The following is a compilation of video taken with our camera of a Segway tour we took in 2007 at Walt Disney World.

I started off with Windows MovieMaker for Windows XP. At first I thought it was great, but then it started crashing every three clicks. I tried to look up a newer version of the one I had, but all the comments said that Windows MovieMaker would continue to crash so I abandoned it. I then found a free 30-day download of Corel VideoStudio. It took a little while to get the hang of the program, I’m sure it would have been faster if I had looked up some tutorials, but instructions, schmuctions – I figured I could figure it out for myself. I spent several hours on this video, getting all the clips and music in and then working on the fades and titles. I was finally getting the hang of it and I might go ahead and pay the $100 for the full version – we have a lot of video to process and make into a pleasant format. (Actually, when I went to embed the link to Corel, I found they had the software on sale for $39.99 – I bought it.) Also, the best part of the Corel VideoStudio for this project was that it has a YouTube button, which renders the video directly for YouTube. Sweet!

Girare la città su “un dispositivo di trasporto personale che sfrutta un’innovativa combinazione di informatica, elettronica e meccanica”. Segway a noleggio con Genova Electric Tour: web (quando funziona – oggi dice “Error: Provider returns an invalid recordset”) | Facebook | Calata de Mari 1 (in Darsena, di fronte al Museo del Mare), Telefono:+39 3486518591 | Orari: Lun – Ven: 10.00 – 15.00 Sab – Dom: 10.00 – 18.00

I’m still pretty exhausted from an intense weekend of shooting three new music videos for the interwebs. I promise that they’re some of the funniest videos you’ll ever see and I can’t wait for their release. If you’re a fan of  drunk Uncles, Segways or porn then you’re in for a treat. Did I mention there would be a video about porn? Also…..porn.

One thing I realized about this past weekend is that I will never make fun of anyone riding a Segway again (unless they’re a security guard.) We had one on the set and I was lucky enough to get a few minutes riding this thing. It was unlike anything I’ve ever rode before and it’s really tough to describe the experience. Riding on this is even better than riding the psycho-drome at Canobie Lake Park. It’s probably the most intuitive piece of machinery on the planet to control because I swear the thing can read your mind. All you have to do is think about going forward and before you know it, you’re cruising along the beach at a blazing 20.1 kilometers per hour.

The one thing that sucks about riding a Segway is that you are automatically classified as a nerd and probably won’t get laid that day. I want to do anything I can to change the image of Segway riders so I can buy one and not be deemed a social outcast. This is why I’m proposing that Extreme “Segging” be included in the 2010 Summer X-Games. Segway riders can be called “Seggers” like skateboarders are called skaters. (The fact that my Mom called Sega Genesis a “Segger” is purely coincidental.)  Pro skateboarders and BMX riders get a ton of poon so I figure that if people start seeing Segways grinding rails on a 12 foot vert ramp it will automatically give Seggers more street cred. Street cred, as we all know, is the most important thing a person can have. I know I’d be a lot more inclined to buy a Segway if I got to start wearing JNCOs  and shopping at PacSun instead of the K-Mart.

When the Segway was first released, inventor Dean Kamen claimed that it would change the way cities were designed. I’m not exactly sure what that means but I hope these futuristic cities have In N Out Burgers with Segway drive-thrus and naked burger girls. That would be awesome.  We haven’t reached that point yet but I can’t wait until they become a little more mainstream so I can be the first Segger to pull off a 360 tail-whip.

Bănică se plimbă cu trotineta, iar micuţa Violeta se plimbă aproape în fiecare zi prin parc cu o tricicletă

Ştefan Bănică Junior a luat-o pe urmele fetiţei sale, Ana Violeta. El şi-a achiziţionat de curând un Segway, o „jucărie” care seamănă leit cu o trotinetă, cu care se plimbă prin faţa casei sale din cartierul Tei. Vecinii se uită ca la felul paişpe, fiind obişnuiţi să-l vadă pe solist numai în maşini de lux.

