Laura Burstein: Girl on Cars

Movers and Shakers (literally)

Mon, 18 May 2009 05:43:25 GMT

Made it back from LA. We left at 9:15 a.m. and got to my door at 1:45 in the afternoon. It would have been sooner if it wasn't for the backup on 405 South just past the 101. Why can't anyone accelerate uphill?

A friend of mine invited me to UCLA this afternoon to hear a lecture given by Andersen Cooper in memory of Daniel Pearl, the journalist who was killed in the Middle East a few years ago. We attended a VIP reception before the talk, where I met various rabbis and others involved in both the political world and the Jewish community.

When Andersen rolled in, he was immediately swamped by fans. Everyone was clamoring for a word and/or a photo. It was pretty silly considering most A-list celebrities don't get hassled that much when they're out and about (case in point: Patrick Dempsey at the racetrack).

The Coop was very friendly and gracious to all. Can't say the same for the slimeball mayor of LA, whose handlers carelessly pushed through the crowd (all nicely dressed VIPs at a private reception) and practically knocked people over so "Villain Grosso" could get a photo op. Oy.

The talk was pretty good. Andersen talked mostly about his career and the changing role of journalism. Then he took questions from the audience. Glad I went, but I was also glad to get home.

Oh, and then we had an earthquake. Only a 5.0, but still enough to make me jump out of my seat. Here in Santa Monica it felt like a quick, hard initial thump followed by a few seconds of mild shaking. Nothing fell. I've got my emergency supplies ready to go just in case.

Bad Luck at the Races, But Rock Band Rules!

Mon, 18 May 2009 05:22:57 GMT

It wasn't the best day for some of the guys at the track. My friend Beau Borders crashed the #128 BMW e46 he was driving in the KONI Challenge. Beau had a good start and gained four positions. But near the end of his stint, he went four wheels off on Turn 4. He thought he had it under control until he hit a rut that send his car skipping past the tire wall and into the concrete barrier. Both the front and back got pretty jacked up. Fortunately, Beau was okay, although I bet he's gonna be pretty sore for a while. Rod says his friend Lance went off in the same spot a couple of years back. Such a bummer.

Then the #96 Turner car, which was driven by Matt Bell (whose dad Dave helped me install my Bilstein suspension a couple of years ago) and Boris Said, had a problem and DNFed. Matt is an amazing driver and had earned his third pole this season. He had a great first stint, but the car lost power shortly after Boris took the wheel. The Turner team fared well overall, though, as their #95 car won the race.

Afterward we hit a reception for Dempsey Racing, where Patrick Dempsey drank some tequila and schmoozed with his sponsors. Fortunately there wasn't any paparazzi or screaming women chasing him around.

Then it was on to a little motel in Monterey, where Alex Roy was hosting a Rock Band/race watching party. I ate some popcorn, watched some of Alex's in-car video and sang Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" while Alex played guitar. It was the first time I'd played Rock Band 2 (I'm used to the original). We both scored in the 90s. Woo hoo.

Then it was on to Cannery Row, where we joined our gracious hosts at Mazda for dinner. I had "scalone," which was chopped abalone and scallops mixed together and formed into a patty. It was good, but kinda weird.

I know a couple of people who are glad this day is over.

Verizon Festival of Speed Weekend

Mon, 18 May 2009 04:49:39 GMT

Today I arrived on the Monterey Peninsula for the Verizon Festival of Speed. We left LA at 2 p.m. in hopes we'd make it to the track by 6. I drove up with Aaron Robinson, who has an Audi R8 press car. I'm not a fan of the R tronic, so I was glad to see we had a manual. However, I soon discovered the clackety-clack sound of the shifter gates aren't as charming when you’re not driving. In fact, it's downright annoying.

We took the 5 to Lerdo Highway, to 33, then 46. I tried not to watch as Aaron crossed the yellow line to pass cars on that narrow road at speeds I shouldn't publish. Let's just say I can understand why it's the James Dean Death Highway.

