Blogger: JustinSmulison's Folding Adventures - Create Post

 

Blogger: JustinSmulison's Folding Adventures - Create Post

Found out at about 4:30 that I did not make it to the next round of interviews at a record label I had met with a couple of weeks ago.  I am not angry.  More disappointed.  I was extremely excited to have been there and really suppressed it because I didn't want to scare my interviewer.  It's a hard thing to do and be professional about it.  I will continue to apply there because I truly feel I can do my best work at a company like that, and in a field where hard rock and metal are the focal point. That music is in my blood and has probably grafted itself to my DNA and I'm sure my kids will like it, too. 

Professionally I am ready for the next step and I'm trying to get more irons in the fire.  I will take it out on myself, physically, this weekend.  No one else to blame.  Hope I can make it to GNC in time (before 7). 

Did the trip in under 20 today.  Saw a guy on a bike ride seemingly right in to a cab coming out of Waverly.  What a dick.  All so that he could, as it turns out, make it to the 99cent store on 31st 10 seconds before I did. 

Thank you for reading.

Start of day #405 - an open letter to Broadway's Casting Directors

I am music-free today.

Bought a new edition of Kerouac's Big Sur. Had Borders bucks and a half-off coupon so I got it for less than $3. I now have the book, the album inspired by the book, and as a supplement to the album, a DVD documentary. I plan to read On The Road and then read Big Sur and then listen to the album again and then sit through the documentary. I loved it there and if I won the lottery I'd probably permanently hole myself up @ Big Sur Lodge. Maybe not to physically live there all the time but to rent a cabin there forever and just come and go as I please.
Am reading Philosophy of Friendship again. It's dense and it's getting tougher for me to focus. Doesn't help that I'm quite tired. Glad I have read Zarathustra, b/c there are plenty of references to Nietzsche and his personal life -- those anecdotes are easy to follow.

I left these GNC coupons at home today like an idiot so I'll scramble home to use them b/c who knows if I'll be able to tomorrow, b/c after tomorrow they'll expire.

Saw "How To Succeed In Business" last nite on Broadway. (Somehow I didn't care that Down played the Nokia Theatre concurrently -- I'd rather wait until they put out another album and play Mulcahy's again) Certainly entertaining, but here's my take on some things:

There were cert. some fun songs but many had no bearing on the plot whatsoever (ie. “coffee song”).
There were 2 things that I “don’t like” --

1. Rosemary is such a cliched early-60’s lovestruck secretary. I don’t know maybe b/c she resembles Peggy Olson from "Mad Men" and since I watch that show it’s not that I’m “offended” but it’s more like I feel it’s redundant and kind of makes women of the time seem too desperate. Not a strong character by any means.

2. Dear BROADWAY Casting Directors: — for the love of satan, each broadway show has the token black couple who are in the chorus. Either upgrade them to a bigger part or cast at least one more minority couple. And they can’t be european. Make them asian, latin, native american, indian — I don’t care. Guess what, broadway? It’s a silly show so I will be pleasantly surprised if you take creative liberties and embellish the fact that some minorities were in the office (and not just cleaning it).

While I truly believe that the hardest working and most talented person ought to get the job/role, you’ve got to think outside the box that the characters of the time you are portraying were stuck in.

I had a really solid month in April as far as biking is concerned. 16-for-18 on the month. Proud of that -- we'll see how May turns out.

Thank you for reading.

not the smoothest of mornings

Tried to sleep on the later train. Couldn't really. When I don't have coffee before leaving I try to sleep on the train.
Was singing along with "Peace Sells." I've known all the lyrics for a long time.
So I'm up now and riding south. I took the 24th st crossing today at the highway. Figure I saved at least a minute or so by doing that. Had to stop for a garbage truck turning in near the meatpacking district.
More joggers these days. Makes sense. If it were me, though, I'd move over to the right where there's no chance of a cyclist clipping you. The right has the lane and the more scenic view.
By the time I made it across the street at Albany there was a flatbed trying to back in to the WTC site. Some lady (tourist) tried snapping off some shots of that, like it's interesting, and I got right in the line of view and gave the old thumbs up.

San Antonio t-shirt and pants this morning. Too groggy to be unrealistically optimistic.

