Monday, November 30, 2015

Graham Hill: Only Triple Crown winner perishes 40yrs ago...



This very unlikely Formula 1 Double world champion, the only driver to ever win Formula One's crown jewel, Monaco, (5-times) also won the Indianapolis 500 in 1966 and le 24 Heurs du Mans in '72 passed away four decades ago on November 29, 1975.

Hill who began his motor racing career by buying four laps in an F3 car that anybody could give a go for five shillings - Ultimately became  F1 world champion in 1962 and 1968 and had just retired from racing when he perished aboard his own private plane he was piloting.

Sadly, also Hill's protégé and rising F1 talent Tony Brise, who I'd presume is a largely forgotten name these days, also perished aboard Hill's plane, as the duo were on their way home with other Embassy Hill F1 team members after testing at Circuit Paul Ricard that fateful day...

One Generation Fading, Another Despised...



Hey this AIN'T a racing related story per sei, but have Y'all noticed how slow 'Der Vurld de Motorsportin has gotten, especially now that Formula 1's Fini, Ja-Ja!

But if I go on a stretch, it's somewhat related, since while I don't exactly agree with Grizzled Journo' Joe Saward's opinions upon Jean Todt's bungling  'O Road Safety vs. the A-L-L consuming Paris Terrorist Attack, Todt's point is correct upon the total mass 'O daily casualties, and if nothing else, it brilliantly points out how far out of touch he and his "Handler" Uncle Bernaughty are with his role as FIA President in light of guiding Formula 1!

Meanwhile, notice how the world's in a lather over Refugees and specifically Muslims, which obviously all are NOT bad! As the following story link below is just one tiny example of positive Humanitarian efforts by local Muslim's helping out Seattle's Homeless...


Yet what sparked my interest in scribblin' this post originally was reading; Err listening via my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service to the New York Times Obituary upon a brilliant Black man who served as a Tuskegee Airman during the racially divided times of World War II, then Korea, and trained as a runner by running upon airfield tarmacs with a pistol strapped to his waist! En route to winning three gold medals.


As the countless unknown African American's who served as Tuskegee Airmen, like the rest of World War II veterans is a shrinking population that gets smaller each day...

Return of Fiat 124 Spyder Roadster entices Cabin Fever...



Over the Hills and Thru the Woods we Go to Grand-MaMa's House, as watch out for that Reindeer Grandma!

So it's been nothin' but gray, wet, dark 'N dreary here in Seattle now for what seems an eternity, ever since the early Winter's; Err pre-Fall Wind Storm knocked out Thy power for 36hrs 'Wayback on the weekend of Indy Cars season finale at Sonoma, August 30th, remember that Y'all?

Since just like Winter lasting six months, or Ground Hog Day, Indy Cars deep in the middle, or is I-T duh beginning of its L-O-N-G Winter's Slumber, with only another 246 Days 'til the 2016 season begins; CRIKEYS!

And it's been pilin' UP for awhile now, as we've endured multiple flooding along with wind storms and now freezing temps at night and perhaps a light dusting 'O snow this past Tuesday?

As betcha Y'all haven't even ever pondered this, eh? several areas of my local neighborhoods sidewalks have become GUNKED UP with storm debris, most notably leaves, twigs and branches, whilst the never ceasing rain continuously loosens the soil enticing the adjoining dirt to steadily encroach upon the sidewalk!

A-L-L of which makes I-T 'Uber Annoying to try doing my Blindman's Walk, aka somewhat methodically swing Thy white cane back 'N forth in front 'O Mwah...

As typically white canes only have a removable plastic tip, which is another story in itself; but I digress. Alas, having NO plow to speak of on Thy cane, it's somewhat annoying and mildly difficult trying to tap thru numerous piles 'O wet leaves, unstick said cane tip from the wet grass, dirt/mud 'N waltz thyself through the various blocks wherest Thy sidewalks lumpy at best concrete surface is slowly disappearing; URGH!

As I won't even get started on the myriad 'O branches, twigs & sticker bushes countless homeowners are too LAZY to keep trimmed back! Or how annoying its trying to discern your footpath thru the slippery surface of pine needles. Uhm, what's that Yuele Brenner  said 'bout Pine Cones being edible; Oh Never Mind!

Alas, when I was a 'Wee lad, which I think I've scribbled 'bout before here on some No Fenders post, my Grandma Jean who was a car lover had many eccentric models, including not one, but two Fiats! With the first being a blue X1/9 which I'd dearly Loved to have owned! Followed next by her creame coloured; Err Beige/Tan? 124, or was it a 128 Spyder? Since I just fondly recall toolin' about in that convertible.

Thus, its GURR-REAT! News to hear that Fiat's resurrecting this long forgotten iconic vehicle, having just recently read the news that the new 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder Roadster was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Now what's that 'Ol Beatles song bout I've found a Driver, right Mary Ellen? But I've got NO car, Beep-Beep!

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Pigskin Delights...



