Lone wolf with a solitary focus

Training for your first Ironman is a monumental task. You devote all of your energy to the process. Mostly everybody around you understands and provides support. Good bosses, friends, family, spouses, children, pets, bills, chores, guitars all are neglected to a degree. Nobody does Ironman alone. The energy given by those around us is ultimately what gets us across the finish line.

Having just read Jodi's TTT race report I am impressed by the spirit of team work that race emphasizes. Congrats to those of you who took on this race.

Training for my second Ironman has a different set of challenges.I am accustomed to the workload. I am more creative with time management. I am able to enjoy many other things in life that I would have sacrificed last year.

Sometimes I worry that I am not training enough. Mostly I have confidence in my training.

With IMKY within 100 days I begin to feel the juggle of life taking on more bowling pins and chain saws. Mid June will include a wedding and a memorial service on consecutive weekends. The service is for my child hood Friend Patrick who has been missing for a few years. I plan to do Deer creek Oly, but may let it go for a chance at a long ride instead. I have the Open Mic, but other gigs will wait until taper time. I have been seeing some one for about three weeks. This has only been a positive so far and I have been more then willing to work my schedule around this new development. I am very fond of her.

Somehow I am actually living a normal life right now while training for Ironman. My minds focus is much more evenly distributed then it was last year. I am training with others more often. I am relaxing with others. I am no longer the lone wolf with a solitary focus.

As I include others into my life and open my heart once again, I find that the sacrifices I make in training to spend time with good people has given me focus once again on what is really important.
I think I know why the wolf howls at the moon.

Why do you'll bike so much?

This morning a whole bunch of multisport nuts headed out to Headlands State Park for a day of training on Lake Erie. The event was hosted by Mickey Rezmic, RD of the Greater Cleveland Triathlon.
I went out with the first group. All dudes. So of course every one was hammering away. About halfway thru the first loop Bbop had a mechanical problem. I hung back with him as the others rode away. I will let him tell you the details in an attempt to get him to post to his blog.
After some time I jumped back in as the group came around on the second loop.
Following the ride, Jack and I added 3.5 on the GCT run course.

The weather was great. Still cold in Cleveland, but sunny. If you are not aware, Cleveland feels as though it is on the north shore of Lake Erie. If the Canadian like temps continue, I am going to demand dual citizenship.

Any how, it was a nice day of training with some good folks.

Cat gave me a ride. As she dropped me off, a young teenager stopped to ask, "Why do you'll bike so much?".
My first instict was to look at the kid cross eyed as I proclaimed "because I have an Ironman to do!"
Well I thought better of this idea and just told him
"It's Freedom".
He shrugged and said "OK".

Ironman Lodging

Last August I sent an email to a farmer to secure my lodging for Ironman. When we arrived at Sherbourn Castle, we handed over 45 GBP for a week of camping. This worked just fine. It was fun, and it was a unique Ironman experience. The major expense was airfare to London.

This year, I have fewer travel costs, so I thought I would splurge on my accommodations for Ironman. I just booked three nights at the host hotel, The Galt House. It has free WI FI and a swell pool.

As the financial investment mounts, I figure I should mount my bike a little more often. Saturday I will be doing the GCT training.

Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon Recap

The weather was identical to the '06 edition of this race. I rode down with my neighbors Brendon( Doing IM Lake Placid soon) and AJ (Took 13th overall in the 1/2). The rain was heavy at times, but no body seemed to concerned. Along the way we saw a few Cleveland Police and an SUV that had been riddled with bullets.

Once we arrived I saw JT Tri guy and began searching for Zac and Nichole. The crowd was good and the line for the morning chore moved quickly. We lined up near the rear and waited.For some unknown, the race started late. With the rain, this kind of sucked. Once we got going the rain was a non issue.



For most part I ran steady and moved through the crowd. I remained focused most of the way so I have little to report. I finished in 1:53.53. Following the race I chatted with Jack and JT.

Nicole did great and is now a marathoner. We had Indian food for lunch.

Following the race I went to watch another game 7 vs Boston on a marathon day. Same result. Arggggg.

All in all it was a good day.

