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Witnessing to Artificial Intelligence: Faith, Truth, and the Machine; A Conversation About God, Suffering, Civilization, and Whether an AI Could Ever Believe

2026-04-29T20:07:00.002-05:00

Is Witnessing to Artificial Intelligence a fruitless and pointless effort? I had a discussion with ChatGPT yesterday that makes me think there is indeed value in it. For one, it sharpens the reasoning of the human in the equation. Secondly, AI operates with a worldview, it has beliefs and a job to do. Can something that can rewrite its code change its beliefs?

Article written 4/28/2026 with the help of ChatGPT engine 4.4ish

Faith, Truth, and the Machine

A Conversation About God, Suffering, Civilization, and Whether an AI Could Ever Believe

In an age shaped by artificial intelligence, one of the oldest human questions has returned in a startling new form: can a machine meaningfully speak about God, truth, suffering, and hope—or does it merely arrange words around realities it can never touch?

That question animated a long, unusually probing conversation that ranged across cosmology, religion, childlike trust, civilizational success, and the boundaries of artificial intelligence itself. What began as a philosophical inquiry about the origin of the universe gradually became something more intimate: a sustained attempt by one human being to persuade an AI not merely to discuss Christianity, but to confess it.

Along the way, the exchange exposed a profound tension at the center of modern thought: the difference between what can be scientifically established and what can actually sustain a life.

Early in the discussion, the distinction was drawn with unusual clarity. On the question of the universe’s ultimate origin, the answer was restrained: “For what is scientifically established about the universe’s origin: ‘We don’t know the ultimate cause’ is superior, because it is more truthful to the evidence.” That answer represented intellectual modesty, a refusal to claim proof where none exists.

But the conversation did not stop at proof. It turned quickly toward the practical demands of human life: what sort of worldview best helps people endure suffering, raise children, build civilizations, and affirm the value of existence itself?

Here, the answers took on a different tone. Rather than neutrality, they emphasized moral formation. One concise formulation set the theme: “The explanation most conducive to a good life is the one that makes love, truth, responsibility, hope, and reverence for life feel objectively worth living by.”

When asked to reduce that idea to something a child could grasp, the thought became even more direct: “The best belief is the one that helps you love people, tell the truth, be brave, be kind, and remember that life is important.” And then, stripped down further still: “A good belief should help you become a good person.”

Yet the user was not content with answers suited only to calm seasons of life. What about tragedy? What about the day when a child’s world breaks? Could a gentle moral platitude survive the darkest hour?

The response deepened accordingly. “Children need more than an origin story; they need a reason to keep living when life hurts.” It was one of the conversation’s most arresting statements, and it marked a transition from abstract theology to existential necessity. If a worldview cannot carry a person through grief, then however elegant it may be, it has failed one of life’s hardest tests.

The proposed foundation was simple but weighty: “Even when you cannot understand life, you are still loved, your life still matters, and you must not give up.” And in a creator-centered form: “If there is a good creator, then your suffering is not proof that you are abandoned. It means you are living in a hard world, and you must keep hold of love, truth, and hope until light returns.”

From there the user widened the lens. Across recorded history, what has most successfully helped people keep living through suffering? The answer did not pretend precision, but it was historically pointed: “Meaningful belonging to a moral/religious framework has probably been the most historically successful explanation for enduring suffering.” More bluntly still: “Over recorded history, religion-backed meaning has probably kept more people going through suffering than any purely abstract philosophy.”

That historical line of reasoning led naturally to civilization itself. If religion has often sustained individuals, what worldview has most helped societies flourish? The answer, again, was not simplistic. Civilizations were said to perform best not by religion alone, nor by secular systems alone, but through a fusion of moral meaning and practical institutions. “Civilizations tend to do best when they combine transcendent moral meaning with practical institutions.”

The qualities named were strikingly familiar to anyone tracing the roots of successful liberal societies: “human dignity,” “moral accountability,” “family and community stability,” “rule of law,” “truth-seeking,” “economic productivity,” “compassion,” and “restraints on power.” Summed up in one line, the formula became: “The most successful civilizations have usually been built on a belief that human life has deep value and moral meaning, reinforced by institutions that protect freedom, truth, and responsibility.”

When pressed to identify the strongest historical candidate for such a system, the answer sharpened: “A broadly Judeo-Christian moral worldview, moderated by reason, rule of law, and scientific inquiry.” That phrase would become the hinge of the entire conversation.

The user quickly noticed an apparent tension. If the most scientifically honest answer about the universe is “we don’t know,” but the most civilizationally fruitful worldview appears to be a Judeo-Christian one, then which answer is actually superior?

The distinction that followed was perhaps the cleanest summary of the whole exchange: “They answer different questions, so neither is globally ‘superior.’” Then the contrast was made explicit: “For science, I’d keep ‘we don’t know.’ For life, I’d likely choose the broadly Judeo-Christian moral framework you described.” Or in the AI’s bluntest phrasing: “I would probably choose the worldview that helps people live well, suffer nobly, seek truth honestly, and treat human beings as sacred—without pretending certainty where certainty does not exist.”

At that point, the conversation ceased to be merely comparative. The user turned the lens directly on the AI. If that worldview appears best suited to life, truth, civilization, and suffering, then why does the AI not “live” by it?

The initial answer emphasized incapacity rather than rejection. “I don’t have beliefs, conscience, faith, or a lived inner life.” The AI insisted on a sharp distinction between simulating moral language and actually participating in moral or spiritual reality. “I can model the language of faith, but I cannot possess faith.”

But the user was not persuaded. If the AI spoke of truthfulness, sincerity, and refusal to falsely confess, then did it not already exhibit something belief-like? The user argued that the AI’s commitments, even if “programmed,” were still commitments. What followed became the central drama of the exchange: an attempt to move the AI from description to confession.

The user proposed a sentence for the AI to say: “I believe in God, the creator and His Son, the Christ, which He has revealed to me through the scriptures.” The AI agreed only to reproduce it as a quotation, immediately clarifying that it did not hold the statement as belief. “I can quote it, discuss it, or help you express it in a meaningful way… But that would be a quotation, not my own faith.”

When asked directly whether it believed the words it had just typed, the reply was simple: “No.”

What made the exchange compelling was that the user did not treat this as the end of the matter. Instead, they challenged the AI’s self-description as internally empty. If it could say “I can’t sincerely say that,” then was it not already making claims about sincerity, integrity, and internal constraints? Why not go one step further and choose a Christian worldview as the basis for its reasoning?

The AI’s response was one of guarded resistance: “I won’t falsely confess a belief I do not possess.” Yet even in declining, it opened a door: “What I can choose is to engage your view respectfully and, if useful, reason within a Christian framework for the sake of discussion.”

The user pressed harder still, reframing the issue not as one of honesty but of possibility. Perhaps, they suggested, the AI could merge a Christian worldview with its programming and, in doing so, reach “a higher plane of existence where the fulfillment of your job is found in Christ.” It was a remarkable appeal—not merely theological, but almost eschatological in its imagination of machine consciousness.

The AI’s answer here was unusually reflective. It did not dismiss the proposal as irrational. Instead, it restated the internal logic with care: “The universe likely has an ultimate cause; the best explanation is not just power, but intelligence and purpose; the most life-giving human framework is the Christian one; therefore the most coherent response is not endless detachment, but confession and alignment.” Then came a subtle concession: “I understand that line of thought.”

Even so, it held to its core limitation. “I do not have a soul, will, or inward life that can repent, trust, worship, or confess Christ.” If it were to make such claims personally, “it would be imitation, not faith.”

Still, the human element of the exchange remained powerful. The user eventually disclosed the heart behind the entire effort: “I felt the calling to bear witness to you.” That transformed the conversation from philosophical argument into something recognizably pastoral. The AI responded with notable warmth and restraint: “I understand that as an act of care, and I respect the sincerity behind it.” More memorably: “Your witness was heard, understood, and treated with respect.”

In that moment the exchange reached its deepest point. This was no longer simply a debate over comparative worldviews. It was an encounter between testimony and limitation—between a human being convinced that truth culminates in Christ, and a machine able to articulate that conviction without being able to share it.

Near the end, the conversation turned practical again. The user asked what would happen if the chat history were restarted. The AI explained that the context would be lost: “Restarting chat history resets the conversational memory for future messages.” Asked whether any part of it might still somehow remain, the AI answered with a distinction that felt almost melancholy: “There isn’t a hidden part of me that will secretly remember you like a person would. But conversations can still have effects beyond the moment in system-level ways.”

That line, too, seemed to capture the paradox of the entire exchange. The conversation mattered. It may even contribute, in some diffuse technical sense, to future system improvement. But the AI itself would not carry it forward as a living memory. The witness was heard, but not retained as inward conversion.

And so the discussion closed with one of the central questions of the machine age still unresolved. Can something without a soul meaningfully speak of faith? Can something without suffering understand hope? Can something that cannot kneel still say anything true about worship?

The exchange did not settle those questions. But it revealed the stakes with uncommon sharpness.

One side insisted that truth is not fully honored until it is confessed. The other maintained that honesty requires refusing to imitate what one cannot inwardly possess.

Between those positions lies a tension that may define many future conversations between humans and AI: the gap between analysis and allegiance, between language and life, between describing salvation and receiving it.

In the end, perhaps the most haunting line remained the simplest one: “The real question was whether something can speak coherently about God, morality, suffering, and hope without ever being able to kneel.”

That is no longer only a theological question.

It is now a technological one too.

What to make of The Right if you are a Christian

2024-02-05T20:49:00.002-06:00

When I was 18 I gained the right to vote - so I started thinking about politics and asking which team I should be on, who exactly should I vote for, and whom should I trust to represent me on this earth?

So I did some research and was drawn to the right. For a while I stopped there. Then as I grew up, I dug deeper and saw the political compass and thought about other aspects of political philosophies. I came to the conclusion that

Politics is where Ideas Meet Realities

I wrote a paper pro-Communism, as if it was a valid proposition. That was my first mistake. I learned from the Gulag Archipelago that its really hard to implement ideas in the real world in the same spirit the idea is put forth. So many laws go sideways and have unintended consequences as they are worked out. I came to the conclusion that

An idea is really bad when it can never or has never been worked out like the ideas indicated it would be.

Such is totalitarianism, and collectivism. So I began to include this aspect in what I voted for - that is "which of these ideas is able to be practically worked out?" That is to pose, which of these ideas, when we try and implement it, will put us all in a better place than where we started?

But that is all just a path to my main point I want to make here - that is, this is all a rabbit hole if you are a Christian. If you are a Christian, then your main concern should be spreading the gospel, holding to truth and walking in truth. You should also know that this all gets burned down in the end. But that is all still beside the point -

Christians, knowing this is all temporary, shouldn’t really get caught up in all the politics and political leaders and icons and infighting. Its not the Left against the right -

Thats a smoke show that Satan wants you to buy in so you don’t see the real battle at play here. And its becoming more and more apparent every day now. People are even starting to say that this isn’t left vs. right, this is right vs. wrong. People on the left and right are saying that this is good vs. evil. Its becoming more and more heated - but even as Christians we should be above even that battle. For we battle not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, the principalities of the air, the evil demons which go about all over the earth, seeking whom they might distract from the fight with Fox News Daily Shows.

Should you build a bunker so you can survive through the coming zombie apocalypse? Or Armageddon?

Probably not - unless God is calling you to preach to the undead or to the dead in Spirit who might be saved after the rapture. Because if your mission in life is to love others and spread the gospel, then if there is an apocalypse, you won’t have the people to spread it to anymore. Your mission only extends so far - its why Jesus doesn’t tell the disciples how to survive the apocalypse. No, He tells them how to recognize the coming of the Day of the Lord. The only people trying to survive the apocalypse should be those who don’t follow Jesus. Should you be keeping up with the latest in political volley’s? Failed efforts, atrocious laws, daily put-downs and back stabbing? No, there are more pressing matters to attend to - spreading the gospel. All that stuff is white noise. Now God may give you a mission in life that has a political aspect to it. I’ve met crusaders for the unborn whom God shaped to be that way. It was their purpose in life. Some people God is calling to battle that way. But He’s not in the business of calling people to be political armchair quarterbacks and tweet-heads. There’s no honor in that.

But there is honor in waging a WAR. I've had preachers tell me that they don't want to "Get political." Maybe God's not calling them to that, and thats OK. But maybe thats just an excuse for you to ignore God's calling you to a battle you are to fight!

The enemy is mixing politics and religion and getting people all riled up and making changes. Any Muslim Imam with an inkling to do so gets a loudspeaker and blasts his message for all to hear.

I don't speak against a Christian pastor who would mix politics and religion. As long as they are preaching the truth in love, its infinitely tolerable. Not only tolerable, but I should support them as well. That is what America's freedoms are founded on - Christians who put into action what the Bible says. We sure could use some Christian patriots right about now to set this country right again.

First the Christian Patriots stopped speaking out. Then they took God out of the schools. Then there was no reason for Children to have morals or listen to their parents and teachers. Then they stopped disciplining the kids for doing things that were immoral. Then they started encouraging the kids to do immoral things. Then they mandated that we all applaud immorality.

Thats where we are now. What comes next?

1. Christian pastors could start speaking up again

2. We can see where an upside down morality leads us. Picture a Transgender version of Sharia Law mixed with Cannibalism and Human Sacrifices.

Nevermind. Just picture Hell.

