"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." - Gilda Radner

One of the things I do as I begin my study in the passage for the coming Sunday's sermon is read it in several of the more common versions (translations). Again this morning I shook my head at the New International Version's deviation from (in this case) the Hebrew text for the sake of "readability." It may indeed read more smoothly in Ezra 7:10 to remove a verb and replace it with "and," but if God saw fit to use three verbs in that sentence, just maybe he had a good reason for it.
This is why I gave up on the NIV a couple of years ago. My view of verbal inspiration and their presumption in deciding what improved readability for the contemporary reader butted heads too often. And don't get me started on their unilateral decision re. alterations to the original text for the sake of gender neutrality.
Too many egregious cases of hubris IMO.

If you've read this blog for very long at all you know that I like cars, especially old cars, and prefer stock to modified. The truck will look factory original with some "invisible" upgrades to the drivetrain. Unless someone crawls underneath to look they won't know that it has a 5-speed transmission and a new rear axle, both of which will improve gas mileage and drivability on the freeway.

That said, I respect a tastefully done custom as much as anyone, whether it's a totally hand built one-off or a cosmetically modified car. And every time I see a mid-80's Thunderbird (the "9th generation" of that nameplate) I see what could look pretty sweet to this guy's eye.

Start with the stock 2-door equipped with the available V8 and 5-speed manual. Make sure it has the basic goodies like AC and power _____. It looks like this (an '83):

Now shave it. That means taking off all the emblems and goo-gaw. Remove the door handles and convert it to electric openers, remove the key slot and go to an electric trunk latch, etc. . This car starts out remarkably sleek, but it could be a lot cleaner.

I have the cheap guy's version of photoshop and no skills, so forgive my weak attempt. But next comes a better paint job. I like a cream because it also looks clean, but that blue is nice, too. Get rid of the side body molding and the ugly black bumpers. Everything is body color.

I don't like these wheels but don't have the know-how to change them in this pic. I'd go chrome, but simple, basic, and black walls. I'd also do something with the grille, just not sure what. Drop the stance an inch or so and maybe get rid of the hood ridges - make it smooth. Might also go with some very discreet pin striping.
Yeah, I like it.