Un-lost
 

Well, I am back from a several month absence. I really never went anywhere, but I did have an SVX forums burn out. It’s a bit hard to explain. I suppose its easiest to say that I took a step back, looked upon the success of what has become, and tested its need for a babysitter. I understand that there is still MUCH work to be done, but it was nice to be able to walk away and only worry if I got a page on my cellular. I am pleased to say that normal operations are pretty much automated and the only thing that requires active participation is when some punk hacker wants to screw with things or bring down the network with attacks. I am going to enjoy a few more breaths of fresh air then return to a more active role as administrator again and get some more necessary work done here. I/we still need to buy a server, and there are other issues to deal with, but all in all…. Things are good. To be honest, I really did not think this would be the success that it is today. With the help of many people (Aredubjay, Mr. Pockets, Mohrds, Seraph, Sith, Laryiii, the entire backend staff, and others… please don’t take offence if I didn’t name you here… there are so many!) Yahoo even helped with the transition of members when their experience on the egroups became less enjoyable. Month after month we have set new records in bandwidth used, hits, and overall usage. I am assuming this means that the service here has become even more of an asset to the SVX community. This was my overall goal.

As more of an update, things are going a bit better with me. I have been employed now for just over six months and this is slowly allowing me to get my life back on track. It is taking some time due to the amount of time I spent unemployed as well as the fact that my job is of rather poor pay. Actually the pay is good for the job, its just not my type of work. But, its starting to pay the bills and debt. I am hoping that the technology market will soon pick up, but until then, I am still working at the state capitol as a dispatcher and security officer. If work was not sucking up most of my time, the rest was spent at the track. As most of you know, I just finished my third season of bracket racing at the local track. I am proud to say that as a representative of the SVX community, I took a season 3rd place win in the Import racing series. In the club series I finished 1st overall in my club (qwk racing) and my club took 2nd overall for our class. That is the good news. The not so good news is this; I did so well throughout the season, AND since this was my 3rd year of racing, the techs and officials at the track have asked me NOT to run in any of the amateur class events next year. The odd news is this; I have been invited to challenge that big boys. Yes, next year I am running the Gold Cup professional racing series. There are many plans for the car, but it all takes money. I have a few sponsors lined up and I am still seeking more. Whether or not if the work gets done or not is regardless. I am racing Pro next year. If the work DOES get done, I will have a much faster car. If not, I will still run, but the big boys will just have to sit patient on the start line a little longer for the time difference handicap. Too bad, so sad. I will keep you all posted. As of right now, I get my season trophy at the awards banquet November 23rd. I am a overjoyed at this and look forward to becoming a menace to the PRO guys in the year to come. Oddly, some have already had the displeasure of meeting me at the staging light at the end of season Halloween Classic. I wish I had a camcorder when an 8 second dragster had to wait for 8 seconds after I got to leave the tree to play catch up. As a general rule, door cars ( no matter their speed or time) rarely beat dragsters in the electronics class. I ran this event for grins and giggles at the end of the year. With a .514 reaction time (.500 being perfect) I hurried down the track with a 16.27 dial time. The 8.45 second dragster no so patiently waiting for his time to play catch up. In the end, I broke the finish beams perfect to my dial (to the thousandths) and won with a margin of victory being .004, or 4 thousandths of a second. I went to the next round, and he loaded his PRO race car back into his trailer. He was quite a gentleman and sportsman when he came over to congratulate me and inquire about what just beat him. When I showed him the consistency of my time slips for the day, he said he would not be looking forward to meeting up with me again next year.

On other notes, I ask for some prayers. My grandfathers health is failing and needs a few thoughts and prayers to help carry him safely and painlessly to the other side. Doctors say he has less than a week of time left. For anyone interested, he is a retired aeronautical mechanic/engineer from Lockheed in California. He has many great projects he has worked on though out the years including the P-38 Lightning, SR-71 Blackbird, and even some early Space Shuttle work in his last years with the company. I only wish I got to spend more time with him. His legacy will live on through work achieved by his youngest son (my uncle) whom continues to develop aeronautical designs of amazement at Lockheed in the Skunkworks (Military Secret designs) program.

In other news, activity on the server has reached record levels again. After closing the logs on October, 13.9 GIGS of data was sent out for the month and the server processed over 2.1 million hits! As I investigate this more, it shows a daily average of 519 unique visits. What a party house. You all have made this SVX network a huge success. Thanks.

