Who am I?

Who Am I? This is seamlessly an impossible question for me to answer. I could tell you who I was. A student, a musician, a rugby player, a drunk, a jokester, a cheat, and a thief. I could tell you whom I would like to become. A father, a husband, a leader, an owner, a provider . But I have a really tough time telling you who I am now. I think I am mixture of all. I know where I want to go but I can't seem to shake the persona of what I was. Does everyone have this issue or am I the only one ?  It's fun to  think about the past and it's intriguing to predict the future but it's kind of scary living in the present. The present appears to be so unpredictable and ever changing . I feel like I get my heartbroken a few times a week. I am slowly moving from what everyone else is doing to just worrying about myself and my immediate circle . That is a tough transisiton. I amost feel like I am trying to not care so much anymore. But in reality I am caring more about stuff that is important to me .

Hipper to the Game

It's not about staying on top. It's about being comfortable in thy skin while the world around us goes crazy. It's never going to stop,War, famine, economic failures, death, birth, heartache and heartbreak that is . But we can produce our minds to weather it all can't we? I mean we are all animals but what makes us different is the ability to reason in the face of danger or death. It's time to get Hipper to the Game.

Giving Yoga A Shot

I tried Yoga for my first time this week. I was truly impressed. I enjoyed the movements and the next day I really was quite sore. My favorite part of the gig was the almost total silence . I can't remember the last time I was in a room full of people and no one was talking . It was almost empowering knowing that the movements took precedence over others personal goals.

My other favorite of the evening was my girl was really good at it. I mean she did all the moves the instructor set forth . I know because I was watching her since I was unable to do the same moves ! No biggie because I know that all things that last take time . So I am excited for my next yoga class if I ever get off work early enough.

My Season with the Sacramento Capitals Part 1

I used to be a rugby player. A pretty good one I think. Loose Head Prop was my position. Right at the front of the Scrum. Really it's the left side of the scrum but you get the picture. I had a lot of leg injuries when I played but when I was on the field I put in work . Prop is usually a defensive minded position but if you give me the ball I am running some offense! I played for Chico State University and we won a lot of games. We played in what's considered the toughest collegiate league in the nation. After I gave up playing the game I moved to the coaching side . After years of coaching Women, High School Boys, and even a Youth Team I took a shot at coaching a Men's Club. I took the assignment as a forwards coach for the Sacramento Capitals. The Capitals are the oldest team in the Sac Valley and until a few years ago they were also the top team in the region.  It seemed as the team had lost a lot of former players due to disagreements on the future direction of the team . That was no big deal to me because I don't really know any of the former players of the Capitals. And in all honesty if you leave your team in the middle of tough times, I don't really want your punk ass anyway. Go play for someone else and down them out with your personality.  Now when I took the job I still couldn't walk because of my broken left leg and was still on two crutches slowly moving to one, then to a cane, and finally able to walk a little. No biggie unless it's raining , muddy, or a day that ends in"Y".
When the season started I wasn't even prepared to coach let alone be the only forwards coach of the Capitals. That was my fault but the I love the game and when someone asks me to coach I can't say "No". I was expecting a solid forward pack ready to take on the season and hopefully make the playoffs. What I got was a solid group of men with little or no rugby experience. The ones that did have extensive experience were still reeling from the loss of most of their friends and former teammates to the Sacramento Lions or the Division 3 teams scattered around the Valley. The men that had little to no experience were looking for guidance and assistance in learning a violent and beautiful game. On top of that we also had many players from the Pacific Islands such as Tonga and Samoa in which English wasn't necessarily their first language . I was up for a real challenge.

The lucky part  during this season was I had the opportunity to coach again with my mentor and good buddy Jason Crother. When it comes to rugby he is Obi Wan. I wish I could say I was Luke Skywalker but let's just say I am a wannabee Jedi. He gauges the weather, the other teams playing style, field size, and time of day. I am the kind of coach that thinks possession is the name of the game and if the other team isn't handling the ball they can't score. Simple enough? What Crother brings to the table in preparedness I try to make up for in enthusiasm. Let's face it the game of rugby can either swallow you whole because of the sheer energy it takes to play or it can change your life for the better in many aspects . I am always one to joke and I believe if you are going to go into battle you might as well have a good laugh before you have to put your life on the line.
Little did I know that I was going to be in for the season of a lifetime with more drama than a daytime soap opera. But that's for next time..........Stay tuned.

