Co-op City

Without a doubt New York is a rapidly growing city with more people than land space. New York's solution has always been to build upwards. This solution is primarily used for its office spaces and rarely with housing, but fortunately for me I visited the largest example of mass housing in the world, Co-op City [grandma's house], for 2 weeks. It's around 40 years old, covers 320 acres [only 20% is built up] and holds 55,000 people. Despite stuffing so much people in one spot, everything feels natural and un-packed, one thing that contributes to this is the fact that most people here either work on varying shifts or work in co-op city ensuring there is little or no peak hour.

View outside the apartment

First thing you notice about Co-op city from the highway is an endless sea of 30 story brick apartments. Up to now I’m unsure of how many apartments there are but they primarily follow 1 of 3 footprints. The H footprint which is 26 stories high, X footprint which is 33 stories high and the I footprint which [I think] has 23 stories. My grandmother lives in an H footprint apartment while I had a cousin who was staying in an I footprint apartment. Despite the difference in heights and footprints, the layouts were basically the same. Each apartment had more than one lobbies to enter the apartment, this essentially divided the apartment into different blocks. To segregate them even more, there is no way to travel from one block to another inside the building. Each block is also assigned a different street number [For example my grandmother’s block was 120 Carver Loop while the other blocks where 110 and 130 Carver Loop] Entrance to the lobby is limited to residents with a designated key or visitors who have been “buzzed” in. The key for this front door also opens fire doors at the side of the building and the door to the staircase [only the lobby staircase door is locked, however for safety reasons, this door can be opened from the staircase side]. The lobby also holds mailboxes for each resident.

X footprint apartment

H footprint apartment

I footprint apartment

Getting up to your floor is made possible by 2 elevators and 2 staircases per block. To conserve on space, the staircases are layered upon each other [I.e. the steps of one staircase forms the roof of the other staircase.] To conserve on energy, the stairs are lit by a pair of fluorescent tubes, one of which remains permanently lit while the other is turned on by motion detectors. Also during times when the electrical load on the apartments are high [such as really hot summers when air conditioners are in high use] only one elevator cab be made operational. One elevator can also be reserved if a tenant is moving in or out of their apartment to help with the transport of their belongings. Once on your floor, you are greeted by a windowless hallway that leads to your apartment as well as about 6-8 other apartments and a chute for dropping your garbage in.

Immediately outside each apartment is a set of unreserved parking spots that anyone can use, because these are usually full, parking is also available along the street side. There is also a 6 story sheltered parking lot reserved for residents and visitors willing to pay a one day fee. For residents using this lot, the fee is added to their rent. Residents entering the lots are given a pass card which automatically opens the barrier for them, I’m unsure of accommodations made for visitors as they mostly park on the sidewalk. The first floor is strictly reserved lots unlike the other 5 floors. Accommodation is also available for handicapped users on each floor with their parking spots placed near to the elevators. Staircases are also available but, like the apartments, can only be opened from the outdoors by key.

An H footprint apartment with a parking lot in the foreground

The format of Co-op City continues outwards where numerous malls serve different apartments with stores varying from electronics, barbers, clothing, banks and restaurants. There is one mall with a cinema. Walking around Co-op city is in itself a form of recreation, between the buildings are nicely maintained green areas with areas for sitting, playing board games, basketball, baseball and a playground for children.

In Jamaica, the layout of Co-op city and its mass housing/all in one city theme bears a strong resemblance to Oaklands. Although only 6 stories in height, a lot of the services of Co-op city is seen in Oaklands such as:

· having washrooms on only one floor [in Co-op city it’s in the basement while in Oaklands it’s on the 3^rd floor, immediately above on the 4^th floor is an area reserved for drying clothes.]

· the garbage chute on each floor

· mailboxes on the first floor

· malls, parks and playgrounds in between the buildings [Oaklands only had one mall at the main entrance and a large park area in the centre.]

· A mix of townhouses and apartments as well as diversity among each [In Oaklands, townhouses took up a larger footprint than the apartments where as in Co-op city, townhouses were scarce.]

· A consistent theme [Oaklands had plain concrete walls with a little Spanish tile overhang while Co-op City was full brick.]

· Churches, Schools and Bus Stops beside or nearby the complex.

This well thought out layout of Oaklands only just occurred to me this summer despite the fact that I’ve spent nearly half my life living there. Both Oaklands and Co-op City follow a good template than can be used over and over, and as shown, can also be scaled differently.

