My first vehicle here in the US was a Ford Mustang. Why a Mustang? Back home, I've always liked it. It has always been an 'icon' of sorts and I remember always reading about it in the car magazines and having model Mustang cars (both die-cast and plastic).
So it was a real treat for me to have been able to own one. It was a V6 model only though, but hey, it's still a 'Stang.
The model I had didn't even reach 200hp. It only had around 190+hp and 220+ of torque. And is still sported the aging pushrod V6 engine, which a lot of folks considered was due for a change.
Ford introduced the new Mustang body style with the 2005 model, taking cues from the classic Fastback design (Bullitt, anyone?). At this point they still had the same old engine though, so nothing to write home about, performance-wise.
Come 2011, Ford finally did a major revamp of the Mustang's internals. They dropped the old engine, and in its place came a new aluminum engine (with variable valve timing) for both models. The V6 got the 3.7 and the V8 got the (revived) 5.0 engine. And both had drastic power changes at 305 hp/280 tq for the
V6, and 412 hp/377 tq for the V8. And they're a little lighter now, since it is an all aluminum engine.
The interior is leaps and bounds from the 2001-2004 models.
So with all this talk about the new 'Stang, I decided to try one out and see for myself.
Test drive details on the next blog!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Mobile blog - Mashita Teriyaki
Now don't expect ambience here ok? But the food is decent and cheap, and they don't skimp on the serving. You're looking at around $6-8/meal here.
As for the actual food, the entree is served on a bed of rice with veggies on the side (the usual cabbage, carrots, and broccoli). Their teriyaki sauce is good, and there is also yakisoba for the noodle lovers. You can pick from chicken or beef (or combine them), and add-ons like pot stickers and egg rolls.
The service is quick and the staff is very friendly. From the outside the place looks non-descript but don't let that fool you. Parking is kinda limited too.
Overall, it's a good place for a quick lunch. And with the amount of serving, one may end up with leftovers for dinner too. ;-)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Black Rock Shooter (BRS) Nendoroid
It was a given that Black Rock Shooter (BRS) would be sculpted in Nendoroid (chibi) form.
And as always, Good Smile Company came out with another awesome piece.
This is a fully packed kit, and also employs a new kind of base/stand. Normally the Nendoroid bases are plain clear plastic. In this case, the base has a design and matches the Black Rock Shooter motif.
Black Rock Shooter sitting on a...rock cannon...
And it also comes with a new support stand, two of them in fact. One is for supporting the Nendoroid to stand, and the other serves as support to Black Rock Shooter's rock cannon for a particular 'floating pose', just like in the picture below.
The new stand system is unique and allows for different 'dynamic' poses. I wonder if spare parts can be ordered from GSC if one breaks...
The package also comes with the BRS DVD Anime Project. It's a region free DVD, main audio is Japanese and subtitles in seven languages. The guys who made this project really put a lot of effort into it.
And this all just started as a drawing/sketch, which became an inspiration and translated into music, and eventually, to this animated feature.
To date, the BRS Nendoroid has so many accessories, and will definitely be a classic. The build quality is also amazing and GSC is learning from past products and continues to introduce innovation and updates for every new figure release, and not only with Nendos but with full scale ones too.
Kudos to Good Smile company for another hit! Omedetou!
And as always, Good Smile Company came out with another awesome piece.
This is a fully packed kit, and also employs a new kind of base/stand. Normally the Nendoroid bases are plain clear plastic. In this case, the base has a design and matches the Black Rock Shooter motif.
Black Rock Shooter sitting on a...rock cannon...
And it also comes with a new support stand, two of them in fact. One is for supporting the Nendoroid to stand, and the other serves as support to Black Rock Shooter's rock cannon for a particular 'floating pose', just like in the picture below.
The new stand system is unique and allows for different 'dynamic' poses. I wonder if spare parts can be ordered from GSC if one breaks...
The package also comes with the BRS DVD Anime Project. It's a region free DVD, main audio is Japanese and subtitles in seven languages. The guys who made this project really put a lot of effort into it.
And this all just started as a drawing/sketch, which became an inspiration and translated into music, and eventually, to this animated feature.
To date, the BRS Nendoroid has so many accessories, and will definitely be a classic. The build quality is also amazing and GSC is learning from past products and continues to introduce innovation and updates for every new figure release, and not only with Nendos but with full scale ones too.
Kudos to Good Smile company for another hit! Omedetou!
Mobile blog - 'Sweet' Spaghetti?
Tried it out for dinner, adding it to sauteed ground beef to complete the meat sauce. Sort of complete, as a friend reminded me of a key ingredient that I forgot to add - sliced hotdogs. I guess I can always add it later!
This particular brand is faithful to the flavor that I remember, though a tad bit sweeter. Still, it's good and works well with a side of garlic toast.
Itadakimasu!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Day in the Japanese Garden
One of the main attractions here in the city I stay in would be the Japanese Garden. I've actually been there only twice, including this current visit.
We were blessed with good weather when we visited the garden this time. The last time we planned the visit the weather wasn't really cooperating, and the Japanese Garden became Seafood City instead (see my blog on that) :-P
It is always a treat to see the Japanese Garden, regardless of the weather (well, as long as it is not too cold...). There is a nominal fee to get it, but then you get to see and 'explore' a very nicely maintained and well kept facility. You can really see the care and effort that is made to keep the area very pristine and in order.
One will notice the 'order of things' - a sense of symmetry. Or at least it felt that way.
Very nice Zen garden - would be cool to have something like this in the backyard, even if just a quarter or less of the scale.
Usually there are events being held in the place, and this time, there was an Ikebana exhibit.
Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arrangement. And yes, they do have 'senseis' that study this art to perfection and even have classes for it.
Each item that is included in an arrangement is significant and plays a role in the overall result, from the actual flowers and to the smallest twig/stick. Positioning of the items also matter.
Ikebena exhibit in the main presentation hall.
After the exhibit we continued to browse around and enjoy the scenery. They do not allow food inside (which is actually good), but you can bring water in.
I wish they had a small snack stand outside at the least. I can imagine a concession stand that sells takoyaki, yakitori, and rolls.
Koi anyone?
This is a place that I highly recommend to visit if you are in the Portland area. The nice thing about the location too is that it is just beside the city's zoo, and the famous Rose Garden (yep, all Roses here Capt. Obvious...).
The pond looked very 'tranquil'. We were waiting for a Koi or something to jump out.
Maybe next time we'll try a Winter visit - that would seriously change the scenery, specially if there is snow!
Itterashai!
We were blessed with good weather when we visited the garden this time. The last time we planned the visit the weather wasn't really cooperating, and the Japanese Garden became Seafood City instead (see my blog on that) :-P
It is always a treat to see the Japanese Garden, regardless of the weather (well, as long as it is not too cold...). There is a nominal fee to get it, but then you get to see and 'explore' a very nicely maintained and well kept facility. You can really see the care and effort that is made to keep the area very pristine and in order.
One will notice the 'order of things' - a sense of symmetry. Or at least it felt that way.
Very nice Zen garden - would be cool to have something like this in the backyard, even if just a quarter or less of the scale.
Usually there are events being held in the place, and this time, there was an Ikebana exhibit.
Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arrangement. And yes, they do have 'senseis' that study this art to perfection and even have classes for it.
Each item that is included in an arrangement is significant and plays a role in the overall result, from the actual flowers and to the smallest twig/stick. Positioning of the items also matter.
Ikebena exhibit in the main presentation hall.
After the exhibit we continued to browse around and enjoy the scenery. They do not allow food inside (which is actually good), but you can bring water in.
I wish they had a small snack stand outside at the least. I can imagine a concession stand that sells takoyaki, yakitori, and rolls.
Koi anyone?
This is a place that I highly recommend to visit if you are in the Portland area. The nice thing about the location too is that it is just beside the city's zoo, and the famous Rose Garden (yep, all Roses here Capt. Obvious...).
The pond looked very 'tranquil'. We were waiting for a Koi or something to jump out.
Maybe next time we'll try a Winter visit - that would seriously change the scenery, specially if there is snow!
Itterashai!
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