MJ NOT GUILTY

On all 10 counts... yehaa!

Monday (one day)

So the weekend started on Friday with the gym and a nice run on a sunny, balmy afternoon. Lovely.
Then home and straight back out to look at Laura's rear brakes (my old 8v - see the relavant page on the right!). That done, I took it round the block only to find more noises. I think a CV joint maybe on it's way out. Hmm. Anyway - pizza and a beer and back home made a nice end to the week in a "if-I-do-say-so-myself" kinda way :P

Saturday was a long one! Up early-ish and straight out to replace the Calibra's rocket gasket. These things aren't cheap (for a piece of rubber) and she's on number three already. Harsh. Anyway - that probably won't solve my oil woes - next job is the oil pressure spring adjustment which involves removing the engine mount and bumper and a reasonable amount of swearing. Joy.
Dad came down so that wiped out a couple of hours (more pizza.. but only a slice instead of the whole thing for me!) and then out to sort the 911.
She'd not seen water (other than rain) since my purchase so I did the works. Hovered, cleaned, polished, baby-oiled the seats (hmmm.. soft!) and autosol on the wheels (they have seen better days). I couldn't take any decent pics but I will soon - yum. I need professional help with the fuel gauge as I have no idea. Pah.

The quote came through for the damage done by Focus-lady. £440+VAT - and it's all labour. Oh well - I couldn't get through to her so I'll keep trying. It's not all bad really but the exhaust is wonky!

Saturday night brought level 52 in WoW - oh yes. Power levelling!
So yesterday I did very little (oh.. I did three weeks ironing Saturday too! Blimey) and just played WoW and messed around on the Mac with some video. Made 53 at 2am this morning (cripes). But when you're on a roll...

Roads... where we're going, we don't need.... roads.

And such is the truth of the matter. Despite the government making claims that within 10 years we'll see testing of the new "pay per mile" scheme - I honestly don't believe it's going to happen.
True, something is on the horizon - what it is, I don't know. But the plan is to screw the country over (stop people commuting - and thus give rise to unemployment) and keep our roads empty. Fine. It'll work. But then they'll need to develop a way of getting people about. By public transport? Don't make me laugh - it's a joke, and not a very funny one either.
Personally I'd like to cycle - but I have two jobs and cannot get gym equipment from Havant to Portsmouth, within an hour, by bicycle. So what am I supposed to do? Walk it? Throw it? Develop a matter transporter? No.. I know, I'll get a licence to fly helicopers. Yeah - that'll do it.
Stupid.
So, I'll emigrate - go to another country where I can enjoy being a motorist. But why should I? It's not like the car was free - and it's not like I don't already pay more than 50% of my year wage in keeping it running, legal and on the road. But I'll be changing my name to "Mama Hoseblagger" before I pay £1.34 a mile - that's for bloody sure.
So - who's up for a BTTF style hover conversion?

Pussycat dolls

The ever lovely Jo Whiley has been touting the 'dolls for a while now and I'm loving the track. Get on over to their website to listen to it and see them as well (yes, they are hot.. just like they say they are). LOL.

Ah ha!

The weather is finally turning around! Looks like this weekend may even resemble "summer" (don't worry.. it can exist here in the UK!). So that, at least, gives me a list of jobs to do...
1. Replace rocker cover gasket on the Calibra
2. Check and replace camshaft oil seals
3. Check error codes and find out why my boost levels are so low/cutting back.
4. Take some 911 gauges out of their homes and find out why my fuel gauge is dead (the sender appears to be fine).
5. Wash alllll three cars and detail the 911 (badly needs it) - including getting the polished lip on the alloys to be.. erm... polished.
6. Look at Laura's Calibra's rear brakes... if I get time that is! I may try and do this first, on Friday - but we'll see.

Mainly the Calibra needs sorting as I don't have a lot of time before Billing.

Apple in bed with Intel

So says The Register. So by 2007 all Macs will be intel based.. although that says very little and the OS makes the machine, not the chipset (although it can slow it down!).
I'm looking forward to some very fast future Macs and the next Mac OSX (Leopard) is already in the works. Cool.

More on the Apple/Intel issue...

Here is a Register article that makes more sense of the Apple news story (that hasn't yet happened). Interested to see what comes of it... at least it'll be all over and decided before I upgrade!

Exeter "dull"

I like Exeter and it's town centre. It's different to Portsmouth and feels more friendly - but apparantly that comes at a cost. Read about it here courtesy of the BBC.

A busy weekend.. with more to come

Firstly - before I forget - This news story disburbs me. Nothing is official yet, and it could mean a new generation of cheap and fast Macs... but why x86? I really hope that if Intel are going to be making processors for Apple that they are a new kind entirely and not something compatible with our PCs.

Anyway - this weekend (for me) marked the beginning of the show season for my Calibra. I have yet to upload my pics but I'll get round to it!
I managed a quick look round the show and saw some interesting cars and mods - but I spent most of the day answering questions about my car and engine :p
Pop over to This thread on ClubCalibra for a couple of pics.. and MIG too.

Unfortunately I have my engine light on so I need to sort that out - get a new rocker cover - and I have a few other jobs I'd like to do before the next show. A pain as I don't have much time! Plus the 911 needs a working fuel gauge... damn.

Gemma should be relaxing after her 2nd exam by now.. nearly half way through!

K-nackered!

Yesterday I went and picked up my new 993!
The day started at just before 5am. Up I got (evenutally) and showered and downed a coffee (5am is too early!). Russ kindly picked me up at 6am and dropped me off on a very dull and grey morning to Southampton airport.
Luckily my flight was on time and the journey short - I arrived in Manchester at around 8am and was picked up very quickly by Peter's wife.
She took me to the car and I had a look around - and was impressed!
I thought it was solid black - however, she's a diamond black - a very slight flip in the paintwork. So that makes her quite different to my previous car! (and probably harder to clean.. lol). But she's a looker alright.
The deal was done and I set off on my way home in driving rain (typical). All went well except for a couple of niggles (fuel gauge is playing up).
I stopped on the M40 for a coffee and a quick bite to eat. Big mistake. I think. Anyway; on leaving a woman reversed in to me while I sat still! So within 2 hours of buying it it's already having an insurance claim.. oh well! It's not bad.. just annoying.
I managed to get home after about 5 hours in a very dirty Porsche - hehe - and I'm happy with her. I have some things to sort out and she needs cleaning but for now.. it's all good. I'll get some pics up later - but I have more pressing matters like PV this weekend to arrange and get ready for! So the Calibra needs a wash first... it never ends! lol

What a day!

Firstly, I didn't even get to the office before I was accosted by dead PCs. A rather nasty virus outbreak here has caused chaos. In actual fact, only 2 people even had a virus (so far) but many others thought they did and their accounts were suspended. Whoop. So it's been a mad house today and I haven't even logged on to MSN or Yahoo! (always the first thing I do). But I'm knackered now so I thought I'd blog.

My new insurance company are being a pain. Since I'm with a broker my contact isn't to blame but it's still annoying. Basically I needed my cover note today so that I could tax the 911 tomorrow in Manchester. Has it arrived? No... so they are sending it my special delivery TO Manchester for arrival tomorrow. It had better be there or I'm taking my business elsewhere.

Early night tonight (doubtful as I won't sleep anyway) as I have to be up at 5am! Rah.

Oh and Gemma has her first exam tomorrow! EEEK! Best of luck to her! :D

Monday!

Was.. yesterday! Ha.. it was nice to have the day off. Makes the week a little shorter.

So what have I been up to? (and who cares?).
I've seen Star Wars: Episode 3 twice this last weekend. Once with a friend and once with my brother (and Laura). I enjoyed it more the second time as I was able to take in more of the "surrounding action" - that which you miss the first time while trying to keep up.
It's not a bad film (some of the acting is... well, questionable) but it suffers from CGI overload which I think screws the actors over. It looks amazing however you look at it though. Simply awe inspiring. It's simply a shame that the actors can't see anything while they're filming it.
Would I recommend it? Yes. I wanted to love this film simply due to the fact the previous efforts were a let down; and that was enough for me. Cynic? Yep.
Go see it - ignore the the Chancellor and his warblings and the ONE and only scene that shows Anakin going from good to bad and you'll enjoy it. Even better - take your brain out on the way in.
"There were heroes on both sides."
"Evil is everywhere".
Duh.. (you'll see).

What else. Ah yes - made 49 in WoW. Then stopped.. ran out of quests and areas to get decent XP. Hardly surprising - but I was trying to play the game properly. That'll teach me.

