Before anything else...
I always check my phone when I wake up. After being woken up by my alarm around 4:10am I checked my phone and was surprised to read about Kobe Bryant's untimely death. It was surprising and shocking news, and I had to confirm via google before believing it. Rest in peace to everyone who passed away in the tragic helicopter crash, including Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna.
Now onward to what I was planning to write about. Another Beetle post.
I've posted before and the more I read online about the Beetle the more I flesh out what things I would do to the Beetle to make it a bit more roadworthy and safer for the modern times.
As always in the event I get to own a Beetle the very first things I would do would be to ensure it's roadworthiness, reliability, and safety. Just make sure everything is running as great as it can. No problems with the engine, brakes, transmission, suspension, and electrical system. Then make sure there are seat belts for at least the driver and front passenger. And make sure the wipers are working and the wiper blades are new.
Once those are done the next step would be to check the entire car for rust. Fix or replace whatever areas are rusted out and make sure to rust-proof everything else.
Those two steps alone would most likely be very costly in terms of expenses but that would just be the most basics things I would need to make the Beetle a reliable daily driver.
Then comes the fun part, the modifications. These are the mods I would do in order.
First off would be upgrading some engine components, like more efficient distributor caps, spark plugs, and upgrading the generator to an alternator. Also from what I've been reading, I'd move the fuel filter from the engine to somewhere nearer the fuel tank.
Brakes are also an important upgrade I would want. Ideally it would be great to upgrade all wheels to disk brakes, but of course even just upgrading the front would be okay. This is one area that I will not accept frankenstein upgrades. Brakes are there to stop the car, and something I'd be more than willing to spend on.
Apparently there are companies that sell wiring harness updates. They use the more modern tech for the electrical system. This includes more modern fuses and the option to upgrade lighting to LEDs as well as using an alternator instead of a generator.
I'd also upgrade the Beetle's carburetor. None of that twin-carb stuff because that would be too complicated. A simple single-carb dual barrel upgrade would be more than enough.
I'd also upgrade the Beetle's lighting. Adding a roof mounted rear facing LED light bar to serve as both a third brake light and additional turn and reverse lights as well. Aside from that I would most likely mount a pair of fog lamps on the front bumper for added illumination when I need it at night. If it's possible I would also upgrade whatever lighting bulbs can be replaced with LED ones, not limited to brake lights, turn signals, and interior lights. Headlight is also a possibility since I've been reading that some 7-inch round headlights meant for the Jeep Wrangler can also fit in a Beetle.
Speaking of bumpers, I'd also switch out the front and rear bumpers with custom tube bumpers in matte black. Give the Beetle a bit of an off-road look as well as hopefully have a sturdier bumper just in case. Since we're in the topic of tube bumpers, I'd also replace the step bars with Baja side bars just to have a consistent look.
I'd also have a Kamei front spoiler mounted to help with stability and fuel efficiency (supposedly). I have no idea how fast I'll be driving this theoretical Beetle but you bet I'd want it to be stable at highway speeds, even if I'll probably be maxing it at 80 to 90 kph.
A roof rack would also be a priority since storage is a bit of a premium inside a Beetle. It doesn't have to be period correct, and in fact I wouldn't mind if it was a custom tube-frame roof rack. I would just want the roof rack to be durable, light-weight, and not cause too much aerodynamic drag. I'd also get a few securing straps, chains, and padlocks to keep the stuff on the roof rack secure and safe.
As for the interior, where do I begin? I'd love to have a Sabelt semi-deep dish steering wheel. I'd probably replace the stock pedals with a racing pedal box, not because race car, but because I'd want something a bit more modern. I'd also get a sport shifter to improve the interior look.
For the seats I'd just upgrade all seats to have headrests. This is a very crucial safety addition in case of accidents since headrests help prevent whiplash. I think.
There are other upgrades I'd want to install but I need to research them some more, like oil coolers and air-conditioning units.
Of course before all of this happens I'd need to own a Beetle first. At least I have a plan already. I just need the funds and the car.
Out.
Monday, January 27, 2020
Sunday, January 26, 2020
[832] Loss of a Mentor
On the afternoon of the 17th of January, 2020, one of my good friends passed away due to acute myeloid leukemia. He was 48 years old.
My friend was my first lead in my first job. He handled my interview and gave me my first opportunity to join the world of 3D.
He taught me a lot. He taught me to be professional, he taught me to know the basics. He gave me confidence to grow as a 3D artist.
