knightfan26917

* FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook...43800139044743/ BEEF VILLA ON FB: https://www.facebook...la/110691166433 pics, Cruise Night @ Beef Villa, 2011 Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Ya just might miss the point" __ George Strait __ 'The Breath You Take'

* Along with the article published today...here if you haven't seen it yet: http://www.cheersandgears.com/page/index.html/_/articles/editorials/stop-re-naming-my-car-r487 ...I've added a bit more to my Route 66 story. The editorial was fun to write, partly because I love history & timelines of cars, roads, etc. MY RT 66 STORY Chapter 29 (Pictures Delivered) is published.... http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/03/15/_thats-the-highway_-18/ [To read all, click "Route66" link, top left corner.] Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon * "These memories are playing like a film without sound" __ Vitamin C __ 'Graduation'

Ahem ... who else actually read &/or noticed the wording in Ch#$r%*et's press release? The press release states that it will be "a NEW NAMEPLATE to the BRAND'S LINEUP" ... which means ... it CANNOT be a Caprice, Chevelle, Monte Carlo or Camaro, since all of those are old heritage nameplates! Warned ya'll my "big heart" is gone.... Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon * "What is done in vain, truth is hard to swallow" __ Kevin Rudolf __ 'Let It Rock'

eating Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon * "Funny how the world keeps turnin" __ Toby Keith __ 'American Ride'

Holy smokes.... " treated for minor bruises and scrapes and then released." ...hard to believe, seeing those photos! My goodness mercy me.... Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon * "We'll feel so alive" __ Boys Like Girls __ 'The Great Escape'

Hey Drew, It was good to see you when you were in Chicagoland. If your April travels bring you back here, let me know. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon * "Let me slip away" __ Gordon Lightfoot __ 'Carefree Highway'

So, who is going to buy this for me? Just sayin'. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic * rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon * "Put off today what you can do tomorrow, sometimes you don't do the thing" __ Diamond Rio __ 'In A Week Or 2'

* I love "March Madness", the NCAA basketball tournament. I enjoy watching the games, particularly the close ones, witnessing the comebacks, being stunned by the shockers. I'm not exactly sure what the attraction is (perhaps the part of me that loves timelines?), but I'm addicted to watching the brackets as teams advance & others are eliminated. So, with "March Madness", the "Monte" edition "BRACKETS".... ROADS REGION Knight Division 6 = 1978-1980 3 = 1981-1988 Shield Division 7 = 2000-2005 2 = 1973-1975 WHEELS REGION Monte Division 8 = 1970-1972 1 = 1995-1999 Carlo Division 5 = 2006-2007 4 = 1976-1977 "Complete" your brackets by indicating your pick of which model years (as noted above) will triumph as champion, for a "to be determined" prize.... ROUND # 1 ...For each of the 4 match-ups, vote for the years you like best. ...1 vote per person per board. ...If you are a member of more than 1 board to which I'm sharing this, you may vote once on each board. 6 (1978-1980) ...vs... 3 (1981-1988) 7 (2000-2005) ...vs... 2 (1973-1975) 8 (1970-1972) ...vs... 1 (1995-1999) 5 (2006-2007) ...vs... 4 (1976-1977) ROUND # 2 ...I'll post these match-ups based on your votes for the 1st round winners. Knight Division winner ...vs... Shield Division winner Monte Division winner ...vs... Carlo Division winner ROUND # 3 (championship) ...I'll post the final round match-up based on your votes for the 2nd round winners. Roads Region champ ...vs... Wheels Region champ Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * roadsNwheels + CapriceClassicForum = http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/ * "We were shinin' like lighters in the dark in the middle of a rock show" __ Jake Owen __ 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night'

