The geek inside of you

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 2 May 2018 16:57:00 -0700

Entrenamiento rumbo al Maratón CDMX

Este año mi compromiso conmigo mismo es seguir un entrenamiento para el maratón de la CDMX de manera estricta, ya que en años pasados mi preparación ha sido más bien guiada por mi energía, tiempo libre y estado de ánimo.
En años pasados he tratado de seguir entrenamientos, en internet o en aplicaciones como los que se encuentran en la app nike+ running, en esta ocasión los organizadores tuvieron la acertada idea de poner 3 entrenamientos oficiales de acuerdo al nivel atlético de los participantes (principiante, intermedio y avanzado) los 2 primeros son entrenamientos de 20 semanas y el último de 26 semanas.

Actualmente según el programa, nos encontramos en la 4ta semana y hasta ahora he logrado apegarme al pié de la letra al entrenamiento, y como motivación extra se encuentra esta belleza

El Garmin 645 Music , que será el premio para el hombre y la mujer que cumplan con lo siguiente (según entiendo de estas bases del concurso)

Bajar la app de Garmin y unirse al grupo "Entrenamiento Oficial Maratón CdMx by Endurance MX."
Seguir el plan de entrenamiento del nivel que elijas al pié de la letra, subiendo como evidencia los entrenamientos en la app de Garmin.
Demostrar entusiasmo, asistiendo a por lo menos 4 de los 5 entrenamientos presenciales. (ya se hicieron 2 entrenamientos a los cuales asistí y me gustaron mucho)

Así que espero poder ganarme ese reloj y si no por lo menos poder mejorar mi tiempo en el maratón y dar mi mejor marca en el maratón de la CDMX este 26 de Agosto 2018. Voy por sub 3:30, mi PR actual es 3:43

Review: AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 08:49:00 -0700

AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War by Tom McNichol

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wars are always interesting, and as most wars this one was very dirty and not without casualties.
I liked a lot this book, because it explains very well the technical differences, advantages and problems in both electrical systems, and it also gives a nice introduction to the people involved in the war.
What I didn't like very much is that the book is very much Edison centered, leaving Westinhouse and specially Tesla relegated to a second plane.

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Review: Safari

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 09:29:00 -0700

Safari by Parnell Hall

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is about a safari in Africa where people die and none of them by wild animals atacks, fourtunately one of the passangers is private investigator Stanley Hartings, who is there to solve the mystery.
I liked very much the details, and I could really imagine what it would be like to be on a safari on africa, where people from the city like myself are the least prepared and the most defenseless, to all the dangers of Africa.
The mysteries and motives, where a little weak for my taste, but the story is well narrated and not at all boring.

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Review: Every Move Must Have a Purpose: Strategies from Chess for Business and Life

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 16:00:00 -0700

Every Move Must Have a Purpose: Strategies from Chess for Business and Life by Bruce Pandolfini

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book, mainly because of the chess anecdotes, but I think the book is too short and the strategies too general for them to be useful in business or life. I have yet to try these "strategies" at chess.

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Review: An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:15:00 -0800

An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist by Richard Dawkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was expecting a really interesting story of his life, and I wasn't dissapointed, it was fun to learn about his childhood and his family even with detailed anecdotes of some of his forefathers. This I envy a bit, since my knowledge of ascendants is limited to 3 or 4 generations, which I guess it is normal, like Douglas Adams, used to say: "Humans are not proud of their ancestors, and rarely invite them round to dinner".

The part about his academic life is entertaining also, specially the programming releated bits, and the descriptions of the experiments on animal behavior.

I will definetely read the second part of this biography.

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Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 08:53:00 -0800

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

So, I actually have never read Murakami, and I found this book looking for audiobooks about running, not searching specifically for a runner novelist. I emphasize this, because it's not the book's fault that I didn't loved it, I simply expected something different.
It was not etirely unpleasent, but it just wasn't the kind of book I was hoping for, I hoped it would have tips, advice or inspiration for running, but it was a lot more of a biography with running anecdotes, than a running centered book. I guess it may have different if I had already read some of his novels, so maybe I will.

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Review: The Developer's Code: What Real Programmers Do

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 11:40:00 -0800

The Developer's Code: What Real Programmers Do by Ka Wai Cheung

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book is divided into small essays that suggest and advise things to do and avoid when programming, generally not in a technical, but more in a state of mind and the way in wich we should aproach a programming challenge. Although some of the essays were good ideas that made me consider to change the ways in wich I work, most of them were too repetitive and not that helpfull.

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Review: Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall - From America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 15:50:00 -0800

Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall - From America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness by Frank Brady

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fisher had such an interesting life, that it would be impossible for the book to be otherwise. There was so much about his life that I didn't know, and now that I do, I both despise and admire him even more. A great listen/read if you like chess.

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Review: Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 15:20:00 -0800

Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself by Rich Roll

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was very excited about this book, mainly because of the vegan athlete theme. As a relativly new vegetarian I have always wondered about the nutrition key factors in vegan diet and how it fits with athletes requirements.

Unfortunately this book is more the kind of book that tries to make you to get up and do something EPIC but fails (or at least it failed with me). I think it is a nice inspiring book, but I found it repetitive and too spiritual at the end. All in all it is a great story, but could have been told better.

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Review: Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham, and the Science of Success

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:48:00 -0800

Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham, and the Science of Success by Matthew Syed

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed so much this book, the concepts and arguments that Syed uses are not really new but are presented with clarity, examples, anecdotes and scientific studies. Syed makes a compelling argument that there is no such thing as innate talent, nor shortcuts to success and that in order to become an expert at any activity you need at least 10000 hours of practice with purpose. It really made me re-think some things I had taken for granted and for that I highly recommend it.

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Review: El Impostor (La Mosca Muerta)

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:06:00 -0700

El Impostor (La Mosca Muerta) by Antonio Malpica

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

El libro tiene una excelente premisa, aunque siento que me decepcionó un poco el final y la poca profundidad con la que se describe el mundo o en este caso la Ciudad de México, después del día del trabajo.Yo imaginaba que las implicaciones en un mundo así, serían mucho más intrincadas (y tal vez lo fueron, pero faltó describirlas), por ejemplo la falta de flores y plantas debido a que no hay animales que las polinicen o el posible canibalismo, como medio de supervivencia.
Me agradó mucho la historia pero creo que le faltó contenido.

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Review: Ben Quiere a Anna

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 9 May 2014 09:59:00 -0700

Ben Quiere a Anna by Peter Härtling

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Obviamente lo escogí por que el personaje principal tiene mi nombre, sin siquiera saber de que trataba el libro. Fue una grata sorpresa, un libro infantil, ligero y ameno, que retrata el primer amor de Ben quien pertenece a otra cultura y nivel o al menos así le dicen los adultos.

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Review: Missy Tonight

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 8 May 2014 11:22:00 -0700

Missy Tonight by Tom Lichtenberg

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I don't really know how I got this book, but what caught my attention was the atheist and sceptic tv show, because I really enjoy watching debates about creation vs evolution, life after death, theism vs atheism, etcetera.
Unfortunately this was addressed very little, instead somehow it became an absurd plot about two guys who want to work on TV and half way this pursuit meet an alien, wich was in my opinion unnecesary and irrelevant.

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Review: The Catcher in the Rye

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 8 May 2014 10:47:00 -0700

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

To use one of the countless phrases repeated over and over again in the book. "It killed me, it really did", of boredom and exasperation that is. Boredom because the story goes nowhere and exasperation not only because of Holden's attitude but the way it is written (the teenage like writting).
I really can't see why people like this book, it is so repetitive and with such a flat story, that even the ending is weak. I get that it is probably a very accurate description of the mind of a sociopath and a cynical teenager, but that doesn't make it any more interesting, at least not for me.

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Review: Atheism: A Very Short Introduction

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:16:00 -0700

Atheism: A Very Short Introduction by Julian Baggini

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is indeed a very short book so I wasn't expecting any new thought or argument, but I do think that the author presents the arguments really well and to the point.
I specially liked the chapter about morality and I have to admit I didn't knew all those theories he talks about. I think is great that the author guides the reader at the end of the book to some other references, books and authors with much more to say on atheism.

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Review: Morirás lejos

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:44:00 -0800

Morirás lejos by José Emilio Pacheco

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No pude resistir el morbo de leer a un autor que recientemente falleció y del cual únicamente había leído Batallas en el desierto,el cual me encantó.

La narrativa de este libro es muy interesante, presentando 2 historias de inicio inconexas, pero que como va avanzando el libro van tomando sentido, al menos hasta cierto punto.

Una de las historias es mucho más rara que la otra, "Salónica" cuenta la historia de dos personajes misteriosos que viven en la ciudad de méxico en los años 60's (para el momento en que fue escrita la novela, era la actualidad). "Eme" y "Alguién" son los nombres que Pacheco decide ponerle a estos personajes. Pacheco invita al lector a juegar a adivinar los motivos, situaciones, personalidades de estos misteriosos personajes y hace partícipe de su proceso creativo y desarrollo de la historia.

La otra historia habla sobre el pueblo judío y sus conflictos con otros pueblos, desde los romanos y culminando con el holocausto de la segunda guerra mundial.

Es realmente un libro "raro" pero sin duda muy interesante.

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Review: Life of Pi

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:15:00 -0800

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I haven't seen the film, but obviously I have heard many good things about it, that made my expectatins rise pretty high, and I think this book did met them or at least came very close.

In the first part of the book, the main character is introduced, and it is plain to see that Patel Piscine was a very endearing boy, and one of those characters you feel sad when bad things happen to him.

In the first part of the book I felt like the author was proselytizing religion or the idea of a good god and that zoos are a good place for animals, two ideas which I am against, nonetheless it was an interesting development of the main character.

The second part is where all the incredible things happen, and is without a dobdt the most exciting part of the book, full of wonders, conflict, and intrigue.

The ending was the best part for me,it leaved me, as any good ending should, with mixed feelings and wanting for more.

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Review: A Widow for One Year

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 23:10:00 -0700

A Widow for One Year by John Irving

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think this book is way too long, and although has some interesting plots, I felt it lacked something. In my opinion the worst thing about this book was the disapointing way in which all the promising stories ended.
Irving writes fantastically, he creates conflicts and situations that are intriguing and fascinating and just when he had all myattention he just solves the situation in the most unsatisfying way possible (killing characters, solving misteries way too easily, etc)

I fealt like I was cheated, too many pages, not enough emotion.

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Review: And Another Thing...

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 2 May 2013 18:43:00 -0700

And Another Thing... by Eoin Colfer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The hitchhickers guide to the galaxy is a "Trilogy" of five books, and curiously enough in general opinion the first three books were the greatests, and not everybody liked the ending of the saga.

So here is when Eoin Colfer gets called up on stage, to try and make a "nicer" ending to this fantastic story, I am not gonna go and say that I loved this ending, but it certanly was a bit less dramatic.

One thing I liked very much about this book is that Wowbagger (who was one of my favorite characters) is back, although I didnt love the romantic relationship he gets into.

The constant critics to religion and laughs at god's expenses was great, specially when Colfer minimizes Cthulhu almightiness, for being just a semi-god.

I recommend this book to any hitchhicker fan, just dont expect Douglas Adam's genious, because those are difficult shoes to fill.

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Review: The Almond Tree

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:15:00 -0700

The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I normally wouldn't rate a book like this one with 5's, but the message and the author's commitment to tell a story like this, (knowing about her background and religious beliefs) really moved me. So I hope that by having a high rating more people read it, because being this one her first novel and not having the number of fans other authors have, this book deserves a chance.

The book tells the story of Ichmad, a 12 years old Palestinian boy who has a great mind for mathematics, but lives in a land where oportunities are slim, and he and his people are treated as an obstacle for the stablishment of the Jewish state of Israel. Ichmad has to face some tough challenges in his life, and has to make decisions that make him question his beliefs, ethics and moral values.

The almond tree doesn't beat about the bush, from the very begining charachters that are innocent and important to Ichmad get injured or killed and sometimes it seems that everything that could go wrong, goes even worse for him and his family, so this isn't a book for impressionable people.

The story telling seemed a little weak at some points, I felt that there were really important things that were "handled" way too abrupt, without much description, but other than that I really liked this book, and recommend it to everyone.

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Review: The Almond Tree

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 2 Apr 2013 10:59:00 -0700

The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I normally wouldn't rate a book like this one with 5's, but the message and the author's commitment to tell a story like this, reading about her background and religious beliefs really moved me. So I hope that by having a high rating more people read it, because I being this one her first novel and not having the number of fans other authors have.

The book tells the story of Ichmad, a 12 years old Palestinian boy who has a great mind for mathematics, but lives in a land where oportunities are slim, and he and his people are treated as an obstacle for the stablishment of the Jewish state of Israel. Ichmad has to face some tough challenges in his life, and has to make decisions that make him question his beliefs, ethics and moral values.

The almond tree doesn't beat about the bush, from the very begining charachters that are innocent and important to Ichmad get injured or killed and sometimes it seems that everything that could go wrong, goes even worse for him and his family, so this isn't a book for impressionable people.

The story telling seemed a little weak at some points, I felt that there were really important things that were "handled" way too abrupt, without much description, but other than that I really liked this book, and recommend it to everyone.

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Review: 11/22/63

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 08:06:00 -0800

11/22/63 by Stephen King

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

King es un excelente contador de historias, y este libro no es la excepción. Desgraciadamente la historia en sí no me pareció mantenerse del todo a lo largo de las más de 800 páginas.

Mi parte favorita es cuando Jake se encuentra en Derry y conoce a varios de los personajes de "IT", me hubiera gustado que se desarrollara más un poco eso, pero tal vez era pedir demasiado.

El final no me pareció convincente, sobre todo por la explicación de Mister Tarjeta "Amarilla?", creo que fue un poco forzada y simplista.

Es un libro entretenido, pero esperaba más del maestro del suspenso.

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Review: A Feast for Crows

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:14:00 -0800

A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So far this is the book I have liked the least from the fantastic saga "ASOIAF". Its a good book and George Martin's writing skills are still top-notch, but I was so eager to read about my favorite characters (Tyron, Daenerys, Jon ) and it wasn't until the last chapter where the author explains that this book is really half of a book, and this half is focused on kings landing only and that a dance with Dragons will be about other places and characters on the wall or the lands outside of westeros.
I have very high expectations for the next book, I just hope George Martin's thirst for blood won't kill those hopes.

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Review: The Collector

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:38:00 -0700

The Collector by John Fowles

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fantastically well writen story, and got me on my toes all way through. That being said I hate how this book it made me feel, there is a reason I don´t usually read this kind of books, and that is, because when I read a book I want to enjoy it.

From the very begining I couldn't help to be very emotionally touched by this book, it made me feel sad, anxious, hateful, and why not to say it a little bit of revengeful and arouse my killer instinct.

All in all, I am happy I read it and that its all over.

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Review: 201 Questions for Your ITIL Foundation Exam

benjamintorr@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 7 Sep 2012 12:30:00 -0700

201 Questions for Your ITIL Foundation Exam by John Forester

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a really neat way to study for the exam, but it should not be the only source of information.

The format of the book is great, since you can decide when to see the answers.

I had my certification exam today, so I cannot say for sure that I passed, but I felt pretty confident.

Te book has some typos, but otherwise the questions and answers are clear and useful.

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