Astrolog Reinstalled

During my stay in Melbourne, with only my Macbook Air, I had no access to Astrolog, my go-to software tool for astrological analysis. Let's recall that the usual Windows emulation software doesn't work on the new Silicon Macs. Having returned to home base, I've been able to install Astrolog on my old 2013 Macbook Pro using Bottles.

The installation of Bottles was quite painless using the Application Manager. I created a "bottle" for 

Astrolog and then my downloaded astrolog.exe was able to be installed. A little tweaking of the program for font sizes and colours and I was away. However, it still nagged me as to why I couldn't set up Astrolog on my Macbook Air. I consulted Gemini.

After some to and fro, it recommended Whisky at https://getwhisky.app/. The opening page contains the warning that "Whisky is no longer actively maintained. Apps and games may break at any time". That was OK as I really only needed it to do one thing and that is to run Astrolog. Whisky seems to be a version of Bottles that has been modified to run on MacOS. As before, I set up a "bottle" and installed Astrolog. Now it runs on my Macbook Air. 

One program I had with the Astrolog running on my Linux distributions was the tiny size of the drop-down menu. There was no way I found to modify this. However, on the Mac the menu is normal size so I'm quite pleased. Fingers crossed that I don't have any further problems.

The Agony of Desktop Linux

Having acquired a mini-PC from my son-in-law, I installed Ubuntu and the installation went smoothly enough. Here are the details of the PC:

System Details Report

Date generated: 2025-09-14 13:08:48

Hardware Information:

Hardware Model: Leader NUC PC

Memory: 8.0 GiB

Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-5200U × 4

Graphics: Intel® HD Graphics 5500 (BDW GT2)

Disk Capacity: 240.1 GB

Software Information:

Firmware Version: 1.09

OS Name: Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS

OS Build: (null)

OS Type: 64-bit

GNOME Version: 46

Windowing System: Wayland

Kernel Version: Linux 6.14.0-29-generic

Here is what Gemini had to say about the unit:

The Leader NUC PC model SN6 is a small form factor desktop computer. Its key components include the Intel Core i5-5200U processor and Intel HD Graphics 5500. This model is part of the Intel Broadwell-U platform, which emphasizes energy efficiency.

---

Processor: Intel Core i5-5200U

The Intel Core i5-5200U is a mobile processor released in early 2015. It's built on a 14 nm manufacturing process and has a low TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 15W, making it suitable for compact devices like the NUC. Here are some of its key specifications:

• Cores/Threads: It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, thanks to Intel's Hyper-Threading technology.

• Clock Speed: It operates with a base frequency of 2.2 GHz and can boost up to 2.7 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology.

• Cache: The processor has 3MB of L3 cache, which helps with data access speed.

• Performance: The CPU provides sufficient performance for everyday computing tasks, including web browsing, office applications, and multimedia. However, it's not designed for demanding tasks like high-end video editing or modern gaming.

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500 (BDW GT2)

The Intel HD Graphics 5500 is an integrated graphics solution that is part of the processor itself. It's based on the Broadwell GT2 graphics processor, which is Intel's 8th generation of graphics architecture.

• Execution Units: It features 24 execution units (EUs).

• Clock Speed: The base frequency is 300 MHz and can be dynamically boosted up to 900 MHz.

• Gaming Performance: The HD 5500 is an entry-level graphics solution. While it can handle older or less graphically intensive games, it will struggle with modern AAA titles. Its performance is comparable to some older dedicated graphics cards, like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 620 or AMD Radeon R7 240. It is not a gaming powerhouse, but it is capable of handling general multimedia and light gaming.

So the unit is now over 10 years old but it still does all I need it to do. The problem lies not in the hardware but in the software and the difficulty in installing software. I did succeed, with Gemini's help, to install SageMath but the installation of a simple screenshot app proved impossible. Currently I have no screenshot capability which is insane for an operating system. I'll probably find a workaround sooner or later but most people simply wouldn't bother. I'm only grateful that I have my Mac OS, installed on my MacBook Air to full back on. Ubuntu is simply a joke operating system and while Linux may dominate the servers that drive the Internet, it will never succeed at the desktop level.

HEIC File Format

I uploaded an image taken on my iPhone to Google Drive and noticed that the file format ended in .HEIC. After downloading it, I dropped it into WhatsApp and noticed the image wouldn't display. I thought it was time to find out more about this file format. I asked Gemini:

What is HEIC file format and is it compatible with most messaging apps?

HEIC, or High Efficiency Image File Format, is a modern image file format that uses High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) to store images. It's the default format for photos taken on iPhones running iOS 11 or later because it can produce higher-quality images with smaller file sizes compared to older formats like JPEG. This helps save storage space on your device. 

While HEIC is great for storage and quality, it is not universally compatible with most messaging apps or other devices. Messaging apps, especially those that use MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) for cross-platform communication, often automatically convert HEIC images to the more widely supported JPEG format to ensure the recipient can view the photo. This conversion can sometimes lead to a loss of image quality. While some apps and platforms, particularly within the Apple ecosystem, have native HEIC support, you might run into compatibility issues when sharing these files with users on other operating systems like Android or Windows.

The settings can be changed on your iPhone so that all images can be saved in JPEG format if wanted. I tried to change the image that I'd downloaded to a JPEG using Ubuntu's Shotwell app. No luck. I asked Gemini:

I tried Shotwell and the image name was greyed out and thus unable to be uploaded. Any workarounds?

