AbeOlson.comhttps://abeolson.com/2020-04-28T19:30:00-05:00Website update 20202020-04-28T19:30:00-05:002020-04-28T19:30:00-05:00tag:abeolson.com,2020-04-28:/website-update-2020.html<p>New home and framework.</p><p>2020 marks a few changes to the site. In summary: </p>
<ul>
<li>I've switched to using a static site generator called Pelican. Previously everything was written by hand in HTML+CSS. Now it's still served that way. Pelican just allows me to write in Markdown and simplify/complexify things on the admin side.</li>
<li>I've moved the site host from long time friend <a href="https://da-man.com/">Dan's</a> server to Netlify. Big thanks to Dan for providing me a place all these years. </li>
<li>I've updated some content (not all yet) and wrangled more CSS. </li>
</ul>
<p>Previous workflow: write HTML, modify other HTML to link to new content, save, send over FTP to server. </p>
<p>New workflow: write Markdown, save, commit and push to Github, and Netlify automatically takes it from there. </p>
<p>It's some added tool complexity, but it gives version control and an automatically provided SSL cert. And the yet un-tried ability to create new posts directly from github.com. On the whole, it may be an improvement. </p>Song of my people2011-09-05T19:30:00-05:002011-09-05T19:30:00-05:00tag:abeolson.com,2011-09-05:/song-of-my-people.html<p>1. Abraham, Abraham, where are you coming from Abraham?<br>
I'm coming from the Land of the pagans, Lord.<br>
I'm coming to You my God! Abraham, Abraham, I will be your God! </p>
<p>2. Israel, Israel, why have you strayed from me Israel?<br>
You say you don't need my guiding hand,<br>
You …</p><p>1. Abraham, Abraham, where are you coming from Abraham?<br>
I'm coming from the Land of the pagans, Lord.<br>
I'm coming to You my God! Abraham, Abraham, I will be your God! </p>
<p>2. Israel, Israel, why have you strayed from me Israel?<br>
You say you don't need my guiding hand,<br>
You say you don't want my love. Israel, Israel, I will be your God. </p>
<p>3. Gather 'round, listen now, to the words of a carpenter,<br>
Who walked the earth working miracles,<br>
Who died for us on a cross. Take my hand, walk with me, I will be your God. </p>
<p>4. Sons of me, sons of men, Where are you coming from sons of men?<br>
We're coming to You out of darkness, Lord.<br>
We're coming to You our God. Sons of me, sons of me, I will be your God. </p>
<hr>
<p><small>My Dad sang this to me when I was young, and I'll get it stuck in my head every now and then. I finally looked up the lyrics so I could have more than just the first sentence in my head.<br>
</small></p>Abe's short guide to figures in Matlab2011-08-16T19:30:00-05:002011-08-16T19:30:00-05:00Abraham Olsontag:abeolson.com,2011-08-16:/abes-short-guide-to-figures-in-matlab.html<p>After spending quite a bit of time making my Matlab figures look the way I like, I wanted to record it both for my own reference and perhaps to aid others. The following are my notes.</p>
<p>To follow along, one could use the following values.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><span class="err">xDat=[0:100];</span>
<span class="err">yDat=xDat …</span></pre></div><p>After spending quite a bit of time making my Matlab figures look the way I like, I wanted to record it both for my own reference and perhaps to aid others. The following are my notes.</p>
<p>To follow along, one could use the following values.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><span class="err">xDat=[0:100];</span>
<span class="err">yDat=xDat;</span>
<span class="err">R = sqrt(xDat.^2 + yDat.^2) + eps;</span>
<span class="err">zDat = sin(R)./R; </span>
<span class="err">xSize=2.02;</span>
<span class="err">ySize=3.25; %related by the golden ratio</span>
<span class="err">[X,Y] = meshgrid(-8:.5:8);</span>
<span class="err">R = sqrt(X.^2 + Y.^2) + eps;</span>
<span class="err">Z = sin(R)./R;</span>
</pre></div>
<h3>Essential formatting: one plot figure</h3>
<p>For many graphs, there is a figure that contains one plot, with an x and y axis. The basic formatting for this is as follows. For all of the exampls xDat and yDat are the data series x and y values respectively.</p>
<ul>
<li>Start with giving a figure number: <code>figure(11)</code></li>
<li>turn <code>hold on;</code> so that nothing is updated until all the commands are given.</li>
<li>give the plot: <code>plot(xDat,yDat)</code>, <code>semilogy(xDat,yDat)</code>, or, if multiple data sets in a loglog plot, <code>loglog(xDat1,yDat1,'k+',xDat2,yDat2,'ko')</code>.</li>
<li>set the x and y axis labels: <code>ylabel('a_s (a_0)'); xlabel('\lambda');</code></li>
<li>set the renderer and background color: <code>set(gcf, 'renderer', 'painters'); set(gcf, 'color', 'white');</code></li>
<li>I prefer boxes around my figures: <code>box on;</code></li>
<li>Turn <code>hold off;</code></li>
</ul>
<p>An example thus looks like, with the addition of modifying the axis boundries, the font size, and adding a legend.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><span class="err">figure(3)</span>
<span class="err">plot(xDat,yDat, 'k+')</span>
<span class="err">ylabel('a_s (a_0)');</span>
<span class="err">xlabel('\lambda');</span>
<span class="err">set(gcf, 'renderer', 'painters');</span>
<span class="err">set(gcf, 'color', 'white'); % sets the color to white </span>
<span class="err">set(gca,'XScale','log');</span>
<span class="err">xlim([0 100]);</span>
<span class="err">ylim([0 100]); %could also use axis([0 100 0 100]);</span>
<span class="err">set(gca,'FontSize',18);</span>
<span class="err">l1=legend('Exp. Data','Location','SouthEast');</span>
<span class="err">set(l1,'FontSize',12);</span>
<span class="err">hold off;</span>
</pre></div>
<p>This results in a figure that looks ready to publish, perhaps with a few more tweaks to the font sizes:
<img alt="example 1 plot 1 fig" src="images/2011/example1plot1fig.png"></p>
<p>Saving to a file can easily be accomplished too. Just add a</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><span class="err">print(gcf, '-dpdf', 'fileName.pdf');</span>
</pre></div>
<p>for example to save a pdf version of the file. Or, if a png, jpeg, or tiff, format is wanted, use <code>'-dpng'</code>, <code>'-djpeg'</code>, or <code>'-dtiff'</code> respectively in place of <code>'-dpdf'</code>.</p>
<h3>Printing to paper</h3>
<p>Getting the figure to be a specific size when saved or printed, however, takes a couple extra steps. One needs to specify the paper size and the position of the figure on the piece of paper. An example follows:</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">PaperUnits</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">inches</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">PaperPositionMode</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">manual</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">PaperSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="p">[</span><span class="n">xSize</span> <span class="n">ySize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">PaperPosition</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="p">[</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">0</span> <span class="n">xSize</span> <span class="n">ySize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
</pre></div>
<p>where <code>xSize</code> and <code>ySize</code> are numbers set in inches.</p>
<p>Further control is possible by defining the axis poisition and size, as follows:</p>
<p><code>ax1=axes('position',[ .2,.1,.8,.8]);</code></p>
<p>For the position property, the order is <code>[left bottom width height]</code> in which each is defined as a <em>fraction</em> of the total figure size (0.0-1.0). Saving the figure at this point will give a figure that could be printed and will be the size as defined by the values given to <code>xSize</code> and <code>ySize</code>.</p>
<h3>3D surface plots</h3>
<p>I prefer the following lighting, shading and styles for my surface plots.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><span class="err">surf(X,Y,Z,'EdgeColor','none');</span>
<span class="err">axis tight;</span>
<span class="err">shading interp;</span>
<span class="err">lighting phong;</span>
<span class="err">set(gcf, 'renderer', 'painters');</span>
<span class="err">set(gcf, 'color', 'white'); </span>
<span class="err">colorbar </span>
</pre></div>
<p>This results in a ready-to-go surface plot:
<img alt="Surface Plot Example" src="images/2011/exampleSurfPlot.png"></p>
<h3>Multiple plots in one figure</h3>
