long time, no post.....time to change things up

Since I can't come up with things to post I think I'm going to just start posting things that I fix. :)

...................

Starting with our 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee and its lighting problem. The interior lights were flickering on and off randomly. I thought it was the headlight switch so I took it all apart and cleaned it up. Didn't fix the problem. So I started checking the door switches. It ended up being the rear window hatch switch. I was going to buy a new switch, but after a few tests I found that the switch wasn't really bad, the bracket just needed a little adjusting. So I pulled out my handy Channel Lock pliers!!!!! The bracket pinched together a small bit and now I have a nice connection when the window is closed. Problem solved.

Jeep 1, Import 0

A little Toyota decided to take on the Jeep today, and the import LOST. This lady backed into the Jeep that was PARKED in front of our house. Sucks to be them :)

CHP blog

CHP has a Cadet Blog:
http://www.chp.ca.gov/cadet/I-07.html
With pictures:
http://www.chp.ca.gov/cadet/I-07_photos.html

They are changed weekly and they don't leave the pics from the previous week up so look fast. :)

CS Gas day

Some Cadets told me, "I'll take CS gas 10 times before I take OC (pepper) spray again." So I didn't think that the gas would be as bad as OC spray. WELL, it's about the same, just on a different level. The ONLY nice part is that the effects wear off in about 5 minutes instead of 5 hours like the OC spray. Imagine yourself being drowned in 400 degree water. You can't breathe and your skin feels like it's on fire! The suffocating part was the worst part though. I couldn't believe that as soon as I stepped into the gas I immediately began gasping for air and nothing would come in. We had a few cadets pass out and a few dive out of the building (but then they had to go through again). I just hope I never have to do that again.

"CS was discovered by two Americans, Ben Carson and Roger Staughton, in 1928, and the chemical gets its name from the first letters of the scientists' surnames.[4] It was developed and tested secretly at Porton Down in Wiltshire, England, in the 1950s and 1960s. CS was used first on animals, then subsequently on British Army servicemen volunteers. Notably, CS has a limited effect on animals due to "under-developed tear-ducts and protection by fur".

"On contact with the gas the victim rapidly develops a severe burning discomfort and pronounced lacrimation. Blepharospasm and conjunctival oedema may occur. When inhaled, the gas irritates the nose, mouth, upper airways, and lungs. Profuse secretion provoked by contact combined with the filtering mechanism in the upper respiratory tract strains off the larger particles. Locally, the gas causes rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion, and irritation. If inhaled, particularly in a confined space, it can cause sore throat, coughing, bronchorrhoea, bronchospasm in asthmatic patients, pneumonia, and even apnoea. It is particularly dangerous in people with pulmonary diseases.
As well as its peculiar odour, CS gas has a disgusting, burning, acidic taste. If the saliva containing CS gas is swallowed nausea and vomiting may follow. On the skin the gas produces a tingling sensation and can cause erythema and blistering. The symptoms, however, are generally short lived."

Dream List

It's finally here. Some decisions are easy, some are hard. Here's the list:

1) Contra Costa – 4
2) Redwood City – 6
3) San Francisco – 3
4) San Jose – 7
5) Hayward – 3
6) Santa Rosa – 5
7) Oakland – 9
8) Castro Valley – 2
9) Dublin – 2
10) Kern Valley – 1 (Resident Post)
11) Los Banos – 1
12) Coalinga – 1
13) Baldwin Park – 1
14) South L.A. – 6
15) East L.A. – 10
16) Newhall – 12
17) Santa Fe Springs – 6
18) West L.A. – 3
19) West Valley – 5
20) Central L.A. – 8
21) San Diego – 5
22) Westminister – 1
23) Capistrano – 3
24) Santa Cruz – 4
25) Hollister/Gilroy – 1
26) Monterey – 5
27) Santa Barbara – 3
28) Ventura – 1
29) Moorpark – 4
30) Mammoth Lakes – 1 (Resident Post)
31) Inyo/Kern – 1 (Resident Post)
32) Barstow – 1
33) Riverside – 1
34) Victorville – 1
35) Rancho Cucamonga – 2
36) Arrowhead – 1
37) Morongo Basin - 2

Oleoresin Capsicum (OC spray)

OC Spray day, got Sprayed in the face then had to do 20 push-ups then run across the grass and find the water hose.

Can you say PAIN. We did! and then we said, "WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER!!!!!!" I'm looking a lot better in this picture than I did right after it happened. Hopefully I'll never have to do that again.

Oleoresin Capsicum

In the early 1980’s Zarc International, Inc. introduced a proprietary “capsicum pepper technology” to be used as a safe and effective non-lethal weapon by military and law enforcement. “Capsicums” are chili peppers which occur in many varieties that range from mild to hot. Capsicum encompasses twenty species and some 300 different varieties of pepper plants. “Oleoresin” is the industrial extraction of the dried ripe fruits of capsicums and contains a complex mixture of highly potent organic compounds.

