Aaron's Day Off

Walking on the clouds

2009-06-30T20:22:00.001-06:00

Walking on the clouds, originally uploaded by Aaron in Denver.

Won't be many posts this week as I'm trying to get away from the online world for most of the week, but just uploaded the photos from our trip up Mount Evans at the weekend and there were some good ones in there.

If you've never been up there, it's around 14,200 feet above sea level, so you do actually feel like you're walking around in the middle of the clouds (as well as completely out of breath). You drive pretty much to the top, and then there's a bit of a hike up another 100 yards or so to get to the real top. I imagine later in July, this is relatively easy, but with snow on the ground, and me in my Vans, it wasn't the easiest stroll I've ever done.

Everyone enjoyed it, and Dad got to chase a wild animal up the side of the mountain. I was a bit worried he'd been chased off, but he turned up 10 minutes later with a big smile and some great close-ups.

There are plenty more photos on Flickr if you want to check them out.

One Day......

2009-06-24T13:49:00.001-06:00

IMG_4100, originally uploaded by Aaron in Denver.

I might own one of these. I've been dreaming about it since I was about 15 (but then again, there's the Ferrari and Porsche that also fall onto that list - these are slightly more affordable though..).

Anyway, I was lucky enough to see one up close and personal at the recent car show. Although it didn't get as much attention as the Enzo in the post below, it might be the closest car there in terms of speed around a tight track....

Real or Fake? Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig

2009-06-22T08:03:00.001-06:00

Not 100% convinced, but definitely got everyone talking about the new series of Top Gear that started back home yesterday

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T09:27:00.001-06:00

Dad's Birthday 016, originally uploaded by Aaron in Denver.

Birthday Pleasures

2009-06-19T06:42:00.001-06:00

Enzo Front, originally uploaded by Aaron in Denver.

So apart from getting to stuff my face at possibly the best all you can eat brunch this side of the Rocky Mountains, I managed to squeeze in a couple of hours at a local car show as well.

I think most of the local clubs were represented, but the highlight of the day was the Ferrari Enzo shown above. It's the closest I've been to a live one, and even was lucky enough to be around when it arrived - hearing it was almost as good as seeing it.

There were plenty more cool cars, and all the photos are up on Flickr if you want to take a look.

Evo vs Focus

2009-06-16T12:58:00.001-06:00

Tiff and the Fifth Gear team provide the review

Photographing Cars

2009-06-16T12:25:00.000-06:00

It's one of my fave things, and part of the reason is I one day hope to get some shots like the ones included in the Jalopnik link below. Of course, I'd rather be driving, but if that doesn't pan out, I still have an excuse to be there, right?

24 Hours Of Le Mans 2009: Stunning Mega-Gallery

Saab just got harder to spell

2009-06-16T06:43:00.000-06:00

There had been rumors, but wasn't sure exactly how this would all work out. I guess someone thinks tying together a bespoke sports car maker (45 people producing 18 cars a year) with what was once a fun and quirky car maker before it got sucked into the GM machine (employing 3400 people) was a good idea. Only time will tell if the Swedes lost their marbles - I have this feeling that it might just work out though...

BBC NEWS | Business | GM agrees Saab sale to Koenigsegg

Baseball Night

2009-06-13T11:32:00.001-06:00

P1000407, originally uploaded by Aaron in Denver.

Last night I managed to score some great tickets for the Rockies (against Seattle Mariners) for me and my Dad. We were a little worried about the weather situation, as we've had a week of pretty stormy week, a couple of tornadoes and some very heavy thunder flying over. As it turned out, we got a few spots of rain around 8pm, but nothing too bad, despite all those impressive looking clouds in the photo.

The Rockies are on a bit of a streak after 8 straight wins on the road, and this was their first night back at Coors Field. It all turned out good - a game that had everything (pitcher got a complete game and made some key hits as well), and getting to hang out at a sporting event with my Dad is always good.

Someone asked about cricket in the office yesterday, which reminded me of my first live cricket match, up at the Jesmond ground, just out of Newcastle. My Dad took me there - it was straight after school one night - an exhibition game with an England 11 against the local county team. What stood out was that I was only 15, but the event was sponsored by Strongbow Cider (the alcoholic version for you Americans), so everyone (over 18) got a couple of free cans. My Dad gave me his, and I sneaked an extra one or two from the nice lady giving them out, so this was the first time I was ever a little tipsy in front of the parents. There's been a few times since of course, so he's used to it now....

BBC - Pissing me off today

2009-06-11T14:13:00.000-06:00

It hasn't been a good day today (for some many different reasons that you don't even want to go there).

And now I find out the BBC won't even let me choose the UK version of their site now. I have to go through the International version, so seeing the local news and sport on the front news page is no longer an option. And "technically complicated" isn't a reason to piss off all the ex-pats around the world.

The BBC just rose above the Microsoft rebooting my computer while getting coffee this morning in terms of how pissed off I am today (and still got a dentist appointment to come). If you see me today, I'd suggest running unless you've got a million bucks for me (or something comparable). You have been warned.

BBC - The Editors: Changes to international pages

Jump Street

2009-06-10T12:35:00.002-06:00

This place is local, so it's just been added onto my list of places I need to go visit

Post-It Perfection

2009-06-10T12:31:00.002-06:00

via Grace Happens, comes the best thing I've seen done with Post-It notes yet

Real People doing Real Work

2009-06-10T09:19:00.001-06:00

P060709PS-0186, originally uploaded by The Official White House Photostream.

Love this shot

Songkick

2009-06-09T11:14:00.000-06:00

Here's something to try out - Songkick came out of secret stealthy mode recently, so it's time for everyone to try (but I'm looking at you Mr Stone specifically).

Focused on concert go-ers, you can add photos, videos and set lists from concerts you were at, track artists to make sure you don't miss a concert and even create your own gigography of every concert you've ever been too.

Songkick - Concerts, tour dates, and festivals for your favorite artists

Happy Birthday Dad!!

2009-06-09T08:34:00.001-06:00

P1000316.JPG, originally uploaded by Aaron in Denver.

Glad we're finally in the same country to celebrate 8-)

That was some weekend

2009-06-08T20:38:00.002-06:00

So we managed to pack a few things in this weekend. Saturday morning we headed up just north of Loveland to a hot rod/custom car show.

We had planned on just an hour or two, but there were fields and fields of pretty amazing cars, so we obviously blew way past the initial time we allocated (and we had to stand in line for about half an hour to get something for lunch). It was worth it though, as there were plenty of top notch cars there.

Then after a quick blast back down I25, and a shower, we grabbed a couple of drinks and headed over to Neil and Lauren's Housewarming Party. It must be the summer for parents, as Neil's Mam and Dad are across as well, so I think that was the highest Geordie concentration in Denver for a while.

There was definitely a lot of bouncy castle action (and some of it not even involving any kids).

We actually managed to stay out until midnight, along with a few other likely suspects, and I think everyone had a blast. I know we did...

Ken Block Gymkhana Two

2009-06-06T07:46:00.001-06:00

If you thought the first one was good, just wait for this one. Action really starts about a minute in. This is worth your time......

Deadly Shakers

2009-06-06T07:37:00.003-06:00

Life getting a little too boring? Your salt and pepper shakers no longer doing it for you? Here's the solution - just make sure you fill with non-deadly salt and pepper.....

Air Force Cars?

2009-06-06T07:32:00.001-06:00

I presume this is all part of a recruitment drive, but the Air Force is building cars now, fully equipped with radar absorbing paint and proximity sensors. This looks like it came straight from the set of Mad Max (and I think I want one).

Red Neck Limo's

2009-06-06T07:27:00.001-06:00

Jalopnik has 10 of them for your viewing pleasure. The General Lee was my personal fave, although not sure it will have the same jumping ability as the original....

Worlds Biggest KFC Logo

2009-06-06T07:22:00.003-06:00

KFC is known in this house as my other woman - she always moves in (in bucket form) when the wife goes out of town. So, the fact that this could be the largest KFC logo I've ever seen obviously has a special place in my heart.

Bike Control

2009-06-04T17:30:00.001-06:00

I normally don't put many bike things on here (they scare the shit out of me to be honest - much prefer 4 wheels when I'm going fast), but this was too good to resist....

Hello Kitty Helmet

2009-06-03T12:58:00.000-06:00

What every bike reader dreams of (I imagine). And only 225 Euros....

(via Likecool)

Limo Track Rides Anyone?

2009-06-03T12:28:00.002-06:00

IMG_3634.jpg, originally uploaded by Aaron in Denver.

Gareth was very fast for his first day on the track, and his A8 performed admirably. I kept expecting to see Ronin appear from around the corner, but no such luck.

Track Days without the Track

2009-06-03T07:32:00.000-06:00

Once you get your car on the track, you're kind of addicted for what I presume to be the rest of your life. Not a week goes by when I don't think about lines around the track, what it feels like to get that super smooth trail brake rotation at the perfect moment, or how to eek out another couple of milliseconds off a lap time.

Given I can't be on the track every day (or week, or even month), something has to fill the void. A few drives in the mountains, and the occasional early morning heel-toe downshift coming in to work help, as does video games. Not just any video games, but car racing games. And this year looks like it's gonna be an epic.

There's two main franchises in the racing world that go more for the realistic approach to driving (than a pure arcade, blast around having fun approach) - Forza and Gran Turismo. Forza 3 and Gran Turismo 5 are both coming out this year, and with this weeks E3 conference, a couple of trailers were released. Check them out below, and see which one you fancy.....

Oh, and my name is Aaron, and I'm a car loving geek.....