Looking Back: My favorite Bike

I shouldn’t have sold it. I wanted it back so bad, but it was too late and now I had to watch someone else enjoy it.

It was my favorite bike.

A couple years ago I had gotten this bike from a bike shop in Berkeley. I wasn’t even really looking for a bike at the time but something about this bike caught my eye and I was immediately captivated. I had to have it. The bike wasn’t brand new and it had seen its fair share of abuse and road wear. The brakes were a little squeaky making it a bit unsure of itself and every now and then the bike would wobble and become unsteady. It didn’t matter to me because I knew that with a little tender loving care this bike could really shine. I loved that bike, and I tried to give it everything it needed. Me and the bike weren’t perfect but when we went out on the town zipping in and out of traffic cutting through the wind we were perfect.

Then things started to go downhill.

The bike started falling apart. It could no longer ride straight and true like it used to. The wheels felt loose and the gears grinded as it struggled to make it up hills. I tried to oil it and patch the holes in the tires as best I could, but no matter what I tried nothing worked.

The bike was breaking and I couldn’t fix it.

I felt utterly powerless. I still tried to take it out but the chain repeatedly got caught in my pants and ruined them. The bike would stop suddenly and send me careening over the handle bars into the bushes. It came to a point where the bike was causing more harm than help. Regrettably I had no choice but to let the bike go.

So I moved away.

The bike stayed where I had left it and it broke my heart to know that I wouldn’t be taking it out anymore. We would no longer cruise about town with the wind cutting through us; we would no longer be the envy of the other bicyclists. Every now and again I would look up the bike just to see how it was doing without me. It had still not been ridden and was slowly breaking down more. The tires were completely flat and the chain dry and rusty. I wanted to go back for the bike so bad, but I knew I couldn’t.

Eventually the bike started doing better. It shined itself back up and moved to a new area full of sunshine and mountains perfect for more adventures and other riders eager to take the bike out for a spin.

I am happy for the bike but I still regret ever letting it go. I loved it, and even though it wasn’t perfect I thought it was the best darn bike in the world. I still look at old pictures of me and the bike, whipping about town—Starbucks trips and college adventures.

Oh how I loved that bike.

For now I am bike-less, and rely on my feet and my car to get me to places. I know even if I find another bike it still won’t compare to THAT bike.

Maybe one the bike and I will be re-united and have new adventures cruising about in a new town with a new wind cutting through our bodies.

I hope its soon…

Digital Nomad?

     While I gear up and prepare for my upcoming trip to Southeast Asia a question keeps popping into my head; do I want this lifestyle?

     I have always loved traveling and consider myself to be an avid adventurer, but this time it’s different. This time won’t be for work and there is no mission to accomplish. The only goal I will have on this trip is to have fun and explore as many places as I can.  This makes me nervous because this trip is actually a test trip.

     A term kept appearing all over the internet as I scoured travel blog after travel blog searching for helpful tips and inspiration. The term I kept seeing was: Digital Nomad. What did this mean and why were people referring to themselves as this? Most of the people I have come into contact with have left pretty successful big business jobs and have transitioned to working strictly online. They write, and edit, and run successful travel blogs with the help of advertising to help fund their trips. They are all Digital Nomads or travelers who fund their adventures through 60-90 hour work weeks hunched over their laptops working tirelessly to keep their nomadic lifestyle dreams afloat.

                                         AND IT WORKS FOR THEM.

     I have always been a big proponent of forgoing the status quo of living a normal life consisting of investing hours upon hours of your life working some corporate job to fill some house you can’t afford with things you don’t need. I myself gave up a promising career in medicine for the Hollywood lifestyle. A decision I do not regret at all. I have had the opportunity to be a part of some really great projects and meet people whom a few years ago I had only known from television.

          NOW I WAS SHARING DRINKS AND SWAPPING STORIES WITH THESE PEOPLE. 

    I am still involved with the industry and still hope to continue my involvement while I test the waters of this new Digital Nomad lifestyle. One of the biggest reasons for becoming involved in the industry was to travel and touch as many lives around the world as I could. Plus, I love being able to be goofy and express myself through many mediums including writing and comedy.  

     I know I will have to give up more than I have in the past, and make many more sacrifices along the way. This is what scares me the most. Saying goodbye to family and friends and heading out into the unknown with no destination in mind. I’ll be living solely off of savings and the money I make from writing, and advertising from the other websites I plan on launching in the future as well as occasional acting gigs that I get here and there.

                                                             OH AND MY BOOK.

     I’m still not sure if this is the right choice but hey, a life lived without taking any risks is not really a life lived is it? 

Preparations Begin Now!