My poor Gemma has an evil cold. AND she has to start her exams this week. I do miss her.

Recent sightings.. or "observations"

I walked in to town yesterday to enjoy the weather and get a decent sandwich (which is not possible at work).
On my way out I had a look around and noticed what cars were out there (it's a big car park). There is the usual lot (your Mondeo/Vectra), and the upper/middle "class" of vehicle; BMW M3, 911s, Z9s, M5s etc etc (quite a few, too) and then I noticed the following lovely cars:
New Aston Martin DB9 in Seal Grey. That is one beautiful car!
Lotus Exige. It's a daily driver too! Madman.
TVR Cerbera. In blue.. it's yummy!

There's plenty more - but clearly a lack of poor people about! :shock:

I'm not a BMW man.. but..

.. this is something else!

Two new pages for your perusal...

Firstly there is the Renault Clio page. It's SO not interesting. Really.. one pic and no spec. But, hey, it's a car I own so it deserves a page. Especially since it's the most reliable thing I've driven in years. More pics and updates on her as time goes by.
Secondly we have the new Porsche 993 page. I don't actually own this car yet, but in a week I hope to and I have these pics so I thought I'd post them up. I have a dozen more that I need to resize and post - and I'll get round to it! But have a nose anyway!

Random ranting...

So I have nothing to tell you. That's how exciting my life it right now.

Life in the fast lane.

Last night as I travelled to the gym, I saw the usual M27 idiocy. A woman driving way too quickly on the inside lane (with tunnel vision) undertook me as I tried to filter out of the middle lane. Narrowly missing me (indicators and all) she then refused to let someone move from the filter (Farlington) lane in to the left lane of the M27/A27. Since he had no choice, he moved over in front of her. To my surprise she sped up and got within a foot of his rear bumper.
Okay - so it's not unusual to see (in her red Mk3 Astra). But she did have a young child on the back seat. Shocking.#

Thankfully it's nearly the weekend (being Wednesday... you know... not the third day) and it's a long one. Can't wait!

After a lot of phoning...

.. and internet quotes I have my final quote on the 911 insurance. Last year I paid £860-odd and this year, with the accident, it's £952.72. That's from Academy Insurance Services (0800 316 6266). Not bad at all. Tesco/Virgin were close at around £1100 and even Priviledge were pretty good (£1103).
So I'll be sorting that out when they call me back... 17 phone calls and a host of 'net quotes! Mad.

More E3

The show is now over and complete coverage can be found on pretty much every gaming site!
I choose Gamespy as it's the easiest to remember. But Gamespot or a quick Google for E3 will net you many a result. Lots to see this year!

School playground arguments

I like reading up on TrekBBS. It's full of fanboys (like myself) and the like and it's mostly harmless ( ;) ). However there is a fascinating thread on Trek vs Wars... yeah you know the rest! It's clever that an argument that really doesn't work can still be argued. That is to say, two story lines based in completely different galaxies (and time scales) can have so much in common.
There is even a Star Trek vs Star Wars website that attempts to argue the points en mass.

Why? No idea.. but it's still fun!

Weekend and Monday report

So this morning I went to a company (now Temple Reid) about a management course/builder. Basically (nutshell style) they take you, mould you and put you in to a management position. Now, the meeting was good (and I'm going back) and they certainly know their stuff - however, so far I'm not sure they can help me. Why? I don't know. I think it's my inner cynic - but we'll see. Cost is an issue too - and that will probably kill the idea before I get underway. Nothing in this life is free. I'll report back after my second meeting on Friday afternoon.
I had a great weekend with Gemma (always do!) but now I am not seeing her until the 18th June! ARG!
I shouldn't feel sorry for myself as she has to do her end of year exams... so I won't be a pain ;)
We watched Equilibrium on Saturday afternoon; I've seen it before but it's a great movie! Go see it if you haven't already.
Oh and get over to Virgin Megastores as they are doing 3 DVDs for £20 and I bought:
Along came Polly
Dodgeball
Bruce Almighty
Equilibrium
Ronin SE
Gone in 60 Seconds
Not bad eh?

Star Wars Episode 3 is now out.. £186million so far... but does that mean it's any good? I don't know.. I guess I'll go watch it.