What is it that makes the idea of having a new project car so appealing?

Am I the only one who’s always thinking about the next project instead of focusing on what I’ve got in front of me?

^Current Project: New suspension and tires for the S2000…. Need $$$ :/

I’m probably having way too much fun picking out what I’d like to have for my next project…..

Just wondering if I’m alone in all of this! ^_^;

There are plenty of times that I wonder if my life will ever get easier…. Mostly because it seems to always be up in the air.

This time, it’s kind of my fault. Because I quit my job. I turned in a one week resignation notice on Sunday. By the end of the week I’ll basically be unemployed.

Overworked, Probably Way Underpaid

I’m not totally crazy. At least I’d like to think I’m not. As long as I end up graduating in May, I’m in my last few months where I can actually do this without an insane amount of planning. Which worked out nice in this case….

Because my job turned into something unbearably soul crushing.

From Halloween until Thanksgiving last year I had NO days off. Not a one. I worked seven days a week. I was off on Thanksgiving, which worked out nicely since I spent the day pretty sick. But I was back to work at 3:00 AM for Black Friday! And I came perilously close to working from then until Christmas with no days off.

I thought everything was better when we got a new manager. But that was the compounding factor that made it the beginning of the end for me.

No Real Break

For a very brief time, there were four people as there should be. Then the other other original employee besides me transferred. Then the other person put in her two weeks to go to a better job. Once again, the math got to a point that seemed painfully familiar.

Even with new people being hired, they won’t be working in time. I almost worked two months straight for this stupid company, and all I got was a thanks and a $5 gift card to Starbucks. I’m sure as hell not working seven days a week again. I don’t need the money that bad.

Not only that, but the manager is a new manager…. And has no idea how to manage. Two things that have really pissed me off: One, he won’t do things that are his job, I’ve been doing it….. I quit about a week or so ago and it hasn’t be done, but I no longer care; Two, he told me to watch out because corporate was going around and getting rid of people….. He basically threatened my job.

I’ve been at this place since they opened this location last April. He got hired in December. So, um, excuse fucking me?! I’m not going to be abused and threatened and then have a written warning for some bullshit. Yeah, I have a bad attitude. Mostly because I was expected to be okay after working so damn much and getting a whole four days off to “recover.”

Moving On

Earlier this month I started looking for a new job. I’ve had a couple of interviews but I haven’t really gotten anywhere yet. I’m also a little weary about job hunting at the moment since I have a two week vacation to go on in March. But I will be looking.

I thought that maybe for a couple of weeks I’d just be the “ski bum” I’ve really wanted to be, lol. (Just kidding. Sort of.)

If I don’t find anything until April/May I won’t be too upset. I’m trying my best to take this in stride. I’d really like to find a job utilizing my degree (business degree, specifically human resource management) or, my dream, in the auto parts industry. I kinda want to move on from my “student” retail jobs and get something more like an “adult” job.

Of course, this derails my plans a bit…. The S2000 really needs new tires after all, plus a new suspension. But honestly, it was NOT worth staying to basically be told how much I suck and need to be a good little slave and be nice to people I can’t stand.

If worst does come to worst and I need to get a job, I do have enough experience in the wireless phone industry to get another job. Do I want to? Not really, because it’s what I’ve done for the past few years and I’m pretty tired of it. I don’t want to get stuck, heh. But it’s nice to have the option there. (And knowing that if I did it, it’d be for better pay than I get now. That would be nice….)

So who knows. In a really cheesy way, I feel like I’m opening myself up to a new possibility by finally cutting this horrible job loose. It’s probably way overdue. (I’m kinda kicking myself for not interviewing with Apple back in October…. Sigh. But I had no idea it’d be so bad. If I did, I’d probably be working for Apple.)

But trust me when I say that I know it will take work from me to find the right job. It won’t just fall into my lap. So I’m really gonna try.

Wish me some luck, please, ’cause I really feel like I could use it….. It wasn’t easy to leave earlier than I wanted to, but I had to for my sanity. Now it’s time to figure out what comes next…..

And I’m not joking, either.

In March, my husband and I are taking off for nearly two weeks of blissful vacation to Disney World in Orlando. Since we skipped a honeymoon and it’s our fifth anniversary this year, we figured it was about time for a nice big trip like this.