Outside of work he introduced me to serious photography. By serious I mean learning the rule of thirds, composition, lighting, exposure, and using full manual controls. He introduced me to different genres of foreign films. 13 Tzameti was one of the more memorable movies he introduced me to.
I worked with him twice, in my first job and later on in my fourth job. He helped me grow even more the last time we worked together. I willingly volunteered to be trained as a Unity VFX artist and he was very impressed and happy with how much growth I had. It was unfortunate our employer had issues and I had to be let go due to redundancy, but such is life.
We stayed in contact, as we always do. We couldn't meet up since we were colleagues since we were both busy with our lives.
Imagine the shock I had when I heard from second and third-hand sources that he had passed away. I informed our other friends and they were in as much shock as I was. I went to the wake, saw his body.
Thank you for everything, "Quiapo Ilalim," you taught me a lot and I wish you were still around.
Fuck cancer.
Out.
My friend was my first lead in my first job. He handled my interview and gave me my first opportunity to join the world of 3D.
He taught me a lot. He taught me to be professional, he taught me to know the basics. He gave me confidence to grow as a 3D artist.
Outside of work he introduced me to serious photography. By serious I mean learning the rule of thirds, composition, lighting, exposure, and using full manual controls. He introduced me to different genres of foreign films. 13 Tzameti was one of the more memorable movies he introduced me to.
I worked with him twice, in my first job and later on in my fourth job. He helped me grow even more the last time we worked together. I willingly volunteered to be trained as a Unity VFX artist and he was very impressed and happy with how much growth I had. It was unfortunate our employer had issues and I had to be let go due to redundancy, but such is life.
We stayed in contact, as we always do. We couldn't meet up since we were colleagues since we were both busy with our lives.
Imagine the shock I had when I heard from second and third-hand sources that he had passed away. I informed our other friends and they were in as much shock as I was. I went to the wake, saw his body.
Thank you for everything, "Quiapo Ilalim," you taught me a lot and I wish you were still around.
Fuck cancer.
Out.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
[831] The Super Beetle
I've always wanted a classic Beetle, no matter how impractical it is. And I did concede a few posts ago that it is more practical to own a more modern car. That doesn't mean I still don't pine for a Beetle.
I've been reading a lot about the Super Beetle lately. While it doesn't have as much value as classic, pre-1970s Beetles there are some advantages to owning a Super Beetle over the Beetle. Handling and safety were supposedly two of them. Because the Super Beetle used MacPherson struts the handling and turning radius were supposedly better. I think it also made it more stable in faster speeds, if you could ever achieve that.
Youtube has helped fuel my Beetle fire. I've seen Super Beetles become autocross machines, or Baja Bugs, despite it supposedly not being a great Baja Bug candidate.
As for me, all I want is a simple, reliable, modernized Beetle. Front brakes should be upgraded to disks, maybe a two barrel single carburetor for the engine, electricals upgraded. Replace the generator with an alternator and change the voltage to the more commonly used voltage for cars, I honestly can't remember if it was 12V from 6V or the other way around.
Aesthetic mods would most likely be a replica Kamei front splitter, a roof rack, and KC rear LED chase light bar to act as a third brake light and secondary turn signals. While we're on the topic of LEDS, maybe upgrade all possible bulbs to LEDs. Maybe even replace the entire headlights with newer, angel eye LEDs.
For rims I'd probably go from 15" rims to 16" rims, slightly wider if possible. Ideally have a full sized spare so in case one of the tires gets flat I can still put the flat tire in the wheel well.
For the paint I keep changing my mind, I used to like the color scheme of the Salzburg Rally Beetle. Then it became satin black. Or plain white so it doesn't heat up during the summer. Or the classic apple green color of the Beetle my Dad used to own. Two-tone could also work, maybe satin dark blue and white. Or a Bumblebee / Beetle GSR inspired yellow and black.
Would I place an airconditioner in the car? Maybe not. The stock engine (that you bet I'll keep as stock as possible) isn't powerful enough to handle moving the car and running an A/C. I'd try to do some slight engine mods to make it perform better. Like a dual barrel single carb Weber. Maybe improved exhaust. And an oil cooler.
Buying a Beetle and applying the mods I have in mind for it isn't practical. I might be able to find a near stock Honda Jazz or Toyota Yaris for the price of whatever I had in mind for the Beetle.
A man can dream, though.
Out.
I've been reading a lot about the Super Beetle lately. While it doesn't have as much value as classic, pre-1970s Beetles there are some advantages to owning a Super Beetle over the Beetle. Handling and safety were supposedly two of them. Because the Super Beetle used MacPherson struts the handling and turning radius were supposedly better. I think it also made it more stable in faster speeds, if you could ever achieve that.
