Taking Some Time to say Thanks

A lot has been going on lately, and I've been so busy the days have just been blurring together.  This past weekend was WekFest Chicago, which was a much needed vacation and time with friends.  I've been working on the photos the last few days and have had some time to my thoughts while editing and listening to music, and it got me thinking about the car scene (cue gay-emotional moment).

I've been been in the scene for awhile now, and have been to a lot of shows and events all over the country, and have made a lot of friends in the scene.  Cars are much more than a hobby for me, but part of my life.  Some other areas of my life have been pretty rough lately, leaving me pretty down.  I kept thinking about how many times I've been hurt in the past, but I realized that I've never been hurt by the car scene.  Sure, I've had arguments and disagreements, lost some friends, stuff like that, but never been hurt to the point where my heart was aching.  This past weekend in Chicago made me stop and look at what I had;  I wasn't with a bunch of friends, but a family, a family drawn together by a common love for our cars.

To most, cars are just metal.  Even though they are, owning/building a car can be like a relationship.  You spend time and money, and sometimes shed a tear or two over them.  But a car will never leave you (of its own free will at least) for someone else, lie to you, or cheat on you.  Yeah, I'm getting pretty deep here, but I just gotta let my mind run with this one.  See, without my cars, I wouldn't be where I am today.  I wouldn't have been to the shows and events I've gone to, had the experiences I've had, or met the people I know.  The people are the most important part.  There are some really awesome people I've had the chance to meet and talk to, and right now, I want to take a moment and thank them individually.

First up, I gotta give much thanks to a fellow IS300 owner by the name of Guillermo Escamilla.  I first saw pics of Guillermo's car a few years back, and of course followed all the attention he got when he ran the crazy Ordens, and the sticker-bombed/graffiti hood, which was the inspiration for my own graffiti hood.  That's when we started talking, and I started repping his business, GPR Auto (www.gprauto.com).  After I bought my LS, he helped me with sorting the ride height and wheel fitment, plus he sponsors my crew.  Not only that, he's just a chill guy to talk to.  I sometimes feel like I bug the crap out of him because I'm some guy out in B.F.E Minnesota, lol.  But, he always gets back to me, helps me with my builds, and gets me (and my friends) parts.  Thank you sir.  I'm gonna get out to Cali soon and we'll have to kick it.

Another person I gotta give a quick shout to is Milt.  If you don't know who Milt is, you know his car.  See, Milt and his car are kind of a big deal.  It's that sexy white 350Z with the crazy blue Deep Nine wheels.  He also built that crazy, black wide-body SC on Weds Kranze aka SCWEET1.  Milt and his cars are definitely an inspiration to me.  His cars are so clean and classy, and he's got one of the best attitudes towards modding and the car scene.  I hope to meet him in person when I'm in Cali next.

Also with Milt, I gotta give a shout to his crew, Low N' Slow.  What a crew of sweet-ass cars.  Keep it up guys.  Legendary.

Another Cali friend I gotta say thanks to is Jerry Truong.  This dude is an excellent photographer and owns a pretty sexy SC400.  His blog, The Perfect Exposure, showcases his work of California-based automotive events.  Jerry is a great photographer and a good friend.  He helps me with my own photography skills and I find his photography related links very helpful.  Plus, he keeps tagging me in photos of bad-ass, lifted trucks because he knows I have a soft-spot for a lifted Ford Super-duty after selling mine.

More Cali peeps!  Okay, this guy I've never really talked to, other than like one or two messages on facebook, but Joey Lee aka The Chronicles (The Chronicles), deserves a shout for all his hard work.  Seriously, I read his blog religiously.  If I wanna ready about a Cali event or car, I check his site because he has some of the best coverage out there.  He was the inspiration for me to start blogging about the car events I travel to.  Thanks man.

Quick shout to Alex Zhao aka Alexisthemovie aka King S2000.  His crazy green S2000 is one of my favorite cars of all time!  Alex owns Wheel Flip (www.wheelflip.com), and with his vast knowledge of wheels and fitment, he's helping me with a new setup for the LS for next season.  Thanks Alex!

Erin and Edafe down in San Antonio, Texas!  Gotta say thanks to these two Z owners.  Erin let me write an article about his bad-ass, turbo 350Z.  I hope to chill with you guys when I visit Texas again!

