Beneath the Neon

First off it's even interesting that I'm writing something about a book. Anyone who knows me knows I really don't read all that much unless there are pictures or it's about something that I already know as a shape or look. So in completing this hopefully there is some growth that comes with it.
Anyways

Beneath the Neon.
I bought this book originally trying to find the one tunnel in this town that I had heard about were all the graffiti artist go. Boy was I in for another trip by the time that I was even done with chapter one. I was completely drawn in by the what even layed right next to the Vegas welcome sign. Only living Las Vegas for the little time I vaguely even know about the storm drain entrances by the ones that I see when I drive on the freeway and streets. Never would I have thought that one there were storm drains that ran directly under the strip, and that so many people took refuge down there. Not just for a night or two, but were talking years and years. But this book wasn't about a awareness, like look there is a population down here, there was an understanding a want to know why, a story. The people depicted and spoken to to do this book were of such a wide variety with different stories to go right along with each person the author interviewed. From Vets to just your average junky they all had a fascinating tale to tell.

For those of you that are quick reader this book with fly by. I mean most of the writing is conversational pieces and short descriptions about camps, walls, and general surroundings. But these conversations are make the story. I mean who would ever come to think that a Las Vegas Chef (yes a Chef) lived down under the strip. Of course, it was never disclosed were he worked but just think of that one. A trucker who's wife threw him out of the truck and just took off. A husband and wife who lost everything and just ended up on the street. Run away teenagers... I think the most interesting interview came when he visited Phllip, a man would lived in his deemed Valley View drain, and ran into Tyrone and his mother, Gwen. Yes that is right his mother came to visit him from Atlanta. I'm not going to disclose how she found him and what not, but the unconditional love that this mother showed for her son. Of course the shamefulness of the the son having his mother come and visit him and having to have her stay in a hotel and not his place of residence, seeing how he doesn't have a physical address or a front door. More of a gypsy type camp that has nothing but the bare amenities. All in all just a well written piece, and to think it falls under a travel guide. I wanna see you go down there..

Lastly a poem found on a wall

"There never was a child
In your head
Never born, Never dead
Maybe when I'm done
I'll mourn
Now I'll come with fire and scorn
With lust for life
Under hood and horn
Black-Flamed
Lament and forlorn
Breathe in life
I gasp river reed
Logos manifest
I am, I said
There was never a child
In your head
Self-Born, Self-Dead
Believe what you read
One-Third will all be bled."

Adjusting within the Slump

Well another week has gone by and as I lay here ready to to go bed and begin a new week I have a slightly more positive look on things at the moment.
This last week was rough on the mind and that is for sure. My mind has really been taking a toll over these weeks that I have been on the disabled list. Not seeing or even speaking to friends and family is the biggest factor amongst this. I mean sure staying in some nights and watching TV and Netflix is alright and good for the soul. Especially with someone like me who loves to have there personal space and time ( Funny thing is every time that I talk about personal space I remember what Street told me in the desert. How I love my personal space so much but how could I go to a club and do nothing but love to be surrounded by people literally on top of me. I never had a good awnser, but it's just a weird switch or something that gets flipped). But at this point in my healing I must say it's not healthy how much I'm avoiding people. I don't take my best friends calls, I'm not answering peoples texts that I know care about me. It's like I'm doing everything possible to make myself feel alone in my room. While this week really didn't have a traumatic day were I just wanted to run and hide. I think the repetition of being back at work is starting to set in and noticing still how much free time and being frustrated with were I am at the moment. It really just gets to me.
I'm tired of living were I work. I mean shit I walk to work. Yeah great I save money, but fuck I would rather waste that fuckin money on gas and have a story in the morning or evening some days I see something different. Isn't that the point of life is seeing new things. The only thing I see different at the moment is the ThunderChickens is taking off in a different formation. It just sucks that you deploy and come back and your back were you were. No growth in some areas. But enough of that rant, I could go for days on that one.
and enough of these downward thoughts.

Were just gonna skip to Saturday.
Sean came to town. And man did I need to see a friendly face. Oh and if your wondering and can't put two and two together Sean is on the right. And if your using your deductive reasoning. Yes that is his car on the right.
Anyways.
Great night, got some pictures of our dirty as fuck beauty's
Went to a baggin punk bar. Oh yeah, visitors be warned you will be trying the ass juice when you come to town.
Decent punk bands playing, Mosh pits (Now that is a sight)
But that best part was it was something to break me out of my slump of really feeling alone out here.
Thank you Sean, see yah in a couple months



Weekly insight

For a weekly read right now
If you in the car community and don't know about this ouch! But for the rest of yah's.
There was car gathering in Northern Cali this past weekend. What started off as a Honda meet has branched off into the premiere Nor Cal meet of the year bringing people out from across the nation. Anyways as for the read I'm putting Joey (writer, photographer, and other things) on blast on this one. His blog THE CHRONICLES and his coverage..

