We did it! We really did it! It's so surreal! SpaceX successfully launched our Falcon 1 vehicle. I'm so proud to work with the great few people at SpaceX. We have accomplished so much in such a short period of time. Hats off to my team and everyone at SpaceX for making this happen! I couldn't have wished for more!

Well, it's official! Kaith's new Elementary School is having a fundraiser. It's a good cause and gives the school much needed cash flow in times when government and state support is severely lacking. Please take a look at Kids Are First and use Kaith's ID mad5375 when ordering. Thanks for taking the time to look!

I had the pleasure of going to San Francisco this weekend for my cousin Azarah's wedding and it was a blast! Seeing her up there brought back so many memories! She was always the smallest of the bunch ... the youngest and to see her married ... words cannot describe my happiness for her! Especially, with Russell who I had the pleasure of meeting many times! I knew there was something going on between the two of them, but she kept playing it off like he was just a friend. But I knew better! Look back on the Gallery for more photos! That means if you have any ... send them to me!!! Hi Res preferred!

On another note, Anna decided to spring me a surprise birthday party! What a surprise to come into town from my cousin's wedding and find out that she made reservations for a nice Italian restaurant and my friends were all sitting there waiting! I thought it was just going to be the two of us and then everyone else was already there! And to top it off ... we watched the Dark Knight! What a wonderful weekend!

Take a look at the new photo Gallery when you get a chance. Supposed to be a little nicer than the last ...

He was standing in line to pass Security Check In. The ticket in his hand read Los Angeles Flight 1059. All he could think about was her. Their last encounter left an imprint too distinct to dismiss. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, but it didn't help. What is waiting for him in Los Angeles? Who is waiting for him here? And just like that, with cat like reflexes he jumped out of line. He signaled the nearest taxi and, as instinct took over, he heard himself say "Downtown! And hurry!" to the taxi driver.
Where would she be? A quick call indicated a moderately posh house party in downtown. He looked down at sneakers, jeans and a sweater. It will have to do he thought to himself. No time to change ... no where to change!
His peripheral vision caught a flower shop. With urgency, he calls out to the driver, "Stop! I need to make a stop here." As he held the rose in his hands, a smile warmed over his face. "Perfect!" he thought to himself. She loves roses.
He got back in the taxi and headed to the party. Underdressed and in unfamiliar territory, he makes his way through the crowd to the bar. The music is loud and SF's finest young professionals are in mass celebrating the beginning of the New Year.
He scans the crowd in the dark basement. Finally, his gaze stops in the middle of the dance floor. There she is in the middle of the dance floor. He walks slowly toward her. His heart pounding, palms sweating in anticipation. How will she react? Was the rose too much?
He taps her shoulder to signal his arrival. As she turns to meet her unknown admirer, the music stops and everyone freezes as if in stasis. Her gaze focusing in on the rose with a questioning look. She looks up and the dark room reveals the face connected to the rose. Their hearts pounding, she leaps into his arms for a deep embrace.

In that moment, they are one ... like two halves of the same coin.

Last Monday my mom said "You can always count on mom!" as she went to her gate. I'm pretty sure she said it in passing and it struck a cord within me because she's right. I can always count on mom. She's always been there for me and she still is. I probably don't tell her enough, but "Thank you mom! I appreciate all you have done for me."
I've always wanted to live away from home. I think it has to do with my sister. She wanted to get away so bad, but the only college my parents allowed her to attend was UC Davis. Which, as you all might know, is about an hour away from East Bay. So it wasn't the "separation" that my sister had in mind. She had to come back pretty much every weekend and when she didn't, she needed a really good excuse as to why not! But that is another story ...
I had a few colleges to choose from and UC San Diego was a really good school. Was UCLA closer? Yes. Did I get into Berkeley? No, not for the fall semester. So UCSD it was! Did I get home sick like the rest of my friends? No, not really. I actually enjoyed my time away from Walnut Creek. See a new place ... make new friends ... it was the experience I wanted and embraced. And my mom supported all the decisions I made ... some good ... some bad.
As I have grown, I realize the importance of family and proximity. I didn't get "home sick" before because I was young and unwise. Now that I'm older, I see the value of having family close by. I miss every weekend family dinner with my grandparents. I miss weekend outings with my cousins. I miss mom's home cooking. I miss being there for my family. In many ways, I feel like I've let them down. So many things I could've done for them, but couldn't because I'm 400 miles away from them.

What is with my 30s!!? I mean really! Someone up there just woke up and said "Today! Today I'm going to ruin a mans life! No no no ... I'm just going to make his life miserable!" Last weekend was a tough weekend for me. My grandfather passed away 2 years ago. I was torn up ... he was like a father to me. Last Sunday, my grandmother passed away. I didn't really know how to react ... my head was hurting ... my lungs felt like they couldn't hold any air. All weekend long I was in a daze. Not really concentrating on much and trying to occupy my mind on anything I could.
So I went riding with my boys! A great group of guys ... you can call them my "family away from my family". And they truly are! Kindred spirits with a commonality ... to enjoy life whether it be on motorcycles or just chillin! I don't know what it is about motorcycles, but it's my therapy ... my life blood! It will always be apart of my life!
I had the pleasure of meeting Oscar Funes for the first time this past Sunday. Charismatic and full of life. He fit the family like a glove! He joked, he laughed, and he could ride! I still remember his smile ... that goofy haircut ... the extra Medium T-Shirt he was earing that day ... and his laughter!
This past July 4th, Oscar passed away (news article) on a ride up in Ojai. I only knew him briefly, but it feels like we were friends since grade school.


Rest in Peace

Not to be overly pessimistic, but it's sad seeing people you love pass away. More like fade away … I had the great pleasure of visiting my Grandmother last weekend. As some of you know, she is not very healthy. It was good seeing her, but it was sad to see her as unhealthy and fragile as she was. She’s 92 … I don’t even know if I will live to be 92. Not to say I don’t want to, but … I hope to see her again.