Category: Uncategorized

Been a light training period since racing three weeks ago, so I was tentative going into this morning’s Christmas Classic races, another 1 mile race followed by a 5K a half hour later. Both races are in Golden Gate Park.

The mile is blessedly downhill most of the way — just a gentle slope up in the last quarter-mile. On this day six years ago, I ran a 4:41, finishing 18th overall (of ~140). Today, I ran a 5:05 and finished 11th overall (of ~95). So, I’ve slowed 24 seconds in six years, or 4 seconds a year. Hmmmm…

Splits I got (never saw the 1/4 mile mark):
First half mile: 2:27
1/2 – 3/4 mile: 1:16
3/4 mile – 1 mile: 1:22

The 5K felt better than the one on Thanksgiving, but the time was similar: 19:18. Six years ago, I ran an 18:41. This year, I finished 11th overall, and 2nd in the M30-39 age group. I butchered the splits, but it was close to this:

6:24 first mile (gently uphill, back over the mile course)
5:58 second mile (downhill or flat)
6:20 third mile (downhill, flat, and then uphill)
0:36 last .1 mile (uphill)

This is touted as a certified course, and it’s definitely the same one as six years ago. Despite the ups-and-downs chronicled in the splits, this is almost a complete loop, so no overall elevation change.

No more racing this year, and really nothing planned until Super Bowl Sunday.

Kill Bill, Volume 2 didn’t match my opinion of Volume 1, but just as well to see them in rapid succession. I did enjoy the “chapter” form of telling the story, and the back-and-forth between the current killing spree and the history between/among the characters which broughts events to these extremes. Yes, it’s all a visual cartoon, but it’s well done.

Metacritic score of 83 is flattering, but a bit high.

Been looking forward to seeing Casino Royale, and Friday’s viewing did not disappoint. The most stunning scene is the one right after the opening titles. I had noticed the credit for “free running stunts” and wondered why that kind of stunt, especially, earned beginning of the film mention. Then I saw the scene and wondered no longer.

The just-faster-than-possibly-human pace of the chase has you gasping, and the combination of obstacles (especially vertical) flows together in a plausible stream. (Plausible in movie terms, at least.)

Overall, a new movie Bond that more accurately reflects the ruthless Bond of the books. Casino Royale was Ian Fleming’s first Bond novel, back in 1953, so it’s only fitting that this film harks back to the core of the character. Still, it’s modern throughout… even though the opening, pre-titles, scene takes place in black and white, it’s set in the Czech Republic, not the Czechoslovakia of the 1950s.

The lead villian, Le Chiffre, fills less screen time here, as the “Bond girl” demands more of the film than we’ve come to expect. Since Le Chiffre didn’t shine, no damage done to the movie.

Metacritic score of 80 is justified. I want to re-read the early Bond novels now.

Magnetic Yellow Card is a semi-polite way to make the point that the road is for sharing. Still, despite the non-invasive, non-marking nature of this method of spreading the gospel of good manners, I’m quite sure that attaching these magnets to offending vehicles will not improve relations between drivers and bicyclists. Politeness only dulls the vitriol, and drivers (read: people) don’t react well to anger, however veiled.

I’m interested in ideas, though, for overcoming the communication gap between the two-wheelers and the four-wheelers. I’m a regular bicycle commuter, so I’ve had my moments of “pedal rage” — these are usually stoked by fear. While there’s nothing as freeing as a bicycle in traffic, there’s also few things more vulnerable to damage. A haphazard turn, a blindly-opened door, trash on the pavement… any of these things are more is a recipe for personal injury if you are on a bicycle. I get angry because I am afraid of the consequences of other people’s actions.

I drive a car, too, so bicycling isn’t a moral issue for me, just a lovely marriage of convenience, exercise, and economics. As a driver, I’m not sure what kind of message I would react well to… but it’s not a yellow card on my side panel.

Kill Bill, Volume 1 was a fun DVD last weekend. Volume 2 should arrive from Netflix tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to it. Quentin Tarantino was born to make this kind of movie, a pastiche of different styles, borrowing heavily from comic books and TV shows, stitched together with gratuituous violence but with a wink towards the audience. Not for everyone, probably, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was on my list to see, but it beat expectations. Metacritic score of 69 probably isn’t wrong, but better than that for me.

After Best in Show, Christopher Guest and the rest of his merry team earned the right to make most any movie they chose. With For Your Consideration, I’d suggest it’s time to revoke that license. Studded with funny actors, sprinkled with funny scenes, this extended sketch — sort of a movie novella — really doesn’t match up to previous work.

I’ll admit my disappointment was colored by the consistent cackles behind me. These inconsiderate folks fell over themselves laughing just at the first appearance of some of these actors. Sure, it was a Friday night, and I’m glad people are out to enjoy themselves. But when you interrupt my Friday night, I get grouchy.

