Reading

Current Mood: uncomfortable

Entry tags:

Thought for the day

Public

("You" here is a general term, not aimed at any specific person.)

My feeling is that it is almost certain that you have already seen and liked and/or favourably commented on an image, song or video that has been created at least partially with AI, without knowing it. Unless you're in the industry and/or a specialist, I suspect you are quite a bit less good at picking human from AI than you think you are. I know I am. It's not 2022 any more. As an imperfect analogy, think back a couple of decades to when 320k MP3s first became widespread. Lab tests at the time demonstrated that most people, including self-professed audiophiles, couldn't reliably tell the difference between 320k MP3 music and lossless under remotely normal conditions, however much they'd previously insisted they could. I suspect something similar is going on with AI imagery/sounds. Cheerful, eh?

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The Day in Spikedluv (Monday, July 7)

My sister A had to be to work by 7am. I didn’t quite make it to mom’s before she left, but I was there just a few minutes after 7. Before I left home I managed to toss a load of laundry into the washer AND dryer, hand-wash some dishes, pack my lunch, and scoop kitty litter.

I left mom’s at 3:30pm (though my sister wasn’t going to arrive until 5:30pm – we’re trying to slowly wean her from having care/company all the time because she’s already said she’s going to miss having us there). I stopped at the library on the way home to pick up a book. After I got home I did dishes, folded a load of laundry, tossed another into the washer AND dryer (that’s an accomplishment!), did a load in the dishwasher, and shaved.

I watched the first two eps of Smoke, read some fanfic and started the next Clare Fergusson book, and went for a walk while at mom’s.

Temps started out at 73.0(F) and reached 93. It was hot.

Mom Update:

Mom wasn’t as tired as I thought she’d be after going to the graduation party yesterday. ( more back here )

Current Mood: drained

Entry tags:

life update,
sick

Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

I probably should have updated before now, but I've been down with some sort of mystery illness. I started feeling vaguely unwell on Wednesday, and by Thursday afternoon I was feeling truly awful. I've been running a temperature this entire time, and that's been about the only thing I can tell you. I don't seem to have any symptoms, and fever isn't a symptom. Well, right now my ears feel strange, a little like there's cotton in them, or perhaps like when you go swimming and get a little water trapped in there.

Anyway, the only thing I've done all this time is try to rest. I was already exhausted by it on Friday but I feel utterly depleted now. All I have been able to do is try to remember to drink water. I haven't even been able to sustain enough focus to read. Sunday was probably the worst day, because I couldn't actually sleep, but didn't have the energy to do anything, so I sat on the couch and stared into space, or I laid in bed and stared into space. That was extra special fun since my brain took that opportunity to cook up every single worst-case scenario it could.

This morning my AM temperature was on par with pre-crud readings, but I plan to keep taking advil for a while. The body pain that came with this thing was horrifying and I really don't want that to come back. I also managed to perform two tasks without needing to rest in between. I'm finding my mind is clearer and my ability to focus is returning, so I've been trying to catch up on what's happened that's important - and I mean around here, like one of the tomato plants died, and Fox has applied insecticide to my hibiscus because they had aphids. I've also missed some virtual book club posts, haven't written anything, I have no bread, and I need to find out how my neighbor's daughter did in that 5k she wanted to run in. I just don't want to go near the neighbor and possibly give her and her whole family whatever I have.

“Darkness took me and I strayed away through thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of the earth... But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."

I've applied to a bunch of NYC government jobs today

Just went through the website and applied to everything I meet the minimum qualifications for, for what good it may do.

They could, in theory, save my information from one application to the next. They don't do that. They could also not require me to answer "where did you hear about this?" every time - but the joke's on them. "I went to your website and clicked on every job where I meet the minimum qualifications" is not an option, so I've just been lying and saying "hiring event" because that's the first choice. They will get no useful data from me, no thank you!

********************************

( Read more... )

I'm feeling slightly judgmental on the Texas flooding and I don't know if my judgment is merited

( Cut for being perhaps a bit insensitive or factually wrong )

Also, two links where you can donate.

The absolute worst thing about the state of the world

is the constant whiplash between panic and popcorn.

Right now I'm hovering over "popcorn" - new political parties? With added drama and infighting? LOL, okay, let's see how that works out for you!

(Look, I need a break from panic now and again, and I will take my fun where it appears.)

******************

( Read more... )

Current Mood: sad

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7/7

Public

157/365: The White Swan, Bewdley
Click for a larger, sharper image
It is twenty years to the day since more than 50 people were killed and nearly 800 hurt in the London bombings, caused by extreme Islamist suicide bombers. This was the first Islamist suicide attack in Britain, as well as being the deadliest terrorist attack since the Lockerbie bombing in 1988. It was a terrible shock at the time, all the more so because the targets were public transport vehicles: three London Underground trains and one double-decker bus. At first the news was simply of a "power surge" on the Tube, and it took a couple of hours before it was fully clear that it was something more sinister than a simple fault.

