Time of run: 12:15 pm
Temp: 52 degrees F (feels like 49)
Conditions: Mostly cloudy, wind 6 mph
Distance: 1.6 miles out, 1.8 miles back (3.4 miles total)
Short 'n' sweet: Almost directly south from the Hollywood Library lies the Belmont branch. After passing the landmark Hollywood Theatre (no comment on current showings...haven't seen any of these yet), I headed a mere 1.6 miles down Cesar Chavez Boulevard (formerly known as the more pedestrian 39th Avenue), a wide and busy, but well maintained by the residents, road:
Halfway down the boulevard lay Coe Circle and its magnificent statue of Joan of Arc. (As I approached from the rear I thought about making a crack about "getting behind in my running" but thought better of it...or did I?) A little 'net research also reveals that this has been there since 1925 (89 years! and I only noticed it a couple of years ago), and that sometimes it's the victim of certain pranks/vandalism. Though I kind of like this unicorn idea.
I then passed by the periphery of Laurelhurst Park and caught a glimpse of the enclosed Firwood Lake, and a little further on appreciated some impressive mosaic art at Lutheran Family Services before approaching the Belmont branch, an impressive old-looking building of some size and elegance, both outside and in.
CDs selected, I headed out, slightly east and then north to take the 41st/42nd streets back, along which I saw some beautiful spring gardens. Clearly these people take pride in their neighborhood. Some interesting houses here, too.
Just a couple blocks east of the Cesar Chavez bridge I had taken to go south, I crossed this pedestrian/bike only overpass back over I-84, again taking in the rush-rush traffic heading in and out of Portland east and west, feeling happy that I completed the run before any of those large clouds decided to drop any moisture (which they positively dumped about 15 minutes later on the drive home). Good timing!
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LAST WEEK'S MUSIC
Cymbals Eat Guitars, Lenses Alien (2011)
Interesting band. Although this is a recent album, from 2011, it seems more at place in the grunge era, mid-90's, due to their loud/soft guitars and emotive playing. They catch you off guard, as a song develops in a melodic way, but then gets smeared and bent into something else. This is my favorite off the album. I like the video too.
Adele, 21 (2011)
I tried, but just couldn't get into this. Maybe it's the way she hits the high notes - kind of strained. Even in the video, I want her to stand up and use proper technique! Use those lungs to sing out! (Maybe I've been spoiled by watching my sister sing opera?)
Well, I hate to be negative, and there's definitely something here. I wish her continued success and good health (I missed all the news about her vocal problems back in 2011 but apparently it was pretty serious.) Take care, Adele!
Rick Wakeman, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth (1974)
Ah, this is still sooo good! Equal parts epic, masterful, and overblown, the music lives on in CD form, and now on my iPod. This was not only a musical release, but a filmed concert, complete with Spinal Tap style inflatable monsters. Check out this video clip and behold the wonder of it all!
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