Youtube has helped fuel my Beetle fire. I've seen Super Beetles become autocross machines, or Baja Bugs, despite it supposedly not being a great Baja Bug candidate.
As for me, all I want is a simple, reliable, modernized Beetle. Front brakes should be upgraded to disks, maybe a two barrel single carburetor for the engine, electricals upgraded. Replace the generator with an alternator and change the voltage to the more commonly used voltage for cars, I honestly can't remember if it was 12V from 6V or the other way around.
Aesthetic mods would most likely be a replica Kamei front splitter, a roof rack, and KC rear LED chase light bar to act as a third brake light and secondary turn signals. While we're on the topic of LEDS, maybe upgrade all possible bulbs to LEDs. Maybe even replace the entire headlights with newer, angel eye LEDs.
For rims I'd probably go from 15" rims to 16" rims, slightly wider if possible. Ideally have a full sized spare so in case one of the tires gets flat I can still put the flat tire in the wheel well.
For the paint I keep changing my mind, I used to like the color scheme of the Salzburg Rally Beetle. Then it became satin black. Or plain white so it doesn't heat up during the summer. Or the classic apple green color of the Beetle my Dad used to own. Two-tone could also work, maybe satin dark blue and white. Or a Bumblebee / Beetle GSR inspired yellow and black.
Would I place an airconditioner in the car? Maybe not. The stock engine (that you bet I'll keep as stock as possible) isn't powerful enough to handle moving the car and running an A/C. I'd try to do some slight engine mods to make it perform better. Like a dual barrel single carb Weber. Maybe improved exhaust. And an oil cooler.
Buying a Beetle and applying the mods I have in mind for it isn't practical. I might be able to find a near stock Honda Jazz or Toyota Yaris for the price of whatever I had in mind for the Beetle.
A man can dream, though.
Out.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
[830] Intermittent Fasting Update
I started intermittent fasting during the last days of June 2019. The reason I gave it a shot was because my weight had slowly risen to 99kg. To give a bit of context, before 2017 I was averaging maybe around 105kg. After some life-altering events in 2017 I started walking and got my weight down to maybe 97kg in 2018. I promised to keep myself below 100kg and hopefully even reach 90kg.
That never happened. I disliked dieting and during the "winter" months was too lazy to regularly go walking. Plus my eating was still relatively out of control. I love to eat, and I've posted about it so many times.
Until that fateful day in 2019 when I saw I was borderline 100kg. I decided enough was enough and impulsively chose to do intermittent fasting. None of the gradual, start at 14 hours and ease my way up fastings. I did 16 hour fasts every other day. I noticed I did lose weight and that was great.
Pretty soon I went below 95kg. I think that was around September or so. By that time I had gotten used to IF that I was doing it almost everyday. I had gotten an app for my phone to help track my fasts. And I was doing portion control for my rice more religiously.
2020 has started and I am proud to say I am hovering between 90kg and 91kg. This is even after the holidays when I did eat a lot more than I'm used to. I'm happy to say I was able to maintain my weight.
I never really had a serious goal for my IF. I just wanted to change my lifestyle and see where that would take me, and it has taken me to this. I'm also partially motivated to start losing more, but as usual I will not be setting a target weight. I'll just keep trying to improve my lifestyle and hopefully the results will arrive. If it doesn't, no worries.
I just don't want to go over 93kg anymore. That's my cap for myself. Maybe I can lower the cap if I lose more weight, but I will not pressure myself.
Out.
That never happened. I disliked dieting and during the "winter" months was too lazy to regularly go walking. Plus my eating was still relatively out of control. I love to eat, and I've posted about it so many times.
Until that fateful day in 2019 when I saw I was borderline 100kg. I decided enough was enough and impulsively chose to do intermittent fasting. None of the gradual, start at 14 hours and ease my way up fastings. I did 16 hour fasts every other day. I noticed I did lose weight and that was great.
Pretty soon I went below 95kg. I think that was around September or so. By that time I had gotten used to IF that I was doing it almost everyday. I had gotten an app for my phone to help track my fasts. And I was doing portion control for my rice more religiously.
2020 has started and I am proud to say I am hovering between 90kg and 91kg. This is even after the holidays when I did eat a lot more than I'm used to. I'm happy to say I was able to maintain my weight.
