Some Thoughts on the Future of Rally in America

The countdown is on in the rally community for January 1, 2015, when we will hopefully find out what all the hype over the USRA action really means. To say it's been confusing and a giant rumor starter would be an understatement, and the lack of response by Rally America to questions and concerns is frustrating to say the least. 
As a fan, crew member, and soon to be competitor in stage rally, I must say that I am a bit nervous about what this all means for the sport that I love. Like most of us, I'm not 100% thrilled with the way the sport is run, and would be happy to see some changes made that benefit smaller teams like ours. The constant catering by Rally America to the big names (cough, Subaru, cough) while almost entirely ignoring the small budget regional teams has left a bad taste in my mouth. Especially considering that in the past year, nearly all of the major competition and excitement has come from non factory backed teams, most of them competing at the regional level. Here in America, rally doesn't have the following that it does in the rest of the world. But it DOES have a following. And a loyal one at that. With the growth of rallycross, and the soon to be returning SCCA rally sprints, I think we will see a new wave of interest in the very near future as well. Rally isn't dead. Far from it. But it is getting increasingly more difficult to be a competitor and even a fan. So how can we fix that? What can we do to make the sport we love more available? 
The most obvious answer is to make entry fees cheaper. But is that possible? Rallies aren't free to run, and while I don't know the ins and outs of where the finances go, I don't think anyone is getting rich off of entry fees. (Although Anders at NASA Rally Sport DOES seem to have quite a nice hat collection... maybe we need to look into that.) But... what is the money going towards? Could it be used better? Or could some of that money be made in more creative ways? For example, at STPR in Pennsylvania, there is the super special event at the end of the rally, and spectators are charged a small fee to watch the teams compete in a rallycross type race. In my experience, that seems to get a pretty good draw. Would something like that be possible at all events? Or go even a step further, and for a larger fee, allow fans to enter their own cars, and compete against the drivers they admire. (An idea I saw suggested by a fan recently, that I think is rather brilliant.) Short ride alongs are another option. Anything that allows the fans to get closer and more involved is always going to help boost the sport. Let's start thinking outside the box. Maybe some of the bigger teams could hold raffles, and the winner could be an honorary crew member for the day. What about getting the local communities, who are hosting the races, more involved? A short parade ending at Parc Expose? Local businesses could pay to be in it, or teams could charge a small fee to drape banners or decorate their cars with the names of local shops, restaurants, etc. More often than not, the towns hosting these events have little to no knowledge of the sport, which leads to frustration and negative actions. (Holding up stages, complaints, etc.) If we made more of an effort to get them involved, who knows what kind of a difference it could make. 
Another issue I think needs to be addressed is media. Let's face it, we live in a media based world. It's never going to be easy to convince people to drive out into the woods, hike a few miles in the rain or snow, to watch a very small section of road, while one car every minute or two drives by. Even typing it is boring me. So how do we get them to watch? The obvious answer is through TV and videos. Rally America had an awesome opportunity with NBC Sports this past year, and they blew it. Aside from the fact that the episodes were essentially infomercials for Ford and Subaru, they also did a piss poor marketing job. No advertising, no internet availability, they even aired one event DURING another event. Seriously, guys? Get your heads out of your asses. I could go on forever about how disappointing that whole deal was, but I won't. Instead, I'll say this:
If FY Racing can get 20,000+ views on a YouTube video, there is most definitely a market for it. Maybe shooting for NBC Sports was too big of a jump. So let's start smaller. Nearly every team has a YouTube channel. Within hours of a race, there is countless fan and competitor footage floating around. Why not follow the likes of something like TheSmokingTire or /DRIVE and create small episodes for YouTube? Allow teams, fans, and photographers to submit their footage from each event. Or what about Netflix or HULU, or any internet based streaming company? Would it be possible to team up with them? Somehow we have to be able to get coverage to more people. I can't tell you how many non rally folks I have made watch 'Easier Said Than Done' who became instant fans. Those same people would never, ever take a weekend off to go sit in the woods and stare at 50 feet of gravel for an hour. Hell, I don't even want to spectate, and I AM a rally fan. But I'll be damned if I miss the latest FY, BRAKIM, or Subaru Launch Control video. Why? Because I can watch it without pants on, in my living room, and I can get a much better idea of the sport. If NASCAR only allowed fans to watch one turn, how many people do you think would show up to watch? The only way for fans to really see what goes on in a rally is through video. But guess what? Once they've seen the videos, they'll want more. So they'll come to events, they'll want to meet the drivers, they'll want to build cars and BECOME drivers. That is how a sport grows. Media is the gateway drug for the future addicts of rally.
We also need to start acknowledging that there are more than 3 teams in the sport. NASA Rally Sport does a great job of this, and Rally America should take a cue from them. Every single team paid to be there, and they deserve some recognition. It shouldn't be any harder to find times for small, regional teams than it is to find them for the big, national teams. If the only drivers people ever hear about and see are Travis, Ken, and David, then what happens when they quit showing up to races? Encourage fans to get to know their local drivers, interview the guy that worked two jobs to build his own car, share the stories of the other teams that aren't getting paid to be there. Let the fans know that rally is accessible to everyone, not just a few.
These are just a few of the things that I personally hope to see changed for the better in the new year. I love rally, and I'm excited to be a part of it, and I want everyone to know what an incredible sport it is. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as I know many others are as well, to see what happens with the announcements tomorrow.
Here's to keeping it dirty, my friends. 

