Stuck Ep. 2

So, this is a funny one. Recently, my dad and stepmom have become what we northerners call, snowbirds. (He thought he'd never be a snowbird! What a ridiculous idea!)

I'm an adventurous person. I thought about having a little fun. Because my parents were not up at their house and they were in Florida I figured I'd give it a shot and try to drive up to their house when there was snow on the ground. You have to understand that taking on a feat like this is close to insane. Sometimes the snow on their driveway doesn't melt until May!
Part of the driveway is plowed because somebody lives up on top of the hill but the rest of the driveway was not plowed going up to their house.

I do have a four-wheel-drive truck with 18-inch tires. I'm also able to put the transfer case in 4 Low to give me more torque. So I proceeded to drive up the plowed portion of the driveway thinking this will be good I'll have fun. So I get to the Y in the driveway where it splits and I give it a little extra gas and plow over the tiny snowbank or what I thought was a tiny snowbank.

Maybe all of you or some of you know that feeling when your vehicle tends to just sink a few inches in my case maybe four or five or almost 10 I guess I don't know. Anyway, that's the feeling I got as I crested the snowbank and settled on the other side. I said to myself, "oh crap". I proceeded to put it in reverse and try to walk the truck out. Wasn't happening! Didn't even rock back and forth! 

AND, there is no cell service!
Now, I am wondering what my wife will say? Oh right, "what a dumbass!"
I get out of the truck and climb on top of the truck to get cell service.
Aha!
One bar!
Yes!
Who do I call? John, yes John. Ring! Ring! Crackle! Ring!
Hel..... whats goi... ..n?
I'm up at my dads and I am stuck. Can you come up and pull me out?
Lo and behold, our friend pulls me out.

Ever since then I do drive up there with diligence. :)

The Flintstones

I always loved watching Fred stop the stone wheel car with his feet. During every episode I would anticipate the scene when Fred would throw his heels to the ground and literally stop the vehicle disobeying  all laws of physics. Imagine no floorboards in your car and traveling at 30 mph or even 10 mph and jamming your heels to the ground stiff leggin it. Oh that would be messy.

In the early 80's my father owned, maybe borrowed, a white rusted dodge station wagon. For some time I got to ride shotgun without a seat belt! I could feel the heft of the vehicle sailing down the road. I remember thinking how solid the car was how unstoppable it was.

Well, I don't remember the exact circumstances but I do remember having to get the car from point A to point B without brakes. Yabba dabba doo! In we go and stay up the flagship rolling down the street. my dad explained that we still had the emergency brake so we would be fine. I was approximately 9 or 10 and really had no concept of what he meant. Simply push the brake down with your foot and pull the release lever when you want to move. 

Not until later in my life did I realize the skill involved in stopping a 4000 lb vehicle with rear brake drums.

Anyway, probably the most boring post I've written but hope you enjoy! Leave a comment below if you are so inclined. 

Stuck Ep. 1

However you may deal with being stuck in the mud or a snowbank it still stinks. Your plans are disrupted your schedule is off and what was going to happen is now on hold and to get past this you must adjust.

I've been there. we all have been there. that feeling of helplessness. we literally can't do anything until AAA or someone comes along and gives us a hand. That feeling when the world has reached out its hands. Humanity is not lost. Someone gives a crap. Someone has an extra minute to spare to help one in need. Analogous to a hug or that first sip of a beer giving you the feeling that everything is going to be fine.

Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to be that good person, that good samaritan. Pulling up on someone that is not having a good day and they are more stuck than stuck. There's no getting two or three people to push them out. What the heck, let's give it a shot.

As I slow to a stop and put it in park, thinking there is no way of pulling them out. I get out of the truck and walk over to the vehicle. The driver is either in tears or shaking and trying to text someone but they get no reception. I tell them I am going to back up to the vehicle and strap us together and see what happens. In the back of the truck, I go to get the 20,000 lb tow rope out. It's a nice one! Locate a spot on their vehicle. (Once I hooked to the latch where the minivan rear door catches to shut. I thought I would be buying them a new rear end. But fortunately, I walked the van right out. Newer vehicles are becoming more and more difficult to attach a tow rope to.)

