Was very fortunate as I was granted the opportunity to leave at 4 p.m. today from work. This marks the first time in a long while where I have seen daylight during the ride home. I have made it a point to take Nassau Street up to Fulton and go north one more block and turn onto Barclay, where I can then make a right onto Church. This may not necessarily be a time-saver, however I feel it's a safer route as I avoid the constant 2-lane congestion near Ground Zero. After a stressful morning it was a relief to be able to leave work early in the hopes of hitting the gym for the first time since Sunday because I'll be home presumably more than an hour earlier than normal.
There was one point near Watts Street/Avenue where the wind blew hard enough to nearly stop me in my tracks. You look up and see the late-60s Beatles staring at you from a billboard above and an enticing bottle of Moet. I am glad I will get an extra day avoiding all this. I had a kielbasa sandwich on pumpernickel today and can still taste it in my throat.
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Penultimate Thursday of 2010
The four-plus minutes westbound was tougher than the entire southbound part of the trip this morning, as the wind was working its way south as I rode toward the highway. All of Audioslave's "Cochise" was used during that time.
Once on the highway, however, it wasn't so bad and the wind even propelled me at certain points. Tomorrow is a holiday for the courts so it's a holiday for me. I need to take claritin on these windier days as my eyelids often do not want to cooperate. Child 44 is set in conditions that make this seem like Little Dix Bay so I keep that in mind. So far it's a real engaging read and it is truly a page-turner. It's been a while since I've read something that didn't feel like total homework. If they ever made this in to a movie it'd be a winner.
I'm listening to the first half of Audioslave's debut album. I really wish Cornell had stayed with these guys instead of reuniting with Soundgarden. I have nothing against the latter but Audioslave was much better at getting in your face.
I made a phone call that I'd been dreading last night and I hope it wasn't premature.
I can take the cold. I can take anything and everything you throw at me because you constantly underestimate me and what I've become. As I shed myself to near-skinless forms and conditions I become stronger. I always knew this was possible -- now the impossibility is that it will be taken from me. This is the one thing I have total control over and I will never look or feel the way I did in my late teens. I will starve out the form of that person but the memory will remain as it'll be a constant reminder of what could always be.
Forecast is for snow on Monday. I don't know that that will deter me. I am too strong for you now. Snow isn't a problem unless it coats the streets. The only time I'll rule out the ride now is for hard rain.
Thank you for reading.
Once on the highway, however, it wasn't so bad and the wind even propelled me at certain points. Tomorrow is a holiday for the courts so it's a holiday for me. I need to take claritin on these windier days as my eyelids often do not want to cooperate. Child 44 is set in conditions that make this seem like Little Dix Bay so I keep that in mind. So far it's a real engaging read and it is truly a page-turner. It's been a while since I've read something that didn't feel like total homework. If they ever made this in to a movie it'd be a winner.
I'm listening to the first half of Audioslave's debut album. I really wish Cornell had stayed with these guys instead of reuniting with Soundgarden. I have nothing against the latter but Audioslave was much better at getting in your face.
I made a phone call that I'd been dreading last night and I hope it wasn't premature.
I can take the cold. I can take anything and everything you throw at me because you constantly underestimate me and what I've become. As I shed myself to near-skinless forms and conditions I become stronger. I always knew this was possible -- now the impossibility is that it will be taken from me. This is the one thing I have total control over and I will never look or feel the way I did in my late teens. I will starve out the form of that person but the memory will remain as it'll be a constant reminder of what could always be.
Forecast is for snow on Monday. I don't know that that will deter me. I am too strong for you now. Snow isn't a problem unless it coats the streets. The only time I'll rule out the ride now is for hard rain.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
RHCP Bside day
It's quite cool yet again but my lungs have adjusted to the air. As I approach escalators and stairs I keep ending up right behind people with huge amounts of baggage, old people, or people who are too lazy to walk up and it's frustrating because I've got 35 pounds of cold aluminum in my hand. It is wrong not to walk up or down an escalator.
I'm listening to a bunch of RHCP b-sides today and eventually they ended and became Californication. My favorite song is "Around The World" (and I'm comparing this to all songs by everyone) and in it the line: Mother Russia, do not suffer...etc. is a line I hear differently today, since Child 44 has me paranoid with hardcore commie propoganda that their officers were programmed with.
It is sunny today and this is the beginning of the last half of the week, which is great. I still have some goals to reach and one of them has me sweating more than this ride.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
"Time," "Out of Range," "Rivers of Avalon," "Save the Population," "Around the World" and "Parallel Universe"
I'm listening to a bunch of RHCP b-sides today and eventually they ended and became Californication. My favorite song is "Around The World" (and I'm comparing this to all songs by everyone) and in it the line: Mother Russia, do not suffer...etc. is a line I hear differently today, since Child 44 has me paranoid with hardcore commie propoganda that their officers were programmed with.
It is sunny today and this is the beginning of the last half of the week, which is great. I still have some goals to reach and one of them has me sweating more than this ride.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
"Time," "Out of Range," "Rivers of Avalon," "Save the Population," "Around the World" and "Parallel Universe"
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Serenity on a Tuesday?
If I was at 25% soreness yesterday, I'm down to about 9% today.
There is a serene moment that occurs when I cross into the highway. The cars haven't started moving south yet and (this time of year) there's no one around. It's just me and the road. There is a comfort in this feeling and I am grateful for it. I cannot imagine this feeling can be replicated in the subway.
I'm listening to my Italian course again but am having trouble paying close attention. Old feelings started to swell up about co-workers but I reminded myself about my pre-New Year's resolution and was able to contain it. I also need to remember that at the WFC, the path is closed off.
I began reading Child 44 today, a book I've always been intrigued by since I saw an ad for it on the subway a few years ago. I picked it up from the library last night and its sequel. It's been a while since I've read a crime/thriller and the first in a long time that it's had an international tone so this will be an engaging read.
I've got some new jazz in my bag that I will download today. This is a pretty easy week and I am excited to spend time with family on Fri & Sat.
Thank you for reading.
There is a serene moment that occurs when I cross into the highway. The cars haven't started moving south yet and (this time of year) there's no one around. It's just me and the road. There is a comfort in this feeling and I am grateful for it. I cannot imagine this feeling can be replicated in the subway.
I'm listening to my Italian course again but am having trouble paying close attention. Old feelings started to swell up about co-workers but I reminded myself about my pre-New Year's resolution and was able to contain it. I also need to remember that at the WFC, the path is closed off.
I began reading Child 44 today, a book I've always been intrigued by since I saw an ad for it on the subway a few years ago. I picked it up from the library last night and its sequel. It's been a while since I've read a crime/thriller and the first in a long time that it's had an international tone so this will be an engaging read.
I've got some new jazz in my bag that I will download today. This is a pretty easy week and I am excited to spend time with family on Fri & Sat.
Thank you for reading.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Just Another Penultimate Monday
It's always colder in Oside waiting for the train. The road was barren (barring some of those advertiser guys on bikes who turned into the lane just after I left the bathroom at Chelsea Piers) and though it was cold it was manageable. I left my scarf at home so the extra tee shirt I brought took on another role.
Despite the soreness, I am moving quite fast. In the end, I did it all in 23 minutes, and that includes the quick toxi-liqui-secretion. My hat is falling over my eyes a little but that's okay it's not inhibiting me at all.
I should be able to get away with morning and evening rides that are closer together this week considering that the work load will be lighter.
I've got The Authority: Kev and a Men's Health with me today, as I'm not sure what I'll start reading but either tomorrow or Weds I'll have started another book (either Hemingway or "Star Wars").
I have some tasks that I need to perform today but one is a phone call I don't want to make. Necessary Evil.
I realized I will not be riding on the next 3 Fridays since two are holidays and one will be a post-work event. Despite the coldness, though, my batting average is very good and that's why I am seeing a slight change in my tone.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
"4-Way Diablo" - Monster Magnet
"Broken, Beaten & Scarred" and "Trapped Under Ice" - Metallica
"Cosmic Egg" and "White Feather" - Wolfmother
Despite the soreness, I am moving quite fast. In the end, I did it all in 23 minutes, and that includes the quick toxi-liqui-secretion. My hat is falling over my eyes a little but that's okay it's not inhibiting me at all.
I should be able to get away with morning and evening rides that are closer together this week considering that the work load will be lighter.
I've got The Authority: Kev and a Men's Health with me today, as I'm not sure what I'll start reading but either tomorrow or Weds I'll have started another book (either Hemingway or "Star Wars").
I have some tasks that I need to perform today but one is a phone call I don't want to make. Necessary Evil.
I realized I will not be riding on the next 3 Fridays since two are holidays and one will be a post-work event. Despite the coldness, though, my batting average is very good and that's why I am seeing a slight change in my tone.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
"4-Way Diablo" - Monster Magnet
"Broken, Beaten & Scarred" and "Trapped Under Ice" - Metallica
"Cosmic Egg" and "White Feather" - Wolfmother
Friday, December 17, 2010
RT # 140
It was probably colder today than yesterday, but otherwise the days bleed in to each other. The slight sting of the ground salt wedges itself in my nostrils -- nothing to do about that.
Trying to absorb more Italian via Ipod today, but I'm a little too tired and distracted. I'll be working briefly tonight at the wedding hall that hosted our wedding and then will socialize for a while before what will be a somewhat stressful Saturday.
I'm pretty one-dimensional during today's ride. The remaining business weeks of the year are 4 days each, so no matter what I will not hit #350 until January.
Thank you for reading.
Trying to absorb more Italian via Ipod today, but I'm a little too tired and distracted. I'll be working briefly tonight at the wedding hall that hosted our wedding and then will socialize for a while before what will be a somewhat stressful Saturday.
I'm pretty one-dimensional during today's ride. The remaining business weeks of the year are 4 days each, so no matter what I will not hit #350 until January.
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Diffi-cold
Today was pretty much the same as yesterday, only less wind and no back-pack. I cannot turn my head as easily as I'd like (on account of the dual scarves around my neck) so I feel like I'm wearing the Michael Keaton Batman suit.
I'm listening to Monster Magnet this morning and there's a line in "Too Bad" where Wyndorf says: "I learned a long time ago that you gotta shake hands with pain." That's a solid line -- while I'm not in any pain, there is difficulty riding in 20 degree weather, so I felt it applied.
There's 12 pages left for me to read in Tender is the Night so I reckon it'll be done by end of lunch time. It's been a good read and I can see why it'd be such a big seller way back. There's a disconnect I think, though, because of the generational gap and that I don't read in to things as deeply as scholars do. I understand it all and there are some passages that really speak to me, but I am more excited to read Perec next year.
There are very few runners and cyclists here today. I really respect the joggers as they are also shaking hands with difficulty.
Last weekend I had to start my New Year's resolution early and not let certain circumstances and politics at work follow me out of the office. It is an unhealthy habit and I will not let it get above me any more.
Worked on my abs and biceps last night and can feel the effects slightly. Probably need to shake up the routine.
Free lunch day today, but it'll probably be sandwiches that were supposed to be hot.
Thank you for reading.
I'm listening to Monster Magnet this morning and there's a line in "Too Bad" where Wyndorf says: "I learned a long time ago that you gotta shake hands with pain." That's a solid line -- while I'm not in any pain, there is difficulty riding in 20 degree weather, so I felt it applied.
There's 12 pages left for me to read in Tender is the Night so I reckon it'll be done by end of lunch time. It's been a good read and I can see why it'd be such a big seller way back. There's a disconnect I think, though, because of the generational gap and that I don't read in to things as deeply as scholars do. I understand it all and there are some passages that really speak to me, but I am more excited to read Perec next year.
There are very few runners and cyclists here today. I really respect the joggers as they are also shaking hands with difficulty.
Last weekend I had to start my New Year's resolution early and not let certain circumstances and politics at work follow me out of the office. It is an unhealthy habit and I will not let it get above me any more.
Worked on my abs and biceps last night and can feel the effects slightly. Probably need to shake up the routine.
Free lunch day today, but it'll probably be sandwiches that were supposed to be hot.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
no wind, but chill.
My last sick day of the year was used on Monday and last night I was fortunate enough to see the "Pee Wee Herman Show" on Broadway so there has been no biking up to this morning.
I've only 50 pages left in Tender is the Night and I am enjoying it, probably more so than Paradise. Dick Diver's life is in decline so what started as a stuffy in-depth look at the bourgeoisie is now from the point of view of a man whose life is coming apart.
While it is frosty outside the weather has a habit of overselling the wind chill factor, which from now on I will ignore. Wind speed and gusts are important but the wind chill is an unnecessary measurement. It was surprisingly calm as I was on the highway this morning.
Which brings me to my appearance.
If you were on/along the Westside Highway this morning and saw a gray sweat-shirted and sweat-panted human on a bike, with what-looked-liked a sitting donut around his neck (under his shirt) while speaking basic Italian to himself, that was me. I had wrapped two scarves around my neck with one up to my lower lip (so it looked like a tumorous growth around my neck and I appeared to be a mid-color marshmallow).
If you were near a guy on the train listening too-loudly to that Lady Ga-ga song about "just dancing," then I don't know him and I don't want to. He's rude and has lousy taste.
My fingers were a little cold (as to be expected) and I wasn't wearing a tight-enough 2nd undershirt as I could feel drafts begin from little air pockets shooting up from my gloves. Today I am also wearing my thermals under my sweatpants for the first time ever (don't know why), which I'm sure helped. I was only slightly over-prepared today and that's fine.
I can take it -- I can handle it all -- anything you throw at me.
Thank you for reading.
I've only 50 pages left in Tender is the Night and I am enjoying it, probably more so than Paradise. Dick Diver's life is in decline so what started as a stuffy in-depth look at the bourgeoisie is now from the point of view of a man whose life is coming apart.
While it is frosty outside the weather has a habit of overselling the wind chill factor, which from now on I will ignore. Wind speed and gusts are important but the wind chill is an unnecessary measurement. It was surprisingly calm as I was on the highway this morning.
Which brings me to my appearance.
If you were on/along the Westside Highway this morning and saw a gray sweat-shirted and sweat-panted human on a bike, with what-looked-liked a sitting donut around his neck (under his shirt) while speaking basic Italian to himself, that was me. I had wrapped two scarves around my neck with one up to my lower lip (so it looked like a tumorous growth around my neck and I appeared to be a mid-color marshmallow).
If you were near a guy on the train listening too-loudly to that Lady Ga-ga song about "just dancing," then I don't know him and I don't want to. He's rude and has lousy taste.
My fingers were a little cold (as to be expected) and I wasn't wearing a tight-enough 2nd undershirt as I could feel drafts begin from little air pockets shooting up from my gloves. Today I am also wearing my thermals under my sweatpants for the first time ever (don't know why), which I'm sure helped. I was only slightly over-prepared today and that's fine.
I can take it -- I can handle it all -- anything you throw at me.
Thank you for reading.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Another Friday Down
My feeling is that it's a bad idea to call out sick on a Friday in December -- mostly because you can get away with more if you go in on Fridays and call out on other days. Also, vacant parking spots are more plentiful at LIRR stations on Fridays because everyone else is calling out.
With that thought out of my head, while today is cold it's not very windy (thankfully) and it was enjoyable moving west on 31st street. My eyes weren't closed as much as yesterday and I am backpack-less again.
The character of Rosemary in Tender reminds me of some girls (now, women) I have known, where their looks were really a bankable asset. I haven't seen them in quite some time so I don't know if it still holds up but at the comparable age of 19 that was certainly the case. It's tough to find music to listen to while reading (I exclusively listen to instrumental music when I read, if I listen to anything) but I always try to listen to something that is time/setting-appropriate. I have the Sweet & Lowdown Soundtrack, but that gets old quickly. I did find that Steve Blanco's cover of "Us & Them" and some select, slower Sonny Clark songs fit the mood perfectly.
There's not a whole lot to be said though I feel pretty strong today, as my breakfast of Cinnabon pancakes (with powdered sugar from the pfeffernuise), milk, orange juice, and coffee has provided ample sustenance. My breakfasts are better than yours.
I made it a point to find Rollins' "Inhale Exhale" whilst riding as I felt it described things -- physically and mentally -- succinctly.
This weekend I will destroy every muscle in my body and rebuild as I am working to make natural causes struggle for their pay. I have new shoes to help me with that, we'll see how they work out.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
Guns N Roses - "Paradise City"
Megadeth - "Train of Consequences"
Hellyeah - "Debt That All Men Pay"
Rollins Band - "Inhale Exhale" and "Saying Goodbye Again" and "Rejection"
With that thought out of my head, while today is cold it's not very windy (thankfully) and it was enjoyable moving west on 31st street. My eyes weren't closed as much as yesterday and I am backpack-less again.
The character of Rosemary in Tender reminds me of some girls (now, women) I have known, where their looks were really a bankable asset. I haven't seen them in quite some time so I don't know if it still holds up but at the comparable age of 19 that was certainly the case. It's tough to find music to listen to while reading (I exclusively listen to instrumental music when I read, if I listen to anything) but I always try to listen to something that is time/setting-appropriate. I have the Sweet & Lowdown Soundtrack, but that gets old quickly. I did find that Steve Blanco's cover of "Us & Them" and some select, slower Sonny Clark songs fit the mood perfectly.
