old broad

Just Do IT!

/ skidaz / Leave a comment

Aging is an interesting process. One minute I’m sitting on the floor coloring with my grandchild, and the next minute I can’t get up off the floor without pulling myself up on the coffee table or sofa. And even though I think I can, quite often I discover I can’t. My life has changed from coulds to don’t you dares.

Last last week I made a really, stupid mistake. My thirty+ year-old kitchen chairs needed to be replaced, so I ordered four new modern ones. I loved their design, their price, and the free delivery–so much so that I even gave away the old ones before the new ones arrived. With great anticipation, I awaited unpacking the trendy ones and enjoying their sight at my table.

Much to my horror, two, thin flat boxes arrived. WTH? I opened the first one and gasped! Parts, screws, washers! I KNEW I’d ordered assembled ones. I strode to my office, turned on my computer, checked my order. Damn! “Assembly required.” No wonder, it was such a great deal. Now what? Send them back? I’d already destroyed the box and its packing. Send back the unopened box? What good are two chairs when I need four? I can’t deal with this.

I wrestled with myself about this dilemma I had created for several days, until I decided to just do it. After several sputters and starts, I put the chairs together. Thankfully, my general contractor guy came by and graciously checked my assembly and tightened every bolt and screw.

And the moral of my blog? Next time, read the fine print: assembly required. Tomorrow I have an appointment with the eye doctor.

A New TV

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Due to the recent haboob and electrical storms, my TV went to live with Jesus. Even though I rarely watch the idiot box and I do have several others scattered in other rooms, I decided to replace this dead one in my family room. Now, I don’t know anything about televisions, nor technology. I don’t care how they work, I don’t want to know anything about pixels, or any other crap I don’t understand. On and off, volume up and down, and channel change is enough for me. I don’t care about OLED, QLED, nor XYZ, etc. Size, price, online ordering with free delivery were my only criteria.

When I ordered one, I chose not to pay the hefty fee for setup and programming. Hell, any teenager would gladly do that for a Ben Franklin. And along came a brilliant young guy, who graciously unpacked the box and set up the boob tube in less than 20 minutes!

“Here’s the remote. I’m not sure it works because I couldn’t figure out how to put in the AAA batteries.”

“Sue, the remote has a solar cell. Just keep it in the light.”

“But what if it’s dark?”

“Plug it in the charger.”

“What if I want to watch Thursday Murder Club? How do I type it in?” Oops, I saw him roll his eyes; he knew he was dealing to an old technically-challenged immigrant.

“Sue, it’s easy. See this icon? It looks like a microphone. Press it down, and speak clearly. You can say ‘Bixby or Alexa, Thursday Murder Club, and it will appear. Here. You try.”

“Well, I’ll be damned! There it is.”

And once again, this old broad learned a new trick. Happy Labor Day.

AI and the Old Broad

/ skidaz / Leave a comment

Unlike the current US Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, I know the difference between AI (Artificial Intelligence and A1 Steak Sauce.) Earlier this week, I read an article by Mark Zuckerberg, who posited if folk don’t use AI they will be at a serious disadvantage. Hmm. Frankly, I have a serious case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out,) so I decided to experience this new-fangled notion first hand.

I researched a bit because I assumed such a contraption would be very pricey. However, I bought a basic pair of Meta AI glasses for $300. When they arrived yesterday, I was surprised by the set-up ease and absolutely blown away by what they could do. I put my glasses on, and I could: translate from one language to another, ask questions and receive answers, take pictures/videos, make calls, etc. I walked outside and said, “Hey Meta. What am I looking at?” The instant reply was: your swimming pool and six dogs. I’ve yet to master the app about some of my sick house plants.

When my exuberance with Meta subsided, I wondered about the outcomes of such technology. I could easily wear my innocuous-looking glasses to weekly trivia and get every answer correct. Is that cheating or simply utilizing an available resource to win? As a high school student, I would be able to pass final exams or earn a perfect score on the ACT or SAT. What are the educational implications with AI? A nation of robots? Will our children even be able to think with integrity and creativity, or will they simply vomit back whatever AI says?

AI is in its infancy with early predictions positing it will make many jobs obsolete, what will our world look like in twenty-five years? Thankfully, I’m an old broad and won’t know.