ThinkingBrian.com

Thinking: After 8 years, I'm so bored of traditional blogging it's ridiculous. But what do I do next? Photography?

2013-04-30T18:39:00.001-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen, after doing a lot of sole searching and some thinking. I have come to the conclusion that after 8 long years of traditional blogging on two blogs (Racedriven.com that I sold in 2012 and now here on ThinkingBrian.com that I own) I have decided that I am very bored and I don't want to be a traditional blogger anymore. I just don't have the passion and desire to continue this and that including talking about NASCAR.

But this decision now brings up the question of what do I want to do next?
I want to still have a voice and be heard, but not in the way I have been doing it. I also like sharing as well including photography that I do take every now and then. Some might suggest may be I should just go on Twitter full-time or use Instagram, but while I like those social media services for socking up content and that includes Facebook, I would prefer more of separate log somewhere else. And no, Tumble is out too. It's not a reliable service.

So at this point, I don't know what to say...other than I'm at a crossroad and it's time to try something else. I do know one thing, I like the name Thinkingbrian, so may be I can do something with that or start clean with a brand new name. However since I'm still thinking, Thinkingbrian.com will stay up and I will post every now and t hen until I find something new as well as try new things. I hope to have something soon, but for now thanks to all my readers, it's been fun.

Follow on Twitter @brianvermette

NASCAR Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond aka where did Kevin Harvick come from to win?!?! GWC fireworks, Damn!

2013-04-27T23:49:00.002-04:00

After a week of unfair and shameful penalties, the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond added some much needed excitement with one hell of a finish that saw Kevin Harvick emerge from the smoke on a Green-White-Checker to take the victory over Clint Bowyer.

So with the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond in the records book, its time to look back at a few key moments from the race that I'll remember for sure.

Surprise: With 82 laps to go, after a few laps of watching replays from FOX, NASCAR surprised me by rescinding Kyle Busch's commitment cone violation. Wow, NASCAR should reconsider the Kenseth-JGR penalty too.

What?!?!: Montoya finishes 4th after leading laps.

Fireworks: When the caution came out with a few laps to go and a few drivers stayed out while drivers took two tires and some took four tires, you knew it was going to be a wild finish and Damn it was. In the end, Dale Earnhardt Jr grabbed 10th, A.J. Allmendinger finished 14th, two drivers that gambled with two tires and no tires. While Tony Stewart told Kurt Busch to deal with it over the final three laps of beating and banging.

Personally on the GWC restart, it was a mess throughout the field, so it doesn't surprise me that drivers were upset after every thing was said and done including Kurt Busch. But since Busch was getting into drivers throughout the night and he finished 9th, he should feel lucky that he got that, a 9th place finish.

Kevin Harvick and RCR celebrates in victory lane at Richmond.
Congrats, well of a victory.
Photo Credit: Richmond International Raceway on Facebook

Thinking: What's wrong with NASCAR officials? These penalties especially the Kenseth-JGR penalty are unfair and shameful at best.

2013-04-27T15:10:00.001-04:00

As NASCAR teams get ready to race at Richmond International Raceway for tonight's Cup race with Matt Kenseth on the pole. The NASCAR community is still talking about the recent penalties over the last few weeks, even over the last few months of the 2013 Cup Series season.

In looking at them, I really though NASCAR blow the call on the Denny Hamlin Phoenix Post-race comments penalty of a $25k fine. The Penske Racing penalties leaves me scratching my head since the team submitted the parts for approval. Its sort of like the Jimmie Johnson/Hendrick Motorsports Daytona C-Post penalty that was reduced to $100k fine. Hopefully that will happen for Penske Racing too.

But its the Matt Kesneth-JGR penalty that has left me very frustrated with NASCAR because the penalty is grossly unfair and very shameful at best.

Personally in my opinion, there is no doubt in my mind that NASCAR should penalize JGR for the illegal part (a connecting rod being out of spec). JGR submitted the engine in there racecar and that's it. It doesn't matter where they get the engine from, its their engine.

However the Kenseth-JGR penalty makes NASCAR look like they are on a power trip or taking these infractions way too personally. The penalty in my opinion should have been: dock the #20 JGR team and driver 25 driver & owner points, $100k fine for the crew chief. Anything else including the $200k fine, 6 week suspension for the crew chief and lost of six race owners points for the #20 is completely unfair.

