2006 Volkswagen Thunder Bunny SEMA Concept

Seems like all i’ve been doing for the last month is researching and shopping for the brake upgrade for my 2001 Volkswagen GTI. It all started as my brake pads and rotors were wearing down and due for replacement. Though it’s almost eight years old, i don’t think the brakes have ever been replaced (i’ve had it for four years, and it only has 76k miles). I’ve been of the “might as well upgrade it when it wears out” mentality, and also had ideas for improving the appearance over the stock braking system. But it turns out that like with many other automotive upgrades there’s a ton of hype and misunderstanding concerning brake system upgrades. And besides usually costing the most, what looks good often doesn’t mean better performance. So it’s been quite a learning experience.

Stock Brake Sliding Caliper Painted Red

After some initial research i was going to simply upgrade to the 312mm rotors up front like on the special edition GTIs and Audi TTs, and get some more aggressive pads. But i’ve had an eye for starting to do some “show” on my car that up to this point still looks bone stock.

I think what really set this all in motion was running across some pictures of the Thunder Bunny sporting white calipers glowing behind gold rims. I’ve been scheming on white as an accent color for my green GTI, and thought something like that might work for me. But the factory brake calipers just don’t look good—partly because the sliding caliper and carrier mechanical design, and partly due to the rough cast iron finish. Even if i did put some kind of coating on those calipers, they would still be ugly sliding calipers with casting seams and an orange-peel finish. Not the kind of thing you want to show off in my opinion—might as well keep them as dull and unremarkable as possible. So that meant new calipers.

[To be continued…]

Haven’t gone up to see the cherry blossoms this year, but these are a few of my favorite photos from my trip last year.

Metro.

So many people.

The Sunglasses Trick.

Do You.

Now i’m looking at something even bigger. Though technically not just a Twitter contest, Ford’s Fiesta Movement embodies the same social media hype-generating efforts as the rest, but spans Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, blogs, and any and all other new media channels. Only here, the prize is 6 months in the driver’s seat of the yet-to-be-released Ford Fiesta with all expenses paid. For me the real reward is less tangible—i already have a car that i love, so i’m not desperate for those keys like some would-be “agents” seem to be. Don’t get me wrong, not having to pay for fuel and insurance for six months would be a huge blessing, but for me this could be the beginning of something bigger. That “Top Gear” dream job. Getting to drive and review cars, and be sent on missions and adventures. And making videos and shooting photos along the way. But can that even be a real job?

So then instead of begging, or polishing Ford’s emblem, as it were, my last-minute application video explains my angle for their Fiesta Movement. The original video went into more detail, but basically it would be an (admittedly Top Gear-esque) head-to-head comparison of my current 2001 Volkswagen GTI VR6 daily driver in Rave Green Pearl paint against the new 2011 Ford Fiesta which also happens to be a hatchback that comes in a similar green coating.

I’ll be the first to admit that i’m a harsh critic. But i’m also honest, and i’d like to think i’m fair. This obviously wouldn’t be an apples and apples comparison. A Golf and the Fiesta might be a better match up, as the GTI is tilted toward performance and the Fiesta’s goal is economy. But i think all the points in between would make a compelling contrast: the newest compact hatch from the classic American car maker vs a 10-year-old German import. With my being partial to Volkswagen Group’s products, is Ford’s new global car from Europe with a decade’s worth of improvements enough to impress me? We’ll learn this week if i get the chance to find out.

As of March, i’ve won 35 domain credits worth $340. That’s 23 in their Decemeber contest, and 12 in March. Plus an iPod nano grand prize in December. Read on to learn how i do it.

The image above is my NameCheap account balance. In their Twitter trivia contest i’ve won 27 credits totaling $261.63 as of March 14 (i’ve used one, so pictured total is minus 9.69). That’s 23 wins in their December contest, and 4 so far in March.

Want to know my secret?

This is the “how to win” screencast i made during the last trivia contest. It shows exactly how i prepared and what i did to be as fast as possible to get those first-answer wins.

How To Win NameCheap’s Twitter Contest from miahz on Vimeo.

Don’t forget to read all four parts of my How To Win guide.

It’s still alive and kicking, after a few obvious upgrades through the years (bigger hard drive, more RAM, CD burner), about three generations of Windows, and a share of regrets (Zip drive?). Just over a year ago, i purchased my second computer: an Apple MacBook Pro laptop. Only my second computer, you ask? Yep. The Dell was really showing its age and making it difficult to get work done; but it lasted me for a solid 9 years. I kept it tuned and light-weight (Windows XP wasn’t designed for 400MHz and 512MB, or vice versa). But that’s less a measure of my geekiness, and certainly more indicative of how thrifty much of a cheapskate i am. So it took a several months of weaning, but now i don’t use the Dell at all as a proper computer. Right now it basically acts as a keyboard and mouse host for my MBP when at my desk via Synergy.

Ironically, the accessories have been the the timeless pieces that i still use. My favorite: the mouse, a Logitech MouseMan Wheel. The most comfortable mouse i’ve used, it has a ball and cord but tracks smoothly, and has a nice heavier weight; but mainly it just fits. And the basic PS2 keyboard, after several necessary cleanings, still works great. No stupid extra buttons to launch “email” or fancy lights, just the keys i really need in the classic layout. The Dell-branded Trinitron CRT is a great looking screen that i plug into my MacBook Pro when i need some more room. For picture quality, CRT > LCD even in 2009. And the speakers: Altec Lansing ADA880; the best computer speakers i’ve heard (which hasn’t been a whole lot to be honest). They still bang loud and clear.

So today, after a total investment of say $3,000, my old Dell is worth maybe $50 on eBay (though i doubt i’d have any luck selling a computer this old). But i’ve easily got far more value out of it and the accessories in 10 years. And will continue to until they die. But all the beige really clashes with my Apple’s silver and white color scheme.

Please go vote for my entry (with a 5 Star Rating) in NameCheap’s commercial contest.

Hopefully you’ll recognize the concept, otherwise it might not be that funny to you (ever heard of HeadOn?). I think it’s pretty solid compared to most other entries—check them out if you’re curious. The winner takes home a Creative Vado HD camera.

Unfortunately, the contest rules were changed a bit, and the winner is no longer NameCheap’s favorite pick. It’s now determined by votes. So i need your votes!

The voting for this contest uses YouTube’s rating system, so you’ll have to be registered at YouTube to vote. Please take a minute to holler at my video with 5 Stars. And while you’re at it, leave a comment and let me know what you think of my video. Thanks!

NameCheap Commercial — Domain Names and Hosting for Cheap — namecheap.com, by miahz

There was no special “In-Store Pickup” line as advertised on your website and the emails i was sent–i had to wait in the regular customer service line behind people returning things.

The clerk couldn’t find my item behind the counter–it was never pulled and reserved.  So another employee went and grabbed one off the shelf in the showroom.  While i was waiting at the counter.  DO YOU SEE THE PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THIS?

In-Store Pickup is supposed to be a convenience service that offers a shortcut.  Instead, i had to wait in line, and then wait again for the item that was supposed to be ready for me to pick up.  I could have just walked into the store, picked one up off the shelf and paid in the regular checkout in less time.  That is a big FAIL.  I also still think it’s ridiculous that a photo ID is required to pick up an item, when anyone can basically anonymously order and ship something online with just a credit card number, or swipe any card in the regular checkout without ID.

Basically, your In-Store Pickup service is pointless.  It makes it MORE difficult to make purchases.

This almost lousy snap of the menu board at the McDonald’s restaurant in the international terminal at LAX has attracted the most traffic of all my photos Flickr.

It recently broke 1500 views, which is many more than most of my photos, but just a fraction of truly brilliant photos on Flickr. And over 80% of that traffic comes from Google. My photo is the first result when searching for “airport mcdonalds menu”. It’s a little bittersweet that my most popular photos get views because their titles have good search keywords, not because they are great photos.

List of top all time photo views from my statistics page on Flickr

Edit: Flickr’s Blog This feature is nearly useless, at least as it is. Maybe i don’t have it set up right, or maybe it doesn’t work with WordPress’ Visual editor, but i had to completely reedit this post in WordPress.