29
May
Happy Manhattanhenge, New Yorkers! May you be one of the lucky 20,000 street vendors sacrificed to your thirsty sun-god Tonatiuh!!
(via nprfreshair; photo by Vitaliy P.)
via nprfreshair
Yesterday, I joined Kina Grannis & family for their long-awaited half-marathon. Everyone, including Mama G, Dr. Grannis and Aunt Arlene, finished in 3 hours or under. Kina finished in 1hr 56min. I mostly jumped around in the back of the pack, to make sure everyone was doing fine and enjoying themselves.
So very proud of everything they’ve accomplished this year with Run Team Kina. It warms a coach’s heart to see them all so goal-oriented during training and positively focused on the course. Lots of much-deserved hugs and congratulations at the finish line.
22
May
Sometimes you see a book, and immediately know what its missing.
Its usually missing a foot-race.
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
52 plays
RUNNING SONG OF THE DAY:
- Bo Diddley - You Can’t Judge A Book By the Cover
20
May
Warning: Do not look directly at the photo.
We watched the eclipse from Barnsdall Park, Los Angeles
Happy Eclipse Day!
RTK has been working with the National Marrow Donor Program, helping to build the registry. As I’ve mentioned before, the program is significantly lacking in diverse samples.
Right now, you can join for free (usually there is a small processing charge) by visiting marrow.org and using the coupon code “kina”!
17
May
via pascalcampionTHINKING MACHINES. RUNNING MACHINES.
English mathematician, computer scientist, and philosopher Alan Turing is widely considered the father of artificial intelligence. If you listen to WNYC Radiolab, you also know him as the war-hero who deciphered the German’s infamous Enigma machine during World War II. Or as the man behind the first chess-playing computer program. Or as a martyr for gay rights, who faced chemical-castration for being honest about his identity in a closed-minded culture.
What you probably don’t know is that Turing was a runner. And a good one, too. He was particularly fond of distance, running everything up to the marathon (And remember, kids, back in the day, the marathon was whatever distance the race organizers felt like making it). As a young man, he and his best friend created a version of chess called “round-the-house”: after your move, you sprint around the house. If you get back before your opponent has made a move, you get a second move.
Above are two commonly reprinted, but rarely contextualized, images of Turing. On the left, a second-place finish in Dec, 1946 (source). On the left, celebrating another successful race in May, 1950 (source: Hofstadter’s Gödel, Escher, Bach). Next month will be the 100th anniversary of his birth.
08
May
Hi, folks! Its been a busy couple weeks away from the blogosphere. Shortly after wrapping up fundraising for RTK, my career took me from NBC to FOX. In the midst of all that, I put together a personal website AND an etsy shop to help financially support the projects I work on here. There, you can find some swell things, like these I Am Made of Guts postcards, and some ridiculous art pieces (for even more ridiculous prices).
So if you’ve been wondering why I’ve been MIA, there’s your answer.
Cheers,
Abel
06
May
Roger Bannister breaks the four-minute mile. 58 years ago today.
30
Apr
WE DID IT!
Run Team Kina not only accomplished its goal of raising $50,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, but far surpassed that goal by over twenty THOUSAND dollars. The LLS tells me that nearly $12,000 in donations came in on the last day alone. Because of this accomplishment, RTK gets to name a cancer research grant. Donation pages will remain active, so this number is certain to continue growing.
Additionally, my personal LLS fundraiser challenge, offering to cut off my Samson locks, brought in over $1200. I’d like to especially thank Moxy, Lori, Shannon, Jon, Breeana, Haeri, Alex, Tom, Gianni & Lauren for supporting barbers everywhere, whom are no doubt licking their chomps at the thought of cutting my mane.
As a further compounded accomplishment, the LLS Man & Woman of the Year campaign (of which I’m a committee member and through which RTK was organized) had our grand finale gala this weekend. The whole campaign was a tremendous success, with 21 passionate, amazing candidates working to raise exactly $700,000, more than doubling our campaign goal! And, for her work with Run Team Kina, Kina Grannis was recognized as Woman of the Year.
On top of all that, my buddy Bennett and I won awesome seats to the USC-Cal game in the silent auction. FIGHT ON, TROJANS!
So very proud of everyone involved with the Man & Woman of the Year campaign, all the candidates and committee and team members. So proud of all our RTK-ers, determined to reach their own goals. So thankful for all of you and all of your support.
The Telegraph: Eating Beetroot May Improve Running Speed
Step aside, Gatorade.
25
Apr
echoparkartwalkpda posted:
Abel Charrow drawing for charity!
See what Abel is doing now: http://6n6challenge.com/
taken at feedingbirdsboutique:
Feeding Birds Boutique
Echo Park PDA Art Walk 5/14/11
Photo Credit: Nate Nickels Photography
I’m all over the internet this week! This was taken at last year’s event. Anyone attending this year??
via echoparkartwalkpda24
Apr