In my opinion, NASCAR may have just ruined the #20 teams season because of a stupid connecting rod. Seriously NASCAR. It leads me to ask this question, What is wrong with NASCAR officials? These penalties are shameful.

The STP 400 at Kansas in a nutshell...Matt Kenseth wins, Brad Keselowski comeback and Ricky Stenhouse Jr very impressive. #NASCAR

2013-04-21T17:03:00.001-04:00

Despite Matt Kenseth dominating the Kansas, that was a good race with action throughout the entire 267 laps including the final 40 laps battle for the win with Kasey Kahne in a rematch from Las Vegas. Kenseth did a good job and a tip of the hat to an impressive run by Ricky Stenhouse Jr and a good comeback for Brad Keselowski and the #2 Penske Racing team after the NASCAR penalties and starting in the back. Good race.

Fan Insight: STP 400 at Kansas - Matt Kenseth holds off Kasey Kahne to win again, Hard Hits, while fans see one caution-filled good race.

2013-04-21T16:34:00.001-04:00

With earlier today's STP 400 at the newly repaved (last summer) Kansas Speedway in the record books. Its time to look back at a few key moments from the race.

Victory: For most of the day, no one could really touch Matt Kenseth who started from pole in leading the most laps, but in the last run to the checkers, Matt Kenseth had to work hard to hold off Kasey Kahne to win at Kansas...again.

Comeback: After all of the harsh penalties from NASCAR, Brad Keselowski started towards the back and spend most of the day dealing with lap 1 damaged came back to grab a hard fought 6th place. Hell of job to that #2 Penske Racing team.

What?!?!: Jamie McMurray tries to put a (Joey Logano looking) blocking move on Mark Martin on a mid-race restart and he paid for it with a hit from Mark Martin. It looked like Martin just had no where to go. At any rate, blocking is a part of racing, but watch out, it might come back to bit you.

Surprise: Despite a late caution while Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was leading, Stenhouse impressed fully in his Kansas debut, whats a run for the rookie of the year contender. I can't wait to see how Stenhouse does at Charlotte in May.

Hard Hit: Around lap 109, Kyle Busch got loose, spun his M&M's Toyota hitting the outside wall and then coming back across the track to collect Joey Logano on the apron in one hard hit. Both cars left the ground in that collision.

Hit and miss: For the second week in a row, this one is for my Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing picks with Matt Kenseth winning, Martin Truex Jr grabbing 4th, Ricky Stenhouse Jr finished 11th and Greg Biffle finished 19th.

If it wasn't for that caution that caught out Stenhouse, Biffle, Edwards and Earnhardt Jr, this race might have been different, but that's the breaks.

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Cool Photo of Boston Strong banner by NASCAR's Roush-Fenway Racing at Kansas Speedway.

2013-04-20T16:09:00.000-04:00

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Zest Ford, team owner Jack Roush, Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 ACE Brand Ford, and Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac Ford, hold a banner in support of the Boston Marathon attack victims during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 19, 2013 in Kansas City, Kansas.
(Photo Credit: Ed Zurga/Getty Images via NASCAR Media

Thinking: KFC's "I think I ate the Bones" 2013 commercial is so stupid, but it bares repeating. Its gets people talking.

2013-04-20T14:54:00.005-04:00

Over the last couple of days, I have noticed on television a commercial that is so stupid, it bares repeating. Its the new KFC "I think I ate the bones" commercial, but why does it bare repeating...as much as its stupid to watch, its also effective and gets people talking. At one point earlier today, I looked at a family member just after seeing the commercial on television and said "I ate the bones. Did you eat the bones? I ate the bones." very fast. Yes effective. I just had to repeat it.

Source: YouTube - KFC Channel

Thinking: Possible NASCAR penalties following last night's NRA 500 at Texas for Truex, Penske Racing and Keselowski? (Update: Penske and Truex penalized)

2013-04-17T12:57:00.000-04:00

Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images via NASCAR

Published on 4/14/2013
Updated on 4/17/2013

I was just reading on SPEED Center's Facebook that Martin Truex Jr's car was too low in post-race inspection due to shocks wouldn't rebound, Penske Racing had to change the rear-ends in both the #2-Brad Keselowski and #22-Joey Logano over bolts. And Brad Keselowski's post-race comments.

In my opinion, I wouldn't be surprised to see NASCAR penalize the #56 team 6 driver/owner points for being too low (shocks wouldn't rebound after the race), Penske Racing 25 driver/owner points for an issue with the rear-end housing and may be a $25k fine for Brad Keselowski himself for his post-race comments against NASCAR even though I don't believe Keselowski said anything wrong. But I wonder what has happened over the last 7 days to the #2 car that has Keselowski so upset.

