The Iron Angels Complete Their Flat Track Race Motorcycle

by edmakowski

Here the @theironangels are putting the final touches on their race bike before the first race this Saturday. They are the first all-female race team to participate in the @buildmoto motorcycle racing program. Logo design by @caro74happy . The tires even have a little bit of practice dirt between the treads. This bike will be raced on a flat dirt track against the other Build Milwaukee bikes for the first time this Saturday. Their garage space is at Harley Davidson University, and the teams currently use Honda CL160 or CL175 bikes. This is the first year that Build is racing flat track instead of road racing. Click the image to see other pictures. Complete story to come…

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Interviewing Great Lakes Author Dan Egan this Thursday

by edmakowski

dan egan death cover

This Thursday, May 17 I have the pleasure of interviewing Dan Egan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Great Lakes Reporter, and author of The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. Egan will read excerpts from his book, participate in a discussion, and take questions from the audience. The event takes place at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, complete details here.

Vintage Pantera Muscle Car Waiting to be Driven

by edmakowski

I stumbled on a Pantera that somebody had evidently driven to work. Panteras were built using Ford engines with the intent that people could drive a flashy exotic looking muscle car but still take it to any garage for regular service, keeping ownership and maintenance costs low. They were even sold in Ford dealerships when they were first produced. Neat car – glad to see it’s being driven! Click the arrows to see other angles of this fantastic classic.

Honda Valve Adjusting With the Iron Angels Race Team

by edmakowski

I had a great time last night working on a print piece about the Iron Angels Build Moto Team. The project is one in which mentors help high school students in the Milwaukee area build a flat track race motorcycle. The Iron Angels are the first team of all female students and mentors. It’s pretty neat documenting their progress and process. I got a kick out of this view of the Honda engine with the valve covers removed. It looks like a Star Wars character, or maybe a mastodon. Their first race is May 19!

Industrial Snapshot, Milwaukee

by edmakowski

I forgot I’d taken this video. It’s like a wacky postmodern daydream. Something I thought would be neat in a movie somehow. The grinding and gulls, anti-party fanfare of a flaccid flag standing guard outside of a forgotten pub. I’m sure somebody hasn’t forgotten George’s. Listen for the sounds. They are especially.

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Cheerful Death Poem

by edmakowski

I’ve always been fascinated by how we’re generally so bad at dealing with something we all do. I was in a contemporary literature class and some facet of death came up during the lecture, I don’t recall what exactly. I thought of this poem and started typing it during a break in the lecture action. So if someday somebody wants to put me in a cement-lined designer velvet casket – you know what to do.

Little Humor Poem

by edmakowski

Here we are living in National Poetry month, so here is a quick little poem about humor that fits into a screenshot.