Gran Turismo [4] PSP

Ups: improved handling physics, more realistic sounds, new car brands, I can now run the nurburgring anywhere, neat menu and game layout, nice HUD, same old Gran Turismo

Downs: Driving Missions annoy me when it comes to adjusting vehicles, only some cars are available for purchase on some days, 11ty billion skylines and evolutions yet only 1 Lamborghini, same old Gran Turismo

a demo vid

Michael's Guide To: driving a red/orange MG that hasn't been driven for a while [probably 3-4months]

The story begins with an MG, a bright orange/red one that has been deemed un-drivable due to a carburettor float that wouldn't float [it works in the same manner as the float in your toilet]. This un-float caused the carb to flood with fuel [as a precaution to prevent the engine from going boom the excess fuel is "pissed" out of the carb] this instantly transformed the MG into a rolling molotov cocktail. Added to this problem was a leaking gas tank. So no matter which end you lit the candle it would be a disaster. All of these complications lead to the MG being parked since April. Now because a car [especially one that old] just can't be turned on after sitting there for so long, here is a list of some stuff to check up on before you head out on a long journey to the mechanic.

Chapter 1: Stuff to do before you store a car

• Empty the Tank. If you're not like me and were not planning on making the MG stay parked for so long, ensure the gas tank is empty/near empty. This is because gasoline decomposes if just left there by itself. This is especially evident with gasolines containing ethanol [mmmmm good ole' E10]. Because we filled up the tank expecting a long trip, we just had to throw in some magic elixirs to help slow down decomposition.
• Disconnect the Battery: When a car is not doing anything, magical electrical gremlins steal small amounts of electricity from the battery which it uses to keep the car's clock in check. When a car is parked for long periods the electricity theft becomes more evident and in some cases prevents the car from starting. Disconnecting the battery is the recommended route to take, if you're too lazy to do this then you can just start the car every now and then to recharge the battery. If you're too lazy to do that buy a battery tender which automatically recharges the battery.

Chapter 2: Preflight checklist

• Check the documents: Yea important documents for the car tend to magically expire while it's just parked there. We got the insurance expiry special.
• Check the fluids: Oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid etc. Amazingly despite the MG's chronic oil leaks, all was well in the oil sump!
• Brakes: Brakes have a magical tendency to either stick or not stick when stored too long. Heavily suggested to avoid 0-100-0 tests.
• Check the Tyres: Tyres tend to deflate when just sitting there. MG only had a soft left rear tyre.
• Check your mirrors: these things have a habit of not staying in one spot. Look forward to repeating this step over and over especially when you have googly eyes for mirrors.
• Plan your route: The MG has a really bad allergy to traffic and so do I. The MG does not come with AC [unlike the Rav 4 which just got it!] nor does it come with a functioning cigarette lighter [so you can't plug in your Price Mart fan to help with ventilation] as a result ventilation is all provided by ye olde breeze. Unfortunately ye olde breeze only works when the car is moving, so if you want to feel what hell is like on a Sunday afternoon, drive through Half Way Tree around midday in an MG top up [top down will just give you sunburn]
• Top Up: Check credit and phone battery life, chances are if you're driving an MG it will go all PMSish in a flash and cool and calm the next second. You may never know when that PMS rage will last forever.
• Leave out early: A breakdown is not expected so plan your route in such a way that if you breakdown, there is enough time to be either towed to your destination or take a bus. [Weirdly enough the bus is more comfortable and you won't reach your destination on fire]
• Get a backup: A backup driver following close behind helps. Its interesting to note that the MG has a tow hook up front while the Rav 4 has a tow hook around the back [soulmates?]
• Test Drive: Just to ensure you won't crash it in public. Do this primarily to get familiar with the gears. Reaching for 5th gear in a 4 gear car will give you nightmares :S

Chapter 3: The first mile [assuming you haven't crashed as yet]

• Check the gauges: It is fact that I check the MG's gauges more than I check the road. It is also fact that the gauge cluster is larger than the windscreen. This is not an element of style, it is an emphasis of priorities. After getting acquainted with the car, you will be able to estimate what the gauges are saying from using your senses. If you feel your feet are getting really hot, the engine is overheating. If you smell something flammable chances are the MG is running in top order. For today's trip all the gauges said coolbeans.
• Check the mirrors: again. A stiff suspension plus manual mirror adjustment means that the mirrors act all googly eyed after a while. During the journey you may wonder why all of a sudden your rear view mirror shows up a magnified view of your crotch.