By the way, this is why I am a fan of Brad Keselowski, he is outspoken and speaks his mind when he doesn't agree with something. That is exactly what drivers need to be doing. But its unfortunate that NASCAR doesn't feel the same way like in the case of Denny Hamlin's Phoenix post-race comments. Brian France shouldn't have fined him at all, he said nothing wrong unlike Hamlin's 2010 Michigan post-race victory lane comments. Those were wrong. Hopefully Keselowski doesn't get fined for his Post-Race comments, it would be Phoenix all over again.

UPDATE: While NASCAR didn't penalize Brad Keselowski for his Texas Post-race comments because he didn't mention the product like Denny Hamlin did in his Phoenix Post-race comments, Penske Racing wasn't so lucky and on Wednesday, NASCAR penalized #56-Martin Truex Jr./MWR, #2-Brad Keselwoski/Penske Racing and #22-Joey Logano/Penske Racing just as I said above they would.

Martin Truex Jr. and MWR was penalized six driver/owner points and fined the crew chief $25k. If a car doesn't pass post-race inspection and is found to be too low, NASCAR normally penalizes for that and this was no different.

However I was hoping that Penske Racing's part were fine and NASCAR was just double-checking or giving them a hard time sort of like NASCAR gave Hendrick a hard time over the Jurassic Park car back in 1997 (I Believe). But that wasn't the case.

The No. 2 and No. 22 cars have also been penalized. Both cars were found to be in violation of Sections 12-1; 12-4J and 20-12 (all suspension systems and components must be approved by NASCAR. Prior to being used in competition, all suspension systems and components must be submitted, in a completed form/assembly, to the office of the NASCAR Competition Administrator for consideration of approval and approved by NASCAR. Each such part may thereafter be used until NASCAR determines that such part is no longer eligible. All suspension fasteners and mounting hardware must be made of solid magnetic steel. All front end and rear end suspension mounts with mounting hardware assembled must have single round mounting holes that are the correct size for the fastener being used. All front end and rear end suspension mounts and mounting hardware must not allow movement or realignment of any suspension component beyond normal rotation or suspension travel.)

As a result, NASCAR upped the penalty with the new Gen6 racecar and handed down the #2 and #22 were each penalized 25 driver and owner points, crew chief was fined $100k and suspended for six races, plus the car chief, Team Engineer and team manager (one guy for both cars) were also suspended for six races.

Bottom line, if the parts aren't approved by NASCAR, then you can't run them in NASCAR period. Penske Racing will appeal the ruling as stated on their Facebook page, so everyone will be a Kansas as normal, but it won't be normal for anyone. Of course Penske Racing would have to take it all the way up to the Chief Appellette Officer to get any real reduction as the first appeal is almost a waste of time in my opinion just like Jimmie Johnson/Knaus/Hendrick did back in early 2011.

Wow Kyle Larson holds off Joey Logano to take first NASCAR Truck Series victory at Rockingham Speedway. That's the way you win a race!

2013-04-14T16:25:00.000-04:00

In a race that saw a heated battle between Darrell Wallace Jr. and Ron Hornaday Jr. that ended in Ron Hornaday Jr. wrecking Wallace. It was Kyle Larson leading the most laps and holding off a hard charging Joey Logano to capture his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at Rockingham Speedway. Congratulations to Kyle Larson on the victory, now that's the way you win a race, race hard, but clean.

Fan Insight: NASCAR NRA 500 at Texas was all about Kyle Busch wins...again while fans see a lackluster race that was nothing like Las Vegas or California.

2013-04-13T23:09:00.001-04:00

With this past Saturday Night's running of the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in the records books. Its time to look back at a few key moments from the race.

Winner: Kyle Busch wins...again in 2013 and sweeps weekend with Nationwide win last night.

What?!?!: Damn it, Martin Truex Jr. and MWR denied again as Truex had to settle for runner up finish again. Damn he was so close too. I know its second place, but for Truex this was a good night for him. Hopefully next week at Kansas might have better results.

Comeback: This award simply goes to Carl Edwards who was having motor issues early on and down on power several times during the race to grab a third place finish and what to me at least is a victory in its own right. I really though Edwards was heading to the garage again.

