Pouring Rain Yet?

Well, it is said that it never rains, but it pours.  Yay.

Before I can get back to the corvette, I have to fix a honda civic.  I finally got the engine pulled on the civic (things were looking good before I got it out), and then.....

WHAM

The block is spider cracked all over the back side.  So much for a repair.  A good friend referenced a company in Centerville that deals specifically with these "metric motors".  Not sure how many places I've called.  The first one said "Yeah, we can get you a replacement motor, 12 month warranty, and fully checked for $850.  The second shop said "don't trust the first one you called, every motor we've had from them has been junk", and then priced it at $2.1k.  They all seemed to be about the price of that second one, until I called that last one.  They could get me a bare block for $150.  Of course, I'd have to have the block checked out, decked, sleeved, and install new bearings, but I finally felt comfortable with these guys.  I'll probably get their 1.6l used engine for $1.3k from them, it feels more reliable, and they aren't trying to charge me to remove an engine that's already removed.  ("Free towing"?  Why move the car when the engine isn't in it?)

So, the block is hosed, but I have a possibility of another one on the horizon.

Sugarmuffin

As frustrated as I get with working on the house, or trying to deal with a lawyer or a painter that doesn't understand the poor job, I have a woman in my life that more than makes up for that. Her name is Shan, and she is amazing. She has soothed my mind many times when work has gotten to me, or when I am about to face news. She has her heart in the right place, she has a mind that functions very well, and she has a personality to match! (The fact that she is beautiful is also a plus).

So, I ask, has a woman like this ever existed before? or is she the best ever?

Having you hold my heart is a blessing to me.
Having you near makes me the man most lucky.
Having your eyes look deep, brings smile to my soul.
Having your fingers' caress makes me so whole.
Having your heart beat close is love unto mine.
Having you close sends giggles down the spine.
Having your hands' gentle touch quivers my knee.
Having your lips whisper love makes me giddy.
Having your breath warm my cheek brings desire to kiss.
Having you hold me close puts me in bliss.
Having your arms around me results in an embrace,
Having you close makes me want to stay at your place.
Having you snuggle fills my heart with glee,
Having your love is something I want enternally.

(this is a previous blog message, but due to blogger's inability to import anything, I'm using this as a new post).

Corvette Geekery

Well, being on call this week, and I had an evening of Rain that I suddenly found myself bored (that happens so rarely lately).  I had read a post about merging USB drives and toy cars together (it was http://www.instructables.com/id/Hotweels-Flash-Drive/ as an FYI), and thought I'd give it a go myself.

It only took a couple of hours, but I built one out.  Thought it was pretty cool!

The big problem was I put the USB key in it upside down, and it wasn't exactly straight.  All in all, though, it was a pretty cool new toy.  The wheels still work (it's a functional toy car, except it has a really long, really big exhaust pipe that is square).  It functions perfectly as a USB drive, too.  Unfortunately, it didn't look completely like mine :