I believe this is an old Puegeot, another Antwerp find.
4.01.2005
3.27.2005
Old Holland and then on to London...
We spent today going to the equivalent of Old World Wisconsin (or Colonial Williamsburg if that helps). The attraction was a group of buildings making up an example of life in the netherlands in the 1700's. My batteries died and I didn't have back-ups. Jon's memory stick reader failed too so we've got few pictures. We did of course find batteries in time to get the obligatory shot of Jen and I in the humongous wooden clogs. We also went to Zaanse Schaans (pronounced Sahnsa Shahns) which had some windmills and more period pieces. very cool but, by the time we got there we were pretty wiped from the indoor and outdoor museums in Enkhuisen (Engkhoussen).
The day ended with dinner at Asia Palace. The best cashew chicken or sweet & sour chicken I've had plus too much wine.
We're making the trek from The Netherlands to London, England. Thanks to some great planning, we have to grab a train from Leiden, NL at 4:16 AM to Rotterdam, NL. Then we take a bus from Rotterdam Centraal Station to the Rotterdam Airport. We get in to London at 7:30 AM and will be staying within a stones throw of the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge.
That's it for now, gotta be up in 5 or so hours to make our train.
Oh yeah and last night was daylights savings in european time zones.
The day ended with dinner at Asia Palace. The best cashew chicken or sweet & sour chicken I've had plus too much wine.
We're making the trek from The Netherlands to London, England. Thanks to some great planning, we have to grab a train from Leiden, NL at 4:16 AM to Rotterdam, NL. Then we take a bus from Rotterdam Centraal Station to the Rotterdam Airport. We get in to London at 7:30 AM and will be staying within a stones throw of the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge.
That's it for now, gotta be up in 5 or so hours to make our train.
Oh yeah and last night was daylights savings in european time zones.
3.26.2005
So much to blog so little time...
Our timeline:
Sunday
Getting in, getting settled. (See Touchdown)
Monday
Walking tour of Leiden. Leiden is a, formerly walled in, city with cobblestone streets. Jen and Jon had a walking tour book that highlighted 40 points of interest from the centuries old churches (pic) to the modern hospital.
Tuesday
Wrapping up the walking tour.
Wednesday
A short trip to Amsterdam. We got started late and left early. It's a bustling metropolis that left you feeling harried. We came back to go to Market (Markt) with Jon. The 6-10 block walk was the longest since his appendix removal. At Market we got fries with mayo and fries with sate` sauce. (pic)
Hugh (from Ireland) went with us to "Sideways" the Academy award winning comedy.
Thursday (Donderdag)
A day trip to The Hague (Den Haag). Just a ten minute train ride from Leiden is the home to the government of Holland. A bigger city than Leiden yet smaller than Amsterdam. We followed another walking tour through the streets of The Hague. (pic)
When we got back we went out to east at Cojico, a mexican restraunt next to Jon and Jen's place. We the hooked up with them and Simon (their Dutch teacher) at the Harmonie Bar.
Friday
Trip to Antwerp (Belgium). St. Catherines Cathedral is a deceivingly large church that reaches 400+ feet twowards the sky. Antwerp is a harbor town with lots of sites to see, very much a New York City feel, if New York was around form the 9th century. We decided to eat at Pizza Hut. Walked in the door and there was a terrible odor. Jen then reminded us what the smell was, dead mice. We high tailed it down the street to a more traditional pizzeria. While we were there a bachelorette party came in.
Got to run .... More later ....
Sunday
Getting in, getting settled. (See Touchdown)
Monday
Walking tour of Leiden. Leiden is a, formerly walled in, city with cobblestone streets. Jen and Jon had a walking tour book that highlighted 40 points of interest from the centuries old churches (pic) to the modern hospital.
Tuesday
Wrapping up the walking tour.
Wednesday
A short trip to Amsterdam. We got started late and left early. It's a bustling metropolis that left you feeling harried. We came back to go to Market (Markt) with Jon. The 6-10 block walk was the longest since his appendix removal. At Market we got fries with mayo and fries with sate` sauce. (pic)
Hugh (from Ireland) went with us to "Sideways" the Academy award winning comedy.
Thursday (Donderdag)
A day trip to The Hague (Den Haag). Just a ten minute train ride from Leiden is the home to the government of Holland. A bigger city than Leiden yet smaller than Amsterdam. We followed another walking tour through the streets of The Hague. (pic)
When we got back we went out to east at Cojico, a mexican restraunt next to Jon and Jen's place. We the hooked up with them and Simon (their Dutch teacher) at the Harmonie Bar.
Friday
Trip to Antwerp (Belgium). St. Catherines Cathedral is a deceivingly large church that reaches 400+ feet twowards the sky. Antwerp is a harbor town with lots of sites to see, very much a New York City feel, if New York was around form the 9th century. We decided to eat at Pizza Hut. Walked in the door and there was a terrible odor. Jen then reminded us what the smell was, dead mice. We high tailed it down the street to a more traditional pizzeria. While we were there a bachelorette party came in.
Got to run .... More later ....
3.20.2005
Leiden Trip - Touchdown
We got off the plane and it hit us pretty quickly that we were in a foreign country. Just the little details like seeing english as the second language on signs as such. Seeing signs and advertisements completely in dutch.
After claiming our bags we walked over to customs. "Have you anything to declare?" asked one customs officer, "No." He motioned us forward, "D'où voyagez-vous?" asked the next customs agent. "Excuse Me?" I replied. "Where are you travelling from?" Oh. That I can answer. Chicago. He gave us a nod and we walked through the doors to find Jen waiting for us. We hopped on a train and were on our way to Leiden. It was a 15 minute train ride but it flew by really fast as we were discussing our trip to that point and how Jon was doing. We were to visit him at 2:30 that afternoon.
We walked from the train to their apartment a ten minute walk, with suitcases, through cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks. Jen quickly pointed out the bike racks near the train station (Centraal Station). There were hundreds of bikes in the racks. You won't understand this unless you see it for yourself but, everyone rides a bike here. If you have longer than a 10-15 minute walk you are riding a bike, or taking a train. Don't get me wrong, there are cars but they are easily outnumbered 5-1 by bikes and pedestrians on an average road.
After arriving at the apartment and getting situated we made our way out to lunch. De Brasserrie (or the B.L.T. place for Tim) is a great little restaurant. We took a stroll down Shopping Street (Haarlemerstraat) to kill time and then went to tour the inside of a Netherlands hospital, oh and to see Jon. He had an appendicitis attack and needed emergency surgery. He was at the desk in his room when we go there. obviously sore but, in fair shape for one day removed from surgery.
Surprisingly, he came home later that evening. Jen went back to get him and left us with a collectiong of Family Guy DVDs. They got home around 8:00PM and brought friends, Evy and Boss (Bas). Boss is dutch and Evy i couldn't quite placed although I knew she was European, right? Nope, she's from Texas. D'oh, I don't feel so bad because she said she's been bouncing around Europe so long she is forgetting how to speak english. We ate traditional pizza from some local place, very thin crust and almost no cheese. After the pizza we were re-energized so I played Midnight Club on the PS2. Then we went to sleep.
After claiming our bags we walked over to customs. "Have you anything to declare?" asked one customs officer, "No." He motioned us forward, "D'où voyagez-vous?" asked the next customs agent. "Excuse Me?" I replied. "Where are you travelling from?" Oh. That I can answer. Chicago. He gave us a nod and we walked through the doors to find Jen waiting for us. We hopped on a train and were on our way to Leiden. It was a 15 minute train ride but it flew by really fast as we were discussing our trip to that point and how Jon was doing. We were to visit him at 2:30 that afternoon.
We walked from the train to their apartment a ten minute walk, with suitcases, through cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks. Jen quickly pointed out the bike racks near the train station (Centraal Station). There were hundreds of bikes in the racks. You won't understand this unless you see it for yourself but, everyone rides a bike here. If you have longer than a 10-15 minute walk you are riding a bike, or taking a train. Don't get me wrong, there are cars but they are easily outnumbered 5-1 by bikes and pedestrians on an average road.
