Thursday, February 10, 2005

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

A lovely weekend had

Indeed. Last weekend was, so far, my best of the year. I spent it (for the first time) with my Gemma. All the cliches are true, and I won't go on about them but I really really had fun and can't wait until I see her again!

We watched Blade: Trinity. It's great - better than the second but not quite as good as the first. Funny where it should be and the rest of the time, action. Just the way I like it. Go watch, if you haven't already :)
Watch out for TV series' John Doe star Dominic Purcell as the evil Drake.

Also watched The Chronicles of Riddick again.. this time on DVD. Another great film. If you don't know the story check out it's offical site - I'm sure it'll help ;)
Make sure you see Pitch Black first though.

On a completely different note, my 8v Calibra is now for sale - see it here. The turbo is nearly ready and I need this to go so I can get on with finishing/insuring the purple one :)

Righto - it's bed time. More tomorrow! Night ;)

ClubCalibra.net

Goes all upgraded and stuff! Check it out here. It's a wonderful place to be - and even better, I've been promoted to a moderator! Hehe.. quite enjoying it I must say. :)
SO.. come on over and let me moderate you. You know you'll love it.

Thursday, February 03, 2005

The NEW Highway Code

Posted by Kieran over on ClubCalibra, this site is really good. Way too close to reality, mind!

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Max-boost.co.uk

I can't believe I hadn't linked this before.. I must be getting old.

Please go to John's Max-boost site if you have anything Vauxhall related. It's an absolubtly wonderful site! More info than you can shake a stick at (and while I'm there... what the hell would you shake a stick at in the first place?). A top site, with top info. Visit or else.

On the flip side, if you have a Ford or a Nissan (or anything else car wise) - well, it's probably not your thing. However, beyond the LET/XE technical knowledge stored herein there are some great articles that all engine builders alike can find useful (and some resource files that are great just to read).

Go... well? Go on then!

Monday, January 31, 2005

Mmmm Corvette

I have found a place selling new Corvette C6s, on the road, for £39,950. That's good. Okay, so it's way out of my range but it's a doable target. Vauxhall are selling the new Monaro VXR (2005 model) for around £37,000. There is hardly anything in it (at that money anyway).

So I have something to work towards. Sort of.

Actually I need a garage to store something like that in (so the cats don't destroy it). For that I'd need to move. And adding £100k to my mortgage would kind of kill my dreams of a V8. Catch 22? :(

Latest Calibra update!

Yeah it's been updated again! This time the engine is done.. I mean, done. One hose and she's running. It's soooo close now! :) Have a looksee.

Funnily enough, the project is far from over (from a technical standpoint at least). She'll run but I doubt she'll be happy with a few things we've done. The fix is of course, Autronic. But that is out of my monetary reach at the moment. So.. here's hoping.

Friday, January 28, 2005

Cool weblog!

It's already been featured on FHM with the really funny Bunny Suicides. But I thought I'd like directly to Sex and fun. :)


Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Ooh I've been a lazy so and so!

Yeah I've not been blogging. I'm a bad person (yeah shut it you!).

But I have my reasons. Mainly I've been too busy - even here at work - to blog. Or post links. It's not for the want of trying (although the amount of links I've found hasn't been great either) and I'll try to get back up to speed! :)

Recent weeks I've been working, then doing some more work, then finding time to eat, play WoW (with my bro) or spend some "quality" time under the car. Notice I haven't mentioned Gemma? Well I haven't seen her since the beginning of the month due to exams but I've managed a few 5 minute conversations with her. I've just been trying to keep busy really!

The car is almost finished (I really should update the page!). I'm really only waiting on one hose... but I'll explain that on the Calibra page :)

WoW is going surprisingly well. I've not played much over the last week simple because I haven't had the time (or it's been late and I've gone to bed). But I'm nearly level 29 and am still really enjoying it. Dean (my bro) is around level 32/33.. but he's a nutter. :D

Right.. more to do. Will post again later ;)

CD spun to death!

Here. Yup.. in fact it's probably not worth explaining. Just look.

But don't try it yourself, eh?

Thursday, January 20, 2005

Another bizarre site

For a bizarre world. Ban this. :)

The HASSELHOFFIAN Recursion

This isn't right.

Friday, January 14, 2005

Perfecting The Emulation For Digital Eclipse's Atari Anthology

Back to the Classics is a great article written by one Jeff Vavsour. He is responsible (one of many I suspect) for bringing the Atari classics back to life on the PS1 and 2 (and some earlier emulation work on the PC).
It's a fascinating article from both a technical angle (why) and a nostalgia one. He goes on to explain why, in fact, they used emulation and not porting or simply re-writing them.
It's well worth reading if you're in to emulation (as I am!).

EDIT: Here is website! :)

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Sin City

Have you played Max Payne? Did you like it? (Sure you did!)

Then you should check this out!
Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen... loads of names and it's in black and white (almost). Cool. :)

Speed cameras over reading?

That's what one David Edgar is saying. With 35 years of driving behind him he got caught speeding (41mph in a 30mph) and became suspicious of the timing system. Here is the story. 25% is a long way out too.

Sunday, January 09, 2005

.Calibra Updated!

Hi all... more Calibra news!

Yep - she's back from Stealth and sporting a fancy new exhaust and intercooling setup. Dart on over and have a look. There are more pictures to come as I finish off the work and get ready to start the engine. Next weekend! (Let's hope!). :D

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

Stupid?

A taxi. Doing a 3-point turn. Over a junction. Next to a school. At 8:30am this morning. O_o

It doesn't get much dumber than that (and everyone else thought so too).

Monday, January 03, 2005

A bit o' Misc

I've updated the .misc page with some pics of my new toys from Australia. My mum and sister have just returned from a month out there. Lucky so and sos! :)

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

A couple of links...

Jeremy on the new BMW 1 Series.
A bizarre E-Bay auction. :)
Chrysler's ME-412 information and news.

Sunday, December 12, 2004

War of the Worlds

The first trailer is out! Summer '05...

Yes.. it is another update. Sorry. :)

Go on.. here!

New boot ;)

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.