still doing crazy things…
September 30, 2008
So last week, I wrote Viking Fridays as usual, hit publish, and then disappeared… thankfully, there were a lot of Vikings around to strike up a great conversation and keep things going until I returned.
Thank you, Viking friends.
What was I doing? Was work getting me down? Was I stuck in meetings, with no possibility for escape? Did I drink the Folgers by accident, losing my mind forever?
No way!
I had decided to take the day off. I went to do something crazy. I took a Mitsubishi Evolution MR for a test drive… the very one you see in the photo.
No, I didn’t buy it – hey, it was over $50,000, and unless I sell one of my kids, I won’t be buying it tomorrow (pssst – anyone want to buy a kid? They’re cute and they don’t eat much…)
But let me tell you, it was a lot of fun. This is probably the fastest thing I’ve ever driven, and I’m hoping the salesman will forgive me for going 140 in a 40 zone, but I just couldn’t help myself… it was just that easy.
(That’s 140 km/h in a 40 zone, so about 87 mph in a 25 zone south of the 49th… hmm, I wonder if I can get in trouble for admitting that here? Oh well…)
Okay, it was a little selfish pleasure and not something I really need. I could say truthfully that I already have more “stuff” than I need.
I was just satisfying that part of me that likes to drive fancy cars – hey, I’m a motorhead and I always have been. Francis understands…
(Lion, you wanted to know how it drove – in a word – INSANE.)
Then I decided to do something even crazier. Something that might just satisfy a real need, a need to do some work that means something to me.
I had this idea a while back to do some niche blogging and maybe even blog consulting in my industry (thank you to Amy Derby for the inspiration). I had contacted “the right person”, I had “gone through the proper channels”, and I basically got the brush off.
I felt like a cog.
So I did something crazy. I emailed my idea to the CEO of the company. I have nothing to lose. Hey, it worked for J Allard of Microsoft back in 1994 – he wrote a pretty ballsy memo to senior execs, and he’s a VP today.
I’ll let you know how it works out.
It just seems like a good time to do crazy stuff. Fall is coming, and it’s a great time to take inventory of our blessings, let go of things that have held us back, and move forward.
I’ve got more in store – but I’ll let my actions speak for me.
Watch this space.
(‘Cause I’m gonna buy that car…)
I’m with you! I feel totally excited about all your crazy stuff. Crazy is not necessarily crazy, if you know what I mean, but in fact sane. Or at least, crazy is sometimes what actually keeps you sane.
I admire you so much, never letting things stop you, how you do what you feel like doing, plunge ahead. I’m going to hang around you as much as possible. I’m hoping that daredevil in you will rub off! I like it! It’s thrilling!
What can I do today that’s like that?
I totally agree with your reasoning in emailing the CEO. I’m so happy you did! Do keep us posted. I’m very curious. I hope he’s still got his brain!!
steph’s last blog post..EditQuest at your Service
Brett, good for you! We waste far too much time plotting, planning, worrying, thinking, dreaming, working, that we don’t live! This season I too am feeling in the mood for recapturing those “just because” moments. Not for a purpose, not for a goal but to just because I’m alive. I needed that kick in the rear to “go for it” too. Really, we have nothing to lose. Thanks my kilted wonder friend! Can, will, believe!
Nice, Brett! Way to grab the proverbial bull by the horns. Please let us know how it all works out. If necessary, we can don our horned hats and storm his castle …
Rebecca Smith’s last blog post..Grammar lovers, today’s our day!
Hey Brett,
Go check this out. http://lateralaction.com/articles/tyler-durden-innovation/
Mr. Clark just might be channeling you.
Karen JL’s last blog post..Where ‘Igor’ Went Wrong
I think Akismet just ate my comment…
Go check out Brian Clark’s latest post on his Lateral Action site. He just might be channeling you…or Tyler.
Karen JL’s last blog post..Where ‘Igor’ Went Wrong
Get your crazy on, Brett. We’ll all think good thoughts.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Stop.
(pssst – anyone want to buy a kid? They’re cute and they don’t eat much…)
Sure, they don’t eat much now, but you have a bunch of boys and they aren’t teenagers yet!!!!!
And please do not encourage the Lion!!!!!
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Airport shenanigans
Good for you my friend. I’m keeping various body parts crossed for ya.
Amy Derby’s last blog post..Punk Up Your Resume
Brett, That’s fantastic, and it is moments of risk and “craziness” that can often provide the greatest reward. Very inspirational. I receive a daily quote to my email inbox and this is what arrived today – thought it appropriate to share based on your story.
“At various points in your careers, you will be called to take a risk. And I think you will find, as I have found, those will be the times of your greatest opportunities.” – Raymond V. Gilmartin, American Business Executive
Good luck!!
Stacey Shipman’s last blog post..Allowing Room for “No”…From Someone Else
Actually, I have a sure fire way to get your idea accepted:
Step 1: cyber stalk the CEO and find out everything you can about him
Step 2: phone him pretending to be someone else and shame him into remembering a lunch appointment with you that he never had
Step 3: meet him for lunch and talk about him as if you know him making him uncomfortable and embarrassed for not remembering you
Step 4: make him pay for lunch like he owes you
Step 5: as you are leaving him, hand him your idea proposal, and remind him that he promised to look at it, even though he didn’t
Guaranteed you’ll get the gig *grin*
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Airport shenanigans
But if you buy the car, how will you get it to NZ? LOL just messing with ya – think it’s great that you are pursuing this new field of work. It is beautiful weather over here though, summer really is on it’s way!
Scribbles’s last blog post..Yay! and a bit of a ramble…
UP: Hey, this sounds familiar!
steph’s last blog post..EditQuest at your Service
Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod! I envy you big time! I’ve only driven it on the Xbox and loved it! I want one too. Please let me know what your *plan* is! wink wink, nudge nudge, know what I mean..?
Urbane Lion’s last blog post..Should I stay or should I go?
@steph,
Thank you my friend – I know what you mean… and the admiration is mutual, you’ve got your vision up and running (everyone – go check out EditQuest right now!) and I love it.
Well, no response back yet but I guess he’s the CEO so I’d expect he’s busy. I do think he’ll get back to me, though – he seems that sort of fellow.
@Karen Swim,
If there’s anyone who knows how to do things “just because”, it would be you Wonder Woman! If I find myself stalling, I just go read something you’ve written and *boom* I’m off like a bullet… we all need to remember to do things “just because” – because we can.
@Rebecca,
Perfect… I might just need help from my Viking friends, so get your horned hat ready!
@Karen JL,
Wow – Mr. Clark’s post is totally awesome, thanks for sharing that link – and as you can see I fished this out of the spam box (bad Akismet – bad, bad… not to be marking Tyler as spam…)
Now I feel like I must write a post completely inspired by Fight Club – it has been a while.
I suppose though, in a way, the first part of this one was like that scene where they were in the car. I had my hands firmly on the wheel, however!
@Writer Dad,
The crazy is on, my friend – partly inspired by you too. That “Stop” post – I’d be proud to call you my neighbour. That is caring about community.
@Panther,
Uh oh, I think it’s too late… the Lion seems to be stirring a little further down in the comments
and I shall egg him on!
Oh, I know… I shudder to think how much money I won’t have when these little tykes are all eating twice as much as I eat now – each of them! Maybe they’ll eat my car.
@Amy,
Thank you – especially you – I finally took a shot at it, to see what would happen – and I can thank you personally for that inspiration.
@Stacey,
Thank you very much, and thank you for sharing that quote – that is very nice and I agree, very appropriate today. I have a feeling this is a time of great opportunity. And while I was sitting in training today, I further developed another of my plans which I am testing tonight.
More to come on that one too…
This week shall be known henceforth as “Brett’s Crazy Week”…
@Panther again,
Hmm, that sounds very familiar
I wonder if he’d fall for it!
@Scribbles,
Reason #7,932 for why New Zealand is the best country in the world – if you own a car for at least one year, there is no import duty when you import it. The only requirement is to have it steamed (!) prior to arrival. This is to prevent damage to NZ’s ecology and economy.
Oh, how I want to be there, believe me – I’ve got my eye on your weather right now and it is looking good! In time… patience…
@steph again,
Deja vu or something…
@Lion,
I shall email you about “the plan”… I’ll say though, do yourself a favour and book a test drive… you really won’t regret it. You get in and the Recaro seats are so very snug, you can barely move – at first, it doesn’t feel right. But when you floor it and go through a switchback, the seats feel just fine
My only comment is: “Woot woot! Go Brett! Go Brett! Go Brett! Go! Go! Go! Go!”
