8/11/06: 3 Mile Run Neighborhood & War Rant

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. Yesterday, the British arrested 20+ folks for plotting to blow up 10+ airplanes over the Atlantic in a near simultaneous explosion. And, the war continues between Israel and Hezbollah/Lebanon. This stuff is just so concerning. Thank goodness, the British stopped the plot. It is just amazing to see what is happening around the globe. I have been watching a lot news and following the LebanonLive blog to get a glimpse into a different point of view. I have previously read Thomas Friedman's books, several books on middle east history, and some Arab writings. I am just trying to get a view from all sides.

I find it virtually impossible to assign sole fault to any side. It seems to me that over the course of history all sides have made huge mistakes. So, what are we to do? Assume we can't agree and just keep killing until one side wins or perhaps just killing indefinitely with no end in sight? Gees, what a stupid species we are. It just frustrates me so. But, I still believe the key is that individuals MUST think for themselves. Let any incident happen and I can virtually assure you that you can pick whose position you want to predict and if it is George Bush, Condeleezza Rice, Nasrallah, my father-in-law, me, you, and anyone you know fairly well and I bet you can predict it fairly well.

So, if every major leader's position is so predictable, what is the truth value of their position. What does current happenings have to do with their ability to adjust position based on current truth. Virtually none. It is not today that determines truth. It is yesterday that determines today's truth. So, if you want to change the horrible conditions of today, change tomorrows truth by shaping the truth of today. That means we need to stop letting these political figures shape our context and our truths.

Let's start by calling killing what it is. It is doesn't matter who is doing it. Killing people, well torturing them is right in here too, is the worst thing people can do. OK, under threat maybe you don't have that much choice, but it is still the worst thing you can do. The death of anyone is NOT to be celebrated by anyone. Stop celebrating death, if you are. If you have to kill, acknowledge that it is a horrible thing. Pity those you kill. Despise the circumstances and the poor choices that led to the need to kill. And, by all means, do everything possible to find alternative methods for resolution. All of us, REPEAT ALL OF US, get all worked up and think we must kill sooner than may be true. But, rest assured, business as usual ain't gonna fix this mess either. Unfortunately, people are going to continue to kill.

But, a good start would be to start mourning the killing and the death EVERYWHERE. No more dancing in the street when someone dies. No more teaching that one who dies while killing gets multiple virgins in heaven. What the hell is that anyway? Am I to believe that a righteous, pious religious person wants to kill, die, and "enjoy" having virgins? Is that Godly? Would a thinking person believe that is Godly? I think not.

Now, in case you think I am bashing one side of the argument, let me tell you that I think the arguments put up to support attacking Iraq fall apart quickly. They fell apart quickly before the war in Iraq started. And, since killing was the plan, they were simply not questioned enough by those that had the power to change the plan. Shame on you George Bush. Shame on those that reelected him after that.

I am also disturbed to hear that some of the bombings in Iraq are not just motivated by hating Americans and sectarian violence aimed at seizing power, but by the desire to assert power over those that don't follow decrees by clerics telling store owners how to arrange vegetables so as not to have vegetables arranged too seductively. Gees, this is like creating a militant out of the philosophy that indicated that the purple Teletubbie was supporting a gay lifestyle and as such was evil. Give me a break. How can people let people kill in the support of such nonsense? How evil is the mind that sees a penis and balls when celery and tomatoes and placed close together? Worse will kill the store owner and patrons as a result of such nonsense.

We all must start screaming "stop the killing". All of it. And, that won't be easy because frankly it is stupid not to kill the person about to shoot you and your family. But, that is not the sole motivation behind the killing going on. Stand up and do the right thing, everyone. It ain't going to be easy. Be more willing to die, than to kill! Question your leaders, ALL OF 'EM. Those wise old guys, may not be so wise. Remember power corrupts absolutely.

Excuse the rant. I threw it out. Maybe I haven't thought through every point deep or long enough. But, I am just so fed up with us (all people, everywhere).


Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:56
Heart Rate:	150
Pace:	10:19, so slow :(
Weather:	Clear skies 86° Humidity-57%

8/10/06: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. I am blogging this late, so I can't remember what I was thinking on this day.....


Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	50:47
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	10:09
Weather:	Clear skies 74° Humidity-87%

8/8/06: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code and Accident Hash. I discovered that I didn't win the video iPod as part of Adam's little contest. But, what the heck, it was worth $6.95 to try.

I heard on NPR recently that some of the sectarian violence in Iraq is motivated by folks ignoring cleric decrees for things like how to arrange vegatables in a store. Apparently, if you place celery and tomatoes too close together, it may be overly suggestive. And for this some must die. I would love to think this story is just wrong, but my gut says it is the truth. And, I fear that the sides keep forming up to fight the battle between the "west" and the "middle east". It is just so ridiculous and sad. There is no innonence to shared by those who choose to kill. I believe that sometimes one has not choice, but that doesn't make it right.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:33
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	10:11
Weather:	Clear skies 75° Humidity-79%

8/6/06: Podcast Listening Update

• Alex Lightman, CEO of Charmed Technology, talked about Globalization to the Edge. This was a very upbeat presentation that highlighted why reading Thomas Friedman's latest book (which I am reading right now coincidentally), The World is Flat. He also talked about what IPv6 is so cool. Good presentation.
• Bart Decrem, Flock, talked about the Participation Revolution. Most particularly, he talked about Flock. As a podcast, this one was a bit difficult as Bart was describing things he was showing which doesn't translate well to listening for obvious reasons. However, he provided enough verbal content to keep you interested and make you want to go check it out. Flock is a browser with social networking built in. Sounds quite cool and I will be checking it out. Blogger, del.icio.us, all together in your browser. Sounds cool.

8/6/06: 8.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

I was fairly well caught up on podcasts, so I took the Creative Zen Micro which has many of my CD's ripped on to it. I put it on "shuffle" and just took off. Too many songs for me to remember, but it was cool. My favorite was Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down. I made some folks think I was daft as I sang the chorus out loud as I ran. But, hey I was in the moment and having fun. I ran alone again as Judy is still recuperating.

I did listen to Phedippidations in the car to and from Brownell. The story of Eric Little is quite moving, especially the part about the internment camp in China where he died. Steve, the voice of Phedippidations, has a great style for telling stories like this. Good research and nice production, and very moving.

This stuff in Lebanon and Israel is just unreal. I occasionally check out videos on iFilm and it is just sickening to see what people do to other people. I am not taking sides. It all sucks. What if we all just decided we won't kill! Be willing to die, but not to kill. Stop the damn killing. It is virtually impossible to know what is true as you listen to those with an investment in a placement of blame. But, I just think that perhaps those of us who are really rational and NOT evil need to stop letting others set the context for us. I don't care who you are. Don't let George Bush, Nassarallah, Bin Laden, or anyone else set the game. Think for yourself. We need to stop labeling each other with labels that permit us to kill each other. Find the truth. It really does break my heart to see what people will do to other people.