After arriving at the apartment and getting situated we made our way out to lunch. De Brasserrie (or the B.L.T. place for Tim) is a great little restaurant. We took a stroll down Shopping Street (Haarlemerstraat) to kill time and then went to tour the inside of a Netherlands hospital, oh and to see Jon. He had an appendicitis attack and needed emergency surgery. He was at the desk in his room when we go there. obviously sore but, in fair shape for one day removed from surgery.
Surprisingly, he came home later that evening. Jen went back to get him and left us with a collectiong of Family Guy DVDs. They got home around 8:00PM and brought friends, Evy and Boss (Bas). Boss is dutch and Evy i couldn't quite placed although I knew she was European, right? Nope, she's from Texas. D'oh, I don't feel so bad because she said she's been bouncing around Europe so long she is forgetting how to speak english. We ate traditional pizza from some local place, very thin crust and almost no cheese. After the pizza we were re-energized so I played Midnight Club on the PS2. Then we went to sleep.
Leiden Trip - The Departure
I had decided not to take my cell phone. At the last minute in case of problems in Chicago I thought it would be good to have. I powered it on and I had a voicemail. Jen called. Jon was doing all right but he's in the hospital getting his appendix removed.
We arrived at the airport at 2:00, before the prescribed two hour international flight check-in requirement. With an empty line we walked up to the United Airlines desk. I said "Remsik." The lady working the desk got a horrified look on her face and turned to the manager working next to her. "We tried to call you. Your flight from Madison to Chicago O'Hare is running 40 minutes behind." The gyst of the conversation was sorry but, the only way you'll make your flight is to drive to Chicago.
We had just been dropped off so we didn't have a car. We decided to check the price on a rental car. As luck would have it the cost of the rental car was similar to the amount we'll get refunded by United for missing the connection. We drove down to O'Hare in just under two hours. We had cash for every toll except the last. I had to take down the phone number and have Chris take care of the $.80 potential misdemeanor.
At O'Hare we dropped off our 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at the Avis lot and took a shuttle to the international terminal. We got in the building at 4:30 and mentioned to the United employee that we were trying to make a flight that was leaving for Amsterdam at 5:50. She suggested we try the line about 30 yards away because it looked shorter. After getting to the shorter line we told that united employee the same thing. "Oh. You can't check-in here for Amsterdam, you have to go to the international desk." After 45 yards back the way we came we mention to the United employee monitoring the line that we were trying to make Amsterdam. He got a hurried look on his face and short-cut us through a barrier to the end of the line. We saved steps but not time.
The obviously international line disappeared in front of us fairly quickly. Next hing Phil Chen is motioning us to his desk for check-in. We explain that we are in a hurry, it was 4:55 and we were trying to make a 5:50 flight to Amsterdam. "Oh my gosh! We have to hurry!" He frantically weighs our luggage and sends them off. Then after discussing world politics with the janitor he decides to take our passports and send us along as well. We caught a break at the security check-in. There were approximately twenty people in front of us when they started a new line at us.
We made our plane, watched The Incredibles, and The Village, slept a few winks and landed safely in Amsterdam around 9:30AM Sunday Morning.
We arrived at the airport at 2:00, before the prescribed two hour international flight check-in requirement. With an empty line we walked up to the United Airlines desk. I said "Remsik." The lady working the desk got a horrified look on her face and turned to the manager working next to her. "We tried to call you. Your flight from Madison to Chicago O'Hare is running 40 minutes behind." The gyst of the conversation was sorry but, the only way you'll make your flight is to drive to Chicago.
We had just been dropped off so we didn't have a car. We decided to check the price on a rental car. As luck would have it the cost of the rental car was similar to the amount we'll get refunded by United for missing the connection. We drove down to O'Hare in just under two hours. We had cash for every toll except the last. I had to take down the phone number and have Chris take care of the $.80 potential misdemeanor.
At O'Hare we dropped off our 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at the Avis lot and took a shuttle to the international terminal. We got in the building at 4:30 and mentioned to the United employee that we were trying to make a flight that was leaving for Amsterdam at 5:50. She suggested we try the line about 30 yards away because it looked shorter. After getting to the shorter line we told that united employee the same thing. "Oh. You can't check-in here for Amsterdam, you have to go to the international desk." After 45 yards back the way we came we mention to the United employee monitoring the line that we were trying to make Amsterdam. He got a hurried look on his face and short-cut us through a barrier to the end of the line. We saved steps but not time.
The obviously international line disappeared in front of us fairly quickly. Next hing Phil Chen is motioning us to his desk for check-in. We explain that we are in a hurry, it was 4:55 and we were trying to make a 5:50 flight to Amsterdam. "Oh my gosh! We have to hurry!" He frantically weighs our luggage and sends them off. Then after discussing world politics with the janitor he decides to take our passports and send us along as well. We caught a break at the security check-in. There were approximately twenty people in front of us when they started a new line at us.
We made our plane, watched The Incredibles, and The Village, slept a few winks and landed safely in Amsterdam around 9:30AM Sunday Morning.
3.13.2005
Sponsor Meeting
Back to 1:1 scale racing.I got a chance to sit down with Steve who is part owner in the businees I'm courting as a primary sponsor for the 2005 Season at Columbus 151 Speedway. The meeting went well. I don't have an answer yet, he needed to discuss it with his partner Randy before they could commit. I figure we've got better than a 50/50 shot at this point.
3.09.2005
3.02.2005
Appointment Scheduled
Just got off the phone with the Steve whose business will hopefully be the primary sponsor for our 2005 Hobby Stock season. I've scheduled an appointment with him for next Thursday afternoon. After that appointment we'll know realistically what the chances are of running the Hobby Stock division this year.
2.26.2005
2.22.2005
2005 Racing Season
After much discussion with friends and family, the division in which I race will be decided by the sponsor(s) I can gather. We've set a modest dollar amount. If I can raise support to that level we will be able to comfortably afford racing in the Hobby Stock division this year.
I've been offered support in one form or another by several people. We have some exciting plans for generating the start-up revenue. As well I've got a great team of people capable of making the car get around the track in a hurry.
The recently purchased Acura Integra has been sold to a friend of the family. Once we raise initial operating capital my primary car frm 2004 will be sold.
Stay tuned for exciting developments.
I've been offered support in one form or another by several people. We have some exciting plans for generating the start-up revenue. As well I've got a great team of people capable of making the car get around the track in a hurry.
The recently purchased Acura Integra has been sold to a friend of the family. Once we raise initial operating capital my primary car frm 2004 will be sold.
Stay tuned for exciting developments.
2.20.2005
It was a long Friday. My sister called and asked me to help her move. I picked up Version Zero and we got there around 10am. Other than my sister's family we were the only two to show up. We moved alot and had to leave about 4:45pm.
Matt and I stopped by my place so I could change. I dropped him at his place by 5:45pm and picked up Jen at just about 6:00pm right when she got off work. We stopped by sears to retrieve her new ring which was sent in to be sized down. Plans were to meet her mother for Dinner at Applebee's at 7:20pm. We were ahead of schedule and went walking through Sears. I decided that we had enough time I would buy a new shirt. 30 minutes later I had two new shirts and a new pair of shoes.
It's 7:20, *ring* "Hi, where are you guys?" Jen explained we were two seconds away. There was a twenty minute wait at Applebee's, we were seated 30 minutes later. The maximum capacity was 180 and obviously exceeded. We had dinner with mother-in-law. The only person I know whose conversation can both amuse her and bore herself at the same time.
An hour and a half later I noted a school bus pulling up to the front of the restraunt. Some Milton High School event had obviously just gotten over. With the Badger Hockey game final score being shown on the TVs overhead I suggested that we make our way to the next engagement.
10:15pm We parked the car a block away from the Cardinal Bar. After we made plans to meet friends there it was described to me as "...a half gay, half straight bar. You know the one that has fetish night twice a month. Oh yeah and it's 80's night." Both Jen and I had alot of fun. We joined up with Jen's co-workers Becky, Tanya and Kristin and I quickly lost Jen to a conversation with Kristin's sister Kacy who is also a criminal justice major and applying for a position with ATTIC Correctional Services, one of Jen's former employers.
