🎄 It’s fake, and it’s spectacular
Salutations to the sun, the importance of hydration, and a conversation with nobody in particular about yachting.
Well, hello December! It’s been quite a week, but one without running again. Fitness will resume in earnest this week, but the break has been good for me. I’m also excited to be doing a Solstice Text Challenge with Kelly. Every day between December 1 and December 20 I’m doing 25 sun salutations. That’ll be 500 when I’m done! It’s nice to have a supportive (and humorous) group to do it with, including Amy who’s by my side on our living room mats.
A Tip for the Modern Worker
Hydrate. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout your workday. When you’re on your own, it can be hard to remember to get up periodically to stretch and grab a drink. Try keeping a big bottle of water at your desk. Coffee and tea (use moderation if you’re affected by caffeine) are also fine choices. Try to avoid sugar-packed drinks, though, because they can mess with your energy levels.
I tweeted that out exactly a year ago and it’s part of my Handbook for the Modern Worker. I love having a HydroFlask bottle at my desk. I have the 24-ounce model with the Flex Straw cap, which means I don’t need to unscrew the lid to take a sip. It’s super easy to stay hydrated with cool water at my side all day. As far as sugar-packed drinks go, Amy and I haven’t had a single soda in at least a decade. We used to be Diet Coke fanatics and couldn’t bear a road trip without the sugary rush. We needed the nudge of the Hungry for Change documentary to kick the habit, but that’s literally all it took.
#365DayDraw
I drew this and wrote the accompanying annotation as part of my #365DayDraw project 6 years ago today.
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day
I don't want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day
I may have drawn this after playing with a cajon while Xander was testing out instruments at a specialty music store. When he plays, I play! To be precise, the drawing is not a cajon: I know that. It’s admittedly more interesting than a cajon’s cubic shape, though. Have you ever played one? Heck, do you own one? They’re really fun, and I wouldn’t mind having one in my arsenal of musical toys.
Commentary
In my Apple TV+ recommendation below, there’s a storyline involving a smear campaign against those using artificial trees. It was well-timed, with us putting our tree up over the weekend. Real or fake? To adapt Sidra’s Seinfeld quote, “By the way, it’s fake, and it’s spectacular!”
It was 1996. I had a new job, and an apartment of my own, and colder weather was starting to settle like a blanket over Long Island. I headed to Harrow’s in Carle Place and plunked down a sum I no longer recall for a 7’ artificial tree. I’m not sure why I bought such a nice tree, but it made me really happy and made my apartment feel a little more like home.
I’m thankful to my younger self for selecting such a nice tree, fake as it is. You see, this is our 26th year assembling it and it shows no signs of tiring. There’s very little that could go wrong with it: there’s no integrated lighting and it’s built really well. I’ve never considered having a real tree, though a lot of my childhood trees were that way, their needles falling off and the dog siphoning water from the bowl at its base. It just seems like too much trouble to trudge into the woods and cut one down, and it seems somehow odd to go buy one that’s already been cut for me.
CNN recently published an article about the high carbon cost of artificial trees, pegging the average amount of time that people keep one at six years. Six years? That makes me really happy I’m at 26. The article goes on to say that the carbon balance between the two options intersects at 20 years. Good on you, 1996 Scott Dawson. Good on you.
Miscellanea
🎻 We listened to Lindsey Sterling’s Snow Waltz near the end of a marathon day of driving Xander to Boston for the rest of the fall term. It’s a fantastic album that’ll get you into the holiday spirit in style.
👻 Have you seen Spirited on Apple TV+? Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell shine, and the first musical number hooked this thespian. It’s a delight to hear Tracy Morgan’s voice, too.
💬 Morning Brew alerted me to OpenAI’s new chat prototype. It’s pretty fun to play with. I pasted my morning chat below, but don’t read into it too much. I don’t have a place that’d fit a 100-foot yacht, and my budget is decidedly limited.
My chat with the OpenAI chat prototype
Human: Hello, who are you?
AI: I am an AI created by OpenAI. How can I help you today?
Human: I was just doing some administrative work here and wanted to say hello.
AI: Hi there! It's nice to meet you. Is there anything I can help you with?
Human: Well, you can tell me how you learn.
AI: I use a combination of supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques to gain knowledge from data. I learn by recognizing patterns and making predictions based on those patterns. My algorithms are constantly updated so that I can become more accurate and useful over time.
Human: What topic do you feel least prepared to talk about?
AI: That's a difficult question, since my learning is ongoing and I am constantly expanding my knowledge base. However, some topics may require me to do more research than others before I am fully prepared to converse on them.
Human: Okay, so let's talk about sailing.
AI: Sure, let's talk about sailing. What would you like to know?
Human: What type of boat should one purchase if they live on a smallish lake, say about 40 miles long?
AI: For a lake of 40 miles long, a small sailboat such as a dinghy or sailboard would be ideal. A dinghy is lightweight and easy to maneuver, while a sailboard offers greater speed and agility; both are perfect for a smaller lake. Both types of boats are also relatively affordable, making them a great choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Human: What about a 100-foot yacht? Wouldn't that be fun?
AI: Absolutely! Owning a 100-foot yacht would definitely be a luxurious and exciting experience. However, before you purchase one, there are some important factors to consider. You'll need