I learned that I can't do long drives in the car without my empeg, and I will have to do the install in the new car ASAP. I was thinking to myself that it wouldn't be worth it, how wrong was I.

If it wasn't for the bodged input into the head unit for the Karma, I would have gone nuts!!!!

What did you learn this weekend???

Cheers

Cris.

....That those wonderful folks at the BBC not only have the repeat of the last episode of the Classic Serial on the website, but the one before, so, if you had a few pints two Sundays running, you can still catch up - even better - if you missed even more, they have a complete synopsis.

If anybody wondered what happened to last night's begging post for episode 7 of the Pallisers, that's why it was removed.

So whereas I posted that the BBC is the best possible broadcasting solution in another thread, I now find them to be even better, and more thoughtful of their customer's needs.

Remove Linda Barker and they've got a world beater!!

If you want any help with the installation, just shout and I'll come round with: "Oh, no you don't want to do that, you want to do this"

Well Boxer glad you realised it, did you send your feedback to the review body?

I have the dash board parts on order from Smart, £24 for a couple of bits of plastic!!!. The tell me there are none in the country, so I'll have to wait a few weeks to get them shipped from Germany. Which gives me plenty of time to come up with a cunning plan.

Hopefully, at the end it will look effort-less, I'm currently thinking of a carbon fibre back plate with the facia parts and sleds fixed to it.

It has to be done, a car isn't complete without an Empeg installed!!!!

I can't believe I almost took a trip to the dark side and didn't install it

Cheers

Cris.

did you send your feedback to the review body?

I'm doing it! I'm doing it!! - I never write less than War and Peace on these occasions, you should see my piece on transport solutions in North Yorkshire!!!

I learnt that letting your new cats outside for the first time after you've had them for four weeks is very stressful. Max galloped off into the distance...



...and didn't return for 45 minutes. Not quite the carefully planned, 10 minutes and then lure them in with dinner (as recommended by the re-homers).

Still, it was great to see them enjoying the outdoors finally. We'll be braving it later this week and giving them free rein, we are only letting them out once a day until then.

i took the car to a trackday saturday

Learnt how to drive it round a track and it is bloody fast also learnt how much i have to learn befre i can even vaguely push the car to near its limits but i did spin off about 5 times.

sunday went drag racing in the wet 14.8 1/4 mile with terrible traction off the line. Not bad for a 1.6 litre engine

What did you learn this weekend???

I learned that waking up at 6 AM on Saturday morning to do taxes really sucks.

We'll be braving it later this week and giving them free rein

Never be surprised or upset by the independance of cats: Dogs can't do without you for more than half an hour, cats can come in three weeks later looking as though nothing is amiss, I hate to think of the sore throats I've had over the years shouting round the village for missing cats!

What did you learn this weekend???

FeardotCom might be the worst movie ever made.

FeardotCom might be the worst movie ever made.

Worse than Big Fish ?

I haven't seen Big Fish yet. I can't imagine it's worse though. This movie really blew.

I couldn't say Big Fish was the worst movie I have ever seen, part 3 of the Matrix might have been worse.

It was definitely the most boring film I have ever seen, I very nearly fell asleep. My wife of course thought it was a great film. I think I just didn't get it.

That the maple trees in my yard can fill a 'Garelick Farms low cost 1G sap bucket' in just a few hours.

What did you learn this weekend???

That I actually enjoy building computers for people. And some of them repay you very well...

And I thought Big Fish was a wonderful movie. Not the best, not Tim Burton's best, but very good. Not even possibly near the category of worst movie ever. That's a big exaggeration.

I'm not sure of my thoughts about Big Fish. It definitely wasn't horrible, though. Feardotcom, on the other hand, is a laugh riot. My wife and I have never had so much fun making fun of a movie. It is truly awful. We came close, though, making fun of Final Destination, another hysterically awful movie.

We came close, though, making fun of Final Destination, another hysterically awful movie.

