WIP

blog/personal/yearReview2023/2023.mdx

@@ -38,35 +38,46 @@ Through out the years I have been using different cloud storage providers and se
 Since I got a new computer I had to transfer my docker images to it. Before I started the process I cleaned up the images by upgrading and getting a better understanding of how some services worked. Now that I had a better I dea of how they worked I cleaned up the images backups and transfered them to my new computer.
 ### S-001
 I gave my old computer to my parents and thier old computer was still good and could do things. Instead of donating it I figured I could continue using it. So I truned it into my personal server that can run most of the docker images for me while my personal computer can free up the resources for more fun projects. In the process of setting the server up, I made it securly publically available. That means I can access all my services from anywhere in the world, given I remember my secure passwords 😅 Additionally, my new server is setup so it automatically turns on and off on a schedule and can be managed remotely from anywhere. 
+### Photoprism
+Google photos started charging for its servie and I wasnt happy with it having my pictures and charging me for it. Instead I found a service that has all of the features and even some more that I wanted. So I set up my own Photoprism server and got all the tools in place to sync my pictures across all my devices and my automated backup storage! I love the service so much, it has facial recognition, AI to classify pictures and ability to plot pictures on a map just to name a few awesome features.
 ### Crypto taxes tracker
 I have had my script that calculates things from my crypto trades for a while now. However, I never got around to making sure the calculations were correct. This year I decided to get it to where it needs to be. I added the ability to verify everything is tracked correctly and has the correct cost basis. Additionally, I updated the oudated and deprecated libraries and dependencies.
 Addditionally, I added the ability to sync my crypto assets directly to my master financials sheet along with accurate costbasis. As well as I have updated the master sheet to fetch prices in real time for all my crypto assets giving me a more accurte picture of my networth.
 ### New Phone
 My phone was good, however my mom's phone was not. So I decided to upgrade my phone and give her my old phone since I was due for an upgrade. I got the new Samsung S23 Ultra and I am loving it except maybe for its massive size. The camera is amazing and the battery life is great. 
-
-### Music Studio
+### Sister's wedding preperation
+This project was the theme of this year for the most part! There were so many things that needed to be done it was a huge effort and involved the whole family! I helped a bit with planning, suggesting ideas, shopping, finding things online and using my multiple talents to make it a bit less stressful for my sister. I became the DJ, chauffeur, deliver man, event organizer, groomman, assistant photographer, stage light manager, security guard and probably a few more things that I dont remember. Although, it was crazy busy and a bit choatic it was fun and worth it to see my sister start her next chapter in life.
+### DJ-ing
+I have DJed before for church and even before then. However, for my sister's Henna I was going to do and this time it would be without the DJ setup! It was going to be just my laptop and nothing else other than a janky bluetooth speakers setup. Luckily, we managed to get a DJ setup and my sister took care of the music selection greatly simplifying my life! Since I didn't have to stress about DJ-ing too much, I took on another project which is trying to be an entire band without any musical or rythm skills 😅 
+### Music Studio and Sound board
+I found and learned a lot about running how keyboards work and instead of spending ton of money on a physical one, I found a virtual software that works on my phone and laptop. This is what [it looks like](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT-fruKLzwQ) and this is [example of iraqi sound set](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSh_lN3mnw4) I was planning on using. The best part was the [PC version](https://www.sofeh.com/music-studio-windows/) has alot more features and can actually program instruments and create my own music! After spending some time with it, I realized it was an overkill and I was going a bit overboard with it! So I found something simpler to use instead of a full keyboard to replace a band, I found this cool [virtual sound effects board](https://www.myinstants.com/en/index/us/) to use in case it is needed. 
 ### Stable diffusion
-
+With the explotion of ChatGPT and generative AI, I couldn't help it but get interested an want to play with the technology. I dove a bit into image generation using stable diffusion especially since my new computer could handle generating images and actually produce someting that looks nice. I tried training different models to generate my face however it didn't go as planned. That was due to the fact that my computer isn't powerful to do deep training and quick trainings don't produce accurate pictures. However, over time I learned a few tricks and ways to generate images while keeping realistic faces.
+### ChatGPT
+We all know what ChatGPT does and how useful it can be. To get better at using it I found this [awesome website](https://learnprompting.org/) that teaches everything needed to create awesome prompts. When feeling lazy, I use [this website](https://www.snackprompt.com/) which has awesome prompts ready to use. My main use for ChatGPT is to help me with writting/improving my important emails/messages. I have also used it to create my own training program which has helped me not only build muscle but also lose weight!
+### Laptop display replacement
+During one of trips to San Diego, my laptop screen broke. So instead of spending ton of money getting a new laptop, I decided to try and replace the screen. Luckily, I found an [awesome tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QZOFdQHA0I) and the same panel (screen) for my laptop. I replaced the display successfully for a little bit under $150 😁  
+### Homeowner's Association board issues
+Our community had quite a bit of drama, a board member quit and people were fighting and picking sides. My neighbors knew I was more logical and didn't pick sides so they elected me to sit on the board and help solve the community problems! The main reason for the drama is the new commercial building next door. Basically, the previous board sued them for trespassing and they counter sued us and we were getting burried in legal fees. I got in and started working on reaching a settlment with them and managed to get it done. Not only did I manage to dismiss both lawsuits but also got us $20K in compensation to help with our legal fees as well as worked with our insurance to waive legal fees regarding the settlement. I also managed to get us on good terms with our neighbors so we are no longer constantly causing problems for eachother.
+### Homeowner's Policies
+Another issue and part of the drama involved the street parking. So I and the other board members worked together to draft a parking policy to address the community's concerns. We drafted it, got it implemented and enforced which has made our streets much better. As well as implemented collection policy since we didn't have one and each case had a different process, we put the policy in place to be followed for everything. Finally, we also implement policies regarding social media communication and posting on our community facebook group. Especially due to all the drama and how people were picking sides and arguing online. 
+### Garage Door improvements
+Our garage door has gotten quite a bit louder than when we first moved in. I realized that it wasnt just an issue with keeping it maintained and oiled but that there are few things that needed to be done. I gave it a full oiling so the mechanical parts move more easily with less noise. Then I tightened a bunch of screws that has come loose from usage over the last couple years. Once I did that, most of the noise was gone except for when closing at the very end it would slam the door shut. So I dug the manual for the garage door opener and reporgramed it so it shuts properly and doesn't slam it as hard causing the screws to come loose.
+### Volunteering
+It has been a while since I volunteered for something reguraly. It is always nice to volunteer my time as it gets me out of my room, meet people, help others and helps me destress! When I found the opportunity to help out at church with the bible study to teach kids I took the opportunity. Helping teach kids can be fun, challenging and most importantly rewarding. Additionally, I also get to learn a bit more as well. And before thanksgiving we got the day off and it aligned with volunteering schedule for Three Square! So I took the opportunity to help out and feed the elderly. That was great as well especially since I got to hear some of thier stories, the lives that they have lived and make them happy by serving them food.
+### Aramic class
+Although I learned Aramic in school when I was a kid, I had completly forgotten it because I havent used it since I was 12. So when our church offered the class to learn the foundations of the langauage, I took the opportunity and signed up for the class. I can now read and write not just speak it. I can actually now follow along with the priest's prayer during mass. 
 ## Projects that didn't go anywhere
 ### Car upgrades
 I got some LED light strips that I was planning to install to make my car look better. However, after taking my whole car apart to see the electrical wires and figure out how to connect everything. I realized it was going to be a lot of risky work and I didn't have the time to do it and didn't want to damage anything. So I decided to just put everything back together and shelf the project.
-
-### Sister's wedding preperation
-
+### AC Surge Protector
+During the annual HVAC inspection, I was informed that the builder as it is expected nowadays took shortcuts and didn't install a protector for the AC unit. So instead of paying the company hundreds of dollars to install it, I bought protector and found [this guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWozc-woHfY) on how to install it. However, the weather got hot real quick and didn't get the chance to install it during the spring. And during the fall, we were so busy with my sister's wedding that I forgot about and got so busy after that I didn't get to it this year.   
 ## Reading Materials this year WIP
 This year I have been extremely bad at keeping track of my readings! This is due to the fact that most of my reading has been articles and newsletter online. I will be looking into a way to capture my reading material in a user friendly way.
 To force myself to go back to reading books I joined our work's book club and read [Atomic Habits](https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299).
 
