I’m pretty sure that this may not be something you want to consider given what you’ve invested so far into Rules DSL Rules. But I keep coming across your examples and needing help with Rules for which I’ve already written reusable library scripts and modules that would do much if not all of the work for you.
The kicker is you have to use Scripted Automation instead of Rules DSL which right now requires a bit of initial configuration (it’s not much really and soon we will just be able to install an add-on). I’ve suggested this to you before but I don’t know if you had the time/cycles to actually consider it so I’m recommending it again. See [beta testers wanted!] Jython addon w/ helper libraries (requires OH 2.5) for how to get started.
Most of what you’ve already learned about Rules will transfer very well. The syntax will just be a little different, plus you will be working with a popular language instead of a domain specific language used only by openHAB.
I’m positive you will continue to receive support from me and others if you stick with Rules DSL, but given the libraries I and others have already implemented, you might have less work overall using Python.
For example, in this case I have implemented a countdown Timer that you can just import and use.