Who will win?

Posted on October 30, 2008

Formula 1 fans, this is it. This weekend we’ll see if Lewis Hamilton can hang on to win his first Driver’s World Championship, or if Felipe Massa will steal it Kimi-esque at his home-town race at Interlagos. Will Ferrari clinch the Constructor’s World Championship or will McLaren find a way to topple them?

With strong chances of rain forecasted, this is going to be one hell of a race that any F1 fan must watch. Since I posted earlier about tipping in football, I thought it appropriate that I post some of my thoughts regarding this weekend’s race, particularly odds for Qualifying. Obviously Felipe’s the favourite (2.10) due to his dominance in Brazil the past two years, while Lewis’ strong quali performances has him a whisker behind at 2.50. What is interesting is that their two team-mates are some way behind: Kimi is at 5.50 while Heikki is at 17.00.

At first glance the odds make sense based on previous performances, but is there more to it? Particularly, what would the tactics of Ferrari and McLaren be considering there is so much at stake? If I was the Team Manager of either team, I’d be extremely concerned of having our rival ahead of us on the grid, as this would give them the chance of controlling the race. The solution I would impose is to run the secondary cars (in this case Kimi or Heikki) on lighter fuel loads. Less fuel = less weight = faster car. Sure it may leave that particular driver on a crap pit-stop strategy, but it would give the team the best opportunity to secure pole position, be the first through the first corner and then to dictate the pace. Hopefully after the start you’ll find his team-mate in second position, allowing you to do a quick swap of position and then use Kimi/Heikki as a wingman to hold everyone else up. I might be way off the radar, but that’s my way of thinking. I’ve put a tenner on each. Here’s hoping I’m right!

Snap-on Tools keyring

Posted on October 29, 2008

When it comes to awesome keyrings, I don’t think many could top this lil sucker I received today. Its a Snap-on Tools keyring with a socket replica, allowing you to pull it apart as you would a 1/4″ drive socket set.

Gunners vital win

Posted on October 28, 2008

Stayed up late on the weekend to watch Arsenal play their English Premier League fixture against West Ham United. Being a Gunner’s fan can be difficult and frustrating as although they play, without dispute, the most attractive football (aka soccer) you’ll see from any team in any country, they haven’t been able to secure any silverware for the past few years. Many have said that Arsenal’s open, fast-paced, attacking style suits the Champions League tournament better than the EPL, and going off recent results there’s some truth to that (4-0 vs. Porto, 5-2 vs. Fenerbahce).

Thankfully Arsenal scraped through the West Ham match with a 2-0 victory (having waited 75 minutes before the first goal), which is vital as main title contenders Manchester United and Chelsea both dropped points. It was a very interesting match, with West Ham having their fair share of chances to hit the back of the net. That said, Arsenal were the dominant force with 24 shots on goal (compared to West Ham’s 11) and 58% of the possession. Van Persie and Walcott both hit the upright and crossbar respectively, which was a damn shame for me as I had bets in place that they’d score four goals or more.

As you can see in the above pic, the claims for West Ham’s goalkeeper Robert Green (who was otherwise putting in a great performance) to be sent off for handling the ball outside the box proved correct. The ref waved away the protestations, but luckily the decision didn’t make a difference as they still won. Not really sure why I was playing around with my camera at the time, but there you have it.

If you’re a betting man, it may be worth putting a couple of bucks on Arsenal as they’re getting some great odds at 15/2 to win the Premier League (just a few months ago it was just 4/1), and 10/1 for the Champions League. I’ve placed a couple hundred dollars on them, and hopefully they come through this season. I’ll be one happy chappy if they do that’s for sure!

1c buy

Posted on October 28, 2008

Recently I’ve been spending a fair bit of time browsing the wonderful world of eBay. I’ve never been a heavy user of eBay - mainly because I hate waiting for things - but I’ve been buying up quite a few things recently. I’ve been on the hunt for a replacement mini-tripod for my camera (my current one which I bought in Japan is starting to show its age with wear to the cuff), and so I snatched one on eBay at the last second for just one cent. With very reasonable shipping at just $1.60 from Hong Kong it was a steal. It’s no where near as good as my Japanese one, but at less than two dollars who can complain?