Shotwell has a known issue with HEIC files, especially when you are using the Snap or Flatpak versions of the app, which sometimes lack full system integration to handle these files. The files appearing "greyed out" during upload often indicates that the application doesn't have the necessary library or permissions to properly process and convert the HEIC format for the web service.

A reliable workaround is to convert the files to a compatible format like JPEG first, using a separate tool, before attempting to upload them. As we discussed, the `heif-convert` command-line tool is excellent for this.

Convert HEIC to JPEG with `heif-convert`

1.  Open your terminal.

2.  Use the command to convert the file:

    `heif-convert your_photo.HEIC your_photo.jpg`

3.  Then, upload the newly created `your_photo.jpg` file using Shotwell or your web browser.

This two-step process bypasses the problem within Shotwell and ensures your images are in a universally compatible format.

In the end I just downloaded GIMP and used that to convert the file.  While preparing this post, I found an image that I liked and wanted to insert it. However, it was in AVIF format and found that Blogger wouldn't accept it. Interesting. I've written about this file format in a post titled A New Image File Format in July of 2023.

Gourmand and Gourmet

 I was walking about the neighborhood when I thought about the difference between "gourmand" and "gourmet". I asked Gemini the following questions.

What's the difference between a gourmand and a Gourmet?

While both terms relate to a love of food, there's a key difference in their connotations:

Gourmet refers to a person who is a connoisseur of fine food and drink. They have a refined, discriminating palate and appreciate the artistry and skill of food preparation. A gourmet values the quality, flavor, and presentation of food.

Gourmand refers to a person who loves to eat good food, often in large quantities. Historically, the word had a more negative connotation, closer to "glutton," but its modern usage has softened to mean someone with a hearty appetite for good food and drink. A gourmand might not be as focused on the intricate details as a gourmet, but they are enthusiastic and delight in the experience of eating.

A simple way to remember the difference is: a gourmet appreciates the quality of food, while a gourmand appreciates the quantity (or at least the abundance) of it.

"Gourmet" Veggie Burgers

Could you tell me a little about the etymology of both words? What languages they derived from?

Both gourmet and gourmand are derived from French, but they have different origins and evolved meanings over time.

Gourmet

The word gourmet comes from the Old French word groumet, which originally meant "a wine-taster" or "a wine merchant's servant." It's believed to have roots in a word for a young man or boy, possibly related to the English word "groom." Over time, the meaning shifted from a simple servant to someone who had a discriminating palate for wine. By the 18th century, it had expanded to include a refined taste for food as well.

Gourmand

The word gourmand also comes from Old French, where it meant "glutton." This word's etymology is a bit more uncertain, but it has long been associated with a hearty or excessive appetite. While its meaning in English has softened from "glutton" to someone who enjoys good food in abundance, its historical root still carries a sense of an enthusiastic, large appetite, contrasting with the more refined and connoisseur-like quality of a gourmet.

In essence, the etymology of these words reflects their modern usage: the gourmet's roots lie in a discerning "taster" of fine wine, while the gourmand's roots lie in a more general, and historically less flattering, term for a large eater.

It can also be noted that while "gourmand" only refers to a person, the word "gourmet" can be used to describe food as well such as in the graphic above where an image of "gourmet veggie burgers" is shown. 

USB Drive Difficulties

SanDisk 128GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive

Here is a little interaction that I had with Gemini concerning my USB drive difficulties:

Question:

Is there a free disk utility that I can download that will resurrect my USB memory stick? Apple's disk utility will not reformat it and it is quite new, having been used only a couple of times since purchased a month ago. I used the software tool "balenaetcher" to turn my USB memory stick into an Ubuntu boot disk for a mini-PC that I had been given. As a boot disk it did its job of installing Ubuntu on to the mini-PC but after that I wanted to reformat it so that I could use it to back up files on my Macbook Air. However, it is this reformatting that I've been unable to carry out.

Response:

This is a very common and frustrating problem when using tools like balenaEtcher. The reason this happens is that balenaEtcher doesn't just copy files; it writes an entire image to the USB stick, which includes a different type of partition scheme (like the one used for Linux boot drives). This can make the disk appear to have multiple, small, or unreadable partitions that macOS's Disk Utility has trouble with, especially if it's set to the default "Show only Volumes."

Fortunately, there are several powerful, free methods you can use to "resurrect" your USB stick. Since Disk Utility isn't working for you, here are the most effective alternatives:

1. The Terminal Method (Most Recommended)

This method is the most direct and powerful way to completely wipe the disk and create a new partition map that Disk Utility can understand. It's essentially a more forceful version of what Disk Utility tries to do.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Terminal: You can find it in Applications > Utilities > Terminal or by searching in Spotlight (Command + Space).

2. List your disks: Type the following command and press Enter: diskutil list This will show you a list of all connected drives and their identifiers (e.g., disk0, disk1, disk2).

3. Identify your USB stick: Look for a disk with the correct size. For example, if your USB stick is 32GB, you'll see a line that says something like /dev/disk2 (external, physical) and lists its size. Be absolutely certain you have the right disk number! Wiping the wrong disk could erase your Mac's internal drive.

4. Erase and reformat: Once you've identified your disk (let's assume it's disk2), use the following command. This command will first unmount the disk, then erase it completely, create a new GUID partition map, and format it as exFAT with a new name. diskutil eraseDisk ExFAT "MyUSB" GPT /dev/disk2

   • eraseDisk: The command to erase and format the disk.

