All I did was add a link to my custom perl script in that script, just as a launcher. Perl scripts should be attached to this post. They aren't pretty, and could be better, but they work. I also just finished getting email out from the almond+ (relaying through another server I have), so now I can send alerts as well, if I so desire.
Please note, if you use these scripts I make no claims of fitness or warranty, use at your own risk, may brick your router, kill your cat, or burn your house down, not my problem.
As for the check_connection.sh script, I just added a call to the included script after the 'sleep 60' line 2 lines from the end of the file, and then rebooted.
I won't go into detail on how to setup open.sen.se or thingspeak, but if you need help I will try and assist as best I can.