By my record keeping, I logged, 1 Ironman, 2 marathons, 1 1/2 ironman and three Olympic tris. Personal best times in each category, an ambitious schedule in ’12 will make beating those times challenging, especially with IM St. George on tap, but hopefully on the marathon and Olympic distance races I see potential.

According to my TrainingPeaks account, which I only started updating as of May 9 this year, and through today, December 31, I completed:

1482.96 miles bike (Garmin connect said 2,248.75 miles, exc. commuting)
191,226 yards swim
58.69 mountain bike
242 miles brick
447.36 miles run (Garmin connect said 864.53 miles)

I can imagine maybe 1k miles on the bike, several hundred running and a few tens of thousand in the pool before then. Plus several hundred days of commuting to work.

All in all, not a bad year, and hopefully a good foundation for IM St. George in May and a run for a Boston slot in October.

CyanogenMod had now got an Alpha of Android 2.3 Gingerbread running on the TouchPad. It’s still very Alpha, but I think once they have some time to fix bugs and maybe start playing with the Ice Cream Sandwich SDK, there should be some very usable beta and release candidates over the coming months. I am happy to wait before pushing the install, but I think the itch will get the better of me in the coming weeks. Install guide here.  

For those who said the TouchPad is dead, well, it is, but I was pleasantly suprised this AM to see the HP team is still on the case, and in fact releasing an OTA update for WebOS – read more about it here.

I think this devise has a good (immediate) future, no regrets at all in buying it.

I arrived in Cambridge, Maryland on Thursday afternoon, with the goal of scoping out the bike course and taking a swim before checking in and eating the pasta dinner. The course was less than two hours from DC, an easy drive.

I stumbled onto the course by following the road markings, and I was able to drive most of it, including traversing the car through the Blackwater Nature Reserve, where the tides ensure brackish water cover about 1.2 miles of the road. At some points it wasn’t quite touching the rim of the wheel, but still about 2-3 inches deep. It was to be deeper on race day.

After driving the course, I went for maybe 1,000m swim on the course, in a fairly protected area of the Choptank river. I wore the sleeveless wetsuit and no Vaseline on my arms. The water was fine, but the ramp super slippy and I got a stellar jellyfish (aka sea nettle) sting up my right arm. It stayed with me for a while.

I toweled off and drove to the quite nice and secluded Hyatt resort to check in, get my shirt and chat with some folks about the logistics of the event. Turns out the weather was shaping up to be wet, but smooth, and that the earlier in the year Eagleman tends to have more challenging weather. The water covering the course is normal – one thing I didn’t see in the briefing pack was instructions on how to give the bike a good clean post-ride to ensure it doesn’t get rusty!

On the whole the guide was accurate, especially about letting you know about the jellies.

Once I checked in, got my wristband and numbers, it was time to eat. I was at a table of folks, some local, one guy from Texas, and another who I saw several times over the next few days. It was good to talk about the swim and to share stories about the course.

I drove back to DC that night to pack up and prepare to head back the next day.

On the Friday, I left about 1030 and drove through major storms and torrential rain to get back out to Cambridge. Luckily, 50 was pretty straightforward and I arrived with no troubles. I immediately went to the Hyatt, the weather had cleared up somewhat, and chatted to a guy coming out of the water who was getting ready to compete in his 46^th Iron distance event. He was also familiar with Guernsey, habving lived in the UK. I put the wetsuit on and headed out for a 20 minute swim, which felt fine, and got another big sting on the arm, which did not feel fine. Still, it wouldn’t have been fun to encounter that on race day, so I was glad to get the water-bearings and feel for the stings in advance (definitely paid off). Water was nice, low 70s.

I left the hotel after toweling off and took the car and bike to Great Marsh Park – where T1 and the swim was to be held. I took the bike for a 20 minute ride to get the feel of the start of the course and then racked it. I knew the bike would be exposed to the rain, but at least rain isn’t salty. I took a 15 minute run but ended it sooner as the rain started coming down heavily. The day took longer than I wanted so it was 3 by the time I said screw it and went to Dennys for lunch. Had an omlette and hash browns, followed by coffee and Gatorade from the Royal Farms.  Hustled back to the hotel thinking the briefing was at 4 –it was at 6, so used the time to catch up on a book, and chat to the Hammer guy, plus bought some gels and gel bottles for upcoming use.

