cindy's world

2007 Formula Drift Championship Series Events
April 7, 2007
10a.m. – 6p.m.

THE FORMULA DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP
Entering its third season, Formula Drift Championship, produced and owned by Irvine, Calif.-based Formula Drift, Inc., continues to expand into new markets as the first and only sanctioned and recognized North American professional drifting championship series (sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing). This high-skilled, high-powered motor sport where drivers intentionally maneuver their cars into well executed, controlled sideways slides at high speeds through a marked course, has more than 50 professional drivers competing in all six competitions this year. A well established sport in Japan for more than a decade, Formula Drift, Inc. and its sister company Slipstream Global Marketing, Inc. had the vision and were instrumental in bringing the first official competition to the United States in 2003 at Irwindale Speedway. The unanticipated fan interest led to the rapid formation of the first ever, sanctioned and recognized drifting circuit, Formula Drift, which had its roots firmly grounded in Southern California, a hotbed for incoming Japanese-influence automotive trends. An important part of the program involves community outreach. Drivers and Formula D serve as the ambassador for the sport of drifting bringing exhibitions to traditional or mainstream motor sports events across the country which have included: Bridgestone Monterey Grand Prix/Champ Car Race, USAC, NASCAR Busch North & Featherlite Southwest and the SPEED World Challenge, among others.

In addition another 100-200 local team drivers will join in local markets to test their skills and techniques with the pros. Judged on execution and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time, Drifting is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and is often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

Drivers and Formula Drift also serves as ambassadors for the sport of drifting bringing exhibitions to traditional or mainstream motor sports events across the country which have included: Bridgestone Monterey Grand Prix/Champ Car Race, USAC, NASCAR Busch North & Featherlite Southwest and the SPEED World Challenge, among others.

More Formula Drift Fast Facts

Formula D has the largest number of tire manufactures involved that any other motorsport series in the world.
First drifting championship to be featured in a major video game with title sponsor EA Games
First drifting championships to be sponsored by non-endemic companies including EA Games and Circuit City
First drifting championship to have works teams (auto maker supported) For tickets and more information visit the website at: http://formulad.com/events.php?id=2

***
I’m actually kind of excited! I’ve never seen a drift race before. Nascar was boring for me cuz all they do is go in circles, you don’t miss much even if you’re blinded the first hour by all the black tire dust flying into your eyes. But if this really IS like motocross and skateboarding, it’s going to be really interesting to watch. I hope Mr. W doesn’t get bored and want to go home early.

My parents had mentioned some weeks ago about us being invited to some car race event. They’re unfamiliar with car racing, and with the language barrier they weren’t able to tell me whether this is a drag race, a Nascar race, a go-cart race, or what. I asked what the track looked like, for clues. Was it just round and circular? My dad said no, it’s windy, and the cars skid around the curves and that’s the point. It sounds like a “Tokyo drift” race.

I got an email from my mom today that said she and my dad were offered tickets to some car race this Saturday, along with special parking. A family friend works as the publicist for these race events, so there are certain VIP privileges. I assume these are good seats. All I know is that my parents will be in San Diego this weekend and won’t make the race, and that the race is at Long Beach, and we should be able to get in at 10:00 a.m.. So now I’m thinking that it’s the Long Beach Grand Prix? There’s also some big race in Buena Park in October that we’re going to have VIP rooms for.

*shrug* I guess I’ll pick up the tickets tonight when I pick up our passports and visas for our China trip. Hopefully the tickets will have event information on them.

Vanessa had asked me for a typing tutor computer program some time ago, and Mr. W gave her a CD-ROM: Mavis Beacon Typing Tutor V.16. She caught me online earlier and said she’d reached a milestone: she’s typing without looking at her keyboard! Yay! And here is why she needs to keep going with the program:

Vanessa: People keep passing by my desk asking me what i am up to because I have a huge grin
me: stop grinning. we can talk about something solemn.
Vanessa: That makes me look funny!
me: Okay, let’s see…you’re 90, and you’ve got no sex drive, and all you’re using the cabana boy for is to listen to you ramble on about your cat.
Vanessa: WHAT???? NOOOO! That is WRONG! At least have the cabana boy feeding me.
me: “And Fluffy was my 3rd cat, after Angelina and Maxwell, you remember. Well, it seemed that Fluffy didn’t get along with the neighbor’s dog, Oodle…”
Vanessa: Like rapes or something cool. Or better fanning me.
Vanessa: Grapes!!!
me: okay, he’ll be raping you while you’re going on about your cats.
Vanessa: I meant GRAPES!! I just caught that!!!! SORRY!
me: that’s NOT what you wrote.
Vanessa: Note to self – I must scan or proof read before pressing enter. I know!
That’s not what i meant. Man… I must use that CD more often

Or maybe this is less reason for Vanessa needing to type better, than reason that people don’t IM me that often. Hmm.

I hate, hate all the annoying phone calls I get from Family Law litigants wanting to know what’s going on with their divorce. Look, just cuz you turned in some half-ass papers a year ago doesn’t mean that your divorce will miraculously be processed today, okay?! In honor of those annoyances, here’s a Tuesday Barbie joke. (Coincidentally, as I was driving home yesterday I was remembering my first Barbie doll and how I came upon her, and considered blogging about her, but changed my mind. Today I get a Barbie joke on email.)

~*~
One day a father gets out of work and on his way home he suddenly remembers that it’s his daughter’s birthday. He pulls over to a toy shop and asks the salesperson, “How much for one of those Barbies in the display window?”

The salesperson answers, “Which one do you mean, sir? We have:
Work Out Barbie for $19.95,
Shopping Barbie for $19.95,
Beach Barbie for $19.95,
Disco Barbie for $19.95,
Ballerina Barbie for $19.95,
Astronaut Barbie for $19.95,
Skater Barbie for $19.95,
And Divorced Barbie for $265.95”

The amazed father asks, “You what?! Why is Divorced Barbie $265.95 and the others only $19.95?”

The annoyed salesperson rolls her eyes, sighs, and answers, “Sir…, Divorced Barbie comes with: Ken’s Car, Ken’s House, Ken’s Boat, Ken’s Furniture, Ken’s Computer and… One of Ken’s Friends.”

International Symbol of Marriage

I had a letter-perfect Sunday. Mr. W suggested a picnic with my parents to take advantage of the sunny beautiful day. I at first said it wouldn’t be a good idea, since my parents wouldn’t appreciate the annoyances of unruly, undisciplined kids running amock, bird poo on the picnic tables to avoid, and the bees, ants and other insects to fight for our food. Plus, the hassle of packing stuff to be eaten outdoors! “Are these reasons your parents wouldn’t want to go on a picnic, or why YOU don’t want to go on a picnic?!” Mr. W asked skeptically. Same thing, right?
I called my parents on the phone and asked my mom what she thought of the picnic idea. “Picnic?!” she exclaimed. “Severe allergies!”
“YES, severe ALLERGIES!” I repeated loudly to Mr. W over the phone.
My mom heard me and hurriedly said, “If you two want to go take a stroll in a park, we’ll go with you for company!” Darn.
Mr. W and I stopped by a Chinese patisserie on the way to my parents’ and bought a variety of fresh baked rolls and breads for picnic food, but everyone ended up eating it all at my parents’ house along with a freshly cut bowl of syrupy sweet honeydew melons. (I admit it, it was me; I was too hungry.) And then it was off to a nearby Chino Hills park that my parents had recently discovered.
The park was really pretty, with a big pond in the middle and weeping willows almost dipping their long trains into the water surface. At the front end of the pond, a variety of turtles of all sizes sunned on a floating log. At the back end of the pond, a large rocky waterfall spilled onto the duck-lined water. The four of us watched in amusement as a male duck, with his bill tucked into his wing and seemingly asleep, followed a female duck around the pond, popping his head up abruptly when he’d accidentally run into her, and then settling back down to his lazy nap. Another male duck followed another female duck around, aggressively fighting off other male ducks who dared approach the nonchalant female. The females seemed completely oblivious to all the vying going on around them for their attention.

After walking around the park, the four of us went back to my parents’ house, where I fiddled with the piano a bit. Then Mr. W and I set off back to his home. On the drive back, we passed a newly remodeled shopping mall and he noted that he’d be interested in seeing how the place looked, as it’s so nice now from the outside. “Wanna go right now?” I suggested. So off on a detour we went. I didn’t get past the Victoria’s Secret store, which was having a sale on sportswear. I picked up 2 sports tops and a sports bra, and with the discount my total bill went from $150 to $90-some. I handed over two giftcards for the store and paid less than $6 out-of-pocket for the items. Good deal.

And then off we went to attempt the trip home again. Until suddenly, Mr. W noted that we were really close to a hole-in-the-wall Mexican seafood restaurant in the ghettoest part of Santa Ana that had the best ceviche. Hence, our second detour led us to a refreshing dinner.

Finally at home after that, Mr. W and I donned our swimsuits and hung out in the whirlpool jacuzzi. Later, back at his house, we wound down the rest of the way by enjoying popcorn while watching the pilot episode of Ally McBeal. I’d never seen the pilot, and it’s pretty good in setting up the character dynamics of the show without feeling rushed in giving you too much information too quickly. We’re now starting Season 1 of Ally McBeal, and I can’t wait for episode 2. But for some reason, I can’t seem to find additional seasons. 🙁

Oh well, short of the nightmare I had, it was a great Sunday.

This is me stuffing my face yesterday as I waddled from one location to another. PMS much?

Mint chocolate cookie Pria bar (110 cals)…whilst putting gas in the car paying an insulting $3.07/gal for 87 grade gas
1 package chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed into 2 cups of soy milk (130+200)…at Mr. W’s whilst waiting for him to get ready for the car dealership (maintenance on his Prius)
1/2 fresh-out-the-oven ham & cheese stuffed croissant and 1/2 grilled chicken sandwich, plus iced honey chrysanthemum tea drink…lunch at Lee’s Sandwiches whilst waiting for car to be done
1 small cup (2 scoops) taro ice cream…dessert from Lee’s Sandwiches (no, it did not taste like frozen poi. Poi isn’t sweetened.)
1/2 caramel, dark chocolate and almonds candied apple…from Marceline’s Confectionery at Downtown Disney
1 caramel apple martini…at the UVA Bar, Downtown Disney, after completion of candied apple munching
1 huge steak-sized cut of Cajun-seared rare Ahi tuna, 2 strips of grilled zucchini, 4 pieces baked pita bread with hummus…at Malibu Fish Grill in Santa Ana
1 pink grapefruit…whilst watching Happy Feet

I woke up this morning feeling…eeewwwww! Uuuuuggggghhhh! I had to jump in the shower right away to wash out the excessive calories. (Don’t you wish it were that easy?) Mr. W was already up and about, making himself coffee, listening to his audiobook on his MP3 player, sunning on the patio. “Hey!” he said as he saw me stagger out the hall with hair in my face. He hugged me and I leaned my drippy head against his chest. “You took a shower?”
“No,” I said from within the muffled hair.
“Then’s why’s your hair wet?” he asked.
“Sweat,” I explained.
“You little shit,” he laughed. “Don’t lie to me!”
From within the hair: “Don’t call me a little shit! You big shit! You chunk of diarrhea!”

And then I thought about why I feel so shitty. So I came to blog it all out so I can see it here in black and white. Oh, here it is. Blech.