Honda Accord NT - a quick drive around the block

Those nice people at Honda New Zealand can't help themselves, they keep calling and asking if I want to drive their new cars.

This time it was for the Honda Accord. I could take a pick of the V6 or the 4 cylinder.

to be more exact the 2.4 litre, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, EarthDreams i-VTEC, chain drive DOHC, which I really did choose over the 3.5 litre, 6 cylinder, 24 valve, EarthDreams i-VTEC, belt drive SOHC.

Because, well in the event that I was going to have a new car it would be the more normal 4 cylinder one.  The actual cost difference between the two is only $5,000 though, $55 as opposed to $60,000.

So what were the 'bells and whistles'? The ‘NT’ name for the top-specification Accord stands for Navigation and Technology.

Included in the technology package is Honda’s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS).

This is a bundle of things including adaptive cruise control (which works between 30-180km/h),  You set a cruise speed, and then a distance to the vehicle in front, the car then brakes or accelerates to match the object in front. It's like magic.

There's also something called Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS) with audible/visual alerts and initial braking activation. I activated this once on an on-ramp manoeuvre, got a few beeps and some yellow flashing lights.

Best though is the Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS). The car recognises the lane markings, on the motorway, for instance, and then keeps the car in-between those lines. Steering itself. Like magic. Seriously you could take both your feet off the pedals and hands off the wheels, the car would continue as usual.

You'd be daft to do that, but in the interest of a test I did. Weird experience a car steering itself, and then accelerating to keep a gap, or breaking, it would do both things.

However, the lane keep thing only works where there are clear lanes to keep to.

There is also a unique blind spot monitoring system that shows the view from the left-hand door mirror in the centre-console colour screen that is displaying the sat-nav map.

The centre-conole display also changes to the reversing camera view too, but it's worst feature is on start up and a warning that you're supposed to be responsible and makes you click a button before it changes into something more useful.

I believe the steering is a fly-by-wire affair, which would make the LKAS more probable.

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Anyway, I had the car for an hour. It was magnificent. It's comfortable, quiet, and it accelerates a dream. the technology works, I'm sure the technology I didn't use works like the BlueTooth connection.  The user manual would be an interesting read.

Funniest thing? The mag with curb damage.

Annoying things? The connection for  your media device is in a cubby hole, very design, but not the best.

Interesting thing? Keyless start, you can keep the key in your pocket, the car detects it. No idea how it works if someone else jumps in the car and drives off, does the car detect that the key isn't in or near the car and stops? I'm sure the Honda boffins have thought that through. However if the keys aren't in your pocket they're a bit awkward a shape nd size to put in the centre console. Nit-picking.

Completely enjoyed this car, the multi-adjustable seats through the flappy-paddle gear-box with both sports and normal settings. You can have sports and eco at the same time it seems.

It also has Driver and Passenger specific air con settings, which is handy, and the quite ride might be due to  the Active Noise Cancellation technology

Fuel consumption says 8.1 car said 10.1 and it wasn't being driven gently, or as gently as you would if you owned it.

Would I like to own it, I really would. Would I spend $55,000 on a car? That's the doubtful thing, and I have no real idea of what comparable cars in this price bracket there are. But then I'm not looking for a new car at the moment.

Would I encourage you to drive this car. Absolutely. It really is a stunner. So many technology things in one car, so much car, so much fun.

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The one where I pretend to be a Chef

I like food.

A lot.

I like a lot of food.

I like to try new things when I eat out, having the belief that there wouldn't be anything on a menu that would kill you. There might be a bit that is repulsive, but nothing that should kill you.

Yesterday I added to the collection of gadgets and things with a Paella pan from the nice people at the Paella pan place in Mt.Eden.

I didn't opt for the Stainless Steel one, the one with the red handles on the advice of the Paella man.

He told me, and I have no reason to doubt him, or I am an easy sell, that there are a couple of things with the steel pans that I need to know.

1) They don't cook evenly, being steel they don't have an even heat, and the edges can be cooler than the center.

2) They are higher maintenance, being steel they can show rust, and need to be kept dry and oiled when not in use.

