Monday, May 14, 2007

	
Acen 2007 report

Captain's log, stardate 2007.134: Well, another Acen has come and gone.  This year was okay, but it had some things working against it:
* the group I was staying with had to switch to another hotel
* I got sick and spent most of Saturday laid up in our hotel room
* the distressing reports of friction between other group members (as reported by the little green dudes who were staying in the other room)
* the fire alarms at the Hyatt kept going off (people smoking in a non-smoking building)

However, one of the things that made it all worthwhile was that I got my picture taken with a girl cosplaying as Asuka.  She was real cute, too, with black horn-rimmed glasses; too bad I didn't get her name or number.  She also told me that I wasn't the only one dressed as Shinji Ikari, which made me feel a lot better.  I was also heartened to see Star Trek merchandise at 3 booths (in 2 cases, they were Furuta toy ships).  I also saw the usual mix of funny t-shirts and oddball products.

	
12:03 AM - 4 eprops - 2 comments - email it

Saturday, April 28, 2007

	
That wasn't fun

Captain's log, stardate 2007.118: Yesterday was an interesting day at the shop.  Keith and I finished our first car (a 98 Ford Crown Victoria) in under 2 hours, despite the gasoline fumes coming from another car making us both a little woozy.

Our next car didn't go nearly as smoothly.  A 1996 Dodge Neon, it was in for a coolant leak and an oil leak, but those weren't the only things we found.  We also discovered:
*the front brake rotors were scored on the inboard sides
*the brake lines going to the rear were rusted
*all 4 tires were severely worn (the left rear was down to the cords on one side, thanks to rubbing on something)
*the oil was overfilled
*the gas gauge wasn't reading properly
We traced the oil leak to the valve cover gasket, and in the process of tightening the valve cover bolts down, one of them broke.  We ended up taking the valve cover off and cleaning it, along with the gasket, before super gluing the gasket to the valve cover, as it was in decent shape.  In the process of reinstalling the ignition coil, I think I broke one of the bolts mounting it to the valve cover.

As far as the coolant leak, we traced it to the thermostat housing, and, in order to remove it, we had to drain some of the coolant out.  I'm noting this because Keith guessed (correctly, I might add) that the cooling system had been filled filled with straight anti-freeze, meaning all we had to add to it once we intalled the new thermostat was water.

I think some of my classmates lost a little bit of respect for me today, though.

	
2:02 AM - 2 eprops - 1 comment - email it

Thursday, April 12, 2007

	
I'm too young to be having a mid-life crisis
Captain's log, stardate 2007.102: What is wrong with me?  What happened to the fire of one year ago?  Was I not vocal about how I longed to be attending JJC as a student in the automotive program?  Did I not make that clear to just about everyone (including myself)?  Was I not overjoyed when I finally did start classes here this past fall?  This is what I wanted, isn't it?

Then why in the name of James T. Kirk am I failing one of my classes this semester?!  Why did I fail 2 classes last semester?  Why do I have an apparent fear of touching (read: working on) anything related to the electrical system in a car?  Where did the drive, the determination, go?

	
8:48 PM - 2 eprops - 1 comment - email it

Monday, April 09, 2007

	
Wanting to build something

Captain's log, stardate 2007.099: The 2007 GM Performance Parts catalog I ordered showed up today, which put me in a good mood.  Looking through, it reminded me of all the interesting project car ideas I've come up with over the years.  Pity that I can't afford to build any of 'em.  Oh well.  A man can dream.

Speaking of building things, I really need to start working on my model kits again.  I've got 2 DeLoreans (from Back To The Future), one Skyline, one Corvette, one Firebird, one Mustang, and four Star Trek kits that need finishing.  Just need to kick myself in the ass hard enough to do it.

	
4:35 PM - 2 eprops - 1 comment - email it

Monday, April 02, 2007

	
Well, that thoroughly sucked

Captain's log, stardate 2007.092: I wasn't able to have my birthday party on Saturday, but it wasn't through any fault of my own.  I got a semi-mild case of stomach flu, which wasn't fun at all.  I spent most of the weekend bedridden, just trying to keep the little sips of water and Gatorade down.

Needless to say, the party has been rescheduled for this Saturday.  Hopefully, I'll have better luck this time.

	
11:37 AM - 2 eprops - 2 comments - email it