Anyway, after pulling the person's vehicle out they immediately get out their wallet or purse getting ready to hand me a check or money. I eagerly take it thinking, "finally! I can buy new rotors for the bimmer". Just kidding. I simply tell them that having the satisfaction that people are grateful and I have aided someone in need is enough for me.

As I get back in my vehicle and drive a feeling of overwhelming warmth takes over and my day has just been completed.

So, remember, time can be best spent when 2 minutes are shared to help others.

A Day at the Races

Upon entering Watkins for the time this year familiarity overcame me. Driving into the gate felt old to me like I have frequented this establishment for decades. The big Watkins Glen International Raceway flag rippling from the hilltop breeze. People with clipboards at the kiosk waiting for your signature. I think what really made this familiarity come to life was driving under the tunnel where the top of the esses are. That to me is the real "gate" to the track.

In the distance were sounds of an old 914 Porsche gurgling anticipating the new asphalt. Then my ears were filled with revs screamin' down the front straight. Behind me was a diesel engine pulling a trailer accompanied by an E46 M3. Just like mine!
I couldn't smell the diesel exhaust but I could sure imagine it. Instructors were already on the track testing out the new pavement. Tires being chewed by the asphalt and big 16" rotors off-gassing only whetted my appetite.

Can you taste it?!

Steering the car into the garage/pit area proved to be the defining moment when my hunger and thirst heightened, longing for track time. Similar to Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde! Within seconds emotions transformed my civil law abiding self into an evil drooling Tadmanian devil. My stomach turned and butterflies flapped their wings inducing anxious adrenaline.

That's all for now!!!

Except for this last note: As I hit the publish button and feeling ashamed I haven't written in awhile I happened to scroll down to see when my last post was. Exactly one year ago.

Stagnant

I  have learned over the years that if you have become stagnant in life then you must create a spark. As you all know I have done exactly that by buying Marsha. Yes my car is named after Marsha Brady. I was always attracted to Marsha. She was very pretty and had beautiful lines. I pictured Marsha as this beautiful delicate person. In addition, thoughts swirled around knowing that once I turned her on then she was ready to go. I am talking now about the car! Sometimes this idea is what we "motorheads" call a creeper. Looks are very appealing but under the hood there is a menacing power that is just waiting to be unleashed.

Anyway, Marsha has been good to me. The second one, that is. She has kept me safe and we have had much fun at the four HPDE (high performance driver education) events that I have been to so far.

So where do I go from here? Not sure. I have my sights set on becoming an instructor at track events. Somehow I realize that this is an achievable goal. I can become that instructor that I dream to become. In the past, when I wanted something I wanted it now. Not tomorrow or the next day or even in a year, but NOW! Is that being spoiled and believing that I deserve it because of who I am? Do I deserve what I want because I believe I am a great person? Is the answer obvious to you? Patience has always been  a strength of but not until recently did I understand that events occur in my life and I am NOT patient. Patience is simply not waiting for gratification but an avenue used for learning and reaching.

Recently, at an event last year, I pushed for an instructor to perform a checkout ride with me. Basically, to see if I am ready to move to the next level. I was not. As the instructor approached my car he looked very serious. He got in my car and showed his aggressive pitbull attitude about something in my car that he didn't like. He made quite a stink about it. Asshole! He called the cheif instructor over to look at my car and the chief said it was ok. That really shook me. I tried to let it go but I still harbored anguish towards this jerkoff in my car. Well, one lap in a black flag was thrown. I know the flag stations and saw the flag. At the end of the lap people were pitting in and I continued on my way. That ended my checkoff ride! On a black flag everyone is supposed to pit, even my dumbass! So he told me to continue to an exit road and wait. I waited and was flagged to proceed down pit road to exit the track. As we came to the exit/entrance he told me to stop. Apparently I didn't stop fast enough and he started yelling at me saying, "when I tell you to stop you stop! Not in ten feet but now!" It was the worst experience I have at the track so far.


To say the least, I was not ready and not patient enough. As I look back on times when I wasn't patient I wound up quitting and believed that I was not worthy. So I would sulk to myself and lose interest in the aforementioned goals. I also learned, as I did in college, how not to teach. That man is not fit to be in my car and I will not allow dod bird to become stagnant. Achieving goals takes courage and most likely is risk taking that can push you into an uncomfortable zone.

Well here it is, my second year attending HPDEs and I have stopped saying, "I can't wait for this", or "I can't wait for that to happen".

For me impatience leads to stagnancy and bad hpde instructors. How about you?

All I remember is blue!

As I grew into my (not so) adulthood I came to realize that having $1,000 cars were great but they soon became unreliable. Go figure! I really don't remember how it came about but my mother and stepfather offered to cosign a loan for me. Awesome! I wanna say it was about 1992-1993, not sure though. I was 22, I think.

What comes to mind is a vivid memory of us getting into a car and driving to Bob Johnson or John Holtz. Pulling into the lot was invigorating! Seeing all these new cars and trucks invoked excitement, love, aspirations. We walked around the lot for a little bit and soaked up the array of models and colors.

I was in awe! Vehicles! I couldn't believe I was about to get a new vehicle. What a neat thing, something new that I could drive, reliably for a decade or so.

Powder blue! Ah! There it is. What's the sound that's like a revelation? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, with a halo over it. I fell in love. I got in the new little, Nissan truck ( 4 cylinder) that seemed to fit like a glove. It had the old style long shifter that stuck up from the floor about 16". I took it for a test drive and wanted it.

For some reason didn't purchase it. There was a subconscious I think that said **irresponsible**. I really don't know. Anyway, I drove home with my parents without the truck.

What a dumbass move:)

James Brown Too!

We jumped from little Tad, who was dying to drive and trying to drive to present Tad who is ready to drive. Now on to future Tad who is anxiously anticipating this upcoming driving season. I am scheduled to drive at Watkins for two events and and one at, what will be newly paved, Pittsburgh International.
So this post was supposed to be about me.Well, the heck with that! This post is really about you. There are countless people in my life that have helped and supported me in achieving my dream. I remember when i told many of you of my dream and you, for the most part, responded with a dropped jaw! Now I don't know really if your first thought was, "you're nuts!" or "holy cow! That's awesome!" but in any event I thrived from all of your reactions.
You know those YouTube videos titled, People are amazing. When I watch those videos I am overwhelmed with our human abilities. Every time I watch my own A couple of laps at watkins video I get the same feeling.
In order for those great feats to happen those people were inspired, supported, pushed from people like you. So this post is really about thanking all of you for inspiring, supporting, pushing me to achieve my goal.

And for reading my pointless rambling posts! See you at the track!

James Brown

I know, I know, why is this the title of a car, blog post. Well, last night I watched the new James Brown biography starring Chadwick Boseman. Wow! A good depiction of an extraordinary man. Throughout the movie the audience was thrown from his childhood to his uncanny ability to bring out the funk. Moving from James' 11 or 12 year old self to an older James scuttling along the stage we hear James yelling to Bobbie Byrd to "take it to the bridge".

Moving from James to James (my middle name) I will share an experience of my present life. I have shared with you some of my past driving experiences. Probably not ones my parents are too fond of. However, now that we are all adults and can laugh (and cry) at them. So fast forward to present day (think of an audio clip in super fast speed). I have recently been fortunate enough to make my dream come true, with the help of many great people. The car I own is a BMW 2002 E46 M3 - Carbon Black. An amazing car!

