biggreenzebra – Page 34

MOT Passed but …

Posted on 10th May 2011 by biggreenzebra — No Comments ↓

The Zebra sailed through her MOT but she is currently off the road due to an unknown fault. Alfie at HRG is currently trying to find out what is wrong. I took her for a spin over the Easter weekend and when I came to put her back in the Garage she started and then coughed to a stop. It isn’t the crank sensor as first mooted. It isn’t electrical – she is sparking – it isn’t the fuel pump (fuel is arriving in the engine bay Ok) and she turns over as if she should start but it seems that no petrol is being injected into the cylinders. Nothing showing on Alfie’s Bosch diagnostics thingy. I can’t see it being anything too serious but proving very difficult to find.

MOT time.

Posted on 8th March 2011 by biggreenzebra — No Comments ↓

The Zebra is due for her annual MOT at the end of this month. Fingers crossed but I can’t see there being a problem apart from the fact that I accidentally left her in the stable with the handbrake on when I was forced to use her unexpectedly on Boxing Day. She was used because on Boxing Day morning it was cold, very cold and icy and I decided it was sensible to ensure that the Giulietta was topped up with screenwash. Having topped her up I discovered that I couldn’t close the bonnet. The metal catch was simply too cold to shut properly so out came the Zebra.

Got her out of the stable at the weekend only to discover that the brakes were seized due to the handbrake being left on. Took her for a run and fortunately it looks like all is working properly now but as I say Fingers Crossed.

Roxy Music MEN Manchester 30 Jan 2011

Posted on 31st January 2011 by biggreenzebra — No Comments ↓

My birthday treat from Jane.

Although I list Roxy Music as probably my all time favourite band I have never actually seen them live for one reason or another. I saw Eno just after he left the band and released Never Mind The Warm Jets at the Croydon Greyhound.

If you think Roxy Music is just Bryan Ferry you are wrong. Mackay, Manzanera and Thompson are just as important. Roxy Music is greater than the sum of its parts.

They were excellent. The gig was recorded so hopefully it will appear as a DVD at some point in the future.

What? No gadgets?

Posted on 6th January 2011 by biggreenzebra — No Comments ↓

Christmas has come and gone and I have to report that not a single new gadget found its way underneath the tree for yours truly – unless you count a new razor. Instead I had to make do with a couple of books (one of which I bought myself) and some new CD’s (most of which I also bought for myself). My “official” present was received back in October – the personalised number plate for my new Alfa Giulietta – which I suppose is a bit like a gadget.

I have to confess that on the one hand I like Christmas and on the other I hate it. I like the break from the work, the obligatory Christmas dinner and some of the stuff that appears on the TV – stuff like Morecambe & Wise or Only Fools & Horses. I dislike the fact that it costs a fortune, and that if you are a male you never seem to get a decent present after you are 25 and that it and New Year drag themselves on long after their sell buy date.

Big plus this year is the Ashes. Have stayed up until “lunch” most days to witness England truly demolish a very poor Australian team. As I write it looks like 3-1 is a formality sometime very early tomorrow morning. The only chance I can see of the Australian’s forcing a draw is if Sydney Cricket Ground is suddenly and magically relocated to Rockingham in an overnight miracle.

Behringer UCA202 USB Soundcard

Posted on 16th December 2010 by biggreenzebra — No Comments ↓

This is the gadget that I use in conjunction with a piece of software called “Spin it Again” to digitise my vinyl albums.

The Behringer UCA 202 is a USB soundcard with 4xRCA sockets that connect to the Tape Input & Output sockets on your hi-fi. Having connected it up anything that can be played via your hi-fi can be recorded to your PC.

It also has a S/PDIF optical output if required.

Also available is the Behringer UCA222 which is a more recent and slightly more expensive version. Both devices come with a vast range of free audio software that can be used to record your music etc.