bit out of place. In an excited uplifted manner he spoke "God thinks sex is great!". I almost gave out a "whoo hoo!" at hearing that, but wait, there was more, he then went on to interpret the joining of man and woman quite literally. Saying that "Sex is the glue which binds man and woman" and he also explained that when a couple's sex life starts deteriorating, so too does their marriage.


Taking the mirrors off without damaging the plastic clips was a little nerve-wracking but we did it no worries.


Mirrors on.


Nice tight carbon weave.


Front carbon splitter installed.


R32 vs TDI



On Saturday day Suga and I fitted some sexy carbon mirrors and a front diffuser to her R32 Golf.


3 yo!.


Jamie, Keith and the face of Guinness advertisements in Ireland (for real) Luke.



On Saturday night Richie had his 32nd B'day dinner at Kensington Peking, which I think is the best Chinese restaurant in the whole of Sydney (big call I know). We've been following this Chef, Peter, since we were little kids. He used to work across the street, then in Coogee beach but he's been a hit ever since opening this restaurant in Kensington (next door the post office). We also ducked into the Doncaster pub for a few beers after dinner, which was all done up (impressive actually).



On Sunday I was hungover all day, and night. We had another B'day dinner for Richie, this time with the family, at Kelly's Grill in Bondi Junction, whilst they aren't always consistent (my steak was a little overcooked) I still think their Ribs kick ass over Hurricanes in Bondi Beach.

Fwoar!

I dream of Wood Rotax:

Death Trap Project

Today I got some chopper forks on the bike. I think I've finished it!



View it in higher resolution here.

Azzurri

From left to right: George Hu (General manager Azzuri), Grant Kaplan (MC Cyclery), Brett Dutton, Me, Daniel Jungfleisch (Sales Manager Azzuri).

I forgot to mention, the other day I got to meet the guys behind upcoming bicycle manufacturer Azzurri. George Hu is the man behind Azzurri, he'd flown in from Taiwan and Brett Dutton (he's one of Grant's suppliers) hooked us up for lunch.

We talked about the local market, and how culturally different it was here than in Taiwan. The Azzurri web site and branding really fails to work for me. I can see what they're trying to do and have a few ideas that George got excited about (he was a super excitable guy!). After much discussion it looks like I might get a chance to help them re-brand and re-launch, exciting times!

I also learnt that frames are not robot welded in Taiwan. In fact they're hand welded. There are a LOT of people on internet forums out there saying robot welded this and that, goes to show you can't believe everything you read out there, especially on forums.

Speed Junkies

Damn I love getting rad shit in the mail! Crazy stickers thanks to Ioannis at Speed Junkies.

World Domination

Mondays are when MC Cyclery owner and friend Grant and I get together at a lovely little bookshop cafe at Bondi Beach to discuss world domination.

New iPhone

So I finally bit the bullet and got myself a new iPhone. I was a bit excited about it until I realised I've got no contacts on the new phone and there's no way for me to port over the contacts from my old phone (the Nokia was a POS and the USB cable connection has never worked for me). That means I have to enter all my contacts in by hand (grrr).

Looking at all the numbers on my old phone brings up some memories. I've got a fair few numbers in there that I don't ever, or have never called, some names don't even ring a bell (I am getting old see?). One thing I'm pretty sure of. I won't be entering in all these numbers, way too lazy for that!

I like to keep my phone in the same pocket as my keys so I'm off to buy a screen protector thingy for it (modding it already?!).

Weekend wrap

First a house rennovation update:


Clear roofing over the deck is on. Bird shit free for now. Also check the great timber which had been hidden behind paint all this time.


The main bathroom and wardrobe has been demolished. We've demolished the wall between the wardrobe and bathroom (so stupid putting a wardrobe next to the bathroom in any case as I had a bad mould issue). The bathroom is twice as big now.


New powdercoated aluminium windows to replace all windows on the house.

On Saturday Jamie and Richie got Suga and I tickets to the Sydney Good Food and Wine show.


Suga's R32 in the carpark. It's not so clear in this picture, but the R32's excessive brake dust covers the wheels and is making them look dark brown instead of glossy black. We might have to look into some better brake pads soon.