Inflammation of Mucous Membranes

Natural Oleoresin extract of Capsicum contains Capsaicin which causes the irritation of the trigeminal cells. These cells are pain receptors located in the mouth, nose, stomach and the mucous membrane. They release Substance P (SP), a chemical messenger that communicates any pain or skin inflammation to the brain.

SP is a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are inter-cellular chemical messengers that are secreted by neurons (nerve cells) across specialized structures (synapses) to transmit chemical information to one or more target cells.

Capsaicin as an irritant compound present in CAP-STUN induces neurogenic inflammation upon local application. In recent years this agent has been used extensively in research on primary sensory neurons because of its selective action on a population of C-fibre afferent and possibly also on an A-delta fibre type. Capsaicin stimulation of sensory nerves not only produces central transmission of sensory signals but also releases SP from central and peripheral sensory nerve terminals.

Substance P (SP) belongs to the Tachykinin family, which represents a group of biologically active peptides with a similar sequence of amino acids in the C-terminal region. SP was the first peptide of the tachykinin family to be found in mammals.

Substance P Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2

The natural release of SP is therefore likely to represent a direct action on postcapillary venules or smooth muscle cells. Both capsaicinoids and SP act as Spasmogens on certain viscera containing smooth muscle causing contractions. Substance P is one of the key causes of total incapacity effects causing contraction of the oesophagus, trachea, respiratory track and iris muscles of the eyes.

Not me:

Gonna go Cruisin'

Just a little Blower.

Size matters? I guess up to a point, seems like there'd have to be a point where diminishing returns becomes loss of returns in power. I mean, how much power does it use to turn this thing and how high do you want your PSI?

Half Way!

Last Wednesday was the half way point. Rollin' down hill now!!! 13 weeks left.

Beware! Fast Driver

I'm now a certified fast driver :P haha, whatever. 100+ mph on a track was cool though.

Beware!

I now carry a gun :)

Countdown!

Week 7, WOW!

Got my third gig on Monday for not erasing my name off the staff office board. Then my fourth gig on Friday during a uniform inspection. Kinda lame, I had simichrome polish on my leather. It's hard to polish the brass buttons and not get that stuff on the leather, and then it's hard to get off once it gets on there :( Friday morning PT was interesting. Started as a normal run until our instructor noticed that the sprinklers were on......so we ran through the sprinklers for about 10 minutes.......then he lined us up in the middle of a cluster of sprinklers and had us do about 30 jumping jacks......then get down in the push up position and roll right and left in the soaking grass. A few guys were on top of the sprinklers and they got REALLY soaked. It was very motivating! Then we thought it was over, but the instructor had us run our full 2+mile run. We survived :)

Week 2 In the Bank

Another week at Summer Camp and I'm still alive. All is going well, learning more than I can process but it's cool stuff so it doesn't slip my mind too quickly. This week went fast even though we had some long sessions of getting yelled at for not being up to expectations. I will survive.

Last day of work before "Summer Camp"

Celebrating my last day of work. Today I said goodbye to my co-workers that I've been around for the last 5 years. Kinda sad to leave them behind. Pretty much all of them are good people and I wish they could all break through the barrier that holds people at that company. I guess it just suits some people though.

The anticipation of Calif. State "Summer Camp" is killing me. I haven't had nightmares like I would before doing a route that I didn't know at my current/last job, but my heart beats hard every time I think about Monday; a bit of excitement, a bit of fear, and a bit of pride. I just can't wait for all my questions to be answered and my curiosity to be satisfied. Let's get it ON, AND GET IT OVER WITH!!!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Now that's a cool idea!!!! Happy St. Patrick's Day! Drink a greeeeeen beeeeer for me!

Vegas, The Palms Hardwood Basketball Suite

WOW, I want to go to Vegas and stay in this suite. It's got a half court basketball setup in the living room. The sad thing is that at only $25,000 a night, I'll never stay there :( I'll dream about it though :)

• Basketball Half-Court
• Professional Locker Room
• Scoreboard
• Pool Table
• Lounge
• Full Bar
• 2 Master Bedrooms
• 3 Extra-Large Murphy Beds on the Court
• Extra-Large Jacuzzi ® Tub
• Rotating Loveseat/Booth
• Dining Area
• Living/Media Room
• PS2 TM
• Plasma TVs
• Superior Sound System
• Creston Controlled TVs and Drapes
• 10,000 Sq. Feet
• Capacity - 325
• Nightly rate: $25,000

Bye, Bye Barbara Anne

She's gone :( I'll miss her, but it just wasn't meant to be. We had our good times though and the memories will last forever. Sold her to a good guy. He'll take care of her now.

