Over The Hill Gang , Old Farts with Young Cars

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

The weekend before last I finally got to enjoy the Father's Day gift from my daughter. She bought me into an Exotic Car driving experience for one car, and not advertised was the opportunity to add more laps in the same or in another car at a relative bargain price. Although helmets were not required (which at the 65 - 70 mph in a parking lot that I know for fact was possible I kind of question) I did wear mine at least partly for recording my own videos for a different view point than the available car cameras were taking.

First up, 5 laps in a Ferrari F430

Then 7 laps in a Lamborghini Gallardo (the original gift)

and 3 laps in a Porsche 911 Turbo S

no, I wasn't going to waste any bucket-list drives just cruising and coasting . . .

Took this long to get everything put together.


Norm

That looked like lots of fun!

Originally Posted by skipinminn

BACK home from FEST had a great time, seen RUBY and DIANE Busy time didn't get to chat much with either lady Got some goodies put on the car new front splitter side skirts and a Z28 rear spoiler car looks sick Got lots of compliments on the way home

Looked for you at the parking lot parties but never saw you again...........

Rick, loved the Route 66 pics, and see you had one of Pops, and several Oklahoma ones! What a trip, but was your son really awake often enough to take pictures

Sorry about another change Jan..........seems like the older we get, the more there is of that..............

[RubyCamaro]

Running late. It's decision day. Dread this change. HAGD

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by RubyCamaro

It is looking like I will probably take a position in 2 local schools. One is just a block from my house & the other not very far away & is a brand new school. The new school's principal used to be my next door neighbor & was asst. principal at a school I used to work in. I still have to talk to the North Region Director to iron out details but that is the option that looks best at this point. I still dread the transition. I just hope this is the last transition I have to go through until I retire in 4 more years. Here is a link to my pics & videos from the fest. I still am working on downloading videos.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419212

Here's hoping it turns out well for you, Jan.

It's a shame that so many managers not only don't grasp the concept of not fixing things that aren't broken, but seemingly go out of their way to do the breaking of stuff that does work. The last outfit that bought the facility that my wife worked at refused to realize that different people had different skill sets and weren't just freely interchangeable employee numbers in a database, so they moved people around willy-nilly. Last I heard, they're filling Cheryl's old position from outside the company, and who will come in with a poorer idea of how to make that department work than the girl who was being trained in the various functions over the last year or so. Under a manager who has no idea what the work is actually like or how to do it herself and who keeps herself beyond arm's length from it all with other duties.


Norm

[RubyCamaro]

Yep. One of the hardest things for me is that I am the last person left in the company who specializes in working with the preschool population & it is DIFFERENT. The kids I see get better. Many of my babies are so fragile & will just be thrown to staff who have no idea how to help them. They are the ones who will really suffer.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by okbfd

That looked like an absolute ball. The engine notes were awesome. The Porsche sure did have a lot more tire squall.

Originally Posted by dianeokie

That looked like lots of fun!

It was a blast, and the cars were surprisingly easy to drive. Responded nicely, went pretty much where they were pointed (a little understeerish on the big downhill/off-camber sweeper past the tents), didn't threaten to snap loose under throttle, and I wasn't feeling any response-killing/throttle-numbing TC or stability control interventions either.

Something to file away for future tire purchases and recommendations: I did happen to notice that the Porsche was riding on Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tires - decent grip in spite of having a slightly softish feel and all that extra noise they were making. And I'm kicking myself for not specifically noticing what the other two cars' tires were. As it turned out, I got my quickest lap time in the Porsche, partly because of its power advantage and automated downshift entering the main straight (about 5 mph better on the straight) and course familiarity (I drove it last). But I think if I'd driven the Ferrari last I might have gotten that car down a second lower still.


Norm

[69supersport396]

Originally Posted by dianeokie

Rick, loved the Route 66 pics, and see you had one of Pops, and several Oklahoma ones! What a trip, but was your son really awake often enough to take pictures

lol, not often enough. I would have shot so many more but had to drive. He was OK with camera duties on day 2 and 3 but lost interest afterwards.

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

Here's hoping it turns out well for you, Jan.

It's a shame that so many managers not only don't grasp the concept of not fixing things that aren't broken, but seemingly go out of their way to do the breaking of stuff that does work. The last outfit that bought the facility that my wife worked at refused to realize that different people had different skill sets and weren't just freely interchangeable employee numbers in a database, so they moved people around willy-nilly. Last I heard, they're filling Cheryl's old position from outside the company, and who will come in with a poorer idea of how to make that department work than the girl who was being trained in the various functions over the last year or so. Under a manager who has no idea what the work is actually like or how to do it herself and who keeps herself beyond arm's length from it all with other duties.


