Jeff û Thank you!
After reading your post, youÆve just inspired me to add æa little somethingÆ of my own <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Back when
I was completely brand new to the Isuzu scene, and *entirely* wet behind the ears û(as opposed to now; being only *partially so* <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> ), the very first thing that I ordered was a set of Rancho 9000 shocks. --- I found a seller in Colorado, placed my order with them, and sat back and waited for delivery. --- Several days later, the seller contacted me, requesting more information about my vehicle (he was totally unfamiliar with Isuzus, and wanted me to provide him with the part numbers for my Rodeo)à
At that time, I had only recently discovered 4x4Wire, The Planet, Independent4x, and Darlington Off-Road, but I had already read several complementary things about Mr. Darlington and DOR û so I sent him an e-mailà In it, I related the problems that I was having with the seller, and told him that I was considering canceling my order with them and buying a set of Old Man Emu shocks from DOR instead. --- JoeÆs reply really surprised meà Rather than take an order from me, he provided the part numbers for the Ranchos! - and added that I would really like them. (
And man, was he ever RIGHT!)
Quite a few moons later - before he moved to NC - Joe was planning to visit with some family in TN/VA (as well as celebrate his birthday), so some of us decided to throw together a little trail-run and æafter-partyÆ to honor the occasion. --- When the day for the event rolled around, I finally met Joe in-person and got to 4-wheel with himà and his slow methodical approach to trail obstacles was quite a lesson û especially when contrasted with my (then) significantly less finessed æpoint it & stab the go-pedalÆ technique. --- I learned a great deal that day, and still appreciate those lessons immensely!
That night û although the plan was for a number of people to attend û it ended-up being Joe, Miss Kathy, and myself, sitting at a table, eating dinner and listening to a live solo performance by an old friend of mine, LigntninÆ Charlie (rather than the whole band, as we'd mistakenly believed). --- Not exactly the grand birthday party that had been planned û but Joe took it in stride as he is so well known to do, and seemed to enjoy himself quite a bit just the same... (
Particularly when Charlie started getting heckled by some drunken sorority girl, and quickly turned the tables on her with a few clever and sharply disparaging off-the-cuff remarks about her questionable ækissin' cousinÆ parentage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> û
Ahh, but thatÆs a whole`nother story <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> )
To beat all, despite being our guest of honor that night, Joe insisted on helping load-out CharlieÆs equipment after the show!
I remember as we were pulling out of the parking lot (thinking at the time, with Joe living in Idaho, that I would probably never see him again) - I looked at Kathy and said, ôWhat a really great guy!ö
After that night, I didnÆt see Joe again until he moved to NC and started attending the Uwharrie events.
On the last day of one of these gatherings, a couple of years ago - after almost everyone else had already packed-up and headed home û in the middle of the pouring rain (a gross understatement!) û immediately before heading-out myself, I discovered that I had toasted yet another alternator on our last trail-run that morningà
And to make matters worse, my blood sugar was way out of whack, rendering me somewhat mentally challenged, and basically darn-near useless. --- Joe was already running waaaaaaaaaaaaay behind his intended departure timeà nonetheless, he stuck around to æassistÆ me in the removal of my alternator (i.e.: he did most of the work) û drove me into town for a replacement (about 15+ miles each way) û and then once we got back to the campground (after my blood sugar had gotten even worse, despite my best efforts to regulate it), with the rain coming down in buckets, he installed the replacement
for me! This totally selfless deed is undoubtedly only one-among-many (the stories for which, if everyone shared them, would probably turn this thread into one of the longest in the history of 4x4Wire!)à I would just like to say that I was (and still remain) grateful beyond all words. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Joe, you are truly one-of-a-kindà and I consider it an absolute honor to have you as a friend! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
