Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[RogerH]

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Rushed through the day at turtle velocity but still didn't get anywhere near where I wanted to end up. Still got all the fences to re-construct, was never happy with the first effort so decided to start afresh.
Adding the wing was just a bit of nonsense on my part so give me a bit of slack. Would not normally have posted a picture until it was finished but I did promise you a piccy today so here 'tis.

OK, Gotta give you credit for the spiral staircase..much as I hate to - lol. Think we need a few railings to top it off, although the wing does so nicely. Have fun!!!

[jackiewilson]

OK, Gotta give you credit for the spiral staircase..much as I hate to - lol. Think we need a few railings to top it off, although the wing does so nicely. Have fun!!!

Glad you thought it was ok Roger, long way from where I want it to be-----spiral staircase ?----I got a licence to think free----railings will be up there for the next photo shoot----( but not as you know them)-----I knew you would like the "wingy" bit on the top. Don't I always have fun. .?

[jackiewilson]

Rent day again, feels like there are more Thursday's than any other day, don't feel like Spring has sprung just yet-----bitterly cold wind blowing round the nether regions but I might just manage the car boot this morning !
Time for another "Tidy up" , as I walked out the shop, I glanced at the chaos and realised I am a hoarder, untidy, inefficient, slow and I have to start clearing up after myself. Found out I trip over things that aren't even there, damned leprechauns keep hiding tools I'm in the middle of using, put them down for a second and the buggers hide them!
Often find myself stood in the middle of the shop, contemplating my navel thinking "What the hell did I come in here for" ?
Haircut and beard trim Friday morning-----sorry state of affairs when you start measuring time by haircuts and beard trims -------sad old bastard !

[jackiewilson]

No nearer to finishing the sacred tower, bought a bunch of machines today so I spent the day making em all work before sticking ' em on eBay to help pay for the trip to OFF in the fall.

Happy birthday Beale, see you in Tavares in November !

Will get stuck into the Towers tomorrow, time they were terminated and Texas or Tennessee bound !

Talked with David Parkinson today, he asked me to say hi to Billy Seebold and Mike Butler so Hi you two.
Parky was part of JBS who were the publicity machine for Mercury Europe for many years.
Haven't spoken to him for a couple of years------kinda lost touch when he left civilisation and moved down to Somerset. That's one of those places God made and forgot.
You never "pass through" Somerset to anywhere unless it's to forget it or buy CIDER.!

Started to ramble again----time I was long gone, night all. MYGGWY . J.

[jackiewilson]

Weeks are rushing by at breakneck speed, never enough time to do all the things you tell yourself need to be done.
I got a quart in a pint pot sized workshop that if I don't keep neat and tidy I fall arse over tip, with no room for expansion.
Suppose that makes me luckier than most or a greedy old bastard-------if I take a step backwards and think about it, I'm very fortunate to have reached this age of maturity and still have all my marbles, but is that "enough". No good at all unless you make use of them. ,!
Procrastination is still my worst enemy, like the road to hell, full of good intentions, don't seem to be able to master it, I'm always looking over the the next mountain-----even gentle slopes have turned into "Hills".

Velocity of life has speeded up and left me trailing in its wake, used to be able to outrun it, now I grab onto its shirt tails and hang on.
Feeling a tad pensive------even nostalgic this morning----no reason, in fact I'm still lying here pounding the iPad -------sad old git !

Haircut and beard trim today, amazing how quickly that comes around.
Was a good decision to marry the hairdresser twenty odd years ago, saved me a lot of lolly over the years.!
We got a bright sunshiny day again today, might even be able to leave the shop doors open.

Have a good day peeps.

[jackiewilson]

Think I might have upset old Fujimo, must have been something I said, but I looked at everything I posted on his site and can't see anything of outstanding annoyance I've done.
Its actually a really interesting site with up to date information on Mercury product and personnel , mind you, I have to say, I didn't recognise a single person.
Lots of them are lone gone, some are retired and others just joined the old farts forever and have fun meeting up now and again and tell lies to each other.

And to think, I thought British politics was in a bad way with all the mess that's going on around here--------we're in great shape compared to you guys, Trump and Mitt got into a real pissing contest didn't they just.
If I were Donald I'd back up right now or he will never make old bones.
Awkward U.S politicians have a very short life expectancy.

Enough said, time for bye byes MYGGWY .j.