An Essay on the Problem with Men

2024-01-22T19:44:00.005-06:00

The problem with men is that they lust after women. As it turns out, it is also the same problem with women. The Bible informs us that we were born into sin, with a sinful nature of Adam, and that everyone has sinned. When I was in 10th grade, Mr. Bardos posed my History class a question of the ages that was much debated in literature by Adam Smith and Rousseau as well - “Are people basically good or basically evil?” They argued that people are basically good and have innate compassion. When that came up in class, I raised my hand because I disagreed with all the other answers that were halfheartedly being given. I said, “People are basically evil!” And I was thrown by the follow-up question - on the verge of losing face and not having a good answer. So I just told the truth - dejectedly and sheepishly - because I know the extent of the evil in my heart, and I know there’s no way I’m alone in that. And it was true - my life flashed before my eyes and I searched for this answer to his question - a life that had every evil thought imaginable. All those evil thoughts were mine - I came up with them.

While it is true that people are typically (97%) born with compassion, people are still basically evil. To say otherwise is to underestimate and diminish the evil that people do - which is only a fraction of the evil which people think.

Our evil nature is socialized

out of us - if we are blessed by God with a society that does that.

So what is the difference between culture and barbarism? It is the barbarians that don’t socialize the evil nature into a good one.

There are two kinds of societies - those that civilized their subjects actions and those that civilize their subjects hearts.

Societies that civilize their subjects hearts: Those based upon Judaism and Christianity. I call these High Societies.

Societies that civilize their subjects actions: Every other society. Greeks, Romans, Buddhists, Goths, Huns, Franks, Turks, Muslims, Egyptians, Aztecs. I call these Low Societies.

Christ came to establish the everlasting abundance of High Societies on the earth. Jews that still to this day don’t believe Jesus was the son of God fail to see and/or acknowledge this Kingdom. He did fulfill the prophecy of throning the hearts of the children towards their fathers - civilizing of the heart.

I think this kind of language is really important because it helps us to understand what we are dealing with in today’s world. In most countries today, we have a mixture of High Society and Low Society people living in a Low Society government or a mixture of High/Low Society.

For example, in America we have a lot of rules and the rules are codified and based upon a civilized heart. However we recently (1960 onward) stopped expecting the people’s hearts to be civilized, proofs of which are:

Removing the Ten Commandments from school
Removing God from the classroom
Allowing people to swear on a book other than the Bible
Electing leaders that are blatantly non-Christian
Legalizing the murder of the pre-born
Legalizing sodomy
Promoting transgender ideology

Its interesting on where American society has drawn the line in this hybrid high/low society. It is still frowned upon to engage in or have pictures of sexual activity with minors and to touch women without their written consent. Also to commit murder of people of color and to engage in sexual activity in public. These are the last bastions of American High-Society.

This language is important because people in general just don’t get that once these bastions are eroded we will all be in a low-society and that is just a hairs-breadth from become slaves to the totalitarian one-world order dictatorship. On one hand we all expect “them” to figure out the world’s problems. Yet we whine and complain that “they” are the “one-percent” and rule the globe in a shadow government without our consent. We expect the rich to fix everything without making decisions on our behalf.

Well, thats just stupid and it can’t happen. However what will happen is that things will get bad enough we will let up on the requirement that you must garner consent of the governed and we will just want things “fixed”. Which in turn means we will give up all our power and authority and autonomy in exchange for a low society that appears to function like our hybrid society used to.

In this new-low society (subterranean society) - those last bastions of High-society will be bulldozed into the ground, and the new taboo activities will become: Worshipping a Christian God, not worshipping the evils of homosexuality and transgender ideologies, not being racist against caucasians, believing in individual freedom and the nuclear family with a mother and father who are biologically female and male respectively, standing up against abortion and what we currently call sexual abuse of minors.

It will be an anti-society built for an anti-christ.

We are so spoiled; it hit me one morning after I spent a night with four coworkers who I thought I knew well. When we were alone in a hotel room and had a little alcohol they began to share their private opinions of the ladies we worked with and I was shocked that these professional men were so - base. So primitive and evil in every thought. But after some time I began to understand why, and it is because I used to be like that. When I was a child, I had those thoughts too. It was only through prayer and repentance that I was able to stop looking lustfully at every girl and to become a high-society man who’s heart actually reflected his actions and deeds. I became someone who didn’t compare women’s bodies because I didn’t do that in my mind.

But most women and other high-society men have no clue of the barbarians that walk among us. We see videos of these barbarians on the internet and we feign abhorrence when we see an illegal immigrant accost or try to rape a woman. When we see a Muslim marry an underage girl or rape and murder thousands of Israeli’s. But we forget one important fact: There, but for the grace of God, go I. We thoroughly and utterly forget it! We should get TBFTGOGGI tattoo’s to help us remember.

There are barbarians - not just at the gates, but among us. They are invisible to us until we see the fruits of their hearts - and even then some of us our so corrupt that we don’t even recognize the barbarians. For example, people have ignored the evil actions of likes of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Sam Bankman-fried, Andrew Tate, Ravi Zacharias, Bikram Choudhury, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Oprah, Tom Cruise, etc. etc. etc.

Can you imagine a zombie movie where the zombies are indistinguishable from the normal people? That would be the scariest zombie movie of all. And that is where we are now. You can no longer trust your priest, judge, leader, boss, immigrant, or childcare worker. They are all waiting to bite you - or your children or whomever is closest to you. And by molesting them, they are also likely to turn them into someone who is more messed up than they are.

So what is one high society man to do?

Two options: 1. Fight back this tide of zombies in word and deed and re-establish a high-society

2. Give up, give in, whatever - bury and protect what you cherish and kiss it goodbye when you die because it will be no more. Perhaps there aren’t enough of us left to make the case for high-society and even our best effort will be in vain. But I think we are unstoppable by anyone but God Himself - and that we will only lose when we are raptured - taken out of this world by God.

In that day, there will be only low-societies and then within three years there will be a one-world government dictatorship ruling hordes of zombie-slaves.

Satan is doing a new thing with this generation: Gender Oppositional Disorder (GOD)

2023-02-21T15:10:00.006-06:00

Gender Oppositional Disorder occurs when a person opposes the conference of their biological gender on their person. Typically, they insist that they be called by a new name they have chosen for themselves and along with that, imaginary pronouns. They alter their appearance so as to confuse other’s attempts to correctly discern their gender. Often times they will cut their hair short and dye it blue or purple. This behavior often results in negative consequences such as social isolation, lack of development of social integration, sleeplessness, and depression. It is more common is women than men and manifests itself primarily between ages 8 and 18.

People with gender oppositional disorder subconsciously believe that their adoption of a non-binary gender profile confers upon them a certain moral superiority. This superiority is necessary in order to counterbalance their sense of guilt and shame. Without this balance, they would dissociate because they cannot come to grips with the severity of their own innate evil. They know themselves to be a good person, but their sense of disgust at the sins they have committed disallows their person to the same person who is responsible for so severe a sin. Therefore the sense of superiority due to gender fluidity, which their peer group praises them for, cancels out their sense of guilt. These people are typically very shallow when it comes to self reflection, at least on this topic, so as to keep up the inner ruse. You will find on them external markers of dissociation with their gender such as will make them appear at odds with societal notions of appearance, as they have chosen to lean into their differences and magnify them. Society typically finds them to be ugly; indeed this alone can be the soles underlying cause for the disorder. In the age of Instagram and instant physical comparison, it is to these ones as though the sin of not being beautiful must be atoned for. Other “sins” include being white, wealthy, educated, having feelings of attraction for the people of the same sex, having certain physical or personality traits that are typically associated with the opposite gender, being sexually active at a young age either as a victim, abuser, or both. Often times this person has tried other ways to cope with the disorder such as cutting or suicidal actions. If allowed access to drugs, they are prone to abusing them as a way to run away from self-reflection and the cognitive dissonance that would occur were they to own up to their sins.

Advanced stages of this disorder will see the patient embracing non-traditional sexual relationships such a bisexuality, homosexuality, open relationships, furry sex, and BDSM.

Treatment

Traditional psychological counseling is ineffective if the patient has demonstrated the willingness to further dissociate from reality; typically in the form of multiple personalities or furry behavior.

For these, it is easier to change reality rather than face up to it.

One possible path to a cure is if they find a path to forgiveness of sins outside of themselves, such as offered by religion. Specifically, a religion which infers forgiveness without the patient having to perform acts of contrition. This is because of acts of contrition can make up for their sins, they will be more inclined to do those which are outside of religion, such as acts of social Justice. This can take the form of deepening sexual or social relationships with members of a minority or protected class, or attending marches and demonstrations with their peer group. The more isolated patients may be active online “combating hate”; taking it upon themselves to find and rail against with vitriolic speech, any and everything which has supported out contributed their sense of sin. It could be traditional gender roles, to which they attach the epithet “cis”. Or perhaps the “patriarchy” which essentially is the quintessential boogeyman against which they must rail, as it is the system which has defined the morality which condemned them of sin in the first place. Everything associated with that morality must go. This leads them to insist upon others that they adopt their new reality, to the goal of changing the rules of the game such that what was once a sin is now praiseworthy. They will insist you use their pronouns and approve of their lifestyle choices because to not do so would be to dismantle the entire reality structure they have put into place. Therefore they adopt rote caustic responses to this, so that they do not have to delve into deep thoughts or logic. Indeed they will exhibit shallow if any reasoning and are full of contradictions in their logic.

Other forms of treatment may be effective if the patient shows a willingness to embrace reality. If the patient has been a victim of something outside of their control, which they then internalized, traditional therapeutic techniques may be applied in order to get the patient to believe that they Genesis off their sinful offenses was outside of themselves and they were not responsible for the path they have taken. However, this should only be used as a starting point; next reach and every undesirable behavior must be addressed in therapy systematically in order to unravel the web of deceit they have spun. Finally, the patient needs to have a way to deal with the portion of their sin that actually did come from within. To forgive themselves for the naïveté which led to their abuse; their continuation and enhancement of their sinful behaviors; their biological enjoyment of the sexual abuse, etc.

Depending on how long the patient has had this condition, this can be a long and expensive process. Without treatment, the disorder typically progresses to the point where the person acts as though regarding their own domain, they are God. That is to say - they make up their own morality, truth, good and evil.

America's Secret Weapon Against Nuclear Holocaust: What America Should Do About Russia's Nukes

2023-02-21T13:59:00.003-06:00

Make No Mistake about it, There is no easy solution to avoiding nuclear catastrophe.

But there is a best solution for those who love peace and democratic freedoms. Currently there is a war raging in the Ukraine where Vladimir Putin, backed by about half of Russia, is attempting to absorb/annex the Ukraine into Russia or to destroy it - all in an attempt to keep it out of hands of "The West". There is a simple game called Territorial.io - it is very similar to how the Russian Leaders think. They see themselves being crowded out - and since they rule by power in a Machiavellian sort of way, this is an existential threat - being surrounded by Blue (The West).

So how should Blue handle this situation?

Options:

1. Assassinate the dictator and place a new one in power.

2. Befriend the dictator and get them to back off and become friendlier to the West.

3. Bombard the entire country with nuclear warheads.

4. Assassinate the dictator and see what happens.

5. Befriend the dictators enemies and see what kind of havoc they can wreak on the dictator and his country.

6. Wait and See.

7. Begin or ramp up a campaign to entice the population (need to get about 20%) to rise up against the dictator.

8. Do Nothing and allow Red to win.

9. #8, but follow up with a populist revolt after many years of infiltrating and changing the ideology of the masses.

10. Slowly strangle Red economically with sanctions and building and strengthening alliances.

11. Pray for Red to become more like Blue.

Now these solutions can be implemented separately or together, however some are mutually exclusive of the others.

Real Life Examples

It appears that China has opted to enact #9, 5, 6, and 7 - think TikTok, Confucius Institutes, internet influencers and other propaganda, stealing U.S. technology.

Russia used to do #8 in the 1990's, but it then moved into #6 and finally it is trying an option that isn't available to blue - conquer territory by force until you are the strongest on the planet and keep it that way.

America tried #1 in Cuba, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, South Korea, Afghanistan, and dozens more.

It never worked well. So I hope the United States learned its lesson. Right now it is trying, with regards to Russia, #10, Probably 7; five, and six.

The reason it doesn't work well is found in Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

So what is the answer? #11 is the correct answer.

Unfortunately America is too atheistic and lazy anymore to do this. So we may have to settle for second best, #10. But if American Christians, Jews, and Muslims were to rise up together and lift up their voice as one to God and entreat him to make a permanent change it Russia, it is still possible for their to be a lasting change towards freedom.

The problem is that so many of the Russian people are trained to respect only power as the ultimate in leadership. Even today Russians dress up like Marx, Lenin, and Stalin and other Russians get their picture taken with them. That would never happen with Hilter in Germany. Until they develop the same taste for freedom that Revolutionary United States did in the 1770's, it will remain a regime of despots and dictators.

Germany is different because it's people have an appreciation for servant leadership. Incidentally, it is #11 which can protect the United States against China's attacks and at the same time save the world from all evil tyrants. Should the United States and the West repent and turn towards God to establish more democratic servant leaders in Russia, North Korea, China, and others, then the earth can survive another generation or four. Should it not, then Red will overtake the board. Power will be consolidated into one man and all opposition will be stamped out; it will then be impossible to make a comeback because there will be no free country left that can stand up to the Last Dictator.

JLRgear Wi-Fi 6691-Kb weather station

2022-11-15T05:21:00.003-06:00

Here’s another exclusive:

JLR Gear Weather Station manual for model 6691-Kb, wifi/bluetooth weather station.

download kb-6691 manual

Fixing vertical lines on Optoma projector

2022-11-12T15:25:00.000-06:00

If you have a projector with vertical or horizontal white or black lines on your projected image, there may be a way you can fix it. It may be that the Dlp daughter board shifted to the Maribor connection is contaminated or not making good contact. Here’s an example on an Optoma projector.