Cort Stevens Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 21, 2012 Toyota Camry. Honda Accord. Since 1982 and 1976 respectively, these two models have evolved and changed with the times, without enduring a name change. Similar history can be traced for such entries as the Honda Odyssey. The first one wasn't much about which to write, but Honda persevered with the name and developed it into a top seller in its segment. While some examples of continuous monickers don't celebrate similar history, the names have stuck. For instance, the Nissan Quest, first available in 1993 (with a re-badge model sold as the Mercury Villager), is today in its fourth generation even though none of the variations have particularly resonated with buyers. Yet, American manufacturers have a knack for giving us a plethora of different names for virtually the same model. GM, Ford and Chrysler do this, perhaps too well. One glaring group from GM's portfolio is the Malibu/Celebrity/Lumina/monte carlo/impala debacle. The front-wheel drive Celebrity, which replaced the last-ever rear-wheel drive Malibu, evolved into the first-generation front-wheel drive Lumina coupe and sedan for 1990. When the Lumina's second generation debuted in 1995, the sedan stuck with the Lumina monicker, while the front-wheel drive coupe shockingly became the monte carlo, through the 2007 model year. When the third-generation Lumina redesign came for the 2000 model year, the monte carlo coupe donned design cues from the original rear-wheel drive Monte Carlos, 1970-1988, and the sedan switched from the Lumina nameplate to a front-wheel drive version of the all-too-familiar impala name, which continues today. Speaking of the Impala, for its original rear-wheel drive run, GM saw fit to keep that name continuously 1958-1985. It's sister, Caprice, was also used unchanged, 1965-1996. The Caprice, though, was originally an Impala luxury trim package. The two siblings ran concurrently 1965-1985, when the Impala was dropped in favor of the Caprice nameplate. After the Caprice redesign in 1991, GM delivered an SS model of the Caprice, dubbed Impala. The Caprice/Impala SS were then dropped entirely after 1996. Unlike the Impala, Monte Carlo, Malibu and Nova nameplates, the Caprice, Corvette and Camaro have never been front-wheel drive vehicles...so far. For further confusion, today's front-wheel drive Malibu holds its portion of the segment that once included the original rear-wheel drive Nova, front-wheel drive Citation and front-wheel drive Corsica. Other GM flip-flops include the Cavalier, Cobalt and Cruze trio; the LUV, S-10 and Colorado triad; the Metro, Aveo and Sonic combo; the Lumina APV, Venture and Uplander series; and the revived front-wheel drive nova and Prizm duo, which were GM versions of the venerable Toyota Corolla. Other GM branches (GMC, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac) have similar name changers, including the GMC S-15, Sonoma and Canyon. Interestingly, some models did not go through the complete name transformation. For instance, when the Lumina APV was renamed Venture, the Oldsmobile mini van remained Silhouette. The cousins to the original 1970-1988 Monte Carlo (Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Pontiac Grand Prix) all debuted on front-wheel drive cars immediately after the rear-wheel drive versions were axed. Further head-scratching examples include siblings of the original Nova turned Citation. For instance, the Omega was Oldsmobile's version of the Nova, 1973-1979, but remained in 1980 as the nameplate for Oldsmobile's version of the Nova-replacing Citation. When the Citation gave way to the Corsica, the Omega was replaced by the Calais. Want to be further amused? The Nova's Pontiac sibling was originally named Ventura, then switched to Phoenix in 1977 and remained Phoenix through the switch to front-wheel drive in 1980, before being replaced in 1985 with a new front-wheel drive Grand Am, which earlier had been a sibling to the original Malibu/Chevelle line. Buick doesn't escape unscathed. The Apollo debuted in 1973. In 1975, the Skylark name returned on Buick's version of the Nova, but only on the 2-door versions. The 4-door version remained Apollo for 1975. A year later, the Apollo was gone, and Nova's Buick sibling was the Skylark, which lasted through the front-wheel drive switch in 1980 and remained as a sibling to the Grand Am through 1998. GM has plenty of company in this nonsense. Ford gave us the Falcon, Maverick, Fairmont, Tempo, Contour and Fusion family; the Aerostar, Windstar and Freestar triad; and the Pinto, Escort and Focus trio. These owe the last monicker to Ford's move to rename their cars so that each started with the letter "F", with the obvious exceptions of the Mustang and Crown Victoria. Arguably, though, the Fusion has more brand equity than any of its predecessors, thanks in part to global branding and its use in NASCAR. Mercury received a similar fate, with examples such as the Villager/Monterey and Sable/Montego. Back to the Fairmont/Tempo, Ford expected buyers of the Fairmont to turn to the new mid-size LTD rather than the Tempo, which is generally cited as the Fairmont successor. The Tempo was basically a new slot for Ford, set between the Escort and the LTD. The new LTD, though, is credited for replacing the Granada. What was the successor for that mid-size LTD? None other than the Taurus, which then returned to replace the Five Hundred in the late 2000s. Regarding the Crown Victoria nameplate and the mid-1980s mid-sized LTD, the Crown Victoria (and its sibling Mercury Grand Marquis) lasted 20 years. But, previous models were dubbed LTD and LTD Crown Victoria. The "Crown Victoria" was needed, in part, to distinguish it from the mid-size vehicle that featured the