So much to say, so little time . . .

I'm trying to put some of my thoughts together, but there is so much out there that i can't handle it all at the moment.

I would like to have a typewriter in my head or a tape recorder, maybe i'm way too much into the future. Kinda like taking my thoughts without doing nothing.

That's why i like "Star Trek - The Next Generation" counselor Deanna Troi, she didn't need to speak much, it was all through thoughts. I wanna do that, maybe i'll avoid the next 2 centuries and come back by her time.

Although, i can do something like her, i'm getting there.

McLaren / Mercedes, soon to be only "McLaren", as it should be!

This is not news.

We knew something was gonna happen since the starting of the season with Mercedes supplying engines to the Brawn team.

We really thought that McLaren was gonna be buyout many, many years ago, but the brilliant mind and vision of Ron Dennis is making it possible to the name "McLaren" always to stand up straight and high.

F1 will always be the pinnacle of motorsports. Doesn't matter what.

I would like to add Ron Dennis' words from the McLaren site:
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Ron Dennis (Executive Chairman, McLaren Automotive; Founding Shareholder, McLaren Group) said:

“This is a win-win situation, for both McLaren and Daimler.

“I’ve often stated that it’s my belief that, in order to survive and thrive in 21st-century Formula 1, a team must become much more than merely a team. That being the case, in order to develop and sustain the revenue streams required to compete and win Grands Prix and World Championships, companies that run Formula 1 teams must broaden the scope of their commercial activities.

“Nonetheless, all of our partners will of course continue to play a crucial role in our Formula 1 programme. For that reason, and because the engines they produce are very competitive, we’re delighted that Mercedes-Benz has committed to continue not only as an engine supplier but also as a partner of ours until 2015 – and perhaps thereafter.

“The next few years will be a very exciting time for McLaren, during which period we intend to become an ever-stronger technological and economic force. Formula 1 will always be a core activity, for sound business reasons as well as for historical sporting reasons: to be clear, our Formula 1 business has traditionally enjoyed great financial security, largely as a consequence of the longevity of our contracts with our partners, many of which have exceeded 15 years of continuous involvement with McLaren. Indeed, two of our partners have been with us for more than 25 years.

“We’re risk-averse by design. Over the past two years we’ve analysed in great detail the challenge of entering the high-performance production sports car market. In the MP4-12C, which will be introduced to market in 2011, we have a car that has inherited the genes of the iconic McLaren F1 of 1994 and has already been the subject of much global media acclaim. It is proposed that it will be produced in a new state-of-the-art production facility adjacent to the existing award-winning McLaren Technology Centre at Woking [Surrey, UK].”
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Ron's commitment to the sport and to the McLaren name, it should make us all proud, fans around the world and to all at the MTC.

Now on the drivers side, hard to say what McLaren wants.

Kimi, a World Champion, thanks to ferrari cheating, doesn't have much to probe in F1.
Saying that Kimi deserved that title many years ago, at least since 2003, when he lost it by 1 point!
We all wanted Kimi to win his first championship in a McLaren car. Didn't happen.
That's why i feel that McLaren owes him something, it's not over yet.

But the question is: will McLaren produce 2 competitive cars for 2010 season?

I'm sure that Kimi doesn't wanna waste his time, and he knows how the team works.
The other thing is that Kimi doesn't like to do PR, and McLaren has a lot of those.
It has been brought to my attention also that Kimi and Ron didn't get along well, which is hard to believe to me, but i don't know for sure either way. It must be because of Kimi's life style and the whole sponsors deal, i guess.

And then is Jenson. I like him as a person, the same as Heikki, but as a driver to get in a McLaren car, to me, he is too soft. Jenson did play already a second fiddle at BAR to Jacques Villeneuve, and now that he won the championship won't push much. In my humble opinion, of course.
I won't be totally disappointed if Jenson goes to McLaren, but not happy either. Just a flat line.

So, depending which driver they will choose, is how we'll know the season will go for McLaren.

I don't believe that money is an issue for any of those drivers. And either of them will make history as 2 World Champions at McLaren.

I don't know how much Mercedes can say about the drivers at this point.

