So, it's been a while
Been a while since I've posted anything here. While I still drop by LJ daily to check what's others are posting, figure it's time for an update on what I've been up to.
Back in April, I purchased one of those fancy carbon fiber road bikes. Been taking biking much more seriously. So far my longest ride has been slightly over a metric century (100km) at 65 miles. My short term goal is still to work up to a 100 mile ride. If that'll happen this year, we'll see. I feel that I am close though. Unfortunately, I think I may have lost some of the stamina I've been training for as I've been seriously slacking on my ride workout routine post San Diego Comic-Con. Need to get back to the my riding schedule which is at least two 30 mile rides a week.
* * *
In May, I paid a visit to Wisconsin with a plan to head down to Kentucky with Jeff Easley for Wonderfest, a show dedicated to resin kit models. Jeff and I decided to take the back roads and because of that, had the opportunity to meetup with my former Gaia co-worker and friend westly_roanoke. She was paying a visit to family in Illinois and by chance, my trip heading down to Kentucky crossed paths in Rockford, IL, where she was staying. One side note though... I know how some of my Caucasian friends feel now. Used to seeing a diverse ethnic group wherever I go back here at home. In the mid-west, well, I'm the token Asian guy. That being said, it was great staying off the main highways and seeing America's back roads and towns.
During our time in Kentucky, I had a mission to complete. Get Jeff to try dim sum (one of my goals with everyone). While the dim sum cuisine in Kentucky can't match what is offered back here at home, seeing Jeff eat chicken feet was worth it alone.
Along with Wonderfest and dim sum, I had a chance to finally visit one of my bucket list destinations, Fort Knox. Boo. What let down. No high security. No pat down. Just drive up to the gate and a "have a nice day" pass through into the base. Interestingly, Fort Knox is just like any town in America. Only difference is that's located inside a military base. The movies are lies! It's easy to get into! I want my money back from what all the movies have depicted the base as. :P Okay, they didn't let me anywhere close to the Depository.
Near the end of the trip, we paid a visit to Larry's home and checked out some of his work, including the book he's working on and the original painting that goes along with it. Before heading home, had dinner with Clyde Caldwell and his lovely wife, Sharon.
* * *
June was an interesting month. Slowly but surely, I've started work on sculpting again for an upcoming resin kit. When done, it will be the second resin kit I'll be offering at Wonderfest (first one being a dragon head) to fellow kit builders. Price at the moment is estimated to be around $600-$800 depending on the complexity if the final kit. If all goes well, next year I may even work up trying my hand with silicone again.
* * *
July... oh the month of Comic-Con. This year was an exciting year. While SDCC itself for me is starting to lose its magic, the con becomes more exciting when something you've worked on for a film studio is finally shown. I'll admit, having some of that 15 minute of fame access is nice, especially when it gets you access to certain panels that one would otherwise have to wait hours on end for.
* * *
And here we are August. Back last last year, I got solar installed on my roof with the added intent of over-sizing it for my future electric vehicle. Well, that day is here. Last Thursday I picked up an electric car.
It's an interesting car. For one, it's a vehicle designed by Tesla so Toyota can meet it's compliance car requirements set by California. By law, Toyota needs to have a certain amount of electric vehicles sold by 2016. Guess all that money invested in Tesla is paying off in some respects. Toyota threw the problem at Tesla and had them make something. That something is the Rav4 EV.
One of my requirements before getting an EV was that it had to be able to do at least 100 miles on a single charge. Second requirement was that it had to be at least somewhat larger than my current first generation Honda Insight. While the Tesla Model S is nice, I just couldn't see myself spending ~100,000 for a car. Nice toy but not THAT nice. I rather drop that money on paintings which I know will appreciate instead of depreciate.
Still doing the whole RTFM thing with the car as well as preparing to sell my Honda Insight. While it's still running great for a car that's ~12 years old, I think the smart decision will be to sell it. Figure since the Rav4 will be able to get me anywhere in the Bay Area and back (130-140 mi range), the Insight will just sit unused most of the time. Strangely, even though the Insight was first released in 1999, it's still one of the best vehicles out there compared to what's being offered today when it comes to miles per gallon. Heck, I don't know of any hybrid or gas vehicle in the US market today that can get 55 mpg reliably. Going to miss the tiny blue car for sure. But hey, I can now have friends and not just a friend when heading out somewhere (Insight is a 2-seater).
Back in April, I purchased one of those fancy carbon fiber road bikes. Been taking biking much more seriously. So far my longest ride has been slightly over a metric century (100km) at 65 miles. My short term goal is still to work up to a 100 mile ride. If that'll happen this year, we'll see. I feel that I am close though. Unfortunately, I think I may have lost some of the stamina I've been training for as I've been seriously slacking on my ride workout routine post San Diego Comic-Con. Need to get back to the my riding schedule which is at least two 30 mile rides a week.
* * *
In May, I paid a visit to Wisconsin with a plan to head down to Kentucky with Jeff Easley for Wonderfest, a show dedicated to resin kit models. Jeff and I decided to take the back roads and because of that, had the opportunity to meetup with my former Gaia co-worker and friend westly_roanoke. She was paying a visit to family in Illinois and by chance, my trip heading down to Kentucky crossed paths in Rockford, IL, where she was staying. One side note though... I know how some of my Caucasian friends feel now. Used to seeing a diverse ethnic group wherever I go back here at home. In the mid-west, well, I'm the token Asian guy. That being said, it was great staying off the main highways and seeing America's back roads and towns.
During our time in Kentucky, I had a mission to complete. Get Jeff to try dim sum (one of my goals with everyone). While the dim sum cuisine in Kentucky can't match what is offered back here at home, seeing Jeff eat chicken feet was worth it alone.
Along with Wonderfest and dim sum, I had a chance to finally visit one of my bucket list destinations, Fort Knox. Boo. What let down. No high security. No pat down. Just drive up to the gate and a "have a nice day" pass through into the base. Interestingly, Fort Knox is just like any town in America. Only difference is that's located inside a military base. The movies are lies! It's easy to get into! I want my money back from what all the movies have depicted the base as. :P Okay, they didn't let me anywhere close to the Depository.
Near the end of the trip, we paid a visit to Larry's home and checked out some of his work, including the book he's working on and the original painting that goes along with it. Before heading home, had dinner with Clyde Caldwell and his lovely wife, Sharon.
* * *
June was an interesting month. Slowly but surely, I've started work on sculpting again for an upcoming resin kit. When done, it will be the second resin kit I'll be offering at Wonderfest (first one being a dragon head) to fellow kit builders. Price at the moment is estimated to be around $600-$800 depending on the complexity if the final kit. If all goes well, next year I may even work up trying my hand with silicone again.
* * *
July... oh the month of Comic-Con. This year was an exciting year. While SDCC itself for me is starting to lose its magic, the con becomes more exciting when something you've worked on for a film studio is finally shown. I'll admit, having some of that 15 minute of fame access is nice, especially when it gets you access to certain panels that one would otherwise have to wait hours on end for.
* * *
And here we are August. Back last last year, I got solar installed on my roof with the added intent of over-sizing it for my future electric vehicle. Well, that day is here. Last Thursday I picked up an electric car.
It's an interesting car. For one, it's a vehicle designed by Tesla so Toyota can meet it's compliance car requirements set by California. By law, Toyota needs to have a certain amount of electric vehicles sold by 2016. Guess all that money invested in Tesla is paying off in some respects. Toyota threw the problem at Tesla and had them make something. That something is the Rav4 EV.
One of my requirements before getting an EV was that it had to be able to do at least 100 miles on a single charge. Second requirement was that it had to be at least somewhat larger than my current first generation Honda Insight. While the Tesla Model S is nice, I just couldn't see myself spending ~100,000 for a car. Nice toy but not THAT nice. I rather drop that money on paintings which I know will appreciate instead of depreciate.
Still doing the whole RTFM thing with the car as well as preparing to sell my Honda Insight. While it's still running great for a car that's ~12 years old, I think the smart decision will be to sell it. Figure since the Rav4 will be able to get me anywhere in the Bay Area and back (130-140 mi range), the Insight will just sit unused most of the time. Strangely, even though the Insight was first released in 1999, it's still one of the best vehicles out there compared to what's being offered today when it comes to miles per gallon. Heck, I don't know of any hybrid or gas vehicle in the US market today that can get 55 mpg reliably. Going to miss the tiny blue car for sure. But hey, I can now have friends and not just a friend when heading out somewhere (Insight is a 2-seater).