Give It A Rest

It's a nice day for a bicycle ride. It's Summer hot out there. Just the way I like it. Might try to do another landscape painting or drawing. No need to give it a rest.

Work

Off to work at the hotel. No running today since I've run 4 day in a row. I might ride my bike later on. The weather will be sunny and hot. Friday in the heat.

Blurry Art

It's just past 5 AM and it is pitch black outside. I'll go for a run when the sun rises. I did an attempt at a landscape painting yesterday. I like to call my portrait & landscape paintings BLURRY ART. No detail to the shapes & figures in the paintings. They seem show what it looks like if I didn't have my glasses on. I've always had bad vision. I might try to copy those who were Impressionist & Expressionist yet my style is that of the Blurry Art Movement.

Power Down

With just 18 days to go until the Yonkers Marathon, I'm in a frame mind now where I begin to decrease my miles of running and bicycle training. The long distance training is behind me and now it's a matter of tuning up and gearing for the 26.2 miles. Plenty of stretching and some weight training over the next 2 weeks. I'll also average about 30 miles of runner per week up until the race. Power down & tune up.

Rock Opera 2012

I will be bringing my rock opera THE FRONT DESK back to the Black Swan Pub in Tivoli, New York on September 29th. This will be the 2nd time I've performed it there and this is the place where I debuted it back in February. It looks as if I'll be performing the entire night on my own. Nick Bisanz was going to perform with me but has a prior commitment with Geo Doody. I'm putting the poster together and will be mailing it up to the pub so it can be displayed for customers to see. I'm looking forward to the gig.

On This Day Part 2

I remember what I did on August 28, 2005 and that was run the Manhattan Marathon which took place in Central Park. It was the last time they had that race in the Summer. After that, they moved it to the Winter. Back then, I would drive my car to Manhattan. These days, I take the train. It was very humid and I ran it in 1 hour and 55 minutes. I was still getting used to that distance. The race 7 years ago cost $8. Changing times indeed.

On This Day

7 years ago, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the city of New Orleans. Today another storm by the name of Issac is heading to the Big Easy. It is predicted by weather forecasters to develop into a category 1 hurricane. Not as strong as Katrina, but Issac is said to be slow moving and could dump plenty of water into New Orleans. We'll see how everything holds up. Also on this date7 years ago, a childhood classmate and friend of mine by the name of Mary Carroll Stonesifer passed away. I found out about it a few months after the fact. There was an obituary in the newspaper about her and I saw the date of her death was August 28, 2005. Mary Carroll was one of coolest people I ever met. I wrote a song about her back in the 1990's with the verses recalling the person I knew and chorus asking her how she was doing. I did hope to see her again. Years later, I found out she died. I like to play that song live. I feel like she's right there with me on stage.

Monday Run

My first run of the week was this morning and I didn't do anything all weekend exercise wise. There are less than 3 weeks to go for the Yonkers Marathon. I'll get one long training run or bicycle ride in during the week and then I start to save my energy. It's as much of a mind preparation as it is physical. I really want to do the race and finish under 4 hours. The challenge is always there for me and can never be taken for granted. Even when I'm not working out, the rest does me good. Back at it tomorrow.

Sunset Sunday

It's just before 7 in the evening and the sun is still up. It will be getting dark fast. Tomorrow I will go for a run and do other things on my day off. My Monday is much like other people's Fridays. My weekend starts now.   

Off My Feet

Having worked all day today I'm not going to ride my bike on this late afternoon. I just don't feel like it. Since I have to go in early again tomorrow so I do plan on riding after I'm done. That should work for me.

Almost Forgot

Almost forgot to put a post to my blog. I was working all day and didn't think I would get the chance. I've blogged this diary pretty much every single day. I think I've become the Cal Ripkin Jr. of bloggers. The Iron Horse of typing. It's just that I like to share my thoughts with those of you who read my entries. Thanks everyone and let me wish you all a goodnight since it's now bedtime for me.

