Atari 2600

Are you old enough to remember the Atari 2600? (I know a few of you are... :) ) - well Atari as sort of re-released it.

The Flashback 2 is that very thing. It looks like the old '2600 but has the games built in. And for $30 (I assume that'll be £30) it's almost a bargain!

Okay.. it's not a 360, but you can't get those at the moment (especially here).

First 360 reviews up

Yup, 1up.com has the first reviews of games such as PGR3, Amped 3 and Call of Duty 2. Hmm... PGR3 is almost worth buying the machine for! Eek!

Hmm, Sci Fi madness

I was just reading on Scifi wire about a few crazy news items. First is the "Sarah Connor Chronicles". Um, why? It'll be pants. Surely it'll be pants? The Terminator without The Terminator. I assume it'd be her work between T2 and her death... or maybe not. Oh and it's a TV Show (see..)
Then there is Blade.. the TV show. This one is already in production. Um.. why? Again? WHY? WS was Blade, I'll find it hard to accept a tame, evening-style (no gore) TV show like this. Oh well.
Then there is the Robocop remake. This could go either "Batman Begins" and be great, or Batman Forever... and not so great. I still think the original is good (in a cheesy way) so I think it's a bit early to be remaking it.

Then there is Jenifer Garner not returning (rumour) to Series 6 of Alias. Since it's her show, about her character, that makes little sense to me. I can understand shows moving main characters on (as Alias has done); SG1 manages it nicely, but the main character? Nah...

At least there is some real news. X-Men 3 is nearly shot - Stan Lee is talking about his cameo (the above link). Fantastic Four 2 is on it's way; although Jessica Alba may not return (:()

Histories worst computer bugs

Here's a Wired article about the above. AT&T is in there, along with Intel and the Russians (Cold war baby!) and even the first ever "bug" (yep, it was a real one.. a moth). It's a good read!

Ah what a week

Not that anything usually exciting happens. This week my brother went and did gone done broke his left clavicle and right elbow. Silly bugger. He's now in twin-slings and can't do an awful lot.. at least not for the next month or so.
How'd he do it? Well he came off a downhill bike. While travelling downhill. I guess it's a pretty common sort of thing to happen - as accidents do - and he'll be fine in the long run (that's all that matters).

I found, came across, saw a review on The Register, a new phone. It's the Sony Ericsson W550i. It's dead funky, with a Walkman feature (would never use), 3D games such as Worms (would never use), a 1.3MB camera (would never use) and so on - pretty cool. I like the way it swings outward (instead of a clamshell) and can even have the screen work "widescreen" style. It's cool. I want. :)

I went to the Classic Car show last weekend. Really enjoyed seeing the classic metal (including four very nice DeLoreans, Mustangs and even a couple of General Lees) and meeting up with various club members and peeps. Roll on the next one!

Also, should be at the MPH '05 show next week (18th) too - looking forward to that one; the last show was excellent!

SEMA 2005

The Speciality Equipment Marketing Association Show runs every year in the US (Las Vegas this year) to show off new tuning parts/kits etc from the world of US and World modifying.
I came across this gallery page (or pages) today from this weeks show. Some amazing stuff in there!

Random random links for you...

First off, how about a Porsche Boxster that has some subltle mods to it. Now it looks like a 550 Spyder!. Okay, not quite.. but it's still cleverly done.
Are you parents Car People?. Interesting thread.. :)
I never thought I'd see a thread about good looking Volvo 240s... . But I was wrong. Clearly. :)

MMOs or MMORPGS.. free ones :)

There are a ton of MMPORGs (Massively Multi-Player Online Roleplaying Games) that you can pay for. There is the most excellent World of Warcraft, the old and dire Neocron, the "once-good-but-no-longer" Star Wars Galaxies, not to mention Everquest et al. TONS.
But if you would rather throw caution to the wind, and even save a few quid you could play a free MMO.
For instance, there is Dofus - which you need to actually go see ;) - or something like Guild Wars which is making itself quite the known one across the glove for being not only free, but pretty and giving you a "WoW" like experience... sort of. :)
To that end, go visit OnRPG.com for a list, and forums for, free MMOs (to save you manually searching!).

I'll chuck that link somewhere on the left for.. reference or something. Aren't I good to you peeps?

Between Swanwick and Fareham....

..coming toward Fareham is a kit car in a field. I wish I had a camera.. looked like a Ferrari F40 but squashed. It's yellow and looks incomplete (well, looked worse for wear and was missing doors). If ya see it - let me know!

WoW expansion revealed

As a follow of the "WoW" I was pretty interested in the new expansion, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade. Unveiled at the recent Blizzcon event. Here's the blurb:

" Blizzard is proud to officially announce our upcoming World of Warcraft expansion set, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade! Join the Horde as one of the power-driven Blood Elves, or aid the Alliance as a yet-unrevealed new race! Explore the scarred Orcish homeland of Draenor! Delve into mysterious new dungeons, engage your enemies on new battlegrounds, and acquire wondrous new items! Take up dangerous and rewarding new quests for your faction! Train in an all-new profession! Increase your might as an adventurer up to the new level cap of 70, with new spells, abilities, and talents, and meet head on the plethora of new challenges awaiting you!

We will be revealing new information about the expansion set, including the identity of the new Alliance race, as the release draws closer. Be sure to visit our new expansion site for the latest updates! Read the press release"

More in the coming months I suspect! :)

Another game!

This one is called Milkogame. It's like the old "point and click" games that Sierra and Lucasarts used to bring us... only nowhere as good. :)
Still worth a play... and bloody hard too. Um.. linked below.. O_o

A couple of games for you..

First is the Mofuya games. Try "The Swan Room". It's a tough one!
Secondly is the Milkogame. Halfway between okay and crap. However, it's kinda pretty...

Some linkies...

First off, The Star Trek Movies Box Set: SE. Oh how I want this! :( - One day! I'll just add that to the list of series box sets I want :p
A Rich Chap(TM) takes his Enzo, GT and SLR to a 1/4 meet. Mad. But great :)
And a Renault V10 plays "We are the Champions". Um.. cool.

Purepwnage

Purepwnage is.. I think.. WoW based. Umm, it's episodic and kinda funny. Check out Wow is a feeling. It's both hilarious and painful. :lol:

Transparent Aluminum now a reality...

Would that be worth something to you, laddie?".

RIP James Doohan

I miss my Porsche

After seeing this thread on the Vortex (and subsequently posting), I'm missing my old 911(s). Although my accident early in the year has left me with some serious confidence issues in bad weather (yeah, I had my accident in FINE weather.. odd that) I still miss the noise, the power and all the quirks that go with owning German's finest.

Although my next aim is something V8 powered, I'm probably going to end up in another 911 at some point. I can't put my finger on why though - I've been there, and done that - but yet... there is something haunting about the 993. Meh. There is also the small point of cost. My V8 fantasy is 1990 mortgage money. Stupid cars.

Anyhoo, I'm now in a 1997 Rover 214Si. I'd post a picture but my camera is k-nackered and, well, it's not that interesting. In fact, it's quite the ugly duckling. Beyond that though, it drives well and is comfortable. Not much more I can ask at the moment really.

An ipod a day...

Yes, Apple has released another ipod. This time with video. I love my gadgets (not that I own many) and I'd luuurve to have one of these. Despite probably never using it (especially for video). But what the hell, it's cool, right?
Even with it being October, Apple promise us more in the ipod range before the year is out. So what next? Widescreen ipods? Internet 'pods? Who knows... but I'll want them too :)
Now.. if I could only get some cash together....

Yesterday...

I ran the BUPA Great South Run here in Portsmouth. It's a 10 mile road race around Southsea and surrounding areas. I pulled a pretty poor time of 1 hour 26 minutes (or thereabouts). Unfortunately during the week I picked up a minor foot injury (either a bruised muscle or bone.. I don't know which, but it hurts!) and despite that, I still ran. My pace was good at the 5 mile mark - aiming for around a 1 hour 10 minute time but then I slowed due to pain and decided that finishing was probably more important! So I did.. and I'm pretty happy about that.
A few friends of mine ran - Jeff and Sandie (1hr 17 & 1hr 20?), Steve (1hr 15! clever sod), and a few others with equally excellent times. Next year I shall beat them (oi, don't laugh) - or at least aim to run with them. :) Heh.

Now I look forward to next year. :D

A few bits and bobs

Good morning all...

Well, things are actually busy with me. Work has been hellish - with actual work coming in and having to be done. With that in mind - you can see why I've not updated the site (at all). I still intend to but things just run away with you.

On the subject of work - well it's not good. We'll either lose our jobs to outsourcing or simply downsizing very soon (How soon?!) and there isn't much on the horizon. Russ (my work colleague) has broken his ankle - so that just makes things worse (well, I have to do more work for a start!). Meh.. that's life eh.
I'm tempted to get out of IT...

There is nothing really new on the car front - the Clio is up for sale though as I have my sister's Rover 214Si. It's a little newer and a bit safer (airbags) and with Gemma coming close to getting a licence, I'd rather the car she drove was up to the job of keeping her safe.
The Calibra is fine - I'm not using it much (the odd drive) but it still needs mapping etc but I just don't have the money (see above about the job situ!). It'll get done when I'm happy with the rest of my life! :P

Gemma is back to Uni now. Um. Yeah. She's enjoying it but it means she's not here. :( - not much else I can say on that subject really. Just can't wait for July next year.

Linkies... pop over to Startrek.com and check out "A Trek Life". It's a funny comic... even if you hate Star Trek you might enjoy it!
How about a 200gb iPod Nano? Err yeah... Lol.
Or even The Optimus Keyboard. This one I like. :)
Don't forget that both Wallace and Gromit and Harry Potter are on their way too!

Umm.. what else. Oh yes.

The Classic Car Show is at the NEC in Birmingham between the 4th and 6th November. I'm going along on the Sunday to meet up with my DeLorean folk and to have a good nose around. Should be a good show.
Also in the same vein is MPH '05. I went last year but really can't afford to go this time round. It IS a fantastic show though - with a live arena where cars get taken around by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Tiff Needell. I recommend it highly.

Okay that's it for now.. back later :)

Spin

Spin is a very clever short film about a mysterious DJ that can change time.... :)

Water drop photography

Creates some amazing pictures. Worth a visit if you can't find that desktop background you want! :)

What if...

Geraldine. :)

Explore Italy!

This is cool... :)

Some "interesting" Marios

Here is a Japanese site that, well let's be honest, is just plain odd. It features (from what I can gather) different artistic interpretations of Mario. From GI Joe Mario, to girl Mario to Hitler Mario! Take a look... but don't ask me what's going on!

The world ends @ 9:15 a.m. EDT on June 1, 2014.

Cool eh?. Can't say I can believe that story since it's also published (word for word) here. Hmm. Well, at least Nasa are planning more visits to the moon! O_o

I have links for the making amusingness!

Well Nintendo make me laugh. They really do. Firstly, their new Revolution controller. Ooh. Etc!
Then, to add insult - if you want a controller to actually use the machine - then you need this!. Wow and stuff! - of course, that costs money. More money. Yey for screwing us!

And this rather hilarious Ctrl-Alt-Del cartoon that is soooo on the money (money? Who said money?. Oh, here's a great VGCats take on it all.

Cynical? Us? Never!

The (local) world has gone crazy.

You're probably aware that we are about to have fuel protesters march against the oppression that is our government. In doing so they will achieve something that only protesting can - nothing. Looking back through history, you'll notice that protesting makes people aware (in the general populous) that there is a large scale difference in opinion on the given subject. However, it never actually changes the enforced opinion, nor does it help.
In our case, panic buying has caused widespread disruption already with some fuel stations closed completely or even worse, clogging roads and stopping new supplies from arriving.
Hell, the protesting doesn't start until tomorrow!
It appears that the event will be over three days - Wednesday the 14th through Friday 16th. In doing so it may even stop me from travelling to Exeter to help Gemma move in to her new Uni residence. Well that's great isn't it? Not only can I not travel but the prices will remain high and the country will be in a state of annoyance. Woo.

Personally I agree, things need to change. However, how this will happen is beyond me at the moment. Protesting won't do it; that's certain.

Safe travelling everyone - and do the sensible thing and keep your speed down eh? :)

New BMW Z4 Coupe

From the Frankfurt show... here. I don't know.. I think I like it (shock. horror. etc.). Could be worse!

My life, an update...

Hello distant souls. How's trickolas?
Well, my 911 (the new one) is gone. Oh yes, tis gone. It seems odd to sell it after only a few months but needs must. Needs? Well there is a chance that I will be made redundant come the year end. I have no job to go to (despite interviews) and I want to be prepared. Thus the car is the first step to debt clearing. It is a huge shame to see this one drive away. It was just what I wanted.
Anyway.
So I'm a Clio driver now. It sucks to be honest, but what can you do? Buy another car? Hell y.. no. I have plans - well, ideas really. I'd like the Corvette (back to that old chestnut) but I don't see me getting the money together any time soon. Maybe something in the meantime, such as an older 'Vette or even a different Porsche (968 perhaps) have been swimming in my head. However, as Gemma quite rightly says, "It's not what you want, and you won't be happy". Typical she would know me that well!
What I want is the C6. So maybe I should aim for one and see what happens. :)

Let's see. Oh, yes the Calibra. Well that's up and running now. It needs work (when will it not?) but it runs. I'm not too happy driving it just yet but we'll see how things work out. It's there though, and that's the important bit. However, there is a boost leak and an oil leak that need attention before I can give her the thrashing she needs. (sigh) More work!

Um.. WoW. I haven't really played it. I will. But Gemma is here and I value my time with her over a game (and it's still technically Summer so I'm enjoying the weather). However, I still do play and the end game stuff is still waaaay open to me. Lots to do over the winter months! Check out This to see what's on the cards :)

Gemma has her new house (Uni) now as well. We're popping down to Exeter to start populating the place soon. Only one more year and she's "free". I personally cannot wait. :)

If you get bored, check out Sinfest - it's a great little comic. Well, I laugh at it! I'll pop it and another couple in the menu later on :)

New VW Eos CC

See the title? Just looks like a bunch of random letters... lol. Anyway, check out these pictures out of the new VW roadster. Why am I posting it? Well for a start it looks nothing like the prototype/concept. Hardly surprising but so far it's dull. Secondly, everyone has to have one in their range now. Vauxhall, Ford (Focus based), Renault, Mercedes, Peugeot.. blah.
Oh and it's a Golf underneath. :)

Well this is a first...

German court rules in favour of fat man in a Merc

Tue Aug 30, 1:24 PM ET

BERLIN (Reuters) - A German court has ruled that Mercedes must release a man from a car lease deal after a dispute over whether he was too heavy to drive the luxury vehicle, Bild newspaper reported on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENT


Mercedes refused to release the insurance salesman from a lease agreement on his S-320 CDI model, arguing the multiple car breakdowns caused by his weight were insufficient grounds to break the deal.

But the Stuttgart court ruled in favour of the salesman, named only as Frank S., apparently on the grounds that the car should have been able to take his weight.

Frank S. was told that at 160 kg (352 pounds) he weighed twice as much as the average driver, Bild said.

"They told me that I was too fat for the car because the seat was broken," he told Bild, in a story next to a picture of the east German squeezing behind the steering wheel of the model Bild said was worth 65,000 euros (44,400 pounds).

