Photography, Racing & Random Thoughts…
23 Years Ago Today…
Apr 15th
… Maria and I, danced to this song at our wedding reception.
Happy Anniversary, Maria.
With love, like that of a bottle of Perrier-Jouët*,
Vic
Ain’t there something I can give you
In exchange for everything you give to me
Read my mind and make me feel just fine
When I think my peace of mind is out
Of reachThe scales are sometimes unbalanced
And you bear the weight of all that has to be
I hope you see that you can lean on me
And together we can calm a stormy seaWe love so strong and so unselfishly
And I tell you now that I made a vow
I’m giving you the best that I got, baby
Yes I tell you now, that I made a vow
I’m giving you the best that I got, honeyEverybody’s got opinions
‘Bout the way they think our story’s gonna end
Some folks feel it’s just a superficial thrill
Everybody’s gonna have to think againWe love so strong and so unselfishly
They don’t bother me so I’m gonna keep on
Giving you the best that I got, baby
They don’t bother me, said I’m gonna keep on
Giving you the best that I got, listen babySomebody understands me
Somebody gave his heart to me
I stumbled my whole life long
Always on my own, now I’m homeMy weary mind is rested
And I feel as if my home is in your arms
Fears are all gone, I like the sound of your song
And I think I want to sing it foreverWe love so strong and so unselfishly
And I made a vow so I tell you now
I’m giving you the best that I got, baby
I bet everything on my wedding ring
I’m giving you the best that I got,
Givin’ it to you baby
* A 184-year-old bottle of the world’s oldest champagne that was opened, tasted and was still drinkable. With notes of “truffles and caramel”, a champagne which only got better and was not ill affected by age.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Cars & Coffee – Saturday 04/14/2012
Apr 14th
Ford GT. (image © 2012 Victor Varela)
The morning was particularly cold and clear after yesterday’s storm. SoCal was visited by a cold front that brought some dramatic lightning and thunder to our area. It might explain why the crowds were a bit light this morning at the Irvine meeting place for Cars & Coffee. Although cold, the skies were mostly bright and clear with the crowds and cars either staying home or on their way to Long Beach for the annual carnival of speed. I didn’t mind the thin crowd as it allowed me quality time with the cars that were there.
You can view the gallery of images from this Saturday’s gathering at my Flickr.
Vic
Cars & Coffee – Irvine – Is the weekly Saturday morning gathering in Irvine, California where hundreds of proud drivers congregate to kick tires and have a cup of coffee. There is something for everyone to enjoy; classics, exotics, concepts, hot rods, motorcycles and motor-sport. And it’s all free, minus the coffee of course.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Cars & Coffee – Saturday 04/07/2012
Apr 7th
Porsche 911 Turbo… remembering Dr. Ferdinand Porsche. (image © 2012 Victor Varela)
I was surprised to find a long train of sport cars trying to get into the parking area for this morning’s Cars & Coffee. There was also a larger than usual crowd walking to the lot and strolling through the aisles. The small lot was reserved for everything Porsche and it was filled to capacity. A fitting tribute to the late Ferdinand Porsche.
This week, I experimented with different settings and locations as the sky was clear and the sun was creating harsh light and shadows. At first I wasn’t to happy with what I had captured, but after going through the images, I was pleasantly surprised with what I had captured this morning.
You can view the gallery of images from this Saturday’s gathering at my Flickr.
Vic
Cars & Coffee – Irvine – Is the weekly Saturday morning gathering in Irvine, California where hundreds of proud drivers congregate to kick tires and have a cup of coffee. There is something for everyone to enjoy; classics, exotics, concepts, hot rods, motorcycles and motor-sport. And it’s all free, minus the coffee of course.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Epic Drives Episode 3 – Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Chases 200 MPH in Europe
Apr 6th
How many of us have dreamt of flying out to Italy, walking up to the gates of Maranello and driving out in a brand new Ferrari. Or, how about taking a 638+hp Corvette ZR1 up to 200mph on the German Autobahn! Well, these guys have and in this installment of Epic Drives, Angus MacKenzie and Justin Bell take a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 from Munich, Germany to Maranello, Italy. Along the way they push the limits on the Autobahn, gaze upon the Alps from the Stelvio Pass and dance with a Ferrari 458 Italia in the hills of Maranello.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Epic Drives Episode 2 – 2011 Lotus Evora Carves Up The Rockies
Apr 5th
Here’s another great drive for my fellow aficionados. In the 2nd video installment of Epic Drives, Motor Trend executive editor Ron Kiino explores the roof top of America in a 2011 Lotus Evora, taking in all the beauty (and weather!) the Rocky Mountains have to offer.
Here’s a turn-by-turn map if you want drive the route for yourself! MAP
Read the full story here.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Epic Drives Episode 1 – 2011 Audi R8 Topless in Norway
Apr 4th
If you’re a car guy like me, nothing makes the heart race and the goose bumps rise on one’s forearms when thinking about taking a drive on a great mountain, canyon or coastal road. I’ve always been a firm believer in the saying that “life is about the journey, not the destination” and how this so aptly applies when taking a road trip. I’m of the sort that will go up to Monterey, CA via Highway 1 rather than Interstate 5 or Highway 101. Sure the latter two will shave hours from the trip, but they don’t offer the drive and experience that the coastal highway rewards you for wanting to enjoy the journey.
I came across the video below on YouTube and it touches on the fundamentals on what makes a great drive. Plan your route, get a great car and then hit the road. The series is called Epic Drives and on the premiere episode, Motor Trend technical editor Frank Markus heads to Norway in an Audi R8 Spyder to trace his Viking Routes.
Read the full story here: Tracing Viking Routes in an Audi R8 V10 Spyder
The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”
- Don Williams, Jr. (American Novelist and Poet, b.1968)
Popularity: 2% [?]
Cars & Coffee – Saturday 3/31/2012
Mar 31st
Mercedes Benz SLR Mclaren (image © 2012 Victor Varela)
The morning was dark, cold and drizzly as we arrived in Irvine for Cars & Coffee. I expected a smaller crowd this week as the weather reports had been predicting rain for today. The number of cars and car nuts was pretty much the same as usual despite of the weather. Luckily, there was no rain.
I captured images more selectively this week, focusing more on focal lengths and composition. I kept the setting shutter speed at 1/40 and played with the f-stop and ISO to compensate for the darker outdoors.
You can view the gallery of images from this Saturday’s gathering at my Flickr.
Vic
Cars & Coffee – Irvine – Is the weekly Saturday morning gathering in Irvine, California where hundreds of proud drivers congregate to kick tires and have a cup of coffee. There is something for everyone to enjoy; classics, exotics, concepts, hot rods, motorcycles and motor-sport. And it’s all free, minus the coffee of course.
Popularity: 5% [?]
