Ballrub is ALIVE (and finally doing well)!

[ballrub]

Well…how the hell have you all be doing?I know, it’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to sit down and get back on some of my favorite old sites, and it’s good to see you all around (I’ve been lurking a few times now and then just to check up on you all!).A lot has happened in the last 2 years (God…has it been that long since I’ve posted?), so to spare all of you short attention span people the agony of a novel (and it could be!), I’ll just give you the Reader’s Digest version.MeFor the last 2 years I’ve been mostly out of work, and had to struggle to keep it together. One short lived job, the owners ran out of money and I had to quit. Fought the EDD for unemployment benefits, went through the board of appeals and in front of a panel of judges with a 16 page appeal and won $9400 from them (ever heard of anyone doing that?)Another short lived job, where the owner hired me to replace his son, and before that happened, the son fired me and the father refused to even talk to me.Burned through about $100,000 in retirement money before I finally took out an equity loan on the house to make ends meet.Finally, earlier this year I started a fantastic job as the Director of Marketing & Promotions. I’m in charge of advertising, promotion and trade shows (and other stuff) and get to play with almost a $1,000,000 budget. The owner loves me, and keeps letting me spend more money (the company is doing extremely well since I’ve been there) and am now designing a brand new booth for SEMA right now. But that’s also the reason why I’ve never been busier and worked so hard at a job and not had the time to schmooze with friends like you guys!Have you seen my SHOW? Remember “FINE TUNED”, the one I was supposed to be Co-Producer of? The one that’s on Speed Channel every Thursday night with Tyson Beckford as the host and will air the 4th episode tomorrow night? Well…I got screwed! The producer hired someone else (someone much cheaper), and now I’m talking with a Hollywood attorney to discuss the possibility of taking this to court. But…after watching the 1st three episodes (I was only present during the 1st episode which was the pilot we shot), I’m not sure I would have been proud to have my name associated with this program. Has anyone seen it yet? What do you guys think about it?Wife: JillShe’s still part time teacher’s aide dealing with special kids K-thru-5th grade, still doing belly dancing, now DAR (Daughter’s of the American Revolution) historian for the Mojave chapter (all of so.cal), finishing up a huge 78”x 58” stain glass window for another client . Have another batch a grapes this year and will be wine stomping in a couple of weeks! We celebrated our 28th anniversary this year, and seem to love her more every year! She’s driving an `05 Chevy Equinox, and loves it.Son: Max (25)I don’t know what to say about my kids! They all had over $25,000 put away to go to college, and they all blew it! Max dropped out of Cal-Poly, lost his job at Lowe’s and became addicted to World of Warcraft. He made a vow to himself that if he didn’t have a degree, was married or had a job by the time he was 25, he would join the Air Force. So he did and sold his car, kept the bike (Yamaha Z6). But two weeks into training, they kicked him out (medical discharge) for asthma which he hadn’t suffered from for over 8 years. Well, he’s moved back in, got another job and was fired, and is now back on the stupid game 24/7. I think I’ll be kicking him out soon!Oldest Daughter: Kristina (24)Still lives at home, Still going to school part time. Just got an AA degree in English Lit, has written 6 novels (none tried to publish yet, but getting close), and since her tuition money has run out, is trying to get scholarship money from the DAR, since she just joined recently too. After her younger sister totaled her `05 Corolla, she bought an `07 Yaris hatchback with 17” 6-spokes and loves it (will post a picture later).Youngest Daughter: Alicia (20)She’s the only one out on her own! She shares an apartment with two others, works full time as a stage manager for several local theatres and some Indian gambling casinos. Even though she also quit school, she did not burn through all of her college money, and says she’ll try to go back and get a degree, but she’s already making something like $20/hr at her job now. She totaled her sister’s car two days before she got her car, an `05 Cobalt 4-dr, which she has already had another accident in!HouseAbout 9 months ago, the trap for the toilet cracked and we had a sewage lake under our house. Had to have the Haz-Mat people come out and three days (and $4000) later, we could go back. After the water main broke (another $4000 fix), and a $1200 electrical wiring upgrade to accommodate the new hot tub, she’s sitting pretty nice right now. Unless the market drops out here in LA (which it probably will), my home is worth (ready for this?) over $575,000 right now! I paid $167,000 for it 17 years ago. Is that crazy or what?Car(s)The Vibe has over 40,000 miles on it now, and as of July, is out of warranty. I’ve had no problems with it at all (except the cruise control which I took care of before the warranty ran out). Still looks and drives like a dream. I’m in the process of tracking down the real car, but am buying a model of my dad’s cousin’s car, that won the 1951 Indy 500 winner (http://www.johnsnowberger.com/belanger.asp). I’m also buying a new toy this weekend! I’ll give you a hint and tell you that it has only 31,000 original miles, and has 12 cylinders! Here’s a sneak peek: Any guesses? TaTa for now. I will try and be around a little more, because I want to find out all that’s being going on with you guys now. See ya later!

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[northvibe]

well congrats on the new job! gotta love what you do! nice engine in that car cant wait to see pics soon! WoW...has he seen the south park episode of WoW? lol

[joholste]

well glad to hear that you got back on your feet. The new job sounds awesome.

[Raivis]

im gonna take a guess on a ferrari 166???

[damronjr]

WOW, lots there, been a long time! Good to see you are back up and doing well, though after all that!

[ArcsVibe]

Welcome back buddy! Good to hear that you are back on your feet!!!

[NascarXprt]

Its good to see you back buddy! congrats on the job!and as for 'Fine Tuned' its like 'Overhaulin' except with modern cars not classics. but i like its a pretty neat show.

[AKLGT]

ballrub! wow! has it REALLY been 2 YEARS???? well, sorry for all the crazy mishaps in your life, but it sounds like things are really picking up for you! sorry about the kids, sometimes they just have to live and learn the hardway (i know i had to) for it to sink in. glad you're back! keep in touch and drop me a line sometime! Hope

[Merzbow]

Welcome back man!Congrats and getting out of the hole.As far as your toy is concerned, that doesn't look like a Ferrari V12 and doesn't look like Ferrari paint so I'm going to take a guess and say an old Mercedes or Aston Martin or something like that. I bet if you showed a picture of one of the front quarter panels I'd have a better guess

[kostby]

Welcome back!As an old-timer, I noticed that the battery is only a 6-volt (3 cells instead of the usual 6 on a 12-volt).I'm guessing a '46 or so Lincoln Continental - maybe the convertible? A guy in town had one he used to bring out for parades a few years ago.I've missed your joke mass-postings, too!

[Atomic]

Wow, that's a crazy bunch of stuff you had to deal with.It's good that you are back on your feet and moving forward, and have a great job to top it all off.As for the mystery car, it could be a 166, the fenders have about the right shape, although it could be the photo angle.Except, 6 volt electrics, and is that a turbo on the right side?Now I think it has to be something British or American, and certainly looks pre-50s.I'm also guessing it's a fairly small displacement.Maybe an old Auto Union or early Jag?

[coldmm803]

welcome back ballrub, good to hear things are going better

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »ballrub! wow! has it REALLY been 2 YEARS???? well, sorry for all the crazy mishaps in your life, but it sounds like things are really picking up for you! sorry about the kids, sometimes they just have to live and learn the hardway (i know i had to) for it to sink in. glad you're back! keep in touch and drop me a line sometime! HopeHope...it's all in how you perceive things. I'm a great believer in kharma, and also know that **** happens, and you just gotta keep going forward, no matter what! Quote, originally posted by kostby »As an old-timer, I noticed that the battery is only a 6-volt (3 cells instead of the usual 6 on a 12-volt).I'm guessing a '46 or so Lincoln Continental - maybe the convertible? A guy in town had one he used to bring out for parades a few years ago.You are an old-timer alright! It's a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr 4-door sedan. Here are some more pictures:Here's the best part...I'm picking it up this weekend for only $15,000!!! What do you guys think?