The whole point of meeting at the Cardinal was so that Tanya could meet a friend of ours, "Super Fire Trooper" Greg. He never showed up.
It's too bad. This was sort of the last straw for hooking the two of them up. They've got very different schedules but seem like they would be a good fit for each other.
Matt and I stopped by my place so I could change. I dropped him at his place by 5:45pm and picked up Jen at just about 6:00pm right when she got off work. We stopped by sears to retrieve her new ring which was sent in to be sized down. Plans were to meet her mother for Dinner at Applebee's at 7:20pm. We were ahead of schedule and went walking through Sears. I decided that we had enough time I would buy a new shirt. 30 minutes later I had two new shirts and a new pair of shoes.
It's 7:20, *ring* "Hi, where are you guys?" Jen explained we were two seconds away. There was a twenty minute wait at Applebee's, we were seated 30 minutes later. The maximum capacity was 180 and obviously exceeded. We had dinner with mother-in-law. The only person I know whose conversation can both amuse her and bore herself at the same time.
An hour and a half later I noted a school bus pulling up to the front of the restraunt. Some Milton High School event had obviously just gotten over. With the Badger Hockey game final score being shown on the TVs overhead I suggested that we make our way to the next engagement.
10:15pm We parked the car a block away from the Cardinal Bar. After we made plans to meet friends there it was described to me as "...a half gay, half straight bar. You know the one that has fetish night twice a month. Oh yeah and it's 80's night." Both Jen and I had alot of fun. We joined up with Jen's co-workers Becky, Tanya and Kristin and I quickly lost Jen to a conversation with Kristin's sister Kacy who is also a criminal justice major and applying for a position with ATTIC Correctional Services, one of Jen's former employers.
The whole point of meeting at the Cardinal was so that Tanya could meet a friend of ours, "Super Fire Trooper" Greg. He never showed up.
It's too bad. This was sort of the last straw for hooking the two of them up. They've got very different schedules but seem like they would be a good fit for each other.
2.17.2005
Plans may be changing
The current owner of my Hobby Stock is going to be attending a bachelor party this weekend and asked if we could re-schedule the sale. It's not such a bad thing. I am meeting with a friend who is looking to help me out if I drive the hobby stock this season.
We need at least:
* Motor
* Tranny
* Driveshaft
* Axle seals
* Rim/Tires
The first two/three are the biggest hurdles. That may be taken care of soon. I should know by the weekend what division I will be running in. If I sell the Integras and pick up a sponsor or two we should be in good shape.
If we decide to run the Bandit we'll need almost no investment and are all but assured a reasonable finish in the points race. Sometimes things just fall into place and you have to jump on them.
We need at least:
* Motor
* Tranny
* Driveshaft
* Axle seals
* Rim/Tires
The first two/three are the biggest hurdles. That may be taken care of soon. I should know by the weekend what division I will be running in. If I sell the Integras and pick up a sponsor or two we should be in good shape.
If we decide to run the Bandit we'll need almost no investment and are all but assured a reasonable finish in the points race. Sometimes things just fall into place and you have to jump on them.
2.14.2005
Jen's Company Party
Group Health Cooperative held their annual winter party this past weekend. It was held at the Monona Terrace. With live music and a Casino night theme it was hard not to have fun. After that we joined some of Jen's friends at a Karaoke bar. Worst. Bar Experience. Ever. We stuck around for a few hours, although if you don't sing and don't dance there isn't much for you at a karaoke bar, especially as a designated driver.
We rolled into the driveway about quarter to three, rolled out of bed at 1PM the next day. That's a pattern that has to change. ;)
We rolled into the driveway about quarter to three, rolled out of bed at 1PM the next day. That's a pattern that has to change. ;)
2.12.2005
Hobby Stock News
Made arrangements to pick up the hobby stock next weekend. The plan is to run Bandits this year with the goal of a top 10 points finish and then move up to the hobby stock division next season. That's the plan.
2.11.2005
It really is bliss ...
What follows is an Anonymous comment on a blog article which breaks down Google Maps.
It would be much easier if we only had one option to get things done. I get really annoyed that I have to pick from 2-4 different presidential candidates, maybe next time they could just decide for me.
Work is not bad, unless you're lazy.
At 8:02 PM, Anonymous said...
"At the end of the day, what really matters to users is compelling apps that let them get their work done quickly."
The advent of "new" browsers taking over market share is really making us (web developers) redo sites. We don't have the staff of Google.
This is why my Lyrics site had to be redone to the version it is now. The damned addition of mozilla to the market screwed up my xmlhttp calls.
I really think mozilla is hurting the web more than helping...
It would be much easier if we only had one option to get things done. I get really annoyed that I have to pick from 2-4 different presidential candidates, maybe next time they could just decide for me.
Work is not bad, unless you're lazy.
2.10.2005
2.06.2005
Race Car News
The Autocross I had planned on attending this Saturday had been cancelled. Good thing too because I wound up having to pick up my Grandmother's Cadillac from Transit Auto Mobility. They had just mounted a scooter ramp on it.
After spending a little time at her house I decided to swing by Roxy's. We're trying to get an early jump on the Memorial Day ToD. She wasn't around when I showed up. I tried starting a car and that caught the attention of a scrap collector who was waiting for Roxy to show up. He asked if he could get a ride into town for something to eat. We wound up at Wendy's.
On the way over we started talking about racing. He had a friend with him who mentioned he was trying to get rid of his 4 cyl stock car. A 1989 Acura Integra with full cage, racing seat and five-point harness. The DOHC engines had been outlawed at their local track so it's of little use to them. When pressed for a price he replied "$400?" SOLD! I said. You can't get the engines for that price let alone a whole car with cage etc.
I've got a call into the guy to go look at it. For that price unless it's a steaming pile by the time I get there it will be coming home.
After spending a little time at her house I decided to swing by Roxy's. We're trying to get an early jump on the Memorial Day ToD. She wasn't around when I showed up. I tried starting a car and that caught the attention of a scrap collector who was waiting for Roxy to show up. He asked if he could get a ride into town for something to eat. We wound up at Wendy's.
On the way over we started talking about racing. He had a friend with him who mentioned he was trying to get rid of his 4 cyl stock car. A 1989 Acura Integra with full cage, racing seat and five-point harness. The DOHC engines had been outlawed at their local track so it's of little use to them. When pressed for a price he replied "$400?" SOLD! I said. You can't get the engines for that price let alone a whole car with cage etc.
I've got a call into the guy to go look at it. For that price unless it's a steaming pile by the time I get there it will be coming home.
2.03.2005
Mark's Auto Body
Signed my first official sponsor of the 2005 Racing Season. Mark's Auto Body of Richland Center. The proprietor has offered to be a hired wrench on race nights as well. Pending other signings we've got a number of options for color schemes etc,. I suppose this means I should get the Integra running.
So much for that...
The state of wisconsin had been planning on hiring a person to do my job as a full-time employee. I expect I was on the top of the list to be hired.
With looming budget woes and other red tape they have decided not to fill the position at all. I am not surprised just annoyed. Mostly because it takes a lot of work to go through this process and now it all went for naught.
With looming budget woes and other red tape they have decided not to fill the position at all. I am not surprised just annoyed. Mostly because it takes a lot of work to go through this process and now it all went for naught.
1.30.2005
Special Delivery ....
We ordered pizza from The Firehouse, a local restaurant, on Saturday night. About the time the delivery driver was due arrive my brother Matt was heading out the door. While the door was open I noticed flashing lights like you might see on an emergency vehicle.
Turns out they delivered the pizza in a FireTruck in conjuction with a federally funded program to inspect homes for smoke detectors.
Turns out they delivered the pizza in a FireTruck in conjuction with a federally funded program to inspect homes for smoke detectors.
1.01.2005
Two aspirin called me this morning ...
wait, that's not how it goes. I'm supposed to take the aspirin home and call on them later... nevermind. We went over to a friends house (Bob & Jen) on New Years Eve. We left home at 5:30 PM and got home at 5:30 AM. I'm still feeling the effects of the 1/2 litre of Myers' Dark Rum that disappeared last night (hence the aspirin).
