Morning: Still sore (perhaps even moreso) this morning but am making good time. Reading my philosophy mag and an interview with Martha Nussbaum. I'm pretty stressed out having some sort of knowledge that something's going down @ work today. From what I understand it will not effect me and as far as I'm concerned, by making good on some promises I made when I was hired, and taking on a few additional responsibilities, I'm as indispensable as I can be. I have given a lot of thought to office politics and the awkward communication scenarios some people present -- one person told me that by not speaking to me at all, that means everything is fine and I'm doing a fine job. If we were working in different offices I'd take no offense, but we sit feet away from each other, and if anyone conjures the nerve to claim I don't work hard enough, I will remind them that this is the leadership I'm obligated to adhere to.
Evening: I don't have good answers, if any, for anyone and that's bumming me out. People standing in my lane are also bumming me out. They see me coming but don't move. I get as close as I can sometimes just to see if they'll budge, but apparently they are really important people with really important envelopes and are wearing really torn and frayed clothes. I will have tomorrow as a 'bye' -- just as well the morning's supposed to be wet.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
no mask in the morn
Legs are a little sore from yesterday's gym session but I am managing just fine.
It's not so cold out this morning so I do not need my mask and by Friday morning may not need so many layers.
I'm reading a quarterly philosophy magazine I got from Borders (for half off) and find the reading to be fascinating. I think I am in to it the same way I got in to collecting jazz a few years ago -- mostly because there's a whole history there to which I was blind, and it's not so much culture shock as it is a seemingly new bunch of information and theory for me to absorb (no matter how old it may be). What is old will be new again -- certainly true in my case.
The preparations for the next step in life are being made and I felt I was a little too stressed last week and this week I'll keep myself in check.
It's a nice morning, and I'll try to keep it that way. I have homemade cupcakes in my bag that I will give to five lucky co-workers.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
Monster Magnet - "On The Verge," "Negasonic Teenage Warhead," "Wall of Fire," "Slut Machine"
Chili Peppers - "Make You Feel Better"
Van Halen - "Right Now"
It's not so cold out this morning so I do not need my mask and by Friday morning may not need so many layers.
I'm reading a quarterly philosophy magazine I got from Borders (for half off) and find the reading to be fascinating. I think I am in to it the same way I got in to collecting jazz a few years ago -- mostly because there's a whole history there to which I was blind, and it's not so much culture shock as it is a seemingly new bunch of information and theory for me to absorb (no matter how old it may be). What is old will be new again -- certainly true in my case.
The preparations for the next step in life are being made and I felt I was a little too stressed last week and this week I'll keep myself in check.
It's a nice morning, and I'll try to keep it that way. I have homemade cupcakes in my bag that I will give to five lucky co-workers.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
Monster Magnet - "On The Verge," "Negasonic Teenage Warhead," "Wall of Fire," "Slut Machine"
Chili Peppers - "Make You Feel Better"
Van Halen - "Right Now"
Friday, March 11, 2011
the first full, 5-day week in a while
Morning:
Interestingly, there was no rain this morning. It was hard to peel my eyes and attention away from the screen before leaving, considering a massive earthquake that hit Japan and the eventual tsunami waves which were en route to Hawaii. I cannot comprehend what that is like but I do know Long Island will be done if we get anything resembling that.
I am reading more about Syd Barrett again, and while it's interesting and I'm sure my wife would like it, I'm so sick of reading about this guy. On the other hand, at least I understand Apollo and Dionysus. I reckon that by the weekend I will have this book finished.
The ride today was really quick and I realized that as I approached the piers my legs started to get tired. I think once I cross the street onto the highway my defenses drop a little against my conscious will. It's a momentary lapse. No big deal.
Over at Vesey Street they were working on its underground and I was actually okay with taking the official detour around the WFC. I've done it at least once before, and while it does take an extra minute or so, at least I'm away from traffic. I re-emerged near WFC 3 and of course there were people taking shots of the reconstruction. I muttered something about how "necessary" these photos were and kept on.