Surprise: Penske Racing's #2-Brad Keselowski and #22-Joey Logano goes from having to change rear-ends, a possible penalty and almost not making to start to Keselowski finishing 9th and Logano grabbed 5th. Good runs for the Penske guys.

Hot, Hot, Hot: In a lap 84 pit stop, when Matt Kenseth was leaving his pit stall, he hit a lug nut sending sparks behind him that ignited some fuel to caution a small fire. The words "no biggie" came to mind.

Mixed bag: This is for me and my Yahoo! Fantasy Auto Racing picks. Yeah you guessed it, I had a hit and miss night with picking winner Kyle Busch, 6th place Jimmie Johnson, 29th place Dale Earnhardt Jr. and 40th place Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Like I said mixed back, but you know I stand behind my picks even though I could have grabbed Biffle and Truex from the bench. What can I say, better luck next week at Kansas.

Thinking: No need for "Reserved for Post-Race use only" ring at NRA 500 at Texas, but nice touch! #NASCAR

2013-04-13T22:56:00.001-04:00

I have to give it to Texas Motor Speedway's Eddie Gossage and some of his promotions. I saw this on Facebook and on Instagram and I just laughed. Its a wrestling ring that has a sign in it that says "Reserved for Post-Race Use Only" and of course I instantly though of boy NASCAR could have used this at both California Speedway (Logan vs. Stewart) and Martinsville Speedwasy (Harvick vs. Vickers) earlier this year. But sorry Eddie, no use for it at Texas, well not that for anything I would say out loud anyway.

(Photo Credit: Texas Motor Speedway's Eddie Gossage Facebook page)

Changes coming to ThinkingBrian with three new features including "What is Fan Insight?" "What is Thinking or Just Thinking?"

2013-04-13T21:37:00.001-04:00

As I as a blogger continue to evolve not only my writing, but my blog. I am always looking for better ways make my posts more interesting and easier to read for my readers. Over the years I have tested several different blog post titles out and found some work, while others don't. Today, three new additions to ThinkingBrian is Fan Insight, Thinking (Formerly known as Just Thinking) and hashtags from Twitter.

Hashtags: Since I have set up ThinkingBrian.com as not only a blog, but a stream of my social media accounts including Twitter and Facebook. I added the hashtag as an easier way to find the posts and share them on Twitter by using hashtags.

Fan Insight: I tested the Fan Insight title back in 2011 on my previous blog Race driven.com on several NASCAR posts and now I'm introducing the new title here on ThinkingBrian when I am discussing current events especially NASCAR. In other words, its a new column found under categories.

Thinking (formerly Just Thinking): Thinking is a shorter version of Just Thinking which is merely a short status message, blurb, tweet or though I am currently thinking about (hense the term I was just thinking) and sharing on my blog and onto social media. I changed the title from Just Thinking to Thinking to save characters on Twitter. Yes it saves five characters on a 120-140 character tweet depending up if the tweet has a link or not.

Hopefully these changes make it easier for my readers.

Saying NO to the question "Is the No. 48 team the team to beat (for the championship) in 2013? " doesn't make you a hater. #NASCAR

2013-04-13T18:06:00.001-04:00

In watching NASCAR RaceDay on Speed, I couldn't help but notice the first poll question of the day "Is the #48 team the team to beat for the 2013 Cup Series Championship in 2013?" and they said there are a lot of haters saying no.

I take exception to that. While it is true that many NASCAR fans don't like the #48 of Jimmie Johnson for one reason or another and some are haters, the fact is I'm not a hater and yet I answered the question above as "NO". To me, right now there is no one driver or team that is the one to beat period. There are 5 at least.

Yes Jimmie Johnson leads the points and have two wins so far in 2013 heading into Texas, but Brad Keselowski is right behind him with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne and even Matt Kenseth contending every week. There is no way you can count out Keselowski and Kenseth by any means. Yes that's six drivers that are neck and neck 6 races into the season for the title.

And oh yeah, we haven't even gotten to the Chase yet. Don't talk to me about who's going to win the championship until September when the chase starts.

That said, personally as a longtime NASCAR fan, I am a fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart and have been for years. They are all outspoken and damn good drivers that can hold there own on-track.

But while I'm not a Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon or Kyle Busch fan, I don't hate them neither. Far from it. The fact, I just don't route for them. I do respect what they have done including the 5 time Cup Champion and future Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson.

That's just who I am.

