The lost art of relaxation

In this day and age it appears that we've all come to accept a hectic lifestyle as the norm.  It's almost as if we feel worthless or lost if we're not constantly involved in something.  I find it hard to understand how our country leads the world in obesity when a fair percentage of us can't sit still for even ten minutes!

To say my life has been busy lately is quite the understatement.

Between my full time career and my time at the firehouse I barely have enough ticks in the clock left over in a day for myself.  And if it wasn't for my son's never ending racing season or my daughter's athletics I probably wouldn't see my family much either.  Now try and toss in a fitness schedule, a new class one night a week, and a plethora of other personal issues I have going on and I quickly find that I have the recipe for a ten gallon stress stew with only a five gallon pot.

A rare opportunity presented itself to slow our lives down (if only for seven short days) when my wife and I visited the Cayman Islands last week.  An absolutely beautiful place with plenty of people who let's just say don't move very fast nor do they envy those of us who do.

I'm ashamed to say that I started my vacation as one of these people.  Once I mastered the art of piloting a right hand drive car on the left side of the road I felt myself pushing the pedal further and further into the floor boards on my daily trips.  I wasn't on the island for more than twenty four hours when I began passing some of the locals like they were standing still.  And with the exception of one fouled attempt at a roundabout (and a near head-on miss) I felt that I was the undisputed king of the road.

But then in an instant it was gone.  The need to be somewhere right now.  The desire to move faster then the next guy.  Wanting to get in line before the others.  It didn't take very long to throw out old learned ways and adopt this new system.  Island Time.

Maybe it was the sun or the sea air.  It surely could have been from the lack of outside distractions like news, movies, television in general.  Or it could very well have been from the the indigenous distractions like rum.  Something happened in a very short period of time that took me from someone who constantly checked his watch to someone who had trouble recalling what day of the week it was.  Did I already mention alcohol?

Surprisingly for the first time in this control freak's life I can honestly say that I wouldn't have had it any other way.  No co-workers or deadlines.  No pagers, sirens or phones.  Just a book case full of books, 450 feet of beach at my disposal, and not an idea of what was going to happen or what I was planning on doing until... well, I was doing it!

And to all of you with minds like me, get them out of the gutter!  That wasn't the only thing going on there.

I came away from the week completely relaxed and a bit more culturalized and enlightened.  I read a fantastic book that solidified my respect for the Dalai Lama and made it all that more important to me to slow down and be eternally thankful for the little things in life.  I came to the conclusion that I am not a fan of Rachmaninoff (actually his music scares the hell out of me) and that my wife is a bit of a princess.  Sorry babe I had to say it, but let me rephrase that by saying you're not as hearty of a soul as I am.  Even though our little beach house was growing on her by the end of our trip she would take the Ritz Carlton over it any day.

So now the test begins.  I'm back home in my own bed.  In my nosey little sub division with people who are more interested in my business than their own.  I'm back at my desk, telephones ringing and people asking you to move the earth for them.  And somewhere in all of this I have to stay true to my vow made last week that I'm going to be a more peaceful and patient man.  To those of you who know me well you know that this is not going to be a simple task.  After all I did overreact and get totally bent out of shape within the first ten minutes of my return.  The dog had an accident...again!

But I am driving on the proper side of the street again.  My kids aren't 1,679 miles away from me any more.  I'm still employed, and (touch wood) I'm finding myself above ground every morning.  It may not be a tropical paradise but it's the only real paradise I know.

Life is good.

34/30

So I'm in the restroom staring at the back of my jeans and like it's some sort of surprise to me I see 34/30 on the tag and I wince.  Christ! if you split me open like a vanilla bean and laid me out on a counter I'd be wider than I am long!  For me, this and many other reminders of my fleeting past have become all too common in my life lately.

I just got my first pair of prescription eye glasses about four months ago and I absolutely loathe using them.  But I positively can't function without them either.  And what's harder on me than hanging them on my nose every day is the memory of my fighter pilot vision that I still possessed less than a year ago.  I reveled in the fact that I could spot troopers out on the highway farther ahead of me than most mere mortals could see.  And I used to think that I could even see better at night but all of that is slowly coming to an end.  The reality for me and many others in my age bracket is that things like this that we took for granted twenty years ago are all slowly leaving us today.  Or in some cases, making it twice as hard to hold on to.

I just hope I don't become the fifty-something guy I see at the gym every night.  The one with the hair so ridiculous you ask yourself time after time if this guy is serious.  The same one who walks around in his zuma pants or full spandex and refuses to take his weight belt off even to ride the stationary bike, fearing the entire world might actually see the true size of his gut.  You know this person, he probably frequents your club as well.  And unfortunately this same guy looms inside every one of us who are approaching our fourth and fifth centuries.  It's whether or not we decide to age gracefully that determines if this clown is going to be let off his leash or not.

But in all this gloom and doom I can find some comfort in my current developmental stage.  That in the fact that I have life experience over my younger, leaner and cleaner brethren.  Don't get me wrong, most of the young guys that I know are very bright individuals, they just make rookie mistakes that a guy my age usually sees coming a mile away.  And when things like this happen to them, they pound their chests harder and charge right back in, usually to find the same results.  I read somewhere that this is the definition of insanity!  Maybe, maybe not, but it certainly is indicative of a lack of maturity.

So with all the systems slowly failing, and the chips and dings showing on the old body, I can confidently say that being right most of the time and having a head full of experience from the college of hard knocks takes away plenty of pain and shame of a 34 inch waist.

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Just a little something I threw together for my wife. I love you dear, have a Happy Valentines Day.

Click on Lou to see for yourself.

Ever wanted to be part of a race team?

Racing.  It's something that I've always been involved in since I was young.  Whether by foot or wheel, I've always had a passion for competing and I still continue on in this tradition today.

But sixteen years ago that changed for me when my first born arrived.  Then it wasn't so much about what daddy wanted as much as it was about the child.  And I subscribed to this new paradigm lock, stock, and barrel.  I sold all of my auto racing equipment, quit the sport totally, and focused all of my time and money on the little ones.  And (stop me if you heard this one) I still continue on in this tradition today.

My son has been racing karts competitively for seven years now.  He drives, I wrench.  Oh and I pay for everything, I'm the driving coach, chauffeur, engineer, and all around morale booster.  And where once I found it painful to think that my remaining years in the sport were going to be spent behind a wrench and not a steering wheel, I've really grown to appreciate all of the work that goes on behind the scenes to manage a winning team.  And one of my tasks that I'm proud to say I've enjoyed some success in is securing business partners.

Racing takes money.  And like the old saying goes: speed costs, how fast do you wanna' go?  Flat out would be the common answer in our pit.  And if it wasn't for the people who see potential in marketing their goods in our form of motorsport we'd be moving at much slower speeds.  We truly appreciate all that these individuals bring to the tabel for us but we're constantly searching to bring new people on board.  Whether you're a business owner looking to expand your market, or a race fan looking to get up and close to the sport, we may have something that can help you.

Shamless plug moment

New for 2011, Inch-Hi Motorsports has put together a basic sponsorship plan which covers several investment levels in the team.  For business owners, they can showcase their products on a stage set in a fast paced world that only motor racing can offer.  And with demographics touching virtually every corner of the market from child to adult, male and female, and just about every income bracket in between, there's every reason to believe that your ROI will be swift and your bottom line fat.

And for those of you who share a passion for the sport but lack the time or funding, we have entry level plans that can get you one step closer to the action.  From simply receiving honorable mention for your contribution to joining us on pit road, we have a level that can get you as close to the team as you want.

The list below outlines what we have to offer and I would encourage anyone who is interested to e-mail us for more information or to request an application.  We can be reached at mjm@pegasusautoracing.com


Premiere Sponsor (Unlimited number of spots available)

• Silver - Share in the dream and receive honorable mention on the team’s website. $25

• Gold - With the Gold level, you will receive an honorable mention on the website but with the addition of an autographed team picture. $50

• Platinum - At this level you’ll receive the benefits of our Gold sponsor level with the addition of a small graphic on the kart. $100


Executive Sponsor (Two spots available)

• Standard - Platinum level Sponsor with larger graphic on kart and up to four (4) tickets to one event including lunch at the track. $500


• Preferred - Standard level Sponsor plus four (4) tickets to two (2) events including lunch at the track. $1000



Marquee Sponsor (Single spot available)

• Featured link on team website
• Framed and autographed picture
• Team apparel
• Admission to any event(s) during the season. Up to four (4) tickets per weekend with lunch served at track
• Up to an 8 square foot section of trailer gate for company logo or graphic
• One afternoon test session behind the wheel of a team kart at Badger Raceway with full crew support
• Driver (and team) available for shows, open house, grand openings, etc.

Call for rate

Because I care

How many of you can relate to this?

Your tween, or teen, arrives home from school and you lovingly greet them and ask how their day was.  an array of inaudible grunts bellow from them or worse yet, in their most irritated look they ask why is it that you have to ask so many questions.

Dinner has just finished and while everyone is doing their part in cleaning up you simply ask if anyone has homework and if so, have they completed it.  Then as if you've asked them to move mountains for you, they angrily say that either A.) they do and they'll get it done, just stop worrying about it, or B.) they'll get it done in study hall and ask you to please stop nagging them!

Or how about this.  Your daughter is dressed up like an angel.  Her hair and nails are done, and she's ready for her first formal high school dance and she's going with a boy who is a bit older no less.  Like any concerned parent you ask how the two of them are getting there, if he's going to take you to dinner, and what your plans are for the night.  Before you can even finish the last sentence, or click the first picture, she starts with the "why are you so nosey" thing and wonders why you can't just trust them and give them their space.

The answer is plain and simple.  It's because I care.  And any level headed, concerned, caring and loving parent would say the same.  Us old folks understand space, hell we need it sometimes ourselves.  And nosey?  How about wanting to still be a part of your life!  It's rough on someone when their child starts to mature and shows that they need their parents less and less.  But we don't do the things we do to control you or make your life miserable, we do it because we care.

My son has been driving for a few months now and I don't think a day goes by where I don't preach to him about the importance of safety belts, looking both ways, and keeping his distractions to a minimum.  I know he's wondering why I have to continually remind him of this stuff when (in his mind) he's a seasoned veteran with over one hundred races in the past seven years behind the wheel of a kart.  I have to keep reminding him though that everyone going in the same direction, even at much higher speeds, is usually a lot safer than slower traffic moving in opposite directions.



I just finished reading an eye-opening article the other day about the staggering amount of teens that are dying on our nation's streets and highways.  The enormity of this problem is made crystal clear when this 2006 article explained that since the Iraq invasion in 2003 there were 2600 American troops killed in combat.  In that same period, over 22,000 teenagers ages 15 to 19 died in traffic accidents on U.S. roads.  So when I seem like a broken record and constantly warn you about the dangers that lurk around every corner I do it because I care.  And statistics like that make it no easier on us.


Now I haven't been given any reasons yet to doubt my new driver, or the one who will follow him, but this week I felt inclined to put my expectations of them on paper and have them sign their life away.  Or hopefully in this case, their life to keep.  Nothing too complicated, and pretty easy for a teen to understand, or am I giving them too much credit?  You be the judge.



The XXXXXXX Family Driving Contract

I, (_______________________________) Hereby agree to the stipulations stated below granting me the privilege of driving. If at any time I should violate this agreement, my driving privileges could be forfeited until further determination is made by my parents and/or the authorities, if involved.

1. Should I get a traffic ticket, I agree to pay for the ticket, as well as the difference in the insurance premium for as long as the premium is in effect.

2. I agree to pay for damages that I incur which are not covered by insurance.

3. At no time will I ever drink alcoholic beverages and drive, nor will there ever be any in the vehicle.

4. I will not drive any vehicle until I and all passengers have buckled up.

5. I will keep the vehicle I drive clean, inside and out, and be aware of its needs for gas, oil, etc.

6. At all times, whether driving or parked, my music will be played at a low level as to not distract my driving as well as the peace of others. I will also pull to the side of the road when texting or calling someone on my cell phone in the case of an emergency. Otherwise my phone will be OFF while the car is in gear.

7. And as it pertains to taking rides from others, I will never enter a vehicle where the driver (or any of its occupants) are impaired by drugs and/or alcohol. I understand that in doing so I could not only jeopardize my safety, but forfeit the privilege of my own license if this is discovered.

I have read the above agreement and sign it in accordance with these rules.

Signed,

(Parent)____________________________ Date ________

(Student)___________________________ Date ________

I found something that resembled this document in an old Autoweek magazine article and just massaged it into something that I'm hoping we can all live with.  I say this tongue-in-cheek as its become very clear that I need to take a dose of my own medicine.  Just a mere two days after he signed it I took a cell phone call while we were out on the road and was immediately reprimanded by both of them for it.  It's great that they remembered the rules and made them very clear to me, I guess they are listening after all.  So much for leading by example.

But in the end it really doesn't matter how old you are, you'll always be concerned about your own.  How many people out there are still hounded by parents (more than likely Mom) on a daily basis?  You can only tell her so many times that things are alright and everyone is doing fine before it begins to get a bit monotonous, right?  But you'll most likely do it to your children when they've grown, and it's for no other reason than why your own mother is calling you.  It's because we care.

And if you think a lack of this kind of "bother" will make your world a much more peaceful place then regardless of whether you're young or old I beg you to think again.  You really need to reevaluate your situation and thank god that you have someone who cares.  There are far too many people in this world who do not, so it shouldn't be such a monumental task to realize that your issue with our being nosey is really a blessing in disguise.

Animoto, you gotta try it!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

You gotta go to this site if you're like me and you have about a billion pictures stored on your computer.  It's simple and it's free (if you keep it to 30 seconds)and you can choose from several backgrounds and music overlays.

Now I've heard it all

First, I'd like to apologize for taking as much time off as I have from 3AM with Gus.  Busy is an understatement when it comes to what has been on the family agenda this year but it took something like the horrible off-road crash that happened in the Mojave desert this past weekend to wake me up and get me going again.

What has and always will aggravate the hell out of me is stupid people.  For the purpose of this article I'll narrow it down to the stupid things that stupid people say, and lately it seems to be spreading like an epidemic.  People just don't think when they say things, or they feel that the garbage coming out of their skull cave truly has merit.  Like politicians who never seem to be at a loss of ignorant words: "I smoked it but I didn't inhale", or Mark Chapman's insane reasons for killing John Lennon.  Think of the moral fiber we're dealing with here and it's easy to base our comments on these individual's way of thinking but not when it comes to a good friend of one of the victims of the California 200 crash.  This guy spoke out on NBC's Today Show this morning and had the audacity to place some of the blame in the driver's hands for his buddy's death.  This is when I had to scream enough!

After all he looked like an intelligent individual, a nice person who truly cared for the well being of his deceased friend's family and I felt awful for them, him included.  I don't know how I'd react if one minute I'm standing with my friend or family member watching a race and in an instant they're lying dead right next to me.  What I do know is that I wouldn't say something as silly as "the drivers should slow down to somewhere around 20 or 30 miles per hour when they reach these stages that have fans lining the track".  Earth to slow guy, YOU are on THEIR track!  I'm just going to throw this out there but if you don't feel safe being that close to racing vehicles at speed then you should get your ass further away from them!  I watched the video and nowhere did I see anyone with a gun to all of your heads making you stand where you were.

Seriously, you show up at a race with no guard rails, catch fences, concrete abutments, or any other means of keeping the vehicles on track and you think the drivers have some sort of responsibility to the crowd?  If the crowds that attend these events had that little voice of reason talking in their head they wouldn't be standing at the road's edge while vehicles whistle past them at 80 miles per hour.  We've seen this all too often in Europe with the WRC, and their jaded past has called for some changes in how the sport now handles crowds at these races.  Until recent years, thousands of people would line the road side with most of them on the track surface until the cars would come through their stage.  Then, like the parting of the Red Sea, people would retreat to the sides of the road just inches from the vehicles as they would fly by at very high speeds.  Countless injuries and numerous deaths have occurred over the years and you would think that the organizers and promoters of the California 200 would have learned from something like this.  Oh they state that people must be 50 feet from any vehicle traveling above 15mph, but it's one thing to talk about it and another to figure out a way to enforce it.

What happened this past weekend is a tragedy and regardless of what I or anyone else may think that these people did or didn't do, it doesn't lessen the fact that many innocent people were injured or killed.  Good people who went there with just one intention- take in the sport they love and have a good time.  But the simple missing ingredient here was common sense.  It wasn't a speed limit imposed on drivers in certain areas.  It was our ability as rational thinking human beings to analyze the situation, assess the risk, and adjust accordingly.  But for some people it's much easier to be reactive and point fingers at others in times like this than to be proactive and avoid having things happen to us at all.  Just listen to one spectator from Laguna Niguel.  When asked about what she saw and her thoughts, she said "There were too many people, They all wanted to be close". "I didn't see the driver, he probably would have been killed by the crowd".

The prosecution rests.

When you visit a race track that does have all of the safety measures in place you still know things can go wrong.  We've all seen Indy cars climb the fence at the Brickyard or a Top Fuel car explode and rain debris in the stands and in many instances people have gotten injured or even killed.  We as fans (or participants) all run the risk of serious injury or even worse every time we set foot in a racing facility.  The human body is no match for a vehicle of any size at any speed, and we all have to respect this fact and take every precaution available to ensure our safety and that of others.  Sadly after this weekend it's a point all too well known now by people who may have forgotten otherwise.