My Friday Evening Was Kind Of Cool

So over the past month and a half the DStore in Orange County was being revamped. Dainese thought it was time for a face lift and to add a few "extras". So they cleared out the back section of the building where the U.S. corporate offices were and expanded the store. By sheer coincidence, I was over there when I ran into our very own 'Recalcitrance' and while she was talking to the manager, he mentions that he needs someone to help them with finishing up the Audio-Video system. So being the good friend she is, she points to me and says, "There's your man right there". Although I've been to the store more times than I can count and I have spoken with the manager several times, it was always as a client of theirs, nice change of position if I do say so myself.

I give him my number and told him to call me if he needed my services, he said one of the employees there was going to look at it and if he didn't feel he was up to the task, he would call me. So a few days pass and low and behold, I get a phone call, it's Tom (the manager) and he asked if I would be interested in helping them out. "Sure, I'll actually be in the area today so I'll stop by and get some info and make an assessment". Essentially the GC had done most of the physical work but they needed equipment and some guidance on how best to do what they wanted for the store. That's where I come in. On first pass, I look over the building, equipment and wiring infrastructure they have and give them an estimate. He liked what I told him and then I went to work.

To cut to the chase, I went by the store Friday afternoon and while I was doing some last minute touch ups and making sure that their Grand Opening event on Saturday (12/12/15) would go off without a hitch, I had a quick chat with Tom. He asked if I was going to make the event on Saturday and I told him I unfortunately wouldn't be able to make it, he suggested that I return later that evening to join their "industry" event. In this case industry meant people in the motorcycle industry, magazine folks, local dealerships, and professional racers, current and retired. Well, you can guess where I ended up Friday evening!

Well, I show up around 6:30PM and the place is packed, so I make my way to the food and beverages (read: Finger food with Beer and wine) and begin to settle in. Most of the people there I didn't recognize, however...there were a few I clearly did! I saw Nicky Hayden, Tom Sykes (Who was going to be doing an autograph session on Saturday) and Scott Russell. There were a couple of other amateur racers as well and one very famous professional one, Eddie Lawson! Dainese actually flew in Tom Sykes for the event but the others had shown up at their own expense from what I was told. Nicky Hayden actually has a place in Orange County and from what I hear stops in a few times a year just to say hi. I was trying to get a pic or two with the Nicky and some of the others but you can imagine they were being bombarded by photo takers.

I was actually able to get a face to face talk with Scott Russell and found out that he will no longer being doing the race reporting but his replacement would be Colin Edwards!
[image: IMG_2314_zpsa72rl0l4.jpg]

They took a group photo but an elbow got in the way so a couple of people on the left got blocked! The little cutie between Nicky and Tom is Nicky's girlfriend. From what I hear, she's in the reality TV show 'Tequila Sisters'.

[image: IMG_2312_zpswpsficev.jpg]


Scott and Tom were quite busy getting there pictures taken. Sometimes together and...
[image: IMG_2310_zpsqlwmw2og.jpg]

Other times alone.

[image: IMG_2316_zpsbhfcmmts.jpg]
 

I was actually able to get a face to face talk with Scott Russell and found out that he will no longer being doing the race reporting but his replacement would be Colin Edwards!

:cheerleader:

Looks like a blowout night!  And presuming you got some loot for your trouble, all the better!  Thanks for the photos. 

Well, that tops my Friday night!  Thanks for sharing.

Lucky  man  ...

Very cool!

Nice!!!!

Colin commentating?  Are they aware what they are in for?? :goofy:

[video: https://youtube.com/embed/cdqTMPwjqR8?html5=1&fs=1]

:fing02: Quite cool.

I can only echo what others said.  Cool!

Dave.

Wow Darryl, what a great night to land in your lap! Sometimes you make your own luck. 

Looking forward to seeing Nicky and Tom on the same track in 2016.