37 or 42?

Not sizing for pants folks :-D

A friend of ours has a dilemma - go for a 37" or 42" LCD tv? What a nice dilemma!

And we're here to help her out of course!

Our friend wanted to get a 32" at first, but then we showed her the amazing qualities of bigger screens and she immediately saw how 'small' a 32" is *grin*.

Personally, unless the space is really contrained, always try to go for the bigger size. I believe that when it comes to flat screen TVs, going for the bigger one will be the best bet.

Of course it all boils down to the buyer (in this case, our friend) as to which size to buy (or if to even buy one at all).

What matters is whatever size is picked - our friend will get to enjoy 21st century technology and finally be relieved of the Jurassic TV she has been with for quite some time now. :-P

And price wise, it is a real good time to buy too.

Ok, now for the next idea to turn into a 'dilemma' for our friend...... get a new DVD or Blu Ray player?

You know if you want to get the most out of a flat screen HDTV............ ;-)

Mobile Blog - Clouds n' Sun

Took a quick snap of the sun behind some clouds. It had this 'eerie' effect and this pic doesn't give it justice.

An 'all seeing eye' from the heavens? :-o

Test Drive Series: H3 and FJ Thoughts

Recently considering going the consolidation route with my vehicles. Ok, alright, it's just an excuse to get something else, you got me... ;-)

Kidding aside, I've been thinking about the consolidation option for quite some time now. So instead of having two vehicles, just consolidate into one multi-purpose, all-weather, all-terrain (well, ok, 'most terrain'), and versatile vehicle. So what comes up to mind? Of course, the venerable SUV.

Had a good discussion with a friend of mine and we narrowed down some options - starting with the Hummer H3 and the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

First up is the Hummer H3. Yes, the big boxy thing. The smallest in the Hummer lineup. Too bad Hummer's future is a bit hazy, but hopefully someone will pick the brand up.

Have driven the H3 (rental) before, and have gotten good seat time with it than the FJ.


This particular H3 model in the picture is the Tactical Version, a little rare to find used.
It drives good, has full time AWD, and low range AWD. And good pricing for used ones too.

Mileage is SUV-ish, and that's a given. It is a tad bit on the heavy side though, due to the AWD drivetrain. The 3.7 liter I-5 engine is sort of ok, but you can feel it labor through the weight of the vehicle at times. Don't get me wrong, the engine does its job, but the V8 engine on the H3 Alpha does a better job in moving this almost 5000 pound vehicle.

Next up is the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Now this one I've actually grown with - the original FJ Cruiser is commonplace back home, specially during my childhood.


The new FJ Cruiser still gets the retro styling from its predecessor, and a good set of new features too - suicide doors, boxy looks...and this darn large blind spot to go with all of it :-D.
I test drove a nice silver one, that looks exactly like the one pictured. And it was a 6 speed manual, sweet! Being a manual transmission model, AWD is standard and so are the rear lockers, which makes this rig a very, very capable off-road unit.

It's amazing that the overall interior space is larger than that of the H3. The FJ is like a SUV-coupe, with these smaller 'suicide doors' to assist rear entry.

Driving the FJ was nice and there's good pickup in the 4.0 V6 engine and is a breeze to drive. The only thing that bugs me is that large blind spot from the B-pillar. But it's nothing a good set of nice blind spot mirrors can't fix!

Right now, these two SUVs are in my list for top 'consolidation vehicles' as they both fit the bill and have what I'm looking for in this price range.

However there is still the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (2007-up) model that I still need to test drive and see how it works for me. The Wrangler will probably be the most 'utilitarian' of the three. I'll post stuff on this once I've completed my test drive.

Another one in the short list is the compact LR2. I almost ended up getting one last month (had my good buddy egged me more)! But no test drive yet on this one too though.

But all options open and still 'in review', so no rush at all to jump into this endeavor.

So in the meantime, drive safe folks!

Mobile blog - Food Prep

Had a chance to visit Syun Izakaya again in Hillsboro and I must say that I will be a loyal customer for sure.

Pricing is a bit on the median to high side, but then again it's all worth it.

This summer special roll in the picture seriouslu looked too good to eat!

So may I reiterate - if the sushi craving gets to you and you're in the area of SE Main in Hillsboro, do look up Syun Izakaya and wash that craving down with some good Japanese sake and sushi. But please... don't drink and drive!

Itadakimasu, mina san!

Mobile blog - Train of thought...

Sometimes we have such great timing that if it were equated to winning the lottery, I'd be a gazillionare by now.

Last weekend I decided to take the back roads - only to change my mind and go my usual route.

Well when I got to the intersection here comes this train. A loooong train...

Good thing I left early :-D

Baka... densha otoko... ;-)

A walk in one's thoughts...

Where there is distress, therein lies a story...

Where there is a story, therein lies a will...

...and wherever there is a will, therein lies a soul.

We choose.

We live.

We learn.

We survive.

We persevere.

Ganbatte, mina-san. :-)

Mobile blog - Syun-syun!

Somewhere in Hillsboro is a good sushi place - and that's Syun Izakaya @ NE Lincoln and 2nd.

I liked the ambiance as it has that authentic feel. Tons of sake bottles adorn their walls and I was really tempted to try some.

Food is excellent and fresh. Takoyaki-chan ordered this Gyoza Wings - chicken wings stuffed with gyoza filling. Pretty good! The sushi is great too, as you can see above (Hamachi, Syun Chef's Special, and Rainbow Roll - sorry for crappy pic).

And speaking of takoyaki, they do serve it but on specials only.

Service is good and they even have outdoor seating. They even personally show you the day's special menu - and what's still available. Yes they literally bring their special menu blackboard by your table - sugoi!

Prices are typical for non-sushi go round, and maybe a little on the expensive side for some selections.

Definitely a sushi place to revisit and recommend!

Itadakimasu!!

It's August!

Yes captain obvious...

July flew by so fast, dang! Good thing Summer is still here and in full swing.

...and I still haven't cleaned up the garage...he he he.

Nor have I qualified Yuki (the Mazda) to the 2010 Autocross season.

Stay tuned for more blogs (sensible and/or otherwise)! ;-)