my, how time flies

Belive it or not, my little corner of the web here at Blogger has been active for two years. My first post was way back on 31.10.03, and the date today (yesterday) is 31.10.05. In that time I've posted 292 times, noninclusive. I've taken my Ranger from something very stock, where the only modifications were a grille, seats, and gauges, to something that turns heads, gains attention, and draws admiration nearly everywhere. I've also sunked around $4000 into it. I've gotten, and lost a job. I've been to Washington/Oregon. I've gotten a project car. I've gotten, lost, and got more pets. I've had, lost, and dreamed about a female or two. But in all, my elusions of grandeour and megalomanicisim haven't subsided, or my love for hyperbole and poetic verse. I've enjoyed my time here thus far, and enjoyed the people who've I met through here, I hope to continue for two years more, a few times over.

never woulda thunk it

I was over at my neighbors today, chattin and checkin' out the house now that it's been redone. And apparently this guy has got some mega-cash. Not just a healthy bank, not just some cheese, mega-cash. You wouldn't think it to talk to the guy, both he and his wife (and sister) are about the nicest people around. A shame they'll be moving really. Regardless, the plan that he had when he first bought the property next door (~3 acres) was to turn the house that's on the lot now into the pool house. This is a three bedroom house now...and built a huge (easily 5000+ sq/ft) in front. Now, his property is about 140' wide. County regulations require at least 15' of clearance between the edge of the house and the property line. This house barley fit within those dimensions. Meaning the house was every bit as wide as 110'. Damn. His driveway is just over the crest of a hill, and is quite dangerous to get in and out of...his proposal was to buy the house behind him, give the people $150,000, rent the house out, and just use the property as a pass through to his. Damn. Gets better too....that humongoid house is gonna be built on his 20 acres he has on, ON, Port Charlotte, Flordia. Damn. Why am I going on about these people? I'm not sure...super nice guy, and I wish I had his job, that's for damn sure.

I think I might get back into building plastic scale auto models. I used to build em all the time as a kid, but I haven't in a few years. I dunno why really. Never lost intrest in them, just kinda got discouraged with them. The 'aftermarket' for them is huge now, so I might have to dabble back into them. Damn shame a new Ranger isn't made.

mmmmm....pancakes

I'm bored off my ass right now. I should be doing some ST guide stuff, but I'm not, and I won't. I'm also tired. I should be trying to go to sleep, but I'm not, and I won't. I feel like going out to the shop and doing some stuff. But I'm not, and I might. Since we've got CABLE IN THE SHOP now, and heaters, it's not such a bad place to be really. Cable, heat, fridge stocked with food, microwave, and a couch. Oh, and tools, lots of tools. And a project vehicle. So I really have no excuse to not be out there. Other then I'm bored. And tired.

The Falcon has offcially moved from the "Parts Car" list to the "In The Way" list. We've stripped everything we need off of it, hood, grille, garnish, mirrors, seat belts (might need those!), etc, etc, so now it's just in the way. The other two non-movable cars in the driveway, my mom's LeBaron and my sister's Benz, hopefully soon will be mobile and not in the way. We're gonna get a new (turbo!) motor for my mom's car...just replace the entire engine and transmission as a unit over rebuilding the blown motor, easier and less hassle. And my sister's car...well, she got her licsense today, finally, so chanes are she'll want her car. Her father-in-law keep hinting that he wants my father and I to replace the motor...which is fine and dandy as long as he supplies the motor and pays us. He may even want us to fix everything else that's wrong with it. Again, fine if he pays us.

So what does all of that mean? That A) My mother won't be driving the truck anymore, which is good if you ask me, B) That open the door to do some more serious mods to the Ranger (ie., bagging), C) There's room for my upcoming vehicle(s). My father is still pushing me to get an older Ranger to really go to town on...and for me to use as a daily after the Ranger is bagged and until I get my Silvia...I'm not really wanting a Ranger again, somthing a little less common...I'm thinking like a Couirer or something along those lines, if I ever do get a daily.

I'm still bored, but not as tired, which is bad considering it's 3 AM. Damn.

done and done

I guess Hurricane Wilma knocked out some internet resources yesterday, which is why I assume my host wasn't working, but all is better now. So, for your viewing "pleasure", I uploaded the vehicle pages and updated Silvia guides. Peruse, laugh, cry, and enjoy your stay. Link freely and often, you people of the internet.

STILL not my fault

OK, so I'm 'done' with the new pages for the vehicles....BUT, my server is still acting up so I can't do any uploading, so until I can upload some stuff, the site will still be uncompleted. I also did some more work on the Silvia guide, ao I've got to upload some updated files for it too...but not until.