"I could hardly fit behind the steering wheel ... Then I had to take the car back to the shop for repairs 13 times for 21 different malfunctions in the first 20,000 km."

The 37-year-old said he got fed up and wanted to return the car but Mercedes refused to release him from his lease contract.

A court in Stuttgart ruled that DaimlerChrysler had to let him out of the agreement.

The salesman, who switched to a Volkswagen, would sue to get back the leasing payments he made, Bild said.

Mother nature...

...don't mess with her!.

Month(ly) roundup!

It's not that I've been overly busy (ish) but I really haven't had the inclination to update the site, post links or, well, pretty much anything. It's not been the greatest of months to be entire honest. My saving grace is Gemma. Having her home is awesome (cool US wording included) and there have been some nice highlights (my Brother's engagement party was great fun; as well as Kingsley's do). But the 911 is going soon (yeah I know!) due to mounting debt, inadequate storage and a few other "issues".
To top it off, work is pretty bleak (redundancy is looming in one form or another). I've had one really good interview, but whether I fit the bill is up to them now. I really hope I do! More on that later in the week (I hopeskycopter).
Back to the cars? Well the 911 is as good as sold. If the trader doesn't want it, someone else will. It pains me to sell it but then again, it pains me to keep it. So I would rather keep the monthly loan payments and be a bit lighter on the debt front instead. Hopefully I can go back to 911 ownership one day - or perhaps something else ;)
The Calibra hasn't moved so I can't really update that side of things. I do intend to get out there and play with it but so far I've not had the time. She does appear to run quite well though so that's something!

I've started reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - I'm only a few chapters in but it's so far quite enjoyable. I know you and the rest of the world has already read it but... nerr - I was busy!

WoW is going okay. I'm a bit behind with my playing (can't be bothe...etc) but I've started a new character on the Archimonde server (again, Arbilac - a NE Druid). Only level 10 at the moment but that will soon change!
Why? Well Archimonde is a lower population server (less lag) and it's also a PvP (Player vs Player) server so it's more dangerous to roam about without being attacked! It's a different challenge and I look forward to progressing further!

Anyway - on I must go. I will update the site soon with news of 911s and hopefully jobs. Then I might even get some pics uploaded etc!

Because I'm lazy...

I present to you, the VGCats forums thread on Best Pics. It's about as random as you can get - and some are unreal (as in, really funny!). Looksee and enjoy. Or else. Yeah you!

Great little game

It's all about the bubbles!.

250mph Ecotec

Whose who know their GMs will find this interesting. :)

Unconventional engines thread

Over on VWVortex. It's a good one too, because there are a ton of engine designs I had no idea even existed!

CTRL-ALT-DEL

CTRL-ALT-DEL is a great cartoon. Hilarious in places too - check out this WoW cartoon. Fab!

Good god, the site is out of date!

Yup - just checking through and I REALLY need to get this place cleaned up! The Calibra is all but done - and that needs a BIG update. I really need a decent camera.. lol.
I'll do my best over the next week or so - get some show pics up etc. Useless :(

Monkey Island Comic

Just as the title says!

Clicky!

P.J. Tracy

I've just finished reading the third book from mother/daughter team P.J. Tracy. Starting with "Want to Play" (or Monkeewrench) and on to "Live Bait" and now "Dead Run". I won't go in to them too much (click the links) but I must say I've thoroughly enjoyed every single page. If you enjoy reading - then read. :)

Rain.com/pour

Fortune favours the bold. Or in my case, everyone but me.
It's been a busy few weeks (hence I don't have time for blogging) and things are moving to a "finale" with the Calibra. To what end? I don't really want to think about it to be honest. I know how I am and how I work and I don't see me being happy with it running "right". Or at all. It's future is not assured any more than the 911's is.

I now have the following:
MBE 941 ECU: It's no longer made but does everything I need to get my car over 400bhp (or much more if the engine itself could handle it). It's pre-mapped with a spec not too far off what I have - which is nice. Fitting it doesn't look all that hard either - but I'll make sure Jamie is on hand as he's done it several times before.
500cc MSD injectors: Sure it doesn't mean a lot on screen but think that my old ones were 280cc (or thereabouts) you can see how much difference these will make. I could squeeze 300/350bhp out of the old ones (flow wise) so these should do for 400+bhp.
Wasted-spark ignition: This bit saves me spending a lot of distributer caps, rotor arms and coils. No moving parts = Good.

A few hours work (I have an oil leak that needs attention) and I should be up and running again. There is - of course - more to come update-wise ;)

Now - the rain/pour bit. My 911 is a hard top - not a cabrio. Yet it believes otherwise and has allowed water in to the cabin. Lots of it. This is annoying in the least as the leak appears to be coming from my "bond-in-only" rear screen and that sounds expensive. The leak itself has interferred with the electrics of the car as well and the rear spoiler no longer does it's job (it'll only move manually) and (and?!) my dash electrics are playing up. Being a 911, it's not something I want to mess with so it's going to Camtune to be looked at. I am not looking forward to that at all. If it works out to be very expensive I may just have to work out if I really need a 911. LOL.

In other news, the Clio appears to be fine. :p

It's coming...

Porsche have confirmed that there will indeed be a 4-door car joining the line-up. 2009. Panamera.
New 928 methinks. :)

Google maps.. now MSN Earth

As reported on The Register, MSN is having a stab at the whole "maps.. blah" thingy with MSN Virtual Earth. The Earth being Northern America, of course.
Blah. Etc.

Find amusing place names near you!

Right here. :D

Quite the interesting engine conversion...

Basically it's this: Put M3 running gear in to a 4-door 323i. Sounds simple I would have guessed.

Not really. Here's his own site.

The thread is over 90 pages long right now (and growing) but it's worth reading. Amazing work and kudos to the owner!

Days

Fly by when you're off work! :)

That's primarily why I've not posted. I should be back on form next week when I have some time to kill (or doing a rebuild.. lol).
So I've been busy as usual. Mostly throwing out stuff from the house (making space) and getting rid of stuff I don't need. Even making a few bob too. This is mainly due to having to find several hundred squids to pay for my upcoming ECU/injectors etc that are coming my way! So the Turbo will finally be all-but finished. About bloody time too.

The 911 has been my trusty steed recently too. You gotta love that German build quality. I really need to get it serviced (well, an oil change) and sort some minor bits out but it's being a rock. Love it.

London got bombed again. Great. Can't really understand why though. It's not like it's making a point (still). Sad world we live in.

If you've not seen War Of The Worlds then do so. It's rather fab. I won't go in to detail as there really should be no need. You should all know the story! Spielburg has done a great job. :)
I have to say the same for as well - a great movie that reboots the franchise nicely. I'll be watching this one again soon. And the sequel is pretty much assured.
As is the Fantastic Four I should think. This one is only out today so I've yet to go see it but I expect to soon. It looks good - probably not Spiderman good, but good.
One last one, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I want to see this - rain is expected this weekend so maybe I'll go then.. and report back later!

Ah WoW news. I'm level 60 now - have been for a week or so now :) It rules - now I just need some time to get some decent raids and PvP time under my belt. All in good time! :D

Need to get back to working out.. later.

F1 drivers.. will they strike?

Check it out.
Personally this has made F1 more interesting than actually watching it (I can't.. it bores me to tears). Go soapy drama!

PGR3

So far I've only seen some random shots (no cars..) but this is certainly impressive.
What I have noted is that on a TV (HDTV?) it'll not look as clean; and with no cars, it does look photo-like. Hmm. XBox360 eh...

A few good men

This is deserving of a watch. 40mb (streaming). Half Life 2/Source/A few good men. Awesome. :)