What Is A Man?

21Nov09

A man carries cash. A man looks out for those around him — woman, friend, stranger. A man can cook eggs. A man can always find something good to watch on television. A man makes things — a rock wall, a table, the tuition money. Or he rebuilds — engines, watches, fortunes. He passes along expertise, one man to the next. Know-how survives him. A man fantasizes that kung fu lives deep inside him somewhere. A man is good at his job. Not his work, not his avocation, not his hobby. Not his career. His job. It doesn’t matter what his job is, because if a man doesn’t like his job, he gets a new one.

A man can speak to dogs.

A man listens, and that’s how he argues. He crafts opinions. He can pound the table, take the floor. It’s not that he must. It’s that he can.

A man can look you up and down and figure some things out. Before you say a word, he makes you. From your suitcase, from your watch, from your posture. A man infers.

A man owns up. That’s why Mark McGwire is not a man. A man grasps his mistakes. He lays claim to who he is, and what he was, whether he likes them or not.
Some mistakes, though, he lets pass if no one notices. Like dropping the steak in the dirt.

A man can tell you he was wrong. That he did wrong. That he planned to. He can tell you when he is lost. He can apologize, even if sometimes it’s just to put an end to the bickering.
A man does not wither at the thought of dancing. But it is generally to be avoided.
Style — a man has that. No matter how eccentric that style is, it is uncontrived. It’s a set of rules.

A man loves the human body, the revelation of nakedness. He loves the sight of the pale bosom, the physics of the human skeleton, the alternating current of the flesh. He is thrilled by the wrist and the sight of a bare shoulder. He likes the crease of a bent knee.
Maybe he never has, and maybe he never will, but a man figures he can knock someone, somewhere, on his bottom.

A man doesn’t point out that he did the dishes.

A man knows how to ridicule.

A man gets the door. Without thinking.
He stops traffic when he must.

A man knows how to lose an afternoon. Playing Grand Theft Auto, driving aimlessly, shooting pool.
He knows how to lose a month, also.

A man welcomes the coming of age. It frees him. It allows him to assume the upper hand and teaches him when to step aside.
He understands the basic mechanics of the planet. Or he can close one eye, look up at the sun, and tell you what time of day it is. Or where north is. He can tell you where you might find something to eat or where the fish run. He understands electricity or the internal-combustion engine, the mechanics of flight or how to figure a pitcher’s ERA.

A man does not know everything. He doesn’t try. He likes what other men know.

A man knows his tools and how to use them — just the ones he needs. Knows which saw is for what, how to find the stud, when to use galvanized nails.

A miter saw, incidentally, is the kind that sits on a table, has a circular blade, and is used for cutting at precise angles. Very satisfying saw.
He does not rely on rationalizations or explanations. He doesn’t winnow, winnow, winnow until truths can be humbly categorized, or intellectualized, until behavior can be written off with an explanation. He doesn’t see himself lost in some great maw of humanity, some grand sweep. That’s the liberal thread; it’s why men won’t line up as liberals.

A man resists formulations, questions belief, embraces ambiguity without making a fetish out of it. A man revisits his beliefs. Continually. That’s why men won’t forever line up with conservatives, either.

A man is comfortable being alone. Loves being alone, actually. He sleeps.
Or he stands watch. He interrupts trouble. This is the state policeman. This is the poet. Men, both of them.

A man loves driving alone most of all.

A man watches. Sometimes he goes and sits at an auction knowing he won’t spend a dime, witnessing the temptation and the maneuvering of others. Sometimes he stands on the street corner watching stuff. This is not about quietude so much as collection. It is not about meditation so much as considering. A man refracts his vision and gains acuity. This serves him in every way. No one taught him this — to be quiet, to cipher, to watch. In this way, in these moments, the man is like a zoo animal: both captive and free. You cannot take your eyes off a man when he is like that. You shouldn’t. Who knows what he is thinking, who he is, or what he will do next.

Tom Chiarella, What Is a Man? (for Esquire)


"I've had enough change.  Give me my country back."

"I've had enough change. Give me my country back."

While driving to a meeting for work I took note of the bumper sticker on this blue Chevy Asspala as I was exiting the highway.  The sticker says “I’ve had enough change.  Give me my country back.”   Seeing that bumper sticker provoked some interesting thoughts, as well as recall of a video I saw on TV.  I can’t remember where I saw this particular piece of footage.  It may have been Lou Dobbs.

What Was I Thinking?

It’s pretty clear.  There are Americans who want “their” country back.  I suppose some will never accept Barack Hussein Obama as President of The United States. Or, shall I say a Black president?

lou-dobbsIt’s gone so far that Lou Dobbs would question the legitimacy of Barack Obama’s birth records, and correspondingly his status as  US citizen, almost nightly until he was told recently to cease and desist by CNN’s head of programming.  I suppose the lady in the video, who wants her country back, is a loyal Lou Dobbs follower.  Or, perhaps she derived her facts from Fox News.

What Are They Thinking?

The lovely thing about this country is that we have freedom of speech.  Okay, maybe it’s not exactly lovely.  I think people take that particular liberty too far.  Nevertheless, we’re free to say what we want and voice our viewpoints; right, wrong or indifferent.

But, this whole concept of people demanding to have their country returned to them is admittedly mystifying.

The Audacity

audacityObama wrote a book called The Audacity of Hope.  But, I’m more interested in people who have the audacity to make such demands.  Apparently there is a segment of society who, whether through their own awareness or not, have a blind and numb sense of entitlement.

Where Have You Been For The Last 8 Years?

"Thanks for helpin' me win your state, even though America knows I really lost it, Jeb! hehehe."

"Thanks for helpin' me win your state, even though Amurrca knows I really lost it, Jeb! hehehe."

A little over 8 years ago, a Texas businessman, with the help of his brother, supporters, and numerous other individuals, hijacked the Presidency.  It was blatant cheating and America just sat back and accepted the outcome.  Four years later America had a chance to unseat the hijacker on the basis of misguided leadership, duping Congress, the country at large, and the United Nations.  But, we didn’t.  We gave him a second chance.

How’d That Work Out For US?

BushCalgaryAirportWhiteHat-viA little over 3 years later, the incumbent hijacker ran the country into the ground.  Funny thing is, if you ask around, nobody voted for him the second-go-around.  So, did he hijack his reelection as well?  Come on, America.  Take a look in the mirror.  You know what you did.  You voted for the rootin’, tootin’, Texas Cowboy; the guy you felt you could have a beer with.  That guy also can’t articulate himself, leaned over the podium while speaking, and committed enough domestic and international miscues, that he shouldn’t have even been trusted to handle the mail.

That’s not to say Obama will be any better.  But, we are experiencing, for the first time in 8 years, a President who’s at least articulate, and can stand up straight.  Wow, what a novel concept!  Strikingly, not many people took note of that when Obama gave his first press conference as President of The United States.

Okay, let me get back on topic.  The lady and the driver of the Asspala both want their country back.  I suppose they don’t recognize the mess that leader of their country left behind.  For the driver, it’s only been 6 months since Obama has been in office and he’s already had enough change. I guess he doesn’t look at the badge on his car.

chevy logoIf you’re reading, Mr. Owner of the Asspala…  You’re driving a car from an automaker that hasn’t turned a profit in nearly 30 years.  Perhaps, eight years ago,  you turned your TV off once you were satisfied with the leadership of your country.  But, you missed the memo that Chevy makes sub par, unreliable automobiles, that just don’t compete in the broader marketplace.  They’re so bad that government had to step in and take them over; to prevent them from further running the country into the ground with all of the jobs they threatened to shed, as well as the countless other industries that would be adversely affected from their meltdown.

Six months in we have yet to see even a flicker of this proposed Change.  The current leadership is trying to get the country turned around, as well as restore its respectability around the world.  So to both the driver, and the lady who so feverishly demanded her country be returned to her, get a grip.

Obamamania

barack_obama_mania_10

For the Obama fans, I suggest you keep a close eye on Mr. Asspala, as well as the video girl.  These are the very same people who went to the polls late in the day during Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign and helped him defeat John Kerry.  Bush himself admitted that late in the day, on election day, that it looked like he was defeated.

Don’t think for one minute that it can’t and won’t happen to Obama.  There is still enough time for the mister and misses to come back in force in roughly 3 years to unseat the President.  His popularity and eloquence are simply not enough to save him.  Bush’s serious lack of polish appeared to be sure negatives to get him out of the Presidential seat.  But, he managed to extend his term.