Marathon Maybe

6 years ago I ran my first New York City Marathon. It cost $80 and there were about 30,000 runners in it. 6 years later the cost of this race is over $200 dollars and more than 40,000 runners are projected to be registered in it. This morning the New York Road Runners who are the organization putting on the race, announced that there will be no baggage pick up for runners after the marathon is over. This has always been a standard policy in the past where runners would bring a bag and put things like extra clothing or medical items. NYRR said it had to do with crowded group of runners when they are done racing. There has been quite a backlash from club members and those who are running the NYC Marathon. Things seem to have been building up to this. The rates of entry fees to NYRR races have jumped dramatically this year. At the same time, services provided by the club to the runners appears to decrease. I'm not registered for the NYC Marathon this year but I did qualify for next year. With the way things have been going I'm not sure if I will be running in 2013. I've run 4 NYC Marathons and wanted to complete my 5th next year. But if the quality of the race continues to decrease then I'll go elsewhere. So maybe I will run it or maybe I won't.

Thursday

I did have time this morning to get 7 miles of running in. I'll try to do the same tomorrow. Busy day ahead of me.

Silver Statue

Walking around Manhattan yesterday, I happen to find a statue of Andy Warhol. It was in the area of 5th Avenue and 20th Street. It was all silver and at the bottom of the statue it read, "The Andy Monument." The funniest thing to me was that it depicts him carrying a shopping bag. A fitting tribute.

Hit The Road

I do plan on getting a run in today. I gave it a rest yesterday. This week I want to get a long distance practice in. The Yonkers Marathon is 4 weeks away and the preparation goes on. I just want take care of every little detail in being ready for that race. Going out and running today is part of it.

8/20/12 Set List

Here are the songs I practiced today:

Set 1
THE FRONT DESK (Entire Rock Opera)

Set 2
It's Too Late To Turn Back Now
Action Painting
Aluminum Bat
Mary Carroll
Your Words Are Heard
Beyond Baghdad
Statue Punks
Astronauts Cosmonauts
He's My Thing
I Want To Know

Back To Work

After having this past weekend off, it's time for me to go back to work. I never really did stop working though. There are always projects on the table and I try to get better at whatever it is I'm doing. All part of being a professional.

8/19/12 Set List

Here are the songs I practiced today:

Set 1
THE FRONT DESK (Entire Rock Opera)

Set 2
My Boston Girl
Vegan Deli
Generic Protest Song
Construction 426
Neanderthal Tool
Gazebo
Kissing Christine
On A Death Tour
Chinese Rocks
Shattered

Done The Run

I ran 8 miles this morning. Usually do 7 miles but added an extra mile for good measure. Wore the running shoes I'll be using in the marathon 5 weeks from today. They are the lightest sneakers I've ever felt. I'm going to run 26.2 miles in them. I think we're ready to go.

Sunday Run

I just woke up and plan on running 7 miles this morning. The weather looks nice so the conditions should be fine. I am tired so the motivation to get out there is a bit slow. I will get out there and go.

Same Building

I've been drawing the same building for the past couple of weeks. I'm fascinated with the shape of the roof. The look reminds of when I was young and there were 20th Century designs of houses that were to be futuristic. New century and new Science Fiction.

19 Miles

Took my bicycle out this afternoon and put 19 miles under the tires. I was planning on a run this morning but I went for the bike instead. It was warn in the sun and cool in the shade. I could really feel the drop in temperature compared to how it's been this Summer. Nice conditions for riding. It was a good workout.

Weekend Off

I have one of those rare moments in my life where I'm not working on Saturday or Sunday. It's raining out and I've held off my run for now. The English Premiere League begins it's season today so I might check out a soccer match. There are also my art supplies and musical instruments to keep me busy. Time on the weekend.

Paint Or Draw

That is the question. I did painting yesterday and it was my first landscape. One of my favorite artists is David Dunlop. He has a T.V. show and approaches painting in the style of the Impressionists. I tried to do that myself and fell a bit short. One of the lessons David Dunlop teaches is that the more paint you put on the canvas, the less light you have. Because the white of the paper acts as light. I'm still learning these things. I see it too when I'm working with colored pencils. I might do some drawing later on instead. One or the other.