There's not a whole lot to be said though I feel pretty strong today, as my breakfast of Cinnabon pancakes (with powdered sugar from the pfeffernuise), milk, orange juice, and coffee has provided ample sustenance. My breakfasts are better than yours.
I made it a point to find Rollins' "Inhale Exhale" whilst riding as I felt it described things -- physically and mentally -- succinctly.
This weekend I will destroy every muscle in my body and rebuild as I am working to make natural causes struggle for their pay. I have new shoes to help me with that, we'll see how they work out.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
Guns N Roses - "Paradise City"
Megadeth - "Train of Consequences"
Hellyeah - "Debt That All Men Pay"
Rollins Band - "Inhale Exhale" and "Saying Goodbye Again" and "Rejection"
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tender is the night, bitter is the morning
Today is bitter cold again. It started out oddly, as the trains were running very late and on opposite tracks. Thankfully I didn't go to RVC, as my regularly sched'd train came only 20 min. late (so I would've saved a whole 5-10 min). My gripe is that the conductor of the earlier train could've picked up some of the bewildered passengers and did not, and I though that was rude (especially taking the weather in to consideration) and the announcements didn't start until after that train had left.
Having finished Ex Machina last night (it turns out it was the final installment of the series -- easily one of my top 3 finite titles), I began reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender Is The Night today upon a strong endorsement by Henry Rollins in Dull Roar (I think that's the last one I read). It's starting off in a similar setting and time as The Garden Of Eden, so that's fine but it'll be a dense read and when I'm finished with it I'll have to nerd it up and maybe read some non-fiction afterward. I'm only about 20 pages in, we'll see what happens. There are a lot of stuffy aristocrats already so I want to smash my fist through their collective, fictitious faces but I'll let the story unfold before I do.
I'm closing my eyes a lot because it is just too damn cold. Last night I worked out my chest, tris and back in a compact 35-minute session and am feeling pretty good. I want to run today but I don't know how good of an idea that would be. I can always wait until the weekend.
I was smart enough to read the sign at the WFC entrance today and knew that the bike bath is fenced off so I took to the street and moved quite quickly. WFC1's bike bath actually seems nearly complete so I guess that's something to look forward to.
I woke up this morning (to Wolfmother) and realized it was only Thursday. Bummer. I've got one sick day remaining on the year and I know I'll need to use it.
My playlist today is pretty badass and the Hellyeah track is especially good, not just because it's new but because the lyrics are what I'm looking for in a song.
I didn't have to stop at Albany Street and despite the wind and the frostiness, it was a smooth ride.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
AC/DC - "Black Ice"
Airbourne - "Armed & Dangerous"
Hellyeah - "Debt That All Men Pay"
The Cult - "Coming Down"
Derek & The Dominoes - "Layla"
Having finished Ex Machina last night (it turns out it was the final installment of the series -- easily one of my top 3 finite titles), I began reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender Is The Night today upon a strong endorsement by Henry Rollins in Dull Roar (I think that's the last one I read). It's starting off in a similar setting and time as The Garden Of Eden, so that's fine but it'll be a dense read and when I'm finished with it I'll have to nerd it up and maybe read some non-fiction afterward. I'm only about 20 pages in, we'll see what happens. There are a lot of stuffy aristocrats already so I want to smash my fist through their collective, fictitious faces but I'll let the story unfold before I do.
I'm closing my eyes a lot because it is just too damn cold. Last night I worked out my chest, tris and back in a compact 35-minute session and am feeling pretty good. I want to run today but I don't know how good of an idea that would be. I can always wait until the weekend.
I was smart enough to read the sign at the WFC entrance today and knew that the bike bath is fenced off so I took to the street and moved quite quickly. WFC1's bike bath actually seems nearly complete so I guess that's something to look forward to.
I woke up this morning (to Wolfmother) and realized it was only Thursday. Bummer. I've got one sick day remaining on the year and I know I'll need to use it.
My playlist today is pretty badass and the Hellyeah track is especially good, not just because it's new but because the lyrics are what I'm looking for in a song.
I didn't have to stop at Albany Street and despite the wind and the frostiness, it was a smooth ride.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
AC/DC - "Black Ice"
Airbourne - "Armed & Dangerous"
Hellyeah - "Debt That All Men Pay"
The Cult - "Coming Down"
Derek & The Dominoes - "Layla"
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Ozzy in the morning, Ozzy in the evening?
It's not as windy/nasty as it was yesterday morning and that's something for which I am thankful. I'm pack-less again today, since I have enough at work to keep me nourished and feeling warm.
I'm going to do the annual "read with kids" session over at a nearby school today so I'll be away from the desk for a few hours and that will make me happy, also. I used to read on a near-weekly basis with a kid in PS 12 before we moved downtown. His name was William and I really liked him because he was enthusiastic and good-humored and wanted to be there. We'd read books about whales (his choice) and for a while there the two of us could've been marine biologists (I really did get quite knowledgeable). But that has passed now and the kid must be about 13-14 now. I hope he's still reading on his own because he had a lot of potential. What we'll be doing today is just an excuse to give the kids cookies, but it beats sitting at my desk.
Speaking of reading, I finished The Garden of Eden Monday night and it ended pretty well. One big similarity between this book and This Side of Paradise is that, of course, there are women whose mental health slowly decline. I liked the book, and although it's about a writer, there is a lot of good advice in there for us, not just as writers but pertaining to all walks of professional life. I wonder if having 4 wives is what forced Hemingway to off himself? There's a movie of it that'll be coming out this weekend but I doubt we'll be able to find a theater where it'll play. He has two lovers in the story but it doesn't get as over-the-top, physically, as you'd think.
After reading really dense work, I like to catch up on my fraternal pastime, comic books. Yesterday I read the first Hitman tpb and Punisher War Zone: Resurrection of Ma Gnucci. Both are by Garth Ennis, or as I like to call him: Garth "greatest living comics writer and no one can touch him" Ennis. I liked both of them of course. My gripe with Punisher was that after reading all those stories on the MAX imprint, it's tough to match the shock value from there.
Today I'm reading book 10 of Ex Machina, which is one of the very few current titles I make it a point to buy. It's just so consistently good (Vol. 9 was acceptable, at best. They jumped the shark in that one, I'm afraid, as the writer and artist injected themselves into the story). There's the right blend of action, socio-political commentary, realistic art (and some gore) and morality and that's why it's appealing to me as an adult. I may have written about this before, but I was turned on to the book during the first month's of its release back in the Fall of 2004. I was temping at a kitchen designer's in East Williston and found there was a comic shop a few blocks away. The clerk gave the full recommendation and since it was on the Wildstorm imprint, I knew it'd be worth the couple of bucks. The dork at the register was right (I should talk -- we all remember what a whore I felt like when I'd work Wednesday mornings at Cosmic Comics in 2004 & 5) and I've kept up with the series since then, but stopped buying single issues after #10.
The problem with riding in weather like this is that it's going to get tougher to get motivated. It happens each Winter. A small part of me feels as though it's not worth the time and effort but that's only a small part of me. I do feel very much in-control, however, and there is a powerful feeling that accompanies the end of the ride. I barely had to stop today and that's probably why I was able to get to the building a few minutes early.
Today I listened to select tracks off Ozzy's Black Rain: "Not Going Away," "I Don't Wanna Stop," "11 Silver," "Civilize the Universe" and "Here for You."
It's energetic enough to provide a soundtrack for the ride without being too deep and I don't need to manufacture any anger to get moving.
Thank you for reading.
I'm going to do the annual "read with kids" session over at a nearby school today so I'll be away from the desk for a few hours and that will make me happy, also. I used to read on a near-weekly basis with a kid in PS 12 before we moved downtown. His name was William and I really liked him because he was enthusiastic and good-humored and wanted to be there. We'd read books about whales (his choice) and for a while there the two of us could've been marine biologists (I really did get quite knowledgeable). But that has passed now and the kid must be about 13-14 now. I hope he's still reading on his own because he had a lot of potential. What we'll be doing today is just an excuse to give the kids cookies, but it beats sitting at my desk.
Speaking of reading, I finished The Garden of Eden Monday night and it ended pretty well. One big similarity between this book and This Side of Paradise is that, of course, there are women whose mental health slowly decline. I liked the book, and although it's about a writer, there is a lot of good advice in there for us, not just as writers but pertaining to all walks of professional life. I wonder if having 4 wives is what forced Hemingway to off himself? There's a movie of it that'll be coming out this weekend but I doubt we'll be able to find a theater where it'll play. He has two lovers in the story but it doesn't get as over-the-top, physically, as you'd think.
After reading really dense work, I like to catch up on my fraternal pastime, comic books. Yesterday I read the first Hitman tpb and Punisher War Zone: Resurrection of Ma Gnucci. Both are by Garth Ennis, or as I like to call him: Garth "greatest living comics writer and no one can touch him" Ennis. I liked both of them of course. My gripe with Punisher was that after reading all those stories on the MAX imprint, it's tough to match the shock value from there.
Today I'm reading book 10 of Ex Machina, which is one of the very few current titles I make it a point to buy. It's just so consistently good (Vol. 9 was acceptable, at best. They jumped the shark in that one, I'm afraid, as the writer and artist injected themselves into the story). There's the right blend of action, socio-political commentary, realistic art (and some gore) and morality and that's why it's appealing to me as an adult. I may have written about this before, but I was turned on to the book during the first month's of its release back in the Fall of 2004. I was temping at a kitchen designer's in East Williston and found there was a comic shop a few blocks away. The clerk gave the full recommendation and since it was on the Wildstorm imprint, I knew it'd be worth the couple of bucks. The dork at the register was right (I should talk -- we all remember what a whore I felt like when I'd work Wednesday mornings at Cosmic Comics in 2004 & 5) and I've kept up with the series since then, but stopped buying single issues after #10.
The problem with riding in weather like this is that it's going to get tougher to get motivated. It happens each Winter. A small part of me feels as though it's not worth the time and effort but that's only a small part of me. I do feel very much in-control, however, and there is a powerful feeling that accompanies the end of the ride. I barely had to stop today and that's probably why I was able to get to the building a few minutes early.
Today I listened to select tracks off Ozzy's Black Rain: "Not Going Away," "I Don't Wanna Stop," "11 Silver," "Civilize the Universe" and "Here for You."
It's energetic enough to provide a soundtrack for the ride without being too deep and I don't need to manufacture any anger to get moving.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
...I thought they'd snap off just like Eugene Levy's...
Missed the Oside train by seconds in the freezing morning. I tried to beat the train to E. Rock, but I couldn't get across Atlantic Ave. in time so I had to book it with iced up fingers to RVC, which I did in ample time. My digits were so cold I thought they'd snap off just like Eugene Levy's in "Stay Tuned." It is obviously harder to ride in the cold as my lungs need to acclimate and that can take as much as 10 minutes -- by then I'm already a slave to the grind.
That set the tone, and mood and phsyical well-being of the day and I felt as though I couldn't open my eyes at one point. They were half-closed on the ride down to work today -- and by the time I had made it outside Penn it wasn't as bitter-cold as it was in LI. My eyelids were still mostly shut though as the stress of the past few days has hit me hard. I have one sick day left on the calendar year and I was very very close to just turning around and going home and calling out. But I'd rather use it more stragically.
I know I'll need a lot of coffee today as I missed out this morning. I am bare-back again, since I brought my backpack & lunch to work yesterday and left it overnight. Couldn't say if it helped any, but it was a smart move not to ride yesterday between having legal obligations after work and the fact that it continued to flurry in the morning and gust (sometimes violently).
Even my playlist, which by all means should pump me up, didn't do an ample job -- when you're that tired it's a tough thing to snap out of. There were some tourists as I rode through WFC taking photos of Ground Zero and I waved my arms to try to disrupt them but to no avail.
I had to stop seconds later and turn around since they closed off the lane. I decided to cut myself a little slack and use the elevator that's there and then walked the bike across the highway and it brought me over to the NJ Transit outlet (Bad idea, I know. Sometimes I need to remind myself why I don't do this often), and made my way back toward Park Row.
As I parked the bike on Nassau Street I saw the guy who gave me a hard time last week in front of my building. He didn't seem to notice me. It was too cold to pick up where we left off and I had to urinate real badly.
Playlist:
Hellyeah - "Goddamn," "One Thing," "Nausea"
Led Zeppelin - "Achilles Last Stand"
Rollins Band - "Your Number is One" (Long version)
Thank you for reading.
That set the tone, and mood and phsyical well-being of the day and I felt as though I couldn't open my eyes at one point. They were half-closed on the ride down to work today -- and by the time I had made it outside Penn it wasn't as bitter-cold as it was in LI. My eyelids were still mostly shut though as the stress of the past few days has hit me hard. I have one sick day left on the calendar year and I was very very close to just turning around and going home and calling out. But I'd rather use it more stragically.
I know I'll need a lot of coffee today as I missed out this morning. I am bare-back again, since I brought my backpack & lunch to work yesterday and left it overnight. Couldn't say if it helped any, but it was a smart move not to ride yesterday between having legal obligations after work and the fact that it continued to flurry in the morning and gust (sometimes violently).
Even my playlist, which by all means should pump me up, didn't do an ample job -- when you're that tired it's a tough thing to snap out of. There were some tourists as I rode through WFC taking photos of Ground Zero and I waved my arms to try to disrupt them but to no avail.
I had to stop seconds later and turn around since they closed off the lane. I decided to cut myself a little slack and use the elevator that's there and then walked the bike across the highway and it brought me over to the NJ Transit outlet (Bad idea, I know. Sometimes I need to remind myself why I don't do this often), and made my way back toward Park Row.
As I parked the bike on Nassau Street I saw the guy who gave me a hard time last week in front of my building. He didn't seem to notice me. It was too cold to pick up where we left off and I had to urinate real badly.
Playlist:
Hellyeah - "Goddamn," "One Thing," "Nausea"
Led Zeppelin - "Achilles Last Stand"
Rollins Band - "Your Number is One" (Long version)
Thank you for reading.
Friday, December 3, 2010
No Backpack Friday
After learning from yesterday's weather, I was so well-prepared that I didn't even need a backpack. My lunch and change of clothes were already at work so all I needed were my credentials, a banana, a book and gloves. It's a rare and different feeling when I'm bare-back. Feels like I'm missing something but it really frees me up to be more agile. That's good, I suppose and if I keep planning ahead perhaps I can do it a little bit more and lose some of the stress of having to pack for work.
I am reading Hemingway's Garden Of Eden. I bought it -- a first edition, untouched hardcover -- at a nearby garage sale for 50 cents back in the summer. For an additional 50 cents I was able to pick up Jim Norton's I Hate Your Guts. So it was like I satisfied my intellectual and moronic urges with 4 quarters. I started Eden a couple of weeks ago but got sidetracked by a phone call that never came which inspired me to pick up a couple of how-to books at the library. But I decided to pick up where I left off, which was about mid-way through.
This is an okay book thus far and sometimes it reminds me of his house, which I toured in Key West in early 2009 and sometimes it reminds me of this snooty writers' group I was expelled from after submitting the first act of my screenplay, "Go Grandpa, Go!" Apparently, if I was going to get my low-brow family comedy up to snuff, I really needed to read Hemingway to get a grasp of good dialogue. I hope everyone in that group (except my old co-worker) loses their hands digging for gold and can no longer type out their deep, insightful short stories that expose their childhood traumas. The world needs a good fart joke every once in a while, dammit.
I used to think that part of the book involved the Catherine playing the role of the husband in bed but now I think it was more just a "state of mind" thing rather than her going in through the out door on her husband. Part of my problem is that the husband, David, is a writer, so that sort of bores me, as I don't want to read about a fictitious writer after a while as it doesn't interest me. But the setting is interesting and he's not in to his three-way love affair as you'd think he'd be so that's what's keeping me involved.
As I was stopped at the Albany Street light, a foreign tourist started to take my picture and I waved her off. She persisted and mentioned something about "bike" and "husband" -- I turned away and she probably took a shot anyway. There's something creepy about that it's just annoying. There is nothing special about me and the bike wasn't folded and I am dressed as properly as Stallone during the outdoor training sequences in the first "Rocky" only with a helmet so I didn't see the point and wasn't in the mood to be an attraction.
My thighs are a little sore due using the thighsolator and hip abductor at the gym yesterday. It's a good soreness since I cranked up the weight on the machines.
It's going to be a long day since there are plans abound for the night there will be mass coffee consumption.
Playlist:
Soundgarden - "My Wave"
Metallica - "Trapped Under Ice"
Monster Magnet - "Slap In The Face"
Jamiroquai - "Soul Education"
Guns 'n' Roses - "The Garden"
Thank you for reading.
I am reading Hemingway's Garden Of Eden. I bought it -- a first edition, untouched hardcover -- at a nearby garage sale for 50 cents back in the summer. For an additional 50 cents I was able to pick up Jim Norton's I Hate Your Guts. So it was like I satisfied my intellectual and moronic urges with 4 quarters. I started Eden a couple of weeks ago but got sidetracked by a phone call that never came which inspired me to pick up a couple of how-to books at the library. But I decided to pick up where I left off, which was about mid-way through.