Obama will ultimately be measured on his policies, his ability to lead, as well as his ability to get the country turned around.  He will certainly not be measured on the mess he inherited.  Anyone who believes it is sadly misguided.  Oh, and yes… there are those who do, and will, measure him on the color of his skin.

Compassion Out Of Color

123Harvard Professor, Henry Louis Gates, alleged that he was a victim of racial profiling after being arrested for an altercation involving, Cambridge Police Department, Sergeant James Crowley.  Days after the incident, Obama, when asked about the incident, replied that the police officer “acted stupidly.”  Obama, after realizing that he “…could have calibrated those words differently” ended up inviting Gates and Crowley to The White House for happy hour. I’m sure there are much bigger issues on the President’s desk than responding in person to the wolf crying of his boy, “Skip” Gates.

Have a cold one, on me!

Have a cold one, on me!

Racial Profiling

Baltimore County's finest... at racial profiling

Baltimore County's finest... at racial profiling

Having been the victim of racial profiling on more than a few occasions, I can tell you firsthand that the incident involving Gates was not racial profiling.  If someone witnesses what appears to be breaking and entering, and the police are called to investigate it, that’s not racial profiling.  That’s the police being called to investigate what appears to be a breach of the law.  Gates trying to represent the issue as racial profiling grossly distorts and dilutes the concept and practice of racial profiling altogether.  That’s where I raise a red flag.

We can’t have people distorting and mischaracterizing what racial profiling really is.  It’s real and the implications are very dangerous.  Gates’ poor judgment and improper behavior cannot be arbitrarily integrated into what racial profiling is.  I can’t say that I empathize with the situation that took place.  If he was angry about it, that’s his problem.  He should have thought about the circumstances that led to his investigation.

Moreover, if he let his displeasure cause him to speak or react to the officer that was deemed as offensive or threatening, then he should have been arrested.  I make that statement with the disclaimer that if the officer acted in a manner that strayed outside the boundaries of law enforcement, then he too is culpable in this incident.  Either way, the incident, from beginning to end, is in no way racial profiling.

Shame on you, Gates, for trying to represent it as such; especially for those of us, including yourself, who have experienced it.  Shame on you, Obama, for getting involved in this incident.  You are wasting political capital over such nonsense.  Such nonsense, and taking your focus off the country’s more pressing matters at present, are the very things that will give them their country back in 3 years.

What will the Obamamaniacs say when that happens?  Perhaps they’ll take a page out of Gates’ book and claim racial profiling.


In My Lifetime

23Jul09

I’m going back old school for those of you so-called Jay-Z fans.  If you know anything about Jay-Z, then you know this song pre-dates his Reasonable Doubt album.   I thought Jay was a member of Junior Mafia when I heard this.  That’s obviously not the case.

The ‘In My Lifetime’ single was released under Jay’s affiliation with Payday records, a deal he eventually got out of to start his own label, Roc-A-Fella records, under which, the forever classic, Reasonable Doubt was released.


Barack ObamaI don’t have many heroes.  I never grew up admiring any particular person.  I don’t even consider this nation’s first African-American President, Barack Obama, a hero.  I think of him as a symbol of the many intelligent, ambitious and exceptional Black men who are overlooked, diminished, and go without the positive recognition we deserve.

Jay-Z

Jay-Z

Jay-Z isn’t a hero either.  He’s a symbol as well.  Jay is one of the kids from the block who made it.  Check that, made it big!  He’s the one who says on behalf of all of us “I don’t apologize for who I am and where I come from.”  He’s the manifestation of all that we dreamed about being as kids and then some.  He does it his way; the way we all would do it.

If I had to point to one true hero it would be Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots.  He’s a great leader who is wise and willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good.  Besides that, he never runs from a fight.  Even when the Decepticons have the upper hand, their leader Megatron knows that Prime will never back down.

Transformers-Optimus-Prime-theme-682

Richard Jefferson

Richard Jefferson

Today I learned of an occurrence that immediately thrust the individual involved to the realm of heroes and symbols.  That would be NBA star, Richard Jefferson.  The headline reads…

NBA star Richard Jefferson dumps bride-to-be, Kesha Ni’Cole Nichols, night before $2 million wedding

Yup, that’s right.  The headline alone, to me, looks like a pink neon flashing sign.  I didn’t even have to read the article to be joyful at such news.  I’m not even an NBA or Richard Jefferson fan.  I’ve seen Richard Jefferson play a time or two.  I’m a fan now though!

