It is completely over before it has even started....
 

I moved to Orange county California about two weeks ago. I haven't had a chance to get out and meet any pelicans because work has been insane. I have been working feverishly to prepare a facility in Irvine to receive a full biomedical production line. We were within days of starting our preliminary runs of product on thursday. I was called into the big mans office thursday late in the day. The main company has decided to pull the plug on the entire project. Nothing else is coming out and everything that is here will be returning to indiana. This was a huge product line for the company out here. Today the anouncment was made to all the employees. This was not a good day.

Where does that leave me? Well my job suddenly boomaranged to Indiana. There is literally nothing for me to do now at work but make sure everything gets on a truck. So at this time it looks like we will be headed back to Indiana in a few weeks.

A couple of things that I now have time to deal with in my lack of work related stress.

1) We need to have a good old fashion GruppeB Bonfire of Doom!!! on Southern California soil. (and maybe have a BBQ at the same time);) I woud really like to meet all the OC guys.

2) Before I was asking about a mech. to work on Bec's targa cause I just didn't have time. Now I am wondering if some of the OC guys could swing by and help me get her car sorted out before we load it on a truck and exile it back to indiana.

I feel your pain. Went to work for on a fiber optic company. Looked for a house, found one we liked, moved in, then the bottom fell out of the fiber optic industry. Laid off before I had made the first house payment.

Holy Schmoly, this has happened more than once? Shawn called me this afternoon while he was on the freeway (not gonna miss that part, eh bud? ;)) and I stood there with the phone in my hand absolutely slack jawed. How can a company ship machinery from one state to another (that's how he explained it) and then decide before they even get up and running to ship it back????

This smells to me like some good ol' Californicacte politics on the permits, ins, etc. OK, to keep this on topic and 911 related, I can't do anything this weekend, but I can bring tools, service manuals, whatever to help out with the Targa.

How 'bout it guys? When do we get together??

Shawn,
Wow, I'm sorry to hear what happened.

Wow. I followed the saga of multiple trips out to CA. Questions about moving, the caravan cross country and now this.... I hope the company steps up and does the right thing by you to get you back on your feet in Indiana. Good Luck!

holy friggin' hell! :( damn, shawn..very sorry to hear this turn of events. at the very least, i hope you get to have at least a blowout or two with all the local cali pelicans..that would at least help with the hangover of this crap deal..
ryan

I'm sorry to hear it Shawn. But, Indiana will be more sane than LA despite the cold winters and humid summers.

And the cost of living is much lower.

Things could be worse...

Anyway, best wishes.

Any help or BBQs are appreciated.:D

Something big happened that I will probably never know about. I had a couple long conversations with very high ranking officials today. They feel terrible. I know all of them personally so it wasn't just fluff. The company is taking care of us and on a good note we never sold our house in Indiana. Here everyone is still in shock. It is just unbelieveable.

Now when is a good time for everyone to come over and get Bec's Targa on the road? ;)

Wow. That sucks.

Here's my suggestion: go to the Big Bear run tomorrow. Use whatever car you've got to get there, and then ride shotgun with one of the other guys. It'll give you a chance to see 50+ Porsches snaking through the canyons, for starters.

:( :(

Oh man! So sorry about that. I'd like to meet you before you leave though.

Do the Big Bear run... I used to live out there, and the internet didn't exist. I didn't know these guys ....now I'm kicking myself for moving, LOL. THe Pelican community is a major plus to SoCal.

Now, during the Big Bear run, meet lots of guys, secure a job offer with a company that has it's head screwed down, and live happily ever after.

Consider yourself lucky. You could have bought an 800ft fixer upper in Cali AND had your vehicle fail smog all in the same day. Back in Indy you can live in a smog free mansion! And actually be able to drive 20 miles in under 20 minutes......

That's too bad Shawn - but could have been much worse. Enjoy your time in SoCal and glad to hear the company is doing its best to make things right.

Don

Stop off in Chi-town on the way back to Warsaw and maybe we can charge your a/c.

I can't make it to the big bear run. We promised the kids while we lived here we would do all kinds of things....well now we have a MUCH tighter schedule.;)

Ralph (carrear3.5L) had mentioned hosting a Welcome to California BBQ for us. Maybe now we can have a In and out of California BBQ?:D

I have worked for this company for 14 years, they have done alot for me. I know the descision to cancel the project wasn't made on a whim. I plan on taking lemons and making lemonade.

Holy crap! Well, I'm sorry it worked out this way Shawn, I guess it's a good thing you didn't sell your house in Indiana. Let us know when you're coming back and perhaps we can motor down to Indiana to have a "welcome back to the midwest BBQ" ! :)

Yes that is incredible. Your faced with one question. So what?

On a personal note, you should have no doubts.

Best wishes.

Wow, Shawn thats crazy!

I think I know you well enough to say, you'll deal with it and not be a sourpuss. Now you will be a very experienced cross country mover!


Maybe you'll be backintime for the F-1 race hehehehehe

Maybe you just staged this whole move so you could get Bec's car finished! just kidding!

so are you back to Warsaw? I am assuming that is where you lived. I can't think of any other medical device companies other than Guidant/Boston Scientific.

Shawn,
Unfriggin' believable!! At least you have a great attitude about the whole thing and didn't sell the house in Warsaw. I am not going to the BB run tomorrow, but am willing to give you a hand on Bec's Targa. I live in Tustin between Irvine and Bryan. Let us know if you are going to setup something up.

Shawn is a pretty safe and understanding guy, as long as he does have a welder in-hand.

Yikes!
What company do you work for? Moving from IN to CA had to be a culture shock. Sure glad you have a home to go back to.

does...or does not..? ;)

Shawn,

I had no idea that things went south for you guys until Kelly called me while I was on the Big Bear Run and had said you had called. If you had called earlier you could have ridden shotgun with me, it would have been better than stewing in line at Legoland all day. It was fun and other than an overzealous CHP officer writing up one of the guys I think it went smoothly.

I think we are going to change the "Welcome to California" BBQ for you guys to the "Welcome to California Now Go Home" BBQ. We are tied up with commitments next weekend, but can host a gathering the following weekend, although that is 4th of July weekend. The 2 weeks gives Kelly & I time to prepare and clean the house!

July 1st or 2nd works for us. I can BBQ self-caught salmon and everyone can bring a side dish or can get some good German brats and Kelly can make homemade sauerkraut. Can do chicken, ribs, steaks whatever.

Let me know if that works for you & Becky and if so I can start a new thread inviting the OC & beyond Pelicanites.

But you have to promise me, no Gruppe B bonfires on the front lawn.;)

Ralph

Shawn, see how this sounds.

I will make you an offer you can't refuse.

I suggest we have a BBQ here in Lake Forest. Invite as many Pelican's as are willing to show up. We cook, listen to music and FIX YOUR CAR!

I will offer the use of the shop and any/all tools nessesary parts if I have them(or we order them).
You can meet the group, eat, and fix your car.
It will be a Pelican group effort.

I can probably get one of the local bands to play too.

Any thoughts?

Paul

Paul Sir, I think you have a deal. Two birds with one stone. I would like it if evryone could bring thier families so Becky and the kids could met everyone too. It is her car afterall. I promise to put an OC sticker on my next Baja.

How does that sound to everyone?

Heck. If it is on a weekend, I'll drive down to help out if I can...

Dave

Cool, the shop and surrounding area (parking lot, and not a traveled street on weekends) are fairly kid safe. There are a few pictures in the "Big Bear pics" thread.

It would have to be on a Sat, Sun (of course) Sun 25th seems open, the following weekend is of course 4th of July weekend. So, it woul have to go until the next weekend.

Short notice but, what is your time table looking like?

Diagnosing the car will be doable but getting parts on the weekend is difficult. We would need to take an educated guess on what meybe needed and then I could order them prior to that weekend. What ever we don't use can be returned.

Shawn, why don't you post here all the symptoms again for all to read and see what suggestions (for parts) come up.

We could call it a "Wrench-a-Que."

I think Sunday would work the best as all the surrounding shops will be closed and the place (parking lot) is deserted.

Any suggestions, anyone?

Paul

Disclaimer - Last night, after a long day driving on the mountain, getting a band to play (although easliy done, I know a ton of players) seemed like a good idea.

I'll have to re-think that one.

I think a band although realy cool may be somewhat of a distraction. I can just see Bec's car sitting in the shop while i am out in the parking lot holding up my lighter and diving off the stage...:D

Next Saturday or Sunday is god for me. How does it look for everyone else?

The issues on her car are as follows:
1) several oil leaks that find thier way to the heat exchangers.

2)One of the exchangers seems to be home made and I have a replacement.

3) Drivers side brakelight is inop. The bulb is good.

4) Battery completely drains in a couple days.(new battery)

5) no turn signals, running lights, tail lights, or hazards. Bulbs all look good.

6) this is if we get 1-5 done and have time.. The ignition switch is kinda tricky. If you don't wiggle the key just right you could twist the key off. The key shows signs of fatigue.

Also if anyone has any used parts for sale I need one liscense plate light, and the rubber trim strips for the rear bumper that go from the bumpers to the accordians.

Paul, This is a really cool thing you are doing. Thanks.

Ralph,
We are also good for the weekend of the 4th if you wanna do the "welcome to California now get out" BBQ at your place. If it's to much work we can always get together and go to dinner again. Maybe someplace a little quieter....:D

Shawn,
WTF!?!?!? Sorry to hear of this. I was so hoping we were going to able to get together this summer. If it works out I will make the BBQ and or work party. I will probly bring my oldest with me. Our weekends are pretty full but I am sure I could get away for this.
Oh, the Titanium Monkey has to stay in Cali for at least one year. Standard Gruppe B contract. ;)

Wow. Good thing you didn't sell your house in Indiana, and even better that you didn't buy a house here. It would suck to have to sell a house right now with property values dropping like they are. Count me in for the wrenching BBQ next weekend.

Shawn,
Don't know what your schedule is but a few cars are driving to Indy from Minnesota for the F1. If you are back in Warsaw by then and feel like driving down to Indy give me a call. I think you still have my cell number. I'm going to be at the CIR dinner Saturday night. Another place we could meet.
If that doesn't work next time I'm in Warsaw I'll give you a call.
I think I owe you lunch.
Welcome back to the Midwest.

Doh! I have a gig on Saturday. Sunday is best. I have a BBQ (full of gas) at the shop, a fridge and a table.

If we can do Sunday, lets get a head count for food/drink and supplies.

And a request for parts list.

Paul

Paul,
Sunday is fine by me. If you want to start a new thread so it gets good traffic.

Wow! I wonder how much $ this cost the company? How many other people got repo'd back to Indiana? I wish this was last summer when we made a west coast vacation trip. We would join you for the BBQ. See you when you get back here!

Shawn, sorry for the "wishy-washy" but now my gig is pending for Sunday. I am waiting for an answer as I type. Pissing off the wife big time.

Is there a chance you can bring the car by here during the week? Tomorrow, or Wednesday, or ???. This way we can get an idea of what we're dealing with.

Paul

WHAT THE FUCH, man that sucks, i hope you didnt sell your house, well lets burns some p car smoke when you get back, the wife thinks your wife is cool so we gotta do something when your back,

nothing like feeling like a bouncing ball, wish you luck let us know if we can help, Kevin

Kevin,
Good talking to you. Crazy huh?

Paul,
Call me with directions to your shop. I can even leave it a couple days if you need it.