Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Grace needed

Photo: Wales, hillside (Google images)

For me, being saved by grace through faith, is not only biblical and theological in regards to salvation. In every area of life, I need God's grace and help through faith. I am never perfect, I am finite and sinful, but I am daily, praying for excellence in God's will.

Wednesday, November 08, 2023

2023 NHL Team Valuations: Sportico (Canada)

Not official jersey...


2023 NHL Franchise Valuations Ranking 

November 8, 2023 

1 Toronto Maple Leafs $2.65 billion 
2 New York Rangers $2.45 billion 
3 Montreal Canadiens $2.27 billion 
4 Chicago Blackhawks $1.84 billion 
5 Boston Bruins $1.78 billion 
6 Los Angeles Kings $1.72 billion 
7 Philadelphia Flyers $1.7 billion 
8 Edmonton Oilers $1.59 billion 
9 Washington Capitals $1.42 billion 
10 Detroit Red Wings $1.37 billion 
11 Vegas Golden Knights $1.3 billion 
12 Tampa Bay Lightning $1.25 billion 
13 Vancouver Canucks $1.2 billion 
14 Minnesota Wild $1.18 billion 
15 Colorado Avalanche $1.17 billion 
16 New Jersey Devils $1.16 billion 
17 Calgary Flames $1.14 billion 
18 New York Islanders $1.13 billion 
19 Seattle Kraken $1.12 billion 
20 Dallas Stars $1.11 billion 
21 Pittsburgh Penguins $1.07 billion 
22 San Jose Sharks $1.06 billion 
---
23 Nashville Predators $990 million 
24 Carolina Hurricanes $980 million 
25 Anaheim Ducks $975 million 
26 St. Louis Blues $965 million 
27 Ottawa Senators $950 million 
28 Winnipeg Jets $925 million 
29 Florida Panthers $910 million 
30 Buffalo Sabres $900 million 
31 Columbus Blue Jackets $880 million 
32 Arizona Coyotes $675 million 
---

The GTHA area could definitely support another billion dollar+ club, it seems to me. Montreal as well...yes the Montreal Maroons or Montreal Wanderers.

Pretty much every Canadian team would have a higher value, if they were more successful. Considering the small size of the markets and the lack of success, Ottawa-Winnipeg are doing well value-wise.

Saturday, October 07, 2023

Brief Thanksgiving Paraphrased Bullets

• Female friend (to me): Don't you care if people like you? I wish I was like you.

• Her husband: He doesn't care. 

• Me: I have prayed much and studied much on several issues. If someone shows me I am wrong, I will repent. But often I believe the Lord has led me to believe and state what is right. 
---

Thursday, August 10, 2023

The contoured man...

Photo: Tuscany, Civil Engineering Discoveries, LinkedIn 

All is fine, my swelling is in decline. There is an obvious change for the better with the jaw line and related issues. I have to wear a contour brace OFF work hours at home for two months. I would not be caught dead in public with it (at work/church etc.)..other than now leaving the surgeon's office.

(I removed it before I entered my building)

Saturday, July 01, 2023

At the end of a hard week of work, I receive this email: You may have a double PhD, Russ, but you score an ''F'' in 'Human Relationship', Russ


I am going to quote an email, but leave the source anon. To be clear, I generally do not comment online on personal conversations. I always keep secrets, secret. But, I was not sworn to secrecy and this email shows spiritually and theologically, a significant problem in the Christian Church with too many people.

This person is good enough to pray for me and encourage me socially. I assume good motives here. This person stated yesterday via email...
---

Quote:

She is the lady I introduced you n Harold to last Sunday in church. You may have a double PhD, Russ, but you score an ''F'' in 'Human Relationship', Russ. 🤔

My replies 

Haha, thanks! If I was that attracted I would care more. But, not opposed to chatting...

Actually my F is in age dating compliance... Dr. Russ🙏🙏🙏

(End)
---

Clue

Why not encourage two people, in Christ, that have mutual attraction to communicate?

Why assume because of my social position, I should be pursuing so and so? 

Does someone ever reach a social position, where he/she should no longer be socially granted the ability to have significant preference?

Who is showing the love of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, here?

P.S. 

Who is Harold?

I have one PhD and an MPhil. Two British theses degrees.

Monday, June 26, 2023

Back from VGH/UBC

Back from VGH/UBC

Civil Engineering Discoveries, LinkedIn, 2023-06-26 

Another fine report in regards to my 'bionic eye' from VGH/UBC. It is basically a year now with no treatment necessary. This is of course means I can do my government data processing work and related to ad infinitum...(God willing)


Wednesday, June 07, 2023

Brief Update Bullets: June 2023

Photo: The Hall of Mirrors, Versailles (not my place)

• My part I, newly owned condominium renovations, included new flooring for every room, other than the sunroom, which the technician stated had the best floor that should never be changed. 

