The sheer DUMB-ASSERY in this video clip need's to be shared.....
Now, for a short while, its quite impressive, until you realize these jokers are delaying other road users by being out in a huge group, and riding slowly so the 'stunters' up front can perform their antic's with no car's about to interfere....
OK, OK, OK....so Mayday was a couple of weeks ago....but it made me laugh...
Well, when we last met, I was all prepared (yeah, right) for the trip to Austin Texas for The Lone Star Roundup Kustom & Hot Rod Show....
Coverage of the show will be, as promised in Issue #2 of The Raydar Magazine, which, as I write this is proof read, typeset & ready & waiting to go to the printers...who would have though it...the drunken ramblings of Paul & Tim turned into a reality....400+ issues of #1 were sold, it was a success & we have gotten many people praising the mag. If you haven't seen it, head on over to FaceBook & search "Raydar" magazine & "Like" us for all the latest news concerning the magazine.
Issue #2 has a single MOPAR now, not 2...due to a 900 mile road trip & a family trip to Florida for the owner of one of the cars...however, you will love the other one....
We have an insane Cadillac, part two of the epic Pebble Beach article, coverage of the prestigious Quail Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel, some VW's, some glue sniffing, artist feature & a few surprise's...you will just have to get a copy now wont you!
Oh, and a little show in Texas
Right, that's it for now...check back soon, and go check out The Raydar...the video below may be relevant for an article in the magazine too...
Things have been very busy here at Chez Pro Photo....
We missed the Sacramento Autorama due to unforeseen issues arising literally hours before we were due to leave....still, it's on again next year...right?
So the Lone Star Roundup is JUST around the corner, we are 99% ready for the trip, spent a little money on some camera parts and additions for the trip, and we are working on issue #2 of The Raydar Magazine, we will have part 2 of the Pebble beach article, as well as a cool feature on a pair of Hi Horsepower Mopars owned by 2 guys from the same company who have owned them for almost 60 years combined...and drive em HARD!
There may also be a Caddy or two....
In other news, my dear wife (www.rockahulababy.com) is doing the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this year...if you feel so inclined, slip a few bucks her way in sponsorship...every dollar helps....
Bowe is named after Bo Diddley who died the week we got him, and Jerry Lee...well, the name just fit's...we call him Killer....
Because he resembles a Pit Bull (you know, the dogs that go round killing people.....) we have him in training classes with the excellent California Canine Solutions
We spent last weekend at the San Jose Pet Expo where CaliK9 had a HUGE presence, click below to see some of our 'family' in action....
My friends from The Strangers Car Club ran a Toy Drive...and then DRIVE just before Christmas 2009...I went along, snapped some pictures & actually managed to make a slideshow with MUSIC...the result can be seen below....
And so.....another year begins, don't know about you, but I had a crappy year last year....full of family tragedy, setbacks, ill health & struggle.....Not just here, but for MANY friends & family....
Heres hoping the year carries on as it started....stress & drama free...and 73 degrees!!
I don't know if any of you saw the OCC vs PJD vs Jesse James bike build off last week...but I did, and after sitting through both shows, the build up and the winner show....I thought to myself, I need to share some thoughts....
I'm still at a loss as to what Senior was smoking when someone convinced him that building a flame throwing, electric powered glorified snowmobile would be a good idea.....
Then there's PJD's 'WWII Veteran Tribute' themed bike....going for the board track look...with the ridiculous 30 inch rims...exhaust pipes coming out of the fake tank with smoke generator's...and the copper & rivets.....
And then there's Jesse's machine, other than the wheels, tires & motor, the bike was FABRICATED BY JESSE & TEAM............unlike the other two....Yes, I'm a JJ fan, I like his work, he's had his issues in the past, but he's back where he started....building bikes...that you can ride...a lot...
Now people have said that Jesse built the same old bike he's always built, Jr claims he built it for the challenge of making something new & exciting, Sr, as I said earlier, what was he on????
We all know the 'tv show' results...but I know in my heart who the winner was....
....when people go totally over the top with buying way too many gifts for children, family & friends...inevitably, 2/3 of the stuff gets used once or twice & then put away, stuffed in a corner or under the bed and forgotten.....to become, in a year or two, Craigslist or Yard Sale fodder.
So...here's an idea...this year, buy one less gift, and with the money, donate a toy to a local Toy Drive, most towns & cities have them, San Jose Firefighters collect toys at all Fire Houses, the US Marines do the annual "Toys for Tots" event this coming weekend at Christmas in the Park in downtown.
So go on...make a difference...donate a toy...or two...it doesn't have to be extravagant, a few Hot Wheels cars can be more than enough.
So I've been photographing cars for years for fun and occasional profit, I've had stuff published all over the world in a small scale over many years, couple of articles on trips I took to the USA before I emigrated were in a UK Hot Rod Club magazine, had some pictures of the GM Motorama Cars in an Italian College Textbook, and supplied a car shot for the Manifolds on Main Car Show giveaway collector cards a couple of years ago....then suddenly in the past couple of months....
The Raydar Magazine project comes to be, very quickly, and just this week, I've supplied pictures for a new book on East & West Coast style Hot Rods & Customs to be published in early 2012!
So, we have two dogs....both rescues...because thats the best way to do it, save a puppy!!
Pup #1 is Bowe Diddley, he's a Basset Hound/German Shepard Mix, he's a great dog, not too big, not too small....
Faithful, loving, obedient...to a point, and ULTRA-Protective to me and my wife.
Bowe is 3 years old.Soon to be attending the same classes as Jerry Lee (see below)
Our other dog is a pure bred American Staffordshire Terrier....VERY OFTEN confused with a Pit Bull, they are the same family, but smaller (in most cases) than the Pit Bull.
Jerry Lee is 18 month's old, loving & ULTRA protective also, he is currently undergoing training with Jas Leverette's California Canine Solutions, check out the Cali K9 Site
So since my last post just a few days ago, The Raydar Magazine ball has started rolling faster & faster.......
We have a complete issue ready to print...
We have an official launch party planned at The Ace Cafe on December 7th, if your in the area, be sure to drop in & check it out...there will be raffles and other fun stuff, as well as a car-park full of Hot Rods & Kustoms, and even a Dj spinning cool tunes....
Remember folks...if its cool...its on the Raydar
December 7th 2011 marks the official launch of The Raydar Magazine in the UK....booze fueled stupid idea to publish a magazine by a couple of my friend's in the UK has somehow snowballed into an actual product!
One of them is a Kustom Kulture Artist, the other is a piss artist....
They stupidly asked me to come aboard as I can type & almost string a sentence together into something that resembles a story, and have been known to point a camera at the odd car or two.
Anyway....should you find yourself in the area, drop by The Ace Cafe on December 7th for the kick off party. I sadly won't be there, but I do have a story...or maybe 2 in the premier issue.
If you like the sound of this, check out the FaceBook page for current info or order online at the official Raydar webpage.
Yes its been a while but things have been hectic at Chez Pro Photo ...
Myself and several other members of my club have obtained a part share in a workshop space locally which is fully equipped to work on our old cars. This winter will see major progress on several of our projects.
As for myself, following Pebble Beach this summer I was asked to contribute to a new (and as yet, untitled) magazine project being launched in the UK towards the end of 2011! Its an excellent opportunity for my work to be shown to a wider audience and who knows where it could lead. I've seen several pages of my contribution in the planning stages and have to say I am very happy with how it's looking so far.
Watch this space for more updates as and when I get them.
This weekend in Vallejo The Swanx Car Club present The Nor Cal Knockout Round 2 at the Solano County Fairgrounds..
Next weekend see's San Jose hosting the big Hot Rod weekend of the year.....
Friday night July 8th, Deadend Magazine are running a Cruise night from 6pm - 10pm at Pizza Jacks 1600 Monterey Hwy San Jose
Saturday July 9th Gambino Customs are putting on The Sit Down II which promises to be bigger & better than last year, and as last years was jam packed & awesome, we will see!
Sunday July 10th is the highlight of the Nor Cal show season for myself, personally speaking...
The Strangers Car Club 12th Annual BBQ at History Park located at
1650 Senter Road
San Jose.
Every year literally hundreds of folk travel any miles to attend this one.
Hope to see some of you at one or other (or all 3) of these events!
So the Nor Cal show season kicked off this weekend with The Road Zombies Car Club BBQ...
Its a small show, although they announced over the PA that they had 300 people through the gate & just over 70 cars. Its in the garden at The Elks Lodge, they have a massive BBQ & supply burgers, dogs & water for everyone, and most of the people who attend bring stuff to share. There was a TON of food. Most people at the show know each other, so there is a good, mellow atmosphere & no 'issues' like some of the things that have plagued shows like VLV etc.
So...2010 is winding down, Christmas is approaching fast & the new year is right round the corner.
Its been an interesting year......
Went to some show's I hadn't been to before...Got to see Chuck Berry perform live in Las Vegas....had a sick wife for 5 moths, but she's doing a lot better now.
We also have a new puppy....
Looking forward to April 2011, we are going to Texas for The Lone Star Roundup.
Thats it, short & sweet...take it easy folks, and like they say where I come from....
