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MG Midget and Sprite General - Out-Propping Prop - Chapter 2

After my recent report on my instrument panel conversion, work has proceeded apace... I now have all the instruments and sensors wired through a multiplex bus to a central processing center, and all seems to be working well.

The next phase was to add some in-car entertainment, so I pulled a few all-nighters and I think we're there... rather than do what everybody else is doing - i.e., listening to pre-recorded music - I did some tweaking in the processor code and have developed an environmentally-aware artificial intelligence that feeds into the audio system. Fortunately, Maybach uses something like that and I was able to get the core unit on eBay for just a few thousand.

After some intensive software tweaking, I finally got what I wanted... the sensors observe the surrounding environment and feed the data into the composition engine, which then writes appropriate music on the fly, based on your surroundings. The resulting music is then fed to a Harman Kardon amplifier that sends a Bluetooth signal to a set of bone-conduction transducers that provide full-fidelity audio through my skull, so I can hear everything regardless of road conditions.

On my first test, I took the Midget out into the rural parts of the county, where most of the scenery currently consists of dormant cornfields. After a few tentative notes, the sound system flowed forth with a magnificent pastoral symphony, which seemed to express the sadness of resting fields, but carried with it the promise of long days in the sun, spring planting, and a surfeit of grain in the ear. This was the kind of music that Vaughan Williams really wanted to write, but couldn't, and died regretting it. I was so overcome that I pulled off the road and wept.

Another motorist, observing my situation, pulled up behind me, walked up to my door, patted me on the shoulder, and said that he understood completely, in that he used to own an MG himself. He suggested I check the condenser, and went away.

I finally pulled myself together and started for home. Unfortunately, I didn't quite make it - apparently the standard Midget battery isn't up to the task of composing symphonies, and it expired a few blocks from home... but not before using its last volt to push out a few bars of the "Lacrymosa" from the Mozart Requiem.

Looks like I'm going to need a bigger battery.

-:G:-

Gryf Ketcherside

>>>>>the sound system flowed forth with a magnificent pastoral symphony, which seemed to express the sadness of resting fields, but carried with it the promise of long days in the sun, spring planting, and a surfeit of grain in the ear.<<<<


Wow, Ernest Hemingway !!!

So gryf kethcherside is just an alis... and you faked your death in cuba? lol

Nice verse gryf...You should build on that. its got some real legs to something nice

actually this has more the charm of william fualkner then E H... but this aint american lit class...lol

Prop
Prop

Gryf, was that other motorist dressed in a uniform and just told you to move it buddy after he gave you the standard sobriety test? ;-)
Prop, Hemingway didn't die in Cuba, he died by suicide near Ketchum, Idaho.
B Young

ah... thanks for the correction Bill,

I thought he killed himself in cuba... but that was about 30 years ago when I had american literture last, So I guess the brain did manage to retain some basic info... I cant rembemer for the life of me...how he took himself out, did he shoot himself and hang from a rope... It seems like I remember he shot himself

BTW ...was it really an actual sucide? Did the authorities ever decide? I do sorta remember a debate we had in class as to wheather it was a true planned out sucide, or an attempted/accedint that went wrong (or right depending on your interpertation...LOL) I remember he had some serious issues with the bottle and the death of his young child and some other issues as well... plus the death scene didnt look quite right for a sucide... Although Im not sure what the scene of a sucide is SUPPOSED to look like...but i remmeber there was some question mark as to weather it was a drunken depreesed Attempred accident or a planned out, definatly exiting planet earth decision.

anyway... I dont know... im probably thinking of something or someone else... it was 30 years ago. scence I cared last...LOL

Still the main point I wanted to convey... I really think gryf has the makings of a great poem, or short story of some type... its a great sounding verse.

I do remember that "Old man of the sea" was a good book. if that is any constalation


Prop
Prop

"On my first test, I took the Midget out into the rural parts of the county"

You've definitely outdone Prop Gryf. Your car moves :-)
graeme jackson

Gryf, that's a great post, a real classic. Amused me no end.

You must be reaching the limits of your upgrades by now and putting the chances of winning the concourse in jeopardy.

dave
D MATTHEWS

>>>>putting the chances of winning the concourse in jeopardy.<<<<

Not at all, cos those modifications were carried out by the owner and therefore are not modifications and have no baring on the outcome of the concourse results.

Oh hold on, thats at a normal concourse event .....

... put the brasso down, step away from the car ...

.. now go shoot yourself in the face ..

. better!!!

Back to normal Midget ownership, as you were!
PeterJMoore

Prop,
He used a shotgun, the manly way.
Phil Burke

>>> You must be reaching the limits of your upgrades by now and putting the chances of winning the concourse in jeopardy. <<<

Oh, not at all. my modifications are based entirely upon secret plans - recently unearthed - dating from the brief and otherwise undocumented period when BAe was considering a buyout of British Leyland. Their intent was to use aerospace technology to update the BL lineup, and what you see in this thread is essentially a recreation of their concept vehicle, now lost. I'm just doing my part to realize a little-known chapter in the motley history of MG.

By the way, I'm very saddened to report that apparently the autopilot switched itself on some time last night, and I have no idea where my car is at the moment.

:-(

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Gryf,

for the aerospace affectionado's on BBS whats your 'Rotate' speed?

Alternatively, when are you trying it out at/over the Grand Canyon?

Peter
PJ HOBSON

>>> for the aerospace affectionado's on BBS whats your 'Rotate' speed? <<<

Ah yes, my VR... Frankly, I don't know yet. The front wheels just begin to lift at 130 with a tug on the yoke, but it creates a rather frightening sensation. So I've been preventing this situation by raising both sunvisors to provide a bit of downforce.

By the way, I mentioned above that the Midget had recently disappeared, thanks to the autopilot activating itself a couple of nights ago. After a call from the police, we found the car across town, parked outside Timothy's Irish Pub, and playing "Whiskey In The Jar" at considerable volume.

I suspect this may have something to do with the methanol content in our fuel.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

"Whiskey In The Jar" ...

Was there ever such a better irish folk song, I just dont think so!


In the UK is this song called "whiskey in the jar", or do you call it "Kilgary Mountain" ???


As a teenager,,, I loved Roger whittaker... I thought he was one of the greatest vocalist of my time...Now Im so embarresed saying that, and you know whats really sad, I still like him...gez hahaha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlMcVfDLRKk

prop... because Of roger, I can now whistle in both english and french

Prop

This thread was discussed between 08/03/2011 and 14/03/2011

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