• Part I also included, a new dishwasher and downstairs furnishing.

• Part II included, a new bed, new hot water tank, new refrigerator, new stove, and new dryer.
---- 

 • Part III, in the works, should include new sinks, new toilets and perhaps new kitchen counter top. 

• I am building savings monthly, as although I paid for part I, part II is inheritance and unofficial pay from my renter. The same goes for part III.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

You are dumb and do not understand English!

ESL (at best) foreign visitor, says to me (paraphrased): You are dumb and do not understand English!

Sunday, May 07, 2023

Very brief: work review/work under review...

Photo: Civil Engineering Discoveries, LinkedIn, May 2, 2023

1. My most direct manager, in my two part review, told me (2x) that I will keep going up and up. With God’s help that is, I add. I am getting better at office work and am pretty natural learning how to ‘manipulate’ software, quickly, within the rules for the good. 

2. A 12.6% raise for four years is decent (also there is already an automatic raise for those four years).

3. I have 95 articles now on academia.edu. I have made some slight upgrades to older articles as I do keep up with academic learning in bits during the week. I am listening to sermons and lectures, and write/revise somewhat my own work, mostly on the weekend. 

4. I am being social, I absolutely do make social time available. But with two careers, basically, I have no time or energy to chase anyone down or to try to convince anyone of anything, as in me chasing any kind of friendship. I am seeking to act as God leads, obediently in love and truth. I appreciate the new friendships I have made the last few years.

5. Self-improvement overall, continues...I share a bit in my writing, and that is about it.

Friday, April 21, 2023

Serious mode/Satirical mode, inside

Serious mode: I am an essential government worker. I am looking forward to a strike settlement. 

Satirical mode: No passports means some clients are disapported. I am looking forward to the pay raise.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Almost $10, 000 for a book? Not a chance...

 

The Rage and I discussed this recent posting on You Tube. The content creator is an expert on his online content and is also, IMHO, excellent at sales. However, there is no way I would spend almost $10, 000 on any book and/or have to (quote) 'finance' the purchase. Well-done, by the industrious presenter, as he sold other books to cover the cost, but I would never spend that much on any book (s) in the first place.

The Rage might have some of his own special books cleaned, pressed, slabbed and stored, for nowhere near even a thousand dollars...

My academic book purchasing was significant as a student. But overall, my academic and non-academic book collecting and reading has been significantly built through free online resources and downloads.

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Brief Sunday Bullets: March 12, 2023

• Photo: Amalfi Coast, Italy, Civil Engineering Discoveries, March 11, 2023 

• I cannot afford to be too set in my ways. 

• I have to be adaptable in many areas of life.

• I would like more peace and joy, in Christ, God-willing.

• God's perfect will be done... 

• But work is hard and I am up for it, by God's grace.

• I am not seeking an easier life. 

• I would like to see more of the world...

Thursday, March 09, 2023

Rom 12: 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all

• Yukon River photo, a scan from a calendar years ago

• If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

• From Romans 12: 18, English Standard Version 

 John Calvin explains in the Bondage and Liberation of the Will that purity is spoiled by a tiny blemish and implies that sin is included in every good work (in this present realm). Calvin (1543)(1996: 27).

• 
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

• A reason I seek peace is that I know I am never perfect within any human interaction.

• I also by nature, attempt to avoid hassles...

Friday, February 17, 2023

Older friend cracks me up @church: Don't wear pants!

Photo: Civil Engineering Discoveries, LinkedIn, February 13, 2023, Milan, Italy.

Older friend cracks me up @church: Don't wear pants!

Paraphrased conversation during the social time after the formal part of a mutual friend's memorial service @church. 

An older male friend.

(Thoughts/Actions)

Older friend: You look big and intimating in that black suit! You look too serious!

Me: It's a memorial service. What do you suggest I do (smiling)?

Older friend: You will scare all the girls away.

Me: I thought women were supposed to like a protector?

Me: (To a kind older woman listening) Do I intimidate the women here?

Older woman: (Laughs)

Older friend: You need to talk to girls you like.

Me: I have talked to the girls I like. (More precisely, I have talked to the women that I might like)

Older friend: No, no, no, just keep talking with them until they like you. Just keep asking them out for coffee (laughs). Every week!

