Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

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We had a "pretty mild for this time of year" day yesterday and some of the snow started to melt. At least that icy crust across the top of it has settled down. They brought in their john deer tractor and ploughed out our driveways finally, from the ice and snow from last week.  It's all laying on the middle of my front lawn and it looks dirty, dirty, dirty. That's the type of snow I don't like much in winter.  The dirty snow and that is pretty much what we have at the moment. Snow is lovely until it gets all dirty.

I forget where I saw it, but somebody had melted a whole glass of white pristine snow, and the water left behind was filled with smut and pollution. It was quite an eye opener.  That's if you can believe it. Half of what we are shown today is unbelievable thanks to AI, but if you look closely, you can spot the difference between reality and the lie. It's getting harder though.

Microsoft has this new program called Microsoft Designer. It will make you a picture of anything you ask it to.  For instance  . . . 

AI Papercraft

I put in (at their suggestion) "3D papercraft oranges on a light green background with soft even lighting."  This is what they came up with. Its kind of cute.  But I think this is a double-edged sword.

Yesterday I also put in, "Creamy Butter Chicken Poutine with Fries, Cheese Curds and a side of chutney."

AI Butter Chicken

 This was one of the pictures that it generated.  It looks okay, but it's not hard to tell that it isn't real. Well it isn't for me anyways.

I also put in "A delicious looking burger on a sesame seed bun with tomatoes, lettuce, onions and cheese."

AI Cheese Burger

This was a little bit harder to tell the difference. It looks pretty real to me anyways. This new technology just made it easier for the world to lie to us. I'm not sure what to think about that. I suppose if used properly it's not a totally bad thing, but if I was an illustrator or designer, or a commercial artist, I would be a bit afraid that I was going to lose my job. It took literally seconds for four very tasty looking burger images to come up. All I had to do was to describe what I wanted to see and presto bazinga! There it was.

I know that most social platforms are requiring people to declare that what they are showing you is AI generated, but   . . .  you know how it goes.

For the record, you can see the "real" Butter Chicken Poutine at the bottom of this post for my recipe of the day and the differences between it and the AI generated one are glaringly obvious. Who knows where this technology will lead or where it will end. I, personally, think it is a bit scary to think about, but then again, everything these days is a bit scary.

 

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Truth and trust are really big deals to me. I, really REALLY hate being lied to. I was lied to for over 20 years with devastating consequences. I experienced one of the ultimate betrayals of trust. Perhaps that is why I feel so strongly about this.

 

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I got out of the house yesterday morning for a bit.  Would that it was Paris, lol, but it wasn't. It was just my local Foodland Grocery store. I had a few bits and bobs to pick up. I had a list and stuck to it for the most part although I did pick up a few things that were not on the list, like donut holes and cheese crackers.  I always find it really hard to go into the shops and come out with just what is exactly on my list. I always pick up a few extra unplanned bits.  I walk through the shop picking up things on my list and before I know it, a few other temptations have jumped into my cart.  I suppose it is quite natural . . . that is why Costco have their delectably affordable rotisserie chickens right at the very back of the store. You have to walk through the entire Costco to get to them. I know very few people who can go through all the way and back to the tils with just a chicken.  I have only met one person who could do that, and I was married to him. Perhaps that should have been a clue! ha ha

 

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My Granddaughter Maryn turned 14 on the 24th.  I did end up sending her a card with her Birthday money in it.  I am assuming she got it as I had sent one to my Grandson Gabriel at the same time and he got his.  I dreamt about her last night. Maryn.  In fact, that was the dream I was having just prior to getting up and it has stayed with me, making me feel somewhat sad.  In the dream I was at a family gathering and she was there. I went to introduce myself to her and told her who I was and asked her if she had gotten my Birthday Card.  And in the dream, she told me, I never get any cards from you. They all go in the garbage.  (I suppose that is my secret fears coming out.)  Anyways, it has made me feel very sad this morning. Her mother and my youngest son make me feel like garbage and try as hard as I do not to think about these things, they are always there and these hurt feelings pop to the surface every now and then and give me a good old slap in the face.  Even in dreams, which I cannot control.

You know . . .  I was bullied mercilessly in Junior High, which left terrible scars that I will always carry with me. Anyone who has been bullied knows what I mean.  My second husband was a bully.  He never hit me, but I was always afraid of him. He was abusive mentally and always gaslighting me before I ever knew what the phrase meant. My last husband was a gas lighter as well. (Amongst other things.) And now I have these two children who are repeating this bullish behavior towards me.  Sometimes it is really hard for me to believe that there is not something terribly wrong with me that makes people behave this way towards me. 

I must try not to let it totally color my day.

 

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Someone asked me a few weeks ago had I ever made Belgian Buns. I had never even tasted a Belgian Bun, so I had to look them up. I found a recipe and I tried it out.  I ended up throwing the entire tray of buns out to the birds because they just didn't come out well. Belgian Buns resemble cinnamon rolls, but are filled with lemon curd and raisins. They are glazed with a sweet icing glaze and topped with a cherry.  

That is a very British thing I think . . .  topping things with icing and a cherry. Lots of things they bake are topped with icing and candied cherries.   

Actually, when I think of it, I am reminded of the film Calendar Girls and am reminded of the scene where one of the ladies says that they are going to need larger buns.  I think those must have been Belgian Buns. I am going to try making them again one day, but only when I find a recipe that I think I can trust.

I got a lot done yesterday and at the same time I got nothing done, or at least it seemed like I got nothing done.  Ever have days like that? I have been thinking about things I want to get done before the really warm weather hits.  I want to go through all of my cupboards and get rid of anything that is really old and out of date.  When you live on your own inevitably you end up with some things that don't get used, no matter how hard you plan. 

I got a few loads of laundry done and I managed to vacuum the house. Cleaned the bathroom. I find that these days I need to do things in spurts.  Do a chore. Have a rest. Do another chore.  That is probably why it takes me longer to get anything done.  I fell asleep three times on the sofa without even trying.

I have finished 5 squares on my newest blanket. I think it will be nice when it is done.

I think I will finish this now. I am trying to fill my page with sunshine but today is just not shaping up to be a good day. I guess it got off to a bad start. Tomorrow will be better.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.There is no condition so severe
that you cannot reverse it by
choosing different thoughts.
~Abraham Hicks° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Butter Chicken Poutine. This was really quite delicious and as you can see looks not very much like the AI version at all, lol. 

I hope that you have a beautiful day. Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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And I do too!