Data

Distance:	8.5 Miles
Time:	1:21:18
Heart Rate:	159
Pace:	9:33
Weather:	Clear skies 80° Humidity-69%

8/4/06: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I was fully caught up on the podcasts I listen to while running (see me at PodShow+). So, I listened to The Killers. Kicking CD and I was glad to get the run in. Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: I hit the wrong Heart Rate: button and lost Pace: the data. Weather: Clear skies 74 ° Humidity 82%

8/3/06: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code and Accident Hash. Adam explained why "My Page" has been loading slow on PodShow+. I kept hoping for more detail, but he didn't bring it forward. Twas a good run though.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	1:01:07
Heart Rate:	153
Pace:	10:11
Weather:	Clear skies 78° Humidity-82%

8/1/06: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I was fully caught up on the podcasts I listen to while running (see me at PodShow+). So, I listened to a CD for this run. I listened to the latest Shinedown CD. It was good, not great. A keeper and I will listen to it again. It is virtually impossible for me to push the Lebanon-Israel war from my mind. It is just so horrible that we humans can find no better way. At the level of those that pull the strings to initiate attacks and violence, regardless of side, there is none without fault. I find it impossible to decide if either side has "just" reasons to start or end the fight. I do not believe it will resolve the problem. Shame on us all. If we want peace (and we should), we will likely have to simply accept that the past is the past and move on. The circumstances that led to where things are now and long and convoluted. Borders, nations, racial categories, and such serve to provide reasons to divide and sometimes to hate. Let's get past it and love each other. All people are worthy of love and praise. This is not a plea for surrender to evil. It is a plea for the trully righteous to stand and be counted. Standing does not include killing without remorse or without DAMN good reason. But, once you start killing you are on a evil slippery slope. Mourn the dead. Mourn the killing. I am sure I am just rambling. But, OMG we need to stop ourselves from this way of solving conflict. Make sure your heart is right. Don't hate. Do protect. Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: 28:17 Heart Rate: 156 Pace: 9:26 Weather: Clear skies 75° 85%

7/31/06: Podcast Listening Update

Firefox 1.5.0.5 Crashed 3 Times (and counting)!! So, I am trying this again. Arghhhhhhhhhhhh....

• David Helvarg and Jim Toomey talked with Dr. Moira Gunn on Tech Nation about thier book 50 Ways to Save the Ocean. You may recognize Jim Toomey as the creator of Sherman's Lagoon. This discussion was informative and entertaining. I bet the book is too. I recommend this one highly. Recycle. Use less plastic. If you use plastic, know where it goes when you are done.
• Dr. Katrina Firlik, Author of Another Day in the Frontal Lobe, talked to Dr. Moira Gunn on Tech Nation. Dr. Firlik is a neurosurgeon. She talked about the texture of the brain and the kind of things she gets involved in as a surgeon. The most interesting story was about a construction working with a nail in his skull. Good listening.
• Jason Matusow, Director of Shared Source at Microsoft Corporation, talked about Sharing the Love (sharing source and open source). Jason's viewpoint was very interesting and he seemed very much on top of his subject. He talked at length at the properties of successful shared source projects both internal and external. Very insightful and a very good presentation.
• Nicholas Negroponte, MIT Media Lab, talked about the Participation Revolution. It seemed to me that the majority of this presentation was about the $100 laptop. I have heard several naysayers in some of these podcasts. But, clearly Nicholas believes the effort will go forward and that it will bring value. It would be interesting to find the time to line up these naysaying podcasts and the non-naysaying podcats and listen to them more like a traditional pro-con list.
• Paul Everitt, Zope Europe Association, talked about the Lisbon Agenda and Open Source. This informative presentation made several interesting points. Most noteworthy was the assertion that much open source starts in Europe and is adopted by the US (as in the US takes it over). He also pointed out that one of open source's heroes, Linus Torvald, now lives in the US.
• Robert Beardsley, President and CEO of Kereos, talked with Dr. Moira Gunn on Tech Nation. The subjects focused on biological research including nano-tech and stem cells. Robert noted that many of the big diseases of the day will be treatable or curable in the not so distant future. However, it will be years.
• Spencer Wells, Population Geneticist and a member of The New Explorers, talked about how we can trace human migrations via DNA. Very interesting indeed. He credited a lower sea level and migration from Africa, through India, to Austrailia for the Austrailian's aboringine's appearance in Austrailia. He also noted that the DNA record demonstrates that human males tend to recreate via obtaining alpha male status and then hogging the females. TMI, perhaps.
• Mark Cuban, Michael Powell, Evan Williams, and Reed Hastings participated in a panel discussion about The Future of Entertainment. This was a spirited and informative discussion and predated the video iPod as was obvious by some of the discussion. If you are interested in how entertainment and content will be managed in the future, give this one a listen.
  
  
  

7/30/06: 10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

Another Sunday run alone. Judy is still recovering from her medical procedures. So, I listened to Phedippidations and Accident Hash. I finished off with some IT Conversations based podcasts I will blog separately. It was a good run, but the last 3.5 miles were in pouring rain. It actually felt good.

Data

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:44:03
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	9:55
Weather:	Cloudy then rain Temperature-71° Humidity-90%
Route

7/28/06: Podcast Listening Update

• Beth Noveck, Associate Professor of Law at New York Law School, talked about Peer to Patent: Collective Intelligence for our Intellectual Property System. She reviewed some of the basic problems with the way patents are evaluated and used these days. All informative and insightful to me. I found her hypothesis that with technology we can resolve the issues like never before. I suspect the is and always has been more related to the humans involved in the process. Nonetheless, I thought her idea of introducing peer processes to the evaluation of patent applications was very cool. Well worth listening to.
• David Brin, author-physicist, talked about Evaluating Horizons. He built a great case for why our society needs to be more transparent. If for no other reason, than to point our errors quickly thanks to the rapid and broad sharing of information. I agree with him and also agree that our current administration and that of many other countries are working directly against this kind of transparency. Great presentation.
  

7/28/06: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another early morning run during which I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. As I am logging this on Saturday, I have heard all of show 429. During this show, Adam referred to my entry for the iPod contest as "very interesting". As I commented on his blog, this is not a good thing for me according to my wife. So, I added an explanation on the comments there. My entry is TheiPodThatLaunched1000Shows.com. This is an allusion to the "face that launched a thousand ships". You know, Helen was taken to Troy and the Greeks sent 1000 ships to fetch her. This resulted in the Trojan War. The guy that started this whole free iPod mess is named Troy, troyneedsanipod.com. Anyway, if I have to explain it, I suppose my fate is predictable. :(

It is really hard to ignore this Israel/Hezbollah war. Not only is it a horrible reflection of the inability of these 2 groups to find a way to resolve their differences without killing people, but it sure seems polarizing. I can't help but think that this plays so well into the hand of Iran's, Al Queda, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic militants that it is anything other than calculated. Iran wanted to see Israel get pissed off. If they didn't do much, a good test. If they did do as they are doing, then in time more and more Arabs will get militant. There just seems to be no way to fix this situation. It just plain sucks.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:19
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	9:46
Weather:	Clear skies 79° Humidity-79%

7/26/06: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

An early morning run during which I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. There is a contest sponsored by Adam wherein the winner gets a video iPod. This was inspired by a site set up to help a guy named Troy get an iPod. My entry is TheiPodThatLaunched1000Shows.com. I think it is creative, but easy for me to say of myself, eh?

This was a good run. I passed an older guy running the opposite direction. And, he had such a pleasant smile and demeanor about him that it just made me feel cheery. In fact, on the second pass he asked "did you see that beautiful rainbow?". I had seen it, but his pointing it out so bluntly and happily was just joy spreading. I think it is cool when we adults can behave just a little bit like children who just met on the playground and recognize a kindred spirit of "do you want to play?".

We lost our upstairs air conditioner this week and finally worked up the nerve to call the HVAC guys to come fix it. They convinced us to replace it. Man, what an expensive fix/upgrade. But, it was necessary.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	49:08
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:50
Weather:	Few clouds 76° Humidity-76%

7/25/06: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

An early morning run during which I listened to the Daily Source Code and Accident Hash. So, Rice went to the middle east and it appears that we are not going to be able to broker a cease fire and a peace deal. No surprise there. The extremists want to fight and Israel doesn't have a reputation for backing down. Sure seems like the side picking continues. Hard to see a resolution to this stuff, that is for sure. I can't imagine what it must be like to live in Lebanon right now, especially if you don't care for the motivations of either side of the conflict.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:58
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	9:39
Weather:	Few clouds 76° Humidity-85%

7/23/06: Podcast Listening Update

• Robert Scoble and Shel Israel, Authors of Naked Conversations, talk about The Corporation in a Blogging World. I think one of the side-effects of the network effect is the increasing pressure for transparency and authenticity one sees in the blogosphere. Robert And Shel talk about blogging and some of the decisions one needs to consider as one blogs in a context that is clearly associated with where one works. Great presentation.
• Tom Barton, President and CEO of Rackable Systems, talked about the data centers in place for huge Internet presences. This was hugely interesting presentation from my perspective. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about the number of machines involved in running Google and the statistics Tom presented are startling. Further, the implications for power consumption, heat generation, and system administration are huge. Great and interesting presentation.
• Ray Lane, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, talked about The "Inter" Personal Enterprise. Ray discussed the environment around the thousands and enterprise software vendors. In an environment, as Ray notes, that 80% of the money goes to 3 companies, these vendors must compete fiercely. Ray talks about a variety of business models. He clearly recognizes that the traditional models for large license fees with a maintenance and support tail is increasingly under attack. Today, vendors need to focus on organic growth and acceptance with quick time to value. This was long and wordy presentation, but packed with good information.
• Retooling Developers for Geospatial, A Panel Discussion (see link for list of panelists) at Where 2005. This panel was clearly speaking to an audience that is familiar with GIS based mapping and data resources. But, the information was interesting to the rest of us too. I recommend listening and I am hoping to find time to visit the 2 sites I heard recommended during the presentations (again, check out the resources at the link provided above
• Scott Gatz, Senior Director of Personalization Products at Yahoo! Inc., talked Yahoo's Content Syndication Ecosystem. This was a presentation about how Yahoo is taking advantage of RSS and helping its visitors do the same. Scott discussed many of the things one might consider as one takes advantage of syndication and offers up content that can be syndicated. Good presentation.
• Pundit Panel, Dennis Kneale served as moderator (see link for panel member list), talked the general state of SOA and such at Software 2006. This was a fast paced, information packed, and sometimes combative discussion. I highly recommend it. The main take away for me was the importance of driving innovation into software to ensure competitive edge. But, there were many more. I highly recommend this one.
  

7/23/06: 8.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

I got some new CD's this week and I have caught up on podcasts, so I jammed to the new music. The weather was great. Still thinking about the extended family situation. Man, those decisions you make early in life can haunt you later. I feel like I have done the right thing most of the time, but there are few I regret. The stuff in Israel and Lebanon seems to just keep getting worse. Iran must be having a field day with this. Nothing creating a little conflict that will go on for awhile and result in 10 times as many deaths in Lebanon to get more Shiites motivated to rally against the U.S. and its allies, drive a bigger wedge between the parties in Iraq, defer attention, and basically just stir things up. I regret that leaders, on all sides, use rehetoric and munitions to create contexts that help the rest of us pick arms and fight for those causes. Let's aim for real peace. I listened to Nickleback's new CD, All the Right Reasons, (not available via the amazon links I build). Good CD, but not as good as early CD's in my opinion. But, a definitive keeper. The Trapt CD, Someone in Control, was jamming. I really loved their debut CD and have seen them several times here in Birmingham. Great stuff! I only hear the first few tracks of Shinedown's Us and Them, but they were good. Data: Distance: 8.5 Miles Time: 1:18:35 Heart Rate: 162 Pace: 9:14 Weather: Cloudy 72° 82%

7/21/06: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Since I have been traveling, I was fully caught up on the podcasts I listen to while running (see me at PodShow+). So, I listened to a CD for this run. I went back a few years and pulled out the Butthole Surfers. This CD is a bit off the way, but I like it. For reasons I won't share here, I am struggling with answering the question "Am I my brother's keeper?". I attended the funeral of a cousin's husband this week and saw family members I had not seen in years. Brought back some very old fears, sense of obligation, and emotions. So, I am in the midst of major cognitive dissonance. Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: 28:45 Heart Rate: 156 Pace: 9:35 Weather: Clear skies 93° 41%

7/19/06: Podcast Update

• Gordon Chang, Author of "Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes on the World" (follow the link below to ITConversations if you wish to checkout the book), talked with Dr. Moira Gunn of Tech Nation about North Korea and nuclear weapons. This was an informative and interesting discussion. Gordon's assertion that the North Korean leader may pull something stupid (like sending out some nukes) if he feels he is about to pass is scary. He seems to believe that diplomacy is the best handling of the situation, but sure sounds like a madman is at the helm in North Korea.
• Dr. Mahendra Rao, Vice President for Research - Invitrogen, talks with Dr. Moira Gunn of BioTech Nation about stem cell research and why some lines end. He talked about the "presendential lines" and how the current ban on research funding for research using any other lines. Much of the funding has switched to private sources. The discussion is very interesting and I recommend it. I am a supporter of stem cell research including embryonic stem cell research. So, I would like to see the ban eased and research increased. I am particularly concerned that doing otherwise will continue to enhance the offshoring of the research. It was also interesting to hear the discussion at the end of the podcast about the impact of the initiative in California that seems to have stalled.
  

7/19/06: 6 Mile Run: Columbia, SC

The trouble with the My Channel thing on PodShow+ has worked for about 24 hours now. So, maybe it is fixed. Again, I used the Garwin device to measure the route, so no heart rate. This morning I listened to the latest Phedippidations and started the latest Accident Hash.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	59:31
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:54
Weather:	Hazey 74° Humidity-82%
Route

7/18/06: Podcast Update

• Bruce Sterling, Science Fiction author, talked about The Internet of Things. This guy is FUNNY. I was going through the Atlanta airport while listening to this one and I know some folks that I was nuts for laughing so often. It is extremely good and I highly recommend it. Memorable experiences include listening to Bruce tell the geek filled audience that Web 2.0 is not about participation, but putting the geeks back in control since things are just a bit more difficult.
  
• Dr. Daniel Amen, Amen Clinics, talked about SPECT and the Future of Mental Health. Dr. Amen went through scenario after scenario demonstrating that with the brain imaging technology we have and the historical data we have collected, that it is simply amazing that Psychiatrists don't use it for ALL diagnoses and treatments. If nothing else just to make sure that there isn't an obvious root cause. Very interesting presentation.
• Dr. Carlos Melo,Transgenic Animals, spoke with Dr. Moira Gunn of BioTech Nation about, come on guess, transgenic animals. Another interesting presentation about genetically modified life from Argentina. And, again, very interesting. Imaginge human growth hormone produced by cows and harvestable via milk..... very interesting.
  

7/18/06: 3 Mile Run: Columbia, SC

Another run during which I listened to the Daily Source Code. I am still having trouble with the My Channel thing. I used the Garwin device to measure the route, so no heart rate.

This on-going Israel and Hezbollah confrontation is still going on. It sure seems like all the international leaders are lining up on one side or another. I sure hope we find a way to calm this down. But, the middle east situation sure seems intractable and the threat of those opposed to Israel have Americans in their sites and are not going to negotiate. We aren't likely to change our stripes, nor are they. So, do things return to the same festering wound waiting for the next explosive situation or do we just get it over with....... I wished I was smart enough to think my way through the best way to handle this or for that matter be able to draw a clear line to which side is "really" right.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:17
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:34
Weather:	Clear skies 72° Humidity-80%
Route

7/16/06: Podcast Update

• Oded Shenkar, Author of "The Chinese Century", talked about East Meets West. He did a fairly thorough analysis of the history of the U.S. as an economic power that emerged from underneath British lead. Then, he shifted attention to what is happening in China and how the U.S. needs to pay attention and start doing its homework. This was a very interesting presentation. He made it clear that the scenarios don't completely align, but there is some similarity. The main point I took from his presentation was that the world is flattening, things are changing, and we should embrace. The impact will not be simple and the outcomes will not be easy to predict.
• Rebecca MacKinnon, Co-founder of Global Voices Online, picked up the the second part of East meets West. She included tons of real world examples of how the Chinese are embracing the Internet and innovation. Including things as simple as attracting tourists to rural villages and growing a tourist industry. She described in detail how firewalls are keeping Chinese citizens from viewing and publishing objectionable content. Interestingly enough, she observed that for a lot of Chinese the end result is seen as freeing, not the converse as we might expect. Again, a very interesting presentation.
• Bjorn Melin, BioSidus, talked with Dr. Moira Gunn about Genetically Modified Crops. This was an interesting presentation about the positive impact of genetically modified corn and soybeans in Argentina. Given the FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) spread by some, I found this quite interesting.
• Ron Jacobs, ARCast, talked with Denny Boynton about Patterns and Anti-Patterns for SOA Applied. This was a great podcast for technologists interested in SOA. I loved the labels "Cruddy" and "Loosey Goosey" used to describe several patterns used by those designing SOA based systems. If want to know what these are, I recommend going and give this podcast a listen. But, here's 2 hints: don't do crud via WSDL and on have 1 method "DoIT" within your WSDL.
• Ron Jacobs, ARCast, talked with Robert Daigneau, Director of Platform Architecture for Monster.com, about Becoming an Architect. They did an excellent job describing the real world around software architects. If you are an architect or aspiring to become one, I recommend giving this podcast a listen. I can certainly verify that what they say is true! Main points I took away include, if you are an architect you have to lead by influence and you grow into the position after years of experience.
  
  

7/16/06: 10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

I started this morning by letting the dog out while the gates to the fence were wide open just as I left them after mowing yesterday. Naturally, the dog went for a stroll. Fortunately, he didn't go far. Judy will not be running for a month, so I went out alone. Interestingly, I was slower. Maybe, I can blame it on the heat.

I am still having trouble with Podshow+'s My Channel despite having heard from their help desk. I will be glad when they get it working. I love the idea they are trying to make real.


Data

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:49:46
Heart Rate:	154
Pace:	10:27
Weather:	Clear Skies Temperature-75° Humidity-88%
Route

7/15/06: Podcast Update 2

I had to mow the yard, so got to knock off a couple more from my queue.

• Ed Vasquez, Tom Myers, Jerry Flasz and Derek Butcher participated on an Expert Panel where they did a SOA Reality Check Part II. I have to be honest and admit that I listened to this quite awhile ago so I don't remember many of the details. But, I know it was a good presentation and focused a lot on actual experience rolling out SOA. I would recommend listening.
• Jonathan Schwartz, President and COO of Sun Microsystems, Inc., participated in a conversation with Doc Searls, Senior Editor of Linux Journal at Syndicate 2005. Jonathan is one of my favorite speakers on these ITConversations podcasts. This was a lively, opinionated, and insightful exchange that I would recommend. I love Jonathan's assertion that he would not worry about providing email access to employees who might abuse it, but would worry that the more connected employees become the more they work. They also made a good case that a company that chooses to attempt to set the standard as a competitive advantage will ultimately have to choose which segment of the market they will serve and necessarily that which they will not serve. The conversation included discussions of open source and its impact. Jonathan also included a discussion about how one selects the appropriate license for a project.
• Marcel den Hartog, Computer Associates, talked about his notion of Three Degrees of Separation borrowing from the popular six degrees of separation idea. For Marcel, he is referring to 3 degrees of separation between any element of the application and the user: storage, middleware, and the application layer. This was a fast paced and good presentation.
  

