ballrub's back again...

[ballrub]

Hey guys...long time no been on site!!! Surprising how busy one can get when one doesn't have a job! Yes...as of 9/30/05, Ichibahn let me go! I was working my (removed) off trying to get this division back up to snuff, and wondering why I was having problems getting any answers from my vendors, and trying to get the product we were out of stock on to fill orders. Since February, I had been trying to get the line into Pep Boys. Finally in August, things started happening. I got 18 sku's approved for their November plan-o-gram in all of their 596 stores. It was a $270,000 opening order (more than the division was going to do for the whole year), with more orders coming monthly thereafter. I was also on the verge of getting the line into NOPI as well. Then the **** hit the fan! Two weeks before the let me go (with no warning), I discovered from my vendors that Ichibahn owed them over $275,000 in past dues. Plus, in order to fill the Pep Boys order, we would have needed to order another $175,000 worth of product. Since the Audiobahn division (the biggest division of 7 companies) averaged about $10 million a month, the Xsite division (the smallest division other than Ichibahn) did about $1 million a month, and Ichibahn (which until the Pep Boys order) was averaging about $20,000 a month, the owner decided he did not want to gamble $450,000 on this division (to pay off the vendors and put in the order for Pep Boys) and pulled the plug on Ichibahn. No notice, no severance pay, and still fighting for commissions due. That was the most frustrating job I ever had. The last two months I was going through a fifth of vodka a week, just to relieve the stress of working at that job! (By the way, if you haven't tried this new vodka called "3", which is [don't laugh] made from soy, is the smoothest vodka I have ever tasted--goes down real smoothe without the bitter alcohol taste.) I basically told the owner what I thought about him not disclosing the financial situation to me, about not hiring anyone to help me with the division (as promised), and about the fact that I had turned the division around in shorter time than promised (I had told them it would take at least a year to get Ichibahn back to it's former glory). It felt good, but does't pay the mortgage. But it does get better!Since being involved with the OverHaulin show back in March of `05, I have gotten to know the producers of OverHaulin and Rides very well. I imparted my views on manufacturers not getting their just credits in donating parts and time to these types of shows, and convinced them they need to do a show on imports without the pranks, and show why products were used, giving the manufacturers a chance to show off their products... (see overview below) Fine Tuned Created by Chad Marshall & Jason Posovsky Executive Producers: Chad Marshall, Bud Brutsman, Tyson Beckford & Jason Posovsky Co-Producer / Sponsorship: Steve Belanger As the world of custom car making and the shows built around them grow, so too has the business of import cars to the tune of over $1 Billion a year. From the success of shows like American Chopper, Monster Garage, Overhaulin’ and Rides, there is now real Neilsen’s research to quantify the ever growing audience for shows centered around the customization of cars and motorcycles. So much so, that each of these 4 shows are either the number #1 or #2 shows on their respective networks. To date, there are more than 6 car/bike makeover shows that focus only on the customization of the American car and motorcycle, well that is, until now… Our new reality series, Fine Tuned will build off of all the successful components from these other shows, but with only one VERY LARGE difference, our show will center solely on the ever growing market of Import Cars…you know, all those cars you saw in the Fast and the Furious, all of those tricked out Rice –Burner cars you see speeding around on the freeway… …I know it’s hard to believe, but these cars represent over 50% of the cars driven on the planet, and with them is an ever-growing worldwide audience of import car enthusiasts that is going un-served in the television marketplace. Though this craze started over 20 years ago in Japan, and shortly after in the United States, the import car craze has also caught on in Europe, Canada, South America and Africa. And though the market and demand for import cars is at an all time high, there is not a single car show that is targeted solely at this lucrative and brand loyal demographic… To serve this un-served audience, we bring you Fine Tuned, a one-hour make-over reality show that brings the world’s top import car design teams together with well deserving car owners to transform their cars into pieces of art. The show will be hosted by world-famous actor, model and import car enthusiast, Tyson Beckford and award winning import car designer, “Lucky Jay” Hess. Each episode of the show will profile a specific manufacturer and model (i.e. Nissan Z350 or the Toyota Supra) along with a different team of builders that will build and/or rebuild the tuner car from scratch. Within each episode we will introduce a worthy candidate to Tyson, Lucky Jay and their build team to