Amid all the chatter about
the indictment of Big Dick's Boy Friday , and what
damage a prison sentence would do, today's REAL news has gotten lost.
George Takei
is a raging homo. This is no surprise to me... he speaks with the same diva-like inflections as
Jerry Hall. He shows up on the red carpet in black tie straight out of an
International Male catalog. I'm sure he regularly gets a set of wrist-splints with fan letters.
Good for him to be public about it, but I'd rather that it was
another resident of LA. (link via
towleroad and not safe for work)
Everywhere I look today, it's all about great big packages...
First, the
Carpundit has christened a certain someone "
Butterballs".
Then
Jimbo posts about the Brawny man's
impressive bulge.
And, even that tasty brisket at
DetroitWonk is talking about the
Great American Package.
Either I have a dirtier mind than most, or I missed the memo that today was Genitalia Innuendo Friday.
We never get commercials
this good.
Renault doesn't even show the car, but it's effective, and pretty dang-nabbit funny.
(via
MPH)
... even the Scottish. I'm talking about a Car of the Year.
Everybody seems to have a Car of the Year. There's Motor Trend Car of the Year, European Car of the Year, World Car of Year, Canadian Car of the Year, plus the 10Best, Viewer's Choice... you get the idea. I'm thinking of starting a Bitchy Queens of Logan Circle Car of the Year. It will always have to be a
BMW 3-Series,
Mazda Miata or
Mercedes SLK.
Anyhow, in between nasty bites of
haggis, the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers named the BMW 3 Series
Car of Year:
I'm pretty sure that they won't be the last ones. This seems a good choice. Believe it not, I haven't driven the new E90 3 Series yet. Everything I've read says it is even more fun to drive than the last gen E46. BMW took the safe road on this one, though I do have a couple issues with it:
- The stupid chrome "eyelids" on the grille make it look like Paris Hilton after a bender.
- The dash doesn't have the slight driver-slant like previous ones. It just seems to be forgetting it's purpose, to be driven. The new flat dash might as well add a gazillion cup holder like a minivan.
Note to BMW: Forget the controversy; just make it purty and fun to drive.
 | + |  | = |
| Lotus Elise | | Loaf of Bread | |
 |
Volkswagen EcoRacer
(Blech!) |
Autoblog posted pictures of the new Hyundai Azera.
DISCLAIMER: I reserve the right to change my mind when I see it in person.
That said... Hyundai is on a roll, and Buick should just hang it up. This is what the
LaCrosse should have been. While the Azera's sheetmetal is anything but revolutionary, it's a nicely executed modern body. Plus, the Azera has a V6 spurting out 263 hp and 255 lb-ft.
I've been looking at the
official site, and I can only come up with two gripes...
- The front end, especially around the grill, looks a bit awkward, like it was an afterthought
- The dash looks like it belongs in a 2005 Suburban. (But it's no worse than the LaCrosse's)
To GM: Buick is falling behind even further. Stop reskinning 10-15 year old designs, and create a REAL new car... or just shut Buick's doors. It's becoming an embarrassment.
For everyone asking, yes, the
Nano has arrived, but I haven't had a chance to play with it. I'm going to play it safe and wait to play with it until it's
little condom arrives. Pictures will be forthcoming.
Butterstick has been given a
name.
Chrisafer seems to be holding up well.
Tai Shan is a dumb name. Makes me think of
him and
her.
It's getting colder, and I hate my winter wardrobe. I think I need to buy, at a minimum, a new
jacket and some
sweaters.
I've always had a love/hate relationship with Edmund's
Inside Line. It's nice to get some diversity in the auto-related sites, and they occasionally get some good spy shots. Then again, the "What this means to you" summaries are condescending and assume the reader is incapable of basic reasoning. And lately, they are just getting shit wrong.
Last week, the stated that the Cadillac BLS is on GM's Sigma platform. WRONG! It's the Epsilon. When I was reading the article, I couldn't believe that got through basic proof reading. (For the uninitiated, Epsilon is the front-wheel-drive underpinnings of cars like Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saab 9-3. Sigma is a rear-wheel-drive underpinnings of Cadillac's CTS, STS, and SRX.) Unfortunately, errors like this cascade to
other blogs out there.
Now they are
reporting that BMW is preparing a coupe-cabriolet version of the 3 Series that will replace BOTH the coupe and convertible. Sorry, I just don't believe it.
Everyone knows I love the coupe-convertibles, and Volvo is primed to introduce the new C70 coupe-convertible. It would be a logical move for BMW to replace the convertible with a coupe-convertible. But the coupe also?!?! I don't see it happening, especially since they will need a stiff traditional coupe body for the M3.
But, if Inside Line is right, it could be a disaster. Maybe I'm biased (see header), but the coupe is a sportier alternative to the sedan without the $7000 premium of the convertible. While I love my 325Ci coupe, I cannot see myself drive a 325i sedan. That will leave me with the wagon next, or leaving BMW for another marque. Luckily, I like wagons.
I've decided
Liz Phair is the only woman I will sleep with. Unfortunately, she apparently has a
boyfriend.
Her concert tonight gave me tingly feelings where no woman has. She was amazing. Very classy broad, even when she is singing about hot white cum and fuck & run.
I was very happy she sang lots of her old stuff... not that there is anything wrong with the new stuff. (I disagree with my friend Andra, who thinks her stuff was better when Liz lived in Wicker Park... that's only because Andra lives in Wicker Park.) I was afraid that she wouldn't do stuff like Mesmerizing and Cinco de Mayo, but she did.
Problem with a Liz Phair concert... she has so many songs that I like that she will never get to them all. I do wish though that she would have been able to get to Johnny Feel Good, Giving It All To You, and Friend Of Mine.