NBA star Richard Jefferson dumps bride-to-be, Kesha Ni’Cole Nichols, night before $2 million wedding

This is better than the opening scene of the hit movie ‘The Hangover’ when the groomsmen calls the bride-to-be to let her know that they lost her husband-to-be and that they won’t make he wedding in 5 hours.  You can’t write a better situation.

Why anyone needs to spend $2 million on a wedding is beyond me.  Well, maybe royalty.  It appears to me that the light went off in Jefferson’s head.  Even for a multi-millionaire, that’s a significant amount of change to spend on a production where people come to freeload, talk bad about you, and then give you a fake smile.  The event was sure to be a hoe-asis, as I’m sure Jefferson has a few wealthy friends and acquaintances.

NBA star Richard Jefferson dumps bride-to-be, Kesha Ni’Cole Nichols, night before $2 million wedding

Jefferson will be smiling happily when he receives his card statement!

Jefferson will be smiling happily when he receives his card statement!

To ice the cake, Jefferson gave a friend his black Amex card for his friends and guests to enjoy themselves at his expense.  I’d say that’s a small price to pay in contrast to the all but guaranteed high price he was going to pay had he married Nichols

'Real Hoes Of The ATL'

'Real Hoes Of The ATL'

Having been scammed by a few women in recent years, this is easily one of the finest moments for me and guys like me all around the world… save for Jon from Kate and Jon Plus 8.  Sorry dude, there’s no glory man could earn to make up for what you did to yourself.   And yes, it’s a little late to try and take your panties off.  Jon Gosselin

Jefferson gaining wisdom just before the hours makes up the countless examples of men being done in / doing themselves in on account of no good, gold digging, scamming… women!  Richard Jefferson, I tip my hat to you.  You’re in a very unique position.  You’ve worked hard for your fortune.  I’m glad you didn’t ruin yourself and compromise your fortune on behalf of a pretty face.  On that note, I will end with a few wise quotes, as well as a music video to best capture this great occurrence.

Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences. ~Norman Cousins

There’s a time and place for that.  The time is never.

There was a time when men were men.  It was last night when Richard Jefferson realized that marrying that chick was the wrong idea!

UGK ft. Outkast - International Player’s Anthem

“Too soon! Dont do it! Reconsider!
Read some li-ter-a-ture on the subject…

I know you aint a pimp but pimp remember what I taught ya
Keep your heart 3 stacks, keep your heart
Aye, keep your heart 3 stacks, keep your heart
Man, these girls is smart, 3 stacks, these girls is smart
Play your part
Play your part”


GM Got Back!

10Jul09

gm_1469380

So GM emerged from bankruptcy today…

Woohoo!  Break out your party favors!!!

GM's no longer bankrupt.  Party over here! (Pontiac Aztek design team)
Party over here! (Pontiac Aztek design team)

The company that has developed countless amounts of garbage, dubbed automobiles, is allowed to torment the buying public again by being given a new lease on life; courtesy of Barack Obama and American taxpayer dollars.

A company like this is only allowed to survive because of the number of jobs and industries it would take to the grave with it if left to perish.  Shameful.

See how hard I'm pushin' on this door.  That's good ol' Americana right there, Bud!  JD Power, you can stick it up your ass! What does a law firm know about makin' cars anyway?
See how hard I’m pushin’ on this door. That’s good ol’ Americana right there, boys! JD Power can stick it up their ass! What does a Law firm know about makin’ cars anyway?

But honestly, why should we care about assembly line workers?  Did these people not know that their company was hemorrhaging billions of dollars of cash quarter after quarter, year over  year?  Maybe, just maybe, the garbage they were building on behalf of GM contributed to the problem in some way.  That, and the fat compensation and benefits packages that were negotiated by the United Auto Workers (UAW).  Must be nice to produce garbage and still get a fat check.  Ah, the American way.  When will we ever learn?

Anyway, I don’t need to dissect GM, or the Auto industry.  There’s tons of analysis on the InterWeb over that.

Bobby boy knows we're stupid!
Bobby boy knows we’re stupid!

