KHUM KINETIC KOVERAGE

Open Letter to The Kinetic Universe

2009-06-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

It has been nearly a month since the greatest event ever has closed for another year. Each night I go to sleep with the drum beats of the beach party still making my chest pound.

I can still smell the many campfires. I can still remember the faces the smiling faces of the drivers and crew. The taste of my first "Ruby" kiss, and the taste of the best beef stew I have ever consumed.

I saw first hand what it was like to be a participant. Whether it was a driver or a peon, the absolute joy that enveloped the crowd was indeed intoxicating. I was fortunate enough to be the entourage of a "Queen". Therefore I was privy to being introduced to things and people that mere tourists never get to enjoy. For that I will always be truly grateful.

I got to meet "Murphy", a single man driver. I was able to enjoy the company of a former Queen and her awesome support crew. Katy Texas, you did so rock, and I was so honored to be able to spend some time conversing with you. Nick from Oberon, you are and amazing Chef and for you to provide the food you made was truly a gesture of love. Ruby and her "Ruby Kisses" and her lovely banquet she provided as "bribes" was stellar. I was able to spend time and space with at least four prior Queens. Jermajesty, your reign will be a golden page in the Races history. Romy, goddess of wine and dance you too were a memory that will last forever. The many giving and sharing people at the bonfire that shared all they had and expected nothing but a smile and love in return. The dance I got to share with all the Queens and with Harmony will forever be etched upon my heart and soul. Thank you Harmony for all you gave so that we could free ourselves and in my belief become one heart one soul. That gathering from start to finish was without a doubt the most enthralling event I have ever experienced in my 50+ years walking this planet. As write this my heart is still pounding to the wonderful drum beat that our "band" shared with us. To the Fire Princess who graced me with the best picture of the event, thank you.

For me it was the most enjoyable and heart wrenching event. I had the best of times meeting the best of all people. I also had the knowledge that this was to be my last weekend in Humboldt for quite sometime. I was both enlightened to tears from all the love and fun being shared, to the greedy self indulgent sadness as this, as all good things must eventually come to and end. I have made promises to people that I would again return to my home in Humboldt. I have a Queen to get crowned. I hope that I am still able to be a part of that entourage, and to do my part to get him elected.

To the volunteers, officials, announcers, and Shining Heralds, you should be very proud of your work. You made this person very happy to be a part of the best event ever.

Signed,
TwistedHumboldt,
Glenn Thompson

P.S. To my "Queen" mere words cannot envelope my feelings for you and the wonderful gift you gave to me. Thank you does not begin to describe what you laid before my feet, and the joy you brought my soul.

Race Results

2009-05-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

It was a glorious race and the results were presented at the annual banquet following the finish of the race. Everyone ate a GREAT meal and we thanked one and all and then it was time for the awards!

Here are the awards mostly in the order they were presented:

Teddy Bear Award:
The Teddy Bear Lady, Judy, presented 2 special bears. One to Eureka Natural Foods Natty Bears for such an audaciously large machine. The other to Funguy (Octomom) for his kinetic perseverance.

The Teddy Bear Award went to: Pandemonium Rules

Justin Hobart Brown (the Glorious Reason) presented the Spirit of the Glorious Founder Award to: Octomom (trust us...large, great art, huge crumbling wheels...just like Hobart)

6:32 Award (goes to the first machine that misses the close of the course day one thereby loosing their ace so at least they get a trophy) went to For Salefish

Many volunteers were thanked and recognized (sorry if I spell your name wrong) Richard, Adrienne, Jeremy, and Gloria

Best Volunteer of the Year (two winners): Suzanne & Laura

Best Pit Crew: Dave from Big Top (he swam across the Eel River to get a pump, lost a shoe and is still smiling--what a pit crew!)

Spectators' Award (crowd favorite) Tin Pan Dragon

Best Campsite: The Ruby Dew (thanks for feeding all of us Wendy!)

Special Ruby Award was created and presented by Justin and Chelsea to Dick Daniels just because of all he does for the race so he knows we all love him!

The Kinetic Cops presented an award to the machine most ticketed by them (rules 1 & 10 having fun) and that went to: Karriage of Kalamity

Most Improved: Bubbilicious

2nd to Last: Ruby Dew

Poor Pitiful Me Award: Henry Ford Shoots for the Moon (They didn't make the start, but were at the finish)

Biggest Splash: Kanga Rex (their machine separated from the flotation and sank, but they pulled it out and put it back together again)

One for the Little Guy Award: Against Medical Advice

They Came From Out of Town: Glory Hogs (includes a $50 gas card)

Golden Flipper: Big Top (now known as Big Topple for their spectacular spill at Dead Man's Drop)

Goddess Jen-O Award (because she can): Lightning Bug

Condor Queen Award (from the Ventura race): Shark Bait

Klamath Falls Award (entry to that race): The Biking Fools (all their teams)

Golden Dinosaur (1st machine to breakdown after leaving the Plaza): Eureka Natural Foods Natty Bears (aka Basket Case)

Racers' Choice: Octomom

Hobart Brown Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Brown
(he was at the first race, always comes to the banquet, and embodies the kinetic spirit!)

Mediocre Award (goes to the machine that finished dead middle. Traditionally a car--this one can fit in the palm of your hand, but it gets great mileage): BDI

ACE Awards (These teams did the whole thing on their own without any pushing, pulling or that kind of cheating whatsoever.) Please stand and say, "Professor" whenever they enter the room.

Compost Sheep & the Garden Girls

Uncatchable

Hippypotamus

All Terrain Tiki Bar

Twinkle

Big Friendly Giraffe

Art of the People

Under the overall category of Pagentry:

Best Bribe: Compost Sheep & the Garden Girls

3rd Pagentry: Ruby Dew

2nd Pagentry: Compost Sheep & the Garden Girls

1st Pagentry: Big Top

In the category of time (must be an ACE machine) the speed awards are:

3rd Best Time: All Terrain Tiki Bar 14:19

2nd Best Time: Twinkle 11:56

1st Best Time: Big Friendly Giraffe 10:51

In the Category of Art

3rd Place in Art: Tin Pan Dragon

2nd Place in Art: Solid Gold Fifi

1st Place in Art: Kinetic Chicken

In the Category of Engineering (must be an ACE machine)

3rd Place in Engineering: Compost Sheep & the Garden Girls

2nd Place in Engineering: Twinkle

1st Place in Engineering: Hippypotamus

The Kinetic Grand Champion, exhibiting the best of Art, Engineering, Pageantry & Speed (must be an ACE machine) is:

Art of the People from Eureka High East Lab

Congratulations to all the participants! Let's do it again next year!

Grandpa's Flying Machine: a tribute

2009-05-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Grandpa, the oldest of our racers, was honored at last year's kinetic banquet with the Hobart Brown Lifetime Achievement Award. We gave him a heart-felt standing ovation for his many years of personifying the kinetic way. We lost Grandpa this year and many of the kinetic family came to the memorial to honor him.

This year, Grandpa's team raced his machine as a tribute to him.
The machine is now retired and has been donated to the Kinetic Sculpture Race Museum. Race officials have also retired his number.

We all honor his memory.

Flickr Group Slideshow

2009-05-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

Slough View

2009-05-25T14:09:00.000-07:00

Assorted Kinetica

2009-05-25T11:56:00.001-07:00

Thanks to ALL for the photos, especially: Carolyn Conway, Heather Thornton, Jennifer Edwards, Carly Chickering, Ron Perry, Debbie Topping, Scott McLongstreet, Dawn Craghead, Doni Greenberg, and John Schmidt!

Hoggin Dogs 1st into Crab Park

2009-05-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

101 Accident Photos

2009-05-24T16:19:00.001-07:00

Developing: Early reports suggest that the sedan rear-ended the pickup truck. It's unclear whether or not a Kinetic-affiliated bicyclist played a part in the accident. No racers are reported as injured, although one of the passengers has complained of neck pain.

CHP: Kinetic Vehicle Struck By Car on 101?

2009-05-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

Via http://cad.chp.ca.gov/

Incident:

0240

Type:

Traffic Collision - Ambulance Responding

Location:

US101 AT KING SALMON AV

ThomasBrothers:

141 3F

info as of:

5/24/2009 3:33:07 PM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
3:33PM	1022 D HUMBOLDT FIRE
3:29PM	WHI PK WAS REAR ENDEDE AND CONTINUED TO CR OFF -- DDIDNT WANT TO GET HIT AGAIN
3:26PM	1039 HUMBOLDT FIRE
3:25PM	VEH HIT KINITIC SCUPLTURE
RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS
3:26PM	CHP Unit Assigned
3:28PM	CHP Unit Assigned
3:28PM	CHP Unit Assigned

Kinetic Dragon In the Water

2009-05-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

Virginia Dexter, These Are AMAZNG! Thank You.

2009-05-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Art of People

2009-05-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Are they at Fernbridge? Crazy speedsters...

Thanks Hillary Dashiell

2009-05-24T13:43:00.001-07:00

Melvin, by Kelly

2009-05-24T13:36:00.001-07:00

THE DRAGON Through Kelly Erben's Eyes

2009-05-24T13:33:00.001-07:00

Thanks Kelly!

2009-05-24T13:31:00.001-07:00

More Glorious Photos by Kelly Erben

2009-05-24T13:29:00.001-07:00

Kelly Erben's Glorious Photos

2009-05-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

KHUM Cliff in The Morning Talks To Katie Texas

2009-05-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

A Dark Bay

2009-05-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

Day 2 Pit Stop at ENF Pix from US Celular

2009-05-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Day 2
We had a wonderful, nutritious and tasty lunch at Eureka Natural Foods. They treated all the pilots to a hot lunch and a rest off the clock before hitting the road and heading down the freeway. Our friends from US Cellular were there taking pictures and printing them on the spot and handing them directly to the racers. What kinetic spirit! By popular acclaim by the participants this was an excellent addition to the race and we hope to do it again next year!

Our lunch hosts: Ranger Rick & Honey Bear from Eureka Natural Foods

U.S. Cellular lunch photo stop
(they took these pictures and gave copies to the racers)

Another Kinetic Official

Lightning Bug

The Eureka Natural Foods Natty Bears

Uncatchable

Cliff reporting from Uncatchable

Grandpa's Flying Machine

Compost Sheep & the Garden Girls

Solid Gold Fifi

Melvin!

Members of the Freelove Circus

The Hippiepotamus

The Where Horse Rider

Giant Kinetic Chicken
Created by June Moxon
with Pilot Anne

Man Eating Clam
Biking Fools

Big Top Kinetic Carnival
Fortuna East High

Twinkle

Art of the People
from Eureka High East Lab

The All Terrain Tiki Bar

Big Friendly Giraffe

For The Glory! Thanks Cassandra Dees

2009-05-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hi KHUM:

We took these pictures this morning form just east of the water launch ramp. I have a short movie clip of the dragon shooting flames which i will also try to send, but I am not sure if the format will be postable on your site.

For The Glory!

Cassandra Dees

in Unincorporated Humboldt County

Thanks Liana Hollar!

2009-05-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Flatmo's Dragon on The Water

2009-05-24T12:29:00.001-07:00

Hot Dogs Are Ready At The Take-Out

2009-05-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Hungry, get some Bay fresh hotdogs from the hotdog grillin' machine.