Friday, May 20, 2005

What next for the Calibra?

I've "postponed" some work on the Turbo until after this show season - I figure that if I start anything then I'll end up missing both PV and Billing.

After the show season though I have to be careful - I don't want to spend a great deal more but I keep seeing things I want! It's no good... lol.. stupid evil slippery slope.

Anyway, do I bother with:

1. Custom ECU - the only real route to 400bhp
2. 800cc injectors - see above.. lol
3. Coil pack (replacing dizzy) - more reliable
4. New mega-fuel pump (already at home.. just need to fit)
5. Refurb the wheels (nice idea I have too)
6. New seats.. my cream leather is A1 but I have seen some great seats... and have already spoken with the local trimmers.
7. Paint job - there is a spot of rust coming through and some laquer peeling where is really shouldn't be; time for a complete job?

Or do I just leave it? Don't worry - no plans to sell. Although my girlfriend may end up killing me if I don't..

You see my bind, don't you? The initial 4 items are the important ones - but the ECU alone is £850+vat (for the DTA). I don't like a job half finished... I really don't - but I'm also only doing about 25 miles a week!

I think I feel like moaning for the sake of it to be honest.

Thursday, May 19, 2005

How the week passes!

Thursday already! Blimey... the week started slow and now it's nearly over. Weird.

I'm looking forward to the weekend - I'm seeing my Gemma! However, I won't then see her for around a month :( - that's exams for you. Oh well.. I have plenty to keep me busy (I think) during that period.

The deposit on the 911 is done. I've booked the holiday and the flight - I just need insurance and the cash (urg) and I can go get it (well, it's good one but I'm still being careful). I don't relish the drive back but it should be fine if the weather is okay. I'll be sensible and stop at least once (maybe twice) to prevent my brain leaking from my ears. :) - If all else fails I'll just fly back.
That reminds me.. I need to chase Elephant (that would usually be a strange comment).

I made 46 in WoW last night. I'm probably off until Sunday now then I'll have to uber-grind to get back up to speed!

The next-gen consoles are all over the news (even the BBC). The Xbox will rule the airwaves, the PS3 will take graphics further than ever and the Revolution will allow you to play 20 year old games. Umm. Yeah. My vote currently stands with the PS3. I loved the PS1 - hated to 2 but the 3 has sparked my interest.. although that's mainly from a technical standpoint. Unfortunately they ('box/Ps) both have some really interesting titles lined up and that's all that really counts - and therefore I'll need both in my life (despite the fact neither will get used, ever.). Sad but true.

To finish, here are some pretty cars.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

E3

E3 starts today for the public - but it started on Monday for the press and they are already reporting on it. I prefer Gamespy for my footage so head on over and read up on the Playstation 3 (complete with Spiderman font), Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Revolution.

While I couldn't warm to the PS2 I think the PS3 has my attention... :)

Looking after the little women

It is important for men to remember, that as women grow older it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.

My name is Ron...... Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Julie.

When I took "early retirement" last year, it became necessary for Julie to get a full-time job, both for extra income and for our pension that we needed. Shortly after she started working I noticed she was beginning to show her age.

I usually get home from the Golf Course about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table.

I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home cooked grub when I hit that door...

She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now, it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.

I really think my experience as a teacher helps a lot. I consider telling people what they ought to do one of my strong points...

And speaking of bed, her age really shows up there. I go out and golf all day, come in dead tired and after a two hour nap and a good meal, I'm ready, if you know what I mean. Age has gotten her so bad that she actually dozes off during lovemaking. But that's okay. Her satisfaction in that area is important to a sensitive guy like me and if she enjoys sleeping during our little trysts, what the hey...

Now that she has gotten older, she does seem to get tired so much more quickly. Our washer and dryer are in the basement. Sometimes she says she just can't make another trip down those steps.

I don't make a big issue of this; as long as she finishes up the laundry the next evening, I'm willing to overlook it. Not only that, but unless I need something ironed to wear to the Monday commitee meeting, or to Wednesday's or Saturday's night out with the boys, or to Tuesday's darts night or Thursday's snooker night, or something like that, I will tell her to wait until the next evening to do the ironing. This gives her a little more time to do some of those odds and ends like shampooing the dog, vacuuming or dusting...

Also, if I had a really good day on the course and it was wet and muddy, my clubs are a mess, so I let her clean them, you know.....get the grit off the grips and a little light Brillo on the club faces at a casual pace. My golf bag is heavy so I lift it out of the boot for her. Women are delicate, have weak wrists and can't lift heavy stuff as good as men. But I did tell her I don't like to be wakened during my after-golf nap, so rather than bother me, she can put them back in the boot when she's finished.

Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think. For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But boys, we take em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much.

I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points.

When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more! rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too, and then take her break by my hammock. That way she can talk with me until I fall asleep.

I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Julie. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older.


However, guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other...

Signed,


Ron


Unfortunately shortly after receiving this I found out that Ron had died suddenly. Apparently he was found in his garage with a Calloway extra long 50 inch Big Bertha Driver II rammed up his posterior, with only 2 inches of grip showing. His wife Julie was arrested, but the all-woman Jury accepted her defense that he accidentally sat on it, and she was released on April 4th.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

A little more to the left...

Hopefully, if the day does not own me, I shall be sorting out the details of the 911 later today... around 3pm in fact :)
Although I will call my insurance company first to make sure I can actually do it (nah.. I'll buy it anyway).
I don' like dealing with large amounts of money; it's scary. It's also a little embarassing getting that much in cash from a bank - I do not like it one bit. :(
I should also look in to flights to Manchester - eek.

Nearly made 46 last night in WoW - it's a long slog but worth it. I need 47 really so I can upgrade my weapon and then enter a new area; I do not particularly like grinding levels out as it's not really the way to play - however, sometimes you need to do it just to get to the newer quests. Ah well!

Damn.. work.

Monday, May 16, 2005

I hate Mondays

I grew up with Garfield. Okay, well - he's a month older than I am - but I've never liked Mondays and neither does he. I like Lasagna though.
Yesterday was glorious - I have no idea quite how warm it was, but my back says 150,000c. Heh.. I thought I was outside for a couple of hours (try four) and I'm a little "tender". lol. Mad, yes... but also a little tanned. :)
I have a question - how does one clean a white car? It's easy enough to get the dirt off, but polish? The polish is white for crying out loud! Meh... the Clio is clean and the Calibra, once again, gleaming. Gotta love it. However, I'm noticing rust on one rear arch so I'll need to get on that before it spreads - paint job anyone? :D
The 911 purchase is coming along. I have pics of pretty much everything that is important - and I'm happy to go buy her. I just need to call the owner and arrange it all... wish me luck on that!

I owned at WoW this weekend. Despite getting some sun and doing the shopping, finding time to have pizza with Dean and Laura - watch a Matrix film, washing the cars - cutting the hedges and seeing Dad, I still managed 2.5 levels (43 to nearly 46), got my mount and made back another 15g from nought. :D
Must say I'm enjoying it at the moment!

More later sports fans.