what's up?

watchin’

1941 chevy special deluxe

i do like cars when they are parked near overhanging trees. easy to frame up something nice.

others were shooting a group of cars farther down the parking lot, just out of the frame. i took the opportunity to shoot other cars, while everyone was over there watching the commotion.

almost everyone. at least two were left, watching me, shooting this car. caught them in the reflection.

we live in an older house. no air conditioning in the summer, and an ancient heating system for the winter. i get hot flashes more often than not, so i suffer through the heat of summer, and the old wall heater in the back room is basically dead in the winter. i put off using a space heater in our room as long as possible. the thing makes me paranoid that it will tip over and start a fire, and it also heats the room up a fair amount.

my better half used to love it cold; i called him a polar bear. now he is less enthusiastic about it, especially when he wants to sleep. so we are at odds, now that winter is coming. it has been in the low forties at night, and our room has a lot of windows.

some nights we run the heater, and i alternate being under the blanket and throwing it off. sometimes it wakes him up, most times not. he has slept up on the couch a few nights, so i could see how it was without the thing on. it was great, and i slept fine.

i think he didn't mind the couch either; house heating system works well up there, and i secretly thinks he likes being up there, sleeping with the xmas tree lights on...a big night light. but those elf on a shelf elves, that it is covered with would freak me the fuck out.

heard my better half had joked to his mother that an exorcism was going to be needed in the back bedroom. he could almost see his breath when he walked in the other morning.

outside looking in

1939 chevy master deluxe

slept in, skipped pomona this morning, but did manage to roll outta bed and get to the old memories toy drive at the speedzone. thought i'd go there, then maybe head over to pomona after.

wasn't really a whole lot there when i arrived after start time, which was ten. several other photographers were there or showed up soon after—@zurdo_la, @reyfierro, @aragonphotography39. i know a couple of them well enough to say hey, how's it going, where you been, where you going next...starting to sound like forrest gump. they said it was too late to head to pomona, that cars would be heading back this way. toss up between this show and the together toy drive out in covina.

i just stayed at this one, for a couple of hours. there was enough to keep me busy and fiddle with my cameras. zurdo, one of the photographers, asked what lens i was shooting today — same one i usually do, wide angle. used to carry around another wide angle, but more glass just makes my bag heavier. at this point, i'm just getting the hang of this lens...shoot the hell out of what you have, until you know it, really know it, right? or wear it out.

anyway, with all the extra space available at the show, one of the other photographers took the opportunity to have some of the owners to pull their cars out, so they could shoot them better. i tried to stay out of the way of their shots.

once they walk away, the cars are up for grabs, until the owners move'em back.

one owner of a very nice chevy, asked me if i'd like him to pull it out; it took a bit of biting my tongue, to not start laughing and say, "that's what he said." i did manage to thank him for the offer, but it was fine where it was.

really liked this one. managed to get a shot that didn't have other people in it, and at an angle that hid the cars parked behind it, more toward the checkered building.

took a couple of shots of the interior—why not, the window was open. didn't quite frame it up right, but like it just the same.

didn't go to another show after this one. on the way home, i did stop by the cemetery, to say hey to my better half's uncle. he didn't have much to say, but he does have a lovely tree to give him shade, and it was hot in the sun.

i don't think i'd want to be stuck in a box in the ground, with just a no-profile grave marker. tombstones, big ass tombstones are the way to go, if you're going to bother with a hole in the ground. they make a statement, that they were here, kind of like kilroy.

i drove over to the other field that has those, and they aren't very impressive or numerous, but they make me think cemetery. maybe i should go back to photographing old cemeteries, like i did in college, and shoot very old tombstones and graveyards. i like the old ones in boston, or even santa ana.

for a wallflower like me, i just want to be cremated and tossed to the wind. i prefer this meadow on a mountain in canada, overlooking lake louise, or maybe mt. rainier or muir woods--whichever i could get someone to dump me. at least i'd be more useful that way, and no one would stomp over me to visit someone else. and it would be as if i never were...

cemeteries with the no-profile markers just look like pock-marked faces. old school is the way to go, but more inconvenient for the field owners...

miss it

1948 chevy fleetline

from the broiler a few weeks ago. i just love me a fleetline. alone in a corner, everyone in a prayer circle out of the frame farther away, i took advantage of getting a shot without people cruising through.

ok, there was a woman sitting behind me, keeping an eye, but without any more convo than a "hello," i might as well have been alone.

i don't make it out to the weekly shows at bob's anymore; rush hour traffic just keeps me away. that and the last few times i made a point of going anyway, there was hardly anything there. i did see for a while that some clubs had adopted it, and were making it a thing again, but i haven't seen any pics lately. so maybe they've given up?

maybe i should go the last wednesday night before xmas, when they've got colored lights up on the building. it used to be busy then, and reflections on cars are just lovely. should i, shouldn't i? i'll flip a coin that week. high tech decision making is best sometimes.

belated happy birthday shout out to angel—who i used to see there once in a while.

