Penultimate Thursday of 2010

The four-plus minutes westbound was tougher than the entire southbound part of the trip this morning, as the wind was working its way south as I rode toward the highway. All of Audioslave's "Cochise" was used during that time.

Once on the highway, however, it wasn't so bad and the wind even propelled me at certain points. Tomorrow is a holiday for the courts so it's a holiday for me. I need to take claritin on these windier days as my eyelids often do not want to cooperate. Child 44 is set in conditions that make this seem like Little Dix Bay so I keep that in mind. So far it's a real engaging read and it is truly a page-turner. It's been a while since I've read something that didn't feel like total homework. If they ever made this in to a movie it'd be a winner.

I'm listening to the first half of Audioslave's debut album. I really wish Cornell had stayed with these guys instead of reuniting with Soundgarden. I have nothing against the latter but Audioslave was much better at getting in your face.

I made a phone call that I'd been dreading last night and I hope it wasn't premature.

I can take the cold. I can take anything and everything you throw at me because you constantly underestimate me and what I've become. As I shed myself to near-skinless forms and conditions I become stronger. I always knew this was possible -- now the impossibility is that it will be taken from me. This is the one thing I have total control over and I will never look or feel the way I did in my late teens. I will starve out the form of that person but the memory will remain as it'll be a constant reminder of what could always be.

Forecast is for snow on Monday. I don't know that that will deter me. I am too strong for you now. Snow isn't a problem unless it coats the streets. The only time I'll rule out the ride now is for hard rain.

Thank you for reading.

RHCP Bside day

It's quite cool yet again but my lungs have adjusted to the air. As I approach escalators and stairs I keep ending up right behind people with huge amounts of baggage, old people, or people who are too lazy to walk up and it's frustrating because I've got 35 pounds of cold aluminum in my hand. It is wrong not to walk up or down an escalator.

I'm listening to a bunch of RHCP b-sides today and eventually they ended and became Californication. My favorite song is "Around The World" (and I'm comparing this to all songs by everyone) and in it the line: Mother Russia, do not suffer...etc. is a line I hear differently today, since Child 44 has me paranoid with hardcore commie propoganda that their officers were programmed with.

It is sunny today and this is the beginning of the last half of the week, which is great. I still have some goals to reach and one of them has me sweating more than this ride.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:

"Time," "Out of Range," "Rivers of Avalon," "Save the Population," "Around the World" and "Parallel Universe"

Serenity on a Tuesday?

If I was at 25% soreness yesterday, I'm down to about 9% today.

There is a serene moment that occurs when I cross into the highway. The cars haven't started moving south yet and (this time of year) there's no one around. It's just me and the road. There is a comfort in this feeling and I am grateful for it. I cannot imagine this feeling can be replicated in the subway.

I'm listening to my Italian course again but am having trouble paying close attention. Old feelings started to swell up about co-workers but I reminded myself about my pre-New Year's resolution and was able to contain it. I also need to remember that at the WFC, the path is closed off.

I began reading Child 44 today, a book I've always been intrigued by since I saw an ad for it on the subway a few years ago. I picked it up from the library last night and its sequel. It's been a while since I've read a crime/thriller and the first in a long time that it's had an international tone so this will be an engaging read.

I've got some new jazz in my bag that I will download today. This is a pretty easy week and I am excited to spend time with family on Fri & Sat.

Thank you for reading.

Just Another Penultimate Monday

It's always colder in Oside waiting for the train. The road was barren (barring some of those advertiser guys on bikes who turned into the lane just after I left the bathroom at Chelsea Piers) and though it was cold it was manageable. I left my scarf at home so the extra tee shirt I brought took on another role.

Despite the soreness, I am moving quite fast. In the end, I did it all in 23 minutes, and that includes the quick toxi-liqui-secretion. My hat is falling over my eyes a little but that's okay it's not inhibiting me at all.

I should be able to get away with morning and evening rides that are closer together this week considering that the work load will be lighter.

