A little reminder of whence we came, I've been so busy of late with a little side project I've been working on and the things that come along with day to day life.
I was sitting and thinking to myself about how far there is left to go on the Black Pearl, allowing the tasks ahead to overwelm me a bit.
So I thought now would be a good time to remind myself how far we have come. While some things have changed greatly and others stayed the same.
The Essence of the Pearl remains the same, live fast!
For some the aquisition of new and shiny is in the hunt. The quest is the adventure, the goal sometimes not worth the efforts and lengths gone through to achieve it.
"New and shiny" doesn't always represents actually new or actually shiny for that matter. Sometimes it just new to you, others it's just new because you remembered where it was, what box it was in. Occasionally it's shiny after hours of steel wool, sandpaper, carnauba wax or a full can of lacquer.
Whatever the end results, the road to it carries an often forgotten tail of adventures.
At times it's just a click away, a readily available aftermarket piece waiting to be dropped Into a box and sent out the door.
A phone call to a friend can generate a search party of people willing to scour their treasure chests to find it.
Quite often it's digging through crusty old boxes at 7:15 a.m., just after the gates have opened of the local swap meet. Talking to people to see if they happened to see one while they where routing around in search of there truffles.
Sometimes, just sometimes though, a jolly old man with a deep laugh and a belly to match finds his way down the chimney to leave you a brightly colored package under the tree.
They are all gifts the god's of speed.
Like most on December 31st I find myself reflecting on the previous year. This time last year the pearl essence was only just getting under way. A light breeze began to fill the sails, sun on my face, cold air biting my hands as I typed, not knowing where this voyage would take me. Very similar today as remember this year.
While only a few of the desired goals where met on the Black Pearl, the year was filled with incredible adventure, a little mystery and intrigue. Even a treasure or two.
When we cast off I didn't know that I had very much to say, didn't know that I would even be able to convey the emotions in writing. I didn't think anyone other then I would read the words, share the feelings or even be moved enough to share them with others.
The last year has been insightful, I've learned a lot about myself, the world around me, the resilience of mankind and our determination. Fail and fail again, it's those that swim to shore, plug the holes, reset the sails and try again that will always succeed. Evident in watching a child struggle tirelessly to stand, knowing without being given the knowledge that freedom lies just out of reach.
Perseverance in one's passion. The Pearl may have spent more time in dry dock this year then years past, her future has come into jeopardy a few times, however she's stood tall and faced the torrent that's pounded at her sides.
The adversity of the Pearls last 60 years has only tightened the ropes and strengthened the resolve. Even as the temperatures plummet to freezing, I still plan for the spring, the shows we'll go to, the roads we'll drive, the people we'll meet as we set forth until the world sharing in the gospel of gasoline.
It's as I look back what the God's of Speed have brought us that I wonder, what dreams may come, what will be next for the Pearl. No matter what next year brings, we'll have sails tall and flag full.
In some corners of the great white north, winter is already upon us. The clocks fell almost as swiftly as the temperatures dropped. Winds have changed direction, leafs have gone from green to gold.
For some it's a time to roll up the carpet, pull down the garage door and go inside to hibernate until spring. While others dig out the long handle underwear and insulated socks, start a new pot of coffee and pull the door down for an entirely different set of reasons. Fall giving way to winter for some is a sign of changing seasons, the unfortunate and uninitiated.
Winter is the time for rebirth, resurrections, the opportunity to clear the slate. Evident in the first blankets of snow that cover the countyside. Inspiration in a clear white sheet of paper.
S.E.M.A. brings upon the first tire track, thousands of little flakes of inspiration all falling into one cup at the beginning of November. Whether you have lost your wind or lost your way. S.E.M.A. brings about all the novelties you need to carry on.From the exhibition hall to the parking lot, there is something to fill the imagination of anyones interests.
Every nut and bolt is turned, things that you don't even think are possible exist, a '75 Ford Gran Torino can actually be desirable. L.E.D. taillamps for the Pearl, long travel Bug, paint that's chrome and the story continues until your feet are worn and you just need a drink.
Men and women slave hours to make the sights and smells, but it's the take away that is their true reward. When the magazines are full, editorials written, pictures taken that one steps back into his or her garage.
There in dry dock, one tire flat, listing depressively to port lies your legacy, the thing you get remembered by, your project.
With the winter months you are given that clean slate to imagine what the spring will bring and what you will bring to that first event when the leaves bloom once more.
Lists, lists, lists.....have I said lists before?
I make a lot of lists. I think a lot of gear heads do. Lists of things to get, things to do, things to look up.
I make a list a day usually, "what'll cost to get the correct size tires on the Pearl? ", "What do I need to get done before spring? ". "What'll it cost to redesign the rear suspension? ", a list for every little thought.
On top of lists there are the fictional cars I build in the recesses of my brain. Some being redo of cars that have came and gone, others are the "what ifs" and "if I had the money". All just being more lists.
I make lists because I can't run out and buy the parts and pieces or tools I need to carry on my current task. I do so as a distraction from the mind that is dwelling on the loss of time. "Tic Toc" the voice wispers, "You're running out of time!"
Time that moves on without you, curiously there has been no deadline set, no event planned, no place to go. The only thing to be done is the ever present task of continuing towards the goal of the Pearl.
Oddly as time pesters the brain, it's that very time that is in abundance by comparison to the tasks.
So as I wait for the opportunity for the parts and tools to catch up the time I can afford.
I make lists, what do you do when the devil comes to idle hands?
