BRO:JT

by // // No Comments

I’ve just returned from a wonderful weekend the ESMB crew to Babes Ride Out: Joshua Tree. The weekend was fantastic. I rode sweep with my friend Jessica on our ride out there and had a few saves added to my experience. The ride out we took a back way with some scenic riding. I never mind the long way to a place especially on a motorbike. We stopped and had lunch at a gas station, store, restaurant combo that only had one poor fellow working in it.

We got back on the road and headed into camp. What started out as 17 girls trickled down to about 14. We lost a couple on the way. I can’t stress enough about doing a pre-check on your liquids and gear. Get there, but most importantly get there safe. Camp Good Enough got set up in record time and we saved a spot for one of the most important parts: SS Oh Pinon, the trusty VW that hauled our stuff and critical team members. The weekend sailed by quite fast. Over all it was a great event and I would be into going next year. But to be fair what really made the event for me were my friends new and old.

I just want to say. I support whatever choice you make when riding as long as you aren’t endangering anyone else. You wanna ride without a helmet or clothes on that’s really your prerogative and a choice you’ve made. You know that riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Just make sure you don’t endanger anyone else.

 

 

Haylet’s Comet

by // // No Comments

A thought: In 1986 my father held me up and pointed out Hayley’s Comet to me in the night sky. At the time we lived in Glassel Park, we stood outside the front door and we stared at it for a while. I’m sure I had many questions as a precocious child might. I had a thought this morning that if I’m really lucky I might get to see it again. And that’s kind of neat. There are three types of people in this world: one’s that will never see it, those that get to see it, and the few that were born just at the right time to get to see it twice. I’m so lucky I might have that opportunity. I’m also very lucky to have the father that I have. He’s shared so many wonderful things with me. 

This entry was posted in family.

Camping with the Ladies

by // // No Comments
  • Bike Loaded!
  • Group shot of us outside Desano.
  • K-Rad leading the way!
  • Into the hills.
  • Jessica
  • Anna
  • Group Shot
  • Camp Set up.
  • Oh Hello.
  • The sky above the fire.
  • The Line Up.

Oh this is kind of late. but this will be worth while. Saturday I got up and brought all my stuff downstairs. I stared at the pile, then pack to Pearl, then back to the pile. A deep breathe and a little prayer and I went to it. Carefully placing things on the back of the bike. A strap or two later. and Voila. It was on there. So I jumped on and headed to the meet-up.

We rode to the raceway and then to the campsite. It was hot. Very hot on the raceway. But the camp site was beautiful. And we got very lucky and were the only people up there that weekend. 20+ ladies hanging out all with different styles, interests, backgrounds, but all who love motorcycles. Here are few images of the ride. XO.

Moto-Guzzzzzzzi

by // // No Comments

On May 18th I drove up to Ojai with my lovely friend Chase and bought a Moto-Guzzi. I needed a larger bike with a bit more power. I have two camping trips coming up that I want to make sure I’ll have no worries on. A faster bigger bike eliminates those worries.

So let me introduce to you, Pearl. That’s right I’m the girl with the pearl guzzi. 😉

May 18th On my way home somewhere. Girl with the pearl Guzzi A great ride with friends to Ojai and back.

 

A quick moment

by // // No Comments

I wanted to just let you know that my wonderful uncle passed and we laid him to rest Memorial Day weekend. It was such a beautiful ceremony. He was such an accomplished man. A true hero.

I wrote this the day of his funeral:
“Honoring and laying to rest a marine and LAPD detective today. He served 3 tours in Vietnam receiving 8 honors, two of those being purple hearts. As a detective he worked protecting children in the child abuse and crimes against persons unit. He was also a motorcycle enthusiast and started the southern California chapter of The Untouchables. Memorial Day has taken on a very close to home meaning this year. I am so honored and thankful I got to call this man Uncle. This man was a truely one of the “good guys”. Jerry “Skid” Rowe may you rest in peace. I hope you’re enjoying the open roads where you’re at.”

I’m exhausted, but overflowing with so much love. While his funeral was difficult and emotionally trying it was also a reminder that you need the darkness to appreciate the light. For as many tears that fell there was an equal amount of uplifting laughter. We celebrated the life of a man that few will ever rival. While I knew him as an Uncle and my Aunt’s wonderful husband, it was great getting to know him as Dad, Brother, and President from his family and motorcycle brothers.

