Hey guys, I decided to take some random pictures of my '04 WRX and I figured I'd post them to get some feedback. She is still pretty much stock except for engine management so keep that in mind.. :lol: Give me a wave if you ever see my around campus.. pretty sure I'm the only white WRX around campus at the moment...

I'm not joking either.

Masanutten is in threat of closing for the season already and other local resorts' base hieghts are falling rapidly. I really hope that it gets really cold really quickly .

This is for all you skiers and boarders out there....

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=513&ncid=703&e=1&u=/ap/20050105/ap_on_go_ot/social_security">http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... l_security</a><!-- m -->

Quote:But the administration is leaning toward letting workers divert 4 percentage points of their 6.2 percent in payroll taxes ÔÇö almost two-thirds ÔÇö into investment accounts, up to $1,000-$1,300 a year, the official said. The remainder of the workers' payroll taxes would continue going into the system.


Graham's plan calls for annual contributions to be capped at $1,300, while the commission proposed a $1,000 cap.


Bush "has not endorsed any specific proposal," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. "We are looking at a number of ideas for strengthening Social Security and will continue working closely with congressional leaders to move forward in a bipartisan way to get it done this year."

FDA OKs Ecstasy Study in Cancer Patients

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The illegal club drug Ecstasy can trigger euphoria among the dance club set, but can it ease the debilitating anxiety that cancer patients feel as they face their final days?


The Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) has approved a pilot study looking at whether the recreational hallucinogen can help terminally ill patients lessen their fears, quell thoughts of suicide and make it easier for them to deal with loved ones.


"End of life issues are very important and are getting more and more attention, and yet there are very few options for patients who are facing death," Dr. John Halpern, the Harvard research psychiatrist in charge of the study, said Monday.

The small, four-month study is expected to begin early next spring. It will test the drug's effects on 12 cancer patients from the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in the Boston area. The research is being sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, a nonprofit group that plans to raise $250,000 to fund it.


MAPS, on its web site, touted the study's approval, saying "the longest day of winter has passed, and maybe so has the decades-long era of resistance to psychedelic research."


The FDA (news - web sites) would not comment, but this will be the second FDA-approved study using Ecstasy this year. South Carolina researchers are studying the effects of Ecstasy on 20 patients suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.


Ecstasy, known scientifically as MDMA for methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is a chemical cousin of methamphetamine and typically induces feelings of euphoria, increased energy and sexual arousal. But it also suppresses appetite, thirst and the need to sleep, and in high doses can sharply increase body temperature, leading to kidney and heart failure, and death.


It peaked in 2001 as a trendy recreational drug used by youth at gatherings called "raves" and dance clubs.


Halpern, who has done other research on the effects of hallucinogenic drugs, said that some, when used properly, can have medical benefits. He said that unlike LSD, Ecstasy is "ego-friendly," and unlike some pain medications it does not oversedate people and make them foggy and unsteady.


Instead, he said, it can reduce stress and increase empathy. There are anecdotal reports, he said, of people dying of cancer who take Ecstasy and they are able to talk to their family and friends about death and other subjects they couldn't broach before.


"I'm hoping that we can find something that can be of use for people in their remaining days of life," he said. If there are no significant problems, he said broader studies would follow this one.


In addition to FDA approval, the study has also received review board authorization from the Lahey Clinic and Harvard Medical School (news - web sites)'s psychiatric facility, McLean Hospital. Halpern is awaiting a license from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.


It's been more than 40 years since Harvard has been the site of psychedelic drug research ÔÇö including the infamous LSD studies of Timothy Leary in 1963 and the Good Friday Experiment in 1965, done by Leary's student Walter Pahnke, studying the effects of psilocybin mushrooms on religious people.


But "this is not about trying to create some sensationalistic storm," Halpern said. "This is about trying to help these patients in a meaningful way."

I just found this kind of interesting, thought you guys might to. To be honest I think this is a great idea, and Im very curious to see how it turns out for those who are terminally ill.

just got back from G-force and had a blast as usual. They reversed the direction now so its clockwise and I really don't like it. We ran two laps, first with the normal karts and my second I got to try the super kart! finally!

Just wanted to inform you guys on the new track direction and how its slower- qualifying for super karts is now 5 laps at 25.5 seconds, the old way was about 24.7.

I had a hard time with the new setup and only got a 25.9 fastest lap out in the slower karts and a 24.9 in the S.K.

