Lawrence's Blog

Who's to Blame?

2011-03-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

1 mllion workers. 90 million iPhones. 17 suicides. Who's to Blame? A Well done piece from Wired.

Brains and Brawn

2011-01-19T13:44:00.000-08:00

Another reason to run and do some resistance training.

If I started lifting weights as often as I ran, just think of the potential!

Whistler in Miniature

2011-01-09T00:27:00.000-08:00

Whistler gets the tilt-shift treatment in this video.

Vivian Maier

2010-12-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

This is a story that intrigues me. Vivian Maier, a Chicago nanny, was an unknown street photographer. A large cache of photos and negatives were discovered just before her death in 2009. An exhibition is now slated for Chicago and the collection is getting some notice.

Links:

Vivian Maier, recently discovered street photographer

Vivian Maier, documentary

A 9:32 story from WTTW Chicago

Finding Vivian Maier: You can personally back the making of a feature length documentary and watch a short video

The blog devoted to her work

Steve Jones

2010-12-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

O.K. Maybe not the bravest thing you'll ever see, but certainly a courageous run. Go here to see the last two laps. More on Steve Jones here.

Lunar boulder rolls and....

2010-12-23T10:52:00.000-08:00

It hits a hole-in-one. The picture was taken this year from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Fitted Sheets

2010-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

You've probably wondered all your life how to fold a fitted sheet. It's bothered you every time you've attempted it, and it has frustrated the hell out of you. No more. With some practice you will be able to pile that sheet in the closet on top of the towels, in a nice and tidy fashion.

The Monolith and the Message

2010-12-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

I came across this review from 1968 while following Roger Ebert's twitter stream (@ebertchicago), of 2001: A Space Odyssey. A great article, with some of the rudimentary explanations that some audiences require. Roger Ebert recognized this films greatness early on.

More Crossword Puzzlers

2010-12-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

Don Feyer is the American Champion in crossword puzzle solving. He's fast. A time-lapse video is included.

Abbey Road

2010-12-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

We're all familiar with the iconic Abbey Road album cover. Here is a shot of the Beatles moments before.

Sessions

2010-12-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

This post is for you smart surfers using Safari to browse. I'm recommending one extension that I love, and can't live without: Sessions. It allows you to quickly save your tabs in a history, so when you quit Safari, you can easily return to where you were. You can download it from the official Apple site (so, you know it's been vetted) or here. I've been using it for six months and will continue to use it until this functionality is added to Safari by Apple.

The Magician and the Crossword

2010-12-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

Watch this fully to appreciate. An amazing talent:

The Decider, deciding.

2010-12-06T10:42:00.001-08:00

A brilliant review of George W. Bush's new memoir, Decision Points, by George Packer. A condemning indictment of his presidency can be found in his own words.

Recycling

2010-12-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

A fresh take on improving recycling. Interesting ideas on harvesting data on the things we buy and dispose of.

Crawling to Finish

2010-12-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

Runner Crawls to Finish to Win Title for Her Ailing Coach.

The video is here. Just skip to the 19:30 mark for the dramatics.

200 years in 4 minutes

2010-12-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

Income vs. life expectancy over 200 years in a telling video graphic.

The Power of the Sun

2010-11-29T08:22:00.000-08:00

You know it, but still when you see it, it's amazing.

Technology and Kids

2010-11-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

More on a theme I've been hitting on lately in my recent posts, kids and education. Here the NYT looks at kids and whether they're Wired for Distraction.

North Korea

2010-11-27T16:57:00.001-08:00

If you've been following the recent events between the two Korea's, this Op/Ed piece in the NYT, goes a long way in explaining the North's motivations.

Why Can't We Walk Straight?

2010-11-26T15:30:00.000-08:00

Teaching

2010-11-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

What Makes a Great Teacher? A good read from the Atlantic. Also, check out the four video's showing great teaching practises on the first page.

Word Games

2010-11-24T18:25:00.000-08:00

I hate to tell you, but please don't take this post the wrong way...

National Geographic Photo Contest

2010-11-24T12:08:00.001-08:00

Here are some submissions that have been collected by The Big Picture. So beautiful and powerful in their storytelling.

Childhood Obesity

2010-11-22T12:11:00.000-08:00

Just another concrete example that society is getting fat: car seats for kids have to get bigger.

Porn Post

2010-11-21T09:54:00.000-08:00

Off the top of your head, what percentage of men do you think watch porn?

50%?

70%?

Here's your answer at The Telegraph.

