Sweet, Sweet, '65 Stang!

The newest member of the Trosper Family ~ A 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe

The last couple years I have developed some strong opinions about life and money. I have tried to simplify by selling two of my five cars (the Jaguar and Range Rover) in an effort to simplify. I love European automobiles, but decided it would be better to shed the status symbols and live a life that would be perceived as a little more responsible and less concerned with worldly things. The stupid thing is that the more "conservative" and "responsible" vehicles cost much more than the European cars I have become accustomed to. Nonetheless, it was important to me that I shed some of the world, as the world sees it.

The next step was to sell the Alfa Romeo Spider and get a classic Ford Mustang. Since before I could drive, I have always wanted two cars....an Alfa Romeo Spider and a Ford Mustang. I love my Alfa. Every time I drive it, I have fun and feel like I am driving on Autopia at Disneyland. What a fun little car that is. Unfortunately, it has not been driven for three years. Sarah is not a big fan of the convertibles and the local car shows welcome me, but do so with snide remarks and insults from the corners of their mouths. These are not reasons why I decided to get rid of it, but reasons still. My plan was to sell the Alfa first and then look for a Mustang. I found one I felt was for me and the price was right, so I pulled the trigger early. It will be sad to see the Alfa go, but I am excited to welcome the new ride into the garage. I present to you other gearheads.....my new 1965 Mustang Coupe!

17" Torque Thrust Wheels

Leah makes the beauty of a car look even more beautiful

This car makes my garage look even better

289 bored 30 over and balanced, Edelbrock endurashine intake manifold with matched cam, shorty thermacoat headers and Edelbrock 650 cfm carb. Aluminum 4 core radiator with electric fan. 4 speed aod with stall converter and shift kit. 1979 Lincoln Versailles back end with 9 inch disc brakes 4:11 gears with Detroit locker.

Leah is a Mustang fan. Can you imagine her driving this to school in 2025?! She will be the coolest chick in school with a 60 year old car!

New Pony Interior. I still need to get the door panels switched out.

I need a name for her. Any suggestions? My current Jeep is named Jeep after the cartoon character and the Spider is named Alf. The Jaguar was named Shaggy after Austin Powers' Shaguar, the Range Rover was named Rover and the Jeep Rubicon was named Ruby. Now I need a name for this fine beauty.

Yellow has always been my favorite color so it is appropriate that this car is yellow...Spring Yellow to be exact.

Well, nonetheless, I feel a little silly owning 4 cars. I will feel less silly once I sell the Alfa. My financial views are still the same and this purchase falls in line with them. I still feel it was a responsible move. I guess I can scratch this off of my bucket list. Thanks to Sarah for putting up with me and my hobbies.

Too Much?

I have always tried to see God everywhere I look, but is this too much? Apparently, people have found objects that reflect in stain or shadow or otherwise, images of Christ or his Mother, Mary or a crucifix. Here are a few examples.

This image is pretty easy to see. So much so that I have to suspect someone altered the bottom of this frying pan to reflect the image of Jesus.
An angel in a store window.
Image of Jesus in a sonogram.
Mother Theresa in a roll
Jesus on a Cheeto Cross.
I don't see it, but apparently there is an image of the Savior on this cat.
Mother Mary on the iron.
Now you are stretching it. A cross in a potato
A cross on a cow. I think this is a stretch too.
This is supposed to be Mother Mary on some toasted bread, but I think it looks more like a 40's movie actress.
Jesus manifest in the orange.

I think there is more manifestation of God and Jesus in the fact that we have oranges or orange trees than there is in this particular orange. I am not one to mock, so I tread lightly here. I also know not to place my own narrow thinking on the limitations of my creator by saying how, where, why or how he will manifest himself. I think it is great that others find things like this inspiring and hopefully they somehow feel the need to be more Christlike for having seen these images. For me, it is just a neat thing to look at. I choose to find God and Jesus and their love for me in the beauty around me or in my family or friends.

Office Olympics

Thursday afternoon's random discussion at work led from the talk of office politics to office comedy to the sitcom, The Office, to the olympics, then to the episode of The Office regarding the olympics and ultimately ended with the idea that we should have our own office olympics. With little time to spare, a few assignments were given and the first ever PMI Olympics were underway the following day. We had a great time. We divided the floor into four countries where each team would dress and represent their country. I was the judge, Greg was the master of ceremonies and Sarah and Leah were cheering fans.

Customer Service = China
Administrative = Jamaica
Saves = Mexico
IT = Italy

We then briefed everyone on the four events with the rule being that every member of the team had to participate in at least one event. Greg came up with most of the events and did a fantastic job. The events were:

Ice Curling
Office Chair Tandem Race
Office Chair Synchronized Dancing
Office Trash Can Race

We had a total blast. The opening ceremony could have been a little more organized, but we mostly just gathered in teams (countries) and got some pictures. Then the games were under way! Each event gathered a crowd and many were jealous from other departments that their departments were not as fun as ours. We believe in Funergy and it shows! After the games were completed we gathered for food!!! Under the organization of Shanna, everybody brought foods from several countries such as France, Italy, Switzerland (Little Debbie Swiss Rolls), Canada, Phillipines, Korea, China, America and Ukraine. Chelsea even represented Thailand by bringing some crickets to eat that had been flavored Cheddar and Bacon, Sour Cream and Onion, or Salt and Vinegar! After stuffing our faces we ended with the medal ceremonies. Tara made some cool medals that I am sure took her some time to create.

The Medal tally is as follows:

Mexico: 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze
Italy: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze
China: 2 Gold, 0 Silver and 0 Bronze
Jamaica: 0 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze

A fun time was had by all in spite of the fact that China claimed prior to the games that they would "own the podium". They did fall short in the medal count, but surpassed all others in the category of gold medals. Seriously, we had a blast! We will definitely do this again. Here are some photos of the day's events.

Sarah the Spectator
Leah says, "We're Going to have the Olympics?! No Way!"
Jordan as Luigi for Team Italy
Team China: Mariana, Leslie, Shanna, Paloma and Corinne. Where they lacked in costumes, they made up in spirit.
Team Italy: Mike the Godfather, Marcio the Godson and Jim the God Knows?!
Erik from Team Mexico
Team Mexico: Greg, Thayne, Shannon, Adam, Jason and Erik
Team Jamaica: Chelsea, Christie, Janet, Tara and Amy
Mike left his big cigar in his Towncar
Team Italy paying off the judge
Tara sliding the rock
Jason representing Team Mexico
The Curling Venue
Erik and Shannon going for gold in the Office Chair Race
Team Italy waiting for the starters gun
Great technique and form won the gold for Team Mexico
Janet and Christie racing for the finish line

Team China in their near flawless synchronized chair dance
Team Italy definitely had the funniest dance to WHITE AND NERDY, but it was more of a skit
Team China ROLLING ON THE RIVER to a gold!
Team Jamaica....HOT HOT HOT!
Chair dancing rocks!
Team Mexico synchronized to Tequila
Jamaica's runner showing spirit
Tara and Adam racing to catch Jordan
Posing for an after race shot.
Ice Curling Medal Presentation
Chair Racing Medal Presentation
Trash Can Racing Medal Presentation
Synchronized Chair Dancing Medal Presentation with an honorable mention going to Team Italy

Team China won the most golds

Yes indeedy. I run a tight ship. HAHA! We have a fun time, but we get things done though for sure!