That is one piece of my dream. The other was to take it to the track. That has also happened. Just last October, 2014 I entered a High Performance Driving Event (HPDE) to learn the art of the limit. You have all had that moment in your life when adrenaline has reached an all time high and nothing but joy is washing your soul. To top it off my instructor said that he has never seen such innate driving skills. I learned the driving line quicker that any student he has had. My head has deflated some since then. But to feel that once in a while I watch my youtube video of me and my good buddy finishing out the event with the last few laps. Click it to watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOupXIcRHAA

This year I have been fortunate enough to get invited to a few more. Two in May at Watkins Glen again and possibly one at Pittsburgh International Raceway just after being resurfaced!

Like James always said, "I feel nice, with sugar and spice"

Renaults must run in the family

Ok, so oddly enough, after my parents separated and divorced and found awesome partners my mother AND father both bought a Renault. Are ya ready for this one? All I can say is that I learned my lesson the first time, I didn't drive it backwards. My Father's Renault was a 4 door sedan; my Mother's was a 2 door hatchback. I know, SO WHAT, right?!

(not actual picture, however, it was black, and too was my Dad's)

On a delightful afternoon after waiting patiently for my mother to approve my request of borrowing her car I was handed the keys. One stipulation, "you cannot have any friends riding with you, understood?" I acquiesced and politely said thank you at the same that my italian 5' 1/2" mother was pointing her finger at me. To say the least, all reality was gone. I was handed the keys to a car! A living breathing car. We were going to be so good together that day as we gallivanted around the city stopping here and there showing off our relationship.

Defiantly, me and a car full of friends were the only things on mind. Again, what a dumbass. Selfish, ignorant, and alone with the car. Aaaah! What a feeling. So onto my first friend's house. I picked him up and he put in Motley Crue. Now we're talking! Cruisin' singing along on our way to the second friend. What a good time we were having.

Within 1/2 an hour the car was full. I was the  talk of the town. Me, a car, and my friends. We had planned to go see a movie or something, I can't exactly remember. En route to the movies! Yeah!

Now, as you have read in my previous posts, I am an unfortunate young driver. Jammin' out with friends waiting at a light. The light turns green and we don't move. Whatever started the wave of impatience is irrelevant. The fact that a car waiting at green light with a bunch of testosterone filled young punks was inexcusable. The right lane freed up so I decided to move out of traffic and make the light. WHAM! Sideswiped on the right. I didn't see that one comin'. My Mother is going to kill me. Oh my god (way before OMG) what have I done?! Not only did I disobey my Mom but I managed to use my youthful ignorance to cave in the side of the car.

Needles to say, I didn't go to the movies, I darted home. I walked in the door and my Mother knew instantly that something was wrong. I must have been whiter than a sheet. I began to tell her and I can still see her face today. What a memory! Love you Mom!

Moral of the story: A Mother's love is unconditional.

Alternate moral: Look before ya turn right you imbecilic kid!

Racing with M3 - "M3" Is that a typo?

I am going to attempt to clear the murky waters. Some of you may have noticed while others haven't that the title reads "M3" in the title instead of "ME". There is a purpose for this title.

I have always enjoyed language that involves a twist of humor. In my classroom my students roll their eyes whenever I say, "are you ready for a joke?" Some of them go as far as to mimic puking and violently gagging. But I, think my jokes are rather funny. I even tell my students that I am the funniest guy I know. Haha! Anyway, I get a kick out of using sarcasm and puns. They are enjoyable, to say the least. Before I get too carried away let me further discuss my love of language and the reason behind the title.

Since I wanted to share my driving experiences and my love for vehicles with you I felt that I needed a catchy title, "one that would grab you"! So, I decided to title it "Racing with Me". However, "Racing with Me" was just too bland! I just couldn't live with myself with a title like that.

Reader, "why am I reading this blog. This narcissistic doinker thinks 

I really care about his passion for driving".

As I was about to hit the publish button it occurred to me that the title was very boring, dry, mundane, and whatever other adjective that comes to your mind. 

WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! I HAVE AN M3. WHY NOT TITLE IT "Racing with M3". 

Yeah, that's it i'll title it "Racing with M3"! dang, I am one clever guy. And funny too, just ask my students. 

OR

The alternate version. Did I just hit the 3 key by mistake! You decide. Am I clever or just plain clumsy?