Done The Run

7 miles out there today. The running was good and it felt cool compared to the humidity that's been around. It's either a long run or bicycle ride tomorrow. I'll know when I wake up on Saturday morning.

Bicycle Landscape

My Thursday was spent riding my bicycle and then painting a landscape. Nothing like sticking to a plan. The bike ride was good although it does need a tuneup. I'll wait until the end of the riding season. After that I went out and painted my first landscape. It ended up looking more like one of my abstract designs. The only mistake I would have made was not painting at all. This is why I love Summer.

Open Thursday

Beautiful outside! Having no commitments to anything today, painting a landscape or riding a bicycle would be great things for me to do. I like today's schedule.

Rain & Sun

Woke up before the sunrise to thunder & lightning. It lasted about 45 minutes. When the sun was up the skies were blue. Put on my running shoes and went for a 7-Mile run. Oh what fun.

The End

I did as much work as I could do today so goodnight.

2 For Tuesday

I haven't run for the past 2 days. I don't usually do that but I just felt like I needed a rest. It was as much mental as it was physical. I'll go out and run this morning. I did some drawing in the late afternoon yesterday. I continue to draw the same house for the past week. I've been using a ruler for straight lines. Now it's time for me to find my running shoes.  

My Monday

I do have a different work schedule than most people. It took time for me to accept this fact. I work in an industry of 24/7 so the idea of 9 to 5 just doesn't exist. My Monday can be another person's Friday. Up is down and in is out. Makes sense to me. Normal to many would be strange for myself. That's why I'm a professional in my business.

Sunday Sun

Blue skies and the sun is out. A good day to ride my bicycle later on. No run this morning since I did a long distance training session yesterday. Just giving it a rest.

Complete Abstract

ABSTRACT           ???????           
fjedoslafjkdaeldiaoekaldka
lerirrrjirroirjjjjjjjjjjj                                    

          bbbsftrkuiu655qrfgtjjyku

17 Miles

Went out there and ran 17 miles this morning. This was no flat & fast course. Plenty of hills out there. My feet and legs were feeling it afterwards. 6 weeks to go until the marathon. That distance is always a challenge and today's run reminds me I need mental toughness. I had to run that distance today.

Grounded

Good morning. I haven't gone out for my run yet. I'm drinking coffee and typing on my blog. Just living in the moment.

Repeat Artist

I've been drawing the same building for the past few days. If I'm not doing that then I'm painting an abstract design. I feel better when I do artwork. Goodnight.

Long Run

The plan for tomorrow is to do 17 miles of running in the morning. All part of my marathon training. No running today. Only stretching & weights. The marathon is now 6 weeks away. I'll have some pasta for dinner tonight and get off to a running start tomorrow. In the long run.

This Friday

Just a whole lot of things to get done. Try not to be too lazy today.

More Painting

Used my easel for the first time and painted an abstract Paul Klee would have been proud of. Keep creating.

Keeping To The Schedule

I wasn't too lazy this morning. I actually went out and ran 7 miles. I didn't feel like it since it was a bad night's sleep. Once I was out there it was productive. Keeping to the schedule.

Really Tired

I didn't get much sleep last night. It's a strange thing when you go to bed and you're wide awake. I knew this morning would be tough. Time to go to work sleepyhead.

Another 7 Miles

I ran 7 miles this morning. It is my plan  to run 7 miles Thursday & Friday and then run 17 miles on Saturday. This a big week for my marathon training. The race is just 6 weeks away and I want to be in the best shape I can be both mentally & physically. Tough training has to be done now.  

Drawing & Painting

With all of the painting items I've purchased over the past few days, I ended up going outside yesterday and worked on a landscape drawing. The whole idea for  me is to become prolific with my visual art. Drawing & painting I hope become a balance for me. Since painting is new medium I plan to be more abstract with my approach and get more familiar with it. Drawing tends to be the focus of realism. Seeing what is front of me and interpreting it on paper. Finished art products are receipts for the creative works you've done.

