25 September 2011

Microtech Daytona

So, there is contest at BladeOps, write a review of a knife and one could win a Spyderco Ladybug.  Yeah, I know it is a tiny knife.  Note the size of key for comparison...or that is a set of some huge keys.


Spyderco Ladybug
There are five knives to give away. Not that I really want that little knife, but I am not going to turn away a free knife...or a free anything. Yeah, it seems weird that I am writing about a $300 knife, just to win a knife worth $30.  Anyway, here is my review of the Microtech Daytona.



Microtech Daytona
The compact design and affordable price point makes the Daytona is a great entry knife to the Microtech line.  This knife is a work of art, precision made, down to the screws that hold it together.  Top notch materials are used include a S30-V blade, 6061T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum with Carbon Fiber inlay.  It has been said that "Microtechs are the Swiss watches of automatic knives". 

Microtech knives come in a generic box with instructions and includes a nylon sheath.  The sheath is very nice and has a hook and loop closure on the belt loop, and adjustable buckle closure for the knife.  While this is obviously a quality product like their knives, I find that it is too large for the knife.  It could well be that Microtech just has one size of sheaths, hence the adjustable buckle, but the knife kinda rattles around in there.  The Daytona is one of Microtech's smaller knives. No matter, not like I am going to carry it in the sheath...actually, I am not suppose to carry it at all.

The Daytona feels great in the hand.  I have average sized hands and it seems my hands were designed to hold the Daytona...or the other way around.  The handle is about four inches and weighs in at just under three ounces.  Pretty average size for an average guy.  I know, it sound like I am talking about something other than a knife.  Just stick with me.

The handle is inlaid with carbon fiber on both sides.  I have seen a lot of carbon fiber from hockey sticks, to bike parts, to car parts.  On occasion, one might see air bubbles in the resin or gaps in the weave.  Not the case here.  Sure, it maybe a relative small piece, but the carbon fiber inlays are perfect.  No gaps or air bubbles.  I am not sure if it serves any structural function for the knife, but it looks damn cool.

One negative element I find in this knife, the screws. The custom made screws stick out a bit from the handle, meaning that they are not flush with the body.  The screws are cone shaped so they come to a shallow point.  I understand that the designers were trying to match the look of the glass breaker.  I think it would have been better to counter sink the screws or  have the head be more dome shaped.  Again, this is a minor issue.  

The pocket clip is strong.  The Microtech logo is engraved, possibly laser etched, on the clip, as well as "Daytona", serial number and date of manufacture.  I like that feature, you know they are not just pumping out knives left and right.  It shows that they take the time when they number and date their fine works of art and adds to the value.  The clip is secured to the handle by the glass breaker.  It looks like the clip may be reversible.  The glass breaker is sharp, so be careful with that...do not drop it on your foot.  Although I have yet to test the glass breaker, or skull cracker, I am pretty confident that it can do some serious damage.

There are other blade styles and finishes, I elected to go with the drop point, single edge blade.  At a little over three inches, the S30-V blade is just beautiful.  Perfectly centered grinds to shape the blade, with a really sharp factory grind.  I love the detail of the 'blood grove' and the little holes that are drilled through the blade.  The blade moves smoothly when being fired and retracted.  You can just feel how tight the tolerances are on this knife.  There is a little play in the blade, but that is expected in a blade that is not fixed.

Speaking of firing and retracting the blade, the button takes a little getting used to.  It is quite stiff and takes a strong thumb to activate.  It took a while to 'break in ' the mechanism...or perhaps it took time to strengthen my weak little hands.  I see guys in videos just fire and retract the blade like a jack hammer, part of the fun of owning an out the front automatic.  It took me a while to unlock that achievement.  This is not really a problem as it is a safety feature.  You have to want to fire the blade, accidental discharges are not a problem.  Also, you will want to play with the firing mechanism.  This will help break in the knife and strengthen weak hands, like mine.

If you are looking for an entry level out the front knife, the Microtech Daytona might be right for you.  It may be a little pricey, but the quality is top notch.  You will not be disappointed.



EDIT:  I guess I talk/write too much.  The review is limited to 1000 words, my review is 4343 words.  I need to edit down, perhaps just rewrite it for BladeOps, and keep this one here.  Heck, I spent a lot of time writing this.  Ugh, it took me like a half an hour to knock it down to less than 1000 words.  I had to get rid of my witty comments, just a straight review.  And, I should add another picture, since there is a lot to read through.

