End Of The Month

September is almost done. What will October bring? I'm sure some colder weather. What am I going to do?

Keep Moving

I actually did get some sleep last night so now it's the start of a new day. It's one of those mornings where I try not to dwell too on anything yet I do. It really isn't important what it is I'm thinking  about. No need for detail so just keep moving.

The Gig From Hell

There you have my review of tonight's show.

Gig Tonight

I have my gig tonight at the Black Swan Pub in Tivoli, New York. I will be performing my rock opera THE FRONT DESK along with a bunch of other songs. Several of which I've never performed live. I debuted THE FRONT DESK at the Black Swan back in February. I one change I made to the rock opera was that a song I wrote called LEAVE THE KEYS will be added to the show. It ends up being the last song in the rock opera. Tomorrow I plan to put the Set List of the entire gig on my blog. We'll see what I play.

Midnight

Goodnight

Friday Rain

Steady drops of water from outside
Lets me know I'm still alive
Find my color markers
Find my bass
The brain is crazy
A medical case.

Making A Run Of It

That felt like the longest 7 miles I've ever run. Some training sessions go by faster than others. Glad to get the workout in.

Dark Morning

It's 6:15 in the morning and dark as night outside. Just had breakfast and it will be time for a run. Need to finish my Front Desk prop for the show this Saturday. Think I'll write the words THE FRONT DESK in graffiti style. The gig is just 2 days away.

Witching Hour

Almost midnight. Goodnight.

Wednesday Morning

No run today. Work later on. Lazy right now.

Tuesday News

The sun is out and I'm inside. That won't be the trend for the day. It would be nice if I get a landscape painting in. Where's my easel?

Midnight Hour

It's late for me so I'm going to bed. Goodnight.

Running Again

This morning was my 1st full 7-Mile run since the Yonkers Marathon last week. I tried going out there and running a few days after the race but I had a bad muscle cramp in my left thigh. This was a big concern to me because I never felt pain in that part of my leg. So I decided to shut it down for the rest of the week and give it a rest. Today was the 1st day to go out and give it a try and all feels well. Giving my body a break was the best thing I could do. I feel like I'm back on my training schedule again.

Take It From The Top

Last week was difficult for me so I'm hoping for better things this week. I still like to dream of a better tomorrow. This morning I plan on going out and running. I took the week off because I felt sore after the marathon. Man I'm out of shape. The big gig is this Saturday and there will be plenty of songs & bass. Here's to a new week!

A Total Beat Down

The title above is a great way to describe how it went for me today.

Couch Potato

A week ago I ran a marathon and since then I have hardly done any running. I tried a few days later but my left leg felt sore. It was a muscle in my thigh. Then I just thought I would give it a rest for the week and not push it. Tomorrow I'll go out and see how things go in my running shoes.

Summer

I love Summer because it's warm
I dislike winter because it's cold
Summer leaves lose their green
Autumn is new and Summer's old.

Post It

I didn't post anything yesterday on my blog and it wasn't because I was busy. There was plenty of Front Desk Method Acting going on yesterday with much of the same for today. The weather is supposed to be very warm so I might ride my bike. When I went out to clean it yesterday the back tire was flat. It did that the last time I rode it. I'll put air in it and see how it goes.

Fall Of Summer

There is a nip in the air and the last days of Summer are upon us. The leaves are beginning to change colors and drop to the ground. The nasty storm from 2 days ago seems to have taken the warm & humid breeze. Need a sweater for the morning run.

Training Day Off

Even with the weather being nice I've decsided not to run today. Since I'll be at work and on my feet I will wait for tomorrow to get a run in. It will be my first since the marathon last Sunday. Recovery is important. 

9/18/12 Set List

Here are the songs I practiced & today:

Set 1
THE FRONT DESK (Entire Rock Opera)

Set 2
Boom Boom Mancini
Molly
Lisa Says
Jacques La Rock
Opus 40
Statue Punks
Vegan Deli
The Blue Spruce
My Boston Girl
Aluminum Bat
Mary Carroll
Action Painting
On The Hudson
Chinese Rocks
Shattered
Badges
On A Death Tour
100%
Your Words Are Heard
Kissing Christine
Modern Weaponry
Beyond Baghdad

Session Recording

I just recorded a version of my rock opera THE FRONT DESK. I did it in a session format where I performed it live without an audience. I recorded it on a cassette tape. Not many of those left. I just don't have any of the modern recording things on me. I did want to have this music down for posterity and also to listen back to it since I'm going through my P.A System. The Pat Irish Sessions.