I never really had a serious goal for my IF. I just wanted to change my lifestyle and see where that would take me, and it has taken me to this. I'm also partially motivated to start losing more, but as usual I will not be setting a target weight. I'll just keep trying to improve my lifestyle and hopefully the results will arrive. If it doesn't, no worries.
I just don't want to go over 93kg anymore. That's my cap for myself. Maybe I can lower the cap if I lose more weight, but I will not pressure myself.
Out.
Monday, January 06, 2020
[829] My Possibly Attainable Dream Car
I'm writing this blog post on my 10th wedding anniversary. I've been thinking about cars (again) for the past few days. As much as it pains me to say it, the classic Volkswagen Beetle (Super Beetle or regular Beetle) isn't the best attainable dream car for my family and I here in the Philippines. Moving forward let's just call it the Beetle, since currently I have no desire to own the newer model.
Quick aside, have you seen the farewell video VW did for the Beetle? Watching it always makes me misty-eyed. I'm very thankful that I was able to ride one when my dad had one when I was still a young boy. I just regret disliking the car at the time since it was old and did not had air-conditioning.
Anyway, the Beetle is still top three in my attainable dream cars. As well as the Suzuki Jimny, whether it is the older or latest models. The second generation Honda Jazz is now my top possibly attainable dream car.
Here are the reasons why the Jazz is my top possibly attainable dream car.
Out.
Quick aside, have you seen the farewell video VW did for the Beetle? Watching it always makes me misty-eyed. I'm very thankful that I was able to ride one when my dad had one when I was still a young boy. I just regret disliking the car at the time since it was old and did not had air-conditioning.
Anyway, the Beetle is still top three in my attainable dream cars. As well as the Suzuki Jimny, whether it is the older or latest models. The second generation Honda Jazz is now my top possibly attainable dream car.
Here are the reasons why the Jazz is my top possibly attainable dream car.
- Safety. The Honda Jazz has disc brakes, anti-lock brakes, airbags, and possibly seat belts for the passengers in the rear seats (though I'm not too sure about this). A totally stock Beetle has drum brakes everywhere, no ABS, and the seat belts are only for the driver and passenger in the front. Not to mention no air bags and no driver aids. It will teach me to be a better driver, though, but for daily driving it's not that great an idea.
- Air Conditioning. Sure you can add that to a Beetle, but it will greatly affect engine performance for a relatively low HP engine. You don't want to draw power to the engines, plus since the Beetle is air-cooled chances of overheating could increase. The Jazz already has a modern air-conditioning system that is more than enough to cool the car without affecting engine performance that much.
- Automatic transmission. I have no idea if there are any existing autostick Beetles here in the Philippines, and I'm guessing if there are any repairing any problems with it will be a major headache. The Jazz has an automatic transmission, and I'm guessing if it's the CVT it doesn't have the headaches associated with the gen 1 Jazz CVT transmission. Yes, I'm a lazy driver. I have no desire to drive around in traffic with a manual transmission. I'd rather have an automatic so I don't have to worry about so many things.
- Space. Let's face the facts, the Honda Jazz is bigger than the Beetle and it's more spacious for both passengers and luggage. Obviously having four doors is also a big benefit.
- Performance. The Jazz will obviously have more power, better handling, and better ride quality than the Beetle. We don't even have to discuss this this much.
Out.
Saturday, January 04, 2020
[828] My Daughter's Playdate
Earlier today I accompanied my wife and daughter for the latter's playdate with some of her classmates. One of the parents of the kids in her section (grade 3-5) wanted to have a small gathering of classmates before classes start on Monday -- January 6, 2020.
It was a very refreshing experience to see my daughter enjoying her childhood and just having fun. It honestly warmed my heart to see her running about, a smile from ear-to-ear, playing and having a great time with her friends. These are some of the moments I will always treasure, and will always hold dear in my heart.
It was also good to see the parents of my daughter's classmates. I'm glad to have met most of them and I'm really happy to see that there are people in this world who would love to develop friendships beyond the classroom.
Hopefully their class will have a few more playdates before their school year ends.
Out.
It was a very refreshing experience to see my daughter enjoying her childhood and just having fun. It honestly warmed my heart to see her running about, a smile from ear-to-ear, playing and having a great time with her friends. These are some of the moments I will always treasure, and will always hold dear in my heart.
It was also good to see the parents of my daughter's classmates. I'm glad to have met most of them and I'm really happy to see that there are people in this world who would love to develop friendships beyond the classroom.
Hopefully their class will have a few more playdates before their school year ends.
Out.
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