NYC was blessed with a random 55 degree day yesterday, which was also fortunately a bank holiday. I took my road bike out for the first time this year completing a few laps in Central Park and it felt AWESOME. I'm really pumped for this cycling season bc it will be my second "full season" and thus I can more comfortably enjoy things without questioning my abilities. I also want to get at least one tour done and hopefully two.
I'm not a cycling snob when it comes to speed but I do have this ego thing about hills. I will not be beat on a hill. I don't care who it is and whether they even have any idea I'm racing against them. Hills are just my thing, which is weird bc if you ever saw my build you'd realize I have the farthest thing from a hill climbing physique. But you know what they say about cycling, 90% of it is mental and the rest is in your mind.
Ride on.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Underappreciated
Here are three albums I believe are underappreciated. I’d love to hear if any of my readers have any albums to add. I’d also love to know if I have any readers.
1. Animals, Pink Floyd - I love this album; although it's definitely polarizing album for Pink Floyd fans for some reason. Great lyrics, trippy effects, sweet progressive beats and constant shots at the establishment. -- what's not to love?
2. Original Masters, Jethro Tull - Jethro Tull is just plain underappreciated – Ian Anderson’s voice, the fact he plays the flute, etc... There's probably a more comprehensive compilation for them but I love the hit rate here.
3. Sublime, Sublime - This is the album of the three I'm least likely to listen to as I approach 40 years old but it doesn't diminish its greatness. The band Sublime was shortlived because its lead singer overdosed on heroine but this was their breakout album as the modern day Zeppelin. I think Led Zeppelin is the greatest band of all time based on one distinguishing factor: range (their hits span every rock category). This is the reason I think Stadium Arcadium was a breakout album for The Red Hot Chili Peppers as prior to this album, most of their songs sounded the same/like derivatives of one another. In short, the album Sublime demonstrates the band's range -- too bad it was their last.
1. Animals, Pink Floyd - I love this album; although it's definitely polarizing album for Pink Floyd fans for some reason. Great lyrics, trippy effects, sweet progressive beats and constant shots at the establishment. -- what's not to love?
2. Original Masters, Jethro Tull - Jethro Tull is just plain underappreciated – Ian Anderson’s voice, the fact he plays the flute, etc... There's probably a more comprehensive compilation for them but I love the hit rate here.
3. Sublime, Sublime - This is the album of the three I'm least likely to listen to as I approach 40 years old but it doesn't diminish its greatness. The band Sublime was shortlived because its lead singer overdosed on heroine but this was their breakout album as the modern day Zeppelin. I think Led Zeppelin is the greatest band of all time based on one distinguishing factor: range (their hits span every rock category). This is the reason I think Stadium Arcadium was a breakout album for The Red Hot Chili Peppers as prior to this album, most of their songs sounded the same/like derivatives of one another. In short, the album Sublime demonstrates the band's range -- too bad it was their last.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Hello Old Friend
Riding "freestyle" on the trainer wasn't cutting it so I broke out my first training video of the year. It was actually nice to see Coach Troy again. Then again, this was a recovery ride video. We'll see how I feel about him once I start the real videos.
I was actually suprised how well I did. I think there's definitely something to the concept of base mile building as I did much better on my first trainer video ride this year than last year.
I'm heading to Idaho next week for my annual winter adventure. I'll post some thoughts and pics when I return.
I was actually suprised how well I did. I think there's definitely something to the concept of base mile building as I did much better on my first trainer video ride this year than last year.
I'm heading to Idaho next week for my annual winter adventure. I'll post some thoughts and pics when I return.
Friday, February 15, 2008
And the winner is....
The competition is over and was actually much more lopsided than I expected. Rather than have you skip down to the bottom of the page to find out the winner, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (TGTBTU) scored a late, but decisive knockout. To be honest, I'm not sure there will ever be a movie made that can beat TGTBTU because it was so ahead of its time and defined filmmaking in many ways.
I decided to score each category with one of three conclusions: EVEN, EDGE or WINNER. Of the six categories, TGTGBU was the WINNER in two, had the EDGE in two others and the last two categories were EVEN. Scary that the best Wall St. could do was even in any category.
On to the scorecard:
1) Plot: EVEN
Wall St.: Set in 1986 (just prior to the crash of 1987), Wall St. shows the ethical pitfulls of the decade of excess. The movie centers on the internal struggles of Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) who is trying to make it rich on Wall St.; however, with the anchor of a nagging conscience based on his blue color upbringing. Bud Fox hooks in with power player Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglass) who takes him under is wing but also taints him with the insider trading. Bud finally succumbs to his blue collar roots and gives up Gecko to the feds when Gecko double crosses him on a deal to save his father’s airline.
TGTGBU: The basic story of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is actually a simple treasure hunt, but slowly develops over three hours with endless, unexpected twists and turns. Tuco (Eli Wallach) is a wanted criminal who collaborates with "Blondie" (Clint Eastwood) to run a scam where they split the reward for Tuco’s capture when Blondie shoots the rope around his neck as the lawmen hang him. Tuco and Blondie have a reluctant, tortured partnership though and just as they are breaking things off they each learn half of the secret to a $200,000 treasure. As they set out to find the gold together they cross paths with Angel Eyes Sentenza (Lee Van Cleef), another drifter and paid killer, who also learns about the treasure but is missing the details Tuco and Blondie hold. All three converge at the location of the gold to create what I believe is the best moving ending of all time.
2) Cast/Characters: EVEN
"Blondie" (Clint Eastwood), Tuco (Eli Wallach) and Angel Eyes Sentenza (Lee Van Cleef) form a compelling acting trio with combined performances that may never be matched again. However, Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) and Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglass) are an incredible duo in their own right and while Wall St. doesn’t have a third character to compare with any of those from TGTBTU, the depth of supporting characters is very strong whereas TGTBTU falls off a cliff after their top three. Thus, I consider the category to be a tie.
3) Dialogue/Quotes: EDGE TGTBTU
This category took a lot of thought and was difficult to judge. At first blush, Wall St. appears to have the edge almost solely on Gordon Gecko’s incredibly insightful commentary on the stock markets. However, upon further review, many of the quotes are cliché and pithy. Don’t get me wrong, I love Gecko’s quotes and will always be in awe of them, but the lines in TGTBTU are much more genuine and the comedic undertone is sheer genius. The TGTBTU dialogue is genuine and layered, whereas Wall St. falls flat in comparison. There are two types of movie dialogue in this world…
4) Music: WINNER TGTBTU
WHACK…THUD. That’s the sound of Wall St. taking a blow to the chin and falling to the canvas for the first time. Ennio Morricone's brilliant musical score is an instant classic – always hitting the right note and underscoring the slowly building tension of TGTBU. I could mention Sinatra’s Fly Me to The Moon intro song as a great opening song in Wall St. but it’s not even in the same league artistically.
5) Cinematography: EVEN
This may be a shocker to some. TGTBTU is renowned for its breathtaking landscape panoramas and striking facial close ups. However, Wall St.’s cinematography is highly underrated and needs to be appreciated more than it is.
6) Ending: WINNER TGTBTU
This is the death blow for Wall St. In my opinion, too many movies get a free pass on their endings. It’s the ending that makes the movie. It’s what you are building toward and it’s what the audience leaves remembering. Wall St.’s ending is melancholy and anti-climactic. It’s also somewhat symptomatic and unavoidable. Still, it’s nothing noteworthy or memorable and arguably could have been more impactful.
On the other hand, TGTBTU’s ending is probably the greatest of all time. The Good (Blondie), The Bad (Tuco) and the Ugly (Angel Eyes) all converge at the cemetery where the gold is located and face off in a tense three way showdown. When they draw, Blondie kills Angel Eyes knowing Tuco’s gun was empty (Eastwood took his bullets out the night before). Blondie locates the grave where the gold is buried and utters Tuco’s patented “two types” line back at him for the first time all movie: “There are two types of people in this world…those with loaded guns, and those who dig…you dig”. After Tuco excitedly digs up the gold and starts hugging it. Blondie quickly stops the party when he orders Tuco up onto a flimsy wooden cross headstone to stick his neck in a noose. Blondie saddles up his horse with half the gold, looks back at Tuco (who is quivering as he tries to stay up on the cross) and says “two for you, two for me…just like old times”, leaving Tuco’s share of the gold at his feet in front of the cross as his neck hangs in the noose…Blondie rides off into the sunset as Tuco screams for mercy. Blondie disappears but seconds later is seen riding back as Tuco excitedly thinks he is coming back to save him. Blondie stops and there’s a gunshot and Tuco falls off the cross as Blondie ends the movie and their partnership by shooting him down from a noose one last time. The movie ends with Tuco yelling out: “HEYYYY...BLOND…you know what you are?...just a dirty SON-OF-A-B- [wahwahwah…whah, whah, whah….— the theme music cuts off ITCH and the movie ends].
I decided to score each category with one of three conclusions: EVEN, EDGE or WINNER. Of the six categories, TGTGBU was the WINNER in two, had the EDGE in two others and the last two categories were EVEN. Scary that the best Wall St. could do was even in any category.
On to the scorecard:
1) Plot: EVEN
Wall St.: Set in 1986 (just prior to the crash of 1987), Wall St. shows the ethical pitfulls of the decade of excess. The movie centers on the internal struggles of Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) who is trying to make it rich on Wall St.; however, with the anchor of a nagging conscience based on his blue color upbringing. Bud Fox hooks in with power player Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglass) who takes him under is wing but also taints him with the insider trading. Bud finally succumbs to his blue collar roots and gives up Gecko to the feds when Gecko double crosses him on a deal to save his father’s airline.