Chapter 4: Reaching the destination [assuming you're not on fire yet]

• Check if you are on fire: OK cool, no fire
• Don't leave the ignition on: There is a debate going on in the classic car club as to how the original layout of the MG's ignition system was. At first it was "O yes this used points and condenser" then it was "O no this didn't use a resistor" then it was "Why did you change it!" No matter what we did the coil kept on overheating, preventing the car from starting. The electrician suggested we avoid keeping the key in the ignition, it worked.
• O snap it won't start: Touch the coil, if it just burnt a hole in your hand, wait for it to cool down. If not just stare at the engine, it may get intimidated and start up back.
• Hmmmmm Rain Clouds: Go home fast

Chapter 5: The journey/detour back home [assuming your death stare at the engine restarted it]

• Go for lunch: Driving an MG with no power steering or AC is hard work.
• Parking in public: Lock the glove compartment but keep the doors open. Trust me you don't want them to cut through the roof for 5 dollars on the seat.
• Rehydrate: All the water that was inside of you has magically migrated to your armpits. Refill and Refuel. Tip, don't drive an MG to an interview. :(
• Is that Rain?: Avoid it! If you can't, prepare your rag so as to wipe the condensation that will block the windshield. Also don't act surprised when the wipers go on strike.
• OMG is that water on the road!: AVOID!!!!!
• Yea so I drove into to water and the car stalled: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT RESTART! Water in an engine is like pouring cement in your shoes. [I don't know how but I'll make this analogy work later]

Chapter 6: Home [assuming you didn't restart the engine]

• Rest: Go to bed, go directly to bed, do not cover up car, waste time till you regain energy
• Cover back up the car and pat yourself on the back: Victory is yours.

Of course if it was the Rav4, there would be one step which would involve turning the ignition key.

Fast and Furious in the eyes of a car fan

The Fast and The Furious series started right around the time when I just started liking cars. It and Gone in 60 seconds were cool because of the selection of vehicles used in the film. I'm just gonna highlight my favorites.

Buick GNX [Fast and Furious]

When I was in the theatre I really shrieked when I saw this car. This was the vehicle that started the big turbo phase of the automobile. It was tuned by McLaren and only came in black. Only the coolest of cool know [and own] these. Examples include David Spade, Burt Reynolds and I think Travis Barker

Dodge Challenger [Fast and Furious, The Fast and The Furious]

In the first movie I was disappointed to find out that it was a fake. :( But they redeemed themselves in the final movie by using a real, gutted and stroked Challenger.

Chevrolet Chevelle SS [Fast and Furious, The Fast and The Furious]

The Chevelle was for most of my life my favorite muscle car and it still is one of them. Dom drove this Chevelle like a bitch in the final movie. With a wheelie that was 100% real, it made up for the fake wheelie done by the previous car

Chevrolet Monte Carlo [Tokyo Drift]

I really loved the raw look of this car, just pure performance, no aftermarket bull plagued by the other movie cars. This was a car this yute probably built from scraps he found, yet still capable of bringing the game to Vipers.

Ford RS200 vs Toyota Corolla AE86 [Fast and Furious]

For this scene I nearly wet myself. First off, its because the AE86 was rarely mentioned in any other series and it really is a bigger tuner car than most of the other vehicles. Secondly the RS200 is as rare as bigfoot, I think this is the first movie the vehicle was ever featured in.

Mazda RX7 [Tokyo Drift]

The RX7 was featured in all of the series but the one that stood out the most was Han's RX7 heavily modified by Vielside. It is my favorite one off movie car in modern times by far driven by the coolest character in the series.

Nissan Silvia S15 [Tokyo Drift]

The S15 was used as the first and last car that Sean drifted in. The first one belonged to Han and Sean wrecked it properly. It was powered by the mighty RB26DETT engine. In fact I think the engine played a more vital role in the movie than the entire car. Bow Wow stated that this was the Mona Lisa of the drifting world, he was wrong, the AE86 is.

Ford Mustang [Tokyo Drift]

This Mustang was the epitome of sacrilege. It did so by merging the key symbols of two different cultures into one car. The Mustang belonged to Sean's father and had no engine, being resourceful, they gutted the S15 of its RB26 and merged the two. In the end you saw a car with a less potent engine than stock in a chassis that was worse than its home cradle. This might be the first and last time such a combination would have been pulled off.

Chevrolet Camaro Yenko S/C and Dodge Challenger R/T [2 Fast 2 Furious]

This twin ponies first proved the point in the series that there's no replacement for displacement. The Dodge Challenger had the best lines in the movie, quieting the rice rockets.

Toyota Supra [The Fast and The Furious]

I liked this car but I questioned its performance in the series. In its first race it barely beat a 380hp Ferrari F355 but in its last race it kept up to a 1000hp+ Dodge Challenger. Anyways cool car is cool.