This particular quote by GM executive Bob Lutz really struck me, however.  “Where we really messed it up and took our eye off the ball in terms of the product was in the ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s…” Bobby boy, that’s a half truth if I’ve ever seen one.  Let’s break it down, shall we…

The following vehicles are just some of GM’s vehicles made this decade.  You be the judge as to whether what Bob-O said holds any weight.

Cadillac 'Ass'TS
Cadillac ‘Ass’TS

Chevy Impala.  Now who doesn't love an ass like that?
Chevy Impala. Now who wouldn’t love an ass like that?
Hummer H2 - Chopped top Ass Cream truck
Hummer H2 – Chopped top Ass Cream truck
Saturn Aura - Why does a mid-size family car need an aura?
Saturn Aura – Why does a mid-size family car need an aura?
Chevy Assalanche / Ass At Launch
Chevy Assalanche / Ass At Launch
Pontiac 'Ass'tek - GM's champion for one of the ugliest cars in Automotive history
Pontiac ‘Ass’tek – GM’s champion for one of the ugliest cars in Automotive history
GMC Envoy 'Ass'UV - Because there is a consumer segment that needs to regularly carry around tall objects
GMC Envoy ‘Ass’UV – Because there is a consumer segment that needs to regularly carry around tall objects
Pontiac G8 - Because that many rear-wheel drive V8 powered sedans are in demand.
Pontiac G8 – Because that many rear-wheel drive, V8 powered, affordable sedans are in demand.  These should sell really well in the Snowbelt states and Northeast.

Chevy 'Ass'lander
Chevy ‘Ass’lander

Pontiac G3 - A rebadged Chevy 'Ass'veo

Pontiac G3 - A rebadged Chevy 'Ass'veo

So, let me see if I have this right…

GM, you ‘really’ messed up for the past 30+ years and the American taxpayer gets stuck with the bill. And we should ‘really’ let you guys stay in business? Seriously?!  We should have never put this poor excuse for an automaker on life support.

Let GM perish.  Consequences be damned.


A piece of wreckage from Air France Flight 447

A piece of wreckage from Air France Flight 447

It’s been quite a last week and a half.  Actually, it’s been quite a last month.  Air France flight #447 on its way from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed over the Atlantic without explanation.  Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, and Billy Mays died.  A Yemenia Airways flight crashed into the Indian Ocean, killing 153.  The only bright side to that incident is that a young French girl survived it.

‘Air’ McNair

Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Steve McNair

Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Steve McNair

Then, today while checking my Fb, I was greeted by the NFL Fb feed that Steve McNair was murdered.  I replied to the news feed saying “WHATTTTTTT?!“  I then reposted the news article on my Fb to share with those who perhaps had not yet received the news.

I have been a Steve McNair fan since his college days at Alcorn State.  His amazing passing ability translated at the NFL level, where he had a very successful career.  I am really saddened by his loss; especially because it came at such a young age.  He isn’t much older than me.  Unbelievable to think that something like this could happen to a still relatively young man.  I’m still in shock over the news.

What Is Going On In The World?

Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett

That’s all I can say.  All of these lives lost in an instant.  These incidents, as well as coming into contact with an artifact from US Airways flight #1549 a couple of days ago, are up close and personal reminders of how things need to be kept in perspective.   Too often we obsess over, and get caught up in, nonsense.  Many of us are too concerned with the superficial, the irrelevant, and just plain stupid.  And there are those, yours truly included, included who are maybe too caught up in the woes of life.  We spend more time down about what’s not happening, what’s wrong, and negative past experiences, rather than being up about what’s right and all there is to look forward to.

Act Now Before It’s Too Late

Billy Mays

Billy Mays

Life is a limited time offer.  Looking too far back prevents us from seeing far enough forward.  How many opportunities will be deferred, or better yet, never realized because of it.  Sadly, the promise of life is never fully appreciated until it is taken away.  That appreciation never comes from us.  It only comes from those who remember us.

xykw7a936s


Recovery of US Airways 1549

Recovery of US Airways 1549

I was given a very quick reminder this week as to how sobering life can be.  A co-worker who works in IT Support for the company I work for was baffled by what to do with the contents of the package he just received.  Numerous people came by his desk to take a look at this very unique item.  Content to mind my own business, I didn’t bother to see what all the curiosity and amazement was all about.  Then,  one of his counterparts invited me over to his desk to take a look.

