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.

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Victorinox – Quality products and service!

Posted on February 21st, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: I'm actually not ranting and happy about something... D, Toy Box.

** Thanks to “LinuxCaffe” for the time to write this article **

I Broke my tool. (Insert witty comment)

Since I was 13 (That’s a long time) i’ve carried a multi tool on my belt. First it was a gerber, and than many years later I switched to the Victorinox SwissTool as seen below.

This tool has some features that trump any and ALL competitors. First, the tools are available externally, you don’t have to open the plier portion to use them. It has built in wire cutters, wrench and needle nose pliers (that are quite precision) The knives are sharp, the tools are VERY well built, and the entire tool is STAINLESS STEEL. None of the others on the market are fully stainless, including the hardware.

Above is the tool that I use, and carry. Everyone makes fun of me, calling me ‘Batman’ with my ‘Bat Belt’ until of course they NEED something then it ususally starts something like this “Do you have your tool on you?” (and yes depending on the situation, I pick which of the tools to utilize!)

Ok I’m going on WAY too long here. So here’s what happened, the lock back on my SwissTool stopped, well, locking back. Not knowing where my receipt was, I headed to http://www.swissarmy.com where I viewed the warranty statement and was happy to see it had a lifetime warranty.

Now let me tell you, this tool was beat to hell. Tools bent, scraped all over, SwissArmy label was rubbed off, I didn’t even know where my holster was (it was torn anyway), now let me tell you, this isn’t because of quality, I wear this tool EVERY DAY, work and play. My last gerber lasted about 2 years. This swisstool is going on 6 years.

I emailed customer service and was told that if I sent it in, they would repair it and send it back to me in 3-6 weeks. I happily couriered it to the local SwissArmy office here in Toronto, Ontario.

Today I was greeted with a pickup slip from Purolator Courier and when I went to retrieve my package it was my tool returning from repair (only 2 weeks too!), to my suprise Victorinox did not repair my tool – THEY REPLACED IT! With a brand new shiny SwissTool, with brand new sharp tools, no scuff marks, and even a brand new carry pouch!

I am overjoyed. Most products by other vendors of this type of tool, specifically leatherman OFFER a 25 year warranty but limit how you can use it, and they repair and return. This was no questions asked warranty REPLACEMENT.

I will recommend their products highly (I already do)

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