[jackiewilson]

Well, it's here again, "Forage day", Saturday mornings I get unlimited access to a wonderful recycling facility that is closed except for the cleaning staff, trucks are hosed down and polished, the yard is scrubbed with detergent . Most of the place is under cover and everything is in bins and bays and shelved for easy identification -------stainless , alloy, brass and copper etc.
I take my pick, can have anything I want at scrap price plus a small premium, that's why I like Saturday mornings.

Been thinking what the hell I did that rattled old Fuji's cage so bad ?
Time for a peace offering methinks.
Getting too old to start upsetting anybody, all I want is a quiet peaceful existence ------I think. ?

[jackiewilson]

Struck lucky at the scrapyard, found enough square alloy tube of all sizes to last me a lifetime plus some half inch plate and enough brass rod to do fifty trailers. Just sold a brand fire new alpha one steering pump complete with pipes for $50 , guy was over the moon, apparently the old stuff is now gold dust.
just in the process of finishing off the second sacred tower-----any takers ? Suppose I could present it to Fujimo as a peace offering, after all it was his idea I should build one.

[jackiewilson]

I had to smile to myself, when I put the four bar fence round the three floors of each sacred tower, it looked like the guards look out post at Alcatraz or San Quentin------it was pathetic, tore em all apart and started again -------even concepts have to look the part !!!
Had some stainless with slots in, by the time I had cut out and turned the round Windows , fitted the fencing , slid in the centre post and farted about with the fencing-------have to admit, it's looking half tidy.
Had a very easy no pressure day today about four hours all told.

There will not be a lot done tomorrow , it's Mother's Day over here and Jilly's daughter is taking us out to lunch at Avisford Park Hilton.
Will have to don the best "bib and tucker", not allowed in there wearing overalls and a woolly hat, and besides Jilly would kick up an enormous stink.

Time I was on the night slab, MYGGWY .j.

[FUJIMO]

Suppose I could present it to Fujimo as a peace offering, after all it was his idea I should build one.

...Not neccessary Jackie, the SunnyLand Antique Boat Show crowd would be much more deserving. And actually the idea originated with JFL, a very long term retired Mercury employee, who still lives just down the road from Lake X...and now works with Seven Marine. You might already know him, so use your endless charms & wit and lure him to Tavares, lol. This is JFL,(John Litjens) testing at Baker's Haulover Inlet in Miami a while back...

[jackiewilson]

Well,well,well,---what an incredibly small world it is, spoke with John on the phone a couple of years ago. Was Seeroy who told me all about him and gave me his number, we were due to meet and then I got the news that Mathew had a brain tumour and I left Tavares early and had to cancel the meeting.
My son Mark got to know him quite well, said he was interested in all things OLD, so we should get along together.
I have an affinity with the Mercury of yesterday, it changed my life for the better, and the friends I made then are still friends today. One of the reasons I have Royal blood running through my veins --------it's BLACK.

If JFL wants one of the sacred towers Fuji, tell him it's his, one condition, he collects it in person, November, in Tavares !
Looks like I might have to do another, this time I'll make the "concept" closer to the original, I have something special in mind to adorn the tower roof instead of the wing!

[jackiewilson]

Done all I'm going to with the sacred towers--------took one step back and decided I'd do just one more to try and get it closer to what I intended it to be in the first place.
If you could see me now--------( good name for a song) , dressed up like a dogs dinner. New shirt, new "Gants" , new shoes-----splash of the BULGARI---MAN IN BLACK and a new cashmere to top off the outfit.
Eat your feckin heart out George !!! ( Clooney of course).
This does not happen to me many times in my life, but her who shall be obeyed at all times has said she is tired of me looking like an out of work vagrant, that's been chewed, spit out and trod on.

Jesus wept----I even smell clean------look out the Hilton. You ready for me yet. .?

[JFL]

I will try to be there!

[jackiewilson]

Mother's Day lunch at The Hilton
Im the one on the end ------on the right-----just in case you were wondering !

[seeroy]

...Not neccessary Jackie, the SunnyLand Antique Boat Show crowd would be much more deserving. And actually the idea originated with JFL, a very long term retired Mercury employee, who still lives just down the road from Lake X...and now works with Seven Marine. You might already know him, so use your endless charms & wit and lure him to Tavares, lol. This is JFL,(John Litjens) testing at Baker's Haulover Inlet in Miami a while back...

Don't have to "lure" him to Tavares. He was there last year. Or was it the year before. Dates are all running together in my brain. Actually, I think that was John, 3rd visit with us at OFF. His 1st visit was actually at a Jupiter OFF. Very pleasant fellow. - Steve Sirois