TGTGBU: The basic story of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is actually a simple treasure hunt, but slowly develops over three hours with endless, unexpected twists and turns. Tuco (Eli Wallach) is a wanted criminal who collaborates with "Blondie" (Clint Eastwood) to run a scam where they split the reward for Tuco’s capture when Blondie shoots the rope around his neck as the lawmen hang him. Tuco and Blondie have a reluctant, tortured partnership though and just as they are breaking things off they each learn half of the secret to a $200,000 treasure. As they set out to find the gold together they cross paths with Angel Eyes Sentenza (Lee Van Cleef), another drifter and paid killer, who also learns about the treasure but is missing the details Tuco and Blondie hold. All three converge at the location of the gold to create what I believe is the best moving ending of all time.
2) Cast/Characters: EVEN
"Blondie" (Clint Eastwood), Tuco (Eli Wallach) and Angel Eyes Sentenza (Lee Van Cleef) form a compelling acting trio with combined performances that may never be matched again. However, Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) and Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglass) are an incredible duo in their own right and while Wall St. doesn’t have a third character to compare with any of those from TGTBTU, the depth of supporting characters is very strong whereas TGTBTU falls off a cliff after their top three. Thus, I consider the category to be a tie.
3) Dialogue/Quotes: EDGE TGTBTU
This category took a lot of thought and was difficult to judge. At first blush, Wall St. appears to have the edge almost solely on Gordon Gecko’s incredibly insightful commentary on the stock markets. However, upon further review, many of the quotes are cliché and pithy. Don’t get me wrong, I love Gecko’s quotes and will always be in awe of them, but the lines in TGTBTU are much more genuine and the comedic undertone is sheer genius. The TGTBTU dialogue is genuine and layered, whereas Wall St. falls flat in comparison. There are two types of movie dialogue in this world…
4) Music: WINNER TGTBTU
WHACK…THUD. That’s the sound of Wall St. taking a blow to the chin and falling to the canvas for the first time. Ennio Morricone's brilliant musical score is an instant classic – always hitting the right note and underscoring the slowly building tension of TGTBU. I could mention Sinatra’s Fly Me to The Moon intro song as a great opening song in Wall St. but it’s not even in the same league artistically.
5) Cinematography: EVEN
This may be a shocker to some. TGTBTU is renowned for its breathtaking landscape panoramas and striking facial close ups. However, Wall St.’s cinematography is highly underrated and needs to be appreciated more than it is.
6) Ending: WINNER TGTBTU
This is the death blow for Wall St. In my opinion, too many movies get a free pass on their endings. It’s the ending that makes the movie. It’s what you are building toward and it’s what the audience leaves remembering. Wall St.’s ending is melancholy and anti-climactic. It’s also somewhat symptomatic and unavoidable. Still, it’s nothing noteworthy or memorable and arguably could have been more impactful.
On the other hand, TGTBTU’s ending is probably the greatest of all time. The Good (Blondie), The Bad (Tuco) and the Ugly (Angel Eyes) all converge at the cemetery where the gold is located and face off in a tense three way showdown. When they draw, Blondie kills Angel Eyes knowing Tuco’s gun was empty (Eastwood took his bullets out the night before). Blondie locates the grave where the gold is buried and utters Tuco’s patented “two types” line back at him for the first time all movie: “There are two types of people in this world…those with loaded guns, and those who dig…you dig”. After Tuco excitedly digs up the gold and starts hugging it. Blondie quickly stops the party when he orders Tuco up onto a flimsy wooden cross headstone to stick his neck in a noose. Blondie saddles up his horse with half the gold, looks back at Tuco (who is quivering as he tries to stay up on the cross) and says “two for you, two for me…just like old times”, leaving Tuco’s share of the gold at his feet in front of the cross as his neck hangs in the noose…Blondie rides off into the sunset as Tuco screams for mercy. Blondie disappears but seconds later is seen riding back as Tuco excitedly thinks he is coming back to save him. Blondie stops and there’s a gunshot and Tuco falls off the cross as Blondie ends the movie and their partnership by shooting him down from a noose one last time. The movie ends with Tuco yelling out: “HEYYYY...BLOND…you know what you are?...just a dirty SON-OF-A-B- [wahwahwah…whah, whah, whah….— the theme music cuts off ITCH and the movie ends].
Monday, February 11, 2008
2008 Cycling Season Officially Underway
I broke out the trainer today to kickoff the 2008 Cycling Season. Just 30 mins freestyle (no video) in the small chaing ring/middle ring on the cassette. I used to think time went slowest while watching baseball. I now have to give the nod to riding the trainer (without the use of a training video). Hope to get three freestyle 30 min rides in this week and then start on some videos next week. My SIG training season starts on March 1st (I'm a leader this year).
Ride on.
The Bully
Ride on.
The Bully
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Judging Criteria
Here's the criteria I'm using to jugde Wall St. vs. TGTBTU:
1) Plot
2) Cast/Characters
3) Dialogue/Quotes
4) Music
5) Cinematography
6) Ending
If any reader(s) can think of other categories/criteria, feel free to chime in.
1) Plot
2) Cast/Characters
3) Dialogue/Quotes
4) Music
5) Cinematography
6) Ending
If any reader(s) can think of other categories/criteria, feel free to chime in.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Challenging the Incumbent
I'm sure many of you have had discussions with your friends about your favorite movies of all time. It's one of those questions you could answer differently one day to the next. But for me there has always been a clear number one: The Good The Bad and The Ugly. I love this movie for many reasons. First, the cinematography is incredible and way ahead of its time. Second, I love that the story builds slowly and with limited/carefully chosen dialogue -- it's the slow progression of the story that ultimately creates the suspense and tension. Third, the actors and acting is incredible -- the gamesmanship between Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach is timeless. Finally, the soundtrack fits the movie perfectly.
Working on Wall St. is a mixed bag -- it's fun but it can also wear on you. You get inside perspective on the game but the emotional highs and lows can drive you a bit crazy and challenge your interest level. However, one thing that seems to be a constant for me is a fascination for the major players that shape the game. I read a great book recently, King of the Club, which tells the story of Dick Grasso's rise to the top of the NYSE. I've pretty much seen every angle of Wall St. (investment banking, sell side research, buy side/asset management) and now the sheen is clearly off for me -- nothing or noone seems larger than life anymore. I've achieved everything I want to achieve in terms of challenges. Reading this book has been an incredible experience bc it makes you realize the power players on Wall St. aren't any smarter than you or me -- they're just human beings with tremendous egos. You think they do things for the good of the markets and investors, etc...but in reality it's only for their self-interest and egos. The tricky part of capitalism is it's built on the individual's desire to get rich/ahead which creates competition, innovation and should move everyone's standard of living forward in the process. In short, the system is driven by greed -- but greed is tricky bc it can push you dangerously close to the line of integrity and in most instances over it. The Grass book really makes you think about the balance of individual greed and what's good for the overall system.
The movie Wall St. has always been lurking in the shadows at number two. One key to being a great movie is passing the test of time, which Wall St. is doing with flying colors. Reading The King of the Club has started me thinking more about the movie and how impactful it really is. How it really captures the essence of Wall St. Of course there's some sensationalism, etc...but it gives as good an inside perspective as I've ever seen.
The challenge is now on. I'm going to watch The Good The Bad and The Ugly and Wall St. as many times as I need to make a decision on which movie will be number one. I may even do individual posts on each one. The best part of the challenge is that it is really a tribute to each movie as in the end, they are both about gamesmanship and the fact that only the strong survive.
Working on Wall St. is a mixed bag -- it's fun but it can also wear on you. You get inside perspective on the game but the emotional highs and lows can drive you a bit crazy and challenge your interest level. However, one thing that seems to be a constant for me is a fascination for the major players that shape the game. I read a great book recently, King of the Club, which tells the story of Dick Grasso's rise to the top of the NYSE. I've pretty much seen every angle of Wall St. (investment banking, sell side research, buy side/asset management) and now the sheen is clearly off for me -- nothing or noone seems larger than life anymore. I've achieved everything I want to achieve in terms of challenges. Reading this book has been an incredible experience bc it makes you realize the power players on Wall St. aren't any smarter than you or me -- they're just human beings with tremendous egos. You think they do things for the good of the markets and investors, etc...but in reality it's only for their self-interest and egos. The tricky part of capitalism is it's built on the individual's desire to get rich/ahead which creates competition, innovation and should move everyone's standard of living forward in the process. In short, the system is driven by greed -- but greed is tricky bc it can push you dangerously close to the line of integrity and in most instances over it. The Grass book really makes you think about the balance of individual greed and what's good for the overall system.
The movie Wall St. has always been lurking in the shadows at number two. One key to being a great movie is passing the test of time, which Wall St. is doing with flying colors. Reading The King of the Club has started me thinking more about the movie and how impactful it really is. How it really captures the essence of Wall St. Of course there's some sensationalism, etc...but it gives as good an inside perspective as I've ever seen.
The challenge is now on. I'm going to watch The Good The Bad and The Ugly and Wall St. as many times as I need to make a decision on which movie will be number one. I may even do individual posts on each one. The best part of the challenge is that it is really a tribute to each movie as in the end, they are both about gamesmanship and the fact that only the strong survive.
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