Thank God that is over! The Gatornationals, I mean. What an emotional roller coaster I was on. I landed in Gainesville on Thursday at noon, and was so excited to see Andy. Seth and I rushed over to Junglefriends, and I was like a kid in a candy store. I just couldn’t wait to see my baby boy!! As I approached Andy’s enclosure, I could see him looking towards me. He looked at me and as soon as I got close enough for him to recognize me he started to SCREAM!! He was so excited to see us. My heart was pounding and I was so happy to see him again. He looks so beautiful. His color has changed from being outdoors and getting more sun light. He is now a beautiful reddish brown and black. He is so healthy looking. He seems so much more relaxed now and I can tell that he is happy and very well taken care of.

About an hour after I arrived, the local distributors from Coca Cola met me there to present Kari and Junglefriends with a large donation of Powerade. The last time I was at Junglefriends, some of the volunteer workers were drinking the G word. You know that “other” stuff that isn’t nearly as good as POWERade! Anyway, when I saw that, I just couldn’t let it go without taking some action. I called my friends at Coca Cola and asked if I could exchange a personal appearance, or something, for a donation on behalf of the NHRA to Junglefriends. They graciously accepted and I truly thank them for it.

It was really quiet while we were there, because Kari said that she is in desparate need of volunteers. So if any of you guys live near Gainesville or would like to take a road trip ... please look them up at www.junglefriends.org There are still so many enclosures that need to be built for all of the monkeys. There are now 117, I think, and Andy is still the best looking one there!

After spending about three hours with Andy, Seth and I checked into our room to get cleaned up for dinner. We met Louis (ESPN), Kevin (NHRA) and Mindy (Ringers Gloves) for some awesome Sushi at this really cool place called Dragonfly Sushi in Downtown Gainesville. The food was great but the company was even better. I was already having a WONDERFUL trip and I had only been there for 10 hours.

Friday morning arrived and I was anxious to get to the track. I went directly to Antron’s trailer and hung out with some friends while waiting for qualifying to begin. I felt happy and excited to be a race fan for the weekend. I was talking to a fan when all of a sudden I heard a Pro Stock Motorcycle going down the track. IT HIT ME LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN!!!! I immediately started to tremble and without ANY warning, my eyes swelled up with tears and I couldn’t breath! At first it was instant panic. I thought to myself,...” Oh NO, I’m LATE!” I felt as if I was supposed to be in the staging lanes and I was terribly late! Then instantly I realized that I wasn’t supposed to be anywhere, I don’t have a ride.

For the first time in 13 years, the bikes are going down the track and I am not with them. The emotions were just about to EXPLODE out of me when I rushed over to Billie Jo (my cousin and Antron’s wife), I grabbed her hand and tried to say “Help me” but nothing came out. She felt me shaking and fortunately knew exactly what was happening. She took me into one of the team lounges and as soon as the door shut behind me, I lost it! I MEAN I LOST IT!! I cried like a baby and felt so stupid and weak because of it. I thought that I had come to terms with not racing this year. I thought I was okay with it. I thought I had accomplished enough to satisfy my desire and that this weekend was going to be so much fun! I was so very wrong.

Thank You Billie Jo for being there for me. She began to talk to me as I kept saying “Why is this upsetting me so much? Why am I crying? I was ok with it! I really thought I was ok!” Billie reminded me that the last 13 years of my life has been 100 percent consumed with Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racing. I put everything I have and everything I am into this career. Of course it’s going to hurt to not be on that track.

After talking with Billie, I did manage to regain my composure and return to the fan that I ran off from without any notice. I apologized and signed his hat which is what he was asking of me when I had to walk away. He was very nice and understanding. I decided after that episode that I would not be going to the bike pits or to the starting line. I just couldn’t handle it.

I returned to my original plan which was to make my rounds and visit friends. I went over to the ESPN compound which is my second favorite place at the track. (winner's circle would be the first) Stopped by the Army trailer to see my Soldier friends and also made it up to the tower to visit with Bob Frey. He put me on the mic and I got to talk to the crowd. It was fun. Stopped in at the NHRA suite and at the end of the day, I even made it over to the Alehouse for a glass of wine with Colonel Lee and my favorite PR Dude, Chris Dirato.

Sunday morning was tough on me again. I went up for first round with Antron and as they sang the National Anthem, my heart began to break once more. I was much more composed but still very upset as the Gatornationals were kicking off and I wasn’t going to be a part of it. Seth and I watched Antron win first round and after the bikes ran, I went up to the tower with a very heavy heart to visit Alan Reinhart. He made me laugh, as usual, which lifted my spirits but I had still seen enough, so I decided to leave the track. I spent the rest of the day with my baby boy Andy and Seth and I flew home on Monday.

I am so glad it’s over. I have faced reality and I can now honestly say, I am good with it. Actually I am even better than I ever was before. I feel recharged. I am on a mission! God has a plan for me! He might be trying to keep it a secret from me for now, but I know I will find out just what he has in store for me real soon. What ever it is, I am going to make every second count!

My life is an occasion and I am about to rise to it!!

An' now, a little Cajun lesson in speech: