CameraKevin's News

Kevin's News

07/04/05

I just want to say I hated to miss Iron Horse, but was happy to get to make the Blues Fest out at ETME Acres and thanks to those of you that let me know you check out this website now and then. That is much appreciated and you help put some of the wind back in my sails. I really appreciate ETME, they Gypsies and the Cherokee Wind Warriors. You rock. I'll come around sooner or later, in the meantime, all work and no PLAY makes Kevin a dull boy. I better cut it short before I start ranting. I have put the pics up and a link to the pics, but there's some technical shit apparently wrong that I have to get down and figure out and fix and when I do get it fixed I'll just post an announcement on the front page. Be sure and check out the pics of the new donation box JR dreamed up and made real, complete with signature beer holder.

Ride on, Kevin
04/18/05
I arrived a day before the faire began, rode directly into the grounds and up to the most welcoming vendor I saw, dismounted, and asked about the campgrounds and such what what. Griz started giving me directions, his twin sis Chuck and Karen jumped in and it was soon declared that I looked like Gregg Allman and that I was hereby dubbed Gregg. I was taken in arm, shewn and engaged in the bachi ball and challenged to farkle. I have yet to know Farkle, but it sounds fun. heh.

The experience of the 4 Winds Renaissance Faire was a bit of a ceremony for me, that I see now, immediately following, was greatly instrumental in a personal Revival for me that (though not reflected in any of the posted photos from that event)... shall be reflected as the rest of this year unfolds, events occur, celebrations happen, and I just roam and shoot and share (or not, heh). Though I must still battle the effects of working the night shift; I won't be working the extra shifts I had been doing. It does take its toll on me, even if I don't work extra... after a few years it got to me and you just have to deal with the primarily nocturnal Kevin.

After a long breather, I'm back... kinda... Ride on! Kev
12/10/04
The following is by Mean Gene of Mean Gene Kelton and the Die Hards ( http://www.genekelton.com )

BIKER WORLD MOURNS LOSS
It is with a sad heart that I must start this weeks email with the news of the death of our good friend Marc "Doc" Daeschner.

Doc died last week in a motorcycle wreck, less than a hundred yards from his home in Crosby, Texas. Doc was the founder and President of BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse). We had the honor and privledge to work with Doc and his wife "Boo" on many BACA benefits and fundraisers. Doc started the organization from sratch and at last count, there were over 200 members in many states.

Doc and Boo were also the owners of the Gully Icehouse, a favorite biker "watering hole" in Crosby, Texas, where we have performed and had many a hellraising good time, played a lot of blues and drank a lot of brews.

Like many of us self-employed entreprenuers, Doc did not have any insurance. There are numerous benefits currently in the planning stage. As soon as details are finalized, I will let everyone know. In the meantime, if you feel it in your heart to make a donation to Boo and her family, please send your check or money order to: Cherie Daeschner, c/o Crosby State Bank, 6202 Crosby, Texas 77532.

A memorial celebration of Doc's life will be held Saturday, December 11, at Pelican Junction located on Old Hwy 146 South, Baytown, Texas from 3:30 - 6:30. There will be plenty of cold beer, free food and a free show by Mean Gene Kelton & The Die Hards, along with special guests. All musicians invited. Public invited. 281-837-7122. Article by Mean Gene.

Y'all ride on, be safe... kev
12/06/04
I made the Texas Thunder Toy Run from the Harley Davidson store, up till the cooks served up the eats at the Sport Shack. Then I cut out. I'm bad about pulling the disappearing act. One of these days I may change my evil ways. One of these days.

From the beginning at Texas Thunder Harley Davidson shop in Nacogdoches: bikes, registration sign in and pay, raffle info, only one in-store shot, bikes, bikers, the precious mother & baby shot, bikes & toys, donuts & coffee, Mike of the store (or that's the name he gives us), bikes & bikers, precious child shots, bikes/bikers/TV reporter, law dog hog, Gail happy happy joy joy, road captain meeting, riding out, the cooks, ambulance (nothing to do with us), riding in, Kaycee of Sport Shack (great benefactor), Glenn Lenderman, serving up eats and drinks, that's it.

Some notes to note: Someone of Texas Thunder that I won't name warned my camera would break if I tried to take his picture. I scoffed. Crap, not only did his photo not come out, I lost probably about 25 pics due to some weird anomalous technical error on my storage card.... I was sweating it, thinking I may just lose all the >100 photos of the entire Toy Run. Luckily, I was able to cut the losses and still can't figure out wtf happened.

This time around I went for more close up action riding shots of y'all as you left and came in. It was hit and miss if I got you and of those some didn't come out due to any variety of reasons that you don't really care about anyway, since I know you just want to "show me the photos!". As you may note, if you wave, throw fingers, or otherwise acknowledge the camera as you ride by... better chances of a closer up shot.

More later, of this or something else....
Ride on.... kev
11/28/04
I made it to the benefit at the Longneck Express in Lufkin that was given on the 27'th for Jimbo's family. And the photos are up. It was good to hang some with Sharon, Karen and George, see Rhonda and many of the old familiar faces, including Merch. If you're not named, don't get all pissed off. If I tried to name everyone I'd have a stroke and you all know you're special. That's one reason I don't name or label all the photos: pretty time consuming. Besides, you know who you are... I hope.

Thanks to the Gypsy MC, ETME and the Texas Thunder crowd... there was revelry (as usual), there were lots of laughs and there were lots of tears. Much love.

I missed pics of the band, but I got most of the auction and some crowd shots before I had to call it a night. The photos are pretty well in chronological order, except for the priceless a1 shot. I had to use flash and they knew I got them. But the summary of events: JR getting 'done up', Merch striking an auction model pose, the bikes, the auction (everything from pies to outboard motors), bikes, auction, Karen jumping into a shot with her money out (I was trying to shoot someone else), the auction, George with his new guitar, crowd shots, tat shot, Merch riding in with a throttle salute to Jimbo, and that's it.

Ride on... kev
11/22/04
After you check out the memorial for Jimbo I put up and make plans to head out to the benefit on the 27'th, then you can check out the new stuff onsite here. Maybe be the first to sign the guestbook or post a message. There's several peeps that keep coming in here regular and you may as well say hey and what what.

I've added a guest book to say "hey I was here" and a bulletin board for y'all to yak. I'll also be adding more goodies, including free E-cards (Hoooaaah! Yeah, I'll have cute kids, cool pics and sexy babes, but you chicks gotta let me know what dude pics you want 'cause I dunno wtf u like...) and a classified ad section which will start out featuring this baby:For Sale: the Harley Davidson 2003 Anniversary Gold Key Edition Heritage Softtail Classic pictured HERE. Going price $16,999. Email questions, offers, or what's on your mind to me. The skinny in short: about 1700 miles, ALL chromed out, quick release windshield and sissybars (one with luggage rack and one with touring pack). With all options, a $27,000 value, I believe. NO problems at all.
10/24/04
Pics are up from the 3'rd weekend of TRF (Texas Renaissance Festival). Some familiar faces and some new ones and some familiar faces from elsewhere were unexpectedly seen as well! It's a small world. Aside from that, I had to get Cast in Bronze again. I know the performer's real name, but I'll let that continue to be known only to 'true' fans. I'll be putting a link up to the official website on my friends/links pages, but fyi right here and now it is www.castinbronze.com. I took more pics of the performance just to see if I could get better photos than last time. No remarkable improvements on my part. Same old new stuff going on at TRF. Come out for Halloween, unless you're doing ETME's fund raiser.

On a solemn note, condolences to all who knew Kenny Walker, a fellow well known to the East Texas Motorcycle Enthusiasts. The memorial for Kenny is at 2;00 P.M., Tuesday, Oct. 26 at Kenny's Shop: BROADDUS, TX. ALL BIKERS WELCOME! As it was put to me.

Ride on.... kev
10/09/04

Pics are up from the opening weekend of the Texas Renaissance Festival. I decided I don't have time to categorize the way I normally have done, so pics are mostly just in chronological order. So, you'll have to go through each page of pics and check the thumbnails, even if you're looking for good wench shots. I have them, they're scattered in among all the other photos of great costumes, cute kids, crazy performers, etc. etc...

