blog.ARConrad.com

I went to the 2009 Chicago Auto Show this past weekend and took over 400 photos! I expected a so-so show given the trouble most car companies are facing right now, but was pleasantly surprised by the great concepts this year.

Perhaps the sweetest was the Chevy Corvette StingRay concept (pictured above). According to the GM spokeswoman the StingRay will be one of the transformers in the upcoming movie sequel. Other great concepts, respectively pictured below, were the Cadillac Converj (yes that’s how it’s spelled), Chrysler 200 C, Dodge Circuit, and Jaguar XFR (I really want to buy this car!).

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now playing: Arnej – They Always Come Back

Cadillac Converj

Chrysler 200 C

Dodge Circuit

Jaguar XFR Front (with me )

Jaguar XFR Rear

This is yet another example of the Chinese government not becoming a more open society as they are trying to make the rest of the world believe. Make no mistake they are still a communist dictatorship who is trying to spy on Westerners during the Olympics. It is doubtful that these government controlled microphones are going to be pulled out of the cabs after the Olympics. I fear China is going to step-up the power and force of the police security and spying “tasks” under the guise of Olympic security and then never throttle it back to pre-Olympic levels effectively tightening their grip on their own population. Which begs the question, should the Olympics really be held in China as it seems to say the world approves of the horrific government in place their? 

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now playing: Robbie Rivera – Say You Know Me

Returned from my cousin’s wedding back in the homeland (Colorado) around 3am this morning after a two hour delay on my flight. My flight out to Denver a few days earlier was also delayed a hour… I did not have the best luck traveling to-and-fro. However I really do not care as I was back in the homeland and so very very very happy.

It was a great trip as I got to spend some time on the high plains enjoying the brush-filled endless horizon I miss SO MUCH!!! plus I was able to get up into the mountains (Steamboat) for a couple days to enjoy the pristine Colorado rookies and the sweet roads… driving back home is so much fun. Perhaps the best part of the trip (Besides my cousin’s wedding of course) was being able to finally breathe freely. Having spent my formative years at 4979′ high at 0-20% humidity my lungs developed for those conditions and I have always had a hard time breathing since I moved to Wisconsin where I currently live at 679′ at 60-100% humidity. It’s unbelievable how much more tired I already feel and I have only been back in WI for twelve hours. The atmosphere in Wisconsin has always felt like it is pushing down on me and trying to suffocate me.

The wedding itself was a quaint family wedding in a beautiful garden in Littleton. My cousin wore absolutely the most beautiful dress I have EVER seen! There are dresses that look gorgeous, but this dress was beyond that. I was fully impressed. The only downside is I can hardly expect my future bride to outdo that dress.

Well I’m off to go running…. unfortunately in the Wisconsin atmosphere.

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now playing: Armin van Buuren – Precious

After a “short” 10 hour flight across the pond I’m back in the States. We were smart and checked in on-line yesturday so we could pick the seats at the front to gain a little leg room. It made the flight seem half as long as it was. Great idea Mike!

I never thought I would call Chicago a clean city, but after a few days in Vienna it seems golden. Just think how happy I’ll be when I get home to Shorewood (Milwaukee area is VERY nice cleanwise for an urban centre)