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2011 Levi’s Gran Fondo Video and Photos!

I attended the 2011 Levi’s Gran Fondo and festival in Santa Rosa, California today.  It was amazing with 7,500 riders converging on Stony Point Road and West College Avenue for an 8:00AM mass start.  Also in attendance, besides Levi Leipheimer included Patrick Dempsey, Scott Nydam, Ethan Suplee, Odessa Gunn, and many more!

Check out the video clip montage below (1080p):

And check out some photos here.

Patrick Dempsey and Levi Leipheimer at the 2011 Levi's Gran Fondo Bicycle Ride.

Posted in Awesome Stuff, Celebrities, Cycling, Photography.


Wings Over Wine Country

For 2011, I decided to stake out a different location for photos.  Instead of getting my photos inside the event on the ramp, I went over to side streets to get a different perspective of the planes.  I was camped out on Laughlin Road and Slusser Road for most of these photos.

You can check the album out here.

Here’s a sample taken with my new Canon 7D and 70-200mm f/2.8L USM:

Posted in Photography.


2011 San Francisco Street Food Festival

Yesterday I attended the 2nd Annual San Francisco Street Food Festival!  I ate some of the best tasting foods I’ve ever had.

First up was Banh Mi from Nom Nom Truck.  Then we went in search of Wise Brothers but they had sold out of everything.  Next was the Big-Ass Sandwiches truck.  Fries in a sandwich, never heard of it!  Last was Cremé Brulee Cart but he was also sold out of almost everything except Café Mocha, boo.  Oh well, next year, I guess we’ll have to get here much earlier.

It was very crowded, but the food wasn’t that expensive.

Of course you can see some photos here.

Posted in Awesome Stuff, Photography.


July 4, 2011

As with most years, I like to take photos of the larger fireworks displays.  Here are my photos from the Red, White, and Boom celebration in Santa Rosa, CA.  These were taken on Brookwood Avenue behind the fairgrounds.  Click them out!

A sample photo:

Posted in Photography.


Orchard Supply Hardware Manager Insults Me

Orchard Supply Hardware LogoI went to the Orchard Supply Hardware in Santa Rosa on Friday, June 10, at about 6:40PM.  I wanted to purchase a pair of gloves.  I chose my desired model, size, and was greeted by cashier Elizabeth.  She scanned the gloves and I attempted to pay with my Visa credit card.  She stated that she must look at my identification due to “store policy” and referred me to a manager.

The manager that arrived was named Mark.  Elizabeth explained the situation.  I asked him if this was true.  He said “you don’t know it’s not.”  I told him to produce a written policy that substantiate his statements.  Then I told him I don’t carry ID at all times, VISA does not require supplemental identification to process a transaction, and that he was violating their merchant policy.  He said that he was “trying to protect” my money.  I was trying to give them my money.  I told him that he could check the signature on the pinpad device against the one on the back of my card if was so worried about my money.

After the manager tossed my card down on the counter, he was reluctant let my card be run, but he warned that next time, I better have identification.  He asked me how I arrived to the store and stated, “You better not be driving.”  I told him that I lived close by and I walked.  He then stated that I must carry a drivers license around at “all times” even while walking.  I told him, according to California law, that his statement was untrue, but you must identify yourself to a police officer if asked.  He then said, this direct quote, “Man, you are being really difficult today, I hope you feel better when you’re back on your meds.”  He insulted me, the customer.

I am 100% positive that I was in the right as I have read the Consumerist and have lodged complaints against merchants before with Visa.  I was not trite with my tone and kept my composure during the entire ordeal.  I then requested the corporate phone number which the cashier gave me.

I have contacted OSH through their online store feedback form, informed VISA of the merchant who was not following their merchant agreement, and will call their corporate number first thing on Monday.

I want to let readers know, that regardless of the situation, a merchant cannot ask for supplemental identification to process a credit card transaction and then continue to insult a paying customer.

Posted in Customer Service.


Asus Eee Pad Transformer

I’ve been looking to get my hands on an ASUS Eee Pad Transformer (TF101-A1) since Monday night/Tuesday morning.  The official release date was April 26, 2011, but apparently stocks were so low at every retailer, that barely anybody got one.  Last I heard, May 13 is another launch date (for the 32Gb version) for most online retailers and brick and mortar stores.

You can try and buy one from Amazon with the links below and a couple photos after the jump!

16GB: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101-A1 16GB
32GB: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101-B1 32GB
Keyboard Dock: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 Keyboard/Docking Station
ASUS Sleeve Case: ASUS Sleeve Case for ASUS Eee Pad TF101 Transformer (TF101 Sleeve)

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Posted in Awesome Stuff.


Google Goggles Now Plays Sudoku!

According to a new Google Goggles blog post, it now plays Sudoku, ie, it can solve Sudoku puzzles.  Hit the jump for the full release and video!

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Posted in Google.


AT&T’s Taco Party Network

Today, AT&T made an announcement at CES outlining their HSPA+ and LTE 4G plans.

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Posted in Wireless.


Happy New Year!

It’s now 01/01/11!

Posted in Awesome Stuff.


Wow, Lots of Updates to the Site!

So, I’ve spent the last couple of hours upgrading the site to use the Tasty theme (link at the very bottom of the page). It was only $5 and it includes five different killer colors. It’s probably the best WordPress theme I’ve ever seen.  More after the jump.

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Posted in Awesome Stuff.