Playlist:
Megadeth - "Wake Up Dead" "Peace Sells"
Sublime - "Same In The End" (I used to play that one with Elissa's Window -- good memories)
Ozzy - "Civilize the Universe"
Audioslave - "Show Me How to Live" and the first half of "Jewel of the Summertime"

Thank you for reading.

one fast move or i'm gone

Had this beautiful, slow tune in my head as I bulled my way uptown. I was not going to be stopped. I hung around some 20 extra minutes to make sure I wasn't deserting anyone for a special issue we publish twice annually. Of course, today was a day where servers crashed and I was able to leave at 5:50.

I had already run a 22-minute 5k during lunch break today and was well-fed afterward (a 50g RTD as meal #1 and chicken sandwich & carrots as meal #2). Despite the solid run, my legs are not killing me, surprisingly and I'll bet it's because of all the biking the past 2 months and that I didn't squat on Sunday.

I had to stop at 14th Street -- that was the killer. I hauled it uptown and nearly hit a woman dressed like a nun only her headgear was beige-ish. I nicely advised her to cross at the light. Why do pedestrians like to play chicken with traffic in the middle of two streets?

I was a killer. A demon. A destroyer. A warrior. Throw it at me again tomorrow and I'll shut you down.

I made it back to Penn at 6:12.

Thank you for reading.

new and improved with 75% less layers!

The long-sleeve Key West shirt and the pocketed shorts. That's all. It's too nice and warm today to need anything further and by eliminating the bulky clothes, I won't have to pack them later.
I have a lot to look forward to today, as I will have to put my eyes to the test. After a stressful night I read an article about anger in MH today -- where it comes from, good vs. bad anger, etc... Like it was spake in Metallica's 2003 commercial failure (which I still dig) "I want my anger to be healthy."
Supposedly it's going to pour tomorrow so I'll run today and if it's possible to run tomorrow, I will, but at least I will have knocked off the miles today. My goal is to hit the gym very hard tomorrow night since I'm sure I will not be biking on Thurs.
I really dig Ozzy's new album. I'm kinda killing "Life Won't Wait" but the lyrics, though slightly corny, are affecting me to the core.
Physically I am pretty tight. This is what I looked like last year at the triathlon, and I will look and move even better this year. I am going to stick with it because I need to prove to myself that these sorts of things can be done, despite hours upon hours of inactivity.
Knock off the miles. Knock em back. Knock em out.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Motley Crue: "Shout at the Devil"
Ozzy: "Let Me Hear You Scream" "Life Won't Wait"
Metallica: "The End Of the Line"
Faith No More: "A Small Victory"

another day in the humidity

It was supposed to rain this morning but it was done when I awoke and it continues to stay humid but precipitation-less.
I worked out pretty hard yesterday but am moving pretty quick though I'm not putting forth the effort I once needed.
Today I'm a little groggy but in a relatively good mood, and after glancing through this month's Men's Health, decided to throw on some Blues Traveler for good measure.

Playlist:
"What Could Possibly Go Wrong" - it's good but sounds more like a Chili Peppers tune.
"That Which Doesn't Kill You"
"She Isn't Mine" - good track, sounds like it could be on that Big Sur album I bought recently. Slide guitar, melancholy lyrics sung in a hopeful way.
"The Children Of the Night" (aforementioned are the final tracks from Bastardos!)
"Stand" and "Look Around" (two from Four)

I've got extra responsibilities the next 10 biz days which I am no longer happy to do. The people who benefit from my work do not acknowledge (nor thank) me for it, though it saves them a boatload of a headache. I only do it at this point to make good on promises to the two nice people who hired me and for whom it was a pleasure.

My right foot is a little bruised, I noticed, as I made my way east and uphill. Probably from running yesterday. I'm still waiting on a call from someone I met two weeks ago today. Wednesday will be a major workout day and I will beat myself up mercilessly. I know why I do this and it's to compensate for the time and effort lost during my early 20s. Being proud of your laziness is wrong and it's worse to talk the talk about it. Get off your ass and do something.

Thank you for reading.

Hero of the Daytripper.

