Nathan’s Soliloquy

PS4 No Video

2025-12-05T04:20:00.000-08:00

Left my PS4 running while I handled some chores. When I got back, the TV was not detecting any input from the PS4. Pressed the PS4 power button for 7 seconds until I heard a second beep and the machine was off. Tried turning the PS4 back on. Still no go. Rebooted the TV as well. No go.

Turned off both machines. Reinserted the cables related to video on both ends. No go.

Noticed that the PS4 was unusually hot. Probably because of the weather, and perhaps I have been playing unusually long compared to my usual playing time. Turned off both the PS4 and TV and unplugged them from the outlet. Allowed the PS4 to cool down. Waited about 5 hours.

Plugged both the PS4 and TV and tried again. It was working this time, showing the PS4 logo on the screen. The top of the PS4 was cool to touch. Grateful and thankful.

Why CW stopped producing superhero shows

2025-09-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

I asked Google why CW no longer produces TV shows like Smallville, Arrow and the Flash. Here's what it had to say.

The CW stopped producing superhero shows due to its acquisition by Nexstar Media Group and a strategic shift to attract older audiences, focus on more profitable unscripted and procedural content, and prepare for James Gunn's new DCU. The high costs of VFX for superhero shows also made them less financially viable for the network.

Reasons for the change:

Nexstar Media Group's Acquisition:After Nexstar acquired a controlling stake in The CW in 2022, the network underwent a content strategy overhaul to become profitable by 2025.
New Content Strategy:The new leadership shifted the network's focus to programs that could attract a "bigger and broader," older audience, including unscripted series, procedural dramas, and broad-skewing comedies, rather than teen-centric shows or superhero content.
Financial Viability:Superhero shows, especially those with significant visual effects (VFX) like Superman & Lois, were expensive to produce. As network television faced declining viewership and more scripted shows moved to streaming, the high budgets became a significant factor in canceling these costly series.
DC Studios Reboot:The establishment of a new DC Universe under James Gunn meant a reboot of DC's film and television properties. To avoid competing with this new slate, DC Studios did not want The CW producing its own competing Superman products, leading to the cancellation of series like Superman & Lois.
End of the Arrowverse:The long-running DC superhero universe, known as the Arrowverse, concluded with the end of The Flash and Superman & Lois. This marked the official end of the era of shared DC storytelling on The CW.

Major Reasons for Flooding in the Philippines

2025-09-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

I asked Chat GPT to create a pie chart showing the major reasons for flooding in the Philippines. I wanted to know if Filipinos were spending their time and resources on solving the major problems. Here's what the AI tool had to say.

Creating a pie chart to represent the major causes of flooding in the Philippines requires synthesizing both natural and human-made factors. Here’s a realistic breakdown, based on research, expert reports (e.g. from PAGASA, DPWH, DENR), and trends observed over the years.

🥧 Pie Chart: Major Causes of Flooding in the Philippines

Cause	Estimated Contribution (%)	Description
Poor Drainage and Urban Planning	30%	Inadequate or clogged drainage systems, poor waste disposal, and lack of green spaces in cities. Rapid urbanization without corresponding infrastructure.
Deforestation and Land Use Changes	20%	Logging, mining, and agricultural conversion remove trees that absorb water, leading to runoffs. Upland developments worsen lowland floods.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather	20%	Heavier and more frequent rainfall, stronger typhoons, and rising sea levels driven by climate change.
Encroachment on Natural Waterways	10%	Informal settlers, buildings, and infrastructure built on riverbanks, esteros, and floodplains block natural flow of water.
Siltation and River System Degradation	10%	Rivers and estuaries become shallow due to silt buildup, reducing their water-carrying capacity. Often caused by upstream erosion and quarrying.
Corruption and Inefficiency in Flood Control Projects	10%	Delays, substandard works, and misallocated funds weaken flood control systems like pumping stations, dikes, and drainage canals.

How can the Philippines stop corruption in flood control projects?

2025-09-09T22:42:00.000-07:00

I asked Chat GPT how the Philippines can stop corruption in flood control projects. Here's what it had to say.