same LTD monicker. And, let's not forget the iconic Thunderbird. This name stuck around for a long time, but on a variety of vehicles. It began as a 2-seat coupe in response to the Corvette, and it ended in similar 2-seater fashion. But, in between, the Thunderbird took on various forms, including a sedan. It eventually became the Monte Carlo's main nemesis during the Monte Carlo's original 1970-1988 run. Have a headache yet? Dodge has also ventured in the sport, with the Dart, Aspen, Aries, Lancer, Spirit, Stratus (sedan), Avenger (coupe), Stratus (coupe) and Avenger (sedan) revolving door. In the case of those last four, the name change came with nothing more than a refresh of the previous car. Dodge compact cars have their own revolving door running from Omni to Shadow to Neon to Caliber and then to Dart (see above). The full-size Monaco was renamed St Regis, then Diplomat. The Monaco nameplate returned on a rebadge of AMC/Renault. This front-wheel drive version led to the front-wheel drive Intrepid before Daimler dodged in to deliver the rear-wheel drive Charger. The Charger name itself has had various reincarnations, including the mid-size rear-wheel drive coupe best known as the General Lee and the compact-size, K-car based, front-wheel drive cars of the mid-1980s. The original Charger was renamed Magnum for a brief 2 year stint ('78 and '79) before being renamed Mirada. Yet, the Charger's Chrysler cousin, the Cordoba, did not go through a name change during its 1975-1983 run. From 1975-1979, the Cordoba (and its Dodge counterparts), had a different kind of identity crisis, swiping design cues from the 1973-1977 Monte Carlo. To Dodge's credit, another name that didn't stray from the fold was the Dodge Caravan (and its variants and siblings). The Caravan bowed in 1984 and is still in production today, in the midst of its fifth generation, as is the Chrysler Town & Country (and a variant Chrysler Voyager). The only minivan name no longer in production is the Plymouth Voyager, but that's only because Plymouth has since disappeared from the scene altogether. So, why so many names? Maybe the manufacturers utilize the multi-name strategy to confuse us, partly to make more money. An obvious example of this is the tail end of the aforementioned Malibu/Celebrity/Lumina/monte carlo/impala lineage. When the Lumina debuted in NASCAR, many people thought that the Lumina replaced the Monte Carlo, and GM did nothing to correct that perception, believing the truth would hurt sales of the new Lumina. But, evidence indicates the Lumina replaced the Celebrity. According to the book Chevrolet: The Complete History [copyright 1996, Publications International LTD], on page 348: "With the new Lumina coupe and sedan effectively replacing their Celebrity counterparts...." And, on page 359: "Taking the place of the aging Celebrity sedan was the Lumina sedan ... a coupe version followed in the fall." Further evidence is in the models (Eurosport) and design features (flat/horizontal dashboard; 3 square/horizontal taillights on each side; front-wheel drive) the Lumina shared with the outgoing Celebrity. Further complicating things, the monte carlo raced back to NASCAR when the nameplate returned to replace the Lumina coupe in 1995. This switch, along with the Lumina sedan becoming the impala five years later [as well as the return of the nova nameplate in the 1980s and the malibu nameplate in the 1990s], was designed to bring back consumers (make more money) by evoking nostalgia with well-known heritage nameplates. In fact, the 2000 impala dealer brochure featured an image of an older Impala set along a stretch of 2-lane road with a "US 66" sign, designed to elicit memories of the original Impalas and Route 66. When the monte carlo was dropped after the 2007 model year, the impala sedan sped into NASCAR. Now, GM has promised, in its own recent press release, "a new nameplate to the brand's lineup" will replace the NASCAR impala in 2013. So, if GM is true to its word, it will not be the Camaro, Caprice, Chevelle or even Monte Carlo, since all of those are old nameplates to the brand. Maybe manufacturers use so many names hoping a name change will breathe new life (in terms of sales/recognition) into a particular model/segment. In some cases, they have. One fine example is the aforementioned Fusion. This new nameplate replaced an old nameplate (Contour) that had a certain stigma to it. The Fusion then raced to new heights its predecessors never touched, thanks, in part, to its NASCAR usage. Other examples of warranted name changes include the Aveo to Sonic and the Pinto (which burned out) to Escort (which wore out), eventually to Focus. Whatever the reasons, the cost of such name changes are probably more than we can imagine. After all, with a name change comes paying someone (or people?) to create the name. Then, the company has to spend money to publicize and market that new name. Branding is big business. Yet, while GM, Ford and Dodge spew out different names every few years for the same model segment vehicle (with a few notable exceptions), Toyota and Honda seem to do just fine, without the abrupt and confusing name changes. Toyota and Honda don't need the smoke and mirrors of introducing a new name every few years, thanks to the perceived higher quality. Even when the quality isn't quite there, Honda and Toyota are able to move ahead with the same name because of the esteem of the brand (the Honda Odyssey referred to earlier is a premier example). Love them or hate them, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have become legendary for their longevity in the marketplace and "growing up" with their buyers. To GM's credit, one nameplate has lasted longer than even the Camry and Accord: Suburban. View full article