The main events I shot this time around were some 'impromtu' type acts (like a fight between Little John and the sheriff and the events surrounding it) and Cast in Bronze (the Carillon playing is splendid... see the phantom of the opera lookin' guy in the photos) and many of the regular annual attendees and performers. Tina even walked her boots off, they met their final mileage demise and blew out. As promised, I got photos of the bikes this time around, though due to the weather there was not half as many as last year opening weekend. And I was correct as the photos attest, that most of them are Harley Davidson. A handful of them were BMW, Yamaha, and/or such. Speaking of bikes: Ride on... kev
10/08/04

FYI I will start a new consumer section on the best and worst of my experiences as a customer. So this will mainly be the best and worst of Nacogdoches and immediate area. Consumer Kevin will tell you who treats me well, who treats me like crap, who has no clue, who knows what's going on- who has the good stuff or poop or even who just plain sucks so bad that I can't keep quiet about it (pretty rare). Keep an eye out.

09/27/04 OK, Hawgwild was this past weekend. I only made it to Saturday's events and had to leave before the games were over, so I didn't get the tire pull or anything thereafter. I didn't find out about a wedding Sunday till it was too late, or I may have been able to go back and get that. Damn it!

I took so many photos that I labeled only a few. About some of the ones I labeled... "Bad Jim-Bo" was being bad because he tried to enter the slow race on a little scooter that he worked very hard to get running and they told him, after waiting in line a while, sorry, man, that's illegal. I don't mean a scooter, I mean a real scooter. I'm still laughing about that shit. I just got a such a big kick out of it.

For a moment, I thought I was in Sturgis or Florida (pics of Froggy). I don't know if anyone from Skunkdots made it out or not, but just in case, I'll send in a pic or two to them. The only reason I haven't in the past is they take the copyright and I have an issue with that without getting paid money for it. Though I understand and sympathize with why they do it. All said, Skunkdots rocks and I'd drop my syringe and work for them if they called me and it would pay the bills. But more than one person, including Froggy, asked if I was with Skunkdots, so I think I should send some Froggy photos in and let them make her famous.

I don't know how many tickets sold, but it seemed to be about like last year and the rain had gone away, so that was great. I got a lot of crowd and activities photos and if it wasn't common knowledge already, it should be, when I'm shooting the weenie bite, you can expect some good close ups. The only way I don't put up a pic or a closeup from that event is if things go terribly awry and I get a really bad shot, so bad that I can't even put it up. I was taking pics on the run once when I realized the dude's wheel had turned him in my direction and I was about to be roadkill. Yeah, I labelled those 'run over the photographer' or some mess like that. This time around, I even got pics of the post-bite deliberation, with the chicks standing around to see who got the most weenie.

So I got the block toss, the weenie bite, the ladies' version of the block toss, the slow race, and general activities and one pic of a fly over. The man is watching us, people. Seems like every event, I get a pic of some aircraft. If I think of more, I'll write it, but for the moment... signing off.

ride on
kev
09/18/04 I'm finally getting back to putting up some more galleries. Sorry I've been a bit preoccupied lately. I've got some photos up of the Americana Music Festival in Nacogdoches on September 04, some shots of downtown architecture and the final stages of the Northview Plaza renovation, though I've not mixed these all together to keep from boring people that don't like to look at photos of buildings and such. I can't tell you anything about the shots of the ambulance and the cops, I wasn't that interested to find out. I'm not a rubbernecker, though I like to get shots of a scene if I see one; for historical archives and to help in the legal system if called upon. And maybe to take Andrew Brosig's job. heh.

Hawgwild is coming up September 24/25 at ETME Acres. Come out and help charity and have a good time. And see my bike and buy it. And party safely. Please, no accidents this year.

Ride on.... kev
06/29/04 ETME Acres, this past weekend, had the Blues Festival. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling up to par and my shooting shows it. I dunno if it was just my schedule or I had a bug, but I was feeling mighty low Saturday and called it an early day. Still, I had a great time and got to find out the mystery shooter that sent me a pic of me, Tina and Revar kicked back at the Cajun Cook-Off.... I'll toss in that photo too. It was the Night-Train dude, Jim (or Jimbo, I haven't found out what he prefers yet).

Also I got told that a girl got in trouble with her old man because of Hawgwild pics, but the news is that those pics she was talking about are no responsibility of mine, except that I was in one of them, which technically isn't my fault except in some vague interpretive sense. The photos mentioned to me were taken by www.mypartypix.com and not taken by me, not posted by me, in no way were they published by me; they were posted on mypartypix.com by the people that took them. Also, the photos that I did publish on this site that have her in them anywhere, they all have her face concealed and did from the time of the first posting. Y'all don't go getting me mixed up with the partypix people. Come on, already!

Anyway, I got the HipShakers, and the Dead Dogs, Bert Wills (I think), and I think I got Mudflap too. They were all great jams. Wish you were there... Ride on, kev (no insinuated puns on "wish you were here", "shine on")
05/03/04 ETME Inc. had their annual Cajun Cook-off at their grounds 14 miles from Nacogdoches, just past Melrose, this past March 23'rd weekend. I was there with the big camera everyone likes to look at and it's hard as hell to get candid photos when everyone is eyeballing the camera, but I manage anyway. heh. (By the way, one of the ladies from Bear Country Cookin' managed to get a pic of me with my camera, though I could've run away... heh... what the hell, gotta be the victim sometimes.... show me the pic and I'll put it up here.) I will be getting photos up on the site asap which should just be within a few weeks or less, due to these 'technical difficulties'. On a case by case basis, I can get you photos to cover cost of prints or cd's, but as I like to make known, right now this is just hobby stuff for me and not business and that's why I'm not on top of it like a fly on dung.

And just to let the world know, I had the best gumbo out there that I've ever tasted. That one was by the Speedway Cookers and served up to me by Larry Nabours. They should market that stuff. I'd buy it! They won first place in gumbo, by the way, and rightfully so.

A great time was had by all and by all tellings of it, this was the biggest one yet, despite rain and all that mess, which a great number of us said, "To hell with it" and rode our bikes out anyway. It was a little hairy riding down the curvy muddy incline on the way out, I thought I might lose it (though I DID NOT as no freakin' wasps flew up my helmet and even if one does that shit again, I won't crash again on that account), but as far as I know, no one lost it and fuck the weather anyway since lately it seems to only rain on the weekends. WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THAT? I got by, as everytime it would start to get real nasty, I'd just start talking about how much I want it to rain so hard that I love it and it gives me a hard on and I gotta just hop on my bike and get out in that shit and I hope there's plenty of thunder and lightning too because it all just makes me so happy. Then Mother Nature would pull it all back, I guess trying to make me blue. Just happy that reverse psyche worked on the crazy Mother Nature. lol I got a good dry window to ride back home on and some other people were wishing they'd left when I did.

By the way, guys, sorry, no boob shots this time around. And when it's local, I'm most discreet on those postings when I DO get the shots, but when I hit events outside this immediate area, to hell with it, public boobs are public boobs and that's that. You know? Show my camera and show the world. heh.

Ride on, even in this bullshit rain, but be safe...

kev
02/17/04 After weeks of one of the most unrelenting cold and wet spells in East Texas, as the temp came up into the 50's, I took a ride to Pasadena on Monday and rode back up to Nac Tuesday morning. I took my time, making some stops along the way to rest the butt and stretch the legs and to keep from getting lost on my journey to this specific little paradise. I've been holding out rides on my bitch bar, keeping it cherry for a special hot mama. So, I finally broke in my chaps and Tina got my bike's cherry and it's all better than good.

Man, it was a great ride in all kinds of ways. What kills me is, on the road, I only saw 4 other bikes on the way down and 3 bikes on the way back up... a 3-3.5 hour trip each way, taking my time. What's up with that? Anyway... I will be doing more pics sooner or later... just been busy or otherwise occupied or being lazy- I'm still the passionate photographin' freak.

Ride on! kev
01/10/2004 Just to let you know what to expect for the next little while ( I don't know how long); I am keeping my shooting down to significant events for the most part. Why? Because, aside from working on the existing galleries to enhance them and to pick out my favorites for their own gallery... I am trying to do some self study in some disciplines of photography, such as high fashion versus commercial, etc.. There is often significant difference in wide variety of camera settings, flash settings, staging, composure, etc. Such studies are the only way I've purposely achieved the look of many shots that I've gone for in the past (like the shot in hooters where the waitress is a blur of hustling motion, but the crowd appears still). I'm tellin' ya... I am serious about this shit. I'm also fishing around schools and their photography & photojournalism classes.

Keep checking back now and then. I will be going on occasional tears with the camera (you yanks know the term, "He's going on a tear!"?).

Riding on... kev
12/31/03 I'm officially back in the saddle just in time for the new year. Anyway, I just had to let everyone know, I am back!

Ride on! kev
12/26/03 An old and surprising article from Canada, regarding the U.S.A. kicking ass and getting bad press: ONE good Canadian.

4'th Annual Toy Run, Grievous Day

12/06/03 I had intended my next news posting to be happy news and nothing based on mishap or any of the bad things that normally inspire a news story here or in commercial media. I deeply regret having to write this.

Tragedy struck today, when Texas Thunder lost one of its own and James McEntire lost his wife, Kim McEntire. There are no words. We are all in mourning and send our prayers up for the McEntires. Being the new kid on the block, I am the least qualified to even consider writing any kind of eulogy, but I know enough to know that the community, the world, is diminished by her death. James was the director of our chapter until last week when we had elections and he expressed his need to give up his position for more time doing other things.

It was to be a day of celebration, giving, and the spreading of cheer: the 4'th Annual Toy Run, sponsored by the Texas Thunder H.O.G. (Harley Owner's Group) Chapter of Nacogdoches, Texas. We had close to 100 bikes from the area and at least as far as Spring, Longview, and Livingston (3 hours or so ride). The morning started out at 35 degrees, but these people came riding from all around to do their part to enrich the lives of some kids and families.

The group ride was local and rather short. The McEntires were near the end of the group when they collided with another bike. When I arrived back at the destination, the news was out about what happened. Things were coming close to an ending point with the activities such as the auction and raffles when the news came out that Kim didn't make it and any festive spirits gave way to sorrow and tears.

The winner of the 50/50 money (quite a sum) and the winner of the FXRG leather jacket, both relinquished their prizes back to the chapter. I would have taken photos, but at the time I really could not bring myself to take any more photos.

We all know the dangers of the lifestyle we lead, but this in no way reduces the anguish of such a loss. I think we, more than most other "kinds" of people, live each day and moment as it were our last; attempting to accomplish all we can, but enjoying the flavor of every moment and also doing our part in bettering the world or making a difference for the good in the lives of others.

Ride on & be safe

Kevin Gobel

Email Problem

11/30/03 When opening this site, I opened with email that was functioning properly as kevin@camerakevin.com, and some other email addresses, like postmaster@camerakevin.com and others. kevin@camerakevin.com was the primary email here. Some weeks ago, it seems to have ceased functioning all on its own, none of my accord. It still pisses me off, but I've made adjustments that even if joeblow@camerakevin.com and even whatshisname@camerakevin.com gets sent an email, that I get it. SO THERE! Let's see them f*** that up! Mess with the master and get mastered!

Cast is Off

11/14/03 I got my cast off the clutch hand today. Doc said to baby it for a few weeks, so I'll take it slow. I'm hoping to be riding again within the month. Getting over zealous with could keep me down a lot longer than just waiting a few weeks or so. Any way, not as impaired now. No more sympathy piece.

Another Evil Twin

10/26/2003 Just a funny note, found out today that Mom found a picture in the local newspaper she thought was me. It is not me but the guy on the bottom (skydiving student) does look a good bit like me. Check it out!

Pilgrims Abandoned in Shenandoah by AFC Corporate Transportation, official festival shuttle


10/04/03 Saturday morning, first day of the first weekend of the Renaissance festival in Plantersville. The time was 08:10am. I went running out of my hotel room at The Budget Inn, half dressed, in order to catch the shuttle (as they are notorious for leaving early, more so than on time or late). This shuttle service was contracted specifically for those that do not want to drive out the 30 or so minutes to the Festival. Most of us do this, because we enjoy a variety of beers and wines and are feeling a little too good to drive at the end of it all. I found myself stranded with >10 people for more than an hour and a half since the first shuttle was maxed out, no more room and no emergency standby shuttle anywhere... they said they would just keep running the regular schedule: next bus at 09:45am. Cross your fingers and hope there's room.

I rode with some members of the stranded in their car. We left maybe around 09:30am. As fate would have it, all these people were ER staff, nurses and techs. I got no names except Dean, Brian and Elena- who I rode with... and Marla that was not in the group picture. She had a kickass costume (and is a very pretty redhead): I really wanted at least one photo of her, but it never happened. Damn it! It is a big friggin place and easy to lose your own twin without walkie talkies or cell phones.

Next time I go, I am camping out. They have major campgrounds there, on site at the Renaissance Festival. So, BOO! to the shuttle service (AFC Corporate Transportation in Shenandoah, Texas: THEY SUCK!!!!!!!) and I'll depend on them no more, for sure. My complaint is filed with the proper people and more.


The Abandoned (minus Marla)


Dean, Elena and Brian


Dean, Elena and Brian


posted 10/21/2003

09/26/2003 Wasp Crash

amended excerpt from email to a friend before they figured out I had a fractured metacarpal and put a cast on my hand...

My hand... Thursday a wasp got in my helmet as I was cruising down the highway at about 60... I was trying to stay calm and pull over, but probably only had it down to 50 when he landed on my nose and I panicked and took it into the grass... hit the brakes too hard... lost it, bit it. 50-0 in less than 10- feet. Nothing broken (I thought at the time of this email)... rode home with what I thought was mebbe a broke hand (what a bitch) and took the van to the bike rally Friday afternoon. Just got lots of big bruises. (finally took a few hours and went to the doc Saturday when the hand was no better- I was a paramedic, am a nurse, and I am a very bad patient lol) My 2001 Sportster XL-883 is pretty good, only bent the right crash bar and gave it mild scratches... otherwise no scratches except the windshield ( I went through it ) and my helmet scratched (probably from the windshield). Peeps behind me stopped and came running, "You alright?" I said, "I dunno yet, shit, just happened. I may have broke my hand... help me pick up my bike please (they did)... Oh, HELL YEAH, I'm OK... my bike's ok, I'm ok... that's not bad at all." lol

I managed to get it started in a cigarette's time and make it home while I could still squeeze the clutch (gotta love adrenaline).

byline: I went to the doc 2 weeks later (I'd taken a couple of f*** the hand rides prior to that) and follow-up Xray of left hand showed the fracture (the first Xray was not definitive due to swelling and we all thought I just had a bad sprain... but couldn't hardly see my knuckles for 4 days and that does mess with the Xrays).

Anyway, I'm really gimped since the cast, but accelerated healing makes it worth it. Sooner I can squeeze the clutch again, sooner I can ride again, sooner the better!

All in all, I would give myself a C on grade of A to F on handling the situation. Good points: I did not lose it on the pavement (which I would have done if he'd stung my nose... remember popping nose pimples as a teen or you ever get popped or thonked on the nose?), so I minimized damage to myself and the bike. Bad points: #1 I went for a soft landing, but didn't expect the grass to be so soft.... with my pavement dual brake pressure for a quick stop, it was like flypaper... #2 I panicked and forgot the whole thing could have been resolved without a crash if I'd been calm and cool and just flipped up the front of my full face helmet (Duh!!). I have all confidence that if Hell freezes over and that crap happens again.... I SHALL remember to use the latch to flip up the face of my helmet. Maybe someone else would give me a worse grade, but I definitely didn't get an F. heh.

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