This is it – the last show…  We go out, just as we came.  No special fanfare just doing what we always do, talk about F1, talk about cars, talk about retail theory, and talk about odd legal stories…

This week Formula 1 was in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix.  Overall the race wasn’t too exciting but the race winner was investigated for a rules violation, and Mercedes backslid despite looking promising going into the race.

F1 tech might again make its way to road cars – Volvo is testing a KERS system.

JC Penny tries to put the Ron Johnson era to bed.

Nordstrom was tracking customer movement in some stores using WiFi – but now they’re not.

So now we know why there’s a Helium shortage – but we still don’t really understand it.

CAN KOZIES WORK PEOPLE!

A Florida teen is charged with a felony after a failed science experiment.  Although she wasn’t completely without fault…

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We’ve been talking about it for weeks – and this week we tweak the intro so you can hear just why we like the BBC’s F1 intro this year…

This week we first look back at last week…

Pirelli believes that Massa’s tire issues in Bahrain were due to debris.

Could next year’s Bahrain race be a night race?

Bernie Ecclestone might think the government of Bahrain was stupid to hold this year’s race – that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to keep going back…

Thailand has approved the track layout for their scheduled 2015 race.

Formula E is headed to LA.

A contestant could have won a Ferrari 458 on The Price is Right.

The new Lego Mindstorms kit will be classroom friendly.

A free WiFi hotspot in a magazine?

The Nest gets smarter, and Chik-Fil-A is now offering kitchen tours.

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It’s been a truly head spinning  week this past week – the events in Boston consumed a lot of our attention this week like most of the Nation.

There were other things going on this week though -

Like Sir Stirling Moss making some – strong comments..

Lots of drivers at the Chinese GP were investigated for using DRS in a Yellow Flag zone – but it turns out it was the FIA’s fault…

Bernie calls the Bahrain government’s decision to host the GP this week “stupid” – not that it’s stopping him from actually holding the race – because of course there’s money to be made…  And while the government tried to hide it – there was still some unrest this past weekend. And maybe some on the track too…

Outside of F1 – could the Girl Scouts be getting their own Video Game badge?

LG’s building a washing machine that doesn’t use water… Although we’ve heard that before…

Royal Caribbean’s new ship has a really stupid name…

And one judge isn’t above the law in his own courtroom…

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Given the events of the day it seems a bit odd to put up a show today.  However in the hopes of providing a bit of a diversion we offer up Episode 62 – recording this weekend…

We’re forgoing the normal show notes, but will provide the link to sign up for GeniusBox when they get going:

http://geniusbox.launchrock.com/

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Spring Break is over and we’re back!

Since we’re between races, there’s not a lot of F1 for us to talk about which is good news for those of you that aren’t into F1.

But, could F1 be moving back to Rio?  We’re not so sure.

Teams want more testing…

Travel legend Arthur Frommer gets his brand back.

Is a suggested donation instead of an admission price misleading?

Got a budding Electrical Engineer?  Check out Adafruit’s Circuit Playground videos.

Be careful using your smartphone to show proof of insurance – not every state allows it.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again.  FitBit is an amazing company!

THIS is not how you fight showrooming.

Sochi is storing snow for the Olympics.

And in case there was any question – no you can’t go hunting in the Wal-Mart parking lot!

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Advance warning – this week is an all F1 show.  The Grand Prix of Malaysia pulled us in this week and dominated the show.

Also even though we didn’t mention it during the show. This week is Spring Break, so there will not be a show next weekend as we’ll be on a break.

First off – the famous Nurbergring is on sale.

Pastor Maldonado back pedals on the state of the Williams car.

McLaren apologizes to Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton gets lost in the Pit Lane.

Sebastian Vettel isn’t a team player this week.

On the other hand – the team came first at Mercedes.

The non-F1 stories we didn’t get to this week -

The President’s limo doesn’t like when you fill it with gas instead of diesel.

Jeff Bezos recovers historic rocket engines.

Live in Oakland CA? Think hard before using your new city ID card as a pre-paid debit card.

Somebody finds a way around the Kinder Surprise ban.

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No mincing words – no stalling - F1 IS BACK!!!! For folks who a year ago really weren’t into F1, it’s truly amazing how into Formula we have become.

This week was the Australian Grand Prix, and the drama started early.  From a rain delayed Qualifier to an unexpected winner, this was a good race.

McLaren underperformed, and Jenson’s not happy about it.

Williams disappointed but they’re hoping that at the very least Pastor has learned his lesson…

Vodaphone will end it’s sponsorship of McLaren at the end of the season.

In other news – CBS has decided to join the rest of the networks and finally offer their content online.

Google does spring cleaning and decides to eliminate Google Reader.  Several products, including Feedly are moving to fill the gap.

An Estonian library book gets returned – 69 years late.

It’s been many weeks – but we finally review the rice cooker!

And finally – the Chinese are trying to outwit seatbelt laws – with t-shirts.

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This week we’re talking about F1 with a week to go to until the start of the 2013 season.  But we also had a smattering of other stories, including a dumb internet company, a new app from Google, a new merit badge from the Boy Scouts and more…

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You get a new car, and you get a new car, and you get a new car!  It almost feels like Oprah’s holiday gift episode around here as last week Patricia gets a new car and this week Michael gets a new car.

This week we’re talking MINI Countryman – although more specifically the MINI Connected option of the Countryman.  Put simply Patricia doesn’t like in car competition for snark…

In Formula 1 news – Jules Bianchi is now Marussia’s new 2013 driver, after Luis Razia couldn’t pay for his seat and they kicked Timo Glock to the curb…

Williams has to rethink their exhaust on the 2013 car.

And here in America we’re stuck with what is shaping up to be utterly craptastic TV coverage of the 2013 season by NBCSports (psst – you’re doing it very, very wrong) on the other hand, Sky is breaking new ground with their coverage – offering the first ever television coverage of a Winter Test session – and doing so in 3D!

Speaking of TV – the BHF between CBS and Dish Network shows no signs of cooling down…

McDonalds is tweaking its menus…

And not matter which side you stand on for over the gun debate in the US – we think everyone can agree that shooting at the car of a fleeing shoplifter to “mark it for police” is a really stupid thing to do with your gun…

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It’s Auto Week this week on the Bloke and a Bird Show, because we’re just talking about cars this week (with a slight diversion for two un-related stories).

We question Jenson Button’s decision to talk ill of his car this year.

Money was a big topic in F1 this week, both for drivers and teams.

Some Fiat dealers will be selling an Alfa Romeo this year!

We went to the Cleveland International Auto Show – and went on the wrong day…

And Florida’s new drivers license law irritates a lot of folks…

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