Windy but manageable. At first was not going to bring a sweatshirt but I'm glad I did.
I realize now that yesterday I turned @ 24th Street in the morn to get to the highway. That's the way to do it from now on.
Finished Daytripper. Very good read. Right up there with Midnight nation, as far as a maxi-series goes. The authors really did a fine job at ending Bras' life right at these pivotal moments and then continuing the story as if that'd never happened. In a way it's like killing Kenny every episode. This was good b/c it was more like "Six Feet Under," with a South American backdrop.
Planning on drinking a lot of coffee today.
Going to hit the gym hard tomorrow. Going to tear it up like nobody's business. I won't even mind going to work afterward because I will have let a lot of stress out.
Today's going to be a good day today since Mr. Smithers won't be in.
I really want to read Kerouac -- particularly On the Road and then Big Sur. I bought an album last week that was created around passages from the latter, and it's wonderful and since I've been there, I want to have the full experience of the book and then the music.
I feel good about today -- there's a lot going on the world that is bigger than I am but I'm grateful for what I've got.
Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Slash: "Ghost," "Nothing to Say"
Motley Crue: "Kickstart My Heart"
Foo: "Burning Bridges," "Rope"

...think about my last words...

One of my top favorite metal songs has to be "My Last Words" by Megadeth. "Do you have any Megadeth?"
That is a shot of adrenaline if ever there was one. Singing this one's outro was probably not the best lyrical choice as I weave in and out of stopped cars.
I'm moving pretty quickly today. There are a lot of people hailing a cab in my lane but are pleasantly moving aside as they see that I see them and wish them no malice.
There's an old black guy in a Superman outfit yelling at one of the sunglasses peddlers about something and calling him a "crazy son of a bitch." Then Superman went back to selling his $1 childrens books. Yes, it's the other dude who's crazy.
Had to stop at the major lights today -- between that and the crawl to Canal it was slow goings. In the end I made it in 22 minutes. That's okay. No sweatshirt this time, it's in the pack. My roof should be finished by now and that's good.
It's a good way to end day 400.
2800 miles down.
The unknown to go.
Thank you for reading.

RT #400...throw me to the wolves because there's order in the pack...

Am reading Daytripper, a Vertigo tpb. Love Vertigo's stuff.
Two Brazilian comic creators doing it. It's about the pivotal moments of the life of a young obituary writer. I started it yesterday and really like it -- the timing is good, too, as it's helping me during a critical point in my own life. Took it out from the library to save $10.
There was quite a wind today moving westward. Slowed me almost to a complete halt.
Couldn't make the light at the highway so I rode down to 23rd to make up some distance. I don't know why I had such an aversion to going there but it has now ceased.
Tomorrow is free coffee day at Starbucks, provided you bring a travel mug. I will have one in the pack tomorrow. I treated the roofers to a box of coffee and donuts before I left to ensure that (a) they'd stay at the house and (b) to keep them happy. I'm sure their job is potentially dangerous and thankless and for the 20 bucks I'd like to somehow alleviate that.
Another week away from the gym but it's okay, I still have lots of energy in the morning.
I'm moving very fast in the mornings lately. I should make more of an effort to time myself.

This was an RHCP morning -- Needed to take a break from Foo and Megadeth.
"Mellowship" "On Mercury" "Minor Thing" "Easily" "Millionaires Against Hunger"

I have wonderful memories stemming from and for each song, but will focus on only 2.

"Minor Thing" is my favorite tune off By The Way, which is in no way my favorite album of theirs but it's still great. The song, for me, between its quickness, harmonies and pacing (and guitar solo that I'll bet I could play) is like warm water. It's a reminder that we're a part of something bigger, no matter how insignificant we may or want to feel.

"Easily" is just a fantastic song about being in love with life and some chaos. Summer 1999 was the end of high school and the severance of some bad ties and first summer as a counselor at KR. The kids and I really dug Californication and I was the "guitar club" teacher and taught the kids the easy way to play this. You want to reach a pre-teen kid? Ask them what they like and dive head-first with them and they'll pay you back tenfold with enthusiasm. A lot of kids just wanted to feel cool holding a guitar but a few actually learned the notes and did it well. I haven't thought about it in a while but it's quite affirming.

Thank you for reading.

start of a 3-day week.

Today is the first day back to work and on the bike since Fri. That's not to suggest I haven't been working, I just wasn't doing it from an office.

I feel pretty limber today and although I really needed to use the restroom I have persevered. Upon approaching the highway, I looked to my right and noticed that it may have been the first time I actually saw the gated bus depot. Some of the coaches often parked there were missing and I gazed in. Boring, I know. I also crossed at 26th again today. I made the early train just to afford a few extra minutes to catch up at work today b/c who knows what I'm heading in to.

