Hello. My name is Josh. I don't really know what I'm doing. That will probably become apparent. Mostly, I love MotoGP, and like every other American, I think my shitty opinions matter enough to try and monetize them. I've been mostly unsuccessful thus far.

Firstly, I don't consider myself a sports fan. I'd rather watch the same movie for the 100th time than watch any number of dudes throw, kick, hit or catch any type of ball. I've tried but, it's just not for me.

Back in 2013, when MotoGP ran it's first race at the then brand new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, two friends invited me to go with them for the weekend. I love motorcycles, and I like racing, so it sounded like fun. My knowledge of the sport consisted of "I've heard of Valentino Rossi," and nothing more. We were at the track all three days. I had a great time. When we left, I made, uh, no effort whatsoever to keep following the sport. And then in 2014 I was unable to go with them, for stupid reasons beyond my control, and paid no attention that year either.

In 2015, something clicked. I did go with them that year, and have been every year since. This year, when we were leaving after all the day's racing, thanks to an open gate and a marshal who turned a blind eye, we got to walk on the track on the back straight where they do the practice starts. It was awesome.

Anyway, back to 2015. Marc Marquez is not only undefeated at COTA, but he usually wins by several seconds. COTA is a very physically demanding track, and by the last few laps everyone is spread out pretty well, and it makes for some fairly boring racing. But, like I said, something clicked with me that year, and I had to start paying more attention. I subscribed to Video Pass and went back and watched the first races of the season, and then continued as all the drama between Marquez and Rossi unfolded while Jorge Lorenzo went on to take the championship that year. I was hooked.

During the winter break I went back and watched all of 2013 and 2014 to see everything I'd missed those first two years of my developing obsession with the sport. I was not disappointed. Then, 2016, the first year that I paid full attention from the very beginning, including some of the winter tests, I was treated to 9 different winners. Double Hooked.

Now, aside from guns, titties, beer, my own motorcycle, and, like, 5 or 6 people, MotoGP is the only thing I pay any real attention to. It's also the only sport I've ever spent money on. I can't get enough. I've never flown on a commercial jet, but if they still raced at Indy or Laguna, I'd be there for sure. If I ever win the lottery (or somehow ride crypto to the moon), the following year I will be at every race on the calendar.

This year is turning out to be pretty fantastic. And the grid for next year doesn't look too shabby either. I think I will miss Dani Pedrosa more than most, but it's looking more and more like the Marquez/Lorenzo pairing will make up for his absence.

To wrap up what I intended to just be a short introduction, I loosely intend to use this forum to spew my MotoGP mutterings to anyone who cares to read them. Oh, and I also look forward to being a huge donkey in a few poker games from time to time. It's been far too long since I check-raised my nuts on the flop just to lose on the river.

I SAID GOOD DAY!

MotoGP / poker

MotoGP, and maybe some gun stuff

MotoGP, and maybe some gun stuff

MotoGP, and maybe some gun stuff