Oh and I know I promised the write up for Beneath the Neon and that will be coming this week as I'm down to the last little piece of the book! So expect that around Wednesday, Thursday....


My suggestion this week for Netflix
Robin Hood - Another BBC thing that I stumbled upon. Not the greatest but I always loved that story and they did a pretty good job with it. Currently in Season 2 of 3 available on Netflix. IMBD link
and my #1
Exit Through the Gift Shop - If you like graffiti art, or art period you need to check this out. Totally worth the watch. Weird and beautiful at the same time. A documentary about Banksy well in sorts... Ends up more about the narrator and his quest. Must watch for sure IMBD link

And my Youtube
If you haven't subscribed to Epic Meal Time yet well you just missing out on great weekly content..
Other then that it was a real weak week for my finds on youtube. So I'm just gonna leave you with one.. That I love and is driving me to get another one.
4TheRiders
What just because you think I fall once that I'm not gonna get back up and back on..


Finally I'm gonna leave you with some shots of Seans and myselfs car.
Photos done by a new friend Marcos Ricon (schooled me on my own camera)













I know there weren't any shoes in this weeks addition and even I'm sad about that one..
But there should be a pair next week.
Anyways
Hopefully I'll have some more controlled thoughts about what to write about. I need to start thinking of a subject for the week.
Hope yall have a good week!

Back to Work I go!

Well finally it felt like my life was moving again.
While it was a week of truly ups and downs. The motion of actually living was amongst me again. Just getting up and doing something for 8 hours A.K.A. work was just something to break up the nothingness in my day. While I still can't run and move how I want to be able to move. Just moving in itself, the small things that we take for grant it. Not going to lie though this week has had it's ups and down from Mondays massacre with the higher up in the squadron till just a relaxing weekend doin not a damn thing but watching Jersey shore and 3rd Rock from the Sun.
But while I don't want to focus on the bad parts like Monday or work. Lets just say that the next couple of months I'm going to be walking on egg shells in that area of my life. Just staying out of trouble, that would be the biggest focus I guess. But it would also be nice to just build back up my reputation as a good worker and person. But enough focusing on that one.....

Tuesday was sick .
Not work. After work. And no not Valentines Day part (Man I havn't had a Valentine in forever, but thats another subject)
Dunk Exchange
at the Hard Rock Cafe on the strip.

First time being in that building and I must say. Very noice I'm gonna have to look into more things that happen there. Three stories: a shop, a restaurant, and a bar with concert stage
I think the Lords of the Underground said it the best..
"Could it be the skunk weed that...Now hold it let me choose, couldn't be the booze ...No it's the shoes (the shoes?) It's gotta be the shoes!"


Oh and Murs put it down!
Nothing like looking at super pricey shoes while sippin on a beer and listening to Murs. I will go to that again but I know to stack myself with more cash for that night. Didn't really take that many pictures, I was really taken back the whole thing.. Oh Yeah, and Also.. I went alone like always! Fakin Lovely!

Sadly that was the only excitement I really had all week. After that I mean I really did do nothing much but watch the things previously stated. Work got better as the days went on. Oh and on Wednesday I found out that I fractured my right foot amongst all this fuckin mess. And your all probably wondering how the fuck I didn't notice something like that. But seriously when you have that much attention on the other leg I didn't feel or realize that pain
Anyways on to weekly things...


This week I really didn't explore as much because I didn't get that bored in the evening

A good read came from Joey Diaz as he finally switched over to a blogger format instead of using that thing we all used to love myspace. I know I have talked about hte podcast with him before. But it was a good 5 min read.
FUCKING PICTURE ALBUMS!!

I still am working on Beneath the Neon. Should be done this week.. And then I have something else to pick up after..


Of corse my netflix for the week were: Jersey Shore and 3rd Rock from the Sun.
I really need to get cable or something.
I didn't get my ass to a TV yesterday for the sporting events that I should have watched. but I'm happy that Tony Stewart at least finished the Daytona 500 this year. While not in the top 10, he fuckin finished. And then of corse there was the All Star game. The Lake Show and Mamba put it down helping the West win that one

Kinda says it all..

Oh yeah sprinkled amongst the blog were three pictures of the shoes I picked up at the Nike factory outlet the other day.

Oh and yes ma.. I have two other pairs in the mail!
Haha

Saying More...

Alright lets try this again.
I wrote something and I just hatted were it was going sounded like a pitty party something all drawn up in my head.
The last two weeks I've spent thinking. Thinking about the future and were I'm going right now in this military 4 year ship, will I continue, will I leave. The past were I have come and I how I ended up having to take this two weeks off of work. Just millions of ideas per day, the millions of thoughts. Not to sound like I'm all down, which I'm not completely down, but I wouldn't say I'm up though. Clearly this year has gotten off to some kind of start. I don't really fancy all of it but I guess, shit really I don't fancy alot of it at all. There have been a couple small amount of things sprinkled in the mix to make it okay. Definitely not the best start I ever had, definitely in a long time

Anyways...
Current status as I sit here with a hole in my leg about 1CM in size, with tracks that go up and down my leg. Can't run, not that amazing with a clutch, and long periods of time on my feet hurt. Lovely. You sit in your room all day just watching Netflix and playing on the internet. Not trying to glamorize that shit at all but man seriously after you are used to getting up everyday to go to work that shit starts to get on you that your doing nothing. What really gets to me is that I'm not moving, that I really am in a room just letting the days pass me by right now. Not seizing shit! But since right now I can't run and I dono when I'm gonna be able to do that again I don't know were I stand on the LA Marathon. I won't say that I'm out yet. Just because I honestly don't want to admit it to myself quiet yet that it's a big possibility that I'm not gonna be healthy by then. Just annoying especially being an athlete of sorts my whole life.

I would be lieing if I didn't say that my mind was a wreck right now.
I mean I haven't made a post about my car and I have had my new steering wheel in for a week now.. Here is a preview.

Funny I pretty much waited for this wheel for a month and I still have yet to take pictures. Especially when this completes my interior. Well I mean I still need to add a little something and thinking of changing shift knobs to fit in better but I'll probably start a poll or something for them type of things. And I'll save that for a IheartMYSOL edition
And yes I will be rocking that plate at Eibach!


Funny part was I was all hyped after my walk today to write this and now that I'm sitting down to finally do it. One I'm blanking about everything that I thought about and two I'm just dreading tomorrow to death..
I guess I'm just gonna end this with some highlights that I think people should look at, read, or listen. That got me this week.

1. Podcasts is Beauty and Da Beast Podcast.
Always makes me think and laugh at the same time. It's like comedic therapy honestly. Everyone enjoys to laugh but when you can laugh and then take a message away from the stroies they tell. Well that just a whole bunch a win.

2. Netflix.
Must watches for the week for me would be Skins the real British edition, The 1983 cult classic Bad Boys staring Sean Penn, and lastly I'm just going to join the crowd with Jersey Shore Season 1

3. Reading. Yes that is actually right..
I'm reading a book right now. Beneath the Neon by Matthew O'Brien (his personal blog
About his exploration of the underground culture living in the sub 500miles of underground storm drain system we have here in Las Vegas. I'm kind of suprising myself with how I'm moving threw this book. I guess I'll do a write up when I'm finished and hopefully I find what I'm looking for in this book.
It is also what inspired the shots that I have peppered into this blog this week.



4. Youtube.
A. Epic Meal Time - Taco Night
B.Family Fued - Name something that gets passed around - and you can just keep going on that channel.
C.The British Snookie
D. Lastly is a fellow sol owner TatooRow throwing his channel out there. Good work, get on him to keep his New Year's resolution to VideoBlog more!


On that note I really don't know what to say. I'm looking forward to this next week, not to Monday and getting in trouble or Valentines day, but who knows I may have something better to write about because I'll get out and do something.

Latest pick up

It's gotta be the shoes!
If anyone has or knows about anyone selling 09 Neff X Pony Signature series shoes get at me. 10.5 - 12

