It has been awhile. Every time that I would start to write, I would get distracted so my apologies. It has been a *very* interesting 2009 and that is part of the lull as I handled a few matters.
Isn't it almost amusing how things we get really upset about when in the moment often turn out to be blessings in disguise or insignificant in the greater scheme of things? This has been tough for me to finally realize because I am naturally a problem-solver so I like to fix things (people included) and take everyone and everything at face value. In today's world, I know that is a recipe for disaster and I've learned quite a bit about liars, posers and tools. Oh yes! I don't understand deceit and building a Potemkin's village (history nerd's version for saying "facades") because it takes so much effort; but, in the end, things always come full circle. So, accepting that and letting go to free myself from a burden that isn't my cross to bear was a challenge but a HUGE reward.
After I did that, other things started falling into place. There have been positive strides on the home front as I am moving in the near future, with the projects I am working on, and in the professional sphere. I will continue to be involved in motorsports with select projects (even more so than in the past) but my priorities are outside of that arena. I left the world of academia to pay medical bills so that's what led me to NC and from there I was just caught up in the hustle and competition. The next thing I knew, it was years later and I was tired of BS, being used and not feeling that total sense of reward. This new phase will be a process because of some red tape but I am very excited about how things have progressed already and know the best is yet to come.
So... I often just say "things are busy" and go MIA for a bit but that's the story. It's all good but now things have settled in and I'm back in the saddle so that should be enough to scare some folks out there. :)
Besides that and the more mundane work that I do, we had an exciting few weeks getting the new JoshRichards.com online and the response has been remarkable. The new site went live just in time for his NASCAR Camping World East debut at Greenville Pickens Speedway. We kept things rather quiet because it was Josh's first race in these cars, with the Ken Schrader Racing team and at this track so we didn't want to que the spotlight for this event. He qualified a respectable 17th and sacrificed a bit of speed because it was a post-qualifying impound race. After the leaders bottled up on the first lap and caused a bit ruckus, we were all holding our breath on how long the night would last for the No. 52 team. They pulled a fender out and Josh restarted 3rd from the back and worked his way all of the way to fourth place. He did a fantastic job! With his World of Outlaws' commitments taking top priority, we are limited on how many events we can participate in but everyone is actively looking for funding so we can hopefully improve on that finish!
Well, that's catching everything up on this end. Next time, I will have a specific feature post. Until then, enjoy the races!
~Michelle
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Michelle,
I just have to say that I really like what you done with Josh's site. The only thing missing is an rss feed for news page.
I also like the fact that you've convinced Josh to blog. I look forward to reading both yours and his for a long time.
John,
Thanks for the kind words and feedback. Josh will do a great job blogging once he feels comfortable with it. It is just a strange feeling knowing what to write about, what people may be interested in knowing, etc.
The RSS feed isn't missing but that is just something standard with these XML templated websites that are snap-together lego-like things. Josh's site is HTML driven so it's coded news I have to go in and add. Perk is more control over the site look and feel, downfall is something like that although I have the tendency to turn off RSS and blogrolls. :)
Thanks again and enjoy the races,
~Michelle