Tumblr hack: Author's Notes via Google Docs

This is a very basic HOWTO on retrieving a particular item in a Google Docs spreadsheet from your blog (not necessarily Tumblr), something that I could have used a few days ago. I use this over at my scifaiku site to show author notes for particular posts. *

1. Create a new spreadsheet


2. Use the first row to label the fields


3. Enter some data


4. Publish the spreadsheet


5. Go to More publishing options


6. Select RSS from the File format dropdown


7. Click Generate URL and copy the resulting URL


8. Modify the URL from something like
   http://spreadsheets.google.com/feeds/list/
o<numbers>.<numbers>/od6/public/basic?alt=rss
   
   to something like (one line)
   
   http://spreadsheets.google.com/feeds/list/
o<numbers>.<numbers>/od6/public/basic?
alt=json-in-script&callback=notesLoaded&sq=postid%3D{PostID}
   
   where sq is a structured query (in this case, the postid field must be equal to the current Tumblr post id)
   


9. Create a JSON call using the above URL, and put this near </body> (one line):
   
<script src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/feeds/list/
o<numbers>.<numbers>/od6/public/basic?
alt=json-in-script&callback=notesLoaded&sq=postid%3D{PostID}" type="text/javascript"></script>



10. Specify an output location using a named div
    <div id="authnotes_load"></div>
    
    If you want a nice "loading" animation to put inside this div, get one from ajaxload.info
    


11. Write the callback handler:
    

    function notesLoaded(obj) {
      var notediv = document.getElementById('authnotes_load');
      if(typeof(obj['feed']['entry']) != 'undefined') {
         // 10 length of 'authnote: ', the first column
         var note = 
         obj['feed']['entry'][0]['content']['$t'].substring(10);
         notediv.innerHTML = "<p><span>author's notes :"
         +  "</span> " + note + "</p>";
      } else
        notediv.innerHTML = '';
    }

Adjust the above to taste. Enjoy!

You can see this in action here. A modified version is used at the main scifAI page ("42").

* Update: Deprecated in favor of just using Disqus comments.

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Heart's Cry, circa 1993

From the dusty recesses of my brain comes this poem written almost exactly 15 years ago, IIRC (i.e. post-Valentine's). I don't remember having counted syllables (10-8-10-8) and rhyming every other line, but there you go... Maximum mush! :-D

Heart's Cry

I lay without sleep, yet not without pain
For pain I did feel in my heart
Pain caused by love and a hope held in vain
That I of your life become part.

I once really thought that you loved me too
For your deeds were with thought for me
But alas it seems that I am to you
But brother, not lover-to-be.

And so, my love, I must let the dream go
For though it hurts, I know it's right.
Forgive me, I ask, for loving you so,
And for crying to sleep tonight.

... then this haiku came rushing out of nowhere:

The words of years gone
Open up my calloused heart;
Once more do I bleed.

Shrug.

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Hai(na)ku

I still haven't slept after a night out with the bros and friends. So, I decided to write some haikus* (geek!!) inspired by certain events, conversations, and beer-induced imagery of last night (and today, pre-dawn). I wrote five, initially, but then I tried to do what I did before in high school: write 26 haikus, one for every letter of the alphabet.

I only managed 12. Maybe I'll add some more after I get some sleep.

Ah well, not too bad, considering. But then again, you'll probably get depressed reading these, heheh. Don't say I didn't warn you.


Ahead of the pack
Yet all is green as they preen
Mates that have their back.

-

Basking in the sun
Petals wilting with the wait;
Bees land on a bud.

-

Constricted no more
Spirit soaring, running free;
The future unfolds.

-

Dust-flecked empty chair
Between four others, still warm;
A friend, sorely missed.

-

Engulfed by duty
Carefree pleasures are no more;
No infinite road.

-

Freed from sleep's unease
Arms reach out and fingers seek
Naught is there but air.

-

Gone, and yet not gone
Fettered to another loosed,
Two linked birds in flight.

-

Haughtily black-clad
Scented flowers of the night;
Buzzing flies abound.

-

Icy flakes appear
On a yet-unfurrowed brow;
Freezing words still flow.

-

Laughter fills the night
But beneath the joy and warmth,
A cold dread uncoils.

-

Mountain winds arise
Shelter foremost in the mind;
Flowers go unseen.

-

Pollen in the wind
Swirling, questing to no end
Arid earth reclaimed.



* Haiku, senryu, zappai... whatever. ;-)

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