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Ok, Pinewood Derby Photo Week culminated tonight in the actual Derby.

There were 26 heats tonight, each one lasting about 2 to 2.5 seconds. Riley's car had some mods done to it prior to racing. We glued some weights back on as some of the graphite ones fell off. In addition, he had to have his number changed from 98 to simply 9. He was a little alarmed as he thought he did something wrong (tears in his eyes; he took it all very seriously), but when we explained it to him, he was fine.

In all, each car competed in 4 heats, once in each lane. Unfortunately, Riley started the night 2 for 2, both times finishing last.

He took it well, though. We tried to explain that competition isn't always about winning. In fact, when the scout leader asked about competition when we started, Riley volunteered by saying exactly that, that winning isn't everything.

Anyway, on his third go-round, he got third place.

You'd think he was on an Oprah's Favorite Things episode. He freaked out!

I was at the other end of the track (the raised end) and I saw him jump into Marci's arms. She told me he was screaming and had tears in his eyes again, he was so excited!

His last heat, he finished last again, but he had fun. At the end of the night (almost 4 hours of time spent at the church!), he got a ribbon and in his den, he finished 4th out of 5 members. He was a little bummed he didn't get a trophy, but he was happy he did it.

Now that he and I have some experience with the Pinewood Derby, I think we'll do better next year. We'll go for more of a wedge shape, and place the weights a bit more strategically.

It was a good time.

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My dashboard. I was gonna upload one from 2010, but didn't have any on this date. Apparently I had already purged it.

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Picture info: shot with BlackBerry 8900

My car in the parking garage. Exciting.

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Picture info: shot with BlackBerry 8900

Saw this Kia parked in a lot. It was covered in badges of other cars. I saw the Audi rings first and thought, "WTF?" and then realized it was a joke because of all the other badges. 

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Picture info: ISO 100, 1/40, f/5.60, 250mm, Av

It's an Audi RS6 Avant Matchbox car. Somehow it fell out our living room window onto the landing below. I was going to get it for Riley but it had a fat spider blocking access, so it'll stay out for tonight.

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Picture info: shot with Blackberry 8900.

This car was in our local mall. Apparently there's going to be a car show there this weekend. I'm guessing it'll be indoors. Plus, with the lousy weather we've had, it'd probably be safer that way.

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Picture info: ISO 100, 1/30, f/4.00, 55mm, Av

She might be 8 going on 16, but she'll remain forever my baby girl.

XO

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Picture info: ISO 400, 1/40, f/2.80, 50mm, Av

In keeping with yesterday's car mention, today I took my car to the dealer for 2 recall issues. One was to fix some ignition coils and the other was to fix a leaky sunroof.

That second part was cool because I usually like to leave the sunroof cracked. It became an issue when it rained because somehow the rain would pool somewhere and then, as I drove, leak all over the passenger side from the visor.

It was quite strange.

I'm guessing the recall took care of that.

Anyway, this picture is of my engine and the current issue (not covered by recall, but apparently a common issue) is that cracked hose. You see the "X" crack in the elbow, and on the back side is another crack.

The hose is almost completely broken. Aside from messing up my mileage, it also makes my car sound like a speeder bike when I take my foot off the gas. It is kind of cool, but I'd rather have the miles.

The dealer wanted $81 for the part and $50 to install it. I said no thanks and hit up my car parts store.

The guy behind the counter smirked when I told him what the dealer wanted me to do. In a very interestingly froggy-type voice, the car parts guy told me to tape the hose. Trouble was, at the time, we couldn't see it as it usually resides under a plastic engine cover.

Anyway, when I got home, I found the hose under said cover. I borrowed some duct tape from a neighbor and sealed that sucker up.

I still get the helicopter sound, but I'm going to get more satisfaction in buying the same part for $40 and installing it myself.

Go me!