31 July, 2010

Morning cycling.

I was supposed to ride out with my friend Johnny this morning on a
group ride with some fast guys on rad bikes. I ended up forgetting my
phone, and riding back to my house, I felt like even though I had
stretched and warmed up a bit, I couldn't wake my muscles up. Bad news
for me, I just didn't feel like I could keep up.

I went for a ride on my own, at my own pace, and it did take a bit for
me to warm up. I'm certainly glad I didn't push it with the group
ride. Last Wednesday, some friends and I (including Johnny) went for a
late night mash. I felt great, and generally led the pack at a 16-18
mph pace, nothing race winning, but decent. I didn't have any pain or
discomfort in the following days, but I did have a feeling like my
muscles wouldn't "wake up", like they were in recovery mode. My
completely unscientific hypothesis as to what may be causing this is
because I just need to teach my body to ride on a regular basis like I
used to.

So this morning I ran a very similar route as Wednesday, and shaved
about 10 minutes off my total time, while doing more climbing- at
least it felt that way- I'll map it later. It just felt like it took a
while to get there.

Here's a screenshot of a program I use to track and budget my
food/calorie intake, which I can log my exercise and caloric burn.

It looks like I'll be able to drink beer at the bar tonight....

27 July, 2010

I've been busy.

I have been one hell of a busy boy as of late.

In the past couple months I headed out to LA for business twice, once more for pleasure, started playing in a pool league, joined a second pool league (one on Monday, the second on Tuesday), have kept a schedule for helping an old friend with her computer on Thursdays, Wednesday's are generally spend at the Red Barn, weekends are a blur.... Work is speeding up, a lot. I've been busy with new levels of organization and ambition, trying to best myself since last year. I was talking to a friend recently, and I accidentally stumbled on my motto for my renewed energy when I said "I just want to kick ass and be the best at whatever I do." I guess I was telling myself in the same breath.

I need a day off for laundry. For reading. For something not scheduled. I recently adopted Google apps for my personal life, specifically the Google Calendar app and I don't know if that's just been helpful in letting me know how filled my week is, or causes me to find gaps and plan more stuff. Weird.

Literally on the home stretch with Heather. I am so ready for her to come home. She knows I supported her and still do, but at this point my selfishness is taking over out of how badly I miss her. Tomorrow it will be 5 days. I'm afraid it's going to be the longest weekend ever. I'm taking the day after she get's home off of work. I don't think I could tolerate being in an office with her being just one city over.

I was just looking at all the pictures I just posted, and I'm really enjoying how awesome it is to have friends to spend time with and places to go. Those two things right there are so important in life. I guess on the flipside to that, it's equally important to remove the poisonous aspects as well. The people who can't live up to being positive and forward thinking. The world is small, but big enough to surround yourself with some pretty amazing people.

Probably went a little over the top this weekend, and since then pool league runs late, I just want to ride it out on my bicycle and get some good healthy sleep. I guess there's tomorrow for that. I think I'll have enough time if  I schedule it in on the calendar.

Cheers.





p.s.- I just blocked off 5pm-12am on my schedule. I can't wait to slow down for a minute.

14 July, 2010

Well.

I'm at Space 120 in Palm Springs. I rode my bicycle from Palm Desert.
I t was too hot for this.

Now I don't know what I'm hearing or seeing.

Half the time I want it on my iPod, the rest of the time I'm confused.

09 July, 2010

12. Somethingmoredeliciousdotcom - Album Review (feat. Lady Gaga)

Hello.

I'm a straight white guy who can't dance, yet enjoys Lady Gaga when there's alcohol and nonsense around.

So let's review this album:


Lady Gaga - The Remix (2010)

Sixteen tracks, 3 worth listening/playing, yet all of which reminds everyone that Gaga needs new material.
  • Paparazzi (Yuksek Remix)
  • Bad Romance (Skrillex Remix)
  • Telephone (Ft. Beyonce) (Alphabeat Remix)
Seriously though. A little bummed out on this release. What I came away from this album with were two words: flat and uninspired. I really think they could have put a better release together than this, and I really expected more out of Passion Pit's remix of Telephone.

What is a remix supposed to do? Why put together a remix album? I'll insert a little personal perspective here: song remixes are supposed to add new depth and artistry to a track. Listen to enough electronic music and you'll quickly forget that remixes can have such a profound effect on an original track. Artist reinterpretations and contributions to the original music can be amazing and breathe new life into tracks well worn in- like, well, you know- practically anything by Lady Gaga. My favorite example of great remix albums would be:
  • Depeche Mode's 86-98 Remixed
  • Nine Inch Nails - Things Falling Apart (except for the 473 remixes of Starfuckers Inc.)
  • The NumberNin6 remix of Prodigy's Breathe 
  • There are more, but whatever. You have some good one's too, don't you.
What you get with Lady Gaga's "The Remix" is a never before seen picture of Gaga doing something provocative on the cover, and on the inside, a lot of people with laptops who need to reassess if they're employed in the right field. Remixes are never lukewarm. Reinterpretations work or they don't, and if in case of the latter- the results are awful. Think Nine Inch Nails' "The Perfect Drug Remixes" album (to bring up another NIN album so as to reduce the appearance of bias.) These are the facts, and they are indisputable.

So. I'll raise a toast to Gaga's next release. May it be something I've never heard before.