it's not easy livin' the life…

Some neat ass cars…

I really do love this car.  Even though it’s a Scion.  Although, Subaru did release the BRZ but it’s still unclear if Subaru is releasing that car stateside or not.  Either way, both cars are pretty much the same just different exterior.  They’re like identical twins.

This was on a previous post but as a shot from my iPhone.  By far, this has got to be one of the most impressive engine bays I have ever seen.  Incredible detail and amount of money in a small 4×4 space.  Hats off to who ever put this together.  Plus it’s shiny.  I like shiny.

The Hoonigan RWB Porsche.  Not as flashy but equally impressive with I’d say, better wheel setup.  Love it.

By far the most popular car in the import industry even though it’s a Porsche… Everyone get on board the RWB train.

The dream car that I would definitely save up money for.  Save up for about 354 years and by then have money to pay for a month’s payment.  Love this color too.  Flat white with gold pearl.  AAAAAAMAZINGGGGGG.

I still have lots of love for hotroding and all it’s weirdness.  I really want to build a rat rod and ride it low and slow.  This is one prime example of the uniqueness and class of the culture.

And another.  Love this.

Ok whatever, I hate the setup but I still love the car.  Can’t go wrong with an R8.  Well, maybe this time you can.  Still love the platform though.

Chrome paint is the next flat black.  I just love the display.  Show’s lot of nostalgia.  We should probably do one like these in a show.  Might be kind of cool.

Ah Yes the mighty GTR… more on this later, the build, the concept, and what’ll happen in the near future.

More to come but more in my point of view.  I’ll take you to a ride like no other.

SEMA was about .. umm .. a month ago and probably all motorheads has probably seen all the of it from online blogs, magazines, and features.  This really isn’t a SEMA coverage since all of the people know that reads my junk, all 5 of you, all I post are random crap from things that I do.  It’s been quite a while since I actually posted an actual full show coverage but who the hell cares.  This is just a quick look of what I did and what I shot using a 8-15 f4L fisheye.  Most won’t make sense since it’s stupid walking around with this lens but c’mon, shit looks better with a fisheye… for the most part.

OS Giken Booth with Mark-San leading the way… to disaster…

Evasive’s Build of the Scion IQ with custom Voltex Aero.  Shit is crazy!!

And the Scion Challenge winner, Mr Sibal’s IQ build.  Clean build.  Nothing less is expected when Sibal is behind  the build.

Scion’s coup de grace the FR-S concept.

It’s looking at chu…

The most hyped up car in the import industry right now, RWB built and owned by Mark Arcenal from Fatlace, Illest fame.  Dubbed Pandora One, this car is worth all the hype.  See it run on track events this coming season.  It is a beaute.  Very rock and roll especially the Illest studded front lip.  Nice touch.  I can forgo with the wheels tho and change it with the RWB SSRs.

Talk about something that’s overly done.  I can live with the chrome paint.  I think it’s a nice touch actually… but everything else is just not my cup-o-tea.  Well, I get it.  It’s a build by West Coast Customs and it’s the Tron car.  LEDs on the wheel and on the seats, well, pretty much all over the car.  I can think of a few other ways to make this look better and make it more Tron-ish.  To each it’s own I guess.  Still, it’s an R8 so hooozaaaah!

Probably one of the most beautiful car in the show floor.  A Foose Auto built Mercedes 300SL Gullwing.  Such a beautiful car.  Flawless in every way.

The Pike’s Peak Hill Climb record breaker, Monster Sport’s Suzuki SX4 driven by Monster Tajima.  If you’re wondering why it’s called Tajima San is called Monster, you should see what he looks like.

And now a visit to the Hankook booth with Lisa and Nicole.  Here’s Lisa and right under this is Nicole Reckers.

Weird angle? yep.. mind you the camera is approximately a foot from her face,  I think I was doing about 10mm on this shot hence the spherical look of the shot.  Full Frame + Fisheye is not really the best thing, but it makes for an interesting shot.  Yep those are my legs lol.  The Wrecker Nicole Reckers… She’s family.  Stay Black Sista’

I was just standing a mere 10 feet from the Hankook booth but I can get everything due to the fisheye awesomeness.. if you look closely Lisa is still looking  thinking that I was shooting her but in reality, umm, I was, there’s nothing else interesting enough to shoot in this area.

On to the Eneos booth with Ms Cara Skye (More on her later).  She an “A” in my book for being Aighttttt.  Hehe she’s awesome sauce and she is one half of the girls representing the Eneos booth.  And yes that’s our GTR in the background and Tim sweet talking that gentleman to buy more oil.

Another of Cara goofing off like we always do.  Good thing the peeps in Eneos are very chill.  Love them as a sponsor, love them as homies!

I believe this was towards the end of the SEMA week.  Jen and Cara just chillin’ at the booth.  Everyone is exhausted, everyone wants to get some sleep.  I for one has about 5 hours of sleep in that week.  Cara and I go to SEMA at 8:30-5 then drive back to the hotel that takes about an hour for 1 mile of driving, rest and get ready for an hour or two, the go out till 4 – 5 in the morning sleep for a bit and wake up at 7am.  At least I do.  Sleep was an option during SEMA week and an option I rarely took.

From East to West, High End Reppin it to the fullest.

Sexy sardines plowing in a tundra.  There’s 7 of us in this truck heading to china town to get some dim sum.  Best dim sum in Vegas I would say.  Golden Palace is the shit.

I have a few more shots that I need to post but I’m working on it little by little.  These are the ones that stood out or that caught my eye quick enough before my attention went somewhere else.

SEMA was a lot of fun.  From driving there with my Evo by myself, to partying till the sun comes up on the daily, no matter how exhausting it was and the lack of rest I got from doing and going absolutely everywhere it was still worth it.  Seeing old friends and meeting new ones are always the best highlights of the trip.  New cars, new products, and new projects comes as a mere second.  Will I do it again next year?  Hmm good question.  I’ve been doing this trip for about 6-7 years now and this year might be the last time that I go all week.  Maybe pop in and out for a few days next year and not do the whole week like the previous years.  Depends on how busy I’ll be I suppose.  But still, it’s a year away.  I don’t plan that far ahead of time.  We’ll see how it goes because by the next year, projects will be coming in and new cars and parts will need a new home and a booth for SEMA 2012.  And who am I to refuse them of that privilege. FishEye OUT!

Oh anniversaries.  It comes once a year, well, depending on how you look at it I guess like last October I celebrated the 9th year anniversary of my 21st birthday.  Yeah.  OK.  Moving on.  It never really is a big deal for me to celebrate such things but as of now, any establishment or institution, shit even relationships celebrating the first year is quite a feat.  That’s why last weekend I joined up all the fun with the homies of ItsJDMyo.com and celebrate a momentous occasion.

See last Saturday was a huge event packed day for automotive car meets.  Early in the morning was the hellaflush meet in Venice which, I was told, was attended by over 800 cars and that includes squad cars of the LAPD handing tickets all around.  I’ve heard mixed stories but I can’t really judge on how it was since I wasn’t there.  Some people said it was boring as fuck, some people said it was dope, some said they like walking on the beach on a sunny Saturday morning but to me, I really can’t say anything since, as I said, I wasn’t at the event.  All I know is that if you get bored, it’s your fault since boring people get bored.  The rest find shit to entertain themselves.

Anyhooo back to the topic at hand.  The ItsJDMyo was pretty dope.  Quite organized for a meet so I have to give Tony and the rest of the crew props for keeping the pseudo car show pretty legit.  I wasn’t really expecting much but just a bunch of cars parked next to each other but I was blown away on the attendance and the amount of effort these guys poured into the event.  Seriously, this meet would have rivaled most car shows.  Just sayin’ …

Food trucks, dope rides, and umm yeah I think there were some girls that didn’t flake in attendance.  Great time!  I was actually parked on Spocom’s booth where the model area is supposed to be but I only stopped there once to grab my camera.  It was inside the garage and there were plenty of heat to go around for everyone.  And by heat I mean IT WAS FUCKING HOT INSIDE!!!  So I opted for the sunlight and chilled on Bride/Ings+1 booth with my homies Shinosuke and KJ.  If you don’t know who those people are, google it.  You probably won’t find anything about them but eh… it was worth the try.

Now on to some pictures… Yes I took out my camera and shot a few shots using Shinno’s Uber awesome, extremely heavy 35mm f2 CarlZeiss Lens.  It was pretty baller and legit.  It only had manual focus so I had to turn up the photography skills to 11 and start shooting.  Unfortunately with my laziness owning me (and the asada fries cambing in my belly from one of the food trucks) I shot a mean 49 clicks of my camera and called it a day.  Yes I was there for about 6 hours and I shot 49 photos.  That’s just how I roll.

Chronicles area where it was nice and chill.  Cool cars and a cool breeze going through.  Unlike my area where it’s pretty much the receiving room of hell.

Funk Master Mike holding it down with his prelude.  Nothing but love for this car, and Big Mike of course.

Salem’s TSX has J’s Racing pouring out of it’s pores.  I always loved this car ever since we showed in Spocom last year.  It rocks a brand new Kia priced J’s Racing big brake kit.  Rare the fuck out!

Heeeeey Mikey’s Ride.  Diggin’ the Red Stripe on the lip.

The Sexy Guy himself.  Mr. Heeeyyy Mikey

Jon jon’s IS is cleaaaaan.  And now it’s supercharged!  It’s a whinner.  Get it? Coz superchargers whine… Never mind.

Mr JonFob-ulous’ Supra Powered SC.  And by Supra I meant the shoes.  He drives around this thing Flinstones style.

Always have love for DAs and Infinit wheels by my homie Anthony.

The License plate is pointing out the obvious just in case you weren’t aware of it.  Good job license plate.

I drove the G35 to the show to show some love for the crew.  The car was so dusty and muddy when I brought it there since its been daily driven pretty much … errr … everyday.  I think it needs a re-tune since it’s been drinking up way too much gas.  Perfect for these high gas price situations.

Joseersssssssssss.  One of our ex ACElite Members who is going back to his roots.  Being an ACE Member =)  We drove up and met up on the 101 just like old times.  But unlike old times, his seats are now mounted and not just ziptied to the floor.

I don’t know who’s car this is really but it’s pretty clean.  I actually spent time and photoshopped the owner out since you can see him.  His reflection is still on the car coz I got lazy and called it a night.  Why did I spend so much time at it?  Well, because if you look at it, it reminds me of the green hornet movie where Kato does his Kato vision thing where he kicks someone and it goes flying, matrix style.  But with this, it’s a bunch of Toyota Siennas.

Tricia from Spocom USA.  She’s my gal pal and bff even tho she will deny it.  Go ahead and ask her.  But don’t believe everything she says about me.

Shinno of Bride USA and Gangsta G Joseeeeerrssss.  Get Clsr…

Trish introduced me to her but I have no idea what her name is.  I’ll just call her Michelle.  She looks like a Michelle to me.  This is the only “model” photo I took….

…. oh and this one.  Freddy from AutoFashion is dreammyyyy; can kill me with one punch.  Hahahaha fun fact, Freddy is actually my brother in law’s good friends back in the days and we didn’t even know that they knew each other and vice versa.  Small world indeed.

That’s about the gist of things.  This ends the “coverage” if you want to call it that.  I just call it a mix of words and photos.  Ummm yeah give me a break I did the best I could.  Peace out girl scouts!

… Resolution at least.  Here’s a better shot of that Mazda 3 from a previous post a few weeks back.  Shot that bad boy with an iPhone and here’s one I actually used my camera.  A rarity.  I really do dig that car.  Given a choice between a Fit or a Mazda 3?  Umm… I’d go with a Fit since I have one.  But I do have a soft spot for the Mazda.

These photos was from the Japan relief car meet we did a few weeks back.  Excellent attendance.  It was held on the temple right behind the parking lot where they do Nisei the for the last few years.

I know it’s a few days late but hey it’s the thought that counts…

How have the first few days of the year been for everyone?!?  It’s been nice to me, thank god, since I rarely get this lucky with time and / or life =)  actually a few days ago, I had one of those rare chill Saturdays.  Nothing much to do but sit around Starbucks and have some tea.  Well, my friend OJ and I decided to look for a few abandoned buildings and take some pictures and here’s what I came up with.  Aaaaah HDR Love in the beginning of 2010.  Lovely indeed.  Before the whole Auto Concept/High End gig we had this group of five cars and we called it “Regent V” dope ass name don’t cop it since we’re still rocking the decals =).  Here’s the true Regent II.

Narcissistic Much? LOL

This area is a huge part of Oxnard that was abandoned.  Well, it’s now pretty torn down since apparently they’re gonna be building high rises in this area.  They’re just waiting for a few businesses to exhaust their lease and they’ll start.  I don’t know if that’s a smart idea but meh… It’s actually a really good spot for shoots.  There’s an old school western motel there that is a nice location.  Unfortunately it’s all boarded and chained up.  Wished I could climb up there and do some fashion and glam shots.  That would be ideal.  Nevertheless, nice chill day after some crazy ass partying the night before.

Check it. I actually Yoinked this from Noriyaro Blog which can be found at Noriyaro.com Insanely awesome blog if you guys haven’t seen it.

Look at these pictures of this sick JUN Evo X. It retains all the OE parts yet just with the addition of the JUN lip and front side and rear diffusers, the car looks aggressive as hell. Love it. Simple modding but it brings out the best of the car. Seriously Evolution X as far as looks goes, lip, wheels with right offset and then dumped. DONE!! well, as far as exterior is concerned.

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Check out Noriyaro Blog by clicking on the pictures to view more amazing cars and features. That blog is amazing!

Aaahh the new year, a new beginning, a new life… Well, not really. Same life, no reset and no start from scratch. Just same old life I’ve had since birth. The year 2008 just past and I would have to say it was an excellent year for me. Met a lot of good people, memorable people actually, that impacted my life in a good way. Got new accomplishments and done new things that I’ve never tried before. Won’t go into detail but all I can say, once again, is that it has been an awesome year. From the Vegas trip in January, ending it with another Vegas trip last December, to taking part in the FF4 Movie (And meeting an Amazing person) to getting a creation on a video game. It has been a extremely busy year but in turn very rewarding.

Crazy work schedule, parties, hardship, challenges, accomplishments, sadness, and rocking out, all that are ingredients to a formula of growing and being knowledgeable. All parts important to take part of the year that just pass. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, maybe a few things here and there but I’ll take what I had. Can’t win em’ all, can’t have everything.

So here it goes. Year in reviews in photo mosaic form. As been said over and over again, picture says a thousand words and I have about 10000 photos to tell a tale. Enjoy.