If you want to know more...

So why cars?
I'm very lucky to come from an awesome family. Growing up, my dad would work on his friend's cars on the weekends mostly just for fun and to help them out so we spent a lot of time in the garage observing and learning. As a teenager, my older brother got into modified cars and introduced me to that world. Later on, my little brother followed suit and even put together a turbo miata. Before us kids, my mom had a mustang and I hope one day she gets another. It's one of those things that's just in my blood and I've been lucky to be surrounded by supportive family and friends and have access to many resources like tools and knowledge. 

So why s-chassis?
I just like them. Maybe a little too much lol. I kinda just appreciate them for what they are, they're good looking, a bit abrasive, and silly fun. Early on, I was mesmerized by drifting and knew one day I'd like to try. Still working towards that goal. I've been passenger many times but to this day I've never driven on the track. If I'd stop buying broken things and getting distracted maybe it would've happened faster but we'll get there.

My first s-chassis:
Ahh okay, are you ready to be sad or maybe inspired? It's a bit of both. So, my introduction to adulthood was not ideal. After I graduated high school I was working and finishing up my associates at community college, not really sure what I wanted to do but just checking things off the list hoping that by the time I got to the end of it I'd have some sort of clue. Just going through the motions. Then out of nowhere, I lost the person I was closest to. I was fucked up before this but this did not help. I was lucky to be surrounded by amazing friends that helped me through but eventually everyone started doing their own thing and I had to sort stuff on my own. I learned to hide the pain quickly as I could not stand the way people were looking at me, I never wanted anyone to feel bad for me. At the same time, I literally cared about nothing. I was still working, making money, going to classes but I did not want anything. It was impossible to think about the future when the only thing I truly cared about was gone. I still managed to take care of myself and meet obligations well enough but I was so lost and had done a really good job of isolating myself. 

Then one day, my brother tells me about an engine his friend was selling. A SR20DET, one of the good ones too - a notchtop. It was completely disassembled, needed machine work, but came with a bunch of parts at a really good price and I was like yes please, I need something to pull me out of this. This kicked off loads of research and learning, but most importantly it was a reason to keep going and it provided an outlet for my aimlessness. It gave motivation to keep working, to buy car parts of course, and excuses to spend time with friends and family who helped a ton throughout the whole process. A reason to live sounds dramatic but it truly felt like a lifeline. 

So I had a motor, but no 240 to put it in. I looked around for a while but eventually became too impatient and picked one up with some body damage that did not run. In hindsight I should've waited for one in better condition but at the time it didn't matter since I had the SR to throw in. My dad and I rebuilt it and it made it into the car, but then I got distracted by something people told me would be impossible - a kouki s14, a real one, was posted on craigslist. No photos, no external email, no phone number but I checked back on the post every day. Two weeks in, photos were uploaded but still no real contact info. After a month of the ad being posted, I noticed a phone number was added and I was lucky to be the first one to find it. I got in contact with the owner and we picked it up the next day. I daily drove it for many years and I even delivered sandwiches in it lol. I felt so lucky, like I didn't deserve something so beautiful but that in a weird way the universe was paying me back.

That was 2015 and I've only gone deeper down the rabbit hole but will have to save some stories for another time. There's even a story that I was legally advised not to tell. The first 240 still does not run but we'll get back to that someday. But yeah, to summarize, cars have been a big part of my life for a while now, they've introduced me to a ton of cool people I otherwise wouldn't have met and led to many great memories. Between now and then has been a series of life events, good and bad decisions, and just a lost soul trying to find her place in this world. I've collected a few other chassis over the years but I can also tell you that more cars does not equal more happy - I've tried lol. It really is about the experiences they lead to and enjoying them for what they are. Hoping to do more of that soon.

Current projects:
Right now my boyfriend David and I are rebuilding a KA24de for a S14 shell I picked up a few years ago. Trying to keep it simple, nothing fancy, nothing revolutionary, and the goal was to do it quick but other things keep breaking. Just how it goes. I plan to post about this project but am still getting used to social media again, I have lots to learn!
He has a E36 328is that is being prepped to drift one day and it's been a lot of fun to learn a different chassis. My brain is really mostly filled with s-chassis so it's been neat to experience something different.
A few years ago I bought my brother's diesel Jeep to daily and take on adventures too. It's been all over the southwest at this point, and it's been a great tow vehicle. Sometimes it tries to self-seppuku but we've kept it alive so far.

Do you like anything besides cars?
Of course! Outside of the cars, the past few months we've been spending a lot of time hitting the trails around here. My day job is remote so it's been nice to escape from behind the screens for a bit. 

On one of our last hikes, we found a sticker I had put up over ten years ago. Originally, I was inspired by the French street artist Invader who made 8-bit art from mosaics, who I learned about while watching Exit Through The Gift Shop. Before I had access to vinyl cutting equipment, I used an exacto blade and grid paper to cut invaders out of duct tape. Will have to find a photo of those but I had fun hiding them around. 

Other Interests:
YouTube - the car stuff one would expect like Big Time, Mighty Car Mods, Superfastmatt but also Shiey and Gifgas. Their videos kept me company while I was studying for my bachelor's degree and I admire their level of freedom. 
Cooking - I'm not a chef by any means but I haven't killed us yet!
Music - another huge passion of mine, I have my headphones in all day
Exploring - need to do more, nature, places, whatever, I just like new experiences
Spyro - so so so ready for the new one next year. I beat the original three when I was younger so I plan to become a hermit once that's released.
Comics - Flork of Cows, even though I don't understand a lot of them. This one is my favorite though. Lets fuckn gooooooo.

I've been working on fixing a lot of things, myself included. I'm the type that needs pressure or goals to make anything happen and I'm happy to say that after years of trying, I'm finally making real progress. I've been extra motivated lately and hoping to make the best of everything. There really has been a lot to do, so I'm working on this project when I can. I have tons of ideas, just need to make the time to bring things to fruition. I always wish I could spend more time doing the things I like but I must be responsible first. As slow as it's been going, I've been really enjoying it. I've tapped into creative processes I haven't used in many years (I couldn't even tell you the last time I edited a video lol). The new name Skid-ish feels really fitting as it embodies some anxious energy and is simultaneously a play on words. I'll come out of hiding eventually, maybe, just not quite ready yet. So yeah, I really just want to have fun with it this time and enjoy making stuff again. I hope you all enjoy and I can't wait to see where it goes!