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..The Simple Life: Nicole Stevens Interview
@Brett
Well, like you implied, the market value for a healthy kid is probably $50K.
You got a whole litter of ‘em. I’m sure you can spare one. To make the decision easier, just pick the one that annoys you the most.
Besides, your wife will probably ever notice.
OR…if that’s too “extreme” for you, just decide that one of them won”t go to college. (Pick the stupidest one).
Something to think about, anyway.
Friar’s last blog post..Dear Solar System
Is it wrong to auction a kid off on ebay? Just wondering….
Amy Derby’s last blog post..Hump Day Reading for the Restless Soul
@Alex,
Thank you very much my friend! I’ve got my fingers crossed, but I’m not waiting on this, I’m a moving target and going on to the next thing while I see how this pans out (i.e. if my CEO nixes it I’m going to see if I can do it for a different company!)
@Friar,
I may have to make them draw straws. The “annoying torch” gets passed on a daily basis, so you never know who’s being the biggest pain until you get home from work…
@Amy,
I think you can put them on eBay. But you can’t send them via Purolator. It says right in the terms and conditions, “no human tissue or bodily fluids”…
Brett,
YIPPEE!!!
I am oh, so happy to hear it. No matter what comes of it, that’s a superb step. Class and cojones. Nice combo. I wish you only smiles with this move.
Yes, when I saw that Lateral Action in my inbox I actually thought it was something from you until I clicked on it. How dare he also have your movie obsession! (Of course I’d been reading right along without knowing Brian’s characters’ names were from Fight Club, because—shame—I still haven’t seen the film.)
Panther,
Hahahahaha.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Inspiration Points: The Not-So-Secret Ticket to Your Fortunes
what fun Brett. I did that one day with a Mazda RX 7. I had it going 250 Kilometers on a quiet highway when we ran out of gas. That took like 2 seconds. GONE. Full STOP. Sad me.
Harmony’s last blog post..Life Happens While We Are Busy Making Plans
@Kelly,
Thank you. I think it has supercharged me this week, as I’m about to send something just as ballsy on a separate matter. Nothing to lose, you know
I’ll keep everyone posted. He’s a busy fellow, so I expect to hear back on the weekend.
@Harmony,
Oh, very nice – the RX-7 was quite the machine – a classic.
Brett,
Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Doesn’t really matter if he goes for it or not. You made the move, you set the wheels in motion- you changed the *dance* Now things change, one way or another…you shifted the wind.
The car thing? Cool. I’d say mid life crisis to some men, but not you. To you I say affirmation to keep those big wheels turning and heading in the direction of your dreams.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Tealights and Time
Friar/Brett/Amy: 50K for a healthy kid? Depends on the age and sex. And, it is frowned upon to advertise them on Ebay. Walking around in large city parks is probably your best bet. Alas I only have 1 kid and would need to split the proceeds with my EX.
Urbane Lion’s last blog post..Drink beer and lose weight!
Good for you Brett – it’s brilliant how the thrill of driving a fast car motivated you to do something bold.
Mind you – I could kick your ass for driving that fast in a 40 zone. Don’t forget, it could be your kids crossing the road when some nutter is driving that fast.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Achieve Your Goals With One Simple Question
@Wendi,
Thank you – and you’re right about that. I’ve got another draft email ready to go for something else I’m chasing, and I’ll be chasing the same opportunity at some other companies in my field shortly. I just feel like stirring the pot this week
I agree with you, as I’ve always liked fast cars it would have to be a “whole-life crisis” if anything…
@Lion,
Hmm… *idea* so I set up the trade at a big park, and then after the money’s been exchanged, you run by and grab my kid
we split the $$$ – deal?
@Cath,
Thank you – and no need to lace up your ass-kicking boots. The spot where this was is a 40 because it is just after an off-ramp and it is fenced on both areas (agricultural land, really) – no pedestrians of any sort nearby, and I do believe the road eventually goes up to 80.
Believe me, I’d be unlikely to do that where people could be hurt.
(Thanks for keeping me honest, though!)
Brett,
Good for you! You did something for the sheer pleasure of DOING it. What a fantastic way to spend your time! And what a cool way to know what the prize will be when you meet your goal.
