Christmas time is here . . .

Thought you's guys would like a little Christmas treat. And if your office or place of employment is anything like mine, you're probably sick of hearing Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock (especially when sung by Mecha-Streisand), White Christmas, or any other song played on XM 35 Holly. Nothing like a little Run DMC to get you in the Christmas spirit. And how sweet would it be to get a hat and gold chain for Christmas?

Last minute gift ideas for the FJ . . . (or crap found on ebay)

It's Saturday morning, snowing outside, Susinator is still in sleep mode, and I have the internet and ebay at my disposal. And this is the kind of crap I found. Originally I was just going to go through 10 pages, but this stuff was too good to stop after 10 pages of searching. So 34 pages later, this is the best I found.
1. Hood scoop. Functional . . . nope. But how can you go wrong with the double scoop look?
2. Laptop mount. We have the macbook now so obviously I need to bring it in the FJ so I can mobile blog (could you imagine how dumb the posts would be then. . . brutal).
3. Chrome hood thing. Yeah, because I want people to thing I have a Hummer. And like the hood scoop, installation is easy with double stick tape.
4. Rear roof ladder. Oddly enough, the FJ pictured doesn't have a roof rack. So why do you need a ladder?
5. Seat covers. How classy are these? And the colors are great!!1
6. Chrome blingy (if I ever use bling or any other form of the word on here again, please punch me in the nuts) replacement taillights. It was the closest I could find to Altezza taillights. And we all know how cool those are.
7. Wood trim kit. How classy is this? Nothing adds to the interior like fake, exotic wood covering everything.
8. Projector headlights. They even have the "angel eye". I think these would probably look like tits when they are actually installed (they would look tits and look like tits, weird).
9. Grille cover. Yeah, because I want people to think I have a Jeep.
10. Battery operated, princess FJ. I think I just found how I'm going to paint my FJ.

There was actually more stupid shit on the ol' bay but this is a solid cross section of the shit. What kind of people actually buy this stuff? I mean the FJ (and this may sound a little preachy or like an ad but just hang with me) is a fairly serious off-road vehicle that doesn't have a lot of extra "fancy" stuff. The paint is even non-metallic so it is easier to touchup if you scrap it against trees (or if someone door dings you). Then again, I've seen pictures of people that have put 24's with lowpro tires on their FJ's. And to all those people . . . whatever.

Winter Drive Time Fun . . . Oh boy (end sarcasm)

Wondering what the roads were like this past Sunday from Renville to about Stewart. Well look at the above pics. That pretty much sums it up. No troubles (I mean, we were in the FJ) just a little snow and a lot of wind. Hell, we even got passed a couple of times. Which makes sense, since you could almost see 100 ft in front of you.

Get a Grip Man!!!1

I did get a grip. Actually, two sets of grips. What you're seeing here (like you don't know already) are the awesomest grips from Hippy Killer. Yeah, that is some flake in there. And yeah, they are made out of urethane, so they're hard (speaking of hard . . .uh nevermind) but they are supposed to help reduce the vibes. Which is nice since riding the SR500 is basically like riding a paint shaker. I did scale the top pic down to make it somewhat manageable for you guys on less than 30 mb/s but the bottom pic I left untouched. That's right, straight outta the D90, all 12 megapixels worth. I did that so you could get somewhat of an idea of just how much sparkle these things have. I know, I shouldn't have but I can't help myself.

What Percent???/

Yeah Tim, where's the percent? For everyone else, our good friend Timmy just got pwned!!!1

Swap Meet Score

Ah yes, the Motorcycle Swap Meet. Where hoarders and pack rats come to sell their shit and buy more shit. Even the local chapters of various motorcycle "clubs" come to sell their various cycle parts along with a shirt that has their name on it (I always thought that you couldn't buy your way into a "club" or maybe they're just thinking it's an easy way to make a buck off of Joe Blow with too much money (note to self, print up some shirts with the blog address and sell at next swap meet)). Of course there is always going to be the people that are selling various knick-knacks along side a few old, crusty motorcycle parts. Thankfully, that was kept to a minimum on this particular day. So the Susinater and I went to the 'ol swap meet early Sunday morning hoping to find something cool. I was hoping there would have been more cool than what was there but it's Minnesota and not the world famous Long Beach Swap Meet (check out the various threads on Jockey Journal if you happen to be curious about these, one word rediculous). We were able to find a few cool bits that were worth buying though. If you can't tell from the picture (oh yeah, this is also the first blog pic from the new camera . . . more on that later . . . actually by the time you read this, you will probably have read about it . . . oh well) we picked up a sweet taillight for $5, not really sure when or where it's from but it does say Harley Davidson® on the inside but I really doubt it came from Harley® originally. Then we found the super skinny Z-bars for $20, even though they say $25 on them. The picture makes them look alot bigger than what they are but trust me, they are skinny (at some point I'll get a pic of them on the 500). Next item is a set of foot pegs for $5. Nothing too special about these but they do say Rocky on the bottom of them. And finally we picked up another set of pegs for $15. These are NOS (new old stock or new old shit) items, probably from the 70's or 80's since no bar code is present, just an old stamped number but they were made in Taiwan. So after a few hours of digging through various bins, we walked out of there $55 less in our pockets (the extra $10 was admission, in case you were wondering) and some old motorcycle parts in its place.

