Faux Pas Online

In high school I liked KMD and Third Base. At times, out west I was trying to decipher the slang from the east but I got it and it was something I could relate too. Young African American kids, confident, expressing themselves artistically and making us have fun at the same time. When you get older, the interesting part is learning about all trials and tribulations that your favorite artists were going through. Like learning that Doom’s brother DJ Subrock was killed by a car, and the group getting dropped from their label. Also, when Third Base broke up. It seemed that all that glittered was not gold but still I was inspired.

I’m sad and shocked one of my favorite rappers MF Doom is dead. There’s plenty of info about him on the web and social media but having been a rap listeners for years, his death hit me hard.
Rappers like Doom are rare now because of the of the obsession with image over rhyme skills. He was serious about rhyming but seemed to be making fun of everything at the same time. That’s what I liked most.

There seems to be some connection between Shabba Doo’s death too. The 80’s produced a lot of important popular culture. Breaking was big movie again for us kids out west that got the whole hip hop culture sort of late or regurgitated. Some of us missed part of it and only realized its immensity later as we matured and for others who were able to venture east and learn more. Still this melancholy I feel now is related to the meltdown I feel about American society and popular culture. I guess if I want something better then I have to make some of my own pop to make a balance.

The recent insurrection in Washington D.C. is equally sad because of the double standard that was exposed in terms of the response to BLM protesters and other demonstrators and the killing of African Americans by police. Even amongst white liberals, it’s like they have a hard time saying white supremacy. The burden seems to be put on African Americans to explain race and we are fed up with carrying the weight. What’s worse is the denial and sense of entitlement. America has been exposed once again. All of our material wealth and access to material goods masks our ignorance, poverty and unequal society. A lot of us know this but have a hard time dealing with this reality in my opinion.

It appears we are in the dark ages again. Hopefully we can escape this deluge. Biden and Harris have a lot of hard work to do. As always I’m hopeful that we can and they can, get the job done. In these times you have to make the most of the moment, in a positive way. Cycling and writing are ways in which this can be achieved. Rhyming and dancing are another.

Thanks Doom and Doo!

I think many of us are anxious about the future. Now with a vaccine we might all have a chance. Leadership is important. The rampant white supremacy and apathy in America has brought us to the brink. Not just in America but in the world.

No matter what happens I’ll never stop riding my bicycle if can and I’ll never stop writing. I had to distance myself from so many people because of their lack of respect for me. The crazy thing about is that some of these people knew each other but accused the other of being bad when they were doing the same thing. We say that you have to call people on it. It feels good when you do. To have peace of mind, you have to make it or take it.

Since the pandemic so many of us have been reaching out to people and that is important because we have to support each other. A lot of people have lost their jobs, lost people to the pandemic, can’t pay their rent, it’s a nightmare. Some people are complaining about the situation and I understand their frustration but some forget about how hard it was for other cultures who had no rights, no civil liberties, no due process and more. Now they think somehow someone has taken something from them but what they are really complaining about is entitlement. In these times you appreciate what you have, a roof over your head, clothes on your back, a job, electricity, family and friends. So many of us have nothing now. Not even clean water.

To be creative you have to expose your heart to make art. You have to go for it. So many people doubted me even family. Right now I’m in Japan and I’m glad that I came but it’s always a challenge but it wasn’t any easier back home. We always think that once we get to some point and open a door then we are ok but then we find more doors to try. So, it’s important to stay motivated and healthy. That is not always easy. Keep writing and riding and whatever you do that makes you feel whole. I’m still building too. Though I’m optimistic I still trying to reach my goals.

I’ve just come out of 14 days of quarantine after returning to Japan. I need to promote my book more but I’m already editing my second book that I finished.

In the meantime I have to be a dad and work and publicize my novel. It’s a lot to do and can get exhausting. Where does it end or begin? I’m not really sure but I have to stay the course.

I also have to ride my bike as much as I can but because of my odd working hours – working remotely, I haven’t been able to ride as much as I would like. There is so much to do but at some point I have to go outside. Somehow It will all fall into place I hope. While all of this is happening we have to survive this pandemic, crazy leaders and others that seem to not be able to deal with reality. It has never been easier to get information and yet so many people want to create their own realities. It appears that it is all based on fear. We are in a new era and some people just can’t deal with it. It’s either adapt and adjust or perish. No matter what happens we have to keep creating and inspiring others. I’m hopeful.

These are difficult times for a lot of us. Since I’m working remotely as well as studying online. I decided to move back to Japan. At least I could be with my family in these difficult times.

Promoting my book Alvarado, it was tough at times but I’m thankful for all of the support I’ve received from various readers, friends and family. It feels good. I have to stay the course and keep writing.

