Getting through the hard parts 

Kinja'd!!! "Ike" (untitledcarshow)
11/20/2015 at 14:42 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!3 Kinja'd!!! 20

So I received some bad family news regarding my grandmother.Don’t want to get into that now, but my head is swimming. For those of you who don’t know I live 700ish miles from my family in Chicago. With my wife’s & mine obligations, compounded by traveling with a small child I don’t know how I’m gonna get to back before the end.

I don’t know what to do in situations like these, My normal means of escape in times like these is to pour myself into my work, some hobby. Not to try and forget and pretend it’s not happening, but being stranded so far from the event has left me feeling restless and powerless.

So what I would like to do is write a article about how much the automotive community means to me.

Let me just start with Oppositelock has been such an amazing place to become a part of. It’s become a source of learning, inspiration, friendship, and joy. It’s so fantastic to see a slice of life from all over the country and the world. It’s one of the primary sources of keeping me sane. I have made some friends I guess you could call them here. It’s very nice for a guy so far from his childhood friend, to have sound a place where people will help him learn how to fix his cars, laugh at his jokes, and maybe even listen to me ramble on my podcast. Really you guys and gals have filled a void, that I desperately need at a time like this so thank you.

Jalopnik proper is a great source of distraction in my day as well, Jason’s & Doug’s articles in particular the humor really has been a light to keep me in somewhat good spirits.

I was planning on writing more honesty, I just can’t seem to muster up the thoughts in a very meaningful manner. I might get my head straight later and post something more well thought out. But really for now thank you for posting the goofy stuff, the thoughtful stuff, all the stuff.

So thank Oppositelock in the times when I get depressed or frustrated that can always just open up this site get my head straight for a little bit and get though the hard parts a little easier.

Thanks sorry for my bit of streaming conciseness, I hope this made some sense.


DISCUSSION (20)


Kinja'd!!! bob and john > Ike
11/20/2015 at 14:48

Kinja'd!!!1

Man, you know we are all here you. Dont matter if you run a crazy-awesome pod cast, or like to right about your ranger too much, or are a lurker. you need help and support, we will give it.

if you want to email and talk to someone, shoot me a message at cool_saab93@hotmail.com. It the one i check most regularly.


Kinja'd!!! Sam > Ike
11/20/2015 at 14:50

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If you need me, I’m only like 3hrs from Chicago. Even if you just wanna drive my car or have a chat or something.


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > Ike
11/20/2015 at 14:52

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All the BRAAAPs for you sir!

Kinja'd!!!

shoot me an email whenever dude! ulysses@starmotorcars.com


Kinja'd!!! Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Ike
11/20/2015 at 14:55

Kinja'd!!!1

I do listen to the podcast, but sometimes I have a harder time hearing you compared to the other person. Either way, I enjoy the show. Still have to listen to this week’s.


Kinja'd!!! Ike > bob and john
11/20/2015 at 14:58

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Thanks, yes I appreciate it, it’s part of why i love this community. If I need to talk I will for sure send you an email. right now though I think I just need the distraction and community of oppositelock.


Kinja'd!!! bob and john > Ike
11/20/2015 at 14:59

Kinja'd!!!1

pick your favourite ‘fast’ driving music and watch this:


Kinja'd!!! jariten1781 > Ike
11/20/2015 at 15:01

Kinja'd!!!3

I feel ya. I’ve been over 1000 miles away from my family since 2000. I’ve missed everything there is to miss.

Whether you’re religious or not, there’s a good kernel of truth in much of its practices. In particular for situations like this I fall back on Nieburh’s Serenity Prayer:

O God, give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed ,The courage to change what can be changed,and the wisdom to know the one from the other
Acceptance of what cannot be changed is hard, but relieving when you actually enact it.
Best wishes


Kinja'd!!! Ike > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
11/20/2015 at 15:03

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Thank you for listening, yeah I'm still working on the audio issues. I'm no where as good on my own in terms of the audio mixing, but I'm getting better (I hope)


Kinja'd!!! Ike > EL_ULY
11/20/2015 at 15:07

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Thanks, lol my Volvo decided fight me starting yesterday and today, so that’s been a nice add on to all of this (air mass sensor is kaput)

I do miss the snow, so sexy Volvo plus snow; melts my heart.

If I need to talk I'll hit you up, thanks again


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > Ike
11/20/2015 at 15:09

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It’s all good dude. I’ll send you my number, text or call homie

no dicpix tho


Kinja'd!!! Ike > Sam
11/20/2015 at 15:09

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Thanks for the offer.I’ll let ya know, when I next drive back (obviously not this time) I’ll shoot you a line.


Kinja'd!!! TheRealBicycleBuck > Ike
11/20/2015 at 15:11

Kinja'd!!!1

I know how you feel. With my mom in one state and my in-laws in another, close family is at least 10 hours away.

Have a fuzzy to help you feel better.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Ike > EL_ULY
11/20/2015 at 15:13

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Thanks my good man, my wife is a rock though all of this, she’s really been there for me. It’s just a matter of I can’t dwell on all of these things I can’t do, I need a avenue of getting my crazy over thinking mind off of all of it. And you guys and gals are the best at that.


Kinja'd!!! Ike > TheRealBicycleBuck
11/20/2015 at 15:14

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Cute dog is best dog for sad days


Kinja'd!!! Ike > jariten1781
11/20/2015 at 15:15

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Thanks, that is the hardest part, I like to fix problems and this is a situation I can't fix, and a problem that I have no control over. Oppo is what's been best at distracting my crazy brain when I know I can't do anything and just need to stop dwelling


Kinja'd!!! Sam > Ike
11/20/2015 at 15:23

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Alright man, hope everything works out. And just remember that your grandmother has lived a full life for sure.

Also, I’m going to the Meetup next year, but if you’re in town on a weekend before that just let me know. You can look for in the Facebook event (same name as here, of course).


Kinja'd!!! MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Ike
11/20/2015 at 16:24

Kinja'd!!!1

I just went through the exact same thing. My grandmother who I was very close with (on the phone at least twice a week, every week) passed away in September after battling cancer for almost a year. I live in Michigan and my family is down in South Carolina. It was the hardest thing to not be there.

My work let me get some time off but my wife couldn’t. I traveled with my 2 year old solo down to SC so he and I could see her 1 last time. IT was great that we were able to go and I recommend it (despite how insane it is to take a 2 year old by plane by yourself). I know it’s not that easy to just say “oh grab a plane ticket and go”, but if you can I’m happy to offer any advice I can on flying solo with a toddler.

Second time I’ve said this today - OPPO’s got your back bro.


Kinja'd!!! Ike > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/20/2015 at 16:34

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Thanks for sharing you're story it does help. The biggest problem we are facing is my wife’s schedule and my daughter is only 10months old so still breasts feeding. So it’s a matter of where the little one goes so does mommy and vice versa.

Our little one is named after this grandma too.


Kinja'd!!! MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Ike
11/20/2015 at 16:52

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Oh I get that, that’s not a challenge I had to face as he was off breast milk a loooong time ago.

I’ve had a pretty terrible 2015 and I’m going to be happy to see it go. If my shitty year in any way helps someone else get through their’s I’m more than happy to share.

Someone should get some good out of my 2015, it wasn’t me.


Kinja'd!!! Ike > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/20/2015 at 16:59

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Yeah I’ve had such a mixed bag starting projects, birth of my daughter, car problems, now this, it's been a weird up and down, This last week has been a overload of bad though. So hopefully you're year starts turning around, and 2016 can be better for us all!