Thursday, December 23, 2004

Observations

I've observed recently that people aren't really feeling the Christmas spirit. Not by just the "odd person" but by pretty much everyone. It certainly doesn't feel like Christmas to me but I have my reasons - mainly that most of my family are in Australia (40c temps!) on holiday, and the ones that aren't are doing their own thing. But that's just me.

Other than that I've noticed that I'm now a moving target for complete arseholes on the roads. An MR2 nearly sideswiped me the day before yesterday simply because he wanted me out of the way (I was already doing 30mph in the 30mph zone...). I had half a mind to not swerve. Arse.
Secondly a new Megane undertaking me, in a 50mph zone, at about 80mph. Yeah it happens, but I was indicating AND moving over when he did it. Tossers. Again, half a mind.

It's also very quiet here at work. Many redundancies and holidays doth not make a busy environment. How long before I'm let go?

On my way home for lunch a couple of days back I saw a 3 bed house for sale. I checked it's details on the internet and noticed it was up for £197k. That's a lot of money. Further investigation showed that my own place is probably worth around £120k - for a one bed! That is clearly madness. Oh well.

I'm hungry.

Some Christmas links (that, thankfully, have nothing to do with it)

Firstly some trailers. There are loads out at the moment and some are worth looking at :)

Be Cool: Looks like the follow-up to Get shorty (same character names) with John Travolta playing a movie producer wanting to go back to his gangster roots.. looks funny.
Charlie and the chocolate factory: A rather bizarre looking version of this childrens story by Tim Burton. The trailer, to me, is just disturbing. Worth a watch.
Bewitched: It's a re-telling rather than a remake with the lead (Nicole Kidman) actually being the witch for real, but playing one in a TV show (of the same name). Wil Ferrel stars.
XXX - State of the union: The sequel to the rather disappointing 2002 film xXx. This time it's Ice Cube's turn... why? No idea.
Hitch: Will Smith is the Love Doctor.. until he spies someone that turns him in to a jibbering wreck. Looks great. :)
Batman Begins: A bit far down the list isn't it? Well it's because this is just a little longer than the previous trailers and doesn't give much away. It's looking dark though. Very dark.
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers: Either you liked him or you didn't (I've yet to meet anyone that was in-between). I'm interested to see this.
House of Flying Daggers: Cool. Kung Fu. :)
Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy: Don't panic. It's the same teaser that I posted earlier - just much better in quality. I can't wait to see this one!
Flight of the Phoenix: Some of you may remember the classic 1965 James Stewart orignal and some may not. Either way the new one doesn't look to do anything new... but it could be a good watch.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Now this looks good. A bit like War of the Roses in that the two lead characters end up trying to kill each other. :) - Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are contract killers that get each other as their next target.
Assault on precinct 13: Another remake of a 1976 John Carpenter film. The original wasn't all that great but still something to watch.
Ocean's 12: I loved Ocean's 11 and I cannot wait for the follow up.
Meet the fockers: An old trailer now but worth watching again. Hopefully it'll live up to "Parents".
The Amityville Horror: I've actually not seen the original but the trailer for this one gave me goosebumps! Want to see. ;). Ryan Reynolds stars.
White Noise: I urge you to watch this and not feel the hairs stand up on your neck. Based on "fact" with a story attached. Another "want to see". Michael Keaton stars.
The Wedding Crashers: Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn.. how can this not be good? :D
The Longest Yard: A feel good american movie about prison football.. actually looks quite funny! Stars Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds.
Hostage: Bruce Willis is a cop.. but it's not Die Hard this time. :) - I like the look of this because it looks like he's normal. Cool.
The Pacifier: Worth watching just to see Vin Diesel cycling on a childrens (girls) bike. LOL.
Unleashed: Jet Li, Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins. Hardly three people you'd expect to see together hmm? Well check the trailer out - looks fab.
Miss Congeniality 2: I loved the first film, and if you want to try and get this trailer working then be my guest :( - William FUCKING Shatner is back, so I'm in :)

Phew... enough movies for now I think!

Suprnova has been killed. It eventually happens. So here are a couple of links to help "replace" it:
Bi-Torrent - a basic mirror of Suprnova
Lokitorrent - Loki are similar to Supr except they have a login and a forum to play with.
Torrentreactor - Another good site!

