thalweg @thalweg@qoto.org

Yesterday during #homeschool computer class, we started learning how to use the music engraving program #lilypond.

We began by going through the lilypond tutorials at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tclwyZr08bE&list=PLHi8BvxILUV6x9FqEmZiYrEj6VMGmTKjt

At first, we were writing the score in emacs, but then we installed frescobaldi to use as a minimal GUI. Really nice piece of software!

My son is really into playing along with #midi files on the #piano, so he wanted to generate midi output from lilypond.

One of the issues we encountered was connecting timidity to the midi output port. We ended up using the method here to start timidity as an ALSA sequencer client (without blocking all other audio playback system-wide):
https://askubuntu.com/a/1295404

After that, we were able to play the music via midi output using the following lilypond example:
https://frescobaldi.org/uguide#help_ts_midi_generate

There was a point in time ~10 years ago where I used the Gnus email client (emacs). Well, I lost those emails somewhere in my data archive. I managed to find them by grepping my old email address.

At first, it was taking forever, but I discovered the -I option to grep: "Process a binary file as if it did not contain matching data".

Once located, I needed to convert them from NNML to mbox format. I used the script here: https://www.yergler.net/maildir-to-mbox/

Except instead of calling mailbox.Maildir(), I called mailbox.MH().

Finally, all I had to do was import the mbox file with the ImportExportTools NG extension in Thunderbird. My email archive is complete!

Wow, #Mozilla devs have been discussing an "Encryption when possible" option for 20 years.
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=135636

I think an option like this makes a lot of sense!

#privacy

Continuing with my recent #privacy kick, I've been deleting the last 20+ years of digital photos from Google Photos. This was my final repository of unencrypted private data in the cloud.

It turned out to be quite a project, since Google doesn't provide a straightforward way to bulk delete photos. I ended up using this script: https://github.com/mrishab/google-photos-delete-tool

It's been running for days. I think it will finish today.

Today in #homeschool computer class, we set up OpenPGP encryption in Thunderbird.

We used the following guide:
https://www.howtogeek.com/706402/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird/

There was just one missing configuration setting in that tutorial. In the account settings under end-to-end encryption, the default key needed to be changed from "None" to the one we just generated.

We also set "Require encryption by default", but what I really wanted was a "Use encryption when possible" config setting.

For the dedicated Gmail webmail users in our lives, we will see if https://mailvelope.com/en fits the bill.

We watched the [Horizon episode "Living with Autism"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3653140/) last night.

I have always been aware that my son and I have certain autistic traits, but I wasn't sure if we would be diagnosed as autistic. After watching the Horizon episode, I don't think we would.

As they described it, the number of autistic traits per person across the population follows a normal distribution. The average person actually has quite a few autistic traits. It's only when the number of autistic traits in that person is >50 (looked like 2 std deviations from the mean) that they would be clinically diagnosed as "on the spectrum" (I'm not sure if they understand what a spectrum is).

I've attached an image from [this study](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51559997_Are_Autistic_Traits_in_the_General_Population_Stable_across_Development) that shows a figure similar to what they showed in the episode.

So, yes, while many people would consider me socially inept, I do get by okay in life and don't think I should pursue a diagnosis. On the other hand, my attention to detail has been one of by greatest strengths.

I found the autistic couple in the episode very interesting. They obviously have a great relationship, but I wonder if a better strategy would be to find a not-so-autistic mate who can help to round out your abilities a bit (if you can manage to get along).

#autism

We've been going through [Linux Survival](https://linuxsurvival.com/) during our #homeschool computer class. These are really good hands-on exercises for the #linux n00b.

A couple of days ago I injured one of my costochrondal joints doing a clean (first rep of first set of the day). Apparently I didn't warm up enough and had poor form. I was also trying out a new kettlebell (10# heavier).

Shortly after our workout and for the rest of the day, I could hardly breathe without pain. After some reading about it, I was convinced it was going to take several months or up to a year for me to heal.

