Krawlerz Saga Over

Posted on March 5th, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Jeep, I'm actually not ranting and happy about something... D, Paulerz.

It has ended.

Today one of the staff from grinthock.com was sent a mass email message apparently sent to all “current and former” members. It speaks about growth that simply does not exist, a club that really isn’t in existence, and sponsors that apparently had a “beneficial” relationship. The bottom line is, it’s over, lots of BS being spewed in this latest and last message. You can still see the BS flying, all the while pumping the club owners ego, and making stabs at those who opposed him. Clearly by reading it you can see – he hasn’t changed. Instead of going through a “renewal” time and getting pretty much zero dollars, he has decided to safe face instead. So here it is, in all it’s glory.

From: paul@krawlerz.com
Subject: *** To ALL KRAWLERZ members (current and former) – Last address ***
Date: March 4, 2008 10:07:34 PM GMT-05:00
To: president@krawlerz.com

ear friends,

We’re now in the third month of 2008, March already, and I don’t know
about the rest of you, but this year seems to be flying by at break
neck speeds!

This is the month where we typically renew Krawlerz memberships. This
year will be different.

Similar to 2008, since the conception of the Krawlerz Off-Road
Enthusiasts club in 2005, we too have grown at break neck speeds!

We set goals other clubs could only dream about, we accomplished tasks
other clubs couldn’t fathom, and for everything else we did that
others had done prior to us, we did it better. Simply put, Krawlerz
is one of the greatest club’s in recent history.

Thank you to all the wonderful businesses that believed in this club
when we first started out. I am happy to know we made good on our
promises of success and in turn brought our supporters success as
well. Nothing is more fulfilling than a mutually beneficial
relationship. Thank you to everyone!

This club was born on a trail, but beyond the trail we made huge
inroads within our communities, and contributed to many worthy
charitable and community organizations.

I am proud to know that the organizations listed below know who the
Krawlerz are, have record of our contributions and that those
contributions will never be forgotten. We made an impact on people’s
lives that were less fortunate than our own, helped creatures of God
that do not have voices of their own, and were honored to assist our
veterans that made the freedoms we enjoy today a reality. I am so
proud to know that we were apart of all of that and so much more.

Sick Kids Foundation
World Vision Canada
Canadian Diabetes Association
Unicef
Toys for Tots
Toronto Humaine Society
Peterborough SPCA
Legion, Toronto and Mississauga

There have been so many firsts, and the list of accomplishments is
long, and while I know for certain I am missing a few, the good news
is that those accomplishments are not forgotten with you, and will
live on in each of our memories.

In addition to the great wheeling trips, wheeling weekends, nights out
together, various events (all of which we totally owned!), this club
has been a GREAT launching pad for other off-road clubs, 4×4 sites,
charitable/non-for-profit organizations, blog sites and other websites
in general. Your affiliation with the Krawlerz gave you the oomph,
the know how, the experience and the motivation to venture out and try
your own thing. I wish you all the best in your endevours!

I can speak for myself when I say being a part of Krawlerz has been a
totally life enhancing experience. Life is full of ups and downs, and
being a part of such an ambitious, forward thinking club has been no
different. There were many more “ups” than there were “downs”; and I
could speak about the “downs” in more detail, but negativity is
abundant in this day and age, so it will not be given a platform here
in this message. Mistakes were made, but those mistakes are in the
past. You cannot change history, but you can help guide your future.
Our saving grace is that it is never to late too start doing the right
thing.

Stand for something, otherwise you’ll fall for anything.

I have very fond memories of the Krawlerz and it’s members, and I was
fortunate enough to meet some of the most talented writers, video
editors, web designers, business men/women, wheelers, “mcguyvers” in
my life so far. The wonderful stories, newsletters, letters of
appreciation from the organizations we supported, and videos will live
on for a very long time, and will continue to pay tribute to the
Krawlerz Off-Road Enthusiasts club and it’s members.

Having a 4×4, and being affiliated with Krawlerz has been a genuine
blessing, as it has allowed myself and the rest of you to help others
much less fortunate. What could be any better than that? Hats off to
you all!

Krawlerz made it possible for me to meet many great people, and make
many great and close friends. Most importantly of all, through
Krawlerz I met my wife with whom I have started a family; and with
great anticipation, I cannot wait until this world meets it’s newest
inhabitant, and newest Krawlerz member! :) I hope all of your stories
are as great as mine!

By December 2007, the Krawlerz expanded to 120 paying members, and for
approximately 1 year, had boasting rights as Ontario’s largest
organized 4×4 club, and a close 2nd as Canada’s largest!

Nowadays however, time is at a premium, and unfortunately I just don’t
have the time this club deserves. Krawlerz has never been ho-hum and
never will be. Trailblazing is what we do, and ho-hum is what they do!

Some have shown interest in taking over the reigns and keeping the
club moving, if your serious, send me an email or give me a call and
we can discuss, as I would be happy to talk about this futher.

If not, then for now the Krawlerz will be in a “restful” state. Not
dead, not gone, no way! The club will be re-born, I can promise you
that. The “when” and the “where” will be a surprise to us all, and
will happen when the wind return’s to this club’s sails.

To those team members that remained loyal to the Krawlerz through
thick and thin, when it was so easy to take sides, side with the more
vocal crowd, or simply jump ship when things appeared to get murky,
you have strength of character. You have my respect, my loyalty and
my friendship in return. Continue to fly you’re Krawlerz colors
proudly. Regardless of the opinions of a select few or those so easily
swayed by what others say, you are a Krawlerz member for life and is a
privilege you have earned.
It has been an honor to be affiliated with a club that has so many
great people from so many different walks of life. Together we
accomplished so much, enjoyed our hobby, trail blazed from morning
till night and helped many people and organizations.

To all the Krawlerz haters and Krawlerz downplayers, we did this all for you!

In the meantime, keep the friendships you found in the Krawlerz
strong! Expect to see rigs sporting the Krawlerz badge, and remember
to always be kind, patient, and helpful to one another.

I’ll be seeing you on the trail, bigger and badder than ever!

God Bless you all,

Paul and Jamie-Leah Papoutsis
-= K R A W L E R Z =-

**note, I have a few Krawlerz stickers and hats, please call me or
send me an email to get one.
***The Krawlerz Off-Road Enthusiasts forum will continue operation
uninterrupted.
****Krawlerz specific member only forums will go off-line by the end
of March. Until then, please feel free to post in those forums.

0 comments.

Paulerz falls apart…

Posted on August 29th, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Jeep, Paulerz.

Well I saw it coming — here’s the latest as many have contact me for information….

I encourage everyone past and present to attend this meeting… I’ll be there video camera in hand…

— QUOTE FROM PAUL PAPOUTSIS OF KRAWLERZ —

– EDIT — Portions removed as they are a mis-quote, see later blog entry –
I like Nailzz objective look at things. Thank you Colin.

- Have people been booted? ABSOLUTELY.
- Do I have valid reasons, yes I do.
- Will I change my mind, NO I won’t.
- Don’t like me or how I do things? Deal with it or move on.
- Yes this club is my baby. I like the name Paulerz
- No there are no other founders, co-founders, member founders , founding members yadda yadda yadda. I’m it. I thought this up, I came up with the name, I put in the hours to get it off the ground and I paid for all of it right out of my own pocket. I never felt it necessary to mention that, but people like Adam and Jay are being mentioned as founders? How are members with member #’s in the 20’s founders? Their not, plain and simple. Again misinformation spread by a few loud mouth fools on here.
- No, things will not go back to being the same. Why? Because I value my sanity.
- There will be changes. And for those of you that don’t like that – deal with it or move on.
- Once my Jeep is fixed, all you gossip mongers can kiss my ass – I’m gonna wheel her like I stole her. I’m sick of most of you loud mouths – you irritate me, annoy me, aggravate me and some of you even make my stomach turn.
- We have the bragging rights to say we were Ontario’s largest club. I’m done with that now. Been there done that, thats a feather in the club’s cap and in my own.
- This club has accomplished a TON – we accomplished more in the first 10 months – since then I’ve been chasing my own tail with some of you. Ridiculous.
- The same yappers that go yap on can take NO credit for this club’s major milestones – for which there are many. Don’t like that? deal with it or move on.
- Member reps? For the most part – that was a failed attempt.
- Trail Committee? Another failed attempt.
- I don’t get paid to do this. Therefore I am under no obligation to put up or tolerate attitudes that I DO NOT LIKE. Don’t like that approach? Deal with it or move on. My stance on that is not going to change.
- I pay the bills, I put in the time, I coordinate with John’s help everything required to ensure that there IS a Krawlerz club. For those of you that are ungrateful for that – get the hell out or I’ll boot you out. Yes I’m good at it too as some of you know.
- Yes I am hard to get along with at times. Yes I have a strong sense of direction as well and I am NOT easily swayed.
- This is all strictly voluntary for me. I get NO financial kick back. In fact I am out of pocket every month.
- Why do I continue to do that? I don’t know – I must be crazy.
- If you don’t like me and my club Paulerz then get lost. I won’t lose any sleep over it. In fact I’ll sleep better.
- I can sleep comfortably knowing that the truth always comes out.
- I also know that things always work out for me in the end and the same applies to things I am connected too.
- There will be a Krawlerz tomorrow, and the day after. How many people dislike me or the club has no bearing on that fact. I run this show how I choose too. Everything I do, I do well and to the best of my ability. The club has stumbled..tripped , fell yadda yadda – this only gives me steam to pick it up and make it better – and I will.
- I am open minded, and I do appreciate feedback, support and help – but when I am set on a course I stick to it.
- As of now there are NO PLANS on the PREZ or VP ever being positions where someone can be voted in. Not going to happen. Don’t like that? Deal with it or move on.
- Some have questioned my character? My relationship with Jamie, how I care for my dog even! Who the hell do you think you are? And do you really think I’ll let that go? you’d be lucky if I did – but I won’t. Hope that you don’t see me in person. I’m worse in person.
Is this post a little out of character ? Yes it is. But I owe no one explanations as to my personal life or my character. Hammer at those, and I will hammer you back and likely a lot harder.

There will be a club meeting at Andy’s Family Restaurant in Acton, September 29th – 2pm. I prefer dealing with issues in person. So those of you with big yaps, Highrider, Bigken and Wouldhe68 come to mind – make sure you are there and well rested – you’ll need it.

it only takes one to make the difference for me. Too be perfectly honest, Nailzz gave me the insipration to write this. I appreciate people that are upfront and say it like it is. Thanks Colin

September 29th – 2pm – Andy’s Family Restaurant.

I feel a heck of a lot better now. No more personal insults towards me or anyone else. If you do, then yep – you’ll get booted too and you can join the rest of them. I’ll monitor this thread, and if it again becomes a problem, I’ll just take this site offline, actually save a few dollars and enjoy my wedding day. For those that I regard as friends on this site, Jamie and I are getting married this weekend!

Keep it on track and unles you have something to say to help get the club on track or are willing to possibly invest a little time, then don’t say anything – it’ll save me the hassle of booting you and deleting your post.

Yours truly and with love,
Paul
__________________
Paul Papoutsis
Club Founder and President
Krawlerz Off-Road Enthusiasts
www.krawlerz.com
president@krawlerz.com

Director – Northern Lights, the OF4WD
www.of4wd.com
paul.papoutsis@of4wd.com

——– END QUOTE ——-

0 comments.

Jeep Project Update

Posted on March 12th, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Jeep.

The suspension and Tires are now on – 35’s on a 4″ Lift. While there are other items I still need to address like Flat fenders and the like, i’ve decided to move on to more “practical” mechnical needs.

2 major projects.


1) Regear…. 3.07’s and 35’s make for both a slow truck and a truck that eats clutches. So i’ve decided 4.56 gears are defiantly in my future, and probably a locker. I’m very interested in these E-cted E-Lockers, as i’d like to avoid the AIR requirement. While i’m at it, I may go with some beefier axle shafts, as upgraded axle shafts requires a new carrier anyway, I may just save and go with the e-locker.


2) AW-4 Transmission Swap. Eating clutches is not something I enjoy, and off-road action defiantly eats clutches. Also by going with an automagic, it gets rid of driveline shock loads, and provides easier offroad driving. Call me a pussy, but look at the pros they are running AUTO. As for an auto, i’ve chosen the AW-4 from a Cherokee. It’s beefier than the stock TJ trans, and is electronic (so you can shift it manually or lock it in gear), in addition, it has over drive. The upgrade / conversion isn’t too difficult, and many have done it before.

I’ll post more info as the projects progress.  I have yet to decide which I do first — but it will probably involve the re-gear, as I don’t want the stress on my newly installed AW-4

0 comments.