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R [2 Fast 2 Furious, Fast and Furious]

The GT-R is the undisputed king of the tuner world with the Supra being its sole contender. After the second movie it was discovered that Brian has a soft spot for them. Its appearance in 2 Fast 2 Furious was just pure porn. Its a shame the CGI killied its scene. In Fast and Furious Brian's new GT-R scrapped parts from 2 R34s and an R35 [what he took from the R35 only God knows] Brian's soft spot for GT-Rs spread to his real life counterpart Paul Walker, he was part of a select few Americans with one.

My little project

Some time late last year the Classic Car Club wanted me to manage their website in the absence of their administrator. I turned it down as I didn't know how to do anything website related. The aim is to practice between my blog and Yola to perfect web design. So far the site is just meh..... really basic and lacking inspiration. My original plan was to do a flash page, but my flash lessons aren't doing so well.

The plan is to start out with Yola and see how far I can go, get some inspiration and what not. The final stages may [or may not] see a switch to full html. At the end the site should be regularly updated as well as be more appealing to the eye than the previous site.

This is my site as it is

And this is the club's present website

New site using a flash template

As said before I'm a noob at this. All comments and suggestions are welcome. But here is a to do list:

• Background image
• New header
• Refining of the forum
• Addition of more tabs some dedicated to the history of the club as well as pictures of past events and information on future events
• Inclusion of a tracker so as to report back to the club of traffic

There are more suggestions to add but my mind is blank right now. The aim is to finish this before August [right before school starts]. It would be good to have it up by July though, near to the time of the annual car show. Looking forward to the comments and ideas ppl are willing to contribute. Latr

Update: So I got hand of this new flash template site and I've been messing around with it. Showed my father and said I should try my hand at making a site for him...... extra money for me :)

some weird factoids about myself

• There is nothing on this planet that I understand more than the automobile
• I think I have mild carpal tunnel, I'm so paranoid about this that I constantly practice writing with my left hand just in case.
• I'm 5'11-3/4" I'm upset that I'm yet to gain that extra 1/4" -_-
• My brother and I are roughly the same height, we're the tallest members in our immediate family
• I only like the Beastie Boys because they are extremely diverse. [hip hop, punk rock, rock, instrumental, metal, jazz and even some reggae]
• There isn't a career I haven't considered
• I always admired Leonardo da Vinci, because he was so diverse. When I was younger I wanted to be a Renaissance Man
• I love my mustache. I only shaved it off once, I'll never do it again -_-
• My views on automobiles are contradicting, hypocritical and prone to change with mood.
• Excess piercings creep me out and so do tattoos yet my closest friends have both
• Also all of my close friends are older than me
• It is a fact that my music will randomly shuffle from a soft song like Riders of the Storm to something insane like Ace of Spades
• I only understand certain measurements in standard and others in metric
• I'm a slave to suggestions. If you tell me that my design is too bland, I will render it till you are pleased. I will not however take suggestions outside of my art work so easily, especially about my mustache.
• My favorite color has changed from blue to slate to dark red to light blue to de stijl to green. My favorite color is now grey.
• I don't like the predictable
• I get uncomfortable when ppl sing badly, mainly cause I'm embarrassed for them
• I get dehydrated easily and I require a lot of fluids to work once I start moving
• I think any engine Cosworth touches turns into gold, no argument
• Very picky when choosing stuff, but will happily take free :)
• I'm a really mellow guy, as in seriously, my heart rate never races even in near death instances [usually taking place while driving in Cross Roads]
• Dressing like a slut is an instant turn off, no questions asked
• I don't like the pessimistic, I don't even speak to them
• I think my music is the dopest selection of tracks on planet Earth. Don't like my music? Get ur own music player.
• Once in history class I was unable to identify a Volvo Amazon in a picture, I felt like I let down the side :(
• My mother swears that I'm in a relationship with any female I talk to, my father really doesn't care.
• I have a habit of constantly washing my hands for no reason, same applies to brushing my teeth
• Cheesecake, buy me it and I'm automatically you're friend.
• I suck at numbers. Don't ask me to work out a mathematical problem in my head, I will get it wrong.
• My attention span is ridiculously short. I will have spells of just listening to the intro of songs then switch soon after
• I don't have a favorite architect or piece of architecture, and I may never
• However Ian Callum and J Mays have been tied for my favorite auto designer since forever.
• I have 3 main goals in life: get a daughter and name her after my mother, enter a race, get a job that my 8 year old self would be proud of and at the same time enjoy it

the timeline of michael, the art edition

So this post will be split into different parts of my life enjoy.