Heads sold!

Yup, time to order Pistons!!!!!!

YES PLEASE!!!!!

Actually, I'be be just as happy (0r maybe more happy) driving something with a Hemi!

I'm in

Whew!

Crank is sold

Crankshaft has been sold. A mere 7 hours after posting :) I'm happy and thank you Craigslist

I'm on Craigslist

It's a posting for the Big Block stuff below. Here's the link: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/275980629.html

We'll see how it goes.

New look

Hope you like it.

Inline 4 barrel carb by Barry Grant (of course)

GENIUS STRIKES AGAIN!
Craziness in a Popular Hot Rodding article
Ford apparently tried it once in the '60's in racing but no street applications were manufactured.
INLINE FOUR BARREL CARB

Big block Chevy stuff for sale

Used Big Block Chevy Stuff for sale. Chevrolet 454 block, heads, forged crank, ceramic headers, JE 502 pistons. BBC.

All parts are best offer, so feel free to offer.

Parts for Rat motors:

BBC headers - Silver Ceramic coated big block Chevrolet Hedman Corvette headers, Part Number 68090. Fits Year: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82. $200

JE pistons - J&E 502 Big Block Chevy pistons. JE700 bore size is 4.466” Dome height is .075” for 1cc of volume according to J&E pistons tech. $250

454 bare engine block - Chevy Big Block 454 4-bolt mains. O-ringed! Head gaskets seal better, costs $150 to $200+ for a machine shop to do this. Just got checked for cracks and has a very tiny crack in the number 2 main journal, can be repaired for about $200. If you only want around 500 hp I’ve been told by 2 machinists that the crack doesn’t need to be fixed. This motor was making around 1000 hp and was in a dragster. Bore is 50 over with plenty of meat left. Will need machine work. Casting number 14015445. $150

454/502 crank - Forged 454 crankshaft, cross-drilled, 1053 steel. Just got checked for cracks and is good to go just needs machining. Standard main and rod journals. Two piece rear main oil seal. 4.00” stroke used on ’70-’90 Mark IV 454 or Mark IV 502. Part number 7416. $150

454 heads - 454 oval port heads, 122cc chamber. Just checked for cracks and they are good to go. Casting number 353049. $150

futon out, couch in

We got a couch from some friends so we needed to get rid of our futon. We decided to just put it in our front yard and label it "free" since we get so much traffic on our street. The funny part was that after about 20 minutes or less some lameo pulled up, opened his trunk, threw the futon pad in, closed his trunk, and drove away.....!!!! We were very disappointed because we thought that we were now stuck with a futon frame that no one would want. Oh well, we just laughed because he got a very flat, used futon pad. After about another 20 minutes a lady walked by and decided she'd try to take the frame down a few houses to her daughters house. She couldn't move it. So I carried it down for her. So we now have a couch to comfortably sit on :) END OF STORY

Got help

Dipstick Drama!

So the dipstick on my transmission in the '71 Nova has leaked since put the TH400 in it a couple years ago. So I've single-handedly been driving up oil prices by purchasing massive amounts of tranny fluid to keep it topped off and out of harms way via overheating. This weekend I took on the task of changing what I thought was a cracked O-ring. Sounds simple, but it requires dropping the trans to get the dipstick tube out because of the nice curve it has. Got everything down and out quickly on Saturday and went to purchase the new tube. After hours of trying to finagle the new tube in I discovered that I must completely take the trans out, not just lower it. Then I discovered that the tube didn't fit by snapping it in two while trying to force it into trans. Broken $20 tube and no fix..... So I grabbed a new O-ring and put it on the old tube to throw it back in......I put it in, tipped the trans. sideways to see if it leaked and discovered that the old tube had a nice crack in it. So it had been leaking from a crack not from the O-ring. Well, I sulked around for a bit on the verge of crying and it dawned on me that I had 2 other different tranny's in the garage. I found the tube for one of them and it happened to be an exact match, although not nearly as beautiful, it is functional.........now to get it all back together again.....Lets go Humpty Dumpty.

Whew, It's over! (Long Post)

X-mas, the "worst" time of year! :( Hopefully some day I'll have a job that doesn't make me feel that way, but until then I'm just so glad the rush at FedEx is over. Time to get in a few things that happened recently..... Most memorable, Dad's 60th Bday. Sister S. set up a nice "treasure hunt" around Santana Row in San Jose. We went to several stores and let them know that Bob was there and he was given a gift card at each store, then the card would tell us what store to go to next where there would be another gift certificate and another place to go to. Somehow we hit the Cohiba store twice :) Here's a few pics:




NEXT Christmas Lights!



New Years Eve: PAINTBALL! The post-paintball-playing-day-paintball-throwing-in-the-parking-lot-finale



LAST:New Years Day at the State Capital