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When Jason Hughes, best known as the ‘Tesla Hacker’ who first spotted the upcoming 100 kWh battery pack in the Model S’ OS, retrofitted a classic Tesla Model S P85 with an entire Autopilot hardware suite, something Tesla itself refuses to do because of the cost and complexity, we thought we just witnessed the apogee…
I recently posted a few articles that I found interesting here on the gmf journal. In general, yes, if I repost or retweet an item it means that I found it interesting and worth sharing. But, I do want to make something clear, which is that just because I repost an article on this blog or retweet a comment or link on Twitter that does not necessarily mean that totally agree with content contained in the article or tweet.
I found this article very interesting and thought provoking. It may seem extreme to some to describe the U.S, as an Empire, but the author makes strong arguments in my opinion.
I haven’t posted a Podcast review post in quite awhile, but I certainly haven’t stopped listening to podcasts. If anything, I spend more time listening to podcast than ever before. I have a pretty busy work schedule, between my primary job and various projects that I work on the side. So, podcasts are great for me because I can listen to them whenever I have time.
One podcast that I have listened to for a few years now and become a big fan is The Joe Rogan Experience, hosted by Joe Rogan, best known for being UFC’s lead color commentator, a stand-up comedian, and television show host.
I like the Joe Rogan Experience because Joe does bring on lost interesting guests from a wide variety of backgrounds, although I would admit many of shows feature fellow stand-up comedians and personalities from the world of mixed martial arts. However, aside from those two groups he invites a fairly eclectic mix of guests on to discuss topics ranging from politics, to hunting, to bio-technology, to the financial markets and other topics.
I would say that Rogan is left of center overall in terms of political views. I don’t agree him philosophically on many issues, but I like the fact that he willing to bring on guests that do not share his views and have a real debate over issues. Many talk show hosts these days , whether on radio or TV, do not do that. So, in that respect I find TJRE interesting listening.
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One thing that I would have to caution new listeners on is language on TJRE. Joe and some of guests can be quite profane. That doesn’t me, I actually find the the colorful language on the show pretty funny sometimes but I could see how some people might be offended by it, especially if they were not expecting it.
So, I would have to give this podcast an R rating for language and content. This pod doesn’t always include profanity, that usually depends on the guest(s) and the subjects being discussed, but it frequently does.
To be continued….
I made a few trips in New York City after a fairly long absence. It always enjoy seeing the progress that has been on various major construction projects that are under way all over the city. There are several fascinating developments in projects in Manhattan, including several Super-Tall skyscrapers and elaborate complexes, such as the Hudson Yards project. However, no project is more important to NYC than the new World Trade Center. The rebuilding of the WTC has been a very long and painstaking process since the attack on 9/11/01, but it has been truly gratifying to see the new WTC slowly come together piece by piece in the last few years. A major milestone was reached with the opening of the WTC Transportation Hub on March 3rd of this year. I have been very eager to see the new building in person since it opened, but I wanted to wait until the weather was a little nicer before making the trip to lower Manhattan. The centerpiece of the Hub, is a soaring, white building, called the Oculus, that in many ways seems like a modern cathedral.
The Oculus is positioned to the east of the North Pool of the WTC, which occupies the spot where the North Tower of the WTC once stood. Behind the Pool you can see the Oculus. The neofuturistic Oculus was designed by the famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The building opened to mixed reviews from architectural critics, but I love it after seeing it in person. It is a truly inspiring building that I think will stand the test of time well.
Test Fire!! This my first blog post written on my new 9.7 iPad Pro. I am using the BlogPad Pro app to create this post. I downloaded the app a few days ago. My first impression of the app is very positive. I really like the interface. There are a lot of bells and whistles that I have learn how use, but that is fine. I hope to be able to post on more frequent basis now that I can really blog on the go.
