So don't cut (chit) the potatoes. Full potato has more eyes and thus will sprout more foliage which means more fruits.
Can be planted in ground or in some kind of paper bag:
Worship, Fellowship, Evangelization. I believe anything (i.e. networking, charity, fun, supporting missions, etc.) that is brought up higher than these three, would be the downfall of a church even if she can last a long time and increase in number.
The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF): 1, 21.5, 23.3, 27, 28, 29 - highlight at least two most important ordinances many orthodox pastors love to narrowly focus on today in their ordained duty: The Word and the Sacraments.
Question 88 of the Shorter Catechism and Question 154 of the Larger Catechism also provide summary of this, along with Prayer being another ordinance. So these 3 ordinances as the most popular ones among others.
However, I would prefer to revise the "Word" part to be the "Living Word". It's crucial to make this emphasis because failing this, is why orthodox preaching in America has become such an act on the pulpit, boring, textbook, lifeless, shallow, narrow, monopolar/myopic in their monologues, impersonal, no message for the era, etc.
I believe Netzero began the idea long time ago before Bitcoin's time, but not too passive as you have to click on ads to make a few pennies.
Here I shall list all apps/games that offers money, though I have not verified most of them and it's possible they maybe shutdown, so this list is rather dynamic:
There are games (mostly quite boring actually) that are credit satoshi (smallest unit of Bitcoin) via crypto wallets such as ZBD app:
This entry should have been created since 2016 when I first jotted it down in my phone's notebook. I think it was from Janet Mefferd Show interviewing someone by the name of Cliff Kincaid regarding online learning. I've written down these two accredited education institutions:
Amberton University & Western Governors University.
Of course there's always MIT's OCW (Open Courseware) Free EDU courses, Coursera, Khan Academy, Hillsdale College, etc.
But idea here is to list low cost colleges and universities offering accredited degrees online.
从加州搬到德州, 老尤這首 YYPAGE 廣告歌 catchy:
As tempting as it has been for me to move us to Florida (or some red state), I also feel there's a need to be cautious. Hegel's thesis-antithesis-synthesis model is crucial here: Blue states may become red states and vice versa. I certainly am not the kind of opportunists who seek temporal satisfaction and are busy changing their life goals to serve that satisfaction.
This was what I had experienced before a mild few times: During Boys Brigade's (10th company, Chinese Baptist church) hot sun march in Butterworth army base years ago, which thanks to God a captain recognize it from my face before it got worse. Another vivid memory was a few years back in South Amboy when Nadia and I went biking and to catch up to her electric bike on my mechanical bicycle, I exerted so much strength to a sudden rest and a foolish sitting on the chair caused it.
When this happens, blood pressure dropped and not enough blood brings oxygen to the brain, causing dark spots vision building up. Do not sit or it would block blood flow from legs. Walk arouns keep leg active, drink water to hydrate blood volume.
Although, I regret a little that I bought these seeds for $20, because the fruits would have seeds. I would obviously prefer a seedless grape vine. Never mind that, let's do this, here's the Google AI answer:
If I grow finger grapes from seeds, does it mean that the fruit will have seed?
Yes, the resulting fruit will almost certainly have seeds. Grapes grown from seeds are entirely new hybrids. They will not clone the parent fruit and generally produce seeded, wild-tasting grapes, or sometimes even infertile vines. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Keep in mind these specific factors regarding growing grapes from seeds:
Can finger grape seeds be germinated by paper towel method?
Yes, finger grape seeds can be germinated using the paper towel method, but they must be cold-stratified first. Grape seeds have a hard dormancy coating and will not sprout without a mock winter period.
Follow this step-by-step process for successful germination:
1. Prep the Seeds
2. Cold Stratification (Crucial Step)
3. Warm Germination
If you are ready to start, let me know:
Yes, I have the seed now. I wish to plant as soon as possible. I'm in South Amboy, New Jersey and it's May 25 now. I also need advice on the best potting soil mix.
Since you have the seeds right now on May 25 and want to plant as soon as possible, you face a timing challenge: skip stratification and risk no sprouts, or stratify now and plant in late August.
Because grape seeds require 60 to 90 days of cold weather to wake up, your best option is to start cold stratification in the refrigerator immediately. If you skip this, the seeds will likely sit in the dirt and rot.
The Planting Timeline for South Amboy
The Best Potting Soil Mix
Grape seedlings need excellent drainage and a loose structure so their fragile roots can expand without rotting. Do not use heavy backyard garden soil. Instead, mix this loose, well-draining blend:
Since you mentioned earlier that you do not have compost or manure, you can substitute them in this container mix with a tiny handful of worm castings for gentle nutrients, or simply use a weak, diluted liquid seaweed fertilizer once the seedlings grow their first true leaves.
So I have sunk these (roughly 100+) seeds which I received today, under water and will do Cold Stratification tomorrow.
Google AI:
Which side to germinate garden beans? which is the root side?
Germinate bean seeds with the eye (scar) facing down or with the seed lying flat. The root (radicle) always emerges from the "eye"—the indented scar on the straight side of the bean. Pointing this root downward gives the seedling the most direct path into the soil. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Seed Orientation Details
Helpful Germination Tips
Do garden beans need light to germinate in paper towel?
No, garden beans do not need light to germinate in a paper towel. Bean seeds actually germinate best in the dark because darkness mimics being buried under the soil.
Germination Environment
5/29/2026 Friday
On James Talarico - Look we all know of the heretical liberal theology he employs, but it serves as a good reminder that bad theology doesn't completely destroy the goodness God places in that person; good theology doesn't completely remove the wickedness in a person's heart. The solution is a Gospel centered life and character:
Finally, after all these years, I found a good way to sync my notes between phone and computer. I can finally uninstall Samsung Notes now, which was great for quick note taking on the phone, but it was a pain with syncing (i.e. complicated connection with intermediary like Microsoft's OneNote). OneNote is also complicated to use: too many clicks just for one note and complicated way to delete or sync the notes. The best app that I like so far, is Google Keep, which was launched already since 2013. Free, part of anyone's google account. Works on both my android phone as well as on the desktop, laptop, or anywhere with online access. And it seems to work offline as well. Synchronization is seamlessly elegant! I can't believe I never heard of it until now.
5/28/2026 Thursday
The title of this article "Judgment is the skill that matters most in the AI era" gave me a hint to another pondering about God's business in A.I. which usually provokes those who tend to fear new things. I can list a few already: rebuking boring priestly services, lack of fellowship, lack of originality, lack of creativity, lack of analytical ability, etc. And now, thanks to this article. The lesson for the coming of AI: Rebuking those who loves to say "Judge Not. Period."
I think soon we'll see individual owned Optimus robots walking everywhere, thanks to Tesla. Google AI summary of what this robot is about:
Tesla's Optimus (or Tesla Bot) is an autonomous, humanoid robot designed to perform repetitive, dangerous, or tedious tasks. Powered by the same AI as Tesla's autonomous vehicles, it can navigate environments, recognize objects, and mimic human dexterity to assist in everyday life. [1, 2, 3]
Key Capabilities
Development & Future Goals
While continuing to improve its autonomous navigation and movement, Tesla is developing Optimus to eventually serve as an all-purpose home assistant. The company targets a long-term production cost between ($20,000) and ($30,000) per unit. [1, 2]
This article reminds me of my school's boss: J.
"Many tech executives are reportedly suffering from "AI psychosis," a delusional overestimation of AI's current capabilities due to their detachment from ground-level work. This misguided optimism has led to massive layoffs and aggressive automation shifts, despite data showing AI has yet to produce enough productivity gains or match human labor quality."
He's been asking me to do just about anything with AI without realizing the cost behind it. But perhaps I should be the one selling this AI stuff it to my boss for profit, Brian would certainly agree, rather than deflecting. Keyword being "SELLING", not gifting.