I spun with the s.k. in the first turn! haha cold tires and a twitchy fast kart. It was a lot harder to control but felt better each lap.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://venus.13x.com/roadracingworld/">http://venus.13x.com/roadracingworld/</a><!-- m -->

Since Jordan got in it I imagine we'll see some other celebs start to dabble in bikes depending on how well he does.

In other news, Mat Mladin crashed today at Daytona . Hope he's all right. Still, you can't help but to wonder when AMA is finally going to come to their senses and stop racing on rovals.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4516073512&category=63743&sspagename=WDVW">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... ename=WDVW</a><!-- m -->

--chad

Tire mounting is a bitch...

I head to Costo, they only mount tires bought from them.
I call Curry's, they want like $120.
I schedule w/ Tires Plus, and catch them taking a customer car for a joyride. I miss my appointment, although I didn't really miss it.
I call Walmart, and the guy doesn't think they can mount a 195/55/15 on a Civic Si wheel (the stock f'ing size).

GAWD! Who knows how I'm gonna get my 205 (really 217)/50/15 Azenis back on the 15x7 wheels that I order...

DATE | LOCATION (GROUP)
January 8 | Ripken Stadium (Philly)
January 22 | Ripken Stadium (Philly)
February 5 | Ripken Stadium (Philly)
February 27 | Central Virginia Community College (BRR)
March 12 | Augusta Co Government Center (BRR)
March 13 | Augusta Co Government Center (BRR)
March 19 | Ripken Stadium (Philly)
March 20 | FedEx Field (WDCR)
March 20 | Rosecroft Raceway (PCA) School
March 20 | Virginia Motorsports Park (VMSC)
March 26 | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
March 27 | Virginia Motorsports Park (NASA)
April 1 | Ripken Stadium (Philly) School
April 2 | Ripken Stadium (Philly) School
April 2 | Danville Regional Airport (BRR)
April 3 | Ripken Stadium (Philly)
April 3 | Danville Regional Airport (BRR)
April 3 | Rosecroft Raceway (MWCSCC)
April 9 | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
April 10 | Ripken Stadium (AI)
April 10 | Rosecroft Raceway (XRoad)
April 10 | TBD (MB)
April 16 | Mercer Co Regional Airport (BRR)
April 17 | Mercer Co Regional Airport (BRR)
April 17 | FedEx Field (WDCR)
April 23 | Osbourne Park HS (CDC)
April 24 | Rosecroft Raceway (TARA)
May ?? | PW County Lot (CDC)
May 1 | Rosecroft Raceway (NCCBMW)
May 1 | Ripken Stadium (AI)
May 8 | Virginia Motorsports Park (NASA)
May 8 | Manchester HS (VMSC)
May 14 | Lee HI Travel Plaza (BRR)
May 15 | FedEx Field (WDCR)
May 21 | Baysox Stadium (NCCBMW)
May 22 | Rosecroft Raceway (SESCA)
May 22 | Baysox Stadium (PCA)
May 22 | Virginia Motorsports Park (VMSC)
May 22 | TBD (MB)
May 28 | Osbourne Park HS (CDC)
June ?? | PW County Lot (CDC)
June 5 | Rosecroft Raceway (NVCC)
June 11 | Mercer Co Regional Airport (BRR)
June 12 | Rosecroft Raceway (PCA)
June 12 | Mercer Co Regional Airport (BRR)
June 12 | FedEx Field (WDCR)
June 12 | Manchester HS (VMSC)
June 18 | Baysox Stadium (NCCBMW)
June 25 | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
June 26 | Rosecroft Raceway (TARA)
June 26 | TBD (MB)
July 3 | Virginia Motorsports Park (NASA)
July 9 | Osbourne Park HS (CDC)
July 10 | Rosecroft Raceway (PCA)
July 10 | FedEx Field (WDCR)
July 10 | Manchester HS (VMSC)
July 16 | Osbourne Park HS (NCCBMW)
July 16 | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
July 16 | Liberty University or Augusta Co (BRR)
July 17 | Liberty University or Augusta Co (BRR)
July 24 | Ripken Stadium (AI)
July 24 | TBD (MB)
July 31 | Rosecroft Raceway (TARA)
July 31 | Virginia Motorsports Park (VMSC)
August 6 | Osbourne Park HS (CDC)
August 7 | FedEx Field (WDCR)
August 13 | Baysox Stadium (NCCBMW)
August 14 | Rosecroft Raceway (PCA)
August 14 | Manchester HS (VMSC)
August 14 | Radford University Dedmon Center (BRR)
August 20 | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
August 21 | TBD (MB)
August 28 | Rosecroft Raceway (NVCC)
September ?? | PW County Lot (CDC)
September 3 | Augusta Co Government Center (BRR)
September 3 | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
September 4 | FedEx Field (WDCR)
September 11 | Rosecroft Raceway (XRoad)
September 11 | Manchester HS (VMSC)
September 18 | Rosecroft Raceway (SDAC, Lotus, ALTD)
September 18 | Rosecroft Raceway (PCA)
September 24 | Baysox Stadium (NCCBMW)
September 25 | TBD (MB)
September 25 | Virginia Motorsports Park (VMSC)
October ?? | PW County Lot (CDC)
October ?? | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
October 2 | FedEx Field (WDCR)
October 9 | Manchester HS (VMSC)
October 9 | Ripken Stadium (AI)
October 9 | Rosecroft Raceway (PCA)
October 15 | Mercer Co Regional Airport (BRR)
October 16 | Virginia Motorsports Park (VMSC)
October 16 | Mercer Co Regional Airport (BRR)
October 16 | TBD (MB)
October 22 | Ripken Stadium (NCCBMW)
October 23 | Rosecroft Raceway (TARA)
October 30 | Virginia Motorsports Park (VMSC)
October 31 | Rosecroft Raceway (TARA)
November ?? | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
November 5 | Lee HI Travel Plaza (BRR)
November 6 | Ripken Stadium (AI)
November 6 | TBD (MB)
November 13 | Virginia Motorsports Park (VMSC)
November 19 | Ripken Stadium (NCCBMW)
November 20 | Salem Civic Center (BRR)
November 20 | Virginia Motorsports Park (NASA)
December ?? | Harry Grove Stadium (CDC)
December 4 | Virginia Motorsports Park (NASA)

