Having been diagnosed with Delayed Onset Technical Attention Deficit Disorder at an early age, Mr. Stewart's prospects in any meaningful profession seemed dim. Those who suffer from this maddening affliction find themselves quite engaged while tearing apart some new piece of technology, only to become bored with the effort to reassemble the now widely-scattered remains. Despite (or perhaps because of) this liability, Scott has managed to hold down a job as a Unix System Architect for a large underwear company. He brings a unique perspective and questionable sartorial vision to Project EZ.
Calling Winston-Salem, North Carolina home, Mr. Stewart remains close enough to be monitored by colleague Wendy Ledbetter on an as-needed basis. When not threatening the existence of defenseless programmers in the course of after-hours technical support, Scott enjoys camping in his 1972 VW Bus, watching Doctor Who and impersonating a part-time college instructor.
It was during his own college years that he was dubbed "Crash Gordon" by one of his professors. Thinking that the institution's computing system for business students was hung when it was merely waiting for a utility to complete, Mr. Stewart shut the system down hard. It was only through the heroic efforts of IBM that classes could resume.
During his more lucid moments, Mr. Stewart also provides nutritional counseling and housing assistance to the project's ancillary technical staff.
Project EZ Personnel Briefing #2: Scott "Crash Gordon" Stewart
Project EZ Personnel Briefing #1: Wendy "Golden Pipes" Ledbetter
In any multifaceted endeavor, success rests upon the backs of those individuals who are able to rise to any number of simultaneous challenges with a smile on their face or a tire iron within reach. As other project team members can attest, Wendy Ledbetter manages both.
Ms. Ledbetter hails from Salisbury, North Carolina where, when not on loan to us here at DraftMaster Motorsports, she serves as Manager of Physician Staff Services for a regional medical center. In this capacity, she presides over unruly clinicians and hospital administrators with both an iron fist and a velvet touch. It was this unusual union of force and finesse that first brought her to our attention.
In addition to her threat-based management style, Wendy brings a wide range of valuable skills to the project table. No stranger to the underside of a car's hood, she is quite capable of going toe-to-toe with a misbehaving powerplant; wrench at the ready. Her softer side manifests itself in a number of auxillary pursuits: oil painting, Barbie collecting and her passion – singing in the church choir.
It was during a performance of Frampton's magnum opus, "Do You Feel Like We Do", at the Martin Luther Home For Wayward Protestants that Ms. Ledbetter earned the moniker, "Golden Pipes". Her melodious cacophony will no doubt be on display once Project EZ hits the road, as she sings along with whatever happens to pop up on the Onboard Hi-fidelity Car Recreational Audio Processor (OHCRAP).
Perhaps Wendy's most important contribution to the success of Project EZ will be in keeping the other member of our on-site team under control.
Project EZ: Mission Profile
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former" -- Albert Einstein
Let it never be said that common sense got in the way of a good time. In testament to this pearl of wisdom, DraftMasters Motorsports is fielding its first ever entry in the Big Apple to Big Easy (B.A.B.E.) Rally - Project EZ. Just what is a B.A.B.E. Rally, you ask? The official details may be found here, but, in short, the idea is to take a vehicle, valued at less than $500, and successfully navigate it from New York City to New Orleans in five days - covering a distance of some 1,500 miles. Of course, said vehicle has to be able to pass all safety inspections from its state of origin, but that still leaves a great deal of room for "creative license".
Speed is not a factor (assuming that any of these vehicles can approach a posted limit). Rather, team standings are based upon the ability of a given team to arrive at each evening's destination and how many challenges (think scavenger hunt) they manage to complete along the way. In the posts that follow, we will introduce you to the illustrious members of the Project EZ team and will keep you updated as to the progress, or lack thereof, of our preparations. Thank you so very much for taking the time to join us in our maiden voyage!
Keeping Ahead By Staying Just A Bit Behind