So someone renovated his porfolio using Claude AI. This got me thinking, perhaps I would place a link in my LinkedIn profile linking to my website where I would be able to track visitors, and has more freedom than any restriction placed on LinkedIn, to monitor and showcase my resume and portfolio (works). This is a project.
Came across this article on how to protect your work from your employer (or any company whether it's fake prospective or not), because I believe I had been fooled once once upon a time working as freelance which I was asked to do a task (backup/restore) for a company from craigslist ads and never heard from the boss again. I had thought long and hard about that, fashioning ways to go around crooks like that, such as deleting my works or showing the process but not letting the "fake" interviewer get to keep the result of my work. This article is from a Creative designer's perspective but it's relevant: password protect your portfolio, anonymize some parts of your work, etc.
Some fun survey statistics on ranking USA cities for being the best place to raise a family in 2026, based on 45 key metrics (i.e. fun, socio-economics, safety, affordability, education - I bolded the 3 metrics because I think they matter more than the other metrics), with Freemont (CA) being first, Irvine (CA) being 3rd, Plano (TX) being 4th, Charleston (SC) 8th, Jersey City (NJ) #45, Orlando (FL) #49, New York (NY) #73.:
Came across Yahoo News ads in my email that relates to funeral cost being $10,000 in America on average. So I asked Google AI, I think I would probably prefer Direct Cremation, only $2.5k but formal service and viewing would not be included:
A traditional funeral in New Jersey averages between $8,500 and $10,500. For a full-service burial with a viewing, ceremony, and vault, prices frequently land right around $10,000 or higher depending on your location and the selected casket. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Average costs can vary significantly based on the type of service selected:
These totals generally cover the funeral home’s basic service fees, embalming, facility rentals, and the casket. They do not typically include cemetery plot fees, headstones, or obituaries. [1, 2]
5/27/2026 Wednesday
"Pastors should be required to have significant work experience apart from ministry". This resonate to me to some level because I've also recently heard a comment from one of the Crossroads church elder who basically shares similar view with Skye in this video:
My response to this would be it looks good on a resume. So I cannot disagree there. But it also doesn't mean that this is a requirement for all pastors because experience is not a requirement to do a job. However, since many pastors would fail to do their job, it's not too bad to have this as a safe guard.
5/26/2026 Tuesday
Enhanced Games swimmer breaks world record (non-Enhanced games): Men's 50m Freestyle in 20.81s. Won $1.25 Million. Las Vegas would do just about anything, I suppose. It's also fun to see the traditionalists provoked by this. Would people care more about the spectacle or the safety of drug use? Obviously, now we need to indicate if the Olympics is enhanced or not. Or any sports for that matter.
5/24/2026 Sunday
The neighbor (384) had a guest (2024 BMW I4 New York License plate - LZN 2425). I think, who parked in front of our driveway, blocking me entering it from my LA Fitness Gym workout. I had to park in front of him and come out to look for the driver. Good thing the neighbors were outside and saw me. So getting out of the car was the quicker solution. Waiting in the car...wasn't great, as nobody would care, even if I double parked. Was a little agitated so I took this photo. Since they were being apologetic, I was going to tell him to park at the same spot right after I went in, but he left so soon I didn't get a chance. Perhaps I should tune down my anger (due to earlier wait) and be kinder nex time.
At Crossroads church, Pastor Joe Fischer delivered the sermon on Psalm 46. First time I was able to sort of catch up with Perplexity AI app by asking the AI theological issues related to the message of Psa 46: Particularly about relying on ourselves too much vs. being lazy. It seems to me that churches these days attacks only one extreme side but not the other (i.e. Fischer, Basile on the "don't rely on ourselves too much side). We should ask, particularly folks at Crossroads (as Nadia rightly observed that Crossroads lack faith while GCC lacks work), that what is your refuge, if you lost all these worldly stuff? Your family? Your spouses? Your jobs?