"Blogmeister Miguel" in Seahawks finery and "Artiste Dave in Cardinals garb flank No Fenders scribe Tomaso at Century Link Field prior to Sunday Night game. (The Tomaso Collection)
A Mum' and her three lads went to a Seahawks Game...

As that sounds like the opening line to a Joke, right? Something 'bout two Flies walk into a Bar - Cymbal Crash please; Thank you, Thank you very much...

As One was replete in Cardinal red, yellow black 'N white finery. The second festooned in Seahawks blue, action grey and wolf, while the third wore NO Football garb at all. Instead simply attired in black, which matched Seattle's weather A-L-L weekend long leading up to thy B-I-G' Game. Comforted in the fact that his team, thou Tennessee Titans had forgotten to rub that lump 'O Kryptonite onto thy Pigskin at Halftime vs. Camouthian' "Superman Newton earlier that day.

Whilst thou National Football League thinks so highly of the Titans, that their Thursday Night game vs. Jacksonville was the 1st game on the NFL Networks which much of Thy country doesn't subscribe to!

As the four Footenballers' set off in Qwest; Uhm in search of 'Der Clink, nee Century Link Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks for the past Sunday Night's game against NFC West Division rivals, thou  feisty Arizona Cardinals who currently led the division 6-2 prior to the Talking Heads Albert Michaels and Christopher Collinsworth calling thee game on Thy "Peacock," nee NBC.

Yet Snowbyrd MJ had one Ace Up her Sleeve, if she could only get to it underneath the four layers of cold weather gear, as I think it was supposed to be in the high 30's at game-time? As we trundled onto the local Metro Transit bus which is the only way to G-O. As chants of GO HAWKS! Resonated everywhere, whilst Artiste Dave who was sporting his Cardinals colours noted the proliferation of 12s' flags hanging everywhere in the city!

Blogmeister Miguel who was rootin' for Seattle and I rode the freight elevator completely packed with Hawks Fans to our 300-level seats, with the lift's operator even telling us a Cardinals Joke!

Yet I was most excited 'bout there being a "Family" bathroom that I could use alone, since this task is always entertaining in crowded confines for somebody who's Blind! As they even had the Pre-game piped in with KIRO's Dorey Montsen announcing there was 72mins left 'til kickoff; CRIKEYS!

Seated ten rows from the very tippy-top 'O Century Link Field, I doubt I can accurately describe the mild sensations of vertigo challenging a legally blind person who's only visual reference of the Gridiron below was the massive white stripe running diagonally below soon bathed in white floodlights, for which was simply the boundary of one side of the football field. Unable to even remotely discern one single Ant sized player upon the pitch, which is what I'd stare at for the next four hours after Dave told me to turn my head, you're staring at that woman!

Thus Seattle apparently was in a sporting mood, deciding to spot Arizona 19-points before deciding to show up and play ball! As  I stood up, sat down, stood-up 'N sat down again; URGH! Telling Dave I felt like I was in Church at Mass, since everybody stood and yelled when the Cardinals had the football. Then Y'all sit down 'N be  polite whilst Seattle's on Offense; Hut-Hut, OOF! Here comes our Punter again.

As I was totally bemused when Dave, Dave's NOT Here; Hooah! As Miguel described to Mwah how Russell Wilson had ran into his own man and gotten stuffed in the End zone, resulting in a Safety and making the score then 5-0 in favour of those dastardly Cardinals!

Yet it was quite L-O-U-D! Really? Do we need to explode fireworks every time Seattle scores? As the Hawks finally got on the board 19-7. Then the game went to 22-10, and 25-10 all the while Seattle behind.

Yet the stadium went Bananas on back-to-back "Pick-6" turnovers, especially the second time when I think somebody said Bobby Wagner returned the Pigskin to give Seattle its first lead of the evening, 29-25! Yet it wasn't to last long. As first Arizona marched down the field and reclaimed the lead 32-29 before Wilson promptly threw an interception and Carson Palmer led the Cards to another touchdown; FRICK!

As the fans from our 300-level section filed out in droves with some three-plus or was it the two minute warning? Before Seattle tacked on its final field goal followed by an unsuccessful Onside Kick attempt, losing to Arizona by a final score of 39-32, as what a Donnybrook of a Football game! Not to mention if only Seattle hadn't decided to spot Arizona 19 FREAKIN' points!

As I'd be pleasantly surprised upon arriving home Monday morning to discover that the Brazilian GP would be rebroadcasted at 8PM that night, for which I must say was a much duller affair then the football game was! Especially since Mercedes was determined to have Nico Rosberg secure runner-up status in the championship with or without Lewis Hamilton's support...

For those of Y'all in search of some Non-Football related words, although I must warn Thee its NOT racing related either. Then check out my bursting at the seams, stuffed to thoust Gills triple layered story 'O Travel lore to thee Other Florence posted last Thanksgiving whilst Y'all have a merry day wherever Art thou may be...