import urllib2, hashlib

TWITTER = 'http://twitter.com/statuses/public_timeline.json'

def hashed(seq):
    sha1 = hashlib.sha1()
    for x in seq:
        sha1.update(x)
        yield sha1.digest()

def words(wordsize, seq):
    for x in seq:
        for i in xrange(0, len(x), wordsize):
            yield int(x[i:(wordsize + i)].encode('hex'), 16)

def twitrandoms(wordsize = 4, chunksize = 37):
    def infinite_twitrandom():
        while True:
            data = urllib2.urlopen(TWITTER).read()
            for i in range(0, len(data), chunksize):
                yield data[i:(chunksize + i)]
    return words(wordsize, hashed(infinite_twitrandom()))

May was, far and away, the biggest cycling month I’ve had. The stars really did align in terms of great weather, not too many “business casual” days at work, getting the bike situation straightened out, and a couple of opportunities for longer weekend rides. I also did my first metric century (100km) in May, and it wasn’t that bad at all. Stephanie and I are talking about doing a 100 mile ride in September and are doing 90 miles for the Livestrong ride in October, so that’s something to work towards.

This was my first full month on the Surly. It really is a great bike. Riding it feels like driving a giant Caddy with big comfy bench seats, but still a good suspension and a reasonable-enough gear box. I was a little worried about moving up to 700×37 tires as opposed to the 700×25′s I’ve been riding for the last year, but if anything that seem to roll better than what I’m use to. I am also slightly ashamed to admit that I quite like the indexed shifting for the rear derailler. Sure, it lacks the flexibility of friction shifting, but man is it a lot easier. (I’m not changing out the silvers on the Bstone, though.) Perhaps most importantly, I bought the biggest frame that would plausibly fit me. This, more than anything, is likely why it feels quite so nice to ride. I recommend buying big to everybody. Anyway, I’m quite happy with it. If you’re looking for a commuter bike or an around-town bike or a touring bike (which is what it’s built for), you’ll be hard-pressed to do a lot better than a Surly Long Haul Trucker.

If it’s like every other June, next month should be pretty ideal for riding as well. Fletcher’s scout troop has a couple of rides planned for the month, and Stephanie and I really want to find time to ride out to Claremont for lunch at the Back Abbey. Should be another great month!

You scored 7% Tough, 48% Roguish, 10% Friendly, and 38% Charming!

You are the classic rogue, a stylish rake with the devil of a wit and a flair for mischief, and you shake your martinis to waltz time. You are charming and debonair, but slightly untrustworthy, and women should be on their guard. If married, you are simply a bit of a flirt, even if it’s just with your own wife…but if you’re single, watch out. You usually rein yourself in to concentrate on one lovely beauty at a time, but with you, we never know. You’re an inviting partner, but there’s a playful devil behind your eyes, and those trying to get close to you should know they’re playing with fire. You’re stylish and fun, but you follow your own course, which may or may not include a steady gal. Co-stars include Myrna Loy and Carole Lombard, classy ladies with an adventurous streak.

Which is to say: I’m 15% more Roguish than Pat. That’s right!

• Every play must be a bingo
• Normal dictionary rules do not apply. (That is: words may not be challenged)
• Definitions for each word must be provided
• Score is not kept
• Everybody wins

I need to work with bright people who don’t take no for an answer and are crazy about well-designed software. If these people aren’t there when I show up, I work hard to find them.

The last time I redid my resume — a couple of months ago — I left the objective off. I may rethink that if I can express what I want to do quite so well as Rands.

Update: Given a second chance, email worked. So nevermind ;)

1. Put the computer down and read a book.

Merry Christmas! (or similar)

And the 11 least visited counties by our users (lower 48 states)

1T. Eddy, ND
1T. Griggs, ND
3T. Daniels, MT
3T. Logan, ND
3T. McIntosh, ND
3T. Steele, ND
7T. Cavalier, ND
7T. Dickey, ND
7T. Towner, ND
7T. Grant, ND
11. Sheridan, ND

Photo by Anne Bonney

More Vacuum Cleaners

Oh well.

In the 16th stage, top American rider and general classification leader Floyd Landis cracked and dropped to over eight minutes behind the leader. Now, 8:08. That’s a lot of time. One minute is considered a comfortable lead between top riders in this race. With only four racing days to go, Landis considered himself pretty much out of the race.

Out of the race didn’t even last a day, as Landis went on to beat the entire field by over five minutes. Now only 30 seconds behind the GC leader with three stages — one of which is a time trial, and Landis is the best time trialer of the race leaders — remaining.

So anyway, yeah. Good race this year. I recommend it.

Welcome to the NEIL edition of getting to know your friends! Okay here’s what you’re supposed to do, and try not to be lame and spoil the fun! Just copy this entire e-mail and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to SOMEBODY FAMOUS— either a real person or fictional character. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you. Some of you may get this several times … that means you have lots of friends!

What is your occupation? I’m unemployed

What color are your socks right now? Socks?

What are you listening to right now? Creedence

What was the last thing that you ate? In and Out Burger

Can you drive a stick shift? I don’t remember

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? The color of cream and Kalua

Last person you spoke to on the phone? Walter

Do you like the person who sent this to you? I don’t get to West LA very often

How old are you today? Early 50′s

Favorite drink? Oat Soda

What is your favorite sport to watch? Bowling

Have you ever dyed your hair? No.

Do you wear contacts or glasses? Sunglasses

Pets? I briefly had a marmot.

Favorite food? White Russians

What was the last movie you watched? Logjammin’

Favorite day of the year? April 20th

What do you do to vent anger? Bowl.

What was your favorite toy as a child? Blotter paper

Fall or spring? What season is this? Is this….

Hugs or kisses? Hugs

Cherry or Blueberry? Blueberry

Do you want your friends to email you back? Ok.

Who is most likely to respond? Donny

Who is least likely to respond? Maud

Living arrangements? Apt in LA.

When was the last time you cried? When Creedence stopped touring

What is on the floor of your closet? Bowling ball, bowling shoes, all of my clothes, my stash

Who is the friend you have had the longest? Walter

What did you do last night? Drove around and went bowling

Favorite smell? Incense

What inspires you? 1987 Bowling league playoffs

What are you afraid of? Malibu cops

Favorite Hamburger? In and out burger

Favorite car? Dodge Dart

Favorite dog breed? Anything as long as it isn’t a Pomeranian

Number of keys on your key ring? 1

How many credit cards do you have? None. One Ralph’s club card

Favorite day of the week? Can’t tell the difference

How many states have you lived in? Do altered states count?

Favorite holiday? Nope

Name one place you’d like to visit in your lifetime. Pasadena

1. As a new resident to our community you will receive a Community Welcome Package containing local information and promotions from local businesses.
2. The Kipling Chamber of Commerce will give you $200 in Kipling Cash. This Cash can be spent at any local Chamber of Commerce business.
3. You will be given a Key to the Town of Kipling
4. You will become Honorary Mayor of Kipling for One Day.
5. You will be named an Honorary Lifelong Citizen of the Town of Kipling
6. The day we make the trade will be decreed One Red Paperclip Day by our Town Council and everyone will be encouraged to wear a red paperclip in honor of your achievements.
7. Will build the world’s largest red paperclip in dedication to you and your “one red paperclip project”
8. Most importantly to allow you to complete your quest…We will trade to you a house. The house was built in the 1920’s and has been recently renovated. It is locate at 503 Main Street Kipling, SK Canada. It is approximately 1100 square feet on two floors. There are three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, kitchen, living room and dinning room. It has white vinyl siding, a new roof and eaves troughs that have been put on in the last few years. We will be sending you pictures of the house as soon as we have had time to touch up the paint.

Kyle MacDonald, do you accept our offer of one house in Kipling for one role in Corbin Bernsen’s movie “Donna on Demand”?

I love it when a silly plan comes together. Bravo, One Red Paperclip.