* SPRING is just around the corner ... right?! The TwentyTwelve CRUISE NIGHT SEASON starts in less than 3 months! [2012 marks the 35th anniversary of my November 1977 (1st) open heart surgery & the 25th anniversary of my March 1987 (2nd) OHS.] INTRODUCING ... ROADS'n'WHEELS CAR CLUB: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/ JUMP START CRUISE NIGHT ... PARTY! (a kick-off celebration to 2012 Saturday Cruise Nights, open to ALL makes/models/years) More details, including my contact info, here: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon&action=display&thread=6 PICTURES...10/29/2011 PreSurgery & 02/11/2012 PostSurgery Parties: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2636895683885.2152619.1300282613&type=1&l=7f835748ff PICTURES...2011 Cruise Nights: https://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/2011CruiseNights Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "You let your mind out somewhere down the road" __ Electric Light Orchestra __ 'Don't Bring Me Down'

...long lost vehicles & Route 66.... 3 articles for you to read/enjoy, the first 2 written by me. #1 ... " Finding Long Lost Friends " READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE: http://www.motorgnomes.com/2012/02/finding-long-lost-friends/ """ Walking home from 5th grade the Friday of Labor Day weekend 1984 I was on a bit of a high. We were, after all, about to embark on a special trip north to see relatives in Minnesota. However, as I rounded the corner of the old Gromer's Supermarket store [the building of which is now gone, in favor of a new fire station; I suppose SOME progress is good], my mood dropped considerably, as I didn't see "my" 1976 Monte Carlo ... anywhere. Oh, I knew it was in its last days with us; Mom and Dad were in the process of evaluating replacement vehicles, including a 1978 Caprice Classic sedan, but I didn't expect it to just be ... gone. Imagine my relief when my parents told me that it was in the garage. This possibility hadn't crossed my young mind because, since they had purchased a 1981 MC SC (mine since December 1999), they routinely left the 1976 MC out when we went away, in an effort to make it look like people were home. The reason "my" 1976 MC was in the garage (where it had been from the time Dad and Mom bought it in 1976 until they bought the 1981 MC in 1982) didn't make me any happier. They had found a replacement vehicle that would become ours the next Tuesday evening. I was devastated. I wanted NO part of another car. The 1976 MC was MINE, for goodness sakes. While Dad and Mom finished preparations for the trip up to Minnesota that evening, I trudged myself out to the garage and just stared at "my" 1976 MC. To say I enjoyed that Labor Day weekend with relatives in Minnesota doesn't tell the entire story. I was, after all, one unhappy kid. I know my relatives in Minnesota didn't understand why I was so unhappy, and I suspect that, even now, some 28 years later, they still don't. The weekend, of course, flew by, and we were on the road home Monday morning with the intent of making it home so we could wash "my" 1976 MC one last time that evening. During that trip home, the expressway became a parking lot. We never found out the cause, though, as Dad did something that you aren't supposed to do. He steered our 1981 MC SC through the grassy median and chose another route home. I remember that next night, the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend 1984, almost as if it was yesterday. The front of "my" 1976 MC smiled at me when I got home from school, but as we drove away from the dealership later that evening in our "new" car (a used 1982 Chevette...hey, at least it was RWD!), I caught a glimpse of the tail end of "my" 1976 MC ... and those taillights literally were frowning at me. I had always seen that "frown" in the rear end, but suddenly that night the frown was suddenly very huge and very real to this at-the-time 11-year-old kid. I was reminded of all this recently when I found the results of a "title search" I did for that very 1976 MC, the car that started my automotive love affair. I re-discovered the results because, since my energy has increased, I've started the painstaking, long-overdue, and slow task of going through my many papers, files, belongings, etc. In that process, I've also come across a number of old magazines, clippings, and even some letters from people long since gone, whether by death, lost touch, or simply only vaguely remembering the signed name. """ #2 ... More of my ROUTE 66 STORY Chapter#s 26-28, "A Couple in a LTD", "A Rude Awakening" & "Tale of Two Conversations"...: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/02/25/_thats-the-highway_-17/ #3 ... " Where have all the 1980s cars gone? " This Tribune article ranks the 1980s MCs (and their Oldsmobile and Pontiac cousins) as "Survivors" with a collectibility grade of C ... do you agree? READ MORE HERE: http://www.ctnow.com/ontheroad/sc-cons-0112-autocover-80s-cars-20120114,0,281692,full.story Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic * roadsNwheels + CapriceClassicForum = http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/ * * rNwJumpStartCruzNite | 5:30-10:30p; SAT, 05/12/12 | BeefVilla, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "Those dreams move on if you wait too long" __ Billy Ray Cyrus __ 'Could've Been Me'

