Oh and reviews...

Angel Light by Andrew M. Greeley, I wanted to like it, I really did. It was a light romantic mystery about a young man who is aided in his path to happiness (read shamelessly bullied) by an angel. It is supposed to be a retelling of the biblical story of Tobias and Sara. Tobin has an bit of a problem, in order to inherit $10 million he has to court and marry his Irish cousin and settle an ancient family feud. He has a few advantages; he is a gifted computer programmer and has a charming supportive younger sister and an angel on his side. This would have been fabulous light entertainment if I could have got past how painfully self conscious Greeley is when it comes to writing about sexuality. cricketksays his Blackie Ryan books are better - probably due to priests being expected to find the issue of sexuality confronting.

Angel Fire in the same series has an older male protagonist who is a lot more comfortable with thinking *gasp* norty thoughts. A charming scientist working on the evolution of fruitflies is adopted by an angel when his work turns out to have dark and sinister implications concerning the evolution of the human race. On the way, while being a delightful imp of a man, he is nudged into embracing a little more of his own potential. I love the portrayal of angels, the lighthearted banter, the sweetness. Awwwwww.

Hollow Man by Dan Simmons. Jeremy Bremen is a mathematician and telepath, his wife - whose combined mind-shield helped keep them both sane - has died and his ground-breaking work in modeling the working of human consciousness is has been abruptly abandoned. Unable to cope with the overpowering 'neurobabble' and his own despair he forsakes his previous life and flees through a series of bizarre and sometimes brutal life experiences. This is kinda cool, there's a healthy dose of chaos theory, quantum physics and neuroscience blended into what could, with a tiny shift in direction, be a horror novel. Simmons has a bit of a leaning toward exploring the darker side.

The History of Cyril

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Cyril is a blue 1978 Honda Civic

Past Owners:

Yvette Brown owned him for at least 5 years before me. She caught a bus to work so only used him on weekends.  1996 to 2001 ?

Sarah Ryan                   2001? to May 2003
            New battery early 2003
           

Kirsten Richards             May 2003 to September 2004
Tuned August 2003
Now also leaks over the front passenger seat
Has been known to grow grass in the foot wells
I would advise restricted travel in summer

              Me             September 2004 onwards
            New-ish battery from my old Laser Sep 2004.
 

From Sarah Ryan

Sarah Ryan: Paul's dad ( a mechanic ) has tinkered with Cyril over the last nine months. Other than choke ( see below) he's mechanically sound (Cyril, not Peter).

New Battery of summer 2003? Well, that would now be September 2004 anyway.
New halogen headlights last year - high beams very good. 2002
New water pump a few months ago. 2003 - remember to fill up the bag.
I've had him two years - fine with driving in Kangaroo country and up and down hills at night.
Last tune up was earlier this year. Last tune up was August 2003
CHOICE Cable broke today. Costs $15 for a new one. Until then he needs accelerator to warm up in the morning. (Automatic choke - very good when working)

INSIDE
Fuel, temperature gauges are all accurate,
Internal light works
Radio - sometimes you have to jiggle aerial
Immobiliser - light always flashes, it works some of the time (and always when you least expect it). - button under your sear to the front-rightish.

Sometimes door to the boot leaks
Spare tyre is fine, I recommend double checking this.
To open bonnet - lever under steering column to left.
Back seat folds flat for more boot space. (You can go to Ikea and buy bookshelves in this car.  It's astonishing!)
Close drivers door very firmly! (and lock it.  Might fly open even if it has been closed firmly - particularly when turning left sharply)

Gears are very wide (You'll see what I mean) so you can hit your passenger's knee if not careful.(or, you now have a fabulous excuse to fondle all your friends!)

OUTSIDE
Key to fill petrol (passenger side) - takes Super but if you use premium it runs better.
Has new water pump-radiator hardly ever needs topping up.
Oil - I check every week but I drive up and down many hills.
Bonnet opens backwards
All brake lights, indicators work fine, new headlights.

From Kirsten Richards

Cyril now also leaks over the front passenger seat and has been known to grow grass in the foot wells.

I used him to get to and from training with warm knees.  His temperature rises very rapidly, but this should be better with the new radiator fluid.  Stilll - I would advise restricted travel in summer.  Don't let him overheat because it is very bad for him.  Make sure you drink plenty of water in summer too.  I have contracted heat stroke while driving Cyril to Wil's house on one occasion.

If you can find a mechanic willing to bodge the choke for you that will probably also make a difference.  Note that the three reputable mechanics I spoke to believe that it is impossible to replace the choke and I was unable to source a suitable choke in Australia.

He will tend to run on after turning the engine off.  The carby is old and leaks fuel through, but he usually doesn't run on for too much longer. 

He's a good car that's had a long and fruitful life.  May he serve you well.