On the new vehicle pages, basically all I did was complile the previous multiple pages into a single page. It's just easier that way. I'm still not happy with the format, but it works for now.

nope, still not done

Is everything updated yet? That's a big N-O. But I have an exucse. I'm a bit under the weather and sitting in front of my laptop for time time needed to do the work wasn't sounding very appealing, being in bed asleep was a little more down my alley, so that's what I did. However, I'm working on everything right now, I expect to be done shortly, as I don't have that much work to do really. Since I still haven't found a format I like for the vehicle pages, I'll just throw up something as a place holder, but with all the info needed, hopefully.


Eeeeep. Hit a bit of a snag....the host for my website files isn't wanting to copoerate and load up the pages, or allow me to upload...so I can only do so much without having access to files and locations. Guess that's what I get for dragging my feet.

i'm such a damn slacker

Hmmm, I just lost my previous post, so I'm not writing it out again. I'll write a synopsis:

1) I've not uploaded the updated pages for the site yet.
2) Joined a new clan for Halo2.

lilttle more then a supplmental enhancement

I'm holding off on doing the new vehicle pages till tomorrow....so hold 'yer horses.

Meanwhile, I have updated the Aussie Silvia guide to reflect some changes I've found, so now hopefully at least the Aussie part is done. Few more tidbits of info I'll add later on.

I also forgot I added a new '67 Conti wallpaper, one with a less dramatic ///Relaxed Atmosphere logo. Enjoy.

they call him 'flipper'!, 'flipper!'

The new site is coming along, with everything 'done' but the cars pages. I didn't get to work on everything nearly as much as I would've liked, but I did get some work done.

Please use THIS LINK from now on to acess this page

For some reason, leave off that '/index.html' and the formatting goes all haywire and things look goofy, with banner ads and blank spot and all that bad stuff. I'm updating all the links to this site with the new one, or at least those that I can remember.

And for those that are interested in the sorta things that goes on behind the scenes, here's all I've done: new streamlined (javafree) menu with fewer pages, basically reversed the colors of all the pages (dark font, light background)...just to switch it up, may still make the main grey lighter; reduced the font size and increased the line size of everything, now using Blogger comments instead of HaloScan, with back links, and um, I think that's it.

not my fault

So I'm updating the site, finally...so things'll be a bit screwy around here for a day or so. Don't expect every link to work. And currently, I'm having trouble with the host that I use to host my pages outside of blogger.com, so you won't be seeing any of those pages anyhow cause they aren't loading, including the menu page. Mother Fucker.

Don't expect alot of changes, color changes, new menu, excess pages purged, that kinda thing, hope to have it done early Friday, which would be today.

then there were three

Know what irks me? When people say " 'nuff said". This phrase usually follows a simple, short, declarative statement, such as "Fords are better", or maybe "He's stupid". Rarely does the statement provide anything other then a possibility that the user is an asshole who lacks communication skills. The " 'nuff said" only solidifies the user's asshole standing. To anyone who uses " 'nuff said", stop. You're being an asshole by not providing anything useful to anyone but yourself.

when life gives you lemons...

Don't make lemonade, chunk them at the nearest person so they feel the same pain as you.

Since that whole becoming a Fayette County Fire Fighter didn't work out to plan, I'm looking down other avenues. I'm going to try to get on as a volunteer for the city, which will give me experience and a 'foot in the door', which is always good. I also want to go to EMT school and get certified. Since there are only 3 fire departments in my county (two city and one county), staying in county (which I want) with my hopeful fire fighting career might take longer then I'd like. But, you gotta work for what you want, and in the end it'll be mo' better.

Someone who works for my Dad was over at the house the other weekend so we could change the plugs, wires, and front brakes on his Ranger...well, I guess he liked what he saw on the truck and wants me to mold in a roll pan on his truck. He also wants me to finish wiring in an alarm system, as well as wire his fog lights to run off the parking lights rather then the toggle they are on now. So what does that all mean? That I'll the money to buy what I need to finish shaving the truck. Can I get a hell yeah? So.....if things go according to plan (which they never seem to do for me), by the end of the year, I won't have any door handles, door locks, no fuel filler door, emblem holes, 3rd brake light, a frenched antenna, frenched '59 caddy tails, or body seams. Can I get a second hell yeah? I'll be sporting almost a full body primer job....

