Contest by TomcoPDR: 10 year anniversary

[TomcoPDR]

Hey gang, there comes a point in one's life where realizing there are certain things not even money can buy, things not even "good looks" can seduce, things not even intelligence can solve; turn back time.

I sit here in this fithy hotel room boner-harded surfing porn and Beyond on highspeed wireless reminiscing the days of dial-up, reminiscing the days of $0.60/litre gas, reminiscing similarities between popstar Britney and I - able to play game so tight cause we be it virgins. Then I look in the mirror thinking shit son, this September will mark 10 years since I initially signed my youth away to become trained in my specific automotive field of skill.




Reminiscing the old days how far the industry has evolved. (for those who don't know, I fix car dents, but without filler or repaint)... In the old days "they" made this trade so secretive some dent guys only visit dealerships/bodyshops after work hours when the employees go home, old days metal and paint didn't perform as to now, had to pay huge amounts of $$$$$$ for private training/"tutor" session, old days tools and techniques (honest training) didn't allow the results we can achieve now, not as much competition, not as much public knowledge (good for hacks, bad for good techs trying to get biz), not as much auto industry support (bodyshop thinks it's against them, now you can hybrid and merge/promote 2 services pending on damage), not as much exposure (i.e. more people have internet now, more quality dent shops try to describe our skill publicly and not behind closed doors knowing chances of past customers talking to someone else about how a repair "should" turn out is slim to none)

Anyways so back on topic, for those who aren't emerged in the automotive trade, you guys have no ideas the uphill disadvantage for me being on Beyond (i.e. Beyond hard group to please, pissin' off the competitors; it'll be like a bodyshop painter coming on here saying: "careful with dirt in paint, careful with colour mis-match, panel misalignment... but look here's my personal work, good luck" but those are all common sense in that field)

The only reason I've gotten decent reviews on here is purely because I'm just speaking as a true technician, the dent removals I provide is product driven and not political (advertising, discounts, carshows, hype)... and people happy with my "business" is just because I'm just a single owner-operated tech business, I treat you guys like I would like to be treated myself as a customer of other business products whether it'd be sandwich shop, electronic store, buying used car, etc... The whole "Tom Co limited" brand doesn't mean shit, but just a legal and tax purpose requirement.

With that said, my role as a sponsor here is kind of different than other sponsors, more of a "show and tell" than provide, hoping to do something positive with my whole industry. Which kind of sucks and I feel bad, but because I'm just one tech, I more or less work for others (with big contract projects), then I may take on side jobs during free time (i.e. Beyond, but sorry, that only accounts for 5-7% of my annual income)

Some of yous will wait till I'm available (thanks for support), some can't... But if you're reading this far, here's what I'm going to try to do for the community. Since I'm not on Beyond to PURELY gain business and always unavailable, so for my 10 year anniversary since starting this trade, I'm going to be giving away some free prizes of other cool and reputable businesses on Beyond or mentioned on Beyond. "Sponsor the Sponsors"

I hope this will encourage a stronger Marketplace community, more honest dealings (less lowballing), more support and trust to go around. Only 1 year ago, my business service was a victim of taken advantage of (non payment or no barter recieved), seeing my "business" belongs to the labour owner, that means I got scammed. That was totally not a good experience.

Here's how you could win some free prizes on me, actually some of these businesses donated their products/services when I conducted them with my cause.

Eligibility
- No purchase necessary
- Registered Beyond members before August, 2008 (this prevents people from starting a crap load of accounts, so sorry August, 2008 registered excluded)
- Business accounts excluded (ok for moderators, adminstrators, owners)
- Alberta residence (please realize most of these credits are from Calgary based businesses; pointless winning prize if you're not from here/Alberta)

To Enter
- Reply to this post, and write about your life experience within these 10 years. It'll be neat hearing what people have been doing. Either in a chronology order (life resume list), or "then and now" (i.e. school then, work now)
- You are encouraged to be as open as possible, please do not criticize anyone else's own life choices... Everyone is welcome to share their story: from the jocks who became cops, to the sluts maturing to responsible moms.