   • ExFAT: The file system format you want to use. You can also use FAT32 if you prefer.

   • "MyUSB": The name you want to give the drive. You can change this to anything you like.

   • GPT: The partition scheme. This is a modern, highly compatible standard.

   • /dev/disk2: This is the crucial part. Replace disk2 with the identifier you found in step 3.

5. Press Enter and let the command run. If it's successful, you'll see a series of messages confirming that the disk was unmounted, partitioned, and formatted.

2. GParted (Linux-based Solution)

If you have access to another computer or are comfortable with running a live Linux environment, a tool called GParted is a very reliable way to fix this. It's a graphical partition editor that is often more robust than macOS's built-in tools for dealing with non-standard partition layouts.

1. Create a new bootable Linux USB: Since your current USB stick is non-functional, you'll need another one. Use balenaEtcher again to create a bootable USB with a lightweight Linux distribution like GParted Live or a minimal version of Ubuntu.

2. Boot your mini-PC from this new USB: Start your mini-PC from the GParted Live USB.

3. Run GParted: GParted will automatically launch.

4. Select your faulty USB stick: In the GParted interface, select your original, faulty USB stick from the drop-down menu in the top right corner.

5. Create a new partition table: Go to Device > Create Partition Table. Choose gpt (GUID Partition Table).

6. Create a new partition: Right-click on the "unallocated" space, choose New, and create a new partition with the desired file system (e.g., exfat or fat32).

7. Apply the changes: Click the green checkmark to apply the changes.

8. Re-attempt on your Mac: After this, the USB stick should be fully readable and writable on your MacBook Air.

Why did balenaEtcher cause this?

BalenaEtcher's job is to create a byte-for-byte copy of a bootable image to the USB drive. This process overwrites the entire drive, including its partition table and file system. The Ubuntu image you used has a different partition layout (often with multiple small partitions for things like EFI and the bootloader) that macOS's Disk Utility doesn't always handle gracefully, especially when trying to "erase" it in the typical way. The Terminal and GParted methods are more powerful because they completely destroy the old partition table before trying to create a new one, which is exactly what's needed to fix this issue.

Fortunately, the first method proposed by Gemini (using the terminal) worked and all is well again. I've included the information in this post as a reminder in case I encounter a similar problem in the future.

Something Snapped

After watching "Doctor Sleep" with Rebecca Fergusan and Ewan McGregor, I followed up with "Bring Her Back" with Sally Hawkins. All are fine actors but the content related to Satanic practices and child abduction and murder. I followed up with Tom Hardy in "Havoc" about crime gangs with the inevitable murder and mayhem. Actually I only watched the start of "Havoc" before exiting. I'd had enough. Something snapped in me and I asked myself why am I watching this. 

This is what people are consuming on a regular basis at the expense of the written word. I asked the question "is reading declining" and here was the response:

Yes, reading, particularly for pleasure, is declining. Studies indicate a decrease in reading frequency and engagement across various demographics, including younger generations. This trend is attributed to the rise of digital media, changes in educational approaches, and evolving societal habits. 

I've fallen into this trap myself, favouring watching over reading. However, the increasingly woke content in recent movies and series has increasingly annoyed me and helped make me ripe for "snapping". There's so much more that I could be doing with the limited time remaining to me than watching this current cinematic crap. I must limit my "watching" and increase my reading. 

I also need to spend more time on exercises like Qidong but I'll write more about that in my "Staying Healthy" blog. I must resume my chess playing that has been put on hold ever since I set foot in Australia. I'm in need of a major reset. If I don't initiate it myself then it may be initiated on my behalf.

Eremition

 I posed the following to Gemini:

Can you produce a report on the word "eremition"? Focus on its etymology, the chronology of its entry into and usage by the English language as well examples of its use historically and currently. Special emphasis should be placed on whether the word is gaining or waning in popularity as judged by the frequency of its use.

Here was its response:

The Emergence of "Eremition": A Report on a Word in the Making

The word "eremition" presents a fascinating case study in language evolution, existing at the fringe of the established English lexicon. While not found in standard dictionaries, its nascent appearance online suggests a new term being coined to fill a perceived semantic gap. This report will delve into the etymological roots from which "eremition" springs, trace the history of its parent word, and analyze its contemporary usage and potential trajectory in the English language.

Etymological Roots: The Solitary "Eremite"

To understand "eremition," one must first look to its clear progenitor: eremite. The term "eremite" entered the English language around the 12th century, derived from the Latin "eremita," which in turn comes from the Greek "erēmitēs" (ἐρημίτης), meaning "a person of the desert." This itself is derived from "erēmia" (ἐρημία), signifying "desert" or "solitude."

An eremite is, therefore, a hermit or a recluse, someone who withdraws from society for religious or contemplative reasons. The adjective form, eremitic, describes the lifestyle or characteristics of a hermit. Historically, the term has been used to refer to the early Christian desert fathers who sought spiritual solace in the wilderness.

Chronology and Historical Usage of "Eremite"

The use of "eremite" in English literature is well-documented, though it has never been a word of common parlance. It often carries a more formal or literary tone than its more common synonym, "hermit." For centuries, "eremite" has been employed by writers and poets to evoke a sense of profound solitude and spiritual devotion.