I'm breaking in Wasting Light today and the album is rock-solid. I only skip "White Limo" -- it just doesn't fit the album, nor the band. Foo did a song just like that on their first album that also was not a keeper. I think it was called "Weenie Beenie." Dave Grohl just flat-out rocks. It's really cool that in the past 2 months two of my top 5 favs have released new albums.

It's damp today but somewhat warm. I'm pretty quick and I suppose that my legs got some well-earned rest.

Thank you for reading.

The old man without a head...at first glance.

Though it's sunny it's a little chilly today. I have almost nothing in the pack.
Upon the emergence from Penn, I followed what I think was an old man. Why do I think he was a man? Because he was short and had no head. I got closer and noticed that his neck crained in such a way that his nose was parallel to the ground. HOW MESSED UP IS THAT? How bad is your posture? It could've been b/c he's homeless and sleeps all shriveled up. Maybe it's because he has night demons. It brings my own ergonomics to mind and reinforces the idea that I need to keep standing at work and continue work on the right leg.
Geez that freaked me out.
I'm not moving as hard as yesterday. Don't really need to and I have no coffee in me.
I almost finished the section on Henry Miller's reflections on Greece. Makes me want to go there. Also makes me think of the placemats at my favorite local Greek restaurant.
Today I listened to Wolfmother's Cosmic Egg from the title track on through and including "Eyes Open."
I gave them a shot in the past year because the singer does a killer tune on Slash's album and a good friend recommended them even though I didn't like "Woman" all that much. Well, Egg is better than its predecessor though the predecessor is good and now you cannot experience a movie trailer for a comedy or action film without hearing one of their tunes. I like them b/c they've got Robert Plant-like vox over Sabbath a-la-Master of Reality riffs. It just works so well.
Today will be fine.
Thank you for reading.

Return Ride - 4/14

It was yet another mad dash. You'd be surprised how crucial two minutes can be. I had made it downstairs in the elevator and knew that if I didn't check on one last detail at work, I'd worry. Thankfully I had done and read everything correctly but, alas, it was 5:31.

I decided to, again, lose the heavy top as it was unnecessary and just book it back home. I had an above-average amount of items in the backpack thanks to Borders' closing sale. Surprisingly, even though I hit the gym before work today I was really really awake. Not sure if it's because I did abs and upper body or because the sun was out or because things are going well privately or because of the Borders sale. Probably all or just the latter.

Anyway, even though I had to stop at 14th & 23rd, I still cranked it out and made it downstairs to the track at 5:51. A week ago at this time I had gotten on to the wrong track (they changed #s on us), boarded, and passed out. I awoke in Westbury an hour later & then had to make my way back to Jamaica and then back to the side of the ocean. But today is all good. The front tire does look a little low again so I will pump it up with a machine. In the 20s there was a guy listening to what sounded like a mashup of hardcore rap and reggae and was it ever lousy. I'm sure he'd feel the same way about Megadeth but that's the kind of stuff you hear at 3 a.m. when someone passes your house b/c it's cool to crank your car's bass at 3 a.m.

I'm getting back in to a mindset that is brighter and have not been snacking at work as much. If I can make it down to 150 lbs for the triathlon I'll be satisfied. My current weight of 157 (with shoes) is acceptable but I am sure that I can get to my leanest and best in the next several months.

Thank you for reading.

Whattaya mean I hurt your feelings...?

I am a bullet. I am short-sleeved today. There was no need to wear the thicker layer. The only light I did not make was the one on the highway so I just went down to 26th. A Fedex guy came awful close to me though I was on the sidewalk. I am racing the clock today and am beating it badly.

My knuckles are torn and it burns but it feels good. "Whattaya mean, 'I hurt your feelings.' I didn't know you had any feelings." -- from Megadeth - "Peace Sells" As a kid I didn't get it, I thought the lyrics there were a mistake but having to deal with a select few people in a corporate setting, I am on the wavelength.

I was reading Henry Miller's Sextet again yesterday and today. Yesterday was about his thoughts on the suicide of Yukio Mishima (who I had not previously heard of) and today it's his remembrances of Greece in the late 1930s.

It's beautiful outside today. There's a breeze and sun. There's also a guy dressed for work in shiny blue/gray pants on a full size bike a few lengths behind me. I think I pissed him off b/c of I am faster than he is.

