http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...130&indicate=1
When i read the last part of his blog i got chills. I've been waiting for this.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Walking the streets of Beverly Hills
Story of June 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
I walked the streets of Beverly Hills last night not far from the Chute Boxe gym. I passed an old man sitting at the edge of the sidewalk on Beverly Hills Blvd. His gray hair and beard were unkept, dirty and tangled. He said something to me. I couldnt hear. He said it so softly as if he were ashamed of it and of himself. I looked over at him. He sat there with downcast eyes. He glanced up at me. I didnt know what he had said, so I just said How are you doing? He didnt respond and I walked on by.
Later that evening Im walking down the other side of Beverly Hills Blvd. I run into the same old man. He is walking now. Walking in the opposite direction. He talks to me again. It sounds like he is saying the same thing he said before. I cant hear him. This time I say Excuse me? He stops for a moment and speaks up a little. Can you spare a quarter?
In the past I had a very hard attitude toward such things. I had no time or money for a bum, a loser. I would walk by looking down my nose at them with harsh eyes. Ultimately this felt wrong though. I knew I needed to find a better way. I took myself to the edge, to the depths of addiction and despair, so I could have understanding and compassion for a man like this man I passed on the street. I know how frail a man can be. I have seen it in myself. I wanted to see it. But I also know how strong a man can be. I know a man can be at the bottom hopeless, questioning everything, finding peace in nothing. I know a man can rise from that to walk in the clouds grasping the stars.
This man asked for a quarter. I had a dollar in my pocket. I gave him that. His eyes lit up and he thanked me energetically. He had been shuffling along with a downcast, dejected gaze. There was no life in him, but when I gave him the dollar he woke up for a moment. It was good to see. I dont know if it was the dollar, or just the fact that someone acknowledged him.
I walked on. I started feeling like a real prick. A dollar? Why did I only give him a dollar? I have plenty. I almost turned around. Maybe I should give him a ten or a twenty, maybe a hundred dollar bill. Maybe he just needs someone to have a little faith in him. Maybe hell be able to pull himself out of the hole hes in, or maybe hell just use the money to get drunk. It doesnt matter to me. If I am man enough to show him a little kindness and understanding, maybe it will help him be alive for a moment. And maybe he will continue to live. Who knows what choices he will end up making. Every man just needs a chance.
Back to how I ended up here. I hung out in Vegas for two days. Rested up a little. Hung out at the Sik n Twisted Psycle shop one afternoon. We did some maintenance on the bike. Did a big burnout and almost ran into the curb and the landscaping in front of the shop. LOL
The guys were going to have a vendor booth at a big bike rally in Bakersfield on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I hooked up with my friend Joe in Vegas. He rides a Fat Boy. We rode out Saturday morning. Spent Saturday, and most of Sunday at the show. Crashed at in their room Saturday night. Joes bike wouldnt start the next morning. We had planned on riding together into LA, down to San Diego, out to Phoenix, and then who knows where. We thought we might ride out to Atlantic City. Joe got frustrated with his bike and had the Sik and Twisted guys load it up in their trailer. He went back to Vegas. I rolled out of Bakersfield Sunday afternoon. Made it into Huntington Beach that night. Met up with my friend Junior Gazze. He is an awesome Jiu Jitsu practitioner. He recently won the Pan Ams in his weight class, and the open weight class. Hes a great guy with a big heart. Helped me out through some hard times. Stayed in Huntington Beach Sunday night.
Was still thinking about the ride to AC. Wanted to ride up to Beverly Hills to visit the new Chute Boxe gym and talk with the guys. A ride across country would be fun, but I thought that if I saw the guys again, Jorge, Roberto, Justin, and stepped into the gym, I might get a different inspiration. Maybe I was hoping for that. Stepping into the gym and talking with the guys did it. Ive been on my little quest for long enough. Im ready to get back into training. Im going to get the title back.
