just another hack » car

Electric Car

Oliver — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:30:09 +0000

My “new” car is in the shop quite often these days. There is a small problem with the engine not running smoothly and they can’t figure out what it is (did already cost me quite a sum). That reminded me, that there’s a new car I want to have (not as badly as a 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby Fastback of course).

A complete electric car, the Tesla Roadster.

Now that the dollar is down, that would be a real bargain. A fully configured version would cost me € 68.188,28 ($107,775). Anyone got some spare grand? A bit more would help, so I can bribe some people to get an approval for road service.

The only thing this car is missing would be a flux capacitor.

Just a few expenses ‘n’ stuff

Oliver — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:39:09 +0000

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I was a bit busy. Did a few investments. For example into a new (used) car. A VW Polo 6N, with small modifications. It’s everything I didn’t want. It’s too small, too red, too few airbags (i.e. one) and too I dunno. But it drives well, is in a very good condition for it’s age, very economical and on top of it was quite inexpensive for what it’s worth. Who knows, in a few years I might be able to sell it for the same amount. But the best part is, that I’m mobile again. No more annoying classes of children in the morning bus. Already put in a new radio with an USB port, I always wanted to do that in my old car. Now I can listen to Computerclub 2 while driving. (“You just ran a red light!” – “Shh, they’re talking ’bout Debian!”)

In other news, I finally got all parts for my HTPC. It’s assembled and now I can go on with installation and configuration. Got a little more expensive than I was planning, but I’ll make it worth it. And I already have a lot of plans for additions. Starting with some Wii-Mote utilization (I showed this to Junkie a few weeks ago and now he’s already ahead of me… dang), over to using it to control some other equipment, which, as the final stage, could be triggered by voice recognition. Not sure if I can make any of these plans real, but we’ll see.

Speaking of projects. Next week the HTPC will be running (report coming up) and in a few weeks everything should be fine, so that I can forget about the machine and just use it. There’ll be a space in my project list. Well, maybe there wont. The Dungeoneering Dad, has a list of gaming tables. That inspired me to design one myself (in Blender, so I work at stuff there again). Maybe even build it with the Horde. We’ll see. Would be so cool to play at a table like that.

Speaking of RPG. I’m the gamemaster again for a few weeks. That will be fun for a change. Now I can dig out some ideas from my old Rasundra campaign, which we never finished. Downside is, that it’s so much work… but I’ll manage somehow.

Things I miss after the accident

Oliver — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:21:46 +0000

First of all would be my glasses. Having glasses that allow you good sight is a treat. I really learned that after a week of using my old lenses and another week with the wrong glasses. (Tip: Don’t listen to young sellers, just be sure what you want.) Now I have the right glasses and my eyes will need a little more time to adjust to them, but so far it’s better than anything since the accident

And the other thing I miss is my car. I don’t like to depend on public transportation. Sure, being able to doze for the trip while listening to music or reading a book is nice. But stressing to catch a bus which drives every half an hour during daytime and only every hour at night can be annoying. Not to mention the walks through the rain. I wonder how I did that when I was younger. Getting a drivers license and a car must’ve really softened me. I’m such a sissy.

Anything else? Oh yes, the time. Everything involving transportation takes more time and/or stress. But time has always been a problem lately… well, for quite a while.

Okay, enough for today.

Hmm… inski just expressed her joy to have a tv again. I dunno… is being able to partake in the common media-crap really that great? Well, after months maybe.

c-ar-t

Oliver — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:04:13 +0000

I’m an artsy person. So, the hack I am, I try new arty things all the time. Last week, for example, I had a spontaneous gig. I did something which could be called automobile dancing or car tumbling. It was some kind of performance art. I jumped down 3 meters (10 ft.) onto an acre, did a few somersaults and pirouettes and landed on my wheels. People came rushing from all over the vicinage to cheer for me. The result of this performance is now being exhibit at the local junkyard. But I have to admit, that it was a bit clumsy and rough for the first time. I’ll try doing it better the next time.

Epilogue: Yes, I’m fine, no worries, just a few scratches (my guardian angel excelled her-/himself). As for the car… totally f*cked up. Luckily no one else was involved and I’ve been driving alone. I don’t want to imagine what would’ve happened, if my usual co-driver would’ve been in the car as well. The police let me take off lightly as well. But this now takes a few things of my mind, like scheduling the next vehicle inspection, switching my car insurance, what to do with all the money I’ve been saving up or whether I should get new glasses. And no, I don’t really plan on doing that again.