The Birth of "Eremition": A Modern Coinage

The word eremition does not appear in historical English texts or standard dictionaries. Its emergence appears to be a very recent phenomenon, primarily documented in online articles and blog posts from early 2025. These sources define "eremition" as the act of gradually withdrawing from the lives of others to seek solitude and renewal.

This neologism logically extends the meaning of "eremite." If an eremite is one who lives in solitude, "eremition" becomes the process or act of entering that state. The "-ion" suffix is a common English morpheme used to form nouns denoting an action, process, or state (e.g., "creation," "hibernation").

Popularity: Waning or Waxing?

The parent word, "eremite," has seen a general decline in usage over the centuries, becoming increasingly rare in contemporary English. It is largely confined to historical, theological, or academic contexts.

Conversely, the newly coined "eremition" appears to be in its infancy, with its popularity currently negligible in the broader context of the English language. Its usage is confined to a small number of online platforms where it has been introduced and discussed. However, the very fact that it has been coined and is being used, however limitedly, suggests a perceived need for a word to describe the intentional and gradual withdrawal from social engagement for personal well-being.

The current cultural climate, with its increasing focus on mental health, mindfulness, and the potential for social burnout, may provide fertile ground for "eremition" to take root and grow. The desire for a term that frames solitude not as a negative state of isolation but as a positive, restorative process could drive its adoption.

Examples of "Eremition" in Modern Usage:

Recent online discussions have used "eremition" in contexts such as:

• Describing a conscious decision to reduce social media engagement for mental clarity.

• Explaining a period of reduced social outings to focus on personal projects or self-care.

• Characterizing a natural inclination towards a more solitary lifestyle with age.

Conclusion

"Eremition" is a word on the cusp of existence in the English language. While it currently lacks formal recognition, its logical etymological construction and the contemporary social trends that it encapsulates give it the potential for wider acceptance. Its journey will be a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of language, where new words emerge to name new experiences and perspectives. Whether "eremition" will fade into obscurity or become a recognized term for the modern act of seeking solitude remains to be seen, but its emergence is a noteworthy linguistic event.

Here is the public link: https://g.co/gemini/share/50381af48c91

NotebookLM and Lord Meher

Given that Silence Day, the anniversary of the beginning of Meher Baba's silence, was coming up I decided to try uploading Lord Meher, a biography of Baba's life by Bhau Kalchuri, to NotebookLM. The 5444 page biography can be accessed online at lordmeher.org but NotebookLM needs to access the particular pages and each page has its own URL so linking to the site will not work.

Fortunately the biography can be downloaded as four PDF files each about 6MB in size. I have the files in my Calibre library. As the file sizes are well under the allowed limit of 20MB per file, these four files should have uploaded without difficult. Except there was difficulty. It turns out that a 500,000 word limit also applies and the first of the files that I tried to upload exceeded this. 

Gemini gave me advice on how to split the file into two roughly equal halves using Preview in my Mac OS. I split the remaining three files in half as well and then uploaded all eight files to NotebookLM as source material. The first question I posed was the following: 

Can you create an account of Meher Baba's decision to maintain silence, the methods he used to communicate silently, how his silence was received by others and details of any incidents relating to the maintaining of his silence over the 44 year period from 1925 to 1969.

The response to this prompt I've included in a blog post titled Meher Baba's Silence. Overall, the response was reasonable. However, as I'm intimately familiar with the content I noticed the following error:

Cessation of Gestures: By 1 December 1954, he had stopped using his forefinger for gestures to convey thoughts, marking "the last link of conversation" with the mandali through physical signs.

This "cessation of gestures" was in fact only temporary and he said resume his use of hand signals. The issue is further confused by the text that immediately follows the previous quote:

Interpreters: As his gestures became more minimal, his close mandali, such as Eruch, would interpret his signs.

What on earth is the difference between a "gesture" and a "sign"? This inaccuracy and confusion were unfortunate but I followed up the above prompt with one of NotebookLM's own self-generated list of prompt choices:

How did Meher Baba's spiritual mission evolve through various locations and interactions?

Here is an excerpt from the response:

Early Spiritual Journey and Realisation (1915-1921)

Meher Baba's genesis as a spiritual leader began with his contact with Perfect Masters. In April 1915, he decided to lead a life of 'fakiri' (renunciation and ascetic austerities).

His spiritual journey involved meeting several "very great saints" and "holy men who belong to God". He met Narayan Maharaj at his ashram in Kedgaon, just 30 miles from Poona. He also met Tipu Baba, a God-intoxicated mast and spiritual chargeman of Bombay. In Aurangabad, he met Bane Miyan Baba, a majzoob of the seventh plane who had a close connection with Sai Baba of Shirdi.

He regularly visited Sai Baba of Shirdi, sometimes with Behramji or Khodu, and stayed with Upasni Maharaj at the Khandoba Temple for several days. Upasni Maharaj imparted esoteric knowledge to Merwan (Meher Baba's birth name), leading him to accept Zoroaster as the Avatar.

Between 1915 and 1921, while regaining his gross consciousness in Poona, Merwan gradually became aware that he was God-conscious and that the universe emerged from his being. His actions during this period were automatic, as he was experiencing higher states of consciousness.

His six-month stay with Upasni Maharaj at Sakori was crucial, as he completely regained normal human consciousness to begin his divine mission as the Avatar of the Age. Upasni Maharaj declared him "Adi Shakti [the Primal Force]! You are the Avatar of the Age!" just before his departure in January 1922. 