Always, there is cycling. I’m anxious to hit the trails and ride again. For now we have to stay safe too. We are in a pandemic and we all need to pull together to make it through this storm.

Everyone is anxious about the election. I am too. At the moment promoting my book and trying to say alive.

I appreciate what I have right now, especially since so many of us are struggling right now due to the pandemic.

It fells good to have my road bike back, thanks to the Bicycle Jedi, that built my new road bike and made a movie about it. Never give up on your dreams or plans.

Stay strong, motivated and healthy!

My Rol wheels came and they’re great.

I tried to pull a century the other day and I actually did but my Garmin and my iPhone went out. Still it was great to ride with Ride For Black Lives. I enjoyed the camaraderie and the thrill of cycling in a group. The free chai, water and Gatorade were great. Ron Holden is really holding it down.

I feel vindicated after having my old Litespeed stolen. I was determined to rebuild because I had come so far and made so many sacrifices, like we all have, to have my slice of happiness. So many people are pulling together to support each other in these difficult times. Cycling is one of those things that brings a lot of us together from various differences. I really enjoy it. Los Angeles and the surrounding cities are a lot closer and connected than most of us think.

It’s good to be back home in Los Angeles. I like what I’m doing but I miss my family and I feel like moving back to Japan. I’ll see where everything goes. In the meantime I’m promoting my book and working on more writing. Grad school is tough but I’m riding the wave or climbing the mountain.

Hopefully I can connect with some other cyclists. So far, so good. I takes time. I’m patient in the meantime I have to survive and move forward.

It’s time for a new laptop. I miss my family.

Please vote!

Now that so much has moved online, there is no escaping it. The good thing is my new road bike is built. Thanks to the expertise of my bicycle Jedi — my bicycle mechanic in Japan.

I love titanium bikes because of their long term use. I can’t afford to replace carbon frames. Finally, a legendary Litespeed frame and Kris King headset. Rol Wheels did an excellent job with the Race SLR rims and the T-11 White Industries hubs. They are flawless. Lizard Skin bar tape for accent. The road bike is done.

It’s vindication after having my previous bicycle stolen and it still hurts. So you persevere and move forward with cycling and life. These are challenging times. I’ve lost friends.

The summer was good and now so many of us appreciate more of what we took for granted. Between the fires and the politics, what can you do? Stay motivated, safe, healthy and positive.

Home.

Japan was refreshing and now it’s back to business.

I hope to start teaching again but for now I write and prepare and study for my MA.

Alvarado is out and about.

I have to publicize my novel. I’m happy about what’s happening. There is so much to do but I’m greatful for the opportunity and you go through the door or doors.

Always connecting the dots. At least my road bike is here. The city is trying to recover from civil unrest and the pandemic. It’s a big job.

I have hope. I don’t have the same fears as the fascists do or even the bourgeoisie. I wan to create art — write.

We are at a new stage in our civilization and it’s rough.

I have one more week in Japan. My new bike build will begin without my new wheels which will be shipped to the U.S. It was too difficult to try and get them here before September 6.

I’m anxious about going home. I’ll miss my kids so much. My graduate studies have started. Everything is online. Back home looks like a giant mess. I wonder if I should just stay in Japan. I have hope for the future and I’m optimistic but politically it’s scary.

Friends and family are already ordering my book. It feels good but I have to do more to promote my novel. Where do I start? Nothing to do but go forward. The most important moment is now.

My novel Alvarado is now available for order from Amazon, though it debuts at Atmospherepress on September 1st. Still, I’m anxious as always but the moment is here.

On the cover of my novel is a picture of my ex-girlfriend that has been altered. I reached out to her before publishing my novel but after she found out I was looking at her Instagram account she deleted it! Well, it’s really over. At one point we were talking somewhat online but now she has disappeared for good. Maybe that’s a good thing, maybe not and I admit I was a little immature before but so was she. Now we are at this point and we are different people but I tried to capture what I knew in past in my novel and how it makes me sort of feel now, though I altered some things to express all the feeling I had inside of me for so long. Isn’t that what art is for, sometimes?

I’m doing freelance writing for a coffee magazine and so far so good but for one cafe it was a disaster trying to coordinate a time and it ended in miscommunication and misunderstanding but I have to move forward. Nobody likes it when things go wrong but sometimes things do and sometimes you can reconcile and sometimes you can’t.

Last, I bought a seat post for my new road bike build and it was missing a part. I called FSA the manufacture and they told me to send over a picture and when I did they told me my seat post was a fake. It could be worse but at the same time it’s another disappointment. But I over came it and ordered a seat post from my local bike shop. It’s better than having a bicycle stolen but nobody likes a fake, at least I don’t.