Easel

Bought an easel today for painting. It's made out of wood and is a bit fragile. I want to use it when I'm outside for landscapes. It should do the trick since I'm starting out. If I become more advanced with painting then I might get a metal easel. I saw one in the Art Supply store today. Time for my art to imitate my life.

Good Start

This morning has been a good start to my training week. I went out and ran 7 miles this morning. It was cooler outside and there wasn't the humidity that has been around this Summer. This will be a big week of training along with either a long run or bicycle ride this Saturday. It all depends on what I feel like doing. The marathon training continues.

Birth

For the first time I painted with the art supplies purchased from the other day. I used 5 different oil paints and put them on my new palette. Then I went at it in the style of Peter Max circa 1989. I titled the painting BIRTH. It was fun and I find it a nice break from drawing. I do feel like I can strike a good balance between the 2 mediums. Keep creating!

Monday Colors

                                        


                                                                                
                                                     

Painting

Stopped by the Art Supply store a couple of day ago with all intentions of buying 11" X 14" Bristol Paper. They didn't have any. So instead I purchased at start up Oil Painting kit. It's been my hope to take up brush along with the pencil. It is a whole different medium. Using colors like Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue are fun. So different from drawing in so many ways. With pencil you don't have the flexibility with colors. On the other hand, painting takes more preparation. I'll have to get involved with pastels at some point. Living in the art world.

Uncle Paddy

I was told that the Jan Peek 10K Race in Peekskill, New York had originally been named after my Great Uncle Paddy Walsh. He was a great runner who was born in Ireland and immigrated to the U.S.A. back in the early part of the 20th Century. When I was a kid back in 1976, I took a trip to Ireland with my Grandparents and the relatives in the old country were showing me newspapers clippings they kept of Uncle Paddy getting awards for his running. I thought of him today. He still run the roads of Peekskill in spirit.

Westchester County

With 7 week to go my main focus is running in the Yonkers Marathon. This will be my 4th year in a row running it. The 10K race I ran in today is in Peekskill, New York. Both Peekskill and Yonkers are in Westchester County. Yonkers is in the northern part of the county and Yonkers is in the southern part. Yet I could feel the similarities to both. Although the distances are quite different, the city streets and rolling hills gave it the same feeling. It was a marathon dress rehearsal for me today. Once I get into a race I'm in the moment and want to do as well as I can. My 10K time this morning was slow for me but the steep hills and high humidity were a factor. It was a fun race to be in. So for now I"ll keep training for the Yonkers Marathon and hope to finish it under 4 hours. Keep on Training.

Ran The Race

This morning I ran in a 10K race in Peekskill, New York. It took me about 47 and a half minutes to finish. My official time hasn't been posted. It had some steep hills and it was quite humid outside. I did enjoy the run. It is getting hotter out there. Just the way I like it. Fun with a Summer Run.

Up And At It

After proclaiming my laziness a couple of hours ago, I actually managed to get out there and run 7 miles. Sometimes the most difficult part of a workout is putting on the training outfit.

Wiped Out

I am tired today and I'm not sure if I'll be running in the 10K tomorrow. It's going to be a hot one out there so if I do any exercising this morning it will have to be soon. I seem to be suffering from a bout of laziness.

10K Race

I found out there is going to be a 10K race close to where I'll be this weekend. I hadn't planned on running any races this month but I might run this one. If I do then I'll treat is like a dress rehearsal for the marathon next month. In particular, I want to know how my running shoes feel during the race. These are the ones I've been using all year and I want to make sure they're right for me. I'll see how I feel on Saturday.

The Sting

I was outside in the early evening yesterday when I felt a stinging sensation on my back. I realized it was a hornet. I chased it away but it kept attacking me. I had to run into the house for shelter. Sometimes it isn't easy out there.