End of 2011

Last day of the year and I'll take the Brooklyn Bridge again.
I don't remember exactly how many rides I've made this year but it's likely over 150.
This is sort of a luxury b/c it cuts down on my ride time but I kind of cheat myself out of the workout so, like fats and oils, will be used sparingly.

Crossing in to Manhattan it stank of nail polish or nail polish remover and raw sewage.
Mr. Smithers looked miserable this week and that makes me happy. He's a miserable person but to actually look the way you feel is another subject and frankly I'm delighted.
Looking forward to an early dismissal and nice 3-day break.
The bike is making this noise that I expected to be a slow leak but it's actually a clicking type noise that lets up when I brake a little so I will use one of my free tune-ups.
I hope things change professionally in 2012. I suppose my New Year's resolution next year will be to (a) become more handy in the house and (b) try to make things happen professionally. I have less say over the latter but I'll have to figure something else out.
I did live up to one resolution for 2011, which was more writing.
Thank you for reading.

Day # 530 - An Icy View From The Bridge

Though it's the penultimate business day of 2011, a first occurred this morning, as I decided to bike-commute from Atlantic Terminal via Bklyn Bridge. I'm happy to say that it's quicker and now I never again have to change trains at Jamaica.

It's a tough ride though, once you get on its platform b/c it's uphill for a while there and you instantly feel the incline. My legs are back to full strength and thankfully so, b/c it would've been much worse if I was sore at all. It's freezing out today and windy, so gulps of frigid air are lining my lungs.

Am not listening to music, as I have to ride through the streets where the road isn't fully paved with a bike lane.

There are still plenty of people on the bridge, however. Tourists, runners, a few cyclists -- lots of them are stopping to take pictures which I ought to do one day. I found my Thinsulates this morning and my new glove liners are making all this much more bearable.

The goal today is to see how long it takes, this being the worst of conditions. It took 20 minutes.

It's not worthwhile, IMO, to take this route back home, though, unless I know there's a problem at Penn. When you are in a rush the last thing you want to worry about is a bridge. The flat ride is the smarter ride in a hurry.

A good deal.

I'm slated to buy Lanegan ticket(s) today.

Thank you for reading.

Garth Ennis Rules!

Legs are at 90% capacity.
It's a normal day for a cold one.
Garth Ennis is without a doubt the best living comics writer and my personal favorite ever. I am reading Battlefields: Dear Billy and it is, like his other WW2 stories, mesmerizing. I got it by chance for $3 and it's worth every penny.
Listening to Monster Magnet -- first few off Mastermind and then a choice few in the mid-end of Powertrip.
Was able to wake up on time and have a decent breakfast which is a nice 180 from yesterday.
Goal is to get in and out today. Mostly it's just a bunch of reading that no one is acknowledging, although a certain Smithers said he would during my evaluation this year.
I expect nothing from the spineless, however, and I don't care too much.
Thank you for reading.

Four days left

Legs are still sore from Saturday's leg-heavy workout.
I'm also wearing a guard for my lower half, which is supposed to save my prostate from unnecessary impacts while riding. Feels like I'm carrying a solid dungload in my pants.
It's mild but a little windy and all the aforementioned factors are keeping me from moving too fast. I'm in no rush anymore, since I rushed out this morning. I had learned the hard way from Friday, however, and rode up the sidewalk.
Listening to New Ground, by Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise. Got it about 10 years ago while at The Towerlight and it's still one of my favorite keepsakes. The sound is a little broader -- like they're playing a larger venue as opposed to next door (on Time To Discover, my favorite album of theirs, the studio tone is just different).
I had been a little apprehensive about getting to work today, as there had been some doubts as I left that everything was as it should be but it's all good I'm confident I'll still have a job @ the end of the day.
Donated platelets yesterday and aside from the biking, I will take it easy this week with the exercise. I will likely hit the gym on Saturday but it's good to give myself some time off as well as a break from the Cava-Panter-Mega-Metalli-stuff for a bit.
I rec'd a bunch of really good, rare jazz stuff for the holidays and I'm looking forward to breaking them in. Kenny Dorham and Jimmy Smith typically hit the spot with their music. Though I was born almost 25 years after it initially was released, it's all new to me since I'm first getting in to it these past years.
Bringing the bike in today since it's supposed to rain later on.
Reading "The A-Team" tpb tie-in.
Thank you for reading.

holy ___, it's christmas.

just kind of bolted out of there today.

This is the first time in a while that I've rode in daylight for the return trip.

Hit a flat on the way to the train ramp. (i've since figured out where/why and will just have to avoid it next week). got it fixed up pretty good and got a screw for the fender.

i'm moving really fast b/c of some literally last-minute things that had to be rectified. (i wound up making my train 2 minutes before it departed.)

Finished the Lewis Black book and it was ok but the best part was the end chapter when he detailed his USO tour. I find that stuff fascinating, as I've mostly only read/heard about that type of experience thru Rollins. Black has the same mentality that you can be for the troops but against the way and I think that's a perfectly fine mentality and standpoint.

Merry Christmas. Click here for my favorite swingin' holiday tune.

Thank you for reading.

under the cone

Under the cone b/w 8th and 10th, I saw a homeless guy lift one of the cones and he unknowingly revealed that that's his storage spot for his belongings. I have no malicious intentions, but I am more in tune with what I do and do not have right now, and it helps keep me in line.

Also, b/w what I saw this morning and today near 15th street, someone is littering the streets with (presumably) expired Bureau of Parking cards.

Thank you for reading.

it's in the 50s today.

Lewis Black can suck it. It's as warm as it's going to get this year and his shit-all-over-it-and-then-degrade-himself attitude won't effect my ride. His book is okay.

I had to make a quick stop @ the post office again, so I am doing well with that venture. Neutralizing some of the pay cut caused by the furlough.

I put on some lately-neglected I'm With You tracks followed by Hendrix's "Crosstown Traffic," "Little Miss Strange," "Long Hot Summer Night" and "Let the Good Times Roll."

I worked out my pecs, back and tris last nite and a little bit of my legs, too. It's good b/c there's not a whole lot of time this week to get to the gym and

Some thoughts:

While I was on the train I read over a fellow commuters shoulder like the crazy ghost who taught Sam Wheat to touch things in "Ghost." I finally had a chance to pay attention to what happened to PVC. Danny Chen. And it's FUCKING DISGUSTING!

So that I can remind myself (and enlighten whomever is reading), here's the basic synopsis:

While fighting/training in Afghanistan, American soldier Danny Chen, 19, killed himself in October. Why? Because, despite the threat to his own physical well-being, 8 demographically All-American soldiers tormented, teased, bullied, and fucked with him so much for months, that he'd had enough and wanted to end his life. He wasn't injured due to combat and he wasn't afraid to fight. He didn't want to do it beside a bunch of assholes who had made his waking (and sleeping) hours more unbearable than AFGHANISTAN! They narrowed it down to 8 guys (you know there were more, not to mention all the ones who stood by in silence) and the Pentagon is investigating it b/c Chen's family and the Chinese-American Organization is rightfully bringing it to the nation's attention.

Whatever happened to "Save it for the enemy?" You want to tease someone a little and then let them in on the joke and then get over it? Fine. But when you are supposed to be training and banding together like brothers and putting yourself through theoretical physical hell so that you are prepared for the real thing (like IEDs and gunfire), camaraderie comes first.

These assholes will never know; Chen could've been the guy to save everyone from calamity, could've located an IED, could've killed a militant, could've saved some child from harm's way, or could've seen no combat and came home to live with his family. But rather than afford him that when he's already in the worst place in the world, a bunch of assholes showed their true nature and hazed as if he wasn't already in the most exclusive fraternity in the world.

Maybe they are wrong. Maybe it wasn't so severe. I doubt it. I don't claim to be anything other than a layman but after watching the news and reading the occasional book or article, why/how would you do that to someone?

It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what gets proven and who takes the fall. There's got to be some statute in place. Fucking bullying. Preposterous and pathetic -- the problem is that a lot of these guys are going in to the military right after high school, so they don't know anything else. Of course, legally they are adults so they should know better. They should know where it ends.

Thank you for reading.

why i'm grateful

I can clock up another round trip today b/c basically the rain hit mid-day and that's all. the ground was wet but was not saturated and I was able to move pretty well. the slightest drizzle fell and this may be my first full week of riding in weeks. thankfully, also, the spot in the lane on the way to 14th street is patched up. My prostate can only benefit.

Thank you for reading.

Way too busy powertripping

Made the 813 easier today since I had been up on time.
It's misty again today and almost a surefire bet that it will rain. I won $2 on mega millions b/c I had the megaball.
I have a phoner today @ 1 and I am happy about that.
Listening to Monster Magnet's PowerTrip. Pretty much the pinnacle of their music. I remember very clearly buying that album @ CD Warehouse for very little b/c it was an promo version (it just had a hole in the bar code) and I sold a CD so I got it for maybe 3 bucks.
The missing screw on the back fender has made me realize that the magnet which was substituting for the screw/placeholder was altering its position, and consequently pushing it against the wheel, which is no good. I need an allen key for the remaining screw.
Am reading Lewis Black's Christmas book. It's okay. Not as good as Me Of Little Faith. I'll be done with it, at this rate, by tomorrow's return commute.
We're close to just getting this week over with and embracing the long weekend.
Let's get to it.
Thank you for reading.

