Introduction

        If this blog were a great novel, this would be the hard-to-read first chapter, you know, the one that’s meant to develop context and set the stage for the epic story that is yet to come. You’ll need to suffer through my equivalent of Harry’s early years (and awful summers) at 14 Privet Drive, or the lengthy section of Les Mis devoted to providing minute detail on the construction and organization of the Parisian sewer system which precedes Jean Valjean’s last great escape from Javert.

            Unfortunately, these dry chapters are terribly essential parts of the book because context… is kind of a big deal. Accordingly, I’d like to provide you with some background and context for this blog. So:
            This blog is a record of my experience in Introduction to Computer Science (CSC148) at the University of Toronto (Winter 2014 term). In this space, dear reader, I will share my trials, tribulations and reflections on all aspects of the course with you. This includes #commentary on course content, structure, instruction and assigned work.

            As somebody who completed a minor in English literature, and has dabbled in teaching and tutoring science from time to time, I’ll admit upfront to being prone to analogies, similes, metaphors, purple prose and obscure literary references. As somebody who’s currently training for a marathon, I promise that at least some of these analogies, similes, metaphors and less-than-stellar attempts at wordplay will be related to running, starting with the blog title, obviously.

            I look forward to sharing this experience with you—and if you’re a fellow 148 student, to hearing your views on class-related content.