Deşi are garajul plin de BMW-uri, maşină a cărei imagine o reprezintă împreună cu Andreea Marin, soţia sa, Ştefan Bănică Junior are o nouă pasiune, plimbatul cu trotineta, ca şi fiica sa, Ana Violeta.

În timp ce micuţa în vârstă de aproape doi ani are un vehicul pe măsura ei cu care merge prin parc asistată de bonă, Ştefan a dat, cum s-ar spune, în mintea copiilor şi şi-a achiziţionat şi el, recent, o “trotinetă” electrică.

Fotoreporterii Click! l-au surprins, ieri, pe solist în timp ce dădea o raită pe aleile din faţa casei sale din cartierul Tei, conducând cu dibăcie revoluţionarul mijloc de transport, care nu are nevoie de combustibil şi al cărui preţ variază între 3.000 şi 7.000 de euro.

sursa: www.click.ro

First we made the logo, attractive and bright with an illustration of the product on it, as off-roading Segway is an unusual activity. Adding the other logos of the Seg family makes it part of a bigger whole.

Next we had a day at the site filming, photographing, whizzing up, down and round and round on Segways.

Then we had ideas on how the buttons based on the dust kicked up by these racing machines.

Putting a strapline, headline and descriptive copy gives you something to read.

Sticking a nice big video and a soundtrack of some funky music (made by Rhys & Lawrence) gives the site an exciting focal point, showing the audience how fun and enjoyable it really is.

Placing a bold call to action balances the logo and makes it plain what we want the audience to do.

Finally adding a signature and giving it a bottom finishes the first phase of building the site. Extra pages have been designed and it’s all been given to our web building department.

The technical bods are building the site it as you read this.

Now that really is the icing on the cake!

By BWF Intern Nathan Riehl

No other city in our great country exemplifies the word “freedom” more so

Intern Nathan riding a Segway on Pennsylvania Ave. If you look close, you can see Sr. Account Executive Matt Herring apparently tripping and Director of Social Media Mike Schaffer dressed like Marty McFly!

than our Nation’s Capitol, Washington, D.C.  When thinking of ways to enhance the experience of visiting the famous downtown D.C. area there were many avenues that could be taken.  As Brotman-Winter-Fried Communications prepared for the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation Half Marathon, we needed a mode of transportation to maneuver the race course.  The most obvious choice was to jump on a segway, a transportation symbol of freedom, and let the good times roll.

Some people have said that walking is for the unenlightened and after my experience on the futuristic device known as the Segway, I can only agree.  However, what may be more important about the Segway is the feeling of freedom that it gives you and what better place to enhance your feeling of freedom than in our Nation’s Capitol.  As you hit the max speed of 12.5 miles per hour and the wind begins to blow through your hair you realize that at no point in your life will you ever be as hip and as cool as you are at that moment [Editor's Note: Nathan has close-cropped hair and yes, that was his coolest moment.].  Where is life to go but down after stepping off of the two-wheeled, self-balancing electric device.  What just might get me through it is the memory that I will have of the day I was a segway rider.

The day I was a segway rider will stay with be forever.  I can now honestly say I know the true meaning of freedom.  As the race came to an end, I looked up from my segway to see the sun rising above the Capitol Building.  As I activated the gyroscopes in my segway a tear began to form in my eye and I realized, today, I was free.

Nathan Riehl is a recent graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder.  After realizing his lack of the professional level athletic ability required to get paid to play sports he settled on a pursuit to begin a career in sports marketing.  Following an advertising and promotion internship with the University of Colorado Athletic Department Nathan, a Colorado native, made the move to the Washington, D.C. area where he is currently interning for BWF Communications.  Connect with him on Twitter!

The videos are pretty cool, nice music too. Thanks to Rhys Dawney for his help on this.

Online soon-ish. Until then…

http://brandelectioneering.wordpress.com/?D=31 for an animated version and some writing about it.