We made it to the track about 6:15, just in time for a charity bicycle ride. One of the bike companies had some loaner equipment on hand so I could join in. I was super excited. I consider myself relatively knowledgeable about bikes -- I ride my men's Mongoose hybrid around the beach all the time (hah). But man, those hardcore cyclists can be intimidating with their fancy clippy shoes and matching outfits. Who else could get away with wearing so much Spandex in public?

It took a little time to get the bike just right. One of the reps from the bike company kept insisting the seat was the right height, even though I couldn’t reach the ground when I was sitting on it and had to practically fall over to get off. I'm convinced he wanted to make me feel stupid. And it worked. I skipped the special shoes and opted for regular pedals in case something went horribly wrong.

We started at turn 5 up that loonnng, steep hill. The first five minutes were easy. Then I thought my heart was going to explode. A few months back, a friend and former BMWCCA track day instructor dropped dead of a heart attack on a treadmill. I thought I was going to meet the same fate. A few excruciating minutes later, I got off the bike and walked. Sure, I looked like a wimp. I didn't care. I wanted to live.

When I reached the top (with a heart rate somewhere close to 200), I stopped to look around. I was standing on the pavement at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. How cool was that? I hopped back on my bike and got ready for the payoff – the corkscrew. As I descended, the wind rushed against my face and chest. My eyes began to water and my nose began to run. The rest was easy. I finished the lap, and that was enough. And somehow I still had fun, even through the tears, heart palpitations and snot.

BMW e46 Shifter Project

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:06:10 GMT

The driver of the Mercedes C-Class and I pulled up to the metering light at the same time. There were two lanes, and only one light. I knew my quick shifting could take that pathetic automatic transmission. The light turned green. I beat my German rival off the line. But then I went to shift. No resistance from the shifter. Had my gearbox blown? I looked down at the floundering stick and cursed. Mr. Mercedes passed, the light of his ridiculous Bluetooth headset flashing through his overly-tinted windows. That was it. I'd had enough.

And nah, it hadn't blown. BMW shifters are just notorious for getting sloppy after a while. Various parts and bushings wear out, gradually causing the shift mechanism to become limp as a cold pomme frite. The parts themselves aren't that expensive and aren't that difficult to change, but getting to them is a big job. I knew I couldn't do that kind of work by myself.

Funny enough, not too long after my freeway FAIL, I mentioned the shifter issue to a neighbor. His friend Tom, who was there at the time, just happened to have done the same job on his e36. He knew exactly which parts I needed and even offered his tools and his help. How could I say no?

Here's what I ordered per Tom's suggestion.

From Understeer.com:

- e46 Short Shift Kit (which is supposedly just the stock shifter from the e46 M3; shortens throw by about 30 percent over stock 325 shifter). Included circlips, shift lever bearing and plastic washers.
- Delrin carrier bushings

Total with shipping: $120

From BimmerSpecialists:

- Shifting arm bearing #25111222015
- Gearshift rod joint #25111222688
- Rubber bearing #25111434194 (this is like a rubber sponge, but it's incorrectly called a "plastic washer" on RealOEM.com.
- KACO selector rod seal #23121282394
- Guibo nuts #07129900047
- Exhaust manifold gaskets #18107502346
- Lock nuts for exhaust flange #18301737774

Total with shipping: $86.17. It would have cost much less, but I ordered them in two different shipments. Much of that cost was shipping. Still, much cheaper than any dealer or local shop.

On the day we did the project, Aaron Robinson from Car and Driver came over to lend a hand. Admittedly, Tom did most of the work, but Aaron and I tried to help where we could. Once we got the car up (we had to use a combination of ramps with wood and jack stands), we had to remove the exhaust and disconnect the driveshaft to access the gearshift rod joint. When we removed the rod joint, the rubber sponge inside had deteriorated completely. There was nothing left!