one less thing to worry about

So......not that I've done anyhting worthwhile, really, but I've done done something that I've been wanting to do, so to me, it's worthwhile. Fuck what yall think. Ya hear me? Fuck the lot of you. OK, I'm just joshin', please don't delete my bookmark. So what is this hub-bub and rub about? I finished my Silvia S15 guides. I think I can say, for a fact, that this is the most comprehensive collection of information on the S15 in English, anywhere. That's got to mean something to someone. As you can see, it follows the same form and style as my other guides, so don't expect any surprises, other then the large number of pics I've included this time. I could've included a few more pics, but eh....you get the point. Read over what my next car'll be...I'm looking to get a Spec R Aero with the V-Package and 6-speed manual...and maybe navigation. Hells yeah.

the whistle that never blew

Anyone catch that spectacle of game of USC vs ND? If there was any doubt that USC DOESN'T deserve to be ranked #1, or any doubt that they shouldn't go to the championship game, then this game erased all shred of hope they had left. USC never has had a tough schedule, and they struggle against teams like Oregon and Arizona State, and when they play a team that is actually good, like Notre Dame, they lose. Yes, they lost. I don't car if the ball did go out of bounds, no one blew a whistle to call the play dead. Time ran out for them. They simply bitched an moaned loud enough to get the play, call, and game, overturned. I really wanted to see the ND defense stop USC on that free play they got, and they did, but a spin move gave the Trojans thier unearned victory. The Trojans were outplayed, simply put. A few good plays, mainly by that amazing RB they have, Lightning they call him, but without him, they would've been stomped. Their wide outs can catch a cold, thier defense, although they have a hard hitting secondary, leave holes the size of Texas in the box.

Want a REAL team that knows how to win again REAL opponents? Look no further then Georgia. Why they are ranked only 5th is beyond me, they have nearly the toughest schedule in the country playing in one of, if not the, toughest conferences in the country. Georgia has tough teams handily, with the only close game being against South Carolina. Well, on thing to look forward to is at least UGA will be ranked 4th after Flordia's loss today. Don't be surprised to see UGA make a serious bid for the BCS Championship game, or even win it. They wtill have three tough games left to play, but Shockly is looking to be a force not to be under-rated.

And so concludes my NCAA rant for the weekend.

new hobby i need

Why the Yoda-esque title? I dunno, I just felt like doing it. Does that make me lame? Possibly so.

I've almost completed my Silvia guides...still a few things left I want to do to them, like add some options I've forgotten/discovered, add exterior colors, and add a section about the drop-top in Japan. Shouldn't take me long really, just a matter of getting it done. What I've done so far hasn't been added to the Guides section just yet....in due time however. I've progressed some more on my Sport Trac guides as well, which I just realized aren't linked to on the menu at right...hmmmm, that'll need a fixing. I've got all of years 2001 and 2002 done, just 2003, 4, and 5 left. But really, with 2001 and 2 having two jobs each, that's 4 times the work. From what I've been able to find, 2003 has two jobs, and 4 and 5 have one each, so the work left is about equal. I've still got to add some interior photos and details photos, and finish some photoshops of colors, but I want to get everything else finished first. Pics are a cinch to add.

I'm also toying with the idea of having some pixel cars of teh Ranger and '66 in their current state of progresses displayed somewhere on the site. I've already got one for the Ranger, but until I can get good front and rear shots of a '66 Ranchero to do a pixel base, I'll hold off. Until then, I'll throw up all my pixels into a subsection over on the left there, under the "Other>pixels" menu. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this pixel thing...

well don't that just beat all

Check this out. A mod for the Ranger I pioneered about 3 years ago...now in a ready to buy format. Damn.

yowza

Drug the '66 Falcon home yesterday...I gotta say, it's a nice lookin body style..looks a lot like a Mustang. This particular example of the vintage tin is in decent condition. Although the rear-end has seed much better days, it is a restorable car. Anyone want it? I'll have to take some pics of it just to have some. We towed it home using my brother's Explorer...he's, um, I'm not sure what the right word or phrase is, but he just doesn't 'get' a lot of things. And backing a trailer up is one of them. Even without the car on it, he coudln't back it up straight. It was actaully kinda funny to see him struggle with the car....I was trying to tell him what to do from the passenger seat...no dice. My father tries to tell him from outside....no dice. Eventually my father had to get behind the wheel and do the reversing, first time he got it right I might add.

