Civic Inspection Time

I guess I never mentioned this in a post but last month I took Geoff to Mr. Tire for a state inspection. The car didn't pass on a number of items, but they told me that if I fixed the failed items and came back within a month they would reinspect it at no additional charge. Yesterday I replaced the torn tie rod boot, which was the last thing I had to do. In total, here's everything I've done to Geoff to get him inspection-ready:

1. Done a few oil changes
2. Replaced dome light bulb
   
3. Replaced master brake cylinder
4. Replaced passenger side axle assembly due to torn CV boot
5. Re-bolted loose window track to door
6. Sprayed silicon spray on window tracks for faster window operation/longevity of rubber
   
7. Replaced rear passenger side wheel which was out of round
8. Replaced cracked driver side taillight
   
9. Replaced passenger side mirror and rear quarter panel window, which I broke
10. Switched OEM wipers with Bosch wipers for clearer vision in inclement weather
11. Replaced hood release cable
12. Replaced back-up lights fuse
13. Put on four Kuhmo tires
14. Spliced in used OEM driver side headlight harness for proper power to headlight
15. Replaced muffler (which had a breach in it from rusting) with '93 Civic DX 2dr Coupe muffler
16. Replaced driver side inner tie rod boot - CAR PASSED INSPECTION AT THIS POINT
    
17. (update) Replaced driver side outer tie rod
18. (update) Replaced cracked climate control/radio bezel
    
19. (update) Replaced clutch slave cylinder
20. (update) Installed door speakers and CD player
    
21. (update) Replaced right inner & outer tie rod
22. (update) Got an alignment at Quality Car Care
23. (update) Replaced starter
    

Tools!

It's an early Christmas! I've been making frequent trips to Crazy Ray's "you pick it you pull it" auto salvage, and have been using my roommate Neal's tools. I figured it was high time I got my own, so today I went to Sears and bought an awesome 192-piece Craftsman tool set, a 24-piece Craftsman screwdriver set, and a plastic hardware organizer. All together it set me back $196, but I know this was a good investment - all the Craftsman tools have a lifetime warranty. I already used them tonight to fix my windshield wiper blade, and I can't wait to start pulling cars apart this weekend!

Drawing

I really need to boost my drawing skills if I’m to be a good architect. I love drawing (which got me in plenty of trouble all throughout school, lol) but the military did a good job of repressing my creativity for six years. Looks like I get to make up some lost time! I especially love pen and ink drawings, so I plan to focus on that for a while. Today I’m going to talk to a friend who works at Michael’s to see if I can get a discount on some good pens.

Speaking of which, on Saturday I went with Aeree to a little crafts fair in downtown Annapolis. Most of the items for sale were just junk, but combing through one of the tables I found an awesome pen and ink newspaper courtroom drawing from 1873. I love the style and subtle use of color, and it is almost exactly how I want to be able to draw. How much did I pay for this treasure? Five dollars.

Transcript Problems

In the spring of 2005 I started taking college classes from the University of Maryland University College. I was stationed in Korea at the time, and because UMUC had a branch office on my base it seemed like the best of my few options. Though I have enjoyed a UMUC teacher or two, overall I have not been impressed with the school or it's faculty, and now they have almost screwed me out of attending UT by not mailing my transript.

Over the summer I paid UMUC to send transcripts to San Jacinto Community College in Houston. San Jac said they never received the transcripts and could not let me register. I paid UMUC to send them again, this time rush delivery. Once again, San Jac said they never received them. After weeks of dealing with both schools and no one wanting to take responsibility, San Jac finally let me register for classes based on a fax from UMUC. Now the same thing has happened with my UT application.

Long story short, I paid UMUC to send my transcripts, which they never did. Why? Because, quote the UMUC registrar's office, "I have no idea". The UT admissions office was not helpful either, and refused to give me any extension or accept a temporary unofficial transcript fax until the official one arrived. I ended up having to take off work, drive an hour to the UMUC student services center and have them hand over my transcripts, then pay for overnight mail delivery to UT. All to update one class on my transcript.

Internet Cafes

I am a huge proponent of Internet cafes. I used to spend countless hours in my basement doing homework, to the point that I felt like it was damaging my personal relationships. I bought a laptop to create some options as to when and where I could work on the computer, and it has been great! One of my favorite things to do is go with a friend (usually Aeree) to a coffee shop with Internet access and hang out. Drinking coffee or tea helps me focus on my work, plus I get to spend time with her. Here are some of my favorite free-Internet coffee shops in Maryland:

Mad City, Columbia - has that "indy" feel; nice staff; live local music weekends; within walking distance from my house!

Caribou Coffee, Crofton - more corporate but still cozy; delicious coffee; couches, though not especially comfortable

City Dock Coffee, Annapolis - within downtown Annapolis; near to lots of restaurants; not very comfortable furniture

Panera Bread, Columbia Mall - tasty cheese & broccoli bread bowls; can be crowded; interior design is more towards that of a restaurant than an Internet cafe

City Cafe, Baltimore - lively cafe/bar/restaurant in downtown Baltimore. You can get unlimited refills on certain coffees and there is artwork for sale on the walls.

Civic Hood Latch

A few months ago the Geoff's hood release cable became disconnected from the latch mechanism, and I ended up having to cut the cable and pull on it with a pair of pliers to open the hood. Replacing the cable was easier than I thought, but in doing so I noticed that one of the headlights was dimmer than the other. It looks like a previous owner spliced a new harness into the headlight wires, possibly while installing aftermarket headlights. I'll check the junkyard for OEM wires.

College Application Submitted

Today I finished submitting my application to the University of Texas at Austin's Liberal Arts department. Unfortunately, I don't currently possess the academic background to get into the UT architecture department. Garrett Loontjer, a UT architecture admissions councilor, told me last semester that my best bet is to get accepted to another program at UT, then work with him to change majors once I arrive at the school. This seems dangerous, but I'm actually not too far from getting a degree in Asian Studies anyways so if worse comes to worse I'll still get a degree. Why go through all this trouble to get into UT's architecture program? Because it is one of the best architecture programs in the country, it is relatively cheap for Texas residents, and Austin is awesome! Here is my statement of purpose essay, personal essay, and college application resume. Remember these are geared towards acceptance into the Liberal Arts department.