Raising Chicken in South Amboy

Posted on September 7, 2026 by timlyg

Update 9/9/2026: I just called the city clerk who referred me to the code enforce at 732-439-9916 today and confirmed that we can have as many chicken as we want just no roosters. Fantastico!

No plans yet. Not even sure if I'm allowed in this township. But just writing down the info I've learned:

Apparently, Tractor Supply Co. has chick days (Feb-March) but you get more selection online year round.

For South Amboy, 08879. Just want quiet but big egg layer breed:

The closest Tractor Supply store to South Amboy, 08879 is located in Monroe Township, just an 18-minute drive away. [1]

Here is the store's contact information to check their exact delivery days and live breed availability: [1]

  • Address: 1976 Englishtown Rd, Monroe Township, NJ 08831
  • Phone: +1 732-605-7873
  • Hours: Monday–Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM [1]

Recommended Quiet, Large Egg-Laying Breeds

While all hens make some noise (especially their post-laying "egg song"), these specific heavy breeds are widely celebrated by backyard keepers for their calm, sweet demeanor and consistent output of large eggs: [1, 2, 3]

  • Australorp:
    • Egg Size & Output: Exceptionally high yield of large brown eggs (often 250+ per year).
    • Temperament: Incredibly gentle, dignified, and quiet, making them a top pick for residential areas. [1, 2]
  • Buff Orpington:
    • Egg Size & Output: Steady production of large brown eggs.
    • Temperament: Famous for being the "teddy bears" of the chicken world—very docile, friendly, and quiet. [1, 2]
  • Barred Plymouth Rock:
    • Egg Size & Output: Highly reliable producers of large brown eggs.
    • Temperament: Level-headed, smart, and easygoing birds that handle confinement well without getting flighty or loud. [1, 2]
  • Brahma:
    • Egg Size & Output: Generous large brown eggs.
    • Temperament: A giant, feathered-legged breed known for a remarkably mellow, quiet, and tame personality. [1, 2]

Google AI question: If you are planning your coop setup, let me know if you need recommendations on flock size or cold-hardy winter prep for these specific heavy breeds.

Is tractor supply store the only supply of chicks around me?

No, Tractor Supply is not your only option around South Amboy. You have access to local breeding farms, specialized feed stores, and online commercial hatcheries that deliver right to your local post office.

Because you are specifically looking for a quiet, heavy egg-laying breed (like an Australorp or Buff Orpington), these alternatives give you much more control over getting exactly what you want:

1. Local Farms & Specialized Breeders (Closest Options)

Purchasing from a local farm allows you to ask questions about the exact temperament of the parent flock.

Marlboro Meadows Farm
Morganville, NJ Directions Website

Located just a 17-minute drive from you. They hatch freshly incubated baby chicks directly on-site and raise their birds on a pasture-based, organic, non-GMO diet. They also frequently offer older pullets if you want to skip the high-maintenance fragile chick stage. You can call them at (732) 607-4422 to check their current hatching schedule. [1, 2, 3]

Jersey Chickens
Poultry farm
New Egypt, NJ Directions Website

A bit further south, but they specialize entirely in backyard poultry and carry a massive, year-round rotation of specific breeds including Buff Orpingtons and Brahmas. They put out fresh inventory updates every Friday for local pickup. [1, 2]

2. Independent Feed & Livestock Supply Stores

Local family-owned feed stores are an excellent alternative to Tractor Supply. They often partner directly with regional hatcheries to bring in seasonal baby chicks and usually have very knowledgeable staff.

Hemlock Hill Farm
Animal feed store
Colts Neck, NJ Directions

About a 24-minute drive away, this long-standing independent farm supply store carries a robust inventory of chicken feed, coops, and livestock supplies. [1]

Nischwitz & Co.
Heating oil supplier
South Plainfield, NJ Directions Website

A highly rated independent livestock feed and pet supply center located roughly 20–25 minutes away. [1]

3. Mail-Order Hatcheries (Direct to Your Post Office)

If you want guaranteed sexed females (so you don't accidentally end up with a loud rooster) of a specific breed like the Black Australorp, ordering from an online hatchery is highly reliable.