Sound Check

Today I'm going to practice my music by playing through my P.A System. Normally I play my bass with no amplification at all. This practice will pretty much be a test of my equipment. I have a gig in 12 days. I just want to make sure everything is working. When I perform live put my bass guitar through a rig because it doesn't get enough power through the P.A. I'll run through the songs I'm scheduled to play. I might record the practice too.

The Next Day

I won't be doing any running this morning with it being the day after my marathon run. I feel good this morning. My feet are a little sore but other than that, my body is not worse for wear. The weather forecast looks good today and rain tomorrow. I'll try and do some outdoor things later on.

Yonkers Marathon

This is the 4th year in a row that I've run the Yonkers Marathon. My ultimate goal was to finish under 4 hours. My official time was 3:56:16. Having run 3 marathons last year including Yonkers and finishing all over 4 hours, it was good to finish at that time. The amazing thing is that Every time I've run this race the weather was almost identical. Sunny & warm. I felt good out there. It was a strange race with different challenges throughout. I realized with 2 miles to go that I was finish under 4 hours. I will never be able to tame 26.2 miles. I seem to get past the 15-Mile mark and it becomes a battle of attrition. my pace slows down and my average minute-per-mile was 9:01. I would need to average a minute slower to qualify for the Boston Marathon. First things first and I'll enjoy the goal I set and the metal I received.

1 Day To Go

Tomorrow is the Yonkers Marathon. I have trained for the better part of a year for this race. Last year I ran 3 marathons including Yonkers and finished all of the over 4 hours. My last one was New York City back in November and I was so disappointed with my result that I promised to train as hard as I could for this race. I've put everything I have to being ready for the marathon tomorrow. The challenge of running 26.2 miles is so great. I will try my best.

Friday Morning

I go into work this afternoon. I'm still a bit wiped out from mowing the lawn yesterday. All that pollen flying around Don't think I'll do any running today. The marathon is 49 hours away. Tomorrow I will do an easy 3 miles. Weights & stretching for me this morning.

Mowing The Lawn

Just spent the afternoon mowing the lawn. That would be about an acre of land. It took me almost 4 hours to do it. I turned it into an exercise workout. It was warm outside. Really nice weather today.

3 Days Away

The Yonkers Marathon is 72 hours away and It's now time to take the test. The weather for Sunday looks perfect. Sunny & warm with temperatures in the low 70's. That might be a bit warm for some but not for me. This it the 4th year in a row I'm running this race and the weather has been almost identical every time. Now it's a matter of doing what I've been training for the past several months. My goal is to finish under 4 hours. The excitement for the race has begun.

New Rock Opera

I'm working on a brand new rock opera entitled LIFE OF A METHOD ACTOR. It will be my 2nd one. The story centers around a person who uses the Lee Strasburg method of preparing for acting roles. This one can go into many directions. My biggest influences are the theater people I used to hang out with in college. I ones I've kept in contact with continue to act so I'll draw from them. Should be fun creating.

Poster Done

In a couple of weeks I'll be performing a gig at the Black Swan Pub in Tivoli, New York. It will be the 2nd time I've played my rock opers THE FRONT DESK there. It's the only place I've done it live in it's entirety. I have performed some of the songs from the rock opera at open mic gatherings. Today I will mail the poster of the gig I created to the pub so they put them up for patrons to see. If I ever figure out the photo attachment to this computer I'm on then I'll show you. Getting ready for the gig.

9/11 Years Later

The 9/11 attacks happened 11 years ago today. There is a flashback nature to it because it was on a Tuesday like today and the weather is clear. Being from New York it was all local. Now with a decade past there are now people who might have been too young to remember what happened that day. Last month I was in Manhattan and walked around the Ground Zero area. Things are different now. The 9/11 Museum and One World Trade Center are now there. I remember when it was a pit. I also remember the Twin Towers. I actually stood on the Observation Deck once and looked out at it's amazing view of New York City and the Atlantic Ocean. I've seen a lot in my lifetime.

