Happening Lately

I haven't had much time to do a lot of blogging lately. Audrey May Povenmire arrived on June 4 and all hell seems to have broken loose! But it has been fun.

Wes and I are still riding some this summer. He got a new helmet last weekend because his Povenmire melon has expanded.

Benefit for Punk Rod Todd Karnahan

If you want to help donate to Punk Rod Todd and his medical expenses you can send a check to:

Todd Karnahan
c/o Los Punk Rods
P.O. Box 2614
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201

I have been doing the car shows since I was an infant. We went every weekend to some sort of event all through my childhood and well into my high school years. At the point of my early 20's I got burned out and decided to call it quits. I put my car in storage and got into the motorcycle scene quite heavily.

I had considered selling my car, but I have had it since I was 15 years old and had a soft spot for the old girl. She and I have been through a lot of good and bad times together. I drove her to William Chrisman High School on May 14, 1987 (one of the greatest days of my life) and on my wedding day August 6, 2000 (another great day). She is like the red violin for my life.

The Greaserama car show started in 2001. My dad went and told me about it. I went in 2002 and have been going ever since. It was a great show where anything went. No more old guys with high dollar cars looking down on my budget built ride. Plus there was plenty of beer and fun for everyone.

This whole thing was the brianchild of Todd Karnahan with the Punk Rods Car Club. I dare say this man single-handedly renewed my interest in the car scene. Now I take my son to this event and it has been less of a beerfest and more of a family event for me. Times change, but the good times are still there.

Anyway Todd has cancer. He is going to deal with it his own way. I can't blame him on that. We have all seen people who are diagnosed and go through years of chemo and feel like shit then die anyway. They could have possibly spent the last two years of their life spending time with friends and family.

There is a benefit car/bike show for Todd at the Record bar on June 12, 2010. He is a house painter who doesn't have insurance. Come out and support this effort if you can. He has brought a lot of fun to many people's lives.

Bob Chinnery and the Amazing Technicolor Casket

My dad's friend Bob Chinnery recently was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He decided to go out in style and asked my dad to help him find a casket that could be customized.

Dad was able to come up with one (don't ask me where). Bob had it painted by Kenny Frisbee and added the LED lights and images of his various cars, bikes, airplanes and family.

Bob was one of dad's more "colorful" friends. He was an unbelievable machinist and could fabricate just about anything. In fact he made the shift linkage on my Harley for me. The stock piece broke after about 50,000 miles. I doubt the linkage Bob made for me will break anytime soon. It will probably outlast me.

You can see more about him on his website www.bobchinnery.com

Here is the casket finished and the special hearse that took Bob on his last ride.

The Hardest Working Man in Show Business

This was one of my favorite videos from a few years ago. I always loved James Brown since my dad let me listen to his "Live at the Apollo" album when I was a kid. That is one of the greatest albums ever made.

All they ever play on the radio is "I Feel Good." That is a good song, but James had dozens of hits and other great songs. This video incorporates some of the soundbites of the great ones.

Passing the (Greasy) Torch

The time comes for every motorcycle enthusiast to pass the torch... My father and Uncle David passed it to me, now I am handing it to my son, Wesley.

My father told me to "be careful" riding with Wesley (we only go around the neighborhood on regular streets, no highway obviously). I told him that I was extremely careful, and also reminded him that we did the same thing in the 70's and we didn't wear helmets!

His usual response, "That was a different time." Yes it was.

Even though it has been over 30 years, I still miss you Uncle David. You would be happy to know I am passing the greasy torch to the newest Povenmire...

New Friends

With my project here I have made some new friends in the blogger world. I have also discovered some people I already knew that had cool blogs I was unaware of. One of those people is John McGregor from North Carolina.

John was raised in Mississippi and has moved all over the country. He is an avid tennis player and colorful guy. His blog is worth checking out.

http://www.johntmcgregor.com/

Some Crazy Choppers

I have been attending the Greaserama car show since it's second year. Over this time I have seen an increase in home built bobber/choppers that young guys are creating from leftover Japanese bikes. This movement intrigues me because 1) I have an interest in all motorcycles and 2) because many are doing this themselves in their basement or home garage.

Two interesting local bloggers who are part of this are here:

http://northeasteric.blogspot.com/

http://www.theanchormotorcycleshop.blogspot.com/

People have asked me a lot over the years why do you ride a Harley? My main answer is that my dad usually rode one, and because they are easy to rebuild and find parts for. I am at a loss to explain any further than that!