On a happier note, someone on my list here asked me recently whether the White Swan pub in Bewdley was still around. I said yes to them at the time, but here's some visual evidence! The White Swan was for a long time a slightly down-at-heel pub -- not dangerous or anything, just rather shabby and tired -- but it's had a substantial makeover in the last year and has gone significantly upmarket. It's recently started to sell itself more on food than beer, and the patio area at the back has been given a good polishing up as well. It's at the top of Load Street, Bewdley's main street.

Current Mood: busy

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Poem: "Tomato Seedlings in Tin Cans"

This poem is spillover from the June 3, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "growth" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest bingo. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Bee Food Flowers

Scientists’ top 10 bee-magnet blooms—turn any lawn into a pollinator paradise

Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies.
Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots.

Below are the plants recommended for European and United Kingdom uses...

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

blogging,
personal

Monday Update 7-7-25

These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Poem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"
Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
Poem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"
Poem: "No Such Thing as Finished"
Geology
Birdfeeding
Today's Smoothie
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Government
Fireworks
Writing About Fireworks
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 7-4-25: Historical Fiction
Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship
Birdfeeding
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Problem-Solving
Hard Things

"Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 41 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 146 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 95 comments.

sunshine_revival is running through July. See the schedule, meet the moderators, and use the master post to navigate the event. Meet new folks in the friending meme. Spread the word!

* Sunshine Revival Challenge 1: Light
Poem: "The Pleasure of Escaping the Responsibility"

* Sunshine Revival Challenge 2: Tunnel of Love
Poem: "Legs of Grass, Feet of Flowers"

summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Tetris 69 and Body Worship 69.

"In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" is now complete! Lawrence shows Stan more of his favorite places.

The weather has been variable here. It rained yesterday and last night. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of mourning doves, a male cardinal, a gray catbird, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and at least 1 probably 2 bats. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, snowball bush, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, narrow-leaf mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant. Daylilies are done blooming. Cucumbers, tomatillo, and pepper have green fruit. The first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato ripened and some other tomatoes are showing color. Wild strawberries, mulberries, peas, and blackberries are ripe. Black raspberries are done.

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Birdfeeding

Today is partly sunny and warm. It rained yesterday and last night.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and at least one mourning dove.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I harvested a handful of peapods for supper. :D

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I took some pictures around the yard.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I trimmed brush in the prairie garden.

The first of the gladioli are blooming in the telephone pole garden and notch of the prairie garden. A sunflower is blooming in the telephone pole garden too.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I cut some of the brush into sticks for making bonfire cores.

.

Current Mood: busy

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Notes for "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"

These are the notes for "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government."

( Read more... )

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misc tv,
tv talk

TV Talk: Smoke (1.01 & 1.02)

I decided to watch this show because of Taron Egerton. I’ve seen the first two eps and enjoyed them. ( spoilers )

Current Mood: hungry
Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: Star Wars: The Old Republic

Entry tags:

Rejected video for supermarket post

I had a spot for this video in 'Human Footprint' on PBS Terra explains 'How Supermarkets Rewired The Planet', but reached a natural conclusion before I could use it.

Watch on YouTube

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The Day in Spikedluv (Sunday, July 6)

I had to be to mom’s by 9am to relieve sister S. I did a load of laundry, baked chicken for the dogs’ meals, hand-washed some dishes, and scooped kitty litter before I left. I left ~6pm and by the time I got home I just did some more dishes and took a shower before I collapsed on the bed to relax.

I marathoned four eps of the new show Countdown with Jensen Ackles and attended a graduation party. (My sister S’s step-grandson.)

Temps started out at 72(F) and reached 97 according to Pip. I didn’t doubt it; it was so frelling hot out. We sat outside at the graduation party, but were saved by a slight breeze. I still felt gross and sweaty.

Mom Update:

Mom was tired again today and just had zero get-up-and-go. ( more back here )

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Poem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"

This poem is spillover from the March 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "Secrets" square in my 3-1-25 card for the Tolkien Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"

This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by

janetmiles. It also fills the "close-knit community" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family; it follows "Signs of Their Trespass," so read that first or this won't make much sense.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Notes for "Always Surprised by Consequences"

These are the notes for "Always Surprised by Consequences."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Poem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"

This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

rix_scaedu. It also fills "The Harder They Fall" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by

janetmiles. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Notes for "No Such Thing as Finished"

These are the notes for "No Such Thing as Finished."

( Read more... )