Thoughts

Posted on March 10, 2022 by timlyg

I think these Solar Powered Bible Players are overcharging people at $50-$90 a piece. Thought they were for God, but looks like they wouldn't mind getting a few million bucks out of them as well. Very American. I hope someone would produce cheaper ones and when that happens, these Americans wouldn't come slapping on the door with a court order for copyright violations. My guess is the cost should ideally be around $20 or less. Greedy bastards.

Posted in Theologization | Leave a comment

Most Taiwanese Places in America?

Posted on March 7, 2022 by timlyg

Roland Heights & Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles.

I can't believe we missed this one in our tour of LA last year. And the history background of Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 is interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsD4Jh9C66Q
Posted in Geography | Leave a comment

Vocab: Sagacious

Posted on February 28, 2022 by timlyg

Kathy’s Word of the Week

Weekly Brain Food brought to you by our CHRO

sagacious

Pronunciation:
suh–gey-shuhs

Definition:

keen mental judgement

As used in a sentence:

Even the best writers need a sagacious editor for finding missed errors.

Posted in Vocabularies | Leave a comment

Thoughts

Posted on February 28, 2022 by timlyg

There are no understatements in the Bible: so if any preacher/teacher shows that there is such despite being loyal to God and scripture alone, has unwittingly despised God and His Word. It might not be an objection or anything negative, but a nonchalant attitude towards certain passages in the Bible would suffice they to be treated automatically as understatements, as if they are too easy to understand, be predictable, and need no further analysis, as if they are not even needed to be mentioned, regardless of the teacher's stern stand on not removing any parts from Scripture.

Music for the church: It's an art. The composition, the artist, should design the worship and praise before a divine presence and not like going to a prom date.

Something just hit me: Rev. Laura Lin once tried match making me with a great preacher's daughter. I had no information other than a dinner date she would bring us to. Although one principle I already had was: Not a big fan of match-making, and I believe a great judgment is upon those who do that, as it shall align with Matthew 7 on judging. When we attempt at match making, we are judging the qualities of both parties. Of course, in Rev. Lin's case, the girl's mother commented to her (which she conveyed to me later): worry about your own church's single people. As for me, I would later note that this perhaps was one of the many causes that attribute to Rev. Lin's church becoming barren. Not to mention that her nonchalant attitude was obvious: If it worked out, great! If not, then still no problem.

So today when I came across such thought again, I thought of a better response to take it seriously, a response to Rev. Lin:

If it works out, I shall be very grateful to Rev. Lin;
If I like her and she doesn't, still no matter, not Rev. Lin's fault;
If I don't like (as a match) her, then I shall leave this church.

Thus is how serious the matter is, were it to be seen in God's eyes, at the very least.

Of course, this has nothing to do with me and Nadia. For all is in God's plan, grace and mercy. It is a matter of how we react to others as God's servant in all sensitivity in matters of holiness and righteousness that is in question here.

Posted in Reflection, Theologization | Leave a comment

Python: ADD (+) vs. INPLACE_ADD (+=) vs. extend() for LIST

Posted on February 26, 2022 by timlyg

Today's Python series by Jake Gober led me to consider why there's difference between concatenate (+) two lists to the same variable and using the extend() function on the list.

The answer is ADD (+) creates a new list, I supposed even though the variable name is the same, it is still going to be a new list, so the list that was earlier assigned to the dictionary would not be affected. While += works on the same object, as does extend() rather than creating a new one, so there's no need to update the dictionary after the change in list. Therefore, ADD, by creating a new list, makes the operation slower, some clocked it 3 times slower than the other two, see chart below.

I had to google it for a while because most results are only talking about the difference in runtime. But this site hits the mark. I've pasted the answer in the comment in case the site expires. They have a nice chart for runtime as well:

In conclusion: It seems that Python is using some kind of pointers in its object creation, but I am not certain and I fear it would take up more time and energy than I wanted to explore into it, so I'll leave it as a question for now. This is good enough.

Posted in Questions, Technical | 1 Comment

Wine and Cheese Pairing

Posted on February 24, 2022 by timlyg

Today my SP company did a virtual Wine & Cheese event. Two bottles (Malbec & Sauvignon Blanc) were sent to me last week, and this week two cheeses (Bucheron & Cheddar).

First time enjoying what this is all about. Sample the wine, feel its taste, and try the cheese, then mix them up.

Cheese term I learned: Rind. The outermost layer of the cheese, waxy looking and feel. Usually edible.

I've recorded it.

I hope this could help in my creative culinary skills. Being able to discern different wines/cheeses.

Posted in Culinary | Leave a comment

The Solid Rock

Posted on February 17, 2022 by timlyg

"My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less" By Edward Mote, 1979-1874. Baptist Pastor in England.

Lyrics:

1 My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

2 When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

3 His oath, his covenant, his blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]

4 When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found:
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]

Some parts of the hymn appears to have connection with a woman on a deathbed. And Bishop Bickersteth calls it a "grand hymn of faith." It certainly is, and I supposed it's good for funeral hymn.

Written in 1834. Sang most popular to the tune of Solid Rock by William Bradbury, 1816-1868. American. Shout out to Bradbury pianos. He went from Baptist to Presbyterian. He's most famous for the "Jesus Loves Me" tune.

I looked into this because it was played in church several weeks ago and I tried the piano myself using the Rejoice Hymns by Ron/Shelly Hamilton of the Baptist. This hymnbook has beautiful arrangement so I generally go to this hymnbook first for training.

Wikipedia mentioned Hillsong, so I looked:

I compared the original words with other versions. Hillsong turned the words "Solid Rock" into "Cornerstone".

I think Hillsong changed the lyrics to match their candy coating style. For the musical aesthetic of artistic literature rather than for the faith. Cornerstone just sounds nicer to them, the meaning of foundation is changed in Hillsong's chorus, while they still follow the same verses as the original.

Hillsong in verse 2: When darkness "seems" to hide His face...rather than the original When darkness veils his lovely face, suggests that Hillsong is aiming for a mental delusion correction rather than the real truth in hardship and the struggle to victory of it in Christ. Hence, a prosperity gospel aspect. To win without hardship.

And they removed the entire 3rd verse:

His oath, his covenant, his blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.

Because it's not Hillsong's style to have any negativity and it's too much for them to alter: "whelming flood", "all around my soul gives way", oh so negative!

Music for the verses are similar style as the original Bradbury's tune. But in the Refrain, Hillsong couldn't make it sound triumphant enough as the original, it's probably too strong for their prom night for Jesus style. Their cheer has no edification for the singers nor listeners, it's not about standing on Christ the Rock, but just yay yay yay He is Lord of all.

The MELITA (by John Dykes) tune version however is not bad:

Melita (meaning Malta, where Paul escaped shipwreck) was the tune Dykes wrote for another hymn: Eternal Father, strong to save. The tune is suitable for seafarers and so became known as the Navy hymn. To stand strong in the stormy sea for God is near.

The Medley of "Solid Rock" & Keith Getty's "In Christ Alone" is much better:

The refrain of Solid Rock is used as a background to the main theme: In Christ Alone.

My source is mainly wikipedia and Hymnary.org so there is still room for expansion.

Posted in Hymns and Scriptures, Music | Leave a comment

Banker's Rounding

Posted on February 17, 2022 by timlyg

While briefing through this Python course by TIQC (very good course, very interactive, great professor Jake Gober), a question came up in the second video: Why is round(10.5) = 10? I'm not sure if the professor had the chance to talk about it, and I had to look up this strange phenomenon.

It turns out that it is true, that it will round to the closest even choice. So round(10.5) = 10, while round(11.5) = 12. Because those are the closest even numbers to round to.

But what's going on? Apparently it's called Banker's Rounding. It seems to be a unbias way for bankers to deal with rounding numbers, so as not to not over pay or under pay interests.

Posted in Technical | Leave a comment

Aquarium Update (2/15/2022) - Long overdue update with content and water test

Posted on February 15, 2022 by timlyg

It's been a while since I last updated this log. A few creatures have died and new ones were introduced. Here's the thorough log:

Prior to water change (Haven't done water change for weeks...maybe 2 Months+, entire Winter and more)

Temperature: 72.7 F = 22.6 C

Salinity: 35.5 ppt / 1.0265 specific gravity

Ammonia:
Rea Sea: 0 - 0.1 mg/L = 0 - 0.01 mg/L Toxic Ammonia

Nitrite:
Tetra Strip test: 0

Nitrate: (Ideal <5 ppm)
Tetra Strip test: > 80ish ppm
Red Sea: 50+ ppm

Alkalinity: (Ideal 8 - 12 dkH)
Tetra Strip test: 80-120 ppm
Hanna: 138 ppm = 7.728 dkH

pH:
Tetra Strip test: 7.8ish
Rea Sea: 8.2

Calcium:
Hanna: 496 ppm

Phosphate:
Hanna: 1.54 ppm

Water change done right after measurement taken.

After 25% Water change, added one dosage each for: Microbe-Lift, Fluval Sea: (Calcium, Trace Elements, 3-ions), Marine Buffer:

Nitrate: (Ideal <5 ppm)
Tetra Strip test: 160ish ppm

Alkalinity: (Ideal 8 - 12 dkH)
Tetra Strip test: > 180 ppm

pH:
Tetra Strip test: 8.2ish

Conclusion, need to do more water changes. Never slack on that, at least once in 2 weeks. Once a week is ideal. Now in Winter, I get less water produced by the De-Humidifier, so I guess I'll have to go with tap water, which isn't bad based on my last testing. I should test the tap water every time.

Update (2/18/2022):

Nitrate: (Ideal <5 ppm)
Tetra Strip test: > 40ish ppm
Hanna: 52.3 ppm

Creatures:

So many have come and gone (died basically).

(gave away the 2x Three-Spot Domino Damsels to Aquatic Obsessions 3-4 weeks ago - too bad he claimed that every hated these fish so much he wouldn't do much trade off for me, I think he just knocked a couple bucks down for my new purchase)

(Lawnmower Blenny finally died after stomach bulging)

I'll start with the oldest ones in the tank that I can remember:

2x Three Stripe Damselfish (next kind of bully after the Three Spot Dominos, but seems to be tame now when enough time passed with new fish)

2x Blue Damselfish (less of a bully, but it seems that Damselfish are known to be bullies).

2x Feather dusters (one of them really grown at least 1.5 times bigger)

1x Yellow Clown Goby (I believe the other one, the more yellowish looking one has died a while back, not sure why, probably lack of food): Loves to sit on corals, particularly the kenya r

2x Clarkiis (Petco in Oldbridge)

2x Ocellaris Clown (I believe they are Ocellaris and not Percula, no orange in the eyes)

3x Blue-Green Chromis (my favorite because they are cheap, peaceful and active)

1x Yellow Belly Hippo Blue Tang (Had hard time coming out until I isolated the domino damselfish.

1x Yellowhead Jawfish (love playing with digging into sand and hide in it)

1x Copperband Butterflyfish. Seems to be doing well, I think it only feeds on my frozen food, but haven't really observed it eating them.

1x Striped Blenny (yellow lines)

1x Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse (Not too afraid of humans, love to bounce around just below the surface)

1x Green Clown Goby (I bought two, I think the are one is pretty much dead, probably out of starvation, common cause of death in my tank I think)

1x Splendid Dottyback

1x Peppermint Shrimp (I bought two more but I think only one left so far)

2x Royal Gramma Basslets (I think I have two, bought on separate time, the last one wasn't doing well and Oldbridge Petco wouldn't respond to a refund - I'll try never going back there again)

1x Purple/Orchid Dottyback

1x small hermit crab

1x Target Mandarin Dragonet Goby

1x pin cushion urchion (it really likes to grab objects like the Ceramic Rings I hid under the sandbed). Had to watch it, lest it took some of my frags with it.

1x bumble bee snail, 2x Turbo snails, lots of small growing white snails that came out of nowhere, probably from the sands I bought.

Corals:

Green Kenya Tree (From Frag Farm)

3, 4 batches of GSP (Green Star Polyps) The biggest one is from Aquarium Obsessions and is a different species than the others I think. Only 2 are visible and appears to survive well now.

Green Zoas, Green-Orange Zoas (larger), Palythoa

2x Candy Canes

1x Red Montipora frag, I think (from Frag Farm)

1x Green Ricordea Mushroom (Seemed to have shrunk, especially when I fed Reef Energy, need to look up how to save it)

4x Duncans (Appear to close often now, need to figure out why)

Posted in Biology | 8 Comments

Furnace Fix

Posted on February 14, 2022 by timlyg

This Morning Nadia said that the first floor is so cold and we realized later that the Furnace in the basement is not working.

There's a great deal of Youtube video tutorials (This "Word of Advice TV" youtuber is very technical and detail) on Furnace. But since the red LED indicator on the furnace (after finding replacing the very old filter still didn't fix the problem, and opening the furnace cover), tells us (according to the error code chart in the back of the cover) that 3 flashes means Pressure Switch Stuck Open, I found a direct video on how to deal with the problem:

Basically just unscrew the Draft Inducer Motor, and clear the vent between the motor and the Pressure Switch that is connected with a rubber piping which can easily be removed. I must have jiggled the clog off as I took off the device because by the time I was ready to clean it, there didn't appear to be anything for me to clean, pipe was clear, the vent was clear as well, so I just briefly poked (paper clip) and gently blew those orifices. After that, hooked everything back and hold the safety switch where the cover would have held it when closed, to do a test run by seeing the ignitor lit up, followed by the burner firing. All good, after putting the cover back.

Posted in Technical | Leave a comment