We met Lenny and Corrine a couple that Bob & Jen knew, I had met Corrine before at the racetrack when she was working the computer. We played Texas Hold'em, Blurt, Guesstures, Scattegories and maybe some more that I don't recall.
We missed the ball drop because we were deciding where to usher in the new year. in the kitchen? or 6 feet to the left where we could see the living room. Not that anyone really cared.
I commented on this next point to Jen on the way over to the party. New Year's eve seemingly without fail has put me with a unique group of people whom I never would've (,could've, should've) assembled on my own. Times Square in 2000 with my sister and her friend Brenda. 1996 where I spent the evening with a friend of a friend, his parents and grandparents. Last night with Bob & Jen, Lenny and Corrine, and Greg who apparently had to go pick his friend up from a house party where he was involved in a fight. All one of a kind experinces that I was happy to have been a part of.
To all my friends and anyone reading this, Happy New Year.
P.s. Don't let me forget to go help Bob clean the kitchen floor later. No, it's not as bad as you think. Bob spilled his drink when he pounded the table to make a point. He refreshed his drink and I moved it out of the way and two minutes later knocked his new drink over. Malibu and Coke gets sticky on linoleum ;)
We met Lenny and Corrine a couple that Bob & Jen knew, I had met Corrine before at the racetrack when she was working the computer. We played Texas Hold'em, Blurt, Guesstures, Scattegories and maybe some more that I don't recall.
We missed the ball drop because we were deciding where to usher in the new year. in the kitchen? or 6 feet to the left where we could see the living room. Not that anyone really cared.
I commented on this next point to Jen on the way over to the party. New Year's eve seemingly without fail has put me with a unique group of people whom I never would've (,could've, should've) assembled on my own. Times Square in 2000 with my sister and her friend Brenda. 1996 where I spent the evening with a friend of a friend, his parents and grandparents. Last night with Bob & Jen, Lenny and Corrine, and Greg who apparently had to go pick his friend up from a house party where he was involved in a fight. All one of a kind experinces that I was happy to have been a part of.
To all my friends and anyone reading this, Happy New Year.
P.s. Don't let me forget to go help Bob clean the kitchen floor later. No, it's not as bad as you think. Bob spilled his drink when he pounded the table to make a point. He refreshed his drink and I moved it out of the way and two minutes later knocked his new drink over. Malibu and Coke gets sticky on linoleum ;)
12.23.2004
Merry F#@kin' Christmas
Rockstar Games is offering a few free games for download. Is it one of those slide puzzles with a screenshot of GTA4? or maybe a Tetris clone with guns and hoes for blocks? What cheap promotions are the passing off as games? Actually it's full PC versions of GTA, GTA2, and Wild Metal [Vehicle combat in a futuristic setting].
http://www.rockstargames.com/classics/
Enjoy.
Note: Downloads were timing out when I tried this morning.
http://www.rockstargames.com/classics/
Enjoy.
Note: Downloads were timing out when I tried this morning.
Guess what showed up Tuesday ...
I didn't think it would actually come. Tuesday while I was at work UPS delivered the Poker Tabletop that Steve had emailed me about.
It's been near impossible to contact the credit card company ('tis the season). We'll find out next week whether we were charged twice and move on from there. It's a $70 tabletop, doing the math I might save them money by keeping it.
It's been near impossible to contact the credit card company ('tis the season). We'll find out next week whether we were charged twice and move on from there. It's a $70 tabletop, doing the math I might save them money by keeping it.
12.18.2004
Miracles of modern medicine
From a morning show with a deformity of the week contest, which just screams class, comes Scott. A victim of a mobile home fire at the age of 15 he needed skin grafts to assist in his recovery. The skin graft from his chest to the back of his thigh resulted in a functional third nipple. So, why not pierce it?
Follow the link if you don't believe me.
Follow the link if you don't believe me.
From the ecommerce experts at PokerOutlet.com
Got an email today from Steve at PokerOutlet.com with the subject "tracking". In case you missed it, these are the same geniuses who emailed me that my poker tabletop was shipping two days after it arrived.
This email says that they shipped my order, and it will be here on Tuesday. The strange thing is I only ever ordered from them once, the aforementioned tabletop. The plan is to wait and see if anything shows up. I'm guessing it won't.
This email says that they shipped my order, and it will be here on Tuesday. The strange thing is I only ever ordered from them once, the aforementioned tabletop. The plan is to wait and see if anything shows up. I'm guessing it won't.
12.17.2004
Farkline Of The Week
Randy Johnson traded to Yankees in 3 way deal. Steinbrenner quoted saying "It finally took a three-way for us to grasp the Big Unit, but now that we have Johnson, our holes are filled"
[insert lebowski nihlist quote here]
12.13.2004
Weight Watchers
Jen and I had an agreement, she wanted to join Weight Watchers and I said that it wouldn't be worth it unless we joined a gym as well.
We joined as members of the Princeton Club close to 6 months ago. Up until two weeks ago I had lost about 10 lbs while also building some muscle mass (Yes, that's an excuse). Jen meanwhile has lost 10% of her starting weight.
Jen's meeting was held over lunch at her work and that kept me from having to attend the meetings. Afterall, she just wanted to go with people she knew. Now that meeting is cancelled due to a lack of participation.
Two weeks ago I started going to meetings with Jen held at Parkside Church, near East Towne. The first week I lost almost four pounds and this week alone I shaved five pounds exactly from the previous weigh-in. In two weeks time I've lost what it had taken six months of working out alone.
We joined as members of the Princeton Club close to 6 months ago. Up until two weeks ago I had lost about 10 lbs while also building some muscle mass (Yes, that's an excuse). Jen meanwhile has lost 10% of her starting weight.
Jen's meeting was held over lunch at her work and that kept me from having to attend the meetings. Afterall, she just wanted to go with people she knew. Now that meeting is cancelled due to a lack of participation.
Two weeks ago I started going to meetings with Jen held at Parkside Church, near East Towne. The first week I lost almost four pounds and this week alone I shaved five pounds exactly from the previous weigh-in. In two weeks time I've lost what it had taken six months of working out alone.
12.10.2004
12.03.2004
PokerOutlet.com emailed me ...
PokerOutlet.com emailed me to let me know that the poker tabletop that I ordered for Jen for Me for Christmas had shipped. They gave me a fedEx tracking number, included a nice message from Marlene thanking me for my purchase.
My table arrived yesterday...
My table arrived yesterday...
11.29.2004
I woke up to the sun shining in my eyes on Saturday. That meant the dogs didn't wake us up
at 6:30 to let them out.
I got up and noticed that Hanna wasn't laying on the bed next to Jen. She is ``always`` on
the bed in the morning.
Less than two minutes after I got up I get a phone call. "This is the DeForest Family
Restraunt. You have two dogs wandering out in front of our building. They are being nice
to some people... and not nice to others."
I throw some clothes on tell Jen what is going on and head out. I make it to the living
room when I realize that the front door is standing wide open. Near as I can figure the
last person in from smoking the night before didn't shut the door tight.
I raced over to the DFR where I see our two dogs trotting around liked escaped lions. As I
pulled in Wrinkles makes his way over to the car. I don't think he realized it was me. He
seemed startled when I called his name. Both dogs love to go for car rides and the few
times they have freed themselves we usually coax them into the car where we can leash
them.
Wrinkles ran up to the open car door, stopped, sniffed, and turned to run off. I grabbed
him around the waist and got my right arm under his chest and lifted his front up into the
car and threw his back legs in after him.
Shutting the door my attention focused on Hanna who had sat and watched while Wrinkles was
gathered into the Subaru. Hanna came immediately to her name being called and jumped into
the re-opened car door.
After pulling the car into a parking stall I went in and thanked Natalie for going out and
reading Hanna's tags and then the lady who had called us.
<sappyEnding>That's what I'm thankful for this holiday weekend</sappyEnding>
at 6:30 to let them out.
I got up and noticed that Hanna wasn't laying on the bed next to Jen. She is ``always`` on
the bed in the morning.
Less than two minutes after I got up I get a phone call. "This is the DeForest Family
Restraunt. You have two dogs wandering out in front of our building. They are being nice
to some people... and not nice to others."
