alicelee ad lib: So, what do you do all day, anyway?

Links I have no earthly use for but clicked anyway.

Exception: This one I care about, even if I have no reasonable expectation of hiking parts of the AT again.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/05/us/appalachian-trail-helene-damage.html

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2024/oct/04/naomi-campbell-admits-failures-at-fashion-charity-but-denies-misconduct

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oct/05/hugh-grant-says-fourth-bridget-jones-film-will-be-funny-but-very-sad

https://www.wishtv.com/news/indiana-news/2-men-on-motorcycle-found-dead-after-crashing-into-trees/

https://www.wishtv.com/sports/motorsports/award-winning-actor-to-race-at-indianapolis-motor-speedway/

https://lithub.com/embracing-bucolic-beauty-on-finding-purpose-and-joy-in-raising-sheep/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Weekly:%20October%205%2C%202024&utm_term=lithub_weekly_master_list

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/what-kind-of-writer-is-chatgpt?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Weekly:%20October%205%2C%202024&utm_term=lithub_weekly_master_list

Well, the last one turned out to be interesting.

As I read it, I decided to experiment with AI in some of my old writing. So, if you got all day long to yourself, have no responsibilities and want to experiment/play? Why not? You cannot continue to 'not believe', 'turn a blind eye', 'deny the importance', of something (AI), that is obviously here in the world and gonna stay.

I have felt vague guilt for browsing art instruction sites, As if I should be doing something worthwhile. Why do we torture ourselves in this way? The words ‘guilty pleasures’ are used to describe this sort of thing. They are pleasurable to me. They often stimulate me to head to the art table. Why label them guilty?

I have all this time. Reading (Kindle, free from library) comes first, but the eyes do get tired and watery. The internet will be one of my last available interesting ways to pass this time. (as in I am able to type and read and sit up in a chair) Talking to myself here. I find books I want to read that I would never have known about if I hadn’t found their titles, or authors names, in an article I clicked.

I have found smaller ways to make some new sort of art or craft when what I had been doing became/has become? too heavy and/or unwieldy.

The point of all this? IDK. Just rambling.

Oh, total non-seq----I told my grocery lady last week about several times recently I had turned on something to cook and not remembered it till I smelled it, to use a ??-able euphemism, over-toasting. Once I boiled my little coffee water pan dry. The little pan is okay, this time, but I am warned. 😟

Catherine suggested I set a timer every time I turn on the stove. Good idea. But I forget to carry the timer to where I am and fail to hear it when it rings in the kitchen if I am absorbed with who killed who yesterday in the local news. My solution.

I have wanted an apron to wear while I paint etc. for some time, but was too stingy to buy one. I have rendered many shirts too gross to wear in public. 💡So, 2 birds. A shop apron with pockets in front. I can protect clean clothes and carry the timer in a pocket. I could say that saves money on clothes if I ever bought new clothes, but I'm not much of a shopper. 😂 (Play on Herman's "I'm not much of a snacker.") It comes Monday. $16.00. Cheaper than a new pan, or refurnishing the apartment after a fire.

And, I figure it comes under things to do that help me to stay in this apartment, alone, safely, and without a 'caretaker'.

Another after thought, re AI. I guess the spell check and correct feature I have used happily for years is a form of AI. I have used it a bunch in this post. So, time to open the mind another crack. Let more light in.

Editing is a hot mess of a chore, but absolutely necessary if I want to make any sense at all. I have spent 5 times as long editing this as I did in writing it the first time.

During which time I have discovered that one must click on a new preview each time one edits the original. I learned this several times today. 😒😒 That is all.

Not quite all.

I have been treating myself as if I were a beloved preschool child. I think it helps. If I make toast without setting off the smoke alarm---Good Job!

If I move the computer to the other side of the room and get it all hooked up correctly. Good Job!

When I get into bed at night, I say to the universe, This was a good day. Good Job!

Then I list the dreams I'd prefer to have tonight. So far it is working.😎