Trains From Barcelona Airport

The RENFE train service runs approximately every 30 mins to and from Barcelona airport to the city centre. Travel time approximately 25 minutes. When travelling from the airport to the city centre you can get off at Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gracia or Clot which are serviced by metro stops. From these you can change for the Barcelona metro metro underground system to go to your final destination. If you have not bought a T10 ticket and just purchased a normal ticket then you will have to buy another ticket for the change at Estacio Sants Barcelona Sants. If you have a T10 ticket you can change without paying an additional charge. The metro runs directly from Barcelona Sants station and from Passeig de Gracia

Metro

Without a doubt the easiest way to get around Barcelona when you come to visit the city, the metro system stems from the city centre Plaça Catalunya and radiates out to the suburbs of Barcelona. Currently 9 metro lines run through the core of the city and by 2014 the metro will consist of 11 lines

A trip on the metro can cost from on average 1 euro, however, it is recommended that you purchase a T-10 ticket for best value during your stay. A T-10 currently costs 7,70 euros for 10 journeys within zone 1 of the city

Tram

The tram system covers the west and east of the Barcelona Diagonal. It links Barcelona (Plaça Francesc Macià) to several towns in the Baix Llobregat county, such as Esplugues, Cornellà, Sant Just Desvern and Sant Joan Despí. This system consists of 3 lines, which share a common stretch from Francesc Macià to Montesa in Esplugues, where T3 branches off towards Sant Just Desvern. Therefore, it is a fantastic way to visit the suburbs of the city.
Additionally the second tram system, opened on 8 May 2004 to provide service during the ‘Fòrum de les Cultures’, runs from Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes (L1) to Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica (L4).

Enjoy a trip to the modern addition of Poble Nou ´New Town´ and exhibition buildings top the south east of the city. The forum often holds international events, fairs and live concerts.

Bicycle

Discovering Barcelona by Bicycle. Barcelona offers a different way to discover its streets, squares and history, through organised bicycle tours. There are an infinite number of bicycle rental agencies which offer suitable itinerary and organise stops in different parts of the city : Old town, Gothic Quarter, sea front, Poble Nou, Olympic Barcelona (from Montjuic to the Olimpic Port) to Modernist Barcelona (Gaudí).
Tours can be organised during the day or at night, and all groups are accompanied by a multilingual guide.

Additionally the development of new and efficient mechanical bicycles provide further options for those who have physical restrictions as well as those that like a more relaxed tour

Trixi Carts

Trixi Carts, (three wheeled taxis) circulate in Barcelona. They offer spontaneous as well as arranged tours, for private people, companies or event agencies

GoCar Tours

GoCar is an entirely new way to explore a city. These nifty yellow convertibles talk to you and take you on a city tour you’ll never forget. The advanced navigational capabilities of the GPS deliver an informative tour, high-lighting specific locations throughout Barcelona as you drive. Just follow the friendly audio directions and relax. Unlike a traditional tour GoCar gives you complete autonomy over where, what and in what order you see sights and also how long you spend at any given point. The cars have a personality and a sense of humor, telling the stories that bring a city to life while guiding the way with clear driving directions

Segway Tours

Give your feet a rest and enjoy a new and exciting way to get to know Barcelona. Make better use of your time and get on one Segway to get to know one of the most comfortable and above all fun ways to see one of the most beautiful areas of the city

Turismo responsabile in Segway

L’iniziativa ha per scopo quello di portare i turisti in Umbria, su percorsi di forte impatto naturalistico, a bordo del Segway, la “biga” del nuovo millennio.

L’idea è di Davide Vasta (noto per i suoi testi su SEO e Web Design):  rendere il Segway strumento privilegiato per i percorsi turistici immersi in mezzo alla natura. Il Segway è infatti nelle grandi città già una realtà da parecchi anni: Vasta sta tentando di dimostrare che non è necessario basarsi solo su una città, ma (vista la facilità di trasporto) può essere portato in ogni luogo (quindi anche in mezzo alla natura), rapidamente e a prezzi accessibili.

