- Location
- Bakersfield, CA
We had a great time out in JV, and it looked like everyone else did also. I see in the "carnage" thread there are some critical comments being thrown around, so I thought I'd respond to them in another thread to not mess up that one. It also give me a chance to respond to a comment that was made before the drivers meeting, and I wanted later to find the person who made that comment so we could talk, but I most likely found him here so I can make my comment.
The comment I'm referring to was made while we were waiting for folks to gather up for the drivers meeting, and the comment was "If those elitists over there would come over we could start this meeting".
Well, there were others still walking over from around camp at that moment, and the gang he was referring to were standing around the front of Farmer Matt's jeep while he was putting power steering fluid in. Included in that group were Matt who was about to lead one of the runs that morning, and Dave Taylor and Paul Sinclair who also were about to lead a run that morning, and have led runs in previous JV events. That group also included Jes and Andy (Porch Puppy) who have led runs in previous events. Pretty much these are the guys who've led the runs every year.
I guess it needs to be said, but if the so-called "elitists" weren't willing to lead runs there couldn't be an event like this for everyone to come to and have a good time. Just because we're older, and we've been doing this for a long time, and have reached a point in our lives and careers where we can afford to spend a few bucks on our hobbie, doesn't make us "elitists". Especially when we could easily just go out there ourselves and wheel and have a good time. We put out the effort to organize a run like this, make the organizational efforts, lead the runs, cook the food, put together a raffle, etc, so everyone can have a good time and come wheel their junk.
Honestly, I'm offended by the comment and the attitude. Yes, we sold T-shirts to raise money for Team . Maybe everyone doesn't appreciate that, but they don't have to buy a shirt. In past years the raffle proceeds went to Surprise Canyon, and we've donated $7000 to them from the last three events. Also, those "elitists" also donated $5000 out of our pockets to Surprise Canyon from the last three Best of the West trips, which was a small group vacation for us elitists and our friends.
My point is that we organized and led runs, both the hard runs and the easy runs, and we had fun doing. I just don't see that as elitist or looking down our noses at the younger, lower budget crowd, or those with less built rigs or less experince.
The comment I'm referring to was made while we were waiting for folks to gather up for the drivers meeting, and the comment was "If those elitists over there would come over we could start this meeting".
nah dude it was cool, there were bottles of magic whiskey. The whiskey disappeared when you left it in camp, and left for a run in the morning. Not to mention all the elitists who look down their noses at those of us who get loud and rowdy.
I have a feeling it was because we were the younger, and maybe lower budget crowd. There was a guy there with a bitchin blue jeep, and I complimented his jeep/driving a couple times- got no response.
Well, there were others still walking over from around camp at that moment, and the gang he was referring to were standing around the front of Farmer Matt's jeep while he was putting power steering fluid in. Included in that group were Matt who was about to lead one of the runs that morning, and Dave Taylor and Paul Sinclair who also were about to lead a run that morning, and have led runs in previous JV events. That group also included Jes and Andy (Porch Puppy) who have led runs in previous events. Pretty much these are the guys who've led the runs every year.
I guess it needs to be said, but if the so-called "elitists" weren't willing to lead runs there couldn't be an event like this for everyone to come to and have a good time. Just because we're older, and we've been doing this for a long time, and have reached a point in our lives and careers where we can afford to spend a few bucks on our hobbie, doesn't make us "elitists". Especially when we could easily just go out there ourselves and wheel and have a good time. We put out the effort to organize a run like this, make the organizational efforts, lead the runs, cook the food, put together a raffle, etc, so everyone can have a good time and come wheel their junk.
Honestly, I'm offended by the comment and the attitude. Yes, we sold T-shirts to raise money for Team . Maybe everyone doesn't appreciate that, but they don't have to buy a shirt. In past years the raffle proceeds went to Surprise Canyon, and we've donated $7000 to them from the last three events. Also, those "elitists" also donated $5000 out of our pockets to Surprise Canyon from the last three Best of the West trips, which was a small group vacation for us elitists and our friends.
My point is that we organized and led runs, both the hard runs and the easy runs, and we had fun doing. I just don't see that as elitist or looking down our noses at the younger, lower budget crowd, or those with less built rigs or less experince.