• My first interest in drawing came in 1996 when I was introduced to drawings done by Brian Smith. My mother worked for his mother and I always thought we were cousins because I'd call his mother my aunt [and we sorta looked similar back then]
• My drawing started off by drawing over pictures and adding other items to them like lasers and rockets [like any kid my age should be doing]
• A day at the beach was always the topic of choice for art in prep school until one day in grade 6 the teacher banned that choice. I had a sad :(
  
• My first memory of drawing a vehicle was actually a vandalism of this other guy's drawings. He drew better than me but I thought of his drawings as boring, so I added wings and jets to his car drawings. He was pissed that I would do such sacrilege to his works of art.
• At high school my drawing advanced significantly after being involved in mini competitions with Orville, Orville always won. I was only able to beat Orville after 4th form [mainly because he switched from drawing to studying]
• The finale of our rivalry came with the final project for art in 3rd form. We both chose the topic "The robbery" I did a still of someone stealing a Ferrari 355 while Orville did an action shot of a Porsche 911 being chased by Police, it was called 911 vs 911. Orville won again.
• Shortly after I met Gilberto who inspired me into drawing cars. I occasionally called him Giugario because of his drawing style. I got the short lived name of Sergio because of a Ferrari designer.
• His brother commented on the rims of one my drawings, stating that it didn't look good. Ever since then most of my auto drawings lack wheels.
• From high school until now I think the Porsche 911 is the hardest car to draw
• Matthew Nesbeth thought me most of the engineering stuff surrounding cars like brake coolers and diffusers. Since this, my vehicle drawings changed from concept to something that could be built.
• Got interested in graffiti after Kiran and I spent a good while trying decide what we should vandalize before we graduated. I failed at this.
• Got exposed to comic drawing while at Pre UWI, tried but never succeeded at it.
• Shortly realised that I can't draw caricature.
• Learnt Photoshop at Pre UWI too, I still feel proud that I'm self taught :D, I had Ps 7 for most of my life and learnt to cope with it until getting CS4.
• Also learnt Windows Movie Maker, haven't used it in ages.
• Went to Edna Manley part time for a year, quickly learnt to use different materials and started drawing things that were not cars.
• Applied to go to Edna Manley full time, I felt even more convinced after completing the written part of the application process.
• My lecturer during my part time courses suggested I did graphic design, [funny enough the head of graphic design at edna is a member of the classic car club, and he interviewed me too.]
• Eventually went to do architecture because they answered me first, I really wasn't expecting to get in, most of my friends still think I go to Edna.
• Met Pete at CSA, he exposed me to a lot of pen and ink techniques [as well as some camera experiments]
• Learnt to use other design programs at CSA [mostly self taught]: Google Sketch-Up, Dreamweaver, Auto CAD, Illustrator, In-Design, Virtual DJ [messed with for a short time], Flash [still learning] and 3DS Max [still learning]
• Just recently I realized that all the artistic ppl are on my mother's side

After all of this, I realize that I need to assemble a full portfolio of my work

GT4 vehicle listing: the peak of boredom

This should be all 165 cars in my GT4 collection, saving up right now for a Shelby Cobra and some others

Alfa Romeo [Italian]

2002 147 GTA

1965 Giulia Sprint GTA 1600

2004 GT 3.2 24V

1966 Spider 1600 Duetto

Aston Martin [British]

2003 DB9 Coupe

Audi [German]

2003 Le Mans Quattro [R8 Concept Car]

2003 Pikes Peak Quattro [Q7 Concept Car]

2001 R8 Race Car

2001 RS4

1937 (Auto Union) V16 Type C Streamlined

Bentley[British]

2003 Speed 8 Race Car

BMW [German]

2004 120d

1973 2002 Turbo

2004 M3

2003 M3 CSL

2003 M3 GTR

2005 M5

Buick [American]

1987 GNX

1962 Special

Cadillac [American]

2002 Cien

Caterham [British]

2002 Seven Fire Blade [x2]

Chaparral [American]

1970 2J Race Car

Chevrolet [American]

1969 Camaro SS

2000 Corvette C5R

1954 Corvette Convertible

1963 Covette Coupe

1990 Corvette ZR-1

2002 Silverado SST Concept

Citroen [French]

1954 2CV Type A

Dodge [American]

1970 Charger 440 R/T

2000 Viper GTSR Concept

DMC [American]

2004 DeLorean S2

Fiat [Italian]

1969 500L

1972 500R

Ford [American]

1998 Escort Rally Car

2004 FPV F6 Typhoon

2002 GT

2004 GT LM Race Car Spec II

1969 GT40 Race Car

1984RS200

1985 RS200 Rally Car

Gillet [Belgian]

2004 Vertigo Race Car

Ginetta [British]

1964 G4

Honda/Acura [Japanese]