Tom also noticed that my guibo had some cracks, which is another typical wear item on the e46. It wasn't too bad, but I figured I'd try to track down a new one as long as we had it off. Fortunately, I found a local repair shop in Santa Monica that was willing to get one for me at at cost -- only $48.71 with tax. The BMW dealership wanted more than $100. Forget that. I should have also ordered a new center support bearing, but that will have to wait for another time.

All in all, the project took us about five hours, including setting everything up, putting the car up, futzing around with all the tools and parts, and some down time while the guys waited for me to come back with the guibo. The biggest job was removing the bearing bolt, or "bitch clip," which probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone who's worked on a BMW. More photos are on my Facebook profile.

Now it works like a charm. The shifts are amazingly crisp, and the throw is the perfect distance -- not too short, not too long. My right arm is going to get a good workout. I'll have to up the weight when I do bicep curls on my left arm. Would hate to be uneven.

Mister Mercedes, come and get me.

2009 Porsche PCM: Does Performance or Luxury Rule?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:23:27 GMT

When Porsche unveiled a refresh of its Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe at the Los Angeles Auto Show this past week, there was one addition (along with some minor exterior changes, engine updates and the new PDK transmission) that the Porsche folks were keen on showing off: A new touchscreen interface with various techno-features including optional iPod and USB connectivity.

We'd seen the updated system, dubbed "Porsche Communication Management" (PCM) earlier this year on the 2009 Porsche 911. It can include the types of features you'd come to expect from Mercedes or BMW such as navigation, XM radio with real-time traffic and Bluetooth. An optional audio interface adds glovebox-mounted iPod, USB and auxiliary ports - the first time these connectors have been available on any Porsche. A large touchscreen in the center stack is lined with a series of relatively intuitive buttons - a refreshing departure from the single, annoying knob favored by some German manufacturers.

To some, the introduction of these gadgets seems like a natural progression. To others, it's more evidence that the day of the pure sports car is over.

In the past, Porsche - by its own admission - developed its electronics only as a means to improve their cars' performance. I hear the words of the German engineer in my head: "Ven ve vant music, ve listen to ze engine."

But the symphony of a flat-6 isn't enough for most people anymore. Porsche got to work on the new PCM and iPod adapter after focus groups told them they just couldn't live without their MP3 players in their cars. That comes as no surprise to some of us who live in Los Angeles, where the typical Porsche customer is less like Joerg Bergmeister from the Flying Lizards and more like Adam Davies from Entourage. But it is a point of contention for certain enthusiasts to see Porsche's no-nonsense, race-bred reputation become increasingly concealed beneath bundles of wires and buttery-soft leather.

Yet there are some ways in which Porsche retains an obstinately purist view about its cars. For example, the 911 can come equipped with Sport and Sport Plus buttons which change suspension settings and throttle mapping, but Porsche's steering remains purely mechanical (unlike the adaptive steering favored by many performance luxury brands today). And the people at Porsche say it's going to stay that way.

It's doubtful the addition of a little iPod plug will create the sort of outcry from die-hard enthusiasts as when Porsche switched from air-cooled engines to water-cooled engines in 1998 (and don't broach that topic at a Porsche club track day unless you've packed your Xanax). In fact, many will welcome it -- even Lotus offers a 32-pin connector in its bare-bones Elise. But for others, it's another small reminder that people no longer want racecars. They want luxury cars. Or, rather, they want both, and that's a difficult balance to strike.

Still, although the 2009 Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayman can be fitted with a world-class sound system, "ze engines" won't be ignored. The 911, in particular, pits the throbbing speakers in the cockpit against the roar from behind the passenger compartment, a battle which could yield driver and passenger sore ears - and for the sing-alongers, a very sore throat.

We realize not many people are rushing out to buy a high-performance coupe or convertible these days. But if you could, what would be your soundtrack? Hi-fi? Or a high exhaust note?

