Top Gear

One of the downsides to ditching cable is that you don't have the option to turn on the "tube" and having the "what's on" as a go to for those little snatches of time when you don't want to make a commitment.

We've come up with a solution for that... Top Gear.

Now... we've already seen most of the seventeen seasons currently on Hulu, but it's become that stop-gap, and we love it.

We're both car people and though - occasionally - we have to stop and look at each other with a smirk... because something happens like the time Richard Hammond COULD.NOT.WAIT. for the dodge challenger....

There's just something so perfect about those three middle aged Brits acting like total numptys. Clearly they all know a thing or two , and Jeremy is likely a douche in real life, but their challenges and schemes are ridiculous and fun. And I don't mind watching them over and over again.

Working on the Caddy

This weekend we spent some time working on Earl's Cadillac.

Most of it was cleaning it out (since it's been sitting so long without its engine, things have gotten a little messy.)

The big thing was the trunk. This thing was full - and a lot of the stuff in it was from the owner before Earl. So we pulled it out, trashed more than half of it... and were left with what I call a 10-body trunk. I'm telling you, it's the size of a smart car.

 Among the other things in the trunk was this window.

 That's what it looks like when a bullet hole goes through a 1961 pane of glass.

And then we hopped inside just for fun :)

Brittany In Blue

So, last week we talked about the Cadillac. Earl’s other Girlfriend ;) This week, I’d like to introduce you to Brittany. Earl's 1969 Ford Mustang.

Yep, that’s how we found her. 

When we were cleaning her out we’re pretty sure some form of furry little vermin died inside (possibly 20 years ago, when she was parked) based on a lot of fur… and a pair of teeth.

So we have a Mustang. At this point, you may be wondering Why? Simple fact of the matter: Earl’s dream job is to fix up old cars for a living. So, when this one showed up – relatively clean and super inexpensive – with a clear title, he jumped on the chance and I was more than happy to support him in that move.

So we got it, moved it to his friend’s garage and they went to work on it. 

Now it’s cleaned out, everything removed from the interior – well almost – and This weekend they’re probably pulling out the engine (I say probably because I’m writing this last week and as things are wont to do, plans might change.)

So this is Brittany. I’ll keep you updated on her as she progresses.

By the way, she’s named Brittney after her original color: Brittany Blue.

Dee Dee Ranged, We’ve All Been Through Some S#!%

I’ve always loved old cars… my three dream cars are from 1937, 1953 and 1940 (in that order), so I won’t lie to you and say that I wasn’t partially drawn to Earl because of his car (I’ll get to the rest of that story around Thanksgiving).

For the last four years Earl has owned DeeDee, his dream car. She’s a 1961 Cadillac Sedan Deville and she is a beauty.

As with all 50 year olds… Dee Dee’s had some problems. At the moment, her heart and her body are on two separate sides of the city. But let me tell you, this engine’s triple bypass is going to be a thing of magic.

He had the engine rebuilt a while back and it’s in the midst of getting back together.  Because lets face it, when you get the car of your dreams and it’s all numbers matching, you smile and nod as other people tell you to get a 350 or whatever other motor that person seems to be infatuated with, and don’t tell them how idiotic that would be. It’s about integrity, yo!

One problem – that we haven’t actually had to deal with yet – is the fact that owning an 18 foot long car in a world of Fits, smart cars and the Prius…. can be a challenge – especially when you live down town.

I have no illusions, though. I know that we will soon have to give up our down town lifestyle in favor of a garage that will accommodate our behemoth baby. And that’s okay. I’ve known for quite some time that we’d have to make sacrifices to keep her around, and I’m okay with that.

We could potentially make some money by renting out her trunk as garage space for a smart car… or that new fiat.

I’ll post pictures of it again when it’s got its new upholstery and paint. (but that may be a while – and you’ll understand why when I talk about Brittney next week.)

What about you? Are you into old cars? Or are you a fan of all things new and shiny? What’s your dream car?

This Weekend Might Bring About the Apocalypse... Maybe Not.

This weekend is going to be busy… or maybe I should say Biz-zay, because Oh my freaking Lord!

Tonight, we’re headed to the west valley to pick up a set of five lug rims. (All will be revealed in time)

Tomorrow (this is the really hectic day):

Morning:

• Earl’s going to a used tire place to buy a set of four used tires to put on the rims purchased tonight.
• I will be cleaning up the apartment/doing laundry as fast as that blasted machine will let me

Mid-Morning:

• Getting dressed for the wedding (still frantically trying to get laundry done)

Afternoon:

• Driving out to a hundred year old church in BFE (Seeing if there’s anything I can help Darlene with.
• Wedding
• Pictures
• Evening:
• Reception

Night:

• Driving home from BFE
• Starting another Load of Laundry
• Stopping in at the restauraunt in the building in our formals (I will undoubtedly need the wine.)

Sunday we’re driving back to the west side, where we’re picking up the car we bought today. It’s the reason we need the wheels. It’s a 67 mustang that’s been sitting for the last 6 years (and we’re getting for a steal!) but we’ve got to move it from Peoria to East Mesa (I’m still curious as to what that tow-truck bill is going to be….)

And then, we’re house/dog sitting for Darlene and Tom while they’re on their honeymoon… the catch is, Tom still hasn’t told us when they’re leaving/when they’ll be back and I’ll admit it: that’s stressing me out!

Here's a Lucy picture to tide us all over! (We call this: Find the Dog)

But Mommy! I want a Wampa! (A List)

Let’s take a journey into a fantasy land…. One where I tell you the random things that I want and will (probably) never get to have.




A self-cleaning house – I mean, really… why do things insist on never staying clean?

More Coupling – This is one tv series that I will never understand the removal of… it was perfect! And it only lasted four short seasons.

No more zits – Can I just say that post puberty acne is a cruel, cruel cosmic joke.

A 1937 Talbot Lago T150-C-SS – this car… the car of my dreams has an average auction value of $4 million, but even if I could front the cash for it… There were less than 14 mad, so they don’t come up for auction often.

Endless days of reading – wouldn’t it be awesome if you were paid to read anything you wanted and you could read all day every day…

Chocolate to be slimming – Wouldn’t it be great if Chocolate was like celery? You know, reverse calories, not disgusting and stringy (obviously) It would be marvelous if you could get skinny by eating bag upon bag of chocolate chips…

A bakery – I have the ability, just not the time or resources.

A Wampa – Lucas’s Beast from Empire Strikes back, with his snow white yeti hair, horns and bloody face has wormed his way into my heart and he’s there to stay. Some girls want a pony… I want a wampa.