Cuisine, travel

Bainbridge Island cuisine

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Bainbridge Island cuisine.

While watching Evening Magazine, I saw a couple of places that looked interesting, and plan to try them out in the near future:

detail2First, is the Four Swallows.

Four Swallows is described as a fusion of Northwest and Italian cuisine.  Located at: 481 Madison Avenue, Bainbridge Island.  ph: 206-842-3397.  I will write a review as soon as I can get a reservation.

aboutus2Also on Bainbridge Island is the Mora Iced Creamery.
All ice cream is made locally on the island. It is said that they have over 40 flavors! Located at: 139 Madrone Lane, Bainbridge Island. Ph#: 206.855.8822.
This is another location that I plan to check out in the very near future.

UPDATE: (18-Jul-2009) More Iced Creamery: Returning from a nice trip to Seattle today, I made the point of visiting Mora Iced Creamery.   It’s on the main street of downtown Winslow, but it’s in the back of the little ‘Madrona’ business area.  The place is well lit and had a very nice vibe.  The clientel was a mix of the well-healed, from students to retiries.   Everyone had a smile and I quickly found out why.  WOW! The ice cream is amazing.   I would have to say it’s the best I’ve ever tasted.   Coldstone and the famous ice cream shop in Port Townsend have N*O*T*H*I*N*G on this place.    In sort, well worth the visit!   I’ll be returning often!    VIEW LOCATION ON GOOGLE MAPS

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Adding one more to try, by personal recommendation of many that have visited there, Madoka. Located at 421 Winslow Way West, Bainbridge Island. Ph#: 206-284-2448. This is also on my list of places to try.

Cafe Racer Project, Motorcycles

Plastic welding on the KZ400

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Progress continues on the KZ400 project. Today’s work was focused around using my new plastic welder to fill in holes on the side panel.

The plastic welder came with a number of welding sticks, to use with a variety of plastics. After quite a bit of melting, and trying the PVC, ABS and PP welding sticks, the results looked less than ideal. None of the plastics seemed to flow well, but they eventually did bind with the stock plastic (type unknown).

cafe_2048

The back side of the panel, having used the green ABS welding sticks
cafe_2046

I later discovered that the plastic I have for model building (a poly styrene blend) seemed to weld a lot easier than any of the supplied welding sticks. I’ll be trying them again in the future.

Once the plastic welding was complete, I used a sharp exacto blade to trim off most of the plastic above the surface of original panel. That was followed by wet sanding with 400 grit sandpaper until the welding ‘slag’ was level with the surrounding plastic.

The last step was several rounds of glazing putty application, followed by more wet sanding with the 400 grit. I later found that switching to the 220 grit dry paper did not produce significant scratches and, obviously, let me complete the rough sanding quicker.

cafe_2049

Finally, another ‘current state’ photo of the bike. It’s slow going but that’s OK, it’s all part of the plan.
cafe_2047

Cafe Racer Project, Motorcycles

KZ400 – ordered additional parts

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D2Moto had a pretty dang good say going, so I ordered some more parts for the project bike.

Parts Ordered
Parts Ordered

While I was at it, I also picked up some blink for the Ducati.  In fact, almost 1/2 the order is one set of blingware for the Duc.   It deserves a little attention as well.

RC045-Red

Parts page lists them fo the Monster.  Checked the 1098 and they all LOOK similar.  I know Ducati re-uses parts extensivly so, I’m hoping in this case I’m right, or it’s a $40 error.   In the end, if they don’t fit I know plenty of people around the area that I could sell them to for at or near what I paid.

Military

Passing of a REAL hero

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I was sent the link to this, from my good freind Steve.  It’s fitting that the man mentioned in this article be celebrated, and his life remembered.   Godspeed Shifty, Godspeed.

From: http://www.neptunuslex.com

We’re hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.

I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell “Shifty” Powers.

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you’ve seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn’t know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the “Screaming Eagle”, the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he’d been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said “Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . ” at which point my heart skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said “I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?” At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said “I also made a second jump into Holland , into Arnhem .” I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said “Yes. And it’s real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can’t make the trip.” My heart was in my throat and I didn’t know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I’d take his in coach.

He said “No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy.” His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center .

No wall to wall back to back 24×7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that’s not right.

Let’s give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

Shifty2

Technology

Google Chrome OS to take on Windows

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A LOT of press over the last week has been produced regarding Googles announcement to go head-to-head with Microsoft with is Open Source (LINUX) based OS. They dominate the search market and are now going to go after the 9000 lb. gorilla on the desktop. It’s about time we had another player in the sector.

Google calls time on the Age of Windows

Google announced on Wednesday that it was developing its own computer operating system. It will be secure, fast, lightweight and – most of all – free. And it presents the biggest challenge yet to the long-standing dominance of Windows.

The idea behind Google ChromeOS is nothing new – it’s built on a Linux foundation and will no doubt share many of the features of other open-source operating systems. But Google is the only computing brand with more might than Microsoft: it’s trusted, and has a proven track record of building brilliant, free services, from search to instant messaging.

Trust is the key here.  I don’t know many that trust Microsoft to either do it right, nor do it ethically.  The funny thing is, I don’t know anyone that belives Google will either.   They are the kings of data warehousing, and data reselling.   The big concern in the technical community is,  what will Google do with the data it can aquire, once it ‘owns’ your desktop too?

I know people who simply won’t use Google for searches (I use it exclusivly).  They fear that Google is profiling them (and it is) and will resell their searching patterns (and it dose) to other parties.  Valid concerns, to an extent, but really, anyone that think they are using the web annonymously, unless they are making heavy use of fully annonymizing proxies, is dillusional.    Even those bent on covering their tracks have to be careful what cookies they except, how long they  remain on the system, what they are caching, what proxies they are using (what are those proxies doing with their traffic, are they considering that?).

The internet is a dangerous place for you data.  Either you have to be OK with people warehousing your activities, or you’re going to have to go to some extreme measures to thwart the data transfer.

Now, if you ever want to look at what YOU might be sending to 3rd parties from your own computer, I suggest running a tool like  WireShark.   Now here is a neat little site benefit od doing something like that.  A lot of the most sophisticated malware out there, looks for such tools runing on systems and will modify it’s behavior from malicious, to begnin, to conceal itself.   So, running network profiling tools, perhaps even if you don’t ever LOOK at them, can help prevent some of the worst expoits out there.  It’s like taking a vaccine of sorts.  It’s not going to prevent everything, but some of the worst of the web will simply move onto easier marks.

I for one will be getting ahold of Chrome OS as soon as I can to istall on a laptop for examination.  I have some internet neophytes in the house, and they are a good test of how easy an OS is to use.   Right now I’ve given them a new Acer laptop running Ubuntu.   My house is a Windoze Free Zone.  I look foward to hearing the feedback on Chrome OS when I give them the option to use either.

OTHER RELATED:

SlashDot:   Google Announces Chrome OS, For Release Mid-2010

“After years of speculation, Google has announced Google Chrome OS, which should be available mid-2010. Initially targeting netbooks, its main selling points are speed, simplicity and security — which kind of implies that the current No.1 OS doesn’t deliver in these areas”

CNET: What will Google’s Chrome OS watch you do?

Google has a long history of tracking user activity, and the introduction of its Chrome operating system later this year is sure to follow suit. While we know that it’s being built off of Linux, one big thing we don’t know is how its terms of service will differ from those found in other Google products, and what kinds of user data it will be collecting. Based on the company’s track record of watching and monetizing user data, it could be anything from which applications you’re using, to all the information that’s coming in and out of your computer.

Cafe Racer Project, Motorcycles, racing

KZ400 – more thoughts on the Cafe project

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Hunting to find info on the missing parts from my bike, I’ve collected a few of these as reference. What I notice in this one, is that my side panels are missing some sort of ‘intake grate (black on this blue bike).
kz400-01

After a lot of work, documented here on VW Vortex.. he’s got one hell of a cool result!

After a lot more work
After a lot more work

Then it starts to look like this.  Very clean.. classy.   I’m still split on going retro-rat or going with super-clean (but I  want to do silver, not perl white).   Decisions.. decisions…

cafe10

Ordering some parts

8d92_1_bI want to get this thing going… and the first step will be to get me some of those clubman bars. Found these, hopefully I did not get douched on the price ($52.00 with shipping), from Oregon.

I’m thinking that I can mount them either up or down, depending on how radical I want to make this thing.

At least I’ve taken the first step, and decided that I am NOT going to ‘restore’ the bike, but instead build my first ever Cafe Racer Replica.  God help me.    At least this will be A LOT less expensive than playing with sports cars, and more mentally challenging than watching Television (gack).

Tonight, I think I’ll really dig into this thing by doing some sanding and bobbing the back fender off.

And a couple more interesting ‘inputs’ on final styling:

This looks so 50's retro cool.
This looks so 50's retro cool.

Check out the tail light and turn signals.. very cool.
Check out the tail light and turn signals.. very cool.

And one more idea for the road:

like the dual exit pipes on the right, red tank and that seat is sweet.
like the dual exit pipes on the right, red tank and that seat is sweet.
automotive, Formula 1, racing

Congratulations to Mark Webber – First F1 win!

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Mark Webber - Red Bull Racing
Mark Webber - Red Bull Racing

Congratulation to Australian Mark Webber, for winning today’s German Grand Prix.   He took his Renault powered Red Bull formula car from Pole to Podium!   His first F1 win ever.

It was also a great 1 – 2 finish for the Red Bull team, the 3rd time this year.   They are quickly devouring the lead Braun GP had established early in the season.

It’s great to see new faces on the podium!

Technology

AT&T and iPhone saga continues

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Starting on Memorial Day (2009) my cool, very functional and reliable iPhone, started to piss me off.

bastards_logoWhile on a motorcycle ride that day, I was unable to receive any signal at all.   My phone kept showing ‘No Service‘.  Traveling with a few other AT&T (non-iPhone users) I found that they had a full 5 bars of AT&T signal.  Great.  My phone is doing something very strange.  Even when I arrived home that evening, the phone was still showing ‘No Service‘.    It was not until the next morning that my phone was showing a signal again.  I wrongfully thought I was out of the woods.

ip392A few weeks later in Canada, the phone did the same thing;   ‘Searching…..‘   and finally   ‘No Service‘.    Yet everyone else in the group had plenty of access to Rodgers Cellular in Canada.   The most unfortunate part of the experience was that my ATM card had been turned off by Bank of America (another sore point) while in the middle of my trip!  Cutting me off from money, and to top it all off, I could not call them with my non-functional phone!!!!

Next morning, phone was showing a full signal, and I was able to get a hold of those jackasses at Band of America and get my ATM card re-enabled.

But signal problems continued back in the US.   Finally,  mid June I got to the AT&T store and explain what’s happening.  This is the same sort where I purchased the phone.   They insisted that the first thing they needed to do was swap out the SIM card.   How that could have any impact on the battery problems I was also having, I was suspicious, but thought maybe it would help with the signal issues.   Didn’t do a damn thing.

Returning to AT&T store a couple of days later, I find out that they *cannot* perform any sort of hardware swap, exchange or, really anything beyond a SIM card swap on the iPhone.   My options were to wait 2 weeks for a phone to be mailed (no go..  my work requires that they be able to contact me 24×7),  -OR-  drive 30 miles from work (Tacoma), to the outskirts of Seattle, to the uber-geek Apple Store, buried in the South Center Mall.   I hate malls.    After a VERY frustrating 3 hours there, I finally had the phone swapped out, got on my motorcycle and headed to the ferry.  It’s then I really noticed that I had not ‘3G‘ network.   :/   Not a big deal, I was certain I would have it when I arrived here, where I always have 5 bars of 3G.   Turns out, it never did.

When I had some time to waste, I headed back to the AT&T store to get my network issue resolved.   After 1 hour in the store, I found that they could do nothing, would not even swap the SIM this time.. and they were sending me.. (ta da..)  BACK to South Center, or wait 2 weeks for yet another phone.

Yesterday I decided to make a day of it, and go out to South Center to swap out he iPhone yet again.    I won’t go into what a cluster it was because nobody told me I needed an appointment the first time, but this time I was prepared, made an appointment at 2:40PM, drove the 70 miles from home to South Center Mall (I hate malls).  I arrived at my 2:40 checking time, and within 5 minutes I was in front of a ‘MAC Genius’  (snicker) and they started the diagnosis process.   This one quickly recognized that I’m not your garden variety tech moron, looked at me and asked in a hushed voice  ‘Well, if you did all the reset tests already, and would just like a new phone, I’ll do that instead of spend 30 minutes doing all the tests’.   Bingo!   I’ll take the phone.    Before it was 3:00PM I was out the door with at FULLY FUNCTIONAL 3G 8GB iPhone.   All covered under the original 1 year warranty on the phone.  Which is good becaue I was have seriously freaked out if the phone I bought last year was not under any sort of warranty!

This morning I finished ‘rebuilding’ my phone.  Upgrading to iPhone version 3.0,  restored all my contacts, bookmarks and photos.  AND the 3G is still working.   I’m now, a happier camper.

But it sure was an odyssey in frustration.  And the AT&T corporate store is as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

Easter Egg Alert:  Every  AT&T hotlink goes to a different non-AT&T website.  There are some interesting stories in there.
Cafe Racer Project, Motorcycles

KZ400 – some motorbike influances

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I’ve been looking at a number of vintage bikes, and some cafe racer bikers. Going to save these for reference, and what about each one I really like. It will be interesting to come back to these articles once I finally finish the bike and see what I was thinking.

Bike 1 – Honda twin

Bike idea 01
Bike idea 01
    Elements I like about this Honda.

  • black painted forks
  • cool custom high routed exhaust. The wrapping adds a nice effect
  • chopped off tail
  • stripped off fenders, front and rear
  • it’s also a parallel twin

Bike 2 – Honda twin

bike idea 2
bike idea 2
    Elements I like about this Honda.

  • black paint with gold pinstripe
  • chrome megaphone exhaust in polished stainless looks cool
  • short bars
  • it still has the fenders but they are minimalist and painted.
  • nice steel braided oil cooler lines
  • painted branding (no cast emblems)

Bike 3 – Honda CR550F

cafe03

    Elements I like about this Honda.

  • red and yellow paint, with black side panels is a nice look.
  • black painted exhaust might be easier to achieve than fixing the pitted stock chrome system
  • again, the bobbed tail

Bike 4 – Honda (looks like an old Silverwing)

cafe04

    Elements I like about this Honda.

  • I was originally considering silver paint for the bike, not sure about the blue stripe.
  • like idea of the painted frame
  • one thing that I really liked is the flat metal cover below the seat, instead of the stock curved piece.

Bike 5 – Norton

cafe05

    Elements I like about this Norton.

  • gloss black paint, and stripe.
  • rubber boots on the forks
  • silver painted forks (I think)
  • color matched hub on the rear brake

Bike 6 – Norton

cafe06

    Elements I like about this Norton.

  • nice custom job
  • modern front inverted forks and brakes
  • cool high-mount megaphone exhaust
  • also looks like a mono-shock rear end, very trick.

Bike 7 – Honda (I think its an old XR400)

cafe07
cafe08

    Not really relevant to my current project but.. cool idea!

  • looks like a dirtbike single converted to a street cafe racer
  • cool chopped rear end

Bike 09 – Kawasaki, maybe?

cafe09

    what’s cool

  • paint, love the flat olive retro-vintage WWII paint scheme
  • site exit mega-can exhaust, in black
  • top mounted bars (no clipons) but sort of inverted looking!
  • front still has fender, not so sure about that..
  • rubber boots on forks

Bike 9

real deal KZ400 cafe
real deal KZ400 cafe
    what’s cool

  • flat black paint. I can do that right now.
  • know official name for those bars, ‘clubmans’ it would be the place to start!

Racing, Photography, Software and Politics.