7/15/06: Podcast Update

• Philip Rosedale and David Alan Smith participated in a Intelligence Amplification Panel where they talked about Building the Metaverse. I selected to listen to this podcast predominantly because of Philip's association with Second Life. This was an interesting podcast, but does have content that would require access visual content that was in use when the podcast was recorded. One of the surprising things was the assertion by David that Java does not work the same way every where, thus his use of Smalltalk instead.
• Dileep George, Principal Architect at Numenta, talked about Understanding the Neocortex to Accelerate our Understanding of Intelligence. This was an excellent presentation. Dileep noted that the neocortex consists of a large sheath of neurons about 6 levels deep. Further, that the system is not highly differentiated as one might expect. In fact, he indicated that all of the cells essentially apply the same algorythms just to different stimuli. There is some modularization, but each unit functions much like other units at the celluar level. Again, very interesting and Dileep talks about it better than I. So, if you find this intriguing, go check it out.
• Steve Jurvetson and Blake Ross participated in Future Maker Panel during which that talked about Small, Smart, Open. Steve makes a good case for evolutionary processes leading to and hierarchial system with levels of abstraction that may not be so easy to figure out and replicate. Why? Because the evolve organically and are not necessarily efficient and eloquent. That doesn't mean they are NOT effective or easy to use. Very interesting idea. This was an extremely interesting podcast that I highly recommend.
• David Isenberg, Founder of isen.com, read a poem called Freedom To Connect. It was very Dr. Seuss like and villified the telecoms and clearly offers support for Net neutrality. I am not convinced the telecoms are the big evil as this poem and other Net neutrality backing content suggests. But, it was creative and entertaining.
• Dr. Greg Stock, CEO of Signum Biosciences, talks with Dr. Moira Gunn (BioTech Nation) about how machines are being used to aid biological functions. Dr. Stock does not anticipate large scale implantations for enhancement or cosmetic reasons given that one would need to upgrade frequently and that means invasion of the body. Thus, one would be shy to go there. Very interesting conversation.
• David Sifry, Founder and CEO of Technorati, talked about The State of the Blogosphere. This quick and interesting presentation mentions the incredible growth in the number of blogs, the increase in credibility for some blogs, and the abuses in the blogosphere.
• Al Gore, former Vice-President of the United States, talked about The Earth in the Balance. This was a faced-paced, fact-packed presentation about threats to the earth's climate and evidence that global warming as a result of human activity is real. Despite corporate and republican naysayers, I think Gore and the scientists I have seen on TV read or read about in other media are right in asserting that we are dangerously close to messing up the system. We need to do a better job of addressing global warming before it is too late.
• As briefly mentioned in a recent running entry, I listened to 3 podcasts about SCRUM. I have long been a fan of agile methods. It would be interesting to see if one could actually add 77 functions points in the same timeframe traditional processes result in 2 as suggested in these podcasts. That sounds unbelievable. But, I expect to checkout some of the principles and practices suggested in these podcasts and see if I can find a home for them in the processes I use at work. Here's a quote from the Agile Manifesto that highlights some of the basic differences between agile and traditional methods:
  

  ...we have come to value:
  
  Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
  Working software over comprehensive documentation
  Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
  Responding to change over following a plan
  
  That is, while there is value in the items on
  the right, we value the items on the left more.
  

  
  I found these 4 contractual provisions as discussed in the podcasts most compelling (copied from the transcripts for the podcasts):
  
  
  1. For any part of the requirements that the team hasn’t started working on yet, the customer is free to change them with anything of equal value.
  2. For any part of the requirements that the team hasn’t started working on yet, the customer is free to reprioritise them
  3. For any part of the work that has been delivered as increments already, the customer is free to ask the teams to implement them in addition to any call for implementations and they will be charged time and material to do so.
  4. Since the team has given the customer, as part of the proposal, the list of requirements of the project in a prioritised list by value, the customer can often see the system they want emerging and may feel satisfied before the entire set of requirements are developed. In this case they can cancel the contract at this point in time and take delivery of the system that is adequate to their needs and is only charged some penalty (such as 25% of unbilled revenues) to take care of any overhead that the team has absorbed by entering into the contract.
  
  I intend to keep learning more about SCRUM.
  

7/14/06: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A HOT afternoon run during which I listened to the Daily Source Code. Still some conversation about PodShow+, but I have to say that I am still having trouble with the My Channel thing. I'm sure it will get fixed and the tech team has emailed me telling me they think it is fixed, but not yet. I like aggregating online and having a combined feed. It does make keeping my iPod current easier. Further, I essentially have 2 sets of things I listen to on my iPod: entertainment podcasts (Daily Source Code, Phedippidations, Accident Hash, and Pod Save the Queen) and techy podcasts from IT Conversations. With IT Conversations support for My Queue, I can manage my downloads for techy podcasts and now with PodShow+'s My Channel, I can do the same for the other shows.

Man this crap in the middle east is sure scary as hell. Part of me says, those terrorist bastards want a fight, so give it to them. I mentioned this to my wife and she said "that doesn't sound like you." True enough, normally I lean a little more to the passivist side, but gees how long are we going to tolerate living in a world of fear. And, this middle east thing is surely akin to the cold war stuff where the big powers used other countries and groups to execute the battle in the field. So, we are behing Israel and Iran, Syria, and some non-state groups are backing Hamas and Hizbollah. Thus, playing out the big battle we aren't fighting on the backs of smaller groups. Why can't we humans find a better way to solve problems? Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:56
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	10:19
Weather:	Clear skies 95° Humidity-38%

7/12/06: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

For this morning run, I listened to the last of yesterday's Daily Source Code, 3 Podcasts on SCRUM (a agile development methodology) and started listening to a PodCast of a presentation by Al Gore as delivered at Stanford on global warming. I guess one of the benefits of running slow is there is lots of time to listen. And, I had a friend turn me on to Yahoo! Answers, most particularly one posted by Stephen Hawking within which he asks will humans still be here in 100 years given all the chaos we see socially, politically, and environmentally. Man all of this content has my brain spinning. I am also struggling trying to get a picture out of my mind. It was taken by Kevin Carter and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 showing a starving Sudanese boy with a vulture standing behind him waiting for a meal. It is VERY disturbing. How can we be so damn cruel and let some of our brothers suffer so!

I have long been intrigued by the prospects agile methods introduce for improving and accelerating feature introduction for software. In fact, some of the processes used where I work have been influenced by agile methods. But, as noted in the podcasts above, it is not an easy transition from traditional to agile methods. It may be worth the effort, but it is an effort. I have found that the culture change required to get the motivation to stick through the effort is the hardest to develop and maintain.

As to Stephen Hawking's questions, the disturbing picture, and Al Gore's presentation, it is just a solid reminder that we have a lot of work to do to ensure that we properly care for the planet under our care, treat each well, and prevent preventable outcomes for our brothers and sisters. Some of those replying to Hawking indicated we should just trust in deities or that all generations have asked the same question and it hasn't happened yet, so don't sweat it. I think both attitudes are counter productive. We are impacting the planet like never before and WE KNOW IT. It is the knowledge part that I think we have an obligation to respond to. It is one thing to live in a world where you view is limited to the "known world" and the population is small enough to limit the environmental impact to relatively small areas and another to live today where Thomas Friedman can build the case that we are so connected to knowledge and each other we can think of the planet as flat. I don't have a solid answer to resolve the issues hinted at by Hawking's question. But, I know we can only solve, like all hard problems, by being rational and dividing and conquering the problem's contributing problems. Let's get busy.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	1:00:43
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	10:07
Weather:	Mostly Cloudy 84° Humidity-68%

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Still insufficient podcasts coming down to listen to one of the shows I subscribe to while running this morning. I don't really care to listen to one of the more technical related shows while running. So, I grabbed the music playing mp3 player and loaded up Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. I just love her voice and perky style. I signed up at PodShow+, but it is still having trouble providing the exact service I think I would use. But, I anticipate that will come along. There is a fairly lively discussion going on at curry.com if you want to watch what is happening as PodShow+ continues to get unleashed. I think once the dust settles the results are going to be very cool. Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: 28:53 Heart Rate: 152 Pace: 9:38 Weather: Clear skies 74° 78% Humidity

10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

Met Judy at 6:30 am as usual. A good run, but she kicked my butt even worse than last week. the extra 2 miles just gave her more time to get ahead. I even blabbed less, but it didn't help. I listened to the latest Daily Source Code by Adam Curry on the way to and from Brownell. A good deal of the show was about the release of PodShow+. Adam also talked about the service for his mother who recently died. Sounds like it was exactly what his mother would have wanted. I was sorry to hear of his loss and wish the best for his family.