Fan Insight: STP 400 at Martinsville was all about Jimmie Johnson's 8th win, Mark Martin supersub and the comeback of the day Clint Bowyer. #NASCAR

2013-04-12T15:47:00.000-04:00

As I sit here watching Fast Friday on SPEED from the Texas Motor Speedway on television. Its time for me to put a period on last Sunday's race at Martinsville.

(Credit: Rainier Ehrhardt/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Pure Domination: On Sunday, Jimmie Johnson showed he is king (right now) at Martinsville after leading 346 laps from pole in route to his eighth Martinsville victory and that stunning grandfather clock. Simply put the car, team and driver won on Sunday and that's Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team.

Comeback: Clint Bowyer was all over the place on Sunday and after seeing Bowyer sideways on the front straightaway early in the race, I never would have thought that Bowyer would have been challenging for the win at the end of day before grabbing a second place finish. I know its not the grandfather clock for Bowyer that he wanted, but to me, Sunday was a win for Bowyer.

#11 Car still shines at Martinsville: Who knew the team of Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin and the #11 could take a mid-pack car and a bad pit stop and with some advice from Denny Hamlin, turn it around and grab a 10th place finish. I guess I was surprised to see Denny Hamlin on top of the pit box on Sunday let along in the garage since Friday instead of at least in his motor coach resting. But him being their was exactly what the team needed. Good job.

Media overhypes what was a good day for Danica Patrick: Sunday at Martinsville marked the first time Danica Patrick raced at the paperclip and while she did get spunout early in the race, you them managed to work her way back up through the field including passing both of her teammates Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman to grab at 12th place finish. However to me, NASCAR media especially on TV made to much of this good run including the fact that the broadcasters addressed haters during the telecasts.

I believe that the NASCAR media needs to relax especially with Danica Patrick. Its ok to congratulation any driver including Danica on a good top 10, top 15 or even top 20 finish especially at the paperclip. But enough is enough with overhyping, you are just turning off fans from it all.

What?!?! - Harvick vs. Vickers: Not really, following the race and some beating and banging on-track including at the end of the race for a final position, Kevin Harvick showed his displeasure to Brian Vickers for his driving by pulling off the best displeasure move of the season so far by simply spinning out Vickers in turn 1 and 2 after the checkered flag. I saw nothing wrong with this and it didn't hurt anyone. Sent Message, but sadly not received.

What?: NASCAR experiments with Qualifying style races and All-Star race segment format for Truck race at Eldora Speedway.

2013-04-09T14:31:00.002-04:00

(Photo Credit: Eldora Speedway)

Please excuse me, I'm having a head scratching moment over NASCAR's unveiling of the new Qualifying style races and All-Star segment races for the upcoming NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway.

I call it a head scratching moment because I really don't know what to make of it. I have always wanted to see NASCAR update its qualifying format to be more entertainment with heat races. However the idea of creating another All-Star race with real points on the line escapes me.

Basically the race will feature a traditional two-lap qualifying session to determine staring positions for the qualifying races, five qualifying races (8 laps each, 5 trucks transfer), one last-chance race (15-laps, green laps only count) and a champion’s provisional to determine the 30-truck starting field. The top-20 in owners’ points entering the race event will have a guaranteed starting position.

There's no doubt I will be interested in those qualifying races including the last chance qualifier. I watch the Supercross Races on SPEED and they have two heat races and an LCQ and its fun to watch. But then you have a traditional 15 to 20 lap race depending upon series.

The race itself with be a 150 laps broken down into a three segments of 60, 50 and 40 laps with pit stops between each segment.

Like I said in the beginning, head scratching moment. Qualifying races yes, race broken down into segments is a no. Well I guess we will see Wednesday nigh July 21st. Good luck.

One word to describe Selena Gomez's new song "Come & Get It" is Tribal. I like it!

2013-04-07T02:59:00.001-04:00

Earlier tonight, I couldn't help myself. Since I'm a fan of Selena Gomez's, I bought her new single on iTunes just after it was released called "Come & Get It". This new single is unlike anything I have on my MP3 Player which mainly consists of country music including Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Victoria Justice, Lady A, Gloriana and more. And yet I like it. Its different and sounds weirdly enough tribal. After listening to it, I wonder what her next album will sound like when it comes out. I can't wait for that.

(Photo Credit: Selena Gomez Facebook)

There's one problem with Facebook "Home". I don't want Facebook to be the center of my Android Phone. Or any other Android device I own.

