Very odd - just got a CANCEL out of mid-air...

Maybe it will work, maybe not...

2005-05-18T00:48:00.000-07:00

So we're trying to sell the car. And that's find and stuff. So tonight a very nice fellow and his friend came to check the vehicle out. So far so good. Oh, did I mention the part where I TALKED MY FACE OFF! I talked about the car mostly, which is sort of good. The potential buyers friend is also into computers and sounded like he knew his stuff, which was cool. Too bad I was talking about work and databases.

Not to knock anyone who you explain a situation to, but when you tell someone a few details about any given problem and they say it's 'easy' to solve without knowing the whole detail, it's sort of frustrating. He's a neat guy and I'm sure once he saw the different database schemas and how shits supposed to translate, that it might not be such an easy task. I think I got a little too into it, because really I don't care how long whomever takes to do this stuff. Not my job, not my problem, not interested in helping.

So I want to pull the tires soon to check the speed sensors for the ABS system, and possibly replace the horn ring. I seriously should have done this stuff before, but my drive has been down because lots of things are happening. No details for you because the internet needs not know. But the people involved are already in the know.

I should be sleeping, but it's again one of those nights where i lay in bed randomly looking at the clock watching time pass. Poo.

Possible stereo options..

2005-03-05T02:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.eclipse-web.com/products/cd/cd3414.htm
2.7v pre-outs
Front and Rear outputs. This is required to still have fader control over the existing speakers in the car.

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http://www.clarioncanada.com/en/products/source_units/DXZ555MP.html
4 channel pre-outs. around $200 USD.

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Gamma CD - This is an actual stock deck that should work with the Aktiv system.
The part number is 357 035 196X

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http://www.blaupunktusa.com/BlaupunktUSA/Products/ReceiversChangers/VLine/Monte+Carlo+MP34.htm
4 preouts @ 2 volts
plays MP3s

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http://www.blaupunktusa.com/BlaupunktUSA/Products/ReceiversChangers/VLine/Venice+Beach+CD34.htm
same as above but doesn't play MP3s

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I quite like the last two. Mostly because they have 4 channel 2v preouts and AUX inputs for when we decide to get an iPod or something else..

bravo!

2005-03-04T23:48:00.000-08:00

The day itself went quite well. Picked up the car to find out that we basically knew what it was going to say from the previous inspection that was performed. However, since this inspection was done by VW people who have VW skills and VW tools they also checked things JoeBlow mechanic didn't look for or report on.

And I totally forgot to ask the service guy about which shop could install a deck in our car. Which turned out to be a pain in the ass. All caused by me forgetting to ask one question. And had I asked that question I would have known where we could get a deck installed.

Right now, I'm more interested in replacing the accessory belt and getting the horn ring replaced. Belt because it's important. Ring because it's annoying to listen to. I would also like a non broken headlight cover for the DS. Because that little hole bugs me.

Not to say that I don't want a new deck for the car. I do want a new deck for the car. I want to purchase one myself and install it myself. God knows what some car audio installer is going to do to the harness while trying to quickly install a deck. The deck can be either a Clarion or Eclipse as the service guy suggested. And a few sites suggest that the output voltage be no higher than 1.45v as to prevent damage to the existing Aktiv amps.

Then there are those internet people who suggest scrapping the whole Aktiv setup as it's not all that hot. Then there is the service guy who said that it's actually quite good. In reality, I have no idea who to believe. The internet people might be coming from the "We need big boom" crowd which wouldn't want to use the little stock amps anyways. Then there is the VW guy who could just be diehard VW and not want to put down the product he supports.

Whaaaatever. I'll research decks soon and maybe just maybe he'll be in tomorrow so I can pick his brain. And if he gets hit by a bus, I'll just have to do more research.

The car needs a set of tires. Not that the current ones are shitty, but they are winter tires, best suited for winter driving, on roads that have winter crap on them. I'm a little concerned about using them on other than winter conditions because it's sort of a waste. I need to talk to Derick and head down to Kal Tire and see about getting some all season or sport tires. This statement shouldn't be confused with wasting money on racing tires. For those who think 'sport' automatically leads to racing and immaturity, please look up how tire mfgrs rate their tires. There are economy, sport, super/ultra sport and racing. The titles are a summary and not specific to any one mfgr.

I got a little irate with my wife tonight when she was asking me to contact the VW service rep, or anyone who works in the VW office to ask them about aftermarket stereos for our car. In reality, I could have told her that I was working on a customers server (which I was at the time) and that phoning VW to find out about a stereo for the car could be done later. Instead I suggested that she call them herself, which she took offence to.

I wasted my time this evening being mad about it. But if the situations were reversed and I was asking her to do it, I probably would have gotten impatient and phoned them myself. And now, I'm no longer bothered by it. Water under the bridge. However I may sleep on the couch tonight.

After talking to some coworkers today and tonight I realized that I really hate how our company is run. It's a jumble of time wasting and overly important people. Nobody thinks things through. Decisions are made with haste and not enough research. Projects are pushed ahead without direction or planning.

Telus is hiring. The position looks interesting. There is also another web hosting company hiring. I'd have to re-read the new contract I signed there because it's highly unlikely I can actually move to another hosting company without fearing the wrath of a shitty contract.

Ugh. We need to move out of downtown.

(:

2005-02-27T21:23:00.000-08:00

We have a new car.

And sometimes I wish that my wife would tell me the things she wants to do at any given time instead of giving me an option. Like, 'I want to go to xxxxx for breakfast' versus 'Maybe we can go to xxxxx for breakfast. Or maybe we can have cereal.'

But it's not her fault. Because shes being polite and I am retarded. Maybe it's a social queue thing. Maybe it's that I should agree with her on what she suggests so it makes her feel better. But honestly I don't know what the solution is. I do know that sometimes I don't reply in the best way. Like, when I want to do something sometimes I hold off on talking about it because I want to make sure that it wont interfere with an existing plan.

So I'm to blame because I do the same damn thing. Poo!

But shes a wonderful woman! I love her to pieces. Shes working now and seems to be happy about having a job. But is still getting into the groove where she actually cares about it.

And I've been working working working. At the primary job and also at a machine/fabrication shop. Learning lots of new skills. Becoming somewhat useful too. I can actually run a lathe now. It's also been a great place to practice welding. I'd say I'm getting better but far from great. But atleast now I can run a somewhat good even straight bead.

So yes, we got a new car. And I was getting impatient with the girl about actually picking something. So I got all into buying a '93 Passat. The first 3 weeks of ownership we didn't see the car because it died two hours after picking it up. However, finally we've got it back and things are working properly. I still have to take it into a VW dealer to check a few things but so far so good.

So yes, I'm a bastard for wanting to get a vehicle that I liked. We were originally shopping for an SUV. However the last couple tries at buying one were unsuccessful. It might have been a sign. Then we happened across this lot that had some VWs on it. We took them out and I really liked the passat. It's got 4 doors and is an automatic, which were requirements when purchasing.

However, since we had problems with it right off the bat my wife and her whole family think it's a piece of shit and we should get out of it as fast as possible. However, I don't feel the same. I feel that her mother and father think I'm immature for not buying some boring 4 door sedan. I want a vehicle that isn't asthetically boring and doesn't require a minimum driving age of 65.

So anyways, we have this passat and so far things are going better than the beginning. It has good winter tires on it right now which need to be replaced by some good all season or driving tires. I've plans but need to do more research.

Hmmmm, what else is going on. Oh yes, Valentines day was wonderful. I think the girl quite enjoyed it. I took flowers to her place of work and got more for home. They smelled SO NICE!

Anyways, I love my wife and I need to hone my husband skills a bit more.

fob

2005-01-29T16:07:00.000-08:00

watch for new items here.

This isn't ...

2004-08-23T22:36:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about this blog. And the fact that I never post anything to it. Then I was thinking about my old blog, that wasn't really a blog, but was in a way. I stopped writing things on it too.

Before, it was fun/interesting/whatever to write things on my web site for everyone out there to read. Everyone, noone, whom ever. I've stopped posting because I didn't want to post my thoughts for everyone else to read.

Outlet. That's the word I was trying to remember.

Anyways. Yah, I don't feel the need to post things to this blog, because blogging isn't that important to me. I'm not excited to post things on my web site. It's more of a chore. I have to think of interesting things to say on here. I think of interesting stuff all day long. And if it's something I want to share with people, I'll try to remember and share with the people that mean something to me.

It's not that I don't want to share my feelings. This is for my future wife. But more that I'd rather talk to you in person than having you read some stuff I managed to think up on a website. Sure there are lots of people out there in internet world that have far more interesting blogs, with interesting posts daily. Then there are lots of blogs run by people who convince themselves that what they have to post is actually interesting.

But it's everyones internet. Everyone do whatever you want. Feel free to not read what I have said. Nobody is forcing you to do anything you don't want to.

Man it's expensive..

2004-07-20T10:37:00.000-07:00

Like the title sez..

We want to move out of this apartment to somewhere bigger. Which is a great idea, but it doesn't matter where we look in the greater vancouver area, everything is so stupidly expensive. Even tho I complain about living in our current apartment by the sea, I'm wondering if I should just get over it and stay here.

Staying in this place allows us to have money. To pay bills, debts and other stuff. But, if we move to somewhere that's larger than this place, rent will increase atleast $300.

That's $300 that goes to someone else for an additional maybe 100 sqft. That's just rediculous. Sure this building isn't as super nice as some of the newer buildings, but the apartment itself isn't too shabby. The whole place has hardwood floors. Who could ask for anything more? It's in a great location. Well, great in that you can get any type of food within a few blocks.

So we have to think about this a lil more. Since we are currently paying off some debts, moving will actually make it harder to pay off the bills, and pay rent.

I'm still awake..

2004-07-16T02:19:00.000-07:00

Yet I have to work in just under 6 hours.

But I did find this place, which I'm going to contact for a price to recover my steering wheel.

http://www.american-stitches.com/amstitches/Pages/index2.html

On another car note, I was able to do some more welding on the windshield cover thing that sits at the base of the glass, keeping the area around the fan intake clear of debris. It's a commonly rusted piece of shaped metal. So, since it's a common part to rust, every one that I've found in the wreckers has the same issue. So I've decided to repair it with new metal, cleaning and repainting. I hope to have it finished this month. Not that I'm lazy, but I've finally given up on TIG welding it back together. I can weld w/ TIG, but this metal is really crappy to work with. It's rusty and thin, and varies all over the place. I've move to MIG as I could get it done way faster.

Just watching some random show on Discovery channel right now.

The girl is coming home soon!! YAY!

I have some house cleaning to do. Need to get a new shower curtain. Get some more cat litter, but not because we're out. Vacuum. Clean the bathroom. Do some more laundry. Hmmm, and finish putting the mythtv box back together. Clean up the shoes. Clean up the bedroom. It's not messy, but it could use a once over.

So me putting all that stuff on here doesn't leave much for the girl to be suprised about when she gets home.

Rip. Slip. Brush. Ahh.

I'm going to get some sleepysleepsleep.

Nobody..

2004-07-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Looks anyone in the eye any more.

I walk to/from work as much as possible, and it's a rare occasion when I say hello to a passer by. Maybe it's that everyone in vancouver is paranoid. Or is it?

On another note, I found a kick ass tuxedo. I like it soo much I almost want to buy it.

I'm a lil tired and have some stuff to do.

will post more later.
it's later.

I'm A 1960s Geek

You're pretty quirky and weird but we know you're smart and love you anyway!

find your geek decade at spacefem.com

And this is...

2004-07-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

The movie I'm watching on CityTV. Grosse Pointe Blank. It's great.

Oddly, while it's been playing and I was making dinner, I started to get nervous about going to my HS reunion. That still sort of freaks me out. I actually have the same recurring thoughts about going, and showing up all the other people who convinced themselves to go. But why? What on earth do I have to prove to any of those people.

In reality, I should be happy for each and every one of them. I don't care what everyone from HS is doing. It shouldn't be any sort of gauge on how I've done in my life. I'm sure lots of people have succeeded in ways that I haven't, and vice versa.

On a different note. We have a MythTV setup running at home, and last night I found that one of my hard drives is an IBM DeskStar 46.1 GB. aka. DeathStar. Cos they have a habbit of failing. WTF? So right now I'm backing up all my crap (recorded tv, music, car videos, pictures, etc) so I can fix my drive array and copy it all back again. I thought this motherboard had a crappy onboard raid controller that I could use for the extra ide channels, but I was wrong. Now I need to find an ide controller somewhere cos it's hard to have 6 drives with only 2 channels.

/geek

My girl is out of town. Spending time with her family, awaiting the birth of her lil' sisters first born. It's cool that we can arrange for that to happen without disturbing things too much. But oh my, the cat is going bezerk. I think Pagan (cat) thinks I did something with her. But I'm going to send my good thoughts to Dana for her to give birth soon.

Ok, it's taking a while to write this so I'm wrapping up, and going to finish watching this show.

I want to go for a drive.

I've created my own blog..

2004-07-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

Because I love my wife to be sooooo much.
This is just for her.