I have been in the market for a new phone for quite a while, but after much deliberation I finally pulled the trigger and purchased a new Apple iPhone SE two weeks ago. So far, I am very pleased it. I bought the 64GB $499.00 model and think it is a terrific value. I will write a more detailed review in a few weeks, but I think it the “little” SE delivers great performance. One of the best things about the phone is it’s 12 MP camera, the exact same camera that is the top of the line iPhone 6S has. The SE also uses the same high performance A9chip as the 6S.
I have already taken quite a few pictures with the SE. Here are a few of my favorites of the last weeks..
Are the four best teams left? I think so and that should make these games very entertaining.
New England Patriots -3 vs Denver Broncos
The AFC Championship game that many of us were expecting is finally here. Brady vs Manning meet for the 17th time. Although this game will be played in Denver I think the fact the fact that New England has been installed as a 3 pt favorite is well justified. I think New England’s offense, now that it is healthy, will prove to be to be too much for Denver to match.
New England 31 Denver 20
Carolina Panthers -3 vs Arizona Cardinals
Two great, evenly matched teams here. This should be a very hard fought battle. I think home field will indeed help Carolina and I expect star QB Cam Newton, who should be the league MVP, to lead the Panthers to victory.
Carolina 27 Arizona 24
POST PLAYOFF REVIEW
After going 1 and 1 in the Championship Round of playoffs my overall record prediction record is 4 and 2.
I was wrong about predicting that the Seahawks would defeat the Panthers in Carolina and that the Patriots would defeat the Broncos in Denver. Well, that’s what I get for underestimating home field advantage.
The Panthers vs Seahawks game, which Carolina won 31 to 24, was like watching two different games. Carolina won the 1st half 31-0 and Seattle won the 2nd half 24-0. Carolina’s defense is good, but not great and several teams have rolled up big point totals on them in a short period of time.
Heck of job, Wade. I have to give a lot of credit to the Denver Broncos defense. I salute the Broncos DC, Wade Phillips.I figured that Peyton Manning and the Denver offense would put about 20 points up, but I never thought that would be enough to win a game in which the Patriots essentially had all their 1st string skill position players on field, unlike the Patriots loss to Denver during the regular season. However, 20 points was enough because of the relentless pressure Denver’s defensive line was able to put on QB Tom Brady, sacking him 4 times and hitting him another 20 plus times. The Patriots almost won the game anyway. The Patriots might have caught a few breaks had the game been played in Foxboro, but it wasn’t to be, not this season.
Well, as we head into the Divisional Round of the Playoffs I am glad that at least one of the the teams that predicted to go to the Super Bowl in the preseason is still alive and that would be the Patriots. The other team that I predicted to go to the SB was the Eagles!?!, believe it or not. Well, I thought Philadelphia looked very good on paper way back then, but more on that debacle later. Let’s move on to teams that are in the hunt for a Super Bowl berth.
New England -5.0 vs Kansas City
I expect this to be a tough game for the Patriots. Kudos to Andt Reid for guiding the Chiefs to the playoff after losing their best player early in season. However, I just don’t think they have the offensive firepower that will be needed to beat the Patriots at home.
Arizona -7.0 vs Green Bay
The Packers looked good vs the Redskins, but AZ will be a much, much tougher team to beat on the road. I expect the Cardinals to prevail.
Carolina -2.5 vs Seattle
UPSET ALERT! If there is one team that can go into Carolina and upend the Panthers in their house, it would be the Seahawks. I expect Seattle to win.
Denver -7.0 vs Pittsburgh
If the Steelers were healthy I think they would have a very good shot at upsetting the Broncos in Denver, but they are just too banged up imo. The victory over Bengals was very costly in terms of the toll it took on Steelers.
Denver should win this game.
I can’t wait to see the Tesla Model X in person. An SUV that will do zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds!?! Wow!….Ultimately, Tesla’s future will rest on the sales of highly anticipated $35,000.00 Model 3, but the Model X is a very important vehicle too. The Model S and Model X have to carry the company until the Gigafactory is up and running and the company can produce Model 3 in 6 digit volume.
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