directions reversed

I started this in my last post but decided it really needed to be by itself, edit #2 this turned into way more than I intended it and basically turned into a brief summary of my life until the present.

So, it has occurred to me that my life seems to revolve around cars(if you take the re off revolve and switch the e to an o you get volvo!). In part it does, but that's really just how it's been recently and what gets me excited like a kid in a candy shop. I'm trying to change my focus back to a lot of the things that really gave me joy the last 4-5 years of my life now that my schooling is finally coming to a close. I've got mixed feeling about that, on one hand I'll finally be free of homework, tests, and 2am study sessions. On the other hand I'll have to admit defeat in a sense and grow up. Sure, I'll still act immature around my friends and realistically not a lot will change beyond trading school for a job. I'll still be the same person with different responsibilities, but my decisions will carry a lot more weight.

I know everybody grows up at some point, but everyone takes it differently. There are many things I look forward to after school, I'll finally have a good paycheck, eventually buy a house, get married, have a kid, etc...I really do look forward to those things, but it's kind of a role reversal that I've been dreading. Looking back on it, I had a really good childhood. There were many ups and downs, years I'd kill to get back and years I'd like to kill from my memory. All in all however it was a net positive experience and something that I was told a few times but never really began to understand until I was ~15, "stop trying to grow older, you're only a kid once so live it up. If you don't you'll regret it as you become an adult". I think that summarizes it perfectly. I didn't understand it then, I thought life was cherry when you turned 21 and then it took forever to grow old. How wrong I was...

I'd consider my true childhood preschool through 5th grade and looking back on it those years flew by. It's hard to really comprehend that ended about 12 years ago...Then for some(me included) there was the dreaded transition years of middle school. It was hard on many and really not a high point of my life. One thing I do need to mention is every summer I had until college was awesome, so even during the bad times there was always summer to look forward to. I do have a few regrets including my style of dress in middle school, super shitty diet, and video games(although I escaped that trap a lot earlier than many, 9th grade).

Transition to highschool and I was lost like many, back to the bottom of the food chain so to speak. It got a lot better as I really got into biking and met a bunch more people that did the same. I had a ton of fun going up to the woods and building illegal trails even if they were super easy stunts and nothing linked up. It was my first of 4 times up at whistler for DH'ing and I was hooked! I did lose my best friend(since preschool, and the reason I have a 2002) in a way that year, he got girlfriend and was whipped beyond belief. She was an uber bitch and basically exiled any of his previous friends whom she did not like. I still saw him around occasionally but by the end of the year we had drifted away, sadly that was 8 years ago...a nearly 12 year friendship ruined by some stupid bitch(side note, she is long gone and he admitted she had him by the balls) and we still have yet to meet up.

Sophmore year started out the same with tons of biking but that seemed to be a fad and by the next spring I was one of may 3 or 4 of the original 20ish. I honestly don't remember a lot about the second half of that year, I rode alone often or with Bronson. Second time up at Whistler Bronson came again, however this time he was not so lucky and I nearly lost another best friend but in a much worse way. I'll spare the details but that was not a good trip. This is when I began to realize my childhood was gone and would not be coming back...yet I still didn't do anything to live everyday to it's fullest.

Junior year came around and no one was riding anymore except a few freshmen, again I don't remember much of that year because I wasn't hanging out with the same people from freshman year. Midway through I started hanging out with them again and proceeded to have one of the best years of my life. Everything was going well for a month until I destroyed myself snowboarding and was immobile for a few weeks and had a cast for a few months. I got out of that and still no one was back into riding. Summer came and ended up being the best and probably most memorable summer I've ever had. There was nothing in particular about it, we were just always hanging out and coming up with interesting/crazy stuff to do. I got up to whistler again with Andrew this time, it was trouble free and an awesome time. Sadly that was the last time I camped at Waldo Lake with my parents and family friends. That was a trip I looked forward to all summer for as long as I can remember(another major turning point).

Senior year started up with a good vibe still rolling from summer. Things slowed down again but winter break was good. Then during the succeeding two months we had two coast parties where I was introduced to intoxication. I was hooked, however I still didn't drink more than maybe every other month until summer and even then it was not more than once a month. I bought my first car, a '71 BMW 2002 (Agave) and preceded to have nothing but problems with it for the next few years... Prom came, I had a great time even as unorganized as our night was and only spending maybe an hour at the actual event. Summer was different, it wasn't as good as the preceding summer since many had jobs and one main creative mind began to slip into a self induced haze.