Playlist:
Pearl Jam - "Faithful"
Motley Crue - "Saints of L.A.," "Kickstart My Heart," "Dr. Feelgood," "Shout at the Devil"
Eleven - "Nature Wants to Kill Me"
Down - "There's Something On My Side"
Evening:
This was in my head. This is what happens when you refill at Starbucks 20 minutes before you hop on a bike. Yeah, I flew. FLEW. I briefly spoke with the traffic cop at Liberty and just booked it.
Interestingly, this was a full week on the bike. Had I gone by the weather reports, then the past two full days should've had me rained out. Though yesterday's return ride was an inconvenience, I know I'm stronger for it.
I barely stopped as I made almost every light and certainly all the important ones after Houston. I saved the full $22.50 this week. Every business day this month (all 9) have been biked. The only day next week for sure I will not do is Weds.
Thank you for reading.
Interestingly, there was no rain this morning. It was hard to peel my eyes and attention away from the screen before leaving, considering a massive earthquake that hit Japan and the eventual tsunami waves which were en route to Hawaii. I cannot comprehend what that is like but I do know Long Island will be done if we get anything resembling that.
I am reading more about Syd Barrett again, and while it's interesting and I'm sure my wife would like it, I'm so sick of reading about this guy. On the other hand, at least I understand Apollo and Dionysus. I reckon that by the weekend I will have this book finished.
The ride today was really quick and I realized that as I approached the piers my legs started to get tired. I think once I cross the street onto the highway my defenses drop a little against my conscious will. It's a momentary lapse. No big deal.
Over at Vesey Street they were working on its underground and I was actually okay with taking the official detour around the WFC. I've done it at least once before, and while it does take an extra minute or so, at least I'm away from traffic. I re-emerged near WFC 3 and of course there were people taking shots of the reconstruction. I muttered something about how "necessary" these photos were and kept on.
Playlist:
Pearl Jam - "Faithful"
Motley Crue - "Saints of L.A.," "Kickstart My Heart," "Dr. Feelgood," "Shout at the Devil"
Eleven - "Nature Wants to Kill Me"
Down - "There's Something On My Side"
Evening:
This was in my head. This is what happens when you refill at Starbucks 20 minutes before you hop on a bike. Yeah, I flew. FLEW. I briefly spoke with the traffic cop at Liberty and just booked it.
Interestingly, this was a full week on the bike. Had I gone by the weather reports, then the past two full days should've had me rained out. Though yesterday's return ride was an inconvenience, I know I'm stronger for it.
I barely stopped as I made almost every light and certainly all the important ones after Houston. I saved the full $22.50 this week. Every business day this month (all 9) have been biked. The only day next week for sure I will not do is Weds.
Thank you for reading.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
a thursday from the gods...I guess
Morning:
I'm getting at least one way today courtesy of the gods as it was supposed to pour this morning but it is barely even drizzling. I read about Syd Barrett this morning and it's probably the least interesting facet of Pink Floyd for me. The essay(s) are good but I just don't care enough about the man. Funny how different my view of that guy is from when I was a teenager.
I'm listening to the opening tracks off Wake Up by John Legend & Roots, which I really like and it is upbeat (though the messages are tough). I won't claim to know any of the songs (which are almost entirely covers) except one, "Compared to What" which is an old jazz tune from the 60s or 70s that I knew of thanks to "Casino." Though I like the original better, the new version is very catchy, too. As I approached the Piers I thought I wouldn't need my mask and just as I was about to remove it, a bus which had been held up let out a nice puff of black smoke. I removed the mask much later. I worked out my legs last nite but didn't do any squats and I think that's why I am not really sore.
Evening:
I had the foresight to bring the bike in to the building and while I regret not leaving it there over night and just riding it back tomorrow when the rain clears, at least the damn thing is getting home. I do not enjoy riding in the rain.
At 5 p.m. it was barely drizzling and 29 minutes later it was raining. It probably got worse over the course of the trip but I was careful and still made the train. I can't really recall the last time I was in rain on the return trip (the last one that stands out was the day in September where I had to take the E home), but it still is unpleasant.
