WELCOME!

I decided to start this blog to as an avenue for me to be able to post about some of the fun things that I do from time to time. It could be a Car Show revue, what I did on Vacation, what I like about this or that automobile, my experience with a photo shoot, what I have in my Automobilia collection, or whatever I think of at the moment. I hope you like it! All feedback will be appreciated.

Monday, January 14, 2013

My Prancing Horse!

Another project that I had completed a couple months back. I was at the local Goodwill store, as I usually am when looking for automobilia items to keep, or to sell on eBay. I had come across this high up on the top shelf and I just couldn't resist. So I purchased this ceramic "Prancing Horse" with the idea of re-painting it to a nice satin black to resemble my favorite Italian marque. So I brought home, and it sat around for a little while until I got to just deciding to get it done when I happened to be off one day during the week. While it had more or less been sitting around, I had sanded the finish so that I could actually paint it. But then it sat around again. But then that day off I got a bug and finished it off. I painted quite a few coats on it with some rattle can paint. Once dry, I decided to put it in the room with the rest of my automobilia items. Well now has come the time to wrap it up and pack it away in a moving box until it gets a new life in the next home I end up moving into. Whenever it comes out again, I will update the blog as the new office decor comes into existence. Until then, enjoy the photos and I hope you enjoyed the brief story.

How it looked at time of purchase
A better shot when I got it home
After the first few coats of paint



The finished project


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Future's So Bright!

Why is the "Future So Bright?" Yes it is the beginning of a new year, but I don't get involved in all that "New Years Resolution" crap. I just live each day for itself. With that said, I have several things happening that will be big changes for me. First off, I will be starting a class this next Monday for the Spring semester to learn welding. Since I'm not learning how to weld at work, I need to get this started to improve my skills. One more thing for my career path to get completed so that my career gets to where I want to be. It will take 4 semesters to complete the welding program, but I'll do whatever it takes. Second in line, once again for the third year, my wife and I are going to be heading up to Sonoma County for the 2013 Winter Wine Road Tour with some friends next weekend. So, as I had done the past two years, I will be taking more photos throughout that weekend and then like last year, I'll be doing a write-up about the experience. The only difference, I won't be the Designated Driver. Third, my house is going on the market in a couple weeks. If you don't know the story of the house, I'll spare the details. The good part of that is, I finally get to be away from the in-laws. It's been a long eight plus years of living in the same house with them. The parents are going to be leaving the state early July, the brother and his wife will be, well still in the area, but on their own for once too. The bad part of the whole situation, we all lose most of what was invested into the house. I'm seriously looking forward to this change! I need to do things that just can't be done unless they are away. Getting back into our own place will be a big relief. So, hopefully, if the house sells fast, as the homes around here seem to be lately, By the end of February I'll be out of this house. Which brings me to the second part, once we are in the next place, I can get to working on projects that I need to get done.

Now what is involved in this? I have a vintage General Electric Refrigerator to restore, 2 vintage Metal Kitchen Cabinets to fix and re-paint, and a vintage Kitchen Step Stool and Cart. All of these items are from the '50's, and I plan to keep them for my garage. I also have several other little items to work on, like doing some repair work on a maple dresser I built back around '96. I had built it for my wife as an anniversary gift, but a couple things didn't work out so well. So I need to make some changes to it. But the big project, I get to start working on customizing my 1990 Chevrolet S10 single cab pickup. I have some big ideas in the works for this one. It's my first vehicle project, so I need to go far beyond what I think I can do to prove I can do it. As well as to all those pricks out there who didn't consider hiring me when I applied to work at their shops. My goal for this truck is to have it done before the beginning of January 2015. I'm thinking I need to debut it at the Grand National Roadster Show. Go big, or go home, right?

Beside the projects, I have some more things happening that are just for fun. So this brings me to the fourth thing on the horizon. The weekend after the Wine Road I will be heading down to Turlock for the Automotive Swap Meet. I need to find some things for the S10 build, and since I can't make it down to the Pomona Fairplex for the Grand National Roadster Show again, I might as well hit the Swap Meet. I've never made it to this one, so I might as well take advantage of it. If I don't find any parts I need, at least I'll have fun checking out the rusted relics from the past. In February, since I will be missing the GNRS this month, I will be attending the 63rd Sacramento Autorama again. I hope to go for the full weekend so I can take plenty of photos and video footage. I hate to be rushed when attending a show. Attending all three days will help me to improve on my photos and videos. Then in March, I hope to head down to So-Cal to stay with my parents for a few days and attend the Forbidden Fantasy Show at the Lake Perris Fair Grounds. Need to go for more photos and video footage, as well as research for more items to buy for the S10 build. Then towards the end of the month, I hope to get to attend the Autoclub Famoso Raceway "March Meet". I have been wanting to go to this event for years. I just never can swing it. We shall see.

As far as the important things that need to happen this year, I plan to go to the Airbrush Action Getaway Workshop in May out in Orlando, Florida. If all works out, my wife and I will take some extra time and spend it enjoying the surroundings. Neither on of us have ever been to Florida, so we will more than likely take advantage of it to have some fun. The whole purpose for going, I'm planning on taking the two courses for Pinstriping this round. Then maybe later in the year go again for either the Airbrush or one of the other classes I may want to take. Anything for my career path needs to be done to get better, So I need to take as many classes as I can to upgrade myself. Anyhow! That is all I have to come up with at this time, so I hope you enjoyed the reading. I appreciate it!

Here are some photos of the projects.
My S10 at the Railroad Bridge at Moss Landing

My GE 5' Fridge