Try singing this while riding as fast as you can on 22" wheels. Guns N Roses - "Bad Apples"

I'm too fast, too tough, too pumped.

Thank you for reading.

Remainder of Playlist:
White Zombie - "Black Sunshine"
Corrosion of Conformity - "Wiseblood"
Motley Crue - "Dr. Feelgood"

slightly low tire -- inflated hopes of karma

Yet another day where it was supposed to rain but it only did minimally.
One by one. This morning I crossed over at 26th again today to cross the highway and I'd like to think that saved a few seconds. There's much to be done again today and likely for the rest of my life save for hitting the powerball. There's water on the ground, however, and it's making it apparent that my front tire is a little low. There are a few joggers this morning and they are working hard. It is wrong not to do the time.

On the return ride I just moved very fast, even with the low front tire that I will re-inflate on the train. I am no longer going to think about work once I am out of there. It's mostly pointless. Should someone important need me once I'm done for the day, they can reach me but I have to put certain things behind me, b/c the subject is beneath me. I am looking forward to new chapters in my life and hopefully they will all take shape at the same time. That seems to be the most efficient way. Just dive right in. I have given it a lot of thought and I am putting positive energy out there -- many scientific, metaphysical and religious laws push that if you do that, it will come back in a karmic way. It's not so much that there are things I want to leave behind, it's more that there are things and ideas I want to be within better reach.

Thank you for reading.

day #395 -- hard times and ocean size

Rode the bike on to the train today -- cut it that close. I am thinking now about a not quite-5' short-red haired woman who crossed halfway through a very busy Lawson Boulevard just because the train polls where lowering and ringing. She stopped right on the double lines. 40 mph may not sound like a lot when you are in a car but when it's coming at you it's more than enough to make your throat sink in to your stomach. They came awful close to hitting this little woman. I was horrified and then I got really angry at her. The light changed and mercifully she was still in one piece. I said to her, as I rode past, "Please Do Not Do That Again!" There is no job worth dying for that involves commuting. I once wrote mock eulogies for people who take their lives in their hands and make potential killers out of train operators all because they are dashing to a train. This woman was no exception. Imagine that that's the reason you have to bury a loved one -- because they were rushing for a train to make it to a job they hate on time. Just wait for the next one. There will always be another train.

Today you can feel the fog and ever-so-slight drizzle but it is not effecting me at all. I even made the light at the highway in the nick of time and am moving pretty quickly. I worked out hard on Sunday and ran for almost 3 miles so my legs are a little worn but I can take it. I can take anything you throw at me. I will push harder than you will and I will leave you behind.

It's cool listening to "Ocean Size" with the Hudson River to my right. I used to only listen to the Butthole Surfers' remix from the MOM album, but today I'm sticking with the original. I had a dream that Dave Navarro & I stole a car and he was in cohoots with the local mob. I think it was because yesterday I saw an old photo of Jane's Addiction. Those guys were skinny but made mostly fantastic music.

I had a vision this morning of my 8-year-old child at a variety show playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" on trumpet and in between lead solos, performing karate. I don't have a child but if I did, that's what I'd want him/her to do. If I had two kids, have one do the karate and the other play trumpet and then, just when it seems old, have them switch in the middle. Hell yeah. Don't take my idea.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:

"Hard Times" - John Legend & The Roots
"Suffer Some" "Ocean Size" - Jane's Addiction
"I Don't Wanna Change the World" - Ozzy
"Play the Game" - Queen

2 days to wrap up

Fri Morn:

Today was a fine day to hit the gravel. Didn't need a long-sleeve tee today (still wearing the hoodie, though). Slept pretty well but was mostly too amped up to read anything substantial on the train. Just tried to make a couple of lists of things to do and people to call. I'm sure something or someone will come along to regenerate the stress monster in my gut.

I have noticed that I have hit a point when I'm riding where my legs do not feel it but my abs do -- I think that's a good thing. They don't hurt -- it's them being used. If I think back hard enough I recall when my old gym teacher (from grades 1-6) Mr. Valenti explaining how that works; when you extend your leg you use the stomach muscles. Good. God knows where that guy is now.

On a Rollins kick again -- was able to buy Broken Summers yesterday at Borders for 5 bucks.
("Illumination" and "Are You Ready?" live) Trying to sing while biking is not easy but quite rewarding.