Lastly (but certainly not least), I gotta give a big thanks to all of my friends here in MN.  Nam, Elisa, the Eriks, Jared, Yeej, Noui, Andrew + entourage, Jon and the MN Mazda peoples, Ivan, Max, Tattoo Mike, the rest of the i'mSTANCED crew.  Don't know where I'd be without you guys.  My cars certainly wouldn't be fully-functioning without any of you.

Okay, so that about wraps up my touchy-feely moment.  I just wanted to get that out there and give the people who've done a lot for me some credit.  If I forgot to add you, don't take it personal.  Just come kick me the next time you see me or something.  Back to work on WekFest pics.  I'll have coverage up soon.

Twisted Koncepts' Show Off Showdown 2011

Couple weekends ago, I decided to swing down to Raceway Park in Burnsville, MN to check out a show being put on by Twisted Koncepts.  Twisted Koncepts is a local crew that has been around a long time, and they are mainly made up of mini-truckers.  Knowing that, I knew the show would be filled with a lot of trucks all bouncing around on air-ride.  Fine by me!  I have a big soft-spot for mini-trucks and the amount of work put into them.  Plus, since I'm making the switch to air myself, I could look at some neat setups.

I showed up mid-day on Sunday, the last day of the show.  There was still a decent showing of trucks and cars, but I headed over to my friends' booth, Further Performance.  The local VW shop sponsored the show and brought out a few cars.  My buddy Tattoo Mike had his camo-wrapped, R32T swapped MK4 there.  If you haven't seen this car in the metal, you will.  He's touring it around the country plus he's a little on the famous side!  Anyways, despite the cloudy skies, the humidity was almost unbearable.  I was sweating through my clothes in a matter of minutes, so I didn't snap too many pics.  I mainly hung around Further's tent and tried to stay cool.

Tattoo Mike's Camo MK4

Redone bay

Latest project to roll out of Further.  A lot of plans still for this Ghia

The old classics I like

Sick Merc parked next to Further's tent

Tristan's (head-honcho at Further) 64 Notch

this dude had a lot of cool rides at the show

This was apparently the best-of-show and I could see why.  Tons of custom work, a big-block under the hood, and 18x12 billet rear wheels

Just wow

That's all.  After this, my clothes were drenched in sweat and I was ready for some A/C.  Speaking of AC, Anthrocon coverage is coming shortly!  It's gonna get a little fuzzy here.

August MN Cars & Cafe

August brought another amazing turn-out with awesome weather and some special cars.  The event is always great to attend rain or shine, and being a stones throw from my house helps too.  Check out the pics!


Friend David just finished up his on-going E36 M3 project.  Fresh paint and a new turbo setup:

Love this Rabbit

i'mSTANCED tC

i'mSTANCED LS400 with a little, fuzzy guy

Pair of 2010 Gallardo Spyders

I love Verde Ithaca.  My favorite color on Lambos

Nero is also a great color...this one is packing something special...

If you don't know this company, then you've been living under a rock.  One of the premier builders in the country.  This Spyder had their R-package;  1,000hp on pump-gas and 1,500hp on c-16

It's Me Alec's super clean e46 on HREs

Imola Motorsports 997 Turbo

Imola-built 911 track-car

Another shot of the UGR TT-Gallardo

Imola 911...loved this car

Imola 997

Friend's Cobalt SS Turbo

Spotted this bagged 'Benz last month, but it wasn't finished.  Had my jaw on the floor

That's all from this month.  Stay tuned for more features from local meets and events.

*Clears the Dust* There Will be Updates...I Promise

It seems like it's been forever since I've been here, and it pretty much has.  For that, I apologize.  Life has a funny way of draining your free time, and well, I've been enjoying mine...a lot.  I've been all over the place since the last update covering everything from car shows and events to furry conventions.  Life has been pretty fun, and I don't see it stopping soon.  I love hitting furry conventions and partying and suiting till I can't stand anymore.

Here's what's coming up and what I'll be catching up with:

-Car show and event coverage;  local meets, WekFest Chicago (coming Aug. 20th)
-Feature cars;  magazine and online blog shoots, i'mSTANCED Crew
-Conventions:  Anthrocon 2011, Fur Fright 2011, Mid-West Fur Fest 2011