Audi Driving Experience

Yesterday I had the pleasure of driving the Audi Q5 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA. It was quite an eye opening experience. I knew the crossover was based on the platform of the A6, but I didn't think that meant much, it is still a SUV. I learned something new. This Q5 had the pick-up of a car - quickly took off from a full stop thanks to the 3.2L V6 ; handled like a car around the sharp corners - thanks to the Quattro; neat gadgets on the inside. Impressed.

We connected my iPhone and right away there were my songs. There is a built-in 40gb hard drive - 10 for music and 30 for the navigation system. The navigation system itself is powered by an Nvidia chip, awesome graphics. Not sure about the turn dial, but I guess its something you get used to.

The voice controlled navigation system was indeed an improvement from my TomTom and some of the other units I've used. The graphics allow you to go from street view to aerial view all in 3D...fabulous.

Something I found fantastic was the fact that there is a built-in air compressor and a deflated full-size spare. As a mommy, flat tires are a disaster on the stroller, bikes or car! This is so handy.

Gas mileage was not great, as to be expected with any SUV, but it was terribly bad either. I think they said it was 18 and 26? I would love to test out a diesel version in comparison to see the difference.
All in all it was exhilarating driving on a closed course and performing stop on a dime maneuvers and peeling out at the direction of an instructor. I would be thrilled at another opportunity to do this again.

Bike rides with toddlers

I love the iBert bike seat that allows toddlers to sit on the front of bikes. Its so fun for them to see the world in a front seat position and hilarious to see the double takes we get from onlookers. It doesn't take long to adjust your riding position in order to comfortably and stably ride with your little one on the front, but it does take some skill to get on your bike and then place your little one in the seat, especially if your little one is heavier than, oh say 20 pounds.
Since bike rides tend to last longer than 30 minutes in our house, the kids have fallen asleep in their seat many times, leaving mommy to engineer some sort of way for them to sleep without injury. One way I've found is to wrap a towel or lightweight blanket around the front bar so than when their head slumps forward, they have something cushy to rest on. However when heads goes sideways, its usually just my arm they will rest on. I would live to see a cushy kidproof foam added to the front bar.

Not In Love With iPhone . . . yet!

Yesterday I found out one more thing that take away the love I have for my iPhone and makes me miss my Palm - the inability to see To-Do items from iCal. It started with the inability to create notes on my computer and sync it with the iPhone and be able to edit in either place. Then it was all the backspacing I had to do while adjusting to buttonlessness. Grrr.

Don't get me wrong, I love the seamless workings of the iPhone from my MacBook, the ease at which it is to use, and the ability to listen to everything from iTunes. The bluetooth link to my Acura TL that has been fantastic and has not yet failed me like my other cell phones. Web browsing is nice and is now something that I have become accustomed to and expect in future devices. Um...the camera, I don't really like it, but that might be because I have a superb digital SLR that I love love love. Battery life is nice. I don't like the uneditable locking feature - if you enable the passcode lock, after the sliding the bar, there is an Emergency Call button in the bottom left corner. I can't tell you how many times my kids have come soooo close to calling 911 when they get a hold of my phone. I'd like the option to take that button away or turn it off.

Accessories - are too countless to name, but here are ones that I have used myself and like.
From everythingicafe.com the Mobi Products Protector Case has made watching videos on my iPhone with my kids easier. The flip cover prevents the kids from thumbing into another application while watching something on the iPhone and because its hard plastic, its really easy to clean off with a wipe. The detachable belt clip is pretty much useless, I find that the iPhone comes off with the slightest bit of counter pressure. But since I rarely wear a belt, I'm not too broken up about it. The best part, it was only $4.95!
Also from everythingicafe.com the Mobi Products Skin Case in future blue. I like this type of case because you can put it on the dashboard of the car or the arm of the couch and it wont slip off. I also think this case provides a little more cush if it were to hit the ground. It too was only $4.95!
Monster Mobile Car Charge-it Plus with the interchangeable itips. I have an itip for the iPhone and one for my beloved Palm Tungsten. This cable system charges my phone fast and lets me know it with the indicator light - goes from orange to green when done. I really like that I don't have to clutter my car with several cables for different devices, just the tips. I got a sweet deal on this when one of the office supply/computer stores closed its doors.

More to come...

In the Beginning...

I have been inspired by my husband to document all the things that float around in my head; things that work, things that don't work, things that I think other people would be psyched about and things that make life easier.
I am a mommy to my 3 year old Mae and my 1 year old KJ. Before I was made a mommy, I worked on computers, trained in software and got to play with all the gadgets that my husband brought home from work. This year, I am starting it all up again, playing with gadgets, working on computers and training. I wanted to start this as a way to document all the wonderful "toys" I have had the opportunity to use, dissect, and improve.