One of the reasons I bought my iPod earlier this year was so I could connect it to my 2004 BMW 330i. Adding the jack to the radio (it works on an AUX setting), was easy enough. A $35 part and $100 worth of labor later, I had the jack installed. I've been using it for several months and it works wonderfully. The iPod holds hours worth of battery charge -- long enough for my longest road trip so far -- and I can go hours without it repeating the same song while on random play.
However, I've noticed the new ads out promoting this and they are connecting their iPod with a different cable that apparently charges the iPod and gives you use of the audio controls on the steering wheel. I was also told that I couildn't connect the iPod to my 2002 Z4 Roadster. The iPod Your BMW web site, however, says you can. I'm going to give Scott a call and find out what's up.
16 July 2004
13 July 2004
It's beginning to look a lot like politics
I got a kick out of Rush Limbaugh (I only listen for amusement) this morning. He was trying to calm down his lunatic listeners who are hand wringing over the latest poll numbers, which show Kerry surging ahead. He was also trying to defend his statement that Edwards would provide no bounce. He cited a poll in North Carolina which showed Bush still ahead by 15 points. But, he failed to acknowledge that since Edwards joined the team, Kerry has moved further ahead and leads in most polls.
We also saw Farenheit 9/11 last week. I did not like Bowling for Columbine. I thought it was biased and unfair. I had a different reaction to Farenheit. I thought it was devastating for Bush. Granted there's still a lot of stuff taking out of context and distorted, but the reality is that it's really not distorted because it accurately reflects Bush's behavior as President.
This is going to be a very tight race. My prediction: Kerry takes Florida and wins the election by that margin.
We also saw Farenheit 9/11 last week. I did not like Bowling for Columbine. I thought it was biased and unfair. I had a different reaction to Farenheit. I thought it was devastating for Bush. Granted there's still a lot of stuff taking out of context and distorted, but the reality is that it's really not distorted because it accurately reflects Bush's behavior as President.
This is going to be a very tight race. My prediction: Kerry takes Florida and wins the election by that margin.
Back to normal . . . sort of
Back from vacation from the blog.
We've been back from London about a week and things are starting to feel normal again. We returned just in time to leave for our annual visit to Ashland. We went down on Wednesday and returned Sunday. We saw three plays -- Comedy of Errors, Royal Family and Humble Boy. We enjoyed them all, but Humble Boy stood out above the rest. Comedy has received some great reviews and has a very interesting setting in 1960s Las Vegas. The set for Royal Family was fabulous though the play went a little too long.
We did some wine exploring as well and stocked up more than we planned for the new wine room. Our top find of the trip was Woolridge Creek Vineyard. It's way out in the boonies past Jacksonville. They are doing a bunch of reds -- all of them very worthwhile to tastey. The Pinot Noir Rose is the most interesting with its creamy/vanilla finish that tastes like strawberries and cream. Yummy as a summer refresher. We thought the cab and the merlot were exceptional as well and especially for the price. The winery has new, young, aggressive winemakers from Fresno State who did some amazing tricks with a big batch of late harvest chardonnay that was well on it's way to oxidizing. Greg led us through an intimate discussion of each of his wines and his plans for the future. The vineyards, whose fruit is also sold to other wineries, range in elevation from 1,400 feet to 2,000 feet. If these guys stay around -- and they are building a while new winery now -- this could become a real diamond on the rough.
All in all, the Rogue wine culture is growing up. A lot of people are working very hard to turn some awesome fruit into great wines. On the way home, we stopped off at Abacella -- still our favorite -- and bought some Grenache because it reminded us of Chateau Neuf du Pape. Then, we did some more exploring and hunted down Hillcrest Vineyards. It's the oldest winery in the state and is under new ownership. The new owners have roots in Napa and tutored at Pine Ridge and Mondavi. Some credentials. Right now, they selling off some very old salvadged wines (they dumped tons). They have big plans and a big job. They already had to rip up old vines and begun to replant. This should be a place to watch. We bought some 1990 Reisling.
