September is always our hottest month, and with a hurricane off the coast
here, add humidity to the heat and it feels like back east. But we must ride
on, and so I did yesterday. My goal was to sit in the audience of Wheel of
Fortune up in the SONY Studios, on the old MGM and Columbia lot in Culver City.
Never sure of traffic I set off early for the 315pm taping, and stopped in to
see Mickey first. I was on my Tiger 955, and when asking what was new was
offered a hot rodded Rocket 3. Not turbo charged, but hot rodded. At first
they were disappointed it only made 189 hp on the dyno, but when the air box was
removed it made 219 hp! Equivalent to almost 1000 hp in a car! Loud and fast,
how could I say no? Did I mention it was fast? Why was the traffic going so
slow I wondered, until I saw I was going over 105 in third....and backed off.
This sucker is fast. And off to BA Moto I went to see 50 State Nate, who had
just gotten back from 111 days on the road, 50 states and over 21,000
miles.
His ride was for Allstate on a 2015 Indian, provided by them, to meet at
each state capital and get awareness for motorcycle safety. He was living our
dream. But sadly during his ride his dad passed away, casting a bittersweet
shadow over it. Having lunch with him and Jamie, seeing Mike, all old but
younger riding friends was special. I missed them, note to self, visit them
more. Our roots go deep in motorcycling, but deeper in friendship. And then
off from Signal Hill to Wheel of Fortune. Arriving a bit early, I wasn’t sure
of the procedure, I was amazed at how organized, yet laid back it was. And the
friendliness of everyone. And meeting in the parking garage, right across from
where the motorcycles were parked, including the Rocket, I began to talk to two
of the young men in charge of our group. They taped 5 shows that day, we were
numbers 4 and 5. But they were both into bikes, one guy from Switzerland had a
ZX9 over there, and so we talked. And I got some neat background about the
show, and special info that the non-riders didn’t get. And was able to share
the Lord in attitude and action, using words when needed. But onto the
show....
The set was smaller than I expected, busy yet friendly. About 45 of us in
the audience and we were told the rules-#1 was to have fun. I like that. And
to clap a lot. Between the applause signs and flashing lights reminding us, we
were told to watch Vanna, when she claps you clap. Which got your mind off the
game and onto clapping a lot...and soon I was clapping without prompting. I sat
by the announcer, who was friendly, we talked old TV shows like the Addams
Family between spins, see all my time spent on Me TV wasn’t wasted. Pat and
Vanna were friendly, and I got the idea they were like that off camera, which
they were. Lots of joking, smiles and hugs...you felt very like a part of it.
And when Vanna came out and answered questions, she explained how they didn’t
really need her, they controlled the new style monitors from the back. Pat
standing aside, spoke out, “we have the hardware, Vanna is the software....”
what I would have expected. But the taping was done, took over an hour and 15
minutes, and they got ready for the next one. I left, I had seen enough, and
passed on the $10 Sears gift card and t shirt if I stayed for the second. No
cameras allowed inside, and you’ll have to wait until December 4 and 5 to see
what I saw. The set decorated for Christmas, while it was only 102 outside. By
the way, the son and mother from St. Louis won over $55,000. More clapping!
Great time, great people, new friends made, and I think I will go back again.
Did I mention the tickets were free?
And back to Escondido I rode, traffic not too bad for leaving the SONY lot
at 509, and I stopped to water a lemon tree and water myself at a rest stop on
I-5 north of Oceanside. The one my friend David used to run the cleaning crew
at. All was well until the Rocket wouldn’t start. The high compression with
the heat took more battery than the factory had to offer. So I called my
roadside provider, and the evening began. Borrowing a cell from a trucker who
spoke no English, they said they would respond in an hour. While waiting I
called Theresa from another cell, from a guy who worked there and knew David.
We hit it off, and when they didn’t arrive in 60 minutes as promised, called
them back. Being told a 10 minute ETA, we waited, bench racing in the dark by
now. After another 50 minutes, and no emergency vehicle, I called again, and
was told a 20 minute ETA. They were only 7 miles from me. Someone was lying.
By now over 2 hours and 15 minutes had passed, it was hot, muggy, fog rolled in
and still no jump. The 20 minute ETA had passed, big surprise, when we saw an
AAA truck pull in, and flagged him down. He was on a call, had never jumped a
cycle before, I had, and he let me use the box. Less than a minute later I was
off...still no sign of the roadside service I had called. Losers. And finally
home for dinner at 1015. Exhausted, tired, worn out and somehow still excited
about the wheels of fortune of the day.
I had started out to see Wheel of Fortune, but the wheels of fortune, God’s
divine providence got me a ride on a bike no one else other than the trade mags
will ever ride, I met with some good friends, and met with a man who stayed by
me the whole time at the rest stop. Who knew David, and now we are friends.
God’s plans are not like ours, they are better although sometimes we don’t get
it at first. I made a few new friends today, and hope to hear from Patrick at
Wheel and ride together. He is also a pilot, maybe we can meet at Flo’s at the
Chino Airport. Funny I never was in a hurry, and didn’t get impatient, add
frustrated for the tow service that never arrived. And it all turned out good
in the end for me. Been there, done that...maybe I should have stayed for the
shirt!
But today is September 11, 9-11. A day in American history where the
wheels of fortune were turned against us. From the outside many wonder “where
was God?” but after being a part of ceremonies for almost 10 years, I can tell
you he was there. Especially Flight 93 in Shanksville, where 40 patriots took
down the flight and we will never know what they did prevented. 40 strangers
who united in the Holy Spirit and proved scripture that greater love has no man
than to lay down his life for another. I wish I could be at the Chapel in
Shanksville today, and of course I miss Fr. Al. Who is in heaven. I miss all
the bikers who come out each year, and sadly with no services in So Cal, I now
am part of the crowd that seems to have forgotten. Called Patriot’s Day now, it
seems forgotten. But God hasn’t forgotten, and he hasn’t forgotten us.
Yesterday in my prayers he told me to have a good time, and it was a blessed
time. He included some events not planned nor asked for, and made it special
his way. Special because a loving God loves me so much he sent his son Jesus to
die for me. For freedom, to ride, to worship, to visit, and to do it in a free
country. But how much longer depends on him. Find the freedom in Christ
today. Don’t depend on the wheels of fortune like some do, get an up front seat
with God and be involved. I sat in the audience yesterday while many came
together to make a show, today I sit in awe of God again, who somehow makes it
all work together for those who love him. Even me. On a loud hot rodded
motorcycle! Yesterday was a day I will remember for a long time. Special
days with God are like that, and we never know when we wake up what he has in
store. Our patriotic friends on Flight 93 may be forgotten by most, but to God
they are remembered. And to me also. Take time to honor them today by thanking
God, by honoring Jesus by showing his love. Only his love can cover a multitude
of sins. And we all have so much to be forgiven. Which gives us more to thank
him for. A day I won’t forget, mostly because God never forgets me.
I will look at Wheel of Fortune a different way after being there. If
Jesus hasn’t changed your wheels of fortune, invite him into it now. We never
know when we will breath our last, I am glad I know where I will be after I do.
Maybe it is like Pat said. We have the hardware, I’ll add Jesus is the
software. Wheel of Fortune, or fortunes on wheels, it is always all about
Jesus.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com