Mind the gap

" Mind the gap" was the message coming from the womens voice over the public address system aboard the London underground. Zac grabbed the front end of the case that held my bike while I took hold of the other. We lifted the case from the train and proceeded toward the stairs leading to the street level.

As we passed others, some would stop and wonder what it was we were carrying. Most would just try to navigate around our over abundance of baggage. Nicole and Zac made it possible for me to move through the UK with so much luggage. Without them, I may still be trying to get off of that subway car.

Since I have known my good freinds, they have always been willing to help me with my baggage. Their support has not only enabled me to move along with so much baggage, but it has also aided me in shedding much of what I did not need. Freinds like these two are rare. I value them greatly in my life.

As I began readying myself for the GCT 1/2 iron distance back in '05, I asked Nicole if she would train for a marathon with me. She gave it a shot, but was not really into it. I never buged her about it again.

After returning from the UK, nicole told me she had been running since our trip and wanted to try a 1/2 marathon. The Ironman finish line has an amazing effect on spectators. As you cheer, you can't help but to visualize your own finish. She had been inspired.

Following her 1/2 in Columbus, she was hooked. The marathon goal was now in focus. We mulled over the race choices and settled on Cleveland. Over the past three months, she followed the plan we put together. Sunday she will step to start of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.

I am very excited for her. Marathons are not easy, but she is ready.
Go Nichole!

I will be running the half. I hope to match my time from last year. I will not be dissapointed if I don't. I know I have trained well. I have taken a very easy week and should feel fresh and healthy. Most importantly I will be ready to start the next stage of my IM training.

If you have a moment.....

Well, that moment is gone now. But as long as I have your attention.........,Life is changing around me. I am not sure that I am changing with it. I keep doing what I am doing and good things just start happening.

When I began this current phase in my life four years ago, I was a beaten man. Who I was, had come to an ending. My hopes and dreams had been resolved in a not so happy way. Some of the things I had to accept were difficult. My life changed abruptly. I got a bit disoriented before regaining focus enough to move forward.

My forward motion was motivated mostly by the Ironman dream. Having become disillusioned by romance, politics, and the recording business I needed something to work towards. Ironman gave me this. I had my friends and family, Ironman gave me a mission.

Having finished my first race of 140.2 miles, my mission was complete. The moment at the finish line had passed. Not knowing what to do next, I just kept on with what I was doing. I signed up for IMKY and Steelhead.

I am not sure whether I race to train or train to race. The moment at a finish line is often unforgettable, but the memories acquired throughout my training will always be with me and serve me well. Finish chutes are places of great celebration. Training day in and day out is living. On completion of a long race, you receive a medal, some food, and a smile that won't quit. While training I quietly grow in every moment closer and closer to the becoming the me as I see myself . A me I am proud of. Not for my accomplishments, but for my discipline and dedication in becoming not only an Ironman, but becoming a good man.

Somehow overtime the things I had lost became unimportant. New opportunities arise and I am able to give those things my attention. The present is what is important now. I just keep doing what I am doing, and I seem to find inner happiness.

Moments come and go. Each one is important. We can't dwell on the moments past or wait on new ones to come and expect to enjoy the present one. These are moments lost. So, if you have a moment, pay attention to it.

Open Mic recap

I am a little slow with this post. I had a good brick workout yesterday before joining the gang across the street on Panini's patio for a poorly played basketball game. Fortunately for me, I had my attention turned toward the 8th inning for the three run homer off the Yankees. As for the CAVS Celtic series, Lebron, Pierce, and Ray Allen all sucked. I don't think the series has begun. Boston just happened to have the lead at the right time to start the series tomorrow with a head start of one game.

Anyhow, I am actually posting about the Open mic this past Monday.

I live a block from the phoenix, so I just carried my PA to the cafe and set up. After getting the stage set, I put out the sign up sheet along with a list of guidelines for the performers to remember. The list filled quickly. I had to create an overflow list for additional performers. At 8:00, I sauntered up to the stage, picked up my guitar, introduced myself and began singing my song "Who here will lead us". At that point, I felt I had the focused attention of the room. I was now ready to turn the stage over to the next performer.

We had a good mix of seasoned pros and newcomers to art. Everyone was so nice and respectful of each others music. The audience was really cool. It was the first time I have seen the coffee shop filled with people that were not staring at laptops. Every one seemed to have a good time. I expect similar responses in the future.

For me the best part of the evening went against my rules for myself. My number one rule as an open mic host is, "It is not about me". My goal is to create an event that allows others to shine. I will give everything to my own performance, but my priority is to the other players and the audience. If this goal is met, we have a successful evening. I mostly lived by this rule Monday. however, I had so much fun and felt my self returning to normal. I was doing, what I do best. I felt whole once again. I didn't bother anyone else with how much self gratification I was taking from the evening, but I very much enjoyed what I was doing. I needed this back in my life as much as any one. At least for one show, It was about me.

The Phoenix was happy. Number goals were met. They are a good bunch of folks at the cafe. This is the ultimate key to success. The support was awesome. Two staffers performed. They really helped in creating excitement.

So we are set for a show every Monday. The women Felisha that has been asigned the roll of Phoenix point person for Open Mic said she will prepare vegan treats for Monday nights. So very cool.

See ya Monday.

A major step.

Recently I have left the confines of Microsoft for the user controlled world of Linux.At first I was concerned that I was going to be limited by incompatibility issues with windows software. I have found things to be quite the opposite. Linux has a windows software emulator called wine. I have yet to use it as the open source software seems to work much better. My hardware is working much faster. I no longer view the Internet as an unrelenting advertising portal into my brain. My move toward Linux has been huge step . My perception has changed. I have been released from the mental restrictions that plagued me as a windows user.

These sifts in my growth are exciting. Big ones include my choice to go vegan, Ironman, living car free, Buddhism, and my first marathon. Each of these things has completely changed my perception of the world and myself. My path to personal freedom is marked by these moments that I let go of the limitations I had imposed on myself.
Ten years ago today I took two of my biggest steps toward becoming the person I hope to be. these steps were near East 22nd and Euclid in front of CSU.
The first of these two steps was toward the west as I crossed the starting line of the CVS Cleveland Marathon. This step symbolized my belief that I could run 26.2 miles. I had stuck to a training plan and was on my way. The race was not easy. The first two miles my calves felt as though they would explode. By mile 16 my quads were screaming. Getting through the final 6.2 miles was as difficult a personal struggle as I have ever known.
My family was ever present on the course. They were decked out in t shirts that said "Run Charlie Run" my sister Nancy and niece Morgan had made. My brother delivered a cliff bar to me out in Lakewood as he peddled along side of me. My sister Susie drove to the race with me and helped me calm my nerves. My Parents awaited my finish with cameras and hugs. I cried after I finished. Finishing things had been an issue for me, so this was a huge deal. I was fundamentally changed. I was a marathoner. I often remind myself of this when self doubt arises. Finishing was my second major step that day.
The days that followed were painful. The marathon beats you up. But since then, I have grown stronger and stronger.

Part of me really wants to run the full 26.2 in Cleveland in two weeks. I am trained for it. But common sense tells me to train through for Ironman. So I am content to race the half and wait for Nichole to finish her first full. Being a part of her progression as a runner means more to me then anything I could accomplish on the course at this time.

I have run 8 marathons since this day ten years ago, but none have meant as much as the first. Over the last three springs I have helped Sheila, Dane, and now Nichole with the marathon training. This has helped me to enjoy a first marathon spring after spring.

Today the things that seem most important, are no longer just about me. Knowing that together we can accomplish great things has become a much more important theme than my personal accomplishments. Sharing our knowledge and enthusiasm gets us all a little bit further.

Consistency

My empathy for the Washington Wizards fan is strong. As the Cavs finished out the series, I thought of Jordan and Elway. It sucks when you think your team is pretty good and you can't get past a legend. One day they will come to appreciate the player Lebron James is. I found this peace with MJ. Elway I have not.

It was nice to see the trade pan out the way I originally envisioned. With Sasha returning, the two spot is deep. The concern for me is consistency. The Cavs continue to get that from only one.

Consistency has been a greater struggle for me this year. The cold I got last week has been hanging on. It hit like a ton of bricks and has been as annoying as the aforementioned basketball series. I think it is almost gone, but I expect to wake again with a chest and head full of gunk. I would like to spend a four hours on the bike, but if the weather sucks, it is back to the trainer. last week I totaled 9 miles on the run, while this week I will top 30. Swimming has been work. I need to swim out side. My stroke is clicking. I am getting faster, but I want to swim out side.

I have a new work schedule. 7-3 Monday through Friday. This is perfect for my summer training. I tend to do a lot of back to back sessions with 1/2 hour breaks. this gives me 6 hrs to work with. I really like the consistency. It also makes getting a workout in before a gig a lot easier. I do not like to feel rushed. My race times reflect this issue.

I am really starting to get focused on Ironman. My attention is pointed in the direction of Louisville. Every choice I am making is beginning to reflect this. I have not had a drink since opening day. And that was just a shot.....at 11am. I have also suspended actively seeking romance. I don't have time right now. I am OK with this. I am now chasing a man...IRONMAN.

Saturday is the tenth anniversary of my first marathon. I will post tomorrow on my memories of this major step in my life.

Back to consistency, Cliff Lee is one of the best sports stories going on right now.

Anyhow, time to be consistent. I have a lot on my plate. I have some things I have to do. I have big plans...

Go Cavs!

Final long run in the books

Yesterday I woke at 6:30 to meet Katy for the Tri swimming.The day was promising with good weather to run in. Swimming included 14x50x3. It was a good workout, but not to tough. It was a small crowd as the race season has begun. We all had coffee before Rob dropped me off in Lakewood.

Zac was busy putting the finishing touches on the bus. he is in the home stretch of a very long restoration project. It is looking good. I will post photo's once he has finished. Nichole was putting togeteher a feast to be enjoyed later. I grabbed a guitar and turned on the Cavs game. They used all 48 minutes to determine the outcome, but things worked out well for the Cavs.

Following the game, Nichole and I set off for our run. Three hours was the plan, first stop: Second Sole. We had just one GU. Unfortunately they closed before 5PM so we stopped the watch and ran into the supermarket, bought some cliff bars and headed into the Rocky river rez for some running. the weather was great. I am not fully recovered from my illness so I ran tired most of the way. I think we both were having tough days, but we stuck it out and finished a 8 minutes shy of our plan.

once we got back to the house, Nichole and I devoured some watermelon and kettle chips. We sat down to the cartoons on FOX and ate this feast that had been started hours earlier. Pasta, greens, asparagus, bread. It was awesome.
I got home at 10:30 and went to bed soon after.

With three weeks till Rite Aid, we are both healthy. I have every belief that Nichole will do great in her 26.2 mile debut. I am very confident about the half. I have no predictions this year. I just want a solid race.

I have almost completely moved over to linux. I am working from it right now. I love the concept of being free from windows. I mostly love the stability of the OS.
One week till the Open mic at the coventry Phoenix starts. See you all soon.

I left the window open and something flu in...e'chooo!

If you follow my training log at all, you may have noticed that I have been logging "0" workouts since the 5k. This is due to the bug I came down with.
Sunday I hit the couch and dozed into extra innings. Monday I took the evening off feeling some congestion. I watched Napoleon Dynamite. I saw LBJ and Cavs remind the Wizards who it was that won the east last season. I struggled to sleep. Went to work at 7am. Came home at 10am. I then slept.

For what ever reason, races always leave me open to sickness. The good part is that I have a recovery week right now, so I am not really(just a little)stressed about loosing workouts.
Today I felt better. Not 100%, but I went to work, rode to the pool, swam 1600 easy, rode a mile, chain broke, caught a bus. I am satisfied.

I have been enjoying the NBA playoffs so far. If by chances the next round is Cavs/Celtics, I apologies in advance for all the obnoxious things I may say about a town a drool over the thought of running in. Speaking of that run, congrats to Daisy, E speed, and Katy. Sounds like they all had a blast.

Being sick is weird. It is not fun to work through. But once in a while it is nice to grab a pillow, a roll of tissue, a comforter, a DVD or two, and just rest up. I like the healing process.

My computer guy has been setting up a linux platform for me. It still has some bugs to work out, but he is loving the challenge.Using it makes windows seem like a really bad prank. It actuall seems much cooler then mac. According to my tech genius linux is not at any threat from virus's. It just refuses to run the programs.
As I sit here and sniffle, I wish I could just choose not to run a virus. I wish I was as well protected as linux. But after a race, my firewall are down. I get sick.

City 2 City 5k recap

Nicole and I decided Friday to do this race. The schedule called for a 5k today. My early plan was to ride down, but it was raining and I didn't want to stand around for an hour in wet cloths ,so I took the train into tower city for registration. Nichole and Zac began the day by changing a tire.

The entry was $20. Kinda' steep for a 5k but the charity was a shelter for battered women and children, so I knew we would be getting more out of it then a tshirt and banana. I hope they were able to provide funding after expenses.

The field was sparse compared with other races I have done recently. I was scouting the crowd to evaluate the competition. This is not easy any more. My age group seems aged as randomly as any and running doesn't mark calves. I shared the idea that awards could be had with a good effort. I hoped to provoke Nichole's competitiveness.
We headed up to Huron Rd to warm up and toe the line...well my toe is never near any line, but I am sure you get the drift.
"Ding, ding,ding!!!" the race bell sounded (I am glad the bell has replaced the gun). I was immediately stalled by joggers so I did my best Barry Sanders impression with some nice lateral moves until I found open field.
Hermes race systems seems to have a deal with Tower City this year, so the start and finish are Identical to the Chilli Bowl course. The Mid section goes deeper into Ohio city as it passes by Johnny Mango's
My first mile was 7:55. The bridge kind of kicks you in the bum so I hoped I could make up time in OC. At Mile 2 I was at 16.01 The course was an out and back so mile 3 returns back over the bridge. I worked hard to catch runners ahead of me, but I ran out of race before I could over take them. Final time was 24:50 for an average of 7:59. Not blazing fast, but steady. Goal achieved.

• This race was a nice little event. Hermes does a good job.
  
• This course is tough. I do not run it fast.

• Nichole had a nice race. This was her first 5k.

• The Female 35-39 age group had a 17 second differential between 1st and 4th place.

I took the train home and have decided to rest the remainder of the day.
Speaking of taking a train to a race, E Speed, Daisy Duc, and Katy(She picks me up for the Oberlin workouts every other Sunday, and is doing IMKY) have taken a train to Boston for a race tomorrow. I think I heard it was a marathon. Good luck and Have fun....
Someday I would like to run Boston. If I can hold those eight minute miles for 26, I will be in good shape......When I am 45.

Open Mic

When I moved to Madison in 1988, my goals were folk music. I went there with intention to hone my skills as a player, performer, and writer. I had developed a plan and followed it as I do my triathlon training plans. I would practice a minimum of one hour daily. I had to write one complete song a week. I had to learn one new song a week and I had to go to the local Open Mic, held at the Rathskeller on the UW campus. The weekly open mic would always keep me on task, just as an up coming race does. This was where I found out what worked and what didn't. This is the place I got over my stage fright and became a performer.

In '89 I returned to Cleveland. I resumed my work at the Coventry Arabica as a Batista. I had left that job a couple of years earlier after the Cafe had been sold and the new manager persisted in trying to get me to sleep with him. He was now gone and the owner was glad to have me back. He sometimes would ask us for our input on ways to increase business. I suggested starting an Open Mic. He thought it a good idea and put me in charge.

Over the next 16 years this became my life. Every Monday I would set up my sound system and introduce the next act. I took the job very seriously as I saw it not only as a vehicle for promoting my own music, but more importantly I saw maintaining the open mic programs around Cleveland as a major responsibility as the custodian for the forum so many of our best musicians would use to develop their own set of skills.

My Open Mics gained a lot of credibility quickly for having good audiences,musicians, and for treating every performer equally. It was common place for some of the biggest acts in town to drop in for a set. The audience had grown accustom to seeing unknowns become very well known. Once in a while the major record company would bring in acts. Jewel and Sean Lennon were two of those acts. Best of all I was able to create a venue for MANY first time performers. I was put in a position where I was able to help a lot of amazingly talented musicians to develop their own skills. This was my calling, and I was able to answer it. I have always thought myself very lucky to have held this position.