In a way, this was going to be a non-car-related trip at all. We often travel because of cars or something to do with cars, a la Miatas at Myrtle Beach or my excursion with the Porsche Club to Canada. Even when we visited Seattle last fall, we had to include the Ferrari dealership as a stop in the trip.

Well, trying to fit in attendance to the 12 Hours of Sebring didn’t work out well. The dates, yes, the rest of the travel plans…. Not so much. We decided that that would be left to its own trip someday and to just do the “touristy” Disney thing for now, sans cars.

That is, until I found the Exotic Driving Experience. And I just couldn’t say no. I mean, who could?!

Pricey, yeah, but so is everything else like this that I’ve looked into. And believe me, I’ve wanted to plan a trip to Las Vegas to do one of these things for quite some time. (Vegas just because it’s somewhat close, cheap to fly, abundant places to stay and, well, supercars!)

Perhaps my only disappointment was the lack of a 911 Turbo, which, as you all should know, I’m completely obsessed with. Sad, but I’ll get there someday anyhow, even if it’s not this year.

I pretty much zeroed in on the 458 Italia from the beginning. How could I not? My first Ferrari love was the F430, but I even have a fondness of the 360 Modena, so of course I’m going to love the next evolution of the line. That and, well, I don’t ever see myself owning a 458, though I expect I’ll become rather smitten with the car.

My husband will be commandeering the wheel of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera. She’d have been my first choice, if I wasn’t just a total Ferrari > Lamborghini girl. But I’ll get to the Lamborghinis eventually. I mean, I have to drive them at some point… I have zero desire to own one after all. (While I don’t think I’ll ever own a 458, it’s not because I wouldn’t want to!)

Of course, I’ll be sharing my experience here. I have my trusty iPhone 4S to have snaps of the day, and we’ll be purchasing whatever souvenirs/photos/video they have to offer. It’s just going to be a super special day, I already can’t wait.

In the meantime, I’ve been doing some extra research on the 458 Italia. I want to kinda get to know her before I *really* get to know her. So I found a couple of videos on YouTube that I enjoyed. Hope you like them too!

I’m usually not privy to cool press releases and infographics emails, so when I got this I was rather surprised.

Carbuzz put together this great infographic on the Nürburgring and sent it my way, I knew I’d have to share it. I love anything and everything ‘Ring related and I can’t wait until I can go there myself someday. (And, of course, illegally tape everything. Hehe.)

If you can, also spare a second to check out Save the Ring, because, sadly, it’s future is in question. We have to stand up for this treasure to motorsports and keep it there for everyone to enjoy!!

From: carbuzz.co.uk – Car choosing made easy!

This winter has been pretty blah. Last year by now we had had a few feet, resulting in the impromptu purchase of the Legacy that we had. Ever since we bought the STi right before summer, we couldn’t help but look forward to finally driving her in the snow.

Well, irony had it that it’s barely snowed at all. I guess it’s a bit weird that it has barely snowed here and yet this was also the year we’ve been snowboarding/skiing every week since right before Christmas….. Figures!

Thankfully, it FINALLY decided to snow here! Our usual haunt at Mt. Spokane now has more fresh powder and where we live is now covered in a good few inches. It means that the STi and her snow tires seem like a fantastic idea again!! We were beginning to wonder if they’d be useful at all besides going to Mt. Spokane.

As with all things, I can’t help but have photos around to document it. ^-^;

Funny enough, this seems to be a pretty popular photo of mine.... Hehe. Just my S2000 buried in snow. She's effectively grounded until further notice. (Though, compared to last year, we've been mobile for much longer than I imagined we would be!)

Then, of course, there's the STi buried in snow before she got cleaned up and finally had a really good chance to put that turbo AWD on snow tires to good use! She's really, really fun in the snow..... =D

I can't talk about winter without sharing a photo of my snowboard! Now sporting an awesome What Monsters Do vinyl sticker. I'm definitely hoping to add more stickers to my board soon.

Despite my doubts about my job situation and my desire to finally get onto a career path, I still want to make my best effort to save up for the Porsche 911 of my dreams. (Well, one of them anyhow…!)

Part of this has been doing research on the various years and learning what to watch out for once I get to the point where I start looking at cars. The nice thing about 911s that I’m finding out is that many are well cared for. Not that I really expected any less.

