All Things Rowdy

I did my part today to raise $60,000 for charity to help with Cystic Fibrosis. If you want to help, go to www.breatheeasyride.com and bid on the awesome ebay items they have. It was a great day, I won prizes, I froze riding over the mountain, I saved sliding both wheels doing a stupid pass, I saw some cool bikes and did it all for charity! Full set of photos here: http://flickr.com/photos/7795507@N02/sets/72157604319670140/

In my best Dexter voice, "so, I now have responsibility, something youuu wouldn't know about Dee Dee. I have a job inspecting X-RAY MACHINESsss!!"

I went with D to get a pedicure on Saturday, so now my toes are 'psycho green' in color. True confession, this is not the first time my toenails have been painted. In college when I was competing in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu and submission wrestling I would paint my toes silver while I was training, to remind myself that I DID NOT want to be 2nd place. The day of the match I would then paint them gold to remind myself that 1st was my goal. So there ya go. My toes are painted, I've done it before and I will probably do it again.

This is what going fast looks like to your tires. This is the stock rear Bridgeston on my WR250X after 4 different 10 lap sessions at Adams today. Front and rear cold psi is 23.

I am boycotting the summer olympics (no capitalization) in China this year. In the list of countries who are really not our friend, Saudi Arabia is #1, China is #2 and Pakistan is #3. I refuse to give support to China, the companies that are giving them extra support or anything to do with the olympics this summer. It is my wish for them to be embarrassed by political statements on TV, print and during ceremonies. I want travelers to be disgusted by the pollution, corruption and general mayhem and disorder that can be endemic in urban China. Make your choice.....

I just ate my second full package of Peeps. Talk about nuclear sugar bomb!!!! And check this coolness out! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/070402/GAL-07Apr02-69859/index.html

Playing around this morning on my WR250X supermoto.......

1. "Be Prepared" as a motto works on lots of levels, I am an Eagle Scout, Blue Mountain Council 1990. I like to think I still live by it. 2. For my church I have the responsibility of being the "Emergency Preparedness Specialist". 3. The fires in San Diego in 2007 weren't the first nor will they be the last we have. 4. The 6 P's, Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. And finally, a saying I ran across in a book recently, that I plan on making my own. "Aide-toi et Dieu t'aidera," Help yourself and God will help you. Make a plan and then get yourself supplies to last for 72 hours. Do it, you will never ever be sorry you did. This will be one of the best ways you have ever spent $70!! www.myfleebag.com

Spitcast.com called for it to be 2-3' and fair to poor today at Tourmaline, but I went anyways. It is Spring Break for a lot of the world down here and I was hoping that a more local place, long board oriented, middle of the day and poor surfcast would keep the crowds away. I was right. For me it was a great day. The wind was right and occasionally 4' sets rolled in. It was a low tide so things were so-so from that, but the air and water temp seemed about even, so it was pretty comfortable. Today was my first time in the water surfing since I think December!! Yikes!! So it took me about 4 or 5 waves to get my timing down, but then I was catching about 50% of the waves I wanted. I had two really good rides and two just fine ones. That was all I needed to put a smile on my face and be happy! A great time and I am glad I went! I mean, surfing is horrible and no one should do it! Don't start!!

In "honor" of the 5 years since this invasion, my time spent working there, the friends I still have there I present "The Greatest Iraq Joke Ever Told" and some pics of my time there. Q. How did President Bush know there were WMD's in Iraq? A. He has the receipt! (thanks to MKB for that great joke!) Driving a humvee. Nothing special, but way better than walking!! A Halaal McDonalds on Ali Al Saleem in Kuwait Dressed for action in Tikrit My sharpnel from a Kaseem rocket up in Mosul Post sand storm in Talil/Cedar II

I am soo ashamed, but yes, I "suffer" from Morton's toe. My second toe on each foot is a full joint longer than the others. When I was a kid my mom would call these our "smart toes", explaining it was a genetic marker of increased intelligence. But as I grew and started doing more things I just learned it is an annoyance!! I have broken these toes doing jiu-jitsu at least 4 times, once causing me to miss a hiking trip to the grand canyon, I can barely walk after wearing climbing shoes that fit properly, broken them surfing, I get an increase in blisters running from it due to the fact my toe gets bent up and scrunched, causing the first knuckle of my to rub upwards on anything. A MAJOR HASSLE AND PAINFUL CONDITION. So, I want to get elective surgery and have the 1st joint on each of these toes cut off!!!!!!!!!!! Who wants to pay-pal me donations to get this started and ease my suffering??