NIN . . . finally

We finally got to see the Nine Inch Nails show this past Tuesday since it was postponed a few months ago. It was definitely worth the wait. I think you could safely say the NIN pwns!!!1! Pink Floyd in the laser light show category (even though NIN doesn't really have that many lasers but instead has metric shit ton's of LED's, crazy screen things that are, contrary to popular belief, rendered in real time at the show). If you want to read more about the tech, http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2008/09/nin_show?currentPage=all

Thanksgiving (aka eating alot)

If you're like anyone else, you probably had turkey yesterday. Unless you're a commie, then you should probably just go back to doing whatever commies do, which certainly isn't reading this blog. But back to the subject, this what our (yeah, we had everyone over at our place. . . and by our, I really mean Susie, she cooked it and got it ready and everything) turkey looked like about 30 minutes before it was hacked up and then devoured. Not too much left (thankfully) of this 20 lbs, so everyone did their part.

Back Up

So the Windows machine is back up and functioning. It is minus one Raptor though. I know its weak but it wouldn't recognize both of them when I had it setup in Raid0. Either way, one Raptor is better than no Raptor's, right Tim? Anyone want a 74 gb Raptor?

Once you go Mac, you never go back!!??

The ol' computer has been a little sick the past week or so (in the process of just starting Windows from scratch). I know what your thinking, how can he be in the process of reloading Windows and making another awesome entry to the blogosphere? Well my friends, the answer is simple (and by now you've probably made the connection between the title, the picture above, and the first line of this rambling dissertation) MacBook. We were thinking about getting a laptop anyway and we also wanted to have a Mac. So why not combine the two? Yeah, it is just the Macbook not the Pro. Apple didn't need to get that much of our money. It still is made from one solid piece of aluminum (called the brick, google that, its a pretty neat process and it will make you wonder how many windows laptop manufacturers will start doing the same). The only thing this doesn't have that the Pro does is the illuminated keyboard. You're probably thinking what the hell do you need an lit up keyboard for? Well it comes in handy in low light situations. Say you're trying to check your email or perhaps add an entry into your blog before you go to work in the morning but you don't want to turn on a light. It's a little tough to see the little white letters on black keys when its dark. But I think I'll survive. And I could also just connect my keyboard that is illuminated to the Macbook. Now if I could just get the Cal-Custom computer to reload windows I'd happy. I hope you enjoyed the first post from the Macbook, it probably won't be the last. . .

And now . . . back to the stupid stuff

This part of Young Frankenstein was brought up at Timmy's place last weekend. I believe it was Dave E. Boy that suggested that this would be a perfect ringer. I couldn't agree more. Oh yeah, I do have this on Bluray.

How I know...

How I know I've taken too many pictures. This is my latest offspring. Shaun Patrick O'Connor. He will make a great addition to my family as you may be able to tell he'll fit right in.

Haven't you heard?

This is easily one of the better Family Guy episodes. Yeah, over half the episode was Peter doing Surfin' Bird jokes but it was good. For example, the beginning of this clip of him reading the paper. Classic.

It's Log!!!1!

Pwner McPwnerson

Apparently if you want to take on WOW (World of Warcraft, in case you didn't know, lol jk!!1) as a "hobby" you need like 36 different accounts and the setup pictured above. Maybe its just me, but this seems a little excessive (and obsessive). And what the hell kind of internet connection does he have? If you're running all 36 accounts, fiberoptic wouldn't be enough. Who knows? Or maybe this is just an inside look at my setup that I only use for updating the blog (I have another exact setup for just general computering)?

Our engagement picture

I think this picture is enough without any words.

See . . . it can go off-road

This past weekend, Susie and I did our engagement pictures at various places around the lovely county park at the river bottom. What a perfect time to drive through some of the trails. It started out tame enough. And then we decided to go to Gold Mine. A little creek runs through the road. No problem for the FJ (or the Ford Taurus that we later saw make it through). No, the mud isn't from this. The mud is from the other trail we decided to try (unfortunately, we didn't take any pics while we drove through this) or I guess at one point it was a trail, now it was more of a couple of deep ruts left by some. We ended up bottoming out on a couple of places on this one. Thankfully the front wheels were on something somewhat solid and that FJ has a skid plates. And later we jammed through the bean field by Buck's. Oh yeah, the lights in the front and center, are pretty functional (even though the are only on if the high beams are).

