Scirocco's Vroom Vroom Journal

COG-Mechanic: Journal Entry #3

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:48:18 GMT

I am FREAKED the hell out right now. A Berserker almost made it into camp today. Jesus, those things are scary. It took almost all the Gears unloading on it to even slow it down enough, so that we could get a Hammer of Dawn attack called in on it. Good thing I spent the time fixing up and boosting those Silverbacks, or we would have been SPLATTERED all over the plain. I've spent the whole afternoon patching up computer systems, the EMP from the hammer is so wicked it fritzed out almost everything in the place.

Aside from that little diversion, everything's fine. I mean, aside from the fact that we've attacked twice in a few days. I asked the Gears if that was a normal rate of contact for an outpost like this, but no one seemed to want to answer me, so I'm guessing the answer is, "No." Whatever man, who fucking cares, the COG are so bad-assed, I feel like I could be standing here in my skivvies with Locust pouring over the walls, and I'd end up fucking FINE. Long live the COG!

COG-Mechanic: Journal Entry #2

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:14:27 GMT

Day 9 of my first rotation, and this was the first day with any real excitement. Most of my job involves cleaning little bits of bone out of the Lancers' chainsaw mechanism. It takes a lot to jam one of those, but get it stuck into a Locust femur, and apparently it can happen.
Anyway, they sent me out on a refit mission for an outpost on the edge of the patrolled area. They had some heavy equipment out there that was acting up, and I volunteered to go out there with the new patrol and check it out. I hadn't been out there an hour when the intruder alarm for the outpost started going off, and suddenly there were Locust coming over the wire and trying to get over the wall. I started hearing some pretty loud explosions close by, and I was gonna run for the shelter (all I had was my sidearm) but then I heard all the Gears laughing at the perimeter. Apparently, they had taken a page from the Locust tactics manual and mined the entire run-up area to the outpost. Most of the Locust had been destroyed immediately, but there were two or three left out there, standing still, looking around for more mines. It was pretty comical, and soon the Gears started taking pot-shots at the Locusts' feet, making them jump around. A few shots, a hop one way, until inevitably, they hopped onto a mine, and then Kaboom. The Gears just about fell down crying they were laughing so hard. Eventually, they got bored, and shot the remaining Locust drones, and they even let me shoot one, just so I could get my first combat medal! Sweet!
After that, everyone went back to their business of monitoring the recon stations, and I went back to getting their Silverback put back into working order. How they got that much Lambent goo into the interior gearing, I'll NEVER know, and none of them are owning up to it.

PS: I need to look into a shell-casing recycling program for these guys. They expend SO much ammunition, and never police any of their brass. Geez, guys, that shit costs money, you know!

COG-Mechanic: Journal Entry #1

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:30:47 GMT

Well, I made it! I finally achieved my lifelong dream and I finally became a COG today! Well, most of my lifelong dream. They said I was "physically insufficient" for front-line combat (which around here seems to mean under 6'5 and 265lb of solid muscle) so they... reassigned me. They made me a mechanic. Which, you know, is pretty cool! I get to fix the guys' Lancer rifles, oil up the chainsaw for ripping into crunchy locust shells and squishy lambent skins, recalibrate the scopes on the One-shots and shit like that. I also keep the Silverbacks running smooth, and find a way to cram all that ammunition into the magazines.... MAN these guys like to hose out the bullets like that shit's FREE. Oh well, I ain't paying for it!

Jacinto was destroyed just after I joined up, so it's a good thing I got the hell out of there. I saw some shit there that made me decide one day to join up. I was tired of hearing my friends were getting killed by the damned Locust, and all I could do was hide out in the basement and hope they wouldn't find me. Screw that, I wanted to fight! So now I'm doing my part, arming up the Gears to fight the Locust and the Lambents and keep us all from being destroyed. I'm proud to serve.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I'll be on light-duty for a few more days until my back heals up, I slipped on a huge pile of spent ammo casings and went down hard, wrenched my shit up pretty bad. But no worries, I'll be back on top of stuff and doing my part soon!

Corporal Jackson out!

Writer's Block: Father figure

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:21:01 GMT

What's the most memorable piece of advice your father has shared with you?

View 1497 Answers

Don't be a drunk (although that was more by his actions than his words)

Fence Debrief

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:56:03 GMT

The fence is DONE! I have a back fence again between us and our neighbors, who we've discovered are very nice people.