I signed up (http://bobevans.podshow.com/) and I am getting acquainted. I have not decided precisely how I will use it, but it is interesting. I found it a little confusing at first and even added a comment to at http://www.curry.com. But, the first thing you have to do is understand that PodShow is an aggregator. However, for shows that are listed there, one might only want to add that show directly to their podcatcher. I think it needs to be easier to do that than it seems to be right now. But, for an initial release, it may make sense to let the dust settle before getting to uppidity.

:)

Data

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:42:05
Heart Rate:	160
Pace:	9:21
Weather:	Cloudy Skies Temperature-74° Humidity-74%
Route

Accident Hash Rave

Show 160 of Accident Hash was the best I have heard. Someone apparently wrote that C.C. likes pop music beats and he reacted (maybe, overreacted) and I loved it! Go C.C., I was driving and hanging out in the gym while listening, but man if I had been running this show would have ruled. Last, but not least, I must buy some Munk.

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I enjoyed a morning run with cooler temperatures and commercial music. Kind of unusual for me these days. But, Adam Curry has not been posting Daily Source Code shows (his mother died recently, so not complaining). The rest of my regular shows for running don't fill up enough space. So, I grabbed the music playing mp3 player and loaded up The Eminem Show. I thoroughly enjoyed the updated dose of Eminem. The "Cleaning Out My Closet" track especially. He is too crude at times, but he does hit a nerve and reflect a side of society that is there. Sometimes art does reflect life. I dropped by Second Life briefly yesterday and the Curry Castle has moved. I am sure it is on Adam's island in Second Life, but I have no clue where the island is or how to get to it. :( Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: 28:07 Heart Rate: 154 Pace: 9:39 Weather: Clear skies 70° 64% Humidity

Podcast Update

I listened to Dr. Moira Gunn interview William Vollmann about Uncentering Earth (follow this link for information about purchasing his book if you wish to dig deeper). The majority of the conversation was about Copernicus and his discoveries and observations. Special consideration was given to the science available to Copernicus to help shed light on the context within which he operated. Very interesting presentation!

6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A cooler afternoon run. Felt like a "mental run". Translation: I was supposed to run, so I did. Not because my body felt like it, but because my mind said "just do it". So, I was slow, but I did get it in and I appreciated that once the run was complete. I listened to the latest Phedippidations and was pleased to hear Steve remind us that flexibility is a good thing. Those of you that read this blog regularly (yeah, right!) know that I do occasionally skip out on a run or two and alter my running days. Nothing too drastic, but flexibile enough to permit a little balance to my life. This made for the first full year of Phedippidations too. Congrats, Steve and keep it up!

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	1:00:23
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	10:04
Weather:	Cloudy, 84°
	Humidity - 48%

George Bush Raps!

This is a super hilarious rap song with Chris Cox as George Bush. I found this gem on iFilm.com.

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A hot afternoon run. I had to work with my son to decorate his wagon for a neighborhood 4th of July parade. So, I didn't manage to get my run in early. In fact, it was so hot that I got in my son's kiddie pool after the run. He thought that was a blast and it was a quick cool off. I listened to C.C. Chapman's Accident Hash. Podshow.com, the hosting site for Accident Hash, appears to be down right now. I am guessing they are about to launch! Adam's video that presents the illusion that we are seeing him through his monitor is cool and a creative way to manage informing the visitor that the site is down. Anyway, I thought C.C.'s choice to present a show based on the top 10 songs from the Podsafe Music Network was excellent!

It is interesting that part of the pitch of podcasters is that the redundant, repetitive playing of songs is one of the things that can be avoided by listening to podcasts doesn't seem to be entirely accurate to me. I am NOT complaining. It is certainly a LOT less repetitive. But, with the 3 podcasts I listen to regularly (Phedippidations, Daily Source Code, and Accident Hash), I can say that the advertisements and songs do get repeated. This repetition occurs across and within shows. But, I think to some extent this repetition is good. A really popular, good song merits repeating by the same show and across shows. While not preprogrammed and managed by the corporate media outlets, there is something to be said that popular, good songs get repeated both by podcasters and, for commercial enterprises, by the radio. While different, repetition is not inherently bad, just overdone by the usual radio station.

C.C.'s comment, in a recent show, about the lack of variability from city to city as it applies to radio is definitely a fair criticism. In fact, this pattern bothers me much more than the repeated playing of songs. I would love to hear regional influences on the radio as I travel. That would add a whole new dimension to traveling that offers plenty of opportunity for audio tourism. But, everything in its place. For me, the radio is just about dead. Not because of repetition. Purely from lack of entertainment; too much of the same ol' stuff. Podcasters are simply offering better content in a more interesting format.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:52
Heart Rate:	153
Pace:	9:57
Weather:	Clear skies, 96°
	Humidity - 48%

Podcast Update

OK. If you have been watching, you would think I have been listening to anything from IT Conversations, but that isn't true. I just haven't had time to log it. But, here's the most recent lot. I will list the others and at least highlight my favorites.

