“Or how little I like working with reflective material.”

Usually I don’t post too terribly much about work related things here, but this has been consuming a good chunk of my time, and its turning out pretty nice if I do say so myself.  This is my latest client project. We are creating a “replica” AZ Department of Public Safety Car for a collector overseas.  All of the logos and striping are completely custom to avoid issues with the “real” cars. (Which are still in service) Although all of the graphics are similar enough to confuse everyone that has seen the car in person.  Almost every part of the car has something on it.  From small striping above the windows and on A-pillars and bumper ends, to the gigantic stripes and logos, roof lettering, trunk panels, and a million little parts here and there.  It should look pretty good when it goes home though.  And after dark, it lights up like a Christmas tree.  I am looking forward to sending this on its way and getting back to some basic projects with regular material that is easier to work with.   Its been an interesting project though.

Been away from the blog for while working on other projects here and there.  so I figured I’d just recap the last few weeks for anyone that cared.

Thrashed for several days in a row to get the Ambulance put back together and managed to get it done just in time for the Super Chevy Show at the beginning of April here locally.  Had a blast out at the drag strip for 2 days.  Spent most of Saturday wandering around and watching the various racing going on.  (a 1/4 mile run that is done on 2 wheels at over 130mph is INSANE BTW.  The guy the drives the wheel-stander does not make enough money doing that sort of thing.)  Sadly it was windy and fairly cold most of the day.  Still enjoyed myself though.  Little bit of drama near the end of the day when one of the jet powered dragster drivers crashed near the end of the track.  Found out later that he was “OK” and after some surgery and therapy they expect him to drive again.  Pretty amazing when you consider he was moving at more than 230mph when he crashed.   Ended up coming home Saturday night slightly congested from the wind and the dust.

Went back on Sunday and spent some time talking with Hayden Proffitt.  Absolutely could not have been nicer.  Scotty and I spent over an hour chatting with him and we enjoyed every second.  And while I never had the opportunity to see him race like Scotty did, talking to him was amazing.  He was warm and friendly and really amusing.  The man is hysterical to talk to.  Talk about a living legend in the drag racing world.  Absolutely the highlight of the weekend.

Ended up with a nasty cold after the weekend at the track.  So I spent the following week doing absolutely nothing but sleeping and sucking down soup and hot tea.

Ran a cut only job for one of my regular clients, which is fantastic right up until the cutter is finished and I have to weed all of those little stickers.  Just not excited about weeding these days.  Apparently I need to work on convincing clients that they want full color prints instead.

Designed and printed a prop validation sticker for my Bluesmobile.  And if I do say so myself, it came out fantastic.  Printed on reflective, it just looks like its supposed to.  I have to be careful to make sure they are plainly marked as props as they could easily be confused for the real thing.  They are that accurate looking.

This week is trying to get back in touch with some clients that I have proposals out with to see if we can get things firmed up and moving again.  Beyond that, I’ve been putting more time into some of the websites that I run to tighten up operations and streamline them.  Once I get the bugs worked out, I’m hoping to roll out regular content on some of those sites and see about building up the “brands” more than we have done in the past.

So its been busy, but nothing really exceptionally blogworthy.  Aside from meeting Mr. Proffitt, its been business and usual.  (With a bonus cold thrown in there for good measure.)

Hopefully more entertaining things are on the horizon.  Only time will tell.

1974 Dodge Monaco “Bluesmobile” pushbar plans.

bluesmobile-pushbar plans

Free for personal use.  Not for sale or resale.

In the interests of being a responsible citizen, I traded in my exceptionally fast car for something a little more responsible yet still exceptionally fast. My previous car was a 400HP V8 sedan that had a zero to 60 time that was fast enough, I could have made one pass at open run night at the dragstrip, and then they would have kicked me out for not having a roll cage, fire suppression system and helmet. Did I mention it could do those speeds with adults in the 4 seats AND the A/C on? It was fast, tons of fun, exceptionally comfortable, and fast. It was also an exercise in restraint everytime I got into it. It was SO easy to drive WAY too fast without even realizing it. (It had a chime that you could program to go off at a preset speed. I had mine set at 50. And I just about rang that chime every day on the way to work.) And while I really enjoyed the car, it was just a matter of time before I got in trouble with it. 100 mph felt no different in the car than going 60. Which can be a problem for the folks with badges and radar guns.

So I traded it in. Got me a more fuel efficient car to replace it. (Which just happens to be a sporty little coupe. Seating for 2. Still really fast. Its only .1 seconds slower to 60 than the car I traded in) And its alot easier to drive a little slower since its so low to the ground, everything feels alot faster. I also went from a really dark blue to a silver. Which was not really my first choice of color. But its growing on me. Throw a little window tint onto it and makes it a little more aggressive looking. One of the interesting things about the car is the attention that I get with it. There dont seem to be too many of them on the roads, so I tend to get alot of interested looks from people. Some are puzzled, some are confused, and I’m guessing a good number have never seen one before. Its a neat little car, and it handles like its on rails. There isnt any lean. Corners darn near flat. And it looks fast even standing still. Which is kinda cool as well.

So without further Ado, my new toy.