my volkswagen rocks your effing socks .. b*tch!

i drive a MkIII Volkswagen Golf GTI and she is the apple of my eye.
i have owned her for nearly 2 years now - and i've done a little bit but nothing major to the engine.

i took my friend andy out to meet my friend leigh last night and they stood around looking at the engine and making a list. now some of it i understood and some of it just went right over the top of my head.

the boys are making a list for me - its a little different to the list that i had, so we will see which items are necessary and which ones are nice-to-haves.

my requirements are :
i want some more power and acceleration before 3500-4000rpm.
i want smoother acceleration - better response.
i would really like another 50bhp.
shes done 180,000ks and i would like another 100,000 at least from her.

my list was :
gearbox rebuild - fix 2nd gear synchro
extractors
cold air intake
port and polish the head

whats on the boys list :

gasket set for gearbox
clutch and flywheel
2nd gear synchro ring and hub
reverse gear
bearings
limited slip diff (bolt kit for diff)
cams
adjustable cam gears
front brakes and calipers (i would really like some AP racing brakes)
wheel bearings
front hubs
springs and shocks
rear sway bar
coldair intake
extractors
blueprint manifolds
tinted windows

nell made a comment on my blog about BMW driver training - can she have handlebars?
i think she might need more than that !

MAYHEM in 35 days !

its 35 days til we leave !!!

the time has just flown by. at almost this time exactly in 5 weeks, nell and i will be taking off on another chapter in the adventures of the International Women of Mayhem.

i'm in my office today finalising the last of the accommodation bookings, updating the trip budget and packing up my bookcase. its all too exciting for words but i shall try to convey exactly what i am thinking right now.

london and yorkshire are going to be cool as i get to see my brother and meet the new girl in his life. we also get to take mom under the channel to paris for her birthday.

the united states will be a blast. we'll get to run through central park as well as enjoy a real new york show. then after mercilessly teasing andrew (junior) we'll cut a swathe through vegas and new orleans and onto miami. we're both pretty good at being miami (sun, diving and drinking)

then the adventure starts ! the real challenges will be the language and roughing it a little.

but you know what i decided tonight ?
part of growing up is growing out - growing in experience, sensibility, knowledge of the world and knowledge of self - and exactly what i am capable of is only going to increase.