Say Something

Well I haven't said much in this year of thoughts and I think I have been keeping alot to myself in the fact that I really haven't spoken to anyone even my close friends just about the little things that are going threw my mind as of late. I guess first off I'm gonna start with the really sad one to me.
Losing my bike. For those of you that don't know, because I really didn't put it out there that much because I am ashamed of losing her so fast and what not. Is that I went down about a week ago now. It was a sweeping corner and when you look at it all in all I entered way to fast didn't have enough room to correct, even with a good lean, the road condition had changed from the last time I took it and well. I'm alright still banged up with scrapes and bruises but she is gone. She feel off the over pass hit two trees, a rock, and then came to her final resting place in rocks and other debris. I've learned a lot threw the fact of dealing with insurance and the amount of insurance you really should have compared to what the state tells you to own. I'm mean I'm not gonna lie I'm upset I enjoyed the hell out of her. I also learned alot. Really every experienced rider say leave hard riding for the track, because you never know what changes on the street. And that I just need to save up for another one and insure it the correct way. I mean there are more things that I learned about this incident but really those that ride respect it.
This is the first time that I really lost something this big in this form.. I mean my mom fought so hard every time my car was stolen to get back. It's hard to really let go of something like this for the first time. I mean signing over the title to the junk yard because she was that gone.. I mean she fell at least 200ft, if not 250ft down off this overpass. Mix emotions were deffinitly flying around my head and heart. But it was the right thing to do in the end. I told myself to part her out or save her, but it was just to gone. Just a tough situation all in all..
I will be back just give me time.. The itch really got to me. Now I remember why I loved riding dirt bikes so much. You just feel everything around you. It will of corse be another Honda. And most definitly be a 600RR again. Who knows maybe this time will be white. I'm not willing to take out a loan just yet. So it's going to be a bit before another one enters my life. I will say this, thank god I was wearing my helmet, gloves, and jacket.. Yeah my good jacket. It sucks that it's all rashed up, but hell it protected the shit out of me!
Till then I'll leave you with a lasting image of her...


On an other note..
I just got so caught up in the thing above.. I did a photoshoot with my car the other day and I just never really released any of the pics because of it. It was the first time that I took off the hood for a shoot and I liked the way it came out.. I would have like to get more above shots but the angeles of the sun and shadows just didn't allow me to do so.. I also really need to get another lens, and a hood to reduce glare, also learn more about how to use my camera. I really enjoy taking pictures pretty peaceful and allows you to think about stuff. But yeah I have more it's not like I edit them so I'll just go threw the bunch and choose out a couple here in the next couple of days and post them.. Really need to take a class on photoshop. The funny thing about this spot was that I was questioned by two patrols that came by, blah blah blah. In short they were wondering if I was vandalizing anything. They also wondered were my hood was. But yeah enjoy..


Feel free to steal and edit it. Would love to see what people create


Another thing and I know my mom's gonna laugh but I'm really tryin to step my shoe and clothes game up this year. Tired of wearing the same things over and over again. Puttin myself on a budget of corse, because I do need to save for things that I want. But I'm young so why not have a mighty collection of these things. Haha. So if you have stuff you just don't want either throw it my way.. I'll put it to good use. Haha.
Oh and yes Ma. The top pic is my new pair from the other day. I need a new pair of blacks to replace the ones I destroyed in the wreck.. Just to many scratches and what not on them to wear out.



But yeah it's been a crazy ass hell first part of the month.. First part of the year Jesus Christ. Seriously it's still only January..
Anyways just thought I would share a couple things that get me threw my week. Helps me think and just makes me laugh..

Helps me think
Beauty and Da Beast
Two great comedians pairing up to share there life stories and other bits of random funnieness.. Really love Joey "Coco" Diaz. I have had the pleasure of seeing him multiple times at the Sunset Room. Dirty minded, but man that some good stuff.
Go get the Podcast there on Itunes. Worth at least one session of listening..

Helps me Run..
Iclub: EDM and Iclub: Mashed
Dj Ri's Facebook
There direct links for both podcasts. Both are different wouldn' think that everyone would love both.
EDM is HOUSE, nothing but it, more of European feel.
Were as Mashed is more of a club/upbeat mixtape feel of American clubs. Some really good mix's on there from Dj's across the nation.

Speaking of running I know I havn't been this week. Well the reason is above.. I hope to be back at it next week.. This week not puttin a single mile down is really pissing me off. And dropped my ass in the standings of my challenges enough that I havn't looked in a couple days.
If your a Nike+ runner go ahead and add me. Username is Muella


Lastly were gonna go to a Youtube group that alot of people love or hate because of there concoctions of food.
Epic Meal Time
I have showed some of these videos to co-workers and friends. Yeah just go ahead and take a look. Cooking for all you manly people out there...




Lastly.. Mom I'm done with shoes this month.. I promise..
Haha

Everyone take care.
Next week I'll be in FL for a week of training. No interenet but I'll try and do something with my phone. But none the less I'll have something to say after the week.
Next time Netflix!
So with that..


Peace, Love, Beats.....

iheartMYSOL 10years!

