So, I actually ordered this guitar a long while ago... but its finally here.  She's a real beauty.  Martin DC-16RGTE with Aura Pick-Up processor.

I have to say, I love the size... smaller than my DM... but it still has the big belly, so you get the full sound.  And sound, yeah... man, that Aura setup is one sweet piece of kit.  I was worried about being a sell-out by going with a drilled instrument... but I think Martin has built a terrific compromise with this guitar.  It keeps the acoustic soul and playability... but still gives you the option to amp-in when you need to record.

 I'll try to get some acoustic tracks posted in the music section soon.

Love it. 

Well, it was a rough start for the season.  We had our first points race in Ephrata, WA. at Ephrata Raceways.  

I love supermoto, I do.  I'm well aware of the fact that my particular strengths in supermoto (SM) are on the tarmac.  By no means a miracle worker, but I know how to gain positions, run hard, and defend position on the tarmac.  When it comes to the dirt, I've never really had a "strategy" other than, "Don't Fall" (a rule I violated multiple times this weekend!).  I'm not a strong dirt rider - even weak in most regards - but that isn't a deal breaker with supermoto, because our sport dictates that only 15-25% of the track be dirt.

My weekend in Ephrata was a real eye-opener.  This track was a 1-off, ad-hoc situation for the season.... not a dedicated SM track, but the idea was that we could create a challenging, fun track out of the landscape.  Instead, what was created was an Arenacross track with a small tarmac section. 

I won't get into the fundementals of Arenacross, but the basic gist is to build a track that encompasses the elements of Supercross, in a much smaller, more compact land situation.  What you generally get is a quick, steep, and deep track with a heavy need for whip turns and rhythm jumps.

Why am I talking about Arenacross so much...?  The reason is because this weekend.. I was racing in an Arenacross event with an SM bike.  Those layout percentages I mentioned above were flip-flopped completely, so that the dirt comprised roughly 60+% of the track, and the tarmac as the remainder.

It was so difficult -- mentally, physically, emotionally -- knowing that I was doing terrible -- knowing that I was kinda stuck in this race where I simply didn't have the proper skill set for these variables..... but there was nothing I could do about it, except to finish the race.

Certainly, Its given me a great reason to get back to a motocross track and get some practice in.  But really, what it gave me was a hunger for a real SM track and a chance to redeem myself on the tarmac.

Total Crash Count = 3     Total Stalls = 2   Total Broken Bones = 0

There were some (not many!) who faired worse than me...... but I'm still alive, and the bike is still ok.  Next race is May 16th at PacificGP..... thank god.

So... this is what I saw this morning when I opened news.google.com  --  really guys?  Certainly, when I open a news reel, the only thing I want to read is 4 articles about Twitter, 3 about Isreal not liking the iPad, and 1 about a proposed mission to Mars in 2030.  (Click on the Pic Below)

What a complete waste of bandwidth.

Very fascinating view of current and future application usage and development.  Takes place at the Atmosphere Conference yesterday (tuesday).  It's a lengthy video - 45min - but a lot of great info and insight.  I like this line:

"There has not been a new, successful platform in 25 years".

http://bit.ly/c4qkMc

Oh Man... so... I'm at the track for most of Sunday morning.  There's a sorta "exhibition day" running, and the NW Scooter STARS were having their season opener....

First off.... close your eyes, and try to conjure-up the image of a hardcore scooter rider in your head..... be as stereotypic or generalizing as you can.  You got that image?

Yeah... thats what this was.  Like 12 minivans full of trick scooters and their Mod racers... all in black, tight jeans, piercings, tattoos, long hair, fedoras, cigarettes, tight t-shirts with cropped sleeves.  Skinny dudes with skinny clothes... with hipster girlfriends... with toy dogs.  Yeah, toy dogs... like 15 of them... all on black-studded leashes... chihuahuas, shitzus, pom-poms... 

What a friggin' spectacle.  To make matters even more bizarre... they all had custom uber-tight-fit leather racing suits.

I accept racers from all walks of life..... I understand that we find our passions in different disciplines of motorsports, and that they don't always mesh well together... but, generally... we all get along.