Al momento esistono già diversi percorsi consultabili nel sito ufficiale dell’iniziativa (www.umbriainequilibrio.com). Uno tra tutti, il Monte di Pale, che invita al completo relax, all’immersione nella natura, e permette di ascoltare anche il canto dei grilli nei campi… E si, perchè non dobbiamo dimenticare che il Segway non è solo ecologico, ma è anche silenziosissimo…

Wer hipp sein will, düst mit einem Segway oder einem der Nachahmervarianten durch die Stadt. Wer einfach nur gemütlich von A nach B eiern will, nimmt das Konkurrenzmodell aus der Schweiz.

So werden die Eidgenossen ihren Ruf der Elan- und Geschwindigkeitslosigkeit wohl nicht los: Das elektrische Bikeboard ist ein Dreirad, das alles überholt – so lange es festgeschraubt ist. Oder geparkt. Oder im Stau steht. Ansonsten ist das 500-Watt-Aggregat dieses Scooters gerade mal in Fußgängertempo unterwegs. 60 Kilometer Reichweite bis zur nächsten Steckdose verspricht der Schweizer Erfinder Walter Egli. Wahlweise kann man den 1000-Watt-Motor ordern, damit das in die Kurve legen nicht ganz so albern aussieht (Topspeed 31 km/h!).
Das Hauptargument von Egli für sein Dreirad: Ältere Mitmenschen und jene Bürger, die gerade nicht so gut zu Fuß sind, durch die Gegend zu chauffieren, ohne dass sie viel CO2 raushauen. Außerdem sei der Betrieb sparsam: Maximal 20 Cents pro 100 Kilometer. Allerdings rechnet Egli hierbei die Anschaffungskosten von wenigstens 3.000 Euro nicht mit…

Der eRoller hat Platz für Einkäufe und Taschen, lässt seine Passagiere aber im Regen stehen. Dafür ist das Bikeboard günstiger und schmaler als ein Golfkart und könne sich daher insbesondere im dichten Großstadtdschungel besser durchmogeln. Klassifiziert wurde das Fahrzeug als Moped und muss auch so versichert und angemeldet werden. Die Helmpflicht gelte ebenfalls. Der ADAC jedenfalls lobt das Gefährt: “Es trägt dazu bei, die Stadt zu einem saubereren Ort zu machen und die Mobilität einiger Personengruppen zu verbessern”, äußerte sich Clubsprecher Michael Pfalzgraf. Zu haben ist das Gefährt zunächst im Berliner Showroom am Kurfürstendamm. Nobel, nobel. [Ralf]

[Earthtimes]

Segway: Dem e-Roller folgt bald die Knutschkugel

Cooler als ein Segway: Der rote Orbis-Renner

Torpedoroller, macht Krabbler zu Skatern

Z wyglądu YikeBike przypomina mi monocykl, w podobnej pozycji siedzimy z tym że nogi mamy wolne i napęd jest elektryczny, co pozwala nam na osiągnięcie prędkości 20km/h i przejechać do 10km według specyfikacji. Po wyczerpaniu baterji pozostaje nam 30 minutowe ładowanie, udźwig tego urządzenia to 100 kg. YikeBike oprócz swoich niedużych rozmiarów składa się, w taki sposób że można go wziąć prawie że pod pachę

Czytaj całość YikeBike – miejski pojazd

Q:  is there a radio with the chair? if not would i be able to put on in? thanks
A:   Yes, but it is not working, unknown what is wrong.

Q:  I just wanted to say how impressed we have been to follow BOTH of the chair auctions and to see how the Proctor police has handled the idiotic comments! You have given us so many laughs as we also drag race at BIR, so have followed this chair story since it broke! We only wish that the original bid of $40,000 would return because with the way the economy is right now, your community could really use it! Keep up the great work, keep the humor coming and best of luck on the sale of the chair – I hope it continues to go MUCH higher!
A:   Thank you

Q:  Do you think this would be safe to take ice fishing? Also, is there a phone charger plug? Thanks much- from Wisconsin
A:   No phone charger plug, best of luck if you take it Ice Fishing. 

