Frantic scratchings - stuff I want, stuff I need, stuff I like

Here is the finalized version of the 2009 xmas tree layout using an MTH Premier R40 Subway set, Lionel Fastrack, MTH Graduated Trestle System, and MTH Realtrax Trestle Set. Here you can see how close the train is to the upper deck when it has to go under. Here is the upper deck view of the spiral. And here is the lower deck vantage point. This was the 1st version, but due to the incline of the spiral it's better to have the train go down on the steep grade.

TOOFLY got a hold of our Queens bound MTH R40 F Train in O Scale and did her thing. Watch out for the tain horn! Check out TOOFLY's site .

Here is the Lowepro D-Wrap gently caressing the Canon S90 point and shoot camera. A nice ever-ready case for a small camera. The Lowepro D-wrap is made of neoprene. It provides nice protection for that large LCD screen. It attaches via the tripod mount. You can view pictures while protecting the camera from the table surface. It's nice and compact. That's a quarter in there for perspective. Here it is ready to shoot. Buy the Lowepro D-Wrap here . Buy the Canon S90 point and shoot camera here .

Hayden Panettiere's tattoo is fully visible in these pictures from Cannes. What we can see is an Italian phrase, "Vivere senza rimipianti". This translates to, "to live without regrets." Unfortunately "regrets" in Italian is "rimpianti." So it looks like Hayden has at least one regret... Hayden Panettiere Tattoo "Vivere senza rimipianti"(sic) Make sure you put sunscreen on that tattoo

Does anyone know what this Latin phrase is, tattooed on the back of Hayden Panettiere? It begins with Vivere and I would love to know how and where it ends. Hayden Panettiere at the Star Trek Premiere I doubt these are it: Vivere commune est, sed non commune mereri - Everybody lives; not everybody deserves to. Vivere disce, cogita mori - Learn to live; Remember death. So if anyone knows, please post it.

Here is Nigo's, of BAPE fame, MB 300SL Gullwing with an 6.0 liter V8 made by AMG.

Here is Ashley Alexandra Dupre' taking in some sun at the Jersey Shore in a lovely bikini and Gucci sunglasses. You can clearly see her tattoo "Tutela Valui" on her stomach, the start of the happy trail. The phrase is in Latin and can be translated to "I fared well with protection" or "I used protection", thanks NY Times .

Here is the 1st look at the GT-R in English. :D

vs. Jeremy Clarkson tested the Audi R8 against the mighty Porsche 911 GT3. Clarkson enlisted the help of Sabine Schmitz and the Stig in order to get some real drivers behind the wheel, and to keep the cars on the track. And as usual, weight is the enemy. Click here to book a ride with Sabine on the Ring .

Nice videos of BMW's M3 hardtop convertible, dubbed the e93.

Watch as Best Motoring International brings us the test we've been waiting for, the mighty 911 turbo vs the brand new gt-r. First the Nissan GT-R is introduced (video 1), then each car goes up against the Tsukuba circuit in a time attack (video 2). The actual 3 lap race is video 3. Nissan GT-R vs Porsche 911 Turbo part 1 Nissan GT-R vs Porsche 911 Turbo part 2 Nissan GT-R vs Porsche 911 Turbo part 3 Skyline GT-R R35 Porsche 911 Turbo Base Price $69,850 $126,200 Engine Twin Turbo 3.8 liter V6 Twin Turbo 3.6 liter flat 6 Horsepower 480 hp @ 6400 rpm 480 hp @ 6000 rpm Torque 430 ft-lbs. @ 3200 rpm 460 ft-lbs. @ 1950 rpm Weight 3850 lbs 3494 lbs Tsukuba Time Attack 1:01:940 1:04:118

Formula One phenom, Lewis Hamilton appears on Top Gear and is interviewed by Jeremy Clarkson. On the racetrack he pilots the McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 but on the road he prefers the Mercedes GL420 Diesel with 24" rims. "It's a pimp wagon." Hamilton takes the Suzuki Liana around the Top Gear track to try and beat the Stig's time. Unfortunately it's on a wet track and the times aren't comparable.

View Larger Map Here's the first draft of bfcot restaurant map. This was inspired by the "favorite steak house" thread.

Paris had no trouble getting out. Getting in was another story. I bet the engineers at Mercedes Benz and McLaren never thought of this problem when they designed the 617 hp and almost half a million dollar SLR McLaren. How do you prevent a celebutard from decapitating herself on gullwing doors?

The Stelvio Pass is located 130mi (200km) from Monza, Italy or 100mi (162km) from Innsbruck, Switzerland. Click on the blue place marker and get directions to heaven. Here is the Top Gear crew driving an Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24(James May), Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera(Jeremy Clarkson), and the Porsche 997 GT3 RS(Richard Hammond) on the quest for the best driving road in the world. The Stelvio Pass footage starts at 4:09 on the 1st video and continues until the end on the 2nd video. This road should be on everyones must drive list. View Larger Map

VBH of Fifth Gear track tests the difference between an 2007 Audi TT Manual Transmission and the Direct Shift Gearbox. The DSG adds 44 lbs (20 kg) of weight and loses the man pedal all for an additional $1400. Let's see if the DSG is worth it. So for everyone arguing that DSG, S-Tronic, SMG, Tiptronic, or whatever your apology for a proper manual transmission, is better than a clutch pedal and a fun stick watch the video again and weep.

The lovely Vicki Butler Henderson, of Fifth Gear, lets the track decides on who deserves the mid-size luxury coupe title, the all wheel drive Audi S5 or the rear wheel drive BMW 335i. The BMW's 3 series is the perennial favorite for the class as such it's a big target which Audi takes aim at with the new S5. Let's see who wins. Audi S5 BMW 335i Engine Type V8 inline 6 Displacement 4.2 liters 3.0 liters Compressor naturally aspirated twin turbocharger Horsepower 354 hp @ 6800 rpm 300 hp @ 5800 rpm Torque 325 ft-lbs. @ 3500 rpm 300 ft-lbs. @ 1400 rpm Driven Wheels all wheel drive rear wheel drive limited slip differential standard not available Weight 3792 lbs 3571 lbs M.S.R.P $50,500 $40,800 Fuel Economy 22.8 mpg 28.6 mpg

The battle for Italy round 2 courtesy of Fifth Gear. We have Tiff Needell driving the Lamborghini Gallardo Super Leggera against Leon Haslam piloting the Ducati 1098. A quick 3 part test involving a slalom, braking, and track race decides who wins.

Here's a nice segment from Fifth Gear with Tiff Needell giving his first impressions of the new BMW E92 M3. And of course it wouldn't be proper unless Tiff gets the V8 powered M3 sideways, enjoy the white smoke.

Here's an excellent post from Hecuter on how he went about importing a BMW to Canada from the USA. With the slumping American dollar this process could save you 10% from buying in Canada. For all those interested in bringing your dream car into the Great White North, this is for you. I'm still in the process, but I'm nearing the final steps, so I thought I'd share what I learned here with everyone else. What follows is a walkthrough on all the steps you need to take to get your baby back home. Numbers You'll Need: Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) Phone: 1-888-848-8240 Fax: 416-626-0366 info@riv.ca Mon-Fri 7:00am - 12:00am EST Sat-Sun 7:00am - 5:00pm EST http://www.riv.ca Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) Phone: 1-800-461-9999 Outside Canada : (506) 636-5064 cbsa-asfc.gc.ca Transport Canada Phone: 1-800-333-0371 Outside Canada : (613) 998-8616/2524 Fax: (613) 998-4831 tc.gc.ca Lynden Border Crossing (The one I chose to go through, Choose the one closest to yo...