Only 5 days to get the brakes from puking fluid everywhere after my disc to drum "retroversion". 5 days of asking my wife (ever so nicely) to help me bleed the brakes in the 15 minutes of conciousness between putting my 4 month old son to bed and her collapsing from exhaustion. Her 15 minutes, not mine. In the past week and a half, I've needed to change oil on both our daily drivers, replace the fuel filter on the miata, and check the alignment on the Protege on top of replacing the end links on the Civic and now the brake line swap.

I've been screwing with the cars all week. The lawn looks like crap, laundry is piling up, and there's no food in the fridge. But the racecar has shiny new, now functional brakes! She's a little sensitive on the whole "anything that rolls" issue right now--stroller included, which I told her needs a new wheel bearing to fix that squeaking when turning right.

 

oh, btw, it gets better after the first 6 months (of the baby's life)... most of the time, anyway. :-)
Good luck. you'll need it.

 

I feel your pain. At the autocross last weekend (first one I've taken the Integra to in several months), I *thought* all I had to do was change the oil and I'd be ready for VIR. Now I think I've got a clunk in the front end and I think it's either a tie rod end or a driveaxle.

Chit.

 

Look on the bright side, at least you don't have a woman nagging you about your busted chit.

SPiFF, who is not sure that is a good thing, but is trying to help Rice feel better either way.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">oh, btw, it gets better after the first 6 months (of the baby's life)... most of the time, anyway. :-)
</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL! From 6 months to 18 months is the good period, before they become overwhelmed by the forces of evil and mischief, and decide that the best way to help daddy is to hide sockets in every imaginable place in the car, and to stick ratchet extensions and wrenches in the box fan in the garage while it runs. Also, my daughter feels the need to ask: "Daddy, what you doing? You working on it? You fixing it? You fixing dat car?" OVER AND OVER AND OVER! I love my 2.5 year old. I can't wait for her 3 month old little brother to be just like her.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1gTeg90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

LOL! From 6 months to 18 months is the good period, before they become overwhelmed by the forces of evil and mischief, and decide that the best way to help daddy is to hide sockets in every imaginable place in the car, and to stick ratchet extensions and wrenches in the box fan in the garage while it runs. Also, my daughter feels the need to ask: "Daddy, what you doing? You working on it? You fixing it? You fixing dat car?" OVER AND OVER AND OVER! I love my 2.5 year old. I can't wait for her 3 month old little brother to be just like her. </TD></TR></TABLE>

So it IS possible to keep racing after having children? Good!

Mike &lt;-- Who bought the race car early so there will be no "we can't afford it" discussions later.

 

Set a budget, be realistic about it, and stick to it. Get everything accounted for going in, and yes, there CAN be something left over for racing. Just not nearly as often or as quickly as I would like...

There is the issue of "collateral tolerance" that car-related pursuits inflict upon one's significant other though. Buyer beware.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by whitney &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Mike &lt;-- Who bought the race car early so there will be no "we can't afford it" discussions later.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL, now that's thinking. My plan is to go with the whole, "I'm an established race car owner/driver, so don't try to change me baby" thing, when I meet Mrs. Uncleben. And so far, a few girls have seemed to think it was even pretty cool... even been willing to be at the track with me, suffering through hot weather and a long boring day watching cars go round 'n round.

Though right now, I'm fairly certain that having a gf/wife would probably put me in all sorts of extra financial troubles, haha. So I'm just having fun being a selfish single bastard for now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by madhatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There is the issue of "collateral tolerance" that car-related pursuits inflict upon one's significant other though. Buyer beware. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's easy. When you do race, be the happiest, most awesome guy a woman could want for some period of time after the event. Then at some point begin to slowly slip into a depression of sorts. Act lethargic, sad. Stare longingly at your trophy from last season and the action photos of your car from various past events hanging in the den. Pretty soon she'll make the connection and she'll feel so bad for you that she'll look foward to your next race weekend, just so she can have her husband back. Enough of this, convincingly done and played to a tee, will have her convinced that the racing season has actually saved the marriage!

Disclaimer: Of course, your results may vary, and the poster of this response accepts no responsibility for items that may be thrown at you for conduct in this manner or any incident that ends with you sleeping on a couch or in a garage.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by uncleben &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Though right now, I'm fairly certain that having a gf/wife would probably put me in all sorts of extra financial troubles, haha. So I'm just having fun being a selfish single bastard for now. </TD></TR></TABLE>

CHILDREN put you in financial trouble. Spouse? Nah. Can you say TWO INCOMES? Yeh baby, yeh!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by uncleben &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And so far, a few girls have seemed to think it was even pretty cool... even been willing to be at the track with me, suffering through hot weather and a long boring day watching cars go round 'n round. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Find one of those girls who either like to work on cars, likes to be around the cars, or whose father owns a large garage, and marry her. Find more than one, well, that's the best argument for polygamy I've ever heard. Mormon, anyone?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1gTeg90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That's easy. When you do race, be the happiest, most awesome guy a woman could want for some period of time after the event. Then at some point begin to slowly slip into a depression of sorts. Act lethargic, sad. Stare longingly at your trophy from last season and the action photos of your car from various past events hanging in the den. Pretty soon she'll make the connection and she'll feel so bad for you that she'll look foward to your next race weekend, just so she can have her husband back. Enough of this, convincingly done and played to a tee, will have her convinced that the racing season has actually saved the marriage!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dude, shhhh!!! Don't give away ALL the secrets! I even had her convinced that it was HER idea to buy the car in the first place!

 

there were two defining moments early in our dating that confirmed my suspicions that i had met the woman i would marry.