  • How it works: Establishments like Valley Hatchery ship baby chicks safely across New Jersey via USPS Priority Mail. The chicks are held securely at your local South Amboy post office, and the postal workers will call you early in the morning the second they arrive so you can pick them up safely. They offer a 100% live arrival guarantee and let you mix and match specific quiet egg-laying breeds in small orders. [1, 2]

Google AI question: Would you prefer to start with day-old baby chicks that require a heat lamp brooder, or are you interested in started pullets (older juvenile hens) that can go straight into an outdoor coop?

Posted in Biology | Leave a comment

Journal of the Week

Posted on September 2, 2026 by timlyg

9/4/2026 Friday

Replaced the 2nd (upstairs) HVAC Compressor's capacitor (bought from Home Depot) today. The 2nd one is a smaller capacity unit, requiring only capacitor 35+5, instead of the first's 40+5.

Also bought some bead ball chains for 3 toilet flush flappers, replacing the old chains to prevent entanglement.

9/2/2026 Wednesday

Just watched Kate Beckinsale's 2025 Stolen Girl based on true story, on Amazon Prime. So I looked up the facts of this 1992 international kidnapping case by family:

🎬 Hollywood Fiction vs. 🔍 Real-Life Facts

FeatureThe Movie (Stolen Girl)The Real Story (Maureen & Nadia)
Character NamesMaureen Danning & her daughter AminaMaureen Dabbagh & her daughter Nadia Alexandra Dabbagh
The KidnappingAmina is snatched from an Ohio grocery store at age 6.Nadia vanished during a court-approved custody swap at age 2½.
The DestinationEx-husband Karim flees with the child to Beirut, Lebanon.Ex-husband Hisham fled to his native country of Damascus, Syria.
The "Snatchback" MissionMaureen teams up with an ex-Marine (Scott Eastwood) for a dangerous rescue operation in Beirut.Maureen did meet former CIA director Bill Colby and attorney Mitch Rogovin, entering the shadowy "snatchback" industry. However, she did not pull off a tactical raid.
The ResolutionA thriller-style climax dealing with covert operations and the CIA.A long, administrative and diplomatic legal battle. Maureen actually gained legal custody of Nadia through Syrian courts in 1996, though she couldn't physically bring her home until a mutual reunion in 2010.

In real life, did Nadia's father also had no choice because of working for USA government as information or something similar, but to leave his wife?

No, that is completely false. In real life, Nadia's father, Mohamad Hisham Dabbagh, was not a US government informant, spy, or asset, nor was he forced by any government agency to leave his wife or flee the country. [1, 2]

The actual facts of his background and the motivation behind the abduction are well-documented:

  • His Actual Profession: In the United States, Hisham Dabbagh worked entirely civilian jobs in healthcare. He met Maureen while working as a medical lab technician in Florida, where she was a nurse. [1]
  • The Real Motivation: According to Maureen and court documentation, the breakdown of the marriage and the subsequent kidnapping stemmed from a severe culture clash and a custody dispute. Hisham wanted Maureen to adhere to a submissive role and had explicitly mentioned wanting an arranged marriage for Nadia with one of his cousins in Syria. When Maureen divorced him, he chose to illegally abduct 2-year-old Nadia to Saudi Arabia and later Syria to keep her from her mother. [1, 2]
  • The Intelligence Connection Misconception: The reason "government informants" or "intelligence agencies" are heavily associated with this story is because Maureen had to navigate that world to find her daughter. Frustrated by the lack of help from standard law enforcement, Maureen partnered with former CIA Director Bill Colby and high-profile attorney Mitch Rogovin, entering an underground network of ex-spies and bounty hunters to track Hisham down. [1]

Hisham Dabbagh was a fugitive wanted by the FBI, Interpol, and the State Department for international parental kidnapping. He was never a forced government operative. [1, 2]

What a fascinating case. The real reason seems to be something I think is common: severe culture clash (the loser culture taking the illegal route).

8/30/2026 Sunday

I must say, since moving to Jersey, I've never been to a Independent fundamentalist Baptist church that I would love so much. Nadia was having headache due to recent stress from work and not in a good mood to go to Crossroads, probably due to anticipating J. Fischer's sermon which she likes least of all at Crossroads. So, I took the opportunity to check out churches I haven't been before. The Chinese churches are mostly starting at 10am, which I missed. So I remembered that I kept getting this flyers in our mails from a Garden State Baptist Church. Thought it was some modern charismatic leaning church, based on flyer design, if memory serves, 10:45am was the service time. I hoped on the Tesla and headed there rather excitingly. Apparently there was a Sunday School, led by some Filipino, seemed boring. Only a handful of older male listeners, I think the topic was on the Holy Spirit. Do they separate male and female classes? I don't know. But the lesson was boring. Teacher kept lecturing. Went past 10:45am service hour for a few minutes that I began to wonder what did I get myself into.

