If you’ve ever thought of what it’s like to drive a Porsche, or seen one and taken a second look, or envied the driver/owner, or just like cars of all color and creed, then you’ll enjoy these photographs celebrating 50 years of the iconic Porsche 911. The first and the most recent, side by side:
It’s simply sublime, to me.
We went out to hike the volcanos west of town, and Emme brought the scarf. It turned into an impromptu prop. (I have to admit this was made with an iPhone4!)
Also referred to by members of my family as “paparazzi cameras,” these large black beasts seem to YELL “I’m very serious about taking photos.” But there is more to it than simply appearances. They are built like tanks. I’m sure you’ve seen the photographer with the huge white lens on the sideline get taken out by the wide receiver at an NFL game? That’s a pro-body being badly treated. This is what’s inside Canon’s latest pro camera:
That’s magnesium–light, strong, (but not good around open flames.) Most consumer cameras have plastic bodies, although pro cameras and lenses use a lot of plastic as well.
As if we needed more proof that equities as a class of investment assets continues to be the “best” long run investment, this article from The Economist provides the evidence.
I’ve never really liked Malbec, but I am willing to trying it occasionally, just to see if I can. I recently opened an Ascencion Malbec Reserve 2009 from Argentina. I immediately remembered why I don’t like Malbec: it’s too fruity, almost to the point of drinking an overly sweet fruit tart. You know, the kind of pie they serve at Village Inn. Without the ice cream.
Closing day photo from the inaugural Santa Claus gathering at 7429 El Morro, Christmas 2012. Maria’s collection of Santas grew substantially this last year, and we’re all looking forward to the Dec ’13 get together!
Another year… My 56th, so it should be a good one!
Last years wasn’t so bad at all. Thankful for the health of my family. Kirsten started her senior year at high school, Emily started middle school, and Maria successfully negotiated a difficult, but critical, contract with Local 611. I joined the Porsche Club of America, and ended the year elected to the club’s board–who would have guessed, eh?
I begin the new year with a renewed interest in making photographs, with a goal of publishing an academic paper this year after a pretty long dry spell, and a commitment to posting more to this website. Let’s see how that goes…
Porsche announced the next Cayman (the 981) at the LA Auto Show, available in spring of 2013. This is what it looks like:
“Lighter, bigger, more powerful, faster” That’s what Porsche says, and I have no reason to argue–it looks different, but familiar enough to be the next generation Cayman. And I’m sure it’s got all the latest wizbang gizmos to back up the 4.4 seconds to 60mph spring time. Woohoo.
Just for a lark, I grafted the rear quarter panel of the new 991 (“911” Carrera) on to the photo above to see how it looks compared to the traditional and iconic Porsche.
Weird, eh?
On Sunday, chef and co-owner of Terra American Bistro, Peter Lukes provided wonderful food to complement the baker’s dozen of wines offered by oenophile Jack Vesey, who comes down from Colorado monthly to share his experience and his wine collection with those of us privileged to receive a regular invitation. This last tasting was of French Burgundy wines, 2002 vintage, from the Corton appelation. Some very nice Pinots, that Miles would have enjoyed, I’m sure.
I’m no wine expert, but I sure enjoy drinking the stuff. Which is probably why I joined the American Association of Wine Economists. (That’s about as dull a website as you’ll find, by the way.) They have some interesting articles in their journal, including a survey of the hot topics in wine economics: wine as an investment, wine and climate change, and expert opinion regarding wine. Research on the first topic suggests that wine is not a great investment unless you choose regions, winemakers and vintages very carefully. Generally wine is a better investment in your enjoyment of life. Statistical models developed in the second topic show that climate is about the best predictor of wine prices. So global climate change should have an impact on what we will pay for wine in the future. The last topic is particularly interesting, because the analytical results show that expert opinion is insignificant in explaining wine prices after controlling for climate.
Another interesting article published by the AAWE is a funny take on all the fluff that surrounds wine by a Princeton economist, Richard Quandt. It’s called “On wine bullshit: some new software?“
Where none of us is as dumb as all of us.
Philip Ganderton 