FUTURE_OF_GM

that really irks me. I'm not sure why people can't be decent to their employees. I think the reality TV shows with dramatic bosses might be contributing to it some. I've always been of the mindset that employees should be like family. They should WANT to come to work. That's what cost me my last $h!ty part time job. You guys know that I'm 1) a straight shooter and 2) can be a ruthless asshole. And that was the end of that, I called the guy out in front of co-workers and customers. What's funny is that all the employees and the owner actually sided with me, but I can't work with the guy.

Back in HS my FFA used to sell fruit. I always thought that was a lot better than the typical cheesy $h! that most organizations sell. A lot of that stuff is horrible.

I was as well. My cursive is awesome even though I sometimes feel like it's deteriorating because I never write anymore. And when I do write, it's mostly in print. I took drafting classes, so I learned how to print really well too. While in school I got a lot of compliments on my half cursive half print notes because they looked so cool.

it's certainly about the "lifestyle" I could go on for hours about my observations and what a load of $h! that 70% of the college is. Luckily my GF has been able to keep a level head despite the narrow mindedness of the school

LOL. Exactly what I was thinking.

Yep, the GF tells me a lot of the same. Says it's supposed to pick up around 2012 like mad though. We'll really be effed if she graduates into the same employment slump that I did. Charlotte area unemployment is around 20% now by some reports. Damn banks and their outdated business models (btw, I mean to be ironic in that statement and reference GM)

I'm the worlds worst for this. To me, life is about efficiency and doing the best job possible. So I'm very guilty of pissing off supervisors with "we did it this way at"

I love the Grand Run... I'm not going this year though because my jobless ass doesn't have the money. FWIW that pic of my cars was taken in Cades Cove. I've always wanted to go for all three weeks. It usually hits where "shades of the past" is the first weekend (last weekend) then comes rod run (this weekend) andnext weekend would be (is) Auto Fest in Sevierville. Last time I went and stayed all weekend hotel prices were through the roof. yep. I usually hit it around lunch because I bar hop until 3 or 4 the morning before. (the GF works in a bar and doesn't get off until then, so I figure I miight as well stay up)

Roughly... But I could go even further back (the 20s or 30s)

*Fixed... It's a matter of perspective, I guess. Capitalism is an excellent thing as long as it is CONTROLLED and doesn't CONTROL. (Which is completely counter to what it has been in America for a very long time)

J/K on the end post whoring, because I found a few more. On the front of a Rat Rod here around Charlotte. I LOVED it! Random old wagon from an Ag Center show a few years ago. The car Dale flipped at Talledega and then FINISHED the rest of the race in. Local black on black M6 G8 GXP Liberty Belle coming into Charlotte a few weeks ago. Ok, I'm done for real now. (for a while )

Almost forgot... Took this shot of my babies in TN about 4 years ago. [/post whoring ]

This is what I hope to have someday soon. This was taken in Elizabethton TN, one of the coolest places I've ever been. Downtown Charlotte has a lot of VERY COOL old industrial stuff. I take a lot of pictures, and sometimes a lot of chances given the area. This stack is actually attached to the entire old dealership building (that can't be seen in the pic) but I got a better angle from a distance. Something else the GF and I aspire to own; A classic Airstream. This one actually belongs to a wax company and can be found at numerous shows around here. This was at the WNC Ag Center show earlier this year. I also found it at Auto Fair last weekend along with a company (which had a cooler classic Airsteam) that guts and restores to your specifications. This was at the Ag Center show as well. I was obsessed and probably would've owned it if I had an extra 24K laying around. Thank you to Balthazar for my love of old Buicks (even though this one is a 60, not a B59 as he prefers) I took this shot of my Focus when I went out one Sunday afternoon to goof off with the camera. I thought it had a pretty cool effects. The background is a historic textile mill. One of the ONLY car related pictures a took at the NC Transportation Museum before my camera died. I loved the building almost as much as what was in it. Remember when Ford put these on its concepts? This is on the Interceptor. One of the nicest Impalas I've ever seen. Spring 2009 Auto Fair. Got a gander at these when I went Camaro hunting. One was sold to a certain NASCAR star sight unseen. Never liked the blue in the PR shots, but in person and under the right lights it's very dynamic and beautiful. Still one of the best looking new Camaros I've seen. And it's the ONLY silver one I've seen.