Stopping corruption in flood control projects in the Philippines—or in any country—requires a multi-layered approach involving policy reform, technology, transparency, and community involvement. Here’s a targeted plan that addresses both systemic issues and project-specific vulnerabilities:

🔧 1. Transparent and Accountable Procurement Process

Problems:

Overpricing of materials
Ghost projects or substandard work
Favoritism in awarding contracts

Solutions:

Digital Procurement Portals: Require all flood control contracts to be bid and awarded publicly online (e.g., through PhilGEPS).
Independent Procurement Boards: Include private sector, academic, and civil society representatives in bidding committees.
Blacklist Corrupt Contractors: Maintain and publicly share a list of firms involved in irregularities.

👀 2. Real-Time Project Monitoring Using Technology

Problems:

Lack of verification of actual project completion
Difficult for citizens to know progress or quality

Solutions:

Drone & Satellite Monitoring: Use geotagged images to verify physical progress of flood control projects.
Public Dashboards: Host live dashboards that show the status, budget, and progress of each major project.
Blockchain for Tracking Funds: For high-value projects, blockchain can provide an immutable ledger of where every peso goes.

🏛️ 3. Strengthen Oversight Institutions

Problems:

Weak enforcement from the COA, DPWH, and Ombudsman
Delays in investigations and penalties

Solutions:

Fast-Track COA Audit Reports: Mandate shorter timelines for auditing infrastructure projects.
Special Anti-Corruption Unit: Create a task force focused solely on public infrastructure corruption (can be under the DOJ or Ombudsman).
Whistleblower Protection: Offer incentives and protection for engineers or officials who expose wrongdoing.

🧱 4. Use Standardized Designs and Materials

Problems:

Contractors cut corners by using substandard materials
Projects are designed to be unnecessarily complex (to inflate cost)

Solutions:

Adopt Modular Designs: Standard designs for dikes, canals, pumps, etc., that are proven effective.
Independent Testing of Materials: Require DPWH or third-party labs to certify quality of cement, steel, etc.

🤝 5. Engage Local Communities and CSOs

Problems:

Local residents are unaware or not empowered to report issues
Civil society is underutilized in project monitoring

Solutions:

“Bantay Baha” Citizen Watch Groups: Empower local residents to report anomalies during construction.
Public Posting of Projects: Every barangay with a flood control project must display a project info board (budget, duration, contractor, hotline for complaints).
Hotline & App for Complaints: Allow easy anonymous reporting of corruption or delays.

📚 6. Enforce Penalties Without Exception

Problems:

High-level officials or contractors often go unpunished
Settlements and delays weaken deterrence

Solutions:

No-Settlement Policy for Corruption: Public officials or contractors involved in graft should face criminal prosecution, not just administrative penalties.
Permanent Disqualification: Contractors proven to have engaged in fraud should be barred from all government projects.
Lifestyle Checks for DPWH Officials: Regular audits of assets and lifestyle vs. declared income.

🚧 7. Pilot “Integrity Zones” in High-Risk Areas

Target flood-prone regions (e.g., Metro Manila, Pampanga, Cagayan Valley) with anti-corruption pilot programs:

Full transparency on flood control budgeting
Special ombudsman oversight
Performance-based bonuses for clean delivery

Final Thoughts

Corruption in flood control is especially destructive—it wastes public money and puts lives at risk. Ending it is not just a governance issue; it's a moral and safety imperative. The Philippines needs:

Political will
Public pressure
Tech-enabled transparency
Real accountability

Blackwater's Defense

2025-01-13T09:53:00.000-08:00

Despite their bad record this conference, as a basketball fan, I'm happy with the way Jeff Cariaso is using the resources available to him. Jopia is a defensive revelation. I think he got more defensive stops using Jopia than when he had Rosario. And I like how Blackwater is defending as a team. I hope Cariaso can instill this team minded defense in his players so that when Barefield is healthy, they might get back on the winning track.

I believe Cariaso has a lot of love for Casio. But it is time to pass on the point-guard responsibilities to a younger generation - in the same way Magnolia is trying to build a future after Mark Barroca. TNT believed in Tungcab and Montalbo. And Ilagan was also promising. But if their playing time is being taken up by an import, then, they will have a hard time developing. Give Escoto's playing time to Tungcab or Suerte.

Which leads me to the question, why hire a guard when you have a conference where the maximum import height is unlimited? This is the conference where you can get a big more dominant than Fajardo, and yet you still stick with King? Chemistry ... it's not like King has already won a conference for Blackwater in the same way Brownlee has for Ginebra and Hollis-Jeferson has for TNT. When an import has one a title, then you consider him for the long term. NLEX found a gem of an import in Watkins and the same goes for Northport and Converge. Isn't finding the right import more of a scouting issue? Whose job is it to find these guys?

And I thought David would blossom in his role as center / power forward once Rosario left. But David is lazy, settling for 3-point shots when he should be developing his body to become like a Danny Ildefonso powerhouse inside the paint. Big's should be learing how to shoot the three-point shot when they are near retirement, not before. Who is gonna rebound if they miss their three-point shot? Only Coach Guiao believes in three point shooting big men. But when was the last time he won a championship using a 3 point shooting big? Probably during his days with Penisi.

SMB Jabari Narcis

2025-01-13T09:31:00.000-08:00

This guy was amusing to watch. He was taking three point shots as if he were a better option than Marcio Lassiter, the PBA's all time leader in 3-point shots. He would also carry the ball coast-to-coast as if he were RJ Abarrientos only for it to get stolen, or lost as an error. And when he posted in the paint, he could not pivot like a natural center even though he was taller than Jun Mar Fajardo. Sure he could dunk, but that's expected when you have a guy his height. But watching him feels like San Miguel ran out of a budget to find a Professional athlete, so they opted for one from the Amateur ranks.

But at least he has more energy than Quincy Miller. And he solves some of SMB's biggest problems right now - rebounding and defense in the paint. You'ld say, well don't they have Jun Mar? But I'm afraid Jun Mar isn't the defensive presence he used to be. And small guards easily run circles around Fajardo at this point in his career. Narcis solves that problem since Tautua and Brondial aren't defensive minded enough. And Narcis helps relieve some of the pressure on Fajardo in the paint by being another post option.

I still believe in Coach Leo Austria despite being benched for some time. I do hope he uses Rosales, Enciso, Teng as additional 3-point options. They surely would have a better shooting percentage from long range than Jabari Narcis. Even Cahilig has a better chance at making threes than Narcis. And Austria used to pride himself in establishing player roles - and Narcis is a rebounder and defender first, and probably a scoring option when no one else is open. Stop giving him point guard duties. Give him the ball when he is established inside the paint.

Pros were amateurs before they became pros. Maybe Narcis needs this experience to become one. 18 points in the last outing was decent - but with the number of attempts he had - if he made them, that SMB vs Magnolia game would have been a blowout. Let's see if he gets another chance in SMB's next game.

Converge Could Win Quarterfinals

2024-10-06T03:49:00.000-07:00

In 2014, a young San Miguel Beermen team did the impossible. It was down 0 - 3 in the finals against Alaska. But they came back and won 4 straight to win the All Filipino Championship.

10 years later, Converge (formerly Alaska) could give SMB payback of sorts. They were down, 0 - 2, in this current quarterfinals series, but they came back with 2 straight wins, and could potentially upset the reigning MVP's team and head to the semifinals.

This could also be the moment Alex Cabagnot has been waiting for, ever since being traded to the Terrafirma Dyip, despite being part of the Death 5, and in my opinion, was probably the glue and the source of positivity in that old San Miguel Beermen team that won so many championships.

It remains to be seen, hours from now, if these musings are true.

But it is amazing what belief - the belief that you can win over a giant, even though you are a younger and more inexperienced team. And that game winning shot by Alex Stockton was all it took to start that small fire. The belief that they can take down the SMB Juggernaut has started. And even if they don't do it this conference, that far can only grow and burn brighter in the future.

LTO Car Registration Renewal 2024

2024-09-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Emission Testing 500

Insurance at LTO 1250

Cashier 1610

Total Spent 3360

I have to say that for the first time since I've went to the LTO years ago to handle the car's registration renewal, the corruption feels lessened. Gone are the stencil personnel asking for money. In their place are just people who take photos of the vehicle as it undergoes tests.

The "mandatory" LTO insurance is still around the premises, but they are no longer required. You can actually avail of the insurance at the emission testing center according to some drivers I met. I wonder if the cost is cheaper at the emission testing center. At least the price was back to 1250 from last year's 1550.

The process was a bit disorderly since there was no longer any forms that needed to be filled out. You just submit all the necessary requirements (ORCR, Emission Test Result, Insurance) at Window A before they tell you to have the car checked by their personnel, and after that's done, you wait at the Cashier section to pay LTO fee.

