I’m counting on the anti-histamine so I can breathe.
I’m choking on opinion. I’m coughing up conceit. Ha Ha Ha. Just try to throw that back at me!

the solid ground that you are on will slide from under you.

You know, I have been called immature plenty of times. I don’t even really mind it anymore. Actually, in some ways I feel it is almost a compliment when you compare the insult to the person who is issuing it. Why would I want to grow up and slow down when i’m only a quarter of the way through my average life expectancy. I have so many places to see. So many people to meet. I’ll grow up later.

…is a curse of our self-awareness.

well i’m back to being my usual debbie downer self. its silent and gray outside and it’s sunday. who would have thought.

Today I realized something pretty nice about myself. I noticed that I was smiling to people on the street, in stairwells, in line, etc. etc..

That may not seem like that big of a deal, but thats a pretty monumental thing for me especially compared to the last few years of my life. These days, I honestly want to see people do well. I was watching the steelers game the other day with some friends and when a guy got tackled really hard, instead of laughing, I said “oh fuck!” and not in a condescending way. I think this might have to do with some general satisfaction with the direction my life has been going lately. Of course, like everyone else, I have my moments/days where I am a huge disappointment. All in all, though, i think I have grown by leaps in the last several years. My eyes have finally been open to what life means. Life to me means letting nature do what it does. But while i’m here, why not try to experience as much of it as possible and try to be happy while doing it. Being happy doesn’t mean working all day to buy some stupid TV that wont mean anything next month when the new version comes out and mine is obsolete. Friends, hobbies and experience. What makes you more happy? 1) A day at work 2) a day on your bicycle exploring a new city.

That question may seem sort of an extreme simplification of what it means to be alive, but think about it. It really isn’t.  Basically what i’m saying is “live more, work less”.

I’ve lived a pretty fortunate life, really. I’ve had the privilege of travel and been able to experience plenty of different cultures. I found a passion for understanding life through some fairly alternative learning which has lead me in some pretty awesome directions. Sure, I’ve failed miserably at plenty of things, and those things are what shaped me into what I am. I know I am a negative nancy sometimes, but really how can you not be. I’m not a taoist monk. I wouldn’t trade my darkest days for anything. They will always be a shadow and who is a person without a shadow.

Why would I want to associate with people who judge me by a choice I made which affects only myself.

I will do what I want, thanks.

And right now, I want to hang out in the woods and dig trails. That has sort of been my life lately. I go to school and think about being on my bike. I gave myself a four day weekend every weekend just so I could sit in the woods and dig, ride, or watch friends ride. School, home, and life have been pretty weird so I feel like I have buried myself down there to keep my mind away from everything that stresses me out. This winter is going to suck once its too wet and cold to work on them and ride.

Speaking of the trails, they have come a long fucking way in only a couple months. Lots of dudes have been shredding what is open right now though. Bob and everyone were throwing some huge stuff over the step-up on the Downers line. Steve, Mike and Kitt have been riding Speedway which is finally open. Speedway is a pretty gnarly line. It started off as this tiny little “lets keep it mellow” sort of line, and ended up pretty ridiculous once Mike got a hold of it.

Steve Crandall started work on a new line that I am really excited about as well. We’ve been putting some work into that and now that it has rained a couple times and the dirt is packed down some we can start to shape them a little more. Unfortunately, that rain definitely blew our hopes of being able to ride some other stuff that was almost ready.

Thats how it goes. Im glad we started working on these this fall. After this winter the jumps are going to be hard as rocks.

Can’t wait.

picture sponsored by fbmbmx.com

i’m in it so i’ll damn well use it.

“….And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.” – November 4th, 2008.

