Dakar 2010

Wow, I really enjoyed the scenery. Keeping up with Dakar 2010 on Euro sport was great.
The show made me really really want to go and visit this amazing countryside. Fortunately no riders died this year, there was one fatality, a spectators who was located in an unsafe area.

The helicopter shots were amazing and courtesy of Mont Blanc helicopter services

The US competitor involvement was great. They are getting better each year. American Mark Miller did an amazing job for Volkswagen, despite placing one spot lower than his 2009 2nd place.

Robbie Gordon did well with his Hummer H3, he showed off in this truck with his flamboyant American style. He says he will come back in 2011, with a 4 Wheel Drive Hummer.

Jonah Street did an amazing job again, right behind the front runners, I think he placed 7th, an amazing feat. His riding ability is incredible and he still seems to be an “unknown” rider”.

I hope the American involvement and interest in the race will increase. Americans are notoriously for Amero-centric. (I just made that word up.)

It sounds like next year the Dakar will become a traveling race, the organizers have not announced where it will be located next year.

I was very glad Carlos Sainz won, after his disastrous flip on stage 13 last year. Al-Attayh can have the crown next year, but I have not forgotten him in the rally-raid BMW X3 missing checkpoints because of “overheating” in 2009.

World Rally Championship 2010

It will start in less than a month with Rally Sweden February 12th! Let the duels began! Let’s hope for some more manufactures joining the WRC when they move to Super 2000 specs in 2011. Anyone want to see a Mini Crossman John Cooper Works WRC? I do..

It will be exciting to see the American Ken Block in the M-Sport prepared Ford Focus. I honestly do not have high expectation for him because he is totally new to driver/co-driver format. It is not about making Gymkhana videos. I am curious who will be his co-driver. He will be doing double duty, competing in both the Rally-America and WRC series.
This will be the last year for the Focus WRC car. Next year (2011), they will move to the Fiesta.

Why do I do this?

I don’t know. I guess it is just kind of fun. Now we can have any idiot in the world have a platform to share ideas and information. I think that this is the most important thing in the world, because knowledge moves along humanity.
Why do we need to solve the same problems? If someone has a good solution, let’s use it. I strongly agree with the concept of “not reinventing the wheel” However, if you know how to do something more efficiently or better, please please share.

The internet is facilitating the distribution of ideas and knowledge that it is eventually going to destroy the authoritarian governments of the world.
It is just a matter of time, similar to the Cold War.

The Baader-Meinhof Complex by Stephan Aust

A scene from the movie: I strongly encourage you to check it out.

I just finished the Baader-Meinhof by Stefan Aust, an interesting and sometimes fascinating story, yet it lacks much analysis or real conclusion. A lot of unsubstantiated rumors fill the last few pages, causing the reader to question to whole affair. Not the comprehensive history I was expecting.

The book follows the historically accurate movie the Baader-Meinhof Complex, just released in the US on DVD, It is a fascinating movie, from the people behind Der Untertag (Downfall). I am curious what will be the next movie from these folks.

Check out the American Poster. Designed by the same people that did the famous Obama poster:

Making sure to get the best deal

I found a new way to spend money! This deal site and it is a great way to waste time and money. It is a concise sheet of all types of deals. I have become a big fan of it, checking it daily.

Deals 2 Buy

Otherwise I always enjoy the Fatwallet Forums and I always check Retailmenot to make sure that I am not missing out on any coupons. Just type in the web address to check for any coupons.

Hope life is well!

Our Man In Mexico by Jefferson Morley

I just finished this book and It was quite thought provoking. It is a fascinating account about the establishment of the CIA and the Mexico connections to the assassination of JFK are fascinating. The book also illustrates the strength of American control on the Mexican Government in the 50's and 60's. I strongly encourage you to check it out. Probably the best 20 bucks I have spent in a long time.

Our Man in Mexico Book Site

Amazon Link.

An interesting Book Review with Questions to the author.