Sir Isaacs Newton (a 17th century scientist) put forth three laws which explain why objects move (or don't move) as they do.  Newton's first law of motion is often stated as: "An object at Rest tends to stay at Rest and an object in Motion tends to stay in Motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.  In other words objects tend to "keep on doing what they're doing".  Today while riding the spin bike in the quiet spin room at the Santa Clarita Athletic club I pondered this theory and how it pertains to me and my constant fluctuation of physical strength, flexibility, and fluidity of movement.  I realize how well my entire system works when I'm "working it", and just the opposite when at rest.  It seems the more I do, the more I can do... And visa versa when ill, injured, or depressed my entire body including mind becomes stale, frail, and as still as stone.  With this in mind I clicked over pedal revolutions to the second hand of the wall clock, increasing double even triple time for short sprint intervals.  I find that by applying some fundamental philosophy to my everyday grind helps clarify and create new ways to approach the sunrise. 

Lately I've gone and done allot of things, I'm trying to organize my schedule of business, training/cycling and social events, which has proved a bit arduous and frustrating, until today... In my life there have been a number of influential people whose words and actions influenced and formed the man I've become.  One of these people is my dear friend and ex-mechanic JR Canaguier.  I recall many times at the race track when JR would pull me aside, rub my shoulders, and whisper some words of wisdom or small piece of advice that would automatically give me the eye of the tiger.  These memories reside with me today and I call upon them in times of trouble or doubt...Sometimes I think what would JR do?  He is a man of great character, pure intension and a heart of gold.  I have witness him weather many storms and prevail only to grow stronger.  His involvement in my development as a racer and a man is priceless.  The simple life lessons I obtained from JR has helped me again today... Thanx JR!

Adrenalin... Pure, fear based adrenalin, the kind of juice that amplifies all of your natural senses, something I have not experienced for a long, long time.  Wow!!!  Is all I can really say about my superbike experience on Saturday.  My good friend Hawk Mazzotta is a professional road racer and is currently preparing for the 2007 race season by testing his new equipment at the California Speedway in Fontana.  He invited me out to the track to observe from what I expected to be the fence... not the back seat of his race bike!  To my surprise and great delight Hawk had pre-arranged with his mechanic Jeremy a way in which I could safely sit behind him on the motorcycle.  After suiting up in full race attire, I boarded the R6 Yamaha 600 with the assistance of Jeremy and readied myself for the ride of my life!  Now, for those who don't know, I have ridden motorcycles (dirtbikes) since the tender age of 3, racing in and winning at a professional level, but I have never ridden a road race bike at high speeds on an enclosed road course.  The moment we entered onto the track I gave Hawk the "OK" that I was comfortable and ready by squeezing around his waist.  Hawk twisted the throttle wide open as though I wasn't even on the bike, sliding and wheeling into and out of corners, passing other riders with no more than an arms length between bikes and topping out at max speeds in excess of 160 mph down the front straight away... Just the way I would ride!  The sensations I felt on that type of motorcycle were new and initially intimidating, but the more laps we made the more familiar and confident I became with Hawks ability and the machine, eventually encouraging Hawk to push harder with body english; leaning, tucking, and bracing through the technical turn and straight sections of the track.  To my knowledge we made history together... I don't know of another incomplete quadriplegic hauling so much ass on the back of a motorcycle!   Ok, I know, it's pretty risky business doing something like this and maybe not the safest way to live, but that's me.  Always ready to charge, that's the mentality that has gotten me this far in my recovery and the way I like to live my life... Calculated risk taking, it's what I live to do!   Thanx Hawk!

A cascade of thoughts rush through my brain moments before I sleep.  I lay, eyes open with arms out stretched; my playful mind wanders through the infinite.  It is the brief moments between conscious thought that I see... The endless possibilities.  It is at this time I give thanks and reflect on family, friend and foe, realizing the miraculous gift of awareness and being.  Who am I, and what can I do with this gift of life?  Is a question that used to frequently arise before bed.  You see, I truly believe my accident was no accident, I am walking my souls intended karmic path, head down, eyes forward.  Through sweat and tears I purify my heart and mind acting upon my instinct.  Initially I was unaware of the influential impact my actions of recovery had on my fellow friend.  My process of healing and redefinition has had many different mindsets; from the narrow vision of unquestioned faith, to periods of severe depression and utter desperation, to an open all encompassing view and approach to recovery and life.  Seven years of battle has built in me a resolve and purpose that resonates in today's ambitious goals... To provide the masses the same opportunity of improving the quality of life through physical movement.  All of my actions are purpose based, to raise awareness about "the work".  I do believe one day there will be a medical break through that repairs a damaged spinal cord, but then what?  There needs to be more emphasis on the rehabilitation/work part of the "walking" equation.  I aim, with my time to do just that!  Emphasize the necessity and benefits of the ongoing therapeutic process, providing common institutes for treatment and knowledge.  These are the thoughts that clutter the synopsis in my brain at night, constantly redefining set limits of what is possible... Sleep well. 

My health and is my number one priority.  In order for my body to function at it's optimal potential I must remain highly aware and diligent of its needs, exploring many alternative methods of wellness, ensuring a synergistic system.  This week, along with good food, training sessions and great tandem bike rides, I underwent a "Colonic Hydrotherapy" treatment.  Colonic Hydrotherapy is not a new method of lower intestinal cleansing, in fact it has been in practice for hundreds of years, and is thought to be first introduced by the ancient Egyptians.  Today though, we live in a modern world where the human body is subject to toxins and chemicals that it was not designed to deal with. Processed sugar, flour and other grains as well as preservatives are found in most foods and cannot be properly broken down during the digestive process.  My compromised digestive track does not function at 100%; the undigested food left behind can build up blocking proper vitamin and mineral absorption. Overtime this hardened build up can become thicker and thicker inhibiting my body's ability to extract the important elements of food, causing lower energy levels due to a deficiency in vitamin absorption into my bloodstream.  Hardened build up also causes an increased risk of health problems, the body is unable to expel waste in an effective manner, causing constipation and increased levels of chemical and toxic build up within the system. Increased levels of toxic build up raises the chance of possible diseases and life threatening illnesses and thus adding more to my metaphoric plate of adversity.  Right now as I type this entry I am snacking on natures finest...fruit!