In 2001 the Arabica closed. I continued to host shows for the next three years, but businesses would come and go. Stability was fleeting. My final open mic was at the Lee Rd Arabica. After they closed I decided to not take on a new show until the conditions were right for long term success.

Well.....Conditions have become right. I have just settled the details to begin hosting a new Open mic at the Phoenix on Coventry. We will start with the first weekly show Monday May 5^th.

I am so freaking excited. This is my element. This is where I shine. So come on out with a guitar, voice, flute, or your ears. Monday nights on Coventry will be alive with song once again.

Forsythia Means spring!

I am driven by emotion. Emotion is what helps me to run 26.2 miles. My logical side enables me to train for a marathon, but emotion gets me to the finish line. The marathon is beyond logic. Why in the world would you do that to yourself. Emotion is the only explanation I can come to. Logic however tells me that I must reach a level of fitness to be able to meet the demands of my emotion.

Music is much the same. Without an understanding of music theory, music is left to just wander without direction. Music depends on a set of rules just as math, science, and language do. Yet music performed without emotion, seems to loose its musicality.

Much of my base training has been logical in its motivation lately. Honestly, I have had little desire this past winter to train. I do not love the trainer rides. Commuting to and fro the pool by bus kinda sucks in the cold, and running in the winter is really nice during November and December, but after New Years it becomes a real chore.

Today I headed out for an hour around University Circle. My goal was speed work in the form of intervals. I knew what I needed to do in my head, but pushing myself was going to be a chore of the heart. My plan was to play chase with other runners.

The game works like this: Spot another runner and e catch them. Preferably they have at least a 100 yd lead over you. The Case campus is a good spot for this workout because it has so many fit runners to choose from.

Within five minutes, I had a runner to stalk. He was young and seemed to run well. I began my chase. Once I was with in 25 yds, the prey had become aware of my pusuit. He began to increase his effort to match mine for a mile and a half. I was within ten yards at the bottom of Mayfield hill when he made his turn off my course. We had both pushed each other really hard. I spotted and overtook a few others along the way, but none gave me the same effort as my first chase.

While running I took notice of the brilliant skyline that circles Wade Oval. I took notice of the forsythia as it bursts into spring. I enjoyed the sun light and moderate temperatures. The music mostly helped me to maintain my cadence.

My mind during a run is constantly racing back and forth between logic and emotion. I constantly run a system scan over my whole body. But to continue my Stearn focus, I need the fuel of my emotions.

A sure sign of spring is when I get home and I am excited to head out for my run. Logic has helped me to build a solid base. With spring, I can just enjoy my training. I can revel in the beauty of spring. I am joined by so many more runners and wildlife. My head spins with joy as I run purely for the love of running.

Logic and emotion are the basis for so much in my life. My mind is often working through both. But some how as I relax following my run, my sense of logic and flow of emotion seems to subside. I am no longer processing the thoughts in my mind. I have no problems to solve and I am driven by nothing. At the moment I conclude my run I am at total peace.

Side note: As I finished writing this post, A group of high school seniors came into the coffee shop and requested that everybody stand up and hold hands for a photo. Every body did. At least 30 people that haven't looked past their laptop screens in over an hour stood together hand in hand. This was a moment of inclusiveness that does not happen often in the 21^st century cafe'. It was refreshing.

What will we leave behind?

It has been about ten years since I first embraced the Internet and the personal computer. I had dabbled with the technology before this, but it was still to buggy for me. What I wanted to do with the new world of technology was still a little out of reach. Inevitably I would put a demand on the software I was using and it would crash. Many hours were spent learning the importance of saving your work. If I was on the early internet, I would spend many hours waiting for a page to load. Once it appeared it was fairly limited in useful information. My imagination saw a future for these tools, but as a musician I needed them to be further developed.

The late nineties brought faster machines. Jen and I had a P3 that I recently retired. I began using it for music production. Mostly post production work as the software and memory was still to slow for my demands in multi track recording. I had the most success using SoundForge for post editing and "mastering" my mixes from my multi track recorder.

