Categories
Blog Occurrences Running Sports Writing

Zen and the Insanity of Running

Yesterday I ran further than I can recall in recent memory. The last time I ran more than 20 miles was six years ago to the day when I finished the Motorola Marathon in Austin, Texas.

So I laced up my shoes and headed toward Central Park. I initially intended to run to a nearby borough – The Bronx or Queens, perhaps, but as I traversed the trees of the North Woods, I decided to detour south, cutting through to Columbus Circle.

” The Brooklyn Bridge,” I thought. “I’ll run across the Brooklyn Bridge.”

The cereal and granola bars in my stomach were getting tossed around with each step and I needed something to level the balance of food. A hot dog fit the bill perfectly. I dug two dollars out of my kangaroo pouch in my running tights in exchange for some red and yellow tube steak.

With zip in my step I started down Broadway again following the green path between traffic and the sidewalk. It was here that I noticed a bicyclist who was keeping pace with me quite well. We matched each other through Times Square but I lost him shortly after Herald Square. Oh well, I thought brushing him off.

I continued past the Flat Iron building, through Chinatown and finally reached a bridge. But to my dismay it was The Manhattan Bridge.

“Maybe I’ll just cross this one instead,” I thought. “No…I’m not quitting now.”

Finally I approached the Brooklyn Bridge as I weaved between photographers and tourists the massive cables ran overhead. The wooden planks that carry you across the East River provide a nice change from the hard concrete and asphalt of the city.

I am not familiar with most of Brooklyn so I knew that I would have to zen it. It’s a combination of a good sense of direction and wandering about aimlessly. I use this quite often.

I remember running down Flushing Avenue until I arrived at Metropolitan Avenue when I realized I was lost. A sign pointing east toward Long Island was a pretty good indication. I had intended to zen toward the northwest part of the island, when in fact I was running northeast. The good news about getting lost is that your ability to zen only improves.

Categories
Blog Music

Shows to Catch in the Spring of 2010

One of my new year’s resolutions was to see more live shows. What a better place to do that then New York City. I scoured some of the popular venues and while I’m sure I didn’t find all the bands, here are a few that shouldn’t be missed.

Hot Chip – $35

Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (Goes on sale Friday, 1/22)
Friday, April 23 at Terminal 5 (Tix on sale)

These British dance/hip-hop/electronic group has an ever-evolving sound that is contagious. I’m curious to see how they’ll transform with their next album as they have over the past four albums. Formed in 2000, these guys have been nominated for a Grammy Award.
Hold On

Justice – $45

Friday, Feb. 12 at Terminal 5 (Sold Out)

The French DJ duo made it big after their debut release (Cross) in 2007. They have since hit the festival circuit playing Treasure Island Music Festival in San Francisco and Coachella in Indio, Calif. Their much anticipated sophomore album is supposed to drop sometime in 2010.
B.E.A.T. (D.A.N.C.E. Remix)

Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears – $13

Thursday, Feb. 25 at The Bowery Ballroom (Tix on sale)

The Austin blues band formed in 2007 finally got their big break during the 2009 SXSW music festival and have been selling out shows around the country since. Definitely a band to watch in the next few years.
Someone Loves Me

Cage the Elephant – $15

Tuesday, March 2 at The Bowery Ballroom (Tix on sale)

The Bowling Green, Kentucky natives are one the few good rock bands to arrive on the music scene in recent years. Like many other bands, they got their big break after playing SXSW in Austin and went on to play last year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn. They also appeared on my Top 30 Tunes of 2009.
Aint No Rest for the Wicked

Categories
Blog Music

Top 30 Tunes of 2009: Listen Here

2009 was a year where the norm was turned upside down. We saw a regime change in Washington, D.C. Michael Jackson’s death almost crashed the internet. And people lost their marbles over the flu.

Music was no exception. We saw the formation of supergroups like Monsters of Folk, Them Crooked Vultures and The Dead Weather. Long-time rockers like The Flaming Lips, Weezer and Pearl Jam all released solid albums. There were also quite a few newcomers to the scene that helped amp up the last few months of 2009.

Here are my top 30 tunes of the year. You can listen them below. Now that is music to my ears.

30). Bulletproof by La Roux Synthesizers and 80’s styled hair-dos are making a comeback.


29). Sagittarrius Silver Announcement by The Flaming Lips Looking forward to this band’s next live history performance.


28). Man Named Truth by Monsters of Folk This unlikely supergroup is a throwback to the days of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and CSNY.


27). Revelry by Kings of Leon This Tennessee band of brothers settles into their sound on Only By the Night.


26). Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups More than just a one-hit wonder.


25). Bounce (ft. N.O.R.E. and Isis) by MSTRKRFTYou can’t help but let your body bounce to the beat.


24). Back Round by Wolfmother The sophomore album from the Aussie rock trio shows a maturation in their style.


23). The Fear by Lily Allen:Vulgar, offensive and dead on.


22). Pursuit of Happiness (ft. MGMT and Ratatat) by Kid Cudi The perfect song for the end of the night.


21). Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare by Matt and Kim The Brooklyn duo belts out a haunting good ol’ fashioned drum beat.