Converge Beats San Miguel

2024-09-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

For the first time in the quarterfinals of the current PBA season, Converge finally beats San Miguel after going down 0 - 2 after a buzzer beater by Alex Stockton that broke a tied game. San Miguel was leading by as much as 25 points in the 3rd quarter, but instead of having the killer instinct to end the series, San Miguel fell into the same old habits that cost it the last championship against Meralco.

San Miguel is an aging team with no plans of improving it's roster with fresh young talent. In the last couple of seasons, all it has added are Don Trollano and Chris Rosales, two veteran players who have been in the league for quite some time. San Miguel needs to get a young power forward or center that can help improve its interior defense. Someone who can plug the lanes and block shots, like an Arwind Santos several years ago.

On the other hand, Alfrancis Chua loves Ginebra so much that Ginebra has added Jaime Malonzo, Jeremiah Gray, Maverick Ahamisi, before this year's blockbuster steal of a trade where they got RJ Abarrientos, Stephen Holt, and Isaac Go. And even with Isaac Go getting injured, they get to reactivate Joe De Vans out of a 2 year hiatus.

Even sister team Magnolia has had better reinforcement in that it got 2nd year player Zav Lucero in exchange for Jio Jalalon who was always a defensive liability whenever Magnolia went with a small lineup.

But San Miguel at least won one championship last season and would have won 2 if it had a better killer instinct. One might also surmise that Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, and Jun Mar Fajardo probably decided to give Chris Newsome one, after developing a strong bond in the Gilas program, but this is probably just hearsay.

But going back to Converge, one can't help but be excited for this team because they already beat San Miguel without Justin Baltazar. Think Duncan and Robinson. I think that Converge will be a force to reckon with in the future since it will probably have the strongest front court combination if Balti and Arana can work together. And give Caralipio more playing time. He might become what Michael Jhonard is for Rain or Shine.

If I were to make bold predictions, I think Ginebra will win over San Miguel in the Semis. And TNT will win over Rain or Shine (which is a shame since a healthy Aaron Fuller might have given them a chance against TNT).

So a finals with TNT vs Ginebra? I would have to give it to RHJ. But whether or not my predictions come true remains to be seen.

No Video Again

2024-05-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

Reseated both RAM sticks. No go. Placed only one RAM stick at a time and tried alternate slots. No go. Brought the tower back to the repair shop and the power supply was diagnosed to be the culprit. Paid PHP 2500 for the power supply and 600 for the repair.

Revisiting Childhood Places

2024-05-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, as we celebrated Mothers' Day, we went back to Mandaluyong to try and retrace the places where we used to live.

The first place we explored was Santo Rosario. Gone is the old Raymond Theatre where we used to watch movies like Red Sonia or Di Bale Na Lang. My kindergarten school ran by Ms. Walo was also no longer there. The apartment where we used to live is either no longer there or has expanded that we no longer recognize it. The junkshop next to it is also no longer there and has probably been replaced by a house.

The Munisipyo is filled with high rise buildings. I no longer saw the playgrounds where we used to spend our time on swings and slides. And I could no longer see the stage where my kindergarten graduation rites were held.

We went to R.O. Santos. The street felt more crowded with cars parked left and right. We did not recognize the house of Mrs. Cityar which used to have a Sari-Sari store in front, and a big gate for delivery trucks to pass through. She used to have a packaging plant where they repacked shampoos and other stuff. And our apartment was a small 2 bedroom unit tucked away in their lot's corner.

We saw Good Shepherd Christian School at the end of R.O. Santos. The school has expanded to it's left side. I still saw the school grounds where we held our flag ceremonies in the morning. But the buildings were taller and now made of concrete. We took a picture in front of the old school gate.

The church of the Good Shepherd was still in front. It's façade has been improved. But it still reminds me of the old design. This church building was where we held our recognition rites for grades 1 and 2. It was also where we performed My Little Drummer Boy and Itik Itik sa Manila Zoo.

Thank you Lord for allowing us to revisit the places where I spent some of my childhood years.

Second Memory Stick Caused Blackscreen

2024-03-04T00:43:00.000-08:00

Computer would turn on but end up with a black screen (lights on the motherboard were on). Swapped monitors and made sure each monitor was doing the power on self test. Both monitors were ok.

Stripped the PC down to just the motherboard, processor, and power supply. Was expecting beep codes but the board just lit up and seemed ok. So I couldn't really tell which component was causing the problem.

Returned both memory sticks (and this was my error). Still tried to see if there would be a change in the monitor screen, but still just a black screen.

