Welcome to my site. Here you will find some info about me, the things I do and a listing of upcoming (and past) presentations and lectures. While I initially expected most of my posts to be about Open Source/Free Software (hence the name), these days it's mostly rants and ramblings about running.

Using google maps as a pedometer

Posted June 25th, 2011 by eric

Thanks to the website of the East River Park Track Club http://erptc.org/ , I found http://www.gmap-pedometer.com . Since we started running I've been wondering how to figure out how long we've run each time. This site allows you to create routes to measure your run (or plan it ahead of time). So, I now know that today I managed to run 3.8337 K or 2.3821 miles (week 6, day two of the Couch to 5k training: two ten minute runs with a 3 minute walk in the middle).

You can even save routes for future reference, like this one made by the erptc.org folks http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4080065 . Hint: if you want to map a route that does not follow what gmap thinks are valid roads, click the "manually (straight lines)" option before you start recording your route.

Fun!
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Today's photos:

A nice way of re-using plastic shopping bags
 
 

Proud to be a New Yorker

Posted June 24th, 2011 by eric

When Jenna and I got married, we did the legal wedding in Toronto and then had a bigger gathering officiated by a friend that had no legal authority to perform a wedding.

We felt a strong need to celebrate our union with our community, friends and family, however we felt an even stronger concern that we did not want our relationship to be legally sanctioned by a State that did not grant that right to the gay and lesbian couples in our community.

So, even though today's vote does not impact me directly, I feel a certain sense of pride that where we live is now one of those places that treats all couples equally.

I imagine that this weekend's pride events will be a little more merry (or should I say, gay) as a result.

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today's photo:

can we please tax the rich to keep our infrastructure from falling apart?

photos, june 23

Posted June 23rd, 2011 by eric

photos, june 22

Posted June 22nd, 2011 by eric

Week 5 done!

Posted June 21st, 2011 by eric

We're now done with week 5 of the 9 week Couch to 5k training ( http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml ) and I have to say I'm amazed at the progress we've made. Week 5 ended with the first sustained, no walking break, 20 minute run. I can not believe we both made it without walking. For the first time since starting, I can imagine myself running 5k.

the playlist for week 5's runs was:

  • Not The Only One: Bonnie Raitt
  • Don't Worry About The Government: Talking Heads
  • Sudden Impact!: Big Audio Dynamite
  • Will Anything Happen?: Blondie
  • This Must Be The Place: Talking Heads
  • 13th Street Blues: Roger Manning
  • Anchorage: Michelle Shocked