I also am listening to the two Allman Brothers songs I've got -- "Midnight Rider" and "One Way Out." Both are great. Trying to eliminate images of the opening of a lousy horror sequel when I hear the former, though. I know it's probably not what they were going for, but is it possible that the singer/narrator is not the Rider himself, but his friend who is broke and looking out for him? Just a thought.

I am hoping that some things I have put in motion will keep me from seeing this part of the island for too much longer. We'll see.

Am hearing "Burden In My Hand" by Soundgarden. There's an unnecessary reunion.

There are too many moms pushing strollers while looking at hand-held devices. It's unfair to me and your kid.

Have to work tonite, too. Must remember to chill the Vitamin Water and throw it in my pack later.

Thurs Eve:

I am too fast for all of you. The lights, the cars, the pedestrians, the other bikers who have larger tires. All of you are dust.

And stop trying to create a second westbound turning lane in the teens. It doesn't exist and if you hurt me you will only hurt yourself.

Thurs Morn:

Didn't ride yesterday due to wonderful Yankees tickets. Problem was that the game was called. Schlepped out to Bronx but I guess it was okay -- certainly not complaining.

Stomach is a little sour from the spicy catering last nite. Also, not complaining -- I made the train and that's all that really matters.

Am reading about Friendship and Philosophy by Mark Vernon. Interesting -- it's less than 200 pgs so I should be able to finish it but it's tedious reading on the train and that's the only time I have lately.

Playlist:
Airbourne - "Stand Up For Rock & Roll"
Van Halen - "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?"
Queen + Paul Rodgers - "Surf's Up..."
Monster Magnet - "Radiation Day"
Soundgarden - "Let Me Drown"

Thank you for reading.

giving in to the Force

This morning was interesting. It didn't begin raining in Oside until I jumped into my car and in the 4 minutes it took to get to the station, it started raining harder.

I remember that on the weather channel the forecast said the rain would move east, which was a booster because my train would travel west.

For a moment I had doubts on my way in to the train since it was raining pretty hard but I believed in what I was doing and that it's all for a good cause -- my health and wallet. Sure enough, upon exiting at 31st & 8th, there was only the slightest bit of a drizzle.

I listen to "Thunderstruck" in situations like this, even when it's sunny.

I read the first chapter in Henry Miller's Sextet this morning. Got it yesterday at Borders for a solid price (b/c they are going out of business next door). Cannot get it in my library or its system. I really like his non-fiction and autobiographical work. Even though he's ruminating on turning 80 (back in the early 1970s) a lot of what he's preaching is pretty universal. It's pretty much the same message as some of Rollins' stuff and even songs like Ozzy's "Life Won't Wait." I certainly am noting the similarities between Miller's and Rollins' writing styles and even their approach. Rollins is a loner and Miller would also prefer to do some of his things alone, but Miller is a far more charismatic and friendly individual. This wasn't an easy book to find.

I'm schvitzin today b/c I'm wearing the thermals under the sweats. It's humid and windy out and once again, the pockets of wind are hitting me in the first leg of the southbound portion. "Achilles Last Stand" is on now and will take me through most of the trip. There's enough going on in it to keep me interested and motivated. I feel very fortunate today to be able to take advantage of what will likely be temporarily-pleasant weather. I wasn't moving extraordinarily fast today but doing okay and need to burn off all the cookies I devoured yesterday.

The other two songs I listened to were Living Colour's "Behind the Sun" and Monster Magnet's "Negasonic Teenage Warhead." I was singing the latter as I made my way East through the streets and alleys.

Thank you for reading.

...another mad dash starting at RVC...

It was another mad dash to RVC today and it was practically the same scenario as last week: running up there with the unfolded bike and just making it in to the last car. Also, like last week, I wasn't the last one to make it, there were a couple of stragglers about 20 seconds after me so it's not like I was holding us up. I think it's possible the train pulls in at 8:31 and actually leaves at 8:33, which works to my advantage, obviously.

I have found that my form is part of the problem and I'm trying to correct that. I think, like a lot of people, not everything I do is symmetrical. By this I mean little but vital things, like walking and sitting. Lately might right hip feels bruised. I think a lot of it has to do with the way I sleep, which I cannot control just yet. However, the way I sit, walk and bike need to be corrected. I think my right foot tends to sway outward. That just doesn't look, feel, or seem right. I made it a point to keep the whole leg as straight as possible on both rides and push straight down as opposed to the lazier alternative. I think it helped b/c I made the RVC train and got to the office pretty quickly. I catch myself often at work doing weird stuff with my right leg, it has a mind of its own like Barf's tail. I am also making it a point to stand more at work, spec. at my desk, when I'm doing menial stuff. This not only burns calories but helps me re-adjust myself and saves my back.