[joatmon]

before this thread, your most recent previous post was 4/7/07 http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...35832welcome back, glad things are looking up for youmiss the jokeswhat's long, brown and sticky?

[rebbierae]

Man, I DIG those whitewalls!!!

[Sublimewind]

WoWzers..!!!I'm a new guy here, so Welcome "back" home... That some crazy stuff you put out there.... I sure know what it is like being without work, i've had a good job now for 7 months and i'm still trying to catch up.... The kids, well, i did almost the same thing when i was there age, i didn't piddle away my college trust though, i didn't have acess to it, until i finished (greatfully) Fine Tuned, i think i have seen it once, i haven't found the money to afford cable, so i only get the car shows in small doses when i'm over at someones house... Soon though, soon... Reguardless, that is some really crappy crap, that they did you that way, but, i guess it's dog-eat-dog in the business.... I hope it works out for you though... SEMA, you're doing a booth for SEMA...!!!!!! That is the coolest thing in the world...!!! One day, mark my words, i'll be in or at one of those shows... I had a friend that worked for SSBC that is always going to SEMA with there cars/trucks.... It's been a few years since i've seen him now, since i moved away from Buffalo, NY. (SSBC is in Clarence, NY.) I don't know much about pre-50's cars so THIS IS GOING TO GET INTERESTING.... !!!If i get my way you'll be seeing my build up of either a 68-72' or a 73-85'? Chevy C-10 longbed.... Wow, very cool to meet you...!! Cheers,Aaron

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »You are an old-timer alright! It's a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr 4-door sedan. Here are some more pictures:Here's the best part...I'm picking it up this weekend for only $15,000!!! What do you guys think?(removed), that is going to be soooooo cool, are you doing a reso on it or are you going to mod it??? It's in such GOOD shape! 15k, so who are you stealing from???? LoL... I'll be watching this FOR SURE...!

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »(removed), that is going to be soooooo cool, are you doing a reso on it or are you going to mod it??? It's in such GOOD shape! 15k, so who are you stealing from???? LoL... I'll be watching this FOR SURE...!This car has only 31,000 miles on it! My Vibe has over 40,000!!!I don't need to do anything to it at all! The previous owner had the uphostry re-done two years ago, but that's the original paint and chrome on the car! the first owner died in the mid-fifties, and his son stored the car until the guy I'm buying it from bought it in `71. He only put less than 1000 miles on it (has 3 old GTO's which he plays with a lot more than the Lincoln) so that's why he's letting me have it! I will be cleaning up the engine compartment, and have a spare set of heads, pistons, intake and exhaust manifolds along with two water pumps (one for each cyclinder bank) and may resto-hotrod the engine. but otherwise, plan to drive this and have some fun with it. It could be a daily driver (will do 60mph on the freeway easy!), but may have upgrade the suspension a little (sways like a big yacht going around corners too fast). The appraisers valued it at over $35,000, and shoud be able to put 5000 miles on it and sell it in five years and double my investment!Regarding the SEMA show, this will be my 28th year going to it, and the third time I've designed a booth, but this one is 30'x 40' and is huge! It's going to cost over $10,000 to design and over $40,000 just to build it (in China). then I have to take it to the PRI show in December to Orlando!Plus, I've hired a Dale Earnhart look-a-like for the show as well (see attachment)OK joatmon, you got me...what is long, brown and sticky?

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[Sublimewind]

Man, that is incredible....!!!! I sure wish i knew people that knew people, to get into deals like that... This may sound really strange, but that car would look great with a set of BIG billet wheels on it.... I know it would sway it away from the resto look, but it sure would change the handling of it... Just my opinion though.. I wish i was even decent with photoshop, i would chop some in to see.... You gonna post some pics of the booth up for us or what... I could go on and on and on and on about this stuff... My dreams are of SEMA one day... kinda a holy grail or brass ring for me..!!

