Music, and some exciting news

Every once in a while, an artist (music) comes along that totally inspires me and sends me on a deep search of everything in their catalog. As it is, my playlists are varied, featuring Black Sabbath, Madonna, Eminem, and The Eels in the same listening session, for example, though not all bands I listen to have quite the profound effect I am referring to. Right now, it is Megadeth. I never paid much attention in the past, due to the idea that the first four Metallica albums were the "end all-be all" of thrash. Boy, was I wrong! I wanted to just make a timeline of artists that grabbed me particularly hard at different times. This list by no means is all- inclusive of the artists that have made an impact on me, nor do the years reflect when i first "discovered" them, though it is in some cases.  It represents just those who have had the most influence: 1995- Smashing Pumpkins 1997- Led Zeppelin 1998- Rush 1998- Metallica 1999- The Who 2000- 311 2002- Dream Theater 2003- Pink Floyd 2006- The Beatles 2007-The Clash 2007-David Bowie 2008-Oasis 2009-Black Sabbath 2010-Soundgarden 2010- Blur 2010-Alice in Chains 2011- Opeth 2012-Megadeth Each of these artists had a particularly significant impact on me and has served to remind me of why I love music so much. There are many others I enjoy and more I appreciate, and other genres, but I am a rocker at heart. Looking back, I still maintain that my favorite, all time, is Pink Floyd, with Meddle being my favorite album by them. As far as a first time listen though, nothing was quite as intense as blasting "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spider from Mars" (1972) by David Bowie. I would have loved to have been around in the 70's...for example, IMO, 1973 was the year that Bowie, The Who, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath were at their apex--all artists I love ("Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973) is a seminal glam album--I've yet to discover more of Elton John's work). Lately, I'm really into Metal. I used to give my metal friends such a hard time, suggesting that metal was so angry and dark, how could it be great to listen to---even while still enjoying the first four Metallica albums. But Metal doesn't make me angry...it makes me excited, it makes me want to rock. If you haven't yet, go listen to "Rust in Peace" by Megadeth...insane album. Dave Mustaine is totally underrated as a creative force. As far as "the big four" of thrash metal are concerned (Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer--not sure I'll ever appreciate Slayer, still have yet to give Anthrax a chance) I pull for Megadeth...not that anyone is competing or anything. I saw Opeth live in Portugal last summer--incredible band, aboslutely amazing. Lamb of God and Testament (Thanks Mitt Matcalf) are also quickly becoming metal heroes as well. And of course, there's always Pantera, Black Sabbath, and yes, Metallica--until they sold out worse than just about anyone. Maybe even worse than Green Day? Just talking as far as the sellout factor goes. Favorite albums: (no particular order) Meddle (1972)- Pink Floyd Quadrophenia (1973)- The Who Master of Reality (1971)- Black Sabbath "Ziggy"(1972)- David Bowie London Calling (1979)- The Clash Revolver (1966)- The Beatles Siamese Dream (1993)- The Smashing Pumpkins Ten (1991)- Pearl Jam Rust in Peace (1990)- Megadeth Good enough list for now... Oh, and I am going to Sweden next week! I still ride a bike, though not as much. But due to saving, and some gifts, I am going for two weeks in 10 days. I've also applied for residency, so we will see what happens with that! Yeah, I purposefully made it seem like an afterthought, even though it certainly is not!  Thanks and love to all, including these great musicians who enrich our lives-can you imagine life without music?

Many short rides= great miles

Total miles: 560.41.... Land/sea miles: 512.96/47.45....instead of getting one long ride in this weekend (which i still want to do!), it was several shorter ones: my parents gouse and back: 2x10.8=21.6; my sister's house and back: 13.1x2=26.2; long way to La finess (or some rowing/listening to deep purple), then to my parents house: 12.29+4.8+5.21= 35.4, and you see the updated total above. It goes to show that even if a 3+ hour block is unavailable, you can still do several smaller rides, which will get the miles to add up. Also, I skyped with Andrey and his mommy. Very Happy times.

Catching breaks in the rain, rowing (slightly) more. Thank Pantera and Opeth for that

Total miles: 490.31....land/sea miles: 447.66/42.65. Bike routes have been posted on endomondo, mostly just rides to the gym and back to row, which included a 3.25 and 5.25 mile session. It has purposefully beena light week, gearing up for what i hope is a good, lomg ride this weekend(weather permitting). My legs have been very tired lately in adjusting to a much more active lifestyle. But they are rock hard. Cheers.

Two in a day? Get outta Dodge....

Total miles: 428.26....land/sea miles: 394.11/34.15.....a disnt quite reach my destination today (Gales Creek). The route I chose was sort of a one way in, one way out deal nd the road was quite dangerous: no shoulder, lots of corners. I have been wanting to go there for quite awhile, so next time I will just have to take the long way: to Banks and then out highway 6. Still, 21.1 miles today is ok.

Overdue update, still getting miles everyday

Total miles: 407.16......land/sea miles: 373.01/34.15...i have been riding and rowing (yes, i know i said i would stop, but listening to metal while doing short sessions makes it bearable) all week, but not able to make daily posts this week. Also, the battery sometimes ran out on my phone, so there is a bit more than jut what endondo posted. After monday's 50 miler, I went to the gym and rowed for 3.65 miles, then rode my bike back from my parents for a few miles before meeting my brother and jut riding with him. That was tuesday. Wenesday saw a 26.26 mile ride to banks, north plains, and back to hillsboro, followed by a 1 mile row. Then thursday was a ride to the gym and back, but mostly lifted some weights while i was there. Friday was riding to the gym and back with a 3.25 mile row while there. Today should be a 20-30 ish mile ride, we'll see. Just wanted to make an update for this week. Cheers.

The bike is back!

Total miles: 349.38.....land/sea miles: 323.13/26.25....so my bike is back! And it is like having a brand new bike. The old rear wheel was so bent truing would just be a band aid so i found some affordable new wheels, had a tuneup, replaced some cables, and had new handlebar tape put on. It is so fun to have it back. Yesterday i went on a shorter, 14.39 mile ride and today, having the day off i rode for 50.79 miles, one of my longest rides yet. Endomondo says today's ride was 42.69, but my phone battery died before i got home. It was a great day and i was so happy to enjoy the roads again. I rode from my house to forest grove, took a roundabout way to hwy 47, and then rode on the banks-vernonia paved trail for a few more miles before going back to banks, then to cornelius and finally home. Also, yesterday i skyped with Andrey's mother, which was a real treat. He is very alert and active. I think he was very intrigued by seeing a face in a box on the computer screen. My face hurt from smiling so much. As for his mother,she is very supportive of my efforts and just a wonderful woman. And watching her hold Andrey was such a beautiful sight. That is it for now. I am happy.

a bit more

Total Miles: 284.28....Land/Sea Miles: 258.03/26.25... Yesterday, I did 23.3 miles on a stationary bike and 2 miles of rowing. Today was a 1 mile swim. hopelessly behind (poor initial planning!) but won't stop. Will be fun to see how far I can get. And, I'm not HOPELESSLY behind, really, I'm not. But as for sea miles? hmmmm....yeah. We'll see. I'm a slow swimmer, and it's hard to have the time/energy to swim more than a mile per day. Also, I have a terrible attention span with monotonous tasks, so a rowing machine is horrible. So we'll see what happens. But I won't quit.