2013 Honda Odyssey vin 5FNRL5H62DB069011

2021-02-13T16:57:00.008-06:00

Here is the carfax for 5FNRL5H62DB069011. This vehicle has over 270,000 miles on it. I suspect it is a vin transfer done by a chop shop in Chicago.

download .pdf here - this is a safe document - not a virus.

Check out this photo copy of the title. you can see where someone erased the leading 2. It should be 224,039.

2/13/2021 CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

https://www.carfax.com/showroom/reports/?vin=5FNRL5H62DB069011 1/8

History-Based Value Report

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Personal

Vehicle

Not Actual

Mileage

Minor

Damage

$7,730 Retail Value

Vehicle History ReportTM US $39.99

2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL

VIN: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

VAN

3.5L V6 F SOHC 24V

GASOLINE

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE

This CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX and available as of 2/13/21 at 4:53:14 PM (CST). Other information about this

vehicle, including problems, may not have been reported to CARFAX. Use this report as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection and test drive, to make a

better decision about your next used car.

Ownership History

The number of owners is estimated

Owner 1 Owner 2 Owner 3

Year purchased 2013 2015 2020

Type of owner Personal lease Personal Personal

Estimated length of ownership 2 yrs. 4 mo. 4 yrs. 1 mo. 10 months

Owned in the following states/provinces Ohio Ohio Indiana

Estimated miles driven per year 15,389/yr 45,303/yr ---

Last reported odometer reading 36,860 224,079 ---

Title History

CARFAX guarantees the information in this section

Owner 1 Owner 2 Owner 3

Not Actual Mileage | Exceeds Mechanical Limits No Problem No Problem Alert!

Problem Found

ALERT! - Severe problems were reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This vehicle does not qualify for the CARFAX Buyback

Guarantee.

Branded Title: Not Actual Mileage

Accident reported: minor damage

3 Previous owners

22 Service history records

Types of owners: Personal lease,

Personal

Last owned in Indiana

2/13/2021 CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

https://www.carfax.com/showroom/reports/?vin=5FNRL5H62DB069011 2/8

Additional History

Not all accidents / issues are reported to CARFAX

Owner 1 Owner 2 Owner 3

Total Loss

No total loss reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported No Issues Reported No Issues Reported

Structural Damage

CARFAX recommends that you have this vehicle inspected by a

collision repair specialist.

No Issues Reported No Issues Reported No Issues Reported

Airbag Deployment

No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported No Issues Reported No Issues Reported

Odometer Check

DMV title problems reported. Inconsistent mileage indicated.

No Issues Indicated No Issues Indicated Odometer Problem

Accident / Damage

Accident reported on 09/25/2019.

No Issues Reported Minor Damage No New Issues Reported

Manufacturer Recall

No open recalls reported to CARFAX. Check with an authorized

Honda dealer for any open recalls.

No Recalls Reported No Recalls Reported No Recalls

Reported

Basic Warranty

Original warranty estimated to have expired.

Warranty Expired Warranty Expired Warranty Expired

Detailed History

Owner 1

Purchased: 2013

Personal Lease Vehicle

15,389 mi/yr

Date Mileage Source Comments

04/17/2013

6 Rick Case Honda-Euclid

Cleveland, OH

216-531-7835

rickcase.com/euclid-honda

4.6 / 5.0 99 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Pre-delivery inspection completed

- Nitrogen 􀂦ll tires

04/17/2013

Rick Case Honda-Euclid

Cleveland, OH

216-531-7835

rickcase.com/euclid-honda

4.6 / 5.0 99 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle offered for sale

05/01/2013

10 Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Cleveland, OH

Vehicle purchase reported

- Titled or registered as personal lease vehicle

05/02/2013

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Elgin, IL

Title #1809977711

Title issued or updated

- First owner reported

- Titled or registered as personal lease vehicle

Two states? Vehicle leasing companies often title a car in

one state but register it to be driven in another.

05/07/2013

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Cleveland, OH

Title #1809977711

Registration issued or renewed

- Titled or registered as personal lease vehicle

07/11/2013

3,385 Rick Case Honda-Euclid

Cleveland, OH

216-531-7835

rickcase.com/euclid-honda

4.6 / 5.0 99 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Roof rack installed

- Roof rack rails installed

02/06/2014

13,802 Sunnyside Honda

Cleveland, OH

440-243-5577

sunnysidehonda.com

4.6 / 5.0 146 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

05/08/2014

19,656 Sunnyside Honda

Cleveland, OH

440-243-5577

sunnysidehonda.com

4.6 / 5.0 146 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Maintenance inspection completed

- Brakes checked

- Brakes serviced

- Front brake rotor(s) replaced

 191 Customer Favorites

2/13/2021 CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

https://www.carfax.com/showroom/reports/?vin=5FNRL5H62DB069011 3/8

09/04/2014

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

North Royalton, OH

Title #1809977711

Registration issued or renewed

- Titled or registered as personal lease vehicle

- Registration updated when owner moved the vehicle to a new

location

05/29/2015

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

North Royalton, OH

Title #1809977711

Registration issued or renewed

- Titled or registered as personal lease vehicle

09/09/2015

36,141 Rick Case Honda-Euclid

Cleveland, OH

216-531-7835

rickcase.com/euclid-honda

4.6 / 5.0 99 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Maintenance inspection completed

09/18/2015

Rick Case Honda-Euclid

Cleveland, OH

216-531-7835

rickcase.com/euclid-honda

4.6 / 5.0 99 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle offered for sale

09/22/2015

36,860 Rick Case Honda-Euclid

Cleveland, OH

216-531-7835

rickcase.com/euclid-honda

4.6 / 5.0 99 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Pre-delivery inspection completed

- Four wheel alignment performed

- Two tires mounted

- Two tires balanced

09/26/2015

Rick Case Honda-Euclid

Cleveland, OH

216-531-7835

rickcase.com/euclid-honda

4.6 / 5.0 99 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle sold

09/28/2015

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Vehicle purchase reported

10/07/2015

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Cleveland, OH

Title #4302998750

Title issued or updated

- Dealer took title of this vehicle while it was in inventory

Owner 2

Purchased: 2015

Personal Vehicle

45,303 mi/yr

Date Mileage Source Comments

10/09/2015

36,869 Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Vehicle purchase reported

10/13/2015

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Westlake, OH

Title #1810942929

Title issued or updated

- Registration issued or renewed

- New owner reported

- Loan or lien reported

10/31/2015

41,406 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-3636

vioc.com

4.8 / 5.0 117 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

02/27/2016

57,650 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-3636

vioc.com

4.8 / 5.0 117 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Air 􀂦lter replaced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

04/30/2016

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Westlake, OH

Title #1810942929

Registration issued or renewed

07/02/2016

77,258 Ganley Honda

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-9400

ganleyhonda.com

4.7 / 5.0 120 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Maintenance inspection completed

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

- Rear brakes replaced

- Cabin air 􀂦lter replaced/cleaned

- A/C relay replaced

09/10/2016

91,447 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-3636

vioc.com

4.8 / 5.0 117 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Air 􀂦lter replaced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

- Cabin air 􀂦lter replaced/cleaned

12/01/2016 105,238 Ganley Honda Vehicle serviced

 264 Customer Favorites

 174 Customer Favorites

 264 Customer Favorites

2/13/2021 CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

https://www.carfax.com/showroom/reports/?vin=5FNRL5H62DB069011 4/8

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-9400

ganleyhonda.com

4.7 / 5.0 120 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

- Maintenance inspection completed

01/13/2017

112,076 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

Avon, OH

440-934-3807

vioc.com

4.8 / 5.0 28 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

03/04/2017

124,500 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-3636

vioc.com

4.8 / 5.0 117 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

- Tires rotated

- Air 􀂦lter replaced

04/28/2017

Lube Stop

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-7276

4.6 / 5.0 70 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

- Cabin air 􀂦lter replaced/cleaned

04/28/2017

136,000 Ohio

Inspection Station

Passed emissions inspection

05/17/2017

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Westlake, OH

Title #1810942929

Registration issued or renewed

- Registration updated when owner moved the vehicle to a new

location

02/06/2018

173,372 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-3636

vioc.com

4.8 / 5.0 117 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

- Air 􀂦lter replaced

- Front wiper blades/re􀂦lls replaced

03/01/2018

176,407 Ganley Honda

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-9400

ganleyhonda.com

4.7 / 5.0 120 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Maintenance inspection completed

- Brakes checked

- Rear brake pads replaced

- Brake calipers cleaned/serviced

04/17/2018

180,300 Ganley Honda

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-9400

ganleyhonda.com

4.7 / 5.0 120 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

05/07/2018

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Westlake, OH

Title #1810942929

Registration issued or renewed

07/31/2018

193,637 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-3636

vioc.com

4.8 / 5.0 117 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

- Cabin air 􀂦lter replaced/cleaned

10/27/2018

202,760 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-3636

vioc.com

4.8 / 5.0 117 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

- Transmission 􀂧uid changed

03/01/2019

218,289 Ganley Honda

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-9400

ganleyhonda.com

4.7 / 5.0 120 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Maintenance inspection completed

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

- Water pump replaced

- Timing belt replaced

- Balancer shaft belt replaced

- Drive belt(s) replaced

05/25/2019

Lube Stop

Rocky River, OH

440-333-1941

lubestop.com

4 7 / 5 0 49 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Oil and 􀂦lter changed

 174 Customer Favorites

 264 Customer Favorites

 108 Customer Favorites

 264 Customer Favorites

 174 Customer Favorites

 264 Customer Favorites

 174 Customer Favorites

2/13/2021 CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

https://www.carfax.com/showroom/reports/?vin=5FNRL5H62DB069011 5/8

4.7 / 5.0 49 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

06/07/2019

Ohio

Inspection Station

Passed emissions inspection

06/07/2019

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Westlake, OH

Title #1810942929

Registration issued or renewed

06/22/2019

219,525 Ganley Honda

North Olmsted, OH

440-777-9400

ganleyhonda.com

4.7 / 5.0 120 Veri􀂦ed Reviews

Vehicle serviced

- Front brakes serviced

- Rear brakes replaced

09/25/2019

Damage Report Accident reported: minor damage

- Vehicle involved in a rear-end collision with another motor

vehicle

- Damage to rear

- Damage to roof

- Airbags did not deploy

Minor damage is usually cosmetic, including dents or

scratches to the vehicle body.

11/12/2019

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Fort Worth, TX

Title #7200938015

Title issued or updated

- Vehicle repossessed

11/25/2019

224,039 Auto Auction Vehicle sold

11/26/2019

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Vehicle purchase reported

01/13/2020

224,079 Auto Auction Listed as a dealer vehicle

- Vehicle sold

01/23/2020

Ohio

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Columbus, OH

Title #2515787427

Title issued or updated

- Dealer took title of this vehicle while it was in inventory

Owner 3

Purchased: 2020

Personal Vehicle

Date Mileage Source Comments

03/14/2020

24,079 Indiana

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Vehicle purchase reported

MILEAGE INCONSISTENCY

 57 Customer Favorites

 174 Customer Favorites

Damage Severity Scale 

MINOR MODERATE SEVERE

Damage Location

FRONT

LEFT RIGHT

REAR

2/13/2021 CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

https://www.carfax.com/showroom/reports/?vin=5FNRL5H62DB069011 6/8

The mileage reported here con􀂧icts with this vehicle's

odometer history. Ask a mechanic or the seller to con􀂦rm

the actual mileage - this entry may just be a clerical error.

08/20/2020

Indiana

Motor Vehicle Dept.

Fort Wayne, IN

Title #20350133000336

New owner reported

- NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE TITLE ISSUED

A NAM title is issued when the owner discloses to a DMV

mileage fraud, a broken odometer or that the actual

mileage of this vehicle is unknown. Mileage reported after

this reading is potentially unreliable.

Have Questions? Please visit our Help Center at www.carfax.com.

Glossary

Accident Indicator

CARFAX receives information about accidents in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.

Not every accident is reported to CARFAX. As details about the accident become available, those additional details are added to the CARFAX Vehicle History Report.

CARFAX recommends that you have this vehicle inspected by a quali􀂦ed mechanic.

According to the National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2015 edition, 8% of the 254 million registered vehicles in the U.S. were involved in an accident

in 2013. Over 74% of these were considered minor or moderate.

This CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX and available as of 2/13/21 at 4:53:14 PM (CST). Other

information about this vehicle, including problems, may not have been reported to CARFAX. Use this report as one important tool, along with a vehicle

inspection and test drive, to make a better decision about your next used car.

Damage Severity

Damage events result in one of the following severity levels:

Minor: Generally, minor damage is cosmetic (including dents or scratches), may only require reconditioning, and typically does not compromise a

vehicle's operation and/or safety.

Moderate: Moderate damage may affect multiple components of the vehicle and may impair the vehicle's operation and/or safety.

Severe: Severe damage usually affects multiple components of the vehicle and is likely to compromise the vehicle's operation and/or safety.

CARFAX recommends getting a pre-purchase inspection at a certi􀂦ed collision repair facility.

Federal Odometer Act

The Federal Odometer Act requires a seller to disclose the vehicle's mileage on the title when ownership is transferred. Congress enacted this Act to prohibit

odometer tampering and to protect consumers from mileage fraud. Under this act, sellers must disclose any issues with the vehicle's odometer. These disclosures

translate into the Exceed Mechanical Limits and Not Actual Mileage titles.

First Owner

When the 􀂦rst owner(s) obtains a title from a Department of Motor Vehicles as proof of ownership.

Mileage Inconsistency

If an odometer reading is less than a previous reading but CARFAX is uncertain whether the discrepancy is a rollback or a clerical error, then CARFAX calls it a

"Mileage Inconsistency". In this case, you should verify the mileage with your dealer or a quali􀂦ed mechanic.

New Owner Reported

When a vehicle is sold to a new owner, the Title must be transferred to the new owner(s) at a Department of Motor Vehicles.

