Radically Retired

Category: Ai

  • Chatty Food Plan

    Chatty Food Plan

    For my past several posts, I’ve been writing about my foray into ChatGPT.

    These posts have included notes about ai assistance I’ve received with indoor decor, painting cabinets, landscaping, lesson preparation for a workshop I teach, exercises to boost metabolism, and art work guidance.

    Another area where I’m receiving extraordinary help is in that of a sustainable diet – also intended to boost metabolism.

    After the usual question and answer format, the ChatGPT app developed an eating program specifically for my age, activity level, and health status that is both doable and liveable.

    Regular check ins are a part of it, and the always kind and supportive approach worked into the algorithm is most helpful.

    As I enter week three of the eight week reset developed for me, I’ve lost 2.5 lbs, and 1/2 inch from my waist. These are the measurable victories.

    The things that matter far more to me than rapid results and/or the numbers on the scale are: slow and sustainable results, a healthy higher protein and lower carb eating plan, and my clothing fitting better.

    So far, all three are happening.

  • Only OK

    Only OK

    Once I was finished with ChatGPT assisting me with indoors, I decided to take it outside to see how it would do with landscaping.

    On the positive side, the app was able to follow my directions: compact growth, drought resistant, minimal care, hardy in zone 10a, and starter plants available nearby.

    Where we ran into issues was: The first rendition wasn’t even our house in the background.

    The next issue was that once our actual front was back in the photo, the labels on the plants were skewed and all wrong.

    Next issue was that I did not want a prickly pear because it’s not in the compact plant category. I’ve seen here how it takes off to become almost a tree. Also, the red yucca was too tall. When I entered these comments, this is what I got back.

    It was “just ok” but looked bulky to me.

    I then asked for a switch to potted plants.

    These were the suggestions:

    I didn’t mind these, but these huge pots, especially the Mexican Talavera ones (which I love) would cost me a fortune.

    Which of these five do you, my readers prefer?

    This project is down the road, as next year, the house is getting new siding, the soffit under the deck roofing will be replaced, and the deck will be jacked up to straighten it. All of that needs to happen before I even consider landscaping in this spot.

  • Velkommen

    Velkommen

    Those of you who have been following me for a while, may remember that I’ve been trying to learn Norwegian Rosemaling, a decorative folk art.

    My goal was to do some pieces using palm husks that I pick up here in south Texas after a strong wind forces them to shed the ground. The canvas is free, so what’s not to love about that?

    Although hubs is third generation Canadian, he’s of Norwegian ancestry – 100% on both his mother’s and father’s sides, as far back as they can trace their roots (which a family genealogist has done), thus my interest in their culture. When I came across Rosemaling, I fell in love with the colours, the sweeping scrolls and swirls, and the simple flowers.

    It looked easy. It isn’t.

    I’ve practiced and practiced in sketchbooks and finally decided it was time to try it out on a palm husk.

    To my eye, the end result (left in feature photo) was a disaster.

    I submitted the left photo to ChatGPT and asked for suggestions on how to clean it up.

    Not only did the app correct it perfectly, using my design as a guide, but with further questions from me, it provided step by step directions for the brush strokes of Telemark rosemaling – my style of choice. I’ve watched YouTubes and researched other step by step tutorials, but the one provided by ChatGPT gathered the information quickly and provided exactly what I needed, based on my skill level (or lack of skill).

    Velkommen means welcome in Norwegian, so I wanted to make one of these husks for the back patio of our home.

    I think now, that I’ll follow the design sent back to me by the app, but make the background sage green.

  • Uncomfortable Wall

    Uncomfortable Wall

    The wall in my feature photo has bothered me for some time.

    It was uncomfortably out of balance and felt awkward. I knew the basic thing that needed to be done (changing the elevation of the things on either side of the TV), but even when I did that, it still felt wrong.

    I submitted the photo to ChatGPT, and with the suggestions it gave me, I was able to come up with an arrangement I could live with.

    The pieces on the right are palm husks that I’ve painted.

    These photos were taken at a different time of day (feature photo daytime with natural light coming in from the sides and this one early evening with light from table lamps coming from the front), thus the colour difference.

  • Addictive

    Addictive

    Everyone, both here in the blogosphere, and among my family and friends back home have been talking about ChatGPT.

    I’ve been resisting… until two days ago when my closest sister posted on Facebook, the cutest caricature of herself.

    I called to ask her how she made it, and of course, it was through ChatGPT.

    I succumbed and downloaded the app.

    I spent the next several hours making caricatures and laughing so hard at the results.

    I then submitted a photo of my kitchen here in south Texas, and asked for ideas for cabinet paint and countertops.

    Before I knew it, I was asking for a printed schedule for my hourly and weekly activities.

    Every single experience was interesting, fun, and rewarding.

    I can see how people can get addicted to this stuff … because after just two days, I already am.

    More on that in an upcoming post.