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Thread: Cars, Coffee and California...

  1. #781
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    My nephew’s huge heart and empathetic nature brought him around Monday night for a visit after Mom’s transition to hospice. We went out for a drive where he eventually handed me the keys and took me on some of his favorite roads around Vancouver. Most definitely the therapy this soul was needing.




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  3. #782
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Mom was only in hospice two days until she passed peacefully with us by our side Wednesday morning. When you receive a fatal diagnosis it doesn't make much sense to expect a different outcome but hope that the process can go as well as possible. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have been able to be a part of this time in both my parents' lives and relieved they went without pain.

    Certainly a lot of clearer ideas about life and how I want to ty and make the next 25-30 years to look. The 25 hour trip home starts Monday and cannot wait to be able to clear my head again in our Roadsters!


    RIP Elizabeth Jane Royea
    January 14, 1942 - October 14, 2020

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  5. #783
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! Greasemonkey2000's Avatar
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    My heart goes out to you and your family, Pete, can't even imagine how difficult this time has been for you and your family.
    '01 NB2 aka MisF1re: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....218#post207218
    '97 M aka Warbird, gone but not forgotten: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....B&goto=newpost
    Instagram: @greasemonkey2000

  6. #784
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Slampen's Avatar
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    Sorry for your losses.

  7. #785
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Right, enough with the introspection, decompression and time for some updates. The Roadsters and Roadster family have been an amazing part of me working through things.

    Before starting the pilgrimage back to SoCal I wanted to stop by Chikara Motosports in Vancouver and got to spend a little time with a couple great guys, Ocean and Ken. Roadster passionate track enthusiasts and they’re one of the only Roadster shops I know of in Canada’s Pacific South West. They carry a lot of cool stuff (North America’s only official Maruha dealer apparently) so picked up magnetic drain plugs for each of the Roadsters, a set of steering rack spacers for Benny and ordered a Driver’s side Maruha window motor after seeing how incredibly fast they are (already replaced the passenger’s side in the BRG with OEM for similar money). It should be here in January.





    After this particularly summer I’m certain I’d never felt more drained. The funerals were on the Sunday and I was leaving first thing the next morning. At first I thought since it was only 25 hours I should just try and do it in one shot with a few hours rest when I needed it but so glad I didn’t. Connecting with wonderful friends along the way was a really important step to picking myself back up.

    First stop was in Oregon with a chance to see Andi, Dustin and a plan to see Bo who unfortunately was off at Formula D). Lucky for me, Mrs. G is an absolute treasure so got some amazing time with her, Ollie and 17 year old-Taco (R.I.P. you wonderful little pup!).

    Second stop was in NorCal and a chance to hang with Lisa, Willis, his stunning Roadster and pizza with Druz and Justin.



    And day 3 finally brought me home to reunite with Jen and the boys, Frodo and one particularly neglected Roadster. Mrs. R knew that after I’d boosted it and took it for a wash that the first thing I’d want to do is go stretch our legs so that is precisely what we did.


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  9. #786
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    While I was north of the border with COVID locking things down there were a few Zoom calls in lieu of KINOD which was great to “see” everyone from 1500 miles away. I also got a text from Jon B on my birthday with a link to a surprise Zoom call. It was amazing to dial in and see he, Corfito, Adam, Maksim, Regis, Tom, Dwayne, et al had all joined to wish me a happy 50th. I still feel incredibly touched by the thoughtfulness and welcomed distraction from what life was throwing at me where celebrating was the last thing on my mind.

    Along with the Rat Fink update, eldest son had also drawn up some pics of Benny for my birthday.



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  11. #787
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    A couple days after getting home was my first in person KINOD in four months. FOUR MONTHS! May not sound like a lot but given it’s been my weekly group therapy for years, not being able to do that late night drive and connect with the rest of the group felt like a really, really long time.

    Met up with JonB and Garrett for a socially distanced burger at In’n Out.



    A great turnout and a chance to say hello to tons of great people I’d missed



    And then a midnight blast home and requisite fill-up and pic…


    Frodo was finding it cold so Mrs. R with her newly learned crocheting talents decided to make him a sweater.


    It was starting to feel like as much as it could, life was trying to get back to normal (ish).

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  13. #788
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Another Roadster nut from further south reached out to see if I’d be up for a Miata cruise and trip early the next morning to go to a large Cars and Coffee meet. Since I had so much roadstering to catch-up on seemed like a great way to start my first weekend back home…





    Always love the chance to meet new people and talk cars, life, the universe and everything.

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  15. #789
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Speaking of Roadsters and the exceptional people we get the chance to meet through that connection, while I was at Karuizawa I met Jeff, Adam and Vincent who had made the trip up from Australia. They run a group there called Roadster Bro’s which seems to share the same ethos as KINOD with a large group with a massive passion for MX-5’s. Meeting them at Karuizawa really made the trip even more spectacular…


    Sometime in November an unexpected package showed up at the door and initially seemed to be filled with Jumpy’s (a popular potatoe snack from down under)…


    Digging a little deeper uncovered some wonderful Cadbury’s chocolates and some Roadster Bros merch!!




    So very cool. Cannot wait til travel opens up again and a chance to plan another trip to Karuizawa. 2021 is likely off the cards but will be targeting ’22.

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  17. #790
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Spoiled by the local warm “winter” temperatures it became clear my AC was giving up again so back to Integrated to have Alex and co find the leak and patch it up…



    That gave me the excuse to take Berg out for a good scrub and some drive time. I love washing the cars because it gives me a chance to really pay attention to so many of my favorite details…

    The extended arm of the passenger Zoom mirror


    Zoom’s timeless fuel lid design


    The GV headlight intake and blended TSI’s


    And the rear GV panel and Neilex exhaust surround


    When I got Benny back I also wanted to scrub him up since a VIP guest was going to be passing through…

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  19. #791
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power druz's Avatar
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    So glad you were able to make a pit stop by the bay and that I was able to join in!

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  21. #792
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! LagBlu's Avatar
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    Thank you for the insights and stories, I really like to look in here.
    Jumpy´s are delicious. A bag is quickly empty.

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  23. #793
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! MaRcOp01o's Avatar
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    Happy to see you're back Pete!
    Follow the Builds
    1993 Eunos Roadster B-spec by Mazdaspeed
    http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....819#post222819
    1993 Mazda Miata LE
    https://mazdaroadster.net/showthread...233#post244233

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  25. #794
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by druz View Post
    So glad you were able to make a pit stop by the bay and that I was able to join in!
    Indeed. Looking forward to planning something in '21 for us West Coasters!

    Quote Originally Posted by LagBlu View Post
    Thank you for the insights and stories, I really like to look in here.
    Jumpy´s are delicious. A bag is quickly empty.
    Thank you! I concur, the Jumpy's indeed were yummy and did not last long!

    Quote Originally Posted by MaRcOp01o View Post
    Happy to see you're back Pete!
    Thanks, feels good to be back my friend!

  26. #795
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Alex Todd (aka Scratch n Sniff) was passing through the West Coast with his Dad on their marathon cross country road trip. He wasn’t in town long enough to stay for a KINOD but really glad they had a chance to swing by the house even if not for long enough for me to show any real hospitality. I hadn’t had a chance to see Alex since MiataPalooza so it was great to get the chance to shoot the breeze in person before his next stops dropping off and collecting more parts before the journey home.


    And despite missing Bo in October, Formula D at Irwindale meant he would be in town with fellow Cat-Daddy Ian which afforded us a couple opportunities to break bread and connect.

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