     I am currently planning for one of the most epic and much needed adventures of my life. I have traveled to quite a few places during my life-time but most of them haven’t been by “choice” if you will. Thus, I am excited to be making this journey by myself and completely on my own accord. Although, I have to admit, it is pretty scary and I am very nervous. That being said, I have much to prepare for! Here are some frequently asked questions I'm sure you are thinking and I have been asking myself before I leave. 

What will I pack?

     After learning from my previous trips and consulting some of my adventurer friends and trusted travel blogs I have settled upon this short list: 

     Passport size photos, and copies of all of my documents. Having photos on hand is useful when obtaining new visas in all of the new areas that I may visit. And should I lose anything it’s always good to have copies. I have to make sure to store them in separate areas and make sure to keep the originals secure.

     Toiletries and Bug spray. Most places will have shampoo and toothpaste I can buy, but just in case its always a good idea to keep small quantities of these available. Also, bug spray, hand sanitizer and “field wipes” (from my military days) are a must; as well as plenty of Imodium.

     My multi-tool and knife.

     Minimal clothes. I’ll be bringing flip flops, a pair of boots shorts and t-shirts and a pair of cargo pants or two. There is no need to bring jeans as they will only make my legs sticky and hot and I can always buy clothes for pretty cheap over there. Plus I don’t want to weigh down my backpack with unnecessary items.

     Since I will be buying a new backpack I’ll have to consider how big I want it. Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to traveling with a backpack. Keeping the pack smaller will prevent me from over-packing. I’ll have to keep myself from going to my military roots and trying to pack as much stuff into the largest pack I can because I’m a soldier and keep the pack to about 60 liters.

What will I eat?

     Everything! The local food over there is delicious and its always cheaper than buying western food. Why spend more money than you should on a dry disgusting hamburger when you can eat delicious local street food for about $7 or $10 a day? I don’t drink as much alcohol as I used to (college years) so I will be saving a lot of money in that area, seeing as how alcohol is usually where tourists spend the most money. However, I will be trying all of the tasty cold beers that the different regions have to offer.

Where will I sleep?

     Finding accommodations in South East Asia is fairly simple and cheap with most places ranging from $3-14 USD a day. This is the price range throughout Asia with some places like Thailand being more expensive than Laos or Cambodia. I won’t be bringing a sleeping bag or linens as most of these places offer them already or you can rent them for a minimal fee.

How will I get around?

     Motorbikes, buses, boats, and by walking of course. These are all pretty cheap and it’s not necessary to book travel so far in advance. However, I’ll have to be well prepared for delays and long trips. I’ll have my trusty Kindle and camera to help pass the time.

How will I have fun?

     I plan on doing everything and anything I can. I am a huge surfer and would love to do some surfing in Bali or Thailand (there are some gnarly surf spots there). I also plan on visiting the temples at Angkor Wat, and trekking through the jungles of Laos and Malaysia. Of course attending the Full Moon Party on the island of Ko Phangan, Thailand is a must! Yoga in Bali and tubing in Vang Vieng are both on the list as well as sailing in Halong Bay Vietnam. There will be no shortage of things to do out there and I plan on doing as much as I can.

     I am beyond excited for this trip and for the next few months will be working and planning like a mad-man! I am notorious for forgetting things so if there is anything on this short list that you may think I have forgotten please feel free to let me know! I almost forgot , wherever I travel I always bring with me a picture of home. No I don’t carry around a picture of America or a Bald Eagle or anything, home to me is a representation of safety and comfort. Home to me is where my heart is. I don’t pack this item away; I always keep it close to my heart…

How to be Great

      I am not great at anything. I am good at a lot of things, but could not confidently call myself a master of something. My problem lies with a lack of long term focus. I have no problem focusing on one thing for a short amount of time. That amount of time is usually however long it takes me to be able to compete at a high level of competition in whatever event I am currently practicing. And THAT amount of time is usually fairly short. The extent of focus I have for short term goals is astounding.  

     However, the extent of focus I have for long term goals is embarrassing. This probably explains why I have bounced around from occupation to occupation, sport to sport and before I obtained my degree, switched my major five times. I shouldn’t say “bounced around” it makes me seem like I have commitment issues; which I do not.

    Call it—if you will, a fascination with the world combined with a lack of long term focus and a free spirit, unbelieving in the chains of society binding people to one thing for the rest of their lives. So how does one remain focused? How can I transform my laser-beam short term energy into long term goal crushing? Albert Einstein said “Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.”

      You must want to do what you are working towards with everything. To be a really great at something it has to flow through your veins and seep out of your pores. The desire to be great must outweigh everything else.

      It’s helpful to set many small goals along the way to your big goal. The short terms goals will help you to stay focused on your journey to the bigger longer term goal. As a bonus, it will feel really good to cross off small goals along the way knowing that they are all helping you to achieve your larger goal.

    You have to be willing to make mistakes. You will make mistakes, and you will mess up. However, are you willing to learn from these mistakes, adjust and continue? If not then, you should find something else to do.