Retouching the Past

2010-11-20T09:42:00.000-08:00

If only they had school-photo retouching in my day. Sigh.

Haiti's Canal Crews

2010-11-20T09:16:00.000-08:00

This is so sad. The situation in Haiti can only be described as desperate.

Obsessions

2010-11-19T21:10:00.000-08:00

This article will help you to stop watching Glenn Beck on Fox. His hobby horses are Hitler and Woodrow Wilson, and he proves time and time again that he's a wretched historian.

On Jeans and Belts

2010-11-18T06:25:00.000-08:00

Should jeans be worn with a belt? Russell Smith in the Globe & Mail has the answer. It's nice to read that I've been doing something right in the haberdashery department.

The badly written memoir

2010-11-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

Want to read George W. Bush's new memoir? Neither do I. So in that spirit, here's the digested view.

No spoilers from me. Well one: he's an idiot.

Right-wing media whore

2010-11-16T21:07:00.000-08:00

So you don't have to watch, here's a review of Sarah Palin's new show on TLC in the New Yorker. I encourage you not to watch the show -- ever. The ratings will only encourage her.

Devour Video's

2010-11-16T20:57:00.000-08:00

When I want to watch awesome, hand-picked video's, I go to Devour. From trailers to interesting shorts, they're there.

I've been told they are great on the iPad. Maybe my 'Sis can back that up for me? Surprisingly, I still don't have an iPad. Ah, but Christmas is coming.....

Fortune's destiny

2010-11-13T09:03:00.000-08:00

I would never thought I'd have a blog post on the game show, "Wheel of Fortune", but here's a piece on a one-word puzzle solve. Amazing? or not really, when you peel away the chaos to the underlying logic.

The Starbucks Theory

2010-11-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

What the size of a Starbucks means to you.

Kids and exercise

2010-11-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

Can exercise make kids smarter? Yes it can. From the NYT.

The wastrel

2010-11-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

This columnist for the Independent in Britain, takes perhaps the harshest look at the presidency of George W. Bush that you'll probably find in a mainstream paper.

That's no moon, it's a.....

2010-11-11T00:03:00.000-08:00

space station. Want to know something about life aboard the International Space Station? Sure you do. Some interesting stuff.

The Emperor

2010-11-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

Here's a nice piece on the great distance runner Haile Gebrselassie's retirement, "looking back, and forward".

I have a niggling feeling that he'll be back to race again. I'm not fully convinced his retirement is set in stone. As said in the piece, two months ago he ran a 59:33 (!) in a half marathon, his fastest time since 2008.

Only time will tell, but if I had to guess right now, I expect we haven’t seen the last of the “Emperor”. But I also have a feeling we have seen the best of him. And we should count ourselves as fortunate, because again, whether you’re a 49:59 10km runner, a sub-4 minute miler, or an aspirant 2:03 marathon runner, Haile Gebrselassie has played no small part in your belief and achievement

Nesbitt

2010-11-07T21:05:00.000-08:00

My good buddy Patrick has a new blog. He used to be my running partner when he lived in P.R. He has taught me a lot about desire and perseverance in running. Go visit and encourage him to keep posting!

President Carter

2010-11-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

If you can put up with the janky flash player, this interview of President Jimmy Carter by Bill Maher is terrific. Carter is a decent, good man, whose presidency was undermined by circumstances beyond his control, and has always been an under-rated President.

HBO video link

Here's a strictly audio version if you can't handle that bloody flash player

[Hat tip to Daring Fireball]

In Praise of Effort

2010-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

How Not to Talk to Your Kids, and the inverse power of praise. From a 2007 article in NY Magazine.

It's all about effort, not intelligence.

Rotten

2010-11-02T00:32:00.000-07:00

How much food do you waste? It's too much.

The Sanity Rally

2010-11-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

I like Andrew Sullivan's take on the Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert rally, but what I enjoyed most was reading the many ironic rally signs.

First Person

2010-11-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

The first ever photograph of a human being.

Hitch

2010-10-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

I love the honesty in this interview with Christopher Hitchens. You won't find the sentiments society expects him to have, rather he speaks his truth, avoiding hypocrisy. His writing is first, and then his children.

“There is no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall.”

On motivation

2010-10-24T16:07:00.000-07:00

The hidden truths about what really motivates us:

Whining: A reverse placebo

2010-10-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

From Seth Godin's blog, an excellent take on the two main problems with whining.

Great running quote

2010-10-21T14:27:00.001-07:00

Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't. -Jerry Rice

Dathan Ritzenhein Gets Ready

2010-10-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Let's interrupt my posts with an old-fashioned running link. I'm a big fan of Dathan Ritzenhein, and here's a story in the NYT on his NYC marathon preparation.

