Monthly Archives: March 2005

Driving

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I love to drive, plain and simple. I like taking rides on sunny days. I like power sliding in the snow. I like doing donuts. I washed my car and vaccumed it out yesterday. I even shiny tire foamed the tires. AND–I’ve always been a sucker for driving related video games. This sickness dates back probably 10 years, when my father purchased us “The Need for Speed”– Maybe the best driving game ever. I believe this game to be the catalyst for it all. And it continued up through “Daytona USA”, “Destruction Derby”, Both “Midnight Clubs”, and plenty of other “Need for Speeds”. Basically, everything I wish I could do in an automobile is done virtually through these outlets.

The latest ailment for me has been Gran Turismo 4. I really enjoyed its predecessor, Gran Turismo 3… It had amazing graphics, and as far as driving games go it was completely revolutionary. The “driver” could pick from hundreds of cars, tons of courses, rally car racing, you get the picture. The ONLY problem was the speed of the game. Vanbergs and I would get cars souped up and going 200, 300 miles per hour, and the world slowly murmured by like we were doing 55 in a 70. That was almost enough to completely ruin the game. almost.

Enter Gran Turismo 4. more cars, more tracks, importing GT 3 credits, speed issue definitely resolved. It’s almost worth purchasing just to do a race and watch the replay. The graphics are absolutely breathtaking, especially for a PS2. So far, I have like 15 cars, probably 25 % game completion. It really is the most fun that I have had in a driving game. I think this feeling is enhanced by me recently purchasing a brand new car, and I get to “drive” all the cars that I would have loved to purchase if money was not an issue. Subaru WRX, pontiac GTO, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Then you basically buy add ons and soup up your car. There’s almost a part of my soul that wants to waste money on doing this type of thing to my car… But I am no racecar driver, so I have been able to get my “fix” virtually.

I think I just love cars, as cliche as that sounds. My father used to drag
race, I’ve always watched “Motor Trend Television” which has recently become
“Car and Driver Television” with the exit of Jim Scoutten, I always wanted to
do burnouts, do donuts, drive fast… Even before I had my license I just
couldnt wait to drive. Currently in my 24th year on this earth, I still get a
natural sort of high by taking my car and just rifling it through the gears up
to 90 mph (which I did yesterday after giving her a bath: you have to air
dry it for spotlessness). I love my car. One of these days I’m going to take it up to
it’s “governed” limit of 127 miles per hour. If anybody ever wants to buy me
an extravogant gift for whatever reason… please consider some type of racing
school weekend. 🙂

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Doogie Howser, MD.

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Ive definitely noticed a severe decrease in the amount of time and frequency i have spent writing in this. I almost feel that im losing interest. At any Rate, I’m going to try to make it a point to journal something much more often. AT LEAST once a week. I want to do this because i am inspired by Doogie Howser. If you think about it, Doogie Howser was actually the worlds first Blogger, ever. Well, not technically because he didnt publish his posts on line, but I dont even think Al Gore had invented the internet yet.

My point is this: Doogie Howser did it… I’m going to do it. Even the small things and thoughts are important. Once it’s written, it’s never forgotten. Don’t forget about me, Doogie Howser.

Though I wonder, why did Doogie Howser not buy his own computer? He was after all a Doctor.

Eliminate. the penny

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This idea has very real merit to it… read on

I have contemplated this many times in the past, and it happened once again today when looking at a sign for the price of gas. 2.24 for a gallon of gas, 49 cents for a candy bar, 1.09 for a 20 oz. pop, 19.99 for a DVD. By now I hope you are getting the picture.

I say, let us eliminate the penny, completely. The lowest denomination of money should be the nickel. What does anybody ever do with pennies that they get as
change? Throw them in some jar? So 5 years later you can count out 1,300 pennies, roll them into 13 ‘penny rolls’ and cash them in at the bank!??! Wow, that is well worth 13 dollars.

I dont even care if people round up. I’d rather spend 150.00 even on an X-box than 149.99. I’m no “economist”- but it seems like the time, money, and effort saved by NOT manufacturing pennies in the first place would more than make up for any round ups that would inevitably occur. There really must be some better use for the tons of copper that are just sitting in peoples houses across this entire country.

Sound stupid? Pointless? maybe. But seriously think about it.

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Nerd Vol. 2

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Yesterday I finally found a digital camera that I felt OK spending money on. I purchased an Olympus D589. The lower end 3.2 megapixel olympus camera is usually 229 at Bestbuy and Circuit town… This ‘step up’ model was on sale at office max for 199. I got a 128 meg xd card, so I’m pretty sure im going to take pictures of everything that exists. I’ll be adding albums to the gallery in rapid succession

Continuing with my latest nerd venture: Python. I have been downloading program examples, reading up on Python, just trying to get the jist of it. I still dont know why, as I have no interest in doing any real programming. But, I found out through some article that alot of Google’s engineers use python.

That said, my ‘vending machine’ has made some progress. Vending Code

Tidbits: Dont make reservations at Carraba’s– still waited 25 minutes. Take student ID’s to see movies from now on. If your not a student, wait to rent. Im so sick of being price gouged. 7.75 i believe was the ticket price to see “Constantine”. I absolutely HATE price gouging. “You cannot bring your own candy into the movie!” — I wonder why they have that rule. Probably so you will pay 2.50 for a box of raisinets, and 3.50 for a soda. It seriously should be illegal. One of these days the world is just going to push itself off a ledge. We continue to ever so slightly nudge it in the back and smile.

i am frowning.

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