College starts, I'm at UW in pre civil engineering. I got my first paycheck job in october, working at the campus bike shop. I made some friends, but nothing like the friends I had in Eugene. I started out in a shitty dorm setup but was able to finagle my way into Lander with most of my friends. Spring term came, I arrived back at my room to find my roommate and all his stuff gone. He moved out with out telling anyone, I ended up with a single for the price of a double and with my view of lake Washington/my couch, stereo, and lighting it was perfect. However, I could not discipline myself well and for the first time in my life my grades were below the average. Lots of inopportune drinking, adventures, and lack of studying. I passed all my classes, but barely. Summer came and I got a full time job at a bike shop in Eugene which just enabled me to buy a lot more bike stuff, not a lot of noteworthy things happened that summer.

Sophomore year I moved off campus into a house with one friend and another dude off craigslist who ended up being a total self loathing douche bag. Nothing improved, I barely partied, worked at the bike shop, and procrastinated like none other while geeking out over everything bike related and my '02. I really began to hate UW and feared not getting into Proschool. My adviser was worthless and I really began to notice how little the teachers cared about their students. I decided that winter that I would transfer to OSU and not look back. I still applied to Proschool and actually got in but not until mid summer and by that time I was fully committed to OSU. Summer came and I did the same bike shop routine, spending all of what I earned and the end result was a few more bikes completed and one sick ass DH bike(37.4lb Canfield Jedi).

Sophomore year part deux began as I lost credits in the transfer. I applied to proschool that fall and made it in. Ironically while visiting friends that november I met someone at a party which I nearly didn't attend. We talked for a long time and something just clicked, I made sure to remember where she worked and two days later dropped in with the whole "oh, I didn't realize you worked here" line...even though it was 3 miles out of my way. We hung out a bit more later that day and by the end of that day I knew it would happen. I visited again after school got out in december and it was all going well so I came back for new years. Unfortunately 300 miles and being a full time student makes visits difficult. Classes weren't too hard so I worked my ass off once a month and I was able to squeeze in a visit roughly once a month. Thank god for technology, skype was a savior! Spring break I headed to cali to pick up the beginnings of a project car with a friend(the '02 turbo). I hit up the april and may Fluidride cup races in Port Angeles and had a blast, finishing that off with a few days in Seattle with Nicole. It wasn't to be though, the distance was really too big a hurdle to overcome. It was hard to deal with and frankly the next month sucked.

Not more than a few weeks later my favorite grandpa died from Alzheimer's and I can't even explain how terrible it was to watch him waste away. I'm against prolonging someones life by medical means once they are dying due to old age and seeing my grandpa like that just solidified that view in my mind. He didn't feel any pain in those last few weeks, but the final time I visited him he didn't know who I was and couldn't even speak, hell I'm tearing up just writing this... Luckily I had formula sae to keep me busy. Summer came and I went to Cali with the team and we placed 2nd which was the best the school had ever finished! I went back to the east coast to visit relatives I hadn't seen since I was 17 or 18(now 21) and for my grandpa's funeral. I was back home for a few weeks then went off to Europe with the team for FSG and FSA. FSG was heartbreaking, we were set up for a guaranteed podium finish among 78 teams and our muffler fell off in endurance disqualifying us...FSA went well and we dominated the other 23 teams. Then four of us rented a car and proceeded on an excellent 5 day euro trip adventure which is really where this blog starts.

Junior year comes and I way overloaded myself, effectively taking 22 credits with 6 or 7 unregsitered because I'd have to pay for them otherwise. I worked like a slave on the formula car and barely passed classes...I bought a volvo 242 for a project car, then a '90 740 16v for the motor, then a '80 244 for parts, then a '70 2002 for parts. It took me until summer to finally get rid of all of them and that brings us full circle to the start of my post.

It's funny, what began as "this is why I anticipate and fear growing up" turned into a summary of my life and it was really intended to be a glimpse into my life reorganization in the face of reality catching up with me. So to conclude, I have been trying to reduce my load of possessions by selling off car parts(dual purpose to fund my current projects). I have also been trying to become less attached to other possessions, realizing that with the advent of craigslist I can always find new crap(like furniture) easily. I've also taken a step back and not involved myself much in Formula SAE this year, I'm not doing design like I did last year however I will be helping with construction just as much. A part of me feels like I'm letting the team down, but I also recognize I gave them a lot of my time over the last two years. This being my last year in school, I really would like to have a semi-normal year for once. That is also why I'm trying to get myself back into riding and I fully intend to get back to Port Angeles again this spring. All of this material possession purging and course of life changing has been keeping me up at night, because I've finally began to realize how much stuff I really had and the daunting task at hand of reducing the clutter with out throwing it away.

I recognize it is for the better and it will make my transition into "the real world" that much easier. Besides, who says I have to grow up! I'll always be a kid at heart.

O hai!

Been a long time since I've even looked at this blog. A lot has happened in the last 7 months. I struggled through school, worked for the USFS during the summer, bought a few cars, junked a few cars, road tripped, and started my junior year. I've been spending all my blogging time on my 3 current car blogs where you will see many pictures of pretty car parts!