Normally every other Sunday brings a hike up Cowles Mountain, the highest point in the city. But this Sunday after having worked myself into submission doing the retaining wall it was decided to do something different. D, K and I decided then to walk around at Torrey Pines State Reserve. Like they say, "A good time was had by all."

So here is the brick retaining wall I built on the south side of the house. This neat little project got rid of a bare slope of dirt between the neighbor's house and mine. It was just a crappy dirt/clay area with sparse ground cover and a few tiger lillys. Three trips to Home Depot, about $500 and 16 hours of labor later, I had this:

From being a master at cutting the cheese to being a master brick cutter?!?!?!?! Some might call that progress.....

Overheard in the El Cajon Home Depot store, "I just saw the most amazing thing, an asian woman parked a Hummer perfectly first try!" Believe it, or not.....

Wednesday was a job interview and supermoto track day, as you saw by the pictures. Thursday was visiting some church folks and getting supplies for the retaining wall I built for the house. Friday was getting some more supplies for the retaining wall and doing all the prep work on the ground and flora. K's visit began Friday evening as well. K, D and myself all went out to Phil's BBQ for dinner once K landed. It of course was a little bit of a wait, but delicious! I always get the babyback ribs and chikless dinner with beans and cole slaw. Now I need to try something different. D went home to rest up for the St. Patrick's day run and K and I went to 10,000 B.C.I fell asleep twice during it but K liked it. It was too much love story and not enough action for me. Just my opinion. Saturday we started early with D at the 4mile race/walk thing at 7am and K and I starting to build the retaining wall. It was tough work and we worked hard for 4 hours. Then lunch of yummy pizza!!! A...

at the track!

On my 2008 Yamaha WR250X doing a supermoto track day up in Riverside. Hand timed I was doing 1:13.03 on the full paved outercourse plus the inner dirt section. Scraped peg on both sides too!! I do need to work on my jumping though, I never jumped before just riding sport bikes! hahaha. Enjoy.

Adams Motorsports Park, Riverside, California. March 12, 2008 2008 Yamaha WR250X supermoto

I love the analytic code from google!! Of the 38 countries and 267 cities with visitors to my blog: Top 10 Countries for Time on Site for this blog (1st to 10th) Germany Barbados Singapore Canada US Netherlands Indonesia France UK Belgium Top 10 Countries for a low Bounce Rate (1st to 10th) Belgium Barbados Sweden Germany France Indonesia Malaysia Colombia US UK

My user name is "rowdstar" should you ever wanna play scrabble online with me! I haven't wone a game yet, so I am sure you will. =) www.scrabulous.com

Though if I could get 10 English pounds currency for 10USD I would be totally happy!! And gold is freaking high now too!! I should have kept the gold I bought back in the 80s...... I digress...... Up until about 2001 I was pretty much always 125-128lbs, rarely over 130. Then when I moved from Arizona to California I started working much more and making money and doing less of my extra activites. And I just got older, imagine that, time passes and I get older?!? From then on my 'normal' walking around weight was about 135. At times when I really lift weights and eat more than I can handle, I will get up to 140 for very brief periods. On the flip side, I have been as low as 99lbs from Crohn's and being sick as an adult. So it is not uncommon for me to loose +20lbs from illness. This last time I got down to at least 117lbs. I would like to be 137lbs, a fit 137lbs. Lately I have been weighing about 124-126lbs. I am still on Prednisone but I am tapering my dose. So I am not sure...

I didn't do it, nobody saw me do it, you can't prove anything-B. Simpson

So in one of my productive mornings I decided to build a work bench in my garage. Previously I have always lived in apartments with no garage or the place I lived in the Bay Area before moving here I finally had a garge and I was starting to make it very nice. But it was tiny, I could barely get my Acura and GSXR in there, let alone a work bench and storage and such. Anyways, now being a homeowner in San Diego and having lots of "stuff" and liking to do lots of "stuff" I needed a work bench. So using a table we were gonna throw away, left over wood from the rock climbing wall and stuff I already had (FREE basically) I built this work area: Previously there was nothing here and it was just kinda crapped out space. Now everything is organized how I like and usable. It feels good!! Now I know how my dad felt about his garage...... Part of the shrine:

When you have something happen in your life that gives you time to reflect on and worry a little bit about it, a clarity can be reached. The time I spent when I was working in Iraq taught me a certain level of patience I did not have previously in my personality. There were long periods of time where I was basically left alone with my thoughts and nothing physically to do. (waiting a few days for a flight living in the PAX terminal) The two weeks in February I spent in the hospital with my Crohn's disease gave me plenty to think about and all the time to think. While in a semi-lucid state of sleep this morning much of it came together for me. Not the "meaning of life", as I really already know it, but how I would like things to be currently. I want to be more consistent in following my moral guidelines and tenants of my religion. I do believe there is right and wrong and I want to do what is right, on all levels. Increasing this feeling and having the courage to act on it...

