12: Arizona and the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction

12: Attend the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, AZ: CHECK I've been watching this on the SPEED Channel ever year since I was 16. It's so awesome to see all those rare and classic cars all in one spot going to the highest bidder. The added bonus of completing this one is the fact my Grandparent's are always in Phoenix/Scottsdale every January when this happens.

       I ended up being able to check this off my list by shear luck. My Grandma on my mom's side mentioned on Thanksgiving of 2012 that she had a Free Ticket on Southwest that she wasn't going to use. She had said it expired on January 22 and she didn't want it to be wasted. I immediately thought it would be a great chance to get out to Phoenix though I wanted the rest of the family to have a chance at it since I really didn't need to make the impromptu trip out. When I found out that no one else in the family wanted it I jumped at the chance. I had originally thought that it would just be a one-way ticket but when my Grandma and I called to book the flight we found out it was round trip. When all was said and done I was getting to go to Phoenix for just the $5 government fee and my Grandma picked that up for me while putting her closer to earning another free ticket. I then talked to my other Grandparents who would be in Scottsdale, AZ to see if it would be ok if I crashed where they were staying for a few days. When they got the ok from the Billie the condo owner everything was set to cross this off my list... 

      On January 17th 2012 I flew into Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport. I spent 4 days in the warmth and sunshine of Phoenix/Scottsdale. The first day my Granpa took me to Papago Park where we went to check out Hole in the Rock.

Papago Park

The View from the Hole in the Rock, Papago Park, AZ

       The next day My Grandparent's, Billie (Their Friend and my host for the Trip), and I took a day trip to Jerome and Sedona. It was very interesting getting to see the desert landscape. It was also pretty interesting to change elevations so quickly and see when we got above the "tree line" where the cacti quit growing. We did a driving tour of Jerome and then we headed to Sedona. We spent a few hours checking out the touristy stuff in Sedona. I got to drive back through the mountains most of the way back the condo.

 

On the way to Sedona, AZ

The view from a rest stop between Sedona and Scottsdale

        On Thursday, January, 19th My Granpa and I made our way to West World. That's the name of the area they hold the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction. We parked about a mile away from the place and had to ride huge charter buses to get to the Tent City where they hold the Auction. I was amazed at how much space they have and how many cars there were to be seen. We walked for 4 hours straight and saw almost every car there was to see. We caught a little bit of the daytime un-televised part of the Auction. It was crazy to finally get to see this place live. I've been watching this auction on TV since I was 16 and it was cool to finally get to see all that is involved.

Barrett-Jackson Auction Block Live

Afternoon Sun / Happy Hour

Overall it was a Great Trip. I got to see a lot of really cool cars and some awe inspiring scenery. It was definitely something worth seeing. 

Better Late than Never Update...

1. Drive Route 66...
2. Take the Empire Builder Train Across the US...
3. Take my Truck on the Power Tour...
4. See the Memphis Belle again...
5. Get a Tattoo...
6. Ride in a Helicopter...
7. Make a Music Video...
8. See the Field of Dreams Field CHECK
9. Attend the Road Rocket Rumble CHECK
10. Learn to Weld
11. Lose 50 lbs
    
12. Attend the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, AZ: CHECK
13. Complete My Tour of Big Ten Stadiums
14. Exercise the Rights Given to me by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States: CHECK
15. Actively Seek out New Employment
16. See the Sun Set at Mallory Square in Key West: CHECK

14: Exercise the Rights Given to me by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States:

1. 14: Exercise the Rights Given to me by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States: CHECK
   
   On October 30th 2011 I purchased my first firearm. I bought it at an Estate Sale that was run by my Uncle's Bill and Kenny. I ended up with a Marlin Model 60. I purchased a Scope and Bi-pod for it and couldn't wait to shoot it.
   
   There is something to be said about exercising my right to bear arms. It definitely makes you think about all the people who fought and died to give us the rights that we cherish today. I thank them. I am very glad that I can finally cross another one off the list. :-)

8: See the Field of Dreams Field

8: See the Field of Dreams Field: CHECK

On Friday June, 23th 2011 I road tripped to Iowa. The next day my friend Jake and I drove from to Dyersville, IA. Where I completed #8 on my 15ish things I wanted to do before I turned 30. I got to see the Field of Dreams Field/Moive Site. I love watching the movie Field of Dreams. It's one of very few movies I could watch over and over and over again and never get tired of watching.

James Earl Jones' monologue from the movie adequately describes my urge to make this stop one of my Before 30 Bucket list... "Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come."

The Lansing family who owns the property takes very good care of the field and the property. I had heard rumors that it was a little run down which I happily found is not the case. I took a few pictures while there and have posted them on Facebook where most people can see them. My only regret about seeing the field on that day was that the corn was only about a foot tall. It didn't make for very good Ghost Player reenactments... :-/ It was still awesome to be playing catch in the outfield and watching other people from all over the US enjoying the field too. I picked up the obligatory souvenir t-shirt and bumper sticker. It was once again proved it's a small world when the lady running the Souvenir stand saw my Purdue shirt and told me her daughter lives in Dyer, Indiana...

This was only one small portion of my trip to Iowa but it felt good to finally check another thing off my list.

Go Here for Pics...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100650227580648.2974625.13701831&l=58aa179a0d

9. Attend the Road Rocket Rumble

9: Road Rocket Rumble 2010: CHECK

I officially started checking things off my list this past weekend. Saturday, the day before my 26th birthday, I decided to head down to Indy to Check out the Road Rocket Rumble... The Road Rocket Rumble is a pre 1965 traditional hot rod and custom show hosted by the Road Rockets Car Club of Indianapolis, Indiana. I got to see hundreds of Cars and Trucks from Originals, to Hot Rods, to Customs, to Rat Rods. I'm a huge car nut so I can appreciate anything and everything Car related. The twist to this show is that it's supposed to be for Pre-64 cars and trucks... I did notice a few slightly newer vehicles made it in but there were no Honda's or Toyota's... For that matter there were no Camaro's or Mustangs either... which is refreshing for someone who frequents car shows. I really liked the show because it's the only one in the area where people show up and represent the Kustom Kulture. "Kustom Kulture is is an American neologism used to describe the artworks, vehicles, hairstyles, and fashions of those who drove and built custom cars and motorcycles in the United States of America from the 1950s through today." as described by Wikipedia... Is also "usually identified with the greasers of the 1950s, the drag racers of the 1960s, and the lowriders of the 1970s. Other subcultures that have had an influence on Kustom Kulture are the Skinheads, mods and rockers of the 1960s, the punk rockers of the 1970s, the metal and rockabilly music, along with the scooterboys of the 1980s, and psychobilly of the 1990s." I don't normally get into dressing up in costume but this seems different to me... More of a recreation of an era that I feel I should have been a part of. Either way it was pretty cool to see the retro fashions with guys sporting the slicked back pompadours, jeans, wallet chains and Pin Up Girls in Pencil Skirts... It's something you would see more out in California and not expect to see here in the heart of the Midwest. I had an awesome time at this show and plan on going every Summer if I get the Chance...

Here are some of the pictures of the show that I got with my Camera and iPhone: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100106864055508.2714426.13701831&l=53b0870cc3

And more pictures can be seen here: http://www.indyroadrockets.com/photo_album.html

And we're off....

Sooooo... June 27, 2010. I turned 26 yesterday. Time to set this whole thing in motion... I still don't have 30 things on the list yet... but that doesn't mean I can't start Checking them off...

1. Drive Route 66...
2. Take the Empire Builder Train Across the US...
3. Take my Truck on the Power Tour...
4. See the Memphis Belle again...
5. Get a Tattoo...
6. Ride in a Helicopter...
7. Make a Music Video...
8. See the Field of Dreams Field CHECK
9. Attend the Road Rocket Rumble CHECK
10. Learn to Weld: I like to work on cars... some day I'd like to build or restore a car and to do that I'm going to need to know how to weld. I don't think it's that hard... its just the fact I need to dedicate some time to it... Plus my dad already own a decent welder so I'd have all the tools I needed... :-)
11. Lose 50 lbs: I was trying to keep something like this off the list... I don't know why though... So I'm putting it on here. I'm going to actively try over the next 4 years to be healthier and more active... I know I can lose the weight... it's just a matter of sticking too it.
    
12. Attend the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, AZ: I've been watching this on the SPEED Channel ever year since I was 16. It's so awesome to see all those rare and classic cars all in one spot going to the highest bidder. The added bonus of completing this one is the fact my Grandparent's are always in Phoenix/Scottsdale every January when this happens... So I'd have people to see and a place to stay
13. Complete My Tour of Big Ten Stadiums: While in College I had the privilege of getting to go see Football Games in 9 of the 11 Big 10 Stadiums. The two I haven't seen are The Horseshoe at Ohio State and the Quiet House up in Michigan. Since I graduated though Minnesota built a new Stadium so I'm going to put that back on the list... And with Nebraska entering the Big 10?11?12?13?14? I'll be adding them and any of the other new comers to the list too.
14. Exercise the Rights Given to me by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States: CHECK To put it plain and simple... I'd like to own a gun or two. I am a responsible person and understand gun and fire arm safety. I'd like to own a Rifle, a Pistol, and Shotgun. Being the History buff that I am I'd like to own weapons that were used in WWII. An M1 Garand, a 1903 Springfield, a Lee Enfield No.IV Mk.I, a Mosin-Nagant M1891/30, a Thompson M1A1, and a Colt 1911 are all on the list of guns I'd like to own... It would be owning a piece of history. I would also be happy with a Marlin Model 60SN which is way more affordable for Target/Varmint Shooting and a Remington 870 Marine Magnum for Trap and Skeet Shooting
15. Actively Seek out New Employment: It's become blatantly obvious that I am not happy with my job. It's not that I'm unhappy with what I'm doing... I love working on A/V Equipment... It's more that I'm not happy with the way Purdue treats it's employees and how the department I am in manages it's people and how they make decisions. I'm sure that I'll experience these problems elsewhere... but at least they would be new to me...
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A few more additions...

1. Drive Route 66...
   
2. Take the Empire Builder Train Across the US...
   
3. Take my Truck on the Power Tour...
   
4. See the Memphis Belle again...
   
5. Get a Tattoo...
   
6. Ride in a Helicopter...
   
7. Make a Music Video...
   
   
8. See the Field of Dreams Field: The Field still exists in Dyersville, Iowa. I love the movie and would love to see where it was filmed... Supposedly they still have baseball games on the field in the summer (EDIT: I just read that the Semi-Pro team that used to dress up like the Old Players Retired in 2007 Bummer...) Still this one doesn't seem too terribly difficult to accomplish. There are some factors that would be involved though... I'd want to go when the corn is tall like it was in the movie... Another bonus to this one is that my buddy from High School Jake Zoss lives about an hour and a 1/2 from the field and always likes to have the guys out to visit... I'm sure he gets tired of driving to Lafayette to see us...
   
   
9. Attend the Road Rocket Rumble: The Road Rocket Rumble is a Car Show down in Indy that brings in over 600 Rat Rods, Hot Rods, Pre-1963 Classic Cars. The show spans 3 days and includes the Car Show, A Burlesque Show, A Pin-Up Contest, and Around 12 Rock-a-billy Bands... A lot of the participants dress up in the period correct clothing... Not a day goes by where I don't feel like I was born in the wrong era... I hope that one day someone invents a time machine and I can go back and experience the 40's and the 50's... I would give anything to experience what it was like to live through WWII and the changes that went through the Car world back then...