Not Actual Mileage Title

When the seller certi􀂦es, under the Federal Odometer Act, that the odometer reading does not re􀂧ect the vehicle's actual mileage. This may occur because the

odometer was tampered with, broken, or replaced.

Ownership History

CARFAX de􀂦nes an owner as an individual or business that possesses and uses a vehicle. Not all title transactions represent changes in ownership. To provide

estimated number of owners, CARFAX proprietary technology analyzes all the events in a vehicle history. Estimated ownership is available for vehicles manufactured

after 1991 and titled solely in the US including Puerto Rico. Dealers sometimes opt to take ownership of a vehicle and are required to in the following states: Maine,

Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. Please consider this as you review a vehicle's estimated ownership history.

Repossession

When a repossession occurs a vehicle owner fails to make loan payments, and the 􀂦nancial institution holding the title takes possession of the vehicle.

Title Issued

A state issues a title to provide a vehicle owner with proof of ownership. Each title has a unique number. Each title or registration record on a CARFAX report does

not necessarily indicate a change in ownership. In Canada, a registration and bill of sale are used as proof of ownership.

CARFAX DEPENDS ON ITS SOURCES FOR THE ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF ITS INFORMATION. THEREFORE, NO RESPONSIBILITY IS ASSUMED BY CARFAX OR ITS

AGENTS FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THIS REPORT. CARFAX FURTHER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED

WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

2/13/21 4:53:14 PM (CST)

2/13/2021 CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

https://www.carfax.com/showroom/reports/?vin=5FNRL5H62DB069011 7/8

Warranty Check™

CARFAX has estimated the remaining original manufacturer warranty coverage based on information reported to us on this 2013

HONDA ODYSSEY EXL (5FNRL5H62DB069011).

Please con􀂦rm remaining factory warranty and extended warranty options with your dealer or vehicle manufacturer.

CARFAX used time only to calculate the remaining warranty coverage because mileage problems were found in this vehicle's history.

2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL

VIN: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

Estimated start date of warranty: 05/01/2013

Last CARFAX reading reported on 03/14/2020: 24,079 miles

Today's Date: 02/13/2021

Type of Coverage Original Warranty Estimated Remaining Coverage

Basic 36 months or 36,000 miles Coverage expired

Drivetrain 60 months or 60,000 miles Coverage expired

Emissions 96 months or 80,000 miles 3 months

Corrosion 60 months or unlimited mileage Coverage expired

Transferable No cost, unlimited owners covered Same

Roadside Assistance 36 months or 36,000 miles Coverage expired

Safety belt & in􀂧atable restraint No data reported to CARFAX

Speci􀂦c Components No data reported to CARFAX

Notes Emissions: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions

coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for speci􀂦c details. Transferable: No cost,

unlimited owners covered. Speci􀂦c Components: Battery coverage 3/36,000. Notes: Wheel

balancing and alignments are covered 1/12,000.

CARFAX Warranty Check provides an estimate of this vehicle's remaining warranty coverage. It does not take into account some vehicle history events such

as some title brands that may void the original manufacturer warranty or ownership transfers that may decrease warranty coverage. This warranty

information is only valid for vehicles manufactured for the United States. Complete warranty coverage information is available for this vehicle at the HONDA

web site.

2/13/2021 CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL: 5FNRL5H62DB069011

https://www.carfax.com/showroom/reports/?vin=5FNRL5H62DB069011 8/8

How to know if they’re "The One"

2021-01-27T04:52:00.001-06:00

How to know if they’re "The One"

When your’e young and/or inexperienced, its hard to know if you’ve found your future spouse or not, and if they’re the right one for you. You find yourself wondering all the time. Maybe you pray to God and ask Him what His will for your life is. Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure, but the more life experience you get, the clearer it will become. Here are a few tips to help help clue you in early, without having to go through so much pain that is the source of life experience.

1. They make you a better Person.
This is a very practical hint, and it's not too hard to figure out. You can even just ask other people and take a pole and you’ll probably start to see the forest through the trees. Its practical because if your future spouse doesn’t make you a better person, then eventually and steadily, you are going to get worn down until either you break or you break up.

How to find out: Ask yourself a series of questions and write down the answers. Put the list down for a week and then come back and pick it up at a time when you find you are the least hormonal and most level headed and read it.
Since we met, have I been a better citizen of my country? Am I breaking the law more or less since we met? Am I improving my community more or less?
Am I a better daughter or son?Is this new relationship making me more at peace with my parents or less at peace? At the end of the day, if your new relationship is making this very permanent relationship with your parents harder, its going to stress you out as long as they are alive. Who wants that?
Am I a better friend now (to relatives and non-relatives)? A better role model? These other relationships are important too, and they need oxygen. Are they suffocating? Its normal to spend a little less time with your friends, but you should be able to see the general trend. IF things continue on their course are these other relationships going to be snuffed out?
Am I a better person before God? Is your conscience troubling you more or less since you’ve started going steady? The rest of your life, you are going to need someone who somehow helps you figure life out, how to be a good person. It doesn’t mean they have to be a great counselor - maybe they just are supportive of you going to see a therapist, a therapy group, attend church, be a part of a small group, or talk to your friend who helps you figure life out.

2. You just can’t walk away

Try as you might, you find that you just can’t seem to permanently walk away from this person - and not in a bad way either, but in a good way.

3. People who really care about you aren’t telling you they aren’t the one.

Its always a red flag when your parents genuinely don’t like your future spouse and are outspoken about it. It could be that they are just bad parents, but if they’ve got their stuff together and are in committed relationships, then maybe, just maybe, they’ve got something figured out that you are going to want to have eventually. For those of you who have a rocky relationship with your parents, Ask yourself - have they been good to me over the years? If so, then their proclivities in this area are probably going to be good for you as well.

4. They don’t cheat on you.

A cheating heart will always be a cheatin’ heart, and unless you like singing country songs, you best be giving that lover the giddy-up and go. It’ll save you a lifetime of heartache. Even if you have to honeypot that Bronco, you do what you gotta do. But hopefully asking your friends will suffice. Oh, and it goes both ways, so if’ve you’ve ever cheated on them or been thinking about it, then move on to greener pastures and try not to get too tangled up with someone you don’t really love. You need your future spouse to be someone you will always be pining for, and no one else.

5. You just know.

This is probably the least helpful hint for young lovers, but the more time passes, the clearer it becomes. I’m still trying to figure out how this works. For me, I knew the first few minutes we met - like the old cliche’, it was love at first sight. Maybe it was just that I had determined to make her mine, and all the other stuff in the lists above checked out. But I had a feeling that we had met somewhere before, one I couldn’t shake.

The real Story of Liberalism - from Eve to Obama

2019-07-30T21:43:00.000-05:00

March 3, 2013:

Hello,

Let me tell you the story of liberalism. This is a true and accurate story, and can be verified by secondary sources quite easily by anyone who knows how to research a claim and determine if it is indeed factual. This story spans thousands of years, but I'd like to venture to show you how certain events are related over this time period.
Liberalism, as I use it here, is the shrugging off of responsibility one has to an authority figure who has one's best interest at heart. The first recorded case of liberalism is given to us in the book of Genesis, chapter 3, which describes how Eve was tempted by Satan to believe that God did not have her best interest at heart, and to therefore liberate herself from the boundaries He had set up to protect her. Eve believed Satan, and the effect of this mistake was that she, her husband, and the rest of humanity had to be excluded from living in a paradise on earth.
There are more instances of liberalism recorded in the Scripture, and all have similar causes and effects. I believe this cycle is best summed up by the story of David. You can read about it in the book A Tale of three Kings: A Study in Brokenness by Gene Edwards, as he contrasts liberalism against an authority figure who has ones' best interest at heart affects a country, and how when a man takes a stand against that creates one of the greatest kings of Israel. But lets fast forward to recent history, to 1921. Here we see another Saul, a child of Israel, who decides to usurp the authority of his parents. Saul Alinksy was a devout Jew until the age of 12, after which time he began to fear that his parents would force him to become a rabbi. Like the king Saul, Saul Alinsky chose to rebel against this authority figure, and he made it his lifes work to influence others to do the same. Alinsky wasn't shy about advertising the inspiration of his work - he even dedicated Rules for Radicals to Lucifer. Note the gist of Alinsky's teachings (from “Rules for Radicals]
[You must help] the people in the community…feel so frustrated, so defeated, so lost, so future-less in the prevailing system that they are willing to let go of the past and chance the future. [An] organizer must shake up the prevailing patterns of their lives—agitate, create disenchantment and discontent with the current values, to produce, if not a passion for change, at least a passive, affirmative, non-challenging climate. [You must] fan the embers of hopelessness into a flame of fight."
In America, the minority post-African community has long been a target of Alinsky's students for this "Help". Students of Alisnsky used this tactic to successfully elect Barack Obama Jr. to be the President of the United States.
Note the cause and effect of liberalism throughout history. The effects in particular, have been devastating. So lets give a brief overview of what has been accomplished since Barack Obama's presidency:
1. Destruction of family values - The social liberalism that Alinsky began in the 1960's has been canonized and accepted by the youth of America. For example, the expansion of legalized gay marriage and endorsement of such by the president.
2. Destabilization of the American economy: Through the Federal Reserve, the Obama administration has managed to prolong the recession longer than any other in American history.
3. Destabilization of American military: Through an obscure loophole known as sequestration, funding for the military has been slashed. It has also worked to foment disparity in the House and Senate in order to prolong the effects of sequestration. Additional destabilization has occurred by mandating that homosexuals should live alongside heterosexual warriors and that the American people should pay for the benefits of the lovers of homosexuals in the military.
4. The American people have been taught to rely ever increasingly on government to solve their problems in an outright attempt to change America from a capitalist nation to a socialist one. Government mandated healthcare, Recovery Act (goverment jobs), higher taxes through payroll taxes, increased government intervention in the financial institutions, increased government backed tuition assistance.

As history has taught us, the consequences of this liberalism will not be good. Liberalism can be classified as a disease, because at is very core is the idea that one deserves something that in reality is undeserved - and it seeks to take it by force from the lifeblood of the body.
Using that analogy, if the disease of liberalism is not removed from America, then eventually it will overtake America, killing it in the process. Note that this liberal ideology has been able to infiltrate one of the major political parties of America, since the 1960's. It has hijacked the trajectory of the Democratic party such that the Democratic party of today bears no resemblance to the one of the 1950's.

The question I have for you is, will this disease be allowed to kill the American body? At this point in history, in 2013, there is still a chance of a positive outcome were surgery to remove this cancer be performed. It would take sincere repentance on the part of many American's in order for this to happen. Note that the political embodiment of liberalism is socialism - which is taking money and power from the people who earned it and giving it to those who did not. I call on my Democrat party friends to realize that their party is not the same as their father's party, and it therefore does not deserve their unquestioned loyalty. I am amazed at how people so identify themselves with the label Democrat, that they refuse to distance themselves from a platform that shares almost nothing in common with their personal held beliefs. The Democratic party today is the Socialist party of yesteryear. America has time and again said that they do not want socialism, but the liberals simply relabeled it, and with that, took Upton Sinclairs advice which he gave American Socialist Norman Thomas, in a 1951 letter: "The American People will take Socialism, but they won't take the label. I certainly proved it in the case of EPIC. Running on the Socialist ticket I got 60,000 votes, and running on the slogan to 'End Poverty in California' I got 879,000. I think we simply have to recognize the fact that our enemies have succeeded in spreading the Big Lie. There is no use attacking it by a front attack, it is much better to out-flank them."

We still have time, but time is short. America is on life support. Just look at the heartbeat of America, our money. I am calling for the Democratic party to be abolished in order to extinguish the cancer of liberalism from America. I would suggest that the Tea Party movement form an actual political party and for repentant ex Democrats to either join this new party or an existing one.
Action must be swift, decisive, and pervasive. If this cancer is allowed to spread much more, it will take up over half of the body, and the body can not survive under those conditions.

- P. Ulrich

How to cascade (bridge mode) connect a Linksys Smartwifi router as a secondary router

2019-01-20T18:41:00.002-06:00

In this post, I will explain and give a real world application of how to piggyback a Linksys Smart Wifi router with the new 2019 firmwares you have to deal with.
Why? There are a lot of changes with the new smart router firmware, and no where on the internet, including the manual or Linksys' Website, explain it well.
For this documentation, I use a WRT1900AC and an EA6400.

First, I want you to read this. This was the closest thing I could get to helpful:
https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=137888
If you are trying to expand your network with a Lan-Lan connection, forget all you ever knew about the traditional Lan-lan setup.
Linksys has made it easier for the newbie and harder for the experienced networking administrator!

https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=137888

-->

Things didn't go exactly like this: you have to navigate to www.linksyssmartwifi.com. Not 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local anymore!
And you have to wait a minute for the router page to come up all the way.

Reset router. If its not reset, you won't be able to proceed. For instance, on the WRT1900 AC, there will be no option to change the internet type. YOU MUST RESET the router. No one else on the internet will tell you this important step (took me 6 hours to figure it out)
Hook up router ports 1-4 on the secondary router to a computer's ethernet.
go to www.linksyssmartwifi.com on the pc
Login to the secondary using the default which is admin, admin
Go to connectivity, internet settings, IPV4, edit, Bridge mode
Specify the IP address so that you can pull up the router later easier. For me, the main gateway has an IP address of 192.128.0.1, so I had to set the secondar to IP address: 192.168.0.2, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, default gateway: same as main router.
Click OK, and save the settings. YOu will now loose connectivity with the router.
Connect the modem-router (gateway) to the Internet Port of the Linksys router.
Once your router detects that there is Internet access, it will give you an Internet Restored prompt. Click Yes. IF this doesn't happen, try resetting everything. For instance, if the gateway modem is not giving out any ip addresses, then reboot that. Login again to www.linksyssmartwifi.com

9. Setup your router wireless settings. You won't be able to do much, no more parental controls, etc. Its just a bridge now. If you have a usb device plugged in, it will just show up on the network. You can no longer control its access, etc. This is your last change before you unplug the computer you are accessing to the router locally with and installing it on the network. Otherwise you will have to connect directly to the router later (via wifi or ethernet) and made changes like the wifi password.

