#if the tour bus is rockin' etc etc etc

[hairmetal666]

They start kissing on stage as a joke.

The night before the first time, they're at an afterparty, pounding shots, and Eddie is reading aloud a piece that just came out in Rolling Stone. "'One of the most noteworthy parts of Munson and Harrington's unlikely pairing is their chemistry on stage. It's like these two men--one on his way to being the latest metal god, the other an indie rock wunderkind--are two parts of one musical whole. Their singing, their playing, even their bodies twine and flow with assuredness; where one goes, the other follows without question. They share a single brain-cell and that cell is music'."

Steve giggles, pours some more Grey Goose into the glass. "If they say that now, could you imagine what would happen if we, like, kissed on stage or something."

"What the fuck, Harrington?" Eddie splutters, having just thrown a drink back.

"I don't know, other bands do it!"

Eddie snorts. "I'm cutting you off." He reaches for the bottle and the suggestion is forgotten for wrestling over the liquor.

Steve barely remembers it in the morning. Doesn't think about it at all as he gets ready to go out on stage.

They're playing one of the instrumental breakdowns when it happens. They're leaning into each other, Eddie smiling over his shoulder at him, their eyes locked, bodies moving together. "You wanna?" Eddie mouths at him.

Steve nods before the question actually registers and by then Eddie's warm, soft mouth is against his and he just-- completely forgets what he's doing. His hands still on the guitar strings, and he melts a little, going completely boneless when Eddie grips the back of his head, pulls him deeper into the kiss. t's over almost as quickly as it started, Eddie pulling away and swirling to the mic to start the next verse.

The kiss sinks into Steve's bones, and that's before it becomes a regular feature of their performances. After that night, they're never at the same time during the show, all initiated by Eddie, all over before he can catch his breath; each one chaste and surrounded by people but somehow more intimate than any make out.

He and Eddie, they're friends, bandmates, collaborators. They've known each other since they first started out, forging an immediate connection with they stumbled upon each other hiding out in the garden at some industry bigwig's party. And as much as he loved his friend, never once in that time had Steve considered wanting Eddie.

But now, now he falls asleep with the ghost of Eddie on his lips, goes into each show with a thrum of anticipation, catches himself thinking how beautiful his friend is when he's all rumpled and disheveled from a night in the tour bus bunks.

They've always been easy with physical affection, but once the kissing starts they're constantly in each other's space, idly playing with hair, laying across laps, heads on shoulders, twisting together on the tour bus couch. Steve is ruined with every touch, every moment; he can't get enough.

The first time Eddie uses tongue destroys every last piece of Steve's composure. They've added a new song to the setlist, a remixed version of Eddie's hit "Prince Charming". It's hard, heavy, sexy, one of Steve's favorites. And in the middle of it, right in the middle, Eddie shoves him against a low platform, kisses him like he's trying to own him, tongues twining eager and wet and full of sinful promise. It's like that every show after, Eddie kissing him deep and thorough, like he's trying to lick up every drop of Steve.

He is, unquestionably, fucked. Unquestionably falling. Can't properly fathom how he'd gotten himself here, desperate for Eddie's kiss, as performative as it may be.

They're packing up equipment after a show. Eddie's hair is piled in a messy bun and Steve is trying not to blatantly stare at the curve of his neck, the stray curls against his pale skin. Eddie's gesturing at something, says, "Can you grab those cords, swee--Steve?" He hands them over without thought, notices that Eddie's face is shining red. He's called away to deal with packing the guitars, forgets all about it, but at their next show, Eddie doesn't kiss him.

They don't talk about it.

Eddie doesn't try to kiss him again.

A week after Eddie stops the kiss, they have a night off between shows. He needs to get out of his head, goes out with Robin. He gets back fairly early, but all the lights are off in the bus. It makes him panic in a way it shouldn't; they've always done their own things. Still, he rushes on board, flips on the lights, his absurd heart beating too hard.

Eddie is curled up on the couch, face pressed to the pillows and covered with his hands. The panic kicks up a notch.

"Eddie?" He steps closer, slowly reaching out to grip Eddie's shoulder.

He jerks upright, earbuds slipping free, phone sliding down his hip. "Steve?"

His face is wet, tears actively slipping free from his eyes as Steve watches.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" His hands flutter around Eddie's arms and face, searching for bruises or wounds.

"I'm fine, Harrington," he chokes out. "Though you were out with Robin?"

"Yeah, I was, but Chrissy called. You know how useless she gets. But that doesn't--you--you're crying. What's wrong?"

Eddie's smile is a wobbly little thing, refusing to stick on his face. "Oh, you know, the usual. Fell for the wrong guy."

Steve forces down the gut churning hurt at hearing that Eddie's in love with someone, intent on comforting his friend. He tries to slip his arm around Eddie's shoulders, but Eddie shrugs him off. It jostles Eddie's phone again, slipping it toward Steve and activating the screen. He has a split second where he's looking at the cover of his own first album, before Eddie's snatching it out of reach, scrambling up from the couch.

"I'm fine." He swipes his sleeve over his face. "It's nothing."

And Steve is putting it all together, the being in love and listening to Steve's music, the kissing and how it ended.--

"Eddie." He sounds all wrong, choked and garbled.

Eddie doesn't turn around, is stuffing his feet into his boots. "I'm--I gotta go clear my head."

He walks towards the door and Steve just--"I've been obsessed with you since the first kiss," he says. Eddie stops, hand curled against the door. "We've been friends all this time and I didn't--I never realized. And then we kissed and--it's all I've been able to think about."

Eddie turns then, facing him, expression unreadable."Steve, what are you--"

"I love you. I'm in love with you." It comes out fast, all jumbled, but he can't stand Eddie leaving, not now.

"You--?" Eddie blinks, bites his lip. "That's not possible."

Steve smiles, can't help it. "It is, though. Turns out, I can't get enough."

