The more I discover, the more questions I have.
I happen to enjoy convergences. Mikey Teutul once said, "I love it when a plan comes together". I don't think this is an original quote by this gentleman, as many of his plans fail to start, much less come together.

"But, who'da hell cares what you think!" Senior shouts back.
This shop is certainly an iconic view of the design environment.

I am a fan of the adventures of Paulie, Senior, Vinnie, Mikey and the rest of the Orange County boyz - and on two levels, as far as I can account for: the level of the designer, and of the business owner.

Paulie, the designer of this enterprise, has a weak work ethic that continually pisses off Paul Senior. Yet without Paulie, as Senior well knows, they would not produce custom motorcycles, much less be on TV doing it.

Paul Teutul, Senior, is the man who signs the checks - loud, impatient, hulking, a loving dad and the perfect foil for Paulie. Paul Sr. knows: no bikee, no money, no TV. Regardless of his son's age, he wants to get Paulie to stop being such an airheaded, artsy, unpredictable slacker. Actually, Paul Senior was Mikey at his age. He cuffs Mikey around, he might yell a bit, but in the end he can't help but enjoy Mikey's antics.

Mikey is a piece of work. Mikey has assumed his place in the family pecking order, taking on the important role of royal jester. Mikey has learned if he can get Senior to laugh, his place in the will is assured. My daughter commented that Mikey is really the brains of the outfit. Women know this impirically. Perhaps because he's the only one that in that can see the forest for the trees at all times. He knows more than he shows, and he shows just enough to be tolerated. His sly humor keeps the pot from constantly boiling over.

Vinnie is the consummate production artist. He knows never to assume the role of father or son as he walks the tightrope between Paulie the artiste' and Senior the demanding client. He must keep Paulie on track and keep Senior from busting his ass. He skillfully knows when to come to the fore and when to drop back. He works hard and occasionally gets to bust Paulie's chops, with a bit of buddy trash talk. Vinnie also is Mikey's official babysitter and confidant. He knows Mikey's game and it's a comfort to be able to blow off steam with Mikey around because they both can get away with it.

So, Paulie designs great bikes, Senior growls and shuffles around, Mikey keeps things light, and Vinnie gets the freakin' work out the door. Other Vinnie-like mechanics are part of the keeping the business-a-business and not a hobby.

I initially sided with Paulie - why not? He's the stereotypical design guy. Then, I sided for a while with Senior, wishing he'd just catch an organizational behavioral clue as to how to manage Paulie's nature for his own benefit, if not for forestalling the massive coronary his contract calls for to end the season.

Now, I root for Vinnie and the other 'guys'. The real geniuses in front of the camera. They interpret Paulie's designer gibberish, ignore Senior's rants and still make the shop bundles of cash.

Yes, yes - I know, the Teutul's never really make a bike, they just assemble components and have subs to paint, upholster and package the deal. But isn't that the design mystique? Without the production shop and the unseen experts, "Howda hell you 'spect this spousta get done, anyway, huh?"