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This is a place for me to express my thoughts on racing, the environment, science, politics, and whatever else might cross my wandering mind.
It will be an overflow of random ideas, reflections, notes and quotes to be enjoyed by those of you who take the time to read it.
Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you down the road...
Peace,
8.07.05 for the birds
  Pixar, you guys are brilliant! If you have not seen their Academy Award winning short film For the Birds they have a short clip of it up on their site now, you need to check it out. When I arrived in North Carolina to go short track racing, I felt just like the big bird. I didn't quite... uh, fit in. However, for some strange reason, I don't really worry about fitting in anymore. I guess that is called, the very first step-- acceptance.
If you would like to see the entire film, you can see it on the Monsters, Inc DVD, it is included in the DVD extras.
Tomorrow I'll be back at Lowe's Motor Speedway with Fast Track High Performance Racing School, we will be there Mon-Wed (Aug 8-10) giving hot lap rides and driving lessons. Come hang out.
7.26.05 kentucky speedway
This past weekend I was in Kentucky Speedway working for Fast Track. A writer and photographer from Rochester Magazine (my hometown in Minnesota) came out to shoot what will be the September cover story. I gave them both three hot laps in the passenger seat with me and judging by the smiles on their faces when they got out of the car, I think they had a great time. This weekend I will be with Fast Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Fri through Sun, July 29-31-- come on down! This photo is a very special Fast Track customer (my boyfriend) about to get in the race car with me for his hot lap ride along. The man trusts me with his life, that's a keeper in my book! An apology to all the New Zealand ladies out there, I guess I am contributing to the Kiwi man drought.
7.19.05 southern charm
 I spent last weekend relaxing in Charleston, SC. Went on a "ghost tour" where you learn about the history of the city and some of the local folklore of poltergeists and hauntings. It was not so much scary as it was a history lesson mixed in with some creative story telling. The tour was based on a book called The Ghosts of Charleston. Being a scientist I am obviously a sceptic by nature. Nonetheless, the stories are so compelling that their media appearances include the History Channel, Travel Channel, CNN, and USA Today. And... if you ever find yourself in Charleston looking for a pillow, I highly recommend staying at one of the many historic and charming bed & breakfasts.
This weekend I will be at Kentucky Speedway working for Fast Track Driving School and the following weekend we will be at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Stop by and let me take you for some hot laps around the track, sign up to get behind the wheel, or just come by and say hello! Cheers, Leilani
PS. Some interesting news about how mother nature is helping the elephants survive despite poachers. And...
ever seen a blue eyed white alligator?
7.07.05 a sad day in london
 Memories of September 11, 2001 came rushing back yesterday when terrrorists attacked London and many innocent people were killed and hundreds injured while simply trying to make their way to work. I took comfort in Jon Stewart's words from his now famous speech on September 20, 2001 when "The Daily Show" returned for the first time after 9/11. God bless Tony Blair and all the souls in London. You
stood by us in the wake of 9/11, and now we stand by you.
Dear America,
You supported us in two world wars. We stand with you now.
~ Londoner Rob Anderson, on a card attached to a spray of roses left outside the US Embassy on September 11, 2001
WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.
~ French newspaper Le Monde on September 12, 2001
This is not a battle between the United States of America and terrorism, but between the free and democratic world and terrorism... We, therefore, here in Britain stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends in this hour of tragedy, and we, like them, will not rest until this evil is driven from our world.
~ British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in reaction to the 9/11 attacks
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.
~ Timeless words from John F. Kennedy, January 20, 1961
Check out this CNN article about a website born out of the London bombings WereNotAfraid.com
PS. In other political news, the G8 agreed on a wide-ranging Action Plan to promote energy efficiency and the use of cleaner fuels. The United States was the only world power at the G8 summit that did not sign the agreement. Sad.
6.26.05 checkin' in from nashville
Just got back from Nashville Superspeedway working for Andy Hillenburg's
Fast Track Racing School as an instructor. You can ride in a race car with
me or you can drive your own car at the following race tracks: Lowe's
Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Michigan
International Speedway, and Nashville Superspeedway. I will never forget
an experience I had a couple years ago when I was working at another
racing school. We had a blind man come to do a ride along at Lowe's Motor
Speedway. It had been his dream his entire life to ride in a race car. He
could not see how fast he was going, but he told me that didn't matter, he
could feel the speed. I strapped him into the passenger seat, and
when he got out, he had the biggest smile on his face that I have ever seen.
Nothing beats getting to be a part of moments like that.
He told me later that his next dream to fulfill was to attend the Coca Cola 600. There are
race fans of all kinds (some you least expect) and working at Fast Track will
give me the opportunity to meet some of these wonderful people in person.
Before that I was in Dublin, Ohio filming a movie called "Circumstances of Fate" with 70's teen idol Leif Garrett -- he shoots me dead in the film, thanks Leif! Leif recently was named No. 13 on the list of TV Guide's Top 25 Teen Idols. Here's a link to his official site. This picture is Leif and I on the set and that's fake blood (corn syrup and food coloring) on my police uniform. There will be a website up soon, showing behind the scenes footage from the shoot, I'll post a link here when it's up and running. Happy trails! Later, Leilani
6.15.05 pretty much my favorite animal
For those of you who have seen the movie Napoleon Dynamite, which recently won "Best Picture" at the MTV Movie Awards, I have an interesting fact to share: Ligers actually exist. Check out Hobbs, a liger living in Reno, Nevada. I am certain that the success of this movie has far exceeded expectations. The official
fan club already has over 200,000 members and you can purchase tshirts at your local mall. Soundboards are popping up online. You can even get Napoleon ringtones for your phone. A finalist at the National Spelling Bee randomly quoted Napoleon during the competition.
I love seeing low budget indie films make it. This is a classic, I highly recommend checking it out.
Just stay away from the chickens, they have large talons, and the milk, it tastes like the cow got into an onion patch. Okay,
enough with this blog, I'm gonna go do whatever I feel like I wanna do, GOSH! Jared Hess, you are a flippin genius!
Note: this blog will only make sense to those of you who know and love Napoleon.
Related links:
National Geographic's Liger Gallery and Dyanmite Liger Article.
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