9 more to go

Today I went bouldering for a bit in La Mesa area just about 15 minutes east of my house. A good spot, I will go back again. Then I decided I hadn't walked on my stilts in a while either. So I broke those out as well. Right now they are at 3' for the platforms, but 5' is the next step, so I will be like 10'7" tall on them!! That is carzy. They were easy to build. 2-2"x2"x8' posts, 1.5' of 2"x4", 4-8" carraige bolts 1/4" and nuts. step 1. cut the 2x4 in half on a 45 degree bias for the foot rests. step 2. drill holes through the foot rests for the bolts. step 3. pick how high you want your stilts to be and drill matching holes from the foot rests into the 2x2x8 posts. step 4. put the carraige bolts through the platform and posts, tighten the nuts on and then you are good to go. optional step 5. i wrapped the footprint of the posts with ductape to reduce spintering from not hitting the ground square. I also wrapped where my arms ...

I did only get a B in 400 level college statistics, but even I can't mess these numbers up: Top countries of visitors to my site who stay, not "bounce" when reading my blog. 1.Malaysia 2.Belgium 3.Indonesia 4.France-been there 5.Netherlands-been there 6.Portugal 7.Canada=been there These countries also spend the most time on my site and read the most pages, though the rankings change a little in each of those categories. Thank you international readers!!! You are awesome. I am writing for someone to read this, not for me to just write for writings sake. I do think of you, the reader. So, my wonderful international readers, please leave some comments and I can write about specific things you wish to read. I would love to do it. Thank you!

1. Sheep's milk makes the most wonderful cheese, Manchego. It is from Spain, controlled by a specific region and guild so as to insure the quality and integrity of the name and cheese. Think Champagne as an example. I first had it in Munich and now I have found some places in San Diego that carry good versions for an ok price, around $10 for a fist sized chunk. It is an eating cheese, not a slicing or cooking cheese. It is ment to be eaten in chunks. I use it in salads often now, or as a side with certain dishes. It has a long lasting mild flavor and suble nut tones. Like I said, very delicous cheese. 2. Sheep are to be counted for sleeping according to legend. I must have in infinite flock that could never be numbered. Taking 5mg of Ambien, some Benadryl, having worked out much more than I have in months and only sleeping 3 hours for the two previous night still only allowed me 5 hours of sleep!! Sleeping from 2300 until 0400 seems like a good nights sleep now. Crazy. I am consist...

Today I did an oil and filter change, the first one since purchase. I am following an acclerated break in perioud, so I find that changing the oil frequently and early compared to the manual helps this out. I used K&N performance oil filter part #KN141, 1.4QT US of Yamalube 20-50 oil and about 15 minutes of my time. The only unique thing was checking the oil pressure of a bleed valve near the valvetrain, at the back of the cylinder head. Mine flowed oil within seconds of starting up, so that is a great sign for my oil pressure. phewwww. Today I also added a stainless steel front brake line. I had Idustrial Liquidators on Convoy do it. They have an Earl's Performance center in the store, so they made me a to measure line, vinyl covered braided stainless for $38 and in 15 minutes!!! That is awesome, Cycle Gear wants $65 for a generic one. It went on perfect, though one could do 54" rather than the 55" stock length. Only took one pump of bleeding to get it to a super fir...

So, the original plan was for a Porsche 997 upon making partner. Then it turned into a Porsche Cayman S. A wild turn of events then changed the celebratory car to a Lotus Elise, but certain concerns let that fall by the wayside. Next was test driving a BMW Z4M coupe. This was a great choice, but uncertainty caused that to be put on hold as well. While J. was visiting we rented a convertile MINI as that is her dream car. We kind of fell in love with them to. We spent days building them online, went to the dealer and were all decided on car and time of purchase. But then niggling concerns over the future have brought the decision down to just keeping the Acura RSX we already have and doing a few litte things to it. So it will be paid off and we will keep it for a year. Adding XM radio, new wheels, tires and window tint will hopefully make it seem like a new vehicle. So yeah, hopefully things turn around in a year or so and you will see something fast and unique in the drive!!!! But until...

I just got word that J. is ranked FIRST, yes 1 of 832 of her fellow students!! That is awesome! CONGRATULATIONS! Out of respect for your privacy I don't use your name, but if it is ok to put up a pic let me know. You are awesome, didn't someone tell you that yesterday??????

I am the type of person where if you can buy the book at the grocery store, it is crap and not worth reading. So as this was not the over produced, CGI, mass marketed to the lowest common Wal-Mart denominator, poorly thought out American crap I really enjoyed this movie. Like all good things in like, you ran the full gamut of emotions, scenarios and personalities. I don't think you could call it a modern film noir comedy, but that might be close. Support independent film and go watch it. Rated R for pervasive use of the "F" word, drug use, realistic blood from violence and thematic elements. Make your own choice. Bruges, I think I would like to go there sometime. Beautiful.

I have a very positive panel interview at S*&%S last week. I had only been out of the hospital 2 day. Fortunately T.R. was able to drive me the 45 minutes each way to San Onofre. Next week I have an interview with a County agency Wednesday morning on my way to the race track for a supermoto day! HAHA, how good of an omen is that? And the university position I had to leave due to my recovery might turn into something full time in April as well. Distance from my house, from closest to furthest: 1.U... 2.C..... 3.S.... Highest to lowes pay rates 1.C..... 2.U... 3.S.... They are all things I am excited about and all jobs I would accept. We will have to see how the timing works out, what my inner guide tells me is the right choice and some other intangibles. And if you don't quite get the picture, my current job stuff is doing radiation safety as a Health Physicist. Before that I did Nuclear Medicine for 6 years. My BS(baby, they are all 'bs' degrees-overheard describing my ...

$35 is NOT too much for a haircut guys, really. I went to Morgan at Rinse in North Park. D goes to her and reccomended me. She normally is always a little late, but she is a totally good listener and can translate your desires into the 'do' you want. There is no excuse not to look good, or at least what you think looks good. I like this haircut, not too crazy but not business either!

www.breatheeasyride.com I will be riding my 2008 Yamaha WR250X supermoto, so join the fun for a good cause!! Join the 1st Annual Broc Glover's Breathe Easy Ride Against Cystic Fibrosis On Sunday, March 30, 2008, motorcycling enthusiasts can ride alongside some of their favorite racing legends in a fun street ride to benefit a great cause. This event is the 1st Annual Broc Glover's Breathe Easy Ride Against Cystic Fibrosis, and it takes in about 100 miles of scenic backcountry roads through the hills of northern San Diego and southern Riverside counties. The ride begins and ends in Temecula, CA, and includes motorcycling celebrities, food, beverages, prizes and more—including a Jesse Rooke custom Harley-Davidson as Grand Prize! Motocross racing legend and AMA Hall of Fame member Broc Glover is the moving force behind this event, and for good reason: His son Dayne has been diagnosed as having Cystic Fibrosis, a cruel and life-shortening disease. So now Glover is bringing to bear ...

So I kind went crazy today..... I have eaten 3/4 of a pumpkin pie today........ YIKES To be fair though, pumpkin pie was on my wishlist of things to eat once I could eat again and was out of the hospital. Ihave had about one thing per day since being released off the wishlist. So I should be done in about another 10 days or so.. The remaining items on my list are: -terriyaki chicken and pineable -chicken enchiladas -fresh hasbrowns, overeasy eggs and bacon -linguini and clams -veggie pizza -chinese from Emerald Sea -pork loin, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans The things I have already eaten in one guise or another since Wedneday are: -thai food from La Thai Basil -In-n-Out hamburger -homemade burritos -candy -BLT sandwich (which turned into me bbq-ing awesome chicken breasts on the grill for a chicken club and adding an awesome baby greens salan with manchago cheese) -pumpkin pie, as mentioned in the lead it -pork fried rice

March 2, 2008 just down the hill from my house.

If you helped support D or I while I was in the hospital or if you visited me while I was there please come by the house tonight, Sunday, at 7pm for a little dessert buffet. Yummy. Pies, mint brownies, ice cream, and watermelon will be served if you have a new year's resolution for dieting. Thanks and see ya there!!