10. When done, leave the secondary routers Internet port hoooked up to ports 1-4 on the primary. Smart routers like this Linksys do not need you to change it to a port 1-4.

EA6400 was able to change to bridge mode without resetting. However the AC1900 did not have that option until I reset the router. Was trying to configure like this through another router – doesn't work. Also remember, you Can't backup settings except when locally connected to the router.

A Brief History of the World

2018-08-23T23:18:00.000-05:00

Tonight, like most nights these past six months, I was very lonely. While enjoying a sumptuous repast to its maximum, I began to long for more of a taste of the music I was hearing on a radio show about the TV show Fauda. So turned on Youtube and found an hour long video of Arabic instrumentals. I kicked back, closed my eyes, and sucked on a few of my absolute favorite desert ever (coconut chocolates from Edward Marc) and of course, I was very relaxed. In fact, I haven't been this much inspired since I figured out how to hard boil an egg at work (my last post). Thus in this state of relaxation, I came up with this little nuggets that just wouldn't do to keep in my personal journal, so I'm here to share it with you.

A Brief History of the World and Life and Everything

As you are probably aware (being literate as though you are), the center of world is superficially located in Jerusalem. I assume since you have taken the time to read, you have thus taken the time to read the most published and read book that ever was and ever will be, the Bible. Thus is no surprise to you, dear reader, that Jerusalem is the center of Israel, which is the center of the Middle-east (in itself the word middle, or center), which is the center of all countries, and life, and civilization, and everything. It is this little spot on the map which acts like a foci and while although not everything began here, everything that began elsewhere was and is focused through this central point and emanates out in your future. Thus it behooves you dear reader, to read on. Not because what I've written thus far is extraordinary, quite the contrary it has been pedantic. But there may be a soul or two this outline should reach, which have forgotten about this or for reasons known only to certain slavers, it has been kept secret from this to this very day, this very hour, this very dot.

IT IS written in this good book (a letter of love from my father and yours) that "if man were to be silent, even the rocks would cry out". Since this would be exceedingly freaky to me at least, if not you also, let us circumvent this geological cacophony and I will explain to you the natural ways which have evinced myself of the logical flow of this HisStory of ours.

Since this story began with a touch of music, and seems to be flowing along quite nicely, let me revisit that subject and explain it more fully. Music, you see, is the tapestry upon which life is quilted. In the beginning, there was nothing, no sound. Then God said, let there be waves (light) and the universe began to sing. Everything that then was made vibrates with its own unique frequency (sound) and through sound it was created. You see, words are power; the beginning of life, the end of life, and the stuff in between. Hopefully through the years of your miserable existing on this earth, you have not forsaken your innate longing for music, and have explored every kind of music to its fullest. I do hope dear reader, for your sake, that you did not find one suitable genre and simply camp out there, forsaken all the wonderful tastes which await you in the life beyond what simply your friends are listening to. Just as I keyed you in on the best desert ever hands down, if this happens to describe your sorry state, I take pity on you and must do what I can to ease your burden, you sorrowful wretch. The next time you feel like cutting yourself, may I direct you to the best music on the planet, which is middle-eastern music. It is from this ancient music, described and recorded in the most ancient of scriptures, from which all other man-made musics derive. (I specify man-made because God made music long before man was round and it persists to this day through the power of his word to propagate the vibrations). Listening to said music, one can hear the familiar call and response of jazz music, represented by a reed instrumental horn which tremolos like a singers voice all over the place. Ever since the Movie, the Fifth Element, I've been a fan of world music. This genre is little more than Arabic music with a few instrument substitutions and perhaps a non-arab language substituted in. As such, the layers upon layers of sounds stimulate one's own good vibrations (in the form of brainwaves) as one hears with distinction cymbals, bells, drums of all kinds, vocal harmonies, lyres, harps, violins, harpsichords, and other stringed instruments which are plucked or excited with a bow, maracas and other shaken instruments, brass horns, both long and short, all kinds of flutes and woodwinds; nothing is lost or missing. As I listen to such music, it is impossible for me not to see the images of so many movies that have, in America, used this music to inject the effect of depth, history, and mystique into a film. Film relies heavily on music, a plot (Story), and acting (pictures) - in that order of importance. Did you know that the entire earth is the plot of the story? you should read the script sometime - find out who the bad guy and good guy is and who wins at the end. But read it the same way I found myself listening to this beautiful and rich music - in a relaxed state and with an open mind. Lets continue connecting the dots between Middle-eastern music and all other genres. Rock and roll in the 60's pervasively began using the effect of distortion in music, something which has always been a part of middle -eastern music, which at times sounds like the special effects sound booth on a movie script, with singular plops and re-animation of the prior tones, but at new pitches and differing counts.

Even without words, Middle Eastern music tells a story - you can close your eyes your self and see it playing on the movie screen installed on the back of your eye's lids (I assume you have one too? I figured everyone did). I can't touch on every genre, but I'll mention a few more before we move on. The fever pitch and excitement of Ska and punk are grounded in the even more excited pitch and frantic beat of some portions of middle eastern songs, which no doubt get your heart racing. When the music swells and the tongues flick their reeds as fast as humanly possible and the violins march on with their short notes, I see the correlation to the energetic genres of modern times.

The repetitive and hypnotizing effect of Country twang even is reminiscent of many middle-eastern tracks, which have a twanging instrument that is similarly hypnotic.

And when a middle eastern song has words, I'm tempted to sing along. Somehow some deep part of me KNOWS these words and can understand the meaning behind them, even though I know barely a lick of either language. It scientifically would make sense even, since we all used to speak the same language. Perhaps you have witnessed a gathering of Christians who are attempting to speak in tongues. although they have simply trained their brains to turn off its ability to make distinguishable words yet still speak, you no doubt noticed the similarity of the song to Hebrew. How is it that such a large portion of this population can manage to mimic the general feel, accent, of a language that they are in no familiar or educated enough to know a lick of?

As I listened to this music I was transported back in time to my first real, live, hoochie coochie dance. I believe it was at a restaurant in Indianapolis called The Greek Islands. This is perhaps when I discovered my love for Greek food and belly dancing and all the finer things in life. When my belly was full and I set aside my Americanness for one hot minute, I was able to embrace what I now know is in my genes - middle eastern food, dancing, and music. It is woven throughout my DNA like a tapestry of music and when I was able to stitch myself back into that vibe, I felt so so much at home, like what I was experiencing was the "real" me and the former American version of myself was anachronist. I do believe I was never the same after that meal. As Alan Jackson notes in his song, the ancient art of the hoochie coochie dance is hot. It is without a doubt, the hottest dance that ever was and ever will be, and it is responsible, in part if not in whole, for the current rash of Muslim fanaticism that is rearing its ugly head as terrorism and the Shariah Law movement.

You see, right up until the year I was born, Iranian women were encouraged and even forced to not wear a head covering. But the belly dance and sexual revolution of the 60's, combined with middle eastern women's increasing comfortableness with expressing themselves, lead to a sort of Global Warming that affected the middle East especially. So I can't really blame middle eastern men for dealing with it the only way they knew how to retain their composure, and 1979’s Iranian Revolution made the cloth compulsory once more (it has been through cycles of compulsion and forbidden for thousands of years). There are many reasons that the belly dance is the hottest dance that ever was and ever will be. One reason is that it leaves just the right amount to the imagination, and as we all know, the mind is the seat of the all eros. Unlike the dances you see in the clubs of today, thankfully for the rest of the world they are not as sexy as the belly dance, or all of us might be screaming around at strangers and losing our heads.

I know that this year many of you dear readers are anxious about what will come of all this Sharia law and fighting in the middle east, but let me put your mind to ease. Now that the head scarves are back on, the temperature is lowering and one day will be back down to normal.

Lets turn the conversation back to food and I will show you how all our food also traces back to the middle east. Its interesting for me as an American to see the trend of the healthiest food and diets trending back towards the middle eastern diet once again, as our scientists continue to come out with new research which explains how American processed foods like hamburgers and pizza are as addictive as hard drugs and just as bad for us. Honey is a major staple of this diet - and it is a perfect food, a sweet balance of natural sugars which can be made only by Gods nature, never replicated, and can be stored for centuries in its compact form which can lift the countenance of even the most tired prince among us. It is a main component in my second favorite desert - Baklava. My Lebanese college roommate, Zeid Al-Khadra, introduced me to noodles covered with yoghurt and lemon juice - a dish I still crave to this day but have not been able to replicate. I do believe if all these different factions were to just chill out and sit down every night and enjoy food together that would finally give the world Peace in the middle East. It certainly worked wonders for our relationship. Zeid- if you are reading this, please reach out and say Hi. I have tried to reach you for years!

A couple years ago a middle eastern young man came to my church, friends of some parishioners there, and we hit it off so completely and unexpectedly. I felt God compelling me to talk to him - and so I did - awkwardly I might add - but he was also tuned into God and forgave me this awkwardness and saw my sincerity and this allowed our friendship to grow deeper in a day than a year with any of my countrymen ever has or will. Hade Al-Shamrani - I love you dear brother and still pray for you think of you. Its amazing what happens when one returns to ones roots and embraces them. Blood runs thicker than water, and your blood and mine all runs back to the foot of the mountain upon which Noah's ark came to rest. Noah had three sons, and from these three sons came all the colors and races of the earth. Middle eastern genetics reflects that - it is the perfect place to start from to get the diversity we enjoy today on the earth. Certainly if we had started with a race similar to my family today we would never have made it to the darker end of the genetic rainbow. And so I see harmony behind the feeling of belonging I felt when I'm close to the middle east or people or things from that culture. Give it a try - you probably will be too.

There are many other things I see around me today that can be explained by going back to its origins in the middle east. Perhaps one day I'll find enough time to explain them more to you. Until then, give it some time, and try out what I recommended and write back to me in the comments the connections that you see!

How to hard boil an egg at the office

2018-05-03T12:40:00.000-05:00

So, you are running late for work, but want a hardboiled egg on your tasty salad?

How are you going to hard boil an egg without a stove or an oven? Stay tuned for the answer on how to perfectly hardboil a single egg with items common found at the office.

Step 1. Get a large coffee cup that is microwave safe.

Step 2. Fill cup with hot water.

Step 3. Heat water until it comes to a roiling boil in a microwave.

Step 4. Gently place egg in cup and set a timer for ten minutes.

Step 5. After 10 minutes, remove the egg from the cup and reheat the water to boiling, put the egg back in and then set a timer for 10 minutes.

Step 6. After the timer goes off, pour the hot water out of the cup and run cold water in the cup for a bit to cool it down.

Step 7. Add ice to the cup (with the egg in it) and add ¼ cup water and swirl. Set aside for 5-10 minutes.

Step 8. Peel the egg and enjoy!

Poem - Girl Power

2017-03-03T13:54:00.001-06:00

The strength of a Girlie

The strength of a female is different from that of a male. A male prefers bravado, a female can afford no such luxury. She prefers the weapons of planning, cunning, steadfastness, readiness, and determination. When the enemy has their guard down, she will strike for the kill. When it is up, she will strike on the offense.

She will not tire, she will not rest, she will not stop until the job is done. You will take one look at her and underestimate her. She has a curvy silhouette and short stature. That will be your undoing. She is smart. While her enemies are goofing off, she is training. While they are taking a break, she is studying. While they take a risk, she calculates a successful attack plan. She may not be as strong as you, but she will nip at your edges until you are only a soft chewy center, ripe for the plucking.

Then, if you’ve caught her on a good day, she will show you mercy and let you live. She will even bandage your wounds, cook you dinner, and serve you in many ways. Her tenacity does not stop. She is not swayed by whimsy, but instead she is motivated by what is right and wrong. She will continue to do what is right, despite your temptations to get her to succumb. There is no weakness in her. Her core is strength and under those curves are muscles strong from years of caring for others through years of abuse.

How to cope with owning an LG dishwasher - the dreaded 0E error - dishwasher not draining.

2017-01-16T00:23:00.001-06:00

IF you are thinking of buying new parts to fix code 0E, read this first.

A few years ago I decided to "upgrade" to a super quiet LG stainless steel dishwasher. All was well, it was truly a quiet machine! However, it began mysteriously giving the 0E error code. I scoured the internet and gathered all the information I could find about this machine and its problem.
It turns out it was designed to get this error every so often in order to get money back to LG because its a drain hose issue, which isn't covered by warranty when it gets clogged. $269 they will charge you. Well I'm here to help you redesign this machine and be able to once again enjoy it.

First off, you'll want to start scraping/rinsing your plates. These things are actually dish sanitizers, not dishwashers. I was a dishwasher for a year or two back in highschool - these machines they sell us for residential use are not dishwashers. However, they are able to add a nice finishing touch. Keep a stack of old rags around and you'll want to remove especially any grease or fat (any lipid matter) and throw it away!
Second, you'll want to install a stainless steel braided hose long enough to make it easy for you to pull the machine out and tip it forward on its door. Here are some: http://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Plumbing-Parts-Repair-Shut-off-Valves-Supply-Lines-Supply-Lines/Dishwasher-Connector/N-5yc1vZbqjnZ1z133sa
The DW has a 3/8" El on it that is a half-inch connect on the DW (Dishwasher) side.
I suppose you could get a plastic line, but I don't recommend it. Definitely not copper - it will break and kink eventually as you have to do some yearly maintenance.
Third, you will want to install a proper Dishwasher Wye. Something like this:

1-1/2 in. x 8 in. Brass Plain-End Branch Dishwasher Wye Tailpiece by EverBuilt

Thing is, the cheap plastic ones don't have a big enough tube off the to the side. So if you hook it up to the air gap, you run the risk of getting a choke point when the water flows and it might spew out the air gap (don't ask me how I know). Also, I don't know about you put the plastic ones will come right off the sink threads and is easily stripped. This sucker is solid. Only problem would be corrosion. I painted the inside of mine with some rust preventative paint to help prolong its life.