Decided to go the the computer repair shop. Technician was excellent. He retained one memory stick and the PC was finally able to boot up and reach BIOS. He tried to return the second memory stick and the black screen problem returned.

Was forced to upgrade to two 8 GB DDR4 memory sticks since they no longer sold 4 GB DDR4s. Sales person said that I could run the 4 GB alongside the 8 GB, but that the two would settle for the lower frequency. So instead, just bought two new memory sticks for better performance.

God is good. That was still cheaper than having to replace the motherboard and processor.

LTO Non-professional Driver's License Renewal 2024

2024-02-16T00:35:00.000-08:00

Went to SM North Annex Basement to have my Non-professional Driver's License renewed for 10 years.

I already printed out my passing results for the CDE from the LTMS portal.

Started at Window 1. Took a number. When called, they assessed my existing driver's license and exam results. Was then given the go signal to proceed to the medical clinic.

Clinic had me fill out a form to assess my medical history. I then took the physical exam which was mainly reading an Eye chart.

After passing, submitted the medical exam results to Window 2. Paid the renewal fee at the Cashier, then waited to be called.

Finally was sent inside the LTO office for biometrics and picture taking. Received the printed temporary license since to plastic cards were available. (Other drivers I've talked to said the plastic cards were unavailable since 2023).

Here are the fees I had to pay that day.

Medical Fee - 600 pesos
LTO License Renewal Fee - 585 pesos
SM Service Charge - 5 pesos

All in all, spent 1190 pesos.

Since I had no existing violations, my license has been renewed until 2034. Will just have to wait for the plastic card ID once it is available.

Hope this helps as a guide for other people who are planning on renewing their driver's license this 2024.

LTO Car Registration Renewal

2023-09-26T03:01:00.006-07:00

Emission Testing 500

Insurance at LTO 1550

LTO Personel filling out motor vehicle form 50

Cashier 1610

Total Spent 3710

Repeater Saves The Day

2023-09-23T07:17:00.001-07:00

For some reason, our modem is defaulting to 5G. But this means it is unusable for PCs. Only my mobile can handle 5G. So it was a good thing we bought a repeater a couple of weeks ago. The repeater seems to be only able to handle 2.4G. So other devices AND the PC can use it.

I should have written about this days ago but it seems I only found time today. Maybe because of my failing HDD but that's another blog post.

Back to the modem, when the PC connects to it at 5G mode, speed tests are off the charts. I'm getting speeds in the 100+ Mbps range which is amazing, until I try to surf, and get nothing. I can probably go to Google or watch YouTube, but other sites seem to not exist. I also can't play some of my games while in 5G mode. Very strange.

But once I switch down to 2.4G, it seems like everything is back to normal. Will try to update this post if I understand it more.

Secondary HDD Failed Today

2023-09-23T07:07:00.001-07:00

It looks like the secondary hard drive has finally failed today. The drives were again no longer visible in Explorer. This happened a couple of days ago, but I was able to get the drives back by reseating the data and power cables attached to it.

It's a good thing I was able to copy some of the important stuff before it finally went out. Purchased a new hard drive which is now twice the size for 2800.

At first, the new drive was not visible in Explorer. This was puzzling since I saw it in BIOS. Checked Device Manager and it was there too. Had to run Disk Management and chose MBR to partition the new drive.

Backing up old stuff onto the new drive.

Demolition of Home

2023-04-26T20:14:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, I was forced to leave the room I've been staying in. Construction debris from the floor above that room fell all over the bed and all the stuff in the room. Fortunately, I was able to remove the television and my phone beforehand.

I guess the demolition has been a long time coming. But since the new rooms of the house are unfinished - there aren't any partitions yet, and not electricity and bathroom - it has been difficult to transfer my things out. It would have been nice if the agreement was followed - before demolishing our old areas, the new areas have to be finished.

And even if you force us to transfer into the new areas - there are a lot of things that need to be done in those areas, which will just force our things out again. After the wall partitions and doors, the lighting and electrical sockets still have to be installed. And then the areas will need a ceiling. And then there's the painting of walls and ceiling.

Things would probably go faster if we pitched in. And in some areas, we have. But some things are best left to the professionals. The work would probably be hindered or slowed down if we ended up getting in their way.

This is the price for lack of foresight. Hopefully, it becomes a lesson ingrained in future decision making.