2004 Amuse S2000 GT1

1983 City Turbo II

1997 Civic Type R

2001 Civic Type R

1990 CR-X SiR

2004 HSC

2001 NSX-R Concept

2002 NSX-R Prototype LM Race Car

1999 Spoon Integra Type R

2003 Takata Dome NSX (JGTC)

Jaguar [British]

1988 XJR-9 Race Car

Lancia [Italian]

1991 Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione

1985 Delta S4 Rally Car

1977 Stratos Rally Car

Land Rover [British]

2004 Range Stormer Concept

Lotus [British]

1990 Carlton

1962 Elan S1

2004 Elise 111R

2003 Elise 111S

2000 Elise

1998 Elise Sport 190

2000 Esprit Sport 350

1987 Esprit Turbo HC

1998 Esprit V8 GT

1999 Motor Sport Elise

Mazda [Japanese]

1991 787B Race Car

1962 Carol 360 Deluxe

2005 Mazdaspeed 6

2002 RX-7 Spirit R Type A

2001 RX-8 Concept LM Race Car

2003 RX-8 Type S (J)

McLaren [British]

1997 F1 GTR Race Car

Mercedes-Benz [German]

1991 190E 2.5 - 16 Evolution II

1992 190E 2.5 - 16 Evolution II AMG Touring Car

1954 300 SL Coupe

1998 CLK-GTR Race Car

2000 CLK Touring Car

1886 (Daimler) Motor Carriage

2002 E55 AMG

1886 Patent Motor Wagen

1989 Sauber C9 Race Car

2004 SL65 AMG

2003 SLR McLaren

Mini [British]

2002 Cooper S

Mitsubishi [Japanese]

2001 CZ-3 Tarmac

2002 CZ-3 Tarmac Rally Car

1989 Galant 2.0 DOHC Turbo VR-4

1996 Lancer Evolution IV GSR

2000 Lancer Evolution VI GSR Tommi Makinen Edition

2004 Lancer Evolution VIII MR GSR

Nike [American]

2022 One

Nissan [Japanese]

1996 240SX

1989 300ZX 2 seater

2004 Amuse Skyline GT-R CarbonR

2005 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Limited Edition

2002 Cube EX (FF/CVT)

1968 Fairlady 2000

2002 GT-R Concept LM Race Car

2004 Motul Pitwork Z (JGTC)

1996 Nismo 400R

2003 Nismo Fairlady Z Z-Tune

1992 R92 CP Race Car

1998 Sileighty

1999 Silvia Spec R Aero

1973 Skyline 2000GT-R

2001 Skyline GT-R Gran Turismo Pace Car

1993 Skyline GT-R Vspec N1

1970 Skyline HT 2000GT-R

Opel [German]

2000 Speedster

Pagani [Italian]

2003 Zonda C12S 7.3

Peugeot [French]

2003 106 Rallye

1985 205 Turbo 16

1986 205 Turbo 16 Evolution 2 Rally Car

1999 206 Rally Car

Polyphony Digital [Japanese]

2004 Formula Gran Turismo

Pontiac [American]

2002 Solstice Coupe Concept

Renault [French]

2003 Clio Renault Sport V6 Phase 2

2000 Clio Sport Trophy 24V Race Car

1980 R5 Turbo

Ruf aka Porsche [German]

1986 BTR

1987 CTR Yellow Bird

1996 CTR2

2000 RGT

Shelby [American]

1965 Mustang G.T. 350R

1966 AC 427 S/C

Subaru [Japanese]

1998 Impreza Coupe 22B-STi

2003 Impreza Rally Car

2004 Impreza Sedan WRX STi spec C

2003 Legacy Wagon 2.0 GT spec B

Suzuki [Japanese]

2003 Concept S-2 [Swift Concept Car]

2001 GSX-R/4

2002 Kei Works

Tommy Kaira [Japanese]

2000 ZZII

Toyota [Japanese]

1970 7 Race Car

2002 Caldina GT-Four

1998 Celica GT-Four

1995 Celica Rally Car

1983 Corolla Levin GT-Apex (AE86)

1989 Minolta 88C-V Race Car

1986 MR2 1600 G

2003 Prius G

1983 Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex (AE86)

2000 Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex (AE86) Shuichi Shigeno Version

1997 Starlet Glaza V

2000 Super Autobacs Apex MR-S (JGTC)

1997 Supra RZ

2002 Vitz RS Turbo

2003 Wedssport Celica JGTC

TVR [British]

2000 Cerbera Speed 12

2003 T350C

2002 Tamora

2000 Tuscan Speed 6

Volvo [Swedish]

1988 240 GLT Estate

VW [German]

1949 Beetle 1100 Standard

2000 Beetle RSi

1976 Golf I GTI

2005 Golf V GTI

2004 HPA Motorsports Golf IV R32 Stage II

1968 Karmann Ghia Coupe

2001 Lupo GTI

2003 Lupo GTI Cup Car (J)

2001 W12 Nardo Concept

The Gran Turismo Challenge

As each summer passes, my mission is to crawl closer to the 100% mark in Gran Turismo 4 [I'm at 98.8% as of today] To attain 100% the following tasks must be completed.