[joatmon]

a stick

[engineertwin2]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »what is brown and sticky?Quote, originally posted by joatmon »a stick That's actually so bad I laughed at it...

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »a stick I was waiting for a "good" punchline...Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Man, that is incredible....!!!! I sure wish i knew people that knew people, to get into deals like that... This may sound really strange, but that car would look great with a set of BIG billet wheels on it.... I know it would sway it away from the resto look, but it sure would change the handling of it... Just my opinion though.. I wish i was even decent with photoshop, i would chop some in to see....You mean like this?Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »You gonna post some pics of the booth up for us or what... I could go on and on and on and on about this stuff... My dreams are of SEMA one day... kinda a holy grail or brass ring for me..!!when i get the final designs, I'll post them.

[AKLGT]

ballrub, looks like another great project! can't wait to read more about it. will you be writing any more spiffy cool articles this time??

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »ballrub, looks like another great project! can't wait to read more about it. will you be writing any more spiffy cool articles this time?? well Hope...funny you should ask! I have already been asked to write up an article for Hot rod Restoration magazine, HotRodHotLine.com, World of Rods magazine, and either Hot Rod or Popular Hot Rodding magazines (all of which I'm currently advertising my company's products in), so the answer would be YES!

[Mrizzle05]

MAN! long time no see.... glad al is working out buddy.Wish we can meet up sometime so i can see that!!! haha.Hope you post more and you can make it to a SD meet or something.

[GrayFox]

Welcome back I think I joined while you were gone but your vibe has been one of my favorites since I've been on GVC Good luck with your job.

[slvrvibes]

Welcome back! That's a great looking car you got there.

[kostby]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »You are an old-timer alright! It's a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr 4-door sedan. I'm 54, but I've always had an interest in cars of the 30's and 40's. That Zephyr is a wonderful, well-cared-for piece of history! I thought I recognized that 12-cyl flathead and the air cleaner as being a Lincoln. Here's a photo I found online of a mostly original '46 Lincoln Convertible like the one I used to see in town. Link to other classic car photos --> http://carnut.com/photo/list/list.html

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[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »when i get the final designs, I'll post them.That is EXACTLY what i mean.... that is HOT.... But i wouldn't ever want you to paint such a nice specimen, adding some wheels is an easy swap..... That is killer though.... Waiting for the booth pics..!!!

[MRCN RCE]

welcome back man. glad to see that you're doing alright. good luck with the tv show crap, that's messed up, but i'm sure it happens all the time.i don't think i've ever talked to you, but i've taken in a lot of information (and laughs) from your posts. your review on the k&n sr intake was a huge factor in my decision to go with k&n.have a good one man, and yeah i wanna see more pics too

[ballrub]

I'm back and still kicking!Update on the "drama" in my life from this last year this weekend! Stay tuned!

[AKLGT]

good to hear it!

[engineertwin2]

Glad you're back. I miss your jokes. Hopefully, all is well (or at least better than avg)...

[NascarXprt]

Welcome back ballrub!

[ballrub]