find out more about the deserving candidate. During the initial introduction, the owner of the car will challenge the team to build the car to his/her exact specifications and needs….and their modest budget. Special note: As a Producer of the number 1# rated auto show on TLC (Overhaulin’) our show’s success has provided our production staff with over 40,000 submissions from all over the country, within these applications we have come across a bounty of amazingly deserving people, whether it be the husband that has worked 3 jobs so his kids could go to a better school or a young man that has contributed his life saving to help out his family, these people have selflessly given up their passion for their cars in order to provide for their families…these are the people we want to help. Upon this initial meeting, the build team will have 7 days to rebuild the car from scratch into the owner’s dream car. During the show, we will profile, in detail, the car, the history of the manufacturer, the city in where we’re building the car, the owner and what s/he wants to do with the car (a daily driver, a race car, a show-car). During the show we will also have mini segments that profile the ongoing and evolving world of import cars and events that are constantly taking place all over the world. And at the center of all this is Tyson Beckford, who serves as the voice and main host of the show but will be supported by several co-hosts that will introduce the mini segments of the show. The show will be a seamless mix of fast-paced profiles of the cars along with detailed information about the car itself, while having narrative that tells a story that brings an individuals dream come true…making his regular boring old car into a one of a kind import car that would rival anything out of the Fast and the Furious! In Conclusion We feel that our series has enormous potential as the world of import cars grows exponentially through out the world every year. In addition, we feel that there are so many deserving fans of who live and dream about these cars, and to transform a deserving persons’ car into a show car is to us, making a dream into reality. The Producing Team: Bud Brutsman – Executive Producer of the 2 highest rated auto shows (Rides and Overhaulin’) Mr. Brutsman brings over 10 years of producing expertise along with his incomparable knowledge of the automotive world and his unrivaled contacts within it Chad Marshall – Mr. Marshall has overseen and produced over 300 hours of programming starting with his career at NBC Entertainment, combined with the shows he’s produced through his production company. Mr. Marshall has also produced 2 feature films which have both premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Steve Belanger – Mr. Belanger as co-producer h
as over 30 years of aftermarket experience, from customizing cars in the `70’s, to designing and selling ground effects in the `80’s, to advertising and publishing in the `90’s (creator of both Import Tuner and Import Racer magazines) and will be responsible for bringing manufacturers of the aftermarket products on board as sponsors. The only problem is, in order to control the content of the show, they are producing and filming the pilot out of their own pocket, and can't pay me anything yet! I have to gamble that a network (Spike is the most likely candidate) will pick up the series, and then I get paid. We should know by the end of this March at the latest. In the meantime, I still have to pay college tuition for my three kids, pay the mortgage and car payments, so hence I have taken on the position of marketing and general manager for a place called Brainstorm Performance, which is a shop in Culver City. Maybe some of you have heard of these guys before? They've been around for about 10 years (new owners 6 months ago), and are the premier Miata specialtists in the country. They have branched out into Evo's, Subaru's (we have a guy named Ed, who is one of the best Subie tuners in the country! People ship their Subies to him from all across the country to have him tune), and Nissan/Infiniti. Plus, they want to get into the high-end cars as well. They've just taken on Renntech, and had a really tricked out CLS500 at the LA Auto Show. We also have one of only two Dynamic Test Systems (from Austrailia) in ground 4wd chassi dynos on the west coast! They are the largest dealer in the country for APS turbo systems (also from Austrailia), and are getting their 350Z/G35 twin turbo kits CARB certified right now! They are working on getting all of the websites updated next week, but you can check all three sites out here: http://www.turboperformance.net/bsp/def ... p.htmlI'll try and post up some pictures next week sometime, and try to get on the site a little more often!At any rate, I should have some time now to get on the site a little more than I have in recent months. I've already started adding more jokes to my joke thread again (if you guys missed all of those jokes I used to post). Sorry for the long novel, but you know me...I like to ramble a bit more than most people. Anyways, I will be surfing the site alittle more often now, trying to get back into the swing of genvibe. Thanks for letting me rant.