so chill

1950 chevy deluxe

arrived later than i'd wanted to, but better half needed to take a shower to wake up, and dry his long locks first. i, on the other hand, rolled out of bed, dressed and was basically good to go. glad i've let my hair grow out, and don't really have to waste time doing any fancy styling like when it is shorter; never holds a curl anyway. just brush it and it is what it is, but at least i can tie back when it blows in my face.

within minutes of walking up to the corner where the line of cars were parked waiting for the gates to open, he was freezing his nalgas off, and he left, headed home, to a warm house, and xmas stuff to do.

i, on the other hand, distracted myself from the weather, deciding which way to go--left or right down the street--and got to shooting. i went left, heading to the seemingly neverending line of cars...more were arriving every few minutes.

shot as far as this chevy before turning around. the reflection was right, the sky was cloudy, the sun was up a decent amount, palm trees and the arena building. busy enough picture without the next couple of cars...vw bugs...not what i was looking for. nice, but nah.

morning light is pretty, and if i can catch it hitting the shine of the paint just so, it makes me happy. i do need to remember to slow down, and really get the camera focused, not race the sun so much. there's always another show, another morning to try again.

hideout

1939 chevrolet master deluxe

almost called this one big dukey, because of the big banner. then on second thought, definitely didn't think the alternative definition was what i wanted to associate with this car, because the car is gorgeous.

parked up front, near the dj booth and donation tent, i suppose it belongs to one of the club's upper echelon guys. i could be totally wrong, and one of the regular guys just has an awesome car. either way, nice car.

went to huffarama today. shot pics for about six hours. was cold at six in the morning--about forty-four degrees--but it didn't bother me. hot flashes are good for something after all. better half came along, but couldn't handle the cold, and was worried about his mom, so he left pretty quick, and went home.

anyway, hanging out in cucamonga for the night, thinking maybe about swinging by another show i read about tomorrow. it started raining about an hour ago, and will probably continue all night, so that may not happen.

so, plan b...

thanks

1951 chevy deluxe

owner of this car came over to say hi. inquired as to whether i had any interest and/or experience in shooting a car calendar. said he had seven cars and was interested in having a calendar done for his business.

i'm perfectly capable of laying out a calendar, was thinking about doing one anyway, but i suppose i didn't give him an affirmative, confident answer, so he went away. sounded like he wanted something more in-studio, and i don't do that.

thanksgiving. happy. everyone. no turkey here, just some ham. not even a formal dinner, which is nice for a change, and a lot less stressful.

i'm sure my mom went all out for my sister and her friend. leftovers for days, if that's your thing.

i stayed in whittier this year. i offered to make dinner, but better half said he was just going to order food like he does most years. it's just easier, and it was.

missed the stupid crap my dad says, his annual critques of my mom's turkey and the sides. as if he were a food expert, followed by my mom apologizing for everything not being better.

my better half and his mom went over there once for thanksgiving, and got to witness their annual parlay. my dad saying it was bit dry, my mom apologizing for the food dishes, meanwhile, both of them stuffing their faces and wondering what my parents were talking about...the food was delicious.

missed my sister and her friend and their chit chat. he always brings a bottle of wine, which i'll sometimes taste, just to reaffirm my belief that it tastes like piss, and i haven't been swayed otherwise yet. i see her twice a year probably...thanksgiving and xmas dinner, though they live not far, near the beach.

both brothers are with their families out on the east coast. missed my younger brother's stories most of all. he is so funny when he's on a roll, telling tales from his government job. he really should write a book or do stand up. he gets into the character and acts out the situations, which are many times so ridculous, they're hard to believe they're true. but they are.

hoping to see them both in april, when i travel for business.

got out of the house only to go for a walk, but it was late, and we only went as far as the movie theatre and back.

supposed to rain saturday and sunday. prime car show days, and kind of will ruin our plans. on the other hand, we can go to plan b, which will be pretty fun too. >:)

there’s a line

1939 chevy master deluxe

so, here's the thing: i go to the shows to take pictures of the cars, meet people, and have fun. been going out there for more than five years now, so i'm slowly becoming acquainted with a lot of the owners and photographers.

as i've mentioned before, there are a few that just have that personality and i'm comfortable getting/giving a hug, or shaking hands when i see them. one hug is normal, is good, i don't mind.

i do mind the dude who came around for a second hug yesterday, initially, thinking it just a joke, because i'd run into you again, but ending with 'accidently' brushing/cupping my ass with your hand, and kissing my hair, that was just rude.

then later, calling me over, in front of your club members and saying what you said, i could take it one of two ways: one, a stupid, but innocent joke, poorly delivered; the other prettily put in it's crudeness, and not as a joke. i think i know which you meant, and no thanks. do lines like that really work in real life? holy crap, if they do.

it was not funny, and your boys did not laugh, though i'm sure they heard. i hope they gave you shit for it afterwards, and not high fives. i do not deserve that disrespect from anyone at a show, much less from someone i've run into many times over the years.

perhaps you were drunk, that early in the morning, but you didn't smell of beer. don't do it again. in fact, just stay away from me. you know better, and you know my better half would have no problem having a chat with you.

i chose to just walk away, because i don't like to make a scene, and if it was a reaction you wanted, wasn't going to give it to you, at least not then. no drama.

thought about it all night though, and just needed to vent here, so there's your reaction. hope you recognize yourself, and apologize. all i have to say to you in the future is nothing, if i even bother to go anywhere near you or your club's cars.

i choose to have fun and keep shooting pictures. i choose to throw you in that box with richard, and not think of you at all.

thanks for the flyer, but no, i will not be attending the classic dreams' toys for kids cruise.

beautiful day, otherwise, yesterday for shooting. made it to two shows: duke's la habra toy drive, and the danny boy fundraiser at bob's big boy.

sky was full of passing clouds. supposed to rain sunday and monday; so, happy about that. made for more interesting pictures.

first saw this car back in 2013. chilo's car, i think, probably still is. the story i remember hearing was that it was a family project car; time spent sanding and sanding, using flour to find the blems, and more sanding, before all the coats of paint. nice to see it's still around.

baby blu

chevy truck

two hours into my friday trek home, and i had to stop to peeeeee. the daily drive is getting ridiculous, but i do not know what can be done about it, except to look for a new job and/or work from home, stay at my mom's more often or kick my kid and his wife outta my condo. and then, there's my better half, who is the whole reason i make the trip anyway. god damn, i must really like him, to put myself through the drive.

sitting in a random pizza joint, already off the soda wagon after two days, drowning my sorrows, after relieving my kidneys.

supposed to rain this weekend. really hope it does. thinking i need to upgrade my website to a newer version of service...already a couple versions behind. not looking to redesign it, just to catch up with the customer support, and editing and statistics apps. just will take time that i don't want to spend to figure it out and do it. probably would be required to use the platform's template vs my design. maybe it's a good time to tweak tweakedpixels anyway.

i've seen this truck many times before. liked it sitting here, in the shade, while the owner chatted nearby with his friends.

toy drove

1954 chevy bel air

i wasn't feeling up to it, but i went anyway. whittier narrows isn't far from home, so i figured if i got too wobbly, i could just head out. better half had stuff to do around the house, so he didn't go. waited until one to head over, hoping to miss the worst of midday heat. cool enough in the shade.

many times, if i just get out of the house i do perk up. tell myself just go with it, and i'll be ok. and so i was. vague stomach ache, but i ignored it.

brought a toy for the donation pile. looked like they had a good haul. wasn't hungry, so skipped the free meal they were trading for it.

saw a few guys i've gotten to know a little over the last few years. one offered me a fresh cooked hamburger, but wasn't brave enough to attempt a hamburger yet.

one wandered over and asked when i was going to send him pictures from some past show i'd promised to send him. he said the whittier evening cruise, which i argued i'd never been to. i run into him often, so i'll have to look through other whittier shows to see if it will jog my memory. would help a lot if he would just send me an email.

speaking of email...i've responded to several emails lately, and never hear back. guessing they're going to junk mail. i always answer, one way or another, so please do look there.

the turnout was fine, but the location was sort of dusty. nearby fields, especially where i parked were really very dusty, not good on a windy day for cameras. i feel like i have a fine layer of dirt all in my pores.

i took a bunch of pictures. still missed some, due to people being in the way, or too tightly parked or just a bad angle in relation to the sun. that's ok, i've seen many of them before, and hopefully will again.

when i was about done, went out to the street, to shoot this car and the fleetline in front of it. had to wait for a group of kids to move, or actually be told to get out of the way.

couple of guys nearby. one says he's seen my pictures before online, thinks they're great—thanks! other guy was the owner of this bel air. said it was rare because the spare wheel and cover were real original to the car, and that most are recent additions. he's owned this since ninteen ninety seven, i think he said.

he asked the usual questions, including when they might be posted. he asked, so i told him i'd post his tonight. promise kept...what do you think?

good day, sunshine

chevy truck

another early morning shot from the showlows show at st hilarys. i think this is a dukes' truck, at least it was parked near a bunch of their cars. decided i liked this one better than the shot with the sun's rays glaring into the lens this time—the lens flares were going straight down the middle, and not that interesting.

queue the violins...

i've done nothing so far this weekend. yesterday all i did was sleep and deal with stomach issues. i don't know what it is that i get through the work week just feeling meh, only to get to saturday, and feel ick.

i had plans. i had wanted to go to the latin gents/dukes toy drive. it was wonderfully overcast here by the house, and assumed it might have been in cypress as well. the show was from one to seven in the evening, which would have been nice for a change.

instead, i watched the awesome sunset from the couch, and wished i had just gone anyway. oh well. judging from only one photographer's pics posted on instagram, looked like it was a good show, and that they had collected lots of toys.

only left the house once yesterday, for a late lunch. walked uptown. sometimes if i just get out and walk, whatever it is goes away. not this time. was tempted to call my better half to come get me, but i toughed it out, and walked back home, but not very quickly.

not feeling one hundred percent today. but i am hoping to go to the viejitos show over by legg lake—at least that is only fifteen minutes from home vs half an hour+ to cypress, if i start feeling queasy.