When we got home, we got the wine room put back together. The racking worked out well. I found some furniture at Pier 1 and we moved the rug from the living room in. The fish tank is now in the living room, but we'd love to get rid of it altogether.
We've been back from London about a week and things are starting to feel normal again. We returned just in time to leave for our annual visit to Ashland. We went down on Wednesday and returned Sunday. We saw three plays -- Comedy of Errors, Royal Family and Humble Boy. We enjoyed them all, but Humble Boy stood out above the rest. Comedy has received some great reviews and has a very interesting setting in 1960s Las Vegas. The set for Royal Family was fabulous though the play went a little too long.
We did some wine exploring as well and stocked up more than we planned for the new wine room. Our top find of the trip was Woolridge Creek Vineyard. It's way out in the boonies past Jacksonville. They are doing a bunch of reds -- all of them very worthwhile to tastey. The Pinot Noir Rose is the most interesting with its creamy/vanilla finish that tastes like strawberries and cream. Yummy as a summer refresher. We thought the cab and the merlot were exceptional as well and especially for the price. The winery has new, young, aggressive winemakers from Fresno State who did some amazing tricks with a big batch of late harvest chardonnay that was well on it's way to oxidizing. Greg led us through an intimate discussion of each of his wines and his plans for the future. The vineyards, whose fruit is also sold to other wineries, range in elevation from 1,400 feet to 2,000 feet. If these guys stay around -- and they are building a while new winery now -- this could become a real diamond on the rough.
All in all, the Rogue wine culture is growing up. A lot of people are working very hard to turn some awesome fruit into great wines. On the way home, we stopped off at Abacella -- still our favorite -- and bought some Grenache because it reminded us of Chateau Neuf du Pape. Then, we did some more exploring and hunted down Hillcrest Vineyards. It's the oldest winery in the state and is under new ownership. The new owners have roots in Napa and tutored at Pine Ridge and Mondavi. Some credentials. Right now, they selling off some very old salvadged wines (they dumped tons). They have big plans and a big job. They already had to rip up old vines and begun to replant. This should be a place to watch. We bought some 1990 Reisling.
When we got home, we got the wine room put back together. The racking worked out well. I found some furniture at Pier 1 and we moved the rug from the living room in. The fish tank is now in the living room, but we'd love to get rid of it altogether.
04 July 2004
A final day in London
This was our lst day in London and a lovely day it was. No rain and some sun. We were up in time to attend the eucharist at St. Martin's in the Fields at Trafalagar Square. This was a traditional Anglican service with great music and quite a change from the services we attended at Holy Trinity Brompton earlier in our stay. They were having a cake sale after services, so we bought some almond-raspberry tarts and took them with us to Cafe Nero where we had great lattes. The coffee there is Italian and better than Starbucks.
We took the tube to Liverpool Street and walked to Spitalfield Market, not far from the station. It's a big Saturday Market under a roof. It rather looks like a big train station. Liverpool Street is quite a progressive area, lined with new office buildings, quite a strange site around here because so much of the architecture is centuries old.
We met Claire, Rod and Carolyn at the office and went to Brick Lane for Indian food and a farewell dinner. It was within walking distance of where we were earlier today. Really good food and a nice French Sancere. Carolyn drew pictures of us all and we tubed it back to Holborn. She's a great little gal and fun to be around. We said goodbye to Rod, Claire and Carolyn and headed back to the hotel.
Lynne's upstairs packing and I'm updating this blog on the wireless network in the lobby while watching the Euro Cup 2004 final on big screen. We're about 25 minutes into the game and the game is still scoreless.
We took the tube to Liverpool Street and walked to Spitalfield Market, not far from the station. It's a big Saturday Market under a roof. It rather looks like a big train station. Liverpool Street is quite a progressive area, lined with new office buildings, quite a strange site around here because so much of the architecture is centuries old.