The item was a laptop that was badly damaged and corroded.  I asked “Did someone pour acid on it?” He said “No, this is the laptop of an employee who was on US Airways flight #1549 when it crashed.  It was just returned to us after the plane wreckage was retrieved.” I said “Wow, I can’t believe it!”  He said “Yeah, we have to contact Dell to get a replacement laptop.  We have a replacement program with them.” I said “I hope you don’t plan on sending that laptop back.  You have to keep it.  That thing needs to be placed in a museum or something.  How often does plane wreckage actually end up back in the hands of the original owner.”


M2 Digital Photography - View my 'US Airways #1549 Crash Artifacts' set on Flickriver

After that statement, I pulled out my iPhone and began snapping photos of it to share with the world.  Once again, I don’t want my photos floating around the InterWeb.  So, I have put them in a view only photo collage.

US Airways 1549 after landing in the Hudson

US Airways 1549 after landing in the Hudson

To me, an encounter like this is a reminder as to how unpredictable and random life can be.  I had seen coverage of the crash in the news.  I never once thought I’d be touching and photographing anything related to the crash.  It made me think “I’m only two degrees of separation from that crash.” Seeing a piece of that wreckage made me think “What if that were me?”

Captain Chesley Sullenburger

Captain Chesley Sullenburger

The US Airways Pilot, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenburger has gotten his due recognition for his quick thinking and safely landing the plane.  But, his heroics cannot fully be appreciated until one reviews the transcripts of what took place during the flight and how he responded.  See the video below.


D.O.A.

30Jun09
Lyor Cohen - Death of Autotune Video

Lyor Cohen - Death of Autotune Video

I couldn’t let the release of the new Jay-Z single, Death of Autotune, go unrecognized by The Official.  Just when I thought there was no more for Jay to do, and would remain retired, he comes back with this. I’m a ‘Day One’ Jay-Z fan.  Not many of you can say that.  After 14 years (since I first discovered him), Jay has proven himself time and again.  Some would say he has nothing to prove.  True.  But, Hip-Hop is, and was, always about proving yourself.  Jay-Z has proven that he’s simply the one of the best to ever do it, if not the best.  I vote for the latter.

Few, if any rappers, can come out and challenge the entire Rap genre; by basically saying “all your sh.. is garbage, try innovating.” Yeah, he’s talking to Kanye and T-Pain too.  And for those of you who think Li’l Wayne compares, or is in any way formidable, against Jay-Z, the same goes for him too.

Anyway, enough on that subject.  The song is hot.  It’s raw but maintains a deliberate refinement throughout.  It’s also alternative, matter of fact, and symbolic of an individual who blazes his own trail.  Jay-Z makes the game conform to him; not the other way around.  Once again he has demonstrated that he is above the game.  In the oh so cliche’ and overdone world of bling, luxury cars sitting on big rims, and hood war stories, Jay-Z has chosen to be chauffered in the classic E-Class Benz to an abandoned warehouse, location unknown.

Furthermore, he takes us to a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant to have some pasta and red wine.  Before we even finish the meal, we’re in the storage room playing cards with Harvey Keitel, the chef, and one of Tony Soprano’s boys.  Next thing we know we’re on some pier with a view of Manhattan at sunrise.

Jay-Z just sent a lot of rappers scrambling.  Let’s see what now becomes fashionable in Hip-Hop as a result of D.O.A.


Best Of Me

27Jun09

What better time of year is there to break out this mixtape classic?  Mya never really developed popular mainstream appeal.  But, she, Jay-Z, and DJ Clue, utilizing the Biz Markie classic, ‘Make the Music With Your Mouth Biz’, as the platform, managed to turn this into a summertime classic.


WIOOWW!

25Jun09


Ferrari 430 Scuderia

Originally uploaded by David J. Anderson

My ongoing exploration of Flickr has led me to this photo. A black Ferrari F430 Scuderia is enough to get anyone’s attention. The F430, in my opinion, is one of Ferrari’s most beautiful cars among its entire lineage of stallions.

The car is just one part of the story this photo tells. A wicked black Scuderia, scorching the highway as it speeds along, ready to devour anything in its path.

This photo is a personal reminder; my dream of doing exactly what’s been captured in this photo. Dream it, desire it, earn it, live it, and make no apologies for it. The license plate on this car is no better reflection of that reminder, WIOOWW!