McLaren is on the way to have their own engine and that makes me happy.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs true mystery . . .

I have been watching hockey continuously since 1999/2000 season, after i was immerse in the WWW already with motorsport so wanted to continue the thrill and I re-found hockey. And by default, I'm a Toronto Maple Leaf fan.

I learned a lot, i believe, through all these years. Thanks to my many friends and many hockey forums (Thank you Stebro for your patience! :). First i really fell in love with the sport, then i realized that it was bad as any other sport; and now for sure i know it's as bad like any other sport or worse.
Of course, no sport can top the F1 circus, at this point.

Let me explain.

The Toronto Maple Leafs under Forbes NHL Team valuations has been the most profitable team in the NHL for awhile. How? why? what do they do that the others ones don't do? For sure is not having a good team. For sure is not having a good management. For sure is not having a good marketing program. For sure is not having the best arena in the NHL. For sure is not the most accessible team in the NHL. For sure is not for their cheapest ticket holder in the league. And i could keep going on and on.

So, what is it that it makes the Toronto Maple Leafs so successful, money wise, and so harsh as hockey team; with no Stanley Cup on the horizon any time soon?

Simple, they already did it long time ago! They already made history and now we just live in it.
I'm not saying that we live in the past, what i'm trying to say is that the team had so many good players, and good sesasons on their back, in a Canadian city that is embrace by the entire world of hockey, that it's very, very hard to top.

The Toronto Maple Leaf is one of the original NHL six hockey teams. (New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens)

Every sport fan knows Toronto, and how most of them knows Toronto by? HOCKEY!

I went to England in 2001, and in a very little town, i found some people wearing t-shirts of the Toronto Maple Leafs! I was amazed!

So, what's wrong with this current team, 2009/10?

Easy.

It doesn't matter who you bring to the team.
Let's make an experiment for fun.
I would like to bring the entire Pittsburgh Penguins team and change their jerseys to the Toronto Maple Leaf. Then, make them play an entire season, with all the players healthy, and then let's see if they will be able to win the cup.
NO, they will not!.
Why?
Because every team that plays against the Toronto Maple Leafs plays even harder than against any other team in the league.
Why? Exposure!
First, because if they are at the ACC on a Saturday night, they know for sure across Canada will be watching. And the most important one, their families and friends will be watching them.
Second, because how motivated are you gonna be playing against a team like Phoenix? instead, if it's the Toronto Maple Leafs! everyone is following, most people are a fan of!
Third, because even that Gary Bettman doesn't want to a admit it, hockey is follow by Canadians more than USA fans.

I remember the Roberts, Mogilnys, Sundins, Cujos seasons! Going to other arenas was even better than playing at home! Those arenas were half full with leafs fans! (Reminder, going to play against the Senators was really fun!)
Why?
It's just a legend, a legacy that can't be change.

Now i do understand Mats Sundin.

As soon as you get in the players payroll, as soon as you wear that Toronto Maple Leafs jersey you don't need anything else. You've done it!
I'm sure that even Gretzky regrets not having the chance to be a "Leaf" once in his life time.
When you are a "Leaf", you are for LIFE!
That's your career highlight.
You can go and play for another teams, and be successful, but being a "Leaf", it doesn't compare to anything else.

To be a Leaf is not easy. A leaf player has to play harder than any other player in the league EVERY NIGHT! It has to give 100% EVERY NIGHT! There are not easy games for them. The Toronto Maple leafs players have to play 82 HARD games, and there are not freebies.

Every player in the league wants to play against the Toronto Maple Leafs every night. And those players are gonna play ONE GAME as hard as they can. Only ONE GAME!! maybe 4 in the whole season; depending for how many games they meet.
Why?
Exposure.

Leafs fans care. In good or bad. Unconditional hockey fans. Live or die, white and blue blood. Forever.

If you are a Toronto Maple Leaf player you are gonna give up the dream to win the Stanley Cup, but instead, your name will be forever in the Maple Leaf history book.
So, what do you choose?
Being attached to a team for your entire career (or some years), that you know you are gonna be remember by fans, or the Stanley Cup and disappear after that?