Prizes to be won (Prizes drawn in decending order, highest to lowest #1)

____________________________________________________
(added: August 18, 2008)
ADDITIONAL "participation prizes" you MUST BE PRESENT and qualify for these, handed out on the spot (if you're not there, your name will be re-entered into original #1 - #16)

#22- $50 Esso gas card

#21- $50 Esso gas card

#20- $50 Esso gas card

#19- $50 Esso gas card

#18- $50 Esso gas card

#17- $50 Esso gas card

____________________________________________________

#16 - $50 gift credit Urban Expressions Wheel & Tire Inc. Bay #6, 1303 44th Avenue NE Calgary, AB; contact Beyond: Tirebob

#15 - $50 gift credit Urban Expressions Wheel & Tire Inc.

#14 - $50 gift credit Urban Expressions Wheel & Tire Inc.

#13 - $50 gift credit Speedtech Racing Development Inc. 1655 32 Avenue NE Calgary, AB; contact Beyond: Will@STRD

#12 - $50 gift credit Speedtech Racing Development Inc.

#11 - $50 gift credit Speedtech Racing Development Inc.

#10 - $50 gift credit Peking Peking Restaurant #232, #8338, 18th Street SE Calgary, AB; contact Beyond: max_boost

#9 - $50 gift credit Peking Peking Restaurant

#8 - $50 gift credit Peking Peking Restaurant NOTE: This credit is provided/ donated by max_boost (owner) himself

#7 - $50 gift credit Option Import Auto & Tire Inc. 4674 Macleod Trail SW Calgary, AB: contact Beyond: option-import

#6 - $50 gift credit Option Import Auto & Tire Inc.

#5 - $50 gift credit Option Import Auto & Tire Inc.

#4 - $50 gift credit gtHID.ca Calgary, AB; contact Beyond: Brendan_4g63

#3 - $50 gift credit gtHID.ca

#2 - $50 gift credit gtHID.ca

#1 - and FINALLY, this grand prize is fully donated and sponsored by the business for this event: Full vehicle detailing package from Mobile Reflections www.mobilereflections.ca in Calgary, AB; contact Beyond: Jed Bouscal up to a value of $600 six hundred

Deadline for entry
- August 27, 2008 @ 11:59pm Mountain standard time (Calgary), your reply must be time stamped before then (below your avator)

Draw Date
- Nick Chow (Shadowz on Beyond) will be the man in charge and conducting the draw on September 3, 2008 @ the Chinook meet.

Claim prize
- Winners wil be announced in this thread
- Winner(s) must provide real name (to me privately, then forwarded to appropriate vendor), the name given will be the only person claiming prize at vendor with photo ID. Sorry, these vendors are very accommodating, but I'm not doing the: "Hey, can you please change one of the winner's credits from so and so, because his girlfriend's sister's dog's neigbhour's aunt is coming in town to pick it up"
- Winner schedule (or drop by) appropriate vendor, provide photo ID, claim prize
- Enjoy!

Disclaimer and Terms of Use:
- Tom Co Paintless Dent Repair Ltd., hereafter, TomcoPDR, reserve rights to change, cancel, alter draw conditions without notice.
- TomcoPDR does NOT guarantee accuarcy of draw
- TomcoPDR not responsible for actual services or any damages or injuries or deaths by prize vendors (listed #1-16)
- Entries and contestants of this draw release TomcoPDR of any liabilities and accept any errros by entering
- Prize credits must be used on or before closing business day on September 3, 2009
- Winner of Mobile Reflections (listed #1) prize must accept servicing hours and schedule provide by Mobile Reflections
- Maximum of 1 prize per user (i.e. name not re-entered into next draws)
- All prizes must be claimed at according vendors, no cash surrender or residual values
- Prizes non-transferrable. Winners' full name will be forwarded to according prize vendors, names given must match photo ID when prize being claimed on site.


Thanks for the past support everyone!