Difficulty: Medium-Hard. (Most of the work wasn't that hard, but some parts required a minimum strength level. If you can't muscle around the Auger or maneuver an 80lb section of stockade fence, it'll be a little difficult to do by yourself. If you can do those things, than you can do the whole job by yourself.)

Costs:
Fence Sections: 10 8x6ft Cedar Doweled Stockade fence sections (not the cheap ones): $621
Fence Posts: 11 9ft Cedar Doweled Stockade Fence posts, 5in width: $230
Weekend rental of one Hydraulic Auger (for digging post holes) $82
5 bags of large gravel, to line the bottom and sides of post holes: $22

Other costs you may incur that I did not:
Rental truck to move auger and fence sections (I used my trailer)
Tool rental, if you do not have the following:
Mitre Saw
Reciprocating saw, for taking apart old fence and cutting down new one to other sizes than 8x6
Level
Pry bars, for loosening rocks in the ground.
Shovel
Hand trowel
Hand Sander

Labor: ~10 hours measuring and digging the post holes. Stockade fence sections are USUALLY 8 feet wide. Measure the CENTER of your holes 8 feet apart, and you should be good. I will mention that I can almost PROMISE you I have more ridiculous large rocks in my yard that you'll find in your whole neighborhood, so this SHOULD be much less using the Auger. That thing is amazing, and as I told the rental guy, it made an impossible job merely difficult. This thing will dig up small to medium rocks, but I have a LOT of medium to large rocks, and those it won't move. My friend and I would dig 6-8 inches with the Auger, hit rocks, and have to dig them out by hand. ALL of Saturday and half of Sunday were spent digging out the holes. Another small thing I learned is, "Dig the holes deeper than you have to, and wider than you think you'll need. You can always fill around the post with rocks and gravel to raise/balance it out." I ended up having to re-dig a few holes that were too small at the bottom to fit the posts, which were WIDER than I expected. Dig a 6-inch wide hole at LEAST 24 inches down from the ground level, and you'll be good. I could have actually used the holes being 36 inches deep, but with the rocks I had (and the fact that the auger bit I rented was only 2 feet long)

Actually putting in the posts, and hanging the fence sections: 7-8 hours. I estimated about 1/2 hour per section, and that was actually correct. I had to dig out two holes more than expected once I tried to hang two sections, as the bottoms weren't large enough to let the posts center the way they needed to. Also, due to having to match up with an older fence next to the new fence, I ended up taking the old fence's end post, digging out that hole extra wide, and using the NEW post for the new and the old fence, which also required me to drill extra dowel notches in the post, as the old fence was a different height. I also incurred extra time because the posts I had were 9 feet tall, and fence is 6 feet, and the holes were 2 feet deep. So as not to leave a 1-foot gap at the bottom of the fence, I had to cut off ~10 inches of each post bottom, and then fine-tune the depth of the hole with more or less gravel under the pole.
I also had probably an extra hour of time spent on cutting two sections of stockade to smaller sizes, which I had to do because of a TOTAL inability to put the fence post at one eight foot mark through a tree root, so I ended up with a 6 foot and a 5 foot section, and I had to cut them down to size, and then sand down the fence cross-braces to fit the dowel holes for the posts.

Given a better dirt-to-rock ratio, and no stupid roots, I maintain this should be a two-day project, for one person, who's moderately handy with tools, and can measure things correctly.

Thanks a LOT to my friend Chris for coming over and slogging through the digging out of all the rocks. THAT PART SUCKED, AND I AM SORRY.

State of the Fence

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 02:39:02 GMT

Today, with the great help of my friend Chris, we:

Tore out 80 feet of stockade fence
Filled up the old post holes with fill (cinder block bits, etc)
Dug 11 new post holes for the new fence
Excavated eleventy BILLION rocks from the new post holes.

My right wrist wants to fall off. Hurts like hell.

Tomorrow, new fence pieces are delivered, and we put up the new fence.

If anyone wants to help, feel free to drop by around 10am tomorrow. :)

Finished - or close enough!

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:22:43 GMT

Finished - or close enough
Originally uploaded by siercia

Pictures of our renovation project, before, during and after!

Race against Leukemia - 2010 - Charity event!

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:29:26 GMT

I'm participating again in a charity race in a few days, an event called the Race Against Leukemia (RAL). Sponsored by the New England Region (NER) of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), the RAL weekend seeks to generate funds for the UMass Medical Center Hospital Leukemia Foundation. This is an event with a more than 20-year history, illustrating how dedicated NER is to giving something back to the community.