Hey! Decent food at the Darling Harbour exhibition halls for a change!


Armed with a wine glass each, the wine testing was on and we were all spinning in no time.


Entry included an allocated seat for the Master Chef show, which to be quite honest, was heaps of fun. For these chefs (who are usually behind the scenes) to be so great in front of the camera and on a stage in front of 2000 people, that impressed me, they were hillarious.


Death Star on the harbour.


Despite there being a lot of great food and wine at the show the one thing that impressed Richie and I the most was the beer served up at the James Squire stall (try their Sundown Lager! It's fruity goodness). So we headed to the James Squire bar/micro-brewery at King Street Wharf for more.

On Saturday night Jing called me up and said a ride was on Sunday morning. Pressure's good. That's what mates are for and I needed to work off the alcohol in any case so I set my alarm and got up early on Sunday morning for a ride at Appin.


Clifton at the start.


"Bei"Jing showing us all how to do the China squat right. As usual on rests the gay jokes started flowing.


What Jing would look like on the dancefloor at a rave?

Thanks to Timmy, Cliffy and Jing for waiting up for me at every opportunity. I just didn't have any energy at all and was feeling the pain 10 miuntes into the ride. The boys pushed me to do a 2nd lap and whilst I went even slower than the first lap I'm glad I did it.

I rode clipped in for the first time ever on the Reign, the Shimano DX pedals are awesome, so easy to clip into and you can actually use them as a platform pedal not clipped in too.

I failed to clip out a few times though on techy stuff and went down 3 times. 2 times were slow falls uphill but one was a little nasty on the way down and I've got a bruised up knee but it's nothing major so... all good! I'm pretty determined to stick with the DX pedals, at least for a while.

Deus Ex Machina opens Auckland store

My mate Carby Tuckwell owns and runs Deus Ex Machina with Dare Jennings (ex Mambo). Carby worked in the same office as I did when I was on my internship, he was an inspiration back then and even more so now. Love the guy, love his work. Deus have just opened a new shop in Auckland and my god it's amazing.







More pictures here.

Bitter sweet

I'd gotten up this morning feeling really bad about the state that my marine fish tank is in. I thought I'd get out to Botany Bay today to pick up some fresh sea water for my very neglected tank (since the rennovations began the tank has been topped up with tap water and dechloriniser instead of my filtered water system which hasn't been working due to the rennovations).

I got up, checked the tides and they're low at 10am today. I didn't even make my morning coffee, instead I headed straight over to my place (I'm currently staying over at my mums due to the house rennobations) to grab the 3 20litre buckets I've got.


Mine all mine! Sideburn Magazine Issues #1 and #2.


Issues #1 and #2 going out to Valentino Rossi. A photo I leeched from Sideburn Magazine's awesome blog.

Checking the mailbox I found a nice package from Gary at Sideburn Magazine. Issues #1 and #2. #1 is apparently out of stock now, one of the last issue going to one Valentino Rossi in Italy, so I'm super chuffed I got a copy too!

I went upstairs to grab some thongs and when I glanced over at the tank I found my butterfly fish dead :( They're a very delicate fish and very fussy eaters (he primarily ate these nasty little stinging anenomes which spread like wildfire and are considered pests by many aquarium keepers).


RIP Copperband Butterfly

Of-course I feel guilty. I'm off now to grab some water whilst the tide's low.

Death Trap speed revealed

I thought I'd buy a computer so I could tell just how fast I'm going on the death trap bike. It'll also help me to figure out whether or not the modifications I'm doing are imporoving performance. On flat stretches it's happy sitting on 46.5km/hr and that's still with the bedding in 16:1 fuel/oil mixture too.

Lets take it back to the old school

Last night's JDMST End Of Month Meet was awesome. About 50 cars rocked up to Fox Studios carpark, great cars, great people, great vibe! Only a couple of guys got a bit excited on the way out, it always happens, but for the most part everyone was super well behaved.

Pics are already being uploaded here, but here are just a couple of mine:






Patchy!


Babs' amazing Hako.


Massive engine + little car = win.