Today, I did my workout as scheduled. I feel mostly fine, amazed at my body's ability to heal itself.

I learned some important lessons about form, warming up, going heavy, and getting old.

#grateful #kettlebell #exercise

Light day:
- 4x50 kettlebell swings
- 3x16 kettlebell deadlifts
- 3x20 military press
- 2x(4,5,6) pull ups
- 2x(8,10,12) push ups

#exercise #kettlebell

A close family member was recently diagnosed with type II diabetes, so I thought it would be appropriate to watch the Horizon episode ["Sugar v Fat"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3564506/) last night.

I was surprised at the results of their experiment. I expected the twin on the high-sugar diet to have gained weight. Both twins actually lost weight. Although the twin on the high fat diet lost more. They were apparently too low in their calculation of daily caloric needs.

It's one thing to see these results in a one month-long experiment, but in a real-life diet the effect of ghrelin (hormone that controls hunger) would be a huge factor. The twin on the high-sugar diet ate less protein and would be perpetually hungry. It wasn't clear how much willpower it took for the twin on the high sugar diet to eat within to the experimental parameters.

Did the twin on the high sugar diet really go a month with virtually no protein? That doesn't seem safe.

It wasn't clear if the twins were actually eating the same amount of calories. The twin on the high fat diet lost more, so I assume he ate fewer calories.

No mention of individual differences in the larger study results that they cited, only averages. I suspect there were individual differences, due to genetic differences. For example, the [CLTCL1 gene](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/04/ancient-gene-mutation-could-protect-against-diabetes-study-finds).

The twin on the high-fat diet lost more muscle because he lost more weight. Training with weights would have reduced muscle loss.

This aired in early 2014. We've come a long way since then.

@barefootstache You might want to check this out.

Incorporating ladders into today's workout routine:
- 3x(1,2,3) KB clean & press
- 3x(1,2,3) KB one-arm row
- 3x(1,2,3) KB snatch
- 1x(1,2,3) KB clean-to-lunge
- 1x10 curtsy lunge
- 3x(2,4,6) dips on rings

#kettlebell #exercise

Took my son to his first Boy Scout meeting last night. I think we've finally found the right Troop! 😂

For today's #homeschool computer class, we put some of our #Linux command line knowledge to use by organizing our ~/Downloads directory.

Normally, we use Midnight Commander to manage files, but today we used ls, cd, mv, and rm to move around and manipulate files.

To examine files, we used feh, unzip, file, less, and locate.

We learned a technique for safely using the rm command with wildcards. First issue the ls command with the wildcards, examine the output, and if it looks okay, visit the previous command in your history (up arrow or C-p) and replace "ls" with "rm".

We also did a little experimenting with the animate (ImageMagick) command to view animated .gif files.

Today's exercises:
- Dynamic stretches
- 6x Uphill sprints
- 3x KB clean & press
- 3x KB snatch
- 3x KB swings

#exercise #kettlebell

Exercises of the day:
- KB (Kettlebell) swings
- Bodyweight curtsy lunges
- KB walking lunges
- KB military press
- KB suitcase deadlift
- Medicine ball slams (kids)
- Sledgehammer swings (me)

#exercise #kettlebell

Watched the BBC Horizon "Are Video Games Really That Bad?" episode last night (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5499642/).

I've played my share of violent video games, so I had a feeling the link between violent video game playing and actual violence was bunk.

The so-called "addictive" nature of video games is no joke. It only took a few very negative experiences of losing myself in a video game for hours-on-end when I was younger to make myself acutely aware of time spent playing.

On the other hand, I think there's a lot to be gained from playing video games. I think it makes you smarter in numerous ways.

I have found balance in playing multiplayer Terraria for 1 hour, twice a week with my kids.

I like to switch it up with the game every so often, and Terraria is getting a little stale. If anybody has any recommendations, I'm all ears.

Other multiplayer games we've played and enjoyed: Minetest, 1st person shooters, Factorio, Open Red Alert.

Best method for butchering ducks I've come across https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfthO1KAZbc