Q:  What would it take to make this street legal, beside some mirrows & turn signals
A:   Please check with your State DMV Office

Q:  Hello, I have a couple of questions: 1. Was this whole DWI in a chair staged? 2. If I win this chair can your dept. show proof that this was a real DWI case? 3. Is there any law that would prevent me from giving the chair/toy back to the man that lost it after I win the auction? Thank you
A:   This was a real case, nothing was staged. Yes, we have court documents and if you are the winning bidder, what you do with the chair is up to you.

Q:  Did you let all the high bidders from the previous auction know that the item has been relisted? 
A:   EBay removed the listing and in doing so there is no way for the city to contact the previous bidders.

Q:  is this chair a one owner and how many miles are on it thanks. shawn
A:   This chair has had a previous owner and the mileage is unknown.

Q:  where can i see this can i take it for a test drive ? 
A:   This can be seen at the Proctor Police Department, MN and no test rides are allowed for liability reasons.

Q:  Hello, does this vehicle have a seat belt? Also, do you know if there is enough clearance under the wheel wells for me to put chains on the wheels if need be this winter? Thanks, Tissueguy. Nov-03-09
A:   No seat belt, but I do believe there is room for chains

Q:  I am from Georgia, Cuthbert Ga. we have a lot of red clay roads, can you advised me how she handles on muddy red clay roads? and do you think I could get a 6″ body lift under her? does it have mud grips or racing slicks? thanks for your time,  Nov-03-09
A:   This machine is equipped with lawn Mower tires. Have fun in the Georgia muddy red clay roads if you are the winning bidder.

Q:  Is there a horn on this chair? Is there turn signals? If I bid win and buy this chair is there enough room for my girlfriend to ride in it with me? And how is the gas milage due to I will have to drive it home to Fargo ND?  Nov-03-09
A:   No horn, No turn signals, it would be very tight with the girl friend. Good luck on your trip to back to Fargo if you’re the winning bidder. 

Q:  Has anyone checked to see if there is any change in the seat cushion or other valuables or is it untouched? Nov-03-09
A:   I looked and nothing is there. It’s just not my day.

Q:  You mention the vehicle can reach speeds of 20-40mph. My top of the line lawn mower can barely hit 6mph. Is this vehicle’s engine supercharged? Or is Proctor’s Radar Gun requiring a calibration??? Nov-03-09
A:   We have never clocked this vehicle on radar – this is what we have been advised. We have also been advised that this vehicle has a 6 speed transmission with reverse. You are more than welcome to stop by the police department and inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. 

Q:  Hi & Greetings from Maine !!! Can I trade say,,,,50-100 lbs of Lobster for the chair? Perhaps the lobster could be used to feed the needy,,,a win-win 4 every-1 Also, Is this “chair” capable of “off roading” like a quad runner ? Thanks !! Nov-03-09
A:   I wish I could take that offer but the Law and tax payers would not be happy. Sorry, but I must turn down your offer. I’d also keep this vehicle on pavement or a hard surface. 

Q:  Would you know if this chair could beat a Segway in the 1/4 mile ? My best friend is a Mall Cop and says that his Segway can spank this Chair in the 1/4 … I intend to bid to win, but i also would like feel confident that (if i spend huge cash) i can beat him on his Segway i2 with 19 inch wheels. Thanks  Nov-03-09
A:   Have no idea, we have not run any test runs. But I would like to see the race. 

Q:  Almost forgot, does it run on alcohol or gas? Nov-03-09
A:   Gas

Q:  You have a seller score of Zero, what’s up with that? Nov-03-09
A:   The city is new to eBay and we are learning very fast.

Q:  Did not know if you knew that the cushion was not thrown away but it is being offered for sale on ebay as well http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280418173296&category=43970&_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63#ht_600wt_914. Would it be a conflict of interest for the buyer of this chair to also purchase the cushion? Thanks and keep up the great work! Nov-03-09
A:   Even though the city was advised that the cushion was thrown away, the City will not be pursuing the cushion. If you wish to bid on the cushion please feel free to do so. Thank you 

Q:  how long to I have to pick up or have this awesome chair shipped? Nov-03-09
A:   We will work with the winning bidder; Total payment is required after 7 days of the sale.

