All logic functions can be constructed using AND and NOT logic gates. Modern smartphones contain billions of logic gates. However, the LEGO machine I constructed today only has four AND and four NOT gates to perform binary addition on two single-bit binary numbers. As the signal propagates from the inputs on the left to the outputs on the right, the cumulative effect of joint play leads to unreliable output movements. I need to redesign the machine.
Category: Living
A winter’s night with Nordic composers
Drove from heated garage to heated garage for a Minnesota Orchestra concert of music by Nordic composers. There were nods to hygge, which was fitting with temperatures staying in negative territory for a few days. We’re not leaving our building again until Wednesday.
Getting my shots
It was almost balmy weather for January in Minnesota (in the thirties) as I walked to the University for a consultation and medication top-ups (injections). With temperatures expected to drop below zero for the next few days, I’m anticipating a period of hibernation. This appointment was therefore well timed.
Saving a classroom plant
Over tonkotsu ramen, Dwight and I compared notes about our day–he in the greenhouse, me in the classroom. I showed him photos of a sad-looking plant in the classroom. He suspected overwatering and advised deionized water would be better than tap. He also suggested the plant needed to climb and might benefit from fertilizer after its dormant period. I’d previously used Google Lens on the plant, and it had led to similar advice.
Tonight: The Heart Sellers at the Guthrie
Walked over to the Guthrie to see The Heart Sellers, a play that plays on the title of the 1965 Hart-Celler Act. This landmark legislation opened up immigration to non-Europeans and gave priority to immigrants with STEM skills. In the bittersweet play, set on Thanksgiving 1973, two immigrant women, one Filipino and the other Korean, yearn for a sense of belonging.
Family gathering around trays of sushi
Demolished trays of sushi while catching up with family news.
Minimizing the risk of a hot glycol flood spoiling our day
An email came from our building’s management about an HVAC contractor flooding a unit with 200 gallons of hot diluted glycol. It seems most units have two shutoff valves for baseboard heating, but a few have four. The contractor was unaware of this and shut off two, leaving two open. I didn’t even know we have shutoff valves for heating, so I located them today. And there were four, which I’ve now labeled.
Chamber music at Orchestra Hall then art in the chamber at Brit’s Pub
After an afternoon of Nordic chamber music with members of the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall, we crossed the road to Brit’s Pub which we haven’t entered in over five years. After Scotch eggs and beer, we were ready to head home, me via the loo. I was glad to see the loo artwork has survived and been augmented over the decades.
Sausage Saturday: Caribbean cabbage creation, with a bit of help from AI
It’s Sausage Saturday, Winter Edition, and today I’m braising sausage with cabbage. I typically use green cabbage, but I opted for red today and decided to give the dish a Caribbean twist. As planned, I incorporated cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. To enhance the flavor profile, I consulted Google AI (Gemini), which suggested balsamic vinegar and ginger (I had some fresh ginger in the freezer).
Snow on steel
We’ve had a light dusting of snow, and temperatures have moderated, making it a perfect time for a walk outside. Traces of snow resting on steel caught my eye.