Since this is a "car pix" thread, I'll stick to that. I fancy myself as an amateur photographer (and so is my GF) so I've probably taken hundreds, maybe even thousands of photos over the years. MOST of those are car photos and other cool industrial or old stuff. Here are a few of the better/unique car photos that I have access to at the moment. Most of my car photos are basically 'documentation' photos and as a result are NOT my best work. Here goes: (I think it's 22 pictures, so NOT FRIENDLY FOR SLOW CONNECTIONS) One of the sweetest 69's I've ever encountered. Houndstooth interior and the whole package. He used to cruise with us up in Asheville but I haven't seen him in a few years. This runs around NC and TN (I've seen it numerous times) The interior is completely custom. I've always wanted to restore an old bus or fire engine. One of the first Super Birds I've seen on the road in a very long time. This was taken a few years ago in TN. Since then, I actually seem to be seeing more and more of them. This is the "Yankees, Yuppies and Toyota Drivers" billboard that appeared on the side of I-85 a year or so ago. I always promised pictures but never delivered. My apologies. A very sweet Z06 that was at Auto Fair a couple of years ago. A pretty good shot of a Mustang that the GF took circa 2007. A cool old VW bus from a show at the WNC Ag Center last year. IMO, this is one of the best looking cars (Let alone Buicks) in Charlotte. It cruises around here quite a bit. This was the first shot I managed to get of it (The car was quite elusive to me at first) I've since managed to get a MUCH BETTER shot that I can't access right now. Cool old Shelby. Not sure if it's a kit or not. Shelby isn't my thing, so I'm not good at identification. Exactly how I would take my ZR1. This was the first ZR1 I had ever seen in the flesh. A very cool old Mack tow truck that still operates and occasionally scoots through the neighborhood here. I would like to get a better shot, but thus far have been too shy to ask the owner if I can come inside the fence. Continued in next post

LOL.. THIS... Is why I love reading your posts! (And to think that you said you weren't eloquent in conveying things)

I agree.

An amazing read... I'm at both ends of the spectrum. I love "doing things" with my hands, it's what makes me tick. However, my education is very much office oriented. I hate that, but I want to make $$$ and sadly, the "hands" stuff seems to be a bit of a dying art IMO. I feel that I have... Living in an urban environment (apartment dwelling) has been really difficult for me and has at some points wreaked havoc on my state of mind. I am a busy body and when I go home I pretty much "go" non-stop. Whereas here, I get very bored and annoyed very easily. I also agree that craftsmanship is a good defense against bad economic times. Here I sit, college educated and jobless for 6 months while my friends that learned a "blue collar" skill seem to be getting by just fine.

Fascinating... And scary all the same.

I'm not a parent, so I can't put myself in those shoes. BUT, I am a 20-something that has been through a lot. From my perspective, I think you should let her learn a lesson. She needs to wise up, especially since there is a kid on the way. A lot of my distant family is into Meth really bad. And they'll come back to the family supposedly "cleaned up" only to rip off and steal something else of cause more drama. I've often tried to put myself in their shoes and talked to my parents about it. I'm of the mindset that you make your own bed and so is my dad. However, my mom is one of the "your kid is always going to be your kid and you must help them" people. The real issue here is the child. On one hand, I would say remove it from the situation. But on the other hand, the child can also serve as a catalyst for change and really teach people about what's important in life. Not sure if any of that is good or helpful advice, just my :twocents:

+1 It is my personality to NOT give anyone a second chance. However, I know that I can be very judgmental as well. So, as long as the offense isn't horrible, I'll cautiously give a second chance. Consider it a "probation" of sorts.

That would've been grounds for an ass whippin'. Seriously, who comes up to someone they don't know from Adam and insults them like that? That kid should be happy to be a part of "the family" that participates in your sport IMO.

A friend of mine (a super hippie) was raving about how much she LOVES the new Prius commercial the other day. It makes me want to shoot the TV. But I think it's the dumbassed music that drives me up the wall, not the ad itself. But I've always known that Toyota Prius drivers are next to the right hand of god and that I'm just a real piece of sh*t for driving a GM. The media has been telling me that for years. () Remember all of those bogus "studies" that claimed import drivers to be smarter and all around better people than domestic drivers?

Sorry man... I just don't buy it. By that same logic, what constitutes "super hot" over "hot" Is there some scientific formula? But that wouldn't account for varying taste. Is it by mass consensus? That doesn't seem likely given the LACK of complaints I mean, MCD probably sold thousands of cups of coffee at that temperature, yet ONE person complained

This... (I won't say what I really want to for fear of whiny posts and a closed thread)

If Germany wants GM out that bad, then I say they let Opel fall on it's face. It's a "Jewel of Germany" let Germany save it. GM should concentrate on building it's other brands.