Feeling Depressed :(
 

Need some words of encouragement.. Just finished putting my Grandma to rest... Feeling overwhelmed with work, and my project.. My little 78 vert.. which I haven't had a chance to work on for a little while... I have recently rebuilt my calipers off a 944, but that is about it... Do you all get down on the lack of progress on your projects.. I had waited 5 years to get a hold of this car while I was serving in the Marines.. Now that I have it, I can't seem to fulfill my greates dream, of having my own bug..
Sometimes I feel like scapping the project since I know it is going to cost so much and redirecting it to my daily driver (Subie). I knew I was in it for the long haul but with out any friends in the area to lend support it gets rough.. My golden retriever can only do so much.. :) Felt like blowing some steam as I sit here fustrated on the lack of work or $ that I can throw at my little baby vert..
Thanks
Alex

Alex

I'm sorry about your grandma. It is very hard to day goodbye to someone you care so much about. I always find comfort, though, knowing that they are looking down, proud of whatever I do. Sometimes, that is from being a good parent to the kids, being a good husband, or even taking pride in the skills you have earned building your car. It may seem trivial in the scheme of life, but everyone has a passion, and your loved ones DO take joy in seeing you pursue something. I'm sure your Grandma is proud that you have found that passion and continue to work towards finishing.

While I haven't lost anyone that close to me, I know exactly how you feel when the project isn't going so well. I spent four years in the Air Force, and it seemed my project was standing still. I had a friend where I was stationed who got into VWs because his dad owned a shop back at home, so he supported me and helped me when he could. When I separated, joined the Guard and started college, things picked up, but I still wasn't happy with my progress. Even with my limited income, I am not keeping track of the money I spend, because in my heart, I need to finish.

A wise friend once said, "It's only money, you'll make more." Since then, I do what makes me happy when it comes to money. You never know when that day will come when the money can do no good. If you live comfortably now, and can still afford to do some work on the ol' car, consider yourself lucky, and don't give up the dream. I, for one, am always anxious to see someones finished product, and look forward to seeing yours. Good luck.

And thank you for serving this great country.

Re: Feeling Depressed :(
 

Sorry to hear that, my Grand-Maw is 86 and we are doing everything to take care of her so she don't have to go into a nursing home. At 86 she still lives alone and still cooks and cleans for herself, I hope I will be able to do the same.

I too did a tour (Navy) that put my project off for 4 years and there were times that I didn't have the drive to do it but I promised myself at 14 that I would do this project no matter what. It is now 18 years later and I am very close but not there yet... almost like a tease and as you said it's frustrating.

Sometimes it's hard to comprehend that behind every screen name and post on this forum is a real person with real feelings a real family and real life that oh so includes the real problems.

Do what you have to to get by but DO NOT QUIT!!!

Alex, hang in there brother. I know its tough just losing a family member. My Grandma passed away while I was in the Navy, and of course I was out to sea.
My project began when I was 14 also and 13 years later I'm still a long way away from completing it, but now I got an extremely clear vision and I know exactly what I want to do. I might not be working on it as much as I want to, or spending as much as I want to but I am always thinking about my project and one day it will be complete. I'm rambling, peace!

Nick

Wow Ninja I didn't know that and we have a lot in common except it was my Step Father that died.

Humm, 3 salty dawgs here... any more?

Guys,
Thanks for those warm words of kindness..
I will try to keep my head up, and stay focused.. It will be a long road to the finish... But once you get there the satisfaction must be great..
Thanks again, and see you all at the finish line.. Whenever that is :)
Alex

Another "salty dog"...
 

Sorry to hear about your grandmothers death, I did a bruial at sea for my 96 yr. old grandmother a couple of years ago.

I've been in the Coast Guard for 26 years and have 2 more to go before I bag it. My GL has been in the works for 3 years now, it does get frustrating when I don't see much progress. My wife is pissed too... As an E9, I make pretty good $$ but with a wife and 2 teenage daughters, it seems I am still as broke as when I was an E3!

Money is not the sole key to progress, here's a tip to get/keep you going. Make a list of all your subsystems: like engine, trans, brakes, suspension/steering, interior, body. Then fill in with a section under each with things you need to buy to finish that subsection and things you need to do. Some of the things you need to do don't really cost $$ so attack them first. Keep the same list with your crossed off items until it is too ratty to use then print an updated list. By keeping the list with your crossed off items you can see some progress at a glance. It works for me!

Oh yeah, Back to the CG and the "shallow water sailor" jokes you Navy guys are about to crack.... 11 years afloat, 6 of it on a high endurance cutters (378') patroling the Bearing sea and Pacific ocean enforcing fisheries laws. The Marianas Trench aint shallow (7mi deep)!! We weren't gone as long as Navy ships but 90 days is pretty long when you can't unrep! And just remember, YOU could have joined the CG too, and been home more often (as long as you are over 6' tall, so you can wade ashore when your ship sinks!).

ken

Speaking of puddle pirates today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day, www.talklikeapirate.com. I know we have gotten way off topic but hopefully this will cheer up Alex a little.

Nick

You guys know how to cheer someone up..
Being a Marine did not leave much time for family, friends, and hobbies.. Darn OP Tempo.. I know you all can relate... In one form or another.. With the change in winds and the weathe getting nicer there may be hope :)
I like the idea of the list with subsystems :) Will try that.. Hopefully I won't attach prices since, that will probably put me back were I started.. I'll keep chugging alone.. I realize I am not the only one... and it seems everyone takes a while to get there dreams on the road.. Nice to know I am not alone..
Thanks
ALex:)

Re: Another "salty dog"...
 

Not at all. Team work!

I was an east coast sailor. We would cross the Atlantic and patrol the Med. and Persian Gulf. I wasn't in long, got in - got my college money - and got out.

USS George Washington
CVN - 73 (Air Craft Carrier)
1995-1999

When your gone for 6 month at a pop sometimes the CG doesn't look that bad. I took your advice Ken with the list and my project isn't looking as hopeless now! Thanks!

Nick
USS Carl Vinson
CVN-70
1996-2000 (onboard)
1994-2000 (active enlistment)

sorry to hear of your loss. keep up the work though. you will hate yourself if you don't. baby steps. just do a little each day and break it into pieces. it gets done when it gets done. hit some car shows too. those are always good for a pick me up.

That made me think about the movie "What about Bob" with Bill Murray. It's really funny, check it out and it will for sure put you in a good mood.

My project is taking longer than I would like, but I can drive it.When money is tight I still try to do little things to improve it and save the costly things for better times. Remember, your project isn't going anywhere.

Ron

None of my grand parents are living now, although I spent a lot of time around my Grandfather when he was getting ill and glad I did. I got to spend some time with him before he died. It's never easy when it happens. We played a family string quartet at his funeral, if there's one time when I've found it hard to play the cello and not get emotional, that was it.

My Oval is still sat on axle stands where it's been for... er... must be atleast a year now. I'm still trying to find time to build a chassis for it but being on the other side of the atlantic really doesn't help right now. Still, once I get back to England in November, my folks have recently had a double garage build at the top of the back garden, so I should have some room to get started now.

Keep your head up, don't let the buggers grind you down. :)

Mike Ghia

Sorry to hear from your lost.....

But keep up the good work... My project is running longer than i ever imagend.. THa chassis and carrosserie is split for almost one and a half year...:rolleyes: And there's some much that still have to be done.
And I (and i think everyone have) sometimes have no time or have no sense to go farther on my project.. But i always looks on the internet to some sites and pictures and my motifation comes back to gether than.. Just work point by point.. and do everything good... ANd everything comes back to gether succesfully...

Greetings Wiebrand:silly:

Michael, where are you at in Florida & when in November are you returning?

Again guys thanks for the motivating words..
little at a time and one day it will all come together

alex:)

Alex,

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

As for the project........I was thinking of selling everything at least 4-5 times. I got to the point where I had no vision for my project anymore. I took to long.......it will be over 4 years when it is done.

But then I tell myself.....

I am a modifier. Even a 911 would be modified. So I rather stick to my bug and have something unique. Once it is done I do not even think about a Porsche anymore anyways.

So I continue to work on my project and once it is completely done it will the my garage.

So your are not alone with those thoughts.

Hang in there.....it will be worth it.

Alex

To all,
Thanks for the motivating pep talk.. Like I mentioned earlier, was feeling gloomy and :( about project.. Kinda remapped my plan of attack.. Allowed more time than I initially thought I needed.. As I see 10 years should be about right :) Obviously time/money are the limiting factors.. Just have to make time and tackle, little by little..
Using those thoughts and putting them to practice.. Started up my 944 conversion.. After two evenings of headaches I was able to put together a spindle with all the 944 stuff (rotor, calipers, pads.. ) Was so excited took spindle to the show the wife.. She seemed happy.. (For me, I think she could care less about car stuff) But it felt nice to accomplish something..Even if it was little.. Now, taking my lessons learned from the left side will apply it to right.. Hope to work on it later this week.. Need to do some work on the home also :(

Bought a digital camera, as this seems the easiest way to share problems and findings.. But I have no idea on how to insert pics into my messages.. Do I have to pay for this function?..

Again thanks for helping and getting the fire back in my eyes.. Would love to share pics to show progress.. I know this forum helped alot when I was in the study portion of the conversion.. Plus, I have many quesitons on the rear part of the conversion.. Those I will send out later as I have focused on the front end for now..
Thank you
Alex

you can save the pic to your computer and then use the "attach file" option you see at the bottom of the "post reply" screen and it will just show as a link in your post (see below as i have attached a pic).

alternately, you can save the pic to an internet store (see one of the free pics sites that allows linking) and then use the "IMG" key you see in the "vB Code" section in the "post reply" screen and just insert the URL or path to the file whereever it is posted.

hope this helps. sorry i do not know of any free picture storage sites since i do hosting (free storage to me :D). one of the other guys on here can point you to some though.

Posting pics
 

Alex,
In order to post pics, they must be uploaded to somewhere else on the internet first.. like shutterfly.

Go to http://www.shutterfly.com and you should be able to sign up for free and put your pics up there. Then right click on the photo and go down to properties, right click and click on copy. Then when you post a topic, look up above this box for the "IMG" and it will ask you for a url of the pic. Put it right in there and hey presto, you're done.


Mike Ghia

Ah, you beat me to it... :)
MG

:silly:

Zen/Mike..

Thanks for the info.. Also how do people insert pictures into there actual messages.. Sorry to show my forum ignorance..
Thanks
ALex.. Again

When you say "into acutal messages", I'm not sure what you mean.

If you mean like this

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...d7850000001610

Then it is as decribed as above.

Or do you mean the little pic just above your username?

Mike Ghia

Thanks Michael.. Now realize what you meant.. Will practice.. Is there a limit on size of picture?
PS.. Beautiful bug.. Like the design 90's... (That's what's in my basement.. Eventually will go on.. Little by little.. :)

Size of pic
 

Alex,
I don't think there's a limit to a size of a pic but if you can stick by these guide lines, it will help you and everyone else with uploading them and viewing them

Try to use JPEG's or GIF's as they take up less room and therefore load quicker and the purposes of the internet, they are good enough for quality. You can change a BMP to a JPEG or GIF using Paint or other picture programs. Just use "Save as" and chose the pic type at the bottom.

When you are using your camera, you should be able to select the size of the picture on the camera before you take the pic. I use 640X400 or so and this is usually a good size. If you go huge, then all you'll have to do is re-size every pic once you've uploaded them onto your computer and they will take up so much room on your camera that you'll severly limit the amount of pics you can take before you run out of room on the memory card.

Good luck and we'll look forward to seeing some pics.

If I've got anything wrong here or missed something important... I'm sure someone will chew my *** for it before long :D

Mike

Thanks Mike..
I guess, now the fun begins..
Alex
:)