I admit, I have been a slacker with this blogging gig lately. I got busy, I got sad, and I just set it aside. I’m making a comeback, though. There’s lots to talk about, like a new car (Mercedes C300 coupe in matte paint – purr, purr, purr), Formula 1 excitement, new forms of horsepower […]
Category Archives: Ponderings
January
20
The Agony and the Ecstasy: Detroit Auto Show 2016
posted by Motorista
First, the agony: average temperature during my stay in Detroit was 18 degrees. My face is chapped from the cold, and my legs ache from walking/standing for 4-5 hours straight two days in a row. Boo hoo. Now, the ecstasy: Detroit Auto Show, baby! I just spent Monday and Tuesday treating the Detroit Auto Show (or, […]
January
05
Women in the Auto Industry…and the World
posted by Motorista
Fired up by yesterday’s post, I went back through some of my prior posts on Mary Barra specifically and women in the auto industry generally, and came across a few oldies but goodies. Sharing the collection here for anyone interested: It Doesn’t Have to Be a Revolution – December 4, 2013 One Small Step for Woman – […]
January
04
Glass Ceiling: Smashed
posted by Motorista
As with everything other than work, I am behind in reading Automotive News, my weekly source of all things automotive. I just started on the November 9, 2015 edition, which includes a 128-page special section entitled 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry (shout-out to my friend Lisa Copeland for being included on this […]
January
01
2016: The Year of the Car
posted by Motorista
Welcome to 2016, race fans! One of my resolutions for this year is to spend more time on this blog again. I got so far behind in 2015 that you haven’t even heard about how I got tased by Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas. Or all the interesting car-related observations I made in Southeast Asia. […]
September
09
What’s Wrong with Cadillac
posted by Motorista
Dear Cadillac, I am young(ish), trendy (somewhat), and a discerning consumer of automotive sheetmetal. According to you, I am precisely the audience you want to target. But you’re not doing it right. I’m in the market for a car this fall, but you are not on my shopping list. Would you like to know why? […]
August
31
A True Champion
posted by Motorista
The 2015 IndyCar season ended yesterday, in a thrilling finish at Sonoma Raceway that left the season’s champion undetermined until the last turn of the last lap. It was pure, unadulterated racing. It also took place under a pall as grim as I have ever seen in any race paddock. The reason – on Aug. […]
August
21
Surprises
posted by Motorista
On the way to work today, I ended up behind a Buick that was quite good-looking. A BUICK. More specifically, it was a red Buick Regal and, I have to say, it looks fairly sporty in motion. I was shocked, and I’m not even being snarky about it. Buick’s SUVs are looking pretty good these days, […]
July
26
Comeback Kid
posted by Motorista
So peeps, here’s the deal. This posting once or twice a month gig is not working for me. I miss you guys, plus there are too many rants to be ranted, opinions to be opined, and photographs to be taken to do this on a monthly basis. So…I’m making a comeback! Starting now I’m going to […]
June
27
IS Bigger Better?
posted by Motorista
Howdy, race fans! It has been much too long since we’ve had a chat. Here’s what I’ve been busy with in the last month or so: running a law firm getting elected to City Council rappelling down a 38-story building (again!) keeping the dogs from eating important documents (FAIL!) Rappelling was the easiest. Now that […]
April
13
Car Hacking: My Article in Texas Lawyer
posted by Motorista
Are our vehicles’ computer systems the next frontier for hackers? Call me crazy, but I say, if not no, at least not YET. But it’s an interesting topic of discussion. See my recent article in Texas Lawyer for my take on the latest phantom menace: TLhacking_Eby. And goodness knows I’ve been storing up lots of opinions […]
March
19
While I Was Out
posted by Motorista
So I’m finally getting caught up on my Automotive News (weekly industry newspaper) backlog. As in, I’ve made it from July to November in the last several weeks. Turns out I missed all sorts of interesting things, like the Takata airbag recall (flying shards of metal are NOT okay), Cadillac raising a stir by relocating […]
March
01
Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution
posted by Motorista
You just never know how one thing can lead to another. After my Texas Lawyer article on self-driving cars was published, a producer from the Legal Talk Network called and invited me to appear on a podcast of the show Lawyer 2 Lawyer, discussing legal issues with autonomous vehicles. I taped the episode on February 18, and […]
February
20
Strong Women: Julie Dollahite
posted by Motorista
This has been a week of loss. At last count, four people I know have died since last Friday. The most personal, and recent, loss was my aunt. She passed away last night after a struggle with breast cancer. Life sure is challenging sometimes. Relevant to this blog, today I attended the memorial service of […]
January
02
To Clarify – Not Goodbye!
