Anyone ever see that “thriller” called Christine? I remember seeing this movie as a kid maybe around the age of 5. As a kid (and even now to some extent) I was never too big on horror/thriller genre of film. Something to do with being brainwashed by Disney and all. At the same time, however, I (and still do most definitely) loved cars (parents got me addicted to Hot Wheels and the rest is history). So it came as no surprise that despite the movie having a car that killed people, this 5 year old still came to really enjoy it. Imagine, a car that was alive, could heal itself - in all had a soul and interacted with its owner?
Apparently the folks at BMW were thinking along the same lines because their newest concept its a step in that mentality. BMW’s new concept is called the GINA Light Visionary model. GINA stands for “Geometry and Functions in ‘N’ Adaptations”. The concept uses a “textile fabric that’s pulled taut around a frame of metal and carbon fiber wires”. This gives the effect of “skin” that can be pulled and stretched in to create openings, such as the headlamps for example which can “blink” closed and a hood that opens much like a chest giving way to a heart. Its quite an amazing accomplishment and although it probably will not make it to market in its current form (or perhaps even any form) anytime soon - it definitely struck a chord with me. I’m sure other car enthusiasts looking to bring their cars closer to being “alive” think the same.
As you all know summer started some time ago and with that, no post to ring in the season! I guess I’ll take it on myself to make the first post in a long time. So what have I missed since the last post…Jebus, is that the price of gas?! *goes back into blog hibernation ’till the market catches up*. But in all seriousness this too is too pass as our fearless webmaster has pointed out to me here.
And not a moment too soon either, its been educational figuring out I can manage roughly 320 miles per tank cruising in the Z. To that end, last month the civic actually eclipsed the F-150 as the best selling car in America. A wake up call indeed. I’m sure Tpen is owning me when it comes to millage and not only with driving skills - I heard the brew in most states if not all of them is a touch better on the millage than that 87, 89, 91 w/ additives we get in Cali.
Alright alright, enough with the petrol schpeal. I’m hoping to toss up a few more posts in the days to come and get this blog back to regularity.
Tpenology is back in session.
Hey everyone. This is Joe, Mr. Tpen’s good friend (and my brother from another mother - I love you auntie!). Anyway, this will be my first post on Mr. Tpen’s fine blog…I’m hoping there’ll be more to come. I tend to go rather deep with my stuff and so I won’t post all the time…but ask anyone in the department of Tpenology and they’ll tell you that this is more so my forte. So without further delay:
Monday, September 03, 2007
I use to believe that funerals were the biggest rip off of any of the big human ceremonies. People live for many years to come, unnoticed by the world in the passing of time. Then suddenly they pass on and we gather on a single day to mourn in all the memories that person had been and all those days we had to share with them but didn’t. I’m not sure if I can accept that anymore. Even if there were days we never saw them, there are people whose presence is felt beneath the great weight they have in our lives. For us, it is the accumulation of this substance which comes to a head on this day we’ve come together. The sum of that person’s effect in our lives become compressed and, in my eyes, overcomes our own vanity of wishing to have been there more. The sum of thoughts…feelings…emotion; what life that person imprinted on our hearts seems to spark and shine in immolation. And painting a picture of this fire burning inside is reflected on the sorrow on our faces. When you close your eyes and think of this person, if nothing else…not on the sorrow but the fragments of time in which it meant something more dear to have known him or her than the pain of having lost them forever. When you close your eyes and wonder, those of you who barely knew that person or not at all – think, as you will, of what human essence is eternally parted from us: hopes, dreams, desires, accomplishments, failures, anguish, triumph, as is what it is to live and not of how little impact this may have on you to have so been spared the pain of loss. We are granted a stronger sense, a more profound appreciation for our fellow man in every passing – and this is death’s gift. And it is for this reason we cherish life – not cling to it. We respect its passing – not condemn it. Life gives us value, weight, and substance. It is substantial in the vacuity of existence. In return…simply “being” is made more.
