This photo makes me really sad every time I look at it. Even in Paradise there are reminders that even though this place feels like heaven, it isn’t. An empty wheelchair sitting in the shade viewing the beautiful young people on the beach bathing in the sun and swimming in the water. It weighs down on my heart. I wonder who sits in that chair. What that person must feels as they sit there and watch this scene with a heavy heart wishing that they could join in. ...

I seriously die from laughter when I see this, I decided to put it up because I am in need of a good laugh. So here you go, the Lei Woman.

Gabe has been so excited about cycling that he asked me about racing. I figured a mentoring session at the Early Bird Criterium in Fremont would be a perfect introduction to racing for him. He’s really bummed he doesn’t have drop bars and clipless pedals, but let’s see how he does today. Of course Larry Nolan is here just as he’s been doing for many years. Nothing like having a world champion sweeping the turn for you. ...

I may be alone in this belief but I might as well put it out there, I believe that the flamingo is natures idiot. I have never encountered an animal that just instantly strikes me as stupid, except for this weird looking bird. It may be its color or even the way it is shaped but when I walk near one I swear I can feel my IQ dropping.

Come in Come back It is cold outside We wouldn’t want You to catch a chill Now would I There is no reason To venture outside I have everything You could ever want Or ever desire Shut the door behind you It is dark out there It is scary and unknown You must beware Don’t you know I am just trying To keep you safe Like a good mother would It is dangerous out there Dark and twisted So don’t even think For a moment That is where you belong You belong here Safe inside Where the light always shines Don’t walk away Never leave me behind Don’t you understand You need me You are mine If you wont shut the door Then I sure will It will never open again I may sound mean but I swear My fragile love It is for the best The outside world Isn’t for people like you So shut the door And leave your Silly imagination behind I have all you could ever want But the freedom of the wind And a world unknown

So it has been a long year for me and my family. With good and bad happenings. We went to go see Lance Armstrong race at the AmGen in Sacramento. I got to stand right next to him. Basically my year was full of trips, our RV trip to Las Vegas being one of the first for my mom’s 50 birthday. It didn’t work quite as well as we wanted but in hindsight was all right. It had its goods and bads. Mojave, Death Valley, and Las Vegas. it was interesting all five of us in an RV. I don’t think I would or could do it again. ...

Your dancing was interesting but I really loved your dress. I really enjoyed the woman with the ukulele, she was wonderful. I saw her on a billboard somewhere so you must be famous for what you do. I loved listening to you. Thank you for a lovely night of entertainment in Paradise.

In Hawaii. Yes, we found a zebra in Hawaii. Strange but true. We were just driving along when my brother in the backseat just yelled out that there was a zebra. I barely got this picture but here it is. My zebra from Hawaii.

When in Hawaii, my family and I visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I must say it was pretty disappointing to most of us. It took us three hours to drive there, then it started pouring rain. And I mean POURING. So I had to quickly put pants on because of course I was wearing a dress since it is Hawaii and I am horrible at predicting the weather. So we had to make a mad dash from the car into the Visitor Center, which kept routinely losing it’s power which made things very hard to buy when tha cash register keeps shutting down. I forgot my passport book as well(you get stamps from national parks all over the country.. I have had mine since eighth grade) so that wasn’t as fun. I had to safeguard my little tiny piece of paper which I had stamped and would later put into my book, which was nearly impossible since I didn’t have a jacket, was wearing a dress with pants, and had no were to hide it from the downpour. ...

Hells gate is always open For the son of man No closing time We keep our doors open Just for you We value your partnership You keep us alive Our only faithful sponsor Always coming back for more We have no doubts For your future We can see the path You have paved There is no denying it For in the end You will wind up On our doorstep Just begging to be let in And we will oblige you We have been expecting you We will say Opening our arms With a grin so wide It could split your face open But you have no idea What you are getting into Sadly though There is no escape This is your unwavering fate You were born into Damned from the start It is not your fault It is not mine It is just your nature To always have mischief on your mind Do not worry or be sad We here are welcoming You can think of me As an extended family Were home is hell And your reality is damnation Don’t be afraid Our door is always open All you have to do is knock