This is an okay book thus far and sometimes it reminds me of his house, which I toured in Key West in early 2009 and sometimes it reminds me of this snooty writers' group I was expelled from after submitting the first act of my screenplay, "Go Grandpa, Go!" Apparently, if I was going to get my low-brow family comedy up to snuff, I really needed to read Hemingway to get a grasp of good dialogue. I hope everyone in that group (except my old co-worker) loses their hands digging for gold and can no longer type out their deep, insightful short stories that expose their childhood traumas. The world needs a good fart joke every once in a while, dammit.
I used to think that part of the book involved the Catherine playing the role of the husband in bed but now I think it was more just a "state of mind" thing rather than her going in through the out door on her husband. Part of my problem is that the husband, David, is a writer, so that sort of bores me, as I don't want to read about a fictitious writer after a while as it doesn't interest me. But the setting is interesting and he's not in to his three-way love affair as you'd think he'd be so that's what's keeping me involved.
As I was stopped at the Albany Street light, a foreign tourist started to take my picture and I waved her off. She persisted and mentioned something about "bike" and "husband" -- I turned away and she probably took a shot anyway. There's something creepy about that it's just annoying. There is nothing special about me and the bike wasn't folded and I am dressed as properly as Stallone during the outdoor training sequences in the first "Rocky" only with a helmet so I didn't see the point and wasn't in the mood to be an attraction.
My thighs are a little sore due using the thighsolator and hip abductor at the gym yesterday. It's a good soreness since I cranked up the weight on the machines.
It's going to be a long day since there are plans abound for the night there will be mass coffee consumption.
Playlist:
Soundgarden - "My Wave"
Metallica - "Trapped Under Ice"
Monster Magnet - "Slap In The Face"
Jamiroquai - "Soul Education"
Guns 'n' Roses - "The Garden"
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
cold morning in the sun
The morning was just so cold. The problem was that I overslept to a point where I didn't even think to turn on the tv and see the weather report but thankfully brought my heavy, long-sleeve polo shirt with me so that by the time we were entering Penn I had it on as my top (and third layer). The truth is that it's only really cold for the first 5-10 minutes and then I warm up. My fingertips were pretty raw too, as I am using my lifting gloves today instead of my Yankees gloves.
I listened to most of the latter half of Monster Magnet's Dopes To Infinity omitting the last two songs and then listened to a couple off 4-Way Diablo. The cold will not bother me as much later today nor tomorrow, since I will be better prepared (there's a brand new hoodie waiting for me at my desk).
Mostly today's thoughts were spoken aloud and it's me talking to me telling me to move my ass. Not too many folks on the road today there was one jogger who was stretching out wearing a t-shirt and shorts and him and the bicyclist wearing shorts are two guys who won't admit it but their testicles are probably still way up in their respective stomachs.
Because it has the tendency to be a little congested, I had to get a little close to the pedestrians as I crossed Broadway via Thames Street in front of the Starbucks. I said "excuse me" to a tall, gruff-looking guy with slightly gray hair and a lazy eye and he stopped abruptly and gave me a dirty look. I ignored it, looked both ways before crossing and then parked the bike in front of the building, next to the cops who are always stationed there. I knew this guy was going to confront me but I was confident nothing would come from it. As I was locking up the bike, he then muttered something of an insult by calling me a "stupid f*ck" for shaking my head at him. I tried to quickly explain that I said "excuse me" and before I could elaborate he got louder as he walked away. I dropped my helmet, took off my headphones and backpack and loudly asked him if he had further plans, since the cops were standing right next to me. He continued his petty name calling and I just smiled at him. The cops were cool about it all -- they pointed at the guy and made the international swirling "cuckoo" sign with their fingers. My only concern was for the bike, so when the angry guy turned the corner I turned around and locked the bike up with the others on Nassau St., so he couldn't come back to where he'd think it was and mess with it. I probably would've reacted the same way even if the cops weren't around, but it's certainly not worth physically fighting over.
NITE OF DEC 1
Amazed, I was able to pedal back to Penn since the streets were remarkably dry and it was no longer raining. What up with that? It keeps the streak going and I feel like I'm putting one over on the man. And the man, in this case is the MTA ticket machines. It's Chanukah tonite and all the more reason to celebrate.
Thank you for reading.
I listened to most of the latter half of Monster Magnet's Dopes To Infinity omitting the last two songs and then listened to a couple off 4-Way Diablo. The cold will not bother me as much later today nor tomorrow, since I will be better prepared (there's a brand new hoodie waiting for me at my desk).
Mostly today's thoughts were spoken aloud and it's me talking to me telling me to move my ass. Not too many folks on the road today there was one jogger who was stretching out wearing a t-shirt and shorts and him and the bicyclist wearing shorts are two guys who won't admit it but their testicles are probably still way up in their respective stomachs.
Because it has the tendency to be a little congested, I had to get a little close to the pedestrians as I crossed Broadway via Thames Street in front of the Starbucks. I said "excuse me" to a tall, gruff-looking guy with slightly gray hair and a lazy eye and he stopped abruptly and gave me a dirty look. I ignored it, looked both ways before crossing and then parked the bike in front of the building, next to the cops who are always stationed there. I knew this guy was going to confront me but I was confident nothing would come from it. As I was locking up the bike, he then muttered something of an insult by calling me a "stupid f*ck" for shaking my head at him. I tried to quickly explain that I said "excuse me" and before I could elaborate he got louder as he walked away. I dropped my helmet, took off my headphones and backpack and loudly asked him if he had further plans, since the cops were standing right next to me. He continued his petty name calling and I just smiled at him. The cops were cool about it all -- they pointed at the guy and made the international swirling "cuckoo" sign with their fingers. My only concern was for the bike, so when the angry guy turned the corner I turned around and locked the bike up with the others on Nassau St., so he couldn't come back to where he'd think it was and mess with it. I probably would've reacted the same way even if the cops weren't around, but it's certainly not worth physically fighting over.
NITE OF DEC 1
Amazed, I was able to pedal back to Penn since the streets were remarkably dry and it was no longer raining. What up with that? It keeps the streak going and I feel like I'm putting one over on the man. And the man, in this case is the MTA ticket machines. It's Chanukah tonite and all the more reason to celebrate.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
the beginning of the end...of the year
Well, in hindsight this wasn't the best day to ride the bike, though I don't regret it. There was a storm warning and gusts and all that -- but by the time I left Oceanside, there was a breeze and barely a drizzle so I thought I was in the clear. Of course by the time I started out of Penn I saw that the wind was still picking up and it was raining. I think there was a day in July or August that was harder than this but it has been a while since I've rode in the precipitous conditions.
The wind was certainly something to contend with (though it may have propelled me once or twice).
The morning's playlist included:
"Thunderstruck" (live) - AC/DC
"I Don't Wanna Change the World," "Perry Mason," and "Black Rain" - Ozzy
"Nobody Weird Like Me" - RHCP
The interesting thing about my band selection is that I can vividly recall that all three artists released albums within months of each other in Fall 1995, so vicariously it was a very creative time and personally a pretty fun one. Gwar did, too, but we'll pretend like I didn't know that. I think I had just about started to play bass that year or the very next year.
The wind kicked up before I even got to Chelsea Piers today so I knew it wouldn't be a cake-walk. There were a few people jogging and biking and that's pretty cool it means they are in it for the long haul, like me -- or it could mean they'd rather not be on the subway, like me. There were very few people along the highway, so when one guy cut me off very closely I found that to be an unnecessary maneuver and that was a momentary agitation.
I sincerely doubt I'll be riding back to Penn tonight, if this keeps up. It's the sort of thing I feel out once I'm outside. There was a day back in July where I rode the bike one-way, so if I don't ride back, it does complete the other half of that day and I'll count it. Yesterday was R/T day #330.
My maroon Key West shirt is soaked as are my gray sweats but I am wearing shorts underneath the sweats so my undies won't be too soggy.
Thank you for reading.
The wind was certainly something to contend with (though it may have propelled me once or twice).
The morning's playlist included:
"Thunderstruck" (live) - AC/DC
"I Don't Wanna Change the World," "Perry Mason," and "Black Rain" - Ozzy
"Nobody Weird Like Me" - RHCP
The interesting thing about my band selection is that I can vividly recall that all three artists released albums within months of each other in Fall 1995, so vicariously it was a very creative time and personally a pretty fun one. Gwar did, too, but we'll pretend like I didn't know that. I think I had just about started to play bass that year or the very next year.
The wind kicked up before I even got to Chelsea Piers today so I knew it wouldn't be a cake-walk. There were a few people jogging and biking and that's pretty cool it means they are in it for the long haul, like me -- or it could mean they'd rather not be on the subway, like me. There were very few people along the highway, so when one guy cut me off very closely I found that to be an unnecessary maneuver and that was a momentary agitation.
I sincerely doubt I'll be riding back to Penn tonight, if this keeps up. It's the sort of thing I feel out once I'm outside. There was a day back in July where I rode the bike one-way, so if I don't ride back, it does complete the other half of that day and I'll count it. Yesterday was R/T day #330.
My maroon Key West shirt is soaked as are my gray sweats but I am wearing shorts underneath the sweats so my undies won't be too soggy.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
End of Nov. I'm 17-for-19
Surprisingly this was one of the most productive months for the bike. For the 19 days I went in to work in November, I rode 17 times. That's well over 100 miles and about $70 saved.
Yesterday was nice and warm -- that could've been because I was wearing my SI sweatshirt or just the weather. First day back since last Weds, and I noticed that there are a lot more people in the street/sidewalk having angry phone conversations. I guess the holidays tend to bring that out in people. In the morning I listened to the first few tracks off Chinese Democracy and the NIB version of "The Wizard" and a Rollins Band b-side, "Also Ran," which is better than most tracks off the under-appreciated Come In and Burn.
Today's weather was pretty much the same, though the sky is quite gray. I listened to songs by Gaza Strippers, Foo Fighters and Jamiroquai. The trip today was a little tougher because I had to book it over to Rockville Centre, which I accomplished in less than the 11 minutes I had from the time I got to the Oside station.
I am waiting on phone calls from folks who are stringing me along, it seems. It's just disrespectful to not return a phone call or honor a commitment without explanation. I am also trying not to let certain people at work get in my head but sometimes knowing I have to deal with rudeness and lack of character irks me in the morning. I feel as though I'm in a weird spot because there are some people who are about 25 - 35 years older than me who couldn't dole out some gratitude if it meant their lives, and then there are some people maybe 4 years younger who, also, are short on thanks and people skills. I wonder if the latter is because of the selfishness that technology has sold us. They try to make you seem like an individual if you have some device that is programmed "for you and you only," but it just keeps you tuned out from the world and plugged in to yourself, which isn't always a good thing. Some people have lost whatever manners they had. If I work with someone in the same building (or the same floor), I will always introduce myself and sincerely offer my help and services. Most people are receptive, and some just look at me like I'm a door-to-door salesman. Yet they text all day and want to be my facebook friend. You won't talk to me in person but I have to look at you when I sign on at home? Hell no. I think about how I will raise my children with regard to this dilemma and I will do my best to keep them from acting like selfish, self-involved little buggers. Oh, and you can take "shyness" and shove it. No such thing anymore. You're an adult, you don't get to be shy.
The Gaza Strippers cover Costello's "Lipstick Vogue" and it is fantastic.
I will have to bring the bike in today.
NITE TIME
Streets were wet but manageable and to be perfectly honest, the weather is warm. I know it's all humidity but it's all good. Still no phone calls from the people who should be returning them and it's just agitating. It's pitch black tonite but I'm setting a good pace and I only had to stop twice, once at the Church Street crossing and once at 14th Street.
I'm too fast for you I am too strong I am too much too much all the time. I am shedding my old skin and you will never catch me. I am too tough to die right now.
Thank you for reading.
Yesterday was nice and warm -- that could've been because I was wearing my SI sweatshirt or just the weather. First day back since last Weds, and I noticed that there are a lot more people in the street/sidewalk having angry phone conversations. I guess the holidays tend to bring that out in people. In the morning I listened to the first few tracks off Chinese Democracy and the NIB version of "The Wizard" and a Rollins Band b-side, "Also Ran," which is better than most tracks off the under-appreciated Come In and Burn.
Today's weather was pretty much the same, though the sky is quite gray. I listened to songs by Gaza Strippers, Foo Fighters and Jamiroquai. The trip today was a little tougher because I had to book it over to Rockville Centre, which I accomplished in less than the 11 minutes I had from the time I got to the Oside station.
I am waiting on phone calls from folks who are stringing me along, it seems. It's just disrespectful to not return a phone call or honor a commitment without explanation. I am also trying not to let certain people at work get in my head but sometimes knowing I have to deal with rudeness and lack of character irks me in the morning. I feel as though I'm in a weird spot because there are some people who are about 25 - 35 years older than me who couldn't dole out some gratitude if it meant their lives, and then there are some people maybe 4 years younger who, also, are short on thanks and people skills. I wonder if the latter is because of the selfishness that technology has sold us. They try to make you seem like an individual if you have some device that is programmed "for you and you only," but it just keeps you tuned out from the world and plugged in to yourself, which isn't always a good thing. Some people have lost whatever manners they had. If I work with someone in the same building (or the same floor), I will always introduce myself and sincerely offer my help and services. Most people are receptive, and some just look at me like I'm a door-to-door salesman. Yet they text all day and want to be my facebook friend. You won't talk to me in person but I have to look at you when I sign on at home? Hell no. I think about how I will raise my children with regard to this dilemma and I will do my best to keep them from acting like selfish, self-involved little buggers. Oh, and you can take "shyness" and shove it. No such thing anymore. You're an adult, you don't get to be shy.
The Gaza Strippers cover Costello's "Lipstick Vogue" and it is fantastic.
I will have to bring the bike in today.
NITE TIME
Streets were wet but manageable and to be perfectly honest, the weather is warm. I know it's all humidity but it's all good. Still no phone calls from the people who should be returning them and it's just agitating. It's pitch black tonite but I'm setting a good pace and I only had to stop twice, once at the Church Street crossing and once at 14th Street.
I'm too fast for you I am too strong I am too much too much all the time. I am shedding my old skin and you will never catch me. I am too tough to die right now.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
last week
This post was started last week but was de-railed in its publishing.....Yesterday was especially nice outside and I felt very fortunate to have such clear conditions on the road. On the ride back I stopped in the Vitamin Shoppe before Waverly Place and got hooked up with a couple of packets of some hardcore testosterone-inducing powders. The kind of stuff you see people use before a workout and they turn green and their pants turn purple and they eat cars and you say, "wow, whatever he's having, i don't want any part of..." So I'm gonna try it out on Thanksgiving morning at the gym.
Wednesday was a nice day and the ride back is fine but I may need to reconsider my current route as there's way too much congestion on Church Street.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday was a nice day and the ride back is fine but I may need to reconsider my current route as there's way too much congestion on Church Street.
Thank you for reading.
Monday, November 22, 2010
catching up
Well, it's been another few days of largely uneventful riding. I do vividly recall that last Wednesday that the wind gusted so hard as I was about to cross Vesey Street (and coincidentally, for the 3 whole seconds, stopped pedaling) that I felt myself about to be tossed. I laughed, half nerve-crazed, half-amazed, and walked the bike across the street.
Today, I was a little sore from yesterday's leg workout, specifically the squats and deadlifts, and the wind was blowing against me today so that made it a little tougher than normal. I will not run today during lunch since I'm sorer than I'd anticipated.
This has been a solid month thus far for me and the bike and I'm grateful for warm, sunny mornings such as this.
I'm listening to choice selections from the band Eleven which was a rock trio just under the radar in (mostly) the 1990s. I have the first three Eleven albums. What's interesting about this band is where they came from and where they are now. Long story short (b/c I don't know the whole story) the drummer was Jack Irons who was a Chili Pepper and played on Uplift Mofo Party Plan, and left shortly afterward when Hillel died. He has a style that is not as showy (nor as creative) as Chad Smith and as far as RHCP was concerned, musically it was for the best that he left. The singer/guitarist/bassist and singer/keyboardist were a married couple. The guy, Alain is a really good guitarist and songwriter and he wrote some really good hooks (listen to "Reach Out") and his wife, Natasha, was a good backup singer. These two played as part of Chris Cornell's backup band on Euphoria Morning. She doesn't have the typical female voice which is why I don't really like her singing too much and mostly skip the songs where she provides the lead. The duo did some supporting acts like that and were producers on a No Doubt album. She passed away due to cancer somewhat recently and now Alain collaborates with a lot of fantastic rockers (i.e. Mark Lanegan) and is one of Them Crooked Vultures (at least, on stage). That's gotta be weird -- he was on SNL as one of TCV but his wife and partner had to pass away for that to come to pass. I don't know if that's taking lemons and making a drink of it or just focusing or what -- it's certainly not a situation with which I'd want want to familiarize myself. I knew this band from way back in the early 90s when Q104.3 was a hard rock/alternative station and they'd play "Reach Out." I never forgot the song and thanks to ebay was able to pick up the 2nd two albums pretty inexpensively. Not great albums by any stretch but they are good.