I don’t know what you wrote to your boss…what I do know is that you could take what you said on Monika’s blog, print it out, say “this is WHY” and hang it over your computer each time you write a blog.
Good going, Brett – and good luck!
Rita
Rita’s last blog post..The TERRIBLE PARENTING Song We Love to Hear
Brett: At least we’ll have a fast getaway car!
Urbane Lion’s last blog post..Appetizers for Idiots!: Tomatoes with mozzarella di bufala
@Rita,
Exactly – something folks often forget how to do, just go and have fun. I’ve told a lot of folks about how much fun I had that day, and most have said, “I wish I could do that”.
Well, you can!
Thank you, my friend – what I said at Monika’s blog, I truly believe. I might just do that, print that out.
@Lion,
Oh yeah… good thing it has “grab handles” all over the place inside, you need them
Wow Brett! I hope that pans out for you.
About the kid thing. I may be interested. Do they clean house and can they cook?
Jamie Simmerman’s last blog post..Picking the Brain of THE Pen Man: James Chartrand
@Jamie,
We will see – if it doesn’t, I’ve got other plans anyway
Well, they’re getting better at it – one of them really likes to help in the kitchen, and the other one will help clean (for Smarties, though)… so maybe you’d need two of them!
Hmmm… 2+2 would give me four total, the tax break might make it worthwhile if they don’t eat too much.
It’s good to see someone with the courage to chase down their dreams. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jamie Simmerman’s last blog post..Picking the Brain of THE Pen Man: James Chartrand
They don’t eat too much… yet…
Hey, if I can pass it on to someone else, I’m just doing the same that other folks have done (like your interview guest for instance). Upon reflection, I think a lot of what I’ve written here has been as much about psyching myself up as it has been anything else.
If I can do it, you can do it, and so can everyone – let’s all just go out and kick ass.
Nice car and 140 isn’t that bad as long as you didn’t get caught!!
I hope things go well for you, it sounds really exciting. I think it’s time I stirred up the pot as well!!
Jenny’s last blog post..Don’t Laugh At…
Well that is good. I didn’t think you would be that irresponsible Brett.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..The Nutty Introvert And The Crimson Compass
@Jenny,
It was really nice (you should take one for a drive!) and you’re right, if no one gets hurt… it would be fun to drive on a track, though!
Thank you, and good luck with your pot stirring – just grab hold of the spoon and give it a go.
@Cath,
LOL – what is really ironic is that you did it almost exactly on the year anniversary of Ontario’s street racing law. 50km over, automatic 7 day suspension and impound of the car.
Wonder what 100k would getcha?
~Graham
P.S. – Should have taken it on the highway and really opened it up. My personal record: 191km on the 401 to the airport (express, not collector) in an ‘88 Honda Prelude. Won’t be doing that ever again… and not just because the ‘lude is long buried.
Oh, I know! Hmm, 100k over, probably execution by pistol shot on the side of the road…
It would have been tempting. Remember the blackout of ‘03?
I was working in Minneapolis that week, and my VR6 Jetta was parked at Pearson, fully fueled. I flew into Toronto via Chicago after numerous delays, and drove across the 401 about 2 am in the pitch black. I hadn’t seen any cars for a good while, and was making tracks – high beams on, going about 160 or so.
I saw lights coming up behind me *really* fast, and figured if it was a police car, I was dead to rights anyway, so I didn’t lift off. It turned out to be an Audi A4 and a BMW 3 of some sort, so I sped up.
Naturally, they sped up.
Let’s just say that all three cars are electronically limited to about 210 km/h and leave it at that… it was a dead heat.
I’m not really sure what to think about the street racing law. I understand the intent, but I think it is a bit hypocritical that the generation that brought in this law used to drive muscle cars and so forth at ludicrous speeds – cars with poor handling, drum brakes, and so on. In a “knife fight” on normal streets with turns, my GTI could make a mockery of most of what the 60’s could offer.
In my opinion, the street racing law was just a way to pander for votes. The existing laws were already more than capable of punishing guilty people…
Yes, like many laws in Ontario, the intent is clear but it gets lost in the execution. Like the whole cell phone thing — they didn’t want to single out cell phone users so instead they created a law that said you must have two hands on the wheel at all times.