No Electricity In Our House

2023-04-13T20:47:00.005-07:00

The lights went out. Thinking it was a typical "brown out" or "black out", we waited for about five minutes, thinking that the power would be restored. It was about past four in the afternoon. As the minutes went by, I checked if the neighbors had their power restored. Apparently, they never lost it. The black out was isolated to our house alone.

I checked the main panel board and reset all the breakers. Still no power. We called the power company and asked if there were any issues, perhaps due to payment. We were in the clear. They issued a report reference number and advised us that a crew would check our meter within 2 to 5 hours, depending on the crew's availability. They also advised on hiring a private electrician since they could only deal with the side past the electric meter going to the electric lines and posts.

I tried to inquire with private electricians. The rates were between 1,200 and 1,500 pesos. And that was non-refundable. (They would still get paid by simply showing up, regardless of whether or not our electricity was restored)

Our family prayed for wisdom from God. The decision was to wait for the crew from the power company instead of hiring a private electrician. If the power company crew would advise for us to hire a private electrician (to check on problems at the load side), at least the supply side has been checked and ensured.

I had a voltmeter available so I decided to turn off the main circuit breaker and check the voltage at the supply side of the breaker. It was zero. Just to be on the "sure" side that no load was connected at all, I decided to remove the wires from the supply side of the circuit breaker and measure the voltage from the wires directly. We measured 86 volts. This was way lower than the expected 240 volts standard. It gave me more confidence that the problem was with the supply side and that it was the power company that could fix the issue.

About 6 hours later, the crew from the power company arrived. The rains and the number of customers they had to provide service to before us was the reason for their delay. But we were just thankful. I told them about the 86 volts we measured so they quickly got to work. They simply re-spliced the wires supplying power to our meter and afterwards, the lights in our house were visible once again.

I thank the Lord Jesus for His mercy and grace. When we only had ambient light from the neighbors, candles, and the night lights helped us see in the evening, everything seemed like despairing darkness. When the lights were restored at around 12 midnight, everything appeared so clear, despite the darkness of night.

Jesus is our light. This experience is a reminder to be patient and to hope in Him until He either brings us home of takes us to His kingdom.

Forced To Change Living Patterns

2023-02-22T21:40:00.001-08:00

When a new house is being constructed next door, you are really forced to change some of your habits.

For example, construction work typically begins at around 8:00 a.m. in the morning. And I don't know why, but workers seem to enjoy doing the loudest work during this time of day like jack hammering, or banging concrete with mallets. I'm a late sleeper so I also used to wake up late in the morning. But now, I have an automatic construction alarm clock. My body has been forced to adjust to waking up earlier.

The noises are a source of irritation for me. So I have been forced to purchase noise cancelling earphones. If I need more sleep, I'll have to pop these earphones in and listen to some YouTube channel for minimizing the noise, like "brown noise with rain" or "seashore noise for sleeping". Sometimes they can be effective and I'm able to get back to sleep. But other times, there are some sharp or loud noises that can still get through, so I'm forced to stay awake. I'll then probably play something louder like Manila Jazz Bar Classics just to divert my attention.

If the noises are an irritation for me, I can just imaging the poor workers' ears who are at ground zero of the source of noise. (Although it feels that the noise is only about 1 or 2 meters away from me). Though they are probably used to it all year round since it is part of their work, they are the ones suffering long-term hearing loss and not the owner. They are sacrificing their future health to survive today.

I've also gone back to blogging. Writing about what I'm experiencing can serve as therapy of sorts so that my full attention is not on the noise, but on composition.

I've also adjusted my bathroom habits, if you know what I mean. It's embarrassing to be doing number 2 when construction workers are on the other side of the wall. So I'm training my body to do the deed after construction hours so that most of the workers have gone home. The same goes for taking a bath. There are still a few workers who remain onsite, and that can be another source of anxiety for some. But I understand that they need to remain onsite to protect the construction materials and tools that remain onsite.

But to the owner, this is probably of no concern. To him, what is important is that his house is built. The experience of his neighbors are not his, so why should it matter to him. Things are only important to us when we are the ones affected by the events happening around us.

We are only at around the 2nd month of construction and projects like this might take a year or more. But in the same way that God was merciful and gracious to me yesterday, all I can do is hope that He will bestow the same to me during the duration of this project.

