You should have seen the flicker in Jeff's eyes the day Taiden brought home his unsculptured block of wood for the upcoming Pinewood Derby. A flash that I knew could only mean a resurgence of boyish competitiveness from yesteryears. He cracked a smile and assured Taiden that their car was going to be something to behold.
After sometime at G'pa Gregson's house using some sort of thing-a-ma-saw, a naked profile of a car emerged. Then came the shiny, metallic paint. 12 coats of shiny, metallic paint. 12 coats I tell you! Necessary? Probably not to an uneducated non-Derby person like myself. But Jeff assured me it was a must.
Racing stripes appeared. Then came the weights. I heard something about fishing weights. This ain't no pansy wansy car. No way. Fishing weights gives it the ghetto, old school flare. Multiple holes drilled and weights secured snugly inside. Dry graphite lubricant was then applied and there was lots of wheel spinning. Necessary or simply ritualistic? I'm still not quite sure.
The big night came and Taiden was casually pumped up for the games to begin. He and Jeff are so much alike. Calm and collected on the outside. You have to look into their eye to see the true fire within. They were both focused and eager so see what the competition looked like.
G'pa Gregson came over to watch and support. The races started and we realized that, with 5 cars zipping down a long wooden track, it is sometimes hard for the judges to always call an accurate winner of each heat. We confirmed that Taiden's first race. 2nd should have been 1st but what can you do? This is a church activity. Sis. __________ isn't getting paid to be a judge, she just has to be the judge because she's a den mother. Do you cry "Foul! I want a rematch!" ?
The 2nd race was better; he took 1st. Then tied for 1st; Jeff and G'pa both raised their eyebrows in question. Then another 2nd place. Taiden paced up and down the track. Not from nervousness, but from being in the moment.
The 2nd race was better; he took 1st. Then tied for 1st; Jeff and G'pa both raised their eyebrows in question. Then another 2nd place. Taiden paced up and down the track. Not from nervousness, but from being in the moment.
Results were announced but he didn't make the top 3. He questioned the validity of the first race ("maybe that's why I wasn't one of the winners, mom?") but we had to put on our parental hats and give a mature answer about "life- not-always-being-fair-and-people-are-doing-their-best-at-judging-fast-cars-crossing-the-finish-line-and-maybe-somebody-forgot-to-put-on-their-glasses-this-morning." It's hard to be the adult sometimes.
I think Jeff may invest in a finish line camera next time around. That flicker is still in his eye.
5 comments:
Even if he didn't make it into the top 3, it's a rad looking car.
You are a modern day Erma Bombeck, Kristen...that's supposed to be a compliment. Anyway, your talent for writing adds much to my days when there's a new outside-the-lines post.
And, I was wondering if Jeff could come over and give me a manicure...12 coats of blue metallic nail polish, please.
maybe if you had painted it crimson red instead of that woosy blue!? Unfortunatly here at this homestead were not all that big of fans of the scuby scouts, however, i have a feeling jer's inner fire may be lit when a competition like this rolls around...our poor boys! The car looks amazing! i'm totally impressed!
Crimson red? WHATEVER! Remember Randee that this was a scout activity. Why would we bring crimson red filth into a church house? What kind of people do you think we are?
P.S. - 4 more weeks!!!!!!!!!!
Our Derby track was made my someone in our Stake that apparently was having some of these same "Judging Issues." He put in a computer system with lights & sensors. When the cars pass the finish lines, it automatically displays the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Place cars of that heat on a little screen above. (supposedly accurate) Can you believe it? How's Jeff on inventing things like that? :)
Pinewood Derbys actually rank right up there with School Science Projects in my book! I hate them. (but, don't get me started!) 3 down, 1 more to go in my family - YEA! :)
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