The briefing began at 6, nothing too earth shattering, but my blood pressure rose when they talked about  the contingency if the swim needed to be cancelled – they only had a 30 minute window to start the swim, so lighting and back weather would cause a duathlon, with a TT start. That would be bad, I didn’t train five months for a duathlon. The rest of the briefing was useful, and logistical, definitely glad I went.

After the briefing, I chatted to some people then drove the 45 minutes to the hotel in Salisbury. I knew I needed to eat again, but had no appetite – nerves were picking up. I stopped at the Food Lion, and picked up microwavable brown rice and a chocolate milk to eat at the hotel. I checked in at the hotel, right near the shops and made the food, put some music on and pulled out the five race days bags to sort and prep all my equipement. I had done a light sort, but spent a ton of time getting the bags right. After I was done, realized I forgot to put goggles in, so I got that done. I had a checklist, but didn’t print it out to use. Need to do that next time. Quite nerve racking to be sure the bags had everything I needed, not having something could be real trouble. The bags were Pre-Swim (clothes to the race, water bottle with accelerade), Bike and Run Gear Bags, bike and run special needs bags.

Mixed up the water bottles – three with two for bike and one pre-race, all with Accelerade.

Called Jess, had a shower and went to bed. Had a tough time getting to sleep – pre race nerves, finally out a little after 2300.

Alarm went off at 0400, and was awake pretty easily (for me). Finished the bottle of chocolate milk and ate a banana, took a small cup of coffee with me out of the hotel. Ended up not getting to an open McDonalds until Cambridge, got the oatmeal at about 0515, went to the high school to drop bags and get shuttle to race start. After a foggy drive, it was not raining, and in the high 60s, very humid.

Dropped the bags and waited in line for about 20 minutes to get the 10 minute shuttle ride to the start. Once I was there, I got marked, pumped up the tyres and waited a long time to use the bathroom – timing was a pain on that, but better done there. Slathered my arms, feet and face with Vaseline – supposed to help with the jelly stings, and sipped on Accelerade.

Anthem just before 7, and we all walked down the uncarpeted boat ramp to the start – you could walk on the bottom, but I swam to acclimate as I didn’t get to warm up as I had wanted. The whistle went off shortly after 7 and so it began.

The Swim.

I didn’t have any chest issues when starting the swim and the water was nice, about 71 degrees. I felt a bit of current pushing me on the first half of the first lap, and as I got near the turn at the end, my wetsuit was bothering me, so I had to fiddle with it to stop it rubbing my neck. That was the main discomfort. Was stung maybe four or five times, two were proper arm length stings, but one on my ankle bugged me for a while. My swim was faster – a testament to training, as such, there was more knocking around with others. I was comfortable on the whole, against current on the way back to start line, and the chop was light, but picked up a bit for the second lap. Sighting was terrible the last quarter of the second lap with foggy goggles and not seeing well.

Out of the water at 1:24:34 144/212. Cut my toe on the ramp to T1. HR about 140 (if accurate)

T1:

Wasn’t cold, picked up my back, pulled suit off and put short socks and shirt on, loaded shirt and bag.

5:31

Ride:

Ride was uneventful. Started in the low 70s and stayed about that. Picked up people aggressively for the first 20-odd miles until the first lap began, at which point it slowed down. Focused on drinking my two bottles of accelerade and taking my Powerbar strawberry/banana 25 mg gel flask. Was quite quick until entering the exposed nature reserve area, some bumpy roads and had to stop to pee, plus about 1.2 miles of on an off flooded road to traverse. Kept HR at Z2, close to 140. Had to throttle it back a bit over the opening miles. Also had a Clif bar shortly after starting bike, and forgot about enduralytes until near the end of the first lap, so took three right then. Luckily it was quite cool out.

Picked up special needs – protein bar and new gel bottle. Lap 2 was toughter mentally – keeping cadence up, wind was light, but picked up a hair, and it was just pretty quiet, luckily I had some marks to chase down. HR slipped late second lap, as did cadence, needed motivation which didn’t really come until I went through the water again – much higher this time, close to the pedal at bottom centre. Took mostly water, one shot of accelerade gel, one 30mg protein plus bar, one Gatorade, and three bottles of water this lap (lots to wash the salt water off the chainset). Took another 5 endurolytes over the second lap.

I was where I needed to be with calories – close to 300/hr.
T2
Went fine, but slow as I changed shirt from a bike one and put knee length socks on – that was a mistake – had it been calf socks, would have been ok, but pulling the whole sock up damp legs was a bit of a nightmare and took lots of time.