Me: I have talked with them, no worries. (Harassment is not part of my plans, however)

Older friend: You are way too serious!

Me: Suggestion (smiling)?

Older friend: Wear no pants!

Me: Laughs. I don't think that would work here...

Older friend: No! Wear shorts!

Older friend: They are intimidated by you! Smile and laugh more, like you are now.

Me: Okay, I am laughing...

Older friend: Good, that is what you do!

Monday, January 30, 2023

Possibly interesting bullets from the weekend...

Image one: I posted the first image on our work WhatApp, which is mainly for social purposes. (This quote likely a paraphrase)

• My kind manager and others, correctly, deduced it was my reaction to completing so many self-directed, government courses since September.

• Approximately 70 courses.

• These courses, at the exam stage, have to be done quickly, within a work day, before the mandatory computer restart, or a course passing attempt is lost. 

• This is the brutal opposite of proper theses writing academia...

• (Fake) Corporate academia, but with some limited training offered.

Image two: Serious life barriers are sometimes within the sovereign, providential plans of God.

• Within the gospel, personally, I admit that I am finite (permanently) and sinful (not sinless in mind and body until the resurrection 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4, Revelation 20-22).

• Some problems and solutions are primarily, specifically, within the workings of God.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Happy 2023: Brief bullets on career/confidence


• 
Photo: Marta Sanchez. Take Me To Travel, London, Facebook

• I have been to London a few times, and hope to tour it again over the years, as with other parts of the British Isles and Europe.
---

• Besides basic training, I now have two main work disciplines completed, course wise.

• I am now quite good at the first discipline, and I am improving with the second.

• It is a good career, as with government there are various departments I could transfer to, as I gain experience and status.

• This is completing over 60 self-directed online courses since late September...

• And then the real, career work is the actual, real data processing.

• Time will tell whether I relocate eventually.

• Most likely, not a permeant relocation, but work travel, as I am in good financial shape with my condominium, etcetera, by God's grace.
---

• In regards to the TikTok video below, IMHO, a significant reason there are so many negatives with romantic relationships in 2023, particularity in the western world, is the philosophical idea of what we 'deserve'.

• I do not deserve a potential wife with a PhD, because I have a PhD.

• I do not deserve a potential wife that is significantly blessed within some academic discipline.

• No one deserves a potential romantic partner based on his/her youth, looks and overall attractiveness.

• No one deserves a potential romantic partner based on age, lack of looks and lack of overall attractiveness.

• Clearly with the attitudes of many in today's western world, much of his/her worldview embraces the idea that a person should seek out, and only be presented with, what they deserve, romantically.

• To be presented with less than what is supposedly deserve, can be viewed as an offence.

• This can be a shunning offence...

• However, based on a New Testament worldview, as the regenerate (John 2, Titus 2, 1 Peter 1) are saved by grace through alone (Ephesians 1-2 as example), everyone is a universally sinful person (Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, as examples).

• Each and every person is not deserving of God's blessing of abundant life.

• Certainly, would not, a good romantic partner be an aspect of abundant life?

• I suggest that any concept of 'deserve' should be dropped within romantic considerations.

• Instead within the gospel, a single person without a gift of contentment (1 Corinthians 7) should seek mutual spiritual, intellectual and romantic/physical attraction.

• In other words, reasonably, prayerfully, within the Christian community, but not perfectly, the spiritual, intellectual and romantic/physical needs are mutually met.

• I suggest, that people considered for a potential romantic relationship under the philosophical, worldview umbrella of what we 'deserve' would at times differ VASTLY, from people considered within the concepts of significant, but not perfect, mutual, spiritual, intellectual and romantic/physical attraction.


• The young woman speaking on the TikTok video.

• (Paraphrased) Sometimes short guys have too much confidence. 

• Typically, most men, even under six feet tall would still be taller than she appears.

• To be blunt, she is an average, at best, looking young adult woman.

• Her attitude is very unattractive, IMHO.

• In regards to male confidence...

• Many men lack confidence that a western woman will choose him romantically.

• The female 'group think' mentality is a negative consideration for a man...

• This however, does not necessarily equate to a man that is overall, lacking confidence.

• The presenter, confidently presents his material.

• The presenter, confidently makes some good points.

• The man seemingly has some significant value (I know little about him).
---

• A person's overall value, as a Christian, or potential husband or wife, is not measured by what a person deserves.

• But instead, by the significance of any mutual attraction.

• Love (and equally truth) is key here as opposed to a market value dating approach...

• Galatians 5:14 NASB2020 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” NASB2020: New American Standard Bible - NASB