Random shots from my life

Best engineering trophy I made for RRR 07


















Always playing hard to get












Me and Dizzle













Derol's Shovel













R.I.P. Ray













Like father - Like cat?


















My little devil













My '34 somewhere on the highway near Vegas












The first hot rod I ever built @ 14


















A few of my brothers.

Great...Not Another Biker!!

Yeah man he's the real deal. The kind you read about in all the rags.
He don't care about anything. He lives his life his way!
He's tough! He don't take shit!
He rides hard and if your in his way he'll run you over without asking questions.
If you know whats good for you, you will stay out of his way.

Yeah, another Biker!!

Five lives

Life.

I'm convinced I'm on number five. I had another occurrence this last weekend that could have taken me to that place we all fear to go. No - not work or prison. Death.
I have been shot. I have hung from 300 ft cliffs. I have been forced and held under coves by white water rapids as I struggle to get free. Most recently I have survived a small torch explosion.

I had recently run out of gas on my oxy-ace torch. I got them filled and started working again this weekend. I went to hook up my tanks and decided to use an older torch I got from a friend. I hooked it up checked everything visually and made sure the lines were tight. Now keep n mind this was a torch I had never used, and did not know the history off. I did not know the previous owners maintenance regiment on it and had only done a quick visual inspection myself.
Well I started working doing some basic heat bending on pipe. I worked for about five minutes, released the trigger, moved my part and when i engaged the trigger again the there was a large explosion/burst. I can only assume that the torch tail fittings had been leaking or clogged or god knows what.

To make a long story short I was in the middle of the burst and suffered third degree burns on my hand and first degree burns up my arm and chest. It also removed all of the hair in those places along with completely removing my Goatee, most of my eyelashes & a bit of my eyebrows. thank god no burns on my pretty little face.

Now, I remember after getting shot the questions I used to field. I was always asked if it changed my life. Had my outlook somehow been altered? While things like this force you to take a look at your life I can honestly say that none of them have changed me.

See I have always had a pretty healthy outlook on life to begin with. I am an honest man. I live my life with integrity. I live my life full of love of the peolpe around me. I have always worked hard for the things I have and I try not to take to many things for granted. In the same sense I refuse to live a life with regret. I shun living in fear of things I am unfamiliar with. I will not back down from people or challanges.


So here is my new look sans- 8" goatee. Same smart ass attitude Same drive to live. I'm not done with this life yet.


Remember, work safely and go kiss you're babies mommas!

N

New Inspiration. New Designs

I have regained some creativity.
It is time I begin to move my small business forward and give it the attention it deserves.
Here is one of the newest prints I will be offering this summer. This is called "the Derol" tee. I am super stoked about this new season shit. It will focus more on my passion for motor cycles. I will also bring out some more hot rod inspired designs too to help keep things fresh.
Be sure to check out www.flatblackind.com and pick something up.

Out with the old

So April it seams has been a busy month. A cleansing month I guess you could say. Transitional in a way. As the end of the month nears I look back and with a big sigh, raise my right hand high into the air, extend my middle finger and proclaim; "Fuck off April! See ya next year!"

For all the good that has come through this month a toll has been taken. Passions have been put to the side in order to cleanse the shit from my life. Now it is time to move forward, keep the drama in the gutter and get back full force on the things that truly drive me.

May if you start to turn out worse than April I'm gonna kick ya in the nuts too!

Feeling Exploited?

My lifes revolves around music.
Music sets the tone for every apsect of my life.
I listen to every conceivable type of music. Most of it good, some not so good.

Every band, every song, every note has a purpose.

Music has become a tool for me to mold my thoughts and emotions during the day.

Today these guys helped me say FTS.
And for that - I say; "Thank you gentlemen. well done!..."

Old Tools

There is something about old tools I just dig. Maybe it goes hand in hand with my collection of old tin. There has always seemed to be more passion associated with the older stuff.

Some people call it soul.
That works for me.

I have been collecting old tools for awhile. Mostly because I have a sickness. These, for function.
These are all for my 1931 AV8 blown Flathead engine build.

Friday juice

Sometimes,
late on Fridays,
I need a kick in the head.
This is doing it now.

I made a blog! YEAH, I made a blog

With inspiration from a friend of mine I have decided to finally step up and make a blog.
I don't always have the most interesting things to say, but think this is agreat idea to keep all of my friends and family in touch with what I have going on. My wife and I have a rapidly growing baby boy and more automotive projects than you can shake a stick at. With our day to day jobs, ownership of cour clothing company Flat Black Industries, and everything else I am sure we will find enough to keep this filled to the brim. the only thing I seem to be missing is TIME! I am sure it is going to take some time to work out all of the details but for now, this is my start.
Hope you enjoy it.