Sushi Rio

Posted on October 27, 2008

Don’t know if it is a cold or a super bad case of hayfever, but I haven’t been feeling the best over the weekend. So I thought a good dose of wasabi might help! Initially I was going to go to Makoto, my favourite sushi restaurant in Sydney, but I decided to go to Sushi Rio instead as a lot of people have been giving it rave reviews. The dishes are well presented, fairly cheap and good overall. But Makoto still trumps it, hands down.

Weld keyring

Posted on October 26, 2008

Doing a bit of spring cleaning (well not really, I was just looking through an old box) uncovered the keyring I used for my old 350Z. Its from Weld and I received it in Tokyo a few years back. It’s only an inch tall and laser cut. Pretty cool huh?

Blackberry Bold: A layman’s review

Posted on October 25, 2008

After a few weeks worth of usage, I thought it was time that I posted a personal review of my new 24/7 companion, the Blackberry Bold. Having succumbed to my work and lifestyle demands, I had given up conventional cell phones for my first geek phone, and I have to say that the initial transition was like leaping over a canyon.

During the past five years I’ve owned many a Nokia 8-series, so not only had I had become used to Nokia’s interface but also their designer range’s inherent lack of features. Sure you could store numbers, SMS and, if you really wanted to, take a photo with the absolutely horrific 0.5MP camera. But that was about it. There was as much memory as a XT computer, and going online seemed like asking for technology 30 years from now. Regardless, I was happy with a tiny, bullet proof-constructed, unique handset. I was a sucker for the glossy finish, the Porsche bearings, the clack-clack slider.

However after getting accustomed to the Bold, I have to admit that I am absolutely, positively in love. In hindsight, I can not fathom how I ever went about my day to day work without one. As two of my work colleagues have iPhones and I also have the V2 iPod Touch, I’ve been able to fairly compare the two. That said, it’s a bit difficult to assess the two against one another as the real rival for the iPhone is the upcoming Blackberry Storm.

Although I was initially concerned about its size, my fears of feeling like I was carrying a novel in my pocket proved incorrect. Its light weight and thinness are its saving graces. And while I’ve had to refrain from driving and texting at the same time (it’s impossible with a QWERTY), I’m now inseparable with my Bold.

What I like:
* Keyboard design – the curved edges help with tactility, and greatly reduces hitting the wrong keys. After a few emails you’ll be pumping text out like a mad man, and you’ll loathe the iPhone’s touch screen interface in no time
* Push Email – put simply, this is Blackberry’s forte. Period. Even better as it has HTML support too
* Trackball – makes navigating menus a breeze. Feels eerily like a clit though
* Mini-USB charger – convenience at its best. I can juice it with the same cable as my camera, card reader, portable hard drive or sat nav
* Desktop software – well designed and easy to understand. About, oh, a quarter of a billion times or so better than Nokia’s ridiculous PC Suite
* Plain UI – initially I was revolted with the text-heavy UI (User Interface), however I soon realised how comfortable it is to use once accustomed
* Office programs – although I haven’t needed to exploit these features yet, it’s awesome to have the option to work on MS Word and Excel documents on the fly
* Screen – killer resolution. I might get shot for this, but I dare say it’s better than the iPhone

What I don’t like:
* Screen – while I mentioned that I love the screen, I also absolutely hate it. Unlike the Nokia 8-series phones I’m used to or indeed the iPhone, the Bold has a screen which is plastic rather than glass. Even though I’m careful with which pocket I put it into, I still managed to scratch the f*ck out of it. Get a screen protector before use
* Battery life – I bought the Blackberry Bold to use it. Unfortunately if I’m talking constantly, writing emails and on MSN, the battery life struggles to last even a day
* Charging time – the iPhone wins hands down I’m afraid. By your next birthday party your Bold will hopefully have reached full charge. I have umbilical cords for it at home, in the car and in the office to maintain its sustenance
* Voice Dialling button – F*ck me. Boy do I hate this button. Every time I put the phone in my pocket I’m greeted with the robotic voice: ‘say a command’. Also thinks I want to call Helen when I’m actually saying William
* Almost identical icons – the two-dimensional, outline-style icons used in the menus still catch me out occasionally. Many of them are almost identical, so it’s not uncommon to click on the wrong application
* Face plant! – some things, like inserting a phone number into an SMS is tedious with significant click-depth. Hopefully RIM work on this for future editions. Sometimes being simple – and remembering that this is a phone and not a computer - is better
* Fake materials – passing plastic off as metal and pleather as leather is just ghey
* Monthly bill – an unforseen dilemma is that the Bold is just too easy to type with. I’m rather frightened of what my next phone bill will be thanks to how many text messages I’ve sent on a whim

How to: Surviving Economy Class

Posted on October 24, 2008

Flying is something I never thought I would do as part of my job. Before I worked at Auto Salon, I had only been on a dozen international flights (most when I was just a child) and the furthest I had been domestically was Canberra – which is just a four hour drive away. Since that fateful day in May 2002 when I began work for Auto Salon as, of all things, a merchandise designer and general shit kicker, I’ve filled up my passport and probably been on over a hundred planes, flying to countries I would never have thought I’d visit.

