Here’s to all of the brave men and women in our military - Whever you are, may you be safe and come home soon.

As of the time of this blog entry, I want nothing more right now than to go home and start my weekend.  I plan on test driving a GTI w/DSG and a Civic Si tomorrow after changing my oil in my current ‘beater. 

I am currently experiencing the "Zero Patience" Phenomenon.  Basically, everything is irritating me.  This phenomenon doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s usually for a reason.  I’ve found my patience has been reduced greatly since my back pain has turned more into a daily hinderance.  There are some mornings when putting shoes on is a challenge.  When I walk in the morning, it looks like I’m attempting to crap myself with an incredible amount of zeal.

Finding out how far I am from driving a shiny new car has sort of dinged my mood a bit too.  It is my own fault, however and a sizable downpayment pays off in the end.  

Speaking of cars, here’s the current list of cars I’m considering… (Ordered by "Yea, I’d buy that")

• 06 GTI MkV
• 06 Civic Si
• 03-05 Subaru WRX STi
• 03-05 Mitsu EVO VII or VIII
• 04-05 Mazda RX-8
• 04-05 Nissan 350Z
• 04-06 Mini Cooper S
• BMW M3 - this car will always be on my list

So, there’s the list.  For most of those cars, I’d need a winter beater…and I have one!  Not like this matters right now, as I’m at least 7months away from a purchase… /cry

Check out the guy in the yellow tie.  For some reason I enjoyed the expression on his face

Haven’t posted in a bit, forgive me my loyal…4..readers .  Been busy with a redesign of a local website.  I’m enjoying it - learned more about CSS than I thouht I would.  Also, I hate IE - CSS + IE6 = stress.  It just renders CSS differently and it is rather annoying.  I won’t go into the details, but I do have to praise PHP and Drupal - making web development very easy.

So, the reason for this post…This weekend I got to test drive a 2006 Volkswagen GTI.  I originally wanted to take a 2006 Civic Si out for a spin, but there’s a 3-mo waiting list - so no test drive .  Surprisingly, the Honda guy wasn’t too annoying either.  So, we left the Honda place, and headed down the road to the VW place.  VW place had 3 GTIs ready to go - already winning points. 

I get in the GTI, and the Salesman informs me the clutch catches quick - this is very very true.  Put simply, this car wants to go, no matter what.  This is due in part to 207 ft/lb of torque that is right there for you from 1800 rpm (WOO!) through 5000rpm.  Sadly, the Civic gets it’s torque at @ 6000rpm - and it’s only 139ft/lb .  So, we head out, and I’m immediately enjoying this car.  The test drive route is total rubish, however - we start out on a street with a staggering 30mph speed limit…and a Sheriff’s office is on the street as well - nice!  So, I keep the GTI under 50, but it is very very difficult.  The torque really helps this car alot, I think.  It is heavier, but the greater torque throughout the rpm’s is wonderful.  So, we get to RTE 441, I take a right and easily get it up to 70mph.  The salesman didn’t say anthing, and I didin’t think I’d car if he did - quiet down buck-o - tis a test drive .  

Basically, the Si’s HP is achieved when you get the engine near the redline - it’s a rev-happy engine.  I’m not a rev-happy driver, so I’m thinking this car isn’t for me.  I’ve read that the GTI will go and go quick wherever the tach is (mmm…) 

I left the dealership wanting the car.  Before we left, however I drove a Mazda 3 S - I’ve driven one before, and I knew it wasn’t a possibility with the GTI and Si hanging about…the test drive confirmed my original opinion (still a great ride though)

So, this car is easily leading the race for me - I’ve nearly convinced myself I’ll buy it by the Fall - December at the latest.  Actually deciding what car to get is actually a huge weight off my shoulders - now it is just a matter of saving for it.

woo 

"See the man with 6 Lumbar Vertabrae" - That’s how the poster would read.  What am I talking about exactly?  Well, I started having  some pretty insane lower back pain.  Tying my shoes was out of the question in the morning, as was putting shoes on.  It has gotten better, but it is still far from "correct".  Why is this?  Well, genetics . 

I started seeing a Chiropractor - Rice Krispies ain’t got nothin on my snap, cracklin and poppin’ back.  I brought him some X-Rays and he again pointed out the freak in me - my 6th Lumbar Vertabrae (most people have 5!).  Whether this is causing the problem is unknown - but my back is not the way it should be.  A lowerback in a typical person will curve in from the glute’ area, then curve back out as it goes up to the neck.  Yea, mine doesn’t do that - It curves in, then goes straight up to my neck - silly back!

There were a few other items that weren’t "the norm" but the words were so long that I honestly don’t remember.  A few angles were off, and some bone that is attached to my tailbone juts in at a 90 degree angle…when it should be at no angle…hooray!

We’ll see what the coming weeks bring - In the meantime, stretches, not alot of lifting, and getting a lumbar support thinger for my office chair are on my "to-do" list..

Stupid frickin back