No, I'm not talking about from the Sun, I'm talking about the "Ahhh man, I gotta wash the f*cking truck again" and the "Why do I do this sh*t" time of year.

Well it's that time of year again. We've reached the point where I am sweating out of every orifice of my body trying to get the ride ready for the 3rd meet of the week, after work, dad and husband duties, as I drop another 10mm socket into the Abyss of broken dreams and think of selling my stuff and buying a nice sensible car.

I'm sure we all reach this point, but what keeps us going back to the abuse, like Tina to Ike? I'll explain....well, at least why I do, and how I keep mustering up the strength to push on and wash and wax the bitch, one more time. This summer has been a lot of work to keep show ready with all the weather here in Jersey. With rain all the time and events cancelled, I've only been placing more stress on myself to have the truck flawless. Less show time = more shine time, right? Well, if you want burn out........that's how you get it. Cramming to much into to little and working your hobby like it was a second job takes the N out of fun. But the fix is easier than you think.

I'm going to date myself here, but in the year 2000 a movie about the Rave scene came out called "Groove". It focused on the underground scene. Much like a lot of meets we attend, lots of warehouse parties and raves were WOM back in the day, highly illegal and for the people putting them on, it could mean serious jail time and fines. The movie centers around a few main characters, but the one I remember the most is the promoter of the rave.

Our hero manages to avoid several pitfalls and near disasters before successfully getting the party started, and making sure he does everything he can to ensure his party goers have a night to remember. In one of the last scenes, we find our promoter sitting down in a rare free moment. As he sits back and admires his flock, dancing and having the time of their lives. Just the a party goer sits down next to him and a conversation unfolds.........

-Guy: "Why do you do this to yourself? Don't even get paid, risk getting arrested, for what?"

-Promoter: "You don't know?

-Guy: "No"

-Promoter: "The Nod."

-Guy: "The Nod?"

-Promoter: "Happens to me at least once every party. Some guy comes up to me and says "Thank you for making this happen... I needed this. This really meant something to me." And they nod... and I nod back.

-Guy:"[scoffs] ... That's it?" "

-Promoter: "That's it."

For me it's the same. The Little kid that drags their parent over to see your car....yet again, the guy/girl that has no idea about cars other than they like yours because XYZ, or someone that just takes a moment to appreciate your work by stopping and quietly staring at your pride and joy. It's all the same. Validation. I do it for the Nod.

I had my moment the other night, and boy I needed it. After walking around and shooting cars for an hour at an event traditionally filled with American muscle cars adorned with things labeled Hurst, Holley, and Edelbrock (Things that cant even fit in my tiny trucks bed, let alone in the engine bay lol). Basically, the complete polar opposite of my auto persona. Anyways....I get to my truck and start packing up and I here an old deep and grizzled voice come from behind me:

"Hey man, THAT thing is f*cking cool." I look back and see a man that has been running this same circuit since the 60s. Bandana, cutoff vest, each knuckle adorned with rings, wrists wrapped, unkempt beard......."Oh, shit! He owns the '32 Willy's down on the .............Wait a minute.........did he just say MY truck was cool?'

That was it.......... that was my Nod. That's all I needed. Validation from someone that really understands and appreciates the machine and the human that molded it to where it is now. It makes all the blood, sweat and tears worth it. Especially from your peers.

Don't let your hobby overwhelm you. Trophies are cool. Awards look great on your walls, yes it's true. But the best reward, and the one that soothed the burn, is the Nod. Positivity, support and guidance from those around you is better than

any piece of metal or plastic. A smile and a compliment goes a long way. So next show your at, pass on a Nod. You never know what it might do for the one receiving it.

Cheers,

-J