Writing, Exercise and Music

I've begun a new/old writing adventure - riding my bicycle to work. This is new because the last time I did this Edie Brickell still sang for the New Bohemians and Prince decried Purple Rain instead of partying till 1999.

My ride measures between 10 and 15 miles, most likely closer to 10. One of the awesome aspects of this ride keeps me out of harm's way traffic-wise except for a 100 yard stretch on US 1 in Bunnel. I discovered a new bikeway between two major thoroughfares, Belle Terre Parkway and US 1. This three mile trek through virgin forest reminds me of my beloved Raleigh, North Carolina Greenways. Peaceful, no road noise, no congestion, just a ribbon of asphalt winding through nature.

I know, asphalt and nature, hmmm. But for those of us who love to ride, I much prefer riding in this environment as opposed to choking down car exhaust riding by the road.

I loaded up my trusty MP3, clicked it on and took off this morning. Diana Krall greeted me with Walk on By. I love Krall's artistic interpretations of music. Her sultry voice and dazzling fingers (piano) keep me listening and melting into the music.

In the following paragraphs and videos, I take you with me on my ride to work...

 Next up on my 'random' play setting - The Carpenters' Make Believe it's Your First TIme . Karen Carpenter's voice embedded itself in my heart forty years ago and to this day, my ears and heart slip into it like silk sheets. To my delight, Mr. Random Play selected Honolulu City Lights as the next tune. The real shame with music to me reveals itself in songs like this that most people will never hear. This is one of the Carpenters' finest songs.

 Mr. Random Play came up with another double shot with Kansas' What's On My Mind from the incredible album Leftoverture and Dust in the WInd from another excellent album Point of No Return. These songs came from Kansas' heyday when their fiddle laden rock and roll and jamming guitars combined with intelligent lyrics stole our teenage souls. What's on My Mindtook my ride from a soft place to a driving, exhilarating slice through the morning heat here in Florida.

 Dust in the WInd segued nicely into the next selection. I had to smile as I rode through the 50-foot pines standing like wooden walls on each side of the bike path. If ever a song defined my younger riding days, Elton John's Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding stands above all others. From the first monster organ chords that begin this tour-de-force composition, my pace quickened, my spirit sprinted lightly across the treetops and my ride hit a level of serenity that could not be broken. This song ranks along with a number of others as my absolute favorite song of all time. This studio version remains a permanent memory link to 1973 and my junior high school days as well as a link to the many live performances that thrilled me to my core. If there is one song in this list you should listen to, this would be my pick...

 Mr. Random Play decided I needed my exercise at this point. My pace already faster than planned, The Root Beer Rag got delivered to my brain and the endorphins threw a party throughout my body. Another song many people (other that die-hard Billy Joel fans) will not be familiar with, Root Beer Rag insanely tantalizes and amazes in its intricacies, pace and sheer gleefulness. Another live performance song that absconded with my musical heart...

 Another double-shot hit me when Big Man on Mulberry Street kicked in. Some may remember this song from the TV show Moonlighting. One of my favorite Billy Joel tunes, my ride could not get any better than this...

 Suffice it to say I'm getting in better shape, otherwise surviving that twenty-plus minutes of adrenaline would have put me under...

There is no substitute for exercise. Add music into the mix and few things in life are better. Channel the two into your writing and it's the writer's trifecta! I'm motivated to move through my day now having ridden forty five minutes, listened to some great tunes and allowed life to settle through me. I'm leaving you with this one tune I wish Mr. Random Play had stuck in at the end. Sure, Mr. RP doesn't like triple plays much, but I sure would have.

To top off my musical day, a song very close to my heart - This is the Time