[BlueCrush]

Welcome Back! Sorry to hear about the Ichibans job. But it sounds like your new venture will be much more rewarding. Hopefully it will get picked up soon. Nice to see you back on nere. I have spent countless hours laughing while reading your jokes thread. I have always loved your Vibe how's it running?

[kostby]

Welcome back! Thanks for the 'latest episode of the reality show called 'Ballrub's Life'. Glad things are getting better for you again. I too enjoy your joke thread. I am troubled by things you mentioned though. Putting on the 'Dr. Phil' pop-psychology hat for a moment: Please take it easy on the self-prescribed 'meds' (like vodka). Drinking to 'reduce stress' can quickly end up ruining your health. I speak from personal family experience. My father tried that 'stress reducer' in two very high-stress occupations and suffered a nervous breakdown at age 38. He died from complications related to an ulcer at age 54. A recent colleague suffered a stroke at age 52. Remember too, that what you see as a 'little stress reducer' could be seen as a 'drinking problem' by your employer(s) and co-workers.Life is too short to be that stressed all the time! Remember: The world doesn't have to rest on your shoulders, unless you permit it! Re-examine your financial status: Your college-aged kids could and maybe should be taking care of themselves by now. They'll appreciate their education more if they participate in funding it, instead of being subsidized by good ol' dad. If they're all away at school, maybe it's time to downsize your living arrangements and get out of your mortgage or go interest-only for a time.Sincere best wishes for the future.

[joholste]

would brainstorm possibly be willing to look into creating a custom turbo for the vibe??? jk good to see you back online...i'm envious of you btw i would love to work in a place like brainstorm even if i didn't get to touch a single car.. i would want to just watch the mechanics work their magic on cars

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Welcome Back! Sorry to hear about the Ichibans job. But it sounds like your new venture will be much more rewarding. Hopefully it will get picked up soon. Nice to see you back on nere. I have spent countless hours laughing while reading your jokes thread. I have always loved your Vibe how's it running?The Vibe's running great! I drove it out to last August's Heat Wave in Austin, and averaged about 30mpg, and I was haulin' most of the time. I haven't done anything new to it lately, especially since buying an `05 Equinox for the wife earlier this year, and then buying my oldest girl her new `06 Corolla.

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Welcome back! Thanks for the 'latest episode of the reality show called 'Ballrub's Life'. Glad things are getting better for you again. I too enjoy your joke thread. I am troubled by things you mentioned though. Putting on the 'Dr. Phil' pop-psychology hat for a moment: Please take it easy on the self-prescribed 'meds' (like vodka). Drinking to 'reduce stress' can quickly end up ruining your health. I speak from personal family experience. My father tried that 'stress reducer' in two very high-stress occupations and suffered a nervous breakdown at age 38. He died from complications related to an ulcer at age 54. A recent colleague suffered a stroke at age 52. Remember too, that what you see as a 'little stress reducer' could be seen as a 'drinking problem' by your employer(s) and co-workers.Life is too short to be that stressed all the time! Remember: The world doesn't have to rest on your shoulders, unless you permit it! Re-examine your financial status: Your college-aged kids could and maybe should be taking care of themselves by now. They'll appreciate their education more if they participate in funding it, instead of being subsidized by good ol' dad. If they're all away at school, maybe it's time to downsize your living arrangements and get out of your mortgage or go interest-only for a time.Sincere best wishes for the future.I greatly appreciate the concern, and know what you're talking about. The drinking can take its toll on you, and since leaving Ichibahn and doing these new gigs, I'm nowhere near as stressed as I was. Mind you, I still have a drink now and then, but a fifth of vadka last me a couple of months now!As far as the financial situation is concerned, it took some re-adjustments of retirement funds, and with the steady income from the Brainstorm job, don't have to dip into retirement moneys now.We did try the "pay your own way" through college thiong with the kids, but both the older two got caught up in the jobs and buying toys for themselves, that they literally blew a whole years worth of college credits. We have a deal with them now, that as long as they're taking a full load of courses, and are getting good grades, dad will pay for schooling and incidentals.Besides, even if the TV show doesn't happen, if my son graduates from Cal Poly with his 3D CAD/CAM degree, he could be my retirement fund (LOL)!!!!As you said, "Life is too short..." I have my family, our health, there's food on the table, and I'm not in debt, so I have to think I'm pretty damn lucky!...and I'll keep posting more jokes! As they say..."Keep'em laughing"! Besides, check out the new company car I get to drive a couple of times a week:

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[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by joholste »would brainstorm possibly be willing to look into creating a custom turbo for the vibe??? jk good to see you back online...i'm envious of you btw i would love to work in a place like brainstorm even if i didn't get to touch a single car.. i would want to just watch the mechanics work their magic on carsWe don't do any custom fabrication here at Brainstorm, but we do have one of only two 4wd cahssi dynos on the west coast, and will post some more pics of the shop, after a few more of my comapny car I get to drive!!!

