http://www.ecoronado.com/profiles/blogs/coronado-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-student-catches-jewelry-0303603 

My good friend Andy Vasquez forwarded me this article.  He is currently living back in the San Diego area and training at Coronado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He’ll be returning to Mammoth Lakes in just a few months to continue assisting me in the teachings and progression of Mammoth Lakes Jiu-Jitsu under the Royce Gracie Network.  Andy and I got this program started years ago and it’ll be great to have him back as someone to both teach with and learn from.  What I really miss is all the ass-kicking’s he used to give me.  Hopefully I’ve polished my skills a little and can hold my own a little better…..awe, doubt it!  Ha ha.  See ya soon Andy!

Now those of you who know me well know that I’m not always the most politically opinionated person, but I do enjoy history when ages have passed and we can see where a few wise individuals saw a trend happening decades in advance.  So here we are now over 50 years later in a situation where I feel we are ramping up for more war with support and influencing from large military contractors in combination with war-hungry politicians.  And although there is always the argument that we need to protect our freedoms, fight for oil, protect injustices and massacring in foreign lands, create more American jobs, and strengthen our global presence….Eisenhower eventually described this catch-22 as a necessary evil.

And all this just makes me think about our housing market and the whole “credit crisis” that the news couldn’t stop talking about just a year or two ago.  Similar situation in my eyes where in the late 80’s you had a select few shaking their head no when our government began putting pressure on FHA and other mortgage lending structures to loosen lending guidelines and restrictions.  The government was very persuasive in demanding more affordable housing for more Americans.  So as the mortgage industry gave-in and went on a stretch in the 1990’s of increasing home ownership opportunities for lower income people, private banks funded more and more risky loans until by the early 2000’s you could basically buy any home which a mid-credit score, stated income, stated assets, and almost no money down.  And subprime lending was just giving money away!  Then when your house appreciated 20% within a few months, a home equity lender would lend you up to 103% of your properties value.  RIDICULOUS!!!

Here we are now where anyone who has a sub 700 credit score and/or self-employed income isn’t eligible for a mortgage lending.  And if you are, they need your mother’s maiden name, shoe size, blood type, 3^rd grade report card, favorite color, and 48 months of bank statements and income documentation.  :)  So I guess all we can hope for is that the United States government and people learn from this in effort to never let it be repeated again.  And I say the US people as well because it’s real easy for people losing their home to sit back and point the finger elsewhere….but I don’t remember anyone holding a gun to people’s heads when they were chomping at the bit to purchase homes outside of their income and lifestyle with almost no money down and no strategized savings for a potential housing depreciation.  We the people are just a responsible as the government entities and politicians that aided in the housing/mortgage crisis.

The picture you see here is there Saber model which is their highest end Zike that they make.  It’s a BMX style hybrid scooter with 7 speeds.  The whole thing with these is that there is no bike seat; hence the reason why they get classified as a scooter.  Instead you stay upright standing the whole time and rock the large platform pedals up and down in a similar motion to a stair stepper or elliptical machine that you would find at the gym.

Now what I like about the whole no seat scooter thing is…..no more need for those grape smuggling spandex.  You girls are probably thinking, “well, wait….that’s my favorite part about biking”…but for us guys, that’s half the reason why it takes us so long to get into cycling in the first place….we have to put on girls clothes.  Ha ha!

Now I don’t plan to be riding this thing on the Mammoth Lakes scenic loop or doing a century…but to be able to leave the car park and ride my Zike to go to jiu-jitus practice or go run errands…now that sounds great!  Heck, I might even meet one of you at a property for showing on my Zike so don’t laugh….your kids are going to be jealous; and if you buy the home I might just let them ride it!

Check it out at:  http://zike.net/saber.html

Sure all you see is kids on their website.  But who isn’t still a kid a heart?  And if I can take this kids’ toy and turn it into some recreation and transportation for myself, why not?  Now all I have to do is figure out what color I want my Zike in.  Pink anyone? 

 Royler is the son of Helio Gracie who founded the martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu which many know today as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  Royler is a world champion and is considered one of the top jiu-jitsu technicians in the world.  He currently holds the rank of 7^th degree red/black belt and resides in San Diego.

 Read more about this at http://teamusba.com/royler-gracie-jiu-jitsu-seminar-on-march-19-2012/.

Keep an eye on mountain conditions at http://www.mammothmountain.com/MyMammoth/#mountainConditions.