[TomcoPDR]

Ok, I'll start (I'm excluded from draw)

(Decade ago)
- High School (taking automotive body and mechanic courses) + Learning Paintless Dent Removal trade from private business+ teenaged life + managing family rental properties

- Sait + got out of Paintless Dent biz + played around with daytrading/ stock markets (made huge)

- Lost huge $$$$$$ on stock market + didn't like jobs based from college education + part time jobs (washing dishes, dealerships)

- Really really dark days (lost life savings in stocks), almost went EMO + couldn't hold a steady automotive job (didn't know if I wanted to continue fixing cars, so 2-3 months then I quit) + still washing dished (restaurant)

- Still in deep depression, didn't give a shit (hanging on from short span automotive jobs + wash dishes) + wanted to become adult film actor but didn't have balls to follow through + just chilling till I figure things out

--Edit (forgot to add this part in): After losing huge $$$ on stocks + Depression + Could had worked for my dad's business, but it's not one of those great grandpa started hotel chains or arcessssss of land... it's just a small biz dad had to lick balls to get there so I'll be hearing a lot of shit: "when I was your age I didn't mind 5 jobs and university, walk 30 feet of snow, you should put in 60/week too since "all this" will be yours and siblings someday " + pretty much work my life away for something I won't see results till I'm wayyyyy older + But I wanted to be fuckin' 18 year olds (chicks) when I'm 18, and not 50 + So I slowly got part time jobs in the automotive trade by myself (continues)... I think all parents have a responsiblity to tell their growing kids that penises and breats are perishable goods and have a limited shelf life and that they should be using them every chance they get; just my $0.02 though

- All automotive places I've worked in tell me I should get back into Paintless Dent biz (i.e. I'd be doing oil/tire change, but tell a co-worker I could fix that dent) + Respectable PDR people are telling me to get back in + slowly got back into Paintless Dent, trended lightly (could had been on Beyond in 2003, but didn't know if I wanted to stay)

- Years passing me by + the rest is still unwritten + feel the rain on your skin + no one else can feel it for you

That's about it in general.

[analbumcover]

Wow Tom you never cease to amaze me, i'll post up a little bit later

reserved post #2

[al-ti2d]

haha this sounds like fun... its definately something out-of-the-blue on these forums

10 years ago...
- I was in elementary, having the time of my life because I thought I had the coolest teacher in the world (he still remains in my top 3 teachers list).. he never seemed to give out any homework. Then there was all the water fights in the hot sun, trips to Calaway Park, Heritage Park, Princes Island Park, and whatever else park there was.. Racing home to watch Pokemon afterschool, eagerly anticipating recess time so that I could challenge my buddies to a Pokemon battle with my level 100 Mewtwo, making fun of girls because I secretly had a crush on them... having sleepovers at birthday parties.. and the list could go on and on
- I had started martial arts when I was 7, and I quit when I was 17.
- I went on to Jr. High and did pretty well during the 3 years in there.. needless to say, it was pretty easy times as the school work was slack, I had my first actual girlfriend in gr8 and my first serious gf in gr 9 (lasted 2 years), lots of hanging out with friends.
- When I entered highschool, I immediately tried out for the football team since I thought it'd be good for me to participate on a school team.. I made the cuts but the other guy who was trying out for the running back position was a black guy... so obviously I had no chance whatsoever of getting on the starting lineup.. LOL (its true, that kid was faaaast..). My highschool life summed up would be that I slacked off too much in gr10, gr11 was an easy year, and gr12 was just plain stressful because of post-secondary pressures. Graduation day was one of the best times of my life.. and grad camping after that was a damn drunken blast!


Now:
- I had taken a year off from highschool to upgrade some marks and contemplate what kind of a direction I wanted to take in life.. in the end, I decided I would be like most other asians and just go into Accounting at the UofC. During that year off, I worked my ass off at upgrading... I changed my 72 average in Math to a 96, and a 75 in Chem to a 90. (I think thats pretty good in my books).
- I was admitted into Haskayne in fall 2007, and I will be entering my 2nd year this fall. I'm still 50/50 with my major being Accounting... I'm going to test the waters and see how my Accounting 317 and 323 classes go... but if I totally hate accounting after that, I will switch my majors to something else I had in mind.
- I have been more crazy about cars now, than I have ever been. I got my first car on my 18th birthday (and its been my only car to date ) and this past year I have been putting more and more mods into it slowly. Tasteful and Clean is the look I'm going for.

Hahha.. ok sorry guys, I'm really pretty young still (20 years old..) so thats what I was up to a decade ago.
It looks like nothing compared to your experiences Tom, but I still thought it'd be fun to enter in this draw. I give you mad props for stepping up and offering all these prizes to the beyond community.. you're the man!

