The "F" Bomb

I was sitting in the line at the border today and for some reason I began to think of the "F"word.  You know the word that rhymes with truck.  It may have been because I was surrounded by trucks that I thought of this word...or it could have been the fact that I had been in this line-up for an hour...But, I was thinking of the "F"word and it's many uses.

I actually could not figure out what the "F"word stands for anymore.  It has surpassed the normal word definition and actually stands alone in the word category.  The "F"word can be very offensive and it can hurt people deeply and it can be very funny if said by someone you don't expect.  It can be crude when used with the right force and it can be cute when your two year old says it accidently while learning to say truck before they have learned to pronounce their T's... so cute in fact that you may have them say truck alot while you and your friends chuckle at how funny it is.  It can be a description, a put-down or a compliment...for instance "that thing is "F"t up" and, "dude you are seriously "F"t" and "That is "F"n beautiful.  I can't think of a more versatile word in the english language.  The "F"word is so versatile it can be used as a one word sentence that says it all... "F".

The "F"word has actually grown in popularity, versatility, and acceptance over the past 38 years.  When I was seven I was angry at a boy on my school bus because he got my favorite seat and he was being a bit to happy about it.  I can remember trying so hard to wrap all my little fingers down just right so my middle finger could stand all alone with pride.  I remember putting my defiant little hand right up to the back of the seat really close...a saying my first "F"word, not loud, I could barely hear it but, it felt great! ... and I got caught... and I got in trouble... BIG trouble... I had to apologize to that snotty nosed little kid and he did not even hear or see what I had done.  I was not standing up with a blazin bird flying freely yelling the "F" word... nope quietly, and secretly... But, today everyone uses these gestures and words freely... there are so many bird's and "F"words flying around in so many different directions and with so many different meanings we hardly notice... And, speaking of popular the "F"word has its own hand sign... not just any hand sign... the most recognizable hand sign on the planet and it's so powerful.

 

Just some thoughts I was having while waiting in that "F"n line... 

Mr. Merc's Church for Jerks

Howdy, and welcome to Mr. Merc's Church for Jerks.  Your online stop to get your weekly inspirational thought or motivational entertainment.  Actually its just an idea I had driving home the other day.  

I've had a few people curious enough to ask me why I'm not heavily involved in church anymore... what happened?  I guess after doing that gig for 25 years they are a little concerned that I have messed up or something.  To be honest I've wondered the same thing... have I messed up or something... you know have I disqualified myself.  I've gone through the normal list of sins that disqualify church leaders today and I feel I'm doing really good... I did not sleep with the secretary, I did not steal all the money out of the offering plate, I did not hire a male gigolo and have him dance around my office while I took pictures... etc.etc. etc.  The simple truth is "I changed".

I changed.  I got tired of all the energy it took.  Got tired of biting my tongue when I really disagreed.  etc.etc.  I got tired of being nice.  So, I became a Jerk.  It was'nt like I got up one morning and decided to be a jerk... it was more like an involuntary twitch...a jerk.  I would say things to people that were mean...twitch... or flipping the bird and yelling in traffic...twitch...or when people disagreed with me I wished bad stuff on them or told them off...twitch,twitch...  Yep, I was a Jerk.

Thank God that was only half the change.  The other part of the change was the best part...I get to become the REAL me.  Paradox and all... the good and the bad...etc. etc.  I have rediscovered my love for art and being an artist.  I have found some peace.  I have rediscovered my love for God and faith in Jesus.  I am returning to the simple beliefs I had when I first got saved... you know Love God and Love people.  I have found my style.  I have made new friends.  I am still a Jerk...and thats why I need Real forgiveness and Real mercy and Real grace...really.

The Bible says in Revelation chapter 2... "hey you Jerk"... You are doin good but, you walked out on your first love...so go back and do the stuff you did in the beginning so you can remember why you love this Person in the first place...(NJV...New Jerk Version)... See, this jerk, me, walked out on the REAL reason I love God so much and I got all consumed with church stuff, which is doin good, but ain't the REAL deal for me.  I love God because He really loves me...jerks and all... just like I am...in the middle of change...my paradox.  I love God because he is full of grace, mercy and forgiveness.  

Jerks need that.

When it Rains it Pours...

We have been planning this launch for our new business for a couple months now and I can't believe how much energy it is gaining.    The people who have gathered around the launch of Mr. Merc's are some of the greatest people I have ever met.  These folks are incredibly talented, gifted would be a better word.  They are thoughtful, and kind and generous... what a great bunch.

The ideas and pieces coming together are brilliant and I cant wait for the 23rd to get here.

Big Events Rock

So I'm planning this event in February at the Abbotsford Tradex.  It's a big car show and I'm launching my new business at the event.  A few months ago I was remembering how car dealerships used to cover the windows when the new models came in and no one saw them until the release day.  Our whole little town could'nt wait.  When the day arrived we would cruise by and look in the windows at the new cars...wow what a memory.  I thought it would be fun to recapture that memory at the launch of our new studio.  So I am going to unveil two very different and very well done cars.  There will be pin-up girls, and custom guitars and designer shoes, and rock bands, and vintage art.  I'm so excited about this show.  It's one of those things that is bigger than the event.  The energy and buzz is taking on its own life.  I love watching these things happen.  This is going to be a real blast. 

What is this?

Building cars has been apart of my life since 1977 when I dragged home an old 64 galaxy that had been sitting under a berry tree and started washing off the mulberries and bird poo.  It was a gross job but, all I could see was the diamond of a car hidden under the layers and layers of dirt.  I  proudly drove that car  for almost 2 years before I sold it and bought my second car... a mint 1966 Fairlane.  I was forever infected with this disease that made me want to find old dirty cars and make them new again.  Since the first time I cruised my galaxy down the strip until today I have and still am in love with old cars and the culture that surrounds them.  

Thats why I started Mr. Merc's Custom Car Studio.  I wanted a place where I could buy, build and sell art that appeals to the kustom kulture... my culture.  I love the vibe that surrounds the little studios...(garages and shops) that are scattered all over the world.   Little dingy, buildings and garages filled with wall art and car parts and right in the middle is the masterpiece.  Just the image of this is art... your imagination fills in the rest.  You can almost hear the music coming out of some dusty old stereo, guys and girls talking about their latest adventure, the sound of a beer can opening, and friends laughing and dreaming together. 

Mr. Merc's exists to showcase the art that our Kustom Kulture creates.  Whether you are building a home built ratrod or a custom 54 chevy its art.  It's art because you create it and then put it out there for people to see...your interpretation of something on display for the public to see... If that is not art I don't know what is.  Building cars is art... our palette is old car parts, our medium is metal, bondo and paint, our brushes are welders, and wrenches and sandpaper.   We call left over or unusable parts yard art or wall art...pinball machines and jukeboxes are used to decorate our living spaces and shops.  This culture is an artistic statement about our history and our future.  

The Beginning of Mr. Merc's

Here is the first test post for Mr. Merc's Custom Car Studio.  Yep. that's right an official blog site for people who love Custom Car's and the Kulture that surrounds them.