DON'T FORGET TO ORDER FIREPROOFING

I FIGURED OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT BUS PICTURE MORE AWESOME BY USING SCIENCE. ALL IT LACKS IS SOUND


BOOM MOTHER FUCKER MMRRRRRAAAAAAWWR PEW PEW PEW PEW *WICKED GUITAR RIFF* *CANNONS FIRING* *BITCHES SCREAMING*

Jen's Birthday and The Patio

This is over a month old already but these just got taken off the memory card (and if you're keeping track at home, these are from the D50. For some weird reason, the D50's pics seem to look a little better than the D70's. Anybody got any ideas?). So this is from Jen's (of Tim and Jen fame) big birthday party back in August. And it was also the first time of a party on the patio (Tim and I finished it off the weekend before, oh yeah, Tim's dad Tim helped on Sunday too. It was a good time even though it sucked butt) Kick ass time. I'll let the pics do the talking (actually I'll just add more after the pics):





Here's the rundown: 1) You know its a good time when Dave E. Boy shows up, even if he's rockin' the same shirt the past 3 times you've seen him. OR You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning (ok, it was 11 . . . I think). OR We're trying to activate beard powers. 2) Hottie. . . enough said. 3)For some odd reason, the beer tastes better when you're on the patio. 4) "That is the last time I let those drunk bastards (or it could have been Jeff at that point) fly my kite." 5) Weird, pic 5 and that's also the same number of beers in Tim's staff and he's trying to impress the neighbors with that. 6) What can I say, it was hot out and the beer makes you a little tired. 7) On Sunday we went to the Dead Animal Zoo of Owatonna, Cabela's. Tim wanted to get a bigger clip for the SKS. So you gotta go big, 50 round. Awesome (not quite bus jumping over a bunch of motorcycles while the whole thing is engulfed in fire) right? Well apparently it was too awesome since it didn't want to take all 50 rounds (I think there might be a porno movie joke somewhere in that) so it had to get returned and Tim stuck with the 10 round clip he had.

FJ Limits

I happened upon this handy guide on Toyota's website. Pretty typical measurements and approach angle and the whatnot. But then you start to wonder why its blue on the bottom. Oh that's just a little thing showing the water fording depth of 27.5". Yeah, this needs to be tested (I'll probably either, cry while driving through the water or get stuck or both). And the rustproofing is getting done tomorrow, so it should be good to go (yeah, it probably was a waste to get the rustproofing considering the FJ already has a ton of stuff that keeps it from rusting but we figured what the hell it won't hurt especially with the metric shit tons of salt used on the roads).

FUCKING AWESOME

LOOK AT THIS SHIT. YOU WILL NEVER SEE ANYTHING AS AWESOME THIS EVER AGAIN IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

THIS IS MORE AWESOME THAN EVERY MOTORHEAD SONG. THIS IS MORE AWESOME THAN HUGE FLOPPY TITS THAT LACTATE MILLER HIGH LIFE. LOOK AT THIS SHIT. LOOK AT IT! FUCKING AWESOME!

Now Paul Newman

So a couple of weeks ago, Jerry Reed died. And now Paul Newman. Well, I guess it happens to everyone. So enjoy a little Reg Dunlop and Cool Hand Luke.

Get a chopper, be cool

Here we have a perfect example of how a chopper can make you cool. Take a look at this dude's style. Do you really think he could actually get this chick without the bike? The bike has enough kickassedness to make this dude cool. Pure 70's style, high ridin in the front, laid back riding style (and I bet this 70's babe loves having his split white man afro blowing in her face as they ride), pan, spool front wheel, and a tall sissy bar for the lady.

Hauler

Hauler, by Adam Wright. Kick ass photography. Just got mine yesterday from Mooneyes. If either of his other two "books" (I guess you could call them books, almost more of a magazine though) are any indication, this is probably sold out by now. If you're into cicles or hot rods or into the people that are into cicles or hot rods, you should try to find this or Road Course 1 & 2. All are pure awesomeness.

I JUST WANT TO COMMENT

I HOPE NOBODY SEES THIS I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE BACK BACK BACK HOW DO I GO BACK OUT


I DONT NEED TO POST THINGS I ALREADY HAVE A BLAWG AT WWWWWW.GEOCITIES.STEAMERBEAN/ORG.BALLS@.COM HELP I CANNOT GET OUT OF THIS SCREEN I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON THE PRETTY TOYOTO CAR HELP WHATS THIS DO
WHAT THE OH GOD WHATS THAT I SHOULD NOT BE HERE WAIT WAIT WAIT WHOA THATS NOT GOOD THAT CANT BE RIGHT LET ME TRY THIS

THAT DIDNT WORK MY SON WORKS AT COMPUTARS I WILL CALL HIM NO DONT CLICK THAT IT MAY HAS VIRUSES WHICH PART IS THE NO NO NO NO WAIT GOT IT WHY DOES IT KEEP DOING THIS DAMN SHIT GOT IT GOT IT GOT IT OK SORRY RYAN YOU CAN DELETE THIS

FJ Cruisin???!!1

That's right, questions in the title. Oooo, that can only mean one thing, speculation. Is this the new VOD (vehicle of destruction (or doom? or death? or dessert? or Denardation?(like Denard Span, let's get Denarded in here) or disease?) that I will be cruisin in or is this just a really (and I mean really, really, really, really, really x 10) FJ that we happened to see while driving the Focus? Well since both people that read this blog know the answer, we probably could have avoided the whole rambling dissertation above. Oh well, you guys should read more anyway (although maybe reading something good rather than the crap that I write would be better). Back to the matter at hand though. Well since the Focus is not exactly what we would call "road worthy", this fine FJ is the new for me. Yeah, I know I should have pictures of it in a mud hole, or crossing a river (which our salesperson from a dealership that will remain nameless, said we can go through 27" of water with no problems. So Susie will probably want to drive this when its raining . . . think back a few years for this one) or parked on top of the Focus (this was one of Tim's idea (hey, you have to give him credited when he has a good idea). But anywho's, the cool pictures will be coming so keep checking back, but it will be a while later so don't just sit there hitting refresh every ten seconds.

Raging . . . at the Target Center

To get the full experience from the following video, please turn the volume to 11. And now, on with the show.

Just in case you couldn't figure it out, that was the opening for the Rage concert. Saying it was a pretty good concert is a huge understatement. As we were watching this spectacle, I was trying to come up with a comparable concert experience to this. I couldn't really come up with anything. I've seen ton's of really cool concerts (Motley Crue (yeah it wasn't the same as when they were in their prime but still pretty cool), Monster Magnet, Judas Priest, Cradle of Filth, HIM, Turbonegro, CKY, Clutch, Hank III, Green Day, Blink-182, GWAR, and some others that I'm just not remembering) but none really were like Rage. Turbonegro was awesome though, especially since it was at The Fine Line. That place maybe holds 250 people or so. The sound was perfect, not too loud but loud enough to know you were at a concert. Plus its just cool to see some dude with an army helmet, denim jacket, sparkley makeup on his face, and pink lipstick while rocking the keyboard and giving the guitar player (Euroboy, in case you didn't know) a ride on his shoulders (I'm thinking the blog might need a Turbonegro live video, actually I can't believe there isn't one already. Well I guess its something to look forward to). But back to Rage. Oh what's that you say. You wonder what Calm Like A Bomb and Sleep Now In The Fire sounded like . . .

Awesome. And the cool part of the videos is that the sound is distorting the picture because it was so loud (technically that is probably not possible but it sounds cool so lets just go with it). I figured I had the video of the opening, so how about the video of the very end of the show. . .

Well I hope you enjoyed the look back at what was the Rage concert.

RIP Jerry Reed

In case you haven't heard, Jerry Reed died a couple of days ago. That's too bad, I mean he was Snowman. But we always be east bound and down, loaded up and truckin'.

YES! YES! YES! YES!! YES!!1

Another video showing that I need this. The only thing that could make this video cooler would be to make it a little shorter, you can only watch them go around in circle's for so long. Or bacon would be nice too (speaking of, big bacon at the state fair? Supposedly its the bomb.) since bacon makes everything better. Being able to drive through snow like this may come in handy if we decide to try to drive to Ortonville at 8 on a Friday to go ice fishing. At least it would be better than the dragon's Focus.

Someday . . . someday

This is pretty much enough of a reason to get a FJ Cruiser. You never know when you're going to have to ford a river ala Oregon Trail.

A look back . . . and forward?

In case you couldn't tell, this is a look back . . . and forward(?) at drinking at la casa de Tim and Jen. Yeah, the first pic is our ol' bud Tim drinking water but we have drunk our fair share of water there too. And for some reason getting a pic with Timmy either drinking a beer or even a beer in hand is tougher than getting a pic of that damn sasquatch (speaking of sasquatch, did you see the "captured" bigfoot was a hoax? Wow, no one saw that one coming.). And for some reason I'm always the one pictured with a beer in hand? Funny, I think I need to do some investigating on that. Or maybe just take matters into my own hands and take that elusive picture. And in case you were wondering, yes those are Snicker bars I'm cutting up.