It's being posted on Digital Corvettes, Corvette Forum and even VWVortex. The new Corvette ZO6. Want? Yeah me too. :(

And finally for now - from HSV.org.uk - the news of the Monaro VXR getting the 400bhp LS2 from the Corvette. I could probably get one of these one day... damn.

Friday, December 17, 2004

Samsung unveil 102inch plasma screen!


Oh yes. See the Register story for more details...

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Honda's ASIMO

This development robot has become quite the star. Not only does it now stand nearly 4ft tall but it runs as well!

I'm impressed - although I'm a little scepticle as to it's actual purpose and intention.

Anyway. It's worth a look either way.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

This is...

a really big bridge.

French too.

Morning rant

Why chose Christmas to do road works? Not just the one road - but all roads. All major motorways!

Avoid Portsmouth. Unless you enjoy sitting in traffic. Which you will.

Monday, December 13, 2004

Sunday, December 12, 2004

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Yet ANOTHER Calibra update!

Yeah.. I know! But get over there and check out the pictures!

It's soooo close now! One more job (exhaust) and we're ready to turn the key! Eek!

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Alone in the dark

If you remember the game then the film won't be much of a surprise. Looks; interesting!. :)

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Another Calibra page update!

Yep, head on over to the Calibra page (or scroll down on the right to the .site section) and check out the latest work myself and Jamie have been doing. Almost there ;)

Stuff that rocks

Halo 2. It is teh pwn.
My overpriced £306 GeForce 6800GT. It does rock though.
Half Life 2 running at 1600x1200 on the above card. Or.. just Half Life 2. 4 teh win!
My engine rocks. Despite not being finished. Keep an eye out.

Bed time!

Oh and I rock for being 26 today. So nerr!

Thursday, December 02, 2004

Creepy dragon!

Check this out! If you have a printer then print him out and do some old skool cutting and gluing! I did.. weird little guy!

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Crazy model makers

Firstly, a man by the name of Gerald Wingrove. He builds tiny replicas of cars. They are perfect in pretty much every way. Just really really tiny. Check this link out!.
Second is this 1:1 reconstruction of a Daytona Coupe. Madness! :D

Monday, November 29, 2004

Some Calibra progress

Yup, head on over to the Calibra page and check it out. Not many pics but the engine is finally getting there! :)

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Exeter University being sold on Ebay by a student! LOL

So Exeter University is on EBay. I doubt it'll last but it comes after the news that several departments are closing. It affects a few of Gemma's friends and isn't good news.

£200k at last check.. I imagine it'll be gone soon! :)

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Blah, day two.

So some delightful chaps are taking.. actually I don't know "who", but someone, to court to prove speed cameras are illegal (privacy for one). Bravo. It'll get nowhere but we pay enough in taxes not to have those bloody things on our roads (yes they are speed cameras and not safety cameras you arses). Near schools, hell yes. Accident black spots (all three of them), yes. On a flat, straight, 2 mile stretch of road near squat... fuck off. (Sorry for the language but it's how I feel).

Road Rules: Do NOT sit in the outside lane of a motorway at 60mph on a clear, dry evening. You are being a pain in the arse. You are driving dangerously. You are making people undertake you. Honestly, pop down to the local police station and hand over your licence you idiot.

Have you seen Rambo? Complete rubbish. One liners don't come much worse. Rambo 2 is on at present. It's worse.

GM. You are not nice people. You do not need to make a further £15k per Corvette in this country. I repeat. You are not nice people. I will buy something else or I will go to the US and buy one at their prices instead. Hateful, time wasting company. :( Boo.

Apparantly it's, and I quote, "Whogivesacrap" days to Christmas. Bah. Etc.

My hair is really not working for me today.

Monday, November 22, 2004

Blah

So I've taken to counting the number of cars doing 50mph on 3 lane motorways in good conditions.. not exact numbers, just overall. I'm shocked. Did these people never learn that driving slowly is often more dangerous than driving fast or at the limit?
Most are women with the seat pushed as far forward as it will go (which to my eyes is no safer than a lazy bloke having it pushed way back). I'm really not seeing the reason. You took lessons, passed your test and you can't drive. O_o

I love learning and I hate having to. I can soak up information (mostly useless) and it often comes in handy. Yet I have to apply myself for this web design course and I really don't want to. It's not challenging (that may be the problem) and I'm bored. However, it'll lead to bigger things so I'm going to get my head down. Soon. Promise.

