Christopher Schmidt
@crschmidt.net
Software engineer (currently at Google). Founding member, Alphabet Workers Union. Advocate for sustainable cities through urban development. E-bike evangelist. Currently in Somerville, MA; formerly in Cambridge, MA.
runtime: 700 minutes
November 6, 2025 at 3:29 AM
runtime: 700 minutes
How I’m spending my day
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
How I’m spending my day
While my hotel window could use some cleaning, the view is cool.
October 28, 2025 at 1:05 AM
While my hotel window could use some cleaning, the view is cool.
Okay, I don't know why I had the thought that overvotes were thrown away (which doesn't make any sense in hindsight).
Toner vs. Hanratty feels like we are probably using different data; maybe yours was after Pickett recount?
Toner vs. Hanratty feels like we are probably using different data; maybe yours was after Pickett recount?
October 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Okay, I don't know why I had the thought that overvotes were thrown away (which doesn't make any sense in hindsight).
Toner vs. Hanratty feels like we are probably using different data; maybe yours was after Pickett recount?
Toner vs. Hanratty feels like we are probably using different data; maybe yours was after Pickett recount?
Took my kid with me to see John Mulaney in Boston tonight. (Kid is 24.)
September 28, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Took my kid with me to see John Mulaney in Boston tonight. (Kid is 24.)
Google estimates that doing this 9 mile trip would take 52 minutes in a car, or 55 minutes by bike.
But on the e-bike, it actually took me 43 minutes, including dropping offs.
(But lifting boxes weighing 35 pounds each of lit for @abciepac.org was definitely a struggle regardless of vehicle!)
But on the e-bike, it actually took me 43 minutes, including dropping offs.
(But lifting boxes weighing 35 pounds each of lit for @abciepac.org was definitely a struggle regardless of vehicle!)
September 19, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Google estimates that doing this 9 mile trip would take 52 minutes in a car, or 55 minutes by bike.
But on the e-bike, it actually took me 43 minutes, including dropping offs.
(But lifting boxes weighing 35 pounds each of lit for @abciepac.org was definitely a struggle regardless of vehicle!)
But on the e-bike, it actually took me 43 minutes, including dropping offs.
(But lifting boxes weighing 35 pounds each of lit for @abciepac.org was definitely a struggle regardless of vehicle!)
Some people ask questions about using a bike like, "But what if you need to deliver 105 pounds of campaign lit to 3 different locations throughout town?"
But it turns out that there's a right bike for many many use cases. In this case, I loaded up an older Aventon Abound. (Picture after stop 1.)
But it turns out that there's a right bike for many many use cases. In this case, I loaded up an older Aventon Abound. (Picture after stop 1.)
September 19, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Some people ask questions about using a bike like, "But what if you need to deliver 105 pounds of campaign lit to 3 different locations throughout town?"
But it turns out that there's a right bike for many many use cases. In this case, I loaded up an older Aventon Abound. (Picture after stop 1.)
But it turns out that there's a right bike for many many use cases. In this case, I loaded up an older Aventon Abound. (Picture after stop 1.)
Sorry, did I hear someone say Mega-Boston?
September 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Sorry, did I hear someone say Mega-Boston?
I have a question about whether these instructions are accurate for my September 2025 primary ballot that I received them with.
September 13, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I have a question about whether these instructions are accurate for my September 2025 primary ballot that I received them with.
Voting is a thing.
September 13, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Voting is a thing.
Because of how the points/scoring/etc. work, it means that for casual players, league nights are just a fun way to play pinball with other people who like pinball. You play four games in a group of four, and get points towards your league standings.
I play at Pop's in Bow Market.
I play at Pop's in Bow Market.
September 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Because of how the points/scoring/etc. work, it means that for casual players, league nights are just a fun way to play pinball with other people who like pinball. You play four games in a group of four, and get points towards your league standings.
I play at Pop's in Bow Market.
I play at Pop's in Bow Market.
Bicycles provide to many the freedom that auto ads promise to few.
(Peabody School / Ringe Ave Upper School Bike Bus, Friday, Sep 12, 2025.)
(Peabody School / Ringe Ave Upper School Bike Bus, Friday, Sep 12, 2025.)
September 12, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Bicycles provide to many the freedom that auto ads promise to few.
(Peabody School / Ringe Ave Upper School Bike Bus, Friday, Sep 12, 2025.)
(Peabody School / Ringe Ave Upper School Bike Bus, Friday, Sep 12, 2025.)
Giving a friend a ride home before I head to my pinball league night.
(I scored a 109 in Fast Break; 84 on the first ball. It was incredible.)
(I scored a 109 in Fast Break; 84 on the first ball. It was incredible.)
September 12, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Giving a friend a ride home before I head to my pinball league night.
(I scored a 109 in Fast Break; 84 on the first ball. It was incredible.)
(I scored a 109 in Fast Break; 84 on the first ball. It was incredible.)
Bicycles provide the freedom that auto ads promise. (Beacon St, Somerville, MA.)
September 10, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Bicycles provide the freedom that auto ads promise. (Beacon St, Somerville, MA.)
Bicycles Deliver The Freedom that Auto Ads Promise.
September 10, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Bicycles Deliver The Freedom that Auto Ads Promise.
Okay. You definitely don't want the T1 ST :)
- It's not upright. (The Breeze is.)
- Battery isn't removable. (Breeze is.)
- Not step-thru (Breeze is).
I think you'll want to try a "Large" model and see how the fit is. I'd probably try calling Greenpath Electric Bikes in park slope.
- It's not upright. (The Breeze is.)
- Battery isn't removable. (Breeze is.)
- Not step-thru (Breeze is).
I think you'll want to try a "Large" model and see how the fit is. I'd probably try calling Greenpath Electric Bikes in park slope.
September 3, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Okay. You definitely don't want the T1 ST :)
- It's not upright. (The Breeze is.)
- Battery isn't removable. (Breeze is.)
- Not step-thru (Breeze is).
I think you'll want to try a "Large" model and see how the fit is. I'd probably try calling Greenpath Electric Bikes in park slope.
- It's not upright. (The Breeze is.)
- Battery isn't removable. (Breeze is.)
- Not step-thru (Breeze is).
I think you'll want to try a "Large" model and see how the fit is. I'd probably try calling Greenpath Electric Bikes in park slope.
Here, a picture of a man in a kilt throwing a 56lb weight 18’ in the air at a Scottish Highland Games on Saturday in the Cairngorms.
August 25, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Here, a picture of a man in a kilt throwing a 56lb weight 18’ in the air at a Scottish Highland Games on Saturday in the Cairngorms.
Probably only a single digit chance you get murdered by a driver this way
August 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Probably only a single digit chance you get murdered by a driver this way
Today’s hike in the Cairngorms. Absolutely amazing 7 mile hike with 1200’ off elevation gain.
August 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Today’s hike in the Cairngorms. Absolutely amazing 7 mile hike with 1200’ off elevation gain.
just saw the edinburgh military tattoo. it was an amazing show of pagentry. i don't think i've ever experienced so many bagpipes in one place.
(The Tattoo is basically a 1.5 hour long marching band performance, in this case including representation from a half dozen different countries.)
(The Tattoo is basically a 1.5 hour long marching band performance, in this case including representation from a half dozen different countries.)
August 18, 2025 at 11:18 PM
just saw the edinburgh military tattoo. it was an amazing show of pagentry. i don't think i've ever experienced so many bagpipes in one place.
(The Tattoo is basically a 1.5 hour long marching band performance, in this case including representation from a half dozen different countries.)
(The Tattoo is basically a 1.5 hour long marching band performance, in this case including representation from a half dozen different countries.)
You can tell how impressed I am with bike infrastructure in various places by the ratio of bike related photos I take while touristing.
In Stockholm, it was like 1 in 5-10. In Edinburgh so far, it is 1 out of 65.
(Edinburgh, at least old/new town, is not a biking city.)
In Stockholm, it was like 1 in 5-10. In Edinburgh so far, it is 1 out of 65.
(Edinburgh, at least old/new town, is not a biking city.)
August 17, 2025 at 4:58 PM
You can tell how impressed I am with bike infrastructure in various places by the ratio of bike related photos I take while touristing.
In Stockholm, it was like 1 in 5-10. In Edinburgh so far, it is 1 out of 65.
(Edinburgh, at least old/new town, is not a biking city.)
In Stockholm, it was like 1 in 5-10. In Edinburgh so far, it is 1 out of 65.
(Edinburgh, at least old/new town, is not a biking city.)
Overall, I think Stockholm has the best bike infrastructure of any city I have spent time in, and it’s not particularly close. Bike routes are everywhere, and are almost always curb separated, with distinct lights at traffic signals; racks are a constant; bike traffic is plentiful.
August 15, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Overall, I think Stockholm has the best bike infrastructure of any city I have spent time in, and it’s not particularly close. Bike routes are everywhere, and are almost always curb separated, with distinct lights at traffic signals; racks are a constant; bike traffic is plentiful.
As is always the case with sweeping vistas and mountains, the pictures can't possibly do it justice. If these look impressive to you, know that the experience of actually being there is incredibly more impressive.
One downside of driving ourselves was I couldn't just stare out the window in awe.
One downside of driving ourselves was I couldn't just stare out the window in awe.
August 9, 2025 at 6:24 AM
As is always the case with sweeping vistas and mountains, the pictures can't possibly do it justice. If these look impressive to you, know that the experience of actually being there is incredibly more impressive.
One downside of driving ourselves was I couldn't just stare out the window in awe.
One downside of driving ourselves was I couldn't just stare out the window in awe.
Things to know:
- Even in Aug, is *cold*. It was 9C and there were gusts of wind that must have been 30mph-40mph. Everyone around us was smart+wearing puffy jackets.
- Parking at various spots cost as much as a guided tour would have.
- We hit Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerid.
- Even in Aug, is *cold*. It was 9C and there were gusts of wind that must have been 30mph-40mph. Everyone around us was smart+wearing puffy jackets.
- Parking at various spots cost as much as a guided tour would have.
- We hit Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerid.
August 9, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Things to know:
- Even in Aug, is *cold*. It was 9C and there were gusts of wind that must have been 30mph-40mph. Everyone around us was smart+wearing puffy jackets.
- Parking at various spots cost as much as a guided tour would have.
- We hit Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerid.
- Even in Aug, is *cold*. It was 9C and there were gusts of wind that must have been 30mph-40mph. Everyone around us was smart+wearing puffy jackets.
- Parking at various spots cost as much as a guided tour would have.
- We hit Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerid.
The main destinations (especially Geysir and Gulfoss) were absolutely packed with people--the evolution of the Golden Circle into a tourist trap of destinations over the past decade seems to be a rapid transformation. But not all that different from e.g. Yellowstone hot spots.
August 9, 2025 at 6:12 AM
The main destinations (especially Geysir and Gulfoss) were absolutely packed with people--the evolution of the Golden Circle into a tourist trap of destinations over the past decade seems to be a rapid transformation. But not all that different from e.g. Yellowstone hot spots.