Monthly Archives: February 2010

Charles.

Mark.

Last night I caught up with Charles and Mark (^ funny what happens when you have 3 bloggers on the table, all the cameras come out!).

With Auto Salon Magazine ending print production after the next issue I knew both Charles and Mark were probably in the same boat as me and going through the same motions as I am right now. My brain has been going at a million miles per hour lately. There’s just so much going on for me at the moment, big decisions to be made and lots of pressure.

I appreciated being able to dump my thoughts out on the table over dinner (ribs at Kelly’s Grill which were a little overcooked and not as soft as usual which was a bit of a bummer), we all had a bit of venting to do as well as a fair share of bouncing new ideas around. Super exciting times ahead!

OK so one of 2 previous owners of my new V35 Skyline hit a silent cop at some stage and ripped out the front swaybar, sad thing is they didn’t replace it (dodgey!!!!).

For the price of one factory swaybar I could have bought an adjustable aftermarket set (which I did). I was booked in to get them installed today by Dedy at Top One and I was also booked in for a wheel alignment at Heasman right after.

I love the iPod dock in the car. I can control the iPod from the steering wheel, the plug charges the iPod too.

I’ve seen this Merc a few times at Dedy’s. Same car as my Mums… but with MUCH bigger wheels!

Another one of Dedy’s toys.

Swaybars – Old vs. New.

3 guys working on my car at the same time, killer.

The front bar is in, new end links too as they were broken.

The ride on the way to Heasmans was already less comfortable. It had to happen though. Having no swaybar was so comfy as going over a pot hole with my left wheel only sent a shock through the left of the car, now it sends the shock through both sides of the car.

Spotted the JDM Concept race car at Heasmans. I love how it’s got 3 of my logos on it (insert cool smiley face icon here).

Amazingly I got Doug Heasman (the man) again, always do. Always love having a chat with the guy. He doesn’t look a single day older, he still loves what he does. What an inspiration.

Spotted this fun looking race prepped Echo.

Doug burnt both his ears on my exhaust trying to get some more positive back into the rears, no go though. There’s just not enough adjustability from the stock set-up.

I’ve set up the swaybars full stiff up front and full soft at the rear for now. The ride is a little harsher but the coilovers are set on full soft and I think that’s making the car feel a little strange, especially in the front. I’ll stiffen them up a little and see how I go.

Yah so it’s looking like Sunday’s are reserved for Wedding stuff. Looking at Churches, reception venues… etc etc.

This weekend we checked out a few wedding bands ($3k for a plain silver (platinum) ring? Yaaaaaaaaaaaa oooo k. Christina got her ring polished up (on the house forever apparently) and then we headed to The Ultimate Bridal Event which was held at the Entertainment Centre.

Nice and new again.

Limo = no.

Wedding show.

Yes Elvis was there, and for hire, too.

Trade stalls (most if not all in very bad taste).

Cheesey, yes, daggy, yes yes. Ultimately this was a good experience as it displayed everything that we should avoid for our wedding!!!

Mum had her 60th B’day lunch at Tetsuyas last Saturday. She pimped it with a private room for close family and friends. What a treat! For many it was their first time trying Tetsuyas famous degastation menu, for me it was my 3rd time and I loved it as much as the last 2 times. It’s not that the food is the best, it’s more about the experience as a whole. The service is awesome, the food presentation is art and second to none and the food is cooked to perfection (no overcooked steaks here!).

Jamie made these name cards for both tables.

Mums table.

We got in early to set up the room.

The cake!

Jamie also did lovely floral arangements for both tables.

The menu.

Art, right?

His signature dish.

Jess and Christina Lock.

I left my speech at home so I had to wing it! Yaaaaaaa.

Family shots.

Check these things out, you charge it up and then smoke them. They somehow create vapour, and it visually looks like you’re smoking right down to the end lighting up as you inhale, feels a little like smoking too, pretty strange way to quit smoking huh?

Checked out the Chinatown Markets last Friday night, the food stalls were great (but everything else was crap).

In the carpark. I really want a CB radio for the ED Civic.

Yup Chinese Hot Dog.

Suga and I ended up at the Burnington Centre handmade noodle house again. Doesn’t matter how many times we’ve felt sick from how dirty this place is we still keep coming back (because it’s so good!).