God is Good Despite Car Trouble

2023-02-21T22:02:00.005-08:00

Last night, our family car broke down. It wouldn't start. The cab driver, based on his experience, said it could be one of three things, either the battery, alternator, or some loose connection. But for a car novice like me, even something as simple as changing the car battery was a big source of anxiety.

As I prepared earlier this morning to go out and find some kind of solution, I sought for God's guidance and asked my family to pray for me. And in every step to finding a solution, I just felt God's mercy and kindness upon me.

He provided a way for me to get to the car shop despite my fears. Once at the car shop, the manager said they were out of stock for parts but still helped in giving me information to replace the battery by getting one from a cheaper source. The absence of the part from their shop was a way to help me work within the budget given me.

The car had trouble in a safe parking spot. The Lord allowed the incident to happen somewhere where we knew their were security guards taking shifts looking after the cars. The car trouble could have happened in some dark alley way where we could not guarantee the safety of the vehicle if left alone. But even the place where the accident happened is God's provision. The parking space even gave us a slight discount. (Perhaps because I already paid an initial parking fee)

The Lord provided another cab driver who was encouraging and patiently waited for our battery technician who was out on call. And the cab driver said it was better that I handled the problem than giving my dad's blood pressure a reason to rise. God allowed the problem to happen under my watch instead of when my dad was in the province, which could have been a more difficult issue. The cab driver even offered to his vehicle for us to jumpstart the family car. The lighting conditions at the parking area were not ideal. So we decided to drive the car back to the battery center where the technician had better lighting and more tools to diagnose the cause of the problem.

And God provided my with a technician who was knowledgeable enough to remove the old battery even though he was not familiar with the family car's model. Even the information about the tools he needed to use was provided by the car shop.

God's provision was with me at every step of the way. And instead of the entire budget being blown away, 10% was left for me to return to the family after all the expenses were paid for.

Life's problems help us grow in faith. There were many times I've had some kind of computer hardware problem in the past, and throughout the years, God has helped provide the solutions to fix those problems. Car trouble is something I have little experience with (and frankly, I don't really want to increase my experience of it either), but if I just view these things as tools that God has given that fail from time to time, if he provides the funds to fix these things, then again, the experience is probably meant for our growth.

Thank You Lord for helping me get through this day. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Dangers of ChatGPT

2023-02-13T18:57:00.004-08:00

People pray to God for guidance. He may answer "Yes", "No", or "Wait". He may use His Word, the Bible, to help us find the answer. He may use fellow believers to speak the answer to us through their words or their written works. Or He may impress the answer to us as we spend time with Him in prayer.

Now, here's a human made tool, ChatGPT, that gives a response to direct questions. The way I understand it, it's response is probably based on how that question has been answered by history. For example, if I ask it which hockey player has scored the most in history, it can give a definite answer based on historical records. But I can also ask it to give an opinion on which is better, Coke or Pepsi, and it can churn out a response that similar to that of a business student. But its responses are morally bound by those in charge of it.

So far, I think it has been used by students to come up with answers to homework. It can generate an essay based on a few parameters such as the subject matter the essay is about. It is good at generating programming code and IT personnel have probably used it in work related problems. It can probably write an e-book if you give it parameters about the main character and what the story is about.

How long before it reaches the level of the "Beast" in the Bible, where it can decide on which person lives and which person dies. Where it decides on who can buy and sell goods and services, and who cannot.

But I see a danger where Christians become dependent on it and asks it for advice on various areas in life. Instead of going to God first in prayer, a person could just go and ask ChatGPT since it will give a direct response immediately. We live in an age of impatience. We want an answer right away. This tool is dangerous in that it can, like many things, push God out of our lives, specifically in the area of making decisions. The mobile phone has taken away our time spent with God. A tool like ChatGPT can take away our trust in God's guidance.

How Noise From Construction Sites Affect Neighbors

2023-02-05T19:29:00.003-08:00

Imagine yourself placed inside a huge water drum (with no water of course). Even if the top of the drum is sealed, (and you need air, so the drum is assumed to have air passages), the presence of air passages will not isolate you from the noise outside. So if a group of people start hammering, drilling, sawing, grinding, banging and jackhammering outside the drum, you will still feel overwhelmed from all the noise.

The owners of the construction project are probably off-site so they don't see the noise generated by their construction projects as a problem.

The workers on the construction site see their noise as a necessity to do their work. And they are used to the loudness of their construction noise since it is part of their work.

