BP Spills Coffee

Down on the Parking Lot - Nautical Edition

My brother spied this mahogany Van Dam limousine runabout in a parking lot in New Buffalo, MI last week and thought of me. Pretty freakin' sweet.
A little search on the Van Dam Boats website lists the specs (click on "Cyclone"):

LOA: 35' 6"
BEAM: 8' 3"
DRAFT: 18" - 24"
DISPLACEMENT: 7460 LB. (a bit more than Klaus could tow)
POWER: 2x 435 V8 GAS
SPEED: 50+ MPH

Oh, and it's for sale.
Anyone feeling extra generous (to the tune of $325k)?

California Curiosity - Prop 65 Warning Labels

When I first started visiting California with any regularity about ten years ago, I started noticing that virtually every hotel, retail store and parking garage seemed to have some sort of a warning posted. These warnings stated that "This property has chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer or birth defects." Naturally curious, I had to know what kind of nasty chemicals were in use. Well, it turns out that run-of-the mill stuff like bleach and solvents.

See, these signs were posted in response to California's Proposition 65. This voter-led initiative was designed to keep toxic substances out of consumer products, making us all a bit safer. Unfortunately I don't think it's really done much aside from reinforce the fact that we live in a nanny/litigious state with thinks we're stupid enough that we'd try to drink the battery acid or gasoline from our autos. Which brings me to this:

I've seen hundreds of cars here in California with this warning decal still in place in the driver's side window, people either don't know that they *can* be removed or don't care. Yep, when a car or truck is sold here, the dealer and automaker needs to inform the consumer that it has all sorts of nasty parts and fluid. Don't huff the brake fluid, kids!

Alligator!

Or, rather, a southern alligator lizard.
Celeste caught this little bugger in our back yard a few days ago. He's doing well so far, enjoying a diet of greens and crickets. Check out the cool blue lines on his belly:
Apparently they're known for biting in self-defense. But Celeste didn't know that - plus she's the girl who was catching dozens upon dozens of bumble bees bare-handed as a five year old. We'll keep him in captivity a few more days and let him go early next week.

Down on the Street - Los Angeles Edition

I've made about a dozen runs up to Electra's L.A.-based photographer over the past year, bringing him two-wheeled goodness for him to work his magic on. All of us at Electra are always blown away on how perfect he makes the bikes look. Cables are consistent, tires have the perfect amount of sheen (not too much, just rich and black) and the colors are 100% true.

One of the fun things for me during these trips is to check out the funky vehicles that are parked around his studio. He has an early Ford Ranchero under cover and there are some odd wheeled movie prop things parked around the complex. Today I spied something new - a scoop of Virgil Exner-penned iron in the form of a 1960 Plymouth Valiant.
Let's zoom in on that cool aluminum grill:
Gotta love the 60's font. That logo would certainly make for a sweet t-shirt.

Need divergent curves? They're available in spades:
Interesting that it's badged as a Suburban...
...especially considering that Chevrolet had been using the marque for 27 years by the time the Valiant debuted.

That roof rack is just begging for a vintage longboard.
One of the best features, not pictured, is the car's venerable Leaning Tower Of Power Slant-6 engine. With it's reputation for longevity, I think I need to add Slant-6-powered car to my list of cars I'll own before I'm dead.

So That's Where They Come From

And I thought Automatic Teller Machines came from specialty factories. Turns out they're dispensed right on the street.

Get The Boy Something He Wants

Of course that "something" is a bicycle. Or, more specifically, "bicycles" if you read closely. Because how can you live with just one bicycle? Does a golfer have only one club? Of course not, he (or she) has a bag full of tools to chose from for all conditions. As do I. Several. Nine to be exact, along with a mental list of a few more that I'd build up if the budget and space allowed.

photo swiped from Underground Velo via Just A Car Guy