Starbucks Dream Building

No, I don't want to own a coffee house franchise. I am referring to the process of dream building WHILE in a coffee house. Dream building is the act of thinking about, reading about, planning for, and visualizing an eventuality such as a vacation, your true love, that perfect road trip, or that perfect wheelin rig.

I went over to the local Starbucks after slaving away on the computer for a few hours working on the new mag and, accompanied by my son, he with his Sony PSP (video game thingy) and I with the latest issue of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine, we sat in the sunlight streaming through the window and sluped frapp'ed coffee goodness. 4WD&SU mag is my favorite printed mag. I'll tell ya why.

I was at the 2007 SEMA show and was standing in a vendors booth only to turn around and see Phil Howell who was just announcing to an friend of mine that he was back in the saddle as the Editor-in-Cheif of 4WD&SU. I introduced myself and told him that it was my favorite mag. He asked why, to which I replied, "It takes me places".

So it was today, in the overstuffed chair with frozen coffee in hand, that I was once again taken somewhere via the pages of that mag. Very cool.

Now for many, it is the draw of big rocks, big axles, and the ultimate challenge of man VS. machine that gets them all ready to go. For me is about destinations and adventures. A quick trail ride with the family which leads to a hidden oak grove or waterfall. Camping with my son after a good day on the trail. The fellowship of the Jeepin' folk. That is my stoke.

So, I am excited to spend time in the garage tomorrow and get a bit farther along with the Jeep project. I owe it to Starbucks, and simple magazine subscription, and some guy in a cowboy hat named Phil Howell who likes to go places as much as I do.

Thanks, guys.