But patiently enough, it ended and more attendees are showing up for the real service. I was greeted by everyone. Nadine, the very skilled pianist, is a black young lady, also greeted me, then some younger black children followed her. So this is a rather diverse church. Quarter Blacks, quarter Asians, quarter Hispanics, quarter Whites.

They sang from "Bible Truth Hymns" Hymnal book. Plenty of hymns were sung (more than 10 I would say). And I loved it. Then Pastor Jim Gent preached the sermon. I also loved it. Here's the Granola summary of it:

Scripture Foundation: Witnesses and the Promise

  • Luke 24:48-49: disciples called as witnesses, commanded to wait in Jerusalem for power from on high
  • Acts 1:4-5: Jesus commands them not to depart until baptized with the Holy Ghost
  • John 7:39: Holy Spirit “not yet given” until Jesus glorified, confirming the Spirit came in fullness at Pentecost
  • Key principle: no one should witness for Christ until endued with power from the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit at Pentecost

  • Acts 2:4: all filled with the Holy Ghost, began speaking in other tongues (languages)
  • 15+ nations represented; every man heard in his own language
  • Tongues = known human languages, not unintelligible speech
    • Pentecostal missionaries who tested this in Japan/Korea failed; no repeat of the miracle
    • The gift was a one-time sign of the Spirit’s arrival, not an ongoing practice
  • Holy Spirit now permanently indwells believers (1 Cor. 6:19: body is the temple of the Holy Spirit)
    • Prior to Pentecost, the Spirit could come and go; now he indwells permanently

Three Gifts the Holy Spirit Gives Witnesses

  • Power (Acts 1:8)
    • “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you”
    • Same Greek word as Ephesians 3:16: Paul prays believers be “strengthened with might by his Spirit”
    • Power not for worldly success, but for faithfulness, even unto death (Stephen’s example)
  • Utterance (Acts 2:4, 4:18-20, Ephesians 6:19)
    • Utterance: ability to speak forth the word boldly
    • Paul in prison asks Ephesians to pray for his utterance (Eph. 6:19)
    • Peter and John told to stop preaching; replied “we cannot but speak” (Acts 4:20)
  • Boldness (Acts 4:31)
    • “They spake the word of God with boldness” after being filled with the Spirit
    • Holy Spirit overcomes timidity; many Christians draw back from witnessing out of fear of judgment

Peter: From Denial to Boldness

  • John 18:25-27: Peter denied Christ three times, even denying being in Gethsemane
    • Gethsemane denial called “the ultimate of timidity”
  • Repented and wept bitterly after Jesus looked at him
  • ~50 days later at Pentecost: bold, powerful preacher; thousands respond
    • First word of his sermon: “Repent”
  • The difference: Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, indwelt, baptized, sealed

How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit Today

  • Ephesians 5:18: command to all believers, “Be filled with the Spirit”
  • Two things that block the Spirit’s fullness:
    • Grieving the Spirit (Eph. 4:30): sin in life, bitterness, wrong speech, unloving spirit
    • Quenching the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19): ingratitude, unconfessed sin, throwing “water” on the Spirit
  • Prayer is always associated with being filled
    • Acts 1: disciples in continuous prayer before Pentecost
    • 1 Thess. 5:17: “pray without ceasing” means being a disciplined person of prayer, not casual prayer
  • Suggested daily prayer: “Lord, help me not to grieve or quench the Holy Spirit today”

Witnessing as Evidence of the Spirit

  • Clearest evidence of being Spirit-filled: being a witness for Jesus Christ
  • Acts 1-4: the Spirit’s work consistently produces witness, not tongues or spectacle
  • Elvis Presley illustration: four Christian backup singers, sang in churches and revivals, yet never witnessed to him
    • He died of a drug overdose; no one who claimed faith stepped up to help him
    • “He never had a friend” who cared enough to speak truth
  • Challenge: surveys show most Christians do not witness
    • Biblical reason: not controlled by the Holy Spirit
    • Unwitnessing Christian = evidence of grieved or quenched Spirit, sin unconfessed
  • Holy Spirit mentioned 55 times in Acts; the book is fundamentally about the Spirit’s witness-producing work

If I got a chance, I would certainly visit this church again! They appear to have an Wednesday evening Bible study at 6:30pm.

I think the pastor's son is Jimmy Gent who pastors another Baptist church in NJ (Grace Church in Maplewood). His wife's name is Helen Dorothy Gent who passed in 2016.

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Frank Lloyd Wright - Famous Architect

Posted on September 1, 2026 by timlyg

Came across his works at the MET museum couple of decades ago. But his name was brought up again by a "penpal" on email recently and attached for me was his only published musical work: Work Song - Square and Triangle Verses, in his Autobiography.

Posted in Art | Leave a comment

Meriplex Atria VD account handling

Posted on August 21, 2026 by timlyg

To remove user from Atria but not affecting the profile account lock in Office 365, just select Deprovision. Service for the user in Atria will go from 1 to 0. Give it an hour or so after for change to take effect, and user contact information profile will be editable again in O365.

Posted in Computer Science | Leave a comment

The Seven Miracles and the Seven Last Words During the Crucifixion of Christ Jesus

Posted on August 20, 2026 by timlyg

Came across Stephen Tong's clip on Hebrews. So, just marking this down since I keep forgetting them and losing track of their chronological order, thanks to Google AI:

Seven Miracles, best estimation of chronological order:

Here are the seven supernatural signs listed in chronological order:

1. The Salvation of the Dying Thief

  • When it occurred: Early afternoon, during the first three hours on the cross (roughly between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM).
  • The Sign: After defending Jesus against the second criminal, the repentant thief receives an immediate, divine guarantee of eternal life in paradise from the cross (Luke 23:43). [1, 2]

2. The Three Hours of Darkness

  • When it occurred: Midday to mid-afternoon (exactly from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM).
  • The Sign: The sun completely stops shining, casting the entire land into an unnatural, miraculous darkness for three full hours during the peak of daytime (Matthew 27:45). [1, 2]

3. The Voluntarily Given Spirit

  • When it occurred: Exactly at 3:00 PM.
  • The Sign: At the precise moment of His choosing, Jesus commands His own death. He shouts with a loud voice and intentionally yields His spirit rather than succumbing to the physical exhaustion of asphyxiation (John 19:30). [1, 2]

4. The Tearing of the Temple Veil

  • When it occurred: Immediately following His death (at 3:00 PM).
  • The Sign: The massive, thick curtain restricting access to the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem Temple is violently ripped in two from the top down, symbolizing that the barrier between God and humanity is broken (Matthew 27:51). [1, 2]
  • The detail about 300 priests being required to handle, carry, or install the Temple veil comes directly from early rabbinic texts. Specifically, the Jewish Mishnah (Shekalim 8:5) and the Talmud record that the curtain was so immense, heavy, and tightly woven that it required 300 priests to manipulate it whenever it was washed or put into place. [1, 2, 3] The curtain was approximately 60 feet high and 30 feet wide. It was woven to the thickness of a man's palm—roughly 4 inches thick. Intricate Weave: It was made of 72 individual squares skillfully knit together using heavy blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine twisted linen. [1, 3, 4, 5]. This is referring to Herod's temple of course.
  • For comparison of the curtain dimensions with previous temples:
Sanctuary EraApprox. Veil heightApprox. Veil WidthHistorical Context
The Tabernacle
Exodus 26:31-33		~15 feet
(10 cubits cube)		~15 feet
(10 cubits cube)		Portable tent
Solomon's Temple
1 Kings 6:2,
2 Chronicles 3:14		~45 feet
(30 cubits)		~30 feet
(20 cubits)		First stone structure
Zerubbabel's Temple
(The initial Second Temple) Ezra 6:3
Josephus Ant. 11		Estimated by scholars:
~45 feet
(~30 cubits)		Estimated by scholars:
~30 feet
(20 cubits)		Post-Exilic, after destruction of the first, lack grandeur
Herod's Temple (massively expanded and renovated Zerubbabel's)
Mishnah Shekalim 8:5
Josephus Wars 5.5.5		Estimated by scholars:
~60 feet
(40 cubits)		Estimated by scholars:
~30-35 feet
(20 cubits)		Widely considered as thickest curtain of all 4 eras, yet it is miraculously torn at crucifixion. I see this seems to fit with Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34, as the priests made the curtain so thick & dense that access to God was virtually no longer in existence in their vain pursuit of sacredness.

5. The Earthquake and Splitting Rocks

  • When it occurred: Simultaneously with His death and the tearing of the veil.
  • The Sign: A powerful, localized earthquake erupts. The ground shakes violently, and massive, solid rocks across the landscape split wide open (Matthew 27:51). [1, 2, 3]

6. The Opening of the Tombs (and Subsequent Raising of Saints) [1]

  • When it occurred: The opening began at 3:00 PM; the resurrection of the saints occurred after His own resurrection.
  • The Sign: The violent earthquake breaks open nearby graves. While the tombs open immediately at His death, the holy people inside are raised and emerge to appear to many in Jerusalem a few days later, right after Jesus rises (Matthew 27:52–53). [1, 2, 3, 4]

7. The Conversion of the Roman Centurion

  • When it occurred: Minutes after 3:00 PM, as the immediate aftermath settled.
  • The Sign: The hardened Roman officer and soldiers guarding the site witness the sudden darkness, the precise timing of Jesus' shout, and the violent earthquake. Stricken with supernatural awe, they undergo an instant change of heart, publicly declaring His divinity (Matthew 27:54). [1, 2, 3]

Seven Last Sayings of Christ:

ften referred to as the "Seven Last Words," these are the seven statements Jesus made from the cross, compiled from across the four Gospels. They are traditionally organized in this chronological order: [1]

1. The Word of Forgiveness

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." — Luke 23:34

Jesus prays for mercy over the Roman soldiers, religious leaders, and onlookers responsible for His crucifixion. [1]

2. The Word of Salvation

"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." — Luke 23:43

Jesus answers the criminal crucified beside Him who asked to be remembered when Jesus came into His kingdom. [1]

3. The Word of Relationship

To His mother:"Woman, here is your son."
To the disciple John:"Here is your mother." — John 19:26–27

Even in agony, Jesus ensures His mother, Mary, will be cared for by His beloved disciple. [1]

4. The Word of Abandonment

"Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?") — Matthew 27:46 / Mark 15:34

Spoken during the three hours of darkness, Jesus quotes the opening line of Psalm 22, expressing His deep physical and spiritual isolation as He bears human sin. [1]

5. The Word of Distress

"I am thirsty." — John 19:28

This statement highlights His true humanity and fulfills the Old Testament prophecy found in Psalm 69:21. [1]

6. The Word of Triumph

"It is finished." — John 19:30

From the Greek word Tetelestai, meaning "paid in full." This signifies that His earthly mission and the work of human redemption were successfully completed. [1, 2]

7. The Word of Reunion

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." — Luke 23:46

Jesus' final breath is a peaceful prayer of total trust, quoting Psalm 31:5 right before He dies. [1]

Posted in Theologization | Leave a comment

Journal of the Week

Posted on August 17, 2026 by timlyg

8/20/2026 Thursday

U.S. American Debt has reached $40 trillion (compares $4 trillion in 1992, $400 billions in 1971). According to right wing reasoning, Trump is trying to fix this by investigating the 3 major yet "sacred" causes of this hike: Social Security, Medical Insurance, debt interest. Thus inviting many oppositions.

Moderna stock surges as melanoma (cancer) vaccine trial shows "landmark moment". Allegedly great breakthrough in cancer research. On Wednesday, Aug 19, Shares of Moderna surged $91.52, or 145%, to $154.48 in morning trading after touching an intraday high of $163.

8/18/2026 Tuesday

Stephen Tong's overview on Liberal churches:

8/17/2026 Monday

Can Christianity Really Fit into a Political Party / Are Politicians Just Using Faith to Win Votes? Kaitlyn's answer I like: In the past, voters vote for who has access to God; now, voters vote for who is more sincere.

Anti-America Chinese vs. Pro-America Chinese, I think they are both extreme:

杰出人才花百万拿绿卡，3年后回国，狠批美国是死局 #老尤时谈 #yypage

We've finally switched from GEICO to NJM (both Auto and Home insurance). Uploaded the policy to the Tesla App. At $1600 (Auto) & 1200 (home) annually NJM is twice cheaper than GEICO.

