Hope rides again! Live Strong! Live Armstrong!
I can easily slip into my golden running slippers and prance off into the sunset at the drop of a pin. The water flowing across my body in the pool reminds me of the frolic and detour I so enjoyed while in mommy’s womb. That menacing bicycle, however, that beast! It just stands there taunting me, teasing me, double-dog daring me to try, come-on just try and tame me. That wild barbarian once uttered, “I’ll show you pain, I’ll show you agony, I’ll show you defeat, come-on just get on.” Sure I was shaking, shivering and shuddering as I approached and began my ride. True to form I was rudely awakened, rather savagely beaten down by that two-wheeled Diablo. I finally settled on hiding my tormentor in the garage and secretly devising elaborate ways to dismantle and melt that monster down in some far-off prehistoric lava pit.
Until NOW! I’ve changed! I have visited Oz (Escondido) and the cowardly lion has been granted a small dose of courage. Yes, I’ve been revamped, reinvigorated, reinfiltrated, resituated, restipulated, rerigorated, remotivated, reticulated, refrigerated, and recycleminded. How Jake? How? What happened? Please tell me how this reincarnation happened. Please do tell. Okay! Okay! Calm down!
Yesterday I went to see my hero, yes; Lance Armstrong was finishing The Tour de California, an 800 mile race from Sacramento to Escondido. We got there and were immediately astonished by the magnitude of fanatics (fans) all about the coarse, riders of all walks and lives. It was inspiring at the least and heart attacking at the most. We watched those tigers race up a mountain that most mere mortals would not venture to walk. I was everready to snap a shot of my hero as the pack approached, but they race up a mountain quicker than I can ride down it, they were almost a blur. My hero was about tenth in the second pack, which was about ten minutes behind the lead pack. But not for long, they were approaching a mountain and had 5,500 feet of steep elevation to muster. I was wringing my hands with glee to be there and to personally witness Lance do what he does best – Endure More Pain Than Any Man Alive - I was certain that he would summit in the lead. My hopes were not unfounded, he caught the lead pack and at the top of the mountain he arrived in third position – Excellent! Lance Livestrong Armstrong finished sixth overall. Not bad for his first race after a 3 year siesta.
Lance and the tremendous bicycling atmosphere were extremely motivating. The newfound courage will help me battle those sinister aversions and doubts about enduring headwinds and peddling pain. Armstrong has helped me to become headstrong about getting legstrong.
Note: A good book about the overcoming of obstacles and facing fears is: It’s not about the Bike, by Lance Armstrong. I lugged my book to the race but couldn’t get to him for a signature.
Hope rides again! Live Strong! Live Armstrong!
Escondido is my Oz,
And Lance the Wizard,
Jake
Varanasi
About Me
- Jake Sanchez
- I like places of extreme space but live in the confines of a bustling city. I have no idea what's on TV. Commercials and long red lights irritate me. I travel third worlds on a shoestring to keep proper perspective. I’d rather ride on top of the train than in it. I believe that happiness is manifested between the ears. I am actively learning to dispose of preconceived notions and expectations. My life is perfect even when it’s not. I would like to publish a dissertation on the dynamics of actual & implied authority & the power of command. I find human motivation fascinating. I believe in the U.S. Constitution, a puppy’s wagging tail, the magic of a woman’s touch and a child’s laugh. I know my way around the bedroom, a train schedule and a Third World. I am comfortable in the city and the woods, with the rich and the poor, the young and the old. I believe in the Trinity and I believe that character counts. I’m socially conscious and very interested in the world around me. I have a lust for this life and an interest in the next. I'm comfortable outside my comfort zone and I like not knowing what will happen next. I am proud of who I am and I belieeeeeve in God, Buddha, Beatles!
Blue Man Group
Blue-By-You
1 comment:
Uncle, that must have been SOOO exciting!! ahhh. Really though, what is it with men and Lance? So many boys at my school absolutely adore him. Love you and remeember that I can't get on here from school!!!
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