23 September 2011

Vince Clarke Is On Twitter

Former Depeche Mode member is on twitter...and is following me (for the time being).  You may also know Vince from Yaz (or Yazoo) and Erasure.

Follow Vince Clarke @thecabinstudio

18 September 2011

Nike Air MAG Sales

I jacked this info from highsnobiety, because I want a place where I can reference the information for myself.  All info, pictures, charts, and graphs were stolen from highsnobiety.

2011 Nike Air MAG


Break down of sizes and average price per day and changes

Break down by size with average price

Total amount raised per day:

Day 1 = $911,927.34
Day 2 = $647,539.91
Day 3 = $554,120.31
Day 4 = $508,077.50
Day 5 = $511,112.10
Day 6 = $492,481.97
Day 7 = $488,076.90
Day 8 = $499,851.16
Day 9 = $511,479.82
Day 10 = $570,523.52

Total = $5,695,190.53
Highest and Lowest each size sold for and the day it happened:
Size 7 – High – $5,331.88 on Day 1, Low – $2,300.00 on Day 6
Size 8 – High – $6,100.00 on Day 1, Low – $2,500.00 on Day 4
Size 9 – High – $6,300.00 on Day 1, Low – $3,050.00 on Day 5, 6 & 9
Size 10 – High – $9,959.00 on Day 1, Low – $3,200.00 on Day 6
Size 11 – High – $7,600.00 on Day 1, Low – $3,350.00 on Day 8
Size 12 – High – $8,100.00 on Day 1, Low – $3,100.00 on Day 7
Size 13 – High – $7,875.00 on Day 1, Low – $2,750.00 on Day 7

Price versus day, by size.
 Okay, back to the non-stolen stuff...me again.

That is pretty impressive.  I admit, I do not know much about Parkinsons...as I am sure most do/did not..outside of knowing that Michael J. Fox has the disease.  Thanks to Nike and eBay for making an awesome product and using their powers for good.  Thanks to all who participated in the events.  If you donated to the cause, you not only have some very good karma coming your way, you also have an awesome pair of shoes.

07 September 2011

There Are Four Lights

There are four lights

For legal reasons, this story is pure fiction, totally made up.

Ten years ago on this day, 7 September 2001, I was accused of stealing a...I wanna say...laptop computer. When I say 'I or me', I totally mean someone else that I made up...because shit like this never happened.

Here is the made up story.  There was a personal laptop stolen from a work place.  For a week or two, no one knew what happened.  Security was scratching their heads trying to figure out who had taken the computer.  They questioned the people around.  It is normal to have your bags checked when leaving the building, but because of this incident, security was a little tighter than usual.  They had nothing.

It just happens that I was suppose to be sitting near where the computer was taken.  I say 'suppose to', because it was a shared office.  One of  my co-workers what out due to an injury, so I sat in his office, located about 150 feet away from the 'crime scene'.  I was working on his stuff anyway, and it just made sense to be where the action was and not occupy an office in another area.  Because of this relocation, I was never questioned about the laptop.

I also knew of the computer in question and the person that it belonged to.  I had a chance to actually look at the computer and asked the owner some questions about it.  I remember looking at the battery gauge on the bottom.  You press the button and the green lights light up to show you how much juice is left.  I remember feeling the weight of the computer, relatively light at the time.  Keep in mind that this was ten years ago and a titanium Macbook was all the rage.  You know me and my love for titanium.  Apple as since gone to a cheaper aluminum body.   I fucking love titanium.

So, the computer was taken.  Apparently, security was looking for me to question me.  Not that hard to find me, everyone in the area knows who and where I am (most of the time).  I work with a bunch of people, and within earshot of anyone in the group.  All you had to do was just yell out my name and I would respond, this is how most people in the area communicated even with email and phones.

Weeks later, one of the employees was going through some cabinets for some documents.  Guess what he found.  Yeah, the laptop with all the cables.  He called security, they came and did their investigation shit.  I happened to be around and they asked me to go with them.  What happened next was about two hours of questioning.  Fuck you!

