Who are you people and where is my horse?

Hey everyone! Welcome to the website! My name is Jacob Lakies and I'm a tech nerd living in San Francisco. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my grandfather, Mike.

When I was a kid, I spent a lot of weekends at his house. It was the first place I was ever exposed to personal computers. Back then (2000–2008), computers weren’t nearly as ubiquitous as they are today though I know some of you might roll your eyes at that.

This website really starts with him, I mean, it is MikeLakies.com. Years ago, my grandpa bought this domain and at the same time, he got me one too: JacobLakies.com.

Between that, building my first computer, and teaching me how to surf the web, he sent me down this path of wizardry. I hope I can thank him for that by making this into a pretty cool site now that I know what I'm doing (kind of).

So that's probably enough about me, let me introduce my Grandpa Mike.

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5 Things About my Grandpa Mike

Let's start out here by introducing a few things that my Grandpa loves (it is his site after all).

1. It's Been a Long Time Since I Rock and Rolled

I would be doing a disservice to my grandpa if I didn't include some things on here that he loves and probably one of the most defining things about my Grandpa. You don't have to spend long with him before the conversation eventually steers itself toward his love for Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. These people, of course are the band members of the legendary Led Zeppelin.

Whether it's Pink Floyd's "The Wall" or Supertramp's "Crime of the Century" or more often "Led Zeppelin II" if you're hanging out with Mike, it's likely you're listening to some excellent stuff.

2. "The Stereo"

Man, that GIF feels like a pretty apt choice. Not just because I’m fairly sure his stereo could send you flying like ol’ McFly there - but also because if you touched it without asking, you might find out what that feels like yourself.

But seriously though anyone who knows Mike knows "The Stereo." You may have the idea that the love for music and the love for the stereo are kind of the same thing but no. The Stereo is it's own beast, intertwined with music but not necessarily defined by it.

The stereo is about tinkering, optimization and performance.

3. Raise Hell Praise Dale

I'm not a big fan of racing, but maybe I would have been had Dale Earnhardt been around post 2001 (man that was a shit year!). However, I will say racing in general is really important to my Grandpa and his siblings and dad. I don't know as much as I'd like about it but I know that my Grandpa Ed and Uncle Ron competed as drivers around Michigan and that's pretty badass.

4. "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups." - George Carlin

Comedy, whether it be from movies like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Dumb and Dumber, Liar Liar ("I'm kicking my own ass!") or standup acts like those from Blue Collar Comedy, or anything George Carlin, Rodney Dangerfield, etc -- Comedy was huge in the house growing up.

5. "The Lakies Goofy"

Last but not least is family. While some people talk about family, Mike has proven time and time again to be the type to give you the shirt off his back for family in need. Sometimes to a fault.

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Before I set down the mic, I’ll pass it to Mike.

Well I hope that for the family & friends who may be reading this that it was a small joy to read. I look forward to seeing what gets put up here in the future.