About myself

andy@almanor.org

In 1991, I bought a 1968 Firebird 400. My first car when I was 16 was a 1969 Camaro. I couldn't afford a Firebird then, so it was always kind of a dream car to me. A 400 car was a real dream. I had no idea that Firebirds got lonely, but the red one did, so another one followed me home a few years later. When our son earned his Boy Scout Eagle Rank and was on the honor role at the same time, he got the keys to the blue one. In 2001, having become a master in buying stuff on eBay, I found another one in Canada and bought it for for my daughter to drive. She loved it. Caring for these three muscle cars was like having another job, but they were fun to have around and the three of them lined up red, white, and blue made for a pretty cool picture. I sold the red one in 2005 and the blue one in 2006, so Dan and I no longer have them. The last one "YT BIRD" is Christina's and is now being sold in favor of a 2008 convertible with more modern amenities.

Somehow, I got into the habit of expecting a toy a year.

In 1997, it was the two jet skis. They were both 1996 repos in like-new condition. We sold them in 2008.

In 1998, a Valkyrie motorcycle showed up.

In 1999 a Maxum boat.

In 2000 a 2001 Jaguar XK8 convertible and a 2001 GMC Yukon.

In 2001, we redid the back yard with pavers and I got a really spiffy barbecue.

In 2002, just when I thought the toy bin was empty, we bought Dan a Suzuki Katana and I got a new Kawasaki ZZR-1200 (made quicker by Dale Walker of Holeshot Performance). Since I love to ride up at the lake, a new Honda Interceptor showed up there a couple of months later. In 2007, they both got sold, but I reserved the rights to buy again some day.

In 2003, the toys for me stopped, but Mac got a gorgeous new kitchen, and Christina snookered me into buying her a Kawasaki Ninja 250 motorcycle. After having a tough time with two chemistry courses in high school, betting a bike against her getting two A's seemed like an easy win. Next time, I'll bet something a lot smaller.

2004 rolled around, and I thought it might be my turn again, but Mac prevailed and got a new convertible of her own, a 2004 Chrysler Sebring.

2005 was supposed to be MY year again, but ended up with me selling my Firebird and buying cars for my two sons.

2006....hmmm, no big toys.

2007!!!! I got a new Jeep Commander which is way cool as a replacement for our GMC Yukon. The Commander's got a Hemi!

2008 brought us a new solar roof in San Jose and a walk-in wine cellar. Christina also got a 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible.

2009? What the heck happened? Oh yes, back to school for me. Tuition seems to be the gift of choice for now.

The two jet skis were named "Toy 1" and "Toy 2". When Mac christened the boat "Another Toy", instead of my feared name of "Last Toy", I breathed a sigh of relief and decided not to push it. Am I married to the greatest lady in the world or what?

It just seemed necessarily patriotic to line them up red, white and blue. It was fun to have all three then.

I still think the Jag is one of the most beautiful rides in the world. It has plenty of power, and with the 20" wheels, handles like a slot car. I just washed, clayed, polished and waxed it last weekend (March 2008) and it looks even better now.

After an accident, the Katana was returned to Dan with training wheels, a little basket and streamers. Dan doesn't ride much, so we ended up selling this one. I still like all of the "safety" gear on it though. I may have gone a little overboard with the lady bug handlebar bell.

Christina looks pretty happy to have achieved a 2003 Ninja 250.

Making a big hole in the water, the 19' Maxum works great for us.