This week will be simpler than most since it's only 3 workdays long. There are certain phone calls that should be coming my way that I'd just like to happen. I'm the point man for a lot of things going on in projects that are bigger than just myself, and I've done what I'm supposed to do (returning calls, sending emails, having my moneys in order) and I have a lot of dissatisfied people on the other end b/c the calls haven't come in. I hate that female silence over the phone that somehow transfers this message: "Why isn't this done yet? Why aren't you trying hard enough?"
When someone calls me, I return the call and get it over with -- good or bad.
Thank you for reading.
Today, I was a little sore from yesterday's leg workout, specifically the squats and deadlifts, and the wind was blowing against me today so that made it a little tougher than normal. I will not run today during lunch since I'm sorer than I'd anticipated.
This has been a solid month thus far for me and the bike and I'm grateful for warm, sunny mornings such as this.
I'm listening to choice selections from the band Eleven which was a rock trio just under the radar in (mostly) the 1990s. I have the first three Eleven albums. What's interesting about this band is where they came from and where they are now. Long story short (b/c I don't know the whole story) the drummer was Jack Irons who was a Chili Pepper and played on Uplift Mofo Party Plan, and left shortly afterward when Hillel died. He has a style that is not as showy (nor as creative) as Chad Smith and as far as RHCP was concerned, musically it was for the best that he left. The singer/guitarist/bassist and singer/keyboardist were a married couple. The guy, Alain is a really good guitarist and songwriter and he wrote some really good hooks (listen to "Reach Out") and his wife, Natasha, was a good backup singer. These two played as part of Chris Cornell's backup band on Euphoria Morning. She doesn't have the typical female voice which is why I don't really like her singing too much and mostly skip the songs where she provides the lead. The duo did some supporting acts like that and were producers on a No Doubt album. She passed away due to cancer somewhat recently and now Alain collaborates with a lot of fantastic rockers (i.e. Mark Lanegan) and is one of Them Crooked Vultures (at least, on stage). That's gotta be weird -- he was on SNL as one of TCV but his wife and partner had to pass away for that to come to pass. I don't know if that's taking lemons and making a drink of it or just focusing or what -- it's certainly not a situation with which I'd want want to familiarize myself. I knew this band from way back in the early 90s when Q104.3 was a hard rock/alternative station and they'd play "Reach Out." I never forgot the song and thanks to ebay was able to pick up the 2nd two albums pretty inexpensively. Not great albums by any stretch but they are good.
This week will be simpler than most since it's only 3 workdays long. There are certain phone calls that should be coming my way that I'd just like to happen. I'm the point man for a lot of things going on in projects that are bigger than just myself, and I've done what I'm supposed to do (returning calls, sending emails, having my moneys in order) and I have a lot of dissatisfied people on the other end b/c the calls haven't come in. I hate that female silence over the phone that somehow transfers this message: "Why isn't this done yet? Why aren't you trying hard enough?"
When someone calls me, I return the call and get it over with -- good or bad.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Been a while
It has been too long since my last post and I truly feel that I let myself down when I do not continue writing, especially since I've kept a good bicycling percentage the past few weeks.
To start, the last week in October I didn't ride at all b/c I was on a forced furlough week. I did keep up my time at the gym.
November went like this - 4 days in the first week (thurs was a bway show)
4 days last week (thurs was veteran's day and I was off from work). I rode today and yesterday so at last count that makes me 10-for-11, which is quite good. There were a few days last week that were very very cold in the morning to the point where I had to drive to the station to avoid the frigidity. But this week is humid and warmer and today nor yesterday did I wear my fleece.
The cold mornings took some adjustments but otherwise they are okay, it's the matter of wearing pants (as opposed to shorts) that's a little tougher b/c I'm less flexible that way. One day last week it hailed on my way here. IT HAILED! Not hard, mind you, but it was still unexpected.
I am still reading Zarathustra and am nearly finished. This was a tough read -- partially because you almost need to translate for yourself (in the way you do with Shakespeare, getting this old rhetoric into modern-day speak) and partially because some of it is so redundant and boring. There are a few pages that really speak to me and I will be curious to read the "notes" at the end. It will be nice to read something less dense.
Now that the day ends an hour earlier, it's pretty much pitch black when I leave for Penn, which makes me more cautious. But it's not rocket science -- I'm not looking for trouble it's just a matter of moving quickly. The ride itself is much easier than it had been in previous autumns and that is because I have no doubt kept myself leaner. There is no better route for me to take so it's still just about beating the clock.
This morning I listened to a handful of tracks (and two B-Sides) off One Hot Minute, an album I've had since my freshman year of high school. I actually think the b-sides -- "Let's Make Evil" and "Stretch" -- are better than most of tunes that made the final cut. It was nice to hear "One Big Mob" again after a nice long hiatus. When I saw RHCP in Feb of 1996, they played the first 8 tracks off this album, I feel somewhat special about that since you will not hear them play them ever again, sans "Pea."
I'm at a good pace today and though my calves are still a little sore, they do not feel as burstful as they did yesterday.
Thank you for reading.
To start, the last week in October I didn't ride at all b/c I was on a forced furlough week. I did keep up my time at the gym.
November went like this - 4 days in the first week (thurs was a bway show)
4 days last week (thurs was veteran's day and I was off from work). I rode today and yesterday so at last count that makes me 10-for-11, which is quite good. There were a few days last week that were very very cold in the morning to the point where I had to drive to the station to avoid the frigidity. But this week is humid and warmer and today nor yesterday did I wear my fleece.
The cold mornings took some adjustments but otherwise they are okay, it's the matter of wearing pants (as opposed to shorts) that's a little tougher b/c I'm less flexible that way. One day last week it hailed on my way here. IT HAILED! Not hard, mind you, but it was still unexpected.
I am still reading Zarathustra and am nearly finished. This was a tough read -- partially because you almost need to translate for yourself (in the way you do with Shakespeare, getting this old rhetoric into modern-day speak) and partially because some of it is so redundant and boring. There are a few pages that really speak to me and I will be curious to read the "notes" at the end. It will be nice to read something less dense.
Now that the day ends an hour earlier, it's pretty much pitch black when I leave for Penn, which makes me more cautious. But it's not rocket science -- I'm not looking for trouble it's just a matter of moving quickly. The ride itself is much easier than it had been in previous autumns and that is because I have no doubt kept myself leaner. There is no better route for me to take so it's still just about beating the clock.
This morning I listened to a handful of tracks (and two B-Sides) off One Hot Minute, an album I've had since my freshman year of high school. I actually think the b-sides -- "Let's Make Evil" and "Stretch" -- are better than most of tunes that made the final cut. It was nice to hear "One Big Mob" again after a nice long hiatus. When I saw RHCP in Feb of 1996, they played the first 8 tracks off this album, I feel somewhat special about that since you will not hear them play them ever again, sans "Pea."
I'm at a good pace today and though my calves are still a little sore, they do not feel as burstful as they did yesterday.
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Mother's Milk.
Monday came & went pretty uneventfully -- my best recollection is that I have started to wear sweatpants for the morning ride. By the evening it's still quite nice though it's obviously getting darker, quicker.
Tuesday night was the Greg Dulli show and I entertained the idea of bringing the bike and riding it back from the club but I'm mostly glad I didn't act on that, as I would've been worrying about having the tires slashed the whole time.
Last nite was "La Bete" which was entertaining. Couldn't bring it yesterday, I had to attempt to look good.
Today was a little bit of a re-awakening, as my thighs were feeling a little weary during the ride down, partially because of the wind working against me and also from 2 days of relative inactivity. I feel very fortunate to have had a pretty vibrant social life in the past 6 days so I am listening to the middle of the remastered Mother's Milk album, starting with "Nobody Weird Like Me."
This is my favorite album, as sometime around 2003 it edged out LHOB's Blastronaut. It's not hard to explain, really, as this album which is defined by sobriety, love of life, sadness, wackness and all things good in life, is the one to which I'm most responsive. Initially, the response is to the music, specifically the quickness and the bass. Something's happening there, and it's not just one moment but a fluid series of them that occur and it keeps me awake and wanting more out of each day. I've had this album since I was about 14 and bought the remaster toward end of college. The whole time I knew there were additional lyrics to "Knock Me Down" in the liner notes to the original and they finally played the longer version and I remember nearly crying the first time I'd heard it. Sure, the extra verses weren't totally necessary but they are beautiful all the same (perhaps even moreso, now). Though my situation with some old friends was not as physically intense (nobody died) I always felt the message got through to me and I am better for it. I think a lot of old friends were on a rough path that they'd never admit nor acknowledge, and their image was more important than their collective soul. I suppose I hope it's different for them now, but I'll lose no sleep over it. I stuck to my guns and am better for it. I skipped that track, today, though.
Regardless, this album lit a fire under my ass to become a better bassist and it certainly did, as I was able to play some of the songs on this CD which was a major accomplishment. As for the songs I couldn't play, I could perform snippets of it, which was also a wonderful feeling.
Sometimes if I had a PG-rated, non-financial wish to be granted, it would be to somehow perform this album as a co-singer, live, with the band. I would have to pull off a Capt. Sully move in order to make this happen but I think that's what I'd ask for.
I'm going to run during lunch again, as I need to get some of this Chicken Pompodoro out of my system.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday night was the Greg Dulli show and I entertained the idea of bringing the bike and riding it back from the club but I'm mostly glad I didn't act on that, as I would've been worrying about having the tires slashed the whole time.
Last nite was "La Bete" which was entertaining. Couldn't bring it yesterday, I had to attempt to look good.
Today was a little bit of a re-awakening, as my thighs were feeling a little weary during the ride down, partially because of the wind working against me and also from 2 days of relative inactivity. I feel very fortunate to have had a pretty vibrant social life in the past 6 days so I am listening to the middle of the remastered Mother's Milk album, starting with "Nobody Weird Like Me."
This is my favorite album, as sometime around 2003 it edged out LHOB's Blastronaut. It's not hard to explain, really, as this album which is defined by sobriety, love of life, sadness, wackness and all things good in life, is the one to which I'm most responsive. Initially, the response is to the music, specifically the quickness and the bass. Something's happening there, and it's not just one moment but a fluid series of them that occur and it keeps me awake and wanting more out of each day. I've had this album since I was about 14 and bought the remaster toward end of college. The whole time I knew there were additional lyrics to "Knock Me Down" in the liner notes to the original and they finally played the longer version and I remember nearly crying the first time I'd heard it. Sure, the extra verses weren't totally necessary but they are beautiful all the same (perhaps even moreso, now). Though my situation with some old friends was not as physically intense (nobody died) I always felt the message got through to me and I am better for it. I think a lot of old friends were on a rough path that they'd never admit nor acknowledge, and their image was more important than their collective soul. I suppose I hope it's different for them now, but I'll lose no sleep over it. I stuck to my guns and am better for it. I skipped that track, today, though.
Regardless, this album lit a fire under my ass to become a better bassist and it certainly did, as I was able to play some of the songs on this CD which was a major accomplishment. As for the songs I couldn't play, I could perform snippets of it, which was also a wonderful feeling.
Sometimes if I had a PG-rated, non-financial wish to be granted, it would be to somehow perform this album as a co-singer, live, with the band. I would have to pull off a Capt. Sully move in order to make this happen but I think that's what I'd ask for.
I'm going to run during lunch again, as I need to get some of this Chicken Pompodoro out of my system.
Thank you for reading.
Friday, October 15, 2010
...wind gusts...no problem
Last nite was a little rough and I certainly got wet but the tornado of late-September is still fresh in mind so the trip was a walk in the park, comparatively speaking. However, they did section off pieces of 6th Avenue at around 29th Street, which was an inconvenience. The cops also completely sectioned off 31st Street (going west toward 7th) but bicycling there was okay and I noticed the increased police and army presence in Penn.
This morning was very windy and was originally supposed to be rainy but no rain hath fallen. The wind, however, was not gusting against me during the southbound trip so that part was fine. I listened to a lot of Monster Magnet this morning on the ride down. The sun is out and I am void of feelings of malice.
I am feeling quite good about everything today -- I feel very fortunate in that I am able to ride and avoid the subway for another day. I am contributing to my health just by doing that. I have a fun 5 days ahead of me and am looking forward to enjoying extracurriculars. Worked out Sunday, Tuesday, Last nite and will do so again tomorrow morn. I am a fortunate soul this week.
Thank you for reading.
This morning was very windy and was originally supposed to be rainy but no rain hath fallen. The wind, however, was not gusting against me during the southbound trip so that part was fine. I listened to a lot of Monster Magnet this morning on the ride down. The sun is out and I am void of feelings of malice.
I am feeling quite good about everything today -- I feel very fortunate in that I am able to ride and avoid the subway for another day. I am contributing to my health just by doing that. I have a fun 5 days ahead of me and am looking forward to enjoying extracurriculars. Worked out Sunday, Tuesday, Last nite and will do so again tomorrow morn. I am a fortunate soul this week.
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
oct 13 & 14
Yesterday's ride was largely uneventful. I took 33rd St. up in the morning and there had been some accident toward 9th ave., a minor one that was holding up all the cars in the road. All I can really conclude from riding both bikes is that the one advantage to the little bike was its gears as there were certainly moments this morning that, while gear-less, I noticed I wasn't going as fast as I could've.
Made it to the station in under 19 minutes yesterday. I've got a lot of energy to burn by day's end. I don't know whether I've conditioned myself to be this way because most people are drained by the end of their shift but I've got too much to escape by 5:30.
Today's morning trip was also pleasant and uneventful. Zarathustra is a dense read and it's tough to focus sometimes on the train when all the important dipsticks have life-altering conversations beside me. I listen to Symphonic Pink Floyd while I'm reading to zero-in on the book. Perhaps the train is not the place for it. I'll see how I feel after the first part is over (book is in four parts). There are some parts of this book that I feel were written (good and bad) for me and others that are just way over my head.
It's supposed to rain during the return ride so we'll see if I leave the bike here tonite or just plow through.
Thank you for reading.
Made it to the station in under 19 minutes yesterday. I've got a lot of energy to burn by day's end. I don't know whether I've conditioned myself to be this way because most people are drained by the end of their shift but I've got too much to escape by 5:30.
Today's morning trip was also pleasant and uneventful. Zarathustra is a dense read and it's tough to focus sometimes on the train when all the important dipsticks have life-altering conversations beside me. I listen to Symphonic Pink Floyd while I'm reading to zero-in on the book. Perhaps the train is not the place for it. I'll see how I feel after the first part is over (book is in four parts). There are some parts of this book that I feel were written (good and bad) for me and others that are just way over my head.
It's supposed to rain during the return ride so we'll see if I leave the bike here tonite or just plow through.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
In defense of Nietzsche and musical variety
The morning is sunny and somewhat warm and despite having sore legs and a wet ground, I am confident it'll be a quick and solid round trip. There's a ton on my mind and I have just begun reading Thus Spake Zarathustra by Nietzsche. I'd always wanted to read this and got a new, cheap copy online. This is a book that Hitler was able to distort to suit Nazi propaganda. Since then, philosophers, critics, writers and artists have gone to bat in defense of Nietzsche (who died in 1900), stating his work was not anti-Semitic and was warped by the fascists in an attempt to create their own Ubermensch.
It's translated well but I'm reading it slowly. We'll see how this book impacts me, if at all.
Today's ride is pretty quick, I was able to make the light onto the highway. My soreness isn't slowing me down, as it typically doesn't. I'm sore because I squatted (and deadlifted) with weights on Saturday and ran the Boardwalk on Sunday. I did not feel this sore after the triathlon but was this charlie-horsed when I started running along the Seaport in July.
I had a dream about an old friend and playing music together but the details are hazy. I don't know if I can ever replicate that sort of feeling or experience -- that of playing in a band and making music. It'd be a tough thing to do since the music was born from friendship, and my reservations about doing it now is that it'd be the other way around. There are songs I've written in my head that I've never put down on paper, some of which are more than 10 years old. The time to do it was high school and it was fun for a the few years. Looking back, all I knew was rock and metal with only hints of other genres. Had I been exposed to more than just Beatles-Beatles-Beatles as a child perhaps other music (i.e. Metallica) wouldn't have been such a pleasant culture shock. As a kid I thought there were only songs about love, cars, paranormal/supernatural apparition combat agents and the occasional Billy Joel song about history or a boat. That changed when I was 12 and heard Guns 'N' Roses, Metallica and RHCP.
My children will subtly be exposed to more of a variety of music. I can predict this because I'm sure they will hear it in the house (as a reflection of my moods) as my collection is large and has some range. I'd never heard a jazz song until I was almost 20. That's just sad. The music is in my blood (and to a lesser extent, my wife's) and since it's practically required by elementary schools it will be fun to go to the concerts. Music and/or sports. I will be able to guide my child's outlook and psyche in the most positive way through these outlets because it's almost always interesting. To hear my kid make music or get excited about any sport/exercise will be an affirmation of my life and probably my own parents', too. Seems to me that the two ways I enjoy myself most are when I'm exercising or involved with music so there you have it.