<p>For more complicated figures with multiple plots, a new addition is needed. At this point, one can either use <code>subplot</code> which employs Matlab's native multiple plot in one figure layout. I, however, have found that very unsatisfactory for giving good plots. Instead, I recommend using an invisible axis as the main axis, and defining all the rest of the axis relative to that. Here's how that would be done with 6 axis all in one figure (note, the data is not supplied).</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><span class="n">figure</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mi">85</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="nf">%hold</span> <span class="n">on</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">axbkgd</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">axes</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">Position</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,[</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">1</span> <span class="mi">1</span><span class="p">],</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">Visible</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">off</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">axis</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">1</span> <span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">1</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="nf">%formatting</span> <span class="n">figure</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">renderer</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">painters</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">color</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">white</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span> <span class="o">%</span> <span class="n">sets</span> <span class="n">the</span> <span class="n">color</span> <span class="n">to</span> <span class="n">white</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">PaperUnits</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">inches</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">xSize</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mi">4</span><span class="p">;</span> <span class="nf">%inches</span> <span class="n">wide</span> <span class="k">for</span> <span class="n">total</span> <span class="n">page</span>
<span class="n">ySize</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mi">5</span><span class="p">;</span> <span class="nf">%inches</span> <span class="n">high</span> <span class="k">for</span> <span class="n">total</span> <span class="n">page</span>
<span class="n">axisLeft</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.1</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">axisRight</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.58</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">axisTop</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.73</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">axisMiddle</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">0.41</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">axisBottom</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.09</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">axisXSize</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.35</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">axisYSize</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.25</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">axisInsetSize</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.1</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">InsetLeft</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.30</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">InsetBottom</span> <span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">.12</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">PaperPositionMode</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">manual</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">PaperSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="p">[</span><span class="n">xSize</span> <span class="n">ySize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">gcf</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">PaperPosition</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="p">[</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">0</span> <span class="n">xSize</span> <span class="n">ySize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="mi">8</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="o">%%%%</span><span class="n">FIGURE</span> <span class="n">UPPER</span> <span class="n">LEFT</span>
<span class="n">ax1</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">axes</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">position</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,[</span><span class="n">axisLeft</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisTop</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisXSize</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisYSize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ax1</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">h1</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">plot</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">fig4a_t</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fig4a_aspect</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">rx</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="n">t4a</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">asp4a</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">t04a</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">asp04a</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="p">.</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">ylabel</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'\</span><span class="n">kappa</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">axis</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">10</span> <span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">2</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="sc">'a'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontWeight</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">bold</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">5.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">a_s</span><span class="o">=</span> <span class="mi">112</span> <span class="n">a_0</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">l1</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">legend</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">Exp</span><span class="p">.</span> <span class="n">Data</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">With</span> <span class="n">MDDI</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">No</span> <span class="n">MDDI</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">Location</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">SouthEast</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">l1</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">box</span> <span class="n">off</span>
<span class="o">%%%%</span><span class="n">FIGURE</span> <span class="n">UPPER</span> <span class="n">RIGHT</span>
<span class="n">ax2</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">axes</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">position</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,[</span><span class="n">axisRight</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisTop</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisXSize</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisYSize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ax2</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">h2</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">plot</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">fig4b_t</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fig4b_aspect</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">rx</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="n">t4b</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">asp4b</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">t04b</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">asp04b</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="p">.</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">ylabel</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'\</span><span class="n">kappa</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">axis</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">10</span> <span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">2</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="sc">'b'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontWeight</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">bold</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">5.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">a_s</span><span class="o">=</span> <span class="mi">96</span> <span class="n">a_0</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">box</span> <span class="n">off</span>
<span class="o">%%%%</span><span class="n">FIGURE</span> <span class="n">MIDDLE</span> <span class="n">LEFT</span>
