| Author | Message | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5391 Registered: 8-2002 |
Martin's right, there was no playing involved, we PARTIED...! Matt - i'll be there...!  Kuzi, Chris, thank you. Kuzi, i work for an insurance brokerage. Ho-hum... | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Junior Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 208 Registered: 4-2002 |
Awesome DES, keep the stories coming. Sounds great so far.... | ||
| Kuzi (Kzma)
Member Username: Kzma Post Number: 273 Registered: 3-2003 |
Des, I'm exhausted from reading your recap of the weekend and I wasn't even there. Truley Awesome! You are truely magic with the written word.............What is it that you do? | ||
| Matt (Matt_lamotte)
Member Username: Matt_lamotte Post Number: 446 Registered: 10-2002 |
I'm glad you had a good time DES. I hope to meet you in New Orleans if you make it! Once again I'm jealous. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5192 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jim, not play we PARTIED!!! 60H to be correct. In the 4 days Thurdays to Monday I got a total sleep of 12h. Can not believe I am out of highschool for that long and still able to do that! I could have gone longer but Marion got tired and that rarely happens. Next time I will come alone . Who brings his wife to LA anyhow? | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5387 Registered: 8-2002 |
Wow, thanks everyone...! Part II will hopefully be here by the close of business today, if not tomorrow; sorry, things are really busy here and i'm a little under the weather today... i'll try and get it done today, though... | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1597 Registered: 7-2002 |
Man, I feel like an outsider watching the cool kids play.  | ||
| Aaron Williams (Aawil)
Junior Member Username: Aawil Post Number: 247 Registered: 8-2002 |
Sounds like the weekend of a lifetime DES. | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 502 Registered: 5-2002 |
...Martin, I know, but it's too late now... | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5191 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bubba you should be...you could have made it as well. Only 12h from Hong Kong you know! There are sometimes important decision you have to take in your life. This was one of them! | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 501 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks, Matt! What a good time you all had!! I am soooo jealous.... | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5992 Registered: 8-2002 |
Top pic Left to right Martin, Steve S, Julie, Byron, Marion, DES (hidden) Sunny, TomD, Me Bottom Pic Left to right Steve S, Martin, DES, Me, Byron | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 500 Registered: 5-2002 |
Awesome stuff, DES! Can't wait for part 2. Martin - Can you ID everyone in the 2 pics you put up? | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5991 Registered: 8-2002 |
left. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5188 Registered: 5-2001 |
which one of the 3 was Irma? Left, right, middle? | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5988 Registered: 8-2002 |
Ralph, Roxanne is mine, Erma was the lady Dan had the hots for. | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5987 Registered: 8-2002 |
Pat, if you can't be with the one you love, love the one your with. ahh.....Roxanne AND Danica..... Martin, there is a 90% chance I am going. If you can score a Danica sighting, I will be there!!! Can I bring Roxanne? | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5181 Registered: 5-2001 |
I am not even sure if you can get Roxanne's eyes in a picture that will do her justice. Then it could have been the Barcadi that made me look at her differently! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5180 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hey Matt, just a reminder for the invite I shot you guys to Miami, Prodrive is right behind The Olive Garden Team and if Nika does what I hope she does we may have the right person to introduce us to .... Danica! | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 490 Registered: 3-2002 |
First it was THE girl in the 7/11 Now it is RoXAANNE. You guys are just jerking our chain withOut - Pics. DEScibeing the girl is not the same as pics ! | ||
| Pat Pasqualini (Enzo)
Member Username: Enzo Post Number: 764 Registered: 2-2002 |
Man I can't wait to see some pictures of this lady if she has Matt all worked he hasn't even mentioned his favorite in a while (Danica) | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5986 Registered: 8-2002 |
ahhh.....Roxanne..... | ||
| rob guess (Beast)