But the residents beside the construction site are put in a problematic situation. How do they deal with the noise they are not used to. It's not everyday that a new house is constructed beside yours. (unless you're in a relatively under developed area). But if you've been living in a subdivision where most of the lots already have houses built upon them, having a new house constructed next to yours is really an eye opener on why people hate construction projects that are not their own :D

And if you have family members that are overly sensitive to loud noises, this is an additional burden you have to deal with despite having to endure the construction noises yourself. The family member could be a baby that is easily awakened by the hammering and suddenly starts to cry. Or the member could be your grandma, who may have a weak heart, and is easily started by loud crashing noises. She shouldn't be forced to endure this type of noise at her late stage in life.

If you can't handle the noise, then move out (you say). But that is easier said than done. I don't have a spare house to move into while the construction project is ongoing. Or simply move out during the time of construction, presumably from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Perhaps this is the most practical solution for people overwhelmed by the intense amount of noise. But again, this is an added cost to the neighbor who never asked for the construction project to begin with. Would the owners of the construction project be willing to give me an all-expenses paid vacation in the Bahamas while their home is unfinished?

But you also have to remember the time when your own house was being constructed. You may not have been present when that was being done. And your neighbors at that time had to deal with all the construction noise your project generated. But twenty plus years later, you have a house you are living in because a group of workers decided to build your house for you.

I guess all I can do for now is endure. Put on some earphones and try to listen to relaxing music (at full blast volume). As for my family members, they will have to find a way to cope with the extra noise.

Life is give and take. Sometimes you give, sometimes you receive. But construction projects are really a gift neighbors are reluctant to receive and would like to avoid as much as possible :D

Chase McBride - Laws of Attraction Lyrics

2022-10-03T08:47:00.008-07:00

This is my attempt at listening to the lyrics of Chase McBride's song, the Laws of Attraction. I'm not sure how accurate it is but I hope it helps you out.

STANZA
I remember this side in my sheet
And the warmth from your hand pressed on me
And the golden light flickering
Falling in
As we begin

STANZA
And I remember this soft on my skin
And the word synonym
As you pursed your lips
In the month of August
Following
Is just like this

CHORUS
Baby I needed help
Baby I wanted peace
Found someone who's a little like me
Baby you wanted proof
Remember what it's like to lose
Someone who's a little like you

Instrumental

STANZA
And the blur of state lines
And people we know
Bucking on high
On the radio
And we follow the yellow line
On our own time
In the Western night

STANZA
And she said it felt just fine
The laws of attraction
Its the crap shooting night time
The laws of attraction
But it don't last forever
However
They've been pretty good to me

CHORUS
Instrumental

LTO Car Registration Renewal 2022

2022-09-19T21:14:00.001-07:00

Here we go again. Left the house at around 9:30 a.m.

Went to the emission testing center to have the car tested and it passed. Paid 500 pesos for the Certificate of Emission Compliance (CEC).

Went to the LTO and bought Certificate of Cover (TPL) insurance for 1,550 pesos. (Again despite the vehicle already being insured with Standard Insurance for 2022 to 2023.)

Gave the stenciler 60 pesos as tip. (Stencilers act as gate keepers. If you don't deal with them, you don't get to fill out the Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR).

Went to window to submit all the documents.

Waited at the Cashier for the name of the vehicle owner to be called. Paid 1,610 pesos for the Official Receipt (OR). They no longer print out the Certificate of Registration (CR) so make sure you photocopy that to go with your new OR.

In total, paid 3,660 pesos. Finished at around 11:30 a.m. which is a record for the LTO since I've been spending between 3 to 5 hours in past car registration renewals. Hope this helps out newbies in registration.

Tap Fantasy

2022-07-13T05:12:00.004-07:00

As of this writing, I'm really pissed off at this game. I've invested about a month into it, upgrading hero levels from 1 to level 60, and equipment levels from 1 to as high as 13. And then yesterday, the game decides that the current season is over and you have to start from scratch once again. That means, all hero levels are back to level 1 and all your equipment in inventory is gone.

I've played a lot of RPG's in the past and the reason why this game appealed to me initially was because it reminded me of grinding in Final Fantasy III in order to strengthen your heroes.

But if you lose all the experience and weapons/armor every season, why would you want to redo the whole game? Maybe there's a paid option where you get to retain all the stuff you've worked hard for. But that's no way to retain your audience in my opinion.

So goodbye Tap Fantasy. I'm deleting you from my apps.