Me & My Dad

No words necessary.

Thank You Claude Bessy, AKA "Kickboy Face."

There is no such thing as New Wave from luze duze on Vimeo.

Bored

I was gonna explain how I feel today but I'll just let Iggy do it for me.

Patience

Hexagonal Pewter Stool from Max Lamb on Vimeo.

Classic Car Ownership.

Owning and driving a classic car isn't for everyone. But it seems to be for me, because I've had them as long as I've been driving. I should say "classic vehicle" because I've owned everything from classic scooters (1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1968 Lambretta Jet 200) to this, my 1963 Porsche 356 T-6 Super Coupe. So the following musings will not just be limited to the 4 wheeled variety.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO OWN A CLASSIC VEHICLE?

Depends on what kind. Classic German cars are, well, Teutonic by nature. They're happiest when driven and worked often. If they sit, they get cranky and start to leak and break down. The 4-cylinder, carbureted Porsches are relatively simple machines. If you just want the thing to drive, then it should be relatively painless - unless it's a show car and you're a freak about matching numbers. Then you're screwed.

DO YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO WORK ON THEM YOURSELF?

There are two kinds of classic car owners: The tinkerers who love to work on them, and the guys who leave that to someone else and just like to drive them.

I'm happy to say I've graduated to the latter category.

I used to do minor repairs on my scooters because, well, they were old and Italian and I was young and poor. Oh, and I was living in San Bernardino which wasn't exactly crawling with classic Vespa mechanics. So when (yes, WHEN) the clutch cable would snap (all the time, usually when I finally convinced some girl to ride with me) in the middle of an intersection, I'd take out my spare and replace it right there. Did I like doing this? Did I take pride in my workmanship? Hell no. It sucked. No way am I doing that on this Porsche, a car I've coveted since I was 5. I treat this thing like Cameron's dad treated the Ferrari California. Except I actually drive mine. Which brings me to...

IS IT FUN TO DRIVE?

Drive it on warm days and you sweat. On cold days, you freeze. Sometimes you smell like gasoline. It's loud. Really loud. It's hard to drive and braking (4 wheel drum brakes, no discs here) is dicey and gives you a quad workout in Topanga Canyon.

But it's charming as hell. Every idiosyncrasy worms its way into your heart. And I've lost count of how many times I've had an older gentleman stop me and say "I used to have that car and I sold it and I've always regretted that."

I certainly hope I never have to sell it. I hope I never have that regret.

Vintage Scooter Replacement

I'm a mod. I think 1963 - 1966 is a high point in terms of style, design and music. And I've always loved vintage scooters. I've had a few of them over the years and they're a blast. But this car is, in my mind, the ultimate. I've driven this '63 356 Super for 10 years now and I never tire of it (Teddy seems to like it, as well). It feels like the natural evolution of my scooter love. Now, don't get me wrong, if I lived in a more metropolitan area I would probably still have my '74 Rally 200. But I live right off the most vintage car-friendly stretch of road in the nation - Mulholland Highway through the Malibu Hills. And I've loved this car since I first saw one when I was 5. So there you go. I still feel like the Ace Face when I drive it and I hope the mod faithful understand.

Visit To The Holy Land

If you love the out of doors then that title is not sacrilege or hyperbole. This is the humble shack where Mr. Yvon Chouinard started making climbing equipment way back in the day. That company evolved into Patagonia. This shack still exists in the courtyard of Patagonia headquarters in Ventura. Pretty great. I had to sneak back in there and grab this shot. Besides making great stuff, he's THE model of what a company leader should be in every way. If you haven't read his book "Let My People Go Surfing" then stop reading this and grab it right away. Really. Go. Now. Scoot.

You'll Be Mods And You'll Like It, Dammit!

The kids on my brother's '63 Lambretta. Wish it was mine. 'Tis much nicer than the ones I used to ride. Anyway, I have him cruise by often so the kids will be exposed. Could go either way. They could embrace my style or, because I'm Dad, reject it and embrace metal or country-rock. Time will tell.

You'd Better Believe It.

I don't care what year we're talking about, I still think this is true.

Special Thanks to Parkaavenue for this beauty.

Nashville Portraits

Amazing real, honest portraits.

Being an American, I was raised by fans of old-time country music (as well as other genres - mostly jazz and classical, honestly). When driving through Nashville as a kid, Dad got last-second, SRO tickets to the Grand Ole Opry (in the original, old, rickety building) and dragged us kids in. I think we saw Mel Tillis and Buck Owens among others. We, being kids, were miserable and hungry. My dad just kept saying "you'll remember this later." I do remember it.

And I'm still not a fan of all country - mostly the classic stuff that's really more folk than anything. But these photos are cool. Honest. And man, country is the only genre where the people are artists but still look like they could kick the crap out of you.

The Case For Increased School Library Funding

This is a real interaction with my son. My wife told me about the report he had to do for school and I went in, camera blazing.