It still trips me out

Do you like this view?

Just a couple of pins!

It blows my mind that I broke my leg on October 1st 2011. That would be about 6 months today on the dot. I can't do a lot of stuff I used to. I can't do a squat. I can' t jump off the porch and run to my car. I couldn't chase down a hoodlum stealing an old lady's purse, and if a mountain lion was chasing me I probably wouldn't make it to safety. I have put on a little weight but I was a fat ass before the accident so my clothes aren't complaining.
Some good things have come out of the whole experience. My girl Jamee has taken care of me through the whole process. She has been amazing. I am going to marry that little beezy one day and not because she made me breakfast everyday for three months but because she has made sacrifices for me that not just anybody would make. The only problem is she steals all my jokes. All of them!

Another great thing that has come out of the accident is it keeps my butt in my desk. I get to work at 7am and I leave after 6pm, everyday, Monday through Friday. I have had the opportunity to build a business with my mentor and good friend . He gave me a chance to be a part of it and I jumped on it . So when I see people posting about their workouts, or other physical accomplishments, I don't get upset. Cause I have things in my life that people couldn't even touch no matter how many pushups they do.

Ouch

The CD of my Youth

Everyone has one. Everyone has that one or two CDs that remind them of their youth. The CD, that when played, can bring you back to times when being stupid was the norm and money wasn't part of the gig. That CD for me is The Click Down and Dirty. I can sing out loud every song from that EP. And I am talking about the original version and not that bullshit remix Jive Records put out a couple of year after the release. For me the The Click was everything I wanted to know about the Nor Cal gangster. It was all about repping your team and having your brothers' back. Or should I say Sohabs?  I mean what's better than some old school E-40,  D-Shot, B-Legit, and Suga-T? Songs like "Mr Flamboyant" and "Let's Get Drunk"  make today's music look like kiddie stuff. I think I was a freshman or sophomore in high school when I first listened to Down and Dirty. It literally changed my life. I have to give credit where credit is due and Darren Hair was the one that gave me my first listen to Vallejo's finest rap group. As I get older that CD for me was the one. I can't deny A Tribe Called Quest as another inspirational music group, but The Click brought it all together for me. "Ya I am hustler on the go"

Keep quiet. It's only Tuesday

I know it's only Tuesday, and I'm sick, but this weekend I am making a trip to South Lake Tahoe. It is for my soon to be brother in law Eric "Karl or Carl" Marks. I throw in the "Carl" to reference the children's book author Eric Carle and not the famous philosopher Karl Marx. Strangely enough they are both German . I bet for a minute you thought I was some sort of intellectual but I am merely a fan of books with pictures.
This weekend is his bachelor party. It's a one night event and probably one night is all we are going to need. South Lake Tahoe is almost like a hidden gem only known to Northern California locals. It is mostly a stop off from a weekend of skiing but to me it is a lot more. They have about six casinos that cater to the crowd passing through for a weekend getaway. I learned how to bet horses there and though I will always be grateful my wallet is not so lucky. I have also seen some Raider playoff games up there and was mesmerized by the Raider fans. I remember going up there and staying at THE BLOCK. It used to be a snowboarder motel with themed rooms. I have stayed in the Pac Man Room, The DVS Room, and the Vivid Room.  It was truly a sight. Always remember ,South Lake is cleaner than Reno, bigger than North Lake, and not as hectic or expensive as Vegas.

