We were on the fence about going to an opera-based Elvis tribute in the city tonite but we ended up scrapping those plans for minor reasons. I hadn't planned on bringing the bike today because of that so I'm getting an extra ride in. It's supposed to pour today on and off but my rule of thumb is that if it's not pouring when I leave in the morning, then I'm taking the bike.
It's gray this morning but not quite humid enough to throw any precipitation our way. I'm sort of dreading the next 3 weeks because of work-related, eye-straining reasons. That being the case I don't feel the need to "hustle" during the morning ride.
I let Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay" take me from Track 20 through and past Chelsea Piers. I should've gone with the live take but this one will do for now. I love these more than 10-minute jazz opuses that keep the groove alive. I know it sounds corny and this was a more "commercial/popular" tune but it was never played in my house growing up and I found it on my own without the aid of radio. My legs are reacclimating to the ride. Depending on my view of things and how "hardcore" I want to be I have to adjust to the fact that there are no gears on my bike. My own intensity is the gear. Sometimes it's a plus but lagging is not an option.
("Hang 'Em High" - Van Halen) Almost 200 pgs in to Catch-22. I am liking it more as I keep reading it and really wish I could've read this in high school instead of Ethan Frome. There is something universal about each character (and therefore, each chapter) and there are a lot of ludicrous contradictions about them, the story and the war. I know this isn't groundbreaking commentary but if a class considered forced this upon me, as it did other fortunate students, I wouldn't consider it a requirement but a privilege and even fun. I just read the chapter where Yossarian has to pose as another dying soldier in the hospital and it's rare that something can be so simultaneously ludicrous, sad, sweet, funny and dramatic. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out, though I know there is a sequel to this. I will also probably rent the film to see how it holds up. ("Perpetual Motion" - Anthrax)
An open letter to Mayor Bloomberg:
Dear Mayor:
Expect complaints via the tourism board about a white guy in a "Dodgeball" t-shirt making sarcastic comments to visitors taking pictures in front of Ground Zero. It's me. It's a brief statement, but I feel insulted now that it has become an attraction that people need to stand before as if it's Magic Kingdom. You don't see me going to Warsaw and posing, do you? I'm going to keep this up until the project's over or until I get relocated. I am merely extending the courtesy of the knowledge to you. I'm not cursing or insulting the tourists, I'm just making a sarcastic remark about how "awesome" it is for them to pose in front of a rough site that has deep emotional impact. I know I'm speaking for several New Yorkers or anyone with a conscience, for that matter, when I make brief innocuous jabs at the mindless herd.
("What's Eating You?" - Airbourne) I will not train during lunch today as I'll hit the gym after work. I ran the course at Oyster Bay for the Triathlon on Saturday and feel confident about it.
Waiting at Albany Street for the longest light ever to change and waited nearly wholly through "Let It Roll" by Velvet Revolver.
Thank you for reading.
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