Originally posted at Edmunds.com

2008 BMW 135i: Ain't No Shame in Havin' a Small One

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:57:41 GMT

It's easy to feel inadequate at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Money is everywhere. Big money. During Concours weekend, the parking lots of even the most humble motels on the Monterey peninsula overflow with Ferraris, Aston Martins and Lamborghinis. So it was with a flush of humility that I rolled up to the Lodge at Pebble Beach this past Sunday in our BMW 135i. Sure, it's not a bad car, but it's not going to be in the catalog anytime soon at Gooding and Company, either.

After the awards had been given out and the confetti had been sprayed, I merged our little 1-Series into the long line of traffic waiting to wind its way out. As I crawled past Peter Hay Hill, I pulled over to say hello to a friend who was standing next to a pair of shiny Spykers parked by the curb. As we spoke, I sighed and stared at the beautiful Dutch sportscars. After a few minutes, I turned to get into the 135i and head home.

"Just a minute," said a man in a chauffeur uniform, whose limousine was parked next to our BMW. "Someone wants to ask you about your car."

Haha, very funny.

But as I started the engine, an older woman in a dramatic hat, sunglasses and red pants emerged from the back of the limo and started waving at me.

"Just a minute, please. Tell me about this car. It's so cute!"

I spent the next several minutes explaining the 135i's powertrain, handling characteristics, cargo capacity, and its similarities to (and differences from) other BMWs. As we spoke, people who were walking by paused to listen, curious about the little cinnamon-hued coupe parked among near-$300,000 sports cars.

At the end of our conversation, something hit me that I'd already known, but had somehow forgotten amidst the vintage one-offs and multi-million-dollar auction lots and couture-clad trophy wives: A good car doesn't have to cost six-figures. And it's better to push the limits with a powerful, well-handling midpriced automobile than to parade some supercar up and down the street at 20 miles per hour.

I drove all 350 miles home beaming with pride.

Originally posted at Edmunds' Inside Line

Jimmy Kimmel and the red carpet in Detroit

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 04:18:52 GMT

At the end of this week I head to Detroit for the 2007 North American International Auto Show. On Saturday night I'll be co-hosting TV coverage of the GM Style event with talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, along with former SpeedTV reporter Jennifer Khasnabis.

I'll be reporting from the red carpet and talking to celebs as they walk by. Just a few of the confirmed attendees include Christian Slater, Carmen Electra, and Mario Lopez.

The rest of the week I'll be on the auto show floor reporting and assisting with some TV production.

I'm pretty stoked. I just wish it were warmer there.

BMW/California Speedway Stories

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:03:36 GMT

Right now I'm working on three articles for various BMWCCA publicatons, including Roundel and a couple of the chapter newsletters. One of the stories will be about my experience at the LA Chapter's Car Control Clinic, another will be a more in-depth article about the anatomy of a driving school (including how many instructors and other CCA volunteers collaborate for events across chapters in the Pacific Region), and the third will be a sidebar on BMW NA's touring high performance driving school.

All the events took place a couple of weeks ago at California Speedway. I hadn't driven that track before, and I have to say the road course was awesome! I despise NASCAR, but it was fun to drive on part of the banked oval. Maybe that's why Juan Pablo Montoya switched careers...

Cars Must Be in the Blood

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 07:26:16 GMT

I was totally blown away tonight when I found a blurb about my father (who died when I was 19) and his 1949 Ford Custom Convertible. It was really special to read something about him, especially since I never really felt like I got to know him all that well.

"1949 FORD CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE - Don Burstein was a high school buddy whose family was better off than my own. While the rest of us were bumming rides from parents and older siblings, Don cruised around the streets in his year-old black '49 Ford Custom Convertible with the top down an the radio blasting (yes, kids, we did it back then too!), a situation Don described as a definite Chick Magnet. On occasion, several of us would pile in with Don on his cruises but we came to the conclusion that Don's "swell" (cool) Chick Magnet was only as hot as the guys that were in it. Page 22 shows a '49 Ford Custom Convertible just like the one Don Burstein used to troll for girls."

