Pet Carrier/Speaker Box...

I would like to start this post by apologizing to Dr. Christopher Lewis...I really wanted to build this with you...buuuut...I am sorry...I got antsy.

So I have been researching rear speaker options for the Bug...and I noticed a lot of people have been adding an vintage suitcase with speakers mounted in them for a rear audio solution. I was going to run that route...then I ran across a post on Etsy for a vintage pet carrier and thought...that would be perfect!

Aaaand here she is...I haven't hooked up the stereo yet so I don't know how amazing my handy work is yet...but I will keep you updated.

REIGNSonerlandia's Quotes of the Weekish...

"What is eggplant?" - Random Chick reading the menu @ Corner House Cafe & Pizzeria

"Just checking for rigor mortis." - Joe

"You are never going to learn anything if you keep running your mouth." - Gabriel

"I didn't feel like vomiting until I looked at your face." - Mary

"I guess ultimately America IS a big melting pot." - Megan

"Sooooo...Do snails...?" - Mary

"UGH! I HATE R. Kelly! Buuut I f*cking LOVE R. Kelly!" - Megan

"I always get chorizo in my hair!" - Jamie

"And after a hundred or so mighty wacks..." - Peter

"I have fourteen plates!" - Megan

Bug Update...Number Seventeen...

I have been making some solid headway on the bug. A few weeks back I took her in to see Sam @ California Pacific/J-Bugs for a full rewire. Sam is on his shit...Knocked it out in no time flat! I can't say enough about how thorough this guy was. I wish everyone was as competent at their job as he was. Every electrical component is working again...and every bit of wiring is brand spanking new. Super stoked!

After I got that back home I started on the interior. I have the back of the car completed. The dash is in place with all it's hardware, new steering wheel and horn ring installed, RetroSound stereo installed, RetroSound dual voice coil speaker and mounting bracket installed, carpet along the door sills and under the front seats completed. I just need to wrap up the glove box, fiddle with the stereo a bit more, finish the carpet in the front of the car and wrap up the upholstery on the front seats and the interior is good to go. And maybe add a Bambus Rack...Probably add a Bambus Rack.

I had been wanting to get the wheels sand blasted and powder coated for some time now. But I wasn't really ready to fork over $200 just for powder coat...New not stock rims are around $380. So I was thinking about giving them the same treatment I did the van's wheels. Joe was taking a trip up to the M-E-R-C-E-D for the weekend and offered to sand blast and prime my wheels for me at his dads shop. They turned out awesome! I started painting them this week...so far so good. New tires and she'll be ready for some driving. More updates hopefully soon! Getting closer...



And this is my new side project/audio solution for the rear hatch of the bug...Vintage pet carrier. Keep and eye out for that soon too. Etsy is awesome! And dangerous.

Saturday...

Saturday afternoon we cruised over to the Judge Household for Wyatt's 4th birthday party. I got a few pictures of Chris, Cory and Maddie in the bounce house...but no photos of the birthday boy.




In the evening we met up with Becki and Patrick and cruised out to Buju Tattoo's grand opening celebration. Great turn out...Awesome to see so much support for Buju, Briana and Adam. Stoked for you guys!

South of the 56 Sighting...

Ryan, Andrea, Megan and myself did a little lunch and brewery hopping this past Friday. Lunch @ Callahan's, A stop off @ Ballast Point for some Sculpin IPA on Nitro and then a quick stop off @ Hess Brewing with a visit from Dr. Cory Rank. Good times guys! Ryno...Good to see you buddy. I forgot to tell you...I check your blog everyday.

Buju Tattoo Buttons...

Buju Tattoo Buttons galore...200 of em. Buju Tattoo's grand opening is this Saturday. Once I saw the flyer for the opening two things happened...I remembered I owned a button maker(that has been collecting dust) and I knew they needed buttons. I hit up Briana for the original flyer artwork and massaged it to work for the button format. I am stoked on how they turned out.

I have never really put this out there before buuut...

If anyone needs any 1.5" buttons made hit me up. They are super cheap to make and I am more than happy to knock them out. I can do as many or as few as you would like...If you need custom artwork I can do that...or I can just slap your image on there. I can deliver them or toss them in the mail. The process is pretty fun...and it's nice have a tangible object at the end of a little bit of work. Hit me up if you are interested and we can get some going.

Ahhhh...Tangible object. That just made me want to rant a little...Sooo here we go...

I need to get my hands dirty...I need to build and make things it's a very big part of me and it's crazy how much it gets me going...Mentally, Physically, Emotionally...I love to build stuff. From scratch, from Ikea, a puzzle, lists, recipes...etc. I dunno it is just a very big part of my being and who I am. I never really realized how much I need that to be a part of my life...but I do. I have the creative bug super bad right now.

I do have a few things in the works and it has been nice. The VW Bug interior is getting tackled more and more every day. I've got a pretty solid plan in place for a rear speaker solution in the Bug...Super excited to show that process off...I am pretty stoked on this idea. Knocked out some buttons...that was fun. Got a few little projects in the early stages with Dr. Booriakin. I have been drawing a bit more. My aerosol finger is getting itchy...I think I might have to build a temporary wall in the backyard to get down on...I know I have a few people down for that one.

After all that being said...I feel like I need to leave this here...

Pops,

I would REALLY REALLY REALLY like to thank you for all of that! From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! Thank you for ingraining all of those qualities into me. Allowing me to create, supporting me the whole way and showing me how to do so much awesome stuff. I was working in the garage this past weekend and I got to thinking about current spot in life and being me being adult-ish now and looking back at everything my Pops did to make my life as amazing as it is...And it blows my mind. Busting his ass working all day, picking me up from school, lugging a full teams soccer gear to and from practice/games, coaching, dealing with kids, parents, referees, leagues and me...for YEARS! And that is just a small part of it... archery, shooting, hunting, fishing, bicycles, involving me in his projects, teaching me how to do things for myself....The list goes on and on...Totally awesome!

My dad has always been my idol and my hero...Always. I love that man with all my heart!

Thank you, Pops.

->Neil

Animals...

It has been a while since I have posted any pictures of our fantastic, sheddy, lovely, pain in the butt, smelly, noisy, eat you out of house and home, but I love every minute of them...Pets. Aaaand after I typed that it feels weird even calling them "pets." They are such a big part of our little family.

Here they are...Feeling very photogenic late Monday night.

It makes me smile just looking at those little faces...devious little faces...I wonder what they are chewing on right now?

I love my little family!