Be the Cause

Staring at the ocean gives me a splitting headache. Like someone has driven a nail through the center of my forehead. I think of all the other places on the planet that I would like to visit. Burned and pillaged because these damned idiots are so wrapped up in their ethnocentric games. I’ve heard that the land of Kashmir is a “heaven on earth”. If I stepped foot on it tomorrow I would be shot dead by both the Pakistanis and the Indians. Damned idiots.. giving me a damned headache… Screw em all… ..

Israel, another beautiful spot.. gives me a splitting headache. Jerusalem, who the … does it belong to… the Jews, who claim that Moses was there, the Muslims, who claim Mohammed had a vision there, maybe I should get in on the act. I took a dump on the west bank in 1996… IT’S MINE. Damned idiots. Nothing belongs to anybody…. Least of all land …. A place like Jerusalem should only be worshipped, not fought over or fought on.

… there are no countries, no religions… listen to John Lennon every now and then and you’ll understand how behind the times you really are.

My headache grows stronger, “Kill the disbelievers” ringing from my ears, past my temples into my scorching eyes. I’ll slam my hammer in your skull if you touch my mother’s children again. Plant mimes in my mother’s bosom, rape my sisters and daughters, torture my brothers again and you’ll feel my fist up your religious ass. That Muslim fellow you just killed.. happens to be me. That Jewish kid you just beat the crap out of.. happens to be me. You pillaged my villages, burned everything.

My mother… she gives me a splitting headache. She lets it all go on. Loving everybody and everything… you are too soft mother… you love your sons too much mother. as one son rips flesh off your arm, the other bites flesh off your back. Your sons wage religious warfare on your breasts… mother, you have no nipples left. Your most beautiful spots have been covered with scars and scabs. You bastards.. you have raped your own mother.

— Chughzy

Dear Friends,

It has been over a month since I finished my 575 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles and I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your help and support. This was one of the most incredible experiences that I have ever had and I am glad that I am able to share it with all of you.

The ride was just as challenging as it was rewarding. During the first two days my knees and legs were in really bad shape. I began to question why I was doing the ride at all and why it was even important to me. However, as the days rolled by, it would seem like I wasn’t the one peddling at all.. I had a lot of help from the guy/gal upstairs. It is amazing how much strength one can draw from a simple prayer.

After the closing ceremonies on the seventh day I finally realized why I had been taken on such an incredible journey. I realized that it wasn’t about the bike ride, nor the effort against AIDS… it was about being part of a society where people help people for the sole purpose of helping. I truly realized that together we can all achieve what we think is impossible. I know we can cure AIDS, cure cancer, abolish poverty, abolish wars and live in a society where nothing but kindness matters. I know it sounds corny but in those seven days I realized that all we need is love.

I met some incredible people on this ride that helped me maintain positive energy throughout the ride. I met HIV positive riders that have had the most excruciating experiences imaginable. I rode for them. I met volunteer crew-members who worked day and night just to make sure that all the riders were safe and healthy. I rode for them. I met people who had lost loved ones to AIDS. I rode for them. I met people along the side of the street who felt something magical as we would pass them by. I rode for them. Throughout the seven days, I met people who just wanted to help one another. I rode for them all.

Thank you all again for the support over the last several months. It has renewed my faith in this planet.

— Chughzy