Fixed the truck today as well. Wired my fourth toggle to operate the headlights. Is the power wire fused? I'm not really sure....but, it's overall a much safer set-up then what I had. I also redid the wires running through the fire wall to make sure that doesn't happen again, fused or unfused.

now that'll get your heart racin

Go fown to grab a drink from the fridge, mother tells me she's gotta tell me something, I figure it about going off to eat tonite or something....nope. Instead she tells me that when she started the truck up to go to the store, she turned the lights on (it's raining) and tried to reposition the switch (it's on a toggle since the main switch doens't work for some reason), in doing so, she grounded out the hotside of the switch, which, due to my own error was unfused (!), cabin and engine compartment fill with smoke as the insulation melts off....luckily that's all the more harm done. The carpet is melted in a spot, and a few things underhood are blackened and charred, but otherwise none worse for the wear. Scared the crap out of her, as I imagined it did. Good thing the whole truck didn't go up in a smokey pile of goodness....or notsogoodness. Easy enough fix too, run a new wire, WITH A FUSE, and it'll be good.

well that's not right at all...

Watchin' the tellie today and one of those commercials for a "new and time saving invention you'll have to have!" comes on...you know the type, the commercials for the George Foreman Grille, those cheap lazer level things, etc. Well this time it was for a "pop-n-lock screwdriver". Basically, there is a six-barreled "clip" on the shaft of the screwdriver, you can pull the handle back and switch which bit you're using. The guys who made the commercial for this gem are real bright..." 'includes' phillips; slotted; square; even torque!". Wow...Phillips, capitialized, and torque? You mean the measurement of twisting force? Hmmm, not sure I've ever heard of a screwdriver bit like that...Torx is another story. Boy we've got some real smart people out there.

Saturday, hopefully, the '66 Falcon will be here to give us some parts...yee-haw.

i'm out of ideas

Well, I'm not dead, but I'm not alive either. Ok, that sounds ominous, but it made a convient comparison. I'm fine, really. I've not been busy either. Built a pen for the peafowl, so they are outside now. They seem to enjoy it, much more room out there for them, plus the dining room where they were kept doesn't smell so bad anymore, lol.

This weekend was the 4th annual National Sport Trac Meet, this time in Dallas. I wanted to go, wish I coulda gone, but I couldn't make it. It wasn't as big as many had hoped, but for those who went make it sound like like it was a good time. But, to the point, the 2007 ST which was unveiled for the first time at the Texas State Fair on Thursday. How do I like it? Eh....it's not bad. The interior is nice, clean, simple, intuitive. Exterior? Ugly isn't proper...plain and uninspiring are. It looks exactly like the 06 Explorer from the front, and exactly like an F150 stepside from the rear, no coincidence (however you spell that...) as the ST shares the all front end panels with the '06 Ex, and a tailgate with the F150 with the bed and tail lights being highly influenced by the big brother. The result is a watered down version of what the ST should be. Really, it wouldn't take much to make improvements, remove the front chrome, remove the horizontal cross bars from the grille, darken the tail lamps. Bam! uniqueness unto itself. But I digress, Ford needs to fix it, plain and simple.

And on other news, I'm writing yet another ordering guide....yes, yes, I know, I need to finish my ST one, but better to have 2 or 3 half finished projects going at once then doing them one at a time like a sane person. Anywho, I'm writing one on the Silvia S15. I can't really even FIND this type of information anywhere, although one site has a good set-up of info, so I'll compile the info myself. Take that, the Man!

At the local cruise in yesterday (Saturday) a very nice '94 Ranger showed up. It was an all-out show bitch though, bagged, full tweed interior, two tone paint with graphics, slicked bed, axle-over-frame, etc, etc, etc. Don't get me wrong, it was very badass, but he did say he only drug it once and thought the better about it, he does have a fully painted frame afterall....A lot of the things he had done I'll be doing, or want to do, the slicked bed, the fabbed inner front fenders, and the axle-over-frame set-up. It was nice to see it realized, and better it gave my father a much better idea of what I want to do, and he's on board for it all...always a good thing. I'm not sure when, but hopefully soon I'll have a new fuel tank for the Ranger. Currently my tank is little more then the height of a coke can off the ground...so getting a '94 Dakota tank and putting it in the bed seems like a good idea, and for only $50, it's cheap insurance.

Onto the '66...it looks as if we'll have another '66, this time a 2-door Falcon. But, this time, the Falcon is strictly a parts car. It has a straight, clean hood, a nicer gauge cluster, headers, and other this and that's which will really help the other '66 along. My father and I are really hoping we'll be able to get the high-pro 289 and C4 along with the car, that'll be a HUGE boost to finishing the Ranchero in a decent amount of time. We'll see.