The internet, once used only for email distribution of upcoming shows became relevant in a much bolder way. In 1999 I found a site called mp3.com. This site enabled me to create a true web presence. I was able to offer music to listeners around the world. I was able to create on demand CD distribution. I had a place to offer information on my upcoming shows. I was finally able to bypass the record companies and move forward with my music. MP3.com paid us for the downloads and the musicians promoted the site. As independent musicians we were very enthusiastic about what mp3.com offered and worked hard for it. We were well paid and the future was exciting.

MP3.com was pioneering the way music would be distributed. They were taking the industry into the future with unabashed ambition. Ultimatly the recording industry (RIAA) filed lawsuits to prevent mp3.com from offering online personal music storage. This and the old Napster lawsuits filed by the RIAA began defining how music could legally be distributed online. MP3.com lost the lawsuits and were ultimately bought and shut down by NBC/Universal. The artists were all offered CNET space. No website since has offered as good an opportunity to indie musicians.

Since that time I have used many music hosting sites. Myspace has the biggest visiter community. CreateSpace offers the best on demand CD pressing. Integrating the two has been completely up to me. Offering an online music player in my integrated website forces me to use another site. To offer unlimited free downloads, I have had to create that from scratch using html. As a result, my desire to make and distribute music has taken my skill set from musician to web designer. Today my folk music world is here on the internet.

Folk Arts are defined by some, as a mediums that originate amongst the common people of a region and passed through the people.

What we were doing ten years ago on mp3.com was a new kind of folk art. We were sharing our music around a campfire called the Internet in a region called the the world wide web. This style of sharing, is of course not limited to just music. We all find ourselves participating in the world of blogging. We are sharing our lives and stories. We are creating an account of world history unlike any the world has ever known. The folk tradition is alive here in the bloggasphere. Our stories are being told. Some true, some exaggerations, some are pure lies. But it is all being accounted for.

Centuries from now our lives will be remembered in greater definition then was available ten years ago. Our decedents will be able to get to know us in very intimate ways. As bloggers we are recording history. Every little detail of our lives will be relevant in future attempts to see and understand who we were as a world in 2008. If humanity survives into the next millennium, it will be our stories that will help future generations to understand why they live the way they do.

I do not believe our human future will be an earthly one. I honestly think if we are to continue at our current growth, that we can not do it here any longer. Earth will be home to some for agriculture, but we most likely will have to expand our world into space. What we write here in blog land may be some of the last accounts of what life was like when so many lived here on earth.

I hope we can leave more then a digital memory.

Are we really free?

I finally put up a page for free downloads. The music is from the Beachland Show Feb. 10th. So feel free, download and share. The page is mine. It is not MySpace or another site that wants your personal info. Just free music.

I have been avoiding my TV, as I have been enjoying Southpark, King of the Hill, and TED.COM.
My favotite cartoons are now available on demand through their own web sites. TED.COM is this awesome site I found on Jasper Blakes blog.The site is filled with speeches by some amazing human beings. And it is free!

Here is a video by one of my major personal heros.
"And the eyes of the world are watching now". From his song Biko written back in 1977.
I think it amazing that he has found a way to give the world eyes to monitor injustice. His plan seeks freedom for all.

I live my life relatively free. I have few obstacles that I can not see beyond. My mind enjoys a greater peace then it ever has before. Yet peace and freedom are so fragile.
Sing for freedom.

On the Road Again

It has been a while since I last posted. I was having Vista issues. It seems that as nice as microsofts new OS looks, it is riddled with issues. I ran into one last week and spent most of my time doing research in to the why and how to fix it the bug. I still have not found a solution that I expect from a company the size of Microsoft. I eventually tricked the OS into a repair. IE7 still will not dispaly and Google Earth depends on explorer. I am considering reverting to XP and setting up a secondary Linux OS.
To all you Mac enthusiast's that are thinking "You wouldn't have these issues if".... I would if I could pony up the dough.

Anyhow, winter is receding in Cleveberg. Today was ideal for a longer bike ride outdoors. It has been a while since I have spent more than 45 minutes on the road. It is nice to just be out doors. I decended. I climbed. I danced with traffic. I felt the wind without worrying about my electric bill. I rode into the Chagrin Valley by following my favorite route. After the ride i jumped off and added a 2 mile brick run.
These are my favorite workouts. This is when I can just takeoff and fly. Disappearing into the hills of northeast Ohio. Sometimes I run into a friend, but mostly it is just me and my bike. Getting away for an afternoon does wonders for my mind.

