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[Re]introduction
If you’ve been following along with our publications for any length of time, then you already know me. I’ve been a freelancing, contributing writer with powerTV (now renamed Power Automedia) for over two years now. In the past, I’ve added my insight to LSX Magazine, Chevy Hardcore, Street Legal TV, Corvette Online, Rod Authority, and even on a few occasions, Stang TV and Dragzine.
Recently however, I’ve been hired on as a full-time staffer, and as a result, I have relocated from Northeast Ohio to sunny Southern California. I’m happy with this change, since I no longer have to juggle my work and private life from the same facility (like I have been doing up to this point). I can now fully focus my attention on both the quantity AND quality of my articles while working from an actual office for 9+ hours a day, five days a week.
After almost 3,000 miles of driving under my belt, I had to take a break once I got to California. A bright yellow moving van hauling a CTS-V did earn quite a few stares from passing motorists.
Not only is this great news for me, obviously, but this is particularly benefiting to all of you. I bring my twelve years of experience tinkering with LS-series engines to the table of LSX Magazine and Street Legal, along with being a general gearhead since I was a fetus.
I’m not just a fanboy of the all-alloy mill (and its iron-block cousins), but I also currently own two ever-evolving LS-powered vehicles; a heads/cam/intake 2002 Trans Am WS6, and daily-driven 2006 CTS-V with nitrous. Both of which you may have read about in previous columns of mine.
Racing
Since I’m now a resident of The Golden State, I’ve realized that I have a lot of catching up to do in regards to my racing experience. There are many forms of motorsport here to enjoy; circle track, dragstrip, road course, autocross, off-roading… and if there’s any truth in the Fast and the Furious films – there’s even street racing. (Although, I am required to tell you that Power Automedia doesn’t condone that last one.)
Of the six I’ve mentioned, two I have partaken in, one I have little interest in (but I’ll check it out), and the other two I’m pretty much dying to get involved with. I won’t elaborate, but if you don’t already know me, you’ll eventually figure it out over time which is which.
Moving to SoCal definitely has its perks; beautiful weather, scenery, cars, and of course, women. However, relocating to the other side of the country is a major culture shock to say the least.
SoCal definitely has its perks; beautiful weather, scenery, cars, and of course, women. However, relocating to the other side of the country is a major culture shock to say the least. It has a tendency to make you think about your personal well-being and physical appearance more than usual. There are countless beaches here, after all.
Truth be told, I have been trying to make it a habit of eating better and working out more than ever since last Fall, prior to my move. Not because of my then upcoming relocation, but because it was something I felt I needed to do for myself. Lately, my schedule has been persuading me otherwise. Despite the fact that I’ve never had a weight problem (knock on wood), I’m far from what you would consider “in shape.”
"Dandy" Dick Landy, among many other racers, passed before his time. In Landy's case, it was kidney failure. Don't be fooled by the cigar; it was usually just for theatrics.
You Are What You Eat
I’m not a health expert, nor am I claiming to be. However, I’ve recently read somewhere that once we hit 25 years of age, we lose roughly one pound of body muscle every year after that. As we get older, we also lose our stamina, our strength, and from what I can tell, our minds.
If you think about it, us car enthusiasts can be the most out of shape people out there. We tend to spend the majority of our time at the dragstrip or other automotive-related events, and that means we gouge on whatever they’re selling to us out of the concession stands.
If we’re not out racing, we’re more than likely wrenching. Since we’re too busy busting knuckles, we normally couldn’t be bothered to cook anything decent, so we’re either ordering up a pizza and washing it down with several beers, or enjoying a “value meal” at one of our local fast food joints. You know the old saying, “you are what you eat?” Well it’s true.
It seems like every other day we lose somebody from the hobby, and not just to car accidents or natural causes, but to heart attacks or stroke. Soaring cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, combined with lack of exercise and a good diet can take their toll on the human body, leading to a less than glamorous death. Sometimes these conditions can can be hereditary, but more often that not, it’s the lack of proper attention we give our own bodies.
It seems like every other day we lose somebody from the hobby, and not just to car accidents or natural causes, but to heart attacks or stroke.
I used to be the biggest Pepsi addict on the planet; at one time, I had the ability to kill a 24-pack within two days. Now I can’t stand the stuff. I haven’t consumed a Pepsi since September, and I don’t miss it. It’s either bottled water, milk, and since I’m now required to be a morning person (whether I like it or not), coffee for me.
In Closing…
I’m telling all of you that to say this; take care of yourselves. You’re only blessed with one body. One liver. One heart. As a society, we need to understand this, and get it through our heads that we won’t live forever. That shouldn’t be an excuse to live and eat however you want, rather it’s a reason to have the self-discipline to take control over your own life.
The idea is to enjoy our cars for as long as possible by living healthy. You’re our readers, after all. If you’re not going to be around to read our work, then who will?
This picture pretty much says it all; "Welcome to SoCal!" Image: LS Series Showdown