Oh Spooks is on.. be right back..

.. Another great show ;) - I do like that. I'm not sure it's worth the TV licence but it's about the best thing on the BBC (yes, Eastenders sucks royally).
I watched Battlestar Galactica before-hand. It's really very good. Much darker and grittier than I think a lot of people were expecting but I love it. The first series is short (around 12 episodes) but I really hope the viewing numbers are high enough to warrant a second.

Oh.. last episode of the OC! Teen angst at it's best... :D

I must admit I'm not exactly torn between the new Corvette and the Monaro. The one I want is the one that isn't available. If it were it'd be LHD and cost around £10k more than the other. But wanting is wanting!
But there is something very cool about that Monaro VXR... damn.

Mention Christmas and I'll wound you.

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Mach 9.6

Or 7,000mph. That's pretty quick for a plane.
Reading that, I assume that future shuttles will have similar "scramjet" engines (oxygen breathers) to get themselves in to space. Clever stuff indeed!

Monday, November 15, 2004

Cool movies news...

Firstly - try this Elektra trailer out for size. The movie may (and probably will) suck but Jennifer Garner is cool. :).
Second is that the sequel to Underworld (2003) is in production. More Kate Beckinsale.... :)
Lemony Snicket's - A Series Of Unfortunate Events is Jim Carey's next feature. Looks great - love his stuff.
For those of you that love Hitchiker's Guide will like that link. News and teasers of next year's movie! :)
Plus the Ocean's 12 and Meet the Fockers trailers are worth a gander too!

Don't forget that Blade: Trinity is out this Christmas! Yay!

Edit: Check Constantine out. Devilish!

Thursday, November 11, 2004

The bananaphone(s)

Firstly the original. It may make you go crazy. Or at the very least, inspire pain.

Then the sequel. Disturbing? ;)

"Other people's typos save you money"

www.fatfingers.com.

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Introducing (to me as well) VGCats.com

It's hilarious.. especially if you play games (on consoles as well as PC). The Geekier you are, the more you'll laugh (my tits off).

VGCats.com.

Play MMPORGS?

Then this comic is for you. LOL.. it is teh pwn.

This is soooo true!

Every time it rains... let alone snow!.

Oranges at the ready. Seriously.

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Gran Turismo 4 pictures

I don't own a PS2 and never have - but if I were to buy one it would be for this game.

Impressive, no?

Monday, November 08, 2004

XP Shutdown problems?

If you do (and I've come up against a few recently) then this site has some great ideas. I intend to persue (and already have!) some. :)

Sunday, November 07, 2004

The Gallery to end all...

And it's right HERE.

Keira Knightley!
Jen Aniston!
Kylie!

:D

Silly 1000bhp BMW

Check this out! Madness.

Friday, November 05, 2004

Link-age!

First, an annoying game. :)
Second, a link to the trailer for Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

Make your own mind up on the trailer.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

NTL ups it's Broadband speeds!

Check this link to see what I mean!
So I should be on... 2mb soon! :D

Interesting material on the Star Wars original, special edition (1997) and new DVD editions...

Check out this link to see how (including pictures) the trilogy evolved over the years and versions. It's very nicely done. The link above moves directly to ROTJ but I think there are links back to the previous movies as well. Geeky stuff indeed! :)

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Calibra Turbo pages updates...

Both Calibra Turbo pages have been updated.
On the blue side it's mostly an update of the lack of work (picture wise) I've been doing :( and on the black side - a notice of it's sale. Luckily to another CC member and it's already looking good (a link to it's new home is there too).

Paris 2003

Not long after I first met Gemma I decided I wanted to do something special for her (since she is indeed special). Paris came to mind immediately. I'd personally never been and up until that point I had had no real want to. But when you're with someone that you can enjoy a City like Paris with then it's definitely worth the trip.

We both had a lot of fun there and it was our first real "holiday". We certainly got a lot closer.

Anyway - I found the pictures! They aren't great - it was warmer and lighter than the dark, grey pictures show but you get the idea ;)

Oh and the picture of Gemma's bum was not a mistake. :D

Right.. click here to view them or scroll down on the right and click on the "Holiday - Paris 2003" menu option.

