Name: Xavier
Age: 36
Location: Aguascalientes, MX or McAllen, TX.
Job: CO of 9 radio stations 2 newspappers and 1 tv chanell next year.
Education: Master in International Marketing & Media degree
Family: live w/my girlfrien for almost 10 years she have 2 sons.
Cars: Carrera 74, Boxster S 04, LR3 06, BMW X5 4.8 05, F430 06, BMW E46 Security,
ot: because I love spend time looking for the interest of other pepole.

Name: Charlie
Age: 22

Location: Arlington, TX

Family: none of my own

Occupation: Officially....CEO Arlington Group INC... I restore cars, do extensive sheet metal repair on cars, paint and body, and welding at my business of Charlie Cooper Restorations.

Cars: '78 Targa, '97 f-250, '61 ford Galaxie, ,50 GMC truck, '72 VW Beetle, '74 Dodge Challenger
Hobbies/Interests: Cars

Why: I enjoy my Porsche the most and the People on Pelican are a great bunch!

quote:
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Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
Another Wichita guy, sweet! That makes for a grand total of 3, at least that I know of.
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One of the happiest days in my life was seeing Wichita in the rear view mirror after closing on the home sale.

OUCH!!! What's so bad about Wichita?

I've lived in three other states, and Germany. All for short periods of time, and always thankful to get back to my home state. People, as a whole are generally nicer here than any other place I've been to. Cost of living is super low so you gotta love that, and we have the world's largest ball of twine!!! My college department was ranked #3 in the nation so I am proud of my education.

So it's a little hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The Wichita area is quite flat and sometimes windy, but these are little things that don't really matter in the grand scheme. Your happiness in a location depends on your attitude, not the location.

I'm not trying to yell at you, just asking you to respect the place I call home.

Wayne

I guess I should introduce myself since that is the point of this thread

Name: Rick
Age: 53

Location: St Louis MO

Family: wife + 2 kids one at U of Minnesota (EE) and one at Mizzou (aero Eng)

Occupation: Electrical engineer for ever ready to retire

Cars: 88 911 cab, Audi 20V, WRX
Hobbies/Interests: Cars

A "little" ??? like weather-wise there are 3 nice days a year! How do you get used to that constant wind whistling in your ears? I grew up in Minnesota and was never as cold there as in do-dah I called it home for 12 years also. Married a native. Received a graduate degree from The WSU aka Hillside High

I grew up on a farm. Our house didn't actually have A/C until I went to college. Our farm vehicles didn't have A/C either. In the winter you worked cattle in the manure that froze as hard as a rock even if you couldn't feel your fingers or toes. It's all I new growing up, and I guess that makes it easier to deal. I will admit it has been miserable these last few weeks, but if I recall the entire nation is a little hot right now.

So what really turned you off of Kansas?

I am sorry to hi-jack this thread. Maybe we should start a new thread just to defend/bash Kansas.

My 2c,
Wayne

Guys, title of the thread is "make nice", remember?:)

To each his own. I've been to St. Louis three times, and each time come away with a bad impression. From what I've seen I would call it a dirty, dangerous city. I'm sure there's nice parts, but I sure didn't see them. Also, how is your weather any better than ours?

Wichita, or Kansas in general, certainly isn't the greatest place on Earth, but is far from the worst. Good jobs, plenty of stuff to do (for me), low cost of living, friendly people (for the most part), 15 minutes from one end of town to the other in rush hour. Until the wife decides to move to the mountains in Colorado (i.e. never), it's just fine for me.

We're not trying to be mean. We're just defending our lovely state. Sorry if anyone was hurt by the writing in this thread.

Wayne

It must have had some redeeming features because I did stay there 12 years.

Now lets not go too far and start using words like "lovely". It is Kansas after all.;)

I spent a week one night in Kansas...

I spent a week in Kansas three nights ago...the lovely Holiday Inn in Hayes.

My kids loved the indoor pool with the big ol' slide.

Me, too.

The most racist person I have ever met and worked with until recently was born and raised in Lawrence, KS. He still called black people colored and Chinese or anyone Asian, a Chinaman. This practice stopped when he moved here to the SF Bay Area and had to sell to a mostly Asian clientele. He also covered Oakland so he no longer calls black people colored and he stopped telling n***er jokes.

St Louis is a dirty dangerous place. Everyone lives in the suburbs or the far west part of the city. When the ball game is over leave.


Edit: I forgot about the weather. The constant 15 knot wind in Wichita was extremely annoying. It doesn't cool you off when it is above 100 and freezes your nuts off when it is cold.

While I'll admit it isn't a perfect state, (not a single one is) making an assumption about an area because you met one person from there is also quite narrow minded.

I grew up on a farm in the absolute middle of nowhere, and I have friends, and family of all colors, nationality, and sexual preference.

Maybe that's what I love about this state. Liberals, and conservatives can live in harmony next to each other!!!!Gasp!!!!

And if anyone attempts to say Fred Phelps is a prime example of a Kansan, I will come to your home and hit you with my shoe.

That's it look for a new thread on the topic.

Wayne

Yes Matt, "Lovely" was a bit strong. I apologize.

My Son loves Kansas - it means he is that much closer to Iowa when we drive up from Texas to visit Nana and Papa. Now Oklahoma is another story...

...

Name: Scott B

Age: 50 going on 14

Location: San Pedro, Ca. (twenty miles south of Los Angeles)

Family: Never married (women ask me why... men ask me how'd you pull that off?) no kids, Mom and Dad are still alive and live in S.P. brother lives nearby and we do holidays at his house with his wife and kids. I have two spoiled cats that get treated like cats not people.

Occupation: Exhibit Electronic Technician at the science museum, state employee.

Cars: 1984 944 and 2006 Hyundai elantra for the commute into L.A. 944 is leaking water and overheating... looking at $1000 to get it running again... would like to upgrade to a 944S2 or 968 but can't sell the 944 in the condition it is in :(

Hobbies: Reading about philosophy and religion, playing electric bass and guitar, photography, foodie, going for long walks on a moonlit beach... oh sorry, wrong website!

Came here for technical stuff on the 944 then got sucked into the dark evil vortex of OT... That and the vitriol, gotta love the vitriol.

Name: Leland

Age: 28

Location: Bitburg, Germany

Occupation: Investigating anything and everything with the ferocity and undying over complication of the post-Columbia accident combined with the Kennedy assassination.

Cars: '95 993: one of the greatest privileges and also one of the biggest headaches of my adult life. It's expensive, fast, and never quite as nice as I want it to be.

My other hobbies include scheming new and creative ways of getting out of the Air Force early, inventing new and exciting, and somewhat unorthodox, methods of getting released from the Air Force early, and perfecting my begging and groveling skills to help me get out of the Air Force early.

So Leland, hows that air force thing working out for ya? ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1177534100.jpg

Name: Doug
Age: 37
Current Location: Berne (Little Switzerland) IN
FMR 4 other red states
Family: (Swiss/German 18th & 19th century immigrants) My first wife of 12 years with three little'uns 9,7,2. No bastards here.
Education: BBA MBA Finance
Vocation: Financial Analyst- Print/Pub Industry
Cars: 72' 911, 94' Volvo turbo, 95' Corolla,
Frm Cars 91' Tercel, 85 Celebrity, fake 442 Olds
Hobbies: Drinking beer and conversation

the name is david furer, the only cafe is the name of my restaurant that i have been running here in vernon, new york for the past twenty years. i am still a single guy, although i have let more than one perfect[eye of the beholder] woman slip through my fingers. i have no kids, pets, or other encumbrances. no current wants or warrants either.
i was kicked out of new rochelle high school back in 1967, strangely enough, i was on the short list of those sought by the police after the school burned to the ground. i will repeat here; " i didn't do it."
after bluffing my way into college, i was kicked out in 1970[could this be a pattern?] after that was when i became a new york city cab driver. too many stories for here. ask me after a couple of drinks.
i now have a '79 targa hot rod, '78 coupe stock, and the newest addition is a beck 550 spyder. would love to get it on a track, or at least down to the dragon.
i like cars, guns, old movies, music of almost all kinds, hunting for antiques and junk.
i just had the pleasure of meeting and feeding chris and charles on their return swing back to new hampshire, look forward to meeting other pelicans. i like ppot because of all the different viewpoints available. it is more entertaining than most of the current fare on tv.
if any of you are ever passing through central ny, give a call to 315 829 3030. always like to put a face to a name.

Name: David

Age: 41

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Family: Married 13 Years with one beautiful daughter (6) - another on the way!

Occupation: Procurement Systems Manager for a large grocery chain. I have been with the same company 25 years (started @ 15.

Cars: 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera, 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, 2007 Infiniti G35

Hobbies: Hack Porsche mechanic by default, digital photography, computers and spending time with my daughter.

I spend way too much time in here! Wife calls it my chat room.

Name: Scott

Age: 43 in October

Married 13 years, daughter 7, son 4

Independent: Have my own creative marketing agency, specialize in video game, toy and health/cosmetics categories. Co-founder/Board member of an infomercial production company.

Cars: 84 Carrera, 55 190SL, 02 Tahoe and the station car Neon beater.

What do I want to do when I grow up. Have been playing with cars my entire life. Maybe a nice restoration shop, clients with money and hopefully taste. On the side I'd like to devote more time to doing trailer voice overs. Have done a number of national spots but not enough to give up the day job.

Selling the house in NY and movin to FL.

Oh what the hell...

Name: Mark

Age: 38

British citizen, resident in the USA

Divorced with a son aged 6, and a step son aged 12.

Occupation: Mechanical Engineer. Following high school I did my apprenticeship and college education with Cosworth. Ended up specialising in design on the race engine side. Moved to the States in 1999 to work for TRD, then moved to Augusta, GA in 2004 to be a powertrain specialist working on small vehicles. Why change? I ask myself that everyday while banging my head against the wall, but it pays my ex-wife's mortgage.

Current cars: 1984 Porsche 944 that I resurected and now gets used everyday, plus a 1987 Porsche 911 Coupe that lounges in the garage everyday.
Past cars: I grew up with Mini's, and learnt to build bigger and faster engines. Last one I had was a 1380cc Hill climb spec car - scared a few people with that. Also owned a 1967 MGB GT, 1970 Cox GTM, a couple of Nissan 200SX Turbos, and an Alpine Renault GTA V6.

Hobbies: The boys and I love ice hockey & I coach in-line hockey for local kids.
I obviously enjoy working on my cars, and anything mechanical for that matter. I am also a Scotch whisky enthusiast, both drinker and collector. Golf is also a prerequisite for living here, but I don't get to play as often as I would like - and I suck at it.

Why Pelican OT? Since nobody is allowed to say anything to anyone at work anymore that could produce even the slightest reaction this is the only place to get some decent banter. I enjoy the discussion, various view points, and the advice when things get serious, but you guys give me some great laughs too. Thanks.

Mark, I'm a fan of the single malts.

IMO Dalmore is great stuff. Do you have a favorite?

Name: Ryan Vestal
Age: 41
Where: Little Rock, Arkansas
Education: B.S., Chemistry
Personal: Was married 6 months; divorced in January, sadly. No children, just a couple rabbits..
Job: Former Learjet captain, check airman..flew Part 135, on-demand air cargo, charter and int'l air ambo for years then quit from burnout. justreturned to aviation to return to my roots..just doing basic flight instruction again now. Also a strength coach..still train a few guys.
Cars: See below. Began with 914's in the late 80's.

Personally I am a devout Ardbeg fanatic although, as I have said before, I have never had a bad Scotch.
I do have a couple of older bottles of Dalmore 12 in the tall bottles with the black and gold label like this:

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/viewproduct.aspx?category=40&product=1848

Sometimes searches bring up strange things! Time for this one to come back up, we need a Make Nice thread right now ;)


Name: Mike Bradshaw (duh)
Location: Houston, TX by way of Tucson, Miami and Chicago
Job: Depth imaging Geophysicist (I help find oil for Big Oil)
Used to be a research astronomer, and did lots of instrument design and building, coated big telescope mirrors, designed and built entire small observatories, the whole 9 yards
Education: MS in Physics and Astronomy, thesis on apodized optical systems
Family: Divorced, been with my current girl for 4 years, probably common law by now
Car: 1980 911SC working towards being a ratrod, 2006 Mazda3, used to have a 1988 RX-7 convertible and a 1988 Toyota 4Runner, HEAVILY modified rockcrawler
ETC: Came to PP to learn about the p-car, stayed for the fun. I'm used to off topic forums, I've been on a few for, jeez, almost 10 years now.
Favorite book: Crime and Punishment
Favorite movie: The Quiet Man


I like beer and pizza and driving fast and long weekends and I'm desperately looking forward to buying a house and having a garage for the first time ever. I'm into classic punk, ska, old R&B, old rap, and generally anything that mainstream America doesn't like. I an exceptionally opinionated, and will argue past the point of usefulness on many things. I hate slapstick comedy, and have trouble taking someone seriously when they tell me they like any movie that has a recent SNL alum in it. I miss Tucson and want to find a way to make what I'm making HERE, while living THERE...but it ain't gonna happen.

You'll get no argument from us regarding this. :D

name: Brent
age: 43
location: Fresno CA
job: Architect
family: Married to lovely wife Lora for 14 years, 2 sons 19 & 13
other: retired 2 years ago from D-1 football officiating (head linesman position - Big West Conference) too hard on the knees

why not: my lotus notes is down at work..i am dead in the water.

name is: clifford
i am a civil engineer. i work mostly on bridges, but lately i have been tossed into the contract admin side, and i am about to commit hari kari. (this is difficult work!)schooling: i have a BFA in photography, and worked as a commercial photographer for a few years. i went back to school to nurture my brainy side and came out the back end with a BS degree in civil. pro engineer for five years now. my mom is still stunned.
married: my one year anniversary is coming up in january. dont let me forget!
no kids. thinking about them, but none on the horizon. i am 42, my wife is 32.
my car is a 81SC that is becoming less and less of a comfy street car, and doing more track time. i may do a 180 and go back the other way.
ETC: i love the outdoors. every year i wrestle with selling my car hobby and focusing on fishing and hunting. hunting/porsche combined is a very BIG hobby base. i suck at hunting, and very few animals have been in harm's way with me at the helm. fishing? i blame the fact that i dont have boat.

i like cooking, and can reproduce most dishes by flavor memory. i am very opinionated, but i feel i am not smart enough to really work it out, even with myself. i am the direct opposite of my wife. she is happy, almost hippie like. me, i dont do perky. i am cynical, and suspicious. we balance out. i am borderline OCD. (bless my wife)

I'm also very egotistical, and consider myself smarter than just about anyone, so when I argue a point to obscurity, I don't always realize it, because I get so enthralled in the mental minutia that's involved. I'm also always trying to learn new things, and sometimes will try to forcibly pull knowledge out of other people, which tends to piss them off :D

Back from the dead!

Name: Rick
Age : 44
Status: Married x 24 years tomorrow (dating her for 30):eek:
Kids : 3 - 17(girl), 20 & 24 (boys)
Job : FAA National Airspace Operations Manager, Oakland Air Traffic Control Center
Cars : '87 Venetian Blue Carrera (PRC race prepped), '88 Venetian Blue Carrera (daily commuter), '02 F150 Supercrew (wife's commuter, race car hauler)
Location: Livermore, Ca

Hobbies: Racing, obviously, and less often these days, I like to hook up with the other BAP-ers for a track day or canyon run.

Why OT?: I lurk more than contribute, but I enjoy reading other people's point of view. What I find fascinating is that most of the folks can have a pretty spirited debate, and I still get the feeling that any of them could still show up at a P-car shindig and get along just fine.

P.S. - I consider Clifford above a great friend.

I've been known to lean toward the right...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1223401919.jpg

Name: Steve
Status: Married 8 years
Kids: boy 5, girl 2
Job: Commercial Real Estate Broker
Cars: 85 911, 05 Odyssey, 99 Trooper
Location: San Jose, CA
Hobbies: Participating in sports of all kinds, reading, cooking
Why OT?: This is a great place to get a wide variety of opinions and it makes me laugh

I think I've just been snubbed.

Name: Jerry
Age: 45
Location: Seattle and Kirkland
Job: COO for a large non profit
Family: Happily divorced after 21 years, very amicable, 18 yo daughter who is a freshman at the University of WA, 16 yo son. Single not much longer, will take the plunge again spring of 09.
Hobbies/Interests: Cars, motorcycles, bicycles - 2 running 911's, one a track car, 2 Formula Vee race cars, got my vintage license this year, two project Porsches not currently running, many bicycles road and mountain, 93 Honda VFR and and an 01 CR250 dirt bike. Grad school part time, 1/2 way through an MPA program at Seattle U. I spend any extra time with my 2 chocolate labs.

I don't post much to OT, never about anything political. I don't think the heavily opinionated banter here is any worse than what you see on TV. The civility is gone from our political discourse, name calling and labeling seem to be the norm. You're either a Bush whacko, gun totin right winger or a softie, liberal push over who loves abortion. I have posted about relationships and bikes though. Thankful for the separate forums.