Toledo NNL Maumee, OH

If you have not been to this show, then you are really missing out on a good time! The photo of all the guys is what it's ALL about. That's my sexy ass laying the ground :-p
Thanks to my Great Uncle Roger Lemay for taking our butts up there! We both had a great time that won't be forgotten!

Preach on....

I love listening to this guy in this video. It speaks so true , don't you agree?

Can't Explain It....

But since back in 2005 , when I was building this kustom '53 Stude/'57 Chevy and screwed up the paint job....I just cannot seem to stop starting MORE projects! It's like this car got the best of me or something? I put a LOT of hours into the body, making sure that there was not even a pin hole in the primer before i was ready to paint. Testors Enamel did it to me again. I really don't like that paint, it's sticky for TOO long and seems to "spit" through the nossil. I decided to give it a shot anyways and well.....it didn't work out so I stripped it and all the body work went to hell. Someday I do plan on finishing it. I just can't figure out how come this car made me lose the motivation to FINISH something I started? Maybe it's fear? I might be afraid to go to the finish line and screw up all over again. Hey, don't get me wrong since I have finished a lot of models since this disaster! But I bet I started twice as many as I finished.

Model Cars Kick Ass!

I really don't know what other hobby can bring together so many guys from around the world? I mean seriously! It's one thing to be a member of a forum and talk to tons of guys online about model cars and such, but when you go to shows you actually run into these guys! (depends on your area though). The true lovers of this hobby will go great distances for a chance to see some cool models, meet people and have a great time. This is only one of many instances that I have been able to meet another modeler from "across the internet". October 4th, my Great Uncle and I went to St. Joe, Missouri for the 2nd Annual NNL Mid-West show. I knew Steve Hinson would be coming from California, so I was looking forward to meeting him and see his cool ass models in person! Another thing about this meet , was the fact he is a member of my "Traditional Rod and Kustom in scale" forum.

This fact left opportunity too good to pass up! Grouped model photos from California to The Mid-West all on the same table!

Shown above are our cars representing the Tradition. (back row of 4 are Steve's & front row of 3 are mine) THANKS FOR COMING TO THE MID-WEST STEVE, I HOPE WE MEET AGAIN!

Respects Due

Yesterday I read some sad news about a friend. His name is Elden Titus. I knew Elden was sick and not doing well, but was not able to contact him understandably. Elden passed away 10/08/08 from cancer. I really don't know what words would even come close to making this any easier.

I met Elden on a model builders forum called Coffin Corner back in May of 2008. He was very nice, quick to respond and was excited that I was coming to Salina,KS for the KKOA car show in July. When I had figured out who was behind the screen name , I was surprised that someone as famous as he , would even be excited to see someone like me. I kept tabs with Elden until I got to Kansas and we met up, talked and had some laughs. After the show I was so impressed with him and intrigued with ideas he had that I emailed back and forth with him about coming to Omaha and spending some time with the guys here. We discussed George Barris and Gene Winfield coming here , but he was not sure they could make the trip. I asked Elden how much he would charge to come to my contest and hang out with us, his reply was "I don't charge". Well , in short we became pretty good friends in a short time. In honor of him , I will hand a special award in February at my show to a modeler who built a model I know Elden would love. This award will be presented in his memory and I will speak highly of him so everyone understands the honor of receiving it.

In the short time I knew Elden, I feel lucky to have been graced with the kindness he showed me. He was the kind of guy that was so down to earth and happy, that you could not help but want to be closer to him.

I think I speak for anyone who was lucky enough to know him when I say , we lost a good friend, a mentor and asset to our hobby and lifestyle. Those related and closest friends have a greater loss and I only hope that they can find comfort and ease of pain for their loss. Guys like Elden are so far and few between. God Speed my friend.

1st time for everything.....

Last year I was privileged enough to attend Toledo NNL in Maumee,Ohio. While being there, not only did I have a HELL OF A GOOD TIME.....but I got another slip to have photos taken of one of my models. This has happened before, but I never saw my models show up in any issues unless I missed them? Any ways , it was a nice surprise to see my car made the Contest Cars 2008 Scale Auto Magazine. I like to see what there was at shows , admire friends cars and get some ideas from other's builds.Here it is, unfinished in the magazine. The car is finished and I will take it again this October, but it will be on the "finished" table.

Sepia Tone

There is really something cool about old photos! I can't really get enough of them, especially of old cars or model cars. Since it is so rare to see any old photos of model cars (other than in old magazines), I decided to make some of my own for the heck of it. There is a setting on my Kodak P850 , that allows me to take photos in Black and White, Sepia Tone and other full color options. I was really inspired by the Aug/Sept 2006 issue of Model Cars Magazine. The cover featured a very well faked photo of a supposed work bench with old kits, tools and decorations around. The photo is very cool ,but personally I would have taken it in Black and White or Sepia Tone....maybe even enhanced color photo to get that "early color" feeling. Any ways, I plan to set up a work area similar and do an older style photo shoot. For now, I had some fun taking these photos.