Hi gang! Thanks for the warm and fuzzy welcome! I know I've not had the chance recently to post in the last 6 months or so, but I have been lurking now and then just to check up on you all.So..the saga continues...First off, remember the TV show "Fine Tuned" I help get on the air? If anybody was paying attention, it only lasted three episodes. The reason why? The executive producer (my so-called friend who milked me for my ideas and left me out when the show got picked up and started filming the 2nd episode), embezzled most of the money that the Speed Channel paid for the show, and now Speed and most of the crew are trying to sue him now. Boy...am I glad I missed out on that one!Oh...and the company I was working for all of last year where I was the director of marketing & promotions? Last year, I had an $800,000+ budget to play with, and we had a 35% increase in business for `07 when the rest of the automotive market was soft (to say the least), and yet, the owner didn't have a clue as to his financial situation with his other divisions. Into the first week of the year, he told me that due to the Chinese/American exchange rate, he lost $10 million in the last quarter of the year and that my budget would be "$0" for `08, and since there would be nothing for me to do, laid me off (with another half dozen people). Didn't see that one coming at all!Quickly I did some networking and am now working for the same advertising agency I used while with my previous employer (started mid-Feb.). The office is in Burbank (in the same building that Neil Diamond recorded all of his albums), which is a 41 mile drive from my house in Whittier, but takes me an hour and a half to go each direction because of our damn LA traffic. The only redeeming part of the drive is that it's in the Vibe--still turns heads! I am now an advertising guru! Unfortunately, I keep being reminded of a line from the old movie with Carey Grant and Myrna Loy, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House". Carey is an advertising executive, and one of his daughters complains about his profession: "Advertising makes people buy things they don't need with money they don't have!"Anyways, had to put getting the `41 Lincoln Zephyr fixed up on hold for a while (until I get a nice $ cushion in the bank again), but am still driving it on short jaunts on weekends. Gotta get the brakes worked on and the engine overhauled before I can take any long trips or go to any car shows farther than 25 miles from the house.The Vibe is doing ok (just turned 50,000 miles on her), but blew out the right front strut tower mount from a pot hole last month (replaced temporarily with a stock unit and had to pull off the Hotchkis strut tower brace), and am hoping Hotchkis can make me a new one and install next week (they discontinued the application for the Vibe/Matrix due to poor sales).The wife is busier than ever, taking belly dancing classes (and she's really good--gets paid to do for bacholerette parties and such), and now makes $600+ beaded outfits for other belly dancers as well, gotten even more involved with the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), and is still going gangbusters with her stained glass windows business, all the while still being a teachers aide for K-thru-6th graders with special learning disabilities. She's one in a million!I'm now down to only one daughter living at home (Kristina who's 24 and getting her teaching degree at the end of this school year), but the wife has turned both of the other kid's bedrooms into her den and stain-glass workshop.Max (my oldest son--now 26) has been out of work for over a year, living with his girlfriend and her 2-year old daughter, and she not only supports them all, but still finds time to go to school as well. But..he just got a job (thank the gods!) as assistant manager at a Game Stop in Costa Mesa this last Monday, so he won't have to move back into the house!My youngest daughter Alicia (20) is still doing the stage manager bit at three different theaters in Orange County, and two Indian casinos as well, and is making almost as much money as I am now!Also just celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary with the wife this weekend (boy...am I getting old or what?), but was not able to afford going up the coast to Cambria/Hearst Castle and do our wine tasting like we've done for the past 28.I've probably gained another 15-lbs last year, got hair growing in places I would've never thought of (luckily not loosing any on my head yet but it's turning gray fast), have to get up to pee twice a night now, but...I can still tie my own shoes and still can see my pecker without having to look in the mirror...so I guess I'm not doing that bad.Just waiting for Publishers Clearing House to knock on the door and get that $5000/week for life, and I'll be a happy camper!I'm glad to be back, and should start being more active on my favorite website again!

[WaveAction]

i dont know you but welcome back!! glad to hear you're doing well

[jimincalif]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »I keep being reminded of a line from the old movie with Carey Grant and Myrna Loy, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House". Carey is an advertising executive, and one of his daughters complains about his profession: "Advertising makes people buy things they don't need with money they don't have!""If you ain't eatin' Wham, you ain't eatin' ham"Welcome back.

[AKLGT]

well it's great to hear you are keeping alive! sounds like it's been quite crazy, but you have survived and things look promising.

[coldmm803]

hey man, good to hear your back

[MRCN RCE]

well, you can't really say life hasn't been interesting lately... glad you're doin better. out of curiosity, how much would hotchkis charge for the STB??congrats on 29 years, too. man, that's almost unheard of nowadays.