Metacritic score of 70 feels exorbitant. Notably, the community there is voting the film at 5.8, a step lower. I suppose the critics got to see the film in a quiet screening; maybe I missed some of the jokes?

James Kim, 1971-2006

Like so many around the country (especially in the small-world of the San Francisco Internet industry), I followed the story of the Kim family over the last week. After the unexpected lift in spirits when the family was found, it was especially disheartening to get the bad news yesterday afternoon.

So, we doubled down. They found the family, we said to each other. Maybe they’ll find the dad too. [C.W. Nevius, SFGate]

I worked at CNET for five years, until May 2006, so my thoughts are with my friends and colleagues there now. I didn’t know James very well. But he was responsive and helpful the one time I made a personal request for his expertise. Every comment and report I’ve seen demonstrates that this was the norm.

I ache for those two children.

I’d like a clean inbox to start next week, so it’s time to pull out the tidbits which raised themselves up above the del.icio.us level of interest, and into the “I should check this out” tier. Of course, I really haven’t given these much attention, but if I put them up here, at least my personal e-mail inbox and conscience will be clear.

Oldest stuff first…

• Antisocial media reminds me why I love the Internet. Even as I curse the extra burden of self-service sometimes, I really treasure not having to talk to someone to complete every transaction.
• Jon Udell’s screencast about Dabble DB is still something I want to check out. Data without visualization is useless…but data without structure can’t even be visualized, so I’m curious whether this service really extends the power of databases beyond the software developer, or provides an online service for the software developer.
• A new free physical map of the United States is worth noting. I don’t need one (or have room for one), but just in case you do. Actually, you would do well to just visit Raven Maps and pay the reasonable fees for them to mail you one of theirs — fantastic stuff.
• NextBus sounds great, but I’m not sure it will change how/when I take the bus. Still, I’m pleased to see that NextBus now has more lines in San Francisco, including some I take more often.
• Amazon: Utility computing power broker is a CNET News.com article from three weeks ago about how all these new web services may be a good business for Amazon. Not news, really, but I’m a fan.
• Via The Map Room, I learn about the rules for NFL TV distribution. Doesn’t change my viewing habits, but the imposition of geographical boundaries on a media world which erases boundaries remains interesting. How long can these now-artificial limits survive?
• This flashlight does look like a Cool Tool.
• I know an Oklahoman who might enjoy these maps.
• Asteroid’s Revenge (Flash game) has an amusing premise, although it won’t occupy you for long.
• Via Slashdot, I learned about the BusinessWeek.com slideshow (crank those pageviews for the media model!) on how LEGOs are made. Or you can read the article.
• I think SUNW is worth keeping an eye on, financially.
• The team at silicon.com in the UK lauched atlarge.com this week. The original concepts for this site were discussed while I was still at CNET Networks. I’m glad to see the champions behind the idea did not get discouraged, even if they were delayed. The goal? “Read and write about internet access, at the airports of the world.” This is a functional site, not a media site, and it’s well done. It does need a bit of a jumpstart, of course. I don’t travel much, or I would do my part. I know I am often curious about what will be available for access, since I’m not yet an EVDO customer.
• I’m annoyed that by waiting just two days after getting the email, I was too slow to even get into the lottery to get an entry for the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon next June. I should have known, but damn. Last year, I got in the lottery, but did not get an entry. Didn’t even get that far, this year. And I’m really not interested in the Wildflower Triathlon in May, which just opened entries.
• While my message board research did not continue in public (mostly because I’m usually too tired to blog when I get home), I will say that I need to dig into Vanilla Add-ons over the next few days. I’ll detail more at some point.

Time to step away from the computer on a Saturday night.

Chad Dickerson asks “What was your first Amazon order?”

So I went into Amazon, flipped back through my transaction history, and found two books I ordered on December 17, 1997. This is back when Amazon mostly sold books. 😉

The two books were The Perfect Storm : A True Story of Men Against the Sea and Full-Time RVing : A Complete Guide to Life on the Open Road. Both were Christmas gifts; I’m pretty sure the latter was for my sister, as support material for her Airstream. Not a big seller, but still available. I can’t remember which family member received The Perfect Storm. Oh well. Good book (and movie), all the same. And still for sale, new or used.

Since Christmas is approaching once more, and I’m not a fan of shopping, I wouldn’t be surprised if I make my first Amazon.com purchase since June (the pre-order of Beautiful Evidence).

Thanks, Chad, for sparking this walk down memory lane. Nine years later, I’m still a customer, albeit a sporadic one.

Elmore Leonard’s The Hot Kid rolls right through its story like a Tommy gun through a bank guard. Yes, it’s gangsters and a dapper U.S. Marshal in the Prohibition Midwest, and the bank robbers, oil wells, road houses, and more just keep life (and death) humming along. Overall, a well-written romp, although without the cleverness of some of the “modern” era crime novels where Leonard has earned his reputation. Wait for the paperback…I’ll be returning this hardcover copy to the library this week.