Monday, May 28, 2007

Getting Settled In

I know that its been an eternity it seems since I did a "real" blog entry, so let me take some time to explain and bring you up to date.

There have been some monumental changes in my life that have taken place in the last month and a half that are both abrupt and very unexpected. A few weeks ago, I moved away from everything I knew in Columbus, GA where I've spent the last 3 years of my life to start over somewhere new. I've relocated to a beautiful lakeside mountain community 40 miles southeast of Huntsville, Alabama called Grant.

My new place is quite cozy and very "homey". I originally intended to move into an apartment, which looking around now at my ...*AHEM*..."extensive" clothing collection and my well-stocked kitchen (Mami gave me enough kitchenware to rival Emeril, not to mention the stuff I had already bought in Columbus) that certainly never would have worked. Luckily, when asking local real estate superstar, Luis Crowder if I could rent space in his shop for my racecar and trailer, he mentioned that he had a 3 bedroom/2 bath right behind the shop that would be PERFECT. So sight unseen, I made the move to Grant.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the place is HUGE. But it also seemed that the prior residents must have had an army of kids... and from the wall doodles and other kid-inspired nuisances, they appeared to come straight out of the movie Problem Child. So my first 2 weekends consisted of a lot of scrubbing, and painting of every single room before I could unload all my stuff. Now, I've never painted before. And I'm pretty darn sure that after that, I never will again. Talk about a DISASTER! My back is STILL hurting. I have new appreciation for painters.

Today is the first time in weeks I've been able to fire up my computer. Yes, those that know me know that is quite the accomplishment on my part. But part of living in the boondocks means that getting High Speed Cable Internet takes an act of Congress. Charter has taken no less than 7 attempts and 3 full weeks to get it right. Thank God for Porkchop... since I'm at my new job during the day, he's been the one stuck waiting to let the cable guy in for me. Thanks to Chuck for that one too... I'm sure there are better things 'Chop could be doing during his workday.

My new abode is also located minutes from Gotham City South, headquarters of TARE Racing which is a definite bonus. There is so much I can learn from Chuck and the guys! And I've also learned that living right behind a shop also means you get lots of drop in visitors. Reminder to keep the 'fridge stocked with beer... those guys will be great crew help whenever my car finally comes home!

Along with the change in scenery, comes a new job as well. Staying in my current industry, I've taken a position with the Huntsville Times, the local newspaper, in Advertising/Marketing Development. This is going on my 3rd week of work, and so far I love the people and the work structure. Though it is the same industry and basic job functions, it is neat learning the very different sales philosophies that two newspaper entities employ to reach their budgets. Many of the sales staff have been there for over 10 years, which is a good sign of a positive work environment. I think I'm going to enjoy my new position, and can learn a lot from the veterans on the staff.

As far as the racecar goes, this whole move and other contributing factors have made me quite late in debuting the car and getting out there and racing. Its been very frustrating for me being out of the seat this long, as well as not being out there for Brisk USA, Harland Sharp & the other Horsepower & Heels supporters. But on a positive, I have been able to round-up all the parts for the engine so Mr. Moody can work his magic. We're just waiting on the car to get done at the chassis shop to get started on final assembly and send her off to paint.

These have been some trying last few months for me, and I'm very grateful to my friends and family for helping me get through it. Things are definitely looking up, and there are some great things in store both for me personally, and Horsepower & Heels. Now that I'm back on-line and getting settled in, I promise to update more.

Stay tuned!

HEADSTRONG & ON A MISSION in '07,
Erica

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 7:41 PM | | Comments

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Moving on...

Weekly update to my "Around the Country" with Horsepower & Heels Blog.

2007 ROLLING TOTAL: 11,749 miles

Jan 1-8 Orlando, FL 860 miles
Jan 20-21 Orlando, FL 860 miles
Feb 10-11 Birmingham, AL 244 miles
Feb 17-18 Addison, IL 1,680 miles
Mar 3-4 Orlando, FL 860 miles
Mar 16-18 Gainesville, FL 600 miles
Mar 23-25 Greenville, SC 1,238 miles
Mar 31-Apr 1 Atlanta, GA; Huntsville, AL 725 miles
Apr 5-Apr 19 North Alabama 2,175 miles (several trips)
Apr 20-21 Huntsville, AL 552 miles
Apr 26-30 Andersonville, TN; Atlanta, GA 747 miles
May 4-6 Greenville, SC 506 miles
May 8 Mableton, GA 224 miles
May 12-13 Grant, AL 478 miles

Things are pretty hectic right now, which is why there hasn't been much reporting on the Horsepower & Heels front. I am in the process of moving up to Grant, AL... and I HATE moving.

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 9:15 AM | | Comments

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Rollin' along....

Weekly update to my "Around the Country" with Horsepower & Heels Blog.

2007 ROLLING TOTAL: 11,251 miles
Jan 1-8 Orlando, FL 860 miles
Jan 20-21 Orlando, FL 860 miles
Feb 10-11 Birmingham, AL 244 miles
Feb 17-18 Addison, IL 1,680 miles
Mar 3-4 Orlando, FL 860 miles
Mar 16-18 Gainesville, FL 600 miles
Mar 23-25 Greenville, SC 1,238 miles
Mar 31-Apr 1 Huntsville, AL 725 miles
Apr 5-Apr 19 North Alabama 2,175 miles (several trips)
Apr 20-21 Huntsville, AL 552 miles
Apr 26-30 Andersonville, TN; Atlanta, GA 747 miles
May 4-6 Greenville, SC 506 miles

May 8 Mableton, GA 224 miles

Well, 'tis the season. All my friends are getting hitched. 2 of my best friends chose back-to-back weekends to get married, and I was in the wedding party in each. That's lots of miles to the trip-o-meter, and not so much sleep for me.

There's a lot going on in my life right now... some good, some not so fun. But I'm truckin' right along and trying to get back to work hardcore. I got an interesting phone call about a possible driving position for 2008 in the NHRA, and while I won't jinx myself by telling all here, it would be a chance of a life time and a dream come true if it actually works out.

Keep your fingers crossed, and check back soon... there's a ton going on at Horsepower & Heels that will be sure to surprise you!

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 7:09 PM | | Comments

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