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This is a column from John Hopkins' girlfriend, Desiree.
John rides alongside American
countryman Kenny Roberts for Team Suzuki in MotoGP.
One of John's nicknames around the traps is 'Hopper' ----------
The Year 2004, just around the corner!!!
Wow, what an exciting year! It definitely had it's ups and downs but
it'll be one to remember that's for sure.
In my opinion, despite the frustration among the team and occasional
semi-decent places, I really enjoyed this year. We experienced more
adventures, we drove around Europe, we missed flights, lost personal
belongings, met a few famous people, finally got to rent cars, John
getting disqualified, and the occasional alcohol consuming moments. I
think it was a good idea to write about it and let people know a little
more then what they get on TV's or in mags. It was cool and the team is
pumped for next year. I'm confident the team's situation will become
more illustrious.
After going to the test in Malaysia, we've been kept really busy. I like
Christmas, but it's by far the most stressful holiday EVER!!! I shopped
nearly everyday looking for things for everyone. John did the whole get
the tree and decorate it job, cause' I was in charge of the gift job.
Funny how that works. It was a bit stressful, I was up every morning on
the computer for a few hours doing, YES, work!!!! And then off to the
mall. Mad house.
Anyway, when we got back from Malaysia, we went up to the Long Beach IMS
at the convention centre in Long Beach. The Faster movie had a booth
there and we thought it would be good to go up and promote it. Plus it's
close and there was no testing going on. So we drove up and went to the
show, John did some autograph signing as well as introduce the movie.
There were about 200 people there for the premier which was alright, not
too bad. I don't know how much they are getting at other shows or
showings, but we thought it was neat. So anyway, John introduced the
movie, we watched it, and then went to a really nice hotel in Santa
Monica. The producer of the movie had a family emergency so we never got
to see him. Plus the director was stuck in England, so the whole time we
were there, we were working with unknown people. But they took care of
us and like I said, we stayed in Santa Monica for a night provided by
the director. It was probably the most elegant hotel we stayed at but
exceptionally low key. It was called Shutters and you guested it, there
were shutters everywhere. It was really, really, really nice and cosy.
The next day, we were waiting on a call to see if we were gonna go watch
a taping of the "Tonight Show", so we drove up to Malibu for giggles.
Took the Pacific Coast Highway all the way up and checked out all the
homes. We saw this one house that was designed like a golden palace. It
was ridiculous, and not to mention the tiny backyard it had was slowly
diminishing. Who'd want to buy a golden palace ready to fall off the
cliff literally? Anyway, some of the houses we saw were bazaar!
Practically hanging off the cliff with beams sticking out. There are
some crazy homes built up there. We even stopped at the Starbucks in the
Malibu country centre or something like that. Yeah, we felt cool! :)
During the time, we got the call that we were going to the taping, so we
drove to Burbank to the NBC Studios. We got to be on the guest list
cause' you know how it works in LA, somebody knows somebody who also
knows somebody. To make it short, we were taken care of and at the end
of the show we got to back stage and check out the studios. It was cool
and we weren't even expecting to get that. We even got to meet you know
who, Jay himself. He was cool.
After that, we went drove back to our house and since then it's been
busy. Kawasaki rider, Alex Hoffman came to the states for a holiday. He
first went to Florida, then Vegas, and then down to our neck of the
woods. For the few days he was here, John and him did some riding down
in El Cajon and Elsinore. He was stoked to ride the tracks over here
cause' apparently the conditions are different. Plus I'm sure he was
amused by all the lifted trucks everywhere with dirtbikes in the back,
different scenery as well. He ended up going back to Germany a day
after.
A few days after that, I decided it was time for me to get a car. See, I
don't think I've mentioned this, but John and I both got rid of our old
trucks. We got a new Tacoma back in August but I never got one. So every
time we were home, I was driving a rental car. Finally I got one, a new
Civic. I am a proud owner I admit, plus I got a good deal on it. I
bargained the dealer down a thousand dollars and told him I wouldn't pay
the original price. Needless to say it worked and I drove away with a
new ride. Doesn't sound like much, but I wasn't going to pay the
original price. I guess it was somewhat of a Christmas present but it's
actually a Hopper Racing car.
We went out to the desert for a day for my little brother's birthday
cause' he wanted to go there. We took along John's nieces and nephew for
the first time and they had fun. Although all three of them either
crashed or ran into bushes, they had a blast and we hung out watching
the kids ripping around on dirtbikes. It was a day in the dirt.
I hope Christmas was good for everyone, we had a good one. Loads of
food. John's nieces and nephew get up at 6am to open presents. I'm a
morning person, but for a day like Christmas, I'm completely worn out.
We opened presents, then my family came over to exchange gifts, after
that, I went back to bed and woke up mid day. John got a remote control
car and that was already broken by the end of the day. It was a good
Christmas.
Well here's a latest on the time home. It's going by fairly quick,
before you know it, John will be heading back to Malaysia to test again.
Believe me, he's taking full advantage of time off, boys and their toys.
Happy New Year, whoever has a new
resolution, hope you stick to it.
Bye for now,
Des |