All except three of those flights were done in the rattiest of classes: economy. The poverty-class where airlines think it is OK to cram people in like sardines, where you always seem to be plumped next to a leprechaun of a human being, where you are served the smallest morsels of food and given dirty looks whenever a hostess even gets a whiff that you want to ask for something.

Charlie’s 16 tips to a better shitty flight:
Over the years, I’ve learnt quite a few little tips and tricks that can at least ease the pain of economy travel, especially if you have to do it frequently. So I’d thought I’d share them…

* Choose your seat carefully – not all seats are the same and, as Mark Pakula rightfully pointed out to me a while back, the further forward you are in a plane the less engine roar there is. Of course, emergency exits are the best seats due to the added leg room, but these are highly sought after and you also can’t have a bag at your feet (a real PIA for me). Importantly, be wary of staying right behind a galley. This is where they place passengers with babies, as there is a bassinet mounted to the wall. No one likes screaming babies. Especially if it’s not yours. Check out Seat Guru for a seat-plan on the aircraft/airline you’ll be flying.

* The flipside - there is a major benefit of sitting at the back of the plane. If you are, be sure to be one of the last to board as this allows you to walk the entire plane and survey where the free seats are, so that as soon as that seatbelt light comes off you can grab that empty row all for yourself.

* Dress comfortably – those Ksubi pencil leg jeans might be cool, but you’ll be longing for a pair of scissors to cut them off after eight hours on a plane. Wear shorts or soft material pants. And as long as you don’t have foot odour issues, take your shoes off during the flight. Your feet swell on a plane, so it’ll be a major relief to be pedalling around in socks instead. And empty pockets also helps. Cramped confines, sharp keys and scrotums do not mix.

* Personally I like window seats - I’m not tall so I don’t need the extra comfort of the aisle, and at least one side of my seat is mine and not shared with everyone else.

* Get rid of the shit in the seat pocket – if you get on the plane early, take all of the magazines, sick bags and catalogues out and stuff them in the seat pocket next you. Remember, in economy, every centimetre of leg room counts.

* Carry two bags as hand carry – one small, and one big. The small one is for what you need for the flight itself (iPod, pen, book) and goes underneath the seat in front of you, and the other goes into overhead and is filled with your other stuff like your mobile phone, jacket and tooth brush. No need to have a massive bag at your feet, and at the same time no need to wake up that snoring oaf next to you to reach the lockers. Also try to put your bag in an overhead locker one row in front of you, so when it is time to scramble off the plane you can grab it while you’re walking off.

* Bag positioning – obviously you are going to want to stretch out as much as you can, and so during the flight, position your bag at the seat base, behind your calves, rather than underneath the seat in front of you. Maximum leg space baby, maximum leg space.

* The armrest fight – here’s a tip: don’t be greedy. Those that hog the entire armrest to themselves tend to lose it for good the moment they reach for something, as the passenger next to them thinks ‘now it’s my turn’. Instead, share it. Stick your elbow on the back half, and let the other person make do with the more uncomfortable front half. Worked for me over three dozen times with no elbow wars.

* Get water – unfortunately with the new restrictions, you can’t carry liquids at many international airports. And so make sure you ask the hostess for a bottle (not a cup) of water, allowing you to remain hydrated for your entire trip.

* Hungry? – If you’re hungry after the coin-sized piece of chicken they’ve served you, don’t be afraid to ask for more food. Most airlines actually carry instant noodles to shut hungry people like me up.

* Stay off the booze – alcohol dehydrates you big time on a plane, although a glass of wine on a red-eye flight always helps to sleep.