I throw some clothes on tell Jen what is going on and head out. I make it to the living
room when I realize that the front door is standing wide open. Near as I can figure the
last person in from smoking the night before didn't shut the door tight.
I raced over to the DFR where I see our two dogs trotting around liked escaped lions. As I
pulled in Wrinkles makes his way over to the car. I don't think he realized it was me. He
seemed startled when I called his name. Both dogs love to go for car rides and the few
times they have freed themselves we usually coax them into the car where we can leash
them.
Wrinkles ran up to the open car door, stopped, sniffed, and turned to run off. I grabbed
him around the waist and got my right arm under his chest and lifted his front up into the
car and threw his back legs in after him.
Shutting the door my attention focused on Hanna who had sat and watched while Wrinkles was
gathered into the Subaru. Hanna came immediately to her name being called and jumped into
the re-opened car door.
After pulling the car into a parking stall I went in and thanked Natalie for going out and
reading Hanna's tags and then the lady who had called us.
<sappyEnding>That's what I'm thankful for this holiday weekend</sappyEnding>
11.27.2004
11.21.2004
"Call a Locksmith!"
Although unlike Robin and Maid Marion (in Robin Hood: Men in Tights), I was trying to get into my car. It seems some bozo locked them, dangling from the ignition, in my Mitsubishi Mirage.
I went in to work early on Saturday. As usual there wasn't a single car in the parking garage. As usual I took the spot right outside the door. Sure, I do have an assigned spot but, it's not like the Deputy Secretary will be in on a Saturday to use his parking stall.
I had a bunch of CD's I was going to rip while working. With hands full I rush out of the car. Just before the door closes I catch it. *Phew!* I almost forgot to set the emergency brake! *Slam!* Emergency Brake now set I head up to work. After about five hours at work I go to meet Jen at my parents house. "D'oH!"
I had Jen come and get me. We could finish the shopping she had left then go home and get keys. Yeah, uhm, you see, about the keys... the spare is apparently lost. As I am searching around the house Jen asks if AAA has a lock out service. They do.
We drove in and Jen dropped me off at 1:00 on Sunday. I placed the Road Service Request to AAA via their website. In hindsight that was kinda strange how often are you stuck, need roadside service AND have access to the Net. After placing the order my confirmation screen comes up blank. My confirmation says (para-phrased) "Yep, you requested service." Then I read the What Next section. It says stay near the phone you dialed from in case the Locksmith has questions etc AND make sure and meet the service person near your car. CRAP! I left my cell phone at the house. This is the third time this year that I've left the house without my cell, never happens. So, I call the 1-800-AAA-HELP or whatever it was. After a 5 minute conversation the operator found my request or at least she called someone who could confirm it. I stated that I need to change my contact number to (608) 220-2685 a work help phone #. She said she would update the request. I thanked her, grabbed the phone and ran down to the driveway.
There sits a Mike's Towing flatbed. I greet the driver and he asks where the car is. We proceed down to the lowest level of the parking ramp. He says "Don't you race out at Columbus 151 Speedway?" ... "You're one of the Remsik's aren't you?" ... it was just a little embarrasing.
On our way down he asks what kind of locks it has. They're just a typical slide lock. He had the car unlocked inside of two seconds. Slim jim down the window opening, slide to the left and pop the door open.
As it turns out I had also not turned the ignition off completely. The battery was drained down to nothing. A few minutes later we had jumped the car and left it run while I escorted him back to his truck.
All this because the punk ass kids in our neighborhood steal the change out of the ash trays if we don't lock the doors. Yeah, see it's not MY fault...
I went in to work early on Saturday. As usual there wasn't a single car in the parking garage. As usual I took the spot right outside the door. Sure, I do have an assigned spot but, it's not like the Deputy Secretary will be in on a Saturday to use his parking stall.
I had a bunch of CD's I was going to rip while working. With hands full I rush out of the car. Just before the door closes I catch it. *Phew!* I almost forgot to set the emergency brake! *Slam!* Emergency Brake now set I head up to work. After about five hours at work I go to meet Jen at my parents house. "D'oH!"
I had Jen come and get me. We could finish the shopping she had left then go home and get keys. Yeah, uhm, you see, about the keys... the spare is apparently lost. As I am searching around the house Jen asks if AAA has a lock out service. They do.
We drove in and Jen dropped me off at 1:00 on Sunday. I placed the Road Service Request to AAA via their website. In hindsight that was kinda strange how often are you stuck, need roadside service AND have access to the Net. After placing the order my confirmation screen comes up blank. My confirmation says (para-phrased) "Yep, you requested service." Then I read the What Next section. It says stay near the phone you dialed from in case the Locksmith has questions etc AND make sure and meet the service person near your car. CRAP! I left my cell phone at the house. This is the third time this year that I've left the house without my cell, never happens. So, I call the 1-800-AAA-HELP or whatever it was. After a 5 minute conversation the operator found my request or at least she called someone who could confirm it. I stated that I need to change my contact number to (608) 220-2685 a work help phone #. She said she would update the request. I thanked her, grabbed the phone and ran down to the driveway.
There sits a Mike's Towing flatbed. I greet the driver and he asks where the car is. We proceed down to the lowest level of the parking ramp. He says "Don't you race out at Columbus 151 Speedway?" ... "You're one of the Remsik's aren't you?" ... it was just a little embarrasing.
On our way down he asks what kind of locks it has. They're just a typical slide lock. He had the car unlocked inside of two seconds. Slim jim down the window opening, slide to the left and pop the door open.
As it turns out I had also not turned the ignition off completely. The battery was drained down to nothing. A few minutes later we had jumped the car and left it run while I escorted him back to his truck.
All this because the punk ass kids in our neighborhood steal the change out of the ash trays if we don't lock the doors. Yeah, see it's not MY fault...
11.13.2004
Quote
As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
11.03.2004
I was greeted with long lines at the polls ... both times
We got out and cast our vote Tuesday. Jen and I went to the polls before work. We got in line at 7:10 AM. We slowly moved along until finally at 8:30 AM we had to leave to make it to work on time. We could just about see the polling registration desk but we simply could not wait any longer or Jen would be late for work.
We worked our normal 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM and raced home (30 Minutes). We made it to the back to the polling location at 6:40 PM. The line was much longer and wrapped around the block. By 8:00 PM, when the polls close, we made it to just inside the door. At that point they pulled everyone inside the builing and wound them through the library shelves and locked the doors.
Finally, at 9: 05 PM we made it to the registration desk and at 9:10 PM we were officially counted among the record turn out of voters. It was nearly four hours of waiting in line but, I am glad that we stuck it out. I can't say it was for naught even though our choice for president failed to garner the electoral votes needed. We had some local races that were fairly close and we were happy to be a part of those smaller victories.
We worked our normal 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM and raced home (30 Minutes). We made it to the back to the polling location at 6:40 PM. The line was much longer and wrapped around the block. By 8:00 PM, when the polls close, we made it to just inside the door. At that point they pulled everyone inside the builing and wound them through the library shelves and locked the doors.
Finally, at 9: 05 PM we made it to the registration desk and at 9:10 PM we were officially counted among the record turn out of voters. It was nearly four hours of waiting in line but, I am glad that we stuck it out. I can't say it was for naught even though our choice for president failed to garner the electoral votes needed. We had some local races that were fairly close and we were happy to be a part of those smaller victories.
10.26.2004
[Xbox-Mod] XBMC - ShoutCast Streaming Radio
I installed the latest XBox Media Center on Sunday. It's pretty slick and the Avalaunch dashboard I am running made exactly three A button presses to run the installer. After that I was able to FTP audio/video files and set up playlists etc.
There is also a ShoutCast client that you can use to browse a wide variety of feeds from ShoutCast.com. Last night I was listening to the Saskatoon (Canada) Police/Fire/EMS Scanner live on my Xbox. That was kinda cool. I also tuned into GrooveSalad from SomaFM.com which is a personal favorite.
There is also a ShoutCast client that you can use to browse a wide variety of feeds from ShoutCast.com. Last night I was listening to the Saskatoon (Canada) Police/Fire/EMS Scanner live on my Xbox. That was kinda cool. I also tuned into GrooveSalad from SomaFM.com which is a personal favorite.
