Summer in The ‘Ham

This summer is turning out to be quite the adventure. I am in Birmingham, AL for an internship at Means Advertising. Roger Means, the boss, is a family friend from when my family lived in Birmingham 13 very long years ago. And if the (PAID!!) internship wasn’t enough, he and his wife (Lynne) are graciously boarding me for the duration of the job. Thus far I am loving Birmingham. This past weekend, my old church brought me along on a Singles retreat in Ono Island down in Gulf Shores. I half to say, it was a great way to get connected in the church community. I can’t wait to see what the rest if the summer has in store for me.

Knoxville Auto Show

This month held, for me, one of the most exciting events of the year: the car show. Now it may not be a super high profile show like Detroit, LA, or Frankfurt; but it still offers me a chance to go and look at new cars. That, in itself, is reason to go. GM and Daimler usually supply a concept or two. Last year Dodge showed its new concept for the Challenger.

Another Semester Comes to a Close

This past semester hasn’t been nearly as demanding as the Fall. I only had 3 all-nighters and I got a lot better at juggling group projects. I also put my last semester in stone. That means this fall, I will have finished the 3rd hardest major at The University of Tennessee in 7 semesters (3.5 years). I am so excited, but anxiety does not escape me. UT has a habit of screwing us students. So if I did get an email telling me that I had one more class to complete, I wouldn’t be too surprised. Livid yes, surprised no. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Soon, I will have e degree, and no worries about school. Just worries about life, but that is a whole other can of worms.

Springen Breaken

So for spring break this year, we went to Sanibel Island, FL. This Spring Break was special because it was the first time we did it as a whole family. Unfortunately, it will also be the last time. This was my very last Spring Break. We drove 15 hours in a minivan, but it was totally worth it. We had so much fun together. There was bike riding, castle building, put-putting, and a whole lot of sun soaking.

Their At It Again

Brabus is a German tuning company that has been connected with Mercedes-Benz since the 70’s. They just do Mercedes and related companies like Smart. Recently, the mad German scientists have done the unthinkable: they put the 65 amg biturbo V-12 engine in the new C-Class. The car starts as a C63 amg so it already has a 570 hp V-8 in it, but that just seemed a little blah. So they trade the V-8 for the V-12 and then do a little more tuning. The 65 amg has at least 604 hp when it comes from the amg studio in Affalterbach. And even that wasn’t enough. So they tune that engine up to 720 hp and 912 pound feet of torque at 2,100 rpm. All of this in a car that is a little bigger than a civic. This thing will f-l-y to 60mph in under 4 seconds and makes a top speed of, get this, 223mph. Faster than a Zonda in a car that will fit 5 people. The car will make 200mph in about 25 seconds. That is so fast. This is a car that would be a lot of fun.

Maybach Laudaulet

This is a video that Maybach made to show off their new prototype. It really is a work of art. I don’t think that I would mind spending the almost $500,000 if I looked that good. It’s a shame that I have to ride in the back. The car still drives like an S-Class.

from youtube.com posted with vodpod

The Most Beautiful Car Ever!

So, I was browsing the net for news on that favorite car company of mine and I stumbled across some very interesting information. Back in the 50’s, Mercedes-Benz produced a super-long wheel base version of the then S-class. They referred to these small houses as the W190 Pullman. The cars came with amenities like fire places and cost more than the houses of royalty. But it gets better. Because a few people asked, and about 6 could afford it, Mercedes-Benz built a convertible version. There you have it; a convertible limo. They called it the W190 Pullman Laudaulet. These cars never had a published retail price, and less than 20 exist today. All this being said, my German friends thought it was time for a revival. Maybach, an old moniker of the Mercedes-Benz AG, has released photos of a special edition of the 62s. And it has a convertible soft top. HOLY CRAP! I wet myself when I saw the picture. So here they are, just another reason that I love this company.

The End is Near

The end of the semester is only 2 weeks away, and I am so ready. I only have 2 exams to take and one project left to finish. This past semester has been a horrible horrible thing. It has been the biggest workload and the most responsibility that I have ever taken in my entire life. My last 2 semesters are supposed a lot easier, and I could use it. This break will include me sleeping, opening presents, and hanging with friends, and sleeping. It will be amazing. But school is still my life until the 13th (my last exam). And after that, who knows?

What a Break

So, I had a lot of fun this weekend. I saw my Grandmary and all of my dad’s brothers. I was really great to see my dad’s family. We only get to see them for a week in the summer when we go to the beach and every other Thanksgiving. I got to see lots of cousins (7), and we really had a ball. My cousins on my dad’s side have ages that range from 5 to 30, so it is already a big group. Although the whole family wasn’t in Memphis, we still got to do a lot. In the summer we can have upwards of 40 people with us. This past weekend we went to see “Mr. Magorium’s Magic Emporium,” visit a local chocolatier, and do a little Christmas shopping. And to top it all off, I got to sleep. I haven’t slept so much in one weekend since August. That was amazing; God really blessed me with some much needed rest. These trips always show me how our family is doing. Some trips we fight the whole time, and other are like “A Very Brady Movie.” This weekend kind of showed me that we needed to be more engaging as a family and that we have spent a lot of time apart due to school. Hopefully over the holiday break we will be able to grow back together as a family and really reconnect in Christ. Keep us in your prayers.

‘Tis the Season

Happy Christmas to Clay!!

I am so ready for the break. I am going to Memphis for Thanksgiving to visit my dad’s family. My dad is from Memphis but his mom is the only one that still lives there. My dad has 3 brothers, Trip, Ross and Jimmy, and they live in Jackson, Charlotte, and Nashville respectively. It is always a lot of fun to visit my family in Memphis. My mom’s family lives in Knoxville with us so we see them weekly if not daily. I only get to see my dad’s side a couple of times a year. Family, under God, is the most important thing on this planet. I would send millions and millions of dollars if it meant that my family could be closer and healthier. And Thanksgiving is a season that allows us to truly reflect on the gift that is our family. This past summer, my dad’s family took us to Kiawah Island. Usually we spend a week in Destin, but this year was special. My Grandmary’s sister, Aunt Ellen, and her family was also there. All together, we totaled to an army of 44 people. And even though we only see each other about once every 2 years, we get along as if we see each other every day.

I love my family. After God, my family has had the greatest impact on my life hands down. I have learned how to be a great leader and man from my dad. I have learned how to be organized and responsible from my mom. I have learned hundreds of things from being the oldest of 5 kids. And the list goes on. I even love that I am from a big family. I want to have 6 kids when I have a family and that will be a key determinate for any body I pursue to be my wife. I think that having a big family has allowed me a very different perspective on the world. Where many people don’t need to think of a greater good, in my family, we didn’t always get what we wanted because somebody else needed a new pair of shoes and whatever. It’s taught me to be generous with what God has given me. I know that it is God’s stuff to begin with, so he can do what he wants with it. I can stretch the accepted beliefs of ownership to a new and humble way to show God’s love and grace. I love my family.