There is not doubt, and if you do, you are in denial; that Toronto is the Mecca of hockey.
Everything happens in Toronto around hockey.
The Hockey Hall of Fame is here.
The Battle of the Blades is here. May remind you is at the Maple Leaf Gardens arena.
The NHL office headquarters are here.
The Hockey Night in Canada headquarters are here.
Every tourist wants to get to a game, doesn't matter if they like hockey or not; they know about the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team.

Saying all that, do not expect anyone to admit that, ain't gonna happen.

The question is:
One season and win the Stanley Cup or your entire career and being a Leaf for life?

Your choice.
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Honday Indy TO was NO picnic!

I was so excited about the Indy coming back to TO! and so thankful to Andretti Green for bring it back!

I still am, but for the future they better change a little bit or they will be in trouble easily.

What i'm about to tell you is the story of my own adventure through the weekend.

I ordered the tickets at the end of May. I bought only GA as i didn't know what was gonna happen, so i wanted to see before spending money on a grandstand. As i saw the plan and didn't see many of them. And yes, i was skeptical, but optimistic it was gonna be great!.

My usual friends didn't wanna make it, so i told them it was ok, i was gonna go and then give them my report.

I must say that i have been going on to this race since 1996, every year, and i'm also a F1 fan, which i have many trips to Montreal.

Friday, i was watching practice through the IndyCar.com and twitter. I must say it was very good the quality of the stream at the site. I took the chance to ask through twitter if they knew about the radio station at the track, which AM or FM we could listen it when in there. Did you get an answer? me neither.

Ok, i let it go!

I printed the schedule at the same time that i bought the tickets, but looking at it again had changed. So i printed again.

Saturday - In the past they opened the gate at 7:00 a.m. to the public, gave me time to grab the Toronto Sun, get a coffee/muffin at the Caffe at Hall "A" and then go out and watch the cars. Not this time!
They open the gate for to the public at 8:00 a.m., at the same time that qualify for the Vintage GT starts, smart eh?

I passed by McDonald and grabbed a coffee, thinking i'll get my muffin inside. Was not the case. The line up was so long, and when i looked at the muffin tray were only 4 left!. What were the chances after 20 people in front of me i could still have one? none!
I wasn't happy!

Sunday - Went to McDonald grabbed a coffee and a McMuffin, yummy! Well, when i got to the gate, they didn't let me in!!! because i had my little McDonald bag! I was really pissed off by then. To the point that i thought to go back home. But as i'm Italian, i calmed down eating my breakfast standing up, at the outside of the gate!! Disgusting!

The day didn't run smoothly, many other things happen!!
The only good thing was that Tim, gave me his pass to the pits, and before the race i went in and took pics! Of course they kicked me out from there too!

I was so upset that they cut off the view at Turn 3 from the west side!! the most important point on the track! That was mean, and a slap on the face.

I'll send an email to Michael Andretti's organizers.

I won't go next year if they don't change their insane track rules. There is no way!

Ok, I won't let it go!
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The Big Apple trip - June 19 - 23, 2009 - Day 4

Last day cloudy but not rain expected.

Everything ready by 9:30 a.m. pay $2.00 each for luggage storage and there we went for last trip in the Big Apple.

Just a quick breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts which i couldn't finished, passed by the pharmacy as i needed some bandit for my hurting feet. Keep walking to 86 St to take the subway.

We got off at 50 St. and walked to our double deck tour bus (citysightsny.com) to continue the downtown to Trade Center, market at Union Square and Brooklyn.

Took a few pictures around Trade Center (i'll post them later) and we went for another little shopping at Century 21 which i liked very much.

The weather was good and a little bit sunny, took the tour to Brooklyn and OMG! the tour guy was obsessed with Brooklyn, he told us though. He was comparing everything to Manhattan and of course Brooklyn has more of everything. He was funny but like reading a book, sometimes i wanted to tell him "just SHUT UP!".

Something that i learned with those buses is that you have to tip them, i knew that something like that was gonna happen so i was prepared. I bought before the trip 5 canadian pins to give them away, smart eh? well, not really, i forgot them in the luggage, never made them to my daily purse. Also i brought bandits and fastwipes, never made it to my purse either, sigh.