At the risk of being hypocritical, I do think there should be laws against fast driving (I mean, it’s okay if I do it, but not anyone else, right? heheh). But to lump that in with a real danger on Toronto’s streets — that’s another dealy altogether. Target the street racers, get them off the roads. Disallow certain mods on city streets so that they can put them on their cars but can still race them on controlled tracks. Here’s an idea — force them to get special plates and maybe even a GPS unit. That way if there is an accident, they know exactly what racers were in the area at the time.
Another Toronto law that went provincial was the giving buses the right of way. My god, bus drivers in TBay were aggressive enough as it was. Now they *do* own the road. Public transit makes sense in a place like T.O. — I’d use it too if I lived there. But get into the sticks where buses come once every hour and a half, and it just doesn’t make it a practical mode of transportation for most people.
Ontario is its own special something, isn’t it?
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post..One Great Resource for Boosting Blog Traffic
Graham,
Oh, I certainly don’t think *you’re* being hypocritical – there have to be laws against speeding and what I did was dead wrong. Many, perhaps most, of us break laws every day (perhaps not as extreme as I did, and I don’t advocate doing it – or maybe I do, sometimes you have to be crazy).
I really meant that the current laws could be adequate to prosecute extreme speeding, but the courts don’t do it. Toronto does have a problem with street racing. I think the police and courts could have taken care of it without new laws.
But if it is election time, it’s good “business” to bring in harsh new laws like this as it gets the mindshare.
When I referred to “hypocritical older generations”, I had one person in mind – a co-worker who had said he thought this was a good idea to cut down on the problem.
The same individual had previously bragged about driving a Dodge Super Bee at around 140 miles per hour when he was in his 20’s…
I totally agree with you – excessive speeding on streets is a very bad idea. I only meant that I don’t think it’s fair for the previous generation to say to the next generation “do as I say, not as I *did*” all the time, which they seem to do…
I wonder if I’ll be any better with my kids at that
Your idea is pretty good with the GPS units. Higher performance cars in Japan have a neat system where the car “knows” via GPS if it is on the street, or on one of the sanctioned race tracks in Japan. If you’re on the street, the car’s top speed is limited. If on the track, no limit.
On a positive note, as crazy as the laws are in Ontario, I could think of a million places worse to live. I’m sure there are some places where they *do* shoot speeders!
-Brett
Ha Brett — Yeah, I know you didn’t think that, I was just trying to be a little cheeky. I still shake my head at what I used to do. I should be dead by now!
Oh yes, there are a lot worse places to live than Ontario. I just don’t get it sometimes though. Instead of singling out street racers, they target everyone so that they are not “profiling” or some such thing.
Ah well, take the good with the mildly irking, I suppose.
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post..One Great Resource for Boosting Blog Traffic
Graham,
Cheeky is good
and I agree, I’m surprised I’ve made it this far sometimes… though I can’t say my life’s been boring, so that’s good.
You’re right about the profiling though. Let’s say I put a bigger turbo and custom software in my GTI. Now, it would be quicker, but still not as fast as, say, a Porsche Cayenne SUV.
Yet, with the new street racing law, the police could impound my car if they suspect I will street race. The Cayenne driving lawyer or investment banker will remain unmolested…
But as you say, take the good with the mildly irking.
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Subscribed. (Based purely on the fact that you admitted to going 140 in a 40 zone! Becareful not to get dooced!)
I want to find a way to monetize my writing without having to choose a niche – although I might be falling in to the poetry niche soon enough.
Matthew Dryden’s last blog post..She Was Gravity Twisted
(Okay, here’s one more – the night of the blackout in 2003, I hit 210 on the 401 East of Oshawa, around 2 am. There was also an Audi A4 and a BMW 3 series involved… bet most people didn’t know a VW could go that fast)
There may be a way to monetize your writing – well, there is always a way.
I like your “crazyness”,dude.I hope i can live my life like you do.Good luck!
porsche 911 turbo s racing wheel’s last blog post..Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo s Racing Wheel Review
@porsche,
Thanks for stopping in – hey, you can live your life like that, just put your mind to it.
I won’t have an Evo X in my stable for a little while yet, but I’m considering importing a Mk.1 from Japan, to get the purity of the original.
(It will also cost about $50,000 less… so, that’s another plus!)