Junior Member Username: Beast Post Number: 81 Registered: 5-2003 |
DES; Sounds like you had the time of your life. Just hearing the stories i am still kicking myself for not making the time to have gotten out there :-( Are you going to make it out for the USGP this year? If you guy want to try something truly STUPID FAST. Try driving a NHRA top alcohol dragster. Within 1 second of launching from the line i soiled myself, lifted off the accelerator, then jumped back on it and grenaded the motor!!!!! still tripped the lights in a 1/4 mile at 8.6 seconds with a flamming motor. Most insane ride of my life, I just wish my friend will let me try it again. | ||
| Schnelles Fr�ulein (Miss_m_treiber)
Junior Member Username: Miss_m_treiber Post Number: 102 Registered: 4-2003 |
hey DES, you left out the part about Irma and Roxanne when telling me the story!!! whats that all about?? hmmmm?? i wanna hear about the ladies! | ||
| Paul Loussia (Bumboola)
Junior Member Username: Bumboola Post Number: 124 Registered: 3-2003 |
0 to 150 in 7 seconds? Is that on two wheels or just one? You might even be able to beat Allan's Lambo with that.  | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1554 Registered: 11-2002 |
Stupid fast as in so friggin' fast you'd be stupid to take it that fast. Got to ride one for a bit and almost soiled my undies. Cheers | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 484 Registered: 3-2002 |
Milenium Falcon club membership Awesome. | ||
| G.Peters (Wfo_racer)
Junior Member Username: Wfo_racer Post Number: 155 Registered: 5-2002 |
Very cool Ralph , I see your a member. | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 483 Registered: 3-2002 |
Not stupid fast. eyeballs sucked out of your head fast..... really an unDEScribeable experience !! | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1553 Registered: 11-2002 |
David, A Hayabusa is a monster of a motorbike. It's what I like to call "stupid fast". Cheers | ||
| David R. (Rodsky)
Junior Member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 126 Registered: 3-2003 |
What is a Hayabusa? How is it so fast? | ||
| G.Peters (Wfo_racer)
Junior Member Username: Wfo_racer Post Number: 153 Registered: 5-2002 |
Des , next time your in town you have to ride my turbocharged Hayabusa. Nothing says fun like 0 to 150 in 7 seconds. Now you can see why they made a song about California girls. You should try sitting outside the Jamba Juice ( fresh fruit drinks) at the Huntington Beach pier watching the talent cruise by wearing their thongs . Damn, it don't get better than that . | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 482 Registered: 3-2002 |
DES: Good to hear you had a great time !! | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 840 Registered: 4-2003 |
Very Cool!!!!!! Vincent. | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 876 Registered: 12-2001 |
GREAT STORY!! Can't wait to hear more! | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 613 Registered: 11-2002 |
DES You are the one that is a true rock & roller/Class Act. You are always welcome to stay & visit with me anytime. Incredible writting from an even more incredible person. Can not wait for Part two. What DES Failed to mention in Part 1,is how everyone wanted to hang around him and talk with DES- it was as if people just gravitated towards him. | ||
| Red (Redhead)
Member Username: Redhead Post Number: 256 Registered: 12-2001 |
TC-- I second that. Damn Vegas the weekend before!!!! DES--Awesome writing..I anticpate hearing about the first drive!! Byron thanks for all the reminder Emails as well. | ||
| Ron (Easy_rider)
Member Username: Easy_rider Post Number: 607 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jordan, it's not a cliff hanger for me. I can't wait to read what he says about it though. | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 1549 Registered: 12-2002 |
Awesome!! You left off at a cliff hanger you bastard! I want to hear about the first drive | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 927 Registered: 10-2002 |
Matt, why don't you, me, Steve, and JL get together again at the HOB... then you can see Roxanne in person! And don't plan on a thursday night, JL! | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5965 Registered: 8-2002 |
Steve buddy, You have my e-mail, phone number and address. PLEASE!!! | ||
| Me Myself (Kid_enzoz)
Junior Member Username: Kid_enzoz Post Number: 84 Registered: 4-2003 |
Can't wait for part 2 DES!! Sounds like u had a blast! | ||
| TC (Houston) (Tec)
Junior Member Username: Tec Post Number: 129 Registered: 2-2002 |
I can honestly say this is the most I've ever wished that I had been on a trip that I read about. Sounds fantastic. Can't wait to hear the rest. | ||