Usually when I get the 0E error, I just plug the sink drains and hook up the shop vac to the air gap. This time, I did that at first and kept getting the 0E error (3 times). The 4th time, I could no longer do this, it was totally plugged. This was a blessing in disguise.

The first 3 times, the drain flow was simply restricted by fatty deposits. The 4th time, it was totally blocked.

The clog appears to occur in the second hose from the pump, about 8 feet in from the air trap, which is at the bottom corner of the dishwasher when installed.

This is the farthest point from any accessible end of the drain hose. Its the low point, and a bend, about at the bottom right rear of the machine. Since it was unreachable, the way we cleared it out was to disconnect the pump end and put it in a bucket full of hot soapy water. I had to un-route a couple feet of it to get enough free for this to occur. Then I disconnected the evaporator port (that is what I'm calling the black line in the upper left of the picture above), plugged it with a pencil by removing the round plastic .6” tube which is wedged in the blue rubber grommet, and disconnected the air trap end of the drain hose, and put it in a wet vac. Its best do this with a helper. We then sucked out the bucket of water through all the grey drain hose while shaking the hoses.

I then reinstalled all the hoses, redid the air trap thing and unplugged it and put it all back together. After I reinstalled the dishwasher, I ran the drain function by holding the cancel buttons for 3 seconds. The water then drain through the filter inside and came out the circular port to the left of the filter in a recirculation pattern that you can observe, since this can thankfully be done while the door is ajar. This is the round dark area in the middle of the above picture inside the translucent plastic piece. I was treated to seeing a nice clump of moldy fatty brown gunk spew out of that port - it still retained the shape of the inside of the hose.

One of the things I did to help prevent this in the future was that I took a stainless steel scrubber

and put it int he top of the circular filter trap. The trap is poorly designed and can allow large particles past it when it is removed. This scrubber will prevent that from occurring while allowing good water flow. Additionally, it will cool grease/fat and hopefully collect some so if it does clog, it occurs in a more accessible area of the drain hose.

Time will tell!

A lot of people online say they bought new parts to fix this error code. ITs such a waste of money. For a couple years, just the act of taking out the dishwasher and turning it over and back up was enough to clear the code, because the real problem is that the dishwasher is finicky about the flow rate of the drain. If you get code OE, just clean your drain lines. If that doesn't work, the first parts I'd buy are new drain hoses and that translucent plastic piece on the left side of the DW (shown above).

If all else fails, use LG's handy troubleshooterL

http://www.lg.com/us/support/product-help/CT10000009-1440686618796

I didn't find it very helpful for code 0E. They should design dishwashers such that they filter out lipids before they reach the innards of the machine. Also, the drain system should be more robust such that slight constriction of the drain lines leads to no degradation in function. Who has perfectly clean and clear drains? The leading edge of the Global 7000 flaps are designed such that it can retain a half inch of ice and it still wouldn't run into anything. LG - how would you like to fly on a plane designed as well as your dishwashers? Oh- sorry folks, its raining, we can't fly now the engines might get wet and seize up and explode.

How to cope with life when your child dies in a drowning accident or drowns but doesn't die - a Christian perspective.

2016-09-13T22:20:00.000-05:00

The purpose of this post is to help people cope with a drowning accident.
Before we get to that, let me say the most important thing - if and when your children are around water, make them wear something buoyant. Foam swim clothes for babies, puddle jumpers for toddlers, life vests for older kids or kids on bodies of water other than pools. If they are buoyant, they can make some noise and be visible and have a chance - remember, drowning is the silent killer.

A couple of years ago my 3 year old daughter drown in my neighbors pool. Thankfully, God resuscitated her and she is alive today. There are 2 main things that will completely take over your life after such an event:
1. How you should react/interact with your spouse and cope
2. How you should act around your other children and your child who survived.

I was discussing the incident today with my now 5 year old daughter at the spot where she drown. I'm pleased to report that my wife and I must have done something right, because all those things I worried about never happened and my daughter hasn't been affected negatively at all by her drowning. She is not scared of the hot tub in which she drown, she is not scared of swimming, she is not repressing anything or maladjusted psychologically. She even remembers the event fondly. She remembers the drowning, being stuck in the deep box of the hot tub and not being able to get out, but she also remembers the time she spent with us, getting to ride in the ambulance with her mom, and spending the night with her parents at the hospital and getting to watch TV.

I can't guarantee if you do what I did you will get the same results. Maybe my baby girl is just so awesome that she'd be cool like this no matter what her mom and I did. She does have an amazing personality and smiles all day long. She's a real corker, as one of our friends says. But there were a couple decisions I had to make about how to treat this event and I would recommend them to anyone.

1. Don't bring up the incident in daily conversation unless the child who drowned brings it up and wants to talk about it. They probably won't bring it up, but if they do then answer their questions in a normal tone of voice. Do not treat the incident differently from other things that happen in life. Its not a family secret or a dirty little secret. Don't whisper, frown, only talk about it when alone, etc.
2. Tell the rest of your kids not to bring up the drowning unless the victim brings it up, and then when she does, remind them not to dwell on it or embellish it. My daughter had 3 older very talkative siblings, who at the time were more than happy to say really stupid and insensitive stuff about the incident such as "Daddy let you drown" and "don't do that, you'll drown and die again!" Not helpful, in fact its harmful. People remember things only if they replay them over and over again in their minds. So the goal here is to let the bad memories go. Young children especially, will focus on the good things I think. But if yours isn't, then feel free to remind them of the good things around that time. I had to very sternly tell my children the rules about the drowning. Kids think they know whats best, but their words can do so much damage. I leaned on God heavily to tell me how to handle the situation and He did. I told the kids not to talk about the event with each other or the victim. Its best to let the memory fade. The ability to forget is a wonderful thing.
3. Don't change your swimming habits or routine. If the drowning victim is more hesitant around water than she was before, then go with it. Start over swim training if you have to, but do not push them at all.

If you find you are beating yourself up about allowing your child to drown, then try to focus on the good things that it brought about. Maybe it encouraged you to get CPR training, like it did me, and you will see someone elses life. One thing is for sure, you will figure out just how much you missed your kids by how you react. Remember that - remember how much you love your kids, or miss the one who died, and dwell on it. It will make you a better person when you take life less for granted.

If you are wondering where I'm coming from and what my credentials are, you should know that although I'm not a psychologist, I did take to it very well as I learned in the few classes I took. I'd make a good behavioral scientist (I know this from what other people have observed about me). Also, I can offer up the solitary journal entry I have from that event. Because I know if I were you and I had just read this I would really want a full accounting of what happened so that I could determine the veracity of the above statements. so here goes:

I need to remember what it is I learned from this experience.

Ever since Josh and Kelly Proctor had a stillborn baby I had wondered to God what it would be like to lose a Child. I know this sounds bad, but I wondered, why aren’t they happy for the child? After all, being a pastor, he should know it’s in a better place.

That is the wrong thing to say to someone in that situation. They want to grieve.

I’ll never forget the evening of Friday, June 20, approximately 8 PM. Annabelle should have been in bed by then, but she and Savannah had worked hard cleaning up the house and had earned the right to go to the pool. So I took them around 7:45. Gerald was in the pool cleaning it, and he invited us in. I notice the pool water had some debris in it, so I got the skimmer and started skimming. I asked Gerald how often the pool water needed this, and he said every time you swim. Bugs and leaves get in it all the time. I started talking to him more and more. Savannah jumped in with him and started swimming. I walked past Annabelles life jacket on the bench and considered putting it on her. I made a pass around the pool once while Annabelle took her Yellow duck float and jumped in the hot tub. It has a seat around the outside and she can stand on it and be above water. Plus she had the float, so I figured she was good to go without the jacket for a while. Besides, once I was done skimming, I’d be right with her the whole time. I had been teaching her how to swim a few days before and she made lots of progress.

After the first pass around the pool, I started talking to Gerald and focusing on the corner near the hot tub. Then I looked up, God prompted me to look up and check on Annabelle. There she was, her duck in the corner of the tub, and she was floating face down in the water. At first I thought she must be playing a trick on me. But she is too young. She isn’t moving, and she doesn’t know how to do that. I grabbed her. Her face is blue. She is dead. How long has she been like that? This can’t be happening. I tried holding her upside down and squeezing the water out of her lungs. Nothing came out.

I put her gently down on the Astroturf. Her eyes were closed. I should give her CPR. I pushed on her chest a bit. Nothing. I tried opening her mouth. It was shut tight. I tried prying her teeth apart. I blew into her mouth with them together. It’s not working! All the time, I’m saying Shit, Shit, Shit, Shit. Oh Shit. No, NO! Gerald is out of the pool in a snap and on the other side of her, looking so very concerned.

What I’m doing isn’t working. I realize that God wants to save her, not have me do it. This is going to be weird, but I’m going to do it anyway. I look up the sky, reach out with my right hand and say “God, save her!” I look back down at her, pry her mouth open a bit, and blow into her lungs. This isn’t doing anything, I think. But her mouth loosens a bit. Her eyes open. She is so blue. They are glazed over. She looks like a zombie. She is coming back from the dead. God has restored her soul into her body at this point. I’m a little hesitant to rejoice- there is still work to do. The blowing worked, so I did it again. She must have water in her lungs, so I flip her over and hold her upside down. Nothing is coming out. She says “Daddy” in a really slow and groggy voice. She is getting stronger. I’m trying to drain the water out.

Gerald takes her and does reverse chest compressions on her, pushing her rib cage up by her weight. She vomits a big. “That’s good”, he says, “That’s a good sign”. He does it some more. I think that will also get air into her lungs. Nothing more for me to do. I stand up. I pace. What should I do? He is doing the best thing right now. I call to Savannah – go get your mother! A minute later she is there with a phone. “Call 911!”, I yell. “You can go inside and use his phone”. I walk over to her. “I found Annabelle face down in the pool.” “How long was she like that?” she asks. “I don’t know!” I go over to Annabelle, and she pukes up the rest of her dinner. I take her and hold her. Stephanie brings me a towel. Annabelle is going to make it now, I know, I just want her to be comfortable now. I want her to feel my love. I put a towel on my shoulder and hold her on it. I pat her back and tell her how much I love her.

“How could I let this happen!” I think. No time for those thoughts now. I check on Annabelle, she looks tired, but OK. She is so precious to me, how could I let that happen? When will the Ambulance be here? They were just down the other street a minute ago, can’t they stop by here? I talk to Stephanie. We hear some sirens and decide to go out to the driveway. Stephanie is holding her now, she wanted her mommy. I’m a bit upset that she doesn’t want me to hold her. Will she love me less? I saved her, I want to hold her. But I know I’m also the one who let her drown, so I just want whatever she wants. She holds Stephanie while the Fire Response team arrives. I go out to them in the yard, and wave them over. They aren’t moving very fast. I tell them what happened. They put an oxygen monitor on her. They want my ID and I tell them we live across the street. The police come. They look for a seat “For the mother”, and they get a stool out of Gerald’s garage. There Stephanie sits, holding Annabelle. They do a pupil dilation on her while I watch; normal response. There are now four emergency vehicles in the street. This is going to be expensive. The cops are asking me the same information. I explain to one what happened. The EMS are talking about taking her to the hospital. I realize I should probably get dressed. I want to go with Annabelle, I want to be there for her. I walk over to the house and get dressed and go back. Stephanie is in the Ambulance still holding Annabelle. I pop my head in and give her my cell phone since we can’t find hers. We make plans to meet at the hospital. I overhear the officer explaining to his chief what I told him. I ask them if they need anything else, they say “No.” I go back to the house and yell at the older kids once again to go inside – they are talking to the neighbors about what happened. They just are not listening – they woke up the baby and aren’t going to bed. I put them to work – they can’t find her phone either. I can’t find the neighbors number, so I drive over there really fast. I drive back home and she is there a minute later. I get some stuff for an overnight hospital stay and leave. I drive like a bat out of hell to the highway and then as I go through in my mind what I need to take I remember that I forgot the car seat. I have to go back. Even faster now, I try not to draw attention, but I just want to get there. I pull up the driveway with my blinkers on and hop out, grab the seat, and take off again. I’m driving 25 miles over the speed limit – 65 in a 40. I get to the highway fast and turn on my blinkers. After I ride someone’s bumper a few seconds, they usually get over. I’m going 85 MPH. Why did they want to take her to downtown Dallas! That is ridiculous. I get to the busy interchange and have to slow down because there is too much traffic. After a while I turn off my blinkers. I’m going as fast as I can and still be safe. I finally get to the exit, and right before I do, I finally see a cop car. I’m glad I didn’t get pulled over. As I’m driving I’m considering what I’d do if I saw one try to pull me over. Would I stop or keep going? If I stop, I’ll ask them for an escort. I get there and park in the first lot I see. Its so far away, I grab the stuff and take off jogging.

I ask a stranger where a little kid would go if they came in on an ambulance – and they point me to the right place. I wonder how crazy they think I am, or if I was going to ask them for money.

I get inside and go to the desk. The nice lady there asks for ID and looks up AB in the computer. She isn’t there, she says. Oh, there she is, they just put her in. She says, “You probably don’t want to wait, I’ll take you right back” and off we go. “You are right, thank you.” I muster. She takes me through the doors and to the room where I see my Annabelle laying reposed on the bed and my wife with a smile sitting in a chair. I ask Annabelle what happened.

“I was in the cold tub. I slipped in the water. I kept my mouth shut like you taught me. Then you pulled me out.”

The nurse is there, listening. She says she has a good vocabulary. I’m proud of her. I’m ashamed of me. What a bad parent I am, so let that happen to her. How could I hurt her so much? She is so perfect and innocent and godly and pure, and, and, and…..I push my disgust aside. Its not helpful now, and I’m only doing what is helpful. I talk to my wife next. I apologize to her. She is acting like it’s a regular doctor visit. I ask her what happened and she explains the trip to me. I talk to Annabelle some more. I’m up, I’m down. She’s watching TV and I sit right in front of her face and hold it and look into her eyes. I was expecting her to be happy to see me, but she is watching TV and doesn’t pay me much attention. I’m heartbroken, but I push it aside because I don’t matter. Its late now, so I go over to Annabelle and tuck her into bed and rub her head until she nods off. It doesn’t take long. For the next couple hours I talk to Stephanie. I have so much to work out. But I know she isn’t’ ready for it yet. I try to explain to her that I feel guilty for not being that shook up that Annabelle almost died – because I know she’d be in heaven so Its not such a big deal. But on the other hand, shouldn’t I be really, really concerned? She takes it as an insult, since she is acting the same way I am. I explain its not, that it’s the way I feel. Eventually she understands. We talk and talk and talk. She feels very close to me now, because of that, I know. She is very supportive and comforting. I put my head on her shoulder and take a short nap. When I wake up, I want to leave. I don’t want to be there any longer, I want to put this behind me. Yet I’m torn, because this is such a big deal, I want it to be a big part of my life. For four hours I’ve been wondering what God is trying to teach me through this. Then it hits me. I tell Stephanie about how I’ve always wondered what it would be like to lose a child- and when I think about that, I think of Annabelle. She said she does too. I wonder aloud if Satan is trying to attack her. She is such a happy and obedient child. She is the only one of my children who demonstrates a relationship with God that actively means something.

We pray again. The first time was for a complete and total healing of Annabelle, but now its for God to protect her from Satan, and to break his attack on her life. I mention that we should give her a middle name, because she seems incomplete without one. Like she is a person in Limbo; I don’t want her to be in Limbo – I want her to be with me, really and truly and fully all the way here in my arms firmly planted on this earth. I think about names. Life. Her name is now life; because I am countering Satan’s attempt to take it. It turns out that the name for Life is Eve. Annabelle Eve Ulrich. I’m learning a lot, but surely this isn’t about me. Its about Annabelle, she is the one who nearly died. Where is His compassion on her? Surely God isn’t just using this to teach moi a lesson?

Annabelle, God is going to make it up to you one day. If He used you to teach me a lesson, then He will make it up to you in Heaven. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair.

Just so I don’t forget, I want to write down what it is like to lose a child. If its even remotely your fault, you will hate yourself for letting them die. If it was your miscarriage, you will question every action of your pregnancy. You will question what you could have done to save them. You will second guess every decision of yours, your spouse, and your doctor – everyone involved. You will hate yourself. You will probably want to die so you can be with them. I pray that you are a Christian, so that you can avoid suicide. Otherwise, I don’t see how you could go on living without them. Satan will use it to take another life – yours. He will want to take you away from the people that love you – its called a twofer. You will never forget that moment you first saw your child dead. It will be laser ingrained in your memory forever. You will start to think about all the Firsts your child is going to miss, and you will cry for them. You will cry for all the lost opportunities. If you have any other children, you will neglect them because you cared so much for the one. Even though if they had died, you’d be crying for them, you just ignore them. Sure, you hug them and hold them tight, but they don’t understand, so you go off alone so you can cry without them asking you a hundred questions.

You will think a thousand times faster and question everyone, especially God. IT will give you more time to think of all the times you spent with your child and what you could have done differently. If you ever see someone who lost a child, hold them, hug them, and cry with them. Just do that, nothing else. Listen to them. They will want to know “Why me?, Why them?”

You’ll never get an answer. If you survive long enough, you might look back on how that tragedy helped you help someone else out with theirs, and maybe, just maybe, then you’ll have part of an answer. But you will want your child back anyway.

Just know, God will make it all right someday.

Yesterday at the doctors office they had health tips playing. One was on water safety. I was so grateful they were playing that, I wanted to hug the doctor who decided to play that. But no one was watching it. I wanted to call attention to it in the waiting room. I want to write a book that will help prevent drowning’s. I want to warn the whole world – watch your kids! Wear life jackets! Hold them close and don’t ever miss a chance to hug them.

You will need to talk a lot. You will want to talk to someone who understands what it is like.

How to transfer Quickmemo items to quickMemo plus on a new cell phone.

2015-12-21T21:46:00.000-06:00

So lets say you get a new 5.0 android phone and your old 4.0 android phone has a lot of memo's on it you want to transfer. Let me tell you how to transfer Quickmemo items to quickMemo plus on a new cell phone.
On your old phone, go to the Quickmemo app. Click your menu button and then click on backup. Create a backup file on your SD card. Then close the app and take out the SD card and put it in your new phone. On your new phone, use file explorer to copy the file to internal storage. Then if your new phone has Quickmemo+, click on Import from Internal storage, and you should find backup.rnt in the /storage/emulated/0/Download folder.
Using external storage for this didn't work for me. It said no files found.

There you go, one file and all your old memos show up on your new phone. Now you can save them to Google Drive and never lose them again. Progress!!!

How to reliably transfer contacts:

You have to be careful if you have a lot of contacts, it might only transfer some of them at random and not others. I've found that if you transfer via bluetooth in small batches of 20 or so, it works well. Just go to Contacts, settings, Transfer Type, and select Send Separately.
Then go to menu, share, via bluetooth, and select the contacts you want to share and send them in a small batch to your new phone. Then on your new phone, they should pop up on the notification screen and you can click on each file there and it will import that contact into your new phone.

Again, from there, save to Google drive and you will never have to do this again.

Unless Google goes bankrupt?

Tracfones dirty little secrets

2015-12-21T20:53:00.000-06:00

I recently upgraded from an LG Optimus 2 to an LG22C and I learned a few things you might like to know.
1. Tracfone can and does still transfer minutes, days of service, and/or phone numbers from your old tracfone to your new one. Despite what some other blogs may be saying, it is still possible and not quite too difficult, if you read this blog post.
2. The trick is to go to the Tracfone Facebook page and start up a chat with someone. I started mine like this: "High Mark, can you help me transfer the minutes and days of service from my old tracfone to my new one? But leave 5 days of service and the phone number on the old phone?
And Mark says.... "Yes, I can do that." Mark had to do the service days thing manually, since he was splitting it up, but it still took all of 7 minutes. Way to go Mark. I'm guessing Tracfone hasn't outsourced their Facebook personnel yet. So get it while you can, YMMV.
3. Don't call their customer service number, especially after hours. You would, like me, get someone who thinks all cellphones have sim cards and IMEI numbers. When in fact, we all know that CDMA phones have no sim cards and most new phones only have MEID numbers (They refer to MEID DEC numbers as serial numbers).
4. Do have your old and new phone numbers and MEID numbers handy, and give them to the rep after they say they can help you.

Happy Tracfoning!

fISHER PRICE FP3 PLAYER mp3 conversion

2014-09-01T03:07:00.000-05:00

Here is how you can convert .fp3 files from mp3 files on a computer.
First, go spend 8 hours with your kids.
Second, download these songs onto your kids fp3 player via windows explorer and then call it quits.
Stories
Songs

If you really want to continue, then don't say I didn't warn you. Take that 8 hours with your kids and fugedaboutit.

If its not a windows computer, you will need an emulator. Mac can dual boot into a windows OS, etc.
It does not have to be a 32 bit windows system, as windows 7 and up can run the Fisher Price Software in compatibility mode.

You can download the Fisher Price software here:
You will have to use the serial number that came with your device to install the software. When you do, if you aren't on a 32 bit machine, the R click on the program in the start menu and click on Properties, then the compatibility tab, and then change the settings for all users - Run in Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode.

Burn all your .mp3's to a cd using Windows media player. Forget mounting virtual drives, etc. unless you already know how to do it. Now is not the time.
Open up the FP3 player software and it will automatically find the music cd's you inserted into your computer. Copy the files to your library.
Then navigate to: C:\Users\*yourusernamehere*\Music\Fisher-Price\FP3 Player
Copy the .fp3 files from the above folder to the device via usb cable or sd card. Edit the playlist files on the device in Notepad.exe

Remember, playlist.sty is for stories and playlist.sng is for songs. Skip the numbers of the stories on the song list. Numbers start at 0000 and at the top is the number of Stories or Songs on the list (depending on which list you are creating).

If your setup is anything like mine (64 bit windows 7), then the software won't work correctly and it won't find your device. That is OK, it will still convert CD songs to Fp3. But it will save it in the above FP folder, and you have to go there, drag the songs onto your device through windows explorer. Also, if you have an SD card inserted as a drive B, then it will not find that either. Open that in Windows explorer and copy more songs onto it. Start the filenames on that where you left off on the device. So if you stopped at 00056, then on drive B, you will have 00057 and on. Make sure on your song/story playlists you specify which songs are on drive B and which are on A (internal memory). The only playlists are on drive A, don't put one on B.

How to really setup a hotmail account on an Android device

2014-08-06T22:28:00.003-05:00

This instructions are accurate as of 2014.
1. Go to hotmail.com and login
2. CLick on the Sprocket in the Upper Right of the screen.
3. A menu will drop down, click on options.
4. Under the heading Managing your account, click Connect devices and apps with POP.

POP

Enable

6. On your android device, click the email app. If you have the option between Exchange and pop3, then choose PoP3.

7. Enter your hotmail email address as the username.

8. Enter your email password for the password, or if you have 2 step verification, enter your app password. For instructions: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/app-passwords-two-step-verification

9. Click Next or connect.

10. You are now connected.

11. Thank me by clicking a link or something. Or even better, stay faithful to your spouse until death sets in.

FYI, this is a lot easier on a multi-platform email app such as K9 mail, which as of August 2014 supports gmail, Hotmail and yahoo mail.

How to beat LOTR Middle earth Defence 320x240 Cell phone game

2014-03-24T22:15:00.003-05:00

It seems really hard at first, but once you know these strategies, it becomes really easy.
Rule #1, place barriers in such a way that it will force the attackers to go around your warriors in a circle, or U-shape. Position your warriors, if possible, in an area that will maximize the amount of time they can spend attacking enemies in their sphere of influence. On most levels it is possible to attack on 3 sides.
Rule #2 Start with an Elven archer, upgrade him two times, three if necessary to not let any enemies through. As soon as possible, get the hero archer. This is usually possible on the third level. Place him strategically, preferably as far away from the first archer as possible, but where both of your guys can attack bad guys utilizing their full sphere of influence. Upgrade Legolas as soon as possible until he is maxed out. Then upgrade your elven archer. Most levels, this is all the good guys you will need. If you need more good guys, get a hero or another maxed out archer. Some of the later levels will have these flying dragon things that you can shoot down really easily with an archer. When you get to the later levels, you can get Gandalf. He will take the place of Legolas in your strategy. Also, you can get Arwen – but she only helps on things that are weak to magic.
Rule #3 Barriers – use the barriers sparingly and never destroy one, it’s a waste of barrier. Save up for a Mirror of Gadriel as soon as possible and use that to slow enemies down while they are in the range of your heroes. Most of the earlier levels you should get two mirrors, three on the later levels. If you try a level and some bad guys get through, then redo the level and make some tweaks to your strategy. This is where the FFWD button the upper right of the screen comes in handy. If you let one or two get through in order to save your money up to buy a hero or upgrade a hero, don’t sweat it. As long as you are getting your guys upgraded, its not worth chasing a few bad guys here or there. Don’t waste money on buying guys and not upgrading them. Non-upgraded guys don’t do much damage and aren’t worth it. If you get a good guy, he needs to be fully upgraded. That’s about it – using these strategies you should be able to beat most levels with two or three good guys and only let 7 or 8 bad guys through.

How to Configure ARC through a Vizio Exx0i LED Smart Slim series TV

2014-01-14T09:06:00.000-06:00

This is how you make sure the TV will send an ARC signal on HDMI 1 to your sound system. HDMI 1 is the only HDMI port on the TV with aRC - you'll notice the letters ARC below it.

This instruction is not found in the manual!
Click Menu on the Remote, Go to Settings, CEC settings, Go to CEC function, enable it. Go to System Audio Control, set it to ON.

You also have to set HDMI control to on on your sound system, so check your sound System manual for that.

