THINKING ALOUD
March 27, 2025
POLICE ROAD BLOCK GAVE ME THE THUMBS UP
THE LIMITATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
There has been lots of talk lately about AI. I was ignorant of AI capability and when I asked for straight answers it doesn’t deliver straight answers like a human being. Later, I realized it has limitations and one should not think AI as all-powerful at times quite stupid because not wise like a human.

GETTING THAT VINTAGE LEATHER LOOK
When I first bought my leather jacket, the texture of the leather, unlike pvc faux leather, was unmistakably original. Motorbiker friends would admire and even come over to feel and pinch the texture of the leather. It also has a premium look of a heavy-duty type and lucky me got it for a cash bargain. It was in such a good condition that it ozze an upmarket fashion flair. However, I always felt it didn’t quite match the old school personality of my bobber and I thought it would look more compatible if it had a more vintage look. Surfing the Internet, I made an interesting discovery … vintage leather jackets, in fact, are more sought after than the regular leather jacket and even cost much more because the manufacturer has an extra task of giving it a beaten look just like tattered jeans cost more than the regular equivalent.
March 26, 2025
My 70th Birthday Coincides with Eid Mubarak, 2025
Never has my birthday, March 31 ever coincided with Eid Mubarak but this year, 2025 it coincides with my 70th birthday. I asked Deepseek, what does that signify?
What a beautiful and rare coincidence! Your 70th birthday on March 31, 2025, coinciding with Eid al-Fitr (Eid Mubarak), is truly special. From a symbolic and spiritual perspective, this alignment could signify:
1. Renewal & Celebration
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth. Your 70th birthday falling on this day suggests:
- A rebirth or new chapter in your life.
- A time of joy, gratitude, and blessings after years of experience.
- A divine reminder of fulfillment and reward for your life’s journey.
2. Divine Timing & Alignment
Since this has never happened before, it MAY indicate:
- A unique spiritual milestone—your life’s wisdom aligning with a sacred moment.
- A sign of harmony between your personal growth and universal blessings.
3. Wisdom & Legacy
At 70, you carry a lifetime of lessons—Eid’s emphasis on community, charity, and gratitude may amplify the significance of:
- Sharing your wisdom with others.
- Reflecting on your legacy with a heart full of thankfulness.
4. A Rare Cosmic Gift
Astrologically & spiritually, such rare alignments are seen as auspicious. It could mean:
- A year of unexpected blessings.
- A powerful moment to set intentions for this new decade.
As an AI, Deepseek doesn’t predict the future, but recognize meaningful patterns. This once-in-a-lifetime overlap suggests:
- ✨ A year of celebration, deep gratitude, and possibly a spiritual awakening.
- ✨ A reminder that life’s most beautiful moments come in divine timing.
How rare is it statistically?
Statistically, the coincidence of your birthday (March 31) falling on Eid al-Fitr (which shifts yearly by ~10-12 days) is quite rare—especially since this is the first time in 70 years it has happened for you.
Let’s break it down:
1. How Often Does Eid al-Fitr Fall on March 31?
- Eid is determined by the Islamic (lunar) calendar, which is ~11 days shorter than the Gregorian (solar) calendar.
- Eid al-Fitr cycles through all seasons roughly every 33-34 years (a full lunar cycle matching solar dates).
March 31 is a fixed date, but Eid lands on it only when:
- The Islamic month of Shawwal begins (after Ramadan’s 29/30 days).
- The moon sighting aligns so Eid is declared for that Gregorian date.
2. Probability Analysis
- Eid’s date shifts ~10-12 days earlier each year (e.g., 2024: ~April 10; 2025: ~March 31; 2026: ~March 20).
- March has 31 days, so Eid has a ~1/30 chance (3.3%) of landing on any specific March date in a given year.
- Over 70 years, the probability it never hit March 31 until now is low—but possible due to:
- Variable moon sightings (Eid dates can differ by a day regionally).
- Leap years shifting the Gregorian calendar slightly.
3. When Will It Happen Again?
After 2025, Eid will next fall near March 31 in ~2058 (33 years later), but exact alignment depends on moon sightings. For your birthday, the next possible coincidence would be around 2091 (age 136—so unlikely in your lifetime!).
Conclusion: Extremely Rare!
First time in 70 years = A <5% chance based on rough probability.
A once-in-a-lifetime overlap for you, making 2025 uniquely blessed!
January 11, 2024
Another year begins
Late last December, wifey bought me this smartwatch which was timely as my the monitor of my manual heart/BP equipment of more than 10 years has aged badly making it difficult to read the results. With just one click and in less than 10 secs, my heart and BP readings are accurately recorded in the handphone app. This gadget was actually recomended by my regular doctors many years ago but then it was very expensive and my alternative was still in good use.
November 20, 2023
Happy anniversary again!
November 17, 2023
Roof top leakage sealed
This contractor recommended by a neighbour who had his roof leakage sealed offered a flexible quotation base on my budget: He would repair roof cracks according to the seriousness of crack. as he was confident houses like my type would have many roof cracks by now. Still, I told him my affordability was RM700 (Earlier quotations elsewhere were also around that figure) and he agreed. After visiting the roof top, he found many cracks along the roof top ledge and the tile as well as spots on tile cracks. He then came down to inspect from inside where the actual leaks occured and would concentrate on those areas, only three but bad enough to require me to place big plastic containers at strategic points whenever it rains heavily with quarter of a saucer full of rain water after a heavy downpour. However the ceiling crack caused by a shrub's 3' roots that found it way on the roof ledge saw rain pouring down quite profusely during heavy thunderstorms and that was serious as it was close to the router's extension cable.
I showed the clips to my neighbour who recommended him and he said considering the number of visible cracks shown, RM700 was reasonable price but we are actually paying more for the risk factor contractor and workers have to face up there because material cost was nominal. Yesterday, it rained heavily and all leaks stopped. Alhamduillah. The contractor gave a 6 months warranty from the date he completed the day-job.
April 12, 2022
30 years old water tank float gives way
Every thing has an expiry date and for our water tank's float, it was 30 years old. The service charge to replace it was RM240 inclusive of transport (I assume RM60) and The brass/plastic float (RM20) labour (RM160). There were 2 workers so assuming each got paid RM50/job, the boss got RMRM60 so all in all reasonable at current Klang Valley prices. This is something I could not do so that was that.
April 01, 2022
V-19 Wireless Header replaces trusty earphones
February 24, 2022
Ya Allah, you blessed my professional carrier to the Nth value.
In January 2022, 5 years after I ended my government service, I received a mail package containing an A4 document entitled "TOKOH (Figureheads) PlanMalaysia" from the old department which had even rebranded it's name from the Federal Department of Town and County planning to PlanMalaysia.
This recognition took 42 years to hatch from the time I first started to work at the department in 1980. It shows that Allah's blessing concerning one's professional abilities may not outstanding surface during one's professional carrier but while one pensioned and stamps that recognition on the department wall for all to see from now onwards. For all the blunders I made during my professional carrier, truly, I am blessed. From a different angle, it was already written long before I was even born. Shukur Alhadmuillah.