Monday, October 25, 2004

This tickled me...


True or false? You decide...

WATER

1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so
weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's
metabolism as much as 3%.
4. One glass of water will shut down midnight
hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied
in a University of Washington study.
5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime
fatigue.
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses
of water a day could significantly ease back and
joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy
short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and
difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a
printed page.
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the
risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the
risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less
likely to develop bladder cancer.

And now for the properties of COKE

1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol
carries two gallons of Coke in the truck to remove
blood from the highway after a car accident.
2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of coke and
it will be gone in two days.
3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into
the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour,
then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke
removes stains from vitreous China.
4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:
Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds
Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals:
Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to
bubble away the corrosion.
6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked
in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several
minutes.
7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola
into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and
bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove
the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for
a sumptuous brown gravy.
8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of
coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and
run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help
loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from
your windshield.
For Your Info
1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric
acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4
days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from
bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase
in osteoporosis.
2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the
commercial truck must use the Hazardous material
place cards reserved for Highly corrosive
materials.
3. The distributors of coke have been using it to
clean the engines of their trucks for about 20
years!

Now the question is, would you like a glass of
water or coke?

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Optical or Visual illusions

Some are weird, others just plain... weird.

Check 'em out here.

Monday, October 18, 2004

[shock]JC likes the new 911[/shock]

And you can read all about it in his new Times article.

Nice bloke, that JC.
Of course, come Top Gear he'll probably hate it again ;)

Friday, October 15, 2004

Chrome BMW anyone?

Check it out here.

Not sure the legalities over here but it's probably not allowed (along with everything else).

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Bootleggers

You may already have heard about this, and you may already be playing.

If not then allow me to explain.
Bootleggers is an online crime game set in the 1930s. You start off small (pickpocketing) then move on up (Grand theft auto, banks) and eventually end up with a crime syndicate all of your own!

It's not all that graphical and the starting is really slow but it picks up. So far I'm still on Gas stations... lol.

Check is out here.

The "Euro" C6 Corvette

These two pictures represent the Corvette we'll be getting (and therefore, me) in the UK.
I'm glad it's mostly unchanged.. the rear lights could have been done better and I don't like the side repeater but on a black car those can be swapped out for smoked items.
Apparently we get light washers (as you can see below) and a luggage shield in the rear - everything else is the same as the US model (so far).
Anyway - the pics:



Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Two funnies

The first is a video. Is it fake? I dunno.. still silly,

The second is this:

Recently a "Husband Super Store" opened where women could go to choose ahusband from among many men. It was laid out in five floors, with the men increasing in positive attributes as you ascended.

The only rule was, once you opened the door to any floor, you HAD to choose a man from that floor; if you went up a floor, you couldn't go back down except to leave the place, never to return.

A couple of girlfriends went to the shopping centre to find some husbands...

First floor
The door had a sign saying, "These men have jobs and love kids." The women read the sign and said, "Well, that's better than not having a job or not loving kids, but I wonder what's further up?"

So up they went.

Second floor
The sign read, "These men have high paying jobs, love kids, and are extremely good looking." "Hmmm," said the ladies, "But, I wonder what's further up?"

Third floor
The sign read, "These men have high paying jobs, are extremely good looking, love kids and help with the housework." "Wow," said the women, "Very tempting." But there was another floor, so
further up they went.

Fourth floor
This door had a sign saying "These men have high paying jobs, love kids,are extremely good looking, help with the housework and have a strong romantic streak."

"Oh, mercy me," they cried, "Just think what must be awaiting us further on!

So up to the fifth floor they went.

Fifth floor
The sign on that door said, "This floor is empty and exists only to prove that women are ****ing impossible to please. The exit is to your left,we hope you fall down the stairs."

Monday, October 11, 2004

Up for flooding?

Well I'm not and neither is my area...

Is yours?

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

4x4 Cosworth MINI

Yeah.. and not the new one either - right here.
The mind doth boggle! Nutters... though cool.

E-Messenger

E-Messenger is a web based (Java) messenger that allows you to log in to MSN without the need of an installed client.

It's not that smooth or streamlined but it does work well. Give it a go! (Especially if you don't want MSN installed!).