BMW 2002 Turbo 1973-1974

From 1973-1974, BMW made 1676 2002 Turbo's, with no official vehicles ever crossing the Atlantic. (A close friend, and owner of a pristine 2002 Turbo, told me that there are around 100 in the US imported from Europe.) Although slow and sluggish by today's standards, the car revolutionized the way consumers thought about performance cars by offering the first turbo charged engine in a small chassis. However, the Turbo met mixed reviews upon its 1973 release with most of the negative reviews addressing problems with turbo lag. The majority of the Turbo's power would jump in after 4000 rpm, making it hard to drive.

These imperfections with the Turbo add to its appeal as a lifestyle automobile by making it appropriate for only a few. True lifestyle objects force their owners to make both monetary and functional compromises in favor of intangible appeals. Take for example a fixed gear track bike. By design a true track bike is uncomfortable, dangerous and has limited applications. These impracticalities make the mastering of a track bike (and its accompanying lifestyle) that much more attractive.

A BMW 2002 Turbo is slow, uncomfortable, small, sluggish, dangerous, expensive and guzzles gas, but it sure is cool.

Recognize the red, blue and purple stripes? Today, these same stripes are found on the M3, M5 and M6

Filson Tin Cloth Hunting Jacket with Blaze Orange

A great piece of clothing alludes to an even better idea. The thin wool and simplicity of Pea Coats allude to the classic look of seamen. The waxed cotton Barbour Cowan Commando Jacket was worn by British paratroopers in WWII. The famous Red Wing 875 boot alludes to the simplicity and purity of the American workman. The ruggedness and precision of a Rolex Submariner conjures images of an intense diving lifestyle. A good pair of equestrian boots references an exclusive pastime now engaged in by the wealthy. Although relatively expensive, these articles of clothing give everyday people the image of an exclusive lifestyle without the work or the dirt.

Hunting will always be cool. Few pastimes are more rugged or more American than hunting. A Filson Tin Cloth Hunting Jacket With Blaze Orange details typifies the appeal of clothing representing an exclusive pastime by offering both the appeal of a heritage brand and the practicality of hunting gear.

My Camera Set up

I have always had fleeting obsessions. When I was ten, I was infatuated with remote control airplanes. This obsession drove me to the local library where I read up on everything I could about model airplanes. Years earlier my interest in Ernest Thompson Seton books initiated my compulsion with bows and arrows, and nature. These obsessions change like the seasons.

One day, I decided it would be a good idea to have a camera. I scoured the internet reading all I could about Digital SLR's and eventually settled on a Canon XSI. After five months of using my XSI as much as I could, I felt it was time to upgrade to a full frame DLSR. Here is my set up and some photos that I like.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon 430EX II Speedlight Flash

Canon EF 24-105mm F/4.0 L with Canon EW-83H Lens Hood and Hoya 77mm UV Filter

Canon EF 85mm F/1.8 with Canon ET65II Lens Hood and B&W 58mm UV Filter

Trip to the Danner Factory Store

I have always heard that Japan gets all of the cool stuff, but never believed it. A recent visit to the Danner factory store, in Portland Oregon, confirmed what I had hitherto denied.

In search of a new pair of boots at a bargain price, I headed to the Factory Seconds part of the store. Nestled on the lowest self, I stumbled across these two pairs of Japanese only Mountain Light II Hiking boots.

Danner Japan boots come in varying leathers and sole options unavailable in other markets. For example, the Mountain Light II Hiking boot only comes with the a Vibram Kletterlift sole in American but the Japanese market can decide between the Kletterlift and Laramie slip resistant sole (like on the Red Wing 875).

According to the Danner saleswomen, Danner Japan shoes (abreveated to DJ) are so exclusive, that even Danner employes can't order them. In addition, these shoes are only made in sizes 6.5-10 US, well smaller than my foot. So sadly, I will never be able to get an official pare of Mountian Lights with a crepe sole in size 12...

However, For 90 dollars, Danner will rebuild a boot with the a Vibram sole of your choice. This means, that if some one is deadset on getting a Mountain Light with a crepe sole, they can buy the standard Mountain Light with the Kletterleft sole and then have it resoled with a Laramie crepe sole for 90 dollars. Maybe I will do that to mine some day...

The Mountain Light II in Black, Avaliable only in Japan 6.5 to 10 US

The Mountain Light II in Tan Suede, Avaliable only in Japan 6.5 to 10 US