- I'm free! 2006-06-03 17:50:25 Captain's log, stardate 2006.154: Well, I have officially graduated from high school. And man, does it feel good. No more retarded kids. No more work co-op. No more idiots. I'll miss the gang from the lunch table, though, but I'll see 'em at parties, I'm sure. Plus, a few of them are going to JJC in the fall, so I'll hang out with them. It IS cliche, but today really is the first day of the rest of my life.
- I'm not going to let this opportunity pass me by 2006-06-02 04:28:31 Captain's log, stardate 2006.153: Right now, in Tinley Park, there is a 2002 BMW 530i being offered for sale. The car has the Premium, Sport, and Cold Weather packages, the 5-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, Xenon headlights, and the premium sound system. I want this car. Whoever is selling it is asking $23,000 for it, which is below the Kelley Blue Book value. Granted, the mileage is over 50,000, meaning the warranty has expired. However, I bought a CARFAX history report a few minutes ago, and it checks out. Although the car isn't silver, like I'd like, it is a cool shade of gray (I call it battleship gray). Other than funds, the only thing standing in my way is the fact that I've never driven a rear-wheel-drive car before. Personally, I think I can handle it. My dad, on the other hand....
-
About what I expected
2006-06-01 15:54:13
Captain's log, stardate 2006.152: The newest issue of Car & Driver magazine came in the mail today, and the cover story was a comparison test between the new 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 and the Chevrolet Corvette (the coupe, not the Z06). Despite having a 100 horsepower advantage over the Vette, along with a semiusable back seat (the Vette has no back seat), and a lower price tag, the GT500 finished second. Why? According to page 53, the lows are "Porky and nose heavy, boy-racer stripes, thin features list." I agree with 2 of those 3.
The nose heavy part can be traced to the engine. The engine block alone (cast in iron and shared with the 5.4 liter engine optional in the F150 pickup) weighs more than the assembled 4.6 liter motor used in the Mustang GT. All told, the engine in the GT500 adds about 150 pounds to the car, most of it in the nose. Weight distribution is 57.7% front/42.3% rear. As far as options go, the only option on the GT500 is the "GT500 Premium Interior Trim Package", which basically makes the interior look more uplevel.
Don't get me wrong; I love Mustangs and have nothing but respect for Carrol Shelby. My advice to Ford: bring back the SVT Mustang Cobra, complete with its IRS (Independent Rear Suspension), using the GT500 as a basis. - Just 3 more days... 2006-05-23 19:13:57 Captain's log, stardate 2006.143: Well, the final week of school has arrived. It's been a long, hard road to travel, but the journey is almost over. Looking back, I'm still PO'ed about not graduating last year, but, if I hadn't spent this year here, I'm not sure I would have made the friends I have made this year, or have done some of the things I have done, like going to Nick's anti-prom party. Here's hoping I finish high school on a high note.
-
Something doesn't smell quite right
2006-05-01 20:08:14
Captain's log, stardate 2006.121: I suppose I should start off with some good news, and that is that I went to Nick's anti-prom party, and had a pretty good time there. I should do that more often, I think. That's the good news.
Over the last few weeks, gas prices across the nation have been skyrocketing, rising above $3 a gallon in some places. Part of this is due to the standoff with Iran over that country's nuclear program, and fears that Iran will cut oil shipments if hit with sanctions by the UN. However, it should be noted that the United States does NOT get any oil from Iran, and hasn't since 1979, the result of a trade embargo that may have stemmed from the hostage crisis that same year. But, while we don't get any oil from Iran, other countries do, and most of that oil passes through some strait that Iran has control of. If Iran were to curtail oil shipments, prices around the world would skyrocket. Sound fair?
A news item I saw on the website of one of the car magazines I read said that the skyrocketing oil prices have been noticed in Washington, but none of the actions taken by politicians will have an immediate effect on prices at the pump, which is exactly what Americans want.
It should be noted that I am oversimplifying things a bit, but that is because I don't have all the facts. In truth, this whole situation is starting to get on my nerves. I wish I was a foreign policy advisor to the president, because I think a have something of a solution to the problem with Iran.
JOURNAL: Captain Spadaro (Michael Spadaro)
Current server time: Sep 20, 2025 05:50:29