[1117] Car Restomod Ideas

I've written about this before but I want to write about it again. If I do come up with the funds to buy and restomod a car I will have the following priorities: safety, reliability, and practicality.

Safety. This involves making sure the electricals, brakes, seatbelts, chassis, air bags, and other related things I can't remember, are in great condition. This means at least making sure the brakes are in great condition with no leaks in the brake lines. Maybe even upgrade the brake lines and refresh the calipers and other components. It could also mean replacing the wiring harness and electrical components with new ones. Costly yes, but crucial to make sure the car will be able to protect the riders.

Reliability. The engine, transmission, and other important components should be problem free. Could include having to overhaul the engine and transmission, specially after all the stuff we've experienced with our 2001 Rav4. Replace all fluids and make sure everything is in tip top condition.

Practicality. At my age my idea of a practical car is a relatively small, spacious, and fuel-efficient car (like my main dream practical car, a Honda Jazz gen 2). Also included in being a practical car is the creature comforts so having a reliable AC and a "modern" head unit, so Android Auto and Apple Car Play ready head unit. I'd also love to add roof rails that can carry a cargo box or bike rack.

And that's it. I do want to add "performance" mods. Stuff that aren't practical but will hopefully scratch my car guy itch. Things like adjustable coilovers so I can raise the ride height by two or three centimeters. A carbon fiber hood to lighten the car and make it more fuel efficient. LED bulbs for most lights, excluding the headlights. Fog lamps, both front and rear, for those really dark and low vis situations.

Out.

[1116] A Much Needed Break

In the next two or so weeks I'll be taking a holiday from my job. I think this is the perfect time to rest, unwind, and just break my routine.

I'm hoping this break will both get me motivated again as well as re-invigorating me to my current job. I'm pretty tired and excited for this much needed break. I still don't know what I plan to do, aside from celebrating the holidays.

So here we go. Hopefully this break will be fruitful.

Out.

[1115] Initial D

I've recently started re-watching Initial D and am now up to the 4th Stage (aka Season 4). It's interesting to watch it again through a set of eyes that have a different perspective in life since I first watched it around twenty years ago.

I still stand by my opinion that Initial D would have been more epic had Takumi lost a few races. You can argue he "lost" some races when his car broke down against Emperor's Sudo and his Evo 3. Or when his father, Bunta, outraced him on the Subaru Impreza WRX STi. That really doesn't count for me either.

Takumi is too much of a Mary Sue (or a Marty Stu as a friend terms male overpowered characters). I think it would have made him more human and more relatable if he lost some races and used those losses to grow as both a street racer and as a character.

However his wins have been heavily influenced by "divine intervention" so to speak. Accidents to the opponents or surprise road obstacles always lead them to slow down or give Takumi the opportunity to pull off a really amazing overtaking maneuver.

I still enjoy it and I guess re-watching this will get me excited for the second season of MF Ghost.

Out.

[1114] Tong Yang Review

My wife, daughter, and myself had lunch yesterday with my in-laws at Tong Yang's One Ayala branch. I must say, I was very happy eating there.

Tong Yang, basically, is an all-you-can-eat hot pot/grill buffet. Your table has individual induction stoves and one big centralized grill in the middle. You get your ingredients from a buffet table and cook them. You have different choices of what broth you want for your soup base.

It's basically a complete meal in the restaurant. Aside from the ingredients for the grill and hot pot, you also have some choices of sushi rolls, some cooked side dishes like vegetable, pancit, and rice, and you also have different desserts. There were also cold fruit drinks, beer, and coffee available.

Price was relatively affordable at around PhP878 per person, excluding taxes and service charge (I think, I didn't pay).

Would I eat there again? Sure, I enjoyed the experience and since I got what I wanted to eat I feel that I got my money's worth of food. However, I also realize that at my age I'm not really the type to "enjoy" all-you-can-eat places since I don't really like eating that much anymore,

Out.

[1113] Random Filler Post

Nothing new to blog, I've been relatively busy lately. I'm trying to wrap things up as the Christmas and New Year break is approaching.

I need a break, and not necessarily a vacation. I need to break the monotony of my daily routine and I have no idea how or what to do.

I'm hoping I can ride my bike during Christmas week. Hopefully less cars on the road and more time for me to go out and just face my fears. We shall see.

One thing I need to maintain are my morning exercises. I need to keep doing them because my portion control for eating is really gone at the moment. I know I'm making excuses but my discipline and willpower really aren't strengths of mine.

Out.