Q:  if this chair reaches near the money that was bid the last time and you have a deadbeat bidder who does not pay what is the city going to do to the bidder? thanks kevin Nov-03-09
A:   Take lawful action against that deadbeat bidder.

A few tidbits fro here and there that have caught my eye.

1)  Kudos to Hallmark Canada for giving away “Canadian Heroes” greeting cards at its stores November 9 through 11 as a way  to promote the product line and encourage folks to write to our troops overseas.

2)  It appears bigger IEDs, combined with more troops being tossed around the inside of armoured vehicles during IED strikes, are leading to more spinal injuries among American troops being evacuated out of Afghanistan – one out of five over the past summer, to be precise.

3)  Aussie counter-terrorist consultant and blogger Leah Farrall is picking up bad vibes in her ongoing research and exploration of the world of the jihadi:

There are some people asking for advice about how to bomb buses carrying staff in an unknown western country as well as attacks on public transport systems and shopping centres.

Not so unusual but they happen to be asking the guru for these types of attacks who I thought was dead or incarcerated, but who it turns out *may* not be.And I do mean *the guru* who I’ve watched for years.

I haven’t seen him directly surface for a while and he last used intermediaries. But this concerns me. I’m not posting who what or where up here for obvious reasons, it’s just an FYI.

Also some questions about how to hit petrol stations, trains, shopping centres, and integrating toxins into devices.

I’ve seen *a lot* of things like this in my day and this looks reminiscent of some I saw several years when a cell was starting to activate and this is precisely how this stuff goes down. Of course it could be a hoax and said guru could be dead/incarcerated and this be a ploy, but given the person they are asking I’d be taking it seriously enough to keep in the back of my head at the *very* least.

Leah’s blog – All Things Counter-terrorism – is worth a read, especially when she comments back and forth with jihadi ideologues.

4)  Wounded warriors in both Canada and the United States are receiving Segways as a way to make it easier for them to get around – well done to woundedwarriors.ca and Disability Rights Advocates for Technology and all the others who made that happen.

Introducing Honda’s U3-X ~ the Segway for people who just can’t or won’t get off their ass! It driven similar to the Segway, if you lean into it and it will move in all four directions. This omnidirectional apparatus weighs just 22 lbs and will run approximately one hour when fully charged. Unfortunately, for the general populace, I can see it as a unicycle but not much more. However, there may be a use for this mobility device after all within certain subsets of the disabled community. I’m still thinking on the possible uses for this personal mobility device.

Key specifications of the experimental model:
- Length×Width×Height(mm) = 315×160×650
- Weight = less than 10kg
- Battery Type = Lithium ion battery

Hey guys and gals, I hope your week has been going well so far.

As usual, (Or at least for the past couple of weeks) here are some more photos to help you get through that last final day.

Since I weeded out so many photos from two of my albums I have decided to post them both. Click the links below to check them out.

Enjoy!

Memorial Day Parade

A day at the Museum

El pasado 28 de octubre de 2009, se entregaron los famosos Segway en las tres diferentes áreas policiacas de Carolina. En la zona norte de Isla Verde, en la zona central donde prestara vigilancia en los parques Julia De Burgos y en la zona sur dará servicio en el casco urbano específicamente en la calle; Fernández Juncos y el centro de gobierno.

Este nuevo equipo le permite al policía caminante poder cubrir mayor terreno en menos tiempo propiciando la eficiencia que repercute en una mejor vigilancia del área asignada. El Segway aparentemente es fácil de manejar, no presenta complicaciones que afecten la calidad del servicio sino que lo maximiza.

La Administración Municipal de Carolina y su Alcalde Hon. José Carlos Aponte Dalmau en su interés de brindar una mejor calidad de vida a los residentes de nuestra ciudad y sus visitantes a designado estos equipos a la policía municipal como una herramienta mas en la lucha contra el crimen para mantener una Carolina segura y en paz.

The twenty-sixth of October with kids roamin’ all over.
Main Street was all cluttered with folk.
Comin’ down the street was a royal fleet and the diesel was-a-blowin’ smoke.