It was a Saturday probably about 8 in the morning and there was already a plan.
My father had already made the call and set up a viewing of the car. We had to go NOW! There were another 6 people who were interested in looking into this car on the same day. A drive all the way out to the 215 and some were within the city out there. I remember pulling up in the passenger seat of the Cobra, dad behind the wheel was always a nice drive. We pulled up and I was in love from the first moment. The vibrant yellow, giant wing and just the overall looked, you have to remember this is before Fast and Furious came out. Shit was the rage at the time! I new I was gonna be rollin in the hottest thing on the block. My father passed over the keys for the Cobra as collateral, for the keys of the sol and we took her for a drive. Oh man if you could have seen his smile. I remember we hopped on the freeway and punched it. Man oh man was it weak now that I look back at it and were I'm at now. But at the time, I was smiling ear to ear. We got off and did a deep inspection while we had her to our self and talked about if I liked it and what not. All my father could say to me was "Be quiet when we get back, I'm gonna try and talk him down." I'm sorry I couldn't hide it. I just wanted the keys and to call her mine. From there it was some talking and then signing, I didn't know what was going on I just kept staring at the keys. Till finally my father dropped them into my hand. That was 10 years ago this day.
After her first wash.

I really don't have many pictures from those first days.
Shoot back in high school I thought I was the shit. I remember when we had our team in High School. Yayo, Edgar, Mario, and I know I'm missin a few.
TeamSolCal events. Back in the day, being known as WeaZzeL on forums. Here is a link with other links in it to the old days of the sol and transformation back to white.
CLICK HERE
Then gettin in the with the DSOC guys. Eibach '08 and '10
Stolen Twice. Rebuilt twice.
I mean there are so many memories I could sit here all day and come up with them. I could also sit here and talk about all the things I have done and how much money I have dropped into this love.

Best thing is to really go threw the links and if anything just look threw the pictures.. There's pages of sol talk. LOL. But the pictures really speak for themselves.

From IheartMYSOL
to now
5SPDLOL

I honestly can't believe it.


But there are some people I feel I have to thank.
My Father - I would have been in a CRX if it wasn't for this man. Inspiration, Love, and Miss him. Mom - Holy shit the amount of things you have done for me. Standing next to me for numerous reason with this vechile. Steff - The best birthday ever. I highly doubt anyone will ever top that. I highly doubt anyone will show the love or understand as much as you did. Thank you so much. Nick and Kevin - so many great times with you guys in the passenger seat, and the shit talking. TeamSolCal & DSOC - brothers and sisters. Honestly you guys and gals have become my extended family I have somewhere to go to every day talk and vent. Shops some have come and go - Autolink with Kitty (Gone), Asa with RevAuto(Gone), Everyone at Pitcrew, Frainkie at Gspot (I'll be seein you in a couple months), and HonDocotrs (VEGAS)

I guess it's just stay tuned at this point. This year is going to be amazing for her I feel it.
Oh and to all my passengers. Sorry. I must have put you threw alot. I have never had a car that was a stock height. The car has been laying low to the ground for over 10 years. It's always had an exhaust to, so I guess you could call that strike two. And for the last couple of years the passenger has never really sat right in the car, well until the other week. So I guess I'm thanking all my passengers threw out the years. For putting up with my love and experiencing it with me. Thank You
To my future passengers. Well it's still lowered, it's louder then ever, but you can buckle yourself in and the seat is 100% in there.



More pictures of this day.. But I wanna get this up!
I'll share some more memories as time goes. Like why a man who drives a Cobra would steal his sons Sol. Then race and beat Porches, and BMW's, and Benz's on the 110 in the morning, on his way to work, and then at dinner tell his son about it. Haha. While the D16 was still in the car..


Love, Peace, Beats.

CBR600RR Love! Part1

Its a new year and here we go!
Gonna really try and make this thing move alot more this year!

So lets get it going.
Man I'm happy that this is the first one of the year, and the FIRST one of this series.
Well I don't have a name for my bike but again anything I will do will be documented here and there more then one reason behind that. One I love documenting it for personal reason's, shows me how dirty I got my hands and how well I know my machines. I guess you can call it my personal timeline. But there is the part of sharing which you could call two. Also three insurance or worse.. Documentation rules when it comes to the sad part of these things, and that would be three.

So I got my new tail light in.. I guess your noticing that right away by the difference in pic's
So lets just jump into them
Begining Stance


Why I love doin work on my toys at work.. So clean and easy to keep clean.. Haha

Middle
Had to do some shaving and deconstruction of her...

End result


Hey it works.. haha


I can't wait to take it out.. Was a pretty simple install took me a couple of hours I think but all in all really good product. Havin a little issue with the wiring at the moment looks like it had been tampered with by previous owner.. But nothing a little more time with her can't solve.
Stay tuned for more.. It's only gonna get warmer..


On another note gonna try and give weekly thoughts this year as well. Just time to sit back and reflect on life and other things!
I'll include more when I sit down and do that post to be release on Sunday's