I have some work to catch up on today and I know there's a lot of house-hunting inquiries that need to be made. I was more stressed about it a couple of days ago but once I get the unsatisfied-sounding phone calls from my nearest and dearest I'll feel my neck tense up.
My playlist this morning will be quite similar to a recently-played one, but it's good and it works for me.
Monster Magnet - "Live For the Moment"
Rob Zombie - "Demon Speeding"
Bad Religion - "Leaders & Followers"
Monster Magnet - "Twin Earth"
Slash - "Ghost"
Supernova - "The Dead Parade"
Thank you for reading.
It's translated well but I'm reading it slowly. We'll see how this book impacts me, if at all.
Today's ride is pretty quick, I was able to make the light onto the highway. My soreness isn't slowing me down, as it typically doesn't. I'm sore because I squatted (and deadlifted) with weights on Saturday and ran the Boardwalk on Sunday. I did not feel this sore after the triathlon but was this charlie-horsed when I started running along the Seaport in July.
I had a dream about an old friend and playing music together but the details are hazy. I don't know if I can ever replicate that sort of feeling or experience -- that of playing in a band and making music. It'd be a tough thing to do since the music was born from friendship, and my reservations about doing it now is that it'd be the other way around. There are songs I've written in my head that I've never put down on paper, some of which are more than 10 years old. The time to do it was high school and it was fun for a the few years. Looking back, all I knew was rock and metal with only hints of other genres. Had I been exposed to more than just Beatles-Beatles-Beatles as a child perhaps other music (i.e. Metallica) wouldn't have been such a pleasant culture shock. As a kid I thought there were only songs about love, cars, paranormal/supernatural apparition combat agents and the occasional Billy Joel song about history or a boat. That changed when I was 12 and heard Guns 'N' Roses, Metallica and RHCP.
My children will subtly be exposed to more of a variety of music. I can predict this because I'm sure they will hear it in the house (as a reflection of my moods) as my collection is large and has some range. I'd never heard a jazz song until I was almost 20. That's just sad. The music is in my blood (and to a lesser extent, my wife's) and since it's practically required by elementary schools it will be fun to go to the concerts. Music and/or sports. I will be able to guide my child's outlook and psyche in the most positive way through these outlets because it's almost always interesting. To hear my kid make music or get excited about any sport/exercise will be an affirmation of my life and probably my own parents', too. Seems to me that the two ways I enjoy myself most are when I'm exercising or involved with music so there you have it.
I have some work to catch up on today and I know there's a lot of house-hunting inquiries that need to be made. I was more stressed about it a couple of days ago but once I get the unsatisfied-sounding phone calls from my nearest and dearest I'll feel my neck tense up.
My playlist this morning will be quite similar to a recently-played one, but it's good and it works for me.
Monster Magnet - "Live For the Moment"
Rob Zombie - "Demon Speeding"
Bad Religion - "Leaders & Followers"
Monster Magnet - "Twin Earth"
Slash - "Ghost"
Supernova - "The Dead Parade"
Thank you for reading.
Friday, October 8, 2010
one day this week
Well I'm back. For starters, my last ride last week was Weds., as I had a Broadway show on Thurs. and Friday morning was kind of rough in the morning and it was tough to read the skies.
I don't recall much about the Wednesday ride other than being grateful for staying dry.
As for today:
THE MORNING
I had a splitting headache behind my right eye that woke me up early in the a.m. and remained when I re-awoke 5 hours later. Riding with one of those is not fun. Left from RVC today. Trains were delayed and that played a small factor in my morning commute. I had been sick this past week which really sucked and I can feel how one week less of riding and less workouts (I did manage to go on Sun, Mon & Tues) is effecting me as my gut is beginning to get flabby. The windy mornings are easy to mistake as "cold" and today I'm wearing a long-sleeve tee over a tank top and shorts. Strategically it was a smart move to work today, as I still have a 3-day weekend approaching. My playlist today consisted of:
Temple of the Dog: "Reach Down" and "Your Savior"
Queens of the Stone Age: "Suture My Future" and "Sick, Sick, Sick"
I have no watch this morning so I cannot accurately say if I'm moving faster or slower than normal. I got a phone call from Liz describing how forces are trying to keep me from enjoying a night out next Saturday but I will not be deterred. I feel pretty good on the bike for the most part and I do miss the gears of the little bike. Today should be in and out.
THE EVENING
The evening wind had died down and it was room temperature all the way back. A cab on Church Street didn't look before he cut into the middle lane, heard me yell and apologized. No big deal. Sometimes I wish I'd take a different route and just take Broadway or Nassau up to Park Row and then get on to Church/6th but that can take too long and it's an extra couple of minutes I'd rather not be here. It just gets really crowded and they chain off Church but it's not bad today and I beat the chains. Today was like the blink of an eye I was busy and even stressed at times but was able to get enough done to make Tuesday a pretty simple day. I feel like this weekend will be, "leisure time-wise," what Monday - Thurs. should've been.
Making the left onto 31st is a little narrower now and as I approached 7th Ave., there was a little black bag with a zipper on the floor, and it looked like it could've held a camera. It could've had money in it. I stopped, kicked it aside, as if it would provide a clue, and decided there wouldn't be any money in it and proceeded in. Who knows?
Thank you for reading.
I don't recall much about the Wednesday ride other than being grateful for staying dry.
As for today:
THE MORNING
I had a splitting headache behind my right eye that woke me up early in the a.m. and remained when I re-awoke 5 hours later. Riding with one of those is not fun. Left from RVC today. Trains were delayed and that played a small factor in my morning commute. I had been sick this past week which really sucked and I can feel how one week less of riding and less workouts (I did manage to go on Sun, Mon & Tues) is effecting me as my gut is beginning to get flabby. The windy mornings are easy to mistake as "cold" and today I'm wearing a long-sleeve tee over a tank top and shorts. Strategically it was a smart move to work today, as I still have a 3-day weekend approaching. My playlist today consisted of:
Temple of the Dog: "Reach Down" and "Your Savior"
Queens of the Stone Age: "Suture My Future" and "Sick, Sick, Sick"
I have no watch this morning so I cannot accurately say if I'm moving faster or slower than normal. I got a phone call from Liz describing how forces are trying to keep me from enjoying a night out next Saturday but I will not be deterred. I feel pretty good on the bike for the most part and I do miss the gears of the little bike. Today should be in and out.
THE EVENING
The evening wind had died down and it was room temperature all the way back. A cab on Church Street didn't look before he cut into the middle lane, heard me yell and apologized. No big deal. Sometimes I wish I'd take a different route and just take Broadway or Nassau up to Park Row and then get on to Church/6th but that can take too long and it's an extra couple of minutes I'd rather not be here. It just gets really crowded and they chain off Church but it's not bad today and I beat the chains. Today was like the blink of an eye I was busy and even stressed at times but was able to get enough done to make Tuesday a pretty simple day. I feel like this weekend will be, "leisure time-wise," what Monday - Thurs. should've been.
Making the left onto 31st is a little narrower now and as I approached 7th Ave., there was a little black bag with a zipper on the floor, and it looked like it could've held a camera. It could've had money in it. I stopped, kicked it aside, as if it would provide a clue, and decided there wouldn't be any money in it and proceeded in. Who knows?
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
big bike back
Today was the first day with my regular Dahon. One big difference is that the seat is much kinder to my butt & crotch as I think the seat of the small one was made of samsonite. One advantage to the little one, however, was the gears. That was nice. Oh, well, I think I'd rather have the bigger wheels. I move equally fast on both of them, though.
I did ride on Friday also, but didn't have time to document anything.
Today there was one interesting development: this was the first time I saw the traffic light on 31st between 7th & 8th. Not sure if it was completely necessary or even a smart move but what the heck?
It rained too hard yesterday morning for me to act on it and though the weather channel was sure of rain, I rolled the dice and won as there was barely a drop this morning and nothing at all on the way back.
I'm reading This Side of Paradise, which was F. Scott Fitzgerald's first novel. It's okay so far, but if I ever met most of his characters I'm quite sure I'd beat the shit out of them. Of course, they were all aristocrats (or wannabes) so odds are I wouldn't have met them anyway. I will have more insightful things to think about tomorrow.
Thank you for reading.
I did ride on Friday also, but didn't have time to document anything.
Today there was one interesting development: this was the first time I saw the traffic light on 31st between 7th & 8th. Not sure if it was completely necessary or even a smart move but what the heck?
It rained too hard yesterday morning for me to act on it and though the weather channel was sure of rain, I rolled the dice and won as there was barely a drop this morning and nothing at all on the way back.
I'm reading This Side of Paradise, which was F. Scott Fitzgerald's first novel. It's okay so far, but if I ever met most of his characters I'm quite sure I'd beat the shit out of them. Of course, they were all aristocrats (or wannabes) so odds are I wouldn't have met them anyway. I will have more insightful things to think about tomorrow.
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Blessed Hellride Home
I'm still moving quite fast and I'm not as sore as I was yesterday (due to the boxing class) but I have a feeling I'll be sore tomorrow.
On the way back, b/w 22 & 23rd Street some dumb meat-head -- who saw the major oncoming traffic -- decided to run head-first into the street. Tank top and no brains. I am glad he's alive but it would've been justified if his foot had been run over.
How can anyone justify that level of stupidity?
My wife worked hard today and I'll buy her some flowers.
Thank you for reading.
On the way back, b/w 22 & 23rd Street some dumb meat-head -- who saw the major oncoming traffic -- decided to run head-first into the street. Tank top and no brains. I am glad he's alive but it would've been justified if his foot had been run over.
How can anyone justify that level of stupidity?
My wife worked hard today and I'll buy her some flowers.
Thank you for reading.
Blessed Hellride
Nothing terribly fascinating on the road today though the weather is beautiful. Stopped at the median next to a hardcore bike-riding dude who was sponsored to the gills by some organic food company.
I'm listening to the first tracks off Black Label Society's Blessed Hellride. Nothing terribly deep happening on that front either -- I love the music. I'd love the first song if it weren't called "Stoned & Drunk." I feel same way about that as I do about Pantera when they sing about that. If I ever write another song it will not be about booze as there is plenty more to life than drugs & alcohol. If you don't start it, then you don't need to write songs about kicking the habit, neither.
Still a little sore from Tuesday and today we'll see if I have what it takes again in the boxing class. I'll make it a point to hydrate myself properly this time.
I was reading Punisher War Journal today (new one, vol 2, where he has a Captain America-like suit). The logo was cool.
Slept better today and there's a turkey sandwich waiting for me as a reward when I'm still standing after the class.
Thank you for reading.
I'm listening to the first tracks off Black Label Society's Blessed Hellride. Nothing terribly deep happening on that front either -- I love the music. I'd love the first song if it weren't called "Stoned & Drunk." I feel same way about that as I do about Pantera when they sing about that. If I ever write another song it will not be about booze as there is plenty more to life than drugs & alcohol. If you don't start it, then you don't need to write songs about kicking the habit, neither.
Still a little sore from Tuesday and today we'll see if I have what it takes again in the boxing class. I'll make it a point to hydrate myself properly this time.
I was reading Punisher War Journal today (new one, vol 2, where he has a Captain America-like suit). The logo was cool.
Slept better today and there's a turkey sandwich waiting for me as a reward when I'm still standing after the class.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Jimi on the Highway
I've got no caffeine in my system, and had Wheaties "Fuel" for breakfast. I'm extremely sore and tired today. That boxing class yesterday tore me up. I can't wait to do it again Thursday. I am waiting too long at the WSH light and another mistake I won't replicate is to look at the traffic. There's debris blowing in the wind and I'm not about to wear goggles so there you have it.
I am halfway through "Reach Down" by Temple of the Dog. I never paid much attention to this song as a kid but now I can't get enough of it. When I'm tired, this is a song to pull me back up -- just a long, heavy blues song.
I don't want anything too loud or angry -- actually I'm in a pretty clear mode because we made a strategic house-hunting move last nite (didn't bid) and though I didn't sleep much, I slept well. I realized I haven't listened to Jimi in a little while and decided to break out South Saturn Delta, which was a gift I rec'd on a Christmas sometime between 1999-2003.
The songs on the list are:
"Here He Comes" - The solo actually means something on top of being long and interesting.
"South Saturn Delta" - Funky, jazzy, rock-like tune. Instrumental. Had so many instrumentalists they couldn't list them all because they don't remember them all.
"Power of Soul" - Here's a great, "would've been a hit" song had he lived long enough to work out the kinks (of which there aren't many). The song just needs to be edited a little and the lyrics a little more concise. The first minute or two is all masterful guitar groove with him just humming over it. But the producer and engineer did a fine job of making his voice hover in this one -- it becomes almost spiritual or meditative. I know George Clinton covered this, I'd like to hear that.
"Message of Love" - This song has that hook that is used in RHCP's "Deep Kick." I new it sounded familiar even then, and the reason was b/c this song was originally on Jimi's Voodoo Soup, which some asshole in Kinder Ring stole from me in my first or second summer there. Why didn't they put locks on the doors of bunks that were gone for the day? I think the kid's name was Adam Green and if you see him, kick him in the shins because he also took Black Crowes' Amorica and Pink Floyd's Pulse. I re-purchased the former and will one day do the same for the latter.
I made it here in 22 minutes.
Thank you for reading.
I am halfway through "Reach Down" by Temple of the Dog. I never paid much attention to this song as a kid but now I can't get enough of it. When I'm tired, this is a song to pull me back up -- just a long, heavy blues song.
I don't want anything too loud or angry -- actually I'm in a pretty clear mode because we made a strategic house-hunting move last nite (didn't bid) and though I didn't sleep much, I slept well. I realized I haven't listened to Jimi in a little while and decided to break out South Saturn Delta, which was a gift I rec'd on a Christmas sometime between 1999-2003.
The songs on the list are:
"Here He Comes" - The solo actually means something on top of being long and interesting.
"South Saturn Delta" - Funky, jazzy, rock-like tune. Instrumental. Had so many instrumentalists they couldn't list them all because they don't remember them all.
"Power of Soul" - Here's a great, "would've been a hit" song had he lived long enough to work out the kinks (of which there aren't many). The song just needs to be edited a little and the lyrics a little more concise. The first minute or two is all masterful guitar groove with him just humming over it. But the producer and engineer did a fine job of making his voice hover in this one -- it becomes almost spiritual or meditative. I know George Clinton covered this, I'd like to hear that.
"Message of Love" - This song has that hook that is used in RHCP's "Deep Kick." I new it sounded familiar even then, and the reason was b/c this song was originally on Jimi's Voodoo Soup, which some asshole in Kinder Ring stole from me in my first or second summer there. Why didn't they put locks on the doors of bunks that were gone for the day? I think the kid's name was Adam Green and if you see him, kick him in the shins because he also took Black Crowes' Amorica and Pink Floyd's Pulse. I re-purchased the former and will one day do the same for the latter.
I made it here in 22 minutes.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Roundtrip #300
Today is a red-letter day for me in terms of fitness and goals. It was 2 years ago when my employer moved down here when I vowed to make it work for me, somehow. I already had the tools and I just needed to reach down and let out the intensity and determination. I don't feel that I'm any better than anyone other than my former self. This is all about the internal struggle. Every day that I ride is a day further from the 180-pound waste of space on my parents' couch during freshman winter break. I am glad my brother has proof in the form of a photo and has circulated it because it shows how hard I've worked to divorce myself from that lifestyle. It's a blessing and a curse because I'm ready to move on to better opportunities and hopefully they'll be a little closer to Penn (or home).
Tunes from Van Halen's Balance start me on the ride today. I'm glad I never sold this because thanks to Chickenfoot, I enjoy Sammy's wailing again. "Amsterdam," and "Big Fat Money" were the choice picks. I always loved the riff of the former, however, I can see how Eddie wanted more meaningful lyrics. I don't need songs about booze they run dry pretty quickly. You'll almost never see me go wild at a concert for a song about alcohol, and I'd be largely disgusted with myself if I did. Then the Best of Volume I kicks off with "Runnin' With the Devil" and "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love." Best of both worlds, eh? I sing "Runnin's" chorus aloud at the WFCs and crossing Albany Street in a Pat Boone-type voice. I wonder if anyone who passed me had the song stuck in their heads today.
I'm still moving quite fast. I feel good -- my right side, which had been bothering me a little is not an issue anymore and I can attribute that to rest and some changes in my ergonomics. I have a non-contact boxing class today that should be a good workout.
I don't think I can pull out another 50 round trips by the year's end. Between weekends, holidays, forced time off, after-work events and weather concerns, I'd really be pushing it. Possible, but unlikely.
Ultimately, the 300 trips equal at least 2,100 miles and $1,200 saved (based on a $4 a day habit, the fare increase of '09 and the absence of an unlimited monthly notwithstanding. If you factored those in, I estimate that it may be at least $1,400 to start with.) I'm happier with the money, the experience, the confidence and the mileage. The riding put me in the frame -- physically and mentally -- to prepare for the triathlon, which was yet another milestone. It's not like I had to first lose a ton of weight to get in shape for that -- it was more about the pacing than anything else. This keeps me in check. I can see and feel the difference when I do not ride for more than a few days.
I could go on and start to sound like a braggart. I'm proud of the accomplishment because no one put me up to it and I am not underground on the 2/3 train. But I am not special (and I promise I remind myself of this aloud many times a day) -- anyone could do this. Spend a few hundred bucks for the bike and some quick modifications and do it. The day that my physical health is no longer a concern is the day I have thrown in the towel. I don't want that sagging gut that a lot of guys with sedentary lifestyles have. I'm happier working harder to keep it off than to relax and let it happen. There will be other events like the TOBAY that need to be completed for a sense of self-satisfaction. Those are fleeting feelings, too, and I want more than that. I wish I could make a living doing this.
I expected the ride home to be tougher because that boxing class was a killer, but I had an earlier train to catch for an important appointment and hustled (and I drank half a box of coffee) -- I'm not sure that I stopped at too many lights. It all happened so fast. At Canal Street a police funeral procession was about to begin as I passed by.
Today was round trip #300 but tomorrow is slated to be #301. I'll keep doing this as long as I'm down here (and beyond, though who's to say the benefits will be as great?).
Thank you for reading.
Tunes from Van Halen's Balance start me on the ride today. I'm glad I never sold this because thanks to Chickenfoot, I enjoy Sammy's wailing again. "Amsterdam," and "Big Fat Money" were the choice picks. I always loved the riff of the former, however, I can see how Eddie wanted more meaningful lyrics. I don't need songs about booze they run dry pretty quickly. You'll almost never see me go wild at a concert for a song about alcohol, and I'd be largely disgusted with myself if I did. Then the Best of Volume I kicks off with "Runnin' With the Devil" and "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love." Best of both worlds, eh? I sing "Runnin's" chorus aloud at the WFCs and crossing Albany Street in a Pat Boone-type voice. I wonder if anyone who passed me had the song stuck in their heads today.
I'm still moving quite fast. I feel good -- my right side, which had been bothering me a little is not an issue anymore and I can attribute that to rest and some changes in my ergonomics. I have a non-contact boxing class today that should be a good workout.
I don't think I can pull out another 50 round trips by the year's end. Between weekends, holidays, forced time off, after-work events and weather concerns, I'd really be pushing it. Possible, but unlikely.
Ultimately, the 300 trips equal at least 2,100 miles and $1,200 saved (based on a $4 a day habit, the fare increase of '09 and the absence of an unlimited monthly notwithstanding. If you factored those in, I estimate that it may be at least $1,400 to start with.) I'm happier with the money, the experience, the confidence and the mileage. The riding put me in the frame -- physically and mentally -- to prepare for the triathlon, which was yet another milestone. It's not like I had to first lose a ton of weight to get in shape for that -- it was more about the pacing than anything else. This keeps me in check. I can see and feel the difference when I do not ride for more than a few days.
I could go on and start to sound like a braggart. I'm proud of the accomplishment because no one put me up to it and I am not underground on the 2/3 train. But I am not special (and I promise I remind myself of this aloud many times a day) -- anyone could do this. Spend a few hundred bucks for the bike and some quick modifications and do it. The day that my physical health is no longer a concern is the day I have thrown in the towel. I don't want that sagging gut that a lot of guys with sedentary lifestyles have. I'm happier working harder to keep it off than to relax and let it happen. There will be other events like the TOBAY that need to be completed for a sense of self-satisfaction. Those are fleeting feelings, too, and I want more than that. I wish I could make a living doing this.
I expected the ride home to be tougher because that boxing class was a killer, but I had an earlier train to catch for an important appointment and hustled (and I drank half a box of coffee) -- I'm not sure that I stopped at too many lights. It all happened so fast. At Canal Street a police funeral procession was about to begin as I passed by.
Today was round trip #300 but tomorrow is slated to be #301. I'll keep doing this as long as I'm down here (and beyond, though who's to say the benefits will be as great?).
Thank you for reading.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Riding Taylor's Coattails
Today started from RVC station, which I rode to in about 10 (maybe less) minutes. I've corrected and isolated whatever issues I thought I was having with the 2nd gear. There are no issues b/c I was in between gears. Optimistically I won't have my bike back until the end of this week.
This 7 days have caused me to look sluggish and I'm losing some definition so I'll..um, re-define myself.
I'm listening to Red Light Fever by Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders. I got this when it came out in April and it is really good -- much much better than their debut album.
At the end of the opening track, "Not Bad Luck," the final lyrics, are truly a concluding statement and something of a warning, "Don't believe the writing on the wall" and then the music sort of spins out of control. I think he did that for dramatic purposes. He uses a lot of old sayings and cliches but there's a usually a twist to it. I can't stand cliches as song lyrics most times.
I'm moving swiftly, so though I don't look as good as normal, I'm still in good enough shape to pass folks who are on bikes with tires 3x the size of mine.
Fasting this weekend wasn't terrible in terms of hunger but the headache was rough there at about 1:30. I won't have to endure it again for another 363 days.
Thank you for reading.
This 7 days have caused me to look sluggish and I'm losing some definition so I'll..um, re-define myself.
I'm listening to Red Light Fever by Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders. I got this when it came out in April and it is really good -- much much better than their debut album.
At the end of the opening track, "Not Bad Luck," the final lyrics, are truly a concluding statement and something of a warning, "Don't believe the writing on the wall" and then the music sort of spins out of control. I think he did that for dramatic purposes. He uses a lot of old sayings and cliches but there's a usually a twist to it. I can't stand cliches as song lyrics most times.
I'm moving swiftly, so though I don't look as good as normal, I'm still in good enough shape to pass folks who are on bikes with tires 3x the size of mine.
Fasting this weekend wasn't terrible in terms of hunger but the headache was rough there at about 1:30. I won't have to endure it again for another 363 days.
Thank you for reading.
Friday, September 17, 2010
sept 16th night/sept 17th morning
Sept 16th ride home -- infamous rainy night --
Stepping outside literally a few minutes before 5:30, a guy is admiring the bike and I look up and ask if that was lightning we just saw.
"I don't know, I was looking at your bike."
A half-second later, I knew it'd rain in a matter of minutes. But that normally doesn't deter me because I've beaten the rain before in terms of getting to Penn dry (or mostly dry). That didn't happen this time. Had I left 5 minutes earlier, I would've been mostly dry entering Penn. But I rode it out, pedaling as hard as I could in the third gear and was doing pretty well. So well, in fact, that by the IFC theater at W. 4th Street, I thought I could pull it off. It's invigorating to look uptown from street level just before a storm breaks -- the lightning off in the distance aesthetically blocked off by the skyscrapers is quite nice. If only I wasn't 66% water and riding an aluminum bicycle I would've stopped to bask in it.
But about 10-14 blocks later, the party was over and I was drenched. Somewhere before 20th Street I had to pull off the road and run the bike via 6th Avenue sidewalks. My shoes kept untying themselves and my sneakers were saturated. I had enough time to make it on foot and I knew I was licked, which boosted my confidence. Once I hit 31st Street I hopped back on the bike because there weren't that many cars. Approaching 7th Ave. corner, however, I saw that the water wasn't draining very well and hopped back off and made my way downstairs. I entertained the notion of jumping on the very first train I could and just changing at Jamaica. I probably should have done that -- it's impulsive but under the circumstances I just wanted to get home -- but I didn't and decided to wait the 5 minutes for my train to be called. But it never did and the rest is a bunch of regretful history.
Morning - Sept 17th
The only good to come from yesterday's stomachache was that much of my lunch is still in the office fridge, so I didn't need to brown bag it, and decided to bring a small folded shirt and my still-wet copy of Into The Wild in a plastic bag and let it dangle off the handlebar. I'm wearing a thin, long-sleeve cotton green shirt (which I wore to sleep) and my damp shorts and love the feeling that I have forgotten something when in fact, I've intentionally left my backpack at home. I'm sweating much less and the ride is mostly pleasant. I'm listening to Audioslave's Revelations from the start. I found out that my bike will take another week to fix up since the part is so rare it needs to be ordered -- that means my 300th trip will be on Bob's bike. I have no real problem with that but there's some sentimentality to the event. But then again, it's just another day and another round-trip.
I'm halfway through the book and it's quite gripping. Part of me wishes I could do what McCandless did, without the dying of starvation part.
Today I'll be sans coffee for the first time in a while and we'll see how that works out for me today, and more importantly, tomorrow. I'll allow myself a second cup of regular tea today and then that's it. I wonder if I've been less fun this past week because of the gradual fade of the java in my system. I'm waking up more easily, that's for sure.
The roads are slightly glazed but otherwise you'd never know that there was a tornado not 20 miles from here.
Since the day after Labor Day, I'm 8-for-9 with the bike. I haven't worked out this week but that's okay, I'll make up for it next week.
Thank you for reading.
Stepping outside literally a few minutes before 5:30, a guy is admiring the bike and I look up and ask if that was lightning we just saw.
"I don't know, I was looking at your bike."
A half-second later, I knew it'd rain in a matter of minutes. But that normally doesn't deter me because I've beaten the rain before in terms of getting to Penn dry (or mostly dry). That didn't happen this time. Had I left 5 minutes earlier, I would've been mostly dry entering Penn. But I rode it out, pedaling as hard as I could in the third gear and was doing pretty well. So well, in fact, that by the IFC theater at W. 4th Street, I thought I could pull it off. It's invigorating to look uptown from street level just before a storm breaks -- the lightning off in the distance aesthetically blocked off by the skyscrapers is quite nice. If only I wasn't 66% water and riding an aluminum bicycle I would've stopped to bask in it.
But about 10-14 blocks later, the party was over and I was drenched. Somewhere before 20th Street I had to pull off the road and run the bike via 6th Avenue sidewalks. My shoes kept untying themselves and my sneakers were saturated. I had enough time to make it on foot and I knew I was licked, which boosted my confidence. Once I hit 31st Street I hopped back on the bike because there weren't that many cars. Approaching 7th Ave. corner, however, I saw that the water wasn't draining very well and hopped back off and made my way downstairs. I entertained the notion of jumping on the very first train I could and just changing at Jamaica. I probably should have done that -- it's impulsive but under the circumstances I just wanted to get home -- but I didn't and decided to wait the 5 minutes for my train to be called. But it never did and the rest is a bunch of regretful history.
Morning - Sept 17th
The only good to come from yesterday's stomachache was that much of my lunch is still in the office fridge, so I didn't need to brown bag it, and decided to bring a small folded shirt and my still-wet copy of Into The Wild in a plastic bag and let it dangle off the handlebar. I'm wearing a thin, long-sleeve cotton green shirt (which I wore to sleep) and my damp shorts and love the feeling that I have forgotten something when in fact, I've intentionally left my backpack at home. I'm sweating much less and the ride is mostly pleasant. I'm listening to Audioslave's Revelations from the start. I found out that my bike will take another week to fix up since the part is so rare it needs to be ordered -- that means my 300th trip will be on Bob's bike. I have no real problem with that but there's some sentimentality to the event. But then again, it's just another day and another round-trip.
I'm halfway through the book and it's quite gripping. Part of me wishes I could do what McCandless did, without the dying of starvation part.
Today I'll be sans coffee for the first time in a while and we'll see how that works out for me today, and more importantly, tomorrow. I'll allow myself a second cup of regular tea today and then that's it. I wonder if I've been less fun this past week because of the gradual fade of the java in my system. I'm waking up more easily, that's for sure.
The roads are slightly glazed but otherwise you'd never know that there was a tornado not 20 miles from here.
Since the day after Labor Day, I'm 8-for-9 with the bike. I haven't worked out this week but that's okay, I'll make up for it next week.
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
yesterday & today & Didjits
Sept 15 --
Both trips yesterday were largely uneventful. In the morning there was a mother-son combo taking photos of Ground Zero near a loading dock checkpoint at the Deloitte building. (A) they were standing in a terrible spot as that's the only spot for joggers, cyclists, pedestrians, and runnists (that's right, I made up another pricelarious word) to pass through; (B) as far as I'm concerned they are being disrespectful. So I stopped and stood right in front of both of them. I hope I was a major disturbance and that their photos came out lousily.
Playlist:
Soundgarden: "My Wave" and "Superunknown"
Airbourne: "Born To Kill"
Living Colour: "New Jack Theme"
Biohazard: "Pride"
On the ride home the 2nd gear was giving me some problems so I was forced to ride in the 3rd gear to keep the chain in line -- this is the gear that has the most resistance. That was acceptable since I had extra time as I was making a later train than usual. Still I was not moving very quickly and it alarmed me.
Sept 16 (morning) --
I'm moving pretty quickly today. My stomach was giving me problems this morning and I think I'm moving faster today because I'm lighter thanks to about an hour of evacuation rituals this morning. Second gear is fine once again I think I was just pedaling with too much force yesterday evening. I am once again waking up way before my alarm and even Gilly's alarm, so who knows how I'll fare today.
I'm about 40 pgs deep into Into The Wild by John Krakauer. Fascinating read, thus far. Chris aka Alex reminds me of an old friend who is unfortunately a friend now only in "facebook" theory, and on a deeper level I can relate to Alex now. The longing for some sort of transcendence is a pretty universal theme and this guy went for it, too bad he didn't make it out alive. I'm not ruining the book with this knowledge as it's detailed on the cover that he's dead. I don't know if I could hack it being a nomad, vagabond, call it what you will. I will have more to say about the book as the next few days progress, as it's only about 200 pages.
I didn't have to wait very long at the Highway intersection and a Postal trucker of Asian descent saw me making the left and let me dart out ahead of him. I waved back to him once on the highway as a thank-you and he seemed genuinely concerned for me.
I decided to play the Didjits' final album, Que Sirhan Sirhan for the duration of the ride since it cannot be more than 28 minutes. This was my favorite of their albums, though I only owned one other which I sold to a used record store. On this one, however, the sound quality is light years beyond Hornet Pinata and it's faster, heavier and more fun.
So the story behind this album:
When I was about 14, I became a fan of the Supersuckers and the first album I bought of their's was Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers. Their lead guitarist at the time was Rick Sims. That partnership, while artistically successful, was a one-shot deal. Sims did sing on one track and had backing vocal duties on a lot of songs. Upon learning he had left a previous band, the Didjits, I picked up the two aforementioned albums under the radar of my parents, who at th time were slightly dismayed at the amount of money I was shelling out for music. (To this day, not a whole hell of a lot has changed, though I'm far more cost-conscious and with the advent of the internet, I get much better deals.)
Que Sirhan Sirhan has a tranquilized pig floating in clouds on its cover and the insert is a single fold but contains every lyric. These songs are all just fast, fun, furious and all about rocking out, girls, booze, energy and "Get Smart." The opening track is "Agent 99" which, at the time, I didn't realize was a nod to the old television show. I was 14, and only knew "Beavis & Butt-Head" and "Married With Children."
The guitar work is the draw of the album, as it's pretty complex for garage/punk and more than once he makes sounds similar to a chainsaw. While Sims' voice is a falsetto acquired taste, he at least hits his notes. I remember my old best friend, with whom I fronted a garage trio, hated Sims' voice, which was funny because I always thought they sounded similar.
Fast forward to post-college and the CD was in a green carry-pack, which I thought I'd left & lost at my gym. I'd scoured my room to no avail. About a year after I abandoned the search, I looked in the same spot (under the pull-out drawer on the right side of my computer desk) and behold, the green carry-pack, with all contents accounted for. I immediately took the CD to work, burned it, loaded it to ITunes and then kept the disc in the car for short drives, where it has mostly remained. I figure if I ever lose the CD again, it'd be alright, as I now have it preserved digitally (didjitally) in a couple of places.
It's a good rock CD and perfect for my bike rides. Though the songs are adult-themed, the music itself brings me back to a time when the worst thing I could do was buy a CD from The Wall, and when Fridays meant jamming in my drummer's basement. Que Sirhan Sirhan hey, whatever, man.
Thank you for reading.
Both trips yesterday were largely uneventful. In the morning there was a mother-son combo taking photos of Ground Zero near a loading dock checkpoint at the Deloitte building. (A) they were standing in a terrible spot as that's the only spot for joggers, cyclists, pedestrians, and runnists (that's right, I made up another pricelarious word) to pass through; (B) as far as I'm concerned they are being disrespectful. So I stopped and stood right in front of both of them. I hope I was a major disturbance and that their photos came out lousily.
Playlist:
Soundgarden: "My Wave" and "Superunknown"
Airbourne: "Born To Kill"
Living Colour: "New Jack Theme"
Biohazard: "Pride"
On the ride home the 2nd gear was giving me some problems so I was forced to ride in the 3rd gear to keep the chain in line -- this is the gear that has the most resistance. That was acceptable since I had extra time as I was making a later train than usual. Still I was not moving very quickly and it alarmed me.
Sept 16 (morning) --
I'm moving pretty quickly today. My stomach was giving me problems this morning and I think I'm moving faster today because I'm lighter thanks to about an hour of evacuation rituals this morning. Second gear is fine once again I think I was just pedaling with too much force yesterday evening. I am once again waking up way before my alarm and even Gilly's alarm, so who knows how I'll fare today.
I'm about 40 pgs deep into Into The Wild by John Krakauer. Fascinating read, thus far. Chris aka Alex reminds me of an old friend who is unfortunately a friend now only in "facebook" theory, and on a deeper level I can relate to Alex now. The longing for some sort of transcendence is a pretty universal theme and this guy went for it, too bad he didn't make it out alive. I'm not ruining the book with this knowledge as it's detailed on the cover that he's dead. I don't know if I could hack it being a nomad, vagabond, call it what you will. I will have more to say about the book as the next few days progress, as it's only about 200 pages.
I didn't have to wait very long at the Highway intersection and a Postal trucker of Asian descent saw me making the left and let me dart out ahead of him. I waved back to him once on the highway as a thank-you and he seemed genuinely concerned for me.
I decided to play the Didjits' final album, Que Sirhan Sirhan for the duration of the ride since it cannot be more than 28 minutes. This was my favorite of their albums, though I only owned one other which I sold to a used record store. On this one, however, the sound quality is light years beyond Hornet Pinata and it's faster, heavier and more fun.
So the story behind this album:
When I was about 14, I became a fan of the Supersuckers and the first album I bought of their's was Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers. Their lead guitarist at the time was Rick Sims. That partnership, while artistically successful, was a one-shot deal. Sims did sing on one track and had backing vocal duties on a lot of songs. Upon learning he had left a previous band, the Didjits, I picked up the two aforementioned albums under the radar of my parents, who at th time were slightly dismayed at the amount of money I was shelling out for music. (To this day, not a whole hell of a lot has changed, though I'm far more cost-conscious and with the advent of the internet, I get much better deals.)
Que Sirhan Sirhan has a tranquilized pig floating in clouds on its cover and the insert is a single fold but contains every lyric. These songs are all just fast, fun, furious and all about rocking out, girls, booze, energy and "Get Smart." The opening track is "Agent 99" which, at the time, I didn't realize was a nod to the old television show. I was 14, and only knew "Beavis & Butt-Head" and "Married With Children."
The guitar work is the draw of the album, as it's pretty complex for garage/punk and more than once he makes sounds similar to a chainsaw. While Sims' voice is a falsetto acquired taste, he at least hits his notes. I remember my old best friend, with whom I fronted a garage trio, hated Sims' voice, which was funny because I always thought they sounded similar.
Fast forward to post-college and the CD was in a green carry-pack, which I thought I'd left & lost at my gym. I'd scoured my room to no avail. About a year after I abandoned the search, I looked in the same spot (under the pull-out drawer on the right side of my computer desk) and behold, the green carry-pack, with all contents accounted for. I immediately took the CD to work, burned it, loaded it to ITunes and then kept the disc in the car for short drives, where it has mostly remained. I figure if I ever lose the CD again, it'd be alright, as I now have it preserved digitally (didjitally) in a couple of places.
It's a good rock CD and perfect for my bike rides. Though the songs are adult-themed, the music itself brings me back to a time when the worst thing I could do was buy a CD from The Wall, and when Fridays meant jamming in my drummer's basement. Que Sirhan Sirhan hey, whatever, man.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
ride home
I'm not pushing as hard as I once thought I needed to. Not sure if it's b/c I leave myself an extra couple of minutes or because I made nearly every light today. I'll conserve a lot of that for the winter (I know I'm repeating myself -- sorry).
One interesting thing did happen at the very end of the ride back.
At the corner of 31st St. & 7th Ave., possibly one of the busiest intersections in the world, a cop car hit a van's back passenger side. It was a loud BANG and then you heard all the air hissing its way out of the rear tire. This happened, in my opinion, because pedestrians cross as the westbound traffic light turns but if there's no car immediately coming toward them they'll keep walking. I know every NY pedestrian is more important than the next -- I mean, why else would they be getting those uber-important calls and texts? -- but they seem to think they are indestructible and they are not. Their bones will break just as easily as the next uber-important pedestrian who will step over them just to get to MSG, or the NJT, or the LIRR or the subway. I mention all this because the van in question was making a right into this tiny passageway and probably stopped short because of the aforementioned pedestrian-ism and that's why the poor van driver's day is completely decimated. It really wasn't his fault and the cop should've used a little better judgment.
Today was round-trip #295.
Thank you for reading.
One interesting thing did happen at the very end of the ride back.
At the corner of 31st St. & 7th Ave., possibly one of the busiest intersections in the world, a cop car hit a van's back passenger side. It was a loud BANG and then you heard all the air hissing its way out of the rear tire. This happened, in my opinion, because pedestrians cross as the westbound traffic light turns but if there's no car immediately coming toward them they'll keep walking. I know every NY pedestrian is more important than the next -- I mean, why else would they be getting those uber-important calls and texts? -- but they seem to think they are indestructible and they are not. Their bones will break just as easily as the next uber-important pedestrian who will step over them just to get to MSG, or the NJT, or the LIRR or the subway. I mention all this because the van in question was making a right into this tiny passageway and probably stopped short because of the aforementioned pedestrian-ism and that's why the poor van driver's day is completely decimated. It really wasn't his fault and the cop should've used a little better judgment.
Today was round-trip #295.
Thank you for reading.
day 5 of little bike
Another nice morning.
"Fresh Tendrils" by Soundgarden starts me westbound. I used to be all about making lights and things like that but I realize that mindset doesn't kick in until Thanksgiving time when it's colder in the morning. Still I hate just waiting at the median for all the southbound cars to move -- each time they slow down just enough and I think I can dart across, they pick up again. (Velvet Revolver - She Mine)
There is something about the way I have to sit on the train that is screwing up my ergonomics, as I've felt some tenderness on my lower right side. I was very graciously given a pristine copy of In The Wild which I'll start reading soon, but I am writing an essay to be submitted to MH and I need to get it done, so that's what I was working on during the ride. It's about the triathlon.
The seat on this bike is very hard and it's like getting a prostate exam if I accidentally ride over a pothole or bump. (Diamond in the Rough - Airbourne)
This is day 2 of my caffeine phase-out. I passed out at around 9:30 last nite and would've stayed asleep... I'm certainly less twitchy today & I woke up much easier. (Thunder Kiss '65 - White Zombie) I will work out tonite as I've already written out what the routine will be. (A Small Victory - Faith No More)
I've got an empty head though I think about an article that suggests that humans have biophilia and we yearn to get outdoors, and I'm proudly among those statistics. I know I have time off coming to me and believe me I won't be indoors the whole time. (Get Out The Door - VR) Libertad really did rock, too bad things didn't last for the supergroup. I liked Audioslave better but they were almost as good.
Thank you for reading.
"Fresh Tendrils" by Soundgarden starts me westbound. I used to be all about making lights and things like that but I realize that mindset doesn't kick in until Thanksgiving time when it's colder in the morning. Still I hate just waiting at the median for all the southbound cars to move -- each time they slow down just enough and I think I can dart across, they pick up again. (Velvet Revolver - She Mine)
There is something about the way I have to sit on the train that is screwing up my ergonomics, as I've felt some tenderness on my lower right side. I was very graciously given a pristine copy of In The Wild which I'll start reading soon, but I am writing an essay to be submitted to MH and I need to get it done, so that's what I was working on during the ride. It's about the triathlon.
The seat on this bike is very hard and it's like getting a prostate exam if I accidentally ride over a pothole or bump. (Diamond in the Rough - Airbourne)
This is day 2 of my caffeine phase-out. I passed out at around 9:30 last nite and would've stayed asleep... I'm certainly less twitchy today & I woke up much easier. (Thunder Kiss '65 - White Zombie) I will work out tonite as I've already written out what the routine will be. (A Small Victory - Faith No More)
I've got an empty head though I think about an article that suggests that humans have biophilia and we yearn to get outdoors, and I'm proudly among those statistics. I know I have time off coming to me and believe me I won't be indoors the whole time. (Get Out The Door - VR) Libertad really did rock, too bad things didn't last for the supergroup. I liked Audioslave better but they were almost as good.
Thank you for reading.
Monday, September 13, 2010
day 3 & 4 of little bike
I'm pretty fortunate to have the little bike, else I'd have spent money on the subway which I like to avoid.
Friday was pretty uneventful, save for the additional tourists and blocked-off streets due to the (then-looming) 9/11 anniversary. It's a madhouse down here on that date so I am glad it fell on a Saturday this year. As it turns out, I cried while watching the first half of the ceremony. I haven't ever cried over it but this year there was something very profound about it -- the time lapse and that I can never know what those people's grief is like overcame me and I lost it a couple of times in the privacy of my apartment Sat morning. I wonder if people are "holding out" for next year, on the tenth anniversary, which is just a weird thing to do. Doesn't matter how many years, it's that it's another year. If a 12-year-old kid lost a parent on that day, he/she is now 21. I don't know how that thought really occurred to me, but it was an original thought and I think that's what did me in.
This morning, I had some fresh music to ride to and though the morning started in a dull gray it was nice and sunny by the time I platformed. ("1970" - Monster Magnet)
I am pretty well-rested as I haven't exercised at all since Saturday at noon. This is a rarity and I am not Henry Rollins. Once or twice a month is an acceptable length to not exercise. I ate a lot last week and it was delicious of course but this week is going to be tough as I attempt to ween myself off coffee and ultimately, caffeine, by Friday. I'm doing all this so that Saturday's fast won't be so tough. Last year was rough toward the end because there'd been a dramatic weight loss between Sept 08 & 09 but this year I'm the similar weight.
"Where You Come From" by Pantera is a song I specifically chose for this ride as it's a new one for me. I am a fan but mostly of Vulgar Display and Reinventing the Steel -- I like the other ones, esp the first 4 tracks off Far Beyond Driven but have never given Cowboys a full listen and I don't particularly care for TGSTK, though a couple of tracks are badass. This particular song, though, sounds like it didn't make the cut from the TGSTK though I think it's better than 90% of what made it on there. I love the riff but the lyrics are so-so. When Pantera's all about power, inner strength and longevity, I'm with them completely, sometimes even moreso than Rollins. But when they're all about drugs and booze and seem to lose their focus, I'm not with them at all. That's why Rollins prevails.
"Live For The Moment" by Monster Magnet comes on about halfway down the highway. I'm moving faster than most people on full-size bikes. I don't know if it's because I'm in better shape than they are, because I'm accustomed to the ride, or to the inverse of those ideas for them. Either way I did hit a couple of the very few lights where there are inlets for the Sanitation Dept., which makes everything tougher with the stop-and-go nonsense. I love this song, I know I had heard it once or twice before but I was able to download it free off MM's updated web site. Last week I was able to download (legally, and for free) more than an album's worth of B-Sides, remixes and covers. This song is every bit as good as "Space Lord" and possibly better.
"Funeral Bell" by Black Label Society is next as I'm pushing past Chambers Street and creeping in to the WFCs. I like Zakk Wylde as much as the next guy but he likes his wammy bar more than the next guy and after a while it's distracting. He's not a great singer, either, which is probably why I didn't love Pride & Glory, though I regret selling it years ago. This is good for a rock workout though, where I'm energetic but not in a Biohazard-feening craze.
"Who Made Who" (live) by AC / DC is just too good. By the final verse you are just there with them on the journey and it's a good morning. Their live album is one of the first CDs I ever bought (through a mail-order club) so I've had it 16 years. It's wrong to dislike AC / DC.
I'll try to make today a better day than most of the past few weeks. I left my lunch home so I'll agonize over what to do.
Thank you for reading.
Friday was pretty uneventful, save for the additional tourists and blocked-off streets due to the (then-looming) 9/11 anniversary. It's a madhouse down here on that date so I am glad it fell on a Saturday this year. As it turns out, I cried while watching the first half of the ceremony. I haven't ever cried over it but this year there was something very profound about it -- the time lapse and that I can never know what those people's grief is like overcame me and I lost it a couple of times in the privacy of my apartment Sat morning. I wonder if people are "holding out" for next year, on the tenth anniversary, which is just a weird thing to do. Doesn't matter how many years, it's that it's another year. If a 12-year-old kid lost a parent on that day, he/she is now 21. I don't know how that thought really occurred to me, but it was an original thought and I think that's what did me in.
This morning, I had some fresh music to ride to and though the morning started in a dull gray it was nice and sunny by the time I platformed. ("1970" - Monster Magnet)
I am pretty well-rested as I haven't exercised at all since Saturday at noon. This is a rarity and I am not Henry Rollins. Once or twice a month is an acceptable length to not exercise. I ate a lot last week and it was delicious of course but this week is going to be tough as I attempt to ween myself off coffee and ultimately, caffeine, by Friday. I'm doing all this so that Saturday's fast won't be so tough. Last year was rough toward the end because there'd been a dramatic weight loss between Sept 08 & 09 but this year I'm the similar weight.
"Where You Come From" by Pantera is a song I specifically chose for this ride as it's a new one for me. I am a fan but mostly of Vulgar Display and Reinventing the Steel -- I like the other ones, esp the first 4 tracks off Far Beyond Driven but have never given Cowboys a full listen and I don't particularly care for TGSTK, though a couple of tracks are badass. This particular song, though, sounds like it didn't make the cut from the TGSTK though I think it's better than 90% of what made it on there. I love the riff but the lyrics are so-so. When Pantera's all about power, inner strength and longevity, I'm with them completely, sometimes even moreso than Rollins. But when they're all about drugs and booze and seem to lose their focus, I'm not with them at all. That's why Rollins prevails.
"Live For The Moment" by Monster Magnet comes on about halfway down the highway. I'm moving faster than most people on full-size bikes. I don't know if it's because I'm in better shape than they are, because I'm accustomed to the ride, or to the inverse of those ideas for them. Either way I did hit a couple of the very few lights where there are inlets for the Sanitation Dept., which makes everything tougher with the stop-and-go nonsense. I love this song, I know I had heard it once or twice before but I was able to download it free off MM's updated web site. Last week I was able to download (legally, and for free) more than an album's worth of B-Sides, remixes and covers. This song is every bit as good as "Space Lord" and possibly better.
"Funeral Bell" by Black Label Society is next as I'm pushing past Chambers Street and creeping in to the WFCs. I like Zakk Wylde as much as the next guy but he likes his wammy bar more than the next guy and after a while it's distracting. He's not a great singer, either, which is probably why I didn't love Pride & Glory, though I regret selling it years ago. This is good for a rock workout though, where I'm energetic but not in a Biohazard-feening craze.
"Who Made Who" (live) by AC / DC is just too good. By the final verse you are just there with them on the journey and it's a good morning. Their live album is one of the first CDs I ever bought (through a mail-order club) so I've had it 16 years. It's wrong to dislike AC / DC.
I'll try to make today a better day than most of the past few weeks. I left my lunch home so I'll agonize over what to do.
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Day 2 of Little bike.
Day 2 on the smaller bike. I'm a little tired (and somewhat parched) already b/c I had to book it over to RVC which is the best morning train as it only has 2 stops. That train leaves 15 minutes later than the 818 Oside and comes in maybe a few minutes later. (Monster Magnet - "Solid Gold")
The brakes are the only thing keeping me cautious but that's okay I'm not pushing hard to get to work. I have plenty of calories to burn thanks to Rosh Hashana's festivities and yesterday's sedentariness (is that a word?).
Yesterday was the first day since late-July that I didn't ride to work and wouldn't you know it, I slept on the bus ride to Sheepshead Bay -- no headphones, just gold ol' fashioned weariness.
I was supposed to start reading another novel but I'm finding good tips in the last two MHs and I'd like to finish up an essay for one of their contests so I want to keep the fitness on my mind.
As "Readymade" comes on I am of course reminded of May 9, 2006 which is a focal point for my life. The only song I'd heard prior to buying Stadium Arcadium was "Dani California" so when I heard this song, I was just happy to hear that more than one song rocked for real. The riff is reminiscent of Jane's' "Mountain Song" but not nearly as heavy. This is more "high-quality garage band" than "high-quality studio." I remember being in my old room and hearing this and banging my head in the air anticipating my date with Liz and my set at the Comic Strip.
Trying to get used to the seat -- not loving it but I am fortunate to have one. (Jane's Addiction - "Had a Dad" and "To Match the Sun") It's getting windier which doesn't phase me but if it's going to keep up I'd like bigger wheels. If it's going to cost and arm and a leg to fix the bike I may just get a newer, better one. I've pumped enough dough in to this one and though I love it I'd rather take the money and effort and parlay that into a better one. We'll see.
I'm moving pretty quickly past Pier 40 and am nearing Chambers and I keep looking at my watch like it's going to make a difference. "To Match the Sun" is a great tune -- I've written of my affinity for Strays before but it's worth repeating. I was a little bummed that there were only 11 tracks but all of them are good and only 1 doesn't "rock." I think it's an appropriate song for summer's finale and there's some bittersweetness to it that I can identify with, as this was obviously the most monumental of summers and it's blending into mid-September nicely.
At the WFC there was one guy with a hi-tech camera shooting Ground Zero and I stopped in front of him but he'd already gotten his picture in. I really want to ruin someone's pictures w/o touching a camera.