I'm not so sure about the "troll for girls" part, though -- hey, that's my dad, dude!

It's the "Bombe"

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 06:27:56 GMT

An observation of sorts about my trip to the Canadian and U.S. grands prix this year is the cover story for the September issue of Die Flüsternde Bombe, the magazine of the BMW Car Club of America's Golden Gate Chapter. The article also features quite an impressive collection of Rod's photos.

I'm currently wrapping up a three-day trip in LA. Today I had a great visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum. They had, among other things, a pretty interesting exhibit on alternative power. And I must say, I've never seen so many Hot Wheels cars in one place, including one worth $70,000 (I'd rather have a REAL car for that price). And although there weren't as many exotic sports cars on display as I'd hoped, I did see a couple of Batmobiles and a 1971 De Tomaso Pantera that Elvis shot -- twice.

Fisker Coachbuild posts exclusive audio interview

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 17:12:48 GMT

I'm thrilled to announce that the folks at Fisker Coachbuild have posted my exclusive audio interview from the 2006 LA Auto show. The piece has been on my website for a while, but it's exciting to see Fisker and company feature my work on their site. The audio sounds a little more compressed than the original, but it's so neat to be up there with such a select few.

To listen, visit the Fisker Coachbuild website and click "Cars in Motion" in the box on the lower right-hand side:

Then click "Fisker Coachbuild Audio Interview" in the pop-up list:

Thanks to Ken Ray for editing the piece and to Michael Geoghegan for spearheading the endeavor through Willnick Productions.

F1 Mania

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:48:47 GMT

Last weekend I was in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix. It was amazing to see (and hear) the F1 cars up close. Near the end of the race Montreal hometown hero Jacques Villeneuve crashed his car in front of our grandstand, which was admittedly pretty fun to watch -- he wasn't hurt.

As a Renault fan, I was glad to see Fernando Alonso continue his winning streak. But my favorite driver, Giancarlo Fisichella, finished fourth despite starting in the front row. A drive-through penalty for a false start allowed Schumie and Kimi to get ahead.

The night before the race, we had dinner at Estiatorio Milos, an upscale Greek restaurant popular with the jet set. Near the end of our meal, Renault team principal Flavio Briatore and his entourage sat down nearby. It was funny to see him wearing the same blue glasses he wears in the pits.

This week I'm in Toronto hanging out and visiting friends. Friday night I'm seeing Dashboard Confessional play at Molson Centre, then Saturday morning I fly to Indianapolis for the U.S. Grand Prix. I'll be wearing my new Fisichella hat.

CBC TV Podcasting Documentary

Fri, 19 May 2006 05:04:50 GMT

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation began airing a three-part series this month on the end of mass media. I make a brief appearance on one of the episodes talking about podcasting. Click "The End of Radio" link at the bottom of the CBC page to see the video.

My buddy Michael Butler from the Rock and Roll Geek Show is featured, too. How cool is that?

Nissan Xterra Review Posted

Mon, 15 May 2006 20:17:38 GMT

The 2006 Nissan Xterra review is up on CNET.

The car wasn't bad; it was particularly adept at off-roading. But who has to drive through mud and rocks to get somewhere? I enjoy reviewing all cars, but generally speaking I'm not a fan of SUVs. Sure, they're great for hauling stuff, but between the lousy gas mileage and all the space they take up in parking lots (what part of "compact" don't some people understand?), I'm still not convinced so many people need them. The good news is, many manufacturers have begun developing or at least begun researching hybrid versions of these monsters. As for the parking space issue, well, that one has yet to be solved. Just don't ding my door on your way out.

2007 Honda Fit Review Posted

Wed, 03 May 2006 20:16:59 GMT

The 2007 Honda Fit review is up on CNET.

Admittedly, the car isn't one I'd typically pick out of a lineup, but it ended up being pretty cool. It hadn't gone on sale yet during the review period, so it was fun to get inquisitive glances on the road from unwitting drivers.

Saab Story

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 05:52:35 GMT

My Saab 9-5 review is now up on cnet.com. I drove the car to LA and back for the Long Beach Grand Prix. The CNET folks did a good job of cleaning all the dead bugs off the front of the car before the photo shoot. Either that, or someone did a bang-up job in Photoshop.

I also got to drive around the new Honda Fit a couple of weeks ago; that review should be posted soon.

In other news, in the past few weeks I got my orange belt in Tae Kwon Do, moved, and started doing voice overs for a talk show that will soon air on Sirius and on some major-market terrestrial stations. I'll post more info on the radio gig when the show launches.

Oh, and I'm sick right now. It sucks.

First CNET Review is up

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 07:09:42 GMT

CNET posted my review of the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. Not the sexiest car, I know, but I was pleasantly surprised by all the gadgets inside.

More reviews are scheduled for April, so stay tuned.

Go Speed Racer

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 05:30:25 GMT

This past weekend I went to the BMWCCA Golden Gate Chapter's driving school at Infineon Raceway at Sears Point. It was a blast. I drove Rod's e46 M3 with SMG, which took some getting used to, but ended up being really handy for quick downshifts into, say, turn 2. Saturday was nice and dry, so I was able to get up some good speed. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain on Sunday so the organizers had to cancel the rest of the track sessions after lunch. Better to be safe than smashed up against a cement wall.

In other news, I'm happy to announce I recently signed a contract with CNET as a freelance writer for the Car Tech channel. My first article will appear in the next week or so. Since I'm brand new and thereby at the bottom of the food chain, I got to review none other than the lovely and stylish Dodge Caravan. It was admittedly nicer than I expected. I'll post a link when the story goes up. My editor hinted I may get a nicer car next. Hmm, I don't see the Spyker C8 on their site yet...

VROOMtastic

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 06:06:05 GMT

As many of you know, one of my passions throughout the years has been cars -- specifically, high-performance cars. With my 12-episode contract of Moblog Nation up, I'm turning more attention to the automotive industry.

My work over the past year has evolved into a blend of journalistic coverage with the creation and production of corporate podcasts. I'm applying this same formula (no racing pun intended) to covering cars and car tech. Some of my endeavors are in collaboration with Willnick Productions, which produces, among other things, the official podcast of Disneyland Resort.

Over New Year's I went to Laguna Seca to record a podcast for Driving Concepts. It was pouring rain and gusting wind, but we had a great time nonetheless (and it was actually a great way to learn to learn car control).

This week I'm covering the Los Angeles Auto Show. It's awesome to be able to look at (and sit in!) so many of the exotic cars I've drooled over while watching Top Gear.

The highlight of the show by far was my interview with Henrik Fisker and the executive staff of Fisker Coachbuild. Even if you don't know Fisker by name, you'd definitely recognize his work. His first well-known design was the BMW Z8. From there he went to Aston Martin, where he designed the DB9 and the new AMV8 Vantage. Now Mr. Fisker is trying his hand at coachbuilding by retooling the BMW 6 series and the SL55 AMG base infrastructures into his own custom, small-production boutique line. Look for my interview on the Fisker Coachbuild website in the near future. Here's Fisker CB COO Bernhard Koehler and "The Great Dane" himself, from left to right.

I also got to spend a little quality up-close time with my VERY favorite car, the Spyker C8 Spyder. I first discovered the brand about a year ago, when pretty much only the industry and hardcore enthusiasts knew about it. Apparently one of the cars is being used in the upcoming Basic Instinct sequel (isn't it about ten years late for that?), so unfortunately I may soon have to share my lust with overpaid rappers and bored trust fund babies.

In other news, look for my new show, VROOMcast, to debut soon....

Textamerica Podcast is Official!

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 19:18:14 GMT

I'm excited to officially announce Moblog Nation, my newest podcast commissioned by Textamerica.com. We've been working on it for quite some time and we already have five episodes in the can, but this week marks the launch of the website and the addition of the show on iTunes.

You can also listen to the show on KYOU, and on Fridays during the noon hour on 1550 AM in the San Francisco Bay Area. Check the website for the Web streaming schedule.

Thanks to Chris, Jade, and Janet from TA, Rod my talented and patient website designer, and Ken, my illustrious producer and colleague on Inside Mac Radio.

Now what are you waiting for -- SUBSCRIBE!

Getting better

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 22:40:09 GMT

It's been 11 days since I cut open my hand. I'm healing pretty quickly, all things considered. I removed one of my stitches Monday night, just to see how it would go. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I took the other three out last night. The last two stung pretty badly. There may have been more dried blood around the entrance to the suture, or perhaps the flesh had started to close up more around the thread. Gross, I know. I can't do everything yet, but at least typing is getting easier.

In other news, I saw Good Night and Good Luck last night. It was very well done. It's amazing to see that history is repeating itself in so many ways. Not only do the political scenarios in this movie look familiar, but the commentary on the state of the television industry and the battle between news and entertainment are just as relevant today, if not even more so. It also kind of made me wonder if "tech journalism" is an oxymoron. Is focusing on all these gadgets and games merely further insulating us from the "real" world and what's going on around us? Edward R. Murrow would probably think so.

Typing with one hand sucks

Sun, 09 Oct 2005 06:46:43 GMT

Well, I really did a number on myself tonight. I found out an eight-inch chef's knife is not the best tool to use when trying to pry apart frozen ostrich burgers. The knife slipped and went straight into the palm of my left hand. It stuck so deep I actually had to use force to pull it back out. I was left with a bloody gaping hole and had to go to the ER. I got four stitches, and screamed when the doctor injected me several times with anesthetic. It hurt more than the stab! Then I had to get a tetanus shot, so now it also feels like someone punched me in the arm. Joy. Check out the moblog pic, but be warned it's pretty gross.

Back to my Alma Mater

Wed, 07 Sep 2005 07:30:05 GMT

It was an honor and a pleasure returning to San Jose State as a guest speaker in two sessions of the Mass Media and Society class in the university's School of Journalism.

It was a little strange to be back in the same classrooms where I attended as a student, and even more strange to be in front behind the podium! We talked about podcasting and the impact it will have on both audiences and professionals in media. The students were very welcoming and engaged -- they asked some pretty tough and thoughtful questions.

Thanks to Bob Rucker, my former professor and advisor, for inviting me to take part in his classes. One thing I've always admired about Bob and the program at San Jose State is that, instead of sitting around pontificating theory in text books, students are given practical, hands-on experience that provide them with the foundation they need to survive in the industry. Many of the students in my graduating class have turned out to be very successful. I'm really proud of them, and I'm hopeful that Bob and company will continue to turn out some top-rate talent.

Am I imagining things?

Tue, 25 May 2004 06:56:44 GMT

Today has restored my faith in the Japanese and humanity in general. This morning I checked out of my hotel and headed for Kyoto station. The taxi driver was absolutely pleasant, and insisted upon having a lively conversation even though neither of us could understand one another.

Upon my arrival at the train station, I headed to the ticket office to see if I could catch an earlier train to Tokyo. I was informed by the tour guide that I would not be able to get a reserved seat if I changed trains, but I would have to take my chances in the unreserved car. In addition, my ticket supposedly only allowed me to take the “Hikari” or “Kodama” lines.