GROUPS
AI | Autocrossers, Inc. | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autocrossersinc.org/">http://www.autocrossersinc.org/</a><!-- m -->
ALTD | Autocrossers, Ltd | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autocrossers.org/">http://www.autocrossers.org/</a><!-- m -->
BRR | Sports Car Club of America, Blue Ridge Region | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.brr-scca.org/">http://www.brr-scca.org/</a><!-- m -->
CDC | Capital Driving Club | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://members.cox.net/capitaldrivingclub/">http://members.cox.net/capitaldrivingclub/</a><!-- m -->
MB | Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Greater Washington Section | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gws-mbca.org/">http://www.gws-mbca.org/</a><!-- m -->
MWCSCC | Metropolitan Washington Council of Sports Car Clubs | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autocrossers.com/">http://www.autocrossers.com/</a><!-- m -->
NASA | National Auto Sport Association, Mid-Atlantic Chapter | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nasaracing.net/">http://www.nasaracing.net/</a><!-- m -->
NCCBMW| National Capital Chapter, BMW | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nccbmwcca.org/">http://www.nccbmwcca.org/</a><!-- m -->
NVCC | Northern VA Corvette Club | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nvcorvetteclub.com/nvcc/">http://www.nvcorvetteclub.com/nvcc/</a><!-- m -->
PCA | Porsche Club of America, Potomac Region | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pcapotomac.org">http://www.pcapotomac.org</a><!-- m -->
Philly | Sports Car Club of America, Philly Region | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.phillyscca.com/">http://www.phillyscca.com/</a><!-- m -->
WDCR | Sports Car Club of America, DC Region | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://solo.wdcr-scca.org/">http://solo.wdcr-scca.org/</a><!-- m -->
SDAC | Shelby Dodge Auto Club | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sdac.org/">http://www.sdac.org/</a><!-- m -->
TARA | Team Asylum Racing - AutoX | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.teamasylumracing.com/">http://www.teamasylumracing.com/</a><!-- m -->
VMSC | Virginia Motor Sport Club | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.vmsc.org/">http://www.vmsc.org/</a><!-- m -->
XRoad | Crossroad Racing | <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.crossroadracing.com">http://www.crossroadracing.com</a><!-- m -->

NOTES
*Capital Driving Club has some dates still to announce.
*MB doesn't have their locations announced.
*Salazar Racing doesn't have their schedule up yet.

Will be updated as soon as I am. I will also post up links to directions of each location when I get a chance.

Since the interstate was a good little road, it got a nice coolant bath from the Z. I suspect the fan clutch is the culprit - the belt came off of the water pump, the fan itself got squirrely and hit the coolant temp sensor connector (and shattered it) and then of course the car started dumping coolant out of the radiator overflow. Luckily, we (Brian and myself) were about 1 mile from Brian's apartment, so we coasted in and parked it. Guess we'll see tommorrow how bad things really are...