Put on the yellow Nike stabilities and got on with the run once I was pointed in the right direction.

Run  

Started off really trying to be moderated with my pace, ended up having quite a fast one, 8.08 I think and it slowed up from there as I started sweating. Luckily it was only in the 70s, but the stations each mile had gels, water and mealtimes, but no salt pills, which I had planned on. 9 to 11 were my worst on the run, not that I felt bad, just fatigued. I was drinking water each mile, but still think my nutrition was weak. Had some saltines and perked up when a caffeine gel was found.

The three lap concept was tough, and the course was a grind, long and flat. Luckily a guy named Doug, who did Savageman the week before was good company. I think the run was definitely toughest especially as I felt I couldn’t motor, which only ever really happened the day after a heavy brick.

Picked up special needs – a banana and a bottle of Accelerade with a lap to go, that, and seeing the fam helped perk me up.

Finished at 11h 05 mins, I only ever had my HR on the watch, so had no idea I was close to 11 hours, but wouldn’t change how I ran the race- but could easily account for those 5 minutes. In hindsight, I could still crouch for pics after the race, and I didn’t look that banged up – so maybe I could hammer it a bit more next time, but the best advice I received is that you have to run your own race, and I did that.

During the run, my shoe became bloody, turned out I had sliced my toe exiting the swim, ems was nice enough to bandage me up post race.

Had a post race massage, didn’t eat enough, but was pretty perky on the whole thanks to the mild weather.

I pulled my bike out of the car the next day to give it a thorough cleaning, and the back tire was low on air, turns out the tube stem joint had failed. Wow was I lucky.

With a price of $499 for the 16 gig and $599 for the 32 gig version, the Touchpad was close, but not enough to really pick up market share. This lead to a huge write off for HP and a sweet deal for those of us who had been on the fence about a tablet. With a firesale price of $99/$149, I couldn’t resist, and after a few weeks of patience following a cancelled order, CDW came through with the 16 gig version for me.

It arrived late last week, and immediately it felt far superior to any of the Android tabs I have tested, including the Xoom and several Galaxy tabs; that made it worth it, if nothing else. The build quality is good, and never having played with the Palm Pre, I now see why people are big fans of the WebOS.

The home screen is clean and simple, and much like the Vista screen scroll feature, going through cards (or apps) is a visually appealing way to see what’s going on. The keyboard doesn’t offer haptic feedback, but is fast and allows for multiple digit entry. Same goes for copy and paste – it’s functional and effective.

I was nervous to tweak the OS, but simple online guides had me overclocking and turning off nannies in no time. I turned off much of the logging, overclocked to 1.5ghz and made a number of other tweaks to vastly improve how it works.

If a Android were immediately available for the Touchpad, I think I’d stick with WebOS and what I have because it works effectively. The browser leaves a good amount to the imagination, but is functional. The inability to organize and rearrange favourites is a bit of a pain.

I haven’t fully got Skype up and running, but voice works fine, there just seem to be some issues with the video. Similarly, have other apps to try out, but Google docs and WordPress (on which this post was written), among others work great. The app ecosystem may not be so rich as Apple or Google, but if clean and simple – with a lack of bloat, is the goal, this is what you want.

All in all, this is a great tablet, and if nothing else, you can’t get a digital photo frame with this quality for the money. With an iPad case from the VZW store I’m good to go, I think I will invest in the touchstone charger and stand at some point. It doesn’t take well to charging from standard USB phone chargers. People say the ecosystem is dead, but I think this WebOS tab has some life left in it, numbers alone I think will make that happen. Plus, if a good Android tablet build comes out, it will be interesting to see how the tablet takes to it.

But for HP, I think this about sums it up, via the WSJ:
Let’s say you were given a year to kill Hewlett-Packard. Here’s how you do it: http://goo.gl/Kr002

Will add more as I get my hands dirtier.

When I reviewed the iPad shortly after it first came out, I was pretty downbeat.

In an incremental move at a March 2 presser, Apple has updated the iPad, making it thinner, offering it in white, and adding two cameras and the dual core processors. The cameras have me sold – but from the reading I’ve been doing, this upgrade seems akin to the iPhone upgrade from 3G to 3Gs. The screen didn’t see any real improvement, leading me to believe the true iPad next-gen will have a high-end screen a la iPhone 4.

Another problem remains, if the iPad is to be for consuming, surely one could put an SD slot in it, or at least a way to USB/connect to other third-party devices without needing their proprietary dongles.