I didn't think that movie was nearly as bad as FeardotCom. Final Destination was entertaining (to me) at least even though it was a dumb movie.

I notice no one has tried to defend Matrix Revolutions yet...

When I used to have cats, letting them out was always very stressful. We lived on the edge of a canyon that was teeming with coyotes. Of the five different cats we had over 15 years or so, only 1 died of old age. I just never wanted to let them out at all, but seeing them so depressed about being inside all day was just as unbearable.

- trs

Feardotcom, on the other hand, is a laugh riot. My wife and I have never had so much fun making fun of a movie. It is truly awful.

Didn't see it or Final Destination, but Wing Commander ranks as one of my best experiences seeing a horrible movie. Of course that might just be because I saw with my sister, whith whom seeing bad movies is a lot like watching MST3K.

I learned that cats will eventually find ways to work around those big plastic cone collars, to lick the very wounds you're trying to prevent them from licking. Cats are surprisingly flexible.

I learned that the movie Clue (I got the DVD this weekend) apparently didn't show all three endings in theaters; instead different theaters ran different endings. Is that true? I can't imagine seeing it without the third ending.

What did you learn this weekend???

Seabiscuit isn't worth it's weight in Oscar nominations.

What did you learn this weekend???

Seabiscuit isn't worth it's weight in Oscar nominations

And neither was Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. Watched that for the first time this weekend and was definitely disappointed. I thought he was much better in Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

- trs

I saw Pirates of the Caribbean this weekend, thought it was a good fun movie. It wouldn't have been nearly as good without JD though. His mannerisms are just wonderfully mad.

I learned that i know way less than i thought about the US tax system, and that it's inherently setup for people who have enough money to pay someone to do the taxes for them, and squeek every penny out of it. There's no way the average joe "gets it" in a meaningful way.

But maybe i'm just young and dumb. I'll be paying someone to do mine for the first time this year... it's just way over my head. Actually, maybe it isn't... and i'm just too afraid of screwing it up.

I learned that the movie Clue (I got the DVD this weekend) apparently didn't show all three endings in theaters; instead different theaters ran different endings. Is that true?

That is correct. As I remember, the newspaper theater advertisements told you which ending the theater was showing, referred to as A, B, or C, IIRC, and this was before huge multiplexes, so the chances of them showing the movie on two screens was slim.

I learned that those trivia games in bars are (1) free, (2) linked nationally, and (3) pretty fun to play with your friends, especially if you trounce all the other patrons. At the same time, although they give you statistics nationwide, it still somehow takes forever for the data to be transferred to the web site or from a bar you don't usually play at. Maybe the first problem is just initially, though.

Hmmm, I enjoyed Depp's performance in Pirates. I don't think the movie would have been the same without the quirkiness.

I learned more of the story of Samus in Metroid, having played Metroid Zero Mission between calls at work.

Oh, and that working weekends still sucks.

Hmmm, I enjoyed Depp's performance in Pirates.

Oh, me too. I think his performance was quite entertaining - but just not oscar-worthy. Take away the pirate garb and throw on an old-west costume and his character would have been Doc Holliday from Tombstone. Back when Val Kilmer did that performance it was original. I felt mostly like Johnny Depp's performance was somewhat of an anachronism.

- trs

I learned more of the story of Samus in Metroid, having played Metroid Zero Mission between calls at work.

So how different is it from the original nes version ?

Driving a Ford Sierra with bald tyres over a tarmac surface covered with oil is good fun!

Have any doughnuts?

So how different is it from the original nes version ?

The same, but different. Basicially, areas have been cleaned up and look nicer, some content up to the final battle was added, cut scenes added, a map added, and hints added. Beyond that, it actually continues the story a bit after the evacuation from destroying Mother Brain.

Once you complete the game, you unlock the NES Metroid in all it's old glory, including proper slowdown when too many enemies/screen movement occurs.