10.23.2004
I can understand being upsold fries...
So I have been working on installing the mod chip in my xbox which, assuming you do the smart thing and get the solderless kit, has been a piece of cake.
I realized that I needed a splitter adapter for the HDD power supply. A search of the premises garnered no such piece. So, I head to RadioShack because ``they'll have it``. Actually, I went online and got the part number and called to make sure the nearest Shack had one in stock. They didn't. But, the SouthTowne location had one, five really. I walk in the door and the RadioShack Employee begins the following exchange.
RSE: Can I help you?
Me: I need a 278-688 Power "Y" Adapter for a Hard Drive.
RSE: *walking to the exact spot on the wall* That should be what you're looking for.
Me: Thanks, that's it.
RSE: *walking back to register* How's your cell phone working for you?
Me: Absolutely Perfect
RSE: *standing in front of the Verizon dislpay* Who's your carrier.
Me: U.S. Cellular
RSE: We get alot of that. That'll be $5.84
Me: *gives him $10*
RSE: $4.16 is your change...
Me: Thanks.
RSE: and when it comes time to look for a new cell phone stop on by and we'll get you hooked up.
Me: Uhm. Yeah. Thanks.
RadioShack is supposed to sell transistors, circuit boards, and Power "Y" Adapters. Not cell phone service. Not to mention he is trying to sell me a service that I already own which is provided by a company who does a great job. And no, I don't want fries with my splitter either.
I realized that I needed a splitter adapter for the HDD power supply. A search of the premises garnered no such piece. So, I head to RadioShack because ``they'll have it``. Actually, I went online and got the part number and called to make sure the nearest Shack had one in stock. They didn't. But, the SouthTowne location had one, five really. I walk in the door and the RadioShack Employee begins the following exchange.
RSE: Can I help you?
Me: I need a 278-688 Power "Y" Adapter for a Hard Drive.
RSE: *walking to the exact spot on the wall* That should be what you're looking for.
Me: Thanks, that's it.
RSE: *walking back to register* How's your cell phone working for you?
Me: Absolutely Perfect
RSE: *standing in front of the Verizon dislpay* Who's your carrier.
Me: U.S. Cellular
RSE: We get alot of that. That'll be $5.84
Me: *gives him $10*
RSE: $4.16 is your change...
Me: Thanks.
RSE: and when it comes time to look for a new cell phone stop on by and we'll get you hooked up.
Me: Uhm. Yeah. Thanks.
RadioShack is supposed to sell transistors, circuit boards, and Power "Y" Adapters. Not cell phone service. Not to mention he is trying to sell me a service that I already own which is provided by a company who does a great job. And no, I don't want fries with my splitter either.
10.22.2004
Candy Order Form
It's that time of year again. Anyone interested in ordering candy should return a completed order form, available in PDF & Excel formats. We will be taking orders for candy until January. Just a reminder, we do get busy around the holidays. If you want orders for Thanksgiving or Christmas submit them early to ensure delivery by the desired date.
If you have any questions let me know or post a comment here.
If you have any questions let me know or post a comment here.
10.18.2004
Weekend Update without Kevin Nealon
Saturday in the mail we received our passports. That was the last remaining obstacle for our trip to Amsterdam. It's a time consuming process and rightfully so with the power this document gives you. Jen and I are both excited about the trip. It will be our first to a foreign country. Jamaica is hardly a foreign country especially when you don't leave your resort ;).
I purchased an XBox mod chip this weekend. Ima follow Chris' lead and utilize my XBox as a media center. Looking for a cheap HDD in the 200 GB neighborhood. Hard drives are cheap any more, I did find a 200 GB Western Digital for $159 ($99 after rebate). Depending on when the chip comes in I hope to get it running by our Friday team-building excercise after work.
Anyone interested in running down to Fright Factory next weekend? I think it'd be fun to get a group to go down there.
I purchased an XBox mod chip this weekend. Ima follow Chris' lead and utilize my XBox as a media center. Looking for a cheap HDD in the 200 GB neighborhood. Hard drives are cheap any more, I did find a 200 GB Western Digital for $159 ($99 after rebate). Depending on when the chip comes in I hope to get it running by our Friday team-building excercise after work.
Anyone interested in running down to Fright Factory next weekend? I think it'd be fun to get a group to go down there.
10.17.2004
Fright Factory: Janesville
Jen was at a party with some ladies from on Saturday in Edgerton. She got a ride down and I picked her up around 7:00 PM. We had made tentative plans to try to find a Haunted House in the Janesville area. We mis-communicated and each thought the other had the directions. We decided to just drive down and see what we could find. Going south on Hwy 51 we're not seeing anything we get to the point where we are just about to turn around and head home when I saw a sign for "Fright Factory".
Fright Factory is held in an unused pen manufacturing plant. Panoramic, the builing's namesake, purchased Parker Pen Co. and have since moved to a new building. The attraction is contained to the first floor and begins with the fact that the building is indeed haunted by Henry, a dedicated employee, who according to the locals still roams the building after passing away on the job.
This is one of the more thought out and entertaining events that I have been to in recent memory. While the haunted attractions in the Dells area are a little more polished and gory Fright Factory focuses more on suspenseful sensory excitement. Whether it was intentional or not the smells throughout the tour were unique and make you wonder whether they foreshadow events to come.
Overall, I would recommend this feature to anyone who's got the time to make a trip to Janesville. I will warn you though You will get split up from the rest of your group if only for a brief time. That may scare some kids more than anything. There are periods of pitch black darkness. Our group managed to find a corner and get stuck there. There were however some helpful souls there to help us out.
On the way home we found several more Haunted Houses that we passed right on Hwy 51. Including the Janesville Jaycees Haunted House at the new Panaoramic builing. I'm glad we missed them though. The Fright Factory was exactly what we were looking for.
Fright Factory is held in an unused pen manufacturing plant. Panoramic, the builing's namesake, purchased Parker Pen Co. and have since moved to a new building. The attraction is contained to the first floor and begins with the fact that the building is indeed haunted by Henry, a dedicated employee, who according to the locals still roams the building after passing away on the job.
This is one of the more thought out and entertaining events that I have been to in recent memory. While the haunted attractions in the Dells area are a little more polished and gory Fright Factory focuses more on suspenseful sensory excitement. Whether it was intentional or not the smells throughout the tour were unique and make you wonder whether they foreshadow events to come.
Overall, I would recommend this feature to anyone who's got the time to make a trip to Janesville. I will warn you though You will get split up from the rest of your group if only for a brief time. That may scare some kids more than anything. There are periods of pitch black darkness. Our group managed to find a corner and get stuck there. There were however some helpful souls there to help us out.
On the way home we found several more Haunted Houses that we passed right on Hwy 51. Including the Janesville Jaycees Haunted House at the new Panaoramic builing. I'm glad we missed them though. The Fright Factory was exactly what we were looking for.
10.11.2004
10.10.2004
That sinking feeling ...
You know what I'm talking about. For example when you drive past a cop a little too fast. He pulls out behind you and follows you for a bit. Happened to be coincidence as he turns off without pulling you over. You know you just did something stupid. You knew better. You knew if you got caught it would cost you but, you had some excuse that made it okay. Until things appear to go wrong. That's when you suddenly get a nervous stone in your gut.
Perhaps you look for help from above? Oh, please Lord if I don't get caught I promise I won't ever be that stupid again.
So, this afternoon I was changing the front brake pads on our Subaru Forester. The squealers had been tattling on me for not changing them for a few weeks. We were running late because of the Apple Butter incident. We had an annoying incident at Rocky Roccoco's wherein we waited for 10 minutes and were never helped. As you can imagine I was in a great mood!
I pull the tire off the driver's side. Zip out the caliper bolts and pull off the pads. Not too bad, the conservative squealers were letting me know there was 5/16" of pad left. I get that side buttoned back up and move over to the passenger side.
Off got the lugnuts and tire. I go to yank on the air hose and it pulls tight. There was just enough hose to reach the gun in and zip out the caliper bolts. I noted that the high pressure rubber brake-line rubbed a little when I pulled out the top bolt. Should be fine. I get the old pads out then put the squealers on the new pads and installed them. All that's left is to put in the caliper bolts and put the tire on no problem.