Yeah them smokies were holdin’ back the traffic.
They even had a Segway with Paul Blart.
Those Jackson’s were-a-dancin’ for quite a spell.
And they were showin’ an abundance of heart.

“Cause we gotta great big convoy, rockin’ through the night.
Yeah we gotta great big convoy, ain’t she a beautiful sight?
Come on an’ join our convoy, ain’t nothin’ gonna git in our way.
We’re gonna roll this truckin’ convoy, cross the USA.
Convoy.”

Well that’s what it seemed like.  Ok.  It was just the Annual Dubuque Halloween Parade, but it was a big deal with a lot of big vehicles and Dubuquers made a big whoop-dee-doo over it.  And rightfully so.  A parade is a show and it takes a lot of work and organization to put on a good show.  You can tell that many of the participants put forth a lot of effort and we applaud them. 

It was my first time at this annual event and I was impressed.  There was fun to be had by all.  I would guestimate that there were probably around 3000 people taking part and observing from the sidelines.   The weather stayed very cooperative as the temperature hovered around a comfortable mark – even after the sun went down it. 

There were marching bands, plenty of big vehicles, some very elaborate floats, plenty of candy for the cherubs, cute costumes worn by even cuter kids (the Little Fry Daycare) had some of the best kid costumes – check out the TH Online for more photos.  They didn’t have a bear in the air, but there was a gorilla on a bike.  And my personal favorite was the 50 or 60 dancing Michael Jacksons from Studio 5678.  They were dancing before the parade started and they continued dancing for the entire route.  I’ll bet they were plumb tuckered out by the time it was all over — but they put on a great show and that’s what this parade was all about!!!  (You can check out the dancing MJ’s in the video of the parade below.)

Runde Auto Group had a strong showing.  They entered the Split Decision Chevy 4500 truck with it’s infamous custom paint job.  They also had one of the Runde golf carts and the Runde Community Service truck.  The folks from Runde handed out bags full of Tootsie Rolls and about 1500 mini Nerf-like footballs. 

Jeff Kueter

Jeff “Lenny” Kueter of Runde Chevrolet drove the Split Decision diesel and had a good time.  He got carried away and at one point started throwing the mini football out of the truck’s driver side window.  He had to be reminded that the parade organizers now frown on throwing items into the crowd.   This was the 2nd time Jeff participated in the parade as he also drove a vehicle for Runde in 2008’s parade down Main Street.   Jeff commented just before the parade: “It’s good that a lot of people take part in this.  When people put on a big event like this for kids of all ages, it shows that they really care about this community.  Have you seen all they people along the street?  There must be thousands of ‘em.”  

Hannah, Jeff & Logan

 While I was walking along the parade route, I ran into Hannah, Jeff, and Logan Heiar of Dubuque.  They have purchased 4 vehicles from Runde’s over the past few years and they had some kind words to say about Runde’s (check out the video below to find out what they said).  Their son, Logan, who is beyond cute, was born a year ago and he will be getting either a baby brother or a baby sister in a few more months.  We wish the Heiar Family well.   You can bet that they’ll be back again next year and so will Runde Auto Group as we look forward to participating in this annual tradition.

Below is the video we shot of the event.  Check it out and if you weren’t able to attend the parade this year, there’s always 2010.  The more, the merrier.

Lisa Charley (who organized Runde's parade participation) pictured with her husband.

We had a wonderful Segway tour of many of the ’stars’ Palm Springs homes. It’s hard to say which was more fun … the Segway part of the tour or the starts homes part of the tour. It was all great fun.

During it’s heyday Palm Springs became a get away haven for the Hollywood stars because the studios had travel clauses in their contracts … meaning that during a shoot, the actors could only travel within a certain number of miles even on their days off. So Palm Springs became a convenient, beautiful and star studded home away from home for many of the glitterati.

We saw the homes of Liberache …

Notice the fancy L (for Liberache) ironwork on the garage

Hidden behind the wall and the lush gardens is Casa del Corazon … the one time home of Clark Gable and Carol Lombard.