I learned just how many coyotes are in the park near my house. I also learned that my dog didn't get eaten by them.

-Biscuits

So how many coyotes are in the park near your house? I have no idea how many coyotes are in the park across from my house, but I am 99% certain my cat did get eaten by them.

I learned that those trivia games in bars are (1) free, (2) linked nationally,

Make that internationally. The ones in Canada are linked to the ones in the US.

There are too blasted many coyotes in the park....

I spent hours hunting for my dog where I last saw her. The game trails were covered in coyote tracks, many of them fresh. The pack that roams that area in the park contains at least 3 animals, though I couldn't get an exact count from the tracks. The park, as a whole, is 3,000 acres plus there is probably about the same amount of private woodlands adjacent. Who knows how many packs there are total?

All I know is that their tracks were everywhere.... I've noticed that small game (rabbit, quail, turtles, opossums, racoons, squirrels) are almost nonexistent.

-Biscuits

What did you learn this weekend???

American Pie - The Wedding is crap but pretty funny (My SO forced me).
Standing in the Shadows of Motown was boring.
Phone (Korean horror flick) was pretty good and totally unpredictable. Seemed like it was near the end at 55 minutes, but no...
Gothika was damn good.

I also learned that Burger King is open until 2AM Sunday-Thursday, and until 'til 6AM only Friday and Saturday.

I also realised (not learned, sorry) that I'll have to get my groove on if I want to be finished with the car stereo this century.

The skid pan near us swears that those old Volvo 340's: The Dutch ones, are the best cars for the job, because they have the gearbox at the back to balance the weight - great fun though.

It was a bad weekend for me.

I learned that my oldest cat may have cancer.
I learned that I really didn't want to sell my Nova after I sold it (didn't have much choice because I needed the money)
And I learned that someone I care about doesn't like me.

Life is good

I learned that if you have someone who has never had cats before living with you, they should be left some instructions on kitty yes and no, or I might wake up to a room covered in cat poo.

Last night I learnt that the lock on our new Staywell cat flap for our new cats is crap. It is the typical in only/out only/locked type. It appears that at least one of our cats can force the lock.

Once he has done this it gets stuck in out only mode, leaving the cat locked out. Because of this our cats got locked out of the house twice yesterday (for hours at a time), on their third day being allowed to go outside

I'm going to have to find one that is a bit more sturdy, though that might be hard because there appear to only be two brands on the market.

Is this one of them?

*edit*
Wow, the amazing "Electromagnetic Cat Doo" I think that's what Heather has

I haven't seen that brand available in the UK, I've only seen Staywell (which seem to all use the same crap design for the lock) and Cat Mate.

Edit:

Just found a couple of other options at http://www.catflaps.com/ , need to find a shop with them though as I'm not buying another one until I have held it in my hand and tried to force the lock.

The "keeps out strays" bit is not always that effective - more than once I have heard about cats standing next to the lock while they let every cat in the area go into the house.

Gareth

I would be happy if just the physical lock worked properly. I find it incredible that they sell a cat flap where the lock can be so easily forced by the cat. Admittedly Max is a bit of a bruiser, but I don't think he is that unusual a cat.

It is also very clear what is wrong with the design. The lock engages on the side of the flap rather than the bottom. The flap is too flexible. If you push on the flap hard from the inside it twists and pops over the lock, allowing the cat out and locking them out (it appears to be harder to force it back the other way).

If either the flap was more rigid, or the lock mounted centrally at the bottom of the flap (like some other brands seem to be) then the problem wouldn't happen. It seems that all of Staywell's flaps in the range have the same lock design. Our's is the magnetic one, but the manual and infra red ones have the exact same design.

It also has another couple of obvious design flaws:

The magnetic lock only operates on the incoming side, cats can leave without having a magnetic tag. This means that when the thin bit of plastic on the tag fails (or the collar comes off) and they are indoors they will be able to leave via the cat flap and get locked out.

