Sunday, November 12, 2006

 

An award more valuable than a $14 trophy!

I have talked about this before. But not since I took up geocaching.
In my mine it is related due to my way of thinking.
I am talking about my other hobby, the old car hobby.

I got into the old cars back a few years before I retired. I attended a few cars shows.
I enjoyed the shows where only People's Choice trophies were awarded. I didn't
care much for the judged shows, even tho I helped judge in a few of the shows.
I haven't been active in the old cars for the last ten years, but now that I'm full time retired
I am getting back into it.

I suppose the issue of "shows" and "competition" is the one that I find the least attractive
about the hobby. I suppose as Americans we will always want to compete,
(Just like geocachers compete for the high number of finds and first time finds.
I do like a challenge. I will hunt a geocache that has been logged
as a Did Not Find or caches that require a hike longer than a mile.) but thats not
the reason I own, build, and drive my car.

I own, build, drive, and show an old car because it is part of my past, which I treasure
and I want to share it with others. When I go to a car show, I get a hundred trophies
in the smiles and the conversations I have with folks looking at my 1950 Ford.
(My wife named her Sadie when I got her. It is a girl. I try to call her Henry after the
father of all Fords but the boy name just won't stick so her name is still Sadie.)
When I look into those faces and see their smiles as they recollect something funny
or warm from their past, the time and expense I put into having her at the show is well spent.

Begin rant

So! Drive or trailer your car - I don't care!
Spend a bundle of money and time restoring a "rare" car to pristine
and a 100 point class - I don't care!
Shine, polish, and place mirrors, etc. - I don't care!
Take home and then display your trophies - I don't care!
That's your bag and that's fine with me. I don't think any less or more of you
for your devotion to competition.

End Rant

As for me, look for the big DNJ (Do Not Judge) on my entry form and on my car.
Look for me somewhere around my car, and if you want to talk flatheads, I'm
there. If you want to touch Miss Sadie and have your picture taken in the drivers seat,
look for me. After all, she's not 100 points and she's not in the greatest of judging
condition so it won't hurt her to be touched. ( In fact, I think she shivers a little in joy
when she is touched.) If you want to know something about flatheads, we will talk about them
and have some fun reminiscing.

Perhaps I'm a bit of romantic, but when I'm at a car show, I'm helping tell a story
that needs to be told. Gramps telling the kids a favorite story about an old car brings
generations together, if but for just a moment. Isn't that a heck of a trophy to work for and to win?

posted by Johnnie 7:27 PM

Comments:

Hell YEAH!

That's what I'm talkin' about.

It's all about enjoying what you're doing.

A

# posted by  Anonymous : 8:33 AM

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