Gran Turismo Starting Movie for your pleasure

• All Gold Medals in the License Series: The License series is a string of events where one is required to complete a lap or a section of a track in a given amount of time. Each stage has 3 times, a Gold, Silver and Bronze time, with Gold being the fastest time and Bronze being a pass. There are 5 levels of Licenses [in order of easy to difficult]: B, A, International B [iB], International A [iA] and Super [S]. The cars, tracks and times are already predetermined for all of them. Licenses are required to enter some races. So far I have all of my Licenses but only all gold in B.
  Example of an S License run.
  
  
• Completing the Driving Mission Series: These are special races where you are put in a certain situation and required to win. It can be seen as a continuation of the License Series except you don't need to win any to enter any other races. Like the License series, the tracks and cars are already predetermined. There are different classes of missions [from easy to hard]:
  The Pass: This utilizes either one or more corners of a track where you must overtake a car similar to yours. [10/10]
  3 Lap Challenge: This series simulates the instance of trying to win from last place in the final few laps. You have 3 laps to move from last place to first. [3/8]
  Slipstream Challenge: This one requires you to pass cars similar to yours by only using a slipstream maneuver [a slipstream is an area behind a car of low wind resistance, by moving into this slipstream a vehicle from behind will achieve a speed advantage]. [4/4]
  1 Lap Magic: In this you are in last place and are given a start time disadvantage. Within one lap you must pass all 5 cars [all of which are significantly slower than yours]. [11/12]
  An example of someone completing a 1 Lap Challenge race
  
  
• Complete the Race Series: These are races with set tracks and laps, in most cases the choice of vehicles are open. There are 4 tiers Beginner, Professional, Extreme and Endurance [as the name suggests this is the series with all the long 24hr races and what not] [completed all races in the series]
  
  
• Complete the Country Races: These are races where you can only race vehicles built in that specific country. in most cases the race tracks are also located in these countries. There is the European, Japanese and American series. [completed them all I think]
  
  
• Complete the Constructor Races: These are races within the manufacturers, not all manufacturers have races and there are too much for me to list. There is usually a list of which of their vehicles are allowed to enter. [completed them all]
  
  
• Complete the Special Event Series: These are the rally races held on wet, tight, dirt and snow tracks [edit: after re-reading this I just noticed the "off" descriptions.] Unlike the rest of the racing series, this does not permit you to use B-spec mode [GT4's autopilot] [completed all of these]

So it's just license and the driving missions left. License first though as those seem easier.

My first love, a car called zoe

Roughly a year ago, the president of the Classic Car Club informed me of an interesting car for sale.. a 1989 Nissan 300ZX twin turbo for around $350k. I wanted it. After getting the number for the owner I was determined to visit him. I was heading home right after spending the whole day at the beach and had to go in the midst of downtown to look for this car.

Well as said before it's an 89 300ZX, it was originally an N/A ZX but he swapped the engine out for a full twin turbo engine [yes a full engine swap he did not just bolt on 2 turbos and call it a day. He still had the original engine as spare parts which he included in the sale [everything was there except the engine block which was stolen by scrap metal thieves] It was targa top 2+2 [because you couldn't get the 2+2 from factory with turbos, this was a one of a kind] The trunk was massive [as all Z's are] and the original color was blue [instead of this orange which is a tribute to the 350Zs shade of orange] but the biggest drawback was that it was an auto. Despite the auto slushbox and the worn leather, I loved it. Unlike the RAV 4 where you felt as if you were riding a horse, this felt as if you were in a proper cabin.

I nearly cried when my father lectured me on why he wanted me to keep the RAV4 [it was grandmothers own b4 she died]. But being the good guy I am, I helped the owner give that 300ZX find a new home. The owner constantly offered me cash offerings of kindness but I declined as a) he sold that car for much less than it was worth and b) I not going to those ends of downtown again.

