August 2015 - KeriBlog

Sitting Quietly

Aug 30 2015

Daydreaming. Plotting.

When that happens it’s hand-over-mouth always. There’s even a blog tag = Hand over mouth (12)

First week of unemployment couldn’t have gone better. I laughed a lot, felt lighter, not one twinge of regret over my decision to quit the paper, and it couldn’t have ended on a higher note. Something big is coming guys, our adventures are about to whoosh up to the next level.

I’m still so wiped though, I accomplished very little this weekend and just feel …. lethargic. It’s confusing me, I have endless energy always. Maybe it’s because I stopped for the first time in 3 years. So I’m very behind on email, and if that’s you I’m sorry, it’s not personal.

Best Friday night #BuyingAHouseInTheCountryWasMySmartestMove

On Friday I tested Ford’s all-new infotainment system, Sync 3.

It debuts on both the 2016 Fiesta and Escape.

Full review coming soon, until then a short review – hold off on buying a new Ford until it comes equipped with Sync3, it’s that big an improvement.

Saturday night at the races… BE THERE.

Have a new OCD song.

Happens a couple times a year, this time it’s Justin Beiber with Skrillex, “What do you mean?”

Blog tag = OCD Song

Here’s to a strong start to your week tomorrow,
last one of Summer 2015!

Take a risk, do what’s been on your to-do list,
now is a good time.

xo Keri

How Tired is this Dealership of Hammer Jokes

Aug 30 2015

“Can’t you bring down the hammer on this price?”

Can Someone Please Send Me a Printer to Test

Aug 30 2015

I don’t own one. Happy to test it out and blog my findings.

Because it’s a 30-minute round trip, with a specially formatted USB key, just to print a few pages, and in black&white at that.

This is out-of-hand.

Look how much it costs to invoice the newspaper – $8.

Regardless – remember to password protect your WiFi printer, especially if it’s connected to your corporate network.

2015 Jaguar XJ AWD

Aug 27 2015

2015 Jaguar XJ AWD

3.0 litre V6 Supercharged
8-spd automatic
340 hp
332 lb.ft
0 – 100 km/h in 6.4 sec

Starting at $89,490

I use Jaguar’s instrument cluster as a barometer, so many are so cluttered.

It’s minimal, and uses appropriately-sized numbers, text and symbols (especially the cruise control.)

How the rear window cascades over the side though.

And how the taillights do the same thing.

It’s also available in a V8, but this standard supercharged V6 launches quickly, especially in sport mode. Despite it’s size the XJ is very nimble. Steering is well balanced and direct, its handling is refined, and of course that great Jag growl.

Those are the controls for the rear seats. Leather everything, carbon fibre touches, it’s all elegance that will wear well over time. It’s the same thing I always say…

Jaguar is the car version of old money

Which means my grimey outfits become chic.

Even their marketing campaign rocks #GoodToBeBad – why Jaguar is the perfect car to drive when committing crime.

Remember when I spent a Saturday night hanging out in my driveway with This Week’s Car? It was this one.

Thought I was a beautiful park, till the man came over and asked why I was photoing a car on his lawn, “wait, I’m not on public property am I…”

He was kind and let me stay.

Blog tag = Jaguar

My 1st Public Speaking Engagement

Aug 27 2015

Last night I spoke at a TASK meeting (Toronto Area Security Klatch – Canada’s longest-running get-together of Information Security professionals.)

It was their annual Black Hat / DEF CON review session.

I covered the Jeep hacking talk, but tailored my presentation to illuminate areas of the auto industry that need security help – because if you want to be employed forever, go into the auto security industry.

There were about 170 people, I had 14 slides and spoke for 8 minutes.

(don’t know why the picture quality is crap, on my 3-week-old iPhone?)

A friend filmed it, but no no that’s not going online… watched the footage, sorry TASK for all the ummmms!

It started like that even, “Hi I’m Keri, ummm.” Literally cringed while typing that. I’m more eloquent and better paced that that, nor so verbose, that was 4 minutes too long; I was SO nervous.

But first one done! I enjoyed it. Think I could get good at this.