Bumper

Trying to paint nickel plated anything is no easy task. I scuffed and prepped that bumper to no avail. Once the rain came, the water just ripped the paint I applied to shreds.

Luckily, I have some awesome friends. Cliff Whetstone has a stainless steel line fabrication shop, in addition to a large assortment of old aviation parts. He also has a back shop that serves as a make shift toy making factory filled with all kinds of useful tools.

After removing the bumper, grinding the old paint off the bumper, removing all the hardware, and getting it ready for powder coating, Cliff and I took the raw hunk of metal to his buddy's shop just down the road.

The upside, I was getting an amazing deal on powder coating. The downside, I had to drive back to LA without a bumper in the rain.

After gingerly working my way back to west LA, the skies cleared up and the drive the next day was clear as a bell. So clear I could see the San Bernardino Mountains, roughly 60 miles away. (Typically, you can't see downtown 5 miles away so, yeah, it was that clear.)

I arrived to find Cliff had already picked up the finished bumper and I was ready to reassemble. After some creativity putting the bumper back into place, the previously shredded hunk of metal was transformed into a beautiful new matte black bumper.

Everything went together quickly and the finished product looks awesome. Next project, finding a new grill and the possibly the ball joints and tie-rod ends. Think the front end needs a little attention.

Jake's Hockey

Well I got my skates but as I mentioned previously, they needed some work. On good authority, I took them to Jakes Pro Shop in El Segundo near LAX and right around the corner from the Toyota Center.

I had the blade freshened up, purchased new foot-beds, and had the boots heated for a custom fitting. I always have problems getting my skates to feel comfortable and after discovering that I could have the inside ball punched out, well, I had it done.

After a couple tries, we dialed them in. To complete the stop, I purchased a new set of Jake's branded blade protectors. I think its important to help people out and support small shops. I love a deal as much as the next guy but service is almost, if not more, important and that's what I get when I go to Jakes.

Can't wait to test these babies out.

Skates!!

My skates came in today and I'm super pumped about it. It's funny because once I tried them on I realized 2 things: 1. I don't wear socks when I skate and 2. I desperately need to get these suckers custom fitted. Oh the PAIN.

Regardless, I'm one step closer to getting on the ice and eventually playing some hockey. Now all I need is one of those job things.

From the BLUE LINE!!!!

HO HO HOLD on a Minute

I've never been much for Christmas or any holiday for that matter. It just doesn't do it for me. Like I was explaining to a friend of mine, why give presents on 1 or 2 days when you can spread it out over the entire year. I enjoy giving stuff, much more so than receiving, and as far as the "spirit of Christmas" well I think that went away a long time ago. Oh I think its great that people enjoy themselves, get together, etc, etc., but I spent so many holidays working that I realized how important they were to other people and no so much for me. Hell, I don't even usually celebrate my own birthday....mainly because I seem to forget it due to loosing track of time. I'm not grumpy or scrooge-ie about it. Enjoy it I say. I'll fit into your festivities and make nice because its still fun when people are happy.

I guess I'm content being by myself this year, without interacting with anyone else and enjoying a stress free day. So thanks Christmas, I had a blast. I ate a great breakfast, gobbled up some pumpkin pie, spoke to my family on the phone, played some video games, took pleasure in knowing people enjoyed my pre-christmas gift giving, and enjoyed my day alone.

Next year will no doubt be totally different.

Merry Christmas Everybody.

DOUBLE RAINBOW

Yes, just like the youtube viral sensation, LA was treated to a double rainbow after 5 days of Portland like rain. SoCal is equipped for Earthquakes, Fires, and Riots, but when it rains, people loose their mind. You'd think it was raining acid the way people reacted (well actually it might be somewhat acidic but that's another story). And don't get me started with the driving. I swear, everyone slowed to a snow/ice storm pace, and being the all season driver that I am, I decided to show the already idiotic drivers of SoCal how its done.

Anyway, after the rain stopped, it was actually quite beautiful. I know the picture doesn't do the DR much justice but if you look closely off to the left of the electric pole, you can see the faint remnants of the second rainbow.

Enjoy what most of middle America (and Oregon and Washington) gets to see all the time California.

KS10

Only in SoCal, and really only in Huntington Beach will you find light-post banners that celebrate the accomplishments of a surfer. I guess when you're surf city USA, you need to represent and what better way to do so than by giving props to 10-Time World Champion Kelly Slater. He's not even from HB or SoCal for that matter (he's actually from Florida) but the surf community sticks together and when someone achieves a feat this monumental, why not put it on a light pole.

Congrats Kelly and cudos to you HB.

Reason #1 Why I love SoCal

Well actually all of California, Nevada, and I guess parts of Arizona (even though I've never been there). A SoCal staple and seriously one of the best burgers for the price: In n Out. God I love this place. The cheeseburgers, the fries, the shakes, even the Coke tastes better than anywhere else.