Their eyes lock; neither speaks. Steve's heart pounds so hard it might spring free of his chest. Eddie moves first, crosses the small distance between them to pull Steve into his arms.

It's not a kiss, but Steve buries his face against Eddie's neck, breathing him in, feeling the echo to the pound of his own heart. "How long?" Steve asks.

Eddie's soft laugh vibrates through him. "Since I saw you walking in that garden and thought, 'jesus christ, Prince Charming is real'."

Steve pulls away to stare at Eddie in disbelief. "But that's--your--the song?"

"They're kinda all about you, Stevie. But that one most of all." Eddie whispers. His eyes glisten.

"Fuck, Eddie." He doesn't mean to whine, but he's not in control of his voice anymore. "I'm sorry I didn't--" He shakes his head. "I'm all yours, Ed. Whatever you want."

Eddie's thumb catches against Steve's bottom lips, eyes transfixed on his mouth. "Everything, sweetheart. I want it all."

#steddie #steve x eddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #ficlet #bandmates steve and eddie #musician au #fluff #angst #eddie munson has a crush on steve harrington #oblivious steve harrington #eventual mutual pining #kissing on stage #it's a joke. until it isn't #this is because boygenius won a bunch of grammys #all award shows are fake and the grammys are the most fake of all but still #if the tour bus is rockin' etc etc etc #grey goose got your girl feeling loose

[penniesforthestorm]

Concert Recap: Drive-By Truckers and Kyle Craft at Webster Hall, 2/11

In Which I Remember Why I Don't Like Webster Hall Sorry guys, this is going to be a little ranty (I feel like I've been saying that a lot lately. I wonder why...). The thing is, living in New York City, I'm spoiled for choices in terms of where to see live music. From tiny, weird DIY venues to plush auditoriums, any night of the week, there's something going on somewhere. But in terms of the 'mainstream' bands I like, when they come through on tour, it's a pretty safe bet they're playing at one of the following: Bowery Ballroom, Music Hall of Williamsburg, or Webster Hall. Now, none of these places is perfect (though BB comes darn close), but of the three, Webster is probably my least favorite, for a couple of reasons. One, sets in the main ballroom on Saturday nights have to end at 11:00, because there's always some kind of 'club night' afterward (80s Prom Party, EDM stuff, etc.). And two, the crowd tends to skew cranky and snobby. I mean, I guess if you *want* to spend $30 to stand there scowling with your arms folded... Unfortunately, both of these factors came into play last night. My friend and I were under the distinct impression that the doors opened at 7:00, and the show (meaning the opening act) would be starting at 8:00. That's generally how it works. We agreed to meet inside at 7:45. I went over early because I happened to be in the area, and got inside and up to the bar about 7:25. Kyle Craft and his band were already on stage, but I assumed they were doing a last-minute soundcheck. I ordered a whisky sour and texted my friend. Then, to my surprise, with a quick "Hello, New York City", Craft and his band launched into "Pentecost", which is probably my favorite track from Dolls of Highland. So then I thought they might be playing a full hour (this is not unheard-of). But they didn't. We agreed later that in all likelihood, they'd gone early so that DBT could play a longer set. Which, fair enough-- they certainly had plenty to say, and we enjoyed ourselves, but still, I'd really been hoping to introduce her to Craft's stuff (honestly, that's mostly why I wanted to go), and that isn't how it worked out. So that was disappointing. As for the other thing, I know I complain about it a lot, but here's why: I've noticed that some people regard concerts, plays, and even movies as a kind of 'service'-- "I am paying for these people to entertain me"-- like a king watching his court jesters. And that just isn't how I see it. When I go to watch someone perform, first of all, that's a privilege: I am watching someone do something that they love to do, that is meaningful to them, that is an expression of their inner self. So the money I pay, whether it's a ticket price, a drink at the bar, or a T-shirt, that's a signal of support. I am enabling them to (ideally) get good equipment, keep their van or bus in good repair, and pay the bills, so that their mission (sharing their art) can continue. In that same vein, as someone who has some experience of performing, and family and friends in 'the biz', I know how dispiriting it can be to play to a room of people who don't seem to care. So that's the second level of support. Whoever it is, I will clap. I will dance (keeping in mind the people around me-- I certainly don't want to step on anyone or spill my drink). I will smile and cheer. Even if they're not that great! (Or, if I'm really not enjoying it, I'll leave-- this has happened.) Also, come on: whether it was Craft's glittery swamp-Gothic blues or DBT's roaring, heartfelt Americana... is a head-nod or a foot-tap really too much to ask? Are you so invested in being "cool" that you won't let yourself enjoy things? Talk about missing the point. OK, but how was the music? I'm so glad you asked. Hehe. It was terrific. I was pleased by the amount of new/unfamiliar material that Craft and his band got into their short set, and boy, was it gratifying to hear "Black Mary" live. Craft is a fantastic performer, with his dandelion-puff blond hair and rather Romantic mannerisms. And the Truckers... look, I could derail this into a political essay, but if you've stuck with me through the weeds this far, I think you deserve a little break. (Speaking of weeds, I think the last time the room got that fragrant was when I saw Kurt Vile last fall...) I'll put it this way: when Patterson Hood said "there's no getting over murder" in the introduction to "What It Means", I knew he was sincere. We talk a lot about authenticity-- when those guys sing about life in the rural South, they know what they're talking about. Their last record, along with Robbie Fulks' spectacular Upland Stories, feels like a true, vital document of the current climate. And I was really happy that they brought Craft and his band back out for a barnstorming rendition of "Keep on Rockin' in the Free World". It was a warm, rowdy, defiantly joyful send-off, and in the end, I was glad to be there. I just hope my gig karma gets better (I've had a run of not-so-great experiences at shows lately, plus I was battling a chest virus for most of January). See you around.