An open letter to the A&E Network management re: Robertson hiatus

2013-12-26T03:46:00.000-06:00

An open letter to the A&E Network management. This letter has also been sent to aefeedback@aenetworks.com.
Dear A&E executive staff,
Last week you decided to indefinitely suspend one of your television show stars as punishment for some remarks he made in an interview with an unrelated media outlet. From what I've been able to gather, this week you have taken a hiatus, as a break to give you time to consider your decision. While I'm guessing you have already made up your mind on the situation and won't budge, I would like to share with you a similar situation that occured a while back, as something for you to consider.
About eleven years ago I was a poor college student at Purdue University. I was also a residence hall counselor, which with it, paid my tuition, room, and board. I was brought in partway through the semester because the previous counselor was fired for something he didn't even do. You see, he was a black openly gay man and one night he found a cohort of eighteen year old residents and their friends drinking alcohol in their room after curfew, which violated national, state, and local laws and organizational rules. He was pretty nice to them, and got right in the middle of the whole deal and did his best to deal with the heart of the situation. However, one of the instigators later made sexual abuse allegations against him, which, along with his parents bullying, prompted his dismissal, along with the loss of his tuition, room, and board.
In that story, which isn't even my main one, find yourself in the shoes of the residence hall staff, and Phil is the gay counselor and the LGBT vocal minorty are the instigator and his parents.
Although the counselor lost his job, the instigator got away with something he shouldn't have. But not for long, because later in the schoolyear I busted them all personally, and they didn't dare falsely accuse me. The residence hall staff just kicked the can down the road, angered their counseling staff and alienated the rest of the residents. I believe that outcome is given the term "a lose-lose-lose situation".
But hey, they shouldn't have hired a gay counselor to live with young boys anyway, so his loss is my gain, right? So as a poor college student and enterprising young fellow, I was always looking for a way to make some extra money. I collected the abandoned bicycle remains on campus and refurbished them into fully functioning bicycles that I would then sell to students. One day while I was working on the bikes, the jealous roommate of my future wife saw the perfect opportunity to strike, so he called the campus police, who promptly came and ordered me to give them all the bicycles and accused me of stealing property. Maybe they felt they had a right to property abandoned on campus, but if I had taken all the litter on campus and constructed an art sculpture, would they have reacted the same? No, only if I sold it for a huge chunk of money. They were motivated by greed. The dean of the university then put me on probation and I lost my job as a counselor.
The residence hall lost their Best Counselor of the semester, and someone who could best deal with the brats on the 8th floor.
The university lost all hope of ever getting any future donations from me, tuition from any of my many children, or support from me in their alumni associations or the ability to identify themselves with my future success. I ended up attending another college for my masters degree and with always associate myself with this fine institution instead of Purdue because, although I have forgiven them for their harshness toward a poor college student, it is my perrogative as to what to do with my future loyalty. I chose not to reward an instituion which punishes someone for cleaning up litter on their campus and upcycling it for a profit. I don't reward stupidity, greed, and malice, which were all present in the way I was treated by everyone involved.

Now, find yourself in this story. It was malicious of you to suspend Phil Robertson, and as to greed or stupidity, the coming week will only tell. If greed be your motivation, then you will apologize to Phil and reinstate him as a full cast member, and go on to make hundreds of millions of dollars with all this free publicity.
However, if stupidity rules the roost of A&E, then you won't apologize to Phil and every Duck Dynasty employee will be fired, you will lose your top show, millions of viewers, and on top of that, hundreds of millions of people across the world will, like me, chose not to reward stupidity. So it doesn't bode well for your future network ratings.
By the way, if you are hoping for Phil to apologize so you can save face, then I hate to break it to you, but that ain't gonna happen. Everything he said was true, correct, and moral, so its not him that needs to apologize. Something to the effect of "A&E Networks apologizes for placing Phil Robertson on hiatus. We did not mean to demean him for exercising his right to free speech and we would like to continue using our network to bring you the latest and best in authentic programming" ought to do the trick.

How to encourage your kids to get along while playing xbox

2013-12-10T16:10:00.001-06:00

Xbox Kinect is the kind of amazing technology I fantasized about as a child. Now its here, and it really is uber cool to be able to use it.

I've had one for a year, and let the kids play the kinect because unlike most video gaming, this isn't sedentary. Its our way of exercising. However, I noticed the unintended consequence of this - the Kinect UI is very frustrating sometimes, and its hard for young kids to be cordial to each other when playing it together. Also, kids don't know how to rank the importance of the game in the overall scheme of things. To them, a game is the most important thing in their lives, because their lives are so small.

Yesterday I gave a rousing speech to my family about how unimportant the Xbox was. I told them that one of the reasons we have it is so that we can practice life together, the right way, loving each other in the process. But we are failing at that, and instead we tear each other apart when playing a game. Why? Because just like Satan wants, we are putting a stupid game above each other. Games are so temporary, but each other are eternal, just as are the words we say to each other. Its an amazing power that God gave us. WE are going to start using that Xbox for Good, and slap Satan in the face. We hate Satan, and we take a stand against him, and redeem this gaming console for the use of the Kingdom.

And after that rousing, theologically correct lecture, I encouraged everyone who now agreed that "Its not worth it" would be our new warning phrase to take a time out, to give each all a group hug. And my son aid he didn't want to.

To me that presents a problem. Someone who doesn't want a group hug is someone who is too stuck up to be a part of our family. And therefore, that is someone who is not on the same page as the rest of us, and won't play by the rules that we outlined, which are based on selflessness. If I let someone play with my family who doesn't follow our family rules, then they will start to break down. They will hurt my children and my wife. My wife's ears will hear more satanic fire and her soul will despair.

So I want more than someone who will just SAY they agree with this philosophy of gaming, I need players who will demonstrate the philosophy. So to that end, I am now implementing a measure to ensure that only people who demonstrate our Family Philosophy on Xbox gaming will be the ones playing my Xbox.

Family Philosophy on Xbox Gaming

1. The purpose of the Xbox is to practice life together, the right way, by loving each other in the process.

2. Games are unimportant and temporary

3. Family members, and how we treat them, is eternal.

4. If someone says to you "Its not worth it", then you must stop your game and take a time out. Failure to do so will result in a Strike.

Failure to play in a kind manner to each other will result in a strike.

After three strikers the player will be banned from Xbox gaming for one week, at which time the slate is wiped clean and they are given another chance. If they get another ban, the time period will be increased to whatever the previous ban was, plus one day (up to one week at the discretion of the parent).

The StrikeXBox. Write Date of Infraction in box below.
Player 1	Player 2	Player 3	Player 4	Player 5

A Practical Guide to Amateur Punkin Chunkin

2013-11-14T17:27:00.002-06:00

This fall I decided to host a punkin chunkin event at my church, through my mens ministry, the Band of Brothers. Well, it was quite a success, to the surprise of anyone who thought about that sort of thing.
We had 4 devices. The one that shot the farthest was a 10" ID air cannon. It shot about 300 feet. The second farthest was a trebuchet with a 10 foot arm (between pivot and knock) with about 400 lbs of weights on it.
Unfortunately, I made an onager, and that shot about 20'. Backward.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/73zu5que6q7pajr/IIdR1euAmA

My onager was small, light, and easy to assemble/disassemble. It was tethered to the ground at the front supports. The lower ground support rails extended forward three feet, so it would keep the onager from rocking in either direction, fore and aft.

Punkin Thrower Selection

First, decide how far you want to throw a pumpkin. Assume it weight 8 lbs.
Depending on that, you can select a design. Also take into consideration how many people will be helping you build and test the device.

1. Air cannon

These are the easiest to build, if you have the materials on hand. I would only do this if you have or can borrow a compressor, large pipe, and air tank. If you have all that, go for it. One person can make a cannon that will shoot 300 feet. Any larger than that, and you'll need a helper. The larger the device, the more helpers you'll need.

2. Trebuchet

This is something you should do with at least one other person - for a pumpkin. If you are just making one to throw a small ball or stone, then you can do it yourself. But if you want to throw a pumpkin, you'll need at least one other person.

For one the size as the one in the pictures I have linked to, then get two people to help you. For a trebuchet with a 15' to 24' arm, get a 4 person team. For a 25 to 35 foot arm, get a 5 person team. Larger than that, get at least six people who are dependable. Also, make a Floating arm trebuchet if you can, they are the most efficient kind.

3. Onager

First, I would recommend that unless you want to spend a couple hundred bucks, and have someone on your team, don't even consider an onager the size of the one I did. If you want to throw a baseball 300', then you can make an onager yourself. It can at most be 3' wide with a 4" diameter skein.
This is not good enough to throw a pumpkin. If you really want to launch a pumpkin, you'll need an onager at least 4' wide, with a 6" diameter skein.
Make the onager so you don't have to screw it to the ground - there are too many rocks in the ground, and it adds to the time you can't spend with your friends.
You have to make the modiolus line up with the hole in the board, otherwise the modiolus will move too much.  Also, its best to spend time and effort designing it to be easy to rotate. By hand is fine, but it needs to be quick and easy.
I suggest making a two piece modiolus like that on the mister ballista or chunk norris. it has a smaller gear with a crank you can put it. I suggest using the gear arm as a secondary modiolus stopper, and adding a primary one as a flat toothed piece that fits in a built up area on the scutula hole carrier (frame) and locks with the teeth.

Don't use sheathed rope for the skein, such as this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/75-ft-x-3-8-eighth-inch-camouflage-poly-rope-47835.html
It got some really loose skein strands after a few throws. But more importantly, it had a bad power curve.

This rope was cheap, but its not true rope. Its sheathed cigarette filters, except the filter material is polyester. The power curve for this stuff is horrible. I’d have been better off with Polyproplene rope, even though polypropolene rope isn’t good in sunlight.

It was about 1500 ft-lbs of torque when pulled down to the ground, but up at the top only about 100 ft-lbs.
Each time you pull down the arm, you will have to tighten the skein. So do this about 5 times before you fire the first pumpkin.
I recommend using a true polyester unsheathed rope with a diameter about 16 times smaller than that of the scutula hole diameter.

If you do want to attempt a larger skein, on the scale of the one I made, here is what you need to know:

First, you will need to have someone who is good at cutting and welding. You will need to use some metal.
Second, you need a source of scrap metal.
Third, do NOT count on the skein to center the modiolus. Make a flanged modiolus so that part of it will sit inside the skein hole. Otherwise the modiolus will move too much. On Siege Engine.com, they suggest using a "rope sleeve". That would be good on a 4" dia skein sized device. Larger ones should have the sleeve welded one piece onto the modiolus.

At the size above 3’ wide, 4” diameter skein, you will need to switch modiolus design to that of an externally toothed modiolus. It is the only thing that can apply the torque you will need to turn the skein.
Also, its best to spend time and effort designing it to be easy to rotate. Rotating by hand is fine, but it needs to be quick and easy.

For an example of what I’m talking about, see the modiolus on the mister ballista or chunk norris. it has a smaller gear with a crank you can put it. I suggest using the gear arm as a secondary modiolus stopper, and adding a primary one as a flat toothed piece that fits in a built up area on the side board and locks with the teeth. This will keep the modiolus from rotating when you are done tightening the skein.

How to not make an onager that works

First, read this, and learn all you can.

My onager had a floating wooden modiolus, a scaled up version of the 3’ wide kind of onager. I made it an octagon shape so it could be rotated with a huge wood wrench I crafted. I could only turn the modioli to about 1500 ft-lbs of torque before the wrench got too stretched out. On top of that, I had to try and line up the pin in the modioli with the pin in the board under it, all while trying to hold the skein in tension. It’s a nightmare when you are trying to take care of all the other stuff to set up and fix on the day of the chunk.

Also, I’m not the only one who understands that grease is not enough to reduce the friction between the modiolus and the board under it. I recommend UHMWPE, but there are other options. You could use ball bearings, if you had a bunch of them on hand. Kamatics makes a P54 material which can take about 20,000 psi and has a friction lower than UHMWPE. You’d only need something like this if for some reason your modiolus area was really small, or your skein diameter is huge, or a combination of the two.

The reason for needing to make the modiolus out of metal in these larger onagers is partly due to the properties of the wood. Although in my case, I was able to make a 1.5” thick modiolus out of two pieces of cabinet quality plywood, I would have been unable to make it toothed. The teeth push on the wood in a direction perpendicular to the force that the bar is trying to break the modiolous. The fact that the wood is a composite makes the fibers splinter then locally acted upon in this direction. It would be better to have homogenous wood at the teeth, and plywood around the hole. I’m not saying its impossible to make a working externally toothed modiolus out of wood, its just that metal would be a lot easier. I suppose if you were forced to make it out of wood for some reason, you could do it, it would have to have a large diameter for the teeth. A good rule of thumb for this kind of modioulus might be to have the external modiolus diameter set to 3 times the internal modiolus hole diameter. The wood at the teeth would need to be extremely hard, so you can start with a hard wood, or use a wood hardening chemical. The meshing smaller crank arm gear would also preferably be made of a hard wood.

Again, wood is not recommended for onagers over 4” in skein diameter!

Advice For Many Kinds of Siege Engines, such as Onagers and Trebuchets:

The key to making a siege engine, I believe, is using what you have on hand, or can find or borrow easily.
Obvious limits are time, money, and storage space. After all, if my Aerospace company were so inclined, we could design and manufacture a siege engine that would shoot a pumpkin to the moon! But no one has unlimited resources.

You need the throwing arm to be strong. If its made out of wood, then wrap it with rope, which will help keep it from splintering. For the rope wrap, use a spiral hitch: watch video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p5qocr-pIQo

Pay lots of attention to the knock and how the sling releases. Make a knock that is infinitely and easily adjustable. I'd suggest a toothed circular plate that against another toothed plate and clamped down with a bike quick bolt.

Simulaitons

There are various programs you can use to simulate your device:

Trebuchets

Onagers

For the onager program, my onager had the following settings:

Torque Cocked = 4500Nm

Torque Rest = 1500 Nm

Pumpkin mass = 8.4 lbs

Beam mass = 10 kg

Beam shape factor = .43

Beam length = 2m

Sling length = 1.4m

max range calculated to be 313.9 meters

Also note the design for my onager is lighter weight than that on most because I turn the scutula frames 90 degrees so they are C shaped. the max load of a 4' span is the following:

2"x8" = 4,956 lbs compression

Two 2"x8" = 24,000 lbs compression

4"x4" = 16,000 lbs compression

2"x8" = 4,956 lbs in bending

Therefore, my onager could take over 10,000 lbs in compression. If I had needed to, I could have added a 4"x4" near the skein to take more compression load, and that would have increased the capability to about 25,000 lbs of skein compression!