Then I ran into a problem. The mount for the caliper bolt on top was spinning freely on the caliper side. I started it by hand and try to tighted it up with the air gun. The back side just spun freely keeping up with the gun. All the while the socket is rubbing on the brake line. Finally, using a wrench to hold the back side in place I was able to tighten the top bolt. As the bolt went into the caliper it applied more pressure on the brake line. The bolt tightened up and the whine of the air gun faded away and I heard a distinct gurgle. Like a pressurized liquid in a hose with a tiny leak.
Here's where that sinking feeling comes in. I knew I was rubbing on the hose. I could see it. I can think of any number of reasons now why that was a bad idea. Had I gotten up to move the air compressor 6" closer I have enough room to avoid the rub all together. And the list of possible solutions goes on and on.
I ducked my head in to see if I can find the leak. I pulled the air gun out of the way to get a good look at the brake line. I couldn't see any brake fluid. The gurgling noise had also quieted down. Trying to recreate the rubbing to locate the leak I put the air gun back into position. When I put a little pressure ong the line with the socket the gurgling noise returned. Pull the gun out, the noise went away.
As it turns out the cop turns off and he in fact was not following me. Rather I hadn't rubbed through the brake line. It was just some moisture in the air line and a guilty conscience.
Perhaps you look for help from above? Oh, please Lord if I don't get caught I promise I won't ever be that stupid again.
So, this afternoon I was changing the front brake pads on our Subaru Forester. The squealers had been tattling on me for not changing them for a few weeks. We were running late because of the Apple Butter incident. We had an annoying incident at Rocky Roccoco's wherein we waited for 10 minutes and were never helped. As you can imagine I was in a great mood!
I pull the tire off the driver's side. Zip out the caliper bolts and pull off the pads. Not too bad, the conservative squealers were letting me know there was 5/16" of pad left. I get that side buttoned back up and move over to the passenger side.
Off got the lugnuts and tire. I go to yank on the air hose and it pulls tight. There was just enough hose to reach the gun in and zip out the caliper bolts. I noted that the high pressure rubber brake-line rubbed a little when I pulled out the top bolt. Should be fine. I get the old pads out then put the squealers on the new pads and installed them. All that's left is to put in the caliper bolts and put the tire on no problem.
Then I ran into a problem. The mount for the caliper bolt on top was spinning freely on the caliper side. I started it by hand and try to tighted it up with the air gun. The back side just spun freely keeping up with the gun. All the while the socket is rubbing on the brake line. Finally, using a wrench to hold the back side in place I was able to tighten the top bolt. As the bolt went into the caliper it applied more pressure on the brake line. The bolt tightened up and the whine of the air gun faded away and I heard a distinct gurgle. Like a pressurized liquid in a hose with a tiny leak.
Here's where that sinking feeling comes in. I knew I was rubbing on the hose. I could see it. I can think of any number of reasons now why that was a bad idea. Had I gotten up to move the air compressor 6" closer I have enough room to avoid the rub all together. And the list of possible solutions goes on and on.
I ducked my head in to see if I can find the leak. I pulled the air gun out of the way to get a good look at the brake line. I couldn't see any brake fluid. The gurgling noise had also quieted down. Trying to recreate the rubbing to locate the leak I put the air gun back into position. When I put a little pressure ong the line with the socket the gurgling noise returned. Pull the gun out, the noise went away.
As it turns out the cop turns off and he in fact was not following me. Rather I hadn't rubbed through the brake line. It was just some moisture in the air line and a guilty conscience.
Apple Butter
We had plans to make Apple Butter this weekend using an overnight slow cooker recipe Jen had brought home from work. We didn't read the instructions very carefully. ``Overnight`` loosely translates to 10 hours. We started the ingredients on low at about 5:00 PM Saturday evening. We finally read the instructions about 8:00 PM and realized the next step to apple butter needed to occur at 2:00 AM Sunday morning. We decided to stay up later than usual and finally strained the apple mash going on 1:00 AM. The next step called for the strained mixture to cook on high for 1 1/2 hours. We left it on low and went to bed. Jen's dad Al was getting up early to go hunting and, as it turns out, to turn off our crock pot.
Long story short; Too Late!; We've got apple butter but it took us about three hours off of a normal weekend schedule.
Long story short; Too Late!; We've got apple butter but it took us about three hours off of a normal weekend schedule.
10.07.2004
Spammers may be on to something ...
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was radnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt !.!.!
10.04.2004
AutoX
Sunday Jen and I made our way down to Geneva Lakes Kennel club. Chris had invited us out to a Madison Sports Car Club Autocross Series event. Autocross is a timed competition on a challenging road-race style course. The MSCC AutoX Series holds events at locations like Columbus 151 Speedway, Rock County Airport, Rockford Speedway or pretty much anywhere they can get a stretch of asphalt.
We were running late and as we took the exit off of I-43 Chris was making his first run. Just as we arrived we saw a number of folks making their way to the far end of the course. We couldn't see where Chris had gone and yet more people were running to the far end of the course. I grabbed the camera and we walked over to see what the comotion was about. A driver had lost control near the finish line and slammed his left rear into the two foot concrete base of a light pole.
Before we got too close someone shooed us away as we had not signed the insurance waiver. d'0h! We went and signed in. Turns out the guy running the event was a friend from high school, Eric Hutchins. A few minutes later we made our way over and found Chris waiting in line.
I took over camera duties and took probably too many pictures. Chris looked surprised when I said that there were only 20 or so of 150 exposures left. Pictures I assume will be coming into to work with Chris today.
We took a short break and went shopping in the down time where Chris had to work the course.
When we got back I rode along in the Miata for a run. It was much faster than it looks. Our time was just a second slower than his fastest time to that point.
Maybe I'll take the Acura out next year. Maybe.
We were running late and as we took the exit off of I-43 Chris was making his first run. Just as we arrived we saw a number of folks making their way to the far end of the course. We couldn't see where Chris had gone and yet more people were running to the far end of the course. I grabbed the camera and we walked over to see what the comotion was about. A driver had lost control near the finish line and slammed his left rear into the two foot concrete base of a light pole.
Before we got too close someone shooed us away as we had not signed the insurance waiver. d'0h! We went and signed in. Turns out the guy running the event was a friend from high school, Eric Hutchins. A few minutes later we made our way over and found Chris waiting in line.
I took over camera duties and took probably too many pictures. Chris looked surprised when I said that there were only 20 or so of 150 exposures left. Pictures I assume will be coming into to work with Chris today.
We took a short break and went shopping in the down time where Chris had to work the course.
When we got back I rode along in the Miata for a run. It was much faster than it looks. Our time was just a second slower than his fastest time to that point.
Maybe I'll take the Acura out next year. Maybe.
10.01.2004
Wisconsin in the news...
It's always impressive to me to see the state I live in being featured in the news. Especially for monumental decisions being handed down by the Court of Appeals.
In an unforseen twist the Appeals Court ruled that drunk driving laws do in fact apply to frozen lake surfaces. This decision reversed a ruling against a drunk driver (Paul Minnig) who had been chasing snowmobilers in his truck. Dodge County Circuit Court judge Andrew Bissonnette had stated that the drunk driving laws definition of "highways and 'other premises' open to public motor vehicle use" did not include frozen lake surfaces.
These sure are interesting times.
In an unforseen twist the Appeals Court ruled that drunk driving laws do in fact apply to frozen lake surfaces. This decision reversed a ruling against a drunk driver (Paul Minnig) who had been chasing snowmobilers in his truck. Dodge County Circuit Court judge Andrew Bissonnette had stated that the drunk driving laws definition of "highways and 'other premises' open to public motor vehicle use" did not include frozen lake surfaces.
These sure are interesting times.
9.30.2004
Thank God fo Anti-Virus Programs!!!
Tonight, I came home to a disturbing sight. We got home late around 9:00 PM. We checked the mail and I put Jen to bed. I walk into my computer room to find two BSOD.
Two screens because I recently connected the 14" LCD as the second monitor under WinXP. The dual monitor setup has been nice. I've been watching Arrested Development at the suggestion of Jon Larkowski. The LCD has become the "television" while I work on the 19" CRT.