* Entertain yourself – remember that chances are they’ll be showing you the same movies on your return flight, so either ration your movie selection or make sure you stock up on movies on your iPod. I’ve found a full season of a TV series is particularly good at killing the time. If you can only watch the supplied movies, make sure you leave something to look forward to (ie: don’t watch the good shit first). There’s nothing worse than knowing your only source of entertainment is dry when you’ve only just begun your journey.

* Grab a wad of departure cards – keeping some departure cards is always a smart idea, as you can then fill them out the night before, allowing you to cruise through immigration instead of asking to borrow a stranger’s pen.

* Long haul flights - break the trip up into blocks of time and stick to a regime: for example, stay awake on take-off as food is usually served as soon as they’ve reached altitude. Eat, watch a movie, then have a nap. Before watching another movie, get up and spend 20 minutes stretching at the back of the plane. Repeat as necessary. Time will fly (OK bad pun), guaranteed.

* Steam towels – on Asian carriers you are often given steaming hot hand towels. While they are still hot, place then over your face and inhale. The moisture from the steam will stop your nose feeling all dehydrated later.

* Don’t arrive late – for quite a few years I stuck by the mantra that the less time I spent in transit, the better. I’ve now realised this isn’t the case. Previously I used to arrive at airports at the very last minute and only pass through immigration when my name was being called over the PA. This however, probably adds to the jet lag. Think about it, you’re stressed as you always have one eye on the watch, and you have to dart like a madman to the gate which gets your adrenalin pumping. By the time you get on the plane you’re a sweating, heaving mess; not exactly what’s ideal considering you’re about to be frozen in the same position for 12 hours.

Don’t leave home without these:
* An iPod - I also have a trick backup charger I bought from Japan which runs off AA batteries
* Headphone adaptor – these only cost a couple bucks and sure beat using their standard issue headphones
* Good quality headphones - preferably noise cancelling (they make a world of difference)
* A book - the most reliable form of entertainment on the face of the planet
* A pen - because borrowing sucks. Fill out that arrival card straight away to get it over and done with
* A chocolate bar - trust me, you’ll thank me later!

Back of the closet

Posted on October 23, 2008

Much to my surprise, I found this old favourite in the back of my closet. It’s a Diesel jacket I bought a year or so ago, and I had totally forgot I had it. Still fits just as good as the day I bought it!

Without doubt I’m a sucker for detail, like these patches sewn in the jacket’s lining.

Also on the inside of the jacket is a pretty big screen print (which I’m not particularly fond of), but nothing to complain about as it can’t be seen. Going to give it a dry clean and then it’ll be back in action.

Curry for a cold day

Posted on October 22, 2008

Sydney’s weather continues to be indecisive. Going off today’s chilly wind and rain, you’d never expect that summer’s just around the corner. This evening I caught up with my sister Caroline for an early dinner, and since she had a craving for edamame we headed to Ichiban Boshi in Galleries Victoria. Ichiban Boshi seems to be everyone’s favourite Japanese restaurant. It’s good - no argument from me there - but I don’t know if it is so damn great to continually rave about and to wait up to an hour for a seat. As we were there relatively early, there was no line thankfully. Grabbed a katsu curry, a dish that I’ve become addicted to as I go to Japan (always during their winter period) so often.

Steel Bar & Grill

Posted on October 21, 2008

Today I walked 100m down to Carrington St to eat dinner at the new Steel Bar & Grill which is created by the same people responsible for Pony. I didn’t actually know it existed until I walked passed it a few weeks ago.

What immediately caught my eye was the stunning fit out by Michael McCann. There’s an enormous 3000 wine bottle rack, plenty of crustacean / fish tanks, baskets of produce and an open kitchen. There’s plenty of lavish chrome too.

Decided to sit outside on the enormous communal dining table. The staff were extremely friendly and very prompt.

Token bread and olive oil photo. Wolfed this down in no time. I love my bread.

Ordered the spatchcock and it’s a shame my photo doesn’t do it justice. It was great, and everything was cooked to perfection. The bill for two people though came to A$220 (no dessert).

Breaking up the formality is the integration of the dining and bar areas, which is an awesome idea. The use of materials was great: steel, wood, chrome, glass and sandstone everywhere, and it actually worked well together.

Outdoor bar area with a central fireplace and plenty of surrounding heaters. Overall I gave the whole experience an 8/10, which certainly is very good considering how critical I can be with food. Was certainly a lot less pretentious than I thought it would be. I also found out that they open early for breakfast, so I’ll be coming back (if they’re open on a Sunday morning that is).

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