Not only did the ticket agent give me a reserved window seat on an earlier train, he put me on the “Nozomi,” the super-express train. It’s much faster, and, I suspect, more expensive. But he didn’t charge me a dime. He simply issued me my new ticket with a smile and a bow.

I went up to the platform, luggage and maguro maki (tuna roll) in hand. I had about a half hour before my train arrived, and there was no room to sit on the benches, so I patiently stood. When a few seats opened up, I sat down, only to see half a dozen elderly ladies approaching the bench. I stood up and motioned to them to sit, “hai, dozo.” They were apparently not used to such gestures. They were so happy they gave me a package of rice crackers. And when I asked to take their photo, they erupted in laughter and insisted I take a cookie.

As I write, this, I’m on the Nozomi train to Tokyo, the fastest train in Japan (and until recently, the fastest train in the world). Its top speed is around 300 km per hour, which, if memory serves me correctly, is about 180 miles per hour. Crazy.

(My writing was interrupted just now when the conductor came by to stamp my ticket. I couldn’t find it. A wave of panic washed over me as I rummaged through my belongings. Finally, I found it on the window sill, sitting right next to me. I’m apparently losing my mind.)

I just arrived at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. I know I had been disappointed when I visited last week, but I think that’s because it was pouring rain (and I was a bit depressed). The rooms and the view are amazing. Check out my moblog for photos and video clips.

Back to Tokyo

Tue, 25 May 2004 01:18:56 GMT

My trip is rapidly coming to a close. I made arrangements to go home Thursday.

It's funny -- now that I’m about to leave, I want to stay longer. I still have to see the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and I’d like to go to Kamakura to see the Buddha. The latter might be a little difficult, since it’s an all-day trip outside of the city.

I originally wanted to stay until the weekend, but my plane ticket is only valid for travel Monday through Thursday. The more I deal with United, the more I am convinced I will never fly the airline again, at least on long trips. Yesterday morning I called to change my flight and couldn’t get through. The phone number was busy and I had to call over and over like a radio listener trying to win a contest. When I finally spoke with someone in person, I was told there was a seat available for me to leave Thursday. I had to call the agent back with my credit card number to pay a change fee.

That was easier said than done. I had to call over and over again to get through. The second person I talked to told me there were no seats available. In reality, several seats were open on the plane, but none at my particular fare. I explained that I had been told earlier that there was indeed room for me on the flight, and after a lot of fussing, the ticket agent talked to her manager and agreed to * let * me pay $150 to be on that flight. Lucky me.

Between phone calls, I wandered around Kyoto. There are two distinct sections of town: The modern, Western-looking half with its department stores and Pachinko parlors and its fast food restaurants. The other part of town is in traditional Japanese style. Windy, narrow streets are lined with wooden and bamboo structures, shrouded in mystery by closed, sliding doors. One could easily picture geisha and maiko scurrying up and down the stone-paved streets with the rapid click-click of their wooden shoes.

Around lunch time I walked through the Nishiki food market, which, I learned, was more of a place to buy groceries than ready-made food. I’m becoming more used to the sights, sounds, and smells of this foreign world. Whole dried fish, squid, and octopus don’t alarm me as they once did -- of course, that still doesn’t mean I’d eat them.

I bought some tempura from one of the vendors, only to find it cold and chewy. I suspect it was intended to be reheated at home. I went to the basement of a department store (which always have vast food markets) to find something else. Unfortunately, I stumbled upon a Western-style bakery. My eyes lit up at the sight of croissants, scones, donuts, cinnamon rolls, and more. I bought and rapidly consumed a few items, which I later regretted. But they tasted good.

My best purchase of the day, though, was a basket of fresh strawberries. The small, red berries were the sweetest and most flavorful I’ve ever eaten. In fact, they were so good, I almost wonder they’re artificially flavored. They taste just too good to be true!

Today I’m taking the bullet train back to Tokyo. I’m splurging and staying at a really expensive hotel. But I’m only here for two more days. So why not?