THE FINAL WORD

WELL, IT’S OFFICIAL. I have finally realized that I have flipped the ’90s mixed tape to side B. Coming to this conclusion wasn’t easy. I feel like I’ve put up a great fight, but Father Time and 47.8 years of experience have led me to believe it’s time to hit eject and put side B into the tape deck. Side A has taught me a lot, and the experiences associated with it have literally led me to who I am today.

Someone once told me, “The older you get the faster it goes.” That means side B is going to be cruising—and I need to stop and smell the roses.

OK, OK. What’s with all the cliche sayings and cassette tape metaphors? Well, I have finally realized that I am “over the hill!” Sorry, I had to get one more in there. What does it mean to the truck builder in me, and why am I writing about it? Well, it means I am going to opt for the truck with less rust and fewer problems. And, though it’s not easy for me to say, “No, that is too much work. I’ll pass,” will emerge from my lips.

When we are young men and women, we relish in the journey, the experience and the “we got this” attitude. One of the best truck examples is the “chassis” experience! When you’re younger and you have more time and less money, you might be more inclined to buy a cheaper front/back half and blow that stock frame and all 84 rivets out yourself over a weekend. Your hands will be vibrated numb, your air compressor will need oil, and you will have checked that box. You did it and got the t-shirt!

When you get a little older and a little wiser, and maybe a little more change in your pockets, you realize that you can buy that complete chassis and save a lot of time. Sure, it costs more, but the sooner you get the chassis done, the cab set, the motor in, etc., you’ll be on the road, windows down, driving that build.

I’m not sure why—maybe age, life experience, friends getting sick or dying—but once I understood the significance of side B, why someone might flip the cassette, I felt a change. I loaded up my shoulders with all the weight of side A. And then, when my back started to say, “Hey dude this is starting to get heavy!”, I flipped to side B. It was relief and a heaviness lifted o my shoulders. I learned that it’s OK to take a break.

So, if you are reading this and you are on side A, enjoy it as you are in the moment and you can do anything. You aren’t even thinking about side B—nor should you. If you have switched the cassette and are living life on side B, I will probably be watching and learning as I am very new to this side. I assume there will be a few skips along the way, but that is what makes it a “Greatest Hits” mix tape. We do the best we can and learn as we go!

I’m not sure why—maybe age, life experience, friends getting sick or dying— but once I understood the significance of side B, why someone might flip the cassette, I felt a change.