Living is dangerous...

I don't usually post on topics such as this, as there are usually many who convey the same thoughts, if I had the ability to put mine into words. I'm not a word-smith, so bear with me.

I didn't know Mark or Roger personally, however I did meet Mark once at the hotel during Rim last year. I'm sure those who knew them will do their memory justice, and they will live forever in those memories.

After filtering through all the postings on this event, I had mixed emotions, as perhaps many of you did. Sitting with my family, watching TV, I was thinking that this moment, with my family, is way more important than some "stupid car race". Why would I intentionally put myself in harms way. Immediately following that thought, was a news clip of an 80 some-odd year old man plowing through the Farmers Market in Santa Monica, killing 8 and seriously injuring many more. Eight people were killed while walking through a craft fair during a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, by a man who could not discern between the go and stop pedal, taking 2 1/2 blocks to finally come to a stop. People jump out of airplanes, on purpose, and these people were killed simply walking down the street.

Things happen; You can do your best to avoid them, but if you go outside you are taking a risk. Everyday you are risking your life, and the lives of others, by merely living. Without passion, there is nothing to live for. I forget who told me this, but "Life is not the destination, Life is the journey."

Make your journey worth living for. I'm going to do what I love. I'm going to be with my family every chance I get, I'm going to drive in the woods as fast as my little 90hp car will carry me, and I'm going to the Upland street fair tomorrow night.

Thanks for listening.

Gabe Pari
'93 Sentra #398