Rt # 525

Chased the train from Oceanside to E. Rock. and made it in the nick of time.

That hasn't happened in a while, and when I push myself that hard and quickly, while having to inhale cold air it only strengthens my resolve. Of course, it takes at least 5 minutes to come down from a rush like that. When this happens, it's better to have it happen in the summer for this reason, since it's easier to breathe warmer air. The shock my body can endure is pretty cool, though. That I'm fit enough to ride on command like that is admirable, but of course I do not rely on that.

Anyway, the train was late coming in. I finished reading DC's version of Ghost Rider, El Diablo. Eh, it was ok. I like the artists, they did the Kevin Smith Green Arrow run, but it doesn't always work when they are dealing with monsters and spirits and demons. The story was sort of generic but the demonic Hebrew deity was an interesting spin. I imagined El Diablo to sound like General Grievous from "Star Wars" even though he was supposed to be of Mexican descent.

I'm able to ride the high this morning and I'm moving pretty fast as I go south. Listening to GNR.

There's a small list of things to accomplish for the holidays that needs to be fulfilled really soon.

Thank you for reading.

No glove, no love.

Am out here with one lighter glove. Right hand is fine.

Had breakfast but no coffee and today on the train I had to write up a fake news article for a co-worker so it was a different start today. Rode the bike onto the train.

Listening to RHCP, who I've neglected since getting some new jazz.

Finished In Our Time, so that's part I of the bigger short story collection, which also has another story collection in it, so 2012 will have Hemingway weekends. I will read "Snows of Kilimanjaro" first so that I can watch the adaptation.

There are people out here today. Not just the same cyclists but also the joggers.

Feeling really bloated due to another weekend gorgefest -- at least I had the foresight to work out on Saturday though. Lunch will be lighter today.

My knees and feet no longer bother me. This is the day 1 of 5 this week. Hopefully it goes by nice & quickly.

The ride didn't go too quickly -- between the wind and riding single-handedly part time, it was tougher than necessary and I'll make it a point to find my regular gloves.

Playlist:
Strip My Mind
Especially In Michigan
Warlocks
C'Mon Girl
Factory of Faith
Annie Wants a Baby
Look Around
Rain Dance Maggie

Too much stuffed chicken

I am wretched, sluggish, headached and tired. I'm not moving fast b/c of the wind, calories and lack of desire to do so.

I have no backpack today and I cannot summon the will to even listen to any music. Yesterday, lunch was catered by my employer and I overate to a disgusting point. I did manage to hit the gym last nite, though, working my shoulders, tris, one round with the punching bag and a 5k, and felt a little better. Today, I can still feel the effects of the gorging and I feel gross.

Today marks the official end of the Iraq war and, in reality, it won't end. You think that place isn't going to revert to something just as bad, if not, worse? It's great that the Hussein reign is over, but you know there's something truly awful just around the bend.

Maybe a half-mile south of the meatpacking district I passed Christy Turlington running the other way. Sure, she's hot, but she looked like a normal woman jogging in the running outfit that my wife sports. I only recognized her, though, b/c she was on CNN Heroes on Sunday. Her organization supports mothers in Bali who don't have proper healthcare.

I will finish In Our Time today or tomorrow. I'm at the last 2 stories, which is a two-parter.

Finished watching "The Apostle" last nite with Robert Duvall. Excellent movie. Love the movies about the journey -- and the man/woman who leaves everything behind to rebuild themselves inside and out.

I'm being catered again by the events group today for lunch and I will be more responsible.

Thank you for reading.

sudden death from above

I often feel like a fraud.

I feel that way because of the way I spend many of my waking hours, contributing to something I don't fully believe in all in the name of a paycheck.

I am positive a lot of people feel that way, some are fortunate to feel that way -- it is all in the eye of the beholder.

My outside interests (primarily music & fitness, and now my house) are what I devote my energies to because I cannot feign interest and the results speak volumes. Or they remain silent. And that's all.

I can feel myself going through the motions lots of the time and it's repulsive. I even think sometimes of how I let people control me and run through me and I'm even more disgusted.

Next week is a full week of this and I have a week membership at a local gym I will hit a bag during my lunch breaks.

I was relieved to find Church Street has been paved nice & smoothly so the return rides will be good. I don't know how much more of that I could've withstood.

Thank you for reading.

...whisper songs of winter in your heart...

Last 3 weeks of work begin today.
This is a 4-day week.
Next week is 5.
Last week of year is 4.
It's cold, sure, but surprisingly my knees aren't in any pain. I hit the gym pretty regularly during my time off but only ran twice and did minimal leg workouts.
Listening to the middle of Screaming Trees' Sweet Oblivion today. Probably more appropriate for a month ago but it still warms me up.
I think I just need a scarf and I'll be fine.
There will only be (at most) two more rides this week as there are Broadway plans on Friday.
I began reading Hemingway's In Our Time, which is basically a subset of stories contained in the complete Hemingway short stories edition I have. So I figure for the time being, I will read these in tpb form and that saves me a few trips with a heavier, 500-pg book. The difference b/w In Our Time and my volume seems to be that there are little descriptions b/w chapters. I am even thinking that I might read this all the way through and rather than schlep the big book with me, read it on weekends and trips, like I did with the Chabon book. So a few months from now I will have read an extra book. No one cares but me.

There is one story called "The End of Something" which I know as a Rollins Band tune. Looking forward to checking that out.

We started watching "The Apostle" with Duvall last nite. There's an hour left in it I am really liking it though. I love movies about the journey within and the subsequent journey on the road.

On the highway I passed a cone in the middle of the street. I alerted the construction guys nearby and then a cop at Vesey Street.

As I came up Albany, I noticed that the part of Church Street before me is paved. I really hope that is an indication of what's to come during my return trip.

Thank you for reading.

baptism in the rain.

I don't need headphones today, as I've got this in my head.
I felt badly about a work-related matter that, though ultimately my fault, I did not consciously do.
So I drank some of Pop's scotch-whiskey last nite to drown my sorrows and though I woke up without a hangover I still felt slightly wretched, and decided that riding this morning was possible and the physical manifestation of the mental punishment I'd put myself through. I also think of it as something of a baptism. I know the rain is going to worsen -- and with road conditions already awful at Church Street, I might leave early and take the WSH back up. I've never done that and we'll see how it works out.
It's good to be tough on oneself, so that when the world -- no matter how big nor small -- does the same you are prepared for it.
There are a few runners and cyclists few and far between but we are in this together.
I endured it this ride and now I can put the moroseness behind me.
No work for another few days. No Smithers today. At least things are looking up.
Thank you for reading.

drizzling if at all.

Megadeth Th1rt3en today.
Read 50 pgs of GE yesterday and it ended on the big twist. The clues were there all along and now it is picking up immediately after.
It is drizzling on and off today but it's completely navigable and dry from ground up.
The ride home might be a different story, of course.
My left knee again is still a pain when I ride. I wonder if it has anything to do with changing fish oils (from Wholemega to concentrated stuff). I could've overworked it with the running but it doesn't effect me during running. Perhaps it's just adjusting to the new bike.
There are 2 screws that attach the fender to the back wheel. The left one came off (just as it had done last time) but there is a magnetized guard there that substitutes and keeps it in line. It detaches if I go over a pothole or bump but mostly it stays in there. I will fix that up this weekend. It's hard to find a screw with a flat end, though.
Hoping to just be in and out today.
Thank you for reading.

There was a time on the highway

It is foggy today, but mild and it's nice to be without a sweatshirt. No doubt I will bring the bike inside. The catch is that I'd like to go running today but I probably won't as I can feel both (?) knees feeling off today.

What up with that?

I ran 8.4-8.8 mi (2 roundtrips) on the boardwalk yesterday in 67 minutes. That's a good time and all, but my shin splints were protruding and different parts of my lower body are going through new sorenesses. I ran through it and finished strong but I cannot attribute this to any one thing. Sometimes I wonder if it's my running shoes and the way I'm tying them. My knees did not bother me during the run at all but my ankles and shins did.

My week will be shorter than 5 days this week. I will be able to accomplish little bits of things here and there thanks to it. A certain sycophant being out on Wednesday makes my week and remaining days off more interesting.

I didn't ready anything this weekend but resumed GE this morning at exactly pg 300. No rush.

For some reason "There Was a Time" was in my dream/awakening this weekend and I suppose I'd forgotten about it for a while. It's a great song. It's not about regret but about hindsight. It came on today as I was on the highway just at the WFC.

Need to have the gutters blown out.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Gnarls Barkley: "Smiley Faces" "Feng Shui" "Just a Thought" "Storm Coming" "The Last Time"
GNR: "Catcher In the Rye"

With a Breath and a Scream

I woke up to the feeling that I was getting punched in the face. It got me out of bed at a reasonable time, but I think I've had enough of "American Horror Story" for at least a week.

Another day without a backpack. In my pouch is my Ipod, book and an orange, and in my shirt pocket is my wallet and pants pocket is my keys.

Listening to Pearl Jam, the extra tracks on the remix of Ten and the opening five tracks of Vs. I knew that "Breath and a Scream" existed, but never gave it a shot and I friggin love it. Their older, heavy and long tracks were great b/c it left plenty of room for the best rock solos of the 90s.

As I turned on to 29th, there was a Fiji water truck parked all the way on the left shoulder, completely obstructing the new bike lane. A mail truck was exiting the driveway, and their safety guard quickly started pointing to the lane and lecturing me about how I almost got killed (which wasn't even close to accurate). I calmly responded, "you have to give me a second to get around this truck that's parked in the lane." BFD.

I have hit the mid-point of Great Expectations, as it seems to have been building to this point. My guess is that the relationship b/w Pip and Estella will have to have its trials and tribulations. She tells him upfront, however, that she has no heart in the figurative sense. So it's going to be an uphill climb for him. And even though I slept through the entire film, that sort of set-up is similar to "500 Days of Summer," from what I am told. It's always nice when people let you know that they will keep their guard up around you no matter what.

My right leg is a little tight and left knee a little sore, but only when I ride, so my feeling is that a combination of odd sleeping positions and the weather change are causing it. It's not like when my foot hurt, which was obviously a consequence of the running.

I am going to compose my letter to the DOT this morning.

Thank you for reading.

Commute Your Illusion

After listening to some Down and Metallica, I was able to knock out some more of GE. I don't love it, but I'm almost halfway through it and will finish it, if only to say I've read another classic gain a wider breadth of style behind me.

I've got the gloves today (as opposed to yesterday) and I'm certain that I'd be worse off without them. Since I'm too lazy to stop and remove the gloves to change songs, I'm listening to Use Your Illusion II, ("Breakdown," "Pretty Tied Up," "Locomotive" "So Fine" and most of "Estranged"). I haven't heard "So Fine" in a really long time and it is better than I'd remembered but still not something I'd go out of my way queue it up. I forgot that it picks up after a verse and a half, but Duff is just an awful singer. The word is "me" not "may." Apparently he's really in to biking and all that, which is cool, but if he has another drop of alcohol his liver will burst and bleed out.

"Breakdown" warms me up in cold weather. For me, it's about those moments when you actually do stop and look around and see everything in really slow-motion for just one moment and then it catches up to itself and it all goes by too fast for a normal person. Of all the Guns songs, this one might be the most life affirming. Either this or "Coma" (jk).

My left knee has a tiny bit of pain/soreness but it's manageable. It's only when I ride the bike. Might also be the weather change, too.

My weight is up a few lbs but it's residual from the gorge-fest of the past week. Now that I'm not really drinking anything anymore and all the pies are out of my face (yesterday's office cheesecake notwithstanding), I should be able to get back down to better numbers.

The only thing that's upsetting me during the commute is that Church Street is all torn up, from downtown to basically Tribeca. It's unpleasant being on that road whether you are a biker, driver, or pedestrian. It shocked me on Tues nite and I know I am pushing my luck on it in terms of what the bike can handle. I will write a letter to the DOT and whomever else necessary to get this fixed up.

Thank you for reading.

"Blowin' Session" in the wind

It's not cold, per se, but the veracity of the wind makes it feel as such.

Had a rough morning, as I woke up really really late but made the 818 so it's all good. Now I'm just fixated on having a breakfast sandwich from a large chain b/c the coupon I have expires today. I will get eggs with all sorts of trimmings and guacamole on it. Kind of wish I'd brought a powerbar or something with me but it's alright, I can manage.

I'm listening to some of the longer tracks off Johnny Griffin's Blowin' Session. On this particular session it's Lee Morgan on tp and three tenors, Griffin, Mobley & Coltrane. Good luck following any one of those 3, let alone Morgan.

My left knee is bothering me a bit but that could be from the way I sleep or sit. My foot is fine, though.

Read through the end of the first Part/Act of GE yesterday, and knocked out a couple of chapters this morning. It's growing on me, and I'm noticing that as Pip's reminiscences proceed, his vocabulary is enhanced, as is his commentary and the descriptions more enhanced. I like reading this sort of thing but my next book for sure will be Lewis Black's Christmas book.

I love this bike.

Thank you for reading.

New paved lane

First morning here in 6 days.
Listening to Endgame and Th1rt3en.
One thing I notice is that there's now a bike lane on 29th going west. I remember it had been started last week but now it's in full swing. The only problem I have with it is that as we get to the highway, the lane is in the middle of the road. It's done like that b/c cars/trucks can only go right or left there, but I'm a little skeptical. Didn't matter today anyway, b/c I didn't make the light so I went to 26th and made that one right on time.
I got some new clothes for mild exercise like this, and I'm feeling a little sore, since I ran 2 RTs (8.5 - 8.8 miles) on the boardwalk yesterday at 66 minutes. That's pretty much keeping the pace of my half maras there, which I did on Thanksgiving day.
Still, it's pretty warm out and the tough part was the gusts earlier on.
Saw Peter Dinklage as I go further south, closer to Tribeca area. I made eye contact & smiled, but he just momentarily stared back. I wanted to re-introduce myself since I had interviewed him for my first NYLJ feature but it's not worth it.
The remainder of the year won't be so bad, since I will only have to work one five-day week. Between the remaining holiday and days I have left I will space them out accordingly.
I have shaken the cold I'd had and now I'm pretty much at full force. I had a lot to drink in the past week -- not a lot for a regular drinker, but a lot for me, and I can feel its effects on me. I'm a little sluggish compared to 3 weeks ago.
Still reading GE, but read more during today's train ride than all of the past 5 days combined. Things have been good and I'll make it my business to maintain this.
Thank you for reading.

Flipping a coin re: the rain

It wasn't raining this morning.
I was almost banking on it, and it didn't happen.
So I'm picking up where I left off on Th1rte3n and heading along. No pack again. I realize I have to will myself to alter my posture without a backpack.
Last nite was an unpleasant ride in the rain. I've had worse, but it's intensified by the darkness.
Today was supposed to be rain all day, but it might clear up by the time I'm scheduled to leave for the day.
I'm reading Great Expectations and I feel bad for Pip, who, like the South Park character of the same name, is disliked for no other reason than that he's a child.
There isn't much going on. If I'm lucky I will get out before 4 today, as there's no reason for me to stay longer. It's going to be a nice long weekend.
Thank you for reading.

Con El Uno Sin Backpack

I'm able to carry all that I need in the kangaroo pouch today.

Started reading Great Expectations on the train and finished exactly the first 3 chapters. The only problem here with reading it is that I hear the accents I heard when reading Faulkner, which I know isn't true. I have to get the Americana out of my head. Also, because my brother-in-law was intent on telling me every last detail of the film's story (thankfully I reminded him that I hadn't read the book and wanted to and he had to show probably an enormous amount of restraint) I already know/knew what the first chapters had in store. I have to plow through and get through another few to get past those details.

The interesting thing about this book is that this paperback copy that I have, which is in pristine condition, is really old. It was a permanent fixture in a small bookshelf in my old room in my parents' house. Copyright in the book is 1998, so it was there for roughly ten years and I am vexed as to how it got there, who gave it to us (me or my brother, or my sister, for that matter) and how it managed to be completely unblemished.

I'm listening to Megadeth's Th1rte3n. It's still solid, especially for days like this when I just need to get going. Wanted to hit the gym last nite but I'm still coughing too much for my liking. Don't want to make myself worse and don't want to cough all over the equipment.

Last nite, as I was waiting for the crossing guardpoles to ascend, I realized I couldn't pedal b/c part of a strap that was attached for the benefit of the lock was caught in the chain. Long story short, I was able to cut it and ride home, but the plastic guard/cover of the chain was partially off. I got home and the little piece of strap was gone, but I had to re-cover the chain. I was really frustrated and disappointed in myself since it's a new bike and carelessness like this can cost time, money and effort. So I had cautious expectations this morning, but it actually rides fine. I hope I'm not jinxing myself by writing that. It is gray out and will likely remain that way during the next day's worth of daylight hours. If it rains as much/as badly as they say it will tomorrow, I will leave the bike home. Maybe the metrocard I found this morning will pay for that commute. We'll see.

Thank you for reading.

An Oz-tastic morn.

It's the start of a 3-day week.
My feeling is just to wade through it and get it over with.
Listening to Ozzy's No More Tears, spec. the title track, "Time After Time," "Zombie Stomp," "AVH" "Road to Nowhere."
I'm not in a bad mood but I'm getting over this sinus cold and I'm more bummed about the fact that I was fine yesterday until about 6 p.m., and then started coughing. Also I drank about 2/3 a bottle of red wine last nite, which knocked me out after dinner.
It's not very cold this morning and I'm not moving too hard.
Reading Battler Britton tpb this morning but was only able to finish part 1. I know I have read pt 1 (at least) before, but I have only the vaguest recollection. It's good but on the train I was still a little worn out. This week I'll likely start reading Great Expectations.
Yesterday I finished reading Michael Chabon's Manhood for Amateurs, which I bought over the summer for an astoundingly low price and read intermittently at home. It really is a great read and thankfully, since it's a collection of memoir and personal essays, it's the sort of book I'm sure I'll refer to several times. It makes me want to write a similar book, and there's no reason I shouldn't.
One thing I can do on the Uno that I couldn't do on the Boardwalk is ride with no hands. I don't need to do that but I tried it and b/c it's more solid, I can do that to keep my hands warm if need be. But I have those new gloves, so that shouldn't happen often. I didn't feel confident doing that on the old bike.
Yesterday was really nice out and I would've loved to have run but I didn't want to dig myself into a deeper hole. Thursday (Thanksgiving) morning will be the morning.
I did feel this weekend that a lot of the intensity was out of my system and that could've been from a confluence of things:

Listening to mostly jazz;
reading a lot;
not exercising as much;
forced relaxation.

Even the way I feel about work has sort of subsided for the time being and it's not that I'm selling out or anything like that but I'm playing the hand I'm dealt. Can't be "on" all the time -- I'm "on" most of the time so giving myself the week or so to get it together will be good. I don't mind being away for long periods of time. Two weeks ago I satisfied the biophiliac in me and now I'm paying for it, physically, I think but it's effecting me mentally a little, too.

Let's just get through the week as dry as possible.

Thank you for reading.

Rt # 510

First full week with El Uno.
While I'm not moving any faster, per se, it's a smoother ride for sure b/c the bike is built better, of better, lighter metal.
I can feel the wear in my legs, surprisingly. My guess is that it's a combination of a first full week, change in weather, and minor run-downedness. That's all good, though, b/c as "fun" as this might be in the summer, it's hard work in the late fall and winter. I'm wearing new Thinsulate gloves I just bought that work really well and I wish I had brought them yesterday.
Finally had breakfast again this week @ the house and took the recommended two shots of DayQuil. Listening to Chickenfoot III for the first time in a little while.
Read an essay in Dialogue, the periodical that I rec'd from Molloy's Philosophy dept. It was about how Nietzsche and Shopenhauer were on two sides of the same coin if we live in a world without God, and it concludes that the process of thought itself is what makes us human and is the journey each of us is on, in itself. The essay was good for someone like me who is not fully indoctrinated -- it gave a good history of both philosophers' beliefs and used solid historical examples. Any more "scholarly" and it would probably have been worthy of a national mag, but might get too wordy and tough.

Here are my thoughts on a couple of minor things I've written about:

1. OWS protesters seem to want someone to come out and take the fall and/or come clean. The person they want is "The Man," best characterized in the underrated 2002 comedy "Undercover Brother." In the film, we don't see The Man's face, but it is confirmed that he is an actual individual; an average white man in a suit somewhere in his early 60s. He seems to embody a generic businessman who has made money off the backs of people he doesn't value. There could be a "Man." If he's down here on Wall Street, I'm doubtful that he's going to uncover himself. Another personification has been done twice very well by Michael Douglas, and who could forget the Duke brothers from "Trading Places." The point is, they want someone to get his comeuppance, and since they haven't singled out any one person (they've sort of picked the President), no one is going to volunteer to plead guilty to moral and ethical crimes against society.

2. The Manhattan Mini-Storage sign I wrote about yesterday: I think it's an insult to them both, that Romney and Obama are unpopular, but it's still a dumb slogan. Real easy to step up to the plate and not swing at anything, or better yet, just hit foul balls.

Thank you for reading.

Manhattan Mini-Storage's Vexing Slogan - Can you figure it out?

No music today.
Can't explain why, but it's not necessary.
It's colder today than it has been since March, so I will remind myself to bring gloves tomorrow. Throat is still a little scratchy.
Finished Crime & Punishment yesterday. Pretty wild read. All about your definition of "will," "repentance" and lack thereof. I'm sure more thoughts will re-surface about this book, but basically it questions morality and law, so it's in line with some of the philosophy-based books I've read.
There is the matter of an ad in Chelsea that Manhattan Mini-Storage is boasting. Their last one was good: "Don't like gay marriage? Don't get gay married." Ok so that one makes sense and is taking a relevant topic and running with it -- even though gay marriage has nothing to do with storing your old stationary bike, vinyl collection, Nordic Trac and grandma's sofa. But here's the new editorial copy of the ad (atop a building across the street that one cannot miss as he moves south on the highway, just after Chelsea Piers):

"Mitt Romney?
That guy couldn't
even beat Obama!"

So last I checked, Mitt Romney hasn't squared off against Obama -- so "couldn't" is inaccurate, which I could forgive. They are from different states and political parties and couldn't could denote that it's been tried and done (and would-be failed). One word is throwing me, and the whole ad off -- the word is: EVEN.

In the context of this ad, it suggests that they have debated, and even that Romney has run and lost against the president. Seems like they are trying to "stick it" to Republicans and/or it's a backhanded compliment for the president (and considering where I work, I'm quite adept at picking up on even the subtlest backhanded compliment), but the use of the word EVEN is throwing me off to the point where I'm considering walking in and asking them to take it down on the grounds of confusion and poor word-usage/selection.

Without EVEN, the ad makes sense, and its (possible) slant aside, I could let it slide. But it's been up for a few weeks and I am worried my nose might start bleeding if I see it for too much longer without an explanation.

So, Mr. Mini-Storage, if you are out there, please explain this phrase. It seems inaccurate and poorly researched and thought-out. If you cannot provide one or provide an unsatisfactory explanation, your marketing director ought to be fired and replaced (by me).

My left foot is still a little bruised but not as prevalent as I've doubled my socks.

Thank you for reading.

Dia tres con el Uno

First day in light, intermittent rain. Last nite the forecast called for a steady rain all day, but it wasn't raining when I left. Had another hard time waking up and didn't get out of bed until about 10 to 8 which is not good.
My left foot is still bruised but otherwise I'm getting a little better each day though my throat is a little scratchy. It's really nice to have a solid bike with solid joints.
Listening to Foo again, nice mix of a few older and newer ones. ("Ain't It The Life," "MIA," "Bridge Burning" "Back and Forth" "Matter of Time")
I am nearing the end of C&P, but the POV (though told in the 3rd person) changed in Chapter 5. I was once told in an English class that if you are going to do that you need to at least start a new chapter or hit the enter space a few times. It could be the translation but it ought not be like that.
Was able to do my shoulders, back and tris last nite and I even kind of worked up a sweat. Will stay out of the gym until Saturday as I want to take it easy this week since I pushed so hard last week.
I'm a little groggy and hungry and that's about it.
The OWS folks are not allowed back in the park yet.
Thank you for reading.

Dia dos con el Uno

Looks as though it will rain later on so I'll bring the bike in today. The lock is horizontally hanging off the seat so I hit it a little on my left with each revolution.

I slept better last nite -- a little too good, as I woke up pretty late. Still made the train but my breakfast wasn't of the most nutritional content. Reese's and banana and milk.

Read about 15 pgs of C&P. Rodion has confessed his crime but not to anyone of authority. Looking forward to the denouement.

Listening to the new JA again, and as I'm moving south I notice at least three helicopters above, all facing me, which means they are facing the Hudson. I'm turned to the right to see if (hopefully not) another crash happened, but thankfully that doesn't seem to be the case. My feeling is they are getting an aerial view of something in the street, so it must be OWS-related.

My back feels a lot better today but my left foot is still bruised, so no running, even though it's warm out now.

Upon reaching Albany, I took the OWS street up and they were all cleared out. Protesters are still around but not in the park. Shit must've hit the fan.

Thank you for reading.

Uno day with the Uno

Having upgraded to an Uno, the ride is certainly smoother.

The Uno is lighter, and its joints are tighter (for now, we'll see how it holds up after the winter), and certain parts are not as exposed. No brake in front, which does take some acclimation, but the rear brakes work very well. The morning ride, however, won't provide a great indication of its poignancy, since I don't to stop very much. The return ride through 6th is where the real test will commence. I also had the bikeshop technician take the fenders off the old (still existing) one and throw it on. It uglies it up a bit, but this ain't no beauty contest. I want to stay as dry as possible.

Saw Foo Fighters last nite with Lex and it was wild but I'm pretty tired. They are one of the most fun/intense bands to watch, especially b/c of Grohl. I'm glad I love the new album as much as I do b/c it got its play time. I've got "Let It Die" stuck in my head. Glad they fit that in last nite, too. Got to see some old friends, too, which was a cool thing as they were two of the few whom I truly still care about.

This morning it's still warm enough outside so I don't need a sweatshirt or hoodie. Ran a half-marathon 3x, two of which were last week, one was the Saturday before. That in itself covered me for the lack of biking (which I didn't miss too much) and the normal amt of running I'd do. Giving myself a little bit of a break this week as my left foot feels a little bruised and my lower back on the right is also a little sore -- it was fine and the second I sat down on the train last nite going TO the show it just wasn't right. A hot shower cleared it up last week and I'm sure it will again tonite.

I'm nearing the end of part 5 of Crime and Punishment, and by day's end that part should be over and I'll be left with near 100 pgs to go. It's an engaging read. I'm sure I could've finished it while on break but I didn't want to spend too much time inside, reading, during one of the last sunny/warm parts of the year. The book is really great though, and it's covering all the factual and emotional points of view from all sorts of different crimes. I'm sure at some point next year I'll read the Idiot and the Brothers Karamazov.

I'm certainly not looking forward to the "work" part of work but it won't be so bad for the remainder of the year, between the holidays and remaining time off. There won't be another 5-day week until the last two weeks of the year, which are not tough I just need cover for someone and do some extra reading. Usually a lot of food in the office around that time, too.

I will have to figure out a better way to get the kryptonite lock on here, though, b/c having it hung from the seat is great in theory but only in the morning -- having to re-insert it for the ride back will kill time that I cannot afford to waste.

If I can sit on the train home I fear I will pass right out.

Thank you for reading.

see something...say something RT #505

Had a solid morning. Thought it would be warm enough for longsleeves and shorts but I stopped once I crossed over the WSH and put on the sweatpants. Too windy. Yesterday I could've gotten away with it.

Listening to the last tracks on the new Megadeth. It's a good way for them to exit that label. It's heavy but he's not pulling out all the stops. The final track is essentially what "Victory" was to Youthanasia. Still good though, certainly will get its use during training and running.

Last entry for a week and hopefully the next one will feature my review of a new Dahon bike. Not that I am Mister Bicycle or anything like that but I'm excited for an upgrade.

It was an uninteresting ride except for when I made it to Albany Street. Lots of groups and folks going in to the 9/11 memorial. One group, organized in the alley connecting to Church Street, was led by a guy who clearly stood out as its leader. As I went up the hill toward the gated exit, I noticed a 9/11 memorial bag just left there. I descended and told the cop, in "see something, say something"-fashion, that a bag was left there and it's probably nothing but it's almost tasteless to have that branded bag just laying there. He told the leader of the group (of children) and collected it.

I left my wire for the lock at home so I will just take the bike right inside.

Ran a 21:03 5K yesterday and then for dinner ate two loaves of bread doused with melted butter at Outback before my seafood meal came out. I'm alright today, surprisingly and am looking forward to some time off.

Thank you for reading.

the plan is set

Having checked out the bikes at a local store, I am confident I will buy my new one next week at the shop that's a short drive away.

Will buy Megadeth today as I plan to run to it during lunch. I intentionally picked today for a run as they had predicted it to be 60 degrees. I was able to leave home the hoodie and just wear the under-armour type of shirt this morning.

Am still intellectually engaged in Crime & Punishment. I don't want to give anything away, mostly b/c there are soooooo many subscribers to my blog, but Rodya is cracking up and is on the verge of confessing out of guilt and maniacism. I'm roughly 150 pgs in. They are getting to more political/economic/philosophical discussions about the motivations behind certain crimes.

Today is the memorial service for my co-worker's daughter. One of my two-person dept. has to stick around in case things come up and so we can publish the paper, and it was more important for my supervisor to go, as she has known him longer. It has been a long long time since anything like this has hit as close as it has. I cannot comprehend the loss with my heart, only my mind and am almost glad I won't be around next week as I don't want to be here on his first day. Let him settle in and maybe the extra time will insulate it all for a while.

Yesterday I co-pub'd the Bar Results and my eyes were kind of shot but I still read on the way home. No one outside of my supervisor thanked me and I of course am only doing it for her and b/c she asks me to do it. The people who take the credit for this work never acknowledge that I do it and we're going on 6 years now, so that's 12x. That's why I'm in no rush this morning, nor any other.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Megadeth - "Good Mourning/Black Friday" "Bad Omen"
RHCP - "Monarchy" "Factory" "Maggie" "Happiness"

What's that feeling in my stomach?

Today is a drop cooler than yesterday.

There's something evil lurking in my bowels, and it seems to be a combination of tightening muscle and a vicious number 2.

Am listening to the latter half of The Great Escape Artist. It is catchy and perfect music to ride and run to, but is not as good as Strays nor their greatest hits. It is cool to hear a love song that is not sappy, though. He kind of went that route with the Satellite Party.

Didn't buy the new Megadeth yet, but I will by week's end. Turns out a couple of the songs were already available in other incarnations, but I only had one of them. There was a good review online that said it is good, and leans toward the early 90s sound with a little of Endgame thrown in. Works for me.

Surprisingly I read over 20 pgs of Crime And Punishment this morning on the train. Obviously I am captivated by the story, which at this point (part II) has a "Tell-Tale Heart" feeling to it. At times the 3rd person narrator refers to itself as "we," which is either just part of the dialect or there is a group of people telling the story. Will investigate.

I worked out hard last nite. Did my abs, shoulders and ran a 21:45 5k. There was a guy doing abwork while hanging from the pull up bar that was reminiscent of "Traces" so I will have to emulate that this weekend. I'm still @ 154 and am shocked b/c I pigged out a little yesterday. Either way, I'm obviously doing things right and will stay on this path. Will probably enter the lottery for the NYC Triathlon 2012 today, too.

Thank you for reading.

A Warmer Tuesday

I'm slightly overbundled today but you can never be too sure. Yesterday I felt really run-down and didn't want to chance getting sick due to a lunch run. I will work out the abs, shoulders and run tonite. Have certainly pigged out (comparatively) the past 4 days. Halloween and a beautiful fandant cake have seen to the fact that I'm not as lean as I had been. There's a solid chance I will have more time off very soon so I will not sit idly by. Maybe I will also donate some blood or platelets.

The new Megadeth album comes out today. I will get it this week for sure. Listening to Jane's again. This will be the last day the new album is on the recently added playlist.

Crime and Punishment is much better than I thought it would be. It is drab, but thankfully I got my training in drab with A Man Asleep a few months ago so this is a walk in the park in comparison. Part I is coming to a close and I'm engaged. Seems like he might kill the old woman. The idea(l) of the needs of many over the needs of 1 is prevalent in his motivation if Rodya is to go through with it.

There is no question that I will have a new folding bike by next week. If the LB guy cannot give me a deal, I will just go back to Wantagh. I'll last the rest of the week with the current bike and that'll be all.

Last nite's dinner was light and delicious and today's will be no different.

Thank you for reading.

Ride 501

Cold this morning. My hands were raw and red before I even made it to Oside station.

I began reading Crime and Punishment on the train and it will be a monumental undertaking. It has been a long while since I've read anything (in one sitting) that was more than 200 pgs so this will keep me occupied and if I don't feel like reading it I will resume the writing project. The best part thus far is that I don't know the plot and have averted my gaze from the back cover, so it's up to me. But I can see already the influence this had on Perec.

I was able to hit the gym and work my pecs and tris yesterday, as well as my thighs and calves. My bag is tight and heavy today but I am ok. My calves are a little sore, actually, from the ladder work and from the calf raises so that is why I'm 50/50 on a lunch run today.

Yesterday's benching results: @185 - 4 sets of 6 / @ 155 - 1 set of 12.

This weather typically denotes a rough time for me for no reason other than big-babyness. I love the summer and not only is it over, but its successor is seemingly done, too. It snowed on Saturday, so there you have it. Millions have no power but I'm in good shape.

I drove to a bike store on Saturday to try out a new folding bike and the alloy one is wonderful and much lighter than my current one. Since I couldn't really test ride it on Saturday I promised I'd come back and try it out. I found the same model and a better one closer to the house for much less money so I will work something out.

Going to over dress (in terms of warmth) this week. Also going to try to rest up.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
String quartet - "Layla" "Bellbottom Blues"
Chickenfoot - "Last Temptation" "Alright Alright" "Different Devil" "Up Next"

The Big 5-0-0...in the C-O-L-D

This one-way ride technically makes it the 500th round trip but this can just be roundtrip day #500.

It's friggin cold this morning. I have my new Halloween mask in my bag and I would wear it for the ride but the gremlin/person sticks out of the right side so only the Hudson River vagabonds and pelicans would take notice.

I read my Philosophy Now! and an article about Darwin and the theory of evolution and how over the years he is credited for the theory's inception, which isn't wholly accurate, and the difference between a fact and a theory and evidence and evidence gaps. Pretty fascinating stuff, insightful b/c they are also getting in to the semantic meanings of words.

I crunched some #s regarding this milestone and here are some rough estimates.

If a round trip is 200 calories, then 200 x 500 = 100,000

One pound = 3500 cal.

100,000/3500 = 28.5 lbs burned. -- That math is pretty accurate. I'm down about 20-22 lbs from when I started, and I reckon I've put on and taken off a few and considering the way I tend to eat, it makes sense. I've shaved a few extra pounds off in the past 6 weeks and a lot of that is due to running.

Coincidentally, if I have 7 miles roundtrip, then today I've hit my 3,500th mile. I think that means I've gone to Fla and back.

Money --- Now here's an interesting sub-topic. To begin with, let's see how much I've not-spent in total. I don't have the exact date when the cost of a one-way subway ride went from 2bucks to 2.25, but I'll be conservative.

Let's say one full year in to the commitment, the price jumped.

So 100 RT days x $4 = $400.
The 400 remaining RT days x $4.50 = $1800.
Total not spent = $2,200 (est.)

There have been some setbacks, of course. Losses were incurred for gear and flats and even tuneups. I haven't kept an accurate tally of these sorts of things. Let's say - at worst - $1000.

That's $1,200 not spent/saved in 3.25 years.
$400 a year. I'm happier with the money and without the gut. Not to say there's not work still to be done. If you're committed and can stick it out and can make it work for you.

This week alone I didn't spend $18 thanks to a loaner.

Listening to RHCP circa - BSSM. Today was a first: at the crossing at WSH, a cabbie let out a fare. First time for everything.

Thank you for reading.

Redd's Blues In the Rain

Not a great day for a ride, but my new motto is, if I can hear it on the roof, then it might be too heavy for a ride. But the rain isn't heavy and the wind isn't blowing very much at all so this worked out well.

Am listening to a slightly obscure Blue Note album by Freddie Redd, called Redd's Blues. This one has a trumpet and tenor sax, as opposed to Shades of Redd, which features alto and tenor sax and no trumpet. I can see why he wasn't thrilled with this recording but it is still pretty good. Hubbard is on trumpet here but the playing seems a little disjointed at times. There's a track that I think is supposed to sound like a New Orleans big band but isn't fully conveying the message. You can hear the difference in his playing and his piano compositions as opposed to Horace Silver, who is more upbeat and tighter and doesn't just have everyone immediately stop to allow for a bass solo.

I am curious to see what type of fallout there is from the production mistake of 2 nites ago. I am confident I handled myself and the situation correctly and professionally and let's see if the person who did the "copy the higher-ups on this message" move comes to better sense and apologizes to me for throwing me under the bus.

I did channel my feelings about this betrayal at the gym last nite and as far as benching was concerned: at 185 lbs, I did 8, 7, 6 and at 155, 10 reps. I'm at 154 lbs now and the amped up running is probably more effective than all the ab work.

I'm too tough to be deterred by some rain. It's little more than a drizzle and the water from the Hudson is coming up pretty high to my right. It won't flood, though. At least not now.

If it's raining hard later, I'll take the bike on the subway (not sure how much it can handle, and I don't want to find out) to Atl. Either way, this one-way ride puts me at 499 and tomorrow, which promises to be nicer, will be #500.

The blister on my foot never surfaced, even after my 5k last nite.

Thank you for reading.

the partial page

The ride back was more hurried than normal, as I left @ 530 on the dot. Getting to the bus depot was bad as I took Liberty St. and got caught up b/w marchers and pedestrians. Then I was stuck behind a bus that spewed out malice in the form of black smoke. Right on me.

I hustled really fast once I got around the bus at the chain stop and weaved in and out of traffic. Since I know the location of most of the potholes on my route, I've saved my prostate some trouble.

Too many people are in my lane too frequently. They walk, then look.

I am a little PO'd about someone at work essentially throwing me under the bus and doing that "respond to an email and copy all the higher-ups to express my anger" move, which I abhor more than marketing department cronies who exhibit awful interpersonal skills (so how can they effectively handle any PR/Marketing work with outside connections if they cannot speak to a co-worker?). Someone whose camaraderie I truly value did that email maneuver and the irony is that not only am I taking the high road and giving that person a day to think about what they've done and apologize, but the good people in my corner who know I did right by everyone today went to bat for me, and even Smithers has to back me up, which should speak volumes.

Some people I've met take mistakes too personally -- and I understand that to a point b/c it involves business (which = $), but to blindly start swinging rather than make a phone call and have a candid conversation is in poor taste. I never do that to people anymore -- learned the hard way in college once or twice. It's odd b/c that's sort of the old mentality of my former(?) part-time job which goes back to my teenage years. For a time I thought that was normal and that's how you ran a business. But it's really just looking for a verbal punching bag and accomplishes nothing. Let's see how that plays out.

I was already scheduled to hit the gym tonite and now I've truly earned it. To tell the truth, the vindication came today from my immediate supervisor and the confidence I have in knowing I did the right thing today and handled things to the best of my ability. It's not like when Smithers talks about "memorializing" things and I want to reach through his mouth only to be momentarily forgotten that if I reach far enough, I won't hit the top of a spine. I'm more upset that I think I cannot trust someone who I thought I could.

Thank you for reading.

"...he doesn't live here anymore..."

Today was pretty much identical to yesterday only perhaps a bit warmer. It looks like it's going to rain at some point and at least I've had the good sense to bring the lock for the bike today.

I wrote more thoughts for my stage book.

I woke up and realized that I'm developing a pretty voluminous blister on my left foot so I'm doubling my socks. I don't have solid plans to run today but I might at the gym tonite. The goal is to match my mileage from last week, which was pretty high.

A new stove is on its way to my house and the old one was scavenged but at least I had the good sense to keep parts of it for scrap metal re-sale.

Listening to Chris Cornell's Carry On. Having playlists tends to kill the idea of just listening to an album you don't hear much of anymore, so this is a welcome change. I personally think his work in Audioslave and to a lesser extent, his solo work, is more engaging than Soundgarden but now that my expectations are lower, if they have a new album it might be really good. Superunkown has highs and lows -- for every "My Wave" and "Spoonman" there's a "Limo Wreck" and "Half."

Mostly just want to get this all over with today. Had a weird nightmare-ish dream about Life: A User's Manual. Reminded of it as I passed the meatpacking district and looked up and behind me at the Hennessy ad.

Thank you for reading.

The old bike that keeps on giving

Yesterday's unpleasantness in the morning forced me to abandon my own bike and keep it in the basement and borrow my father in law's old folding Dahon, which moves deceptively quick. The wheels are smaller for sure but that is tempered by the fact that there are gears. This is the same bike I had last year while caught in a tornado that knocked down trees and, soaked, had to get on an E train and catch near-hypothermia. I will clean the dust off it at work but otherwise it should suit me fine. I made it downtown really really fast (before 930) so my only concern is the return ride(s) as the seat is solid as a rock, and no matter how many Brazilian nuts I might eat, my prostate will feel the impact of running over a pothole. Another detail for me to keep in mind is the wheel-stand, which I will just not use, as I don't want to break it again.

Listening to the final tracks off Chickenfoot III, from "Three and a Half Letters" to the end.

I started writing again this morning. This time it's a stage show that I have discussed with a friend about what not to do and so long as it's not too much about apathy, I can make it something I'd want to see. It's about two people biking to work in opposite directions.

I ran 11.5 miles on Sunday, and I can feel it a little in my calves, but I'm fine.

Last week was incredibly difficult for me to wake up in the morning and after two consec. days of flat tires, I made it my business to wake up on time.

The return ride is the concern, and one that will be conquered.

Thank you for reading.

the ride that never really happened.

The disclaimer in my blog is typically implied by the fact that I obviously get to a computer to blog about my bicycling-commuting exploits. A truly tragic loss occurred last nite (suffered directly by a co-worker) and unless I ever go through the pain he and his family have, I will not even attempt to comprehend what they've experienced. Maybe when I have a child, I'll have a glimpse of it, and hopefully never go through it first-hand. All I can say is how truly sorry I am for their loss. Beyond that .... [ ]



My ride this morning never really happened. I dreamed that the rear wheel would be flat. I don't know how or why I dreamed that -- but I tend to dream these self-fulfilling prophecies about car and bike tires (Syracuse, anyone?) but I ignored it as I didn't remember it until I got up to Penn. I ran over something last nite on the way home to the house and I heard a snap but that was on the front wheel. My ride to the train was fine. The only giveaway I can conjure is the way it sat evenly on the train in front of me as I was on the single pull-down seat. But that's not that obvious, b/c you can change the height of the bike seat. But for the first time ever my handheld bike pump worked and I convinced myself that I could ride it as far as I could several times on the way west and south and lose 10 minutes at most. Why should I concede defeat and take the subway right then and there?

So I deluded myself and gave in to my Darwinian instincts and then wanted to gnaw at my own flesh when I realized, upon crossing the Highway and making it all of 5 blocks, that it wouldn't work. The tire was shot.

I proceeded to walk it back to 23rd and took the 1 downtown. The station/stop itself is exactly the thing I aim to avoid on a daily basis. Smelled like someone gave a first-class, scalding shower to a dead turtle and used vomit to custom-coat its shell.

There's a bike shop closer to the office that I'll have to visit during lunch. This doesn't count as a ride, per se, as I didn't ride very far at all (Lt. Dan could've made it to Wall Street quicker than I could've) and I spent the dough on the subway. I just want a new, slightly better bike at this point. One that can withstand more of a beating. I'll spend a few hundred just to avoid all this.

At least COC is opening for Danzig in a week.

Thank you for reading.

The Irresistible Force

I was soaked yesterday riding both ways, which I realize is a tougher trip b/c of the extra weight on my legs and slicker roads. I don't regret riding round trip but I will concede that I wasn't doing it in a drizzle.

Having had my intense reading done for just a little while, I took the 2nd Jim Norton book with me over Dostoyevsky's Crime & Punishment. Even if I don't finish Norton's book right now, I need a funny distraction and it is meeting my expectations. I couldn't really even get through the new MH last nite.

Smithers is out today and all is well. I feel less rushed, which is great, b/c I have overslept every day this week. I am a little stressed out and hopefully I can burn some of it out today and certainly this weekend. This is the second morning in a row I've slept through the new Jane's Addiction album. That's not to denigrate the album, which though in the same vain, is almost as good as Strays, but to emphasize the depths of my slumber.

The Great Escape Artist leaves behind the raw intensity of the first two albums. If you are looking for the slow, oddball rock songs like "Three Days" or even the wonderful "Summertime Rolls," then navigate through your IPOD and find it b/c it's not here. These are rock songs with an increased use of keyboards. Navarro's guitars are not as distorted as they've been known to be on many tracks. Still they are good and I'm sure they will grow on me. I want a new, upbeat, "un-metal" biking soundtrack and I have it. Between this, Chickenfoot & RHCP I am good for a while.

Despite the winds, I have moved very quickly downtown. It's nice to have some daylight.

Thank you for reading.

Saturation

It's raining.
Big deal.
"Just a little rain."
I can take anything you throw at me and spit right back out at you.

This, like most other things, is just part of the journey and if it's my journey today, then so be it. It's no longer about money anymore. It used to be but I'm realizing that though it's important, it's not the prime concern, it's more about racking up the numbers and the feeling of completion.

There are some other hardcore constituents here today:

The black jogger who looks like Angelo Moore, only with hair on his head;
The Skeet Ulrich handle-bar mustache biker;
Some other runners who I see periodically. One new one is a mom pushing her kids on the stroller (it's hooded/roofed).
We are side by side.

Someone posted photos of me as an adolescent yesterday with people who are now ghosts. I have no need for these things nor memories, anymore. I don't hate the people I'm posing with. I used to think I did but I realized recently that the point of it all is to let go of those feelings. "Another day I pray to let go of hate..../I search for inner peace..." - are the lyrics I hear internally as I pass the WFC. Maybe it's b/c I attended a religious sermon recently, I don't know but though I'm not a religious person I am a thinker and I'm trying to become a better one.

I can feel the water in my socks but I am determined to see everything through. This cannot stop me. I've been through worse and I can take it all.

No music. Not safe and probably unnecessary.

There is something to be said about how if you change your physical being - then there is a physio-biological, and pseudo-spiritual change that accompanies it (and probably vice versa). I can tell from what I've experienced that it can happen and it does, and my confidence level is increased wherever I go. No more shying away from challenges. No more fear of failure.

Thank you for reading.

Tues

About 30 pgs to go with The Rum Diary, as I see its movie poster above a parking lot on 31st and 8th.

I ran the Boardwalk "recently" -- 2 round trips, which makes it b/w 8.5 and 9 mi. Did it in the same time - 70 minutes. I feel only moderate soreness in a few small areas in my legs and calves and that's all. I'm ready for the next step. I will piece it all together and make it something meaningful. I am pretty bulletproof and Hawaii is in my sights.

Having seen "The Way" and the adaptation of "Into The Wild," I am ready for my own inward/outward journey.

Listening to songs off my Dulli & Lanegan playlist. I don't think the new tunes on the Afghan Whigs' "Retrospective" sound anything like the Whigs. They sound like Twilight Singers. They are good songs, I've got no gripe about the quality of the music but they are on the wrong collection.

The new Jane's Addiction comes out today. I'm moderately excited about it. I will probably pick it up today. I have a feeling the new Screaming Trees will be harder to come by.

I met the Solipsist on Friday and it was pretty intense. It's been a long time since I have been nervous so I guess I was due -- and it showed. Hopefully I'll get another chance.

Thank you for reading.

Ready to meet the Solipsist.

Had originally intended to call out today, as I'd anticipated a late nite last nite, and it was. Had tickets for "Sister Act" and it was certainly entertaining. But after those tickets were secured, two happenings convinced me to tough it out: 1) a key member of our skeleton crew would be out, so I'd potentially abandon those close to me, and 2) Rollins is going to be at a bookstore not far from the office at 7. I have Solipsist and 2 CD covers with me. It dawns on me that I might catch him downstairs later, as Tom Morello was there yesterday. That was cool and it became easy to see how you can get swept up in it when someone like that is there leading you on.

So rather than take a day that involves schlepping back here, let's hold on to it for just a bit longer.

That brings me to 33rd Street. Listening to a couple of Avenged Sevenfold tunes I tend to avoid for no reason. I have about half of City Of Evil on my workout playlist and it's getting a bit predictable. I'm a little groggy, as I only had a cup of tea and cereal so far but I'm feeling good. I really lucked out b/c it started to rain as I was getting on the train today and I didn't bring sweatpants but I am fortunate that it's only warm and humid for now.

I changed over to I'm With You again. I'm not angry at all and just want to move and get on with things.

I am really enjoying The Rum Diary. I had only a general idea of its premise but it's engaging b/c I feel like I am reading about myself in another decade and location. I don't know if I could hack it with the conditions and the drinking, it's not so much about that, but it's more the idea of wanting to take flight and the right to live comfortably. Kemp is 30 in the story and working for a foreign, English-language newspaper so I can relate on a demographic level. The dull phenomena of being "comfortably detached" is a succinct way of describing the way I oftentimes feel. I have rare, wonderful moments where the feeling is alien, but five days a week that is a prevalent state of consciousness.

I have moved remarkably fast. I would've made the WSH light but my left lace got tangled. Still, between that and using a men's room. I'm moving quicker than when I take the 813. Maybe the trains come in at the same time now, I couldn't say but I am light and swift.

Hoping to get my picture and autograph after I buy a new book. Looking forward to a good day and some coffee and maybe a run if the weather holds up at 1.

Thank you for reading.

vball

I took the FDR Drive pathway home. It starts at the Seaport where I begin and end my 5ks but it is nice to go this way without all the noise, hassle and potential dangers. I am without headphones and it's good to take it all in. Even the subway train that runs under the Manhattan Bridge.

It looked darker and colder than it actually was.

There was a vagabond using a grabber to pick up something of some sort of value right where the fence is as you approach the #'d streets. The black guy in the suit also stopped to look and see what the man was trying to grab. I'll never know. If it was food then BLEEECCHHHH! Money I could understand.

I haven't been to Baruch in a long while. I don't know if I've been there at all in 2011. We'll see how I do.

How You Like Me Now?

Glad I brought the sweatpants today. It's drizzling and supposedly it's going to be non-stop but I have volleyball tonite and the potential gym session but at least the bike will be dry until 530. From there who knows?

Began reading The Rum Diary today. My interest was piqued when I saw the movie trailer. I knew about this book/movie for some time but since it was Hunter S. Thompson I was skeptical at best. "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was one of those films that one of my high school burnout friends lived and died by (and I know a couple of people since then, too who are like that) and I just didn't enjoy it. This one seems to be more up my alley. I'll give it a shot. It's only 200 pgs. So far it's fine.

Solipsist has 10-15 pgs left. Saving it for Friday's train ride. Will stuff a CD cover in it. My feeling is that this book got really good about 100 pgs in. I don't know if it's because I became numb to the style and the subject matter or because I started to connect to the latter (or both). A lot of times I feel just as alien as he describes (fragments of passages from the book made their way in to my fav Rollins Band songs). I feel totally normal while I'm around my friends at work and some select few others but otherwise, though I admit I want to be liked, I feel I'm on another planet. Sometimes I am still a 16-year-old kid only this time around I know to enjoy it. Other times I know there's an energy inside me that I thankfully pour out at the gym & on the bike.

The Heavy's "How You Like Me Now?" is on. I got a free live download of this popular tune and it's pretty damn good. His voice doesn't hold up as well as the studio version but it's passable. Chickenfoot takes the rest of the ride. Last day while it's still "recently added."

Waiting on a call to figure out what my week will be like. No bike for sure tomorrow as I have my last pair of theater tix. Friday is a possibility...Since this Rollins thing is at 7 it might be to my benefit to just bite the bullet and come in and then save what would have been "that day" and roll it over.

Thank you for reading.

Solipsism almost entirely

Had a 3-day break but only from work and commute.
Physically, I pushed myself to a slightly higher ground.
The fasting of the holiday doesn't bother me much at all. There's slight hunger but otherwise I can go without for longer if need be (which is encouraging, never know when tidal waves are going to hit) but the caffeine headache (which was anticipated) is the killer and put me out for an extra 3 hrs. I hit the gym and then ran approx 8.5 miles in 69 minutes the next day (most I've ever done @ one time) and then hit the gym to do upper body yesterday. I left a lot of things/thoughts on the Boardwalk and took some new ones with me.
My legs burned only a little Sunday nite and I haven't felt any physical difference there. I'm a little sluggish but that's all in my head.
I read a little of Solipsist today (and some over the weekend) and will finish the req'd parts probably today. I will leave the last 10 pgs or so to be read on Friday when I meet Rollins himself. This way I have something to do on the train that day and am not carrying around an extra book.
It is truly a beautiful day -- mild and sunny.
Friday's phone call went well but I will be much more realistic this time around. I do think about the ends, though, and they will be glorious.
I will push myself a little harder this week. I can take anything you throw at me. I used to think I needed to be stronger than you, and if a cataclysm occurs, I might need to be. But for now, I just need to be more determined than I was yesterday. You are little more than a shadow or a spectre. Since I am able, it's my purpose in life to use what time I have contributing to maximization of time and health. There's a man @ the gym with no limbs and he will burn a hole through you with his eyes and then beat you down. He wants nothing to do with me and my heavy metal-fueled circuits and all I can do is lag behind him and catch a glimpse.
You don't want to get up? Your own problem. The man @ the gym is better off than you. He's tougher than you, than me, than practically all of us except his own shadow.

At Trinity, as I came up the second entrance approaching the protesters, traffic was more stop than go. A woman driver with a man beside her thought it would be a good idea to block the box and kill me in the process. I gave her the look and said "STOP" -- whether she heard me is another matter but she did obey.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Jackyl - "Headed For Destruction"
Mudhoney & Sir Mix-a-Lot - "Freak Momma"
Ministry - "Roadhouse Blues"
Van Halen - "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?" "Unchained"
Queen + Rogers - "Surf's Up...School's Out"

RT day #490

Almost regret not wearing the sweatpants.
But the cold is keeping me awake, which I need since we're going coffee-free today. I promised myself one cup of reg. tea but that's all. Just herb tea and water rest of the day.
Barebacked today, as I have Solipsist and some produce in the bag. That's all. If it were winter I could just tuck it in the front pocket but I'm happier that it's not winter.
I've got a phone call coming my way today so I'll be honest and play the hand I'm dealt. Time to move on.
Chickenfoot III today. Real shocker, but at least I'm listening to the tracks I haven't killed yet.
Have a nice 3-day weekend on its way. I don't mind work today, let's just get in and get out. Fasting starts tonite.
Ran a 22:03 5K yesterday and it's as if it never happened. I was a little tired yesterday but 5ks no longer hit me with any soreness.
Thank you for reading.

morning after mountaintop

Once more I'm loathe to get out of bed with enough time to truly wake up.
Bang Camaro couldn't fully do it.

Oddly, though, had I hustled my absolute hardest to the train, I probably would've made the 813. I considered chasing it to E. Rock, but discarded that thought immediately.

Read Solipsist again and did it to some slightly upbeat jazz in the background to temper its severity. I'm too dull right now to let the words effect me as much as they did on Tues.

Last nite we saw MountainTop with Samuel L. MF Jackson and Angela Bassett. He plays MLK and she plays a motel maid with a twist. We were in the middle of ORCH row BB, which I thought meant toward the back, but it was actually 2nd row. They were performing for us. That was a show worth staying out late. I doubt I'll ever forget it, b/w the strength of the material, quality of the actors and our MF seats.

This morning is a Chili-Chickenfoot mix of their upbeat new stuff. I do not look good. Between my hair in its slumber-inspired mohawk and the icy look in my eyes, I cannot imagine I'm an attractive figure.

Not a whole lot of particularly interesting stuff happening out here today. I must confess I think about my caffeine addiction often and I am interested to see how that will affect my lunch run. That will push me to 7 miles on the week and I'll chill out after that with running until Sun.

On Tues I thought the new Jane's Addiction was coming out but it's actually going to be a week from next Tues.

Thank you for reading.

Oh Sweet Oblivion Feels All Right

It's chilly again this morning, but at least I have my sweatpants.

I'm having difficulty willing myself out of bed these past two mornings. Both nights I woke up b/w 3-4 to use the bathroom. I'm sure that such a disruption is part of the problem. No real way to counteract that short of holding it in, which I won't do. I did finish off the Apple Jacks before I left, though.

Began reading Solipsist, since there's a solid chance I'm going to meet Henry Rollins next week at a book signing. It's tough in the sense that it messes with your head. It's a hard read in that respect, because it's so harsh and maybe that's not what I want to read/hear first thing in the morning, but then again it's keeping me in touch with reality.

Reflecting on a dream I had:

Planning to play a show in my old garage band trio, and my guitarist and I were going over what to play. For some reason we were going to play "Hellbound" by Pantera, which is the tip-off that it's a dream b/c we were no longer playing together nor friends when that song came out (2000). The show was going to be before people in bleachers, so it's possible it was camp, where we did play together. Still, one of my strings popped off (and possibly so did his) and then I realized I was sleeping through Zeppelin and got out of bed.

This was all incited b/c I saw the friend recently from afar and b/c I saw Foo support Roger Waters on a show playing "In The Flesh," which we had planned to do one summer. My time without this friend is almost twice the estrangement time. He did reach out to me one time years ago and that was cool, so the animosity dissipated. I leave it there because that's where it is -- in the past. There are other old friends whom I thought I despised but I really am just disappointed in myself for letting others make me feel inferior. Socially, that no longer happens. Soon enough it will not happen professionally.

First thing I saw upon exiting Penn Station was two black homeless guys looking like they were going to throw down. An on-break construction worker stood to my left with his cameraphone out hoping to catch a glimpse of something he could instantly post. Thankfully, cops came right out and calmly told them to hang out somewhere else. The yelling seemed to die down a bit.

This goes back to my thoughts on Hume, and the idea that I am basically just a bunch of memories stitched together. I'm not the same person -- too much of a transformation on all 3 planes.

That is all for today. Made my lights and good time.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Sammy Hagar: "Cosmic Universal Fashion" "Psycho Vertigo" "Loud"
Screaming Trees: "Shadow of the Season" "Nearly Lost You" "Tomorrow's Dream"

Remember to grab new train pass.

I was off to a great stop from the get-go.
Just as I was about to board the 818 I realized I hadn't slipped the Oct. pass in my wallet so I had to go right back and get it. This, however, provided me ample time to get it, use the facilities and have a cup of hot tea. And I needed it, b/c not only am I operating on less caffeine, now, but it's getting colder out. T-shirt and long-sleeve shirt and shorts today.
Read MH on the train. I haven't taken the bike on the 848 in quite a while and I don't miss the rat race it embodies. People rush to transfer like it's of the utmost importance.
I ran what I'm going to call 2 miles yesterday. It may have been more, but since I wasn't running very hard, I feel it'd be a disservice to credit myself with anything more. That, and there's no way for me to accurately gauge the distance.
It was a pretty good weekend, once I got off the train Thursday night. (Took F'ing forever!)
After installing insulation on Saturday, I still felt it was necessary to give my knees one more day of rest. They don't hurt, and that's probably why.
I'm moving pretty fast. I don't feel bad about coming in late, but I do want to try to shave a few minutes off my time this morning.
I'm trying to figure out the best days/times to run and get at least another 5k in there. Today probably would've been best during lunch but maybe I can squeeze it in after work.
Started writing personal work again, let's see where it takes us.
Protesters are still here.
Thank you for reading.

Free Coffee Day ... as I'm trying to ween myself off the stuff.

Was able to hit the 7-11 across from the station in time to grab my free cinnamon coffee. It's a medium and I reckon its ingestion should provide the caffeine fix for the day.

I listened to the last few tracks of the first disc of the Hume in 90 minutes. It's more of a biography but it certainly explains his basic ideas (many of which were covered well in the TPM I read last week).

By the time I platformed the coffee had shot right through me and I really needed to use the bathroom. I decided to use the one @ the Piers since it's smaller, cleaner and not as congested. In doing so, I stopped at the light at 11th and of course it took forever to change. Upon exiting the bathroom I had this wonderful moment where I could hear the new Chickenfoot album very clearly. The moment had passed the second the light turned green.

After that, I made decent time. I wonder if I'm the only person in the history of the world to listen to a biography of Hume and then play Chickenfoot (or any Sammy Hagar-led band).

I'm only sweating out there b/c I'm wearing the sweatpants. Otherwise it's truly a perfectly nice morning. Sun is mostly out. It may rain and I just want to stay as dry as possible. I'm barebacked again and I'm realizing if I have more interesting audiobooks like this, then I can get away with riding whilst carrying almost nothing. No bag with me today either. Just wallet, phone, Ipod and train pass. It certainly makes it all bearable.

This 4-day week was alright. Next week is a 5-er, with weds being a day off from the bike and the week after that will be a 3-day week, with only 2 potential days for biking. I feel really strong and light and the fact that I've upped my weekend game with longer running distance and slightly heavier lifting, I am in better shape than I had been before the summer had started. If I can get a run in tomorrow morning, then the holiday won't destroy me.

Thank you for reading.

RT day #485

No reading material today. Realized I should've put my Hume in 90 Minutes audiobook on the pod yesterday but I will do it today. Got to give the balls of my eyes a rest.

Am breaking in the new Chickenfoot album and it's pretty solid. It's not as heavy as the first but it's still pretty good. Watched the live broadcast on the lizard's ipad last nite and that was fun. For the $10, I'm entertained and it's a pretty rockin' album. Yes, Hagar's lyrics aren't always of the highest caliber but when he's talking about life and real-life issues, they can be inspiring. Listen to "Right Now," and "Turnin' Left." All about seizing the moment and it's good to hear a song about rising above your own expectations and standards rather than sticking it to someone else. The more important conflict is internal. Succeed there, and the external conflicts are easily won.

I'm a little groggy b/c of the lack o' caffeine again but there is a sendoff party for a nice fellow today and I'm banking on my one cup being there and being the real stuff and not Flavia brand.

I worked out pretty hard last nite -- did a slightly abridged circuit of abs, tris, pecs and then banged out a 5k at 21:55. Running that hard at night after a full day, roundtrip on the bike and the first 35 minutes of a workout can knock you out. I have run harder than that before but it is an indication of what an Ironman would do to me.

Barebacked today and no plastic bag either. All I need to do on the ride back is make space for a coconut water which I will refrigerate later. Lunch will be an uneven hodgepodge today. Could go Met-Rx bar -- I plan to carb up at the party this morn.

Have no lock today and can leave the bike in the office. Will need to tighten the screw on the front wheel, though.

Thank you for reading.

Complications of a Mastermind

It's pretty humid today.
This is day 2 of weening myself off the java. Had the iced cup in the fridge this morn, I must thusly limit myself to only one more cup, preferably later on in the day.
I'm listening to some tracks off Californication and I'm With You. Nice to hear "Get On Top" after a long while.
New Chickenfoot album comes out today. Will probably have to go to a major retailer to get it. This group was able to form, tour, and release 2 studio albums before Van Halen could get their shit straight and put something out.
I wanted to run today but I might do that at the gym tonite. If I knock it all down to 15 minutes of abs 15 minutes of pecs and 25 minutes of running I will have a very concise workout. The only way I can manifest that, however, is to skip the bench press, which is fine I can do that Friday morn.
Read MH today. Took a little break from the philosophy.
Having a 4-day week is good. By day's end, half of the week will be over.
Saw the handlebar-mustachioed Skeet Ulrich again.
Crossing Albany, there was dressed in a blue business shirt walking west, and was muttering (to himself) and gesturing as if someone was offering him a drink. No one was acknowledging him.
Thank you for reading.