Not everyone is called for Street Evangelism; however, what most don't get, including the Holy Post Media, is there's still a need for Evangelism by every believer, i.e. via art, via work, etc. not by force, but by a desire to participate His kingdom work out of love for God:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCcOJIhCMEQ
Posted in General | Leave a comment

Journal of the Week

Posted on August 15, 2026 by timlyg

8/14/2026 Friday

Cicadas sound is heard some of these days. Last one heard was around 2021 which was rather heavy. And here's AI's answer:

In South Amboy, New Jersey, annual cicada season begins in early July and lasts through mid-September. Periodical 17-year cicadas also emerge in mass broods during May and June when local soil temperatures reach 64 degrees, though massive multi-week periodical invasions occur only on their specific multi-year cycles. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Annual Cicadas

  • Timing: Early July through September.
  • Behavior: Hear them buzz in trees during hot summer afternoons and days.
  • Lifespan: Small numbers appear every single year. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Periodical Cicadas

  • Timing: Mid-May through June (when soil hits 64°F).
  • Behavior: Billions emerge together to sing loudly and mate over a 4 to 6 week window.
  • Cycle: Controlled by long 17-year subterranean growth cycles. You can track active local sightings or log finds using community tools like Cicada Safari. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Your memory is spot on. The massive swarm you remember from 2021 was Brood X (the Great Eastern Brood), which blanketed parts of New Jersey. [1, 2]

You are completely correct that 17 years haven't passed since then. What you are hearing right now are annual cicadas. [1, 2]

Annual vs. Periodical Cicadas

  • Every Single Summer: Unlike the periodical broods that wait 13 or 17 years underground, annual cicadas emerge every July through September. They are the background buzz you hear on hot August afternoons. [1, 2, 3]
  • The "Straggler" Phenomenon: Interestingly, if you happen to see a periodical cicada with distinctive red eyes right now, it is likely a 4-year straggler. Periodical cicadas possess internal biological clocks that sometimes misfire, causing small numbers to emerge 4 years early. In fact, researchers tracking data on Cicada Mania noted early "stragglers" from Brood II appearing across Middlesex County towns like Edison and Metuchen. [1, 2, 3]

If you want to help scientists map out exactly which bugs are waking up near South Amboy, you can snap a photo and log your sighting on the community-driven iNaturalist app. [1]

Would you like to know how to tell the difference between an annual cicada and a periodical straggler by looking at them, or are you curious when the next massive official brood invasion is scheduled for our area? [1, 2]

U.S. vs. Europe economics: Europe is failing further and further away behind U.S. Get busy protect your failures (protecting laborers, etc.), and you won't have any success left:

8/13/2026 Thursday

Marriage Fraud for Green cards ($100,000 per application, $30,000 profit for willing American, referral gets $5,000) in Flushing & Brooklyn for Chinese. 11 caught operating $10,000,000 business in the past 10 years. Though I am against marriage frauds, but I feel this solution from the federal entity inept judging from this era. I wonder if this ushers a time where same-sex marriages become super legal and prominent while international real marriages become frown upon or skeptically illegal:

Skipping my usual MeRF Thursday Zoom Bible Study (no clue if they were even hosting, as usual) at 7pm, Nadia and I went to celebrate my birthday (without telling the waiters, who sang birthday songs at least at two tables during our visit) at the Armory at Perth Amboy, our first, and probably our last visit. Food was okay, but the gnats flying outside were rather annoying. I ordered Paelha Valenciana (lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, chicken, pork and Portuguese Sausage in a saffron rice) $49 while Nadia ordered some fish with shrimps $39.

8/12/2026 Wednesday

There was this hype of total solar eclipse in Spain on my birthday. I heard of it, didn't follow the news. But NASA does have some impressive information. Including a time-lapse map of the eclipses over the last 5000 years. Update 8/18/2026: Veritasium explains it well:

8/10/2026 Monday

I took a photo of our basement vent to the outside with a metal grate cover (often called an Fresh Air Inlet - FAI plate or vent cap). Sent it to Google AI for identification. It's an air vent for the House Trap, from old plumbing system. Fascinating how this prevents city sewer waste or smell coming back into the house. While modern plumbing eliminate this whole system due to most toilet fixtures already come with it's own P-Trap (U-bend under sink or toilet) coupled with rooftop vent trap, and backwater prevention valve to prevent backwater from sewer system.

