4th Annual LXOY: Junior

[TehKing]

Tortilla Flat, May 4th, 2008

I'm rarely at a loss for words. When I feel strongly about something, I can spit it out without any effort at all. You've all seen me at my best and at my worst, when something's on my mind. This honor that you all just put on my head - I don't know what to do with it. When I was nominated for LXOM back in June, I couldn't help feeling a little bit out of place. I saw myself as just a friendly guy who likes to wrench on cars and hang out in parking lots with his pals. Since then, it's grown on me, but this is something else entirely.

When LXOY came around, and I realized what was happening, immediately I thought of guys like Cam, jaak, CoolVanilla, Meister, Hemi31, PowerWagon796, MattRobertson... are you kidding me? Those guys are true innovators - out there pushing the technology and getting it all sorted out for us. Then you've got last year's LXOY, fnkychkn - who can diagnose a fault or symptom better that anyone, and he does it tirelessly. It's really incredible to me to be included among these guys. And the group of nominees this year is so well rounded with personality and character. I'm more honored by this recognition than anything in my life, and I've had some great ones in my past.

I've already told the story of how I came to find this place and what made me stay. If you didn't hear it the first time around, it's Here. It's a good read, if I can be allowed to admit that I think so too - and where else can you see explicit shots of my Thing?

If 2007 was the year I found a community of friends that changed my life, then 2008 was the year I hit my own stride. Back in January of last year, I realized there wasn't a good write-up on how to pull your fascia off, and I kept seeing the question asked. I got frustrated by having done it, but not being able to explain it clearly when the question came up. So I think it was the third time I did it, I remembered to bring my camera out. That set something in motion that's still running strong. This year I've written eleven different step-by-step tutorials and reference threads, and enjoyed some good fact-finding threads. I've installed some 13 sets of Halos (plus my first set of rears this weekend); six sets of paddle shifters and harnesses; three pink shifter thingies; one SRT Brembo swap; one cam swap; pulled a couple sets of heads; helped with a couple of suspension swaps; did a couple grill swaps, tore through half a dozen intakes at the MFO, and did miscellaneous other projects that my good friends have come up with. All of it's been a pleasure, and most of it's detailed in my HEMI Registry thread.

Here's what I came to realize in looking back on this year. Those guys I mentioned up top - if they're the innovators, I guess I'm more of a clarifier - my strength lies in breaking it down and making it clear to folks who are feeling overwhelmed by what they're hearing, or to consolidate the important bits from far-flung threads and getting it all together in one place. And I enjoy answering questions thoroughly, if I happen to know the answers. I've said it elsewhere, but to me the most important criteria when I choose a member to vote for is their willingness to help. Being good at what you do is worth acknowledging, but what sets the prior LXOM's apart is their willingness to help. I don't have any modesty admitting that this is one thing I do well - because I enjoy doing it.

I went back and read through all the old LXOM threads in the past couple days - every one of them, back to back. I felt I owed it to them somehow, and at the same time, to me it was kinda like the note in the desk of the Oval Office: Wisdom from those who came before. I came across something in the very first one that made me sit up straight, like a bolt hit my spine. Andrew, MagnumFreak, in November of 2004 wrote:

"I don't care if the question has been asked a hundred times and you didn't do a search to see if it had been asked before - I will always try to answer the question like it was the first time it was asked."

That's IT! That's exactly how it should work, and though I never even recognized that tenet in my own head, I make that same commitment to this place. If I can use this honor as a pulpit, I'd encourage you all to do the same. Find your talents and share them. Participate without hesitation that you might be wrong, or someone smarter might be out there. Everyone has their own strengths, and the combination of these is what makes this place so unique.

…That and the friendships that have been formed. I wouldn't be nearly the happy guy I am, if I didn't have friends to share this with regularly, in person. To the crew in Arizona: you're the best friends I've ever had - individually and as a group. What we've got is worth more to me than any accolades that could ever be given. You know where you stand with me, and I know we'll be standing there together for many years. I've got such a flood of emotion welling up right now as I say this. You folks are everything.

I have a Christmas card from Nathan hanging up at work, that reads: "What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?" That's it precisely.

That's all I've got to say for now, but you know I'll be here tomorrow, and if I can help you in some way, big or small, please let me.

Take care of each other, and thank you for being there for me.

Just a couple pics for you:

Dad and me at Barrett-Jackson, January 2008

Sharing the best cake ever with my friends, October 2008

[TehKing]

Congrats, Mike!

Very well deserved, and a great write-up!

[Junior]

HA! So much for being at a loss for words, eh?

And there's so much more I could have said about this place.

So happy to be here, gang.

[Leadfootluke]

Wanted to be the first, in a way, to say Congrats and well deserved!

Just like this thread

Soon-to-be Daytona pilot saying howdy

[whelin]

Congrats! Great write up.

[BritishNate]

You are one of our key members here in Arizona and we all love having you around, I can honestly say since I have been in Phoenix you have become one of my closest friends and I appreciate all of the help and knowledge you have shared with me.

Congrats once again Mike!!

Keep up the good work...

[Cam]

Excellent write up Mike and a major congratulations to a very deserving award my friend.

[COLORADOMAGNUM]

Congrats, Mike. Keep up the good work!!!

[Go Mango]

Beautiful write up Mike.
A well deserved honour for a great guy.

[MAGNUM8R]

Well deserved!!!

Congrats Mike!!!

[thewagon]

No surprise here, Congratulations Mike! You've always been passionate about many things and when they come to the surface there's no stopping you. Nice writeup (I expected no less ;o)) and I have the same sentiments regarding others on this site.

[FLEX]

Congrats Mike!






-=FLEX=-

[Magnum P.I]

HA! So much for being at a loss for words, eh?

And there's so much more I could have said about this place.

So happy to be here, gang.

Congrats Mike. Were so Happy to have you here..

[onefast1]

Congrats!

[imahemi]

congrats Mike... Well deserved!!!