1. she confessed to owning a copy of "hardware wars" and thought it was hilarious.
2. she carried a spare alternator and a small set of tools in the trunk of her 86 pontiac grand am "just in case," and knew how to swap it out.

we just celebrated our two year anniversary, and so far she has been very supportive of my 'hobby.' i almost have her convinced that preparing my car for the h3 is a good idea.

the real race will be between me getting my racing license and her getting pregnant.

 

now see Richard, that's why I only work on the car at NAP TIME. The single greatest weapon in all of parenthood. 1:00pm to 3 or 4:00pm. No exceptions. That gives me a 4 to 6 hour window every weekend to do stuff. Unfortunately, that means I need to get to work on the basement plumbing... For the car work will only be allowed to start when the basement is finished... Anybody here handy at tiling and hanging doors? Ah, the concessions we make in the name of marital harmony.

Sebastien, loving the girls to death (1.5 and 3.5), and trying to enjoy the few years before teenagedom... I'm gonna be hurtin' in about 10 years.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ruthless013 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the real race will be between me getting my racing license and her getting pregnant. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Dude, I would hope you're in a position (no pun intended) to pretty much control the outcome of that race.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1gTeg90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

CHILDREN put you in financial trouble. Spouse? Nah. Can you say TWO INCOMES? Yeh baby, yeh!</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL - you know, I guess I never thought of it like that. Though I've never been with a girl that hard more then the bare minimum of cash to support herself let alone give me any...
Guess I know what kind of woman I should be looking for though, haha, dad with garage, likes cars, etc. Oh and, has money, always key.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1gTeg90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Dude, I would hope you're in a position (no pun intended) to pretty much control the outcome of that race. </TD></TR></TABLE>

But didn't you lose a similar race?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Adrift &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But didn't you lose a similar race? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Hey, I did get my comp license. And on the other topic, well, I thought I had won. I just didn't realize months later she would produce a trophy!

Note: Before any wise *** says anything, I do know where yungin's come from, and what causes them. Just didn't expect one at that time.....

 

[QUOTE=1gTeg90]

Find one of those girls who either like to work on cars, likes to be around the cars,

[QUOTE]

BINGO.


My wife likes the people the most. She wants to know everyone and has found a few buddies in the paddock as well. Mrs. Franza and Mrs. Kent have been a big help. Wives need someone to look forward too seeing... not just the race.

She also likes H-T updates:

Me- "Honey, you should go read this. Richard just........ -EDIT-.... it's the best"

Her- "Richard was the nice guy with the two kids that beat you, right?"

Me- Yeah thats him............. that SOB.

Get her involved with T/S or organizing.

Edit: John- trying to set the 'new' tone.


Modified by JohnW at 2:38 AM 7/26/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1gTeg90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

LOL! From 6 months to 18 months is the good period, before they become overwhelmed by the forces of evil and mischief, and decide that the best way to help daddy is to hide sockets in every imaginable place in the car, and to stick ratchet extensions and wrenches in the box fan in the garage while it runs. Also, my daughter feels the need to ask: "Daddy, what you doing? You working on it? You fixing it? You fixing dat car?" OVER AND OVER AND OVER! I love my 2.5 year old. I can't wait for her 3 month old little brother to be just like her. </TD></TR></TABLE>

ROFLMAO, that is classic, reminds me of my almost 3 year old trying to fix everthing in sight w/ a screwdriver, to her liking the "silver BMW better than the pathfinder"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">She also likes H-T updates:

Me- "Honey, you should go read this. Richard just........ -EDIT-.... it's the best"

Her- "Richard was the nice guy with the two kids that beat you, right?"

Me- Yeah thats him............. that SOB. </TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL! Sorry John!

OBTW - Yah know, seeing that one thread that got deleted, and the way you and your business was were drug into a public light in a sad and pathetic attempt to discredit you, got me thinking. I know you told me I didn't need one of your RRG.com airdams and splitters because you thought the one I had constructed was just fine, and was one of the better "home made" jobs you had seen. Well, "better" just isn't good enough when you're as driven to win as I am. Sign me up for an airdam, with splitter. It's about time I started sporting your stuff on my car. Could it be ready for Lowes Hyperfest at the end of August? Let me know...

Thanks,

 

as my friend Ron would say:

women shop.

we go and drive the **** out of our cars to get things out of our system and then fix what we broke doing it.

you spend the same amount either way.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Michael Delaney &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">as my friend Ron would say:

women shop.

we go and drive the **** out of our cars to get things out of our system and then fix what we broke doing it.

you spend the same amount either way. </TD></TR></TABLE>\

Ahahah.... . I'm inclined to believe that that's true. While we may make more big ticket purchases, all those purses and shoes and clothes really add up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ruthless013 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">there were two defining moments early in our dating that confirmed my suspicions that i had met the woman i would marry.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Mine was: If we're even going to get married, WE'D better finsih the MG so it can be in the wedding too!!!!

We are expecting number one in 10 days following 6 years fo bliss. I have 2 racecars, one she hates and the other talked ME into buying after missing the MG for a few years now..

I can only hope the offspring we will soon bring into this world, will share the love of cars the two of us share..

Good luck to you my friend..May you get as luccky as I

Jeff

 

LOL- You saw that cluster-f? ..... sorry Bro.

IM on the way.

Kinda strange day yesterday.... I think it may have helped business. Got a bunch of worked up IM's and RRG team members saying the same thing.

I'm gonna TRY to turn the other cheek from now on.

John- who is really a little disappointed in himself. Well only a little.