Resue Heroes

Sent off a new bunch of firebugs tonight. Seems also that I've gotten old and no one told me. Realized I have been working with the fire academy for 11+ years. That means I am old. Still, in better shape than most of them though. Nice to see them start their career. I get all warm and fuzzy. They families all proud, nice to realize how gung ho I was, and how lucky I am to have a cool job. Good luck guys you'll need it.

I kicked out of my funk, I am safe to be around now. Therapy is wonderful, and I should know, 30 plus years of it. Go figure.

My knees are breaking, well I guess it is just tendonitis, but holy cow, they just don't like going in little circles right now. My legs feel great but the kness the knees the knees. Oh well. I am going to try to ride tomorrow. I am thinking of going on a news free kick. I am so tired of reading all the crap that is going on. Gas prices, Iran, Iraq, Bush, Dick, Rove, Lay, Skilling Abramoff, and on and on and on. I am sure it won't last long though. Oh yeah, Tony Snow, WTF? When do we get to elect a new pres again anyway?

Well, let's end on a positive note. The sunshine has been awesome. Thanks for the the sun!

Sleep tight, race hard, live right, don't let the mosquitos bite.

VJ

Madre Dios

When is it okay to hate? When is it okay to be unhappy with everyone else in the world? Well, everyone but you, I like you. You and me, we think alike. That's why I keep you around.

I like to think that I am a calm, reflective type of person. Easy going, in a Capricorn kind of way. Somedays though I feel more like capricornholio. Ready to snap, and anyone that thinks about cutting me off in traffic, or any driver that gets in my 5 foot radius cycling personal space. That can piss me off on a good day though. Somedays it feels like I am losing my mind. Which upon reflection may not be a bad idea. I would love to opt for an upgrade. Not sure what I have to complain about though. Nothing that would amount to any global like atrocities. Some days you just have to keep on keepin' on. Today I am just plain ol' tired. Bone tired. Okay, things I am happy about....

1-I don't have cancer
2-I have all my limbs
3-I have awesome kids
4-I My body is in one piece this year
5-I saw the ocean today

Well that is good for now, I could have said I had some awesome ale tonight. That would be pushin' it though. Everytime I see someone that pisses me off, I imagine that they are the Buddha and the opportunity to learn is always there. It is either that or you know what they say about seeing the Buddha on the road. That must be the low road. See you at altitude my friends.

Sails up wind blowin,
VJ

Oh God!

Well, my father-in-law wrote a book about God, he wanted me to read the manuscrip and give him my opinions so he can edit it. Um.... ok. There is alot to talk about so let's start with the obvious. Do we need another book about God? I am not so sure I am totally down with the very first one. Second if you want an accurate book on God try Karen Armstrong's "history of God. Third, some of us don't really believe in God, some of us have a belief in a "higher power", some of us have a belief in the fluffy white bearded God of the old testement and are to narrrow minded to believe anyone else can tell us something we don't know about him.

That being said his book was not very good and I am not sure how to tell him that, he was trying to be serious and funny in a Jerry Seinfeld kind of way. Not a very funny Seinfeld either. Of course when I asked Mrs. Juice what she thought about the book she said she didn't want to spoil my opinion, no worries there I said let me have it. She said it sucked. What a relief, that's what I thought! I am sure that the first run through of the Di Vinci Code sucked, well maybe not this bad, but I hate to squash someone's dreams of being the next Capote or sometihng. Anyway, the plan is to use "constructive" critisism and not say that it was unreadable. Got to keep the peace.
Ze is letting it rip today, good stuff. I am hooked now, got to hit Ze everynight to hear what knowlegde is bringing. The stuff about Yahoo is crazy and scary. Nice to know that Yahoo is the GOP's bitch, one more reason not to like Dylan Spacey Casey. (retract claws now). Anyway, sitting at work tonight chillin on some Groovesalad, that shit takes it right to the spot. If I was at home I would hitting the ale, speaking of which, my new favorite nectar is Prohibition Ale. That stuff rips, the microbrewery is near the ballpark in SF, you can almost sees Bonds track marks from the bar. I dig the beer though. Sharing it with my friend there.
Did some kick ass riding this week, even rode with one of the bag boys on the nooner along with the rest of the homies. Nice when I can bring some game to the scene every now and then. Saw this on DC's site kind of funny. Time to race and quit being a talker, I am thinking Cat's hill maybe. Better be soon, just found out, surgery June 2, that is the end of the season folks. I might squeeze in Mt. Humbleton just for grins. Time for the pillow friends.

Peaceola for the Ayatolla,

VJ

Rants and thoughts

I always feel like Easter is a wierd holiday. I mean what do I tell the kids? We are non-christians that try to follow Buddhist teachings and honor the holiday for it's importance? Also kiddies the holiday is abot this guy who along time ago got nailed to a cross and....... Then to complicate matters it just so happens that the Passion of Christ was on TV last night at work. Suffice to say that this bloodletting was brutal. I am not sure why there was so much focus on the brutality, and there was alot. I remember as a kid seeing the made-for-TV special," The life of Christ" and being pretty impacted by it. It is hard not to be. The guy got nailed to cross! That is powerful. I think though that therein lies the problem. How do you argue with it? You don't. I believe that Jesus was real and did great things, I am just not so sure that he would be real pleased at the currnent state of his flock. I think the crucifiction brings up anger as well, and that can breed intolorence. Especially toward the Jews, if you saw the movie. I had to pause and reflect about the phrase "Happy Easter", cause I don't think it is very congruous. I remember in high school, I was "born again" and was real convicted at the time. But I remember making a poster that showed Jesus and the Easter Bunny and the quote on it said "which one died for your sins". I really felt like I was making a statement. Interesting how thinks change. Tolle says that if you believe that only your religion is the truth, you are using it in the service of the ego. Then religion becomes ideology and creates the illusion of superiority which divides and creates conflict between people. You can look no further than the Moussaoui case to see that. The bible is a doctrine of faith which is based on thoughts or ideas. Which at best can only point to the truth, but it can never be the truth. It can only serve the ego. Openess and tolerance can only lead to the truth. Just as Jesus said, "I am the truth, the light and the way". Not that his words were the truth. The truth resides inside. You don't search for it in Jesus or anyone else, it is and always has been inside all of us. Doctrines and leaders of religion only help us get there. There is no easy way. We just keep peeling back the onion layers, day after day, and try to keep smiling.