We mush have looked pretty funny to the casual passerby  as we segway’d through the neighborhood …

… past the past homes of Kirk Douglas, Marilyn Monroe, Rose Kennedy, Lily Tomlin and many other famous folks I can’t remember.

We ended up at this incredible party house …

the honeymoon home of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. If only these walls could talk! This home is famous not only for it’s fancy inhabitants, but for its mid-century modern architecture.

We were invited in for a tour and refreshments. And who could pass up a glam shot on Elivs and Priscilla’s bed (ok maybe not REALLY a glam shot, but fun anyway)

[Mark] wanted a Segway but why buy something if you can have more fun building it? His end product is an amazing homemade version of the self-balancing transportation package. We’ve seen several projects that include auto-balance, but this one is large enough to ride on and has a bit of an advantage in the design. The motors, batteries, and other components are mounted below the wheel hubs and are weight balanced. This means that the device wants to find balance naturally, even when the electronics are switched off.

The frame was modeled in CAD and then welded together. For propulsion [Mark] has installed two 750 Watt motors which will use sprockets and chains to turn the wheels. The machine balances based on data from both a gyroscope and an accelerometer, with the entire packaged tied together using an Arduino.

[Mark's] build log is well laid out and details each part of the build with a different post. His two most recent entries include video of the unit balancing and of him riding the 95% completed project. A big thanks to [Mark] for taking the time to document this so that we can share in the excitement of a well-executed project.

This is really interesting…

The other day I was peacefully watching sports upstairs, and Steph kept yelling from downstairs “I want Seeley to pull me, can you come help?” I tried explaining that Seeley doesn’t even like walking across the room unless she really wants to but it didn’t help. So Steph kept saying “Help me hook her up”. Well i looked over the railing and there was Steph, sitting on a pillow with a rope. Uhhh needless to say Seeley didn’t pull her and putting a rope around her neck probably isn’t the way to go anyway.

Lately I’m thinking…

Screw segways, I want one of those new police 3-wheeler machine things (sorry the picture is a little blurry i was walking and trying to hit the light) Birthday present here we come!

Current Status…

10! Happy Thursday International Day of Awesomeness everyone! After work I get to hang out with mikey, enjoy a delicious dinner and maybe a cocktail or two

Shout out to…

Nebel who had the first gadget update of the day – wow! Also to Kevin for killing it on top chef last night and the phillies for beating the yankees.

The Soapbox:

Keep those emails coming if you haven’t already – there will be a new winner every week! Email “pizza” to blade.imsande@gmail.com and you’re permanently entered!

Currently watching…

Wild Russia on animal planet. wow, russia is seriously crazy, does everyone realize how big it is? It takes up 1/8 of the planet and has 11 time zones. I would almost venture far enough to say it’s bigger than the sun. Anyways I must be a sucker for TV shows because now i want to move there instead of alaska. Seeley had her nose up against the TV when they were showing wolves. Seeley is a predator.

This is really interesting…

Steph got 3 things in the mail yesterday, including 2 books (i just found out she’s in TWO book clubs because work just started one, that’s seriously out of control, i don’t even know what to say or what to tell my friends when they ask where she’s at) and an exercise ball, or as I like to call them for short “a toy you play on for about week, and then regardless if you have an actual head injury or just came close to one by falling off you put it outside or in storage where it sits for the rest of eternity” BTW our neighbor in the back has 3 different sized exercise balls in their yard getting rained on as we speak

Lately I’m thinking…

That segwey’s must be really cheap by now, seeing as how nobody uses them and they there the biggest invention dissapointment of all time. Well i guess i was wrong, i just checked and they’re still between 3,000 – 7,000 dollars! what! I was hoping to casually pick one up for $200 and start riding it around.

This is really interesting…

seriously click here to see how big russia is, i can’t get over it. I mean it borders Finland and almost stretches to Alaska, and the country is never totall dark because as the sun goes down in the west it’s already coming up in the east.

The Soapbox:

Happy Halloween Week everyone