#Concert recap #music #live shows #kyle craft #drive-by truckers #nyc

[localfreshies]

New Post has been published on Local Freshies | Be a local wherever you go

New Post has been published on https://localfreshies.com/2018-skis-made-in-the-us-canada/

Made By Locals For Locals – 2018 Skis Made In The US & Canada

Over the past few decades, there’s been a consistent decline in traditional American manufacturing. On the surface, this is sad. But if you look deeper, you’ll notice the next generation of craftsman are being given a voice. For the first time in history, creators are seizing the opportunity to build things that were once impossible…. like skis. Why should you buy locally crafted skis? Buying skis made in the US means the revenue stays in the country, taxes are paid and most of all, they are made by someone who actually LOVES skiing. For 2018, here are the companies that made the tough business decision to have their skis made in the US.

Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis

Boyne City, Michigan

Learn more about Shaggy’s

Image appears courtesy: Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis

Image appears courtesy: Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis

For some, the American dream might be a white picket fence, a house, 2.3 kids and a car… but for others, it’s about taking your hobby and making it a full-time profession. The folks at Shaggy’s Skis are a great example of this as they grabbed hold of their passion to create skis that “make you happier sliding down the snow than you’ve ever been.”

For the 2018/19 season, this Boyne City ski manufacturer has taken their motto and concentrated on creating rock solid skis for not only the best conditions but also for the worst conditions. It’s for the days when the snow is refrozen, when the powder is skied out and those times you find yourself charging through chunder. Because, let’s be honest… we all want EVERY-day on the slopes to leave us with a smile.

Slant Skis

Lake Tahoe, California

Learn more about Slant Skis

Image appears courtesy: Slant Skis

Just like many entrepreneurs before them, they were unsatisfied with the workmanship available in the market place. Founded in 2007, they followed their passion and started making skis for themselves. This love transformed into a business that has been around for more than a decade. Still 100% employee owned, Slant Skis doesn’t just manufacture state-side but try their best to also source all materials from the US. Each of their models have full bamboo cores meaning they’re construction is light AND environmentally friendly. For those looking for the perfect patrol-style ski, meaning a ski that’s designed as a tool for “work” on the mountain, check out the “Diplomat”. It’s a ski that can take a beating, go anywhere and keep a good edge on the worst or best conditions.

Renoun

Burlington, Vermont

Learn more about Renoun

Image appears courtesy: Renoun Skis

Image appears courtesy: Renoun Skis

Are you a tech fanatic? Love everything that pushes the boundary of what’s possible? Well, Renoun Skis are right in your wheel house then. Back in 2011, they stumbled upon a polymer called HDT™ that was used in the aerospace industry. After a few years, they created something vastly different than the rest of the ski industry that they won ISPO’s Gold Award. As they say, there are “1,600 ski models in today’s market… we will NOT be 1,601.”

Wagner Custom Skis

Telluride, Colorado

Learn more about Wagner Custom Skis

Image appears courtesy: Wagner Custom Skis

Telluride’s moniker “To-Hell-You-Ride” is still alive and well at Wagner Custom Skis. With their factory literally steps away from the chairlifts, they’re still a bunch of hard-charging Telluride locals living the dream. That means making and marketing skis that are painstakingly handcrafted based on the Skier’s DNA. What does that signify? Well, it denotes each ski that is bought is custom built just for you! Using a different combination of materials, structural layup, sidecut, turning radius, length, width, flex pattern, etc., they make sure what’s attached to your feet works in favor of you not against you.

New for 2018/19, they’ll be launching a podcast in mid-October focused on getting people to take their skiing to the next level. Also, they’ve got a whole new assortment of stock topsheet designs that were inspired by things they experienced last season.

Praxis Skis

Incline Village, Nevada

Learn more about Praxis

Image appears courtesy: Praxis – Skier: Davis Bedient Photo By: Doug Bodel

Image appears courtesy: Praxis

Keith O’Meara and his team lets the quality of their skis speak for themselves. Over the years, their team of skiers has won an assortment of trophies in places like the Freeride World circuit. Located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada range on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, they sell factory direct to the consumer. This allows you to get you a better value and buying experience. Besides the high quality craftsmanship, a major difference of Praxis Skis to other ones on the market is their topsheet. Made of wood veneer, it leads to each and every ski being unique and one-of-a kind. So, if you do pick up one of their skis, you’ll have something that works great on the slopes and is a work of art. Something you can’t say very often.

Sego Ski Co.

Teton Valley, Idaho

Learn more about Sego Ski Co.

Made in Teton Valley Idaho – Image Courtesy – Sego Skis

When it comes to consistent snowfall, Grand Targhee is annually ranked as one of the best. In fact, they’re the ONLY resort in North America with a perfect record of full operation at every Christmas since records have been kept. With Sego Skis being based next to such a reliable mountain range, this translates to them having an opportunity to ski their products on a daily basis. We’re guessing that’s why more than half of their arsenal of 2018/19 skis have won awards from such major ski publications as: Backcountry, Powder, Freeskier, Blister Gear Review and Ski Magazine.

With their headquarters located right in downtown Victor, Idaho, stop by for a beer in their showroom, meet the crew and even take a tour of the newly expanded factory. Not planning on being in Northwest Wyoming anytime soon? Don’t you worry! Keep your eyes peeled for the Sego Bus at a local ski area near you for your chance to try their demos this season.

Foon Skis

Pemberton, British Columbia

Learn more about Foon

John Chilton looking down the latest Foon Ski – Photo taken by: Blake Jorgenson – Image courtesy: Foon Skis

Only 45 minutes from the legendary slopes of Whistler, they’ve taken the experience and knowledge of the past and applied the latest in techniques. The outcome is a ski that embraces the past, present & future! If manufacturing in North America wasn’t enough, they also locally source the wood for their cores. The Yellow Cedar, which grows on the slopes of the Coast Mountain Range, produces a superior product like nowhere else. How come? Due to climate in this region, the wood is as strong as a hardwood but much lighter! In fact, they’re one of the few ski manufacturers to use a solid piece of wood instead of the typical multi-ply core. They can do this because the wood has such a tight grain, it naturally absorbs vibration.