I had no clue what was going on.  They brought me to their offices and had me in the waiting area.  This is where the bullshit starts.  One guy tried to be my friend with small talk and asking me personal questions, I will call him 'Hank'.  About 10-15 minutes later, another guy comes in.  This fucking cunt, let us call this douchebag 'Jaime', sits down and starts looking at my fingers, and writing down 'codes'.  Yeah, he was coding my finger print patterns.  So, by now I kinda figured out that I was a suspect in the case.  Funny, they had days to find and question me but did nothing.  Now that the computer was found by someone else not in security, they have to make like they are solving a case.

Later, I was brought into another room, some other cunt's office.  'Hank' was gone, I was in the office with 'Jamie' and head of security, this cunt I will call 'Bob'.  Both of which have a face that you want to fucking punch.  They first asked for my information.  'Jamie' was taking notes, I offered to write my info for him, but he douchingly said 'no, I will do it'.  What a fucking asshole.

Then, as if rehearsed while I was in the waiting area with 'Hank', some gopher walks in with some movie props.  I say movie props, but in their eyes, it was 'evidence'.  It was two little envelopes, about  3x4 inches...and it was marked with 'evidence', so you know that shit was real.  They made sure I saw it, but tried to 'hide' it...you know that move.  Hey fucknuts, I studied magic and slight of hand, I may not be Penn & Teller, but I know when you are trying to distract me. 

Long story short, they said they found prints on the computer...my prints.  Yeah, my prints were suppose to be in the evidence envelopes.  Uh, one douchebag looks as my fingers and you say that my prints are on the computer??? Keep in mind that I did touch the computer when I checked it out a few weeks earlier.  What sucks is, when an authority figure is question you, you are left with your guard down.  So, I was a bit nervous.  Are they hooking this shit on me?  What the fuck?  My words and explanations did not come out as smoothly as Matt Lauer reading the news.

I stumbled my words, and being bullied by 'Bob and Jaime' did not help the situation.  I explained my situation about sitting in another office, checking out the computer with the owner.  But you know how these cunts are.  They need to lay blame on someone, they need to let everyone know that they are doing their job.  They do not want people to know that they failed to solve the case. They do not want people to know that someone else found the missing computer.  They want to be heroes.

They asked if I had a computer at home. Duh, ten years ago people had personal computers, not that rare, you fucking idiot!  Of course, I had a shitty computer that was no where near as cool as a titanium laptop.  I am also a PC user, not much of a Mac guy. I do not see how having a computer has anything to do with this situation, anyway.  I also have a water heater.  Are you going to accuse me of stealing hot water from the coffee maker?

Oh, they also said that they found my prints on the cabinets where the computer was found.  Oh, you mean the fucking public cabinets in the fucking main hallway that anyone and everyone has gone through?  I find out later that they did not even dust the cabinets for prints.

Still four lights, cuntbag.

Anyway, the interrogation went on for about an hour and a half.  There was actually a point when I thought I did it, but like Jean-Luc Picard said, "There are four lights".  When they finally released me, they offered a ride back.  Yeah, go fuck yourself. I will walk and I will walk tall knowing that I did not do it and knowing that you are bunch of cunts.

The next Monday, I called my Human Resources representative and let them know what happened and made sure me name was cleared.  I find out that 'Bob and Jamie' contacted the local authorities only to have them say that since the computer never left the campus, there was no case.  Ha, fuck you! Yeah, you never solved the case.  You failed at your job and you fail at being a human.  Fuck you.

The theory is that someone hid the laptop, so he/she can retrieve it at a later time.  There are theories as to who hid the computer in the cabinet.  The guy I shared a cube with (until co-worker's injury) was fired because he had taken a product from someone's desk.  The product in question was found in has car during the tight security checks.  I guess he said it was a gift, but the product was reported missing and when a search was made, they found it.  It just happens that he went to the same school as I did, and working in the same group (different projects) at the time.  So I guess that also makes me a suspect...illogical logic at work.

Here is the kicker.  In his office, there were a few style guides...old style guides that would have been kept in the cabinets where the computer was eventually found by someone else other than security.  I want it known that security failed at locating the missing laptop.

Yeah, I still hold a grudge after ten years.  I have not seen 'Hank' since that day, I think he moved on.  Every time I see either 'Bob' or 'Jamie', I just want to upper cut their taint.  'Bob' retired, no doubt torturing others, perhaps molesting young children.  That cuntbag should have been fired.  On occasion, I see 'Jamie', I give him dirty looks and negative vibes.  I cannot believe this shithead still has a job.