Unfortunately this account fails to mention Babajan at all, even though she was the instigator of his spiritual transformation. The text also introduces irrelevant information regarding Tipu Baba and Bane Miyan Baba, both of whom played no role in his spiritual development. No mention is made of the five Perfect Masters and their crucial role in bringing the Avatar to Earth. The rest of the response was accurate enough but the omission of Babajan from the account and the failure to focus on the importance of the five Perfect Masters shows the NotebookLM clearly does not have "the big picture".

Given the vast amount of text to wade through, this is understandable and probably the prompt itself is at fault because it is too vague. My intention in uploading Lord Meher to NotebookLM was to easily find and collate information about specific people or events. Here's the sort of prompt that I had in mind:

Can you create an account of Gustadji, one of Meher Baba's mandali. The account should include how he first met Meher Baba, what work was assigned to him during his time with Baba, his quirks of personality as well as important events that transpired in his life and of course his final passing.

Here was NotebookLM's response:

Gustadji: Meher Baba's Silent Engine and Closest Companion

Gustadji Nusserwanji Hansotia, born on 20 February 1890, was one of Meher Baba's earliest and most intimate disciples, a devoted seeker whose life became intrinsically woven with the Avatar's mission. His journey to Meher Baba was marked by a fervent spiritual quest and a close association with other Perfect Masters of the age.

Early Spiritual Quest and Contact with Masters 

Gustadji's spiritual yearning began early, leading him to leave school in the third grade and struggle with various jobs, as his heart was no longer in worldly work after his first visit to Sai Baba. From 1910 onwards, he frequently visited Sai Baba of Shirdi, sometimes staying for days. He also associated with Upasni Maharaj at the Khandoba Temple. Under Sai Baba's guidance, Gustadji lived at Shirdi for six months, undergoing severe fasts that left him emaciated and haggard. He was present at Sai Baba's passing on 15 October 1918 and witnessed his funeral.

After Sai Baba's demise, Gustadji moved to live with Upasni Maharaj near Sakori, continuing to suffer hardships, including being severely beaten by Maharaj with a bamboo cane. Despite this, Gustadji intuitively understood he was serving penance for past karma and remained under Upasni's guidance. Indeed, Upasni Maharaj "transferred" Gustadji to Merwan Seth (Meher Baba), telling Gustadji: "I have made Merwan perfect like me. I have given my charge and have handed over my key to him. Now, follow Merwan’s orders faithfully and sincerely".

Meeting Merwan Seth and Joining the Mandali 

Gustadji first encountered Merwan Seth in April 1917 at a medical dispensary ceremony in Bombay, where Merwanji's profound insights left a deep impression. Later, in October 1917, Merwanji was sent by Upasni Maharaj specifically to Shirdi to see Gustadji. Merwanji's actions, including leaving without meeting Sai Baba, convinced Gustadji that Merwan had come solely to befriend him. In December 1918, Upasni Maharaj explicitly instructed Gustadji to leave Sakori and join Merwan Seth in Poona, where Merwan had even arranged a job and sent travel money. Gustadji thus became one of the first among Merwan Seth's close circle of disciples, or 'mandali'. He was to become Merwan Seth's closest companion.

Personality and The Vow of Silence 

Gustadji was known for his garrulous nature, often recounting a wealth of stories from his time with Sai Baba, Upasni Maharaj, and Hazrat Babajan. This talkativeness sometimes led other mandali to wish for his quietude. Meher Baba often used Gustadji's personality traits as a means for spiritual lessons. For instance, after Gustadji engaged in a two-hour harangue against another mandali member, Baba deliberately created an excuse to order him to "From now on, you are to remain silent" on 1 May 1927. This was not for Gustadji's personal benefit alone, as Baba explained that his own silence was "to drown the world in the Ocean of his silence". Gustadji courageously adopted this silence and maintained it until his death in 1957, communicating solely through hand gestures.

Role and Work within Meher Baba's Mission 

Gustadji's role within the mandali was pivotal. In Baba's analogy of the spiritual path as a train journey, Baba stated, "I am the driver; Gustadji is the engine". Baba held Gustadji in such high regard that he urged his disciples to show him deference, even garlanding Gustadji's photograph and declaring, "To garland Gustadji is to garland me".

Gustadji was entrusted with significant responsibilities throughout Baba's various phases of work:

• Early Poona and Manzil-e-Meem: He was part of Baba's earliest circle, with his photograph displayed in Baba's hut. Baba also insisted that Gustadji be implicitly obeyed in his absence. 

• Meherabad: He was in charge of the storeroom at the Post Office verandah, where all requests for items had to be initialed by him before going to Baba. After taking silence, he lived alone on the verandah of the Jhopdi at lower Meherabad, tending to the garden. 

• Mast Work: Gustadji frequently accompanied Baba on his extensive and arduous mast tours across India. This included journeys to Gujarat, Kathiawar, Girnar Mountains, Allahabad, Hubli, Bellary, and Uttar Pradesh, among many others. 

• New Life and Great Seclusion: During the "New Life" phase (beginning 1949), Gustadji was the only disciple Baba explicitly stated he would try to keep with him, acknowledging that Upasni Maharaj had sent him. He also worked with Baba in seclusion with the mast Ali Shah at Meherazad during this period.