Moment

Reno, Nevada

Learn more about Moment

Image appears courtesy: Moment Skis

The list wouldn’t be complete without at least mentioning the LARGEST ski manufacturer in the United States… Moment. Combining their love for skiing AND building things, they created a ski that was different than what the Big 5 European ski companies were making at the time. Their focus was to develop a new design that was fatter and has square tips. In their words, they’re “Building the best damn skis for anything the mountain throws at you.”

In addition to the companies above, we reached out to the following as well that we think are still being manufactured in North America. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard back from them to confirm:

Yopp Skis

Igneous Skis

7even

On3P

As always, let us know through social media if there’s a company that should be included in this list. Until then, keep rockin’ gear that is made by Locals 4 Locals. Don’t ski but snowboard? Check out our 2018 edition highlighting snowboards manufactured in the US.

[wgerusty166651-blog]

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[itsworn]

Lone Star Round Up – A Hot Rodder’s Shangri-La

When the Lonestar Round-Up, sponsored by The Kontinentals Car Club, hits Austin, TX in early April each year it’s like the whole dang town has turned into a cool car Shangri-La. The very air vibrates with sweet exhaust notes from engines housed in pre-1964 American automobiles and the Americana music that Austin, The Live Music Capital of the World, is famous for. April 2017’s Round-Up at the Travis County Expo Center showcased over 1800 cars, with entries from across the globe, an untallied as of press time but very large number of international spectators, and a parking lot full of non-entrant vehicles that would still do any weekend cruise night proud.

Sixteen years ago on a muggy Texas April weekend Austin car club The Kontinentals sponsored the first Lonestar Round-Up on a football field in central Austin. The only rule was that cars had to be built in America in 1963 or earlier. All 88 fit on the field handily, although torquey tires and turf didn’t always interact as smoothly as they might have.

The second and third Round-Ups were held in East Austin on the grass and under the trees of the lovely Fiesta Gardens alongside the impoundment of the Colorado River that Austin calls Ladybird Lake. At first all of the cars were still shiny. Austin guitarslinger Jimmie Vaughn’s ‘63 Riviera held a place of honor. ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons could be seen wandering about in beard and nubby skullcap, accompanying customs like Cadzilla, Eliminator, and Copperhed.

The fourth through seventh Round-Ups expanded from Fiesta Gardens to take up all of Festival Beach. T-shirts bearing the HAMB (Hokey-Ass-Message-Board, an Austin-based clearing house for all things traditional hot rod) logo became popular. Vendors and booths included a wide variety of kool Kustom culture, including both of Austin’s female roller derby leagues. The Kontinentals painted almost all of their cars semi-gloss black and gave them red wheels. In a show of road warrior pride, entrants from further parts left the well-earned road grime on their vehicles. The LSRU world started to get a little grittier.

By 2008, Festival Beach could no longer contain the Round-Up, so it moved to the Travis County Expo Center, home of The Austin Rodeo and Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally. Show cars, like Aaron Grote’s 59 Plymouth bubbletop Atomic Punk, Pete Chapouris’ California Kid, Jake Jacob’s Yellow Coupe, Mike Young’s Exotica, more Jimmy Vaughn owned and Gary Howard built customs, and Kontinental Jefe Steve Wertheimer’s Jim Bruns built Black Dahlia took over the hill at the Round-Up’s main entrance.

The weekend officially begins to the north and east in Taylor, TX, with the Thursday night Meatheads’ Barbecue (also sponsored by The Thunderbolts and host club The Kontinentals) where a couple of cows and a dozen pigs give it all up for your dining pleasure.

Friday’s early risers can meet south of town in Oak Hill at 7:45 AM to receive maps to the Garage Crawl.  This year instead of hitting the usual suspects like the Austin Speed Shop, Murpho’s, or Gus’ Garage, they toured private collections.  The crawl always ends up in central Austin at the Dell Children’s Hospital, where the kids receive gifts and a chance to get up close and personal with some very fine rides.

The Round-Up itself begins Friday at the Travis County Expo Center, and includes not just cars but a swap meet, mini bike races on dirt, constant music from classic acts like bona fide rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson, baritone voiced guitar madman Junior Brown, 80’s new wave road warriors The Woggles, garage rockers Ugly Beats or the latest in rock en Español from Mexico City, Jenny & The Mexicats.  The crowds provide the best people watching of the year, as attendees don their gladdest retro slicked up piled high custom pin-up kar klub glad rags and strut about with Texas pride.

On Friday night Congress Avenue takes on all comers as it does its imitation of the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise. The spectacle of Round-Up rods and whatever locals feel worthy of showing off inches along under the flashing lights of ever vigilant police cruisers.  North Carolina’s hillbilly grunge band Southern Culture on the Skids performs its annual multi night residency at Kontinentals clubhouse and namesake The Continental Club.  Many will swear that it just isn’t the Round Up without the sweet taste of ‘nanner pudding doled out by the band’s dollfaced singer Mary Huff.

South of town, The Austin Speed Shop parties both nights, showcasing its latest projects, rockin’ bands like the re-located from Los Angeles Paladins, and often free promotional alcohol (don’t forget to tip your server).   North on Burnet, Top Notch drive-in burger joint features music, vintage hotrod films, charcoal burgers and thick shakes along with its vintage vehicles.

Sunday starts with the Slow Ride to The Oasis on Lake Travis, famous for its spectacular sunset views, and ends west of town at Mercury Charlie’s Hot Rods & Honeys with more music, more cars and more overall Austin hip wonderfulness before one has to bid a fond adieu.  For a lot of us, it’s the best week of the year, and packed into just four days.

One of this year’s standouts was a chopped and stretched long lean 59 Cadillac, resplendent in a mile deep purplish hue. Probably the big star of the show, though, was 2016’s Ridler Award winning 39 Olds convertible coupe built by Customs and Hot Rods of Andice, Texas and owned by Billy Thomas of Corpus Christi. It’s been said many times before, but seeing a Ridler winner in person gives you a much deeper understanding of all of the work put into these cars and the exquisite beauty that results. A fellow could about taste the curves and smooth metalwork of Thomas’ deserving award winner. But you also couldn’t escape the aftertaste of sweat from all of the effort the crew at Customs and Hot Rods put in.

Down the hill and deep into the display, last year’s big noise (and smoke) came from an early show appearance by the Corns family’s radial-airplane-engined 39 Plymouth truck. The aviation themed bare metal truck is such an amazing creation that it ended up gracing the cover of the October 2016 HOT ROD.

Rounds of Chicken Shit Bingo, a local tradition, can be found throughout the weekend.

Down the hill and even farther into The Round-Up’s inner reaches, back in the Early Oughts, the rat rod movement blossomed in distressed metal, road-signs and license plate body panels, and rust. TV stars and recent Roadkill nemeses Gas Monkey were early proponents, offering up slammed sedans with slit rear windows and sectioned so skinny the driver sat looking out through a hole in the roof. Others added a Texas touch with cowskulls and horns, rotting cowboy boots with (probably) fake femurs as gearshifts, and living cacti on rooftop gardens. These days there are still some tetanus traps sporting crosscut saw visors and sharp metal mohawks, but the cognoscenti have proclaimed such things as officially uncool.

Texas is a haven for trucks, with a calendar full of Truck Months. Every year Fords and Chevys are represented well and thoroughly. This year featured a few more Internationals along with voluptuous Studebaker TranStars. Last year’s revelation was cab-over-engine workhorses. The trick here was that most everybody had moved the engine behind the cab, so there would be room for big Cummins diesels, etc.  Some COEs even hauled their own hotrods, setting up a beauty contest between hauler and haul-ee.

Bobbers, or “Rudy Trucks,” so named after the archetypal 35 Ford created in 2002 by Rudy Rodriguez of California’s Fullerton Fabrication, are still popular. When a builder gets the proportions right on a chopped thirties pickup cab lowered onto a stepped frame and made useful with a special tailored bed, the appeal is undeniable.

This year diesels were king. Big and old trucks that once upon a time pulled semi trailers, wildly plumbed dual turbo rat rods, a low mean black 63 Cadillac with so many louvers in the hood it was practically lace all housed oilburners.  Hotrodded stepvans and schoolbuses are showing up in larger numbers. There was even a huge red art deco bus that was probably branded with a name that ended in cruiser or liner carefully navigating the show’s parking lot.

The variety of vehicles for sale in this year’s car corral was also impressive. Folks who wanted to purchase a turnkey testament to their coolness could find something to make them happy, but so could somebody looking for a new project. Willys gasser bodies, arguably close to finished rat rods, a couple of sweet El Caminos, a Rambler station wagon sporting oversized Foose wheels, even a multi colored truck based custom straight out of the 80s (picture the inspiration for Chevy’s SSR) could be had for the right amount of cash.

As always, there were plenty of Model T’s, from buckets to track, Model A’s, deuces, tri-fives, fifties Fords and Chevy trucks.  Austin’s Lone Star Round Up remains a haven for all 63 and earlier American built cars.  And if you are into that sort of thing, it’s also early enough in the season to get a glimpse into some of the newer trends in the hot rod universe.

The post Lone Star Round Up – A Hot Rodder’s Shangri-La appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

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[apeaceofthesun-blog]

Stabbings and Poo in Bogotà

Never in many years could I even dream of going to Colombia! We made it to Bogotà’s “Cranky Croc Hostel (which incidentally) doesn’t accept credit cards. 😣 woh woh. But otherwise it’s very nice. Very centralized- I love the area, La Candelaria (mostly I just like to say La Candelaria repeatedly).

We found some great coffee at Juan Valdez, recommended by our hostel roommates from Holland. We went to a nearby pharmacy because K started her period! Yikes! And by now, we are blossom cup proponents. Hashtag praise hands emoji. We also had to take out $ from the atm because the banks are closed and apparently it’s not as cc friendly as we thought! I’m not sure what our major plan is, I’m going with the flow…

…

Went to dinner at El Coral ….like a Dennys. Got a buncha potato food and gointa bed after some amazing alfajores from across the street. There’s a salsa lesson going on at the hostel but they’re all real bad. …

Hi. We survived day 2. We enjoyed some breakfast in the hostel and a 2 hour walking graffiti tour led by a guy named Jay from NY/Florida/Colombia. The street art is incredible and mostly allowed…and artists….no gang tags just artist tags. 💛

We then got poutine??? (I know. Weird thing to get in Bogota but are you surprised?) So random. Then found our bus station to get another bus to get to … PARQUE JAIME DUCQUE !!! A weird theme park in the middle of no where with the 7 wonders of the world in small form and a zoo…and a dino park…and bumper cars…and pedal boats…and a weird giant warehouse with birds on a giant map. It. Was. All. Weird. A.F. but super fun!!! We rode a train around the park, got tons of selfies with the taj mahal, saw monkeys (like real monkeys), took silly dick pics with the giant crown man. We played on some swings and at a kids park on weird toys. (Weird is a theme word here I realize) We rode weird tandem bikes around a track. Took pics in a dinosaur mouth. I got a video of the other three sliding down a horrible slide. Etc.

We got on a bus to the main station easy. Then when we were trying to find our bus to La Candelaria, the guard kept telling us we can’t go there because we will get stabbed. He motioned stabbing us TO US multiple times. We had to explain that we are staying there and he still wasn’t getting it. Then finally a nice English speaking gentleman came and told us what bus to take J 72 btw. He told us we would be ok but of course now everyone is worried and extremely paranoid about being stabbed on the bus and off the bus… Who even knows?!?! But also like..come on. We live in MacArthur Park Los Angeles…its gonna be fine. Yikes. We got off the bus. Didn’t get stabbed. Got some Colombian pupusa like things called arepas with cheese…wasn’t my favorite. None of us could poo until we shared some fiber bars I had brought from home. Lol. Praise hands. Its been a fun and full day. We are relaxing til we have to go to a dance party restaurant place Andre Carne de Rez in like 30 min. Gonna party all night I guess. Hope its fun…

WE GOT KICKED OFF OUR PARTY BUS!!!!!!! Jk. But the party bus did get canceled. We were sad and complained to who we didn’t know was the owner of the hostel. He very kindly offered to drive us to Carne which was like 45 minutes drive. He’s Australian and we got to ask him all kinds of questions about travelling and Colombia, etc. He dropped us off and asked if we could get a cab back etc so as to help us. Soooo nice. We were so lucky.

Andres. We waited in line for 45 minutes (worse than Sqirl!) just to get tickets! People were super rude while at the ticket booth; I was pushed and shoved multiple times. We were all hangry because it was about midnight at this point. We sat down to order expensive food and drinks. It was cold because we were kinda on the outside area. The entire place was huge and lit up and there were cow statues and windmills. It was basically in the middle of nowhere and there were TONS of people crowding the streets. They were all fairly young. There were quite a few people who looked like they fell off a yacht with sweaters draped over their shoulders. 😑 Anyway, our waitor, Andre (ironic) was 22 and cute AF. He spoke English, thankfully. ❤ I got the best chicken and rice cooked in red wine sauce. It was so good. (I’ll literally never forget it). Dinner took forever, but eventually we went dancing. Everyone was already completely drunk and coupled off and basically vomiting in the street. So we left at 230 and took a 85 mil cab ride home and giggled about choking on dicks. Lol

… (Skipping some boring parts of day 3) … We rushed up to the cable cars (since it was on everyone’s list) to beat it to 6pm when it closed. On our walk there, a crazy homeless guy almost stabbed us. I was 80% sure I saw an actual knife in his hand and he was following us. And I had to inform the others of what I saw (in a calm and direct way) and we booked it away. But he was terrifying and nuts. (And me, of all of us, who was originally not concerned with getting stabbed…recognized the immediate stabber in our vicinity) Now we are all nervous for crazies.

The cable car was lovely. The views were stunning and incredible(of the entire city at sunset). Such a wonderful city. And jungle mountain surroundings. ❤❤❤ We had to wait in line to take NOT a cable car down. It was annoying because the people here don’t have personal space awareness and just stand in your bubble. ALSO because the tunnel to go down the mountain in a closed in car made me claustrophobic AF. But I survived. We walked back and found a small grocery store! Bought some candy! Yay! Got lotza gifts for my sqirlz. And then we came back to the hostel and asked the guy we thought was gay to dinner but he was straight and a child. We barely found anything to eat but a burrito place (because everything is closed on Sundays). I got shitty tacos…couldn’t finish them. Then came back to the hostel, ditched not gay Matteus and have been organizing, drinking, writing, chatting and politicizing. ❤❤❤ Tomorrow is our last day! … Fuckkkkkkkkkk been on this bus for like an hour. Traffic is barely moving (they had rerouted us due to a protest in the city). Our bus from the salt cathedral took double time also. So we’ve been on 2 buses for like 3 hours and I’m still not sure when we will get back but we need to leave for our plane in 3 hours. So I hope soon so we can eat and pee and say a proper goodbye to Bogota. The day has been great though. Heard terrible sex in the hostel this AM. Had a granola bar for breakfast. Checked out. Walked to the emerald market. Bought 2 rings for about $150. Beautiful emerald cuts. (First time I’ve ever bought myself jewelry) Then took two buses to the Cathedral de Sol (sel? Idk), ate a chicken sammy there that was ok. The cathedral was underground and super Jesus-y. I mean obvi but the tour started with the stations of the cross and after 4, we were like….we don’t need a guide and peaced out. (And there were no pictures or carvings. It was just a cross every time). It was stunning and HUGE and could be used for something way more amazing than religion. We watched a "light show” and the music for it sounded incredible in the cave. We bought a bunch of souvenirs. I got a salt rock light, some adorable baby booties for Ollie (my newest cousin) and tiny dominoes. ❤ and our hike to the cathedral was way longer than expected but we made some eastern european friends along the way (or were they trying to steal our cameras…who knows).

We finally got off that bus after we were rerouted for a protest. Made it to our plane on time. Drank as much as we could in the rockin bogota airport lounge…took some silly videos. And… Discussed our catchphrases of the trip. And I wrote a very long political rant on the plane which I wont share at the moment.

All in all.. We didn’t get stabbed. #bogotaforrealz

#travel #bogota #journal #friends #explore #budget2017

[dusudaunord]

Your Montréal Nuit blanche survival guide, 2017

How do you distill year-long celebrations of Montréal’s 375th anniversary, Canada’s 150th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the Expo 67 World Fair into one wild party? Nuit blanche, that’s how. The arts, culture and performance all-nighter will take on a “1967” theme this year in commemoration of one of the pivotal moments in the history of Montréal, and we offer you this guide to “surviving” it in style.

The event

The 14th edition of Nuit blanche, part of the annual MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE winter arts and culture festival taking place at locations all over downtown Montréal and in surrounding neighbourhoods. The “white night” starts on Saturday, March 4 and ends in the wee hours of Sunday, March 5.

Avez-vous essayé notre Tyrolienne RBC ? #MTLenLumiere Photo : Victor Diaz Lamich

Une publication partagée par MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE (@mtlenlumiere) le 20 Févr. 2016 à 16h48 PST

What you’re getting yourself into

One of the highlights of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE is the always illuminating, always epic Nuit blanche all-nighter. Nuit blanche invites all comers to partake in upwards of 200 (mostly free) activities this year centred around the theme of revisiting the spirit of Expo 67. These will include live music, film, dance, performance art, interactive installations, storytelling, digital and visual art, and great food to match a great night.

Vous avez jusqu’à samedi pour essayer notre Glissade urbaine interactive de 110m ! #MTLenLumiere Photo : Victor Diaz Lamich

Une publication partagée par MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE (@mtlenlumiere) le 3 Mars 2016 à 16h15 PST

It’s where exactly?

Almost everywhere MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE’s family-friendly free outdoor site in the downtown Quartier des Spectacles is the central hub from which all the action radiates. The expanded site features a giant outdoor stage, interactive installations, dining areas, concerts, DJ dance parties, a new “Nuit blanche 67 party zone” and numerous fun activities (urban ice slides, a Ferris wheel, zip-lines and new this year, Illuminated Curling). The site opens at noon and will remain abuzz until 3 a.m. From there Nuit blanche spreads out to music venues, art galleries, museums and other performance/arts spaces across three city districts: most of downtown, Old Montréal and the Plateau/Mile End.

How to get around town Montréal’s métro (or subway) will remain open all night for Nuit blanche with normal fare prices, and a free shuttle service (featuring 12 shuttles, 4 routes and 62 stops) will run every 10-15 minutes from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., linking all the activities and the aforementioned neighbourhoods. Nuit blanche hosts will ride along as guides and to provide info on programming. For bus and métro info, visit the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) website.

Venez vous réchauffer auprès de nos Braseros @sunlifeqc ! #MTLenLumiere Photo : Frédérique Ménard-Aubin

Une publication partagée par MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE (@mtlenlumiere) le 19 Févr. 2016 à 15h54 PST

What to bring

A plan Consider it a path to Nuit blanche happiness. This writer, for example, typically likes to start the evening at the Canadian Centre for Architecture in the downtown’s western Golden Square Mile district. From there it’s on to the Belgo Building arts complex (more about that later), then across Ste. Catherine Street to the free outdoor site for rockin’ snowy good times. After that, a quick walk through the Quartier des Spectacles and then up trendy St. Laurent Boulevard to all its indie theatres, intimate music venues and cool arts spaces. If the prospect of making a plan fills you with dread, no worries: the thoughtful folks at Nuit blanche have done it for you. They’ve created six possible tour routes, one geared towards families, intended to maximize your evening experience.

Winter clothing Given that Montréal’s temperature can fluctuate pretty wildly at the beginning of March (it could be 5 degrees Celsius or -25) it’s just generally best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Warm, comfortable boots (Nuit blanche typically involves a fair amount of walking) are a must as are removable head/face coverings and warm gloves. And perhaps consider a double layer of socks (nothing puts an end to fun like cold feet) and long underwear if you’re planning to spend any length of time at the outdoor site.

What not to bring

Your own “refreshments” Be aware that personal alcoholic bevvies aren’t permitted within MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE’s outdoor site (bags will be checked at all the site’s entry points) and most clubs and venues tend to be at DEFCON 1: High Flask Alert during Nuit blanche.

Travel light It’s advisable to leave bulky items like purses and backpacks etc. at home, especially if you plan to do a lot of exploring.

What not to miss

There are so many amazing/intriguing/bedazzling things happening that its entirely unfair to cherry pick a few. With that in mind, consider the following as a kind of taster menu:

Video fun and games Get ready for a play-filled trip back in time at Moveo (at the UQAM St. Denis Street campus), a nutso night of retro video games activated by a giant joystick connected to motion sensors.

Ice arias Espace La Fontaine, in picturesque Parc Lafontaine, will be the site of an Illuminated Symphony, which promises to transport visitors with the music and colours of interactive ice sculptures.

Anchors away! At L’Escale 67 down in the Old Port, steam back into an era where the Bota Bota, spa-sur-l’eau was an actual ferryboat and then showboat on the St. Lawrence River. On deck: DJs, an exhibition, massages and much more.

Realize your hoop dreams In the spirit of ’67, Vert Prana Studios present “Spin Me in Your Hoop,” where participants of all ages are invited to a free 30-minute demonstration and a beginner hula hoop class, and to try hoop fitness.

Freak your cabaret chic The 7th edition of Le Cabaret de Nuit Blanche recalls the “Summer of Love” on what will be a night of “complete artistic freedom.” Performances by Fanny Bloom, Daniel Boucher and his Cabaretteries, the vintage funk and soul band of The Brooks and more at the lovely Monument National.

Brace for an art storm Plan a stop at Ste. Catherine Street’s enormous Belgo Building, a multi-floor warren of avant-garde arts spaces that is home to dance, visual arts, film, music, street arts, installation pieces and more (and there are usually more than a few open-door DJ dance parties on the go as well).

Underground art… literally Montréal’s Underground City is a yearly source of subterranean adventure at Art Souterrain, which this year presents 70 contemporary art projects spread throughout 9 buildings around downtown. There is a downloadable audio guide this year to help steer you on your way.

Place des Festivals This massive outdoor mall on the outdoor site will be host to live acts, DJs and VJs, as well as interactive games and art displays, ice carvings, marshmallow and sausage roasting, warming stations and loads of live entertainment.

Essential info

The Nuit blanche program is available at information kiosks on the outdoor site, and the complete program for “Nuit blanche à Montréal” is available on the mobile app for iPhone and Android (which also has a new “friend finder” function). It also makes it easy to share photos and videos of your fave #MTLMOMENTS. Now get some sleep – you’re going to need it.

Up next : Your MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE survival guide

The post Your Montréal Nuit blanche survival guide, 2017 appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

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[localfreshies]

New Post has been published on Local Freshies | Be a local wherever you go

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Skis Made by Locals 4 Locals - 2017 Edition

Skiing has been around for nearly five thousand years in some form or fashion. Europe might be the birthplace of modern skiing, but by the 1880’s, the Norwegian immigrants in Wisconsin and Minnesota quickly figured out with easier access to lumber stocks, they could make excellent quality hickory skis cheaper than their friends back in the old country. By 1887, several Norwegian ski-makers, like the Hemmestveit brothers, had relocated to the U.S. A hundred years later… this tradition of manufacturing skis is still alive and well in North America. In fact, it’s downright booming! Here are just a few of the ski companies making skis right here in the U.S. & Canada:

Skis made in the U.S. & Canada

Slant Skis

Lake Tahoe, California

Slant Skis in their element… – Image Courtesy: Slant Skis

On the west shore of Lake Tahoe, located in the cozy hamlet of Tahoe City, Slant Skis was founded in 2007. Unsatisfied with the quality of workmanship available on the market, they began making their own skis. Confucius said, “Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Following this mantra, their passion transformed into a business. They are still 100% employee owned and try their best to source all their materials from the U.S.

Each of their models have full bamboo cores meaning they’re construction is light AND environmentally friendly. For the 2017-18 season, they have a new model coming out called the Diplomat. It’s the perfect patrol-style ski, meaning a ski that’s designed as a tool for “work” on the mountain. A ski that can take a beating, go anywhere and keep a good edge on the worst or best conditions. They’re also building a brand-new fleet of demo skis this winter. For only $50, you can demo ANY pair… and the best part? The cost of the demo can go towards buying a pair of new Slant Skis. Now that’s quite an awesome deal!

Wagner Custom Skis

Telluride, Colorado

Testing out the latest technology – Photo taken by: Brett Schreckengost – Image courtesy Wagner Skis

Wagner’s workshop is steps away from the lifts at Telluride Colorado – Photo taken by: Tina Whatcott – Image courtesy Wagner Skis

Telluride’s moniker “To-Hell-You-Ride” might have come from the old mining days, but today’s locals are still “riding” hard. Wagner Custom Skis is still a bunch of hard-charging Telluride locals living the dream. That means making and marketing custom skis for skiers all over the globe. Each pair of their skis are painstakingly handcrafted based on the Skier’s DNA (learn more about that here: wagnerskis.com/getstarted/). What does that mean? Well, it means each ski that is bought is custom built just for you! Using a different combination of materials, structural layup, sidecut, turning radius, length, width, flex pattern, etc., they make sure what’s attached to your feet works in favor of you not against you.

They’ve also recently moved into a new factory which is literally steps away from the chairlifts in Telluride. As far as we know, there are no other ski factories so passionate about the sport that they’re located in a ski town steps from the lifts! I don’t know about you but that HAS to help with R&D.

Yopp Skis

Bethel, Maine

Amazing artistry – Image courtesy: YOPP Skis

It all began in a wood shop in southern Maine at the Ye Olde Perkins Place (YOPP). Established in 1717, the shop belonged to their great grandfather, a master carpenter and woodworker. What began as a hobby brought the shop back to life for a new purpose… handcrafting downhill skis. Spending the first 5 years devoting all of their extra time and income, they fine-tuned their process, material choices and equipment. Finally, in 2014 they outgrew the family’s wood shop and moved to Bethel, Maine.

Now located in the mountains of Western Maine and with the White Mountains nearby, they have been busy refining their collection of skis. Their selection shares a common backbone between their woodworking heritage along with modern ski construction. Their new home allows them to build skis that can handle all conditions on the hill, in the backcountry or in the park. They customize each ski to meet every individual customers’ needs and desires. It’s their goal to share the indescribable feeling of making turns on hand crafted skis with people that love skiing as much as they do!

Sego Skis

Teton Valley, Idaho

Made in Teton Valley Idaho – Image Courtesy – Sego Skis

Sego Ski Co. designs, tests and builds freeride skis in Teton Valley, Idaho. With a first-class factory staffed by skiers (and one snowboarder), they offer high quality, American made skis. Having the Tetons in their backyard, it affords them the opportunity to ski their products on a daily basis. This also means they can build the ultimate ride for powder hounds, beer league racers and everyone in between.

This year, they’re working with other local small batch companies to manufacture snowboards in addition to their own line of skis. Heading to Grand Targhee? With their new headquarters located right in downtown Victor, Idaho, stop by for a beer in their new showroom, meet the crew, and even take a tour of the newly expanded factory. Not planning on being in Northwest Wyoming anytime soon? Don’t you worry! Keep your eyes peeled for the Sego Bus at a local ski area near you for your chance to try their demos this season.

Foon Skis

Pemberton, BC

John Chilton looking down the latest Foon Ski – Photo taken by: Blake Jorgenson – Image courtesy: Foon Skis

Foon Factory rider Delany Zayak riding in the Pemberton backcountry – Image courtesy: Foon Skis

Old School? New School? How about ALL School! That’s what Foon Skis is all about. Taking the experience and knowledge of the past and applying the latest in techniques, all of this helps them produce a ski that embraces the past, present & future! If manufacturing in North America wasn’t enough, they also locally source the wood for their cores. The Yellow Cedar which grows on the slopes of the Coast Mountain Range, produces a superior product like nowhere else. How come? Due to climate in this region, the wood is as strong as a hardwood but much lighter!

New for 2018, the Gretski has gotten a big makeover. First, the shape has been tweaked a bit bringing more balance. Second, they’ve used more kevlar, getting the weight of the ski down to 1650 grams (181) but at the same time it has none of the skittishness associated with carbon skis. Pulling it all together, the new graphic makes sure everyone knows your rocking a pair of skis not just made in Canada but that the core or “soul” of the ski comes from here too!

This is just a glimpse of some of the ski companies that have made the decision to keep a time-honored tradition alive and well in the U.S. & Canada. Is there another company that we should include in our 2018 edition? Let us know via our social media outlets.

Until then, keep rockin’ gear that is made by Locals 4 Locals. Don’t ski but snowboard? Check out our 2017 edition highlighting snowboards manufactured in the U.S.