I'd certainly hope so. Course, it's always been amazing to me how, in the 73-77 GM A-bodies, people always seemed to confuse these, particularly the Malibu, Grand Prix, Cutlass and Regal. Maybe not so much the Grand Prix, because it, like the MC, were very distinctive in styling, particularly the front and side panels. *shrugs* Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNwJumpStartCruzNite | 5:30-10:30p; SAT, 05/12/12 | BeefVilla, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "Don't get me wrong" __ Billy Joel __ 'My Life'

Mercedes Benz Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNwJumpStartCruzNite | 5:30-10:30p; SAT, 05/12/12 | BeefVilla, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "I'll follow any road" __ Emerson Drive __ 'Fall Into Me'

* WHAT A NIGHT! Party was a blast; thanks to all who attended to celebrate & have a great evening! PICTURES ... last 13 are of the POST-SURGERY PARTY: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2636895683885.2152619.1300282613&type=1&l=7f835748ff NEXT UP... ...Find a new job (unemployed as of 02/23/2012) ...possible visit w/electrophysiologist at Northwestern (based on 24-hr Holter Monitor results) Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic * rNwJumpStartCruzNite | 5:30-10:30p; SAT, 05/12/12 | BeefVilla, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "If you fall, I will catch you" __ Cindy Lauper __ 'Time After Time'

* I haven't posted in a while because I had been back to work full-time & just didn't have the time to "keep up", get enough rest/sleep, remain in Cardiac Rehab, among other responsibilities. But, now, as of 02/23/2012, less than 3 weeks after returning to full-time work after my 11/11/2011 open heart surgery, I find myself ... unemployed. To say I'm stunned/numb is just the tip of the iceberg. I've already started the process of "scaling back" financially (including dropping some sponsorships & donations), have applied for unemployment, & started the process of looking for a new job. The last time this happened (April 2005, due to the Sears/Kmart merger), I wasn't anxious because I received a severance package. This time, though, no such severance package and a few more expenses, mainly medical bills. But, it's not all bad, with increased "Nephew Time", the ability to do Cardiac Rehab 3 times a week for the full 60 minutes (as opposed to Cardiac Rehab 2 times a week for 30-40 minutes only), finishing the process of going through my rooms (sorting through files, re-arranging things, determining what I don't need/want anymore, etc.), &, of course, writing (posting a new round of writings in another topic). While road trips are on indefinite hold, I am thinking of making a weekend-style trip or 2, just to clear my head & relax a bit. We'll see if I can "justify" that expense. I've NO idea what the future has in store, financially, career-wise, road trips, etc., but I'm doing my best to maintain a positive attitude and look forward to whatever comes my way now, even with having to determine if more heart issues have developed for me. I still may not post much, but I will check in when I can. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * roadsNwheels + CapriceClassicForum = http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/ * "The warning signs are like flares in the night" __ DC Talk __ 'The Hardway'