Moto-ing

by // // No Comments

I grew up on the back of motorcycles as a kid. My father has two beautiful motorcycles; a BMW R90 & Moto Guzzi El Dorado. They are the type of things that when out make grown men skip like school girls as they run over to talk to him about his bikes. But to me they are what gave me the love of the wind whipping my hair around- making it come alive. It also gave me the love for speed.

But the moto world growing up was a boy’s club. A place where I often was the only lady let alone the only kid. I couldn’t help myself. I fell in love with everything that they offered. There was a sense of freedom there too.

A couple years ago I decided I wanted my own bike. So I went out and took my CHP course. No surprise I was the only woman who showed up that day. It was a very funny situation. But I got on the bike , and after stalling it out it slowly crept forward and with that was the uncanny exhilaration that is riding. But it was me. I was doing it. BY MYSELF! My eyes lit up and I was all smiles as I sailed across the parking lot. Zig, our instructor could see that all too familiar face of HOLY SHIT I DID IT beaming out of my helmet. Over the next 48 hours I learned and practiced everything I could. I passed my final test and voila was a licensed rider.

It wasn’t even a week after getting my license I bought a bike. The same bike I have now, a 1981 suzuki gs450. She’s from East LA which I think is appropriate since, my dad is from there too. My first official ride with her was after I got her fixed up with a new tire. The day I had to ride her home a friend drove me over, it was raining in LA which is insanely rare. But perfect because it was her LA christening. I took the long way home that day. Cruising down Hollywood Blvd past my favorite place on the BLVD, it’s where the asphalt goes from regular asphalt to the glittery Hollywood asphalt. It’s the motorcycle equivalent of a red carpet.

 

PASSEDThe first nightMe and Aeon

 

 

Happy Birthday Frankie!

by // // No Comments

<iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/-F1ofxcW9NI” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

A little potential unknown. I took about 5 years worth of swing lessons through out my high school and college years. (Enough that I almost became a dancer at Disneyland.) I fell in love with Lindy Hop, a beautiful and super fun style of swing. The man who is the Ambassador to Lindy would have been 100 this year. Mr. Frankie Manning passed away in 2009 at the age of 94. I’m so happy social re-awakenings happen. Frankie in the 1980’s was working as a Postman till some dancers sought him out. And because of that Frankie was able to share his gift with so many people. I had the great pleasure of getting to see this man dance a few times. And I can only tell you that it was something truly spectacular. His love of dancing was infectious. I think it had something to do with that smile.

<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/_-GWwbovlkg” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

Family

by // // No Comments

We’ve got some intense things going on. Last December I lost my Godfather to Liver Cancer. It was a sobering moment as it was the first immediate family member we have lost. Along with it came the intense realization that despite what we’ve all thought, in the end it won’t be cockroaches, Cher, and The Guzman’s. We aren’t immortal. I was standing with my Dad outside after he had shared the beautiful eulogy he wrote my Uncle Oscar. I was in tears because of how of touching and wonderful it was. But what really got it is as wonderful as having a large family is, it’s also a curse. My cousins’ and I will be burying all of these wonderful people through out our lives. It’s a hard reality we have to face. More so because we’ve approached the age where this just starts to happen. So we’ve got to make the best of what time we’ve got left. And I think a fair number of us understand that.

Some of my cousinsI had the pleasure to spend a Saturday afternoon with some of my cousins while visiting my Aunt Ana & Uncle Jerry out in Temecula. Jerry is currently battling Cancer and has quite the fight in front of him. So we had a small (for the guzmans) gathering. We got to spend a great day hanging out enjoying each other’s company and eating some great food.  Sometimes that all you can do.

Concert Going

by // // No Comments

Last night my Dad and I went out to go see Franz Ferdinand. My parents are where I get my, “say yes to an experience” attitude and my love for live music. My original date fell through and I knew my Dad would be a sure thing.  So, a quick phone call later and plans were set. I’m so thankful I have such cool parents. I love that going to concerts together is something that is a family tradition. Afterwards, we had a nice and frank discussion about growing up, forgiveness, and love. They weren’t perfect but god damn are they pretty good.

Lightswpid-img_20140429_230132.jpgwpid-img_20140429_215938.jpg

I’ve been really into snapping blurry photos of lighting at shows. A little in protest of people doing concert photography with their phones. Ultimately, I feel like it’s a better visual reminder. My father was amused by my concert photography and wanted to participate. So he added his own personal flare and finger.

Newer posts »