Norm

Yes! During our reinvention, it was assumed that anyone in the department could make repair/replace decisions on accident damaged vehicles. That proved to be a costly and stupid assumption! My experience and technical training were taken for granted during those days.

So how did it go Jan?

I installed a new, correct mirror on the passenger side door of the Impala today. The existing one sat too low and only about the top 1/3 was usable. I use my mirrors to back up. More parts are coming later in the week.

All done detailing for now.

[Castrosua]

Just wanted to say a hi to everyone. I know Im new and havent been so active, but there's a reason for that. The accident I had last year got worse. So Im going to have invasive cervical spine surgery.

Doesnt that sound nice? I hope that I dont end up in a wheelchair after this because a Camaro isnt exactly friendly for that...unless I take the passenger seat out and put rollbars or something to use my hands and swing in and out...

[RubyCamaro]

Sorry to hear you are facing surgery. Hope it goes as well as can possibly be expected.

It was another anxious day waiting to see how things are going to play out. I met/talked to the young lady who would be my immediate supervisor. She seems nice & easy going. I called & talked to my former neighbor & the principal of the one school I may go work in & she really wants a therapist there ASAP & has selected an office space to use. I finally was able to talk to the North region director & he was willing to work with me to smooth the transition for me & my current clients. My pay will stay the same. The work load seems reasonable. It is just a matter of working out the details & working through the transition. Once that is done......virtually no travel time, hours of 8-3:30 with minimal homework, able to go to the gym every day after work. This may be a good thing in the end. Just hope the devil is not in the details. I will meet with the Nashville regional Vice President tomorrow to start working out a transition plan.

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by Castrosua

Just wanted to say a hi to everyone. I know Im new and havent been so active, but there's a reason for that. The accident I had last year got worse. So Im going to have invasive cervical spine surgery.

Doesnt that sound nice? I hope that I dont end up in a wheelchair after this because a Camaro isnt exactly friendly for that...unless I take the passenger seat out and put rollbars or something to use my hands and swing in and out...

Sorry to hear you've had complications. Hope things work out for the best.

Originally Posted by RubyCamaro

Sorry to hear you are facing surgery. Hope it goes as well as can possibly be expected.

It was another anxious day waiting to see how things are going to play out. I met/talked to the young lady who would be my immediate supervisor. She seems nice & easy going. I called & talked to my former neighbor & the principal of the one school I may go work in & she really wants a therapist there ASAP & has selected an office space to use. I finally was able to talk to the North region director & he was willing to work with me to smooth the transition for me & my current clients. My pay will stay the same. The work load seems reasonable. It is just a matter of working out the details & working through the transition. Once that is done......virtually no travel time, hours of 8-3:30 with minimal homework, able to go to the gym every day after work. This may be a good thing in the end. Just hope the devil is not in the details. I will meet with the Nashville regional Vice President tomorrow to start working out a transition plan.

Guess at least you'll be close to home and still have a job. Did anyone lose theirs?

May not hear from me for a bit. I'm headed to Alaska to visit my son tomorrow. Don't know how much internet access I'll have.

[69supersport396]

Get well soon Castrosua. Hope it all works out for you.

Seems this might be a good thing Jan. Good luck .

Have a great and safe trip Diane.

Chipping away at Impala issues. I now have working dash back lights and green flasher/turn signal lights. I was hoping I did 't have to spend $90 for a new circuit board.

[theragtopguy]

Originally Posted by 69supersport396

Get well soon Castrosua. Hope it all works out for you.

Seems this might be a good thing Jan. Good luck .

Have a great and safe trip Diane.

Chipping away at Impala issues. I now have working dash back lights and green flasher/turn signal lights. I was hoping I did 't have to spend $90 for a new circuit board.

That Impala is one sweet ride.....I am enjoying reading your stories.

[69supersport396]

Originally Posted by theragtopguy

That Impala is one sweet ride.....I am enjoying reading your stories.

Thanks!

[RubyCamaro]

Have a safe and enjoyable trip Diane. Enjoyed hanging with you for a while at the Fest.

The Fest must have really drained me. Just can't seem to get enough sleep. Turned in early & still tired this morning. Nice mild & low humidity weather here today. Time to get this transition stuff figured out. HAGD all.

[ROBOSSRS]

Originally Posted by 69supersport396

lol, not often enough. I would have shot so many more but had to drive. He was OK with camera duties on day 2 and 3 but lost interest afterwards.



Yes! During our reinvention, it was assumed that anyone in the department could make repair/replace decisions on accident damaged vehicles. That proved to be a costly and stupid assumption! My experience and technical training were taken for granted during those days.

So how did it go Jan?

I installed a new, correct mirror on the passenger side door of the Impala today. The existing one sat too low and only about the top 1/3 was usable. I use my mirrors to back up. More parts are coming later in the week.

All done detailing for now.

Nice 66 ! 😀