2013-04-04T14:24:00.001-04:00

Facebook "Home" with notifications.
Photo Credit: ReadWrite Blog

Earlier today, I watched the Facebook "Home on Android" press conference and amazingly enough I was impressed in what they have developed. The new Facebook “Home” is basically a launcher to me that when you turn on your Android phone, it’s all about people and not apps. You get your cover feed including notifications, photos, feed and more including chat and its gives the user the option to “Like”, “Comment” or swipe away a particular item. It turns an Android phone into a social device. (Check out the ReadWrite Blog article for details)

The problem is, I use my Android phone, a Samsung Galaxy Nexus for just about everything from a music player, surfing the web, email, check my social media including Facebook and Twitter, blogging, games to a video player. And to put it very simply, in using my Android phone for all of that (tablet as well), I don’t want Facebook “Home” to be the center of my Android phone period.

Think of it this way, when I turn on my phone, I want to choose what I want to do and if at that moment I want to read Facebook, then I will just click on either the Facebook Android app or launch Chrome browser by way of the Facebook bookmark and read my Facebook news feed. But when I’m done with Facebook for now, I simply close it and that’s it until next time which could be from once a day to several times a day for no more than a few minutes at a time.

So while I will download and try Facebook Home on April 12th and keep an open mind, chances are I’m going to just pass on Facebook Home. Besides I already have battery life issues now, I can’t imagine what my battery life will be after the install. And that goes with my data (Wifi, no 3G or 4G service) usage will be like…

That all said, thank god Facebook isn't going into the Hardware business for phones.

Thinking: Why I chose to return to Instagram after deleting my original account back in January.

2013-04-04T12:58:00.001-04:00

I took this screenshot earlier today
on my Instagram Android app.

One year ago when Instagram finally launched its Android app, I was one of the first that downloaded and signed up on the very first day. I originally used Instagram following celebrities, photographers, and people who just like to take cool photos. Its an interesting service for sure.

However back in January (2013) when Instagram had there issues with there new TOS, I had second thoughts at using it. I tossed around the idea of deleting my original account including photos and possibly signing on with a new account. In the end, I made the decision to not accept Instagrams new TOS and I completely deleted my account. It was me showing my displeasure, not joining a movement.

Fast forward to the end of last month (March 2013). After not using Instagram for a few months, I kind of missed the service. So I decided to go with my thoughts from back in January and I signup for a new account on Instagram again, but using @ThinkingBrian.

But why did I choose to return to Instagram?

Its really simple, its for the content. I have found that over time I have been using several social media servicing like Facebook, Twitter, News feeds via RSS, blogs, forums and more simply for viewing content and nothing more. In the case of Instagram, I simply missed being able to follow celebrities and people who enjoyed taking and publishing cool photos. Instagram is a big community where its users put out tons of (content) cools photos on a daily basis. The content is worth using the service to me. And I would say that I'm not the only one that uses Instagram that way...

As a matter of fact, I do that with Facebook, Twitter and more as well. Of course the question now becomes, your a blogger, so if you don't add content to social media in most cases, then where do you speak or publish cool things?

well easy, when I have something to say or something to publish which is often the case, I use this blog ThinkingBrian.com and share the links on social media. Having one place online where in most cases I share my insight or publish something is a great way to handle life and serves as a journal sort of speak. And its an easy way to follow me too.

Note: Don't forget to share this article on social media and click like above if you liked the article.

Thinking: I'm already tired of the April Fools Day jokes and its not even April 1st yet. Subaru and Google are among the first.

2013-03-31T18:16:00.001-04:00

As I sat earlier today (Easter Day) reading through my newreader, Facebook and Twitter. I have to say that I can't stand these April Fools Day jokes especially when April Fools day isn't until tomorrow. So far we have Subaru building an AWD turbo diesel BRZ and Google Shutting Down YouTube with some contest. I wonder what's next, I'm dating a supermodel or Pop artist while being social media guy, may be AOL has bought Facebook, or perhaps Twitter increases its characters to 250. Oh brother. Personally I'm looking forward to April 2nd, the day after April Fools Day. Shared from Google Keep

Thinking: Why I chose Google Keep over Evernote including syncing between platforms and drafting up blogging posts.

2013-03-29T18:08:00.000-04:00

Before I get into why I chose Google Keep over Evernote and other competitors. I have admit, just like so many Google users, I too was surprised to see the news that Google is shutting down Reader in July. I know that Google is a business, but Reader is a good service that I use through a Android app called gReader and it drives traffic to this blog.