posted by Motorista
A few of you thought my prior post was bidding adieu to the world of cars and blogging. Not so! In the words of Inigo Montoya: let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up. Fortunately for me, my professional life is overwhelming me with opportunities. Unfortunately, from a time management perspective, […]
December
31
The December Post
posted by Motorista
Let it not be said that I failed to post in the month of December. Here it is. There is a lot going on, race fans, and I don’t know how active I will be able to be on this blog anymore. I’ll keep you posted but, in the meantime, I hope you are welcoming […]
November
27
I’m Not Dead!
posted by Motorista
Yes, I’ve been gone for almost two months. Not just from the blog, but from home as well. In a big out-of-town trial that just keeps going…and going…and going… So the blog’s been on hold. I missed Formula 1, two Cars and Coffee events, the Jaguar Land Rover of Austin grand opening, the BMW i8 […]
September
11
Thoughts on Loss
posted by Motorista
I’ve been feeling contemplative the last few days, with today’s somber anniversary, the anniversary of my high school coach’s death tomorrow, and a terrible tragedy last Friday in which two local 20-year-old siblings were killed in a car accident on their way home from college for the weekend. I never knew these kids, but I […]
September
10
Small-Car Syndrome
posted by Motorista
Today I had the privilege of spending a fair amount of time behind the wheel of the “work car,” otherwise known (by me) as the World’s Biggest Benz-o. I love driving, and I love driving all types of vehicles, including the Benz-o. But going from a MINI to Mercedes’ biggest SUV is quite the study […]
September
07
Latest Object of Lust
posted by Motorista
It’s a work weekend, but allow me to take ten seconds and share the most recent object of my desire. Ladies and gentlemen, a 2011 Lotus Elise SC (“SC” means supercharged). Now available at Lotus of Austin. Sigh. This beaut is practically attainable for me, i.e. it’s only out of reach by a factor of […]
August
20
The Prius and the Python
posted by Motorista
Reason #1,000,002 why the Prius is a hateful, hateful vehicle: it will cause you to crash into a firehouse with a python wrapped around your neck. And ultimately result in DWI and theft charges. All the Prius’ fault, of course. Think I’m on a bender? Read further. These are the things that make life worth […]
August
10
Cars and Coffee Austin – August 10, 2014
posted by Motorista
Ah, Cars and Coffee. The only Sunday of the month where I cheerfully rise “early.” Sunday mornings have been scorchers around here lately, but that’s nothing to a true car fan. Just add a little strategic hydration, and you are good to go. I must say, I get a kick out of all the 20-something […]
August
06
Dubious Colors: Edition One
posted by Motorista
Ever since I was visually violated by a purple Lamborghini, a deepening dread has lingered in the back of my mind: there are many, many cars out there in horribly fugly colors. I had no intention of going out to look for them, because dubious. I exist in a righteously indignant state most of the […]
August
02
Seen in San Antonio: ’88 Lotus Caterham Super Seven
posted by Motorista
Spending some time with friends in San Antonio this weekend (quick aside – isn’t it awesome to have good friends of many years, the kind where, when you’re with them, you feel like you’re home?). In true Motorista style, while being kidnapped by my mom/teacher girlfriends for a scintillating trip to the teacher-supply store and […]
July
30
Your Ride is Here
posted by Motorista
I had a very cool and unexpected experience today (aren’t those the best kind?). My friends over at John Eagle European hosted an event put on by Austin non-profit RecognizeGood, an organization that “[illuminates] selfless volunteers, charitable acts and community service” in the greater Austin area. Every month, RecognizeGood honors a “Legend,” someone who, to […]