• Gary McGraw, CTO at Citigal, talked about Software Security. He referenced a book he recently published on the same subject that you can learn more about and purchased at the link just included. I thought the presentation was excellent and thought his focus on the programming techniques and procedures were right on target.
• Paul Levine, General Manager at Local Yahoo!, Inc., talked about The Architecture of Participation. Paul clearly understood his subject matter and I recommend this presentation. I haven't spent anytime on checking out Local Yahoo, but will now, should I get the time. I think participation is a central tenet of modern software development and instrumental in many ways. It is being embraced in many ways both for open and closed software development. Paul talked a lot about search and most importantly how it should be focused more on purposeful search and results. He is right on.
• Cory Doctorow, European Affairs Coordinator for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, talked about Europe's Coming Broadcast Flag. While I sometimes find the EEF's statements and policies a bit extreme, Cory's presentation was not so extreme. In fact, I found it informative and interesting. I especially like the obvious assertion that the mainstream media producers are treating their customers as the culprits against which they need to put in protections. Thereby, thwarting innovation and creating motivation for the very audience that paid for the media to find a different way to get content they are willing to purchase if they wish to use it in an alternative manner. He is right on the money!
• Carolyn Porco, Cassini Science Imaging Team Leader, talked about the Cassini mission at Saturn as part of the Explorer's Club at Pop!Tech. This was a very interesting presentation. I highly recommend listening and checking out the Cassini website.
• Jaime Sguerra, CTO, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, delivered a presentation called A Services Oriented Architecture for Competitive Advantage. Since I work in the insurance software industry and SOA is a major interest, it was quite interesting to hear Jaime's perspective. Very well presented and dead-on!
• Mark Lynas, Author of High Tide, talked about Global Warming. This enlightening presentation should provide plenty of motivation for all of us to start taking our behavior and its potential impact on our environment a lot more seriously. I recently read an article from Men's Health that talked about the dangers we runners face when we run while pollutants are high. Put these 2 tidbits together (Mark's presentation and this article) and man it makes for some sobering thoughts. Mark also pokes fun at our government's (especially Republican) attempts to treat Global Warming as a non-issue. His particular example included a reference to Congress asking Michael Creighton, a novelist, for an opinion on the subject. According to Mark, no expert/scientist in the field disagrees with the contention that something is happening and that it does not bode well for humanity.
• Lee Felsenstein, PC Pioneer, spoke with Larry of Larry's World. Lee is a famous moderator of the Homebrew Computer Club (think where early Apple Computers and others such were shown and discussed). Listening to Lee talk about the history of PC technology and the personalities of some of the now famous folks as they were before they were famous was extremely enjoyably. Highly recommended.
  

8.4 Mile Run: Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway

Met Judy at 6:30 am as usual. Man, did it seem hot. Must have been humid. I plan to add that measure to the data section below. I didn't record it for this run. Judy kicked my but at the end of the run, but my watch says I ran the usual time. Go Judy. Me, I was pleased just to not walk. It was one of those runs.

I also blabbed a lot. In fact, I joking noted that Jed Bush will run for president in the future. Not the next election, but for the next presidency after. And, at that time he will wage war on Iran. I note such here, in case I turn out to be right. I want evidence. I wonder if this blog will still be here then?

Data

Distance:	8.4 Miles
Time:	1:18:30
Heart Rate:	164
Pace:	9:21
Weather:	Clear Skies, 74°
Route

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A hot afternoon run. I tried to get it done in the morning, but checked my calendar before I headed out and discovered that I had a meeting. So, I worked all day in running attire and got the run in just before we were due to meet friends for some wine tasting. I got through it despite the heat and the wine tasting was great.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:58
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	9:59
Weather:	Clear skies, 97°

6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Logged too late to say much. I know listened to my latest load of podcasts and got the run in before it got hot.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	59:47
Heart Rate:	159
Pace:	9:58
Weather:	Clear skies, 68°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I got in an early morning run listening to the lastest Daily Source Code. You probably didn't notice that I didn't run Friday or Sunday as is my normal pattern. The Family and I including the maternal grandparents, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew went camping at Smoky Mountain National Park. Home of the synchronized lightening bugs. Since my son got tired, I missed out on the lightening bugs. But, what a place. We had a great time and there is so much to see and do there. I simply have to go back when I have more time. I would love to backpack there. We did these things:

• Camped at Elkmont campground
• Cades Cove - 11 Mile loop with lots of stops to look at stuff especially old dwellings
• Grotto Falls on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail
• Metcalf Bottoms Trail to the Little Greenbrier School
• Ate a lot
• Played a lot
• Got rained on a lot
• Everyone but me saw the lightening bugs
  

As to running, well I believe that every once in awhile you should take a wee break. The roads around the campground were narrow and there were many blind curves. So, I decided not to risk it and enjoy the break.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:19
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:46
Weather:	Clear skies, 68°

5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I finished this run listening to Accident Hash #155, Godspeed Granny. C.C.'s grandmother died. I found myself thinking of a woman I never met, and since I am a new listener, didn't know was ill. The closing song was so fitting. The song was On MyMind and Willow Creek by The Cool Waters Band. "You will be on my mind down the open road" is part of the chorus. Can you imagine? I am running listening to C.C. talk about his family and his grandmother's passing. This line fit the occasion so well. It touched me that his loss could touch me so and I hope that knowing I was touched while running brings some comfort (I sent C.C. and email). His grandmother's life was celebrated during my run and in some way her spirit was there with mine.

I also finished up the latests Daily Source Code and Pod Save the Queen.

Note to the US Mainstream Media: Quit putting family members of those who have lost loved ones on your shows! I am just appalled at the media coverage involving family of soldiers killed in Iraq. Especially, the coverage related to the 2 mutilated soldiers most recently reported. It is simply too soon to put these family on TV! And, even more appalled, at those in the media that then talk about what these family members say in a manner that condemns or praises their position on political matters. This whole show just cheapens us all, if you ask me. Leave them alone to grieve. Sure adds meaning to Don Henley's "Get the widow on the set" line from a very old album.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	49:68
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	10:00
Weather:	Clear skies, 72°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I got in an early morning run listening to the lastest Daily Source Code. I spotted a little snake (about 7 inches long) on the trail around the lake. I am not sure what kind it was and didn't cause it any harm. There were more people out running and walking than I see on the hot afternoon runs. The afternoons have become too hectic, so I am going to try getting my runs done in the morning. It adds the benefit of running while the temperature is cooler.

My family was interviewed Saturday by our local NBC station. The story was about assistive reproduction therapy. We went through the clinic referenced in the story to conceive our youngest son. I had a vasectomy 24 years before fathering my youngest son. I was told 15 years before that I was hopelessly sterile and that body wouldn't even produce sperm in about 5 years (10 years before my son was implanted). While we expected to learn about sperm donors and artificial insemination, we learned that I not only produced sperm, but that medicine now had a procedure to extract it and fertilize eggs. So, we did and our son is the result.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:20
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:47
Weather:	Clear skies, 72°

8.4 Mile Run: Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway

I finally measured the "9 Mile" course. Well, surprise, it isn't 9 miles. It is 8.4. Which is fine, but it will be good to have an accurate pace measure. Judy and I took off at near 6:30 am without her dog. Her dog had some trouble at the end of last week's run. So, given the temperatures of summer, Judy has decided to not run the dog on the long Sunday runs.

I have been listening to Steve talk about The Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon where else but on Phedippidations. All you have to do is run 13.1 miles anywhere on October 7th or 8th of this year. Check it out. I shall.

Data

Distance:	8.4 Miles
Time:	1:18:08
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:18
Weather:	Partly Cloudy, 72°
Route

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another hot afternoon run. I ran listening to the lastest Daily Source Code. Nothing special to blab about today. Here's the data:

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:15
Heart Rate:	153
Pace:	10:05
Weather:	Clear skies, 92°

6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another hot afternoon run. I listened to a podcast suggested by a colleague at work about agile methods. I have read about and been a fan of agile methods. Although, I have not had the opportunity to apply them in real world settings. But, I am intriqued by the potential opportunities they may offer over the more traditional waterfall approaches. The podcast was worthwhile and in line with with what I have heard and read in the past. I am anxious to check out some of the other podcasts from ARCast at channel9.