For The Love Of Chuck

I love him. I love Chuck. He doesn't go by Charles or Chaz . He goes by the name of Chuck Taylor. For me he usually comes in white, but he has thousands of other colors and sizes. To me he is the man. I have had him on my feet for over 14 years. It is safe to say that I am wearing Chucks ninety percent of the time . At first they were rigid and we didn't get along so well. I thought it was him and he thought it was me. But alas it was me that needed to conform to Chuck cause Chuck Taylor doesn't conform to anyone .

Nothing is fresher then a new pair of Chuck Taylors and a clean white T from Nordstrom. Nothing. The world is your oyster when draped in those two items . There is also something about getting a new pair dirty that brings complete satisfaction. I mean Chucks look good new but they look even better dirty. My Chucks have been to Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, NYC, Florida, Portugal, Italy ,and Spain. They are, to say the least, appreciative world travellers. I can't thank them enough for the good times we've had. Hopefully one day when I am in an old folks home, kids will come to visit me, and we'll both be wearing the finest shoes ever made, Chuck Taylors.

Back to the Pool

Not me but you get the picture

I jumped back in. Into the pool that is. It's the only full body exercise I can do now while trying to get back to 100%. Having a broken leg means that I can't carry around a 45 pound plate, jump rope, do squats,or go for a run. I thought I was pretty limited until I found the pool. Despite the look of my body I used to be a water polo player and swimmer. If you don't believe me I have people out there that can verify. And I am not one to hold on to old accolades but if you want to see my 1996 HS Water Polo Section Title give me a day and I will dig it out of the garage for you . I have played in Hawaii and even a few Junior Olympic events. I had a good shot but I was better at defense and was a heck of a two meter guard. 

Enough of the reflection of the past. I am back swimming again. Not in a Speedo but regular old swim trunks. Part of my American Citizenship states that I will never where a Speedo again upon US held territory. I swim about 1,000 yards three days a week. That is roughly 120 laps a week. It beats the hell out of riding a bike and trying to find certain exercises that don't incorporate the full use of my leg. And swimming makes me happy . At 285 pounds I know I can still swim a mile or more if I had too. So if you want to drown me you're going to have to at least drop me off five miles out at sea

Just so we are clear on Bigfoot

I have always had an obsession with Bigfoot. Some people call the creature Sasquatch but for the sake of this blog we are going to keep calling them Bigfoot. I can' remember how old I was but I have always been fascinated by Cryptozoology or the study of unknown animals. I grew up and have always lived in the city but anything related to nature has caught my attention. My dad's family are cattle ranchers in Humboldt County and fondness for the wilderness has always been a part of their culture.  That being said I have religiously followed every website and television show related to the animal they call Bigfoot. Well it look like my prayers have been answered.
They will soon release the first scientific peer review of the animal that has lived side by side human beings for thousands of year. The head of the study is a lady named Melba Ketchum. She is a DNA scientist and an important person that has been brave enough to take a chance at proving Bigfoots' existence. She is not alone but her name will always be associated with the project. Proving the existence of Bigfoot is a small step in opening up the world and universe to the possibility that we are not alone and we are not even the only hominid living on planet earth. That's right Bigfoot is or will be proven to be  a form of Hominidae. I am not saying that they are human beings but they are part of the lineage that has evolved into a successful forms related to primates and even more closely related to human beings. This could change everything we thought we knew about our evolution and the evolution of all of nature .

It is a matter of time before the world will need to accept the fact that the creature called Bigfoot is a form of ancient hominin. It may have traits that we lost a long time ago in our evolution or maybe never had to begin with. I am very excited for the answers to be published. A few of the things I have heard is that Bigfoot is more closely related to us than chimpanzees which are currently our closest living relative. This doesn't make them an ape but something in between. The mitochondrial DNA that was tested points at lineage of  a human mother but the nuclear DNA may be from something we have never seen . I have followed a few of the websites like Bigfoot Evidence, North American Bigfoot Search, Bigfoot Field Research Organization, and the ever confrontational Robert Lindsay. It is safe to say that something big is about to happen in the world of Bigfoot that will and can change everything we have ever thought about our own existence. I cannot wait for the release of the information and to all the people that doubted the existence of Bigfoot, "I told you so".