We met Claire, Rod and Carolyn at the office and went to Brick Lane for Indian food and a farewell dinner. It was within walking distance of where we were earlier today. Really good food and a nice French Sancere. Carolyn drew pictures of us all and we tubed it back to Holborn. She's a great little gal and fun to be around. We said goodbye to Rod, Claire and Carolyn and headed back to the hotel.
Lynne's upstairs packing and I'm updating this blog on the wireless network in the lobby while watching the Euro Cup 2004 final on big screen. We're about 25 minutes into the game and the game is still scoreless.
03 July 2004
Back to London
We arrived back in London last night about 10 p.m. after hauling way too much stuff with us on a two-change ride from the airport. We still have the drum from TechEd, and hope it'll make the full journey home. We managed to get back into the Kingsway after losing our reservation.
After a slovenly week in Amsterdam, I got back into the exercise groove today and did about seven miles on the Thames. It was a nice morning with a little sun and not too much wind.
Today, we walked to the Imperial War Museum on the south side and spent about three hours there. The Holocaust museum is amazing and they have other very interesting stuff, including a replica of "Little Boy," the first atomic bomb dropped on Japan in WWII. They also have the V1 and V2 missles that terrorized the population of England during the Blitz.
That left us at what is becoming our favorite haunt here, Cork and Bottle, at 4:30. Lynne and I each had a glass of Collard (Oz). She had the Sauvignon Blanc and I had the Cabernet. Both amazing wines.
Tonight, we're headed out to partake in one of the recommendations from Jennifer, near Kennsington Park.
After a slovenly week in Amsterdam, I got back into the exercise groove today and did about seven miles on the Thames. It was a nice morning with a little sun and not too much wind.
Today, we walked to the Imperial War Museum on the south side and spent about three hours there. The Holocaust museum is amazing and they have other very interesting stuff, including a replica of "Little Boy," the first atomic bomb dropped on Japan in WWII. They also have the V1 and V2 missles that terrorized the population of England during the Blitz.
That left us at what is becoming our favorite haunt here, Cork and Bottle, at 4:30. Lynne and I each had a glass of Collard (Oz). She had the Sauvignon Blanc and I had the Cabernet. Both amazing wines.
Tonight, we're headed out to partake in one of the recommendations from Jennifer, near Kennsington Park.
02 July 2004
Oranje Wat Jammer
We seem to be the jinx for Euro Cup contenders. Where ever we go, the national team gets knocked out. First England and now Holland, which also fell to the more aggressive Portugese on Wednesday night. The score was 2-1, but it wasn't nearly that close. Holland's lone goal, after trailing 2-0, was an own goal by Portugal. The headline in the morning Telegraph screamed, "Oranje Wat Jammer." Or, for the rest of us -- Holland What a Shame. (If that's not close enough, ask Silvia!)
Continue goodness on the TechEd front. Lots of coverage and all of it every focused on growing the ecosystem through innovation and working with partners. Very position feel here.
Today's a first day of rain and it's pretty heavy out there right now. Lynne and I are buttoning up at the Rai center before catching the Van Gough museum and getting on a plane for London tonight.
Last night we had a chance to unwind a bit on the town after three pretty hectic days here. Joel, Claudia, Lynne and I hit some of the local haunts, watch Greece beat the Czech Republic in overtime and had many good laughs about the week. I sampled a local spirit that tastes something like gin, but watered down quite a bit. I wouldn't recommend it.
Continue goodness on the TechEd front. Lots of coverage and all of it every focused on growing the ecosystem through innovation and working with partners. Very position feel here.
Today's a first day of rain and it's pretty heavy out there right now. Lynne and I are buttoning up at the Rai center before catching the Van Gough museum and getting on a plane for London tonight.
Last night we had a chance to unwind a bit on the town after three pretty hectic days here. Joel, Claudia, Lynne and I hit some of the local haunts, watch Greece beat the Czech Republic in overtime and had many good laughs about the week. I sampled a local spirit that tastes something like gin, but watered down quite a bit. I wouldn't recommend it.
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