It's dark in here...

So we had this crazy wind storm here in Raymond and other parts of New Hampshire. The power went out Thursday around 10:30PM. We have gas heat so we haven't gone cold, just hungry! After a few days without showers Corinne and I went to her co-worker's daughter's house to wash up. We then went out to eat with Jay and Kim. They came over to spend the night tonight because they have no power and no heat. We soon got word Dover was back up and running so they went back home for the evening. 10 minutes later (9:45 I think it was) the power came back on for us!!!! Life is back to normal. Although UNO by candlelight was a pretty good time!

Yesterday Corinne and I went on a bit or a road trip. Went down to Rocky Hill, CT to get a center tail light garnish... to Rutland, MA for a lightweight flywheel... and back home. The weather made the trip a real bitch. Took us about 7.5 hours from home departure to arrival. Damn snow...

Wedding update!

Today, Corinne and her mom went to look at dresses. She found one! I don't know much about it, so I'll tell you what I do know; it will be white and strapless. Sorry, but that's all I get until August 28th.

In other news, I take my first of 3 welding tests tomorrow. It will be a horizontal groove that I will fill and it will then be tested by some non-invasive means. This test isn't the kind of thing I feel "ready" for yet. I could always use more practice and it could always look better. But I have to get it done and move on to the next skill; vertical.

I can't wear my contacts while welding, something about them melting onto my eyes if some molten slack flies in there. For the time being I am wearing some shipyard issued safeties until I get new lenses for my other frames. These ones come with some pretty sweet side shields that I can't take off... So I look like a real winner in public outside of work until I do the previously stated.

It was a shutout!

Last night Corinne and I went to the Manchester Monarchs game with Jay and his girl, Kim. It was a real good time and was a very one sided game as we won 4-0. Only one fight, though... It's always exciting when the gloves come off. Thanks for the tickets, Jay!!! After the game Corinne and I stopped at Applebee's to get some grub and see a few of the pay-per-view UFC fights that were on.

The Zed purgatory

Yesterday, Jay and I went to Rhode Island to pick up a fender for his car. We went to this guys hows, and it wasn't hard to spot. I had 4 300ZX's in his driveway all on jack stands! This is where Z's go before they get crushed, hence my title. His name is Tony, and he buys Z's once they have crashed, had engine failure, or any other problem that isn't worth fixing. Tony strips the cars of all their parts of value; complete rear ends, entire brake systems, body parts, and misc interior goodies.


It was a very worth while 5 hour round trip as Jay got more parts he needed for his car and I picked up some brown seat belts! Why the seat belts you ask? My 240SX has automatic belts (as all USDM S13's came from the factory). A popular upgrade is to install the manual belts from an S14 chassis. My hurdle is my brown interior, S14's never came in brown and I'm dead set on keeping my poo poo interior color. I have a bit more work to do because as far as I know, no one has swapped 300ZX seat belts into the 240SX. I will be documenting every step in hopes that it all goes smoothly and others can do the same swap with ease.


On our way down to RI we stopped in Salem, NH to pick up a lip for my front bumper. It needs a bit of repair work and paint before installing on the 240, but I got a great deal on it!

The weekly poll...

On the forum I most frequently contribute to, 240sxONE.com, I started a weekly poll. I've done 18 now... With the new job I don't get to sit on the internet cruising the forums when there isn't work to do for 8 hours, so I tried passing the roll onto two other members. Guess how I did it? I did a poll... It turned out to be a tie, so I figured I would try my best to keep the weekly polls going.

Because my PC has shit the bed I've been using my iPhone for everything internet related. This makes posting weekly polls very hard and time consuming. I just spent 55 minutes composing this weeks poll, Best Meshies. With my finger over the "submit post" button the iPhone dies. When I get it plugged in and back to the internet browser it was all gone... How frustrating!!!

I think its time to get a new computer. This pushes back motor build plans... In other news, nothings new.