Posted in Astronomy, General | Leave a comment

TESLA - Model Y 2026 Premium AWD (Long Range)

Posted on August 4, 2026 by timlyg

We'll be picking up our Pearl White Model Y in a couple of weeks on Aug 27, scheduled at TESLA Totowa, NJ. (Update 8/14/2026: I called Totowa in order to see if there's a chance to reschedule the pick up to earlier hours, AI-Grok? picked up the call and directed me to use the app to schedule instead, and wouldn't you know it, one available earlier date and earlier hours showed up in the Reschedule step in the app, so we are now scheduled for Aug 20 pickup at 11AM - Updated - now the delivery date is Aug 21 10AM)

Some accessories to look into:

Carport vs. Car Cover: For carport, I need to learn how to anchor the port to asphalt driveway. For car cover (white keeps cool, black melts snow easy), thickness/multilayer is probably key, but I probably will choose lighter color for both summer and winter use, like Kayme's product.

PPF (If needed, need to install ASAP): Needs to be from trusted sites: Driveprotected, diywrapclub (Tesbros), twraps. Minimum 8 mil thick TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) with self-healing properties, 10-year warranty, non-damaging acrylic adhesive. Avoid cheap PVC, vinyl films. At least full front. If I were to go with bulk roll instead of pre-cut PPF, in order to save money, then I would need to know which individual pieces to cut, and Youtube can help with that.

Update 8/15/2026: I ordered full front clear PPF ($570) from Driveprotected today, along with Paint/PPF Ceramic Coating ($119) and PPF roll by foot x 25 ($625), with 10% discount coupon code I found online, free shipping, 0 tax, comes down to a total of $1,182.60. Sounds like a good deal compared to the others. I also received a couple of emails with videos from them on PPF and ceramic coating training for customers only. I've also just bought a NEMA 5-20 adapter (for 16A max charging) from Amazon (Tesla's shop adds $13 shipping, so no deal), and 10M knifeless tape from Amazon. Also, a 50 ft NEMA 5-20 10AWG extension cord from Home Depot.

Nadia has also bought an 11 PCS full set all weather non-slip floor mats $95.95 Amazon.

Charging Cables & Extensions:

I bought Southwire Generator Cord 50 ft. 10/3 STW 20-Amp Power Distribution Outdoor Heavy-Duty Generator Extension Cord with Power Light Plug from Homedepot for $107+ which should be pretty good being STW (600V), compared to a cheaper Yellow Jacket's SJTW (300V) 50 ft. 10/3 SJTW Outdoor Heavy-Duty Extension Cord with T-Blade Power Light Plug, and the chart below shows why the STW is better for EV:

Problem is, it's Yellow (Nadia prefers black) and 50 FT a little too short if we're to park the car deep in the driveway.

So, best length would be 75 ft for the extension (connecting from Basement's 20A receptacle outlet by Breaker Panel through window to back of driveway) solution from Google AI: Buy the NEMA 5-20 SOOW Rubber Cord (Easiest & Safest):

The absolute best choice is to get a 10/3 SOOW rubber cord with NEMA 5-20 plugs.

  • Why it works: It features the exact same 600V safety rating as an STW cord, but uses a high-grade rubber jacket. It plugs directly into your wall outlet and accepts your Tesla Mobile Connector without any adapters.
  • Where to find it: The AC WORKS 75ft SOOW NEMA 5-20 Extension Cord is explicitly designed for this scenario. This Cord seems to work best, it's black, it's 75 ft, it's quality as proven by the site's video (lowest voltage drop, but at 75 ft, it's a whopping $304.48!!! We'll charge from the front of the driveway now, no extension needed, but under direct sunlight, as if that's a problem as Nadia complained about.
Posted in Technical | Leave a comment

Terminologies: Japanese or Chinese Origin?

Posted on August 3, 2026 by timlyg

Though Japan learned Chinese from China originally. Around the Meiji Restoration (1868), Japan has superceded China in major ways. Words I thought was of China origin are actually Japanese:

電話，廣告，記者，新聞，警察，雜志，etc.