Those were the words of the new president-elect Barack Hussein Obama II. Last night was a monumental time in our history. When we are old, we might be able to tell of how we watched when CNN first broke the news. We can tell our kids about the celebrations in the streets. And our children may be forced to memorize Obama’s speech. In the end, to me this election was one big FUCK YOU to the way things have been done in this nation for far too long. It is a “fuck you” to all the racists and the inbred-trash who refused to vote for him just because of the color of his skin. This election was a “fuck you” to our parents and to all the sheltered “american dream”er types around the nation, living in their suburbs where they can hide from the problems their politicians are making for all those who weren’t given the same chances. This election is the culmination of a different American dream.  The dream for people who can see the ruin of our nation and yet, still recognize its potential for a rebound. The victory of Barack Obama proved that the dice are still in the hands of Americans. John McCain is a great politician and has served this nation for most of his life. He has many loyal and devoted fans who although I do not agree with their vision, I can respect their determination. I can only hope that the service of our next president can help to open the eyes to the necessity of rebuilding our nation. It will be an exciting journey.

You know, I have an Odyssey Aitken tire on the front wheel of my bike.

That is about all the association I have with him. He was just a really good rider to me, who I respected for his style and the fact that he could shut down any spot that he rode. Unfortunately, Mike took a really hard fall a few weeks ago and put himself into a coma. The overflow of sincere concern for his well being from the BMX community quickly changed my attitude for the man. Kids all over the country and the world have been putting together benefit jam’s at their local skateparks and trails to raise money for his medical bills which will surely be enormous. T-shirts have been printed and donations given. But more important than money, people are trying to show their appreciation and support for a person who loves the game and has influenced tons of riders. All their effort has not gone unseen by Mike who has returned the favor with contant improvement and positivity in the hospital. Just today, despite his condition, Mike was able to briefly lift himself out of his wheelchair and even make a wish in the fountain outside the hospital. In case of confusion, coma’s have varying levels of severity and Mike has probably seen all of them since he was first admitted to the hospital. His return to his current state began with simple movement of fingers and thumbs up. He still has extremely limited mobility with his right side, and his ability to communicate is still difficult.

His website, mikeaitken.com has been updated nearly everyday with news for those who cant be in the hospital to see the progress he has made. Most recently, his aunt said something that really stood out to me.

“Hey Mike!
You are truly amazing! I was just telling your mom that I didn’t think a lot of the fans understood that you aren’t superhuman, and you go and be it! I knew you were strong and courageous, but I guess I had no idea HOW strong and courageous you really are!”

This little snippet struck a string with me. It really shows the opposite side of the relationships we have with our friends and the relationships we have with our families.

You can view the updates at MikeAitken.com

Stay positive.

Here is a little video from his part in Electronical. It is also the video part that secured him as my favorite trail rider.

I love Forrest Gump more than almost any real person I have ever known. Last night at a party a bunch of us engaged in an argument over Forrest’s relationship with Jenny Curran (I bet you didn’t know that was her last name).  I have long said that Jenny is the worst person of all time. Forrest deserves so much better than a tramp like her. I understand you are supposed to hate her or whatever, but seriously, fuck Jenny.  Yeah so what he isn’t a genius, Forrest’s drill sargeant might argue against that opinion, but god damnit was he deserving of someone who could see him as more than a fallback. I am getting so heated right now that I can’t even discuss the topic anymore. So I will reiterate my previous statement of “fuck her”. I mean come on Jenny, he named all of his shrimp boats after you. And all you do for him is bang him out and then abandon him for 5 years? You crawl back, steal his heart again, marry him, and then die.

P.S. Apparently the author of Forrest Gump wrote a screenplay called Gump & Co. which was supposed to be made into a second movie. Unfortunately, legal disputes prevented it’s production temporarily. Reports say that there is still debate going on as to whether or not the movie will get made. Apparently Forrest will be playing football for the New Orleans Saints, designing a new coke, crashing the exxon valdez, destroying the berlin wall, and fighting in Operation Desert Storm. He may all be meeting Saddam Hussein, Ronald Reagan, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ollie North, and Ivan Boesky.

I sort of hope it doesn’t happen, but if it does you bet your ass I will be the first in line to see it.