Dathan on Gebrselassie: “He’s not invincible, even though he looks like it sometimes. One thing you’ve got to remember: everybody is beatable.”

Secrets of the Centenarians

2010-10-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

Voices and recollections of those that have made it to 100 years of age.

Update: Here's an associated article for the slideshow and audio.

The Picture Book

2010-10-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

I, for one, will always praise the picture book.

An interesting article from the NYT, tells of the declining sales of children's picture books. Some of the parents profiled are prodding, even forcing their children to read books to the exclusion of picture books. Idiots.

Run Happy

2010-10-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

At the 2010 Victoria Half-Marathon

Perserverance

2010-10-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be watching the Victoria Half-Marathon this weekend, and besides cheering for my wife, I'll be pulling for Jim Finlayson. I don't know him personally, but I admire his perseverance against bad fortune.

An Obituary

2010-10-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

The anonymity of the internet often brings out the cowardly and the thoughtless. The St. Petersburg Times responds magnificently with an obituary. Every life matters. [From TPM]

Royal Navy Field Gun Competition 1997

2010-09-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

[via Kottke.org]

The amount of practise to do this obstacle course would he enormous. The sheer strength and athleticism is jaw-dropping. More on this competition here.

Religion, in general

2010-09-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

A survey in the U.S. shows that atheists and agnostics are the most knowledgeable about religion.

Great Pictures

2010-09-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

I know I've linked to this before, but I love this site. If there was ever any doubt that photojournalism is alive, The Big Picture casts aside any suspicions. You'll find many examples, within these finely culled essays, on the power of the still photograph for storytelling.

It's worth a look, and repeat visits.

Ted Williams

2010-09-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

A terrific article in the NYT, on the 50th anniversary of Ted Williams' last game with the Boston Red Sox. It inspired the best baseball essay ever written, Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu, by John Updike. I first read this about a year ago, and admire it greatly.

On Facebook

2010-09-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

After reading this article on Mark Zuckerberg in the New Yorker magazine, I stand more convinced that not being on Facebook is the right course of action.

An interesting read, regardless of what you think of Zuckerberg, or Facebook.

On multi-tasking

2010-09-25T11:42:00.001-07:00

Multi-tasking is a lie, by Andy Ihnatko is an interesting article on a very first-world problem. I always enjoy Mr. Ihnatko's take on technology. Read it in one take, or suffer the irony.

Update for August 2010

2010-08-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated this blog for some time, and am not quite sure what the future holds for it. While I ponder this, I've been uploading photos to my flickr account. Have a look here.

Kick of the week

2010-03-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Great kick, greater sportsmanship.

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

Boy running downhill

2010-03-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

What is the best weight to be to run?

2010-02-04T21:56:00.000-08:00

My running coach, Tom Fleming, a former elite runner who won the New York City Marathon twice, in 1973 and 1975, said that he always tells his competitive athletes “that the perfect weight is the weight you are the day you P.B. in your event,”

On Technique

2010-02-01T17:03:00.000-08:00

"Strength and conditioning will get you lengths and lengths. Technique will get you inches."

From here.

Get rid of the Hares!

2010-01-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

Here's an article from Running Times that argues quite rightly that rabbits ruin races.

Training right, training smart

2010-01-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

Great post here by Coach Gambetta.

Big benefits from eating less salt

2010-01-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

If everyone consumed half a teaspoon less salt per day, there would be between 54,000 and 99,000 fewer heart attacks each year and between 44,000 and 92,000 fewer deaths, according to the study, which was conducted by scientists at University of California San Francisco, Stanford University Medical Center and Columbia University Medical Center.

From this article in the NYT.

The price you'd pay?

2010-01-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

What price would you pay in years off your life for an Olympic gold medal?

Not only a coach

2010-01-19T08:18:00.000-08:00

....but so much more.

Born to Run

2010-01-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

The Human Body is built for distance.

Bill Bowermam quote

2010-01-02T23:56:00.000-08:00

“There is no such thing as bad weather, just soft people.”

Resolution help

2010-01-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

It's New Years Day, and if you've made a resolution to get fit this year, well, I'm here to help. Here's an article titled, "How Little Exercise Can You Get Away With?" That is, if you want to get away with the bare minimum.