<span class="n">ax3</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">axes</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">position</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,[</span><span class="n">axisLeft</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisMiddle</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisXSize</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisYSize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ax3</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">h3</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">plot</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">fig4c_t</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fig4c_aspect</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">rx</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="n">t4c</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">asp4c</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">t04c</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">asp04c</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="p">.</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">ylabel</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'\</span><span class="n">kappa</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">axis</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">10</span> <span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">2</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="sc">'c'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontWeight</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">bold</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">5.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">a_s</span><span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">30.5</span> <span class="n">a_0</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">box</span> <span class="n">off</span>
<span class="o">%%%%</span><span class="n">FIGURE</span> <span class="n">MIDDLE</span> <span class="n">RIGHT</span>
<span class="n">ax4</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">axes</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">position</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,[</span><span class="n">axisRight</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisMiddle</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisXSize</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisYSize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ax4</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">h4</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">plot</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">fig4d_t</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fig4d_aspect</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">rx</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="n">t4d</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">asp4d</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">t04d</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">asp04d</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="p">.</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">ylabel</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'\</span><span class="n">kappa</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">axis</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">10</span> <span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">2</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="sc">'d'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontWeight</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">bold</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">5.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">a_s</span><span class="o">=</span> <span class="mf">20.5</span> <span class="n">a_0</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">box</span> <span class="n">off</span>
<span class="nf">set</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="n">h1</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">h2</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">h3</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">h4</span><span class="p">],</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">MarkerSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mi">10</span><span class="p">)</span>
<span class="o">%%%%</span><span class="n">FIGURE</span> <span class="n">LOWER</span> <span class="n">LEFT</span>
<span class="n">ax5</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">axes</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">position</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,[</span><span class="n">axisLeft</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisBottom</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisXSize</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisYSize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ax5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">plot</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">tWithMDDI</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="n">Asp</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="n">tNoMDDI</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">Asp0</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="p">.</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">xlabel</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">t</span> <span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ms</span><span class="p">)</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">ylabel</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'\</span><span class="n">kappa</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">xlim</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">10</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">ylim</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">2</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="sc">'e'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontWeight</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">bold</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">5.5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">a_s</span><span class="o">=</span> <span class="mi">10</span> <span class="n">a_0</span> <span class="n">at</span> <span class="n">t</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="mi">0</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">box</span> <span class="n">off</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ax5</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="o">%%%%</span><span class="n">FIGURE</span> <span class="n">LOWER</span> <span class="n">RIGHT</span>
<span class="n">ax6</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="n">axes</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">position</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,[</span><span class="n">axisRight</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisBottom</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisXSize</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">axisYSize</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ax6</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">plot</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">tWithMDDICollapse</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="n">AspCollapse</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="n">tNoMDDICollapse</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">Asp0Collapse</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">k</span><span class="o">-</span><span class="p">.</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">xlabel</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">t</span> <span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ms</span><span class="p">)</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">ylabel</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="err">'\</span><span class="n">kappa</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">xlim</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">1</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">ylim</span><span class="p">([</span><span class="mi">0</span> <span class="mi">2</span><span class="p">]);</span>
<span class="n">set</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="n">ax6</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">.35</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">.2</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">TOF</span> <span class="n">Collapse</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">.05</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="sc">'f'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">FontWeight</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">bold</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">text</span><span class="p">(</span><span class="mf">.55</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="mf">1.8</span><span class="p">,</span> <span class="err">'</span><span class="n">a_s</span><span class="o">=</span> <span class="mi">10</span> <span class="n">a_0</span> <span class="n">at</span> <span class="n">t</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="mi">0</span><span class="sc">','</span><span class="n">FontSize</span><span class="err">'</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="n">fntsize</span><span class="p">);</span>