9/10/12 Set List

Here are the songs I practiced yesterday:

Set 1
THE FRONT DESK (Entire Rock Opera)

Set 2
Boom Boom Mancini
Molly
Lisa Says
Jacques La Rock
Opus 40
Statue Punks
Vegan Deli
The Blue Spruce
My Boston Girl
Aluminum Bat
Mary Carroll
Action Painting
On The Hudson
Chinese Rocks
Shattered
Badges
On A Death Tour
100%
Your Words Are Heard
Kissing Christine

It's Marathon Week

This Sunday I run in the Yonkers Marathon. It will be the 4th year in a row I'm running in it. Only once did I finish it under 4 hours. I hope to do it again this week. I taper down in my training for the next few day. I did go out there and run 7 miles this morning. Just tuning up.

Adventure Ride

After getting rained out for a late afternoon bicycle ride yesterday, the weather looked sunny for a go at it today. Even though I could see ominous clouds in the distance, I forged on. It was almost Autumn like out there. I rode at a steady pace. This was my usual Sunday Route and I always go by a golf course. Today I found 5 golf ball off the side of the road. I've picked up close to a half dozen this year. Then it began to rain. Those clouds finally got the best of me. It was a wet ride the rest of the way. Nothing like an adventure.

No Ride

I was hoping to get a bicycle ride in this afternoon but a nasty storm is barreling in on me. I'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Roasted Friday

Thought about taking my bicycle out for a ride. The weather is hot and sunny. I'm going to give it a rest today. My plan is to ride tomorrow. The last time I rode a bee stung me at the top of my ear. I'm just getting over that. It's a late afternoon for drawing. Think I'll find me some colors.

9/6/12 Set List

Here are the song I practiced today:

Set 1
THE FRONT DESK (Entire Rock Opera)

Set 2
Too Late To Turn Back Now
Molly
Lisa Says
Jacques La Rock
Opus 40
Statue Punks
Vegan Deli
Boom Boom Mancini
The Blue Spruce
My Boston Girl

10 Days Left

I will be running the Yonkers Marathon in 10 days. The last 2 weeks of training for a marathon is a switch in routine for me. For the past several week now I've been doing long training runs and bicycle rides. Now I'm in the process of decreasing my miles leading up to the race. It's a matter of storing up my energy and toning my body with some weights & stretching exercises. I did run 7 miles today just to keep tuned up. I feel like I've studied for the test. Now it's time to take it.

Issac's Last Stand

It is raining outside and this what's left of the storm known as Issac. I managed to run 7 miles this morning before the rains came. I knew there was  a window of possibility of not getting caught in the rain when I saw the weather forecast this morning and I just made it. I work later today so now I'll take the down time.

9/3/12 Set List

Here are the songs I practiced yesterday:

Set 1
THE FRONT DESK (Entire Rock Opera)

Set 2
The Blue Spruce
Molly
Jacques La Rock
Boom Boom Mancini
Statue Punks
Vegan Deli
My Boston Girl
Mary Carroll
Aluminum Bat
Action Painting
On The Hudson
Chinese Rocks
Shattered
Badges
On A Death Tour
Thurston
Kissing Christine

Labor Day Workout

I went and ran 8 miles this morning. The route I took is what I call my SUNDAY RUN. But since this is a holiday I ran it today. This was my first run in 3 days and it felt good. The Yonkers Marathon is 13 days away and I wore my Saucony A4 running shoes. They are the lightest sneakers I've ever worn. It was my Labor Day Workout.

Labor Day

I'm not working today so if I do anything I'll be laboring around the house.

Gig Poster

I'll be drawing a poster for my gig at the Black Swan Pub in Tivoli, New York on September 29th. Since I'm performing my rock opera THE FRONT DESK the poster will have an animated picture of me at the front desk of a hotel and then all the information about the concert. I'll mail several copies to the pub where they can put it around for patrons to see. It's just good old fashion advertising.

No Post

Yesterday was the first day in a very long time where I didn't give you a DEAR DIARY on my blog. I went for a late afternoon bicycle ride when I ended up getting stung by a bee. It hit me at the top of my ear. Wow that hurt! Took some medicine and went to sleep. it does feel better this morning. I can only describe it as a steady burn. That's my medical excuse for not posting on my blog yesterday.