[tccrab]

Today I wore my Pirate Racing Tee-Shirt in JVD's honor.
It goes back into the poster frame with all the memorabilia that he sent me of Pirate Racing. I won't wear it again.
59 is too young, much too young for the long sleep.
JVD was a bit of a Gentleman Scoundrel, he never cared a whip for what anyone else thought of him, he did what he did and asked for no excuses or explanations or forgiveness.
If he didn't like you, he didn't like you.
If he liked you, he liked you from the very first second he met you.
I was lucky that way.
We had a bond from the first time we spoke.
He was the Pirate Captain, and I was one of his Crew.
I met the Captain though a chance eBay purchase, a ZR1 labeled door sill for "Girlfriend" when he was clearing out the storage when he moved from California to Kentucky.
I remember asking some stupid question and a certain kinship just seemed to open up right from the first email.
We never met face to face, but we spoke many times on the phone and via email.
He had some stories to tell, yessir.
And he always did.
Wish I had recorded some of them.
I remember calling him when he was selling "The WeekendEndr", asking if he'd take payments. (the answer was an emphatic "No" but I had to try).
"The Captain" and I just got along, every time "Girlfriend" would hiccup and something wasn't quite right I'd call him and he'd just tell me to take her out and flog her some and see if she'd do it again.
Usually it was just my imagination and he'd always blame it on me not driving her enough.
Always good advice.
I will miss that.
I'm jealous of the people that actually worked with him, they got to see/hear him every day.
I'll bet they have some pretty good stories to tell.
"The Captain" was that way.

Your "Crew" will always miss you Captain.
Be safe and Godspeed.
I suppose I'll see you soon enough.

'Crabs