His Unique Relationship with Baba 

Gustadji's relationship with Meher Baba was complex and deeply intimate. Baba referred to Gustadji as his "dark side," explaining that Gustadji was "fully prepared for Realization" and needed only to have "the veil torn open". This often meant that Gustadji experienced intense inner tests, making him feel as though he was groping more in darkness before enlightenment. Despite this, Baba always upheld Gustadji's unwavering obedience, even when Gustadji challenged Baba's instructions, ultimately leading to Baba's declaration: "Do not try to grasp my actions; you will never fathom them. Even if I hand you a cup of poison, drink it without the least hesitation. By so doing, you will greatly ease the burden of my work". Gustadji's response, "I am always ready to obey your orders," and his consistent adherence to this, epitomized his unique surrender.

Final Passing In October 1957 

An unusual decision was made: Gustadji was not taken with Baba on a trip to Bombay. The reason for this became tragically clear soon after. On Wednesday, 30 October 1957, Gustadji passed away at 3:20 P.M. in Ahmednagar, at the age of 67, due to a weak heart, enlarged liver, and pneumonic patch.

According to Baba's wish, Gustadji's body was prepared and buried on 31 October 1957, at 3:00 P.M., twelve feet from Ali Shah's tomb, near the dhuni, in lower Meherabad. Baba acknowledged him as the "oldest of the mandali" and the "closest and most loved of Baba's intimate circle and companions," affirming that Gustadji had "attained the Goal of Realization!". His unwavering silence until his last breath remained a testament to his profound love and obedience to the Master. Years later, even the mast Mohammed Mast, in a prophetic utterance before Baba's own passing, suggested Baba was "going to join Gustadji," indicating the profound spiritual connection that transcended physical death. 

Now this response is much better and really indicates the importance of a prompt that contains clear and specific points that are to be addressed. Click here for more information about Gustadji.

Adapting Lyrics

There is a silly little song that you can listen to by the following the link and the initial lyrics go like this:

To market to market went my brother Jim

But somebody threw a tomato at him

Tomatoes are soft and they don’t bruise the skin

But this one killed Jim, it was wrapped in a tin

I kept the melody but altered the lyrics and renamed it the THE TOWER OF BASEL. It currently has four veres and goes like this:

THE TOWER OF BASEL

In Basel in Swissland there is a big bank
Born in the thirties it really is swank
No country owns it and what goes on there
Is none of your business if even you care 

It sits on the border with Deutschland and France
And with the world’s finance it leads a fine dance
A waltz that doesn't worry who it makes poor
As banksters with banksters twirl on its floor 

In World War Two there was Hitler next door
But banksters weren’t worried despite all the gore
The Fűhrer was thankful they’d helped him gain sway
And the banksters they knew that they’d win either way 

They call it the BIS and on you it does piss
Because you’re a peasant who no one will miss
The high and the mighty they knock at its door
The Tower of Basel is greedy for more

I may add more verses later. I've played it on guitar and it sounds good. The chords are very simple: C to F to C for the first three lines and then C to G to C for the last line of each verse.

Kindle Trouble

Kindle is not sending ebooks that I've uploaded via Gmail to my Kindle device for some reason. I get an E999 or Send to Kindle Internal Error meaning that the document(s) could not be delivered due to an internal error. Please try sending your document(s) again in some time. The documents were in epub format and in the past there has been no problem with that. Gemini suggested that my device, a 6th Generation Kindle Paperwhite, was too old but other sources say that shouldn't be a problem.

I sideloaded the epub books from my laptop to the Kindle but they failed to register. However, I used Calibre to convert the books to AZW3 format and all was well. Lesson learned. Clearly Amazon makes this conversion online before sending the files to your Kindle. Once again, Calibre proves its usefulness and reminds me that I really should back up my library that resides on an SD card external to my laptop.

3 into 1 Charging Cables

Here is a question I put to Gemini Flash 2.5 today:

In my experience, I've found that 3 in 1 cables (micro USB, lightning and USB-C), though convenient for connecting muliple devices, tend to enjoy shorter lifespans than dedicated cables. Is this borne out by user feedback worldwide or have I just been unlucky?

This was the response: 

You're definitely not alone in your experience! User feedback worldwide generally bears out that 3-in-1 (or multi-tip) charging cables tend to have a shorter lifespan and can be less reliable than dedicated, single-connector cables.

Here's why this is a common sentiment:

More Points of Failure: A 3-in-1 cable essentially combines multiple connectors and internal wiring into one housing and cable. Each point where the different tips split off, and each individual connector, becomes a potential weak spot for wear and tear, fraying, or internal damage. Dedicated cables have a simpler, more streamlined design with fewer connection points.

Lower Quality Components: To keep costs down, many manufacturers of 3-in-1 cables use lower-quality materials for the wires, shielding, and connectors. This can lead to:

Fraying: The outer sheath can break down faster.

Internal Wire Damage: The thinner or less durable wires inside are more susceptible to bending, stretching, or breaking with repeated use and coiling.

Connector Weakness: The individual tips (Micro USB, Lightning, USB-C) may not be as robustly constructed as those on dedicated cables, leading to issues like loose connections or breakage.

Power Distribution Issues (Especially with Cheap Cables): Some multi-tip cables, especially cheaper ones, are not designed to handle proper power negotiation across multiple devices, particularly with modern fast-charging protocols (like USB Power Delivery or Quick Charge). This can lead to:

Slower Charging: The cable may limit the total power output, resulting in slower charging for all connected devices, or even cause power to oscillate between devices.

 Potential Device Damage (in worst cases): While less common with reputable brands, poorly designed multi-tip cables can sometimes deliver incorrect voltages to devices, potentially damaging them. This is especially a concern when mixing devices with different voltage requirements on the same cable.

Strain on the Junction: The point where the single cable branches into multiple connectors experiences significant strain, especially if the cable is frequently bent, pulled, or coiled.

Exceptions and Nuances:

While the general trend points to lower durability, there are exceptions:

Reputable Brands: Companies like Anker (as seen in search results) and Native Union specifically design 3-in-1 cables with enhanced durability features, such as bulletproof fiber cores and reinforced nylon braiding. These are often more expensive but offer a much better lifespan.

Usage Habits: How you handle your cables plays a huge role. Even the most durable cable can be damaged by aggressive pulling, sharp bends, or improper storage.

In conclusion, your experience is very much borne out by common user feedback. The convenience of 3-in-1 cables often comes at the cost of durability, particularly with generic or lower-priced options. If reliability and longevity are your top priorities, dedicated cables are generally the safer and more durable choice. If you value the convenience, investing in a high-quality 3-in-1 cable from a reputable brand is recommended.

Generating Indonesian Sentences with Translations

 I asked Gemini with the following:

I want to copy two columns from a Google Spreadsheet into Gemini. The first column consists of English words and the second column lists their Indonesian equivalents (according to Google Translate). I'd like Gemini to take the Indonesian word and form a sentence in each row and form a sentence in Indonesian from it. The word can be changed from its original form if necessary For example, "gerak" could become "gerakan" or "kecil" could become "mengecilkan". I'd like this sentence to be translated into English directly below it. I have about 500 such words. How many can I insert at one time into Gemini in order to not overtax its capabilities?

 Here was its response:

That sounds like an interesting task! You're essentially looking to create a bilingual sentence pair for each Indonesian word.

Given that you have around 500 word pairs, it's best to break this down into smaller chunks for Gemini. While I don't have a precise character limit for input, processing a very large amount of text at once can sometimes lead to:

• Longer processing times: Gemini might take a significant amount of time to generate all the sentences and translations.
• Potential for errors or less creative sentences: When overloaded, the quality of the output might decrease slightly.
• Possible timeouts or unexpected behavior: Although less likely, very large inputs could potentially cause issues.

I would recommend trying to input around 50-100 word pairs at a time. This should allow Gemini to process each batch efficiently and provide good quality results. You can then repeat the process for the remaining word pairs.

So I inserted the first 50 word pairs into Gemini and this was the output:

Indonesian: Tahun **kabisat** terjadi setiap empat tahun sekali.

English: **Leap year** happens every four years.

Indonesian: Dia merencanakan **pembalasan dendam** atas perbuatan buruk mereka.

English: He planned **revenge** for their bad deeds.

Indonesian: Ayah saya harus menjalani operasi untuk mengeluarkan **batu ginjal**nya.

English: My father had to undergo surgery to remove his **kidney stone**.

Indonesian: Dokter mendiagnosisnya menderita **batu empedu**.

English: The doctor diagnosed her with **gallstones**.

Indonesian: Fungsi utama **kantong empedu** adalah menyimpan empedu.

English: The main function of the **gall bladder** is to store bile.

Indonesian: Negara menganggapnya sebagai **pengkhianat** karena bersekutu dengan musuh.

English: The country considered him a **traitor** for allying with the enemy.

Indonesian: Saya sangat suka rasa gurih **kacang pistasi**.

English: I really like the savory taste of **pistachio**s.

Indonesian: Dia adalah **pemenang** dalam kompetisi lari maraton kemarin.

English: He was the **winner** in the marathon competition yesterday.

Indonesian: Ada seekor **kumbang** besar di daun itu.

English: There is a big **beetle** on that leaf.

Indonesian: Kami berencana mengecat **langit-langit** kamar tidur.

English: We are planning to paint the bedroom **ceiling**.

Indonesian: Nenek saya menderita **radang sendi** di lututnya.

English: My grandmother suffers from **arthritis** in her knee.

Indonesian: Kabel ini **tidak mudah terpelintir** meskipun ditekuk berkali-kali.

English: This cable is **not easy to twist** even though it's bent many times.

Indonesian: Aku sedang berjalan jauh dari rumah tapi aku membawa suratmu sepanjang jalan sebagai pengingat.

English: I was walking far from home but I carried your letters all the way as a reminder.

Indonesian: Di sana sangat panas tetapi akomodasinya nyaman dan secara keseluruhan kami memiliki waktu **santai**.

English: It was very hot there but the accommodation was comfortable and overall we had a **relaxing** and pleasant time.

Indonesian: Kami baru saja tiba kembali dari **Yogya** dan membawa banyak oleh-oleh.

English: We've just arrived back from **Yogya** and brought lots of souvenirs.

Indonesian: **Tiang ini bengkok** karena tertabrak mobil.

English: **This pole is bent** because it was hit by a car.

Indonesian: Banyak burung air hidup di daerah **rawa** ini.

English: Many water birds live in this **marsh** area.

Indonesian: Bima Sakti adalah nama **galaksi** tempat tata surya kita berada.

English: The Milky Way is the name of the **galaxy** where our solar system is located.

Indonesian: Kami mendaki **bukit** untuk menikmati pemandangan dari atas.

English: We hiked up the **hill** to enjoy the view from the top.

Indonesian: **Timah adalah logam** lunak berwarna abu-abu kebiruan.