So how does it work, and what can you do? Drivers (that's me) collect donations or pledges, and for every $10 of donations I gather, I get one free lap of the course we set up to run on (One "Run"). I can also spend my "Runs" on giving free rides to other drivers.

There are no prizes for winning. This is just a fun event solely for generating donations for the UMass Medical Center. We're racing for fun, and for the RAL itself!

Here's the webpage of what the weekend is about. http://www.ner.org/region/racing-against-leukemia

As this is a charity, this is a tax deductible donation, and I can send you a receipt (via signed PDF)

While $10 buys me a run at the course, feel free to donate less than that. I can add up donations as necessary.

This year, we are utilizing "firstgiving.com" charity donation system. I encourage you to donate through my website there for this event, "http://www.firstgiving.com/wileycoxNER". However, you may also reply here if you wish, or at VolkScirocco@gmail.com if you prefer more anonymous donations. All donations must be pledged at 8/20. Checks are OK, paypal is OK, and if you live local, cash, coins, doubloons and gold bars are acceptable currency. If you make a check out to me, I will make out one single check to RAL for the weekend to cover all the differing ways of payment. :)

Thanks for reading this!

How I'm spending a lot of my Sundays this year.

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:27:41 GMT

100_3319
Originally uploaded by greenmaxse

Me, in my New (to me) 125cc 2-stroke go-kart. SO MUCH FUN!

ImprovBoston Rock Band night

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:40:22 GMT

DSC_3130
Originally uploaded by teeonebeezero

Ever wanted to see me in a bad Blond Wig? Singing? Here's your chance! I'm in some others in the album too!

Hannah Karting, from the race yesterday

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:53:21 GMT

DSC_0007
Originally uploaded by rjb52

SO PROUD. :)

First Race Day of the Season

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:43:35 GMT

Today was a very special race day for me, the first event where I drove my OWN VEHICLE at an event. Today my very own 2-stroke CRG Kart was out there, and MAN was it set up badly. Luckily, my co-driver (who beat the hell out of me out there) knows what he's doing with karts, and "suggested" some setup changes that made the kart much more manageable. Next event, newer tires (IE: Not hard and crappy) and hopefully I'll be back in the fight amongst the front-runners in the Kart class. As for now, I was second-to-last. You know what? I LOVED every second of it.

Hannah also won her first class today, her first first-place in Formula Junior B! Hip Hip Hooray! She also reports having an A+ day!

PAX East 2010

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:34:38 GMT

PAX East 2010
Originally uploaded by hmxcommunity

This was me playing Bass back there, in Dr. Horrible's (Matt Glidden) band at PAXEast in the Rock Band Lounge. Amazing Shot!

Vandalism on our elected officials

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:45:16 GMT

People are throwing BRICKS through the windows of our elected senators for having the GALL to vote their conscience, and represent their constituencies, on the Health Bills?

Had I thrown a brick through the campaign office window of any one who didn't vote the way I wanted them to over the past 8 years, A: I'd have run out of bricks, and B: I'd probably have been arrested as a domestic terrorist. I suppose I can take this as a sign of progress?

Way to support the Government, Americans. Let's show the rest of the world we reallY ARE a bunch of petulant children when we don't get our way.

I should think this might be the least of her problems...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:45:24 GMT

Funny transcription find today: "This is an 838-year-old female who was admitted with complaints of chest pain."

And many other complaints, I might imagine....

Party conversation and LOL

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:06:28 GMT

Best overheard conversation at the party tonight.

Hostess, to a guest (Husband): I'm sorry, but I've forgotten your wife's name, and I wanted to offer her some food. Can you remind me what her name is?

Guest (Husband): Actually, I've forgotten it as well. Can you ask her and let me know what it is? (laughter)

Me: *snerk*

Workout Wednesday

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:06:21 GMT

Back to the Gym yesterday. Felt good to get back to it. I've slacked off entirely, osetnsibly to let my aching shoulders get a rest. I gave them three weeks off entirely, and they're feeling much better. Last week was the first time they didn't ache after WAKING UP in the morning, and I feel like I have a full range of motion with very little pain anywhere.

Still, I went easy on them. The three weeks off overall meant I had to drop weight on all my exercises, and I was planning on doing so anyway, to see what happened.

Bicep Curls were fine. Tricep extensions gave a little twinge that went away after a while. Chest Presses done with a LOT less weight still caused a little ouchy around the top of my shoulder, so I knocked off on those after just half a set. Rowing was fine, I went 3000 meters on the Erg machine with no problems, as well as the Compound rowing weight machine at reduced weight. Obviously, leg work and ab and back stuff was fine. I didn't try pull-ups or dips, I suspect they would produce soreness as well. :(

Today: No more soreness than just muscle soreness.

Not sure what to do from here in regards to the shoulder. Continue to be as nice to it as possible, I suspect. Avoid "press" type movements in working out. Probably save my shoulders for racing season this year (there's a fair amount of shoulder work involved in steering (and counter-steering) a go-kart.

So, that's that (so far)

Workouts

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:35:35 GMT

Got back to the gym yesterday after a little time off for my Montreal excursion (although I did use the little weight room for a short trip while I was there).

I'm still being kind to my shoulders, so no presses of any kind, although I did do some rowing, and the compound row machine. Spent extra time on the bi/tri machines (3 sets), as well as the leg machines, and ab machines. Good albeit short0ish workout, but I think I hit everything I wanted to. Go Me.

Workout Log

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:28:58 GMT

Hit the gym again tonight. Avoided any exercise that involved me pushing with my shoulder, or even most pulling. That ruled out chest presses, overhead presses, and my favorite compound row machine. I hit everything else, as well as the bicep and tricep extension machines TWICE. I hope my shoulder gets better soon.

Things learned in Rock Band last night

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:34:23 GMT

1: 25 years after I started singing along at home, I can still do a passable Freddie Mercury imitation.

2: Even though it's not particularly hard, the drumming for the Fleetwood Mac song, "Go Your Own Way" still gives me FITS. Argh.

3: I really have no idea how, but once I hang out somewhere 2-3 times, LOTS of people seem to know my name, even though I SWEAR I never told them what my name was.

Workout Wednesday

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:32:45 GMT

GOOD day at the gym today. It was crowded, but somehow I just flowed through the crowd onto all the machines I wanted. I challenged myself, and dropped 10lb on the assisted chin-ups today (down to 50lb assist), and it wasn't any harder than doing it with 60lb last week. I am officially down below 33% assist, another personal goal! I'm moving down to 40lb for the assisted dips next week, that doesn't seem like it'll be too bad, I'm better at the dips anyway.

Blasted through all my other exercises as well, after biking 2 miles on the bike machine in the cardio area as warmup. With the exception of the vertical and incline press, nothing felt too hard.

After that? SUSHI with family! Hooray!

Workout - Excellent

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:01:45 GMT

Just had an excellent workout at the gym (along with my daughter). New records on all the machines I use, and I made a great deal with my daughter. She was complaining about sit-ups being HARD, and "Ohhhh I can't do more than Fiiiiive!". She's done 30 before, and I knew it, so I said, "I'll make you a deal. However many you do, I'll do TWICE AS MANY." She gaped at me, and then started doing more more more situps. I thought she was going to hurt herself, and I gotta admit I was wondering what I'd gotten myself into, so we stopped her at 22 this time, and I said she could do more next time. I hopped onto the situp bench, and starting knocking out situps.

Situps with NO weight on you feel VERY easy after you've already done your AB set with a LOT of weight. 44 situps was NOT hard. I'm looking forward to seeing how far she wants to take this. It'll be AWESOME for both of us!

Workouts

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:43:11 GMT

Back to the Y today, for a full post-illness workout. Just about back up to my just-before Xmas weights. No dizzy spells, no feeling like vomiting. Just hard work and heavy weights.

I got a total ego boost on the circuit today. I was being followed down the circuit by two teenage boys, probably 13- or 14 years old. After I worked my way down through the leg machines to the incline press, I set it for my weight, and gutted out my set of 12. As I finished, I looked over and one of the boys was standing there looking at me. He asked, "How much weight was that?" "180lb." He said, "Holy Crap, man, you're hardcore." I explained how I'd worked up to this over the past 4 months, and that I'd started doing about 50lb. "Just keep working at it, you'll improve too."

I gotta admit, that felt kinda good. :)

Time for protein shake! Om Nom Nom!

Workouts

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:42:27 GMT

I busted out my large dumbbell last night (redundant with myself?) and had my workout. I managed to find exercises to hit my chest, back, abdominals, biceps and triceps. I'm not AS sore as if I went to the gym, but it was interesting to find how my supporting muscles were working, since I normally don't use free-weights at the gym. It was definitely better than nothing!

It's the strange things that mark the passings of time for me.

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:01:03 GMT

The Indigo Girls album, "Shaming of the Sun" is 13 years old this year. I swear, THAT ALBUM JUST CAME OUT, WHAT THE HELL. "Shame On You" is NOT A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD SONG! ARGH!