I'm not sure how, or where, to begin this journal entry.  I have purposely postponed my writing because of this very dilemma.  A series of what one might call "unfortunate" events followed last weeks triumph in Mexico, leading to my current state of shock and awe.  Without disclosing every detail of my recent history, I will share an overview, in hopes of clarifying for myself the necessity of these happenings.  I'll begin with fatigue... Not surprisingly, last week I was feeling the fatiguing effects of our 50 mile bicycling event.  I expected the delayed soreness, but actually recovered quicker than anticipated.  This testament of health inspired in me a confidence of well being, and was a positive high from which I would leave town on.  I was scheduled to be in Sacramento this past weekend for a party my dad was hosting and also, to obtain video documentation of me riding our jet skis on Lake Folsom.  Well, like the impending doom of an ominous storm cloud, these events would yield thunder driven anger, and rain soaked emotions.  The turmoil between family members can strike like lightning, and like lightning, can conduct far beyond its initial ground point.  In other terms; the less than harmonic relationship between my father and sister, radiated far beyond, affecting me strongly.  Both my girlfriend and I played witness, and suffered as by standers.  Compounding the emotional stress of family dynamics, came the heart wrenching visit to my friend Joshua Hendrickson's home.  Joshua is an 18 year old boy who suffers from a high level spinal cord injury, which leaves him completely motionless in an air filled bed.  24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Josh lays in one position. His body is slowly decaying, slipping him ever further into obscurity.  I stood with closed fist, and folded arms at his bedside, stirring with anger.  How is this neglect possible?  Why is our healthcare system so corrupt?  The entire time I spent with Josh, I kept thinking to myself how his current condition could be avoided, and how the quality of his life could be 100 times better.  Upon parting with Joshua, I reluctantly returned to my dad's house and the scene of the "party of the year" in celebration of, I don't know what?  The complexity of emotion in me seemed to come to a boil Saturday night, as I watched from a distance the celebration of destructive behaviors.  I guess, I assume; because of my personal quest for evolution and betterment as a man, both physically and mentally, I assume that my family, those closest to me, would see and absorb my example and seek to improve upon their own self.  I have had many heartfelt conversations with all of my family members, and always end on an uplifting note, pointed in a positive direction.  However, the events that unfolded over the weekend were a far cry from constructive, and in my opinion glorified the very behaviors recognized as negative and destructive.  It is my fault for assuming a positive outcome to one's personal process, and for that, I am now left in the wake of this storm.  I am now rebuilding a greater sense of my own convictions, and a broader understanding of compassion for those I love the most.  How's that saying go?  Give a man a fish; he'll eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish; he'll eat for a life time... Let's take it one step further... Teach a man to think... He won't have to eat fish every day! 

North bound on Interstate 15 we traveled once again to the city that never sleeps... Las Vegas!  Last weekend was a trip just for the boys.  Joining me on this trip to the annual U.S. Open Supercross at the MGM Garden Arena were my pals Derrick Langahr and Ricky James.  The three of us stormed into Las Vegas Friday night just before the ominous clouds above opened up, soaking the Vegas strip with thunder, lightning and a torrential down pour of rain.  Luckily the race was held indoor in the Garden Arena and was unaffected by the weather outside.  Our arrival to the event was a spectacle within it's self.  After meeting up with my friends Brian, Lisa, Danny, Lauren, and Jessica, we drove up to valet parking at the grand entrance of the casino in Brian's new Ferrari 360 Modena.  I felt like Don Johnson of Miami Vice, or some kind of supa star!  Well, Brian's the super star; I'm just his lucky buddy that gets to go for the ride.  Our entourage entered the white, marble floor lobby and happened upon an elderly man driving a motorized scooter.  Since I walk slowly with a cane, and most of my buddies were in wheelchairs, we inquired about where to rent a similar ride.  Fortunately for us, the hotel supplied the three wheeled transportation, and happily rented us our choice of weapon.  After the supercross races ended was when the scooter races began.  Our group of five scooters; some of which held two passengers, were all piloted by ex. motocross racers.  We weaved in and out of slot machines on the gambling floor, screeched onto the well lit Las Vegas strip, and hammered through grass, over speed bumps, and down stairs all in the name of good fun.  We named our posse "Team Effort" and cruised around town until the wee hours of the morning.  Our antics provoked allot of attention, but fortunately no trouble.  The speed and freedom of the scooter was the best way for me to negotiate the gargantuan casino and event center.  Truthfully, it's the confidence, knowing I can access a bathroom at a moments notice, and the ability to traverse large portions of town with little thought or effort.  I can't believe I had never thought of the idea before.  In all, it was allot of fun!  The camaraderie of the boy's, the competition on the scooters, and the complete craziness of five spinal cord injured motocrossers made for a weekend to remember.  I think I'm finally re-adjusting to my normal sleep cycle... Maybe not!  It's 12:30am right now as I type this entry... ;)