This is a short history video summary of it: Japan's Greatest Uno Reverse on China by Learn Chinese Now on Youtube:

Posted in Art | Leave a comment

Journal of the Week

Posted on August 2, 2026 by timlyg

8/7/2026 Friday

Despite more complicated history, I did not know it was Chairman Mao's movement that officially spit the Chinese characters into traditional and simplified:

8/6/2026 Thursday

Nadia's working so I used the time to test the long ago (2024) bought Backup Generator, EcoFlow DELTA MAX 2000 with 2 Portable Solar Panels from Costco. It's been sitting with 100% charge for more than a year. With AI's help, I follow this setup to make good use of it. I really was not distinguishing backup generator and a more permanent Solar Battery setup (LiPO4 batteries). This is a backup generator, meant for portability (i.e. camping) and backup use (i.e. power outage and such). For a more permanent solar battery solution, and for even EV cars, EcoFlow sells their Delta Pro Ultra $5,000 - $10,000 (5 batteries back option). Though I may look for cheaper alternatives for the Delta Pro Ultra.

This Costco deal for the DELTA MAX was around $1,300:

I got to test the two portable solar panels for the first time. It seems to work easily. Although, halfway through, I don't know if it's me or the wifi connectivity (this unit support wifi and allows phone app to connect to it via the wifi network at home, and testing it in the backyard may be too far for wifi connectivity), the unit just bricks for a while, until I tried various reset and reboot on it. According to AI, I need to keep it charged at 50%-60% for optimal longevity. This is my intro to DIY Solar System. Learning the specs and the math of it. Specs below:

At night, I managed to setup in the shed, two LED ceiling lights I bought a while back from Harbor Freight. They are hooked up to the generator and they certainly do light up the room. These are: BRAUN 5500 Lumen, 4 ft. Linkable LED Hanging Shop Light.

8/4/2026 Tuesday

Accepted Tesla's trade-in offer in app: $5800 for Honda CRV 2012, I think it's a good deal considering previous offers from other dealers and even Tesla had gone from $2,000 to $5,400 (a Quick Kelley's Blue Book KBB check shows $5,756 (8/6 update email from KBB values the trade-in at $5,680 - $ 7,155, not sure what's with this update) on based on VIN number and brief car description). Delivery date confirmed for Aug 27th, 3pm, at Totowa. Nadia wants me to call Totowa to have it changed to morning. I'll try to call for a morning reschedule and even earlier date. I'll have to start looking into charging cable (25 10 awg extension cord) and PPF (full front + bulk roll, to cut cost). Other accessories are all weather floor mats, compartmental drawers, LCD screen protector, Ceramic coating, car wash materials, etc. I would also be interested in a future project of charging the car purely via solar, AI gave promising instructions.

8/2/2026 Sunday

Crossroads Community Church Sermon on Numbers 18: The Lord is My Portion

The divine demand upon Aaronic Priesthood in the first verse reminds me that Adam's opportunity to bear Eve's sin was missed.

The multiple mentions of "Perpetual due" (4 times in ESV in this chapter) had me looking this up: That the Levites, or specifically the descendent of Jewish priests is the only one traceable today, as the other Jews are basically symbolized by the tribe of Judah (and Benjamin) while the other ten northern tribes are considered lost or ambiguously assimilated by Assyrians and such. Only the Tribe of Levi has preserved explicit, directly verifiable hereditary surnames throughout Jewish history: Kohanim surnames identify as Aaron's descent: Cohen, Cohn, Kohn, Cahn, Kahn, Coen, Kagan, Kogan, Kaganovich, Kaplan (Ashkenazi Jews transliterated this from European word chaplain), Baron (Bar Aaron), Kohan, Kohanpour, Lavi, Lavaee. Surnames for broader tribe of Levites descendent: Levi, Levy, Levin, Levine, Lewin, Levinsky, Levitan, Levenson, Segal, Sagal, Siegal (meaning Assistant Levite - Segan Levi). Even today synagogues require descendent of Aaron to do prayers and such. So there's some kind of spiritual perpetual due among the Jews still today, but interestingly, Jesus had already fulfilled this. So this spiritual due they are practicing in a way becomes the old wine skin, forever.

Since last night, my ASUS laptop has had some problem accessing the internet. With Google AI's help today I could quickly narrow down and changed the ethernet card's MAC address from factory to spoofed (Device Manager -> Network card -> Properties -> Advanced -> Network Address -> enter random 12 digit HEX numbers) the MAC address and it works right away. For some reason, the Verizon Router must be blocking the original factory MAC address. Rebooting the Verizon router did not help. So this remains a mystery. I'll categorize this entry under Projects until it is resolved or I no longer own this laptop setup. Also, changing the static ip assigned for the laptop in the Router also works, which is my final solution.

Posted in Computer Science, Technical | Leave a comment