Something I forgot to mention in my last post, Breaking Benjamin played the Halo theme during their set. Definitely one of the better performances of the night. They were showing video clips of the game during the performance, it was great. That song never made it to one of their full length albums.

Breaking Benjamin LIVE...

Last night we went out and saw Breaking Benjamin in Lowell, MA. The show was great! We went with Tom and his girl Cassie. They played all their best songs you'd expect to see, opening with "I Will Not Bow" from their new album, Dear Agony. They performed a great version of "Dream On" while showing a slide show of deceased musical masters, starting with Kurt Cobain and ending with Michael Jackson. They dedicated their performance of "Into the Nothing" to all those serving our country and fighting overseas with videos of Marines raiding buildings. It was a pretty powerful performance! Breaking Benjamin ended the night the "The Diary of Jane" from their last album, Phobia.

A few other songs performed were "Cold" "Polyamorous" "Sooner or Later" "Fade Away" and "Break My Fall"

Anyone who doesn't know who Breaking Benjamin is, I would recommend going out and purchasing one of two albums, We Are Not Alone or Dear Agony. This is the second time Corinne and I have seen them live, and will most likely see them every time they come our way!

Metal on metal

For the past three days I've been welding all day. I've been laying bead after bead after bead. It's pretty cool being able to learn this, and getting paid for it too! I've also started to carpool with another newbie in my shop to save on some cash.

I'm surprised and quite dissapointed with the selection of food or places to eat on the shipyard. There's really only two places to get food during the day. One place just plain old sucks. It's a buffet style and pay after you get your "food." It all looks like leftovers under a heat lamp. The second has pretty good food. Its all pretty much sandwiches, salads, and soups. Only problem is the prices. I ordered a Ham and Turkey on a bulkie roll + mustard and provolone. $8.00 + tax. Yeah, eight bucks! I've been packing a lunch the past few days.

Do work...

Yesterday, I did some basic maintenance on the cars. On Corinne's car I did an oil change and installed the yellow fog light bulbs I got her for Christmas. They look great!! On the 240, I also did an oil change and did a little exhaust work. It sounds great! Its almost a little too loud for my tastes, so I've been thinking I might put the baffle in. I still need to replace the spark plugs in the Acura and the thermostat in the 240, but was a little too crunched for time yesterday.

Today I went to Pat's to help him clean the barn while Corinne went to hang out with some friends and do ceramics. We made some great progress but still have a ways to go with the barn. We are looking to make some car parts, so we need some room to work. I also need to pick up a welder!

I used a welder for the first time yesterday!!! Not at work, but after working on the cars. Corinne's friend from work is nice enough to let us work in their garage, and her husband was freshening up on his welding skills. He let me run a few beads after giving me a quick rundown on how it works. Wicked fucking cool stuff! I can't wait to learn the trade while at work!! Makes it real easy to wake up at 5AM for work!

These boots were made for walk'n...

Got myself a new pair of steal toed boots today. I need them for work. I've never been a fan of boots like these as I've never had a need for them. They will take some getting used to. The best thing, I will get reimbursed for them, and can buy new ones every six months!

Thank you for paying your taxes.

Priceless...

Some how, I revived a revolution. I'm never one to give myself any credit. But this time, I can't help but think I had something to do with it. I made this comment on a forum:

"Parts car... $500
Sawzall..... $125

Getting your moneys worth... Priceless!"


Now, I can't help but notice everyone using the famous "Priceless" short story lines made popular by MasterCard. Nonetheless, It's nice to see others making progress on their cars. Reminds me that I need to get off my ass and get to work on my motor build.

Things to accomplish in the near future:

• Get crank pulley off the engine
• pull crank from block
• take block and crank to machine shop
• order bearings, rings, timing and oil components
• PUT MOTOR TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME!

The first day jitters are over...

Today was my first day as an apprentice at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. I can tell I am going to like this place!