Latest project on the jeep

I finally gathered enough money to buy a new sound system for the jeep! I decided to go with Sony Xplod speakers because they had a 270 watt limit, I already had a Xplod head unit, and also looked pretty neat :-p The rear speakers were simple to put in. I got a wiring diagram off the Internet, cut the factory harness and rewired it to the new speakers. The front speakers were a bit more of a problem. They are located in a tight spot and use a different style of mounting system than the aftermarket speakers. Instead of making another mounting plate, I decided to use the old one and retro fit them to accept the new speakers. Here are the pictures of the process.

I cut out the old fabric and woofer and kept the plastic guard on to make it easier to cut out the coil and magnet.

Here is the rudimentary stage of cutting out the coil and magnet.

I have it all cut out where I need it and have it hammered into shape. After this stage I used a dremel and a file to smooth out the edges.

I drilled holes to line up with the aftermarket speaker and used tinnerman nuts with the old screw to secure it into place.

All finished and ready to install. I had to cut out one of the supports in the dash to allow a larger magnet size, but otherwise it was a clean and simple install :-)

Skypeing it up!

Ben recently reminded me to download the free video communication service called Skype. A couple other friends of mine have the some program, so I figured it would be a neat accessory to have. All users from across the globe can connect and talk with decent quality video in real time. My laptop is set up for the video/talk thing with an integrated camera and speaker, so all I had to do was click "download." I love It! It's really neat how I can communicate while seeing the person with only a .16 millisecond lag. I encourage anyone who has an integrated camera and speaker, or anyone with about $10 to go ahead and set up an account. The service is free and it's quite simple to use. Go to Skype.com and the download button is on the home page. once download, all you need to do is set it up by entering a few boxes on information. My Skype name is Volacious for anyone who has Skype or will have it in the future.

"It's a jeep thing"

There's a lot that goes into the saying "it's a jeep thing." First off, when was the last time you bought a car, and because you have that car you are included into a specific loyalty between all others who own that same make and model? Well... that's what it's like owning a Wrangler. It's much deeper than the famous "Jeep wave."

Right around the time I first got my Jeep, I was tring to pull out onto an extreamly busy street. A concert had just let out and there was no way i was going to be able to cross both lanes. Just as I was about to give up, a Jeep Wrangler stoped inbetween both lanes so that I was free to cross. Now that's a loyalty that you can't top!

Of course, there is the argument over whether fast is better than off-road. I was once told my someone "Jeeps are useless because they can't even go past 70." I, in defence of my vehicle, turned to him and said, "well, what makes your Probe any better than my Wrangler?" He replied, "My car can get from point a to b in way less time than your Jeep can." I then turned back to him and said, "My Jeep can go from point a to b in a straight line, i doubt yours can, and if my geometry isn't mistaken, a straight line is the fastest route to any other point. I'm not endangering other peoples lives or my own, plus i'm never in any danger of a speeding ticket." He tried to argue for a little while then gave up. The best part was when he went to leave, his "all powerful" Probe wouldn't start. Guess who had to jump start him?

Last of all, there is that feeling you get even looking at a Jeep that is indescribable, espeacially to those who have never driven a Jeep. I get called crazy all the time because i have become so attached to my car. My Jeep, although it is far from impressive, means a lot to me. The memories in that Jeep are beyond compaire. It's hard to get a better feeling than the one found with a couple of your friends in a topdown Wrangler driving into the summer skies.

Again, there is much more to the saying "it's a Jeep thing." It's just the shortest way we can describe the loyalty, capabilities, and memories that comes with the ownership of a Jeep

Jeepin' up on Arminia Mtn.

Here are a few pictures from my recent adventures on Arminia Mountain. Hope you enjoy them :-P

This is my rig. I like her with the big shoes ;-P

These things really dig in.

Darin got a little stuck...

This is the South Pipeline It runs for quite a while as you can see.

Trailing

Ice puddle!

Just a bit deep for a stock s-10, but he got through it.

Doesn't even Phase Darin

Cover shot

Articulation to the max

Not so much articulation, but it works.

200 Ft Down... nice

Sean got a little hung up...

...Just a little

Wave hello

Throwing some mud

Last picture of the day

The Window

This morning, like every morning, I found myself sitting on my bed looking out my window. It occurred to me that I wasn't actually looking out my window, but looking at the picture the window gave me. It was like I was blankly staring at a visage of some still life drawing; unmoving, unchanging, yet still with "purpose."

You see, many people don't have the perspective or don't see things, in the way they should be. We constantly toil to "see" what is there, but we don't remember what we are looking at. We force what we think to be true onto what is true. We look at every object as a whole and fail to see it as itself. We fail to see through the pane and understand what is beyond it, not just what it appears to be.

Maybe the glass isn't clean and it's impairing our ability to see everything clearly. Our view is distorted by the small blotches and smudge marks from past interaction with the window, or the mud flung onto it in speckles dotted in mysterious patterns. We can't concentrate on what is beyond it because something is closer. We can't see the whole image because we can't see through the marks. We can't understand what is beyond it because we are focused on the imperfections.

I'm sitting here, drinking a polish mug full of hot cocoa, staring out my kitchen window. It is dark now and there is nothing to "see." Does that mean it's not there? I'm sure you have caught onto my analogy by now. The window acts as our perspective and the objects are everyone around us. We are sometimes stuck trying to find things out because we fail to see the individual. We are sometimes unable to understand people because we cant see through the distractions and imperfections. Or Maybe we are blind to the fact that anyone is there at all because we don't see them.

You've heard that life was like a box of chocolates, because you never know what you're going to get. Life is also like looking out a window, you'll never know what you don't see.

I think I need to get a new style of font. Seriously, my last post had flowers for bullets.... I like flowers (hence my background), but not retarded text-style ones.

Today was election day. It came and went pretty fast, I should say. I find it odd such a big day still doesn't seem too "big," in light of what i did today. I suppose it will change our future very little, or quite a bit (depending on who wins). Let's pray that this day builds up our nation, rather than tearing it down.
Working in the elections office was quite an expiriance. I found it funny; all the stupid problems people called about throught the day. Here are a couple of my favorites:

• "are they allowed to have signs?"
• "am i registered?" (quite frequently asked)
• "where's George?" (my favorite)
• "where do i go to register? Oh, i'm late. Can i still vote, Please?"
• "Is this the Criminal Justice Office?"
• "what do i need to take the the elections tomarrow?" (obviously, this one was halarious)
• "what party am i registered under?"
• "Can i vote twice if i'm registered in two places?"
• "what happens if i hit next too many times? Can i vote again?"