So I'll keep this in mind and try to apply it this week when I resume lunch runs (and I'm sure I'll get the runs, too). I rested my whole body yesterday -- no running, biking, exercise of any real kind. I actually enjoyed being able to kick back and watch a couple of movies. I think some of the rest will help me re-adjust my outlook at work, which has been bleak lately. I'm always making the effort and today will be interesting b/c it's Union Action day so we're supposed to don our red CWA shirts. I'm sure I'll get some snide comments but they will most likely be in the way of a very typical corporate snake -- the kind who was a hippie and is now in a Mr. Burns-like position and cannot see the dichotomy of his/her ways.

A lot of The Cult's earlier and bigger hits start with the riff -- usually it's just the guitarist playing out the notes of the chord. I'm sure it sounds better live. I liked "Coming Down" better than any other song they did. Not sure why, but that one's a winner. I think it was a year ago (almost to the day) when I was up drafting a letter for another dept., and lala.com still functioned, and I exhausted every possible "version" of the song for free. The next day I came to work in my orange button down shirt with matching tie. I looked like a meaty creamsicle.

It's gray out today and it's sorta windy in a few patches. The 20s are streets that were tough to get through, I suppose the wind was pushing another direction -- and to clarify, I am not in the street I am in the bike lanes along the highway which are completely separate. I'm not close to any cars until I have to cross back over on Albany Street. If there was one spot where I have to "be careful," it's there. But I will not put my life in jeopardy in the name of arriving to work -- it's not painfully obvious at Albany Street as to when pedestrians should cross and where they need to stop (the middle of the street).

I listen to a lot of Rollins Band and I'm very proud of that. It's music like this that has endured in my mind and it has also influenced me to live as cleanly as I can -- the occasional drink, while it's something I could live without, is not something I'll part with. But I do not need drugs or smokes and I try not to be lazy on a consistent basis. I realize I had a lazy day yesterday but I needed to rest and am glad I did. I often feel I can relate to "Starve" and "Shine" -- the former because I know there are ugly people out there who, whether they know it or not, are out to take things from me. But if I keep "my existence lean" and stay as sharp and focused as I can, I will fend them off until I'm in a box. As for the latter, that's the kick in the ass we all need.

I lucked out today as it was supposed to keep raining through the morning but it had stopped before I woke up. We'll see how the week plays out and how the return ride will be today.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
"Now" - Freddie Redd
"Coming Down" "Fire Woman"- The Cult
"Too Much Rock & Roll" "Starve" "Shine" - Rollins Band

April 1 for 1

Evening:

The rain was on again a little bit on the way home. Haven't seen the sun in two days. I am making good time. My only regret about the past two days of riding in inclement weather was not wearing the face mask. Who knows what's in the precipitation in New York?

There's too many people crossing the streets without looking first. Getting annoying.

All in all I am content that this was a 5-5 week. Starting the month off right. Looking fwd to a pork chop dinner.

Morning:

It's wet-snowing this morning. It didn't look so bad when I awoke and it's tolerable. If it really wasn't, I wouldn't have schlepped the bike nor rushed to make the 818, which I did. I had the foresight on Weds night not to bring my kryptonite lock so the bike is a couple of pounds lighter. I'm obv. not going to lock it up outside I'll bring it indoors.

I read an interview in TPM this morning -- it's good reading. I kind of wish I'd cared more in high school. Man, if I only had a time-traveling Delorean.

Still, today it was in my best interest to use the detour around the WFC. So I did during "Right Now" by Van Halen. It may be one of my top 10 favorite songs ever.

We worked out last nite and I did my legs and biceps -- I'm not nearly as sore as I was from it, so that means I'm readjusting to the squats. Now that I'm officially registered for the Triathlon, I will need to resume running at least 1x/week during work.

My turkey & bologna sandwich is waiting for me at the office. It's time to have some meat.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Soundgarden - "Spoonman"
Anthrax - "Fueled"
AC/DC - "Who Made Who"
Airbourne - "Too Much Too Young Too Fast"
Chris Cornell - "You Know My Name"