So for some reason, here we are on June 1, and I still need to wear two pairs of socks, and my cold weather gear under long sleeve t-shirts and shorts. Sunday morning, although sunny and bright, was miserable for riding. My toes got numb as well as my fingers. Only good thing my water stayed cold. In some of the outlying "suburban" areas, I even noticed slight frost on car windows and roofs.
I shouldn't complain, Saturday was beautiful. I couldn't find any of those pesky lake flies, so here's a nice pic of the FDL lighthouse with the sun coming up.
One of these days I'll be back to wearing shorts and no sleeve shirts on my morning rides. Until then, I guess I'll just keep looking out the window in the morning for wet pavement, checking the radar, and calling time and temp to see if I need my wool socks.
Hey wait a minute, it is June 1! Here's the monthly picks:
Trail Dog’s Book Club – June ‘09
“The Great Gatsby” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is the sixth book I’ve read off of the “Top 100 books for Men” list. The first four I had read prior to finding the list, and are, in no particular order, The Bible, “Walden” – Henry David Thoreau, “Call of the Wild” – Jack London and “Lord of the Flies” – William Golding. The fifth, "The Prince" - Niccolo Machiaveli, I've read within the last month, but wasn't a real big fan of the book (I'm not THAT into politcal science).
Having not been alive in the “Roaring 20’s”, I can’t speak to how accurate of a period piece this was. It has been said that Fitzgerald wanted to write this novel AS someone of this generation FOR someone of this generation. That being said, the 20’s must have been the predecessor to the 80’s, everything in excess. Parties, women, booze, and fast cars (and that’s from Gatsby not the 80’s).
Being as this book is studied in High Schools across the country as a great work of American Literature, I’m sure there is some deep meaning behind Fitzgerald’s master work. However, I’m not the one that’s going to explain it to you. Here’s my simple take on this story.
For five years, Gatsby replaced the one true love in his life, Daisy, with everything that a man’s man should (the afore-mentioned vices), all the while seeking Daisy. When he finally found her again, and eventually realized that their time had passed, he died a little inside. Finally, due to no fault of not being with Daisy, Gatsby physically dies alone, except for one individual (the narrator) that takes care of his funeral out of sympathy more than anything. Bottom line (for me), take heart of what truly matters in life. Let’s hope none of us end up like Gatsby, who, in the end, really wasn’t all that great.
They just don’t write ‘em like this any more.
Tunes from the Trail - June '09
Liquid Tension Experiment - "Liquid Tension Experiment 2"
This is a little "side project" made up of John Pettrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater(probably THE most musically gifted band in the hisory of modern music) and Tony Levin(session bass player that has played with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Yes). Released in '99 as the follow up to "Liquid Tension Experiment 1", this is probably one of my favorite albums.
I've chosen to embed two songs off of this album. The first, "Hourglass" is just a very well done song, and when I saw it put to this video from BBC's "The Blue Planet", I knew It was time to post it.
The second song is entitled "Acid Rain". This is the "lead off" song from the album, and I posted it so you guys wouldn't get a false sense of the band from "Hourglass". "Acid Rain" is much more heavy and "punch you in the nose", which is also much more typical of LTE. Enjoy!
Kippis - Leave No Trace,
Craigers
I shouldn't complain, Saturday was beautiful. I couldn't find any of those pesky lake flies, so here's a nice pic of the FDL lighthouse with the sun coming up.
One of these days I'll be back to wearing shorts and no sleeve shirts on my morning rides. Until then, I guess I'll just keep looking out the window in the morning for wet pavement, checking the radar, and calling time and temp to see if I need my wool socks.
Hey wait a minute, it is June 1! Here's the monthly picks:
Trail Dog’s Book Club – June ‘09
“The Great Gatsby” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is the sixth book I’ve read off of the “Top 100 books for Men” list. The first four I had read prior to finding the list, and are, in no particular order, The Bible, “Walden” – Henry David Thoreau, “Call of the Wild” – Jack London and “Lord of the Flies” – William Golding. The fifth, "The Prince" - Niccolo Machiaveli, I've read within the last month, but wasn't a real big fan of the book (I'm not THAT into politcal science).
Having not been alive in the “Roaring 20’s”, I can’t speak to how accurate of a period piece this was. It has been said that Fitzgerald wanted to write this novel AS someone of this generation FOR someone of this generation. That being said, the 20’s must have been the predecessor to the 80’s, everything in excess. Parties, women, booze, and fast cars (and that’s from Gatsby not the 80’s).
Being as this book is studied in High Schools across the country as a great work of American Literature, I’m sure there is some deep meaning behind Fitzgerald’s master work. However, I’m not the one that’s going to explain it to you. Here’s my simple take on this story.
For five years, Gatsby replaced the one true love in his life, Daisy, with everything that a man’s man should (the afore-mentioned vices), all the while seeking Daisy. When he finally found her again, and eventually realized that their time had passed, he died a little inside. Finally, due to no fault of not being with Daisy, Gatsby physically dies alone, except for one individual (the narrator) that takes care of his funeral out of sympathy more than anything. Bottom line (for me), take heart of what truly matters in life. Let’s hope none of us end up like Gatsby, who, in the end, really wasn’t all that great.
They just don’t write ‘em like this any more.
Tunes from the Trail - June '09
Liquid Tension Experiment - "Liquid Tension Experiment 2"
This is a little "side project" made up of John Pettrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater(probably THE most musically gifted band in the hisory of modern music) and Tony Levin(session bass player that has played with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Yes). Released in '99 as the follow up to "Liquid Tension Experiment 1", this is probably one of my favorite albums.
I've chosen to embed two songs off of this album. The first, "Hourglass" is just a very well done song, and when I saw it put to this video from BBC's "The Blue Planet", I knew It was time to post it.
The second song is entitled "Acid Rain". This is the "lead off" song from the album, and I posted it so you guys wouldn't get a false sense of the band from "Hourglass". "Acid Rain" is much more heavy and "punch you in the nose", which is also much more typical of LTE. Enjoy!
Kippis - Leave No Trace,
Craigers
5 comments:
I may need to check that album out. It seems I like a lot of the music you do. Thanks!
It sure does seem that way Marla. Not many other folks even heard of Eric Johnson, much less actually had seen him live. Definately check out LTE. I'll be interested to know what you think of them. They only have the two albums. Portnoy, Rudess and Levin did do another album without Petrucci under the name Liquid Trio Experiment if you like this stuff. Thanks for your comments!
I feel your pain, you dude.
45 degrees on June 2nd.
I want out!
The only good thing about it being cold Jonny is that after my ankle surgery, once that metal plate in me gets a little chilly, it's like a cooler man. It keeps me cool for hours(hehehe). Start training for Earth Ride now that you've got your weekends back
Where is the warm weather Brother? you should be up North berrrr!! not to mention the rain, oh well soon we will be griping about the heat!!"Happy Trails, safe biking and Get Bent"
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