Pepe's Garage

Yesterday, my babysitter, Carrie, slapped my shoulder while sitting on an uncomfortable Ikea Poang chair and responded with slight dismay of “Eh?” expression thinking why would she give me a slapper? Carrie’s face was almost white and in shock. She had just told me an awful news.

Steve Jobs passed away.

My eyes became red and wet, I placed my hands on my face and swallowed the pain.

After hearing his death, everything I remember about him, the company, and the products came back in a flash flood to my already tormented mind. Wow, ooo Wow, so much memories and with much more awe and respect than any other icons or companies. All thanks to Steve Jobs and his friends for creating the most innovative company in the world.

I was and am still happy that Steve came back to Apple Inc in the late ’90s ( I think it was 1997, correct me if I’m wrong ). If it wasn’t for his timely return, Apple would have ceased to exist. At that time, I was in despair, I felt pang of dread that I would’ve have to learn how to use Window-based computers. Possibly the most unreliable machine ever made next to the Yugo yet I am still surprise Window and Microsoft is still here! Imagine a life without Apple? Think about it. Here’s a scenario: Microsoft wouldn’t create the XP, Vista, and 7. No iPod!!!! No iPhone!! Computers would still be in a beige body. I am sure you can imagine a lot more. Worst of all, no Mac OS X and the rest of the large kitty-cats! Steve Job truly introduce us into the real 21st Century. Thanks again, Steve! You have done a lot more for the world than anyone have.

My condolences to the family of Steve Jobs.

Steve, Thank you for everything! Rest in Peace.

On a beautiful sunny Valentine’s Day, we were just checking around town. Chilled down for a cuppa joe at Peet’s next to Apple Store in Burlingame. Orkid and I discussed whichever I should get a laptop or desktop computer.  I could get a 15″ with a 24″ LED monitor to go with it when I need more work space.  Yeah, I need it for graphic designing. 15″ is still too small for the work I always do.  Bringing a laptop with me could be easier when I need a break from diddling around the house too much and head over for a good coffee at some local joint in town, a change of atmosphere. I just leave the monitor and extend keyboards at home.  Then there’s the 27″ iMac, big screen, big hard drive and blah blah.  I can always use Orkid’s laptop to use anywhere. I’ve also add that I could simply get the new Apple iPad to make life more fun. Eh, who knows.  I don’t like having too many computers under one household. While discussing computers becoming a bore, I had an idea and told Orkid that since today’s a beautiful day, why not we go test drive a VW Jetta Sportswagen TDI. Her eyebrows raised and a “hell yeah, let’s do it” came out of her mouth.

Anyway, we left Burlingame back to San Francisco, met up with the guy at VW dealership. We get to test drive the new VW Jetta Sportswagen TDI.  This certain car has a nice panoramic sunroof. Leather upholstery. Few other neat additions to this silver sportswagon.  I have to say this that this car is miles better than the Subaru we test drove back then.  Amazing power, smooth ride. Excellent DSG transmission. Comfy cockpit and Orkid loves the passenger seat. Roomier. Step on the gas and boom, you’re on the other end of the block. Yeow.  This IS the CAR and Orkid said the same thing.  A note to residents of the bay area, you want this car, get it from Royal Motor Sales located on 280 South Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94103. Their website is http://www.royalmotorsalesvw.com. What’s cool about them is that they DO NOT DO MARK-UPS which several other dealership in the bay area have done so.  MARK-UPS are sign of robberies. I would buy any VW, Audi, or Mazda from Royal. Nice people though.

A nice silver VW Jetta Sportswagen TDI

Anyway, back to the VW car, the engine is a well-built motor. Heavier than gas-specific engines and that’s how diesel engines are because it’s design to tolerate high compression. Most funny thing is that the dealer told me some nut put his nose behind the exhaust pipes and he couldn’t smell or breath anything nasty from it. Of course, the engine is the latest diesel tech and have special filter in it unlike older diesel cars. The MPG of this zoomy car is, woof, 32 city and 40 freeway. People who owns them have reach 50 or more mpg. Now we’re working on getting it. We’re not in a rush really. If we miss it and have to wait next shipment then that’s okay.

What about Subaru Diesel? Nevermind them, they’re lagging behind as usual. We are not going to wait for them to bring the Boxer Diesel cars to come to the USA. It may arrive 2012 or 2019 or whenever. Too bad! Subaru, you’re missing  the opportunity, big time.

Hey, you’re about to have a child soon, a mini-van is a better buy? Shut the fuck up, peeps! There’s no way we’re getting such a lame vehicle to stock up on lots of useless things. Mini-Vans are the bane of road, a blight, and a dangerous one. Mind you, think having children running around in the mini-van considered fun and safe? I ride a motorcycle every-frickin’ time and I keep seeing mini-vans weaving all over the road. Hell, my close calls, in higher numbers, were always mini-vans! Few of them were SUVs and lame-duck drivers. By luck, I married a woman who hates mini-vans like they’re made of pork. The Sportswagen’s roomy, very roomy. So, shut up and hide under your mini-van’s back-row seats. There’s one thing I like about mini-vans, they’re great to take pictures of big brown bears breaking in for food while the Fat family picnicing somewhere else. Bears love to tear up mini-vans into pieces in search of food.  Hell, I can actually smell something putrid from these vans. I reckon it’ll be spilled milkshakes, crumbs of fast foods, cookies, forgotten diapers, and so on. Yak, what do bears see in them?

Wow, I ranted a lot about mini-vans, don’t I?  Ah, back to work, bye now!