I really have nothing against 'Hank', but I hope that 'Bob and Jamie' suffer in some way.  Their abuse of power and lack of respect is fucking bullshit.  Treating me like a criminal with no foundation of proof.  They tried to trick me into a confession to something I did not do, just so they can look good. I guess this abuse of power gets them off when they are not fisting little kids.

Again, this was totally made up, it never happened.  Everything from dates, names, situations...all fictional, molesting and fisting kids, probably true.

Yeah, what Picard said.

05 September 2011

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - September 2011

New policy.  Even though I know it is fucking useless and a most likely a scam, I am going to report numbers to Do Not Call.  I am running out of creative things to say about each call.  Although it does force me to come up with shit that no one reads.  Actually, if you Google some numbers, it will lead you to this blog.

Again, I usually post these series of posts around the middle of the month.  This gives the terrorists a chance to rack up some numbers and so you are not just reading on one or two numbers.  But, since we have another record breaker this month, I have decided to post.  I am going to wait a while to report this number, just to see how many calls I can get in a day.  Yeah, I said a day.  Previous record for calls in a day was three from one number...and five total.  On Labour Day, I got SIX from one number.  Enjoy the rant.

1 September 2011
   213-337-0334  Los Angeles, CA   Fifth call, could be their last if Do Not Call actually works.  These guys were slacking off, not putting up the numbers as others.  I do not think they really want to talk to me.

   508-475-1968 MA, USA   Second call.  See, at least they are consistent by not skipping any days.  Take note, Los Angeles.

2 September 2011
   508-475-1968 MA, USA   Third call.  Trying to update this blog on an iPhone is kinda hard. Yet, nothing will stop me from exposing these terrorists.

5 September 2011
   508-475-1968 MA, USA  ARE

   508-475-1968 MA, USA  YOU

   508-475-1968 MA, USA  FUCKING

   508-475-1968 MA, USA   KIDDING

   508-475-1968 MA, USA   ME?!?

   508-475-1968 MA, USA  Yeah, SIX fucking calls in one day.  New record for calls in one day, and calls from one number in one day.  FUCK YOU!  This brings their total to nine calls, again in record time.

Really?  My mom does not call me this much...in a month.
6 September 2011
   508-475-1968 MA, USA  Ten calls in four days.  Should this be considered stallking?  I can get a restraining order for this shit, right?

14 September 2011
  603-214-3655 NH, USA  What?  You guys took a week off?  Do we need anymore proof that these people are terrorists?  Obviousy, they were planning on anniversary attacks...but now that the time has passed, they are back to the phones.  Fucking assholes!

16 September 2011
   1111440601  Some fucking text.  Damn it, that just cost me twenty cents

   1111440600  What the fuck?  Another fucking text, and another twenty cents.  I wonder if I can report text messages. 

19 September 2011
   818-310-6916  Los Angeles, CA  What is with these people that call six times a day, and not calling back.  Here we have a new caller.  Though it may seem legit, meaning I see no entries on Google for this number, I am still going to report it.  Yeah, I will report wrong numbers.  I do not care, I did not get a phone to communicate with people.

20 September 2011
   201-779-9546  Wayne, NJ  Via text.  "You have been choosen to recieve a FREE $50 Target Gift voucher Call 1-866-938-9161 to redeem.  TXT STOP TO STOP"  Yeah, thanks.  Both numbers will be reported...and you owe me twenty cents, in addition to the $50.

21 September 2011
   917-793-5694  NY, USA  Return caller, this is their third call.  Smart to space it out, but I keep records.  At least they left a message...well, it was a recording from Financial Freedom, and Kathy sounds like a fat chick.  So, Kathy and Financial Freedom will be reported.

28 September 2011
   971-220-1019  Gresham, OR  I actually missed this call, did not hear the phone ring.  I guess my noise cancelling headphones really work

   971-220-1019  Gresham, OR   Oh, how fucking nice.  They figured since I did not pick up the first time, they would call back four hours later.  Awesome, this means I get to report you, twice.  Fuck face!

   971-220-1019  Gresham, OR  Three times in one day.  You are half way there, the record is six.  Bring it, bitch!

   971-220-1019  Gresham, OR  Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you...one more, fuck you!  Two more and you tie the record.  I wonder if the Do Not Call registery will take my reports seriously.