SoCal update

Now that I've been in SoCal for a few weeks, I think things are going okay. A friend of mine told me about an apartment nearby that was coming available. In the meantime, I crashed at a different friends house and began my training for work. I'm taking a break from the culinary world to try something totally different. I'm not sure how long of a break I'll be taking but it's kinda nice not working in the restaurant industry and having my evenings off to hangout with friends.

I did get my own apartment. It's huge (to me)! My friend and now neighbor keeps insisting I get a roommate since it's a 2 bedroom but I think I really like having my own place. It's quiet. Well, kind of. When I first moved in I thought there were some really noisy children living nearby. But it was daytime and there really was a kids birthday party going on next door. But 5 hours later, some kid sounded like they were being tortured and the birthday party was over... come to find out it's a parrot that likes to make noise - lots of noise.

There's a train too. The tracks are in the street in front. My friend had insisted the tracks were no longer used. Her family has been living there for 4 years and she hasn't heard the train in 3 years... hasn't seen it either. But in 2 hours, 5 trains passed by and they stop right in front of the apartment for about 10 minutes. But I think I'm getting used to it and hopefully I'll be at work when they do pass by in the future.

So I'm totally moved in. I just have to go back home to pick up my bike. ROADTRIP! I'm so excited about it. I'll be flying up there the beginning of June and riding it down. Then the day after I return, I'm going on a group ride (my previous blog about the diabetes ride). What fun! There are so many different rides and things to do around here. I doubt I'll have enough time to do everything but wow... so far this place is great.

Rip's BAD Ride

Planning on a bike ride next month - it's a ride for diabetes. I'm really excited about it since I haven't ridden with a group in a long while... just mostly solo. Anyway, this little blurp advertising is the website for our fundraising. Thanks y'all for your support.



Support Me in Rip’s B.A.D. Ride!

This year I will join hundreds of motorcyclists throughout the area as a participant of Rip’s B.A.D. Ride against diabetes. This fund-raising ride and festival supports the research, education and advocacy initiatives of the American Diabetes Association. Your donation will benefit the research, education and advocacy programs of the American Diabetes Association. No matter how small or large, your generous gift will help improve the lives of the more than 20 million Americans who suffer from diabetes, in the hope that future generations can live in a world without this disease. I am proud that each mile I ride, every dollar I raise will be used in the fight to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Thank you for making a generous contribution to this cause that is so important to me! Together, we can all make a difference! The link is: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/BADRide/BADRide55106?px=4170463&pg=personal&fr_id=5220&et=WG7-HnrwPvd2ou_Bi4-5OQ..&s_tafId=176113


About Rip’s B.A.D. Ride

The B.A.D Ride was started in Southern California by Rip Rose, a biker and photojournalist for "Easyriders," who wanted to bring the biker nation together in the fight against diabetes. Today, that dream is a reality. The caravans of riders will converge at our final festival site.Are you interested in joining me and the ADA in the fight against diabetes?

OC

I've moved back to SoCal. Took a few days to drive. Arrived yesterday afternoon.



In Washington - took a short cut. The road went on forever.

















Mt. Shasta

San Francisco beach

chicken house

27 April 2008

Had a brief visit with the parents. Well, mom went to pick me up at the airport then the next day I dropped her off at the airport - she went on her own vacation. So just me chillin at the house by my lonesome since dad's always working. He had Sunday off so we built a chicken house (me supervising of course - I might've broken a nail or something! Just joking... someone had to take pictures.) Yup, he got some chickens and they had been living in the greenhouse but now that Spring has arrived they need a new home so he can begin planting.

And yes, that is a dog house back there... temporary shade until next Sunday when he can built some shelving and finish making the door.