Taking the country roads home fast and in style: The Acura RSX

It’s no lie that with the new chapter I have opened in my life, my priorities have shifted, my focus is in other places, my happiness and positivity is through the roof, and my passion for the tuning world has been reignited. Before the races last weekend, I got the chance to tool around Boulder with some new friends in a choice Subaru WRX wagon. The mountain roads, though we didn’t open the car up too much, are ideal for feeling the force of the car and pushing it to the limit. i also got some good insight as to my next auto endeavor.

Thanks to Chris, Dan, and Alan, I have made up my mind and will be investing in the future via the Acura RSX. While I do love my Integra, (oh, Colton) the 196K odometer reading doesn’t scream, “I have a lot of life left in me.” And I’m in the business of staying the course of this next chapter. New life, new friends, new outlook, new car. I foresee a bright future ahead for this young soldier. And I want to do it from behind the wheel of a car I’ve been lusting after for a long while now. Life’s too short to not get what you want, anyway. You have a dream, even something as simple as a car, go for it. get it. Keep moving and never stop.

From my personal archives: The Enjoi Co. Panda Sweater

I finally went through the closet last night. I am not sure why i had been putting it off, really. The task itself seemed so daunting, I suppose, but the actual carryout of it was painless and yielded some welcomed results. Not only did I get together a huge pile of old hipster gear that I no longer wear as looking like an eleventeen year old at age 28 is no longer my MO, I found some old shirts, sweater, shorts, pants, and even hats that I stopped wearing when I decided one day, “Dude I look hot in girl jeans.” Glad those days are over. Buffalo Exchange here I come. To sell. Not buy. It’s funny then seeing your clothes on other kids, even friends, around town and thinking, “Gos. What was I ever thinking? What are they still thinking?” Sad, but funny, times.

While the “get rid of” pile was much larger than the “look what I found” one, the Enjoi Skateboards Panda Sweater laid in the keep. Remembering how bad I wanted this and how hard it was to find when I initially bought it is what really gets me. There was a time that if anything had a panda on it, I had to have it. So when a skateboard company came to be using said mammal as its logo, Enjoi became my fave skate brand. Add Louie Barletta, Colt Cannon, Caswell Berry, Mark Johnson, and Jerry Hsu to some of the original team, and you’re gold. Now, when the weather turns from 90 to 39, as was the case sitting atop a 14K foot mountain this past weekend, I will be prepared. Even more so. You know and I know this isn’t my only sweater.

Underdressed & Overtired: A weekend at the races in J.Crew.

L-R: Ferrari, my shadow.

I didn’t know what to expect, like I said. It has been ages since I’ve hiked a fourteener, and I have never been to the Pikes Peak Intentional Hill Climb. Needless to say, I had no idea how to pack. So, as you would have guessed, I packed poorly- not takin ginto account that, sure, while it was a scorching 98 degrees in Denver, the top of Pikes Peak saw much cooler, 39 degree temps. Yep, and there was rain and sleet and wind and all sorts of increment weather that at any other time of year I would have been well prepared for. However, on this certain day, I was throw for a loop in my recently purchased J. Crew polo, light H&M sweatshirt, windbreaker, and Levi’s.

Speaking of the Crew,  I realized that, via a comment from a new friend of mine on an older post of mine, I hadn’t check out the retailer in quite some time. Not that I’m in the business of saving money (which is probably a good idea, though), I haven’t actually driven my car in three weeks. When i started the new job, they gave me a bus pass. Read: I haven’t made it to the mall between night out in downtown, where the bus drops me, and taking full advantage of mass trans. That aside, I popped in, said hey to Ryan, snagged a new polo (which I wore all weekend, weather and change of clothes be damned), two pairs of pants, and almost the new J. Crew toggle sweater (pictured). Seeing it up close, I was taken with it, but having recently purchased a fisherman’s cable knit, I made the executive decision to not go forth. I wouldn’t have worn it to the Hill Climb, anyway. For that, next year, I’m thinking heavy parka, Under Armor tops and bottoms, wool socks, gloves, and a beanie. Polo? Hell yes.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Racecars, camping, beer, and the Rocky Mountains

It’s gonna feel good: I’m spending the weekend with a few other gearhead kids in the mountains outside of Colorado Springs to witness, for the first time, the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. I’m not too sure what to expect so I can’t go into too much detail other than this: I know we’re heading down Saturday. I know we’re camping Saturday night, then hiking to an area called Devil’s Playground (hell yes) where most of the course is visible. And I also know that during said camping, beers will probably be imbibed. I’ll update with pictures next week.

Photo: Modified

Investment opportunity: Going through hair product

I’ll shell out $40 for a decent haircut at the local Aveda. I will. And, hell, I’ll even admit to going to Aveda. Well, let’s clear that up right quick: After my last visit, with my stylist telling me repeated times how hungover and tired she was, I will not be going any longer. the last thing I want to hear from someone holding a pair of sheers and chopping my locks is how unfocused they are on the job they are doing. That said, I’m looking for a barber. Suggestions?

Back to the fundage: What gets me about hair product is the price of the damn stuff. I use Crew. I have been for years. Which is the point of all this. I bought my initial can of pomade (not pictured, as I just finished it) some 3 years ago. And I just finished it. That got me to thinking: “Product may seem ridiculously overpriced at upwards of $20. But when you consider it an investment versus a purchase, it’s easier to drop that scrilla*.” Used sparingly, as any product should be, it lasted that long. The other three cans (pictured) have lasted just as long, if not more. I admit, I use them even less, but the point remains.

*I only use the term “scrilla” when thinking to myself.