| Ron (Easy_rider)
Member Username: Easy_rider Post Number: 606 Registered: 12-2002 |
Steve should be able to get a picture of Roxanne. | ||
| Ron (Easy_rider)
Member Username: Easy_rider Post Number: 605 Registered: 12-2002 |
Great writing DES. I'm glad you made it to the airport on time Sunday. I hear that drive is another story involving our local law enforcement officers. Hope you can come back soon. You are always welcome. | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5964 Registered: 8-2002 |
Tom, All I can picture is Dan and Bob doing a Ferris Beuller. Does anyone have a picture of Roxanne? I have cash | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 4166 Registered: 9-2001 |
his second drive was more eventful but I will let him tell that story. Can you say low clearance | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5962 Registered: 8-2002 |
Martin, I second that!!!! | ||
| Pat Pasqualini (Enzo)
Member Username: Enzo Post Number: 763 Registered: 2-2002 |
I knew that would get you. Make sure you read each one as it actually says something. Post the story 1st! you have me waiting to hear your first drive in a F-car. (I'm still waiting for my 1st ride ) | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5174 Registered: 5-2001 |
we need a Roxanne picture for Matt | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5385 Registered: 8-2002 |
LMAO, Pat, you're dead meat...! i have absolutely no time to fix that, either...! LOL, i'll get you, somehow... Pictures will be posted in a day or so... Posting of pictures will delay the story; posting of the story will delay the pictures... Let the people speak and i'll do whatever the majority chooses... | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5172 Registered: 5-2001 |
ROOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5171 Registered: 5-2001 |
At the Party at the House of Blues:   | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5960 Registered: 8-2002 |
http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/227687/227687.html where are the pic's!!! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5170 Registered: 5-2001 |
DES, you could have use more words to DEScribe your trip...LOL | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5384 Registered: 8-2002 |
Ok, Pat & Matt, the two of you have me scratching my sunburned head over here... What are you talking about...? | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 926 Registered: 10-2002 |
how could I miss that! Irma... and her sister in law charlene... never did make it to the spa that night - good thing, too...otherwise, the launch party would've been delayed! LOL. | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5958 Registered: 8-2002 |
Pat, I did see that. | ||
| Pat Pasqualini (Enzo)
Member Username: Enzo Post Number: 762 Registered: 2-2002 |
Des You will come across your spot in a day or so I'm sure. Let me know if you don't | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5383 Registered: 8-2002 |
Byron:
Tell her i said hello... Pat, i'm not sure what you mean...(?)
Thanks, everyone, it was easily the greatest time of my life...! i'll be back with part II, hopefully, by tomorrow. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1547 Registered: 11-2002 |
C'mon guys...where are the pics?!  Cheers | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5956 Registered: 8-2002 |
| ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5955 Registered: 8-2002 |
Byron, he didn't. She's there. Ahhh Roxanne. Yes, dark short hair, Piercing eyes, short black dress...... | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 925 Registered: 10-2002 |
Roxanne was the brunette, right? Ahhh... DES left out Irma in his story... haha | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5954 Registered: 8-2002 |
Tom, the best part was when they both realized it. Roxanne.....ahhh. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 4165 Registered: 9-2001 |
Des had the two waitresses fighting over the right to service him | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1545 Registered: 11-2002 |
Sounds like a blast DES! Awesome! Cheers | ||
| chris cummings (Entelechy)
Member Username: Entelechy Post Number: 373 Registered: 5-2001 |
Love it DES - looking forward to the next installment! Great writing :-) | ||
| Pat Pasqualini (Enzo)
Member Username: Enzo Post Number: 761 Registered: 2-2002 |
AWESOME recap DES can't wait for part II. Pat Oh by the way I took care of your secret spot for you while you were gone | ||
| Andrew-Phillip Goalen (Andrewg)
Junior Member Username: Andrewg Post Number: 166 Registered: 9-2002 |
 Where's part 2!, Sounds like the start of a good movie | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5950 Registered: 8-2002 |
ROXANNE! I LOVE HER! I was ready to break a commandment or two. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5382 Registered: 8-2002 |
Note to the readers: Sorry this is broken into parts; Matt suggested i put everything into one post, but there's just too much to tell. i'll try to have Part II up by tomorrow; things have been very busy in the office since i returned - i guess no one did anything on Friday while i was out. i'm glad to hear everyone made it back to there respective homes ok. Thanks again, everyone, i had the... well... just read the story. _____________________________________________________________________________ Um... Go get a cup of coffee or something... you'll be here a while. i met a lot of people this weekend. A lot of very awesome people. If any of them play guitar, they didn't make it known; i didn't see any drum sets at any of the various houses i was in; and i didn't hear anyone singing any tunes during the course of the weekend... Still, that didn't stop the SoCal crew from partying like ROCK STARS...! We drive and drive often...? Forget that crap, the mission statement should read: We are the envy of Mick Jagger...! There's so much to tell, so i'll spare the bullshhh details about JFK and get straight to the rockstar life i lived as soon as i landed... Friday JEAN-LOUIS The flight from JFK to Long Beach was very long and overdrawn due to a sickening level of anticipation; i swear i think i had enough energy to just jump out of the plane and flail my arms really hard and fly there on my own, faster than that silly Boeing 757... Landing in Long Beach, the sun was still up, the people were happy, the scenery was palmy and an almost exact opposite of the concrete jungle i'm used to, here... i was looking at something like 16 hours of daylight at this point, but i didn't care; i knew i was in for the time of my life. After i got off the plane, a quick call to Jean-Louis guided me to the front of this very tiny airport... i walked out, called him again to let him know i was out front and before we could hang up, i heard the first of some very sweet sounds... i heard him coming before i saw him, but when his blue 348 came into view, top down, the full picture of the treat i was in for, was plain as day... He pulled up, right in front, for all the world to see; he got out, we shook hands and chatted for a moment as we placed my suitcase in his trunk - you know, the one in the front. Very hospitable, extremely laid back and easy to talk to, Jean Louis instantly became one of the nicest people i've EVER met in my entire life; i feel very fortunate to have met him - but yeah, whatever, enough about that crap, let's talk about his car...! After getting into the car, we slowly rolled out of the airport with all eyes on us... Getting out onto the street, JL hit the gas a bit getting us to the freeway... Wow... This car has power - at least that's what i thought - until he actually got into it a little later...! We talked about various things as drove down the freeway and JL was nice enough to point out different places as we passed them, getting me familiar with the area and my surroundings... Even for a Friday evening, traffic was light - maybe that's how it is in California, i don't know, but there was ample room for JL to get on the car - and get on it, he did...! When things opened up, we blasted down the freeway, top down, warm California air blowing around us as we cruised. i've never been in a 348 and i've never been in a Ferrari spider, so this was my first time for both and it was AWESOME...! JL has a signature shift when going from 1st to 2nd when he's pushing the car... There's a definitive pause in that exchange of gears and when he releases the clutch and hits the gas, the car punches hard and you're propelled past everything that was, only moments ago, in front of you... This isn't a problem in shifting as his 1st to 2nd transitions are smooth and quick while tooling around the streets... Whether he does it consciously or not, it has a dramatic effect, complete with some incredible exhaust notes that really enhances the already-very intense ride... We rode around for over an hour; JL took me to 4 different dealerships, throughout Beverly Hills and the local area... We saw some really intense cars... A Bugatti EB110 - a blue one, just like the 1:18 model i've had for some 5+ years now... Actually seeing a real one, in the flesh, was very cool... We also saw a 1999 Orange Diablo Roadster - the only one from that year, in that color of its kind... We both agreed that it's a gorgeous car and can't understand why it hasn't been purchased... 2 XJ220s, 3 Diablo GTs, a Murcielago, a Countach, a Diablo 6.0 - the first one i've ever seen in person - a few other Diablos and Diablo Roadsters, a bunch of 360s, 550s, a 550 Barchetta, a few 456s, 355s, 348s, an Aston Martin, a few Carerras - and this was all in the windows of 4 dealerships...! Very intense... The experience was a bit overwhelming and i had to remind myself just to breathe, so remembering to take pictures at that point was out of the question... Sorry. Although i knew we were on a time schedule, JL made no bones about taking our time so i could check out all these really awesome cars... Driving around with him, checking out the sites and just chatting above the gentle noise of the wind as we cruised in his topless 348 was awesome; JL, i can't thank you enough for picking me up, showing me around and everything else you did for me this weekend, i really appreciate it. You, my friend, are the real class act. Thank you. BYRON & SUNNY After hitting the dealerships, JL and i went back to his apartment where we met up with his beautiful girlfriend, Julia... Julia looked as if she jumped right out of one of the magazines JL had laying on the couch as she was definite model material; not only that, but she was a pleasure to talk to, throughout the entire night... That coupled with JLs apartment was a clear and direct indication that i was hanging out with THE MAN...! JL has great taste in artwork, which adorns an already beautiful apartment; the electronic curtains open up to reveal a sliding glass door in the middle of two wall-to-ceiling glass windows - the glass door, of course, opens to give access to the terrace... 20 floors above the ground, i stood on the terrace and looked out over LA... It was very intense... JL fixed up some cocktails for me, Julia and himself, only to make two more for Byron and Sunny, who arrived only minutes after we did. Byron and Sunny came strolling in through the apartment, exchanging 'what's-ups' with JL & Julia... Byron & Sunny were equally as well dressed as JL and it was quickly obvious to me that i these three were the long lost, grown up kids of Hugh Hefner... After finally putting faces to names and being introduced, we had no trouble conversating... Byron & Sunny were so easy to talk to, like we had been hanging out for years... There were no uncomfortable silent moments or hesitations in conversations... These two were very cool cucumbers and that just made my night that much more relaxing... It was soon after that i learned that Sunny would give anyone the shirt off his back; he's so totally altruistic and willing to help anyone out, in any way he can... It's no wonder he hangs out with Matt, JL & Byron - you know what they say, birds of a feather... It was long after that i also found out that Byron has 6 billion people on speed dial, on his cell phone. Yup... that's right... He knows EVERYONE on the planet. If you have a phone number or an email address, Byron has it. He's like a human phone book and if you exist, he knows you; he's also responsible for making a very surreal Saturday night a reality. Thanks Byron. After hanging out in JL's apartment for a while, drinking cocktails and discussing the following day's events, some phone calls were exchanged and we were headed out the door, on our way to The House of Blues... JL & Julia rode in the 348 and Sunny, Byron and i slipped like agents, into Sunny's black XJ6... After riding in it several times throughout the weekend, i'm pretty sure that he stole it from the Men In Black; the car has more power than i knew Jaguars had and he drove it in ways that physics says are impossible. He, himself was probably an MIB at one point in his life, 'cause they don't teach you to drive like that at the DMV... STEVE SCHWARTZ Not too long after leaving JL's apartment, we arrived at The House of Blues where, once inside, we met up with one of the coolest people i've ever met. Very vibrant and full of life, easy to talk to and incredibly hospitable, Steve Schwartz was responsible for making that incredible night possible. Steve, i can't thank you enough, i had an awesome time and i really appreciate everything. Steve was gracious enough to pull himself away from his friends and give all of us a tour of The House of Blues - this place was awesome...! Steve was constantly smiling, had no problem answering questions and showed us some very interesting things... Not too much longer, the orders from the bar were well under way as we all mingled with people Steve knew and the other chatters who slowly trickled in... Martin and his beautiful wife arrived soon after. Martin had me laughing the entire weekend, constantly cracking jokes... We took a couple of cheap shots at him about his rental car, but i didn't want to take many... He sounds just like 'Arnold' and isn't too far off in height and build. Not too long after, Tom made it and soon we were all a big group, hanging out, talking and drinking. Jasmine & Roxanne were the two waitresses who probably heard more from me than anyone else in that whole place. After 4 or 5, i lost count of how many glasses of wine i had that night... There were two other gentlemen there - friends of Steve; they were with their respective girlfriend/wife and all were very pleasant to chat with... My bad memory and the amount of alcohol i consumed won't allow me to recall their names, but they were very nice and we had a great chat; they also showed up on Saturday. MATT - THE DON Sunny and i hung out on the terrace/balcony thing out front, smoking and talking... "Where's Matt...?" i asked, eagerly waiting to meet the man who made this whole weekend possible. Sunny paged him and Matt soon returned the call... "I'll be there in 15 minutes..." he said, breaking up over the connection... Ok, i said, hanging up, anxiously awaiting his arrival... It was closer to an hour when he finally got there - or at least it felt like it... Someone called Sunny from inside and told him Matt was here and we rushed to the stairs in the back, overlooking the parking lot, hoping to see him... No where in sight... He was already by the bar, talking to Steve & Martin and everyone else... A t-shirt, jeans, sneakers and the California smile i was seeing all over the place welcomed me when i finally saw him... He was an icon cloaked in casual wear... Infamous & notorious in the Ferrari community, he was a hero; a role model... The guy who drives his Ferrari every single day... The guy who doesn't take •••• from anyone, over anything, and at the same time is very laid back and has been very cordial for months since inviting me out to California... i was in the presence of greatness. "Hey, Dan, you wanna go check out my car...? It's down stairs..." i didn't even have to ask. He knew right away that i wanted to see it and had no problem showing it to me... We DEScended several flights of stairs, emerging into the parking lot... My eyes flickered about the parked cars, searching for a grey 1977 Ferrari 308 GTS... BAM! Slightly off to the right, there it was... The moon and parking lot lights scattered themselves along the lines of the body and they slowly moved as we got closer and closer... The just-detailed car was gorgeous, complimented with a red interior... Matt opened the door, allowing me to sit in it... Whoa... i couldn't believe i was actually sitting in the Matt Mobile... Matt popped the hood - you know, the one in the back - and showed me the engine... We talked for a few minutes then went back upstairs... Soon, everyone was hanging out; Ron Shirley showed up and we were all scattered about in different rooms... At one point, Matt, Martin, Marion, Steve and i were all hanging out in a room, chatting with three beautiful women... Of which, only one whose name i can recall... Irma... She was very easy to talk to and we talked for a while... but i digress. Closing time was around 2 - and i quickly ordered one more glass of wine... i sucked it down right as we were about to leave; DEStination: Fatburger. i was fortunate enough to score a ride with Steve Schwartz in his red 355 spider... Top down, we cruised through the nightlife streets at 2AM; a caravan of cars, headed to get burgers... No freeway to blast down, but Steve still let loose in the car, providing a rich experience, full of what Ferraris are capable of... When you're in a Ferrari, you don't turn to go with the road, the road turns for you, to accomodate you; at least that's how it felt, i had a lot to drink. Steve, thanks a lot for the ride, it was awesome...! RON SHIRLEY Once we got to Fatburger, we placed our orders and sat down... i was craving a cigarette and decided to go outside. Once out on the sidewalk, i lit up and staggered in the middle of the street, ogling the three Ferraris before. Intense... Very intense... i couldn't stop smiling... When i finished, i went back inside, where Ron helped prop me up in my seat so i could pretend i wasn't totally bombed and try to eat... Someone - i can't remember who - told me i should order a Double King; that's what i did... LOL, i could barely lift the burger, let alone eat it...! i managed some of it, though, and it was great... the fries were good, too... Once we were ready to go, Ron grabbed my suit case from JL's car and carried it to his; i offered to carry it - after all, why should he have to carry my luggage - but he insisted and found room for it in his trunk. Good, too, 'cause i don't think i could've carried it, LOL...! i don't remember how long the ride was back to Ron's house, because i fell asleep, LITERALLY, in the middle of our conversation... Rude, yes, and i felt bad about it, but Ron didn't mind; he knew i was gone... Upon our arrival, he woke me up and told me we were there. Sitting in the garage, i fumbled a bit but figured out how to get out of his car... We weren't alone, though, 'cause at the other end was his Ferrari; a Mondial 3.2 convertible... It was gorgeous, especially with the wheels he has on it... i checked it out for a minute, then followed him in his house. Holy crap...! What a house...! As we walked in, i looked up and though, 'oh, man, they forgot to put a ceiling in here!' but it was higher than i could see... Up the stairs we went; at the top, i got the best view of his living room, decorated with beautiful artwork and sculptures... We made our way to the guest room, where Ron dropped of my suit case, turned down the bed and asked if i wanted him to show me how to use the television; i laughed. Thanks, but no thanks, i'll be going straight to sleep... ...and that, i did. i collapsed onto the bed and looked at the lamp, which was turned on. i was far too out of it to get up and turn it off, so i tried to think it off, but to no avail and fell right asleep. Saturday i woke up Saturday morning around 9... Daylight cascaded through the blinds on the window... i wanted to see what time it was, so i slowly oozed out of bed and stood up to get my phone; i was still dizzy from the night before, but without a headache... i checked the time and my messages and crawled back onto the bed, falling asleep, once again. An hour and a half later, i heard Ron calling my name from a few feet away... "Dan... Dan... it's time to get up..." i slowly regained consciousness and sat up... Ron and i briefly discussed the morning's itinerary, then i took a shower and dressed. i grabbed my suit case and made my way down stairs, once again getting a great view of the living room and the rest of the first floor... A truly beautiful home, i thought... i reached the landing and heard a television in another room... i didn't see Ron or his wife, so i took a moment to admire the artwork throughout the room... i eventually found Ron in another room and he showed me around. The back yard was beautiful with a pool joined by two waterfalls... Back inside, he showed me each room - there were a lot of rooms...! Then out to the front, to see the beautiful landscaping. Ron's wife, Sumei gives everything in and outside of the house special attention; he garden was very exotic with flowers and plants i'd never seen before. Inside, a glass of orange juice accompanied by pleasant conversation ensued for about ten minutes before Ron and i left to go get breakfast; we decided on the way, though, to just wait until we got to the launch to eat. i stood in the driveway, anxiously waiting for Ron to back out his Mondial... He started it up and the engine came to life; the bright sun shone down on me, glaring off my huge grin as exhaust notes floated out of the garage, followed by Ron in the Mondial... Once he pulled out, i got in and off we went, waving farewell to his lovely wife as we rode down the block. Whoa... Here's a car i've seen a few times but never even had a chance to sit in, let alone ride in...! Ron and i talked about the local area, the scenery and the car... It was awesome, riding around gorgeous California with the top down... Maybe it's just me, but California seems cleaner than NY... i didn't notice any difference in the air, but maybe that's 'cause i was too captivated by the palm trees and my THIRD RIDE IN A FERRARI SPIDER IN THE LAST 12 HOURS...!!! Then Ron spoke what was music to my ears: "After i get 'er warmed up a bit, i'll pull over and let you have the controls..." WHOOOOOOO...! i was gonna drive a Ferrari...!!! i watched Ron shift from 1st to 3rd, waiting for the oil to get warm... i was so excited... i couldn't believe i was gonna drive a Ferrari...! Cruising down one of the main streets, my anticipation doubled, then doubled again, and again as he slowed down for no reason... 'He's gonna turn! He's gonna turn!!!' i thought... He turned. He drove down a side street, turned onto another and parked the car. 'i'm gonna drive it! i'm gonna drive it!!!' i thought... Ron shut off the car... "You ready...?" he asked... Oh, yeah... i was ready... i've only been waiting for this moment for the last 24 years...!!! He opened his door, which was the cue for me to open mine... We got out and walked around the back of the car; he jumped in the passenger's seat and i stood just outside the open driver's side, looking down at what i've waited for my entire life; the chance to drive a Ferrari... |