(Thank you to Images by Achilyse for the original action shot used to make this.)

The Only Real Resolution

Let's be real... very few people ever stick to their New Year's Resolutions. Sure, we make them with the best of intentions, but isn't there a quote about the road to Hell and good intentions? 
Here is the reality. We could all stand to make some changes, but the majority of us just aren't going to do it. Why? Because it's hard, and most of the time life is hard enough, without adding more hoops to jump through. Sure we want to lose weight, save money, stop smoking/drinking/etc. and maybe we'll even make a valiant effort for a few weeks. But then we get busy with work or family, and those good intentions become one more thing we are forced to do that we just can't or simply don't want to do. 
So why do we even make New Year's Resolutions? Most people do it because it's the thing to do. Everyone else is doing it, so you jump on the bandwagon. But is that really a good reason to want to change? No, it's not. Change is difficult, and while we all might really want to make some changes, very few of us are truly ready or willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve it. Especially in January. You just survived the most stressful time of the year, do you really want to reward yourself by adding new stresses? It's winter, many of us are cold and depressed, and that cookie or glass of wine might be the only thing keeping us from losing our damn minds.
So I'm going to save us all a lot of hassle and say that there is really only one REAL worthwhile resolution to make this year. Drumroll please....

Be better.

Yup, that's it. Whatever changes you want to make, whatever goals you set, however big or small, the only thing that really matters is to be better versions of ourselves. To never stop growing and changing, to try new things and discover new joys. To accept that while there are some things we can't change, there are many more things that ARE within our control. Be a better friend, a better spouse, a better employee, a better human. 
Maybe you will lose all that excess weight and look great in a bikini, but if all you can do is change a few bad habits, and stop hating yourself... isn't that still better? Making big and difficult resolutions is merely setting ourselves up for failure, but if we simply try to be better, we are much more likely to succeed. A mountain is climbed one step up at a time, not in one giant leap. 
Here's to 2015.... may it be a better year for everyone. 

My Christmas Wish...

I want to feel something. Anything. I want to be awed by the lights, I want to be moved by the music, and I'd give anything to feel joyous. But I don't. 

I used to love Christmas. I used to spend days making the house festive and beautiful. I would worry about finding the perfect gifts, and make sure they were wrapped just so. I would play and sing carols for weeks, never tiring of them. I would read 'The Night Before Christmas' to our son, and when he grew older, I would listen to him read it to his younger cousins. 

