Is this heaven?

This is too amazing not to post. Turn your speakers up LOUD and enjoy the sound of perfection!

Down At The Races

MotorSport Ranch. Cresson, Texas. March 13, 2010.

The World of Ratfink

The colorful and crazy Ed "Big Daddy" Roth was a legend of the 1950s hot rod car culture in Southern California. Although his heyday was WAY before my time, I found a copy of his autobiography in an outlet bookstore when I was a kid and was fascinated by his story (not the least of which was his conversion to Mormonism and subsequent move to Utah where his wife still lives). While his cars and artwork aren't to my tastes, his creativity and contribution to car culture is inspiring. I came across his book recently while I was moving and I rediscovered it at a perfect time - as I have begun to consider ways I can pursue my passion.

Roth's family runs a museum in Manti, UT and has an annual Rat Fink Reunion celebrating his life. Definitely something to check out while next time I'm in Utah. For all things Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, visit the official site.

Some images scanned from his book, Confessions of a Ratfink: The Life and Times of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth...





A perfect description of the "Garden" State:

Admit it, you do too

If you're male and a Phillies fan you have a man-crush on Chase Utley. You can try to deny it but you're only fooling yourself.

“Dear Chase, I feel like I can call you ‘Chase’ because you and me are so much alike. I would love to meet you some day. It would be great to have a catch. I know I can’t throw as fast as you, but I think you would be impressed with my speed. I love your hair. You run fast. Did you have a good relationship with your father? Me, neither. These are all things we can talk about and more. I know you have not been getting my letters because I know you would write back if you did. And I hope you write back this time and we get to be good friends. I am sure our relationship would be a real home run.”
- Mac, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

V-O-L-V-O, My Volvo!

There aren't enough superlatives to describe how awesome this is. The Volvo 240 - one of the greatest cars of all time - immortalized in its very own rap video. Love it!

(watch it on Youtube for the full widescreeen version)

Respect

I've never been a big fan of SUVs. Its not really because they're big and get bad gas mileage. I've just never understood been a fan of the poseur image most of them attempt to portray. So you have a four-wheel drive Lexus? Congrats. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but its no different than the family station wagon or minivan your parents drove you around in. You swore you'd never be caught dead driving a station wagon, but in some ways what you've got on your hands is worse. Yes, your SUV has much more "Utility" but where is the "Sport"? I guess you could take it off-road but have you ever actually done it? That four-wheel drive you paid a couple extra grand for is proof you're just a sucker for marketing. It makes your wife feel safer and you feel like more of a man driving a minivan with four doors and bigger tires.

Which brings me to this pleasant surprise. It is a rare sight in the middle of Downtown Washington DC, but there it was, completely out of place but a rare treat. A plain old Jeep that under normal circumstances I would completely ignore. But this one stood out because it has actually been used in the way it was intended - making it truly beautiful sight.

Hail Douglass