1971 BMW 2002 Agave
1973 BMW 2002 Turbo
1983 Volvo 245 Turbo

I reorganized my car priorities in the matter of a few minutes while really sick over the summer. The 242 rally car is gone now, sad it had to go to the crusher as no one would buy it for a measly 75$ as a rolling chassis. I'll detail it's replacement's plans shortly. I junked the 244 and 2002 in late may and I've finally broke even on the 2002 with another 500-600$ still to come over time. Impulse buy of the summer was a '90 740 turbo, running, for 400$. I drove it home and played with it a bit in the dirt alleyways before parting it out. I'm a bit over half way through making that money back, I just haven't had the time to post stuff on CL. Out of that deal I got a set of Hydra's and motor in need of rebuild/all of the parts to convert my '83 245 to LH2.4 turbo. I also scored a 16t turbo in need of rebuild for 55$ and a nearly new IPD turbo cam for 135$. Unfortunately I don't have the money to rebuild the motor right now but I should in the next few months and with that turbo(rebuild kit 85$), ECU chips(150$), and an Ebay or NPR intercooler(150-200$ w/piping) at 15psi I'll be reasonably making 250 crank hp which is about the limit of the M46 tranny. It's also got some nice dubs, or rather 18's now which also will require another 500$ for tires and wheel adapters...

Next car. The 2002 turbo combination project is now mine, unofficially, but I've done all the work on it for the last 8-9 months and it only still exists as a usable shell because of my effort. Also over summer I got a little careless with spending and kinda splurged on a turbo'd M10 and separately a hot side turbo kit(turbo, mani, wastegate, DP, IC, and some misc parts). I'm kinda in the hole after that debacle(and a few other splurges). The car unfortunately still needs ~1500$ to be in good running order and I've got ~300$ to spend on it...Hopefully I can get some more stuff sold and get money from those who owe me(still totaling about 1500$). With that I'll be able to get the '02 turbo and 245 turbo conversion running. Here's quick run down of the more major parts I bought for it this summer. Turbo motor running on MSII & race clutch, turbo hotside kit, 15x8 XXR 501's, IE turbo flares, E21 trailing arms, E30 medium case diff, E21 recaro drivers seat, zender ducktail spoiler, 13" 3-pc BBS's with magnesium centers(the 13x8's weigh 9lbs!!!!), and IE race adjustable camber plates.

Next car, my first '02, the '71 Agave. Not much happened with this car over the summer due to working on the turbo '02 so much. I did buy some more sweet shit for it though. IE ceramic coated step header & adapter, LC-1 wideband O2 sensor, IE airdam, 15x6.5" BBS RM's, MSII with wiring harness, and a S14 2.3L crank to build a 2.3L stroker M10 since I've decided against the S14 swap. I've already got a spare motor with a 292 cam and I believe I can get near the S14's power level with the 8v using MSII and possibly a custom ITB setup/carbon fiber airbox. That is still 5-6 years off though. My goals are to get the interior finished up next month along with installing the wideband O2 sensor, IE header, and IE airdam. Then I'll be shooting to finish the megasquirt either over the summer or right after since I'll be taking a year off between school ending and getting a job.

The volvo rally car will return after graduation. There are semi local rallyX's which I'd love to attend so my tentative plan is after getting the 245 and 2002 running I'll buy a cheap running (preferably Volvo) car off CL for a few hundred dollars, throw some snow tires on, and rally the shit out of it. If I have no money after getting those cars finished I'll hold off until 2012 when I get a job and have the money. A BMW 325i stroker turbo is no longer the definite next car project since I'll be getting my parents 245 after graduation and I'll be back to 4 cars, I just can't justify a 5th. I'd also like to start working harder on my design of a forced induction 4cyl LMP car. The '91 245 is going to get a 2.7L stroker 16v eventually along with all the suspension stuff from the '83. The '83 will be lifted slightly to fit some 27" all terrain tires and turn into a camping vehicle.

Just for kicks I thought I'd update my car list just to track it's progression, first I'll list off my cars as of graduation in 7 months.

1971 BMW 2002 resto-mod
1973 BMW 2002 Turbo street legal track car
1983 Volvo 245 turbo camping wagon
1991 Volvo 245

The life list
1971 BMW 2002 w/2.3L stroker motor
1973 BMW 2002 w/2.1L turbo M10
88-91 BMW 325i Turbo Stroker 3.0L M20
2002-3 BMW 530i, mostly stock(suspension/chip/wheels)
1991 Volvo 240 Wagon w/16v 2.7L conversion
80's Volvo 240 Wagon w/turbo'd B230
2011+ BMW Mini diesel(Scion IQ's mileage estimates were a farce...)
Home built forced induction 4-cly LMP (street legal track car)
Cheap ass rallyX car(continually replacing with something new)

Just off that list, basically space dependent are
1970's BMW E9 coupe w/5spd & 3.5L M30 swap
1960's Triumph TR3b, stock
2010+ BMW z4 or Porsche Boxster Speedster

If I can somehow scrounge up a lot of extra cash, maybe not necessary with my LMP
Ultima GTR, Rossion Q1, or Dodge Viper ACR

Long time no see

It's been quite a while since I last posted but it's late late night and I feel like wasting a few minutes instead of working so here I am.

Fall quarter was my first in "proschool", it was a little more work than I had anticipated although I don't think it would have been half bad had I not decided to do design work on the 2010 formula car. Grades did suffer, I slept little and was constantly stressed out. I happened upon two cars, a 1990 Volvo 740 16v and a '77 Volvo 242. The 740 I bought for the engine, at this point it has been parted out and sent to the scrap yard. I currently need to make only 100$ more on the parts to come out at no cost. The 242 is to become a turbo'd rally car slowly, it cost 150$. Volvo 240's are cheap, durable, and fun to drive/work on, I also happen to like the way they look which many will disagree with.

Then comes winter break, time to relax for a bit. It was nice to see some friends I hadn't seen since july, all together it was too short and I didn't get nearly enough done.

Winter quarter starts and now construction begins on the formula car. I incorrectly assumed this would be easier than the design phase...and instead it is still going, although almost finished. Again, grades suffered, I slept little and was constantly stressed out, seems to be a common theme in my life right now. I happened upon two more cars winter quarter, both with in a week of each other. First was a 1980 Volvo 244 for 125$, only 129,000 miles, manual tranny, perfect dash + a few other things, running a few weeks before I bought it. It won't run because of a dead intank fuel pump, very common on the 240 series. The second car was a 1970 BMW 2002. I bought it for the 5spd and a few other parts. This one was not nearly as cheap at 1000$, but I have made back ~35% of that and when it's all said and done I should be 600-800$ ahead and have a 5spd conversion, set of wheels, misc trim pieces, spare engine, and spare sub frames. The BMW will be gone by the time you read this and the 244 should be gone in a month or 2 depending on when I have free time in school.

Spring break was just a blur of 16 hour days working on the formula car and dismantling the 740 and 2002. I did get a lot done, just not as much as I had planned. Unfortunately I will be missing the first few Northwest Cup downhill races, depending on my summer events I may miss all of them which sucks but I haven't been out on the bike in so long it's probably better I don't embarrass myself.

Spring quarter is now in full swing and I'm taking a "light" load to help boost the grades/give me some free time for other important things like riding bikes and getting back into shape. Due to my last two quarters hectic schedules I have not exercised since summer and it suck balls, I can't wait to get back to trail running and biking.

Thats about it. One final thought though. I've had a running, and ever changing, list of what vehicles I believe realistically will be in "my stable" by the time I'm in my mid 30's. I figured I'd share, if anyone actually reads this please comment, if not it's just a good future reference to see what I was thinking about in the past.

1971 BMW 2002 w/S14 conversion
88-91 BMW 325i Turbo Stroker 3.0L M20
2010+ BMW 528d, stock
1991 Volvo 240 Wagon w/16v conversion
80's Volvo 240 turbo "rally" car
80's Volvo 240 Wagon w/LS1 engine
2011+ Scion IQ, stock

Just off that list, basically space dependent are
1970's BMW E9 coupe w/5spd & 3.5L M30 swap
1060's Triumph TR3b, stock
2010+ BMW z4 or Porsche Boxster Speedster

If I can somehow scrounge up a lot of extra cash
Ultima GTR, Rossion Q1, or Dodge Viper ACR

Notes about each portion
I already have the 2002 and I'm resto-modding it right now, s14 engine is probably 5-6 years away. The 1991 Volvo is my mom's car at the moment but will be gifted to me upon graduation, it does not have a 16v engine...yet. I've got the 77 242 in the process of turning into a cheap rally car. I'm on the fringes of buying a wagon which will eventually get an LS1 swap and make a sweet tow vehicle. The 325i will be my next project. I've always thought of the 5 series as the perfect balance between sport and luxury and soon they will begin importing the diesels. The Scion is actually a Toyota iQ, it gets crazy gas mileage and is a perfect tiny city car for when I don't want to ride my bike. Beyond that the E9 coupes are one of the most beautiful cars ever made and I've always lusted for one. The Triumph is a gorgeous and small roadster, perfect for cruising on nice spring/summer/fall days. The z4/speedster is just a modern version of the Triumph. The Ultimate GTR is a nutty supercar that can be had used for 60-80,000$ and currently holds many world records and the top gear track record beating out the Ferrari FXX Evo at 1:09.

Well there it is for better or worse, thoughts?