October 8th, 2023
When I was turning 24 I began recapping my year in a post. So here we are once again "Another trip around the sun," as the cliche saying goes.
The 28th year started out like it does most years, with a trip to the Topsfield Fair. I have been attending this annual event since I was a baby. Fried dough, sausage sandwiches and the year's biggest pumpkin.
I then ventured up to Michigan where I visited a good friend and spent a week in their world. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is quiet and is like stepping into another realm. There is not much "normal" society up there. No large strip malls and dunkin donuts on every corner. There is peace and quiet and the woods. I caught up on much needed rest and saw Crisp Point Lighthouse on Lake Superior. The most interesting thing about the Great Lakes is that they in fact do not look like lakes. The waves crash on the shore just as they would on the beach at the ocean. It was cold. The snow began to fall, but it did not take away from the beautiful sites.
A week later I ventured to Las Vegas for the first time to attend the SEMA Show 2022. Within a week, I was able to witness the polar opposites that were the Las Vegas Strip and the Upper Peninsula. Flashy lights, stores every ten feet, bars, restaurants and not a star in site. The SEMA Show itself was an event like no other. The builds displayed both inside and outside of the Las Vegas Convention Center were something to behold. Experiencing SEMA and Las Vegas all in one week was a lot, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat, and will soon for The SEMA Show 2023.
Yet another few weeks later, I attended the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago, Illinois. Muscle Cars have always held a place in my heart as the Corvette is one of my favorite cars. More incredible builds and original condition cars lined the halls of the Donald E Stephens Convention Center. One section was all Superbirds and Daytonas and I had never seen so many in one place at a time.
In early December I attended a Lindsey Stirling concert at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. I have seen her several times and she never fails to disappoint. It was a Christmas themed concert, and although I am not a huge Christmas fan, but who can say not to a violin rock version of Carol of the Bells.
2023 rolled around and January brought with it another trip to Las Vegas, this time for CES (Consumer Electronics Show). I didn't think I had any business at an electronics show being a car person, but it was eye opening. Technology is far more advanced than what is currently available to us. Autonomous vehicles are available and companies are already functioning and have been for several year.s. Autonomous cars, trucks, vans, mail trucks, deliver trucks, farming equipment is coming and more. Some is already available in certain markets. Whether we are ready or not, autonomy is coming.
After returning home from CES, my quiet season started, and it was a matter of me gearing up for the coming warm weather. At the end of January I added to my array of tattoo work. And now I have another one planned for the beginning of December.
In early February I went down to Florida to visit my best friend. We spent some much needed time together since she moved away and had a Disney Day at Epcot. Lots of food was enjoyed and photos taken. I wanted to take my actual camera to Epcot for some more pro photos than my phone, but I mistakenly left it on the counter. Perhaps in one of my next upcoming trips.
After traveling so much, I was glad to have a little break and be able to spend some time with my dog, Mochi. She has been one of the greatest impulsive decisions that I have made.
At the end of February I ventured down to NYC, someplace that I have not been in a little over 5 years. It was the same. Aside from a few restaurant favorites that didn't make it through the pandemic. But it was nice to feel the energy of the city and visit familiar places. After NYC, came a trip to Vermont, and after that was PAX East in Boston, MA.
March brought about The Amelia at Fernandina Beach, FL. A spectacle to witness. The pristine classic cars that covered the gold course at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island was a spectacle to witness. Unfortunately, it did rain one of the mornings, but that made the taking of photos that much more fun. Rain droplets rolling of car hoods makes for a very cool shot.
In the beginning of April, Anime Boston rolled around and I was able to be on their photography staff. Because of this, I was able to experience the whole weekend, something I had not done before. Being behind the scenes and seeing how everything ran made my appreciate that convention so much more. I was able to work panels I wanted to, thanks to our great photography manager, and still able to attend all the events that I wanted to outside of working. I'm on the books for 2024, and can't wait to work it again.
Mid April brought about the warmer weather, the snow was gone. It was time to start working on the Miata. After staring at the parts that I slowly collected over the winter, I was itching to get them on. One the first batch of modifications was some NRG bucket seats and steering wheel, Likewise shift knob, custom door panels, a header and exhaust. It was finally coming together. There are still a slew of upgrades and modifications that I want done. But that will be on 2024s lineup.
It was finally May, which meant the event I had been looking forward to since the last one ended was here, MINIs on the Dragon. As a MINI lover and owner, this event is awesome. There is no other word for it. MINIs on the Dragon takes place at Fontana Village in North Carolina. Fontana is up in the mountains where cell service is nonexistent, but fun and good company is plenty. The event takes place close to one of the most fun, and dangerous, roads in the country, The Tail of the Dragon. 318 curves in 11 miles is no small task and not for the faint of heart.
Being that my MINI was really not Dragon ready this year, I only drove it a couple of times.
During the month of May, I finally was able to attend British Car Day at Larz Anderson with my classic MINI. She didn't win any awards, but I spent a nice day hanging around people who could appreciate her.
The summer consisted of a lot of the usual events, car shows, hosting car shows, bike nights and going for drivers enjoying the warm weather. It did rain most of the season, but there was no lack of activities in spite of that.
June 8th rolled around, and Mochi turned one. Naturally, we had to celebrate. She got her own party hate, a cake and some new toys.
A couple days later, I went down to New Jersey for the Rilakkuma Truck tour and some go-karting at Supercharged New Jersey. Having never been there before, I was able to place 4th on my first race and shaved off 5 seconds on my second race.
The following week marked the 100th Laconia Bike Week. Even though I had received my motorcycle license a couple of years ago. I had not yet attended this nationally recognized event. It was a week full of the sound of Harley engines roaring around Northern New Hampshire's lakes region. I won't ever forget it.
At the end of June, during the peak of June. I was able to finally attend British Car Day at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum. A day where British cars adorn the lawn with their bright colors and classic designs. It made for a long drive there and back, but I was able to meet so many wonderful people and have great conversations. The beginning of July brought about Miata Day at Larz Anderson as well, another of my favorite events. The Miata, that I had worked countless hours on during the spring took home second place in its NB Class, the first award for the Miata.
A few weeks later, I ventured out to upstate New York for MINIs at the Glenn. This event took place at Watkins Glenn International. Hundreds of MINIs partook in the event and had the opportunity to do hot laps on this historic track.
A month later another MINI event took place, this time in Michigan on Mackinac Bridge, MINIs on the Mack. A thousand plus MINIs gather to attempt to break the Guinness world record of small cars crossing the bridge at once. Sadly, we did not break the record, but I had a record time. Mackinac Island is beautiful and I look forward to returning there in a few years for the next event.
On the way home from that event, we visited Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. What everyone says is true, it is much more spectacular.
Mid August brought Gridlife at LimeRock Park in CT. A tuner lovers dream. The array of cars displayed on the upper field of the park was unbelievable. The best of the best builds. During the afternoon, they shut the track down from the racing and drifted around the entire course. I will definitely be returning to this event next year.
Early September brought FuelFest in New Jersey at the New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville. Yet another tuners haven, with drifting and a burnout show to boot. I will be returning to the final FuelFest in December in Phoenix, AZ.
A few weeks later, the universe threw me for a loop and I was laid off unexpectedly. A flood of emotions came with it. What do I do now? Where will I work? What's going to happen to all of my responsibilities? However, the universe knew what it was doing. For a few days later, I found a new job with the Larz Anderson Auto Museum as their new Education Manager. I could not be happier in this role and am going to do great things.
The end of September brought the Boston Class Cup on the Boston Commons in Massachusetts. The best of the area was on display on the historic commons. I was pleasantly surprised to bring home second place in the British class with my 1962 Morris MINI-Minor.
week later, I was in a motorcycle accident. My bike and I had seen better days, but we are alive and well and healing up. The season is definitely over for me for this year, but I will be back next year.
This brings us full circle to October 8th, 2023. I got to spend the day at Transporterfest, an event at Larz Anderson, with one of my best friends. After, I got dinner with family and friends at Masa for some hibachi.
I do these annual year posts for a few different reasons. One is so that I can share my experiences with others and maybe make them aware of events that they would want to partake in as well. Another reason is to remind myself that everyday is a gift. I am able to relive the spectacular year I had in one place over and over. It is also a reminder of my triumphs and good times during the year. It's hard to be sad when you see how much good happened. So as we continue on this journey called life, let's not forget all the good that we are able to experience and all the good waiting to be found.
Until next time.
Motor on.
