Hi,
I was thinking about ‘wins’ or luck, but I am now thinking Little & Big sounds like a hapless cartoon crime fighting duo. That or the illusive magical fashion store that stocks all the clothing, lingerie, and footwear for people who are definitely not in the ‘one size’ camp. Alternatively, it could be both, because life is odd.
Ah, I see the coffee has kicked in and the ADHD Goblin has turned the creative whimsy dial up to eleven 🙃
To AI or not to AI? That is the question
Given the above imaginary wanderings, you might be expecting a picture of a cute goblin. It’s true that I have been using AI to create those. Yes, I can doodle, but I don’t think I’ll be showing any of my stick-folk failed cave drawings any time soon 🙂
However, I don’t use AI for writing this blog nor for researching anything. I will add the usual Lynn disclaimer that I don’t judge folk who use AI. After all, you do you.
I guess…. I just don’t trust it to be right. What I mean is, I have tried it for work – back in the day – and when I’ve exhausted searching for a solution to a taxing technical issue. But, I am thinking it is not cutting the mustard. I don’t know if my needs are just too niche for it – PowerShell shouldn’t be, given it manages MS systems! – yet, more often than not, an AI answer is just plain wrong.
I don’t mean a bit iffy, but full on nonsense. E.g.: commands that do not exist; a demo that has no relation to how said commands would actually work*; and this is before you get to the images where folk have three arms and/or six fingers. I like a bit of Cthulhu eldritch horror, just not in everything I do 😁
[ * In non-geek, imagine asking for a recipe to make toast and a boiled egg. You get back instructions to place the maldonie into the afrack at BTI degrees, for no longer than C for wibble minutes. Also, don’t let the toast burn. ]
So, all that and AI seems to be sucking up a huge amount of water & electricity. While I think going ‘AI zero’ might be a tall order, maybe – like travel, plastics, etc – you cut what you can, and try to not be part of the problem.
Chams
Due to the weather warnings from earlier this month, we’d moved the first meeting to the 15th. I will be honest and say I was not in the mood to get changed. I can’t put my finger on why, but I have a feeling that the colder weather means I’m ‘mix & matching’ my femme and masc clothing, and this is helping keep the – brace yourself, highly technical psychological terminology approaching – gender grumbles away 🙃
Mouth, gift horse, etc; so I packed a bag and made the effort… which as ever, once I got stuck in, the rest flowed on, and I was glad I decided to try. Interestingly, I was listening to the beauty specialist this week, who said that she & friends where happy to meet up, but rarely had the energy/time to ‘glam up’ for a night out. I often wonder if being somewhere under the trans rainbow*, means we have more in common than I sometimes think.
Outfit-wise, I’d packed a denim skirt and some funky opaques to wear with my new boots. Well, I say new, I’ve been wearing them En Blurke since they arrived (so comfy & pretty). I couldn’t quite decide on a top that was warm enough, so I switched to my tunic top and some squat proof leggings from Snag. Would recommend, BTW – v comfy! Do watch out for the sale.
[ * No brain, do not go down the comedy route for a musical that never was! 🙃 ]
I was going to make a joke about Chams being packed, but that might come across as snippy, and that’s not how I like to roll. It was a quiet night, with just myself, Val, and Stevie. As I’ve said before, a busy night is enjoyable for different reasons, and a quite one is too. We had a catch up around Christmas stuff and how each of us were doing. That and a chat about future events for the group. Well, ones that were pre-agreed and pre-planned – there’s two coming up in Feb.
Positives
Between job applications I’ve been doing a few things to help friends out with IT, and that’s spread to some advice for three charity organisations. One of them has now moved over to being able to take on-line payments, and they seem very happy with that improvement. It’s been a pleasure to help those folk, and see the benefits of our collective hard work.
In other positives, I received a job offer last week, and I’ve been busy signing the paperwork, agreeing start dates/working conditions, etc. I’m very pleased that the job is mostly remote, reduced hours, and it doesn’t feel too far from my skills either. I won’t name the firm, other than to say it’s still in the not-for-profit space, which ticks another box around my personal ethics. I am a bit nervous because I’ve been out of the working world since the summer, and while I’ve met most of the team, things are quite new to me still. But, the good news is that my excitement and interest in what they’re up to, outweighs the latter. So, fingers crossed for the future, eh?
It was a Dewookiefication appointment this week too, and returning my pins to their (un)natural state helps. The specialist has recently moved the business and branched out on their own, so we’ve been having chats about options, marketings, etc. I guess a bit of ‘a second brain to have a look’, but also I can listen while S explains her ideas. I’ve offered to create some content for their business feeds, and that’s on a demo basis, with no strings attached if you don’t like it. Good to stretch the creative muscles now and then!
Chams’ regular schedule returns next week, so we’ll see how that goes. ‘Tis nearly the weekend, so doggo walks and chats with the Ever Lovely Mrs J to look forward to as well.
Whatever you’re up to, I hope it goes well.