P.S. when I was trying to find and placate Max at 2am this morning, after the flap had locked him out for four hours, I could find every cat in the area (think there were four of them sniffing around) except Max.

There is no way of disabling the magentic lock. If you realise your cat's tag has gone missing you have no way of turning off the lock to allow them to use the flap until you get a new tag.

I think I'll be taking this cat flap back, assuming I can find a better designed one.

On the plus side, the cats are now happily using the flap to go to and fro. I'm so pleased they now get to enjoy the outdoors.

We scrapped the Staywell, in favour of another brand, which is much sturdier, and easier to fit: needing a round hole (Which is a bit of a bugger if you've already got a square Staywell hole). Mine's fitted in a plate glass door, which cost a fortune at the glaziers. I'll post the brand tomorrow.

Sturdy it may be, but it gave way quickly to our rescue boxer dog, but it's not designed for head-butting!

I learned that my oldest cat may have cancer

I lived through the cancer of my very favourite Boxer the year before last, he finally went, with great dignity on Christmas eve.
I still think of him each day, and my thoughts are with you: Take the advice of the vet whether the cat is in any pain, enjoy every day whilst you still have the chance and then look back on the enjoyment you and the cat had.
There are some very advanced pet cancer centres, in Cambridge in this country, for instance. Your vet should be able to advise if it is worth trying - but may not volunteer, unless you indicate that you might be prepared to pay the price.
Again, I feel for you: Men and cars I can't advise you on.

My Mums cat, lollypop, used to have to wear a little magnet around her neck to open on of those flaps, but she keft on pulling if off somehow.

We ended up just making it so she could get out but not back in (using a screw on the inside of the flap) over time she has worked out she can paw at the flap and get it to spring back at her, get another paw under the flap, get her head under and get in. Its amazing to watch her do it.

Using this method also means she can't bring any "presents" for us into the house, as she can't carry anything in her mouth whilst doing the manover.

I'll have to get the whole thing on Video one day, and sell it to one of those TV shows, its very funny to watch.

I love cats, I really feel for you Laura, our old cat, Ginger, died of cancer, I had known him every day of my life up until the point he died (we got him the week I was born). It was a strange feeling getting up the next day and not having him wind his way around my legs while I was making breakfast. I still miss him.

Cheers

Cris.

Men and cars I can't advise you on.

Too bad, I could really use some advise, at least on men.

We're trying a new drug on the cat and we'll give it a little bit of time to see if it will work. His kidneys are bad and he's diabetic on top of the new problem and losing weight fast so there isn't a lot of time to try too many things. He's 15 and I know he can't last forever, they never do unfortunately. I'll enjoy him while I have him and I'll know when the time comes to give up and let him go.

I feel for you. My wife and I just had our cat put to sleep tonight. It's been a long time coming. I hope we didn't wait too long, but neither one of us can stop crying.

I'm so sorry to hear that, you have my deepest sympathy. I've been trying to hand feed mine tonight but he's just not that interested in food.

I've made a complete Eeediot of myself here, our cat flaps are both locking Staywell ones! But until the rescue Boxer started using them for heading practice, we didn't have any locking in/out problems.

We're trying a new drug on the cat and we'll give it a little bit of time to see if it will work.

Our dog, which my wife has had since she was in Jr. High, is on his way, unfortunately. He's got a really bad cough and is on three different medicines, but I don't know how much longer it can go. It'll be sad for me when we have to put him down, but for my wife it's going to be absolute torture. There's no doubt he really belongs to her, especially since he predates me by so much. Pets are great, but it's so hard to lose them.

I learned, after years of visiting the USA mainly in California and mainly in summer, that it does sometimes snow in parts of the US, including for instance the Philadelphia part. And my sort-of-god-daughter's baby brother learned (though this took all week, not just the weekend) two new words: "Peter" and "booze".

Peter