Congratulations to VooDooBrw, FJCruiserForums member of the month for the month of December!!!
What are your future plans for the FJ?
VooDooBrew: I am considering selling it here in Germany, and buying another as soon as we get back home to northern CA. That way I don't have to wait another 3 months for it to reach me.
Also, they sell here for a LOT more money.
MG: What will your FJ look like years from now?
VDB: More scratches, with hopefully more mods! If I ever decide to re-paint it, it will probably look GREEN. hmm, then I will have to change my user name?
MG: What will you look back on and remember most?
VDB: About my FJ, or about my *entire life*?? LOL
I will remember the good times I had in the VoodooBrew with my son... and how nice it is to pass it along to him. As for life, wow, dunno... probably the time spent living in foreign countries. Must say Spain has better weather than Germany.
MG: What has the forum done for you and what can the forum learn from you?
VDB: I have learned a tremendous amount about the FJ. I came onboard due to a mechanical problem early on, and somehow I got stuck here. LOL. I'm not really sure what I have taught the forum... Don't underestimate women and their love for their vehicles, maybe?? Y'all already knew that.
MG: What is the most unusual thing about you?
VDB: Well, I have this third... haha, j/k. Tough question. Most people think it's unusual that I speak so many languages. I'd probably have to say it's my unpredictable temper.
MG: What was the best day of your life?
VDB: The day that my son was born, after being told I'd never be able to have kids.
MG: Where or what is your most desired adventure/excursion?
VDB: I was hoping for a road trip to Norway while we are here in Germany, but now that we are coming home earlier than originally contracted, I don't know if that will happen. We are going to the Canary Islands (Spain) this month. I've always wanted to go to Argentina. We love to hike.
MG: What is your favorite trail/trip?
VDB: Going to Tahoe is probably what we do the most often, mainly to ski, so unfortunately 4x4 trails are usually closed when we go!
MG: What is your favorite modification to date?
VDB: Demello hybrid sliders.
MG: What mod would you not do again?
VDB: I don't know that I'd get a hitch bike rack again... I'd probably go roof top instead. I'm tall enough.
MG: How do you expect your mods to benefit you?
VDB: Well, in Germany, offroading is pretty much forbidden, although where I live it's mostly dirt roads, so the rig stays dirty. I'm looking forward to being back in CA for more opportunities to get on trail.
MG: What does your FJ do for you? How has it affected your life?
VDB: It has made life more fun -- it gets me where I want to go!
MG: What other recreation do you enjoy?
VDB: Travel, cycling (road and mountain), hiking, skiing, snowshoeing. I collect antiques and wine; is that recreation?
MG: Who are you in real life?
VDB: Researcher in the fields of Molecular Biology/ Biochemistry, somewhat "retired" for now to raise my son. I just starting teaching English and Spanish here in Germany.
MG: Why did you buy your FJ?
VDB: With the arrival of the kiddo, my husband was a bit cramped in my Tacoma. The first time I saw the FJ, I was hooked, and traded in. It took some time, however, because my husband was as resistant with the FJ as he was with my Tacoma...
MG: What is your favorite music? What CD’s are in your player right now?
VDB: I like a wide variety of music... but if I had to pick a favorite genre, it's probably still 60s/70s rock. What's in the CD right now?... hmm, I think Dave Matthews, David Bowie, Ella Fitzgerald Swingin' Christmas, some kids' Spanish music by Jose Luis Orosco, Live (Throwing Copper), Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky.
MG: What is your favorite food?
VDB: Italian and Spanish. I really miss Mexican food!
MG: Did you have a previous vehicle that was as fun as your FJ?
VDB: '04 Tacoma 4x4 TRD SR5, supercharged.
MG: How & why do you participate on the Forum?
VDB: I come to learn stuff, and look for fun things to do (trail runs, etc.). This move to Germany has meant less time for me on the forum, however. I miss some of the OT banter (e.g. political threads); I think that is what really made me feel "connected".
MG: When you moved to Germany,
some on the forum sensed
that you might not fully enjoy the time there. Has that
changed for you?
VDB: No. It's no secret I'm not really happy here, but I have made a few friends, finally. The culture here is VERY different than in CA. While it is a ton of work to move to another continent, I am really looking forward to going back.
MG: What do Germans say about your FJ? Do you get a lot of 'looks'?
VDB: Yes, lots of turned heads, and lots of basic questions. They all think it's too big for Germany, LOL. I have yet to see another one here! My son's friends think it's "cool".
MG: When you return to the States, what will you do (besides unpack) your first month back?
VDB: Get off plane, kiss ground. Go to my favorite places in the Bay Area. Go to the beach. Work in my GARDEN that I left only one month after finishing the landscaping! SIT ON MY "NEW" REDWOOD DECK -- I will be doing that a lot.
I hope that the renters will leave the place in good shape!
MG: (And finally, my favorite!)
I, state your name….
VDB: Michelle Lovett, do solemnly swear to buy another FJ should I sell mine in Germany (even though I've really got my eye on a Land Rover Defender, hee hee), and I hope to someday be worthy of a real build up thread. *grin*
