Interesting Point of View

So I was talking with a friend of mine about some issues she's been going through & she said something beautiful that bares repeating. She would ask me 'why do bad things happen to good people?' And I would tell her 'You gotta find the positive in any situation'. She told me today
'You were right. I can't just sit back & ask why. We don't know how many days we're given
Or what tomorrow brings. Even when its raining (when it rains it pours reference) you just gotta dance in the rain.'
I love that. So if your having a hard time, struggling through something just remember;
Sometimes you just gotta dance in the rain.

Under Construction: Civallac

Since 2007 I've had the pleasure of photographing Dustin McMahon's creation dubbed "The Civallac" at Layed Out At The Park in Morristown, Tn. This multi first place trophy winner has been entered into more then thirty-five (35) shows in the last three (3) years alone.

I asked Dustin what got him into cars and wanting to change the appearance of his car. "From the time I was about fifteen (15) I started seeing people riding around in town with tricked out rides and I wanted one. I bought this '97 Honda Civic and started working on it myself."

Mods on this car include:

Rolling Attire:

18" Niche f16 wearing Nankang Ultra Sports Ns-II 215/35/18

Chassis Modification:

Suspension- 4" cylinders in front, 3" cylinders in rear

Compressor- chrome viair 380.

Undercarraige- gloss black performed by- owner.

Body Modifications:

Shaved- Door handles, trunk, side molding, mirrors, rain guards, antenna.

Lighting- Cadillac De Ville taillights, black housed headlights.

Misc- Trunk was cut in half and the bottom part molded into the car to make housing for caddy buckets, motorcycle mirrors, side skirts and rear bumper molded into car. Performed by Twizted Mindz, Newport, Tn.

Body Kit:

Front bumper- 01 Honda Civic Buddyclub 2 custom fit to car

Side Skirts- Black Widow

Rear Bumper- Black Widow

Paint:

Hot Rod Flat Black, performed by- Twizted Mindz, Newport, Tn.

Interior:

All panels have been smoothed and primered,

Center Console- custom built with gauge pods and molded in skull on the back, dash- Shaved and smoothed,

Carpet- black,

Misc- Carbon Fiber pedals, silver face gauges, racing steering wheel, performed by- Owner & Twizted Mindz, Newport, Tn.

Stereo:

Head unit- Sony Xplod,

Mids & Highs- Sony Xplod component speakers, performed by- Owner.

Engine:

Intake- Matrix racing cold air intake

Headers- Matrix racing 4-2-1 racing headers

Wires- Obx racing 8.5mm racing plug wires (blue)

Detail work- Polished valve cover, polished fuel rail, chrome power steering fluid reservoir cap, chrome overflow tank, chrome oil cap, polished transmission housing, chrome battery tie down, chrome battery terminals, polished distributor, clear distributor cap, painted brackets. Performed by- Owner

Dustin plans on redoing the suspension with strut bags, more chrome under the hood, mold in the front bumper and finish the interior.

You can see this ride and Dustin in Newport, Tn. or look for the Freaks of Nature car club at the next car show near you.

Dustin would like to thank: My friends and family that have supported me through the years. Franklin at Twizted Mindz. Freaks Of Nature for being the best car club around and giving me the inspiration to make my car what it is and what it will become in the future.

All photo's were shot by: Ben Hightower V/Photo V

Feature written by: Ben Hightower V

Been a Busy Few Weekends

I have rather enjoyed the last few weekends photography wise.

April 9-11 Layed Out At The Park came back to Morristown, Tn. I was able to get some great photos.

April 16-18 The Spring Rod Run came back to Pigeon Forge, Tn. I wasn't able to get out of the car so all my pictures were taken out of the car. I call it gorilla style photography, as I had to fight to get every picture.

You can see all the pictures from Layed Out and The Rod Run by visiting http://www.myspace.com/rebel7_17 and clicking the pics link.

It's been awhile/update of sorts

It's been far to long since I have wrote a blog, but never fear for the time has come!
1: At tax time I finally did something for myself and bought a digital camcorder. Along with doing so I have begun to write a movie titled ''Bloody Candy'' (copywrite pending, poor man's copywrite secured). Hopefully, it will be the right amount of scary, mystery and of course a surprise fwist at the end. Should be finished with script soon, filming begins asap.
2: I recently bought a Suzuki 550 from a friend of mine. I am completely and utterly stoked! I've been dreaming and trying to buy a bike for almost ten (10) years now. I've already repainted the tank and reran some electrical lines on the bike. As soon as I get my endorsement you can count on more blogs/photos as I ride any and everywhere I can! Which reminds me: controbutions to the ''Get Ben His Endorsement So He Can Relieve Some Stress And Not Hurt Anyone'' foundation are now excepted. Long name, zmazing results. LOL.
In all seriousness though, please, always remember to be alert and look out for the single headlight on the road. It could be me.
Well that raps this up for now. Pictures will be posted soon of bike, and more info on movie to follow.

Was there a Click?

So the other day I was asked "was there a click?" when talking about a "date" that I at one point in time went on (this conversation started over another topic, moved to dating/romance etc. and lead this question I'm sharing with you now, so please bear with me if it doesn't make sense at first). My response "yeah, from my bones when I got up." Rolling eyes ensued and the subject was dropped, but it did make me start to think about "that click" and how you know if there's a connection with someone. So here's my opinion (hey you came to MY site what else did you expect?)

I think you don't know if there's a connection until there's that kiss. We all know what I'm talking about; that kiss that when you share it you feel the passion, the desire, the love and warmth from that person. And not in a sexual sense although that is needed to, but when your having the worst day ever and you don't feel like you have anyone to turn to and you see them and share a kiss, no matter how brief, and instantly you feel better and you feel the warmth inside and you know everything is going to be alright.

That's when I think you know, and trust me situations arise enough to tell you fairly early on if their the right person or not.

Most of all you need to trust your instincts, they were given to you for a reason after all, and go with your heart as well as your head. together their a great combo.

....Kisses....

p.s.

not sure if I've said it all right now, maybe I'll have to come back and add on but for now this feels right, and heeding my own advice I'm going with my gut.

Struggles and Confusion

So here I sit trying to write this blog using a WII because the computer is down. Thus the struggle.
The confusion comes from life itself and the choices I must make. I'm just not sure which one to choose.
I know this is short but my patience runs thin as two little birds try to guess what I'm typing as I ckick the letter. So I go for now....

Interesting Advances in Near Future Vehicles

So once again I get back from work and get online. Beside the main headline I see a link that boasts 7 myths about electric cars. Knowing that this is the very near future of what we will all be driving, I clicked the link. It was very interesting to see how far they've come with advances towards Ev's.
Now this might not be something your interested in until you actually buy one, and that's fine, but either way it's a good read.
Hope you enjoy.

(http://green.yahoo.com/blog/guest_bloggers/18/seven-myths-about-electric-vhicles.html)
(photo: Beautiful Earth)

Interesting Top 10 for 2010

So I get home (where I'm crashing until my car is fixed and I can return to my actual home) from work this morning, it's freezing out, everyone is still in bed, not wanting to disturb anyone I turn on the computer, get online and the first thing I see on yahoo is "10 things not to buy in 2010."
The picture it shows is of a corded and cordless phone (land line), and immediately grabs my attention. So i click on the link (http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108504/10-things-not-to-buy-in-2010) and read the list. Not surprising is: landlines, smart phone also-rans and newspaper subscriptions. But what was kinda shocking was: dvds and digital compact cameras.
OK maybe to you it's not so shocking but to me the camera bit was. It's quite the list and a must read for anyone thinking about purchasing any kind of tech items in the near future. Don't take it from me though, click the link and check it out for yourself.

New Years Bash

I had to work new years eve into new years morning, sucks very much let me tell you. So tonight is my night of celebration. I got a drink from a friend off Iphone's mixology app called "Dragons Breath" and it's kinda stout! So needless to say as I type this I'm feeling a slight head change so forgive me if it doesn't make sense right now.
I hope everyone enjoyed their new years celebration, made some decent resolutions that are reasonable, and was safe throughout the night.
My resolutions are simple: 1) Find the positive in any situation and roll with it, 2) Get into school so that I am one step closer to my goal; start one of my three (3) dream businesses by the time I'm thirty (30), 3) Get a better job. Reasonable I think.
Everyone be safe whether you celebrated new years eve or tonight like me, or anytime and I will be blogging again soon, count on it.



Dragon's Breath

• 3oz Beer
• 2oz Everclear
• 2oz Gin
• 2oz Vodka
• 1oz Dark Rum
• 1oz Peppermint Schnapps
• Coca Cola
• Dry Ice

Pour into a highball glass and fill with Coca-Cola. Enjoy

(I find that pouring it into a bigger glass/pitcher and making it a party drink because like I said, it's stout!)