[caption id="attachment_3238" align="alignleft" width="147"] A enamelled Paella Pan[/caption]

So I went for the Enamelled version, which he assures me has a more even heat and although is less aesthetically pleasing was the superior pan, in his opinion. I picked up some rice, and some instant paella mix that he also recommended and I toddled off. All that I need now is the stock, the seafood and an hour to prepare and eat.And after cooking it will end up in the gadget cupboard.

The Gadget cupboard that contains, amongst other things,

• Ice-Cream Maker


• Tortilla Press


• Pasta Machine


• Bread Tins


• mandolin


• Mortal and Pestle


• Pizza Stones

There is still  room however for

• A Tagine


• Deep Fat Fryer

Oh and if you're wondering the slow-cooker lives in another cupboard, but not all by itself, it's with the sandwich press.

Christmas - what's with that

Christmas - How mad do people go? As parents you of course like to show public largess to your children, and your closest friends. However the need to buy a couple tonnes of chocolates and assorted nuts, fruit and pastries, seems to have eluded me.

Since arriving in NZ we've spent every year at the beach, it's a simple time, away from the distraction of TV, Radio and only a daily news paper keeps us up to date with the world, it's an odd time.

This year will be a break with tradition, we're staying at home, due to work commitments of the daughter, and just because after so many years a change is as good as a rest. Menu is organized, and having pointed out that I don't get the over-indulgence, we will have at least 6 adults in the house, and then guests will arrive.

The children's christmas list, yes I know one is 20 the other 17, and you're smirking at the thought, is woefully small, or wonderfully small, depending on your view of things, I guess they appreciate having everything they need, and need for nothing, I think the youngest wants to gift a goat to someone, but has nevertheless provided a list of books that she'd like. It's all very simple.

As for MrsPdubyah well we'll have each other, I'll buy some bling as this is what I do, she'll hide it in the draw and never wear it, it's what we do.

There is no religious element to our festive time, it's family time, and time for relaxing and reflecting, I actually like the idea that in the north they call it Winterval.

I'll miss the beach though.

 

I’d do most things - #3

You'd know from earlier posts that I'm not a big fan of tattoo, or ink, or whatever you want to dress it up as.

Today then the press carries this;

"Megan Fox has "outgrown" her tattoo.

The 25-year-old actress had a tattoo of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe inked onto her right arm when she was a teenager. Nearly a decade later, Megan is finding the action regrettable.

She simply is no longer impressed by the artwork.

"You outgrow things that you love when you were a child. I got it when I was 18 and now I'm 25 and it just doesn't make sense anymore."

Removing the tattoo is an arduous process for the star. Megan will undergo numerous treatments to lift the ink from her skin.

"[The removal process] is a hundred times worse than the tattoo itself," she revealed. "I've only done one [session] so I probably have three or four left."

From another news source though

Megan Fox is removing her Marilyn Monroe tattoo because it has "negative energy".

The 25-year-old actress has an inking of the late screen icon's face etched on the inside of her right arm but she is in the process of having it lasered off because she no longer wants an association to Marilyn - who died in August 1962 aged 36 from a suspected drugs overdose.

She told Italian magazine Amica: "I'm removing it. It is a negative character, as she suffered from personality disorders and was bipolar. I do not want to attract this kind of negative energy in my life."

The tattoo of the Some Like It Hot star is not the first change to her body that Megan has been left unhappy with.

The Jonah Hex star - who is married to actor Brian Austin Green - also got rid of a belly-button piercing when she was 20.

She said: "I did it when I was 16 because I was a fan of Britney Spears. The only time I tried to imitate someone else.

It's interesting that it's only been a few years for her to realise that what you think is a good idea is in fact rubbish. but you can't be old and wise without being young and stupid. Even to the point of the belly button piercing.

Interesting though that she does not see herself as a role model or taking any position that would not encourage others to follow her banality, then again I'm kind of sucked into thinking that having made a movie that somehow they transcend the normal, when in fact they are dumber than a blunt axe.

So there you go kids, dont do the tattoo!

I'd do most things

But there are a couple that I wouldn't do.

As a youth, many ages ago, I used to wear two ear-rings in one ear, which for the time was pretty radical! I imagine. I used to have 'streaks' dyed into my hair, variously gold, red, green. I used to wear 'punk' type clothes.