* THIS CELEBRATION IS ALMOST HERE, 02/11/2012! Right in the middle of CHD Awareness Week (02/07-14/2012), this'll be a great way to end my 1st week back to full-time work, which starts Monday, 02/06/2012. I'll have less "free" time, but I have to continue Cardiac Rehab & find time for projects I didn't have the energy to do while recovering at home. IRONY ROCKS. 2012 marks the 35th anniversary of my November 1977 (1st) open heart surgery & the 25th anniversary of my March 1987 (2nd) open heart surgery. SPECIALS Just like the Pre-Surgery Party, discounts will be offered. WHY BEEF VILLA? I enjoy the place. I know the people that work there from the Saturday cruise nights. They did a great job for the Pre-Surgery Party. It's supporting a LOCAL business. Not many places accommodate "come'n'go" parties. Possible "CRUISE NIGHT ROADS'n'WHEELS JUMP START" party, 05/12/2012 ... 6 months after my 11/11/2011 OHS. Details TBA. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "You'll be doing fine when the music starts" __ El Debarge __ 'Rhythm Of The Night'

* Just something about the "roads'n'wheels".... MY CAR FAMILY Some additional inverted pics you may not have seen.... 1972 MC reflected in 1976 MC: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1972/72MC1007_14_JPG.html 1972 & 1979 MCs in 1981 MC's mirror: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1981/81MC1007_06_JPG.html 1979 MC w/1976 MC through the window: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1979/79MC1007_07_JPG.html ROUTE 66 STORY, _THAT'S THE HIGHWAY_, CHAPTERS 1-4, Potential Sale; Arriving; Goodbye; Preparation: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/03/29/_thats-the-highway_/ 5-8, The Letter; An Idea; A Return; Research & A Test: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/03/31/_thats-the-highway_-2/ 9, The Drive & A Revelation: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/03/_thats-the-highway_-3/ 10, Stall Tactic: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/06/_thats-the-highway_-4/ 11-12, To Make Connections; Plans Verbalized: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/19/_thats-the-highway_-5/ 13, Road Trip Rush: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/12/_thats-the-highway_-7/ 14, Late Night & A Whistle: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/12/_thats-the-highway_-8/ 15, Awakening: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/25/_thats-the-highway_-9/ 16, Train & Memories: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/25/_thats-the-highway_-10/ 17, Shopkeeper: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/06/21/_thats-the-highway_-6/ 18-19, An Answer; Return Visit: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/08/11/_thats-the-highway_-12/ 20, The Picture: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/10/17/_thats-the-highway_-11/ 21, Shaping History: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/10/31/_thats-the-highway_-13/ 22-23, Rebuilding Idea; Planning Stage: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/12/09/_thats-the-highway_-14/ 24, Surprise Meeting: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/12/16/_thats-the-highway_-15/ 25, A Long Meeting & A Visitor: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/01/24/_thats-the-highway_-16/ Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic *** 3rd GEN MC (1978,1979,1980) FORUM > http://thirdgenmontes.proboards.com/index.cgi *** ** 6th GEN (2000-07) GROUP > http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/y2kmontecarloclub/ ** "So i'll drive" __ Zac Brown Band __ 'Highway 20 Ride'

* ON SECOND THOUGHT Maybe we should vote out most of the current politicians. Surely ... SOMEONE ... is willing to work in Congress WITHOUT participating in the constant FLAME WARS during campaigns & sessions & *gasp* actually WORK together.... Isn't that why we taxpayers pay them...to work? Salary is nice enough, as is the excellent health insurance benefits. Hmmmmmmmmm.... COUPLES CONNECTION "Someone for everyone" is NOT always the case. Those of us "chronically single" know this all too well. Yet, society seems to think otherwise.... Just because we're single does NOT mean we are worthless or don't have a FULL life. RADIO STATION FRUSTRATION Funny, radio stations keep asking what people want to hear, but then don't deliver. Instead, they play the same 10-50 songs over & over again...EVEN so-called "classic stations" that claim to have a "wide variety". You would think, then, that in trying to give people what they want, it'd be easy to get businesses to sponsor a show or become part of the Radio Shopping Show TO help get that type of show back on the air, but NO. "Too much risk!" So, giving people what they want is risky business? Maybe. QUOTES "Doubt is the rust of life." "It's not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It's the customer who pays the wages." "Leaders must communicate a million complicated things if they fail to communicate a few simple and profound things." "I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure...try to please everybody." "10% of organization is knowing what to do. The other 90% is doing it now." WRAP UP "I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels". LIFE IS TOO SHORT & difficult, no doubt. "Fun" time is limited because... ...of things we HAVE to do ...of expenses, medical & otherwise ...people like to watch "trainwrecks" ...situations & people can be VERY cruel ...health issues cloud our world ...etc. The intent of ALL of this is NOT to offend, but if so, fine. My "big heart" is GONE. I hope I've sparked something with "food for thought".... I start back full-time at work, Monday, 02/06/2012, the week before the Post-Surgery Celebration (you're invited!), Saturday, 02/11/2012, which is in the middle of CHD AWARENESS WEEK, 02/07-14/2012.... Somehow, I'll continue Cardiac Rehab; I also need to do projects for which I had no energy during my recovery time at home. UGH...IRONY ROCKS! Hard to believe that 2012 marks the 35th anniversary of my November 1977 (1st) open heart surgery & the 25th anniversary of my March 1987 (2nd) OHS.... Bah...I need a road trip...or something.... I'm Cort & I approve this TOPIC/THREAD! Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * post-surgeryPARTY = 5:30p-10:30p, SAT, 02/11/12 | Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "Not sure if I shoulda put it in writing" __ Chely Wright __ 'Single White Female'

Guessing this is the vehicle to which you referred, Camino? Looks good..... I just can't stop looking at cars I'd love to buy. *sighs* Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic * post-surgeryPARTY = 5:30p-10:30p, SAT, 02/11/12 | Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "After so many dreams have fallen through, it's time that 1 came true" __ Earl Thomas Conley __ 'Nobody Falls Like A Fool'

HA! I didn't see this thread before I replied to your other one, Caddy. Woops. *bites tongue* Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic * post-surgeryPARTY = 5:30p-10:30p, SAT, 02/11/12 | Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "Without you, I'm not me" __ Colin Raye __ 'Little Rock'

*raises eyebrow* Wait ... what? Why? And, what next? (I see your sig shows your "now" as "nothing".) Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic * post-surgeryPARTY = 5:30p-10:30p, SAT, 02/11/12 | Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "Do you know what it feels like being alone?" __ All-American Rejects __ 'Swing Swing Swing'

dead Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic * post-surgeryPARTY = 5:30p-10:30p, SAT, 02/11/12 | Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "Who's gonna hold me tonight?" __ Trace Adkins __ 'Help Me Understand'

This is my biggest fear, and it's probably a little bit because people are, generally, "afraid" of my car when they see me coming. People get out of my way when they see my '79 Caprice Classic. Well, for the most part, they do. I'm sure they're probably thinking that I'm going to be the one to plow into them, but thing is ... I KNOW how to drive in snow. Yeah, I may drive slower than I need to ... but I'd rather be safe than sorry ... and give people MORE "ammunition" to put down RWD. *rolls eyes* Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic * post-surgeryPARTY = 5:30p-10:30p, SAT, 02/11/12 | Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "This is where you don't say what you want so bad to say" __ Billy Ray Cyrus & Miley Cyrus __ 'Don't Go'

* Under the influence of drugs after my recent open heart surgery, I dreamt about, what else, the auto enthusiast's best movie/TV show! How'd it be if all "starring" vehicles (& pavements) were actually together in ONE feature! ROADS: Route 66 Lincoln Highway US 20 US 101 I-95 I-90 various backroads Others? WHEELS: General Lee Boss Hogg's convertible Herbie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang KITT KARR Jim Rockford's Firebird Esprit Rocky's pickup Starsky & Hutch's Torino A-Team's Vandura Kojak's Century Ghost Buster's ambulance Steve's Mercury Danny's Camaro Magnum's Ferrari Nash Bridge's Barracuda The Batmobile (Lincoln Futura) Lightning McQueen Sally (Porsche) Tow Mater Sheriff (1949 Merc) Flo Ramone Fillmore Sarge Doc Hudson Lizzie Mack The King (1970 Superbird) Mrs. The King (1974 Town & Country station wagon) Tex Dinaco (1975 Coupe de Ville) Brent Mustangberger Bob Cutlass Darrell Cartrip (1976/7 MC) Training Day's 1979 MC Back To The Future's Delorean Blues Brothers' Monaco The Bandit's Firebird Trans Am Steve McQueen's Mustang Christine (Fury) Foreman's Vista Cruiser Supernatural's 1967 Impala Tony M's van Al Bundy's Dodge Route 66's Corvette Others? Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * post-surgeryPARTY = 5:30p-10:30p, SAT, 02/11/12 | Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "Can you lend me your Cadillac?" __ The Jukes __ 'Trickle Trickle'