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Testing out a Roulette Strategy
Determine a fixed amount of money to gamble (e.g. $1,000).
Pick which color to bet on (e.g. Black)
Start by betting the minimum bet (e.g. $5)
Every round, increase your bet by $5, but continue to bet on the same color.
Stop play when either of the two events occur:
• You’ve doubled your total cash.
• The amount of money you have is less than your next bet.
Saving to Text Files Through the Command Line (A Python Shortcut)
As I near the end of my Automate the Boring Stuff course, I’m learning some very useful tools - especially as a Windows user. In order to synthesize my learning, I decided to do a little project combining a few new python functionalities I learned.
The Fountain of Youth Runs with the Blood of Your Ego
What does it mean to be young? In the broadest of terms, it means to be on the early side of the spectrum, to have a path ahead, to be certain that progress is possible.
Creating A User Friendly Inventory Using Python Dictionaries
While I was reviewing chapter 5 of Automate the Boring Stuff, I learned about using Dictionaries in Python. One of the fun exercises demonstrated by the book was using Python’s Dictionary functionality to create a database for a list of supplies for a picnic.
Teaching Financial Literacy… for Fun!
A few weeks ago, I was listening to a special episode of the Teacher’s Off Duty Podcast with Daymond John and they were talking about teaching kids financial literacy. One idea they mentioned was having an in-class economy, where students earn classroom currency and then have to budget their money accordingly.
Did ChatGPT just read me for filth?
I asked ChatGPT to scan through my entire website and then, based on the writing there, suggest some jokes I would make. Previously I’ve asked it to suggest blog posts and their suggestions felt like light roasts, so I was excited to see what it would come up with.
Connecting Python to Google Sheets and Saving Time
I am currently interested in using Python to Automate the Boring Stuff. Recently, I found an opportunity to apply it in my work at Bleeker and it was a huge time-saver and will add quite a bit of value over time. I figured it would be valuable to write out how I did it here for my own reference, but perhaps you will find it useful too!
Want to start a new habit? Use this tool to check if it’s really worth it!
January is a ripe time for wanting to start a new habit, but is it always worth it? I developed the tool below where you answer a few short questions using the Negative Five to Five (NFTF) scale to answer that very question.
My 2022 Cinema Recap
In order to maintain my Platinum status at Cinemark, we have to watch 25 movies within the year. What I didn’t realize was that the free movies I get as a benefit do not count towards that total. So, here is a recap of the 28 movies I saw in theaters this year with their rating on the Negative 5 to 5 scale (starting with my least favorite).
Planning ahead, one day at a time.
Lately, I’ve started to question: why should I continue to work towards a routine? The reason I have come up with is that there are certain habits I need to maintain for my health and well-being, and a routine is a source of systemic support for that habit.
Learning How to Unsarcastically Self-Soothe through Marathons (and maybe Triathlons?)
Approximately this time last year, I posted how I signed up for my first marathon which occurred in January of 2022. Although I made it through with a time of 5 hours and 35 minutes, you can see from my pictures that I was having a rough time. See, there is this thing called the Runner’s Cry where you push yourself really hard and begin to lose control of your emotional regulation. This happened to me at around mile 20 when my watch stopped providing accurate readings and I had hit some sort of mental wall.
Constructive Compliments
Consider these two sets of compliments…Which set would you prefer to hear more often? From who? Which set would make you feel good in the moment?
10FreeDays - Our Daughter’s International
This time last year, with your help and support, I was able to raise $1,500 which is the approximate amount to fund the rescue, restore and transform 5 girls from human trafficking in Nepal through Our Daughters International (ODI).
Using the NFTF System to Vote Objectively
For my second Independence Day as a US Citizen, I thought it would be appropriate to share how Seth and I are using the NFTF scale to vote in the Maryland primaries.
33 Musings
Yesterday, I was challenged to come up with 33 “musings”. I chose to add to that challenge by writing down thoughts or assertions or jokes that are completely new - meaning I have not consciously created them or communicated them prior to yesterday.
My Subconscious is a Jerk: My Ongoing Battle with Sleep Paralysis
Have you every dreamt that you were paralyzed? That you couldn’t move any part of your body, or talk, or couldn’t breathe? That’s Sleep Paralysis.
Less is More: 5 Things that only work when I don’t think about them at all
I decided to think about things that I do fairly regularly that only work perfectly if no one is paying attention (and that includes me!).
A New Chapter: Becoming a (Paper) Notebook Person
Since I was 9 years old, I knew I wanted a laptop. I don’t think they were even something that pervasive back then – we had only gotten a color computer a few years before (and had finally gotten the hang of a mouse instead of using DOS commands), so I do not actually know where things stood in terms of popular tech…
The Case for Project Proposals
One practice I am trying to make a habit this year is to put together a project proposal for almost any action or process I do at work. I also encourage everyone I work with to do the same. I am finding that this is an essential activity that clarifies…
Reading Challenge 2021 Results
I completed the 2021 Toronto Public Library extended reading challenge! Check my short reviews of all 26 books I read.