When Zach hit his teenage years, the magic changed. He no longer believed in Santa, he didn't rush out of bed Christmas morning to tear into his gifts. But we still celebrated, and we still honored our traditions. We made holiday crafts, we watched movies, and we stuffed ourselves full of junk food and candy. I loved it. Though part of me longed for the days of innocence and wonder back. So I would dream of someday seeing our grandchildren's eyes light up with pure happiness at the lights on the tree. Of hearing them squeal in delight as they tore into their stockings and presents. Of seeing Zach watch them with the same pride and joy we had watching him. That's the way it's supposed to go. And I'd mistakenly believed that we would get to experience that. 

Then we lost Zach.  And with him, the magic died as well...

We don't celebrate Christmas anymore. I don't decorate, I don't listen to carols, I haven't even bought a single gift. People joke and call me Mrs. Scrooge, or say "Don't be such a bah-humbug!" and I feign a laugh, knowing that they'll never really understand why I feel the way I do. I scroll past their happy family photos around the tree, and my chest hurts, my eyes burn with barely contained tears. I read their cheerful posts, and I want to be happy for them. I AM happy for them, but I'm also jealous. And angry. I want my family back. I want my future back. I want all the things you're promised in life, that you take for granted. 

I wanted to have my son bring home girlfriends for Christmas, so I could try to embarrass him by telling them stories of him growing up. I wanted to help him pick out the perfect gifts when he finally found that one special girl. I wanted to surprise him and his new wife on their first Christmas with all the ornaments I had bought and made for him each year of his life, and then give them their first one together. I wanted to be the world's best grandma, and have our home filled with the laughter of grandchildren on Christmas morning. I wanted a happy, normal life. 

But I guess that was too much to wish for.... 

What Offends Me

I'll be honest, I'm not G rated. I'm an adult, so luckily I don't have to be. I don't take offense to cuss words, nudity, and adult humor. My idea of what's inappropriate is most likely vastly different from someone less.... well let's say... outspoken. 
I do have tact, and a moral code. I'm not an animal. I know that there's a time and a place for certain things. But, I also have a sense of humor. I know how to take a joke, and I am far from easily offended. 
So it never ceases to amaze me when other adults take offense to something that wouldn't even cause a blip on my Inappropriate Radar. 
You want to know what DOES make my Offense Spidey Sense tingle? I'll tell you. Here is a list:

Ignorance:
I loathe ignorance of all kinds. Racism, sexism, prejudice, and the like. Those things offend the hell out of me. I have never in my life judged someone by anything other than how they treat others. I don't care what God you worship, what color your skin is, who you want to have sex with, or how fat your momma is. If you are cool to me, I'll be cool to you. Period. 

Hurting Children:
Let's make something real clear. It is NEVER ok to hurt a child. Now, I'm not talking about light discipline. If you want to spank your kid when they misbehave, go ahead. But within reason. And never in anger.
But these people who molest, abuse, and murder kids.... fuck that. Eye for an eye in those situations. When I see images of bloody and bruised kids, I take major offense.

Fear Mongering:
Basically, I take offense to most types of media, because nowadays, this is all that they do. They play on our emotions, and feed our fears and insecurities. When people allow fear based media to override their common sense, I take issue with that. How many times a day do you see articles and "news" stories shared on social media? I'm guessing a lot. How often do you research those stories before you hit the share button? I'm guessing not often. When you do that, you are perpetuating the fear mongering. That bothers me. 

People Who Try to Control Others:
Remember when I said I hate ignorance? This falls into that category as well. When I see people trying to tell other people what to believe or how to feel, that pisses me off. If you aren't gay, you have no business trying to tell someone who is how they should act or feel. If you are religious, you have no right trying to force those beliefs on others. Just because you are wealthy, doesn't mean you should be treated better or have more say than someone who is poor. Live your life, be happy, and allow others the same courtesy. 

Bad Drivers:
Yes, I am offended by poor driving skills. And not just because it is annoying, but because it is dangerous. People have become so complacent behind the wheel, they've forgotten that they are in control of a potentially deadly machine. Distracted driving, drunk driving, and general lack of respect create a situation ripe for disaster. I can't tell you how many times a day I see people narrowly escaping an accident. This shit has to stop. People need to get their heads out of their asses and pay attention. 

Terrible Music & Television:
What happened to quality entertainment? Songs with stories and meaning, not just a catchy chorus and one repetitive beat. And don't even get me started on TV. It's one garbage show after another. Reality TV? Seriously, whose reality is that? Not mine, or anyone that I know. I miss music that moved you. Gave you goosebumps, and inspired you. I yearn for the days of television shows that you could really relate to. Shows that made you think, made you laugh, made you cry. So yes, I'm offended by today's entertainment industry as a whole. It's complete crap. 

That's just about it I think. I'm sure there are a few others, but these are the biggies. The ones that will instantly raise my hackles. Everything else is just not worth getting worked up over. Life is too short to be so sensitive. Take a joke, learn to laugh, and quit getting your panties all twisted over stuff that has no impact on you whatsoever. 

The Great Pot Debate

This is a subject that I have tried to stay out of for the most part. But with all the media attention lately, I feel compelled to share my personal views on the matter. 

The legalization of marijuana seems to be a very touchy subject for many. And most people fall very clearly to one side of the debate or the other, and don't seem open to changing their minds on the matter anytime soon. And while I think it is absolutely insane that pot is still illegal, that's not what this post is going to focus on. Instead I want to try and move past the stigmas associated with people who use marijuana. 

I know many people who either smoke or imbibe weed in some form or another, and contrary to stereotypes, these folks are nothing like Cheech and Chong. These are normal everyday people. They have jobs, raise families, drive nice cars, live in clean homes, are educated and intelligent individuals. Do I also know some stereotypical stoners? Yes. But they are by far the minority. Most people that use marijuana are no different than anyone else. Many of them are good Christians even. (Shock and awe!!) 

Pot is first and foremost a plant. It grows naturally and has many wonderful uses, aside from the bud itself. Hemp is an amazing material and can be used for everything from clothing and textiles, to fuel, biodegradable plastics, health foods and so much more. But the benefits of marijuana go so far beyond those things. Scientists and doctors have long understood the amazing things that pot is capable of. The healing abilities for wide ranges of medical issues is something we have barely even begun to tap into. 

Some of the most common uses are for things like nausea, vomiting, anorexia, movement disorders, epilepsy, glaucoma, pain reduction, asthma, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, mental disorders, and many many more. 

But because of legal issues, and the stigma involved, many people are hesitant or altogether against trying it. This is a shame to me. Pot is as organic a medicine as you could ever find, yet people would still rather fill their bodies with harsh chemicals and legal poisons than risk the side eye and judgment that comes with being a marijuana user. 

This needs to stop. People who use marijuana, whether for medical reasons or recreationally, are not drug addicts and dangerous criminals. 

Why are we so quick to judge someone who comes home from work and hits a joint in order to de-stress and relax? How are they any different from someone who comes home to a glass or two of wine? Why is it perfectly acceptable to pop a heavy duty pain killer for a head or backache, but frowned upon to turn to a plant? People who go out on the weekends and get drunk are just having a good time, but hit a bong once or twice and you're suddenly a bad person. I truly don't understand it. It has been proven time and again that alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana, yet because it is legal, people think it is better. We have created a society that shames people who smoke weed, but very nearly encourages alcohol abuse. Call me crazy, but I will take a "stoner" over a drunk any day of the week. 

Marijuana relaxes your muscles, calms and quiets your mind, and can help you sleep just as well, if not better than alcohol. But you don't lose control of yourself (or your bodily functions) and there's no ugly hangover. 

To quote Peter Griffin "WHY ARE WE NOT FUNDING THIS!?" 

It's time we stop categorizing marijuana the same way we do cocaine, meth, and heroine. And we have to stop thinking that everyone who uses pot is somehow a criminal or a bad person. I bet if people were truly honest about it, you would be shocked by how many people you probably know who regularly smoke it. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, ministers, artists, musicians, scientists, etc. Your neighbors, fellow church members, and friends. It is not the evil monster that society has tried to make it. And the sooner we change that attitude, the better off we will be. Everyday, studies are being done that find more and more benefits of marijuana. Hidden inside that plant could be cures for deadly diseases, and countless ways to increase quality of life for so many. Don't we want that for ourselves? I sure do...
I encourage everyone to educate themselves on the realities of marijuana. Know what it is, how it effects the mind and body, and don't just blindly follow along with the ignorance. Pot isn't the boogeyman in your closet, or the elephant in the room. It's time we start talking openly and honestly about it, and treat it for what it is. An amazingly versatile and useful plant. Period.

Apologies

Hello readers,

You may be noticing that several images are missing from my posts. Not sure exactly the cause of this, but I am working as fast as I can to get it fixed. Thank you for your patience. 

-Teena

Untitled Short Story: Part 3

Chapter 3: The Awakening 

It's dark out, and there is a thick fog that covers everything in a blanket of white haze, making it difficult to discern where I am. I stop and try to get my bearings, but I have no clue how I got here or where here even is. It appears to be some kind of a garden, but I can't seem to identify any of the plant life. Must be some weird tropical flora. Whatever they are, they smell amazing, and I'm wondering if Yankee Candle sells this fragrance. If not, they really should. 
I can feel gravel under my feet, so I assume I am on a path of some sort. I continue forward, squinting to make out any shapes or markers that might help me gauge where I am. There is movement to my left.  "Hello?" I say, swinging around. "Is there someone here?" I can't see anything moving now, so I assume the fog is playing tricks with my mind. Suddenly a light appears ahead, not too bright, but surprisingly clear through the haze. I follow it without question. 
I trail the light through what appears to be a maze. A few times I could have sworn the path ended, and once I nearly face planted into a stone wall, but at the last moment, the light made a sharp right turn down a narrow aisle that I never would have seen. 
After what felt like hours of weaving and winding through corridors, the light passed through a small opening in the wall and disappeared. I stopped, realizing that I had been blindly following a floating light, and now I was utterly lost. The path dead ended at the wall, and the tiny crevice the light went through wasn't even big enough for my arm to fit in. I turned, looking for another way around, and found myself in a stone circle. No path in or out. "What the...?" I blurted out. "Hey! Where did you go? Hello, Mr. Floaty Light? Wanna help a sister out, please?" I had no idea who I was talking to, but panic was setting in, and if I didn't figure out how to get out of here very soon, I was going to freak out. Ok, Brooklynne... think. You got in here somehow, you MUST be able to get out. Maybe there's a hidden door. My inner monologue calmed me a bit, and I started pressing on the walls around me, hoping for some kind of opening to appear. My eyes kept going back to the small hole that the light had disappeared through. It was barely noticeable, and if I hadn't seen the light pass into it, I would have missed it altogether. I pressed my face to the wall, and looked into the hole. I couldn't see a thing. Wherever it lead to, it was very dark. But this was my only hope. Maybe the stones around the hole had been loosened, and I could somehow create a larger opening that I could squeeze through. Putting my hand against the stones around the tiny cavity, I used all the strength I had and pushed. Nothing happened. "Well shit." I panted. "Note to self, join a gym, and start lifting weights." 
Opting to try a different method, I stuck may hand into the hole to pull from the outside. But as soon as my hand crossed through the break, a vivid light filled the crack, nearly blinding me. "Holy crackers!" I shrieked, yanking my hand back. And as soon as my hand was out of the hole, the light disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. "Ok, not cool Mr. Floaty Light. Enough messing around! Come back here and show me how to get out of this cave, dammit!" 
The light didn't come back. I'm not really sure I was expecting it to, but I figured it was worth a shot. 