From a value perspective, the camera was my main gripe, so knowing this iPad will be faster, I could definitely see myself buying the base wi-fi model (or 32 gig) once the next generation is announced.

It’s not earth moving advances, but certainly enough to keep me on the fence about the Kindle, and the various Android tablets (which can’t meet or exceed Apple’s economies of scale).

Hurry up and wait…in the meantime, I think the HTC Thunderbolt is calling my name as an update to my HTC Droid Incredible.

Faced with the choice of the pat down or the scan, I took the option to “Opt Out” and have the pat down instead. I stated my intention in a friendly manner as the TSA agent directed me to enter the wave machine; he asked me to stand to the side and called out for a male screening. Am important note is that you have to state explicitly “I opt out,” else, as a Red Cross colleague found out, you will be made to go through the scanners even if you state you do not wish to go through you, the trigger phrase is clearly mandated to encourage travellers to use the “pron” machines.

I was ushered through the mags (no beeps) to meet my TSA detail who picked up my bag and trays and took me to the public pat down area. There was no second guessing, questioning or other punitive looks or actions from any of the agents, it all occurred as routine – just like for travelling with a baby or with any other special case. After asking me if I was familiar with the pat down process (I was from other reports and Pistole’s testimony on the Hill) the agent started on the enhanced screening. He clearly stated the outline of the screening – running hands around shirt collar, band of trousers and all over – including between the legs, from both the back, and the front.

The agent stood behind me with my arms spread out, ran hands around shirt collar, passed over my back, bum and legs with the back of his hands, ran hands around trousers and repeated from the front.

I did get surprisingly nervous once I had assumed the position, but the entire process was relatively quick, and efficient. I would say a couple of minutes in total, in fact, it probably only was enough time that a few people from behind me had passed me. This was in the morning rush, so I was quite surprised how well it went.

Do I like the idea of being quite intimately patted down? No, not so much. But it was professional and a momentary period of being uncomfortable. It still doesn’t get to the crux of the issue that this is security theatre and were I hiding anything internally, it would not have been found. There’s not really a foolproof technique without employing behavioral profiling and putting each person through an x-ray machine (though with the IG recently highlighting security lapses by passing a gun through the x-ray multiple times during a recent test – and it not being caught, put a bit of a damper on that one too).

Admittedly, I don’t know how much of this has to do with the airport being DCA, and all the recent attention on the issue, I can imagine if I opted out in say, Odessa, Texas, the agents might have a different take on the situation and either delay, drag out or otherwise be taken aback and/or punitive as a result of opting out.

I would absolutely opt out again, and encourage others too. This was a pretty good test, I didn’t have a “don’t touch my junk” attitude, and wasn’t given a hard time about opting out. Until the long term ramifications and health/security value of the scans have been peer reviewed, and until security theatre is phased out in favour of something more effective, or until using the wave machines is mandated, I will continue this.

Scaredy-cat is an understatement for how I was at the time about having anyone touch or even put drops in my eyes, which was the reason I had procrastinated for so long. I also was aware that the technology behind the surgery has progressed at a healthy clip over the year, so why not, I thought.

One of the first tests the doc gave me was to see if I was even a candidate for LASIK. This test involved testing my eyes, an in particular, the cornea depth. They accomplish this by poking a lighted probe into your eyes after administering a drop to numb the eye. Brilliant. I mean really, who came up with the winner of an idea that poking things into eyes is an effective way of determining the candidate. Anyway, I somehow managed to make it through having my eye poked, I recall this took some time, as I backed away from the probe each time the probe came near.

Lesson 1, I would make a rotten candidate in a scientific or lab study.

The other big test involved having my eyes dilated to ensure there were no underlying issues or glaucoma. This one went ok, but again, I think the doc had to kneel with his knee on my chest to hold me still enough to allow the drops to be administered to be able to scope out me eyes.

Lesson 2, make sure to let people know you had your eyes dilated if you are meeting with them post-doc, else they think you are nuts. Also, be sure to wear sunglasses outside.

Turns out I was a great candidate for LASIK, plus I could pay for it; two things health care practitioners like. I was scheduled for a referral to the docs who would perform the surgery, the Eye Doctors of Washington. I subsequently learnt they did the eyes of many Caps players, including the likes of Ovi.

Lesson 3: I figured if it’s good enough for Ovi and NASA, it’s good enough for me.

The initial screen session involved another probe (yay) and more drops in the eyes and a map of the eye giving the inital outline for corrective surgery. I was not enjoying this aspect of the process, but it was necessary conditioning.  Once they gave the ok too, I was scheduled for an early January surgery with Dr. Kang.

Being initially worried about getting my eyes lasered when it’s frigid outside, I was reassured based on the quick recovery time that this shouldn’t be an issue (it wasn’t).

Prior to the surgery I took a prescription that helps condition the eyes to stay moist, preventing a side-effect of the surgery, dry eye, but that was it. On game day I turned up at the practice, filled out the paperwork then moved on back to the surgical waiting area.

Once I was called back I took a pill to calm me, Valium or something weird like that, and waited to go to the room with the very large eye-messing machine (I think it’s actually called the ALLEGRETTO WAVE Eye-Q excimer laser). Called into the operating room, I lay in the machine, with the doc looking at me and he thoughtfully gave me a squeezy stress ball. I don’t think this helped as I wouldn’t keep my head still.

Lesson 4: the laser isn’t a red or green, good or evil one like something our of Star Wars…bummer. Also, this is proper surgery, and things can, and do go wrong.

The surgery itself was remarkably fast and straightforward, just follow the directions, watch the birdy, feel the pressure on the eye, and that’s it. I would never have imagined I could tolerate it, but I could. There was no old school blade cutting the eye to open the flap for the laser, it was all done with lasers and strangely enough, no smell of burning eye – and that’s a good thing.

With all the laser talk, a quick interlude: Austin Powers – Sharks with lasers

Once it was done, after some great coaching from the doc all the way through, I had a quick eye check and was sent on my way. That was it, no real recovery time at the surgery. Eyes did feel like they had been lasered, but I knew the drops would help with that. You don’t really see the improvement immediately. In hindsight, my scheduling was terrible to have this knowing I couldn’t go straight home afterwards, but I was psyched, and mentally prepared to have my eyes messed with, so I wasn’t going to reschedule.

Lesson 5: Go straight home once you’ve had the surgery.

Once home, a religious course of eye drops half-hourly, and a nap on the couch got me back to being normal. After sleeping with a mask on (so as to not rub the eyes, a big no-no) the first night, I looked out of the window, and I could see everything clearly, no flare or other issues, which was impressive given it was less than a day after the surgery.

After several round of check-ups, the eyes continued to improve. This was fascinating to me, that the eyes continued to improve in strength during the weeks following the surgery. I was 20/20 post surgery. A year on, I am close to 20/15 or there abouts, driving is great, riding a bike, nighttime vision (no halos or flares) as is everything where I previously wasn’t able to see things well.

Turns out one of the most important things to do was to continue with the eye drops. Over time the frequency can drop down substantially, in fact, there may be weeks that pass and I do not use my normal eye drops. There has been no up-front downside for me, in fact, I would say quality of life has gone up a good amount, especially when riding or watching a baseball game or film, for example.

I would certainly recommend LASIK, but spend the money (and this isn’t cheap, though a FSA can at least allow you to fund part pre-tax)  for a good doctor, one who is competent and using the latest equipment, plus offers multiple follow-ups. Part of my success was due to a rigorous pre and post-op set of tasks to make sure the surgery was as effective as possible.

Long term impacts may take some time, it is likely that bifocals will be needed at some point as I (and anyone) age, but hopefully there’s a laser for that too. Oh yeah, and I can stomach putting drops in my eyes now. That is an accomplishment for me!

Thanks again to Doctors Bindal and Kang for getting me through it.

Lesson 6: From one of my favourite scenes, don’t be Homer:

I know what you’re thinking, nothing is that good, these statements are like the drivel on film posters “A Must See!!!” or “Two Thumbs Up.” In this instance, the production (it’s more than a play, and I certainly wouldn’t detract from it by calling it a musical) in parts rivals the impact one would get at a screening of an action film. It’s the real deal, and as one of the reviews said, “Beg, steal or borrow to get yourself a ticket,” The News of the World.

From the moment of seating in the Sidney Harman Hall at the Shakespeare Theatre, one is in the midst of the action, loud bagpipes play and roboscans fill the stage; which I would characterise as abbreviated in the round, audience seating behind what would be the traditional proscenium, and also in the expected area in front of the stage. With the troops wagon on stage right and scaffolding on either side, one had a real sense of depth on an otherwise bare stage. Suspension of disbelief was not an issue here.