English: **Lead is a metal** soft, bluish-grey.

Indonesian: Anak itu **demam** tinggi kemarin malam.

English: The child had a high **fever** last night.

Indonesian: Ayah menggunakan **kunci pas** untuk mengencangkan baut.

English: Father used a **spanner** to tighten the bolt.

Indonesian: Ini adalah **daerah menurunkan barang atau penumpang**, jadi jangan parkir di sini.

English: This is a **drop-off point**, so don't park here.

Indonesian: Kami menggunakan **peta** untuk mencari jalan menuju pantai.

English: We used a **map** to find our way to the beach.

Indonesian: Saya punya tempat di kota untuk bekerja dan satu lagi di **pedesaan** untuk beristirahat.

English: I have a place in the city for work and another in the **countryside** for resting.

Indonesian: **Lintah** sering ditemukan di air tawar yang tenang.

English: **Leeches** are often found in calm freshwater.

Indonesian: **Terdakwa** bersikeras bahwa dia tidak bersalah.

English: The **accused** insisted that he was innocent.

Indonesian: Pria itu **tituduh mencuri** perhiasan dari toko.

English: The man was **accused of stealing** jewelry from the store.

Indonesian: **Tertuduh** memiliki hak untuk membela diri di pengadilan.

English: The **accused** has the right to defend himself in court.

Indonesian: **Plaintif** mengajukan gugatan terhadap perusahaan tersebut.

English: The **plaintiff** filed a lawsuit against the company.

Indonesian: **Penuduhnya menghadapinya** di gedung pengadilan dengan bukti-bukti yang memberatkan.

English: **His accuser confronted him** in the courthouse with incriminating evidence.

Indonesian: **Politisi itu dituduh menerima suap** dalam jumlah besar.

English: **The politician was accused of taking bribes** in large amounts.

Indonesian: Jangan mengacungkan **jari tengah** saat berbicara dengan orang lain.

English: Don't stick out your **middle finger** when talking to other people.

Indonesian: Dia menunjuk ke arah utara dengan **jari telunjuk**nya.

English: He pointed north with his **index finger**.

Indonesian: Dia mengepalkan **tinju** karena sangat marah.

English: He clenched his **fist** because he was very angry.

Indonesian: Anak-anak sangat suka menonton **kartun** di televisi.

English: Children really like watching **cartoons** on television.

Indonesian: Semoga saja ujiannya berjalan lancar - **fingers crossed**!

English: Hopefully the exam goes smoothly - **fingers crossed**!

Indonesian: Cinta mereka **dipisahkan oleh ruang dan waktu**, namun tetap kuat.

English: Their love was **separated by time and space**, but remained strong.

Indonesian: **Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita runtuh** adalah pepatah yang sering kita dengar.

English: **United we stand, divided we fall** is a proverb we often hear.

Indonesian: Dia menarik **garis di pasir**, menandakan batas yang tidak boleh dilanggar.

English: He drew **a line in the sand**, marking a boundary that should not be crossed.

Indonesian: Mereka berjanji untuk saling mencintai **sampai maut memisahkan kita**.

English: They vowed to love each other **until death do us part**.

Indonesian: Dia menjadi seperti **janda** setelah suaminya bekerja di luar negeri untuk waktu yang lama.

English: She became like a **grass widow** after her husband worked abroad for a long time.

Indonesian: Mereka mengajukan **hipotek** untuk membeli rumah baru.

English: They took out a **mortgage** to buy a new house.

Indonesian: Dia percaya pada keberadaan **roh** setelah mengalami kejadian aneh.

English: He believes in the existence of **spirit**s after experiencing strange events.

Indonesian: **Kamus ini gratis** dan tersedia untuk umum.

English: **This dictionary is free** and available to the public.

Indonesian: **Kamus ini gratis dan dapat diunduh** dari situs web kami.

English: **This dictionary is free and can be downloaded** from our website.

Indonesian: Bayi itu tidur nyenyak di dalam **buaian**nya.

English: The baby slept soundly in its **cradle**.

Indonesian: **Ibu kandung**nya sangat menyayanginya sejak lahir.

English: His **biological mother** loved him very much from birth.

Indonesian: Dia memberikan **alasan** yang masuk akal untuk keterlambatannya.

English: He gave a reasonable **reason** for his lateness. 

More Rapid Games

From May 8th to May 14th, I've played Rapid Chess (10 minutes with a 5 second increment) every day on lichess.org and I've managed to increase my rating each day. I've achieved six wins, two draws and one loss. The loss came as a result of time trouble and I'm learning to manage my time better and also avoid taking unnecessary risks. I've only been playing one game a day if I win but in the case of my one loss I immediately played another game, winning it and more than compensating for my loss. I should play more games I suppose but at least I'm getting one game in a day.

I should perhaps make use of another account, such as the one I have on chess.com, to play more frequently and to not worry about my rating on that platform. There is the opportunity to analyse my games as well and I should take more advantage of this. I've been watching some of Remote Chess Academy's videos on YouTube and I've previously mentioned Journey to Grandmaster. These videos are especially useful in setting opening traps in order to gain an early initiative.

For a long while I've watched the games of the top chess players but not really played much chess, mainly because I didn't enjoy the pressure of time controls imposed on online games. I still find the Blitz games too quick for me but the ten minute rapid format is tolerable. I worry that longer time formats would encourage players to use chess engines to help them. I should perhaps consider a dedicated blog just for chess matters.