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[ballrub]

And another picture:

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[ballrub]

And another psicture:

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[ballrub]

And another shot of the car I get to drive:

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[ballrub]

Here's Brainstorm's showroom:

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[ballrub]

Another one of the showrrom:

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[ballrub]

Here's one of our comapny Miatas, with the shop and dyno in the background:

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[ballrub]

Here's the 4WD dyno:

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[Psychobroker]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »In the meantime, I still have to pay college tuition for my three kids, pay the mortgage and car payments, so hence I have taken on the position of marketing and general manager for a place called Brainstorm Performance, which is a shop in Culver City. Maybe some of you have heard of these guys before? They've been around for about 10 years (new owners 6 months ago), and are the premier Miata specialtists in the country. They have branched out into Evo's, Subaru's (we have a guy named Ed, who is one of the best Subie tuners in the country! People ship their Subies to him from all across the country to have him tune), and Nissan/Infiniti. Plus, they want to get into the high-end cars as well. They've just taken on Renntech, and had a really tricked out CLS500 at the LA Auto Show. We also have one of only two Dynamic Test Systems (from Austrailia) in ground 4wd chassi dynos on the west coast! They are the largest dealer in the country for APS turbo systems (also from Austrailia), and are getting their 350Z/G35 twin turbo kits CARB certified right now! They are working on getting all of the websites updated next week, but you can check all three sites out here: http://www.turboperformance.net/bsp/def ... p.htmlI'll try and post up some pictures next week sometime, and try to get on the site a little more often!At any rate, I should have some time now to get on the site a little more than I have in recent months. I've already started adding more jokes to my joke thread again (if you guys missed all of those jokes I used to post). Sorry for the long novel, but you know me...I like to ramble a bit more than most people. Anyways, I will be surfing the site alittle more often now, trying to get back into the swing of genvibe. Thanks for letting me rant. Wow, I am sorry to hear about your misfortune, yet, mixed into this may be a glut of sucess with the new show. Good luck on that!Now, on an "it's-a-small-world" note, Brainstorm is my tuner shop!!! Granted, I've only used them a couple of times - once to tune/install my Unichip, and then another time to install motor mounts, service my springs, and a few other things I've forgotten about, but their service and help has always been top-notch. I've had a clutch service quote sitting in their system for some time now, just waiting for my clutch to die. I hope it's still valid, because I might have to get that done sometime soon - RPS clutch, MWR Flywheel.Wow, I'm still kinda shocked

[Stang2Vibe]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »The last two months I was going through a fifth of vodka a week, just to relieve the stress of working at that job! (By the way, if you haven't tried this new vodka called "3", which is [don't laugh] made from soy, is the smoothest vodka I have ever tasted--goes down real smoothe without the bitter alcohol taste.) I'm gonna have to try that if I can find it around here. Vodka is certainly not my favorite, but it does the job well (I prefer Captain Morgan Private Stock and Coke). But you've got to share your secret with me; how'd you get a fifth to stretch a whole week? I was going through 2 to almost 3 per week just so I could sleep in peace and not wake up with nightmares and stuff. I liked mixing drinks with Grey Goose until the French hacked me off and I switched to Belvedere (I think the Belvedere is just as good). Smirnoff is ok too if you want to save a few bucks, but I would wake up with a headache from it where I wouldn't with the Belvedere.In any case, I hope your show makes it to production, it would be cool to watch. I thought I saw some ads on Spike recently that they were going to be airing a new fix-up-the-car reality show. It's good to see that you've got some things sorted out and overall things are shaping up better for you. Good to see you back again.

[ballrub]

Psycho...the guys do remember you (especially being the only Vibe that's ever come into the shop here for work)!Not only is your quote still good, but as long as I'm still here, when ever you're ready to get any qork done, I'll make sure you get 10% on parts and labor as a "genvibe" member. And that goes for anyone else in the area!

[ballrub]

Stang...I'm a great believer in kharma, and believe things happen for a reason. You just gotta go with the flow!!!And...I'm pretty sure you will like that "3" vodka, but it's hard to find. Here's their website: http://www.3vodka.com/

[Psychobroker]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »Psycho...the guys do remember you (especially being the only Vibe that's ever come into the shop here for work)!Not only is your quote still good, but as long as I'm still here, when ever you're ready to get any work done, I'll make sure you get 10% on parts and labor as a "genvibe" member. And that goes for anyone else in the area! Wow, that's awesome! I'm definitely looking to do this soon...are you at Brainstorm on a daily basis? I've got all the parts needed, including the f-wheel, clutch cover bolts, and TO bearing.First, I'm thinking or taking it in to Pontiac while it's under warranty - just to have them inspect it any replace anything they can. I'll try to get them to replace the clutch/flywheel, especially since I've got the parts. I don't know what chance I have of getting that done, but it will save me a few bucks .Thanks very much for your help Stephen.

[kostby]

Thanks for the additional feedback. I'm glad things are much more under control now.As for your 'company car, WOW! That's a Benz? SWEEEEEEET!