Are times THAT tough??

By now you'd have to be a hermit not to know that the economy sucks these days. Layoffs and unemployment are at record levels, the banks are in trouble, foreclosures rising, stocks a'tumblin . . . bla bla bla, right?

So it shouldn't surprise anyone that pawn shops are booming thanks to all this turmoil. Folks looking for that extra cash are pawning everything from lawn mowers and CDs to mink coats and wedding rings.

But Orange vehicles?? Are things really that bad??

I am sad to report that indeed it seems to be so. Check out the above photos. The little Orange ATV I photographed in January or February in front a pawn shop on University Boulevard in Jacksonville. Cute and decently Orange, for sure.

Times-Union photographer and UF fan Bruce Lipsky e-mailed the truck to me on Sunday. "First or second year Chevy Blazer K/5 in front of a pawn shop on Blanding Blvd. Saturday," he said. Definitely True Orange.

It's not clear the Chevy was for sale, but that doesn't keep me from fantasizing about owning it.

Jeff




First or second year Chevy Blazer K/5 in front of pawn shop on Blanding Blvd. Saturday.

Thrown under the bus

Now, this is a real drag. The Florida Times-Union is reporting that WFXJ 930 AM sports broadcasters Robert Lamm and Joe Cowart were sacked on Monday. Apparently it was due to budget cuts resulting from the ongoing economic meltdown.

Obviously I'm not in charge of the station's balance sheets, but I can't imagine how getting rid of these guys is going to help any station's bottom line for very long. Their show was a funny and local take on local, state and national sports. It was the only reason I tuned in.

Since Cowart and Lamm were thrown under the bus, I figured it was appropriate to roll out this big Orange bus. I photographed it in November 2008, just outside Neyland Stadium moments before the ill-fated Tennessee-Wyoming homecoming game.

But just as the Vols' 2008 meltdown brought us Lane Kiffin and dramatic off-season news, this bus reminds us there is an Orange lining to every cloud.

Or at least we hope so.

Jeff

PA: Home of the Big Orange tractor

We live in difficult times. Most everyone knows someone who’s recently lost a job. Those of us still punching a time clock know how fortunate we are while constantly wondering if and when the ax will fall on us.

So the staff here at The Big Orange Vehicle Blog figured it was time to roll out some Big Orange Cheer in the form of this here tractor. What communicates the ideals of hard work and determination more than a tractor? And what is more cheerful than Orange?

Krista spotted it Jan. 14, 2009 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show tractor pull contest. “There were a lot of Orange tractors but this one was the closest to Vol Orange,” she said in her E-mail to orangevehicles@gmail.com.

Looks like Krista nailed it! Paint a Power T on the sides of this baby and it's ready for game day at Neyland Stadium!

WTG, Krista!

Jeff

PS -- Krista said ignore the time-stamp on the photo because the time mode is never set correctly on her camera. Given that this is such a fine example of Tennessee Orange and so far one of the more unusual vehicles featured on this blog, that's a detail that can be overlooked.

The pscyhology of Orange

Some say it's crazy to be obsessed about Orange. But my diagnosis is that it is psychologically unhealthy not to be obsessed with Orange.

Science backs me up on this. Just Google "psychology, Orange," or "Orange therapy" and you'll be presented with numerous Web sites and articles testifying to the psychologically-beneficial and healing aspects of Orange.

"Orange is ... considered an energetic color," one article says. "Orange calls to mind feelings of excitement, enthusiasm and warmth."

I submit that our culture desperately needs an infusion of excitement, enthusiasm and warmth — i.e. Orange — in these dark economic times. In fact I am confident that a steady viewing of UT Orange could do as much, if not more, than the so-called economic stimulus package to restore our nation's hope and prosperity!

So let's start right now with this amazing Orange Porsche, which I photographed at the St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville in 2008. Hats off to the German who thought, "why don't we make an Orange one?" It may be a shade or two off Sacred Orange, but when it comes on such a sweet automobile, it's close enough.

Got a friend who's down and out? Show 'em this pic. It's bound to cheer 'em up.

Jeff