Of course with their spring or fall cleaning, it does concern me that Google might shelve other products and services I use including the new Google Keep in the future too.

That said, even with the that fact that Google might shelve 'Keep' in the future, I still decided to download the new Android app and give Google Keep a try and I wasn't disappointed at all. In using it for the last week or so, I have found that I'm using 'Keep Note' on a regular basis. I have been looking for a basic text and photo note service that can sync between multiple platforms for a longtime.

I use Google Keep to write down thoughts for later, photos, Must Do Lists, but mainly for drafting up blogging article on one platform and viewing it and editing it on another platform including drafting up this post itself. You can even share the post on the Android app with other services including the Blogger app.

I know that there are other services that do the same thing or even better in some cases like the popular Evernote, but to me, Google Keep has one big advantage. It not only syncs across multiple platforms, but works well on my Nexus 7, my Android Smartphone and my Notebook and back again. Plus the service runs off of my Google/Gmail account. No new account needed.

Bottom line, Keep Note works well for me, the same way Gmail, Blogger, Chrome (bookmarks included) and other Google services I use work well for me and while the thought of Google shelving one or more of the services I use, I still like the ease of using the Google Services they offer and when that day comes for shelving, I will backup my stuff and move to a new one. So if you use many Google Services now and need a service like Keep, then Keep would good service for you.

NASCAR aftermath: Joey Logano not to blame for Denny Hamlin’s wreck at Fontana, but does need to take responsibility for his driving.

2013-03-28T13:35:00.000-04:00

Its been an interesting few days for sure and the watercooler talk about last weekend's Auto Club 400 at California Speedway mainly centers around Joey Logano/Denny Hamlin last lap wreck, and Joey Logano vs. Tony Stewart fight. Right now, fans are divided. Personally both battles seem to stem from well before the Auto Club 400 at California.

1. Joey Logano/Denny Hamlin last lap wreck: This last lap wreck at California was NOTHING like Carl Edwards hooking Brad Keselowski at Atlanta and Gateway in 2010 nor Jeff Gordon wrecking Clint Bowyer at Phoenix in 2012.

No, if Joey Logano wanted to wreck Denny Hamlin, he would have simply hooked him, same thing for Hamlin against Logano. But that's not what happened. This was a battle for the lead with Hamlin and Logano both steaming off into turn 3 on the last lap with both (in my opinion) thinking I’m winning this race and beating you period. As a result, they got loose and ended up both wrecking.

Nobody won here. Sad to see Denny Hamlin got injured as the result of a hard crash by hitting the inside wall (that should have at least been a tire wall, if not lined with safer barriers) and will be out for an estimated six weeks, but Hamlin wrecked himself just like Logano wrecked himself. It was hard racing for the win and nothing more.

Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

2. Joey Logano/Tony Stewart fight: In my opinion, I believe Tony Stewart has every right to pissed off at Joey Logano for Logano's driving. I believe this is at minimum from Joey Logano driving so aggressively and blocking several drivers throughout the race (he blocked Matt Kenseth too).

As well as not being respectful and not taking responsibility for the blocking move (I believe there was more than one blocking move) he put on Smoke. Plus remember, Smoke was battling for the lead and he ended up finishing outside of the top 20.

Joey Logano needs to show respect to his fellow competitors and take responsibility for his driving including blocking. And simply put Stewart had enough. Listen to Tony Stewart's post-race comments, they have grounds for the most part. This isn't just over one blocking move, its more and I side with Tony Stewart.

And I'm was happy to see NASCAR didn't penalize anyone after California dust ups, but NASCAR has to be more consistent.

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Thinking: After 5 races, the Auto Club 400 at California Speedway was the best race so far in the 2013 NASCAR Cup Series season hands down.

Thinking: After 5 races, the Auto Club 400 at California Speedway was the best race so far in the 2013 NASCAR Cup Series season hands down.

2013-03-27T19:45:00.000-04:00

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/NASCAR via Getty Images)

As I sit here on Wednesday evening, I still believe the same thing that I thought when the race was over Sunday afternoon in that the Auto Club 400 at California Speedway was the best race so far in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Think about it for a moment. When you look back at the previous five races of the season, no other race can hold a candle to California and that’s the first time I've ever said that. The Daytona 500 ended up being a single-file drafting session with moments of pack racing and a decent finish that saw Jimmie Johnson go to victory lane. Phoenix was a decent race where some drivers figured out how to pass, while others couldn't Of course the headline read Carl Edwards snaps losing streak.