I just had a really hard time taking these guys seriously.... they were soo flaming.... hardcore homos..... and they were so serious about themselves.  It was a funny day down at the track. Funny, indeed.

So.. I went up to Crystal today with a group of friends.  The weather was incredible and the 4-feet of new snow over the past 2-weeks was a welcomed addition.

I have a little bit of a grudge against Crystal.. not a bad one, but I get the same feeling every time I'm there.  I would never deny that it has the best and most accessible terrain in WA. state.... and maybe I'm just tough to satisfy... but the terrain doesn't quite sell me.

Here are a list of things that rub me about Crystal:

+  That drive.... its not even a "Long" drive... but the problem is that you are stuck doing 35mph for the bulk majority of it.  And, in the few places where the speed limit exceeds 35, there are no passing lanes.... which means you're always stuck behind the minivan doing 45mph, at best.

+  The crowds... if any mountain in WA. is guaranteed to get crowds, its Crystal.  The runs are generally pretty narrow (this is true of all of our mountains), so, you can't really open up with all those people.  Despite having the "Most" terrain in WA., there are actually very few legitimate runs.... so everyone gets funneled into the same 4,5,6 runs.  The lift lines.... really, this is the only mountain in WA. were lift lines are not uncommonly 15-20minutes.

+  The wind.... Maybe its the altitude.... or the lack of coverage... but Jeezuz... I cannot remember a time that I have been there and haven't been absolutely molested by 30-50mph gusts on the top-half.... not to mention the effect if has on snow conditions.

+  The parking..... What a shit show.

There was a brief moment during the winter when I toyed with the idea of getting a pass there next season.  That moment came as quickly as it went.  In the grands scheme of things, Stevens' still provides a better experience, pound-for-pound.

Don't get me wrong.... I love Apple.  I'd even go as far as to say, "I'm a fanboy".  Full Disclosure - I'm writing this latest blog post from a beautiful 27" all-in-one 'device'.

Here's my schtick.  I have reached my absolute threshold for Apple news on the Tech Rags.  I get it... I swear... I get it.  iPad, 4.0SDK, MB's coming out next week.  I get it.  But seriously... The blogs for the past few days have been littered... POLLUTED with Apple extremism.......... and frankly, I'm gonna take a few days away from TechCrunch, Engaget, t'he 'Om, Rumors, etc.  To much, boys..... too much.

I've actually been very quiet - even secretive - about my house hunting endeavors.  I've kept no secrets to the fact that I AM looking for places... but I haven't shed much info about the coordinates, price range, or even type of house I am looking for.  That doesn't change today.

BUT... I will gladly announce that I am making a new offer on another interesting property today.  To unveil some of the cloak, I have already made a number of offers on other properties over the past several months, however, the property in question today will be receiving the most promising offer from me -- needless to say, some of the others have been, quote/unquote, "Lowball".

So.. with that said... it is also worth mentioning that every property I have attempted my involvement in, to-date, has been under special circumstances, ie:  Short-Sale, REO (Bank repossession), or developer unloadings.

The challenges with the current property of interest make all those special circumstances combined seem like a walk in the park.  To that extent... I will likely have very little to report on this particular situation until the beginning of the summer.  Why? -- I simply couldn't divulge the details, but it takes the term "complicated" to a whole new level.

'Nuff said.... wish me luck.

Big White is Cool.  Probably the coolest mountain I've been to in North America... which basically means it the coolest in the world.  The entire mountain is ski-in/ski-out... restaurants, bars, hotels, condos, etc.  The terrain is just incredible.  The snow was great... Eastern Cascade (Monashee) snow.... much of it comes off the Okanagan Lakes.. and comes down as a light, dry, powder.  Can't wait to get back next season.

OK... last minute executive decision.  I'm headed out to Big White tomorrow morning for Easter weekend.  I've never been there, and I don't know anyone there... but its supposed to be a killer mountain, and I've wanted to go for a while.  I bought my tickets this afternoon on a package deal that included hotel+lift passes.  I'm a sucker for a good deal.

Website says they got loads of new snow this week, so hopefully there's still some left.

I'll report back soon.  Over.