We ended up around 14:30, took the tour back to Time Square and look for a place where to eat. We went to T. I. Fridays but too expensive for lunch, so we ended up at this place which i can't remember the name, I'm sure Kathy will.

We walked a little bit more and around 17:30 took the subway back.

We didn't wanna get to the hotel, as we had a lot of time still to 21:30.
We chilled out at our regular bakery spot, but we were sooo tired that went to the hotel and waited another half hour there.

I changed to my long pants and shoes, and made it to the bus stop actually just at Madison Square Garden! where there is also the Penn Station there.
We lined up and waited.

The trip was very good and i had that chance to sleep for around 2:30 hours! which it was very good! Getting into TO was a hassle as it was rush hour! but i made it to work by 10:00 a.m. as i had to wait for the streetcar at home for 15 minutes! at that point i wanted to go back to NYC transit system!

I had a great time in NYC and i hope Kathy had it too! I believe i wasn't much a pain in the butt, just i didn't know where the east, south, west or north was and i got frustrated with myself consequence of that.

Now i'm studying the NYC maps, and i believe i'm ready for the next time! if i have a next time!

'til next trip!
thank you!
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The Big Apple trip - June 19 - 23, 2009 - Day 3

My legs and feet are walking by themselves already.
Since 9:30 in the morning that we left the hotel 'til 20:30 we didn't come back!

Go subway, went for the double deck tour, uptown and a little of downtown, we got off went to Bloomingdales, Serendipity, H&M, NHL store, Ann Taylor Loft, Rockefeller center, M&M, Hershey store, Apple store, and a few more that at this moment i don't remember.

I'll have to check the pictures and through them i'll know where i was. I bought also a map which will help me with the names.

Nice city, never ends, but definitely i'll have to come back, to much to do.

I just finished packing, and it's heavy!
I'm tired, tomorrow last day, we are going back to the double deck bus for a final tour to downtown. I want to go to the Trade Center. Getting up early as we have to put our luggage in storage 'til the afternoon.

I'll continue tomorrow the final day!

This one is short as i have to come to the launch to connect with the internet tonight, sigh.
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The Big Apple trip - June 19 - 23, 2009 - Day 2

I slept like a baby.
Today was raining again in the morning.
We went out to the bakery around the corner for a croissant and crossing Broadway to Sturbacks coffe. Went back to the hotel to wait for Phil and Wendy, but they called us said that they were running late, so we decided to go to "Payless"!!

So, around 11:00 a.m. Wendy, Phil, Oliver (8 years old - last time i saw him he was 9 months old in Montreal - Canadian GP) and Gabriel (4 years old) showed up! We went to Central Park but before on Columbus Ave, they had like a market place for a few blocks so we ate something just walking to the park. I had a coconut shrimp on a stick! yyuummyy!

At the park the sun decided to show up! and then we went to the Museum of Natural History!
Phil got us all in for free!! . . . over there we had lunch, Phil and I had a Corona!

Then we went separate ways. We continue our walking on Broadway 'til 60th street to do some shopping, took the subway and came to the hotel.
I called my parents from a public phone with a phone-card i brought from home. We also went to the drug store to get some frizz-ease stuff for our hair. I can't tell you how idiotic my hair looks with this humidity!

I have to mention their subways!
Ok, why they don't have escalators!!?? ggeezzz, i get all my exercise just for going up and down those stairs! and i'm still confuse which train to take and which way to go! But i remember where they stop! 59, 66, 72, 79, 86, 96 and i don't know more because didn't go pass our stop, . . . well not yet.
Also still confuse about north, east, west and south. Totally lost!.

At this point, despite the rain, we had done our plan coming here up to today!

Almost everyone speaks spanish!

Next:
Tomorrow Monday will be taking the double deck bus, doing downtown plus Statue of Liberty or the Empire State building, let you know what will do!
And of course i want to go to Bloomingdales!
Of course rain is in the forecast, but hoping not much.

That's all for now!
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