Why did I love it.... I dunno. To the average man it was pure crap, but to me it showed that there is hope for the rwd auto enthusiast in this country. I felt the same way when I went to my mechanic's house today to look at his BDA powered Merkur XRTi [aka Ford Sierra] The interior was crap and pieces of the body were evaporating, but I wanted it. I really hope that by the time the current owner will be ready to sell it, I'll be ready. [and maybe by that time he might do the manual swap for me]

Portfolio: Jan 2010 - April 2010

By clicking here, you will be able to view my Portfolio so far from architecture school, enjoy.

So whatcha think?

So this really is a question post. Feel free to comment, query and criticize the blog. Do you like the layout. Do you think its meaningless..... etc etc.

The Crossdrilled Manifesto: Under Construction [again]

So this blog originally started as a design project, messing with HTML and XML. Now design has become less and less the main focus, so it really is time for me to start blogging.

The plan for this blog is for me to share my interests and possibly even educate on areas that I'm kinda literate with. The main topics I plan to touch on include: cars/architecture/art/school/music and maybe shoes. But even before I can blog some more there is a hurdle [or 2]

The name crossdrilled comes from a type of brake rotor which has holes cast into them, not drilled, in fact drilling rotors are dangerous. It sounded cool at the time and sorta appropriate [crossdrilled thoughts?] Unfortunately the name is the only thing that has stuck with this blog, until now. My main problem is organization, I find myself starting somewhere planing to end elsewhere and eventually ending up anywhere. So one thing I've decided to do is to set up groups and guidelines to help ensure I stay on track. Here are some groups that I plan on implementing later on when I switch back to XML:

• The Sounds of Science: The Music blog- music that I like goes here, headphones and mp3 might also go here [name comes from a song by the Beastie Boys]
  
  
• Horizontally Opposed: The future of the automobile- this may or may not be arguments on what the future of the car has in store. New tech will be featured here, sometimes detailed sometimes not [name comes from an engine layout]
  
  
• Diff Coolers: The cool car blog- As the name suggests only the coolest of cool go here. Usually cars or people that are cool by being different. [A diff cooler is a device that cools the differential]
  
  
• Inboard: The auto info blog- mostly auto racing stuff, you may also find info on other auto stuff here [Inboard taken from inboard suspension and brakes which are usually found on racing cars]
  
  
• Filikin Pins: happenings on the local auto scene [named after a fake automotive part made popular on WJ]. Local car features etc
  
  
• Hello Corsa: The update blog- blog layout updates go here and probably some of my more personal stuff [Corsa: my name on WJ]
  
  
• No Sleep Till Brooklyn: The school blog- all my school stuff goes here [Beastie Boys song, official anthem of bleaching]

• Drawing Gears: The sketch blog- this [I hope] becomes a graphical dictionary of some sort, mainly composed of my own car drawings

• Off The Grid: The idle blog- if it doesn't fit anywhere it fits here [named after another Beastie Boys song]
  
  
• Top Gear: stuff relating to the greatest show on earth

OK this may not be a proper manifesto after all but the fact is these are my plans of the future and The Crossdrilled Manifesto sounds cool.

So ya update

it's been ages............i dont even kno wat to put here hmmmmmmmmmmmm

TRANSFORMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

cant WAITTT!!!!!!!!

Video 1

Video 2

COMPLETE

After 24 hrs [8-9hrs gt4 time] 400laps [exactly] 50 pitstops i have won 1.2 million [gran turismo] dollars!!!! and i now own an audi r8 [lm model of course] won 3 laps ahead of 2nd place and 29 laps ahead of last place [go me]

unfortunately there is one more 24 hr race [3 in total] the last one being the same le mans track without the chicanes [aka 4 miles of straightaway]

24 Hours of Le Mans GT4 style!!!!!

To kick start my summer I decided to finish off GT4 once and for all one of those challenges included the 24 hours of Le Mans so far I have completed 200 laps in 12hrs gt4 time [4-

5hrs real time] so i'm at the half way point and I am 1.5 laps ahead of an Audi R8 [the LM racer] and 3 laps ahead of everyone else [15 laps ahead of last place] victory is imminent, patience is key

o ya my vehicle of choice is a 91 Mazda 787B, winner of the 1991 24 hours of le mans as well as the first and only japanese car to win it [also the first and only rotary engined car to win it] being GT4 of course mine is tuned to about 900hp+ [200hp above stock]

Under Construction Phase V

yup this seems to be it, no skinn issues, no ill fitting background.................so ya thats it I guess

Under Construction Phase 4

still working out skins..........unfortunately this one has link to comment on posts....i will find one !!!!! so that means starting from scratch..........o well

Under Construction Phase 3

OK this look like it sticky now, might make a bit of small changes here and there but this seems to be it. As of now posts will officially start so ya it has begun........