I've got The Authority: Kev and a Men's Health with me today, as I'm not sure what I'll start reading but either tomorrow or Weds I'll have started another book (either Hemingway or "Star Wars").

I have some tasks that I need to perform today but one is a phone call I don't want to make. Necessary Evil.

I realized I will not be riding on the next 3 Fridays since two are holidays and one will be a post-work event. Despite the coldness, though, my batting average is very good and that's why I am seeing a slight change in my tone.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
"4-Way Diablo" - Monster Magnet
"Broken, Beaten & Scarred" and "Trapped Under Ice" - Metallica
"Cosmic Egg" and "White Feather" - Wolfmother

RT # 140

It was probably colder today than yesterday, but otherwise the days bleed in to each other. The slight sting of the ground salt wedges itself in my nostrils -- nothing to do about that.

Trying to absorb more Italian via Ipod today, but I'm a little too tired and distracted. I'll be working briefly tonight at the wedding hall that hosted our wedding and then will socialize for a while before what will be a somewhat stressful Saturday.

I'm pretty one-dimensional during today's ride. The remaining business weeks of the year are 4 days each, so no matter what I will not hit #350 until January.

Thank you for reading.

Diffi-cold

Today was pretty much the same as yesterday, only less wind and no back-pack. I cannot turn my head as easily as I'd like (on account of the dual scarves around my neck) so I feel like I'm wearing the Michael Keaton Batman suit.

I'm listening to Monster Magnet this morning and there's a line in "Too Bad" where Wyndorf says: "I learned a long time ago that you gotta shake hands with pain." That's a solid line -- while I'm not in any pain, there is difficulty riding in 20 degree weather, so I felt it applied.

There's 12 pages left for me to read in Tender is the Night so I reckon it'll be done by end of lunch time. It's been a good read and I can see why it'd be such a big seller way back. There's a disconnect I think, though, because of the generational gap and that I don't read in to things as deeply as scholars do. I understand it all and there are some passages that really speak to me, but I am more excited to read Perec next year.

There are very few runners and cyclists here today. I really respect the joggers as they are also shaking hands with difficulty.

Last weekend I had to start my New Year's resolution early and not let certain circumstances and politics at work follow me out of the office. It is an unhealthy habit and I will not let it get above me any more.

Worked on my abs and biceps last night and can feel the effects slightly. Probably need to shake up the routine.

Free lunch day today, but it'll probably be sandwiches that were supposed to be hot.

Thank you for reading.

no wind, but chill.

My last sick day of the year was used on Monday and last night I was fortunate enough to see the "Pee Wee Herman Show" on Broadway so there has been no biking up to this morning.

I've only 50 pages left in Tender is the Night and I am enjoying it, probably more so than Paradise. Dick Diver's life is in decline so what started as a stuffy in-depth look at the bourgeoisie is now from the point of view of a man whose life is coming apart.

While it is frosty outside the weather has a habit of overselling the wind chill factor, which from now on I will ignore. Wind speed and gusts are important but the wind chill is an unnecessary measurement. It was surprisingly calm as I was on the highway this morning.

Which brings me to my appearance.

If you were on/along the Westside Highway this morning and saw a gray sweat-shirted and sweat-panted human on a bike, with what-looked-liked a sitting donut around his neck (under his shirt) while speaking basic Italian to himself, that was me. I had wrapped two scarves around my neck with one up to my lower lip (so it looked like a tumorous growth around my neck and I appeared to be a mid-color marshmallow).

If you were near a guy on the train listening too-loudly to that Lady Ga-ga song about "just dancing," then I don't know him and I don't want to. He's rude and has lousy taste.

My fingers were a little cold (as to be expected) and I wasn't wearing a tight-enough 2nd undershirt as I could feel drafts begin from little air pockets shooting up from my gloves. Today I am also wearing my thermals under my sweatpants for the first time ever (don't know why), which I'm sure helped. I was only slightly over-prepared today and that's fine.

I can take it -- I can handle it all -- anything you throw at me.

Thank you for reading.