-## Podcasts WIP
-Since I do not have a commute, my podcast listening has changed to listening to few my favorites and any recommondations I learn about. That means I got a few new additions:
-
-- [The CityAge](https://castbox.fm/channel/The-CityAge-Podcast-id4970437?country=us)
-- [All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg](https://castbox.fm/channel/All-In-with-Chamath%2C-Jason%2C-Sacks-%26-Friedberg-id2689921?country=us)
-- [Reply All](https://castbox.fm/channel/Reply-All-id2159255?country=us)
-- [Zengeen](https://castbox.fm/channel/Zengeen-id2901088?country=us)
-- [My First Million](https://castbox.fm/channel/My-First-Million-id3920831?country=us)
-
-Here is the complete [list of podcasts I listen to](/blog/yearly-recap-2021#podcasts).
+## Podcasts
+There hasn't been any changes to the [list](/blog/yearly-recap-2021#podcasts). I am barely keeping up with the podcasts, that's mainly due to the lack of a commute. However, I have been listening to some podcasts during my workouts. Listening during workouts however is a bit challenging since sometimes I focus on counting and miss what the podcast said or viseversa and forget my counting.
 
 ## Places visited 
 
@@ -177,7 +188,8 @@ To wrap up the month, our CourseKey executive team had the annual planning sessi
 
 ### December
 
-Kicked of the month with the long awaited and deserved vacation, a cruise to Hawaii. This was the longest cruise we have been on! We spend the first few days at sea with nothing but water surrounding us. The ocean was a bit rough sometimes which made a bunch of people seasick. Even so there was a lot of fun activities and events on the ship that the time flew by.
+Kicked of the month with the long awaited and deserved vacation, a cruise to Hawaii. This was the longest cruise we have been on! Before we started our cruise, we got upgraded to a balcony room which is more spacious! We spend the first few days at sea with nothing but water surrounding us. The ocean was a bit rough sometimes which made a bunch of people seasick. Even so there was a lot of fun activities and events on the ship that the time flew by.
 
-When we arived in Hawaii, we stopped at the Big island Kona and enjoyed the beaches. We also got to do some fun shopping. We also got to enjoy the christmas parade and the christmas lights in the city. The next day we did some tours and shopping arround as well as experince the local farmers market.
+When we arived in Hawaii, we stopped at the Big island in Kona and enjoyed the beaches. We also got to do some fun shopping. We also got to enjoy the christmas parade and the christmas lights in the city. The next day we did some tours and shopping arround as well as experince the local farmers market.
 
+Then we docked at Honolulu, where we went to the bishop museum and followed it by exploring Ala Moana mall. After that we enjoed the Waikiki beach and the touristy areas around it and did some more shopping. The next day was a fun but stressful tour around the island! We got to try a bunch of local foods, see some cool areas and learn more about the island and the people in our Sights and Bites tour. Although the tour was great and fun, our tour bus broke down on the oppiste side of the island, so we kind of got stranded away from our ship and it we needed to be back before it left! We got lucky and found an Uber who was willing to take us to the other side of the island and we made it back to the ship just in time.