However, even cared for cars can have issues, and knowing what to look for is key. When we were Miata shopping, I learned a lot about what could be expected (some rattles in the dash, lifter tick on start usually just means time for an oil change) and what to watch out for, things like the 60 MPH shimmy, metallic flakes in the oil, colored exhaust smoke, etc. Some of that knowledge applies to all cars, but I was after specific issues.

So when looking into the 911SC, I came across a few things that didn’t sound so great…. For one, it’s hard enough to find a coupe, let alone a coupe with a whale tail. And I simply must have the whale tail. A second is the main failing point in the 3.0L flat six — the timing chain tensioner. And while one from a 3.2 Carrera can be retrofitted, it’s still an issue to worry about. Plus all these early 911s didn’t have super fantastic corrosion-resistance….. And I do not want to settle for a Targa.

After much thinking and coming to some realizations, I’ve come to find out that my dream 911 in this case is actually a 3.2 Carrera. Somewhere along the way I got hung up on a few 911SCs that looked like my ideal and made me think that those are the years I wanted. But after the research, the 3.2 Carrera just fits better.

It’s not hard to find whale tails on the 3.2 coupes. Of course, there’s now the Cabriolet models to sift through in addition to the Targas, but it can be done and they can be found. And since the 3.2′s engine is over 75% new compared to the SC’s 3.0L, it doesn’t have the same issues. In fact, it’s one of the best engines found in the classic 911 body styles.

Of course, it’s not without it’s drawbacks. In 1987 the transmission was changed to a much smoother working unit, but many of the 1987 cars fall outside of my ideal price range. Not that any of the cars in 1984 – 1986 are horrible, their transmissions just aren’t as good and so they’re a bit less desirable. Pre-1987 also had less corrosion resistance, so rust is a bigger issue on them as well.

Despite this, however, I still believe the 3.2 Carrera is the perfect first 911 for me. In my research, I’m really not surprised to find it often called the best classic 911, as it takes a very well-built engine and combines it with that classic 911 body appeal. It’s about as close to the best of both worlds as you can get, as the 964 is really the beginning of the modern 911s.

I still have much to learn, but at least I now have a better idea of where I should be looking…. And the 3.2 Carrera is it for me.

I almost hate to phrase it this way, because it seems almost too prevalent…. “Find your passion!” “Follow your passion!” “If you live your passion, the money will follow!”

Well, clearly the money comes first in racing….. No surprise there. Cars are an expensive hobby to have period. But can’t I do some sort of work with cars, seeing as how it’s my passion?

Why yes, yes I can. And so the search has begun.

Time for Changes

Selling phones is old to me. I worked seven days a week for almost two months straight….. That’s not right. That shouldn’t have happened. I shouldn’t have to put up with a company that willingly does that to their people. And all I got for it was some thanks and a $5 Starbucks gift card.

It’s time to move on.

My dream career at this point in my life is working in the Parts department in a dealership. It’s something I could see myself doing now, and actually moving up to a manager position someday. In retail I could never see being a manager…. No thanks. Not for me. But this? Sure!

So I’ve started to look for a job in Parts. And I’m hoping I find it soon… I’m really ready for this change. I want more than just a job, I want a real career.

The Dream

In October, we went on our second trip to Seattle to just bum around and enjoy the city. Before we left, we stopped at the Ferrari dealership. Definitely an amazing place, the F40 and my dream 550 Maranello aside.

We spent some time talking to the Parts manager of the dealership. And it didn’t hit me until recently that I really want to do his job someday. Maybe not for Ferrari, because I’d definitely love working for Porsche too. Or any other type of dealership. But if I have to pick one, my goal would be to be the Parts manager for a Ferrari dealership.

The best thing that I can do now to make that dream a reality is to get into the field. I need to get into Parts now so that I can build up the knowledge and experience and build an actual career.

Fingers Crossed

Lately I’ve been crossing my fingers a lot. I’ve gone on one interview for what is, essentially, the ideal job for me right now…. And I’m hoping and praying that it’s meant to be and that they like me.

I also talked to a floor manager of a dealership about jobs there. I know for sure that I do not want sales. But it helped me when he told me that I’d be really good in Parts or Service. It gave me hope that I’ll be able to find the job I want to set me on my ideal career path.

So, if it’s not too much to ask, send me some good vibes? And big thanks to those of you who have already…. Much love!

I’m gonna make this happen…… I’m determined!

Photo via….

This is a little note to those annoying people who understand nothing about suspension geometry…

Dear Stance Idiots,

No, I will not be “slamming” my S2000. Ever. She’s much happier having some usable fender gap so that her fenders aren’t interfering with her tires when we’re turning. We had an absolute blast driving a twisty road with a bunch of Porsches last summer and we plan on doing it again sometime.

Of course, if you still think I should, how would YOU like it if I repeatedly slammed your face into pavement wherever we went? Every time you saw a speed bump, looked at my driveway the wrong way or found out that nothing really cares about what you think is “ill” (a phrase I’m afraid I just don’t get anyhow) enough to try and be low car friendly and instead smashed your face into a wall? No?

You sure??

Then don’t suggest I ask my car to smash her beautiful face into pavement just so she can look pretty in a few photos. We’d rather go autocrossing, thank you.

Cheers!
Meg & her S2000

P.S. When we do get coil overs, we plan on putting them to use on the track. Despite our few inches of ground clearance, we’re still quite low relatively speaking.

Well, I guess I’m a bit late, but this is in time to wish you a happy S15 Day!

Every January 3rd, 4th and 5th are celebrated by Silvia owners and enthusiasts as S13, S14 and S15 Days. In Japan, there are meetings on each of the days for the respective generations. Yeah, I really wish I could be there for it at least one year. (Come on, USAF…. )

This year’s S13 Day was bittersweet for me, as it should be my last with my own “S13.” (RPS13 for those who want to get technical about it.) As sad as it is, though, I’m trying to be in good spirits about it all. So I figured a little blurb celebrating the days was in order.

My way of celebrating? Showing you some very nice Silvias, of course! Enjoy!

S13

Easily one of my favorite looks for the S13, and this is one of my favorite photos.

Of course, everyone who watches any part of Formula D should know about Dai Yoshihara's S13.

S14

Seems that Kouki S14's are the more popular ones...

But when it comes to the S14, I've always preferred Zenkis myself.

S15

The S15 seems to be popular, though I'm sure some of it in the US stems from the fact that there aren't very many here at all.

Mmmmmm.... D1 GP S15.

The year after I got my Nikon D3000 for Christmas, I attempted my first Project 365. That was in 2010, and I made it to about October before I ended up quitting. It’s kinda sad now that I really think about it, because I was much closer to the end…. But I quit because I felt that my photos weren’t of the quality I wanted.

I was tired of the boring days where I was sitting at home at eight in the evening wondering WTF I could photograph for the day. Yeah, it wasn’t fun and my photos had become rather sucky. I quit because I was tired of the mediocre photos just to continue with the project.

Project 52

Not too long after I started my Project 365, I heard about the Project 52. Instead of one photo every day for a year, it’s one photo every week for a year. Still a pretty intensive project if you ask me, but not quite as rough as the 365.

The idea popped into my head a few days before the new year, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it or not. I finally decided to just quit thinking about it and just do it. Even if I fail, I’ll still have used my camera more than I am right now. (Damn you iPhone for being so awesome and handy….)

My Project 52

Well, mine is going to be somewhat basic…. Of course, the end goal is to have 52 photos at the end of the year, one from every week.

I want the majority of my photos to be of cars, like I started with my 365 project. I think one a week will be much more manageable!

The whole idea is to be using my SLR, since the poor thing doesn’t get out much anymore. :/ I won’t be opposed to using my iPhone as the second camera in the project though, because I may not always want to bring my SLR with me. (Snowboarding trips come to mind, as well as autocross days where I can’t always keep track of my camera when I’m racing.)

I might require myself to edit the photos, but I’m not sure if I can keep that up. My husband bought me Photoshop Elements for my birthday last year and I’ve sadly not touched it… I’m determined to put it to good use finally. My iPhone photos are almost always edited on my phone, so no worries there. But it’s really about time that I learn how to do it with the photos I take on my SLR.

Really, if I can keep up with the project I’ll be happy, no matter what I manage to get done. I’m afraid if I make it too strict for myself I’ll get frustrated if life gets in the way again.

Sharing the Project

Of course, I’ll be posting the entire project to my Flickr, which could really use the attention I’m sure, ha. I’m thinking of either sharing the photo from every week on here, but not sure how often I will. I might just do a monthly recap, since it’s not that many photos every month.

Unless, of course, I have nothing else to share…. Then it’s kinda like backup content. Since, you know, winter is pretty boring here car-wise!

So, anyone else have plans for a big project in 2012, photo or otherwise?