[Jlude]

#4

I'm leaving to drive across Canada today, so I'll post it up once I stop.

[Destinova403]

wow tom, that is absolutely amazing what you are doing.

i only dealt with you once and your honesty amazed me, rather than over-promising you simply told me honestly that there was nothing you can do, and i thank you for that...

but im totally entering:

the last decade:

-i would have been 9 years old so elementary at St. Philip school
-moved on to Jr High at St. Bonaventure
-High School at West Island College (didnt have much of a social life, spent a lot of time working)
-Started going out with Teresa, (still with her)
-Worked at Best Buy and Calgary Coop
-Took up Tournament Paintball, played for RMC and Impact, ended up quitting because of the cost and the time
-Bought my first car (1992 Nissan Skyline GTS-T)
-Sold it shortly after and bought Tiffany (my ludey)
-Joined Beyond
-Received large scholarship for university after finishing high school very well
-Entered U of C in a double major program (2007), Legal Studies and History
-Became more involved in the Beyond events, met a lot of the guys and hopefully will become more involved in the community

-Overall iv seen my priorities constantly shifting, but with hard work and lots of time dedicated iv been able to accomplish or are on the road to accomplishment of a lot of my life goals...

Future:

-Heading to Law School soon i hope
-Marriage and kids eventually
-The fall cruise
-I dont like to plan the future too much, because you never know whatll happen... and disappointment sucks.

[KRyn]

reserved post #5

[Brutucus]

10 years back
(Junior High: St.Martha's) I was good at school, but I was really unmotivated to perform up to par. The fact that I had some bad teacher especially in grade 9, example: where my math teacher basically gave everyone +15-30% on their math grade and didn't teach anything but use cassette tapes/ do on your own basis. It was kinda sad in grade 8 I was losing my hair, It took zero effort to pull my hair out, I was stress out and wanted to do something productive in my life.


(High school: Father Lacombe) was in auto body was decent at welding, but really wanted to learn how to paint cars but can't get further because it was either auto body or mechanics. So I picked mechanics*which was a horrible pick* All he made me do was wash cars because I was so good at it lol. So when everybody was learning the basics, I was washing cars lol.

After High school, I decided to go to Mount Royal College for Bach. of Science uni transfer. Worst decision ever, I picked all the new/horribad teachers ever. That experience was the worst thing in my life. I felt unmotivated, disappointed, and depress due to my performance and paths. So I decided to do Economics but that was boring as hell.
But I did get my first car 1995 Acura Integra RS, slowly putting money in her; I bought JDM ITR front, Mugen Gen1 spoiler/ITR rear seat/ITR door panels * Thank you Jdm Source always excellent service , 16's Sport Bronze Rota Torque * Thanks Tirebob, one of the best consumer service I ever had.* Still saving up for body work and paint: to actually put JDM ITR front in use lol. Then engine swap.

But now I'm in Bach. of Arts: psychology, doing pretty good in it. But who knows where that would take me. Hopefully a career, because I'm getting sick of going to school.

But something in me still wants to learn how to do mechanics and auto body. I still want to learn how to change my brake pads, but scared I would f it up, Damn you HS for screwing me over, took it for 3 years and all I learned was how to wash cars lol. Pretty much I'm working and going to school. Trying to put effort in my car project but family issues and the fact my dad is a pack rat makes it difficult lol. My garage is basically stuff to the brim with random stuff for example like 5 air compressor , 2 electric generator, foose ball table, ping ball table, air hockey, stainless fridge, 6+ desks, 2 lawn mower, boxes of tiles, patio furniture * we don't even have a patio lol* etc in one garage lol. But hopefully everything will work out with me because I want to have a career and start a family and all of that junk.

[D911]

wtf, who posted with my account.
lol

I dibs nothing.

[rawsensation]

-edited

Well 10 years ago,

- i was finishing up my elementary years Monsigner Neville Anderson and then i moved on to junior high at St. Ambrose which in between the time me and my family moved 2-3 times trying to find a place where my parents liked for once and ended up with Arbour lake after making our way macewan, edgemont, hamptons and hidden valley, that was kinda hard for me seeing as it was hard to keep steady friends, but everything worked out fine in the end.

