The Holidays...the end of the innocence.

Accept the holidays for what they are...a time to reflect.

At the very least, it is a time to re-examine where you've been and where you're going.

If you are over 9 years old, the holidays are simply not what they used to be...Christmas vacation, department store displays with huge Christmas trees and model trains running around them, pictures with Santa at the mall, anticipating gifts and toys under the tree, and the innocence of youth.

The holidays really are the last of the childhood innocences. As adults, we must accept them for what they are, not for what they have become. All of us are well aware of what the holidays have transformed into...the commercialism, the media hype, the expense. Even the philanthropic organizations spend way too much time and effort in an attempt to make us feel guilty for not giving enough. How obsurd!

Reflect and remember. Then take a few moments to plan for the future, next year...goals and dreams. Enjoy the holidays in the faces of the children as well...they will all too soon wake up one day with the realization that their end of the innocence has come.

The 912 Project - a small indulgence

Actually, just one of the small indulgences I have allowed myself on this project (aside from the actual car purchase itself, of course): A Momo steering wheel.

I got it used on eBay from a guy who purchased it for his Mercedes. Now, the dash will have to live up to this "accessory". The original wheel was worn out, the horn assembly was trashed, and it was just plain butt-ugly!

I plan on repainting the metal dash parts and adding wood-grain inserts across the lower portion. I have also purchased a new dash cap that will go over the old, cracked one.

Looks like I will have to remove the instruments to do a decent job...I can repaint or replace the rings when I do this. The worn vinyl knee pads will have to be repainted also.

My biggest concern: some shitbird will steal the wheel...they are a vary desirable item on those crappy little rice rockets they bomb around in...you know, the ones with the huge trumpet exhaust cones that sound like a modified leaf blower?

The 912 Project - another small step for Skip...

With the help of Loretta, my able assistant, wife of ten years, and number one enabler in my life, we got the front bumper back on...deco trim and all!

The rear bumper deco trim is next. More 912 blather can be found on my 912 CarDomain site.

The 912 Project - found my nuts

After a couple of weeks of working funky hours and not feeling up to par and riding the Harley to Pismo, I finally dove into some shit on the 912: removing the front bumper.

I had been stewing over how to get the thing off. I couldn't find another bracket or set of bolts other than the two small ones in each wheel well. Well...I finally took a chance and removed the two bolts on each side of inside, front section of the spare well...well, the bumper then fell off onto my foot. Fortunately, it's not too awful heavy, so the swear words were minimal.



Also, unfortunately, inside the spare well I found some more rust...not real bad, but rust nonetheless. Anyway, those two holes in the center of picture are where the other bolts come through holding the bumper...voila...dilemma no. 97 solved.

I wrestled with the new trim for a while then gave up for happy hour and dinner until tomorrow.

Hopefully, I can complete the trim install tomorrow and post a couple more pictures in progress as well as the final result: the bumper re-installed. Of course, it will all have to be removed again sometime in the future for the paint job. But, at least now I know how to do it!

Jeni's first snow!

My daughter Jenifer (recently transplanted Seattle-ite) just experienced her first snow...in Seattle.

I'm quite certain she remembers the winter we spent in Twin Falls...25 years ago...her truely "first" snow!