Anyway, back to the BSOD. I read the details of the BS (heh) and apparently there was a page fault in AVG. AVG is an anti-virus offering from Grisoft. I downloaded and installed AVG Free Edition in spite of the old adage of "You get what you pay for."
Technically, AVG Anti-Virus performed it's duty. It's a good program and thorough. However, preventing a machine from operating is not the most effective way to prevent viruses. Nor is it any way to market a product. Why on earth would I spend money with this comany's products when a stripped down version crashed my machine?
Looking for a cheap replacement anti-virus program. Any suggestions?
sonofabitch!
Two screens because I recently connected the 14" LCD as the second monitor under WinXP. The dual monitor setup has been nice. I've been watching Arrested Development at the suggestion of Jon Larkowski. The LCD has become the "television" while I work on the 19" CRT.
Anyway, back to the BSOD. I read the details of the BS (heh) and apparently there was a page fault in AVG. AVG is an anti-virus offering from Grisoft. I downloaded and installed AVG Free Edition in spite of the old adage of "You get what you pay for."
Technically, AVG Anti-Virus performed it's duty. It's a good program and thorough. However, preventing a machine from operating is not the most effective way to prevent viruses. Nor is it any way to market a product. Why on earth would I spend money with this comany's products when a stripped down version crashed my machine?
Looking for a cheap replacement anti-virus program. Any suggestions?
9.27.2004
[Mozilla 1.0 PR] Yellow Background in HTTPS mode
A new feature of Mozilla 1.0 PR ('Preview Release') sets the background of the address bar to yellow when you visit a secure site.
This feature put me off. If I needed to know whether I was in https or http I would just look at the damn prefix. That's just my opinion though.
There is a way around this though, as pointed out by a co-worker, Chris. There is a CSS file you can edit. Adding the code below, stolen from MozillaZine Forums, will set the background color back to white for HTTPS sites.
This file was located here on my WinXP machine:
C:\Documents and Settings\{UserName}\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\chrome
Any questions? Lemme know.
This feature put me off. If I needed to know whether I was in https or http I would just look at the damn prefix. That's just my opinion though.
There is a way around this though, as pointed out by a co-worker, Chris. There is a CSS file you can edit. Adding the code below, stolen from MozillaZine Forums, will set the background color back to white for HTTPS sites.
/* un-yellow the secure urlbar background */
#urlbar[level="high"] > .autocomplete-textbox-container,
#urlbar[level="low"] > .autocomplete-textbox-container,
#urlbar[level="broken"] > .autocomplete-textbox-container {
background-color: white !important;
}
This file was located here on my WinXP machine:
C:\Documents and Settings\{UserName}\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\chrome
Any questions? Lemme know.
FARKLINE: Red states feed at federal trough -- blue states supply the feed
I'm all confused about politics any more. You mean the Democrats are wealthy and the Republicans are broke? Or, the middle class is paying more than the big wig corporations... that makes sense. This isn't so fascinating after all.
9.22.2004
Something about history and doom ...
Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.
- Sir Winston Churchill
9.15.2004
Dangerous OJ ...
The St. Louis Fire Department's Haz-Mat team was activated after federal park rangers spotted a swollen Minute Maid jug in a parking lot near Second Street and Washington Avenue about 6 a.m. The police bombing and arson squad's robot exploded the jug, which contained a liquid -- perhaps orange juice -- and the area was deemed safe about 9:30 a.m.
9.13.2004
Engine work ...
My brother John wants to borrow the Acura this weekend to run the two day invitational at Jefferson Speedway. We took the head off the car yesterday to see if we could decipher the cause of the miss we developed this weekend. We got it apart and damned if we didn't find much of anything wrong. Lots of carbon but, that's to be expected I guess.
I contacted the good folks at Polk Diesel & Machine in De Forest in the hopes that they could get some engine work done before the weekend so that John could run the car. The cylinder head will be resurfaced and the valves ground and hopefully we'll get it back on Thursday in time to get it back together for racing on Friday.
Jen and I will be out of town this weekend visiting one member of my blog-dience.
I contacted the good folks at Polk Diesel & Machine in De Forest in the hopes that they could get some engine work done before the weekend so that John could run the car. The cylinder head will be resurfaced and the valves ground and hopefully we'll get it back on Thursday in time to get it back together for racing on Friday.
Jen and I will be out of town this weekend visiting one member of my blog-dience.
9.12.2004
9/17 Columbus Results - Wild finish to the racing season ...
The Acura developed a miss, the third cylinder wasn't firing. I turned my slowest time of the year at 17.5 seconds. I finished last in the third heat and DNF'd the feature.
I had a tire chunk out on the right front. Basically all the rubber from the cords up just fell away from the outside of the wheel. I came in for a NASCAR style pit excercise where the right front was pulled off and swapped with the left front. I made it out without losing a lap. This was done because the inside tire doesn't do much work and it basically just needs to stay round. As I joined the field they turned the cars to go around clockwise. That put the chunked out wheel back on the outside. After two laps of sliding around I just pulled off.
Jen did a great job in the Powder Puff race even on three cylinders. There were five ladies out there and Jen probably drove harder than any of them. She jumped into 2nd place entering turn one. Then drove really hard into turn three. She didn't slow down until she passed the pit entrance which is where I was standing. By that time she was in the third groove in a trajectory that would not allow her to exit the corner. She started to slow down and *WHAP* nailed the right front into the wall in turn four.
My dad, being a track official, raced out there to make sure she was all right. Here is the conversation that took place.
JR: *pulls window net down* Are you OK?
Jen: Yeah. How are my tires?
JR: They're fine, will the car start?
Jen: I dunno, I haven't tried *starts car*
JR: *puts window net back up*
On the restart she started in last due to her causing the caution. The following lap she drove hard into the first turn and leaned on the #66, bouncing them completely into the third groove. She finished 3rd and a tweaked bumper was the only damage sustained.
The Bandit Feature/Season Championship was decided on the last corner of the last lap of the last feature race of the season. The point leader who was running in fifth place and just needed to finish the last 75' of the race to win the season championship. Unfortunately, he drove in too hard in turn three and bumped the guy in front of him. That driver slid up the track in the corner then drove back down and clipped the right rear of the point leader putting him in the wall and ending his race.
The driver who caused the accident was disqualified in a rare moment of fairness for the track owners.
I had a tire chunk out on the right front. Basically all the rubber from the cords up just fell away from the outside of the wheel. I came in for a NASCAR style pit excercise where the right front was pulled off and swapped with the left front. I made it out without losing a lap. This was done because the inside tire doesn't do much work and it basically just needs to stay round. As I joined the field they turned the cars to go around clockwise. That put the chunked out wheel back on the outside. After two laps of sliding around I just pulled off.
Jen did a great job in the Powder Puff race even on three cylinders. There were five ladies out there and Jen probably drove harder than any of them. She jumped into 2nd place entering turn one. Then drove really hard into turn three. She didn't slow down until she passed the pit entrance which is where I was standing. By that time she was in the third groove in a trajectory that would not allow her to exit the corner. She started to slow down and *WHAP* nailed the right front into the wall in turn four.
My dad, being a track official, raced out there to make sure she was all right. Here is the conversation that took place.
JR: *pulls window net down* Are you OK?
Jen: Yeah. How are my tires?
JR: They're fine, will the car start?
Jen: I dunno, I haven't tried *starts car*
JR: *puts window net back up*
On the restart she started in last due to her causing the caution. The following lap she drove hard into the first turn and leaned on the #66, bouncing them completely into the third groove. She finished 3rd and a tweaked bumper was the only damage sustained.
The Bandit Feature/Season Championship was decided on the last corner of the last lap of the last feature race of the season. The point leader who was running in fifth place and just needed to finish the last 75' of the race to win the season championship. Unfortunately, he drove in too hard in turn three and bumped the guy in front of him. That driver slid up the track in the corner then drove back down and clipped the right rear of the point leader putting him in the wall and ending his race.
The driver who caused the accident was disqualified in a rare moment of fairness for the track owners.
9.01.2004
Vacation photos posted ...
They are now captioned and include multiple sizes for viewing on a variety of machines.
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