In case anyone was wondering... yes, Johnny was my childhood nickname.
And
Ben's Chili Bowl rocks after too many Wolaver's.
My morning at work has been a complete waste. I discovered
BMW's archival site and I can't drag myself away from it.
It has complete information about past models, links to people and events that are related and vice versa. It gives you not only the technical data, but the historical context of specific models. There is an image gallery where you can type in any model you are interested in, and see dozens of photos and tech drawings. There is so much to see here, my feeble little brain is about to explode. (Or it could have too many Manhattans last night... whatever).
If you really want to burn some time, login as guest, select "Simple Search", and then select "Product", "Automobile" and "Decade". You'll get a year by year synopsis of the models the BMW sold. (Keep in mind they didn't start selling cars until 1929 or so.) I keep stumbling on Bimmers I didn't even know existed. Who knew there was a 2002 Cabrio, or a 1600 "Touring" hatchback?
I wish every manufacturer had this type of archive. It would sure help when I get distracted and need the racing history the
Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon or the genesis of the
Plymouth Volare.
Couple of warnings:
- This site is HIGHLY addictive. I'm looking for a support group already.
- The English version is somewhat incomplete. I've run into several pages in German, and some with an entry that says "Waiting For Translation."
- My favorite year-by-year summary basically stops at 1975.
 | + |  | = |
| Citroen C4 | | Volvo SCC | |
 |
| Audi TT Shooting Brake |
This story has been everywhere today, but I'm only going to link to
Autoblog, since they are so
Nano-licious. (The brown nosing doesn't quite end.)
Ford is considering a Lincoln based on the new Mustang. I say bring it on... in fact bring it and a whole lot more. I really didn't understand why Ford didn't plan a lot more off the Mustang chassis from the start:
a.) Ford Mustang: Ford couldn't have been more right on with the Mustang.
b.) Mercury Cougar: Slightly longer wheelbase version... (and hear me out) possibly with a four door body. This would go head-to-head with the Charger and possibly the 300. (Dump the Montego, let the Ford 500 take up the slack, and take DC head on with Mercury)
c.) Lincoln Continental: Even longer wheelbase four door with suicide doors. Modern interpretation of the classic 60's Continental, but NOT a retro-copy. Chrysler is making good money as the mini-Bentley... One up DC and make the Lincoln Continental the mini Rolls Royce. (No mind that Bentley is outselling Rolls... most of us poor folk don't know that.)
d.) Lincoln Mark IX: Plain and simple, a complete long wheelbase, 70's pimp-retro throwback coupe (Come on, people are pimping their
Chryslers with reckless abandon... why not offer it from the factory?)
Based on some feedback from friends, the last one (Mark IX) is a little controversial, but Lincoln needs to acknowledge their past, and maybe even profit from it. The "bling" trend has not subsided completely, and Lincoln is better suited than any other brand to capitalize from it.
Honestly, to this day, whenever I think of Lincoln, I always revert to my youth, and envision Cloris Leachman driving her Lincoln in chase/demolition scene of "
The North Avenue Irregulars"... the nails, the hair, the dog... Embrace it.
Yeah, yeah, I won
the Nano.
Unfortunately, the original post with the entries is gone. There were some pretty good ones. Apparently, my combination of palm-greasing (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) and sycophancy paid off.
...Always Piss Me Off!
People, it's just a little rain.
(Hour and a half commute from DC to Tysons... 'nuff said.)
My dear friends
Lisa and Christopher are two of the most creative people I know. They host an 8 hour Christmas brunch. It's not unheard of to receive a handmade card from them. They were married in a Scottish castle BEFORE Madonna did it. (I wouldn't be surprise if Madge secretly stalked Lisa for ideas.)
Earlier this year, they started a business,
LeMair Handcrafts. True to form, they make EVERYTHING. Their site doesn't do their wares justice; everything is really beautiful. I own several pieces of their pottery, and will probably end up with a yoga mat bag, if I ever get off my lazy butt. Also, while I don't (usually) carry a purse, Lisa's bags are fabulous, with vintage fabrics and buttons.
A couple weeks ago, they had a trunk show. I finally got around to loading the pictures. (Yeah, yeah, work got busy.) They are
here.
 | + |  | = |
| Mazda 6 | | Pontiac G6 | |
 |
| Honda Sports 4 Concept |
Oh, Dubya... what a lousy pick in Harriet Miers (a.k.a.
Mai-Tai). She's not exactly a legal heavyweight, especially compared to Roberts. She is proving to be much easier to parody and snark than Roberts (even with the whole
gay thing):
BTW... my vote in the
vote for the doppelganger of the pit bull in size 6 shoes:
Jerri(Image shamelessly lifted from
The View Through The Windshield)
Ummm... wow... anybody else intrigued?
(Seen in Vienna)
I'm not like most Americans. I'm probably more old Europe. I love small cars. In fact, when I was shopping for my Bimmer, I was SERIOUSLY considering the
Infiniti G35. It was a blast to drive... that engine is automotive heroin. After spending about 15 minutes on the phone with the other half talking me down, I decided it was too big. Yes, the smallest Infiniti is still too large for me. I wish there were more premium and luxury small cars available in US. Not all of us think bigger is better.
The Car Connection has spy shots of the forthcoming Volvo C30. This is my kind of car. I'm a big fan of the S40, though I tend to gravitate towards coupes and hatchbacks. (My last car was a VW GTI, which I loved until the mechanical and electrical gremlins awoke.) It's tough to see through the camaflouge, but I hear it will look a little like the
Safety Concept Car, a retro nod to another Volvo I'm drawn to, the 1800es:
