Gonzo

Doing a radio interview on Thursday with the Remarkable Results radio show. Should be a hoot.

To all veterans... a salute from an old Marine... semper fi...

Ok, who left the gate open... shops been full for weeks now. If you're responsible for leaving the gate open... thank you, much appreciatted.

I'm so freakin' pissed.  If you receive the Sept. issue of Brake and Frontend you'll notice a cover story about diesel particulate filters.  The weird part is that there is no author to the story listed.  Well, that author is me.  I did NOT authorize this story to be printed again (originally printed in 2015) and it's obvious that they don't want YOU to know who the author is because there is NO mention of it anywhere.  I'm currently seeking something to be resolved about this.  Mainly, because this is my lively-hood  since I was forced to sell my shop (due to health reasons)... So, why am I telling all of YOU about this for???   I need your support. Call the Babcox magazine and complain on my behalf.  I'm seeking restitution for this blatant attempt at making money using my writing skills without any recognition by publishing this without my name attached.  These stories are there to sell advertising and how they approach new clients.  It's also how I introduce myself to prospective clients who are in the need of a writer/mechanic... which is exactly my status at the present time.  So, if you want to help out an fellow mechanic/writer... call them and bitch them out for me...  thanx in advance.  and... if you're wondering... there is NO agreement with Babcox on 'owning' and reproducing an article.  It's strictly a hand shake deal... which is not binding in the court of law.   Basically put, NO they DO NOT own the story... but they seem to think they do. (I've already talked to a lawyer) 

Really dead today, took the afternoon off. So what did I do? I went home and worked on some unfinished articles. Still working, just not turnin' a wrench today

we got our first snow this year. more like slush, tonight it's supposed to freeze so it's going to a sheet of ice in the morning. lovely....

Special News, I'm now an official monthly columnist for Babcox magazines. Be watching for your Feb. issue of Brake and Frontend, Import Car, or Underhood Service. You'll find more stories and more news...

This weekend my youngest...and yes... the last one still in the house is graduating high school. It's a big day for him as well as the wife and I. In a few months he's off to the University of Denver to study computer science. First time to be an empty nester... I think I'm going to like it. LOL Congratulations are in order for my son Mitchell! ! (super smart kid btw)

I'm off to Florida for the rest of the week to shoot some automotive training videos. Even though I've done several other videos for different companies, this time... I'm writing the scripts as well as being in front of the camera. If all goes well they have 18 more to do. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it.

I'm almost ready to sign a contract AVI (Automotive Video Inc.) I'll be doing videos, teaching, and appearing at numerous conventions across the country. And, still.... running a shop. Maybe not as big as it used to be, but still a shop owner.

Been a rough week. Wed. while driving in to work, I noticed a twinge in my back, that led to the ER. Kidney stone. OMG. had one before, and this one was worse. Sorry to say, no story this week, heck.. no work either. Hardly any sleep, and lots of pain pills. If you never had a kidney stone before.... it's gotta to be the worst pain a man can go through.

The end of this week and most of next week I'll be out of town. Taking the boy to his first year of college in Denver, Colorado. It's a 11 hour drive from our house, and the van is loaded to the max. I wish him well in his new adventures and I'm also looking forward to "empty nesting". Empty nesting has its good and bad points. I know mom and I will miss him dearly, but I'm proud to say he's going to start college.

Well the SEMA/AAPEX show is over for another year. I didn't make it over to the SEMA show because of all the work I had to do. For me it was a non-stop jog through the entire place trying to get to the next interview I needed to do. If you were there and I didn't get a chance to say Hi, sorry about that. I thought I'd have some down time but it turned out I didn't have much time to myself at all. Still in all...it was a great event. I'll do it again next year.

A small business owner was dismayed when a brand new corporate chain much like his own opened up next door and erected a huge sign which read BEST BLACK FRIDAY DEALS. He was horrified when another competitor opened up on his right, and announced its arrival with an even larger sign, reading LOWEST BLACK FRIDAY PRICES. The small business owner panicked, until he got an idea. He put the biggest sign of all over his own shop-it read... MAIN ENTRANCE.

First sleet/rain/snow mix of the year and the cars are finding the ditches all over town. And...the first one in my neighborhood... my boy. Took the pass. side outside mirror and the crushed the door, but other than that it's all fine. Wonderful way to start the season off.

Happy Birthday Joe! It takes age to make a fine wine. Have another glass... you'll age just fine too.

Getting hot this week, I don't mind the heat... it's the hot that gets me. LOL

Anybody in the South Dakota area? My son is going to be attending his next year of college there. Madison, South Dakota

If you're looking for any of the latest published articles Babcox has added "Gonzo's Toolbox" to their header on the website. You now can go directly to the page and check out which stories were printed.

Babcox magazines has added a header for Gonzo's Toolbox. Now you'll be able to see which articles you got to preview that have gone into publication. Here's the link: http://brakeandfrontend.com/Opinion/2460/Gonzo.aspx

I've got this cold weather figured out. It's cold and I don't like it. That's enough I figure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE! ! !

Spring is here! Time to get the bike out for a well deserved ride.