I did my duty and cast my vote this afternoon. I wasn’t originally planning on voting today, but it looked like I had a good opportunity to take the afternoon off from work and run a few errands. I decided to take the chance and go ahead and cast my vote.
Oh, and I also got the oil changed in my car.
Somehow these two functions seem to echo each other.
I took a quick trip over to the bookstore after work. Borders sent me an email this morning with a link to a coupon and it was burning a hole in my pocket. I must say, there are times when those coupons are very effective at getting me to go to the bookstore. Not that I don’t go all the time anyway, but the coupon will get me to go sooner.
I didn’t have any particular title on the agenda, but I did end up walking out with something. It’s one of those geeky books that makes me want to read all sorts of other geeky books. It is called Classics for Pleasure, and it is basically a list of “classic” books selected by the author that he asserts are fun to read, not just because they might be important, but simply for the pleasure they provide. Each title or author gets a short essay, of about a page or two, where he outlines his reasons for choosing that particular entry.
I flipped through it and I found myself enjoying his commentary and wanting to pick up some of the titles he mentioned, so I bought it. One author, in particular, that he mentions is Italo Calvino, and it reminded me that I had one of his books on the shelf at home that I bought ages ago, and had forgotten about, so I had to come home and shuffle about until I found it.
I’ve added both the Classics for Pleasure and the Italo Calvino title to my library page for future reading. Actually, I’ll probably go ahead and update the status for the classics title to currently reading, but it’s not a novel to be read in big chunks. It’ll probably be the kind of book I put by the bedside to flip open and browse in different sections as the mood strikes, and as I seek inspiration for further readings.
On that note I also wanted to reveal the results of my poll as to what I should read next (see my post here.) So along with Classics for Pleasure I will also begin reading Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaimon. It won out by a staggering 100 percent margin, plus or minus 3 percent. Thanks, Finley, for the vote.
Instead of taking my usual Sunday ride along the roads of Guilford County, I decided to ride the fixie over to the greenway. There are portions of that I still hadn’t explored. So I picked it up where it crosses East Fork Road, which is the picture included here.
The path to the right leads to the Piedmont Environmental Center. It is only about a mile and a quarter of so from this point, and that’s the portion I hadn’t explored before.
I discovered that while that’s a lovely bit of walkway it isn’t ideal for bicycling. There are a couple places where you have to dismount and navigate obstacles, like stairs. Although it would probably be okay to start from that end at the center. I guess since I started sort of in the middle I had to deal with the stairs twice in short order and it made for lots of stops and starts. Plus I stopped a couple times to snap photos.
The path to the left leads generally northward towards Gibson Park, and is the path I rode home from work on a few weeks ago that I blogged about.
So, I took the right hand first, and went to the end/beginning at the Environmental Center, and then I turned around and retraced the path and kept going to the left.
Once I got going I covered the miles pretty quickly after that, and followed it through to Piedmont Parkway. I debated continuing onwards, but decided to leave that for another day. Instead I took Piedmont Parkway back home.
All in all it was 15.6 miles of riding and exploring. The pace was slower than I would usually do, but that’s what happens when you are surveying new routes. I think I want to remember this is a good way to get in some variety in my riding. Something different from just pounding the miles on the road.
Also, it isn’t too far to a little viewing station they’ve got setup along the path where I could take a book and a beverage and hang out and read when the weather is nice.
There are a couple more photos on flickr. Click the one included in this post to jump over there and check out the others.
I’m seeking opinions as to which book I should read next. Take your choices from the list to the right under “Now Reading” and “Planned Books,” or suggest something entirely different if you think it might be particularly notable. Enter your pick in the comments section. I’ll make a decision next weekend, with or without suggestions.
I’ve had several of these books on my list for some time now, and really need to finish them off. Maybe with your encouragement I’ll do so. And hopefully, in the process, I’ll make a wonderful new discovery.
So, I did get to the greenway, but not on my bike. I went out and grabbed a cup of Chai at Starbucks with the plan of reading my book there, but the place was packed. So I took my bevy over to the park and walked the greenway to a little overlook with a bench and settled in to read a couple chapters. It was a perfect spot. The weather was cool in the shade, but in the sun I was absolutely comfortable.
Later, I did go home and get on the fixie and took a ride around the neighborhood. I only rode a little over 5 miles, but it was nice to get the blood flowing. All in all I had a nice afternoon outside.
I did finish the book I was reading, Death with Interruptions, and I’ll have to post at least some brief comments soon. I’m still absorbing a little bit.
I passed on the ride this morning in favor of staying in bed. I think I’ll take the fixie out this afternoon. I’ve been wanting to try a rider longer than my commute on that bike. Maybe I’ll ride over to the greenway and give that a try.
Right now I’m watching the latest Tekzilla and drinking coffee and goofing on the interwebs.
