Birthday Shuffle Sixth Edition - Day 1

I can't believe I've been doing this over the last 5 years.

Wow, time sure flies...

This year, I thought I would blog about the music in my

cycling playlist:

one because it's great music,

but two, as I look ahead to turning 49 this month

I really have to start thinking about taking better

care of this body so that it can last another 49 years.

So, I am hoping that I can be re-inspired

to start riding more regularly again...

And maybe do a 100 mile ride instead of my usual

50...

So let's begin...

The rest of the month I'll be doing a true shuffle,

but this first song is almost always my first song on a ride...

I don't know what it is about this song,

but the opening is ethereal;

those first 20 seconds are like a heart beat.

As I start my ride, it's finding the right position,

making all those fine adjustments for the ride ahead,

and then getting settled in the seat... 

At about the minute mark, the pace of the song changes

which is about the time I start to pick up the pace

stretch out my legs

adjust the gears

find my cadence.

Around 2:35, the rhythm

picks up suddenly.

I'm starting to get warmed up,

all the adjustments have been made

I'm in the zone.

Then there's a sudden lull at 3:19.

Soft piano music

then back to the initial ethereal heartbeat rhythm.

I have a moment to remember to breathe.

Then the singing starts again,

and I continue my ride...

MyPod Birthday Shuffle IV - Day 12 - Alive and Kicking

Another year, another squirrel...!

When I look at my iPod list, "Alive and Kicking"

by Simple Minds is my #1 played song.

It's my go-to song for everything...

Leaving on a trip

Trying to start a new writing project

Hanging around the house

Going snowboarding (when I used to go)

Trying to get inspired

There's that ethereal opening with the steady beat.

Then the bold first line, "You turn me on."

Then the challenges:

"What you gonna do when things go wrong?

What you gonna do when it all cracks up?

What you gonna do when the Love burns down?

What you gonna do when the flames go up?

Who's gonna come and turn the tide?

What's it gonna take to make a dream survive?

Who's got the touch to calm the storm inside?

Who's gonna save you?

Alive and Kicking"

Love, love, love this song.

Just like Ally McBeal, I might just have my "soundtrack."