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by WaveAction »i dont know you but welcome back!! glad to hear you're doing wellThanks for the welcome back WaveAction...even though I don't know you either, but that will change! But, I gotta say you've posted twice as much as me in half the amount of time. I wish I could spend more time on this site, but alas...Quote, originally posted by jimincalif »"If you ain't eatin' Wham, you ain't eatin' ham"Welcome back.I see you're a fan of Mr. Blandings as well (your quote made me chuckle out loud). Thanks! One of my favorite movies...at least I don't have to deal with a "Zuz Zuz water softener"!!!Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »well it's great to hear you are keeping alive! sounds like it's been quite crazy, but you have survived and things look promising. Thanks for the welcome back and positive comment Hope. It's not how life treats you, but how you choose to react to what it puts in front of you...and I always have a positive outlook on things (to my wifes dismay sometimes) and never let anything get me down, even when things look the darkest. Quote, originally posted by coldmm803 »hey man, good to hear your back Thanks...glad to be back among friends and fellow enthusiasts!

[ballrub]

Quote, originally posted by MRCN RCE »well, you can't really say life hasn't been interesting lately... I'll say...but I wouldn't trade any of the "downs" on this journey we call life, as it has taught me more than the "ups"!Quote, originally posted by MRCN RCE »glad you're doin better. out of curiosity, how much would hotchkis charge for the STB??Well, as mentioned, they told me they have discontinued all of their Vibe/Matrix applications, and have only a few items left on the shelves. Since i never paid for any of the parts on my car, I don't even have a clue as to what they charged for the STB...but, when I hook up with them in the next week or two to have them replace the strut tower mount, I will find out if they have any left, and what they might sell it for. I may encourage them to blow out their remaining inventory with a special "GenVibe" forum sale. Sound like a good idea? Quote, originally posted by MRCN RCE »congrats on 29 years, too. man, that's almost unheard of nowadays. I know...I can't quite believe it myself! Even my kids think there's something wrong with us! But, I attribute it to just 5 words: "I'm sorry dear, you're right" as to why our marriage works!

[WaveAction]

lol..yes i do post quite abit..probably half of my posts were before i even owned a vibe

[MRCN RCE]

Quote, originally posted by ballrub »I'll say...but I wouldn't trade any of the "downs" on this journey we call life, as it has taught me more than the "ups"!yeah, i've been goin through some stuff too, and i've been trying to keep my head up and learn from the experiences, but it gets hard sometimes. i'm sure you already know thatQuote, originally posted by ballrub »Well, as mentioned, they told me they have discontinued all of their Vibe/Matrix applications, and have only a few items left on the shelves. Since i never paid for any of the parts on my car, I don't even have a clue as to what they charged for the STB...but, when I hook up with them in the next week or two to have them replace the strut tower mount, I will find out if they have any left, and what they might sell it for. I may encourage them to blow out their remaining inventory with a special "GenVibe" forum sale. Sound like a good idea? yeah, the genvibe sale sounds really good. now i need to start thinking of a plan so i can slip that one past my lady's eyes (i told her no more mods after i get my new head unit, which i still haven't bought yet) Quote, originally posted by ballrub »I know...I can't quite believe it myself! Even my kids think there's something wrong with us! But, I attribute it to just 5 words: "I'm sorry dear, you're right" as to why our marriage works! those 5 words are great, i'll have to remember those. but most of the time, i know i'll be too damn stubborn to use em i'm sure you've seen the threads about our epic meet, and it would be REALLY cool if you could go. so far, i'm the only one west of texas that signed up. oh, and if you don't go, would you wanna trade vibes for about a week or so??

[damronjr]

Wow, glad to hear you're here and doing well!

[Merzbow]

AJFlan and I were justing talking about you the other day. How fun is that? We missed seeing your hatch around here.Welcome back. Life is a game, you win by dying content and satisfied with yourself and you lose by dying anything but. You seem to keep a sane mind through it all and you lead an entertaining life (removed).

[BlueCrush]

Welcome back! Nice to see you are able to bounce back better than ever, with every set-back you've had.