July 20, 2008 

 hen I watched the movie 'Titanic' when it first came out (and even if I watch it today), the only part I strongly remember about the movie is when Rose, as an elder, is putting all her pictures on the side table near the bed. In each of the pictures, there she is.. in an airman's cap next to a bi-plane which she learned to fly, on horses, doing this and doing that. Living life to its utmost as Jack had urged her to do. Before I ever saw that movie, I too was much like Rose. I wanted to go out and live life. In case there is not such a thing as reincarnation, I need to cram as much into this lifetime as I can.

Today was one of those days I needed to cram something awesome, unusual and wonderful into my life. However, it was over before it started. It was not a homesteading thing, it was not even very eco-friendly... but it was a rush!!! Literally. And it was part of my day job. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. 

Awhile back ago, I did an article for my job on the mud bogger association. Al and I started to gab about mechanical stuff as I have helped build over 14 quarter miler (muscle) cars and one pull truck when I was younger. He asked last February if I wanted to run one of his machines in the Powder Puff event held this summer. After I discovered he was not just teasing me about running it, but serious, what do you think I would have said??? Of course I said YES!! So today was the day. 

Picture Above: That is me in the pink Landcruiser on the right in the staging lanes. These are not small machines and I almost need a 5 gallon bucket to stand on to get into the mudracer. I think my mother is happy I sometimes only tell her I do these things AFTER I do them. 

Picture Below: I am leaving the staging area, heading towards my lane and trying to remember all my 5 second instructions on the rules, to keep the gas pedal pinned to the floor and drop the clutch, tips on how to stay in the lane and tricks how to keep it straight. I actually was not nervous for never having been in one of these before. But I was pretty excited, I have been looking forward to it for months. . 

Picture Above: That is me in the mud pits pulling up to the timer mark and watching Al (whom let me use his machine), the guy guiding me on where to stop and my eyes watching the 'Christmas Tree' all at the same time. I have the tach climbing and preparing to dump the clutch at the green. It is short looking as it is sunk down into the mud. 

Picture Below: I just punched it as the light turned green. If you look close, you can see I AM INDEED flinging mud back at the timing shack as I have the gas pedal to the floor. There was no time to think really. It was over before I knew it. I did not do this machine the justice it deserved as it goes 4 seconds through the course when a professional driver is at the wheel. The banks had been crowded, but alot of the audience went home as the NOS and Alcohol 'BIG BOYS'  were done for the day by the time the powder puff event came around....

Picture Below: This is the machine I ran right after I ran it. My adrenaline was still working so I undid my 5 point seatbelt and I started to pull off my helmet, neck braces and overalls before I thought to have anyone take my picture with the machine while I was still covered in mud. 

My time... 9.568. Not impressive by the standards of professional drivers who had been getting 4-point-somethings with their machine as when it started to climb out of the pits, I backed off on the accelerator to make sure I had control and the wheel was not going to get ripped out of my hands, and then I punched it again. The most I was scared of was the potential of breaking someone's expensive toy. I am not sure what this one is worth, but I was talking to some guys who had $90,000 engines without the rest of the vehicle.

I have no idea what my standing or what the other times for the Powder Puff event were. Don't care. I probably would not have cared if my time had been in the 20-something-seconds. It was fun and I am so glad that no one talked me out of it. I got worried for a bit when one of the professional NOS drivers said I had guts to drive Al's machine before I had ran it. I am so glad I was fortunate enough and had the opportunity to drive 'Mom's Taxi'. Live Life!

Thank you Al and Kathy!!