    Find someone that is doing what you want to do and do what they do. Do what they did. Read about what you want to do, and watch videos from people who have done it and learn from them. Listen and take all the advice you can.

    Keep at it—for years. Then keep doing it.Experts say it takes anywhere from six to ten years or about ten thousand hours of deliberate practice to become a master at something. You’re going to suck in the beginning. But don’t worry, you’ll get better.

    Find whatever it is that you want to do, whatever you’re passionate about and do it. If you have found it and are doing it then I am deeply jealous of you. Though I have a passion for many things I am still looking for that one thing—that one thing I can be great at. This is my journey…

This is NOT a Love Letter

     I’m not perfect and this is not a love letter. I’m not perfect I know. I don’t have the biggest muscles and I don’t have the nicest car. I don’t have the most money or even the most confidence. I am completely and simply human. I experience real emotions and sometimes they even get the best of me. I can’t help that I am not perfect. I don’t always make the best decisions and I am random and spontaneous, and a bit reckless at times. I tend to follow my heart and believe in living life with the utmost of passion. No, I am not perfect and I can’t promise that I will ever be, and for that I apologize. However, I can promise you that I will never stop loving you. It’s because I don’t have the biggest muscles that shopping for clothes for me won’t be a pain. I don’t have the most money so you won’t have to worry about it getting to my head. Even though I’m not rich, I am very good with my hands and I could build you a house, with a backyard for the stray dogs decide that this is their home now, a wine cellar and of course a hot-tub.  No, I don’t always make the best decisions, but that doesn’t mean that they are bad decisions! Furthermore, it just means that there will never be a dull moment! I’m random and spontaneous, so you’re sure to be surprised with gifts and presents often. Now, you may not always like or want them, and I may not remember where I got some of them but it’s the thought that counts. Right? I am not perfect and I swear this is not a love letter. This is my passion for life and love getting the best of me. This is me thinking about you. This is the fire and spark that I feel when I think of your silly smile, and just when I start to feel good about myself I think about you… Then suddenly I am human again; which is a good thing because this would be awkward if I wasn’t. Could you just imagine… I apologize, I got sidetracked again. I know it appears as if I’m everywhere, all over the place, and scattered, but when I am with you I am exactly where I need to be. I am exactly where I want to be. I hope maybe you feel that way too. Maybe you feel like I do, and maybe it’s true for you too. We aren’t perfect in our own worlds, but that’s okay because we don’t need to be perfect out there in the world. We are perfect together in ours. I hope this all makes sense to you. I’m sorry if it doesn’t, I was just trying to write you the perfect love letter…

I Totes Prom.

What has happened to the English language today? It seems like today's generation of tweens and adults [who don't want to grow up] are using short handed text message speech as part of their daily vernacular. I have heard my own sweet little sister (10 years of age) spewing out abbreviations like "totes" (totally) and "prom prom" (promise) casually during conversation. She informed me that this is the way kids speak these days and I needed to get with it or I was totes donzo. I have no idea what's going on there.

I swear if I hear another person verbally say "LOL" rather than actually laughing out loud I am going to lose it. Have we as American people become too lazy to put together proper words? Are our mouths too busy sucking down energy drinks, and cheeseburgers that they simply cannot physically form the words? Will we see classes like " Texting 101" and "Beginning Emojis" taught in our colleges and schools?

I worry for the future of our youth. With social media on the rise there is no telling how communication and speech will evolve. Ttfn, and totes reply wth ur ideas. Tnks! : )

Today is the Day

    It’s a tough thing to do; to explore the world. Its an even tougher thing to explore yourself. Now before you go getting all “ junior-high” on me, and start throwing out inappropriate jokes,  hear me out. It takes a ton of strength to look inside yourself and really explore who you are and what you are truly capable of.
    Sometimes it takes an extraordinary circumstance to occur in order for people to summon up the courage to discover themselves; to unleash their potential. The circumstance could be good or bad. It could be anything from base jumping from the Burj Khalifa, navigating a treacherous river in a tiny kayak, a horrible break-up or the death of a loved one. Some people need that. Some people don’t. I encourage you to be the latter.
    I encourage you, no I challenge you to constantly look inside yourself. Every day should be an opportunity to improve in any way. Every day should be the start of something grand. You should wake up every morning and be excited because today is going to the day you discover something new about yourself. Today is going to be the day that you do something, say something, even eat something that you never thought that you could or would (unless you have a food allergy. Don’t eat that).
    It shouldn’t take an horrible circumstance to get you move. It should not take the end of the world in order for you to start discovering it. It took an almost near end to mine before I decided to find out what I was made of and what I was capable of accomplishing. As hard and impossible a task as it may seem, I implore you to try. 
    If you need to be pushed, here I am pushing you. Thank you for reading and remember: Today is the day.