I have also added Accident Hash to my subscription list. I listened to show 152 during this run. The start was a little melow for a run, but man when Five Star Fall kicked in the run started to pick up. Then, came Derek Jones and I was extremely pleased. Good choices C.C. At this rate, the ripped CD's are seeing less and less play during the run. Sorry, Sony. Sorry, BMI. Yeah Right!

I think the source of the unwanted posts were through email posts. I had not changed the default setting and some asshole's bot or some asshole was taking advantage of it for some sort of stupid thrill. Hopefully, I have removed the nuisance. May the asshole get a hemorrhoid!

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	59:23
Heart Rate:	158
Pace:	9:53
Weather:	Clear skies, 86°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A slow and hot run. But, hey at 88° you should not go too fast or hard, eh? I listened to the lastest Daily Source Code. Adam got an interesting question from a caller asking about when he first let his daughter, now 15, start wearing makeup. I have to admit that upon hearing this question my thought was when did he let her start using profanity in front of him. As you may remember, my American and puritanical reaction to her first podcast. I am subscribed to her show.

But, for me, I consider a cool thing that my children (regardless of age) don't curse in front of me as a matter of respect. I know they curse, but with dad they maintain a certain decorum. Me, I think that is good. But, there are many people and many roads. I don't own "right".

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:22
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	10:7
Weather:	Clear skies, 88°

10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

I met Judy for our regular 6:30 am run. While the temperature was only 72, you could feel the thick humid air. And, it was quite noticable while we ran. Found a garbage post here when I came on to add this entry. Its title was "conflict of interest". Clearly, someone has figured out how to hack entries onto my blog. What assholes. Get their kicks just proving they can disrupt the stuff of others. May they vomit into the wind. It is difficult to figure out why someone of clear talent would waste it in such a stupid way. Enough wasted time on scum.

My cousin is serving in the army and has been involved in the production of some videos that he and his friends produced while in the middle east. I spotted on on iFilm this week. It amused me and it is a good video.



Data:

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:43:50
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	9:53
Weather:	Clear Skies, 72°
Route

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

This was a stressful week. Thus, it was great to end it with a run. It was hot and I didn't see many folks outside. I listened to Adam Curry's Daily Source Code. Not much else to say right now.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:36
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	10:12
Weather:	Clear skies, 88°

5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

No Daily Source Code published today, so I ran with commercial music for the first time in a long time. I enjoyed it. I blogging this late. Thus, got the news that Al-Zarqawi was killed last night. Wow! To bad he and others have choosen such a path of hate and force others to seek his death. Noone's death is something to celebrate and I am sorry he lost his. But, it is good that another of his ilk have been removed from a position of threath. May we find a way to solve differences without death. Note to all humans: let's find a way to focus on love and positive growth. Don't let Bush or Bin Ladin set your context. Think free. Think love. Think life. I am American. I do not hate muslims. In fact, I love all that I know personally. I am not in some NATO organization seeking to destroy Arabs. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. I did not believe Sadaam was friends with Bin Ladin. I did not believe he was a WMD threat. I did not think we should invade Iraq. And, I am not alone. But, rest assured, I, like other Americans, will do whatever is necessary to ultimately live free of fear and intimidation. But, we humans must find a better way. Don't blindly believe or follow anyone. Think for yourself! I listened to Concrete Blond which is not listed on Amazon. That's a first for me. Anyway, great CD from my college days. Finished up with a couple of tracks from Creed. Data: Distance: 5 Miles Time: 48:28 Heart Rate: 151 Pace: 9:37 Weather: Clear skies, 85°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another hot afternoon run during which I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. This was also an election day. I voted Republican since this was basically an election to weed down the candidates for the final vote in November. Why Republican? Because we had a anti-gay wedding amendment proposal on the ballot thus a draw card for ultra-conservatives and Roy Moore on the Ballot. The last thing I want is Roy in the Governor's mansion. And, our current governor Bob Riley seems to be doing a good job to me. I voted NO to the the anti-gay wedding. But, I was only joined by 19% of the voters. I don't understand why so many people want to prevent people who love each other and wish to dedicate themselves to just one other person in a loving relationship from enjoying the same social benefits as heterosexual married couples. Too bad in my opinion. It seems hateful and mean to me. Let God judge. We humans should just be kind to one another and do things based on love, not hate.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:06
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	10:02
Weather:	Clear skies, 90°

8.4 Mile Run: Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway

Judy didn't show today. She called after the run. She set her alarm clock wrong. So, I attached the iPod to the water bottle harness and off I went. Oh, well before starting I chatted with a fella I met while training for the Mercedes Marathon. He and I are interested in the same kind of reading material. That was fun to catch up. I sure wish I could remember his name. Then, I was off.

I started off listening to the Adam Curry's daughter's new podcast, Pod Save the Queen. Sounds like a young UK chick talking about indie music complete with slang that only such a person might recognize. But, interesting musical selections. I may subscribe. My American puritanical nature was pulled out while listening. Adam has ranted a couple of times about how puritanical we can be and he is right. But, nonetheless, I would be bothered if my 15 year old was publishing with profanity peppered in somewhat gratitously. But, to each their own.

I also got in another session of Phedippidations. Good one too. Steve's description of Accident Hash had prompted me to add it to my subscription list. I haven't listened to one yet, so cann't comment yet. And, Steve's rant about Muriel Gray's podcast interview was spot on for describing how podcasting will kill the radio for many of us. Already killed for me. And, I will have to go listen to the interview myself when I have some time. It sure pissed Adam off. On a side note, Steve's description of how much corn we consume in America was very interesting. Basically, he noted, based on a book he read, that we consume stuff cooked in corn oil, loaded with corn syrup, etc. Never thought about how pervasive corn is our diet is before...

I have discovered a really cool feature on the iPod by the way. Namely, I love that when you unplug the headset it automatically pauses! Since I switch between headset and cassette adapter is very cool not to have to worry about pausing. Still looking for the bookmarking capability. I usually have 4 or 5 listens going on at the same time. And, sure would love a sync with folder(s) I select. I do like the smart playlists.

I am nervous about the stuff in Iraq indicated that some marines may have killed 24 civilians. I sure hope we find out that the real story does not show wrong doing on our part. War sucks. How to you teach and expect morality from those for whom you have turned off morality to permit killing in the first place? We humans need to find a better way, period. Killing sucks no matter who is doing it. And those that use it to reach sinister ends, may they rot in hell.

Data

Distance:	9 miles (I measured and it's 8.4)
Time:	1:22:03
Heart Rate:	151
Pace:	9:46
Weather:	Partly Cloudy, 68°
Route

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another afternoon run during which I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. Nothing special today, just needed to get the run in.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:01
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:43
Weather:	Clear skies, 88°