However Las Vegas was a different story. Vegas turned into a better race that included some good battles for the lead throughout the race and the final laps were exciting with Matt Kenseth ultimately holding off a hard charging Kasey Kahne to take his first win of 2013 with JGR. Unfortunately for me, that race was overshadowed by NASCAR fining bad boy Denny Hamlin $25k for post-race Phoenix comments. Brian France was wrong to fine Hamlin, they were harmless comments.

Meanwhile, Bristol Motor Speedway ended up putting on a mix sort of speak that combined last March’s exciting show and last August’s night “entertainment show” race into a decent race, but lacked the night, under the lights type of excitement.

And then there’s California. From the drop of the green flag on Sunday afternoon, the racing at California Speedway started to get better as the laps clicked away. There was more on-track passing in the first half of the race especially on restarts than we saw in the entire Daytona 500. But it was the second half that really made this race and got everyone talking.

The double-file restarts really brought out some of the action especially the final restart with several drivers jockeying around for position including Joey Logano putting a block down low on Tony Stewart so Logano could keep position and contend for the win.

Of course it was the final laps were everyone thought that Joey Logano was going to win when he pulled away from Hamlin with 5 to go, but Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. closed the gap and turned into a battle for the lead with Hamlin and Logano both steaming off into turn 3 with both (in my opinion) thinking I’m winning this race, but if I can’t win, you aren’t neither and neither did with Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. driving right by the wreck for the win.

It was the best race so far in the 2013 Cup season.

Thinking: Cool seeing James Hinchcliffe take the GoDaddy IndyCar to victory lane in the Grand Prix of St. Pete over Helio Castroneves.

2013-03-24T15:15:00.002-04:00

In a race that I could only describe as bizarre especially with JR Hilderbrand going flying over Will Power under caution in the middle of the race, it was cool to see James Hinchcliffe capture his first IndyCar Series victory and he earned it holding off Penske Racing’s Helio Castroneves and Marco Andretti in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Good job and congrats to Andretti Autosport.

James Hinchcliffe wins Grand Prix of St. Pete IndyCar race.
Photo Credit: SPEED's WindTunnel Facebook Page

Thinking: Did anyone else think the team orders, dueling teammates and fuel regulations made for one somber ending to the Malaysia Grand Prix?

2013-03-24T13:45:00.001-04:00

I have to say that in a race that saw Fernando Alonso run into the back of Sebastian Vettel in turn 2 after the green flag and then crashed going into Turn 1 on the lap 2 after gambling that the damage to his front wing wasn't bad enough to pit. Yes he took himself out of this race and this isn’t the way to win a championship.

The dueling Red Bull Racing teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber fighting for the lead which was later won by Sebastian Vettel, and team orders and fuel regulations holding back teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at the end of the race.

I have to say that this was one of the most somber endings to a Formula 1 race I’ve seen a longtime (not counting a person injured or passed away). Nobody was happy at all, not even the winner of the grand prix Vettel. This is one of those races I will remember more for dueling sets of teammates, the team orders and fuel regulations (that includes no refueling) than some moments of good, hard racing especially for the lead. I sure hope the next Formula 1 Grand Prix (the Chinese Grand Prix next month) is better.

NASCAR Food City 500: Despite Kasey Kahne winning, Bristol Motor Speedway isn't Bristol racing in the daytime.

2013-03-19T20:05:00.001-04:00

In watching Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, the race itself seemed like a cross between last years Spring race of two-three wide racing with passing that was a good race and last August's slugfest single-file "entertainment" under the lights race. But even with more passing on Sunday, one thing is still missing, sparks didn't fly. The simple fact is, Bristol isn't Bristol unless its night racing period.

That said, a few notes. It was cool seeing Kasey Kahne out run both Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski to win at Bristol. It was a damn good battle.

The Denny Hamlin vs. Joey Logano feud is child's play to me and I've seen this before. Joey Logano needed to handle himself better, stop with the Twitter war and the pit road meetings and deal with Hamlin...talk or racetrack because Denny Hamlin has been doing this for a longtime to drivers and he shows no signs of stopping. In other words, they both are to blame.

And since Bruton Smith has done everything else to Bristol Motor Speedway may be he should move the outside wall in the corners down one grove to keep cars from using the top grove. That move would create the same size racing space that Darlington Speedway has. Just a thought.