Thank you for reading.
I'm getting at least one way today courtesy of the gods as it was supposed to pour this morning but it is barely even drizzling. I read about Syd Barrett this morning and it's probably the least interesting facet of Pink Floyd for me. The essay(s) are good but I just don't care enough about the man. Funny how different my view of that guy is from when I was a teenager.
I'm listening to the opening tracks off Wake Up by John Legend & Roots, which I really like and it is upbeat (though the messages are tough). I won't claim to know any of the songs (which are almost entirely covers) except one, "Compared to What" which is an old jazz tune from the 60s or 70s that I knew of thanks to "Casino." Though I like the original better, the new version is very catchy, too. As I approached the Piers I thought I wouldn't need my mask and just as I was about to remove it, a bus which had been held up let out a nice puff of black smoke. I removed the mask much later. I worked out my legs last nite but didn't do any squats and I think that's why I am not really sore.
Evening:
I had the foresight to bring the bike in to the building and while I regret not leaving it there over night and just riding it back tomorrow when the rain clears, at least the damn thing is getting home. I do not enjoy riding in the rain.
At 5 p.m. it was barely drizzling and 29 minutes later it was raining. It probably got worse over the course of the trip but I was careful and still made the train. I can't really recall the last time I was in rain on the return trip (the last one that stands out was the day in September where I had to take the E home), but it still is unpleasant.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
how generic a weds is it?
I finally got some good news regarding long-term dwelling space yesterday and I feel as though a lot of stress has dissipated.
I am more tired than normal this morning and thankfully I bought a rewards card for a major coffeehouse so I can get a free refill today. It'll be nice to avoid the office swill.
There are a lot of people on the lane today but that's okay.
Monday was day #375. It's supposedly going to rain Thurs-Fri so this might be the last entry for a while.
The philosophy book is "taking me places" some of it is extremely dense but it's also still very inspiring.
Thanks to some nice friends at work I am going to treat some people who helped save me a bunch of money to a pizza.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
Megadeth - Train of Consequences
Nirvana - Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
Them Crooked Vulture - Gunman
The Answer - Revolutions
AC/DC - Cyberspace
I am more tired than normal this morning and thankfully I bought a rewards card for a major coffeehouse so I can get a free refill today. It'll be nice to avoid the office swill.
There are a lot of people on the lane today but that's okay.
Monday was day #375. It's supposedly going to rain Thurs-Fri so this might be the last entry for a while.
The philosophy book is "taking me places" some of it is extremely dense but it's also still very inspiring.
Thanks to some nice friends at work I am going to treat some people who helped save me a bunch of money to a pizza.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
Megadeth - Train of Consequences
Nirvana - Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
Them Crooked Vulture - Gunman
The Answer - Revolutions
AC/DC - Cyberspace
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday - regular ride
There's a lot of stress on the brain and in the gut.
I am probably just a hair under 160 lbs and although I don't look bad I am not as lean as I had been last summer. It's a combination of all the eating between Christmas and my birthday and the couple of weeks in feb when I couldn't bike to work. It all adds up to my detriment and I will take it out on myself.
I'm of the mind that once my external stressors have run their course, the stress will leave my stomach and I can get back to working on myself. I do need to register for the triathlon soon.
Last nite started rough but thankfully the wife & I were able to just burn it off and I think we handled it as constructively as possible.
I am hoping that today will bring better news than the nothing that hit me yesterday during the day.
I am listening to the first 4 or 5 tracks from Blues Traveler's Bastardos! which I like a lot. Got it for 5 bucks in Red Bank.
Caught the early train today so I'm making great time.
Thank you for reading.
I am probably just a hair under 160 lbs and although I don't look bad I am not as lean as I had been last summer. It's a combination of all the eating between Christmas and my birthday and the couple of weeks in feb when I couldn't bike to work. It all adds up to my detriment and I will take it out on myself.
I'm of the mind that once my external stressors have run their course, the stress will leave my stomach and I can get back to working on myself. I do need to register for the triathlon soon.