In closing, I am eager to see what new achievements we all can make to improve the SVX experience. I am overjoyed to see all the work invested into the 5 speed conversions as well as after-market parts being produced by vendors at our members requests. I hope to see this trend continue. I may be wrong, but if I remember right, Rev Hard was probably the first to start in major projects with the carbon fiber hood. Now there are bumpers, headlight projects, Koni shocks, leather seat kits, aluminum dash cover kits, NOS systems, and so many other custom projects. I think its great. I also am seeing lots of new names. I am sorry to be late in saying so, but welcome to the excitement (mad house). I am sure you probably already got a warm welcome from the regular post count war contenders. In the beginning, Aredubjay was concerned about longevity. We are only a few short months from our SECOND year! That has to be a reason to party.

OK, this post is getting to long. So in short, like a bad dream, I’m back!

Welcome back...
 

Hi Chris! Welcome back! Congatulations on your success at the track this past season. Are you still planning on having a meet next summer in conjunction with the track? I sure hope so!!:D

Glad you found a job; even if it is not what you really want. I can't count the gigs I have worked, that I didn't want, just to pay the bills....come to think of it; I really don't want any job! I just haven't figured out how to keep the creditors happy without one! ;)

My thoughts and prayers are with your Grandfather...He sounds like a very interesting guy. Not many can say they were connected with the super secret Skunk Works. Gods speed.....

Re: Welcome back...
 

That's exactly what I was going to say, so I won't waste the bandwidth.

Doug

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

i too agree with those two, welcome back!:D

Kelli

Re: Welcome back...
 

Yes, the meet and track show/shine/race is still on. Track officials and managers will/should have the 2003 schedule done by February. I will post the date when it become avalible. Same goes for other tidbits of information.

Chris

My prayers are with your grandfather and the rest of the family.

I hope we can get a meet together so you can join up with us, or at least meet half way. Good to see you back on the site. :)

Chris,

I'll try to make it short.

Kudos on your season.

My prayers are with your grandfather and you and your family.

Yes, I was a bit squeemish about whether we'd be able to survive due to the popularity of the yoohoo club, but, we've made it, in spades. I've expressed my thanks to you innumerable times, and I will continue ad infinitim. :) Thank you for keeping the faith.

Welcome back.

Welcome back and I think everyone else written what I wanted to say.

lwin

Welcome back, Chris! My prayers are with your Grandfather and family. It sounds like he led a truly interesting life.

Hang in there with the job and all. My life was turned upside down a few years ago and I've started my life from scratch with the support of friends and family. You'll get where you need and want to be in due time (at least that's what I keep telling myself).

I look forward to getting to know you in the group and look forward to your input. Will we see you in Reading? :)

On yeh Chris.
 

Must be time to make another donation, to the up keep of Chris's spare bedroom.!!!!!:)

Harvey.;)

Though it's not much consolation in hard times like these, how many other guys have made as big an impact on technology, the U.S.A., the whole world, as your grandad? You've got to be proud. And I'm guessing he's pretty proud of you, too.

As most of the folks around here have learned, I have great respect for the 'other side'. I wouldn't miss it for 'the world'.

Be blessed, and welcome back. We've missed ya.

Welcome back & stay connected.
I'm certain your grandfather would insist.

Ron.

Gooday to you Chris,

I have thanked you before in respect of your technical expertise and now do so again. But this time in addition I thank you for the interesting well worded post which must have involved substantial time even if you are a speed touch typist which I would very much doubt.

It is great to know that the are gaining pleasure and satisfaction as a result of the resounding success of your brain child. Surely you can present this as a feather in your cap when looking for work in keeping with your proven skills and the best of Kiwi luck in this respect.

Special thoughts regarding your Grandad. I am sure he will leave with happy memories as a result of having you.

Trevor. *<)

Hey Chris. Cool post. Sorry about your grandad, I have an infinite amount of respect for him since the P38 is my favorite airplane. :) Anyway, why do you say we need a new server? This place is FAST. Well, if so, I can donate some parts or money if needs be.

- Ca$h

Welcome back Chris
 

Congratulations on your racing season. I just posted a thread about Carter Subarus Parts discount. Maybe you should contact Jamie (SubieGal) and inquire about some sponsorship $$$ and parts discounts.

My thoughts are with you and your grandfather. I've lost three of my grandparents and I know what you're going through.

The site has been a great source of wasted time and $$$ for me:D . I've met some truly fantastic people here (Joe & family(svxistentialist), Mike Davis (Green95SVX), Matt & Kim (immortal), Carl (Beav), Steve (Stevebsy), Mike (nubs), Mat (SVX10), Randy, etc, etc, etc....) that I would never have met without this site. I've also had the pleasure of some great conversations via PM with a number of people here as well. Most of these folks I'll never meet, but I'm glad I was able to "talk" with them. One can never have enough friends :)


Thanks for this site and those that pass on through.

Todd