(Monster Magnet - "Slap in the Face") I made the light at Albany Street, to my surprise -- I hustled to make up for some of the time I lost waiting to cross the Highway earlier.
I have to bring the bike in again as it may rain and I forgot to bring the smaller lock. No biggee. I'm anticipating the ride home to see if Tuesday's time was a fluke.
Thank you for reading.
The brakes are the only thing keeping me cautious but that's okay I'm not pushing hard to get to work. I have plenty of calories to burn thanks to Rosh Hashana's festivities and yesterday's sedentariness (is that a word?).
Yesterday was the first day since late-July that I didn't ride to work and wouldn't you know it, I slept on the bus ride to Sheepshead Bay -- no headphones, just gold ol' fashioned weariness.
I was supposed to start reading another novel but I'm finding good tips in the last two MHs and I'd like to finish up an essay for one of their contests so I want to keep the fitness on my mind.
As "Readymade" comes on I am of course reminded of May 9, 2006 which is a focal point for my life. The only song I'd heard prior to buying Stadium Arcadium was "Dani California" so when I heard this song, I was just happy to hear that more than one song rocked for real. The riff is reminiscent of Jane's' "Mountain Song" but not nearly as heavy. This is more "high-quality garage band" than "high-quality studio." I remember being in my old room and hearing this and banging my head in the air anticipating my date with Liz and my set at the Comic Strip.
Trying to get used to the seat -- not loving it but I am fortunate to have one. (Jane's Addiction - "Had a Dad" and "To Match the Sun") It's getting windier which doesn't phase me but if it's going to keep up I'd like bigger wheels. If it's going to cost and arm and a leg to fix the bike I may just get a newer, better one. I've pumped enough dough in to this one and though I love it I'd rather take the money and effort and parlay that into a better one. We'll see.
I'm moving pretty quickly past Pier 40 and am nearing Chambers and I keep looking at my watch like it's going to make a difference. "To Match the Sun" is a great tune -- I've written of my affinity for Strays before but it's worth repeating. I was a little bummed that there were only 11 tracks but all of them are good and only 1 doesn't "rock." I think it's an appropriate song for summer's finale and there's some bittersweetness to it that I can identify with, as this was obviously the most monumental of summers and it's blending into mid-September nicely.
At the WFC there was one guy with a hi-tech camera shooting Ground Zero and I stopped in front of him but he'd already gotten his picture in. I really want to ruin someone's pictures w/o touching a camera.
(Monster Magnet - "Slap in the Face") I made the light at Albany Street, to my surprise -- I hustled to make up for some of the time I lost waiting to cross the Highway earlier.
I have to bring the bike in again as it may rain and I forgot to bring the smaller lock. No biggee. I'm anticipating the ride home to see if Tuesday's time was a fluke.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thurs/Fri/Tues
I did ride on Thurs & Fri round-trip. As I recall, both days were run-of-the-mill in the sense of excitement. The problem arose Friday as I was folding the bike when I snapped the screw near the handlebar and now I am riding my father-in-law's loaner. I was uncertain at first that it would ride very well but it does, and though the wheels are smaller than I'm accustomed to, that there are gears seem to compensate.
It was an atypical morning anyway, as I was had to change trains and I did stop off to use the bathroom at the Piers so it's tough to say exactly how long the ride would've been. I'm more concerned about the ride home, not so much for safety but for speed, since that's when I really have to fight the hourglass. I'll leave a few minutes earlier today just to see what it's really like. Weather-permitting, I will ride for 3 days of this 4-day work-week and try to have the bike fixed in the interim. I just pumped $80 in to it for a tune-up and new brakes and then of course I broke the one part (a goddamn screw) that cannot be mended and is custom-made. You know it's not a good sign when ACE hardware doesn't have it in stock. We'll see.
I'm also concerned about the prospect of fathering children, since the seat is a little tough.
I listened to GNR & Rollins Band on the way down. I am sore anyway from the squats yesterday and the hard leg workout on Saturday. There were some guys taking photos of Ground Zero in front of WFC and I just stopped my bike right in front of them w/o acknowledgment. They were either done with their photos or took the hint.
Tomorrow will be a train/bus day so I'll work out a little extra tonight and take tomorrow off completely from exercise.
Thank you for reading.
It was an atypical morning anyway, as I was had to change trains and I did stop off to use the bathroom at the Piers so it's tough to say exactly how long the ride would've been. I'm more concerned about the ride home, not so much for safety but for speed, since that's when I really have to fight the hourglass. I'll leave a few minutes earlier today just to see what it's really like. Weather-permitting, I will ride for 3 days of this 4-day work-week and try to have the bike fixed in the interim. I just pumped $80 in to it for a tune-up and new brakes and then of course I broke the one part (a goddamn screw) that cannot be mended and is custom-made. You know it's not a good sign when ACE hardware doesn't have it in stock. We'll see.
I'm also concerned about the prospect of fathering children, since the seat is a little tough.
I listened to GNR & Rollins Band on the way down. I am sore anyway from the squats yesterday and the hard leg workout on Saturday. There were some guys taking photos of Ground Zero in front of WFC and I just stopped my bike right in front of them w/o acknowledgment. They were either done with their photos or took the hint.
Tomorrow will be a train/bus day so I'll work out a little extra tonight and take tomorrow off completely from exercise.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
End Of Aug/Start Sept
I had Monday off to rest off the Triathlon. Click here for my results.
I rode both Tuesday and Weds to and from work -- nothing changes. I had the bike tuned up during the extended weekend and I can certainly feel the difference, esp. in the brakes.
I welcome the heat and humidity. The summer is trying to stay in the forefront of our thoughts, basically being a showoff. That's fine, bring it. The less I know of the winter and sweatpants, the better. I won't get too in to what music I'm listening to but it's mostly Monster Magnet, Jane's Addiction, RHCP, and Van Halen. I'm not happy with my situation at work and the thought of rushing to get there is nauseating, even whilst riding.
Part of me seemed to have thought that finishing the Triathlon would've been like hitting a reset button but that's simply not the case. Same BS is happening in downtown NY -- the lack of acknowledgment is getting to me and if I didn't like the my colleagues who are also picking up the slack, I wouldn't do it.
On Tues there was a medical emergency on the morning train so rather than wait, I high-tailed over to RVC and that 8:33 train is great b/c it's express.
The rides home have been hot and rough getting stuck behind the buses. Both northbound trips have been reminiscent of July's humidity -- where I couldn't tell if the wind is a natural breeze or bus exhaust.
No tourists taking shots of Ground Zero, which surprises me now that we're in September. Maybe they're reading this blog in Zurich and thinking before they act.
I am pure energy. I have seen the improvements I've made to my body and the leanness I've regained (re-lost?) and I am content for the moment but I am positive it can go away as fast, so I will not stop running during lunches I just won't do it this week. I think one reason I'm leaner now is that all the extra biking was catching up with me -- I went to work 20 weekdays in August and rode the bike round-trip each day. I haven't been on a subway car since July 29.
For a long time I was sure I was riding for an alternative goal, it wasn't just money or even time, though they are of major and equal importance. I was getting in gear (mentally and physically) for a real test and I think I've found a new niche.
The song that has stuck out most in the past two days is "Right Now" by Van Halen.
Sammy played it live a few weeks ago, he stripped it down and re-tooled it and incorporated a bass solo and it just sounded so great. A little lighter but it displayed a little more feeling. If you really really pay attention to the lyrics, you realize they are universal and better than most anything you could come up with. Work harder and do more -- TODAY.
Thank you for reading.
I rode both Tuesday and Weds to and from work -- nothing changes. I had the bike tuned up during the extended weekend and I can certainly feel the difference, esp. in the brakes.
I welcome the heat and humidity. The summer is trying to stay in the forefront of our thoughts, basically being a showoff. That's fine, bring it. The less I know of the winter and sweatpants, the better. I won't get too in to what music I'm listening to but it's mostly Monster Magnet, Jane's Addiction, RHCP, and Van Halen. I'm not happy with my situation at work and the thought of rushing to get there is nauseating, even whilst riding.
Part of me seemed to have thought that finishing the Triathlon would've been like hitting a reset button but that's simply not the case. Same BS is happening in downtown NY -- the lack of acknowledgment is getting to me and if I didn't like the my colleagues who are also picking up the slack, I wouldn't do it.
On Tues there was a medical emergency on the morning train so rather than wait, I high-tailed over to RVC and that 8:33 train is great b/c it's express.
The rides home have been hot and rough getting stuck behind the buses. Both northbound trips have been reminiscent of July's humidity -- where I couldn't tell if the wind is a natural breeze or bus exhaust.
No tourists taking shots of Ground Zero, which surprises me now that we're in September. Maybe they're reading this blog in Zurich and thinking before they act.
I am pure energy. I have seen the improvements I've made to my body and the leanness I've regained (re-lost?) and I am content for the moment but I am positive it can go away as fast, so I will not stop running during lunches I just won't do it this week. I think one reason I'm leaner now is that all the extra biking was catching up with me -- I went to work 20 weekdays in August and rode the bike round-trip each day. I haven't been on a subway car since July 29.
For a long time I was sure I was riding for an alternative goal, it wasn't just money or even time, though they are of major and equal importance. I was getting in gear (mentally and physically) for a real test and I think I've found a new niche.
The song that has stuck out most in the past two days is "Right Now" by Van Halen.
Sammy played it live a few weeks ago, he stripped it down and re-tooled it and incorporated a bass solo and it just sounded so great. A little lighter but it displayed a little more feeling. If you really really pay attention to the lyrics, you realize they are universal and better than most anything you could come up with. Work harder and do more -- TODAY.
Thank you for reading.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Last morning ride before the triathlon.
It's a beautiful day for a ride again. Not as humid as it was a few weeks back and because I'm riding with the computer bag as opposed to the backpack, I'm not schvitzing as much. I had started to read an article about posture in the office in Men's Health this morning but had to cut it short, will resume shortly. There was an article buried in the Personal Journal of the WSJ about jazz photography that was really nice, too.
Between the 3 rides (I'll include going home from RVC station), the run and swim, I did the triathlon yesterday over the course of the day.I swam last night so I am still a little drained though I ate and slept well. Sometimes there's not enough coffee in the world.
"In Your Honor" and "No Way Back" the first two tracks off the Foo Fighters' best album (In Your Honor) start me off on my way. I've had this album 5 years and it immediately became my favorite FF album (and a personal all-time fav). I remember before it came out I heard "Best of You" and it changed me completely and I called in to Steiner Studios the next morning and quit working on that godawful film office. Bunch of crap and waste of time that was -- except that I got a copy of a real shooting script so I know what one should look like in case I decide to infect the world with another original screenplay.
I was really moody yesterday -- you'd be too, if you hated your job as much as I do -- but today I know it's the end of the week so I'll chill out a little bit. I think about this when I hear the intense/positive lyrics of "Scraped" by GNR. "I'm here to tell you, you're worth more than they tell you." Damn right, I am.
So in the past few weeks I've really amped up the running during lunch. I tried to pick music that wasn't too heavy or else it would've ruined some of the nice moments and I don't want to be PO'd during cardio for fear I will keep running and never burn out and end up in Canada torn and tattered, hungry, but awake. So that's why I've dug in to a lot of Van Halen and Living Colour but I've re-discovered a Chili Peppers song that I always liked but now I love. "Turn It Again," the penultimate track off Stadium Arcadium. This is a rock song that is heavy without unnecessary distortion, cool lyrics and a dynamite guitar solo -- the kind where the musician and instrument just merge in a very "Matrix" way. I can tap in to that -- I respond to it -- it creates a high that cannot be paralleled by much, and pushes me to reach a newer, better high. I hear this and it reaffirms that I do not, and never needed, any kind of drug and why I only drink one or two beers on the weekend.
I'll probably never hear it live, in-person. I used to think that Flea gives up halfway through John's solo but he just tones it down. This album will always remind me of a wonderful time in my life -- probably the best so far. But this track is what will typically remind me of running along the Seaport and training in general. I can only hope the next album has another one of these on it.
Another old favorite, "Alive" by Pearl Jam is on for the red light at Albany Street. Yet another great song with a long guitar solo as an outro but it's just too good with a nod to the Doors' "Five to One."
See you Tuesday. Thank you for reading.
Between the 3 rides (I'll include going home from RVC station), the run and swim, I did the triathlon yesterday over the course of the day.I swam last night so I am still a little drained though I ate and slept well. Sometimes there's not enough coffee in the world.
"In Your Honor" and "No Way Back" the first two tracks off the Foo Fighters' best album (In Your Honor) start me off on my way. I've had this album 5 years and it immediately became my favorite FF album (and a personal all-time fav). I remember before it came out I heard "Best of You" and it changed me completely and I called in to Steiner Studios the next morning and quit working on that godawful film office. Bunch of crap and waste of time that was -- except that I got a copy of a real shooting script so I know what one should look like in case I decide to infect the world with another original screenplay.
I was really moody yesterday -- you'd be too, if you hated your job as much as I do -- but today I know it's the end of the week so I'll chill out a little bit. I think about this when I hear the intense/positive lyrics of "Scraped" by GNR. "I'm here to tell you, you're worth more than they tell you." Damn right, I am.
So in the past few weeks I've really amped up the running during lunch. I tried to pick music that wasn't too heavy or else it would've ruined some of the nice moments and I don't want to be PO'd during cardio for fear I will keep running and never burn out and end up in Canada torn and tattered, hungry, but awake. So that's why I've dug in to a lot of Van Halen and Living Colour but I've re-discovered a Chili Peppers song that I always liked but now I love. "Turn It Again," the penultimate track off Stadium Arcadium. This is a rock song that is heavy without unnecessary distortion, cool lyrics and a dynamite guitar solo -- the kind where the musician and instrument just merge in a very "Matrix" way. I can tap in to that -- I respond to it -- it creates a high that cannot be paralleled by much, and pushes me to reach a newer, better high. I hear this and it reaffirms that I do not, and never needed, any kind of drug and why I only drink one or two beers on the weekend.
I'll probably never hear it live, in-person. I used to think that Flea gives up halfway through John's solo but he just tones it down. This album will always remind me of a wonderful time in my life -- probably the best so far. But this track is what will typically remind me of running along the Seaport and training in general. I can only hope the next album has another one of these on it.
Another old favorite, "Alive" by Pearl Jam is on for the red light at Albany Street. Yet another great song with a long guitar solo as an outro but it's just too good with a nod to the Doors' "Five to One."
See you Tuesday. Thank you for reading.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
End of Roundtrip #185
There's not a whole hell of a lot to say about the ride back except the very beginning. Whilst passing the human-made chain rope-off (yeah, that makes sense) you could smell the hot street pretzels that were probably just a bit too crispy but worth the dollar fifty. Then a bus that had picked up its passengers on the left started up and kicked all this dirty air into the wind. So much for the pretzel fantasy.
I ran today during lunch and will swim tonight.
Thank you for reading.
I ran today during lunch and will swim tonight.
Thank you for reading.
First Sunny Day All Week
I won't pretend to have any real deep thoughts today. I am too driven and am too excited about Sunday. I think my blood is still pumping from the 3-mile run in the gym last night. The storm has passed and I am just content to be a meat head. You can tell by today's playlist:
Too Much Rock & Roll - Rollins Band
One Shot (live) - Rollins Band
Rusty Cage - Soundgarden
Yesterday Don't Mean Shit - Pantera
We'll Grind That Axe For a Long Time - Pantera
There is one thing to be noted and I'll ask the DOT about this: Why is there more ground work at the WFC? This stuff used to hold me up big time as I'd exit past the Deloitte building. They have one week before I get PO'd.
I did the ride today in about 20 minutes. I'm reading All-Star Superman tpb #1 that my brother lent me. It is a good take on the character and story. I'm not sure what book I'll read next, I've got shelves waiting to be tackled. Hemingway's Garden of Eden is at the top of the list, but that doesn't mean I'll get to it immediately. I have nice, probably unread hardcover first editions of Henry Miller books but I don't want to take that on the train and keep it in a bag next to my sweaty water bottle.
Maybe I'll have more depth or insight on the way home. I'll run during lunch today and maybe swim tonite or tomorrow.
Thank you for reading.
Too Much Rock & Roll - Rollins Band
One Shot (live) - Rollins Band
Rusty Cage - Soundgarden
Yesterday Don't Mean Shit - Pantera
We'll Grind That Axe For a Long Time - Pantera
There is one thing to be noted and I'll ask the DOT about this: Why is there more ground work at the WFC? This stuff used to hold me up big time as I'd exit past the Deloitte building. They have one week before I get PO'd.
I did the ride today in about 20 minutes. I'm reading All-Star Superman tpb #1 that my brother lent me. It is a good take on the character and story. I'm not sure what book I'll read next, I've got shelves waiting to be tackled. Hemingway's Garden of Eden is at the top of the list, but that doesn't mean I'll get to it immediately. I have nice, probably unread hardcover first editions of Henry Miller books but I don't want to take that on the train and keep it in a bag next to my sweaty water bottle.
Maybe I'll have more depth or insight on the way home. I'll run during lunch today and maybe swim tonite or tomorrow.
Thank you for reading.
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