Saturday, September 27, 2008

Vandalized



Between 6 and 9pm today my car was egged. I don't know who did it but I'm pretty sure it was the little middle-school aged kids down the street. Super epic pissed off-ness.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

SCUBA Class


This past weekend I took my pool training part of my SCUBA class through my school. We were just in the pool, but breathing underwater is quite possibly the coolest thing ever. 2 weekends from now is the open water dive at Lake Rawlings. I went to the Dive Shop today and got fitted for my wetsuit and BCD (Buoyancy Control Device). Should be fun.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed



I had reserved this game a really long time ago and I loved the demo so I went ahead and bought it Monday. The game plays just like the demo. The graphics are excellent and the use of 3 (yes THREE) physics engines really allows for some cool effects. The story is top-notch, endorsed as Star Wars cannon by George Lucas himself. The force powers make you feel like a total badass. It doesn't get much more awesome than having a 9-foot wookie about to rip your head off, then force blasting him off of a bridge into a void as the supports shatter into hundreds of splinters and the bridge bobbs up and down from the impact. Or fighting a Rancor only to stab him repeatedly in the face and shock him to death. Or bisecting an AT-ST bottom to top. Or crushing one like a can with the force. Also one of the boss fights has a sweet suprise for Star Wars fanboys (like me).
Now for the bad. The levels are extremely linear, the boss fights are punishingly difficult at times, and fighting large enemies like Rancors or AT-ST's basically consists of force lightning, run away to recharge, repeat until enough damage has been dealt, then a series of scripted quick-time events. The enemies' attacks that knock you down or stun you seem to come at the exact interval of time such that you are stunned, and right as you stand back up, you are attacked and knocked back down. This can be extremely frustrating. Also, the part where you actually get to bring down a Star Destroyer with the force is one of the most annoying and frustrating parts of the game and may as well not have been there.

Overall I enjoyed the game and I would recommend it. I give it a 7.5/10

Monday, September 15, 2008

NASA Mid Atlantic Autocross

Sunday, November 2nd at Langley Raceway in Hampton, VA

First time Autocrossers get in free! Spectators get in free!

SEE DETAILS HERE

Sunday, September 7, 2008

GT Live (UPDATE)

UPDATE: just kidding I can't go :(
Me and some friends are going to GT Live at Virginia International Raceway on Oct 3rd-5th. Should be pretty awesome.
GT Live Website

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

UPDATE: Mid Atlantic MR2 Meet *cancelled, rescheduling pending*


Official Thread
UPDATE: meet was canceled and is in the process of being rescheduled

From the MR2 Owner's Club Thread:
"Save the date - Saturday, September 13, 2008.

Townhall, Haymarket, Virginia
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8....00706&t=h&z=17

9am to 11am - Meet and greet.
11am- depart for Luray Virginia.
12:30 Arrive Luray Wrangler Factory parking lot
1:30 depart for lunch at restaurant TBD

This is an MR2 event. Other makes are welcome. But you will be put at the end of the line.

Please make certain your car is road ready, and can take the heat of going over a mountain at speed."

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Cleaned Valve Cover


My valve cover is all squeaky clean now. And funny thing is the engine degreaser I used has a picture of (well close enough to) my engine. The one on the can is the 4A-GE engine from the n/a AW11 MR2 and the AE86 Corolla. My engine is the supercharged 4A-GZE but close enough :).