L x
Good luck with the new job
Thanks Anon. Fingers crossed eh? 🤞 Thanks for your help & advice via email, BTW 🙏
It’s funny, at first, I thought your post might refer to hapless comedy duo, Little & Large, or to the defunct London department store for outsize men, High & Mighty. Neither, in fact, but then reading your first paragraph shows that there was some cross-thinking in the etherwaves there.
I wonder if AI might be like the Rubik’s Cube: a world-wide fad for a few years then just something in the background if you still want it. Like other technologies that didn’t really deliver, such as the electric ache-and-pain healing devices of a hundred years ago.
Anyway, nice outfit and the boots are cool. I’m not sure what differentiates squat proof leggings from normal ones, though.
I’m very happy to hear a job has come up which falls within the parameters you were looking for. Good luck, and enjoy your last days of freedom!
Sue xx
Ah, L&L, bless them. The usual curse for high profile acts; namely you can reuse, hone, and remix your performances, as you move between venues. No such luck with television, where it’s new (and untested) material ready week.
Technology writers & culture journalists seem to think there’s an AI bubble – and one due to burst. I think the technology will stay, but I don’t know if the hype will become reality. Perhaps that’s a good thing as we need both jobs and quality creations, rather than endless slop and nonsense. IMO 😉
Squat proof leggings are thicker and won’t -ahem- flash your undies as you move around. These have pockets – I guess for your phone or a credit card – and are comfortably high waisted too. Oh, and thanks for the kind words about the job and the outfit.
Thanks for the explanation on squat proof leggings. I rather wish all leggings were like that! I’ve always worn a tunic top with leggings just in case!
I looked at the Snag site as a result and they have my size. They also have fleece-lined leggings – with pockets – so they could well be hearing from me.
Sue xx
You’re welcome, Sue. I do the tunic thing too given it provides a bit more coverage.
If you’re buying from Snag, I think that have a dedicated EU site: snagtights dot EU? Should help with the dastardly effects of the Cursed Decision Beginning With B 😉
PS you may like their gothic tights too 🕸️
Hey, good luck with the new job. That sounds like it ticks all right boxes for your circumstances. I’m sure it won’t take long for your to fit in.
I’ve been playing a bit with AI – also images rather than text or searches – following a lead from a recent ‘Dress Me’ article in femulate.org, although I’ve not posted any of the results. However I’m now wary of using it following the row about Grok, although I don’t use Grok or X (and wouldn’t on principle) and I’m using my own pictures.
Nice Chams outfit. Love the cat tunic.
Have a nice weekend.
Thanks Susie. Fingers crossed for the start later this month.
I hope the AI images came out as you’d hoped.
I’m with you on AI when I have searched for something on the net I often find an AI suggestion which invariably is wrong…..
Good luck with the new job, Im sure you will soon get into the work routine again….
Thank you, Andrea. Fingers crossed the return to the world of work, won’t be too much of a shock 🙂
Fantastic news on the job and yay for a good Chams night! Glad things appear to be going your way generally, in fact.
Long may this continue!
Best to enjoy things, while you can, I feel.
Hope you’re keeping well.
Hi Lynn, I really enjoyed this post, your mix of whimsy, honesty, and reflection is such a pleasure to read! I especially loved your thoughts on AI. You may remember I questioned whether to AI or not and in all honesty I have found it surprisingly helpful for polishing my blog content without losing my own voice. It’s like having a little assistant to help tidy things up, rather than a replacement for the ideas themselves.
It’s also great to hear how Chams is going, and congratulations on your new role! It sounds like such a thoughtful fit, and I hope the transition continues to feel exciting and manageable. Your reflections on balancing work, community, and the small joys around you really resonated, I think we all need reminders of the value of those quieter, meaningful moments.
Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts so openly, as always t’s inspiring to see how you navigate life’s big and little adventures.
Have a good week.
Lotte x
PS. Lovely outfit photo x
Thanks Mrs! Kind of you to say.
If AI is working for you, in terms of helping with writing; that’s good to hear. I do use a spell checker and I think the browser tries its best on my random wittering. I don’t, however, like to use it for writing here, as I enjoy the process of getting something out of my head, and getting that sense of a task done – as I hammer the keys to get the though explored or explained. That satisfaction doesn’t arrive when I tried generated content for a previous job, so I’ve carried that over to YATGB, by being old school and typing.
As to the new role: it is approaching quickly, and I’m a little nervous. Perhaps that’s a good thing, as I don’t want to mess things up for the organisation or myself. Big Girl Pants on and deep breath!
Good luck with your new job. I’m not a big fan of AI in the creative process. It has it’s place in being able to perform time consuming and repetitive tasks ridiculously fast, which has many uses in industry and medicine. But in the creative world it is cold and soulless.
Loved your outfit and I might look out for those leggings.
Dee xxx
Thanks for the well wishes and kind words about the outfit, Deeanna. As to the leggings, might be worth a look on Snag to see if there’s any left in the sale. That or take a peek at their ‘new to you’ site.
I think I get what you mean about AI and repetitive tasks. I am still somewhat concerned about its accuracy on analysing things, but I guess it will improve. Perhaps, like spell checking, it’s not a substitute for folk proofreading and running how an article/item ‘feels’ or lands.