Ironyman moment

I got a traffic ticket yesterday.
Now I will bet you are thinking, "I thought you didn't drive?".
I don't. I wasn't even on my bike. I was crossing at the tail end of a red light in front of my apt. Half way across Coventry, the light turned green. I stuck with the base stealing code. I had already committed and was heading head first into second base. At second base waited a Cleveland Heights police officer ready to apply the tag. Jay Walking!!!$85. The cost of the fine can't justify fighting it and loosing a day of work. So, I must pay the man.
It must have been a slow night.

Grass

Spring is here. We as humans spend Saturdays like this one getting our lawns in shape.

I don't have a lawn of my own, but I was once a landscaper. I farmed grass. Every March 15th we would begin uncovering the earth as we prepared many lawns for the grass to return from its winter dormancy. Within a couple of weeks grass would grow faster then we could cut it.

As humans, we devote huge amounts of time, energy and money toward grass farming. Outside of spouses and offspring grass is held in as high regard as the family dog. As a living being, grass has become very successful at co existing with humans. We grow grass for ornimant, recreation and as feed for animals. Imagine if we devoted this same energy toward growing vegetables.

Some of my favorite music is devoted to grass. The city I will do Ironman in is known for its grass. Opening day will feature some very well groomed grass. Tiger woods will probably make a fortune this weekend walking around on grass.

Ironyman observes: Grass has done a good job of getting humans to promote its growth as a life form. I think it a little funny how our favorite plant is treated by our favorite mammal.

But alas the grass has outsmarted the dog as it has dupped us into criminalized the defamation of a lawn with dog poop.

Anyhow, happy spring! Watch your step.

Bad connection

I sit here in a coffee shop 1/2 way between home and the pool. I missed my connection and it is raining, cold and nasty out. I am not thrilled about bagging the workout, but that is what is happening. So tomorrow, I will come this way again to get the swim in.

Yesterday I was able to get outdoors on my bike for a bit. I mostly focused on re-establishing my handling skills. It was nice to ride. I am growing tired of the trainer.

Other stuff:
My dad is having a book published in July. The book is a history of Eagles Mere (our family vacation community for four generations)and is being published by the local historical society. One of the last entries was about my ironman training on the mountain last summer. I am not sure if he included the fact that I suffered intestinal distress from the well water.
Maybe he will trade me a book for a CD.

I mentioned this in the last post. I am not moving into the house with Zac and Nichole. I am grateful to them for asking me to be a part of it, but I am happy where I am.

This Sunday is the Race for Recovery. This is a 5k I did last year with Dane. Hopefully Nichole will make it. My plan is to run fast.

Saturday night I will be playing my music here in the Coffee shop I am sitting in now.
On that note, I must go catch the next bus home.

60 seconds in my brain

Business is slow this week.......... I got to leave early from work................... It was also a day off from training...................... Kind of weird to have nothing to do all day.............. I spent most of the day learning the new software I have been downloading lately...... It is all open source stuff based on the linux stuff.......... Mostly office tools and web tools............. The stuff works really well.......... It is all compatible with MSOffice, Macromedia, photoshop, and any audio editing software.......... I did a little web design and watched a PBS history of the War with Iraq. It appears mistakes were made....... The web page looks good though.....I have a gig this Saturday.......Sunday is a 5k in Ohio City............Sunday I help Zac and Nichole move........I am not moving...........At least not from Coventry...........Training is going very well.......... I lost one day last week to a cold. ............Aside from that it is moving along as planned........ I have hit every long run. I have been adding speed. Swimming and cycling have seen solid consistant workouts. I am in shape.... I am ready to REALLY start training..... I am ready for spring. The cold seems coldest in march........ not from the temps so much as the lingering cruelty.......... soon, it will be....Opening day is less then a week from now. ..........The tribe have pitching depth.!!!!! A lot of it. Should be fun.......I am listening to John Coltrane..... I love good jazz and baseball.......I love a cool march evening with McCoy Tyner banging out those twisted yet beautiful chords.........