Ever since I have been old enough to understand the notion of action and reaction, I have been bold enough to stand in the ocean that crashes between creation and consequence. And although I have always had a general idea of the types of things that I wanted to take from and give back to the world… the majority of my life (post-education) has been lived on a day-to-day basis.

Part of the reason I enjoy traveling so much is based on this day-to-day philosophy. There is nothing better than the freedom of landing somewhere new and knowing that everything and everyone you encounter is meeting and appreciating you for who and what you are to them in that exact moment of time and nothing more. And at that moment, whether they realize it or not, everyone is operating on the same page and functioning on the same level… on a second-by-second, minute-by-minute, day-to-day level.

There is nothing like it…

This outlook has gotten me laughs, loves, lost, and on more than one occasion it has landed me in the middle of some completely crowded and far too many not-so-crowded night club dance-floors.

What a trip…

Anyway, the reason I am writing this blog is because after a long conversation with a friend, I realized that being injured and unable to function as I once did may have caused me to lose sight of who and what it is that really matters to me. I realized that I have drifted away from this mindset in some aspects of my life and left it in complete control of others. As a result, I have not been able to think as clearly as I should and my focus has been lost on activities that lack the depth to equate to short and or long-term happiness.

I now aim to incorporate wanderlust and productivity while enjoying adventure and solidifying the base of my future life. I was recently hired at a call-center in town and am being interviewed for a very promising security position next week. I am also meeting with the course co-coordinator of a Social Services program that is offered at a local college.

Fighting is in my future, but... I will not put the rest of my life on hold while I wait for surgery.

Right after touching down and just before our plane came to a stop at its designated terminal, it hit me. Just as the rest of the passengers scurried towards their carry-on luggage and right before they started breathing down one another’s necks for a spot a little closer to the exit, it hit me. Right after I was camouflaged by a swarm of nudging people and just before I waited for my bag to make its way down the conveyor belt, it hit me... I am not the man I was when I left this place four days ago.

After a little confusion Gerard picked me up at LAX  and we headed to his place (where I would be staying for the rest of the week). On our way to Long Beach we discussed the rigors of training, the popularity of MMA in California, and the dreadful act of cutting weight... I was a little concerned about how and when we were going to get down to the interview but Gerard did a great job at putting me at ease and making me feel 'at home'. After throwing my bag in the office and meeting Sophia (his fiance) and Lance (his best friend/film partner) we all went to get some Mexican food at Hole Mole. I was a little skeptical of the highly recommended and dollar-a-piece fish Tacos, but... they were delicious.

I set up shop in the Tough Crowd Productions office and alternated between sleeping on the couch and an air-mattress... it was at that moment that I realized how much I really missed living off of the couches, futons, and floors at my friends places.

The night before my interview I stayed up late, read, and reflected on everything that occupied my mind until it was clear of distraction... and when I was ready, I crashed. My interview with Gerard was unlike anything I have ever experienced. Being able to relate to and understand one another made the process much more of a conversation than anything. There were moments of laughter, moments of sadness, and tears from both.

Aside from my interview and Gerard/Lances work schedule (paperwork, scheduling, logging, editing, etc) there were no set plans. We cruised along Long Beach, drove through Huntington Beach, and hiked through some of California's cliffs. We ate at some of California's staple fast food joints and had some healthy home cooking ('Sonnen oats' and 'Sophia Pizza').  It was one of the most uplifting experiences of my life and I left L.A. knowing that I had made friendships that would last me a life-time. 

Although my friend has passed on to the next stage of his spiritual development, he is everywhere. He speaks through songs on the radio and shines through videos online, his words drift atop the waves and whisper in the wind... he lives on. 

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