Making my way back to the hole, I tried to look inside again. Nothing but pure darkness. Very slowly, I placed my hand inside the hole, and as it crossed through, the light was back. This time I didn't pull back, but instead attempted to use the light to see past my hand into the space beyond. Before I could even press my face to the opening, my hand and arm started to tingle and the light became so bright, I had to cover my eyes for fear of going blind. The tingling sensation spread quickly down my arm, and through my body as the light grew even brighter still. Then just as quickly as it began, the tingling stopped, and the light faded. And I found myself standing in a forest clearing, with my back to a stone wall, staring out at a view that would rival a Bob Ross painting. "Wow." I breathed. It was all I could manage. 
"Wait. What the bloody hell...? How did I get here?"
"It's a magic opening, and you needed to figure it out for yourself. Sorry about that." came a voice from my left.
I spun around so quickly, I nearly made myself dizzy, and I found myself looking at the most gorgeous female I had ever laid eyes on. 
Skin the color of caramel, and hair that looked like it had been made from the finest silk, in a shade that rivaled the most beautiful fuchsia flower I had ever seen. But it was her eyes that stopped me in my tracks. They were magnificent. Big, with the perfect cat like shape, with lashes for days. And the color... I'd never seen anything like it before. It seemed to swirl and change, like a kaleidoscope as I stared open mouthed. "Your eyes...." I whispered. 
"Do they bother you? I can make them a solid color if you prefer." her voice was like music. A soft, lilting accent played on her words, but I couldn't identify its origin. 
"No, they don't bother me. They just took me by surprise is all. Actually, YOU took me by surprise. Where the heck am I? And who are you?"
"I am Alastrina. And this.." she said, gesturing to the space around her "is the Isle of the Diaga." 
"I've never heard of it. Is it in the Upper Peninsula or something? I'm not too familiar with towns there." 
Alastrina giggled "Not exactly, Brooklynne. The Isle of the Diaga is not in any specific place. It's everywhere and nowhere."
"Huh?" Was all that came out. "And how did you know my name?"
"I know a great deal about you, actually. But more about that later. First, you need to understand a few things." She took my arm, and began walking towards a lake in the distance. 
"We don't have much time, Brooklynne, so I need you to pay very close attention. Your world is in grave danger, and you are one of the few who can help save it. You have powers inside of you, and I am going to help you unlock them."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What?!" I pulled my arm from her grasp, and took a step back. "What are you talking about? And how did I get here? You said something about a magic opening, and now you're talking about unlocking powers. Are you on crack?"
Alastrina sighed. "I know it is a lot to take in, but you need to trust me. I'm here to help you."
"Help me what exactly?" I asked.
"Save mankind." She replied, very matter of factly. "Now, we are almost out of time for tonight, you wasted too much getting through the opening. So listen carefully. You'll need to find your way back here each night, so that I can teach you what you'll need to know. Do you remember how you got here?"
"Umm... maybe. I'm not sure." 
"Start at the gazebo." Alastrina said. "Once you cross through, follow the light through the Garden of Wonder, and remember not to waste time at the stone wall. The opening is magic. Just put your arm through and your powers will do the rest. I will meet you here, and your lessons will begin. Speak of this to no one. Do you understand?"
"NO!" I shouted. "I don't understand a God damn thing that's happening! I don't know who you are, or what the hell you're talking about." 
"Give it time, Brooklynne. I promise it will all make sense. Now you must return." She placed her palm into mine, and there was a blinding flash of light. 
"Brooke! Hello!! Are you with me?" Darla was shaking me. 
"D? What are you doing here?" I said, rubbing my eyes.
"I would ask you the same thing. I went to pick you up from The Crappy Cup, and Jacks said you left early. I was headed back to the apartment, when I passed you standing in this empty lot, staring off into space. Are you high?" 
"I hope so." I mumbled under my breath, looking around and trying to get my bearings back. "Wait, what happened to you this morning? You were supposed to be back with my car, and I had to walk to work in the rain, and wearing THIS monstrosity!" I opened my jacket, and pointed to my pathetic excuse for an outfit.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I met a really hot guy at the laundry mat, and I lost track of time. His name is Dale, and he's an assistant at a law firm. He has these amazing green eyes, and he...." At the mention of amazing eyes, Darla's voice faded into the background, as I tried to wrap my head around what just happened. Did I doze off? WAS I high? I don't remember smoking anything. "Speak of this to no one." Alastrina's words echoed in my mind, as D took my arm and led me to the car and continued to ramble on about the laundry mat hottie.