Northern California is on FIRE!

A few months ago it was Southern Cal, now the fires have started up north here. Video from KCRA Local News: http://www.kcra.com/video/16683995/

With the particulate matter measurement at 155, a person could be seriously harming themselves running, biking or walking outside here in the Sacramento Valley. According the "Spare the Air" chart, Orange 100-150 PM/ Red 151-200 PM. Yep, the air quality has been deemed "unhealthy" by the officials. Who are they? Is that my friend Laura? Was that YOU!? :)

They say the air will continue to be bad for the next few days! WHAT!?? Someone doesn't understand that this is my week for VACATION!

I decided to suit up, put a handkerchief over my mouth and get on Ruby, my road bike. In about an hour and a half, I rode about 25 miles. I didn't die, I didn't even cough. Not once. Just had a lot of fun taking in all of nature. It is so sad that the hills are on fire, and I pray they can contain the fires, so no one is forced from their homes.

Here in Folsom, this is what I captured on my camera phone. You can't even tell it was so smokey. This is the "new" bridge which is right next to the old "Rainbow Bridge." The American River is just so beautiful. And to think this is all in my back yard. I love my home!

I figure that if I was going to die, skin cancer would get me first for all those summer days I laid out slathered in baby oil paying no mind to the damaging rays of the sun. And I mean YEARS of summer days!

Čau Praha!

I just can't wait for September to roll around. That is when my dear friend Kristina and I are heading to the Czech Republic. This has been a life-long dream. I've been to the UK/ Ireland, and all over Western Europe, but never made it to Prague. Many friends of mine have been and have given tips on where we should go, what we should see. Will there be enough time? We'll be there for a week and then get to hop down to Vienna and Salzburg.

One of the most architecturally rich cities in the world, Prague was one of the only Eastern cities left untouched during Nazi rule.

Some 1939 exerpts from "The Guardian UK" newspaper:

"...Prague, a sorrowing Prague, yesterday had its first day of German rule - a day in which the Czechs learned of the details of their subjection to Germany, and in which the Germans began their measures against the Jews and against those people who have "opened their mouths too wide."
Prague's streets were jammed with silent pedestrians wandering about, looking out of the corners of their eyes at German soldiers carrying guns, at armoured cars, and at other military precautions. Some Czechs were seen turning up their noses at the Germans.
Germans were everywhere. Bridges were occupied by troops and each bridge-head had a heavy machine-gun mounted on a tripod and pointing to the sky. Every twenty yards along the pavement two machine-guns were mounted facing each other..."

"...Herr Hitler left Prague yesterday, guarded by armoured cars, after a stay of 22 hours, during which he did not emerge from Hradcany Castle, which has been turned into a fortress. People in the streets through which he passed hardly knew he was there. He has had almost no contact with the Czech people..."

Oh how thankful I am that Hitler left Prague as he found it. Beautiful. There is just so much to see!

The beautiful churches and sights in the Vinohrady District....

Walk acoss the Charles Bridge....

and, of course tour the Prague Castle....

But... lest we think all the beauty of Prague is to be found in old, lifeless architecture, Kristina has pointed out that we should also be on the lookout for the "living art" with which God blessed the Czech Republic...

the Earth's #1 athlete Czech decathalete: Roman Sebrle!

Oh, yes. He is every bit as picture-worthy as anything! Here's to "bumping into" Mr. Sebrle. Mmmm, mmm, mmm!

McLaren = McLove

No kidding, I saw a McLaren yesterday! So, for those of you who believe that Sacramento is a poor cow town -- let that be a lesson to you! An older gentlemen pulled up beside me on Folsom-Auburn Boulevard. (I think he must be used to folks staring -- my gawking didn't really seem to effect him.) I had been staring in the rear view mirror for some time as it drove up. I continued to admire through the 2 minute light. WOW is all I can say! And then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. It's not fair being teased like that. "Please Sir, would you take me for a little ride?"

Here's some interesting research on the most beautiful car I've ever seen:
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an Anglo-German sports car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England. Daimler AG, owner of Mercedes-Benz, also owns 40% of the McLaren Group.

It is the fastest automatic transmission car in the world. Due to the presence of the automatic gear box, front mid-engined arrangement and its driving characteristics lead some commentators to classify the SLR McLaren as a GT whose rivals can be considered to be the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and Ferrari 599 GTB.

[Note: SLR stands for "Sport, Leicht, Rennsport" (sport, light, racing)] Mercedes-Benz has stated that they will build 3500 SLRs in a span of 7 years, with an annual production of only 500 cars.

The car uses carbon fibre for its entire body construction in an attempt to keep the weight low. Despite CFRP materials the total curb weight is 1768 kg (3898 lb).The following tests have proven that the SLR can achieve a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 360 km/h (224 mph) .

Car and Driver achieved a 0-60 mph (100 km/h) time of 3.75 seconds. C&D suggests the times may be even lower if temperatures were lower. Car and Driver achieved top gear acceleration 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph times of 1.7 and 2.4 seconds, which are the fastest ever recorded by the magazine in a production car.


So maybe you are wondering what will this Chariot of the Gods set you back? The car's base price is GB£300,000 (approx. US$495,000 or €475,000.)

Maybe I should focus on a buying and paying off a home here in Cali first, right? :)

Get Smart America!

Looks like Vespa is sending a message to all Americans: "Get Smart!" I went and saw the 60's movie re-make with Steve Carrell and Anne Hathaway. Hilarious. In one of their get-away scenes, instead of hopping in the typical V8 Bond car, the two of them jump on a silver LX 150. I just had to grin...

...because about a month ago, I decided that I was sick and tired of paying $75 at the pump each week to fill my gas-guzzler. So... I made a life-long dream a reality! I bought "Bella." She is oh, so beautiful -- a pretty Portofino green with suede leather seat and shiny chrome. I love her because not only can I honor my Italian heritage, and pretend I'm buzzing in front of the Tivoli Fountain as Audrey did in Roman Holiday, but I can "get smart and do my part" in this whole gasoline mess! I'm happy to report she gets 80-85 miles to the gallon. If I ever have to pay in cash at the station and I slap a 10-spot on the counter and mention to the cashier that I'll be back for change, they give me the best looks! (ha ha) Then again, so does everyone else as I drive by. At first it was cute, but now I have people stopping me at the traffic lights wanting to have a conversation about where I bought it, how much it costs, etc, etc...

Go on, admit it. You like her, don't you? So... what are you waiting for!? Have a look for yourself: http://www.vespausa.com/Products/LX.cfm

If you come visit me, I'll even let you have a test drive. You'll fall in love!