A new school year! Hooray!
A new school year! Hooray!
August was an eventful month complete with a trip to the Okanagan and the Kootenays, a few hiking trips in North Vancouver, a number of Autocross Races, and me getting myself in order for September, as well as packing all my stuff to move (again).
I've renewed my interest in walking. I've never been the "fitness" type, and I really don't understand "going to the gym." I do enjoy going for long walks. And I mean long: 3, 4, 5 hours or more. There are many different people you can meet on these walks, in stores, on the street, working in their yard. Perhaps it's the "small town" in me, but I really enjoy meeting new people, and chatting with the folks I meet. This is one of the things I sadly miss about living in the sticks. Here in the city, people think you're insane, or worse.
You will notice that there is a new addition to the index on your left - the INTJ Web Ring. I have been interested in Psychological studies, and the various "Personality Types" out there. In an effort to further know myself, I went to Keirsey and filled out one of their tests.
The INTJ Temperment is based on the old Myers-Briggs Temperment tests, which discovered that there are 16 basic temperments of people. Kind of like how some dogs have a "temperment," but for humans, possibly not because of breeding (?!). INTJ stands for Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judgemental. Other people in history who share the same temperment are Neils Bohr, Friedrick Nietzche, Sir Isaac Newton, and Moses. Big shoes to fill...
I was not surprised to find that there was a web ring for INTJ Personality types. I figured I better join.
I certainly encourage you to check out Keirsey, and see if the description "matches" who you think you are. You might be pleasantly surprised!
While I was up in the Okanagan late this summer, I went to an outdoor musical drama put on by the Caravan Farm Theatre in Armstrong. The play was called "The Cowboy King," and was about an old cowboy who sees the "Ghost Rider," telling him he's going to die. Unfortunately he has no son or heir to carry on the 50,000 acre ranch. One day, an old fling of his show up with his 20 year old illegitimate son from the city who doesn't want the ranch, and doesn't want to be a cowboy. The story continues with many interesting twists and ends quite wonderfully.
An excellent play, with real actors, real music, real horses, real cars, and lots of cool action. It reminded me of when I used to live in Armstrong, and all the "Cowboys" I met. I started to long for the sticks again....
BUT, I came home...
Interested in "altering" your Windows95?
There are two things to download
this month: a new Boot Screen which I've always wanted - done by
modifying "logo.sys," a bitmap file in your c:\ directory. I've modified it to read
Windoze95 - a tongue-in-cheek poke at the OS.
Also, I found TweakUI, a Microsoft program that allows you a greater control over your Windows95 customizability. Easier than poking around in REGEDIT when you don't know what you're doing (and consequently re-installing Windows).
Sorry Win98+ crowd: I need a faster computer. My TRS80 just won't cut it.
Available in the Downloads section.
And now, the continuing saga of The Heinous Honda....
I ran the Novice #5 Championship Series event at the Tradex in Abbotsford. The surface there is asphalt, which is different and more slippery than the surface at the PNE, and WAY more slippery than that at Boundary Bay. I ended up running 44/34psi front and rear tire pressure to combat oversteer. I swear, the first two runs I was looking through the passenger window to steer rather than the front! Competition was tense, but I squeeked into 1st in H/Stock. Everyone is really improving; it's getting tough out there!
As far as the Novice Series goes, I made it up to 4th place out of 119 novices.
August 26th and 27th were Regional #6 and the BC/Prairie Challenge up at Silver Star Mountain in Vernon (45 minutes north of Kelowna). The two days were bitterly cold, lots of rain, and even snow. The thermostat stuck open on my Civic, so it took forever and a day to warm up. I took 1st in H/Stock, but I have to be honest and say that I was the ONLY one in H/Stock. I did, however, run some good times. If I don't have competition I mentally race against a higher class (for example, G or E Stock). I was 0.4 seconds behind a BMW 325i, so I feel that I was reasonably competitive. I was 5 seconds below most of the fast Street Prepared cars, and I'm usually 6-8 seconds behind, so I think I was ok.
Only two more events for the season!
I discovered, much to my dismay, that the Heinous Honda is consuming oil. It smokes coming down long hills, which is indicative of worn valve seals and guides. I am reluctant to replace it yet, as the entire engine should be "freshened," but I really can't afford it right now.
My options are like this:
I think I'll wait until next summer before I worry too much about it. Then maybe I'll sell it. I can see it now: "FOR SALE: 1986 Honda Civic. More time and money spent on this car than any normal sane person would even consider. Runs and drives like new, over $5000 invested in parts alone, still worth only $1600. Psychiatrist forces sale..."
I've also been doing some research into interchangeable suspension parts between the various models of Civics (an SP modification) and Integras (a MOD modification). I've discovered some erronious assumptions, as well as some new information which is now covered in the 3G Civic page.
With all the work I did at the wreckers to inspect and measure all these springs, my arms are killing me. I sure have gotten soft since getting off the shop floor. Maybe I'l have to get a summer job at a mill again or something, just to keep me in shape... (too many twinkies and Ding-Dongs).
Go here for a scientific study into the food that put me through college: The Twinkies Project