Running log for 2004-2009

2010-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

The New Year brings in my annual running totals:

2009= 2186 km

2008=1508 km

2007=2332 km

2006= 2742 km

2005=2443 km

2004=2628 km

Getting strong and getting slow

2009-12-29T12:11:00.000-08:00

Good post here. Train fast to be fast.

Maggie Vessey

2009-12-23T21:37:00.000-08:00

Flotrack's New Comer of the year for 2009. Good stuff. Inspiring.

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

More Ritz

2009-12-20T10:33:00.000-08:00

An article on one of my favourite runners, Dathan Ritzenhein. He was named Dyestat's high school XC athlete of the decade.

Joy of the day

2009-12-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

Oh, the humanity!

The universal language.

Jay Johnson on Jack Daniels

2009-12-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

The best book for high school coaches? Coach Jay Johnson on Jack Daniels, with some well thought-out caveats.

Race of the year?

2009-12-06T16:56:00.000-08:00

It's a candidate according to Letsrun.com.

Pain: Deal with it

2009-12-06T16:25:00.000-08:00

How to manage the mental stress of racing.

Run like a Kenyan

2009-11-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

Just follow these tips. You'll end up running like a Kenyan, just not as fast.

Oscar Pistorius

2009-11-22T17:15:00.000-08:00

Turns out what many suspected (including me), that the "blade runner" has an advantage on his "cheetah blades". A report says, this advantage is as much as a whopping 10 sec. over 400m.

More here.

Running and happiness

2009-11-17T20:04:00.000-08:00

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

Count me in the slow, happy camp.

Running past 40

2009-11-14T12:36:00.001-08:00

As I'm near-40 years of age, I found this article worth reading.

Mr. Jeremy Morris

2009-11-07T21:57:00.000-08:00

I hadn't heard of Mr. Jeremy Morris until I read his obituary. He scientifically proved the benefits of aerobic exercise on the heart. He also practised what he preached: exercising a half an hour a day well into his mid-90's.

On Paula Radcliffe

2009-11-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

The British need to love Paula Radcliffe more. I agree.

More on Meb

2009-11-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

How fast could Meb have run on a less difficult course?

Cherish it

2009-11-04T21:24:00.000-08:00

On Meb's NY Marathon win, from my favourite magazine, the New Yorker.

NYC Marathon Champ Meb on Letterman

2009-11-03T19:55:00.000-08:00

Treadmill running

2009-11-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

Is treadmill running as good as outdoor running? An article here examines the question and variables.

Children of a greater god

2009-10-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning is the big run in the Big Apple, so here's a story about Children who ran the NYC marathon.

Dealing with Exertional Pain

2009-10-29T20:01:00.001-07:00

Short answer from the NYT: "Suck it up".

Deaths, safety, and the media

2009-10-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

The next time someone mentions the "danger" of running long distances after hearing of a death during a marathon, get them to read this article.

The Incredible Mr. Whitlock

2009-10-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

What will we be doing in our seventies?

PreNats Men's White Race

2009-10-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

For your viewing pleasure, a fine U.S. college race from Oct 17, 2009. Will it be the front runner, or the kicker?

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

Does Exercise Boost Immunity?

2009-10-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

Probably, as long as you don't exercise too hard. Read about it at the NYT.

Art vs. Science

2009-10-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

The great Jack Daniels on coaching: how much art, how much science?

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

On Strength

2009-10-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

Vernon Gambetta: "Strength must be in context of all the other biomotor qualities. If you want to get to the essence of training immerse yourself in Athletics, the mother of all sports."

Keith Kelly

2009-10-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

I'd never heard of Keith Kelly till I watched this video of him yesterday. He's quite an engaging and entertaining interview. I'd like to meet him.

Here's his bio from Flotrack:

Keith Kelly recalls XC '00
Keith Kelly may be one of the best "true" cross country runners I have met. In 2000 during his senior year at Providence, Keith had what most would consider a dream season. The Providence men were undefeated until nationals winning Big East Conference and Northeast Regional Titles. At the NCAA Championships, considered one of the coldest ever, Keith went on to win the individual crown while leading his team to a third place finish behind Arkansas and Colorado (not bad company). Since his college days he has battle injury after injury including multiple stress fractures. This past winter after only a short stink of health and consistent training, Keith won the Irish Cross Country Championships. Afterwards, the same day of the race, he suffered another stress fracture and has not been able to train much since. If you know Keith then you know he thrives off of people, running, and don't forget Radiohead. We wish Keith all the best and hope to see him back at it again soon.

Check out Keith's blog to check out his training (he bikes a ton when he can't run), life, and music advice....great stuff all around. kelrock.blogspot.com

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack