Google maps geolocation API with activerecord

gistfile1.builder

require 'json'
require 'cgi'
require 'httparty'

module GMap
  module Location
    def latitude
      read_attribute(:latitude) || fetch_coordinates_from_address.latitude
    end

    def longitude
      read_attribute(:longitude) || fetch_coordinates_from_address.latitude
    end

    def fetch_coordinates_from_address
      result = HTTParty.get("http://maps.google.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=#{CGI::escape(address)}&sensor=false")['results'].first
      coordinates = result['geometry']['location']
      self.latitude = coordinates['lat']
      self.longitude = coordinates['lng']
      self
    end
  end
end

class Place < ActiveRecord::Base
  include GMap::Location # assumes address, latitude, and longitude attributes
  before_create :fetch_coordinates_from_address, :if => :address
end