***NOTE***
As you will see I wrote this on January 6th as I was watching the events unfold in Washington DC at the Capitol. I as I am sure many of you was confused, concerned, furious and saddened knowing I was watching yet another tragic moment that would be marked in history. Yet another black eye for a country I love so much. I genuinely thought it had been published. when I came across it this morning, I almost deleted it thinking better to let sleeping dogs lay. I am glad I didn't, when I re read it today, I decided with everything going on it was just as relevant now as it was then. As always I dont care about your politics dont bother to express them. What I do care about is my family, my countryman and you folks. The ones that share my love for all things transportation with a bit of flair built with heart.
As I am writing this today it's January 6th and I am watching with a heavy heart my Countries Capitol is being mobbed. For the first time in my Countries history the election is being contested and... fuck man its not going well. I pray no-one gets killed and shit doesnt get worse. Don't worry I am not about to change my stance on politics not being allowed on The Lowered. I am simply setting the stage for what I am seeing as this day unfolds. No ladies and gentleman The Lowered is and will remain a Politics free space. I won't allow the far left or Far right bullshittery to ruin not one more thing in my life let alone something I have built and love so much. Nope that shits not gonna happen, not ever. But the state of things here in the US the way I am seeing my fellow citizens be divided and played against each other, well it makes me glad I am a car guy all the more.
Sure car guys have differences and sadly even amongst us there's an asshole or two. No group is immune. But car guys help each other. We see an enthusiast built car on the side of the road it doesn't matter what mark or manufacture, we pull over to see if they are ok and help if we can. I wish the rest of our country could rediscover the empathy and solidarity this community exhibits with such regularity. I have gone into some dangerous and incredibly sketchy neighborhoods others just wouldn't. Not just in the US but in Thailand, Singapore and Mexico. In every case even with the language barrier a few times with a gun or knife pulled in challenge as soon as my cell was out and I showed pics of my own cars then pointed at theirs. Expressing obvious wonder and interest, guards were dropped, weapons put away and it was smiles and mutual appreciation all around. I have been welcomed into garages and homes of strangers with open arms once my intent of appreciation and wonder was made clear. Admittedly bringing some cold beers doesn't hurt either. Yeah man, being a car guy is like having an internationally accepted secret handshake or passport to good times and like minded people.
Best of all we all know the score, we all know what our cars faults are and embrace them. No-one laughs at a Harley or VW leaking oil harder than its owner. Ford guys all know how much more expensive our junk is to build than everyone else's (domestic of course). Dodge guys know they're weird and we still love em and chevy guys... well they know they've got the world by the short and curlies. Cheap and plentiful parts and reliable horsepower at practically any local boneyard in the form of an LS. The import guys are the same, Mitsubishi guys talk shit about Subaru guys who talk shit about Nissan guys who talk shit about Honda guys who know in their hearts they are far superior to everyone else. While Toyota guys wonder why everyone else is always working on their cars. Jokes aside we don't pretend, we can't the numbers and stats are really available in black and white, no matter your chosen mark recall stats are available to us all and no mark is immune from them. Not even Toyota. A shrug, a mile and ehhh what can you do are all the explanation any of us need. The heart wants what it wants and as long as you put your blood sweat and tears into it I, like I hope most or you are gonna be down to check that other guys ride out and hear the story.
Yup today especially I am grateful for this community and all of us in it. Car folks are the best and I am not only proud to be one of you but I look forward too meeting more of you when shows come back! God willing none of these assholes get killed on either side, this virus runs its coarse with minimal casualties and we can get back to living our lives sooner rather than later.
As always I hope all of you are safe, surrounded by family, friends and plenty and ill keep posting that good good Custom lovin. Hopefully it will be a bright spot, a tiny bit of positivity and hope, no matter how small to help us all make it through the day.
James
The Lowered HMFIC
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