Last week I received an invitation from an organization which hosts the "Oceano Dunes Beach Race and Festival" in Pismo Beach California.  The 3rd annual fundraising event, founded by spinal cord injured Baja 1000 racer "Jerome Law", took place over three days, and coincided with the renowned "WORCS' off road race series.  In addition to the established WORCS series was the CCMA, (Central Coast Motorcycle Association) which organized the race, dinner gala, and award ceremonies, all which raised funds for the "Clayton Memorial Foundation" and "SCI Research Advancement" aka: The Will Ambler Project.  My pal Ricky James joined Stephanie and me for the day in the dunes, sleeping for most of the two and a half hour drive up the scenic coast, awaking only moments before we drove onto the sand at the infamous Pismo Beach.  Pismo Beach is a unique place where the asphalt ends on "Pier Ave" and quite literally turns to sand.  You find yourself driving parallel to the crashing waves on the "Sand Highway", splashing through surging water, confused at the fact that, your in your car, on the beach?!  The secret to driving in sand is to let almost all the air out of your tires, as to allow for maximum traction, upon the sands surface...Something we did not do until we got my Jeep stuck, buried deep in the soft, white sand.  We drove the parameter of the race course, looking for the perfect vantage point from which to watch the race.  However the 4 wheeling maneuvers up and over the mountainous sand dunes, proved to be more fun than a static position, perched on a hill.  Amidst our fun, we saw familiar faces, both able bodied motocrossers, and spinal cord injured alike, one of whom was Anthony Orefice of Xtreme Medical.  Anthony is a paraplegic; he regularly visits the Pismo sand dunes with his family, and has adopted an awesome way to shred the sand.  He discovered the "Honda Pilot"; a mid 1980's 4 wheeled vehicle operated entirely by hand controls that serves as a perfect off road weapon.  In his excitement to see us, he offered Ricky and me a ride.  Strapped in the seat with tight seat belt restraints, a roll cage and a powerful engine is a place I like to be!  Both Ricky and I had a great time driving the Honda Pilot.  So much so, that Ricky vows to buy one!  We reluctantly returned Anthony's toy and continued on our way to the CCMA tent located in the center of the race pit area.  While there, we socialized with the event founder Jerome Law and his father Dennis, the WORCS race winner Nathan Woods, and event corrordinator Roberta.  After a candid photo session with event photographers, it was time to head home...But first, I needed to refill my flat tires.   

After having just read my journal entry I posted this time last year, about me skipping party invitations to remain focused on my training schedule, I have decided that tonight, I WILL join my girlfriend and pals for a ghoulish gathering.  Currently I am 1 week into a new 6 week training cycle and I'm feeling pretty good.  My body has remained strong and some what flexible since our last cycling event "Mexico" which was one month ago.  In the time between then and now, I have filled my days with activity and responsibility, slowly increasing my work load capacity, both at the gym and professionally.  I have however, experienced a few episodes of extreme emotional and psychological distress this month, lending to my current state of tension.  Let's just say... I'm a little unstable right now.  Although, right this minute, after having spent last night, and today addressing the issues within, I am feeling much better.  Isn't it interesting how certain events take place where, at the time don't seem to have that much of an affect on you.  Only to learn later how great the impact really was or is?!  This is where I am right now... Still processing both consciously and sub-consciously the personal issues which arose earlier this month.  Looking back on this year's month of October, I have little to criticize, only critique...with myself.  I am excited for the cooler winter months, and look forward to the family camaraderie of the holidays.  As for now, I will wear a surgeons mask as a costume, "more for function rather that looks" (the host of the Halloween party is recovering from a cold) and will continue my training cycle, in hopes to be as healthy as possible for the impending flu season.  Be well~  Aaron