- I used to play soccer till i was about 17yrs old then I stopped playing which now I regret, I wished I stayed on with playing soccer but my life just got to busy between friends, work and family, around the same time as well I was forced into playing piano by my parents like any other asian kid, and I ended doing that till I finished, I used to hate going to those piano lessons but now I don't realize it was worth it, I enjoy playing to some of the new songs now a days or some oldies (beatles).

- High school was a big experience for me as I realized how fake people can be and at the same time found some really nice true people that have become good friends. As I look back now on the drama and bullshit of some of the things that go on in High school (ie. pointless fights, random bullshit, stuck up people) I see those people now a days and they are still doing the same thing, not really going anywhere in life (sorry no offense to anyone here if that's you), but it dosen't really matter how tough you try to look and act, if you don't shape up you won't get far in the real world and I got to see that happen at grad time at High school when 200 of the 800 grade 10's that started at high school with me didn't graduate.

- Also got my first car a 1989 Honda Civic 4 dr sedan in burgandy Then a couple of months later picked up a 1992 civic hb and then got into a accident and was taking the bus for a while till I saved up and bought a integra for a bit then sold that and now i'm on another honda.

- Now a days i'm just back to school for another year at MRC for finance while working and keeping the gf happy, and hopefully in a year and a half be out there working as a financial advisor, or finance analyst.

[SprayGUN]

I don't know what my registration date is, but I'm not a member for only prizes.


10 years ago.

I was 15. Grade 9. Beginning of the school year and I was good friends with all the nerds developing paper based realtime strategy games involving dice, dugeons dragons and on our off time magic the gathering.

Life was pretty uneventful and pitiful. I didn't have a job at the time, didn't have an out of school social life, didn't play sports, etc etc. All I did was video games.

16th birthday came around and my best friend Jamie, had just gotten his liscense and it was the first day of highschool. My bestfriend found new friends with his new found set of car keys, forgot who I was that summer. I'm going to skip through my highschool days because they really were not too exciting. I spent my time on the football team and doing rugby, and later developed some social habits that involved some green grass a hackey sack and lots of slurpees + cigarettes. Didn't really ever have a job or make any money or graduate. I had been working at shitty jobs getting nowhere, quitting after a week, getting fired after a day, couldn't find a place anywhere, didn't know what I wanted or where I wanted to be in 10 years.

I moved out for the first time in 2004 at the age of 20, with my two friends Josh and Josh. My highschool crush I dreamed of eventually ran into me at a small pub. 3 months later after seeing eachother she moved into my house and occupied the room downstairs. Things were great, as I though!

We had a house warming pary and she invited every single ethnicity in the world, somebody got stabbed in my living room, i got beat by a group of guys in my driveway by trying to break up a fight and then bear maced...

My job at the time, allowed me a company vehicle to get to from work. Their vehicle was in the driveway of my house on the news the next day. I lost my job. a little while later my birthday , my 21st birthday had came. I woke up expecting a great day, cause I had a nice girlfriend no job (so a day full of hanky pank) and it was sunny out which meant i could take my honda out for a rip.

Kitchen was em pty when I got up. Usually she was cooking me some eggs and bacon with toast and orange juice at 9-9:30. She wasn't. There was a red chevy blazer in the driveway, it didn't belong to any of my friends. I went downstairs, that's when I found out she had a coke habit and her dealer was letting her have an hour of his time for some more. I haven't kicked a person out of my house that fast in my life.

I spent a solid year to year and a half being all fricken emo and depressed about it. I didn't talk to many people, ever about what was wrong. Didn't go anywhere or socialise. I didn't even try to talk to another girl until last year with some more failed results. I'm passed it now, women are trouble anyways right? LOL

My work life has always been hard. Two years ago I bought a car, and needed to mold the bumper to the quarter panel to make it look proper. That's where I fell in love with body work. I did little things off and on here and there and started to get more fond of it, enjoying it as a side hobby. Couple more years with more shitty jobs, and me not liking authority and being told what to do and how to do it, when do to it and why not to do it, not to mention waking up earlier than 9am to make 12 dollars an hour, I landed a job at bucks auto parts and actually lasted there for 10 months. Longest I've held a job. I quit after getting into my third fist fight with the coworker there that wanted every single stereo and set of rims. In that time I had started picking up side jobs painting bumpers, fixing fibreglass bumpers and doing painting on fenders etc. One job a week just to get myself some extra cash.