But you know I've never wanted a tattoo. Ever. Not that they aren't worthwhile but they are when all is said and done pretty pointless. Very.

As works of art yes. As statements, no.

There are grades of pointless. Small tattoos in Kanji or Cyrillic in the small of your back, very very pointless. Tattoo the name of someone in same or worse in ye olde Englishe script on your forearm - über pointless.

Tattoo's where you can't see them, pointless. Tattoo on your face or neck where people can see them - stunningly pointless. Unless it's a cultural thing like a Moko then it's very cool.

Fair play if you like tattoo's, to me they scream of needy kid, very needy kid, with a hole in their life that needs filling. If you're so bereft of self then tattoos are for you.

And in response to the dozens of hits I get looking for a "mary tattoo" it could be these you seek, although for the life of me I have no idea why you would.

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Waiting on a Macbook Air

I've talked myself into needing one. Just the entry-level one, despite them being 2 or 3 times more expensive than a notebook computer.

It's about weight, and in philipworld I'd use the Air to fabricate my blog, and things.

That there were a couple of 36 months interest free deals going on, and this is ike a red rag to a bull, at mearly a few dollars a month I could have the toy of the moment.

Except that they're not in stock, and I don't have one, and at the price they are I don't want to wait for one, I want instant gratification, I want it now, today, take home.

So I don't have one, but I did get a keyboard and a dock for the iPad, and today I'll get a magic mouse. perhaps.

After all I promised myself.

and then.............. I did some research, and whilst it's a ood plan, to use a mouse with an iPad it doesn't actually work. So to plan B then

The Simple Life

We have a simple house. We don't have clutter, we have few trinkets and nick nacks. What we tend to have is less things that are slightly more expensive. Which sounds a bit pretentions, we have things that we can afford at the time, and we shop diligently in sales and looks for opportunities. We don't buy on whim, we find our need and then investigate the options and buy according to our wallet.

We don't carry any credit card or HP debt.

We had a bit of an open home thing, well it was a pre-ball gathering for daughter and her friends and parents, nothing at all flash, just a couple of hours of get together before the party bus arrived.

Many of the fathers of daughters found it pleasing that I had "all the gadgets "and daughter has had her friends tell her she is rich! as if.

The 'gadgets' then are; A 50" panel TV, a Cannon EOS SLR, and an iPad. There is a Tivoli Radio in the kitchen and an iPod Dock.

Like i said simple things and not exactly gadget land.

It's nice to have a simple household, it does not mean it does not get messy, I'm sure you'd be horrified if you visited at the clutter, but I like it like that.

The simple life.

We have a simple house. We don't have clutter, we have few trinkets and nick nacks. What we tend to have is less things that are slightly more expensive. Which sounds a bit pretentions, we have things that we can afford at the time, and we shop diligently in sales and looks for opportunities. We don't buy on whim, we find our need and then investigate the options and buy according to our wallet.

We don't carry any credit card or HP debt.

We had a bit of an open home thing, well it was a pre-ball gathering for daughter and her friends and parents, nothing at all flash, just a couple of hours of get together before the party bus arrived.

Many of the fathers of daughters found it pleasing that I had "all the gadgets "and daughter has had her friends tell her she is rich! as if.

The 'gadgets' then are; A 50" panel TV, a Cannon EOS SLR, and an iPad. There is a Tivoli Radio in the kitchen and an iPod Dock.

Like i said simple things and not exactly gadget land.

It's nice to have a simple household, it does not mean it does not get messy, I'm sure you'd be horrified if you visited at the clutter, but I like it like that.

Waiting on a Macbook Air

I've talked myself into needing one. Just the entry level one. Depsite them being 2 or 3 times more expensive than a notebook computer.

It's about weight, and in philipworld I'd use the Air to fabricate my blog, and things.

That there were a couple of 36 months interest free deals going on, and this is ike a red rag to a bull, at mearly a few dollars a month I could have the toy of the moment.

Except that they're not in stock, and I don't have one, and at the price they are I don't want to wait for one, I want instant gratification, I want it now, today, take home.

So I don't have one, but I did get a keyboard and a dock for the iPad, and today I'll get a magic mouse. perhaps.

After all I promised myself.