<span class="n">box</span> <span class="n">off</span><span class="p">;</span>
<span class="n">hold</span> <span class="n">off</span><span class="p">;</span>
</pre></div>
<p>The result, printed used <code>'-dpng'</code>, looks like<br>
<img alt="plot of 6 graphs" src="images/2011/example6plots1fig.png"></p>You’ve heard it said2011-08-15T19:30:00-05:002011-08-15T19:30:00-05:00Abraham Olsontag:abeolson.com,2011-08-15:/youve-heard-it-said.html<p>You've heard it said, "Maximize Profits."</p>
<p><em>Our Lord says, "Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow."</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p>You've heard it said, "Achieve financial security."</p>
<p><em>Jesus says to us, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy …</em></p><p>You've heard it said, "Maximize Profits."</p>
<p><em>Our Lord says, "Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow."</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p>You've heard it said, "Achieve financial security."</p>
<p><em>Jesus says to us, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal"</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p>You've heard it said, "Work, but don’t work your life away."</p>
<p><em>Jesus says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p>You've heard it said, "Any publicity is good publicity."</p>
<p><em>Our Lord says, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them."</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p>You've heard it said, "Hardwork and determination are the only way to get things done."</p>
<p><em>Jesus says, "if you have faith and do not doubt …you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done."</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p>You've heard it said, "Money is a way to keep score."</p>
<p><em>Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p>You've heard it said, "The weekends are me-time."</p>
<p><em>Jesus says, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p>You've heard it said, "Business is war: be ruthless and fierce."</p>
<p><em>Our Lord says to us, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."</em>
<br /><br /></p>
<p><small>Written for the 14th Biannual Company Convention. Updated: August 15th, 2011.</small></p>The Escape to Egypt2008-12-27T19:30:00-05:002008-12-27T19:30:00-05:00Abraham Olsontag:abeolson.com,2008-12-27:/the-escape-to-egypt.html<blockquote>
<p>When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”<br>
So he got …</p></blockquote><blockquote>
<p>When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”<br>
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.<br>
And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:13-15)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Moving is hard. I only moved a couple times growing up, but one of my family’s moves stands out from the rest. One of my younger brothers, in elementary school at the time, didn’t like that we were moving. When it came time to move, he climbed underneath the table and clung to legs yelling, “I’m not going to leave. He also posted a note for the rest of the family to read, presumably for when his voice wore out: “I’m NOT moving. I’m staying in this house.” I think he summarized that gut feeling we may get in response to moving. “A new place, a new people, a new way of doing things? Do I really have to??”<br>
<span id="more-237"></span><br>
Fleeing, I imagine, is even harder. For the second time a messenger of God appeared to Joseph in a dream, this time directing him to flee to Egypt. In the middle of the night, Joseph woke up and quietly packed on a donkey the gifts of the Magi, some bread, and the few belongings that he and Mary owned. Then, waking Mary, he informed her of his dream and need to flee. Shortly thereafter, they—along with the baby Jesus—were fleeing on a caravan road to Egypt. Joseph had never been to Egypt, but started along a road he knew headed in the right direction, hoping to find someone who knew the way as he went. Imagining that first night of traveling fills me with awe. Jesus, the glory of God, the hope of Israel, was being carried along by his mother on an empty road under a starry sky.</p>
<p>And Joseph, faithful Joseph, praying the whole night, perhaps using this verse from the Psalms:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Yahweh, my God, we take refuge in you. Save us from all those who pursue us, and deliver us.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Joseph depended on the care of the Father to watch over him and his family; the Father was walking on that road alongside them. As dawn approached, the Father was filled with joy to see the sun rising over the crest of the hills on their left, to see the love in Mary’s eyes as she looked upon Jesus, to see Joseph, his tired eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger, and to see his Son, waking with a start at the new light and rubbing his eyes with his small fists.</p>
<p>In the next few days, Joseph and Mary with the small child Jesus, would probably have met up with a caravan of merchants going to Egypt from Jerusalem or perhaps even further north from Sidon or Tyre. The merchants may have heard of the slaughter of the innocents and informed Joseph and Mary of the story. Joseph, deeply aware of the Father’s care for them, praises God again. He also mourns for the deaths of the small children in Bethlehem that he had seen just days before.</p>
<p>As they reach the 14th day of travel, they enter Egypt and find a small Jewish community who welcome them in. In the next few days, Joseph finds work as a brick mason, and Mary gets to know the small group of Jewish women who live there.</p>
<p>As had been the case with Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, God’s plan to bring his people back to himself was living a fragile existence in the kingdom of others.</p>
<p>And we, tonight, as we recall this story, we fulfill the statement of the Psalmist:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>All your saints shall bless YHWH!<br>
They shall speak of the glory of his kingdom…<br>
to make known to the children of man his mighty deeds,</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Not only do we see the Father’s work in this short passage from Matthew, but we all can recount the Father’s glory revealed us too. He’s taken care of us, given us the food we need to eat, the friendships we have with each other, the healings we’ve experienced in our midst, and he’s been our comfort when we mourn. Strengthened and emboldened by his faithfulness, we give him thanks. We also work to show our faithfulness in return, by listening for the Father’s message to us and by following his call as Joseph did, not waiting for the dawn.</p>
<p><small>I gave this as one of the lessons at the Indianapolis Branch’s Lessons and Carols this evening. Thanks to everyone who did music, the other people who shared, and everyone else who helped make the food, setup and cleanup all happen. The whole event was great. </p>
<p></small></p>Olson Lord’s Day Bread2008-10-25T19:30:00-05:002020-04-28T19:30:00-05:00Abraham Olsontag:abeolson.com,2008-10-25:/olson-lords-day-bread.html<p>My mom has been making great Lord’s Day bread since before I can remember. Since cooking it myself on the first Company Summer Institute, it has become a favorite of a number of people. The recipe, by popular request, is given below. </p>
<h4>Mom’s Lord’s Day Bread</h4>
<p>3 …</p><p>My mom has been making great Lord’s Day bread since before I can remember. Since cooking it myself on the first Company Summer Institute, it has become a favorite of a number of people. The recipe, by popular request, is given below. </p>
<h4>Mom’s Lord’s Day Bread</h4>
<p>3 cups flour<br>
0.5 cups sugar<br>
1 teaspoon baking powder<br>
0.5 teaspoon baking soda<br>
.25 teaspoon cream of tarter<br>
about 8 tablespoons of butter<br>
1.33 cups buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar in it and set for 5 minutes to get lumpyish)</p>
<p>Preheat oven to 325.</p>
<ol>
<li>Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cream of tarter until combined.</li>
<li>Cut in the butter. To do so, either use a pastry blender or 2 knifes in a cross cutting motion until the dough is in about pea-sized chunks (you made need to use a little more butter).</li>
<li>Add the milk and stir hard until dough is formed. You may need to add a little more flour depending on the humidity.</li>
<li>Get a cooking sheet. If the sheet is not Teflon coated, spray with oil or spread a little shortening with a paper towel. Then add a thin layer of flour.</li>
<li>Dump the dough onto the baking sheet and flatten to about 1/2 to 1 inch thick.</li>
<li>Bake at 325 for 25 minutes and then check every few minutes. It should get a little golden brown on top.</li>
</ol>
<p><em>Serves about 8.</em></p>
<p>It should look something like this when done. Enjoy!
<img alt="Lord's day bread on a plate" src="https://abeolson.com/images/LordsDayBread.jpg"></p>
<p><small>Posted October 25th, 2008</small></p>Huntin’ in North Dakota2007-11-27T19:30:00-05:002007-11-27T19:30:00-05:00tag:abeolson.com,2007-11-27:/huntin-in-north-dakota.html<p>North Dakota, land of deer, farms, and not much else. Jon, Rus, Brian, Tom and I all headed up there for some deer hunting at the Gapp family land there. Jim Gapp was quite generous and invited us all up there for a full week of hunting. It’s a …</p><p>North Dakota, land of deer, farms, and not much else. Jon, Rus, Brian, Tom and I all headed up there for some deer hunting at the Gapp family land there. Jim Gapp was quite generous and invited us all up there for a full week of hunting. It’s a beautiful piece of land located right near <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walhalla,_North_Dakota" title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walhalla,_North_Dakota">Wahalla, ND</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/2050046623/"><img alt="View outside the hunting shack" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2050046623_76329a7049.jpg"></a></p>
<p><span id="more-105"></span></p>
<p>Rifle hunting means wearing orange, which can be seen clearly even in the morning dim. I’d wake at 5:30am to plan where we would hunt that morning and wolf down some oatmeal. Then I’d hike on out to the hunting ground. Usually arriving in the stand by 6:30am, I’d commence the endurance of 20-40 degree temperatures and uncomfortable sitting in tree stands until about 9 or 10am. By that point, eyes are tired from straining to scan all viewable area for any movement, toes and fingers are freezing because the heat packet chemists didn’t know what they were doing, and generally I’d be more than eager to head on up to the hunting shack for some pancakes made on the woodburning stove.</p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/2050049139"><img alt="planning the hunt" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2060/2050049139_a8154ffb4b.jpg"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/2050060011"><img alt="making pancakes on the woodburning stove" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/2050060011_359fc863a6.jpg"></a></p>
<p>But by the time the evening hunt rolled around at 3pm, I’d forgotten about that all and would be hungry to go at it again. The evening hunt would commence, and we’d all gear up again and head out.</p>
<p>Rus was the first of us five to get a deer. After half-dozing during the Tuesday evening hunt, he awoke to find a deer 75 yards in front of him. Lining up his scope, he got it with a great shot that felled it within 15 yards of where it was hit.</p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/2050042999/"><img alt="Rus and his deer" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2186/2050042999_cb1dcae9ef.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Wednesday went by without much commotion. Thursday after the morning hunt was wrapping up, I walked on over to another field to find two deer scattering from in front of me. So, that afternoon I set up a tree-stand about 10 feet up on the edge of the field to try to see those deer the next morning. Waking of Friday from dreams of hunting, I headed down to that field. As dawn broke and the sun began to rise, I waited and waited for the deer. I spent much of the morning sitting, but then stood to get the blood flowing in my legs at around 8:15am. A few minutes later as I’m contemplating flapjacks and coffee, I scan the field and catch my breath. A big doe, standing on the edge of the woods, is staring right at me. I freeze. It looks around, ears twitching for any sounds. Content with it’s supposed security, it emerges onto the path through the field some 160 yards from my stand. A moment later a smaller doe, a yearling, follows it onto the trail. Two deer! My heart is beating like a humming bird’s as they start heading on the path straight toward my stand.</p>
<p>“Okay,” I tell myself, “Two deer. Get the bigger one Abe. Line up a shot. Wait… don’t move until they put their heads down. One’s down, now the other is… argh, there’s no way I’ll be steady enough to take a good shot while standing. Gotta sit down. Okay… NOW!, while they’re both grazing.”</p>
<p>I sit down and line up a shot through the scope of Jim Grill’s thirty-ought-six with my elbow stabilized by the tree-stand seat.</p>
<p>“Wait for a good shot now Abe. Patience. But wait, I’m upwind of them. If they get to that point in the trail, they may smell me.”</p>
<p>The two does continue down the trail, and are now within 50 yards of me.</p>
<p>“Okay, they’re close enough now. Can’t miss from here. It’s like hitting the broadside of a barn. Any closer they may smell me. Gotta shoot soon… turn deer… turn sideways so I can’t miss.”</p>
<p>The deer slowly turns to face the wood edge, directly perpendicular from me.</p>
<p>“That’s the shot. Gotta shot now! Here it goes… gonna be loud…”</p>
<p><strong>BANG!</strong></p>
<p>“Did I get… YES! YES! It’s stumbling. The big one’s down! Oh man, I’ve been waiting for this all week. Wow. This is awesome.”</p>
<p>With my ears ringing and adrenaline flowing, I now look up to notice that the other deer is still in the field! Surprised to see it still there, I quickly raise my scope and take a look.</p>
<p>“Well, it’s still there… ran about 50 yards back, but still within in good range… I’ve got another tag so…”</p>
<p><strong>BANG!</strong></p>
<p>“Ahh! Missed. Should’ve taken more time. Stupid. Wait…. it’s still there. It hasn’t moved again. Alright, take your time this time Abe. It’s scared, but it hasn’t seen you yet. Seems to be confused about what just happened to the big one. It’s looking over that way. Okay, gun steady… here we go…”</p>
<p><strong>BANG!</strong></p>
<p>“Did I get it? I can’t tell. It ran that time, that’s for sure. Gotta go find out… wait, any more deer around… nope, don’t see any. Hmm, should I wait to see if any more come…. No, I can’t take it anymore. I might’ve gotten two deer! Okay, time to get down.”</p>
<p>I get down from the stand, and as I do I notice the semi-automatic had jammed on the last shot. Good thing I didn’t need to take another. When I reach the bottom of my stand, I see Tom Miller has come on over I pump my fist in the air.</p>
<p>“I got one Tom!”</p>
<p>He congratulates me, and we head over to check where they went down. Just on the edge of the woods, a few steps from where it was shot the big doe lay, hit square through the lungs. Uff-da though, it was heavy! We drag it onto the field so we can load it in the suburban and take it up to the hunting shack. Then, we go to find the other one, hopefully to see a blood trail. Sure enough, there’s quite a trail right where it was shot at, and it also turned out to have gone down within a few steps of where it was shot. Just a yearling, this one was much lighter and easier to drag out.</p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/2050615880/"><img alt="Success. Two fewer deer in North Dakota" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/2050615880_10b1bb07e3.jpg"></a></p>
<p>“Well, that set’s the plan for the rest of the day,” Jim Gapp states as Tom and I arrive to tell him about the success. Jim, Rus and I spent six hours that afternoon gutting, skinning and butchering the two deer I got, plus Rus’ and one Jim had shot the day before. Learning the whole process of deer to venison was fun, but it’s certainly not for the squeamish of stomach.</p>
<p>Praise God for Jim Gapp’s generosity, all the hunters who were there, and also for the Father’s graciousness in providing two deer, one of whom wasn’t smart enough to run away when it was shot.</p>Close to being an Olson2007-10-31T19:30:00-05:002007-10-31T19:30:00-05:00Abraham Olsontag:abeolson.com,2007-10-31:/close-to-being-an-olson.html<p><em>Angelica lived with my family for a summer; during which time she was able to observe and pick up on many Olson family habits. Here’s a list she made after the summer was done.</em></p>
<p><strong>You know you’re pretty close to being an Olson when…</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>You can sleep through …</li></ol><p><em>Angelica lived with my family for a summer; during which time she was able to observe and pick up on many Olson family habits. Here’s a list she made after the summer was done.</em></p>
<p><strong>You know you’re pretty close to being an Olson when…</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>You can sleep through the sound of people pounding down the stairs</li>
<li>The name ‘Jacob’ spelled with a ‘c’ looks weird</li>
<li>You know where all the dishes belong</li>
<li>You find yourself saying “melk”</li>
<li>You don’t even flinch if the kitchen faucet spits at you</li>
<li>You smack your hand down on the table for emphasis when speaking</li>
<li>You find yourself picking on Micah and/or Abby for no apparent reason (and maybe even laughing at Jake’s jokes</li>
<li>You’ve driven the (late) Great White</li>
<li>You’ve chased after Moses (and maybe caught him. If you didn’t catch him, you probably scoffed at him later when he meowed pitifully at you from outside on the deck.)</li>
<li>You can follow 3-4 conversations at a time, while periodically contributing to each</li>
<li>Spills at dinnertime are normal and expected</li>
<li>You attend the Olson’s relatives’ grad parties and family reunions</li>
<li>You smell like coffee 87% of the time (maybe more)</li>
<li>You’ve learned the value of cereal and milk</li>
<li>You check the bottom of your cup–even if it just came out of the dishwasher</li>
<li>Extra random people in the house all the time doesn’t phase you</li>
<li>You know to label your stuff if you put it in the fridge</li>
<li>You never answer the house phone</li>
<li>People give you their extra food to take home</li>
<li>You leave notes on the counter</li>
<li>Mr. Olson has sung the “get a job” song to you</li>
<li>Speaking of Mr. Olson singing, you know that he alternates between only 2 (maybe 3) pre-dinner prayer songs</li>
<li>You’ve worked for white rock</li>
<li>You know not to leave your shoes by the front door</li>
<li>Other people mistake you for an Olson</li>
</ol>
<p><small>Last Updated: October 31st, 2007</small></p>How To Repair an 2005 era powerbook adapter2007-09-24T19:30:00-05:002007-09-24T19:30:00-05:00Abraham Olsontag:abeolson.com,2007-09-24:/how-to-repair-an-2005-era-powerbook-adapter.html<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443755461/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443755461/"><img alt="The shorted wire. " src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1217/1443755461_2ac68b5a22.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 1: The shorted wire. I had already cracked open the case when I took this shot.</em></p>
<p>My Powerbook power chord recently shorted, and I was not willing to dish out <a href="https://www.directron.com/ap1510.html" title="https://www.directron.com/ap1510.html">$40+</a> to buy a new one. So, knowing a fair amount wiring and soldering from my physics lab work …</p><p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443755461/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443755461/"><img alt="The shorted wire. " src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1217/1443755461_2ac68b5a22.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 1: The shorted wire. I had already cracked open the case when I took this shot.</em></p>
<p>My Powerbook power chord recently shorted, and I was not willing to dish out <a href="https://www.directron.com/ap1510.html" title="https://www.directron.com/ap1510.html">$40+</a> to buy a new one. So, knowing a fair amount wiring and soldering from my physics lab work, I decided to try to fix it myself. Problem was, I didn’t have the equipment needed, namely a soldering iron and solder. But, I did have a hammer and screwdriver, which worked to break open the well-sealed AC adaptor casing.</p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1444619116/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1444619116/"><img alt="crack open the casing" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1130/1444619116_90afd78b96.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 2: Some brute force was needed to crack open the casing.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443756267/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443756267/"><img alt="inside of the casing" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/1443756267_43cc2a53d1.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 3: The exposed inside of the casing.</em></p>
<p>Opening the casing revealed some fun electronics, which take the 120 V AC current and turn it into 24 V DC current at 2.5 amps. That all isn’t the problem though, it’s just the shorted wire right on the outside of the casing. But, now I needed some tools. In the lab I worked in at the University of Portland, I knew exactly where the equipment was that I needed. But in Indy, I didn’t have that equipment. So I headed over to <a href="https://iupui.edu/" title="https://iupui.edu/">IUPUI</a> and within a few minutes found a physics grad student who let me into one of the labs that had (almost) all I wanted.</p>
<p>I proceed to cut the wire, take out the plastic thing that brought the wires together, and strip it to be able to put the pieces together.</p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443756419/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443756419/"><img alt="The wire" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1368/1443756419_ff876493b9.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 5a: The wire, stripped and ready to be soldered together.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443756705" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443756705"><img alt="Overhead view" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1423/1443756705_1b5b784e26.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 5b: Overhead view: The wires, stripped and ready to be soldered together.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443756877/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443756877/"><img alt="soldering iron" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1401/1443756877_a0168f9008.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 6: The soldering iron at work.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1444620050/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1444620050/"><img alt="wires" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/1444620050_873ab009de.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 7: The wires, soldered and with duct tape around them (alas, there was no electrical tape around).</em></p>
<p>After stripping the wires, it was fairly easy to solder them together and then wrap tape around them. The wires were quite brittle, and had an annoying fiber in there to strengthen the wire, but it just took a little careful handling to pull them apart. I soldered the ground to the cladding and the positive voltage wire to the center wire of the chord that goes to the computer. When the soldering and taping was done, I stuck the wires back inside the casing and closed it up again. Since the casing was broken, I needed to tape it all back together, using some more duct-tape.</p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443757245/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443757245/"><img alt="duck-taped" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1393/1443757245_0f735daa3d.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 8: The casing, duck-taped back together.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1444624706/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1444624706/"><img alt="Plug it in" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1152/1444624706_fdc0eb5dbe.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 9: Plug it in…</em></p>
<p><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443761679/" title="https://flickr.com/photos/abeolson/1443761679/"><img alt="Success" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1255/1443761679_6161914471.jpg"></a></p>
<p><em>Image 10: Success! The Powerbook is charging.</em></p>
<p>Plugging it in, the computer started to charge. Checking the temperature of the AC converter, it’s certainly no hotter than a normal one. After a day of use, it continues to work just as it should. After I was done, I looked around online and found at least <a href="https://www.instructables.com/id/Repair-A-Powerbook-AC-Adapter/?ALLSTEPS" title="https://www.instructables.com/id/Repair-A-Powerbook-AC-Adapter/?ALLSTEPS">one other place</a> that does a similar thing to solve the same problem.</p>
<p><small>Last Updated: September 24th, 2007</small></p>McNeil Point Hike Directions2007-08-25T19:30:00-05:002007-08-25T19:30:00-05:00Abraham Olsontag:abeolson.com,2007-08-25:/mcneil-point-hike-directions.html<p>As the directions I have found online for this hike were often misguided, I found some online and corrected the mistakes. However, I have since forgotten where I borrowed some of the text from, so if you find it, please let me know so that I can credit the source …</p><p>As the directions I have found online for this hike were often misguided, I found some online and corrected the mistakes. However, I have since forgotten where I borrowed some of the text from, so if you find it, please let me know so that I can credit the source. Also, if you find these directions in error, please email me at abraham dot olson at gmail.com.</p>
<h3>Driving Directions</h3>
<p>HWY 26 to just before Zigzag Ranger Station. Left (north) on Lolo Pass for 4.25 miles. Take right fork (Muddy Fork Rd) for about 1 mile and bear left onto Road 1828 (if you get to Fred McNeil Campground, you’ve gone to far). Continue 2 miles to another fork and bear right. After another 3.7 miles, the road forks again (and there is a wider gravel area to your left), take the right, unpaved fork. 1.5 miles more up that road is the Top Spur Trail Head N.785.</p>
<p><img alt="fork in road" src="https://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/359051358_5468146cc7.jpg" title="take the right fork"></p>
<h3>Hike Directions</h3>
<p>Begin at Top Spur Trailhead cutoff trail #765. A steeper climb through the woods for 0.5 miles where it intersects with Pacific Crest Trail #2000. Take a right and go a bit farther to where 5 trails intersect. The trail that is second from the left (i.e. one to the left of the Ramona Falls Trail) is the one you want. This trail leads around Bald Mountain, and provides a great view of Mt Hood and the Sandy Glacier on a clear day. At some point after the two viewpoints, the trail re-enters the woods. Look carefully for a trail leading up over a hill to your left. You will exit your current trail and take that one to reconnect with the main trail to McNeil Point, Timberline Trail #600–on which you will take a right.</p>
<p><img alt="McNeil Point" src="https://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/359051366_3ae3c65160.jpg" title="You can see McNeil Point sticking up"></p>
<p>Continuing for quite some time, you will catch views of Mt Hood and, if it’s clear, Mt Adams, Mt St. Helens and Mt. Rainier. The trail will eventually bring you to two lakes, one on the right and one on the left. The desired trail is just before the second lake, and goes up into the woods to your right. However, make sure to go to the second lake and enjoy the view of Hood. It may be the best on the mountain.</p>
<p><img alt="view" src="https://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/359051370_2b3ad9263f.jpg"></p>
<p>Continuing upwards, the trees begin to shorten, and eventually you will make it to a series of valleys with creeks. The trail to McNeil used to go up one of the valleys, but is closed now to restore the meadow-land. Thus, you must continue on until you reach a sign that points the way (right) to McNeil Point. Follow this up, and–after a bit of a climb–you will reach a small shelter on the ridge that leads up to McNeil Point. About another 800 feet up that ridge–a steep climb–is McNeil Point, from which you can survey all of the surrounding area on a clear day. It also provides a great, up-close view of Mt. Hood.</p>
<p>Note: on your return trip, you can skip going around Bald Mountain and just follow the Timberline Trail to the intersection of the 5 trails.</p>
<p><small>Last Updated: August 25th, 2007</small></p>Age of Dedication2007-03-27T19:30:00-05:002007-03-27T19:30:00-05:00tag:abeolson.com,2007-03-27:/age-of-dedication.html<p>ages of christian revolutionaries</p><p>In thinking about some Christian revolutionaries, I found it interesting to see when they completely dedicated their lives to actively working for the kingdom. Here are the ones I found, in chronological order.</p>
<ul>
<li>Jesus: About <em>30</em> when he was baptized in the river Jordan and went into the wilderness to fast. Began announcing “The kingdom of God is at hand” and healing people. (~26AD)</li>
<li>Ignatius of Loyola: <em>30</em> years old when he gave up his military career and devoted himself to Christ. Began to form the Spiritual Exercises and recruit other students to devote themselves in a similar manner with him. (1522 AD)</li>
<li>John Wesley: Had the famous Aldersgate experience at <em>35</em>. Kicked off public preaching shortly thereafter and promptly got kicked out of his church. (1738 AD)</li>
<li>William Booth: At <em>23</em> became a full time preacher. 13 years later started the precursor to the Salvation Army. (1852 AD)</li>
<li>Hudson Taylor: When he was <em>17</em> he committed to going as a missionary to China and trained for it until he left, just under 4 years later. (1853 AD)</li>
<li>John Lake: At <em>37</em> years old sold all he had and quit his job (~$1 million dollar salary in today’s money) and moved to Africa to be a missionary. (1908 AD)</li>
<li>Jackie Pullinger: <em>20</em> years old when she left for Hong Kong, found the Walled City, and brought Christ there. (1966 AD)</li>
</ul>Budapest2006-10-27T19:30:00-05:002006-10-27T19:30:00-05:00tag:abeolson.com,2006-10-27:/budapest.html<p>In the summer of 2006, I had the opportunity to travel to Budapest, Hungary. This was my first time outside the U.S. (not counting a weekend trip to Victoria, Canada for a physics conference) and it was a sort of surprise trip. Long and the short of it, I …</p><p>In the summer of 2006, I had the opportunity to travel to Budapest, Hungary. This was my first time outside the U.S. (not counting a weekend trip to Victoria, Canada for a physics conference) and it was a sort of surprise trip. Long and the short of it, I got a call somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin and was asked “Would you like to go to Budapest in 4 weeks?”</p>
<p>During the trip I toured labs and science facilities, picked up bits and pieces of the difficult Hungarian language, did some research, learned about <a href="http://lab.analogic.sztaki.hu/cnnintro.html" title="Tomas Roska's Tutorial to CNN's">CNN</a> (Cellular Neural Networks), saw some amazing buildings and historical sites, and many other things. I walked so much that my calves burned at the end of each day. Oh, I also got to stay in the top floor of a nunnery at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=10+b%C3%ADr%C3%B3+utca,+budapest,+hungary&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=47.504345,19.017087&spn=0.002631,0.006952&t=h&om=1" title="see an overhead map of where I stayed. Count 10 buildings up Biro Utca and on the left is where I was.">10 bíró utca</a>.</p>
<p><img alt="Budapest Group" src="https://abeolson.com/images/budapest_group.jpg"></p>
<p><em>From L to R: Kristy, Allen, Kate, Dr. Tamas Roska, Julia, Rebeca, Me, Dr. Arpad Csurgay</em></p>
<p>I, along with Kristy, Allen, Julia and Rebeca (the other students on the trip), often went to dinner with professors and grad students from the <a href="http://www.ppke.hu/index_eng.html">Peter Pazmany Catholic University</a>. These dinners were some of the best parts of the trip. Not only did I get to have some great Hungarian food, but I was able to talk with them about international research, the culture and politics of Hungary, and the city of Budapest. These conversations made the trip real and present and were the counter-balance to the ancient sites that I visited. In talking to them, I got a better idea of the spirit of Hungary as it is now. This, however, takes away in no way from the sites we all on the trip visited (see below).</p>
<p>I presented my research to the students of the Pazmany University and to Dr. Roska. It’s weird, I can almost present at will for any project after touring with the Two-Photon experiment so often last year. I got my slides together, stood up and pretty much went into auto-pilot… I wonder if that’s the road to being a boring presenter?</p>
<p>On a different note, the site-seeing we did on the trip was eye-opening. Kate, a Budapestian… Budapestite?… was the ‘tour director’ and scheduled visits and weekend trips to the brim. She has ties to museums and historical sites in the Budapest area, and took us to pretty much everything there is to see. She also had a commanding knowledge of the history of Hungary, and related to us all many tales of the past.</p>
<p>People talk about the sense of history and the past in Europe, but never having been I didn’t understand it. After visiting the sites that we did, I was amazed at how the buildings and associated stories leaned into me. I could help but feel the weight of the past as I walked through the castle area of Budapest (on the Buda side), or as I hiked up to the fortress of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visegr%C3%A1d">Visegrad</a>. I got a small glimpse of what how some people can speak of 1000 AD as if it were yesterday.</p>
<p><img alt="Overlooking Budapest from the Castle" src="https://abeolson.com/images/abeoverlookBudapest.jpg"></p>
<p><em>Taking a break in the shade in the Castle of Budapest. That is the Hungarian Parliament building in the background across the Danube River on the Pest side. Average Temp on the trip: 95 F.</em></p>
<p>All in all, it was an excellent trip and all the hosts (Gabor, Miklosh, Dr. Csurgay, Kate, Julia, Geolt, Barnabas, Kristof and others) displayed top-notch hospitality and care for me and the other REU students.</p>