That's right folks!!  As of February 10, 2009, I enlisited into the United States Army Reserve!!

I have contemplated returning to the military for awhile and after speaking with a recruiter, I signed up and was sworn in 2/10/09. 

No, it's not the Marine Corps but due to my full right arm sleeve tattoo, they didn't want anything to do with me.  Oh well, I still love the Marine Corps.  They taught me alot and made me the person I am today. 

My family and friends have been very supportive and I would like to thank them as well as SSGT. Durham of the USAR Recruiting Station, Fremont, CA.

SSGT Durham pointed me in the right direction and unlike most recruiters, he didn't lie or tell me anything I couldn't verify. 

again. Luckily, this year it will not be due to injury. I am an Army Reservist and we are currently getting ready deploy to the Middle East. My training and current change in work schedule has left me no choice but to ride when I can and unable to attend races.

Yes, that’s right!!!  On Saturday, June 14th, 2008, I broke my collarbone up at Northstar.  I had been hitting Livewire and clearing it all and throwing down some whips when a few guys I was riding with decided to hit Boondocks.es, that's right!!!  On Saturday, June 14th, 2008, I broke my collarbone up at Northstar.  I had been hitting Livewire and clearing it all and throwing down some whips when a few guys I was riding with decided to hit Boondocks.

I came into Boondocks with a lot of confidence since I had gotten my Intense SOCOM tuned right and I was feeling comfortable on it.

I came into the trail pretty darn fast and was doing well until I hit, what the EMT's called, Big Daddy.  I came in too fast, hit the lip, landed and got squirrelly.  I realized this and bailed but flipped over the bars, landed on my right forearm and that's when I hear the loud "pop."  I proceeded to use my right side of my body to cushion my fall on the rocks that are strewn about Northstar.

After a painful ride down in an EMT truck, I was unceremounouisly dumped off at my truck and I was able to tolerate the 1.5 hour drive home with some help from Mr. Vicotin.

Emergency room x-rays revealed it was a fractured clavicle and so on.  I received a shot of something and it blew Vicotin outta the water!!!

Today, I saw Dr. Wall over in Orthopedics.  He put me in a figure 8 brace and prescribed more norco.  His prognosis is 3 months!!!!!  3 f'ng months!!!!!  His reasoning is that he wants me to be 100% and not reinjure the collarbone and have to have surgery.

Today, 12/19/07, marks another dark day in the history of my department.  My friend, Detective Vu Nguyen, was shot and killed by a suspicious subject during a foot pursuit.  I learned he had been shot when I arrived at the station today and was getting ready for regular patrol duties.

He will be missed by his friends, family and coworkers.  I remember him as a smart, hard worker, always willing to help you no matter what. 

You can view further information at sacsheriff.com

This is just a brief overview of the disease.  If you would like more information please go to :

scleroderma.org

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Scleroderma is not contagious, it is not infectious, it is not cancerous or malignant.

The diagnostic process may require consultation with rheumatologists (arthritis specialists), and/or dermatologists (skin specialists) and require blood studies and numerous other specialized tests depending upon which organs are affected.

There are an estimated 300,000 people in the United States who have scleroderma, about one third of whom have the systemic form of scleroderma. Since scleroderma presents with symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, diagnosis is difficult and there may be many misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases as well.

At the present time, there is no cure for scleroderma, but there are many treatments available.

Last weekend, Saturday, I picked up my brand new, all black,  Suzuki GSXR 600 or as everyone dubs them "Gixxers".

I rode dirt bikes since I was about 7 or 8 years old and stopped riding because I had joined the Marine Corps at 18.

About a month ago, I decided I wanted a sport bike and started checking them out.  I never told my wife and pretty much kept it to myself.  After I decided on the Gixxer, I just had to decide on a 600 or 750.  Since I haven't really ridden anything but bicycles for the past 14 years, I figured a 600 would be enough for me...not too mention the 750 doesn't come in all black.

The current mods to the bike are merely cosmetic at this time as I am getting used to riding a motorcyle again.  They include a Competition Werks rear fender eliminator kit, a Progrip tank pad and Shogun frame sliders.

In the works is a CarbonFiber Works rear hugger, chainguide and heel guards.  After I get those put on then the Yoshimura pipe and ECM will be installed.

July 7th, 2007:

I race the Cougar Mountain Classic DH race at Infineon Raceway Sonoma, CA.

The course wasn't hugely technical but it was fun.  There were better berms and jumps, along with a little bit of rerouting.  The doubles and whoops at the end were awesome!

Compared to last year's race (Nationals) at Infineon Raceway, this course made last years course look even worse.  I hope they keep it up for next year. 

I placed 1st in sport DH Men's 30-34.

June 29th:  Opening day for Northstar.   After a year layoff, Northstar finally reopened the mountain to bikes.

Along with my buddy, Robert Grappo, we managed to make it up on the opening day of Northstar.   It was a good day and there were a few changes to some familiar trails.   After the obligatory warm up run, we got over the newness of Northstar and rode our brains out.

Robert crashed, his bike stopped shifting correctly and he flatted.  Luckily this all came at the end of the day so we cleaned up and headed back to Roseville to fix his bike.

June 30th:  My wife and I drove back up to Northstar as we planned on staying the night in the village.  All went smoothly and the riding was good.  Robert and I went about riding the race course and trying to find the quickest lines.  There were no 'super secret' fast lines and I worked on my cornering and staying smooth.

July 1st:  Race day!  After shaking off the alcohol induced fog from the night before, Robert and I registered for the race and went up the mountain.  We both got a few warm up runs before race time.

The race went smooth for me as I tried to stay loose, kept breathing and concentrated.  I know I could have had a better run.  I turned in a 5:14 race time which was good for a 1st place finish in my class.

I have already registered for my next race, which is the Cougar Mountain Classic held at Infineon Raceway Sonoma, CA.  July 6th - July 8th. 

April 22, 2007:   This was the 1st Corral Hollow Dowhill Race.  The course was tacky and fast.  It had a few pedal sections and a super fast G-out that got riders up into the mid 40 mph range coming down it.

I placed 1st for race #1.  I felt good and my only fall came in practice trying a new line right out of the start gate.  My speed on the G-out was 44mph.  The winning speed was 47mph.

June 10, 2007:   This was the 2nd Corral Hollow Downhill Race.  The start of the course was the same but it was changed a bit after the nice rocky section.  There was a sweeping off camber left turn before a double, a few more bermed sections and the G-out had a differant line.

I placed 5th for race #2.  I felt good during practice and decided to change my game plan at the start gate.  I tried a differant line (same line I had crashed on race #1 practice) and slammed hard.

I quickly got up and jumped on my bike.  I knew I had hit hard but I kept going.  When I got to the finish, I realized that both forearms and the inside of my right arm had some pretty cool road rash and my hip had a nice, big bruise.  That's when the pain set in.  

Oh well, you can't win them all but at least I never quit and I podiumed.

Corral Hollow Downhill Race #3 is September 9th.  I can't wait!!