Using remarkably simple staging, the production characterized the two scenes – the theatre of war in Iraq and a pool hall in Fife, Scotland. The young cast of Scots fit the bill exactly as one would imagine the returned Veterans of The Black Watch to appear – crass, fiercely protective, and fucked up from multiple tours in multiple countries doing a job they didn’t necessarily understand, sometimes as political pawns.

An emotional journal ensues as one gets to know the soldiers, in particular Cammy, the lead protagonist who is the reason for the story being told. Beyond the choreography, one sees how the unit develops their cohesion, in one particularly captivating scene, the soldiers, Sergeant and officer receive their Bluey, and one by one react and respond, almost in sign.

In one monologue (by this point in the production between the swearing and use of physical acting I see Berkoff as an inspiration) using exceptional choreography and physical interaction with his fellow soldiers, Camm, takes us through the battles, tours and uniforms of The Black Watch and the Red Heckle feather.

One particularly bittersweet element this production reminisced on was about the loss of The Black Watch as a three hundred year history was swept away, for, as the officer notes, kids weren’t signing up to join wars that are unjust in far away places:

On 28 March 2006 The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) was merged with other Scottish Infantry Battalions to form the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

As the production crescendos, with concert loud music, strobes and ultimately the climax of the IED, the heart races and then it hits you. These boys were out there, in the middle of a desert, with a half copy of Lawrence of Arabia (the book’s never as good as the fil’m) living in the back of an armoured wagon and without the understanding of why, they, their country and their brothers in arms are there. It wasn’t because Scotland or the UK was under attack, they are the invaders, the bullies, not doing the good or liberating as they did in Bosnia or elsewhere, and more than anything, they were peacekeeping and developing relationships with the locals – whatever the fuck that is – instead of fighting wars that they were trained for. They weren’t prepared or sent with adequate resources to deal with psychotic suicide bombers, IEDs or other threats they came across.

Back at the pool hall, the evidence of PTSD was particularly salient, manifesting itself through violence, booze or depression.

I felt for these boys, they didn’t fight for the greater good, their country, their Army, but their brigade, and ultimately, their mates. Why else would one charge into battle if not for one’s mate?

I will be interested to see how American audiences react from the political and patriotic perspective, plus the language side. It was the closest in terms of language to Trainspotting (and it includes the obligatory references to Ewan McGregor) I have seen, and Black Watch isn’t shy about making statements. That said, the audience at my screening was rapt.

The production is in D.C. until February 6 at the Shakespeare Theatre and then the tour continues stateside. Positively go and see this if you are fortunate enough to have an opportunity.

PS – Go Frogs

The model we took out was a black four-door saloon, with the sports and cold weather packages. Shod in pretty nice 18′s with low profile run-flat PZeros (I think).

For about $52k, this isn’t a cheap motor, especially considering this wasn’t even optioned out to the limit, but it is a nice ride.

After pressing the start/stop button and starting it up without a wait for glowplugs, I half expected a pretty loud noise until it warmed up. It was quiet, just about as quiet as my funfer is in the morning. That was impressive.

Venturing onto the roads, we took it on the secondary roads before having a pretty good run on I395 and I495. I let the car shift itself until we hit the on-ramp for the highway (only autos are available – for shame BMW-USA), then put it into sport-shift mode. The car has paddles on the steering wheel, and given the sport-size wheel, everything was in reach and really comfortable. I kept catching myself going for the clutch and gear stick, but that was inevitable.

Putting your foot down, even in the sixth at moderate speed, the torque is quite impressive, almost pulling like a 540i. Considering this is a normal automatic gearbox, not an SMG or DCT, the shifts are remarkably responsive. You quickly forget you are driving an oil burner, and it corners  well (some Dinan parts would spice it up) – that’s more a testament to the large shoes as opposed to the (blech) run-flats I suppose. Turning the nanny switch off, I imagine this is a car that could spend a lot of time going sideways on a track day.

I found the visibility not as good as the 5 series – but that’s inevitable given the car’s smaller size.  A diesel coupe would be a definite win too. It seems that they really restrict the range of diesel (and small in general) models for the US market. Hopefully this tide is shifting as people want small, fun, economical cars.

Bottom line, if this car had a more appealing interior (this one had saddle brown leather and wood trim), this is one I could definietly see myself in. There are tons of incentives too, so this could be a pretty reasonable car to purchase in late-December if one is so-inclined to take advantage of the tax perks.

Still, I say that now, but I cannot wait for the new 1 Series M Coupe to come out, hopefully in Q1 2011.  That will be a car for a test-drive and euro-delivery.