To A Fallen Friend
Tonight, at 1am Japan Local Time, I recieved horrible news. To say that I am shocked or stunned is an understatement. I feel mortified. This is the only time that I’m happy for Google Desktop. I recieved an e-mail from my Mom and the first sentence that I read was, “Very sad news. Chris was killed”. For anyone who remembers, or looks in my archives, I lost a friend last year as well. She was an angel. A real angel. My friend Chris wasn’t an angel, but he was a good guy. He is even closer to me than Julia. What he did when he crashed and why is not the point. Rather, it’s what we learn and remember that’s the most important.
I met Chris in a wierd way. In fact, the way he came into my social circle was a completely random event. My brother and another friend were riding a local mountain, Cypress, when Chris just showed up. He came up to my brother and said something along the lines of, “I like the way you ride. Let’s ride and get to know each other”. Okay, so that last sentence just sums up the conversation, but that’s the basics. I met Chris on a ride up to Squamish with my brother. To say that I wasn’t impressed was true. He rode okay, but not the best. I rode a little better than him. Not much, so we were all a good group. Relatively the same level and great partners. Over time, we rode a little and got to know each other. It wasn’t until we did the Westcoast Superbike School together that we really got close. He is the type of guy who can talk your ear off, show the cash, but never make you feel unwelcomed. He shared his wealth through generosity and an openess that would shame Bill Gates. He gave me so much encouragement and he never said a bad word. Okay, never is pushing it, but almost never. We would go to parties and just hang out often. The last time I would see Chris was a great night.
My last night in Vancouver was a bash. My brother, being the good man he was, wanted to celebrate like it was my last day of freedom. I don’t like clubs, so we went to the special shop to see some… dancing. 
We did a good job drinking for most of the night and enjoying the scenery. To say that I didn’t get drunk was not true. To say that I was pissed, is not true. He helped me celebrate my last night in Vancouver, and I’ll never forget it. The last time I talked to him was just days before he fatal accident. We were talking about my return to Vancouver. He asked me if my stay in Tokyo would be extended forever. I told him, probably for a while. Heck, even I don’t know when I’ll return. We talked about how he would take a week off to ride with me. He even offered me a place on his race team in the future, if I took him up on it. Who would say no to that. I feel horrible that I had to take off, but I had to get ready for a lesson and had to go. Being as busy as I am, I am always taking off for work every day.
There is only one thing that I hate the most about Tokyo. When something bad like this happens, there is nothing I can do!!!!! I am thousands of clicks away from home. My friend has past away in a tragic event and I can’t even pay him the proper homage he deserves. Talking to my brother, he and Chris’ other best friend were drinking to him. So, I joined them, albeit over the net. Whenever I grab a Scotch or Rum, I’ll be drinking for you Chris. When I come back home, I’ll be visiting you. If anyone is thinking about riding, know one and only one thing. Know your limit, and never ride near it on the street. Get safer on the track. He craved the track, and now it’s claimed him. Rest my friend and ride up there with Rick, Julia, Bog, and the rest of our family.
*Note: I am not completely lucid, sobre, or coherent when I wrote this. It’s a little messed up at the end in terms of thoughts. Guess it’s very much the way my mind feels right now.