Once I left the junker I had done a few more shitty jobs with no success. Since then I've spent entire days making cash by doing small paint jobs to save up for equipment and paint. Worked days here and there at various body shops to learn tricks. Often times working free just so I could learn something I didn't know how to do. I've learned alot and now am picking up alot of business. I'm moving into a shop/garage hopefully soon outside the city to setup a paint booth so I can do an entire vehicle. I've learned prepping painting masking clear coating wet/color sanding and polishing. I'm not a master or the best out there but I am making a name formyself as well as making a business. Business is getting so good that I am moving to a space where I pay monthly fees.

I've developed a great work ethic, set my own hours, know exactly what to do when to do it and am slowly beggining to get better at proper time management.

I'm loving this and hoping it develops further. It's quite enjoyable being the only person to dictate what I do.

The money may not be the best there is, but if I keep working hard and working cheaper than what shops charge. And in the meantime I'll keep polluting beyond!

I've had 3 accounts here since december 2002. Hopefully this one stays around longer than the other two!

[TomcoPDR]

Originally posted by SprayGUN
How come you guys are "dibsing" (which I feel is absolutely stupid) the prizes? Isn't it a draw? This isn't a for sale thread for some rims?

I think it means they're reserving to POST (just the spot #number of their post, then they'll go back in edit with their stories)

I just assigned the prizes with "numbers"... it could had been A, B, C, D, Etc...

[SprayGUN]

Oh gotcha. Thanks for clearing that up Tommmmmcat

[crx/gsr]

Im in school now and was in school 10 years ago and will be in school for another 10 years. Theres my life in a nutshell.

[Irae]

10 year ago....

- Back in junior high, started dating a girl for over 5 years, (which ended quite poorly.)

- Went to Haskayne, and finished my B.Comm in accounting.

- Bought a place

- Met the girl of my dreams.

- Got married

- Working for an international public accounting firm now, writing the final exam for the CA designation this september.

Next few years hopefully do a whole bunch of overseas travelling, move on to buying a house and a fun little summer car.

[GoChris]

hm...I'll try to write something, sounds like a cool idea.

[5fivespeed]

Added:

Hmm. Ten years ago would have made me Nine years old. At nine I got to come back from a Vacation of Fiji and New Zealand to drive to a new house (which totally surprised me) and it was awesome. I met my neighbour and he and I became good friends (still are).

So obviously, I had to attend a new school being a new kid and doing it all over again. Met some of the best people, smartest and most influences in my life there – who have become life long friends. My core friends from grade four – are my core friends still. Grew all through junior high with those friends, met some more people and now it’s all brilliant.

I guess this is more geared towards my car, and where life choices come in. Back when I was 5, my uncle had this little coupe with big rims on the front, and stock rims on the front. My favourite car, by far that he owned, and if you fast forward to now, I own the hatchback version of it. Anyways, through junior high I had fun, and then come grade 9 I had to choose:

Go to a high school, with all my friends or go to a high school that’ll benefit me through to my future.

I took option two, and went to James Fowler to take the Aircraft class there. Had fun yet again, met a girl and we’re still together (2 years). Basically, went through high school, studying hard and being a clown as well. Never took drugs, drank or anything of that sort. Focused on my soccer game, got into Premier Teams till now, since I’m too old for the league. Well, fast forwarding to Grade 12, I knew what I was going to do for post-secondary. Like I said earlier, I grabbed my career in grade 9 and flew with it, so I was accepted automatically in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering by SAIT since I was one of the most focused, and recommended by my teacher in Fowler.

Got into post-secondary.

Come summer, my Mom and I had planned a wicked Vacation to Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. Went on that trip, and fell in love with Australia. I still look back on those days and feel a bit sad, since my true, blood related family lives in those 3 places. Here in Calgary, I have minimal family. I miss them all.

Came back to Calgary after a 5 week vacation and went back to work. Worked the rest of summer, and drove a rusted, once red painted white 1990 Mazda B2200. Brilliant truck, I didn’t care at least I had something 5 speed, and some wheels!

Started my program at SAIT, loved every moment of it. One day I got a phone call from a friend of mine telling me that his dad is selling a Corolla, because he knew I was looking for one for a very, very long time.

Talked to my dad about it, and my friends dad told me he held onto it for 2 years just for me (when his son and I played soccer, I mentioned wanting one). We looked at it, and my dad wasn’t impressed. I home without the car. I was so disappointed, that he was like “Phone him, offer him $1000.00” Made my offer, and the next day the car was towed to my garage. It rolled into the garage, and sat there for a good 3 weeks since the clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder and brake master cylinder was gone. We replaced that, and the next morning I realized I woke up late for school.

Hopped in my Corolla for the first time, and gave her. The RPM’s screamed to 7,500. It was absolute brilliance for a 22 year old car that was parked for a good year. Got to school, and all the guys already knew about my addiction to the Corolla. They gave me props, since it was a lot nicer than my truck.

I did well that year in school, the Corolla has changed immensely from that time with a lot of changes coming within the next few weeks (look out for a post). Just working for now, paying for all the modifications on the car – paying for school, and now I’m gearing up for my second and final year of my Aircraft Engineering program.

The future, still going to modify my Corolla. I’m huge on the small details. I’m aiming to make a modernized legend of a car. I might get married some day, but mainly in end sight, I see myself in a few years (after a two-year apprentiship in Calgary) to importing and RHD converting my car with me. I guess you can tell it’s a dream car of mine. I’m aiming to take my whole family with me, to start a new life in Australia around blood – relatives that I missed out on growing up with and just starting a fresh new life, in a place I love over Calgary.

My plans, are to work on the Airbus A380 (Google it if you’ve never heard), to have some sort of involvement with the largest passenger airliner in the world. Not to mention my brother wants to go there to build, or start some sort of company since he’s part of the University Solar Team and can take his knowledge there and apply it to any amount of engineering.

That’s me, “drifting86/5fivespeed”
Hope you enjoyed it.

[Benny]

10 years ago I lived in Aberdeen, Scotland. I had only lived there for about 2 years, having moved from Houston, Texas. I didn't really like Scotland aside from how beautiful a place it was. The weather was shit and legitimately there was fuck all to do. Still, I made a lot of friends at school (grades 2-7 at an International School) and got awesome grades. Some really depressing shit happened right before I left there and moved here, and the move didn't make matters any easier. Ergo, I fucking hated Calgary when I first got here. It took me about 2 months to really open my eyes to everything.

Junior High (F.E. Osborne RE%) seemed like a complete waste of time in lots of different ways, but thankfully it flew by. Had a few girlfriends, insecurities, fights, run-ins with the law, etc (all that young teenager bullshit). I became really social at the end of junior high going into...

High School (Sir Winston Churchill also RE%) I was a pretty lazy POS. I slacked off, never did homework, stayed out all night on the more-than-occasional school night, and I was with a LOT of girls for a little bit there. For all my lack of effort I did surprisingly awesome in high school. I was tops in my class in pretty much everything, and I took it all for granted. Didn't work much, usually just enough to have money to party on weekends (fuck those were the days). I didn't end up applying at any post-secondary schools because even though I could get into almost anything with my marks, I hated school. High School was the shit but I developed so many bad habits.

After high school, life hit me pretty fast. I fucked the dog all high school and had nothing going for me afterwards. I took up a few manual labour jobs doing shit work and it got me by for a while, but I realized sometime last year that I actually wanted to go somewhere. Over the course of a few months I dropped most of my bad habits/potential addictions, rid myself of the kinds of people who were keeping me back, got back into half-ass good shape, made some decent money, and found out a lot of what I want to achieve. Complete reversal of myself in high school. I graduated a few months ago from SAIT with my first year in welding and I'm loving what I'm doing so far. I think I'm going to stick with welding until I get my journeyman then split joint ownership of a motorcycle business with a good friend.

My goal is to be making choppers by the time I'm 25. I'll keep Beyond posted.

[Hakkola]

I have a LONG story.

Any length limits?

I'll post in this spot when I have a few minutes to spare.

Great idea!

[adidas]

Reserving spot!