Last nite started rough but thankfully the wife & I were able to just burn it off and I think we handled it as constructively as possible.
I am hoping that today will bring better news than the nothing that hit me yesterday during the day.
I am listening to the first 4 or 5 tracks from Blues Traveler's Bastardos! which I like a lot. Got it for 5 bucks in Red Bank.
Caught the early train today so I'm making great time.
Thank you for reading.
Monday, March 7, 2011
catching up...8 for 10 today
There are times when you have so much on your mind that you cannot get them all out -- that's what Thurs & Fri were like. I won't bore anyone with the details. I will always remember them well, and eventually when I look back I'll be able to figure it out. The moral of the story is just because you want something to be over doesn't mean you should let your guard down.
On Thursday I sounded awful -- far worse than I actually felt. I kind of felt like a hypocrite by coming in to work but my throat condition does not seem to be contagious. Still, I sounded terrible and biking on Thurs and Friday weren't as simple as they could've been.
By the ride home Thursday I had so much pent up frustration I was able to fly back to Penn. But on the way, at Reade Street I noticed a whole bunch of young voices reacting to something. Looking to my right I saw a bunch of students in a group and two black girls falling on top of each other, and wrestling each other to the ground. The kids were obviously thrilled to see them go at it. I slowed down and, in a deliciously raspy voice, told some blonde lady to call the cops as I pointed to the commotion. I then realized that I was wearing that ski mask that makes you look like a terrorist and a helmet on top -- so this woman sees a biker in all gray with a smoker's voice pointing to a crowd and saying "call the cops." Yeah, I should stop thinking of the welfare of others and just ride.
Friday there wasn't much to report it was just a matter of getting in and out.
Today was sunny and only slightly chilly but I am feeling much better. My legs are a little sore b/c of my workout on Saturday (the first since last Monday). I didn't knock myself out but more like I reawakened my muscles. I have a lot of work today and on the personal level I'm waiting for a couple of phone calls. I'm still reading about the philosophy of Pink Floyd and loving it. It's inspiring me to write my own (which I did) and now just need to get on with the former part.
In the past 10 business days I've been on the bike 80% of the time.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
Foo Fighters - "Word Forward"
Monster Magnet - "Live For the Moment"
Slash - "Ghost"
Supernova - "Dead Parade"
Pearl Jam - "Porch"
Parliament - "Ride On"
On Thursday I sounded awful -- far worse than I actually felt. I kind of felt like a hypocrite by coming in to work but my throat condition does not seem to be contagious. Still, I sounded terrible and biking on Thurs and Friday weren't as simple as they could've been.
By the ride home Thursday I had so much pent up frustration I was able to fly back to Penn. But on the way, at Reade Street I noticed a whole bunch of young voices reacting to something. Looking to my right I saw a bunch of students in a group and two black girls falling on top of each other, and wrestling each other to the ground. The kids were obviously thrilled to see them go at it. I slowed down and, in a deliciously raspy voice, told some blonde lady to call the cops as I pointed to the commotion. I then realized that I was wearing that ski mask that makes you look like a terrorist and a helmet on top -- so this woman sees a biker in all gray with a smoker's voice pointing to a crowd and saying "call the cops." Yeah, I should stop thinking of the welfare of others and just ride.
Friday there wasn't much to report it was just a matter of getting in and out.
Today was sunny and only slightly chilly but I am feeling much better. My legs are a little sore b/c of my workout on Saturday (the first since last Monday). I didn't knock myself out but more like I reawakened my muscles. I have a lot of work today and on the personal level I'm waiting for a couple of phone calls. I'm still reading about the philosophy of Pink Floyd and loving it. It's inspiring me to write my own (which I did) and now just need to get on with the former part.
In the past 10 business days I've been on the bike 80% of the time.
Thank you for reading.
Playlist:
Foo Fighters - "Word Forward"
Monster Magnet - "Live For the Moment"
Slash - "Ghost"
Supernova - "Dead Parade"
Pearl Jam - "Porch"
Parliament - "Ride On"
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