elijahnicolas.com

Sebastian Vettel Behind the Wheel with a Tesla Model S Plaid + Ceramic Brake Kit With

Elijah Nicolas — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 17:28:36 +0000

Watch Formula 1 racer Sebastian Vettel crush the CIRCUIT de BRESSE in France with the newly optionally equipped Tesla Model S Plaid.

Ths new Tesla option I'm referring to is the CARBON CERAMIC BRAKE KIT. This kit includes:

Big front and rear carbon ceramic discs
Set of high temperature brake pads
Braided brake lines
High temperature fluid

What a dream setup!

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What my 2004 911 40 Jahre is...

Elijah Nicolas — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 17:30:00 +0000

I would love to do a review of my own 911 40 Jahre #310 in a similar light. Anyone want to help me produce it?

The Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe (996 Variant)

Elijah Nicolas — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 18:19:49 +0000

I'm really starting to appreciate my 2004 911 40 Jahre (996) more and more and am really thankful to my coworker / Porsche enthusiast for directing me towards that specific model as my first Porsche. This video below depicts the transformation of a 996.1 into an amazing one off Classic Club Coupe! Check it from PCA!

San Diego's New La Jolla MTA Line

Elijah Nicolas — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 04:00:00 +0000

The nine-station La Jolla line will run 11 miles from Old Town to UCSD. SANDAG estimates the new line will attract 20,000 new transit riders a day.

I find it hard to see the 20,000 "new" transit riders a day within this locale. Maybe a brunt of it would be students going downtown but unless it actually stretches further North, I think this could easily be another 78 corridor ridership-less mode of transportation.

Sometimes I Create

Elijah Nicolas — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 06:20:08 +0000

Sometimes I get an itch or find the motivation to create. I’ve been taking a lot of photos lately but the post-processing is a whole different story. With that, I took this drone video using my DJI Mavic Mini and put it together all on the spot. Check it out below!

This video is of the Endless Surf Camp in Mission Beach, San Diego, California. This would have been our 3rd year but 2020 but it is the first year for our six year old son. Such a great time! Pictures to come… maybe.

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Subtitles… Just Read Them!

Elijah Nicolas — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 17:14:45 +0000

II often hear friends and family say that they dislike movies or shows with subtitles because it’s a hassle to read but then I was reminded of this quote from Parasite director Bong Joon Ho. “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” I highly recommend giving those highly rated Korean Dramas on Netflix a watch. Rollercoasters such as, Hi Bye, Mama or Crash Landing on You were fun, amazing and beautiful. Get on it!

If You Want to Save Money, Go Electric...

Elijah Nicolas — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 23:48:54 +0000

New data published Thursday shows that despite the higher sticker price, electric cars may actually save drivers money in the long-run.

To reach this conclusion, a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology calculated both the carbon dioxide emissions and full lifetime cost — including purchase price, maintenance and fuel — for nearly every new car model on the market.

They found electric cars were easily more climate friendly than gas-burning ones. Over a lifetime, they were often cheaper, too.

I’m been trying to tell you this especially with the cost comparisons clearly lined out in Cleantechnica. It’s about time we start to see the main stream media take these studies into account instead of discounting an being naysayers in the accepting that the EV Revolution is here.

Take the Tesla Model 3, the most popular electric car in the United States. The M.I.T. team estimated the lifetime cost of the most basic model as comparable to a Nissan Altima that sells for $11,000 less upfront. (That’s even though Tesla’s federal tax incentive for electric vehicles has ended.)

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Happy New Year!!!

Elijah Nicolas — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 20:59:56 +0000

As we venture into the new year, one which we are hoping and striving for stabilization, I’m right there with you! Hoping for some insight into my industry, the affect of this isolation on our children and of course our families and the wonderment of what the entire year can bring. So many possibilities!

Last year during the pandemic I finished my Digital Marketing Certificate from eCornell, started a Headshot Photography Business; AFC Headshots while joining Peter Hurley’s Headshot Crew, journeyed further into the world of Functional Medicine with the possibility of being a Functional Medicine Health Coach within a year from FMCA and heck, who knows what 2021 will bring!!!

If you’re not on it, GET ON IT!!!

Oh and by the way, using Levels for my Continous Glucose Monitor has CHANGED my life. Also, pairing that with Intermittent Fasting using Zero is the jam! I’m down to 14% body fat and am aiming for 8-10%! Cheers!

Peloton Bike+

Elijah Nicolas — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 04:47:54 +0000

Finally, after all these years of riding my friend’s and using hotel gyms’ Peloton bikes, I’m pulling the trigger first thing tomorrow morning. So if you didn’t know, this is the new Peloton Bike+. Also, if you wanted a cheaper, less expensive Tread, they also released that.

What’s really cool is that they have a $700 trade-in program and are automatically refunding those who bought the now “regular” Peloton $350 price differnce plus tax. So awesome! And yes, I have have a small investment in stocks and options which are what I’m going to be using to buy this new bike.

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A Bike Tour of UCSD Through My Kids Bike Paths

Elijah Nicolas — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:06:09 +0000

It was such a beautiful Thursday afternoon, w decided to head to La Jolla and bike around the University of California, San Diego / UCSD. Our kids love their Woom Bikes so much that and couldn't be more proud of their adventurous spirit.

We parked at Revelle College using the ParkMobile App in a (V)isitor spot then made our way towards Atlantis Hall, up by Argo, through Gilbraith (CLICS) down the main path pass "What Hath God Wrought," through the Student Center, passing by Mandeville Auditorium, down the forest and onto Library Walk and Price Center where we had a small picnic.

After we ate a delicious meal from Rubios and dessert from Sprinkles Cupcakes, we headed towards Geisel Library down to Warren but we had to walk up and down the Snake Path. Benji even rode his bike up and down it twice! After a prolonged detour and checking out the Fallen Star / House on top of a building, we made our way to the Engineering / CSE Bear. The kids wanted to climb the bear but we stayed away from that. We then p back to Library Walk, heading west up the CogSci Stairs, which weren't there before, into Marshall towards the Marshall Uppers, all the way across the bridge to Oceanview Terrace. We then took the upper route back to Revelle. All the while, Adelle and I reminiscing about our time on campus over 20 years ago. So much has changed! The kids loved the stories on where we met and wanted to retrace our conversation. Fun times for sure!

Filmed with GoPro Hero 7 Black: https://amzn.to/30Urgqg GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp: https://amzn.to/3kI5Ep3 Edited with iMovie, Thumbnail by Canva, Music by https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

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Mt. Woodson Clockwise Loop

Elijah Nicolas — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:30:00 +0000

It's been a month of two since my last ride of just under 20 miles but I decided to tag along an awesome group of experienced riders for a 35 miler that included a 9% grade! Fun times for sure! This is the Mt. Woodson Clockwise Loop filmed via my GoPro on time-lapse on a beautiful August day in San Diego. It was a great ride, but hot dang, 4 hours of sleep, inadequate hydration and nutrients doesn't make for a good end of ride. I did try pickle juice for the first time and I think it helped a lot. Thanks guys for the ride and the support! I definitely want to ride this again but maybe leaving earlier. =)

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/3885651422

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Stepping Out and Into the Left Seat

Elijah Nicolas — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 21:30:00 +0000

When it comes to flying, the different seats have different tasks. Being a Captain holds its weight in responsibility, but let's not forget that a First Officer is equal in task. As I get going on my first trip as a Captain once again, it's up to me to make sure that all the boxes are checked and that ultimately, I'm ahead of the plan. Here's one of the first pictures of me in the new uniform jacket showing off that fourth stripe!

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Sunscreen Usage and What to Avoid

Elijah Nicolas — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 17:32:51 +0000

EWG has assessed more than 700 currently available beach and sport sunscreens and found that only about a quarter of the products offer adequate protection and don’t contain concerning ingredients. The six chemicals studied by the FDA are found in about half the products reviewed by EWG, which advises consumers to choose sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide only or other mineral based sunscreens and make sure to avoid sunscreens that contain these chemicals: avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate. Choose natural type brans and be on the lookout for the 25% of products that are “healthier” alternatives. Also, you could just go full Asian and wear a long sleeve shirt and light pants and cover-up.

Here is the direct link to the FDA study and a non-paywalled article from Consumer Affairs.

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Oatmeal: It's going to be okay

Elijah Nicolas — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 17:30:10 +0000

Today’s Oatmeal comic hits home today with friends being put on furlough notice and my company and Union agreeing to put off furloughs until April. Essentially, the comic points out that it will eventually be all okay.

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Norah Plays the A-Minor Octave Scales

Elijah Nicolas — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 18:45:00 +0000

Norah wanted to share what she is currently learning in her piano journey. Check out the 1-minute video below!

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Mac Malware Starting to Proliferate

Elijah Nicolas — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 18:41:45 +0000

Though ThiefQuest is packed with menacing features, it's unlikely to infect your Mac anytime soon unless you download pirated, unvetted software. Thomas Reed, director of Mac and mobile platforms at the security firm Malwarebytes, found that ThiefQuest is being distributed on torrent sites bundled with name-brand software, like the security application Little Snitch, DJ software Mixed In Key, and music production platform Ableton. K7's Devadoss notes that the malware itself is designed to look like a "Google Software Update program." So far, though, the researchers say that it doesn't seem to have a significant number of downloads, and no one has paid a ransom to the Bitcoin address the attackers provide.

It’s an amazing concept really, don’t download pirated software!

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WWDC 2020 in 18-minutes

Elijah Nicolas — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 17:08:31 +0000

I have to admit that I watched the keynote in almost its entirety while I was at the airport waiting for a flight and even continued it while boarding the aircraft (as a passenger mind you) and was every bit tweeting and excited for what the future is going to bring. I mean, the most exciting for me are Home Screen Widgets for the iPhone but that Translate App is bonkers too; Sleep Tracking on the Apple Watch but I’m a little skeptical on the battery life and management but I’m sure Apple will have more on that with the Apple Watch 6 set to debut this fall; iPad’s continuing growth as a full fledge computing device and of course, Mac’s move to Apple Silicon. That’s huge! Still wondering why no benchmark’s were released but I’m interested in that Development Testing Kit Mac Mini at $500! The surprise was that all the demos of macOS 11 were that they were running on a Mac with Apple Silicon and most apps running natively.

If you didn’t get a chance to watch the Keynote, check out The Verge’s video with the highlights below! That wheelchair is pretty amazing. Almost seems like Apple invented that one.

WWDC 2020, Apple's online developer conference, was full of huge announcements. If you weren't watching live to see what's coming next for macOS, iOS 14, iPa...

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Nomatic 50% Summer Sale

Elijah Nicolas — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 14:35:00 +0000

Not that anyone ever needed a reason to buy a piece of new luggage especially now with COVID19 taking a toll on our traveling days, but if quarantine fatigue has gotten its grip on you, then heck, spend some money and get on a plane! (But be safe, wear a mask and be courteous to everyone around you) Pick any plane to anywhere but ideally book a flight on JetBlue because it would be even more comfortable with their free wifi and best in class legroom.

My favorite Travelpack maker has an awesome sale going on right now and I can’t recommend them enough. If you don’t believe me, check out just two of my many instagram posts with their TravelPack with me in the flightdeck on stowed beneath in front of me. Head over to Nomatic with their $100 off all roller luggage, 25% off all Nomatic bags, and up to 50% off clearance bags summer special. It’s a deal that I couldn’t even pass up! Review soon!

Loving how my @nomatic Travel Backpack fits perfectly underneath the seat on @alaskaair! Thanks for the ride! #pilotlife #commuterlife

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

The perfect day bag for a day of flying up and down the California coast. #pilot #airbus #flightbag #nomatictravelpack

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

Autonomous vehicles help make roads safer

Elijah Nicolas — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 19:33:25 +0000

A new study says that while autonomous vehicle technology has great promise to reduce crashes, it may not be able to prevent all mishaps caused by human error.

Auto safety experts say humans cause about 94% of U.S. crashes, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study says computer-controlled robocars will only stop about one-third of them.

Take a look at the first two paragraphs. The headline itself states, “Autonomous vehicles won’t make roads completely safe,” but you could have also stated it as, “Autonomous vehicles will help make the roads a third safer.” This is what I call bullsh*t headlining. The first two paragraphs already show conflict. We know that autonomous vehicles won’t manage and mitigate 100% of all accidents but we do know that 94% of automobile accidents are caused by human error so… let’s reduce that by a third and that’s lives saved. What’s the freaking issue? Let’s continue to make improvements and not title this articles like it isn’t working.

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Benji Reads "Mat" BOB Books S1B1

Elijah Nicolas — Tue, 19 May 2020 22:24:24 +0000

After my son Benjamin saw his older sister recording a YouTube video presentation for her class assignment, he was eager to create his own. Down below is the first of what may be a series of readings. I present to you, Benji Reads “Mat” BOB Books S1B1.

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