hunting for the Buddha,

VJ

Street Life

Rode the tracks with the best view on the train
Not what you think, this Doc stuck a fiber optic scope all the way down his throat
My new best friend
Riding the streets of SF all the way home
Trying to beat the backup
Sunshine finally!!
Day 2 fun with cadavers, moftly SF street folks. It was sad seeing their end, a little perspective helps. All in the name of medicine.

Man Overboard!

Today went well, up until I started working on my bathroom remodel. Everything went to hell in a hand basket when I broke out the sawz all. Then that is usually the case. That is a sweet tool, but when used recklessly it can set you bak hours. For instance, trying to cut out bad sub flooring and not seeing the water line that is 2 inches below it. Looked like the titanic for a few minutes. Luckily my kids know how to shut the water off now because it has happened twice now. Had to go to home depot to get some stuff, cause when I tried to repair the pipes the solder was not working very well due to the impossible position of it. I did manage to take the kids out to the new micro brew resturant. Beer is good. One was not enough to make the pain of the bathroom go away though. Finally got everything done about 10:30. Oh yeah went for a run today, then hit the noon ride in the pouring rain. Seems like the group, even though it was small, was interested in defying the rain gods and hammer themselves into the wind swept, rain soaked ground. Manage to survive, but felt like a soaked dog. Oh well, ho hum. Nice to see the Lakers drop one on the Warriors. Although I don't think my team will soon be returning to their once great form. Time to go slip into some dreamy ZZZZZZ's Nighty night.

On the pale ale trail,
VJ

Not my thoughts

That which seems important can fade like the evening sun
Though I tremble as I try to grasp it
I look deeply into it

What is important, the soul? love? blood?
Perhaps all and none at the same time
I am putting my ego self on that pedestal once more

I am trying hard to look within and without
driving as fast as I can
and only looking in the rear view

Stop the car, step out, breath in
Listen, to the bird from Katroo, and say
I am me, not my thoughts you see.

Disappearing completely,
VJ

Pardon the stupidity

Due to forseen circumstances, technical problems and shear stupidity I will not be at the esteemed "celebration of cycling" known as sea otter. I know my legion of fans will be disappointed. Good news though, I kicked ass at the noon ride today. Whatever.

I have become a Zefrank follower now, I can't help it, laughter is good, and I just can't stop. I had "feeling old" moment today, I referenced Altamont, as in the 60's concert, in the college class I teach. I got a bunch of blank stares. I do that all the time, even the Mcgyver ones don't work. Damn. I am sending out good vibes to Saul Raisin and family, very sad. Dude was an up and comer, lets hope he still is.

Love, peace and vegetarian grease,
VJ

Zefrank

Okay, found Zefrank on OV's blog by way of veloraindog. Zefrank is a funny dude you have got to check it out. Rode the new MTB today out at Coyote's It is going to take a while for this crosser/roadie to get used to that machine. New fangled stuff drivin me crazy. The Sea Otter plans are a bit loose. But it looks like friday will be the only day. I am thinking short track in the PM and Circuit in the AM if there is no rain. That track is slick as snot in the rain. Taught a class today for about 8 hours, ugh! That is a lot of talkin' especially my voice, it must have been torture for the students. Anyway, Shout out y'all.

Trying and flying,
VJ

Fiddlers Green

Ahoy, me hearties. Arrr, t' all e'erythin' is fine. A pence for an old man o'de sea. Arrr, I hope all o' you be well, Aye, me parrot concurs. Ahoy, ye cannot be tellin what winds of fate 'ave in store fur ye. Skuttle me Skippers, if I be a messdeck lawyer but the days ahead are appearing t' be stormy. Aye for sure a black spot be on the sands of Monterey, and those that survive be sharin a booty with yer mates. For those that don't, well you'll be seeing Davey Jones locker tis' true. T'all that see the doubloons enjoy lest ye' soon be sleepin on the main deck . As for I, well this buccanneer intends to fly the Jolly Roger and should any squiffy be brave enough to challenge the sweet trade well I will surely be after ye wi' a wannion. An' should the account end even then let the grog flow an' let us be loaded to the Gunwales! May yer furner be true, and yer mates as well.see you in fiddlers green
VJ

the ghost

Gulp Gulp
Buzz Buzz
It's all falling away now
Gulp Gulp
Buzz Buzz
It seems okay now

Gulp Gulp
Buzz Buzz
Call the ghost that doesn't care
Gulp Gulp
Buzz Buzz
Call the ghost that was never there

Gulp Gulp
Buzz Buzz
Put my head to the pillow
Gulp Gulp
Buzz Buzz
Can't wait till tomorrow

pleas and peas
VJ