I will not be stopped

I had it all planned out. I was going to ride all weekend, then the ex changed plans and I had the kids all weekend. But that didn't stop me. I took them with me and rode for about 6 or 7 hours. It was great. I always like riding with Darrell and we had another barflip session, only this time I made more progress. When I get to trade off with another rider who is progressing in a trick, I usually progress more than if I just tried it myself, and Darrell's style is ripe for that flip, so I kind of fed from him. I landed it and rolled for about a circle and a half, and I was stoked. Thanks, D.
~J

...Repeats itself

Joe gave me book called "Fire on the Lake" which is written about the Vietnam conflict (it didn't become a war until decades later). I am not very far into the book, but I see some similarities to things I have heard about Iraq. One thing that seems to be different, though, is the "justification." It is obvious that Vietnam (as the American gov't called it) didn't have the resources that Iraq does, namely oil. But it is similar in the fact that it is a strategic location. Noam Chomsky http://www.chomsky.info/interviews/20030321.htm said in an interview shortly before the Iraq invasion and said that the true goal of America was Iran. Since hearing him say that, I have waited for the propaganda machine to start spewing kindling for just that fire. Little by little it has started to smolder. There are some other similarities with The Vietnam conflict, one being that we call it a country, when in actuality the region is made up of different groups with differing customs. Also, no surprise, Europe has tried to colonize the region and was met with heavy resistance. I am by no means an expert, but from what I do know, I see history repeating itself. My wacko barometer is my boss, Gary. His opinion is that people dying is the way things have always been and always will be. He says that nature will come up with a virus or disease that will wipe out much of the population at a whack, because we have rapid travel. Well, AIDS is nothing compared to the Nazis and the recent tsunami was nothing compared to the genocide going on in Africa. At least with nature, you're less likely to be raped, strangled, burned or dragged behind a truck. I know...it's so negative and we don't like to hear, but history is repeating itself, but with the lessons learned from the Nazis, the Vietnamese and the American civil war.
~J

Hot dogs

For some strange reason I have been craving hot dogs, lately. I bought some and some buns and had a few of them. Now, I usually only eat these things when I'm camping because the history of hot dogs is disgusting. They are basically everything that is left over ( and on the floor?) that can be ground up and stuffed into the weiner casing. After four of these over the course of a week, I am done. Ok, now let the talk about how a hot dog is a euphemism begin.
~J

Yeah, um..whatever

Well I got a little done around here so I am dying to ride. I have been thinking about it more and more. I can't believe there was a time when I didn't want to ride flatland. It wasn't long ago, either. I just didn't ride. I would walk by my Sabbath, hanging from the ceiling and not even want to get it down. I think that because the bike was SO damned heavy, riding was too much effort. When I look at the bikes we ride, now, I can't believe what we got done on those tanks. I mean, Joe's bike is like 27 pounds. Brett's bike may even be lighter with full brakes! Unreal! This bike I have now is as light as any bike I have ever had and probably just as strong...well, maybe not as strong as the Sabbath. I really beat that S&M hard. Street and trails and ramps and flatland...that machine saw it all and plowed it's way through. I think the frame weighed like 9 lbs. My current frame is 5 1/2 lbs. No contest. I miss Tzim. Actually, I miss riding. Sigh.
~J

Wow

I watched the Machine go at turbined hitchhikers for several hours over the course of the weekend. Now, when I say several hours, I mean that is all he did for days. We rode for a few hours saturday night and then went to Ryan Evan's place. He was having a party at his house. He just bought the place and did a TON of work to it. New carpet, new sheetrock, etc. Well, his ex-girlfriend ran over the neighbor's fence, and much alcohol was spilled on the new carpet. By the time we got there (neither Paul nor I drink) the shindig was in full swing. Not long after we got there, Ryan ended everything and got the drunks out. Then we stayed up for awhile and talked. It was cool. Today, sunday, I have no energy to ride. I wanted to go to Portland, but it ain't gonna happen. After Abigail's party and the fiansco THAT was, then last night, I am toast. Today I am just gonna sit on my ass around here. So deal with it.
~J

I'm Dead

Yes, apparently I'm dead. But, if I remember right, Tzim is on a mountian somewhere, working his ass off. I don't have to worry about him hurting me because he isn't here, which is good. I guess I shouldn't say things about people's mother. Making comments about your mother is so fun, though. I mean, I remember the things I would say to Sonny about his mother. I used to think about it all day at work, then lay it on him when we were riding at night. I'd get so excited when I got off from work because I was going to slam his mom. Aaaah, the good old days. I wish I could do that with my son, but he would know that I meant most of what I said, which isn't the case with Tzm and Sonny...well, Tzim, anyway. Hurry back, Tzim...I need a good spanking.
~J

I'm too sexy

I got my new Flatland Fuel shirt, today. It's made out of "performance fabric." It feels like a roadbike jersey. Fuck, I feel sexy in this shirt, let me tell you. It follows the contours of my belly and makes me look like Homer Simpson. I have to think about Tzim's mother before I can see my penis, butI don't care. With this shirt, I am a GOD!
~J

New setups

Abby came home from her grandmother's early, so I had to take her with me to Joe's for the weekend. She was really good, too, so I'm kinda glad I did. Joe and I switched forks and I'm not sure I like the zero-offset thing, yet. They don't flop where the others did and it is hard to get used to. But after a few hours of riding, I hopped on Joe's bike and couldn't believe how hard it was to steam-roll. Tzim showed up and did some very nice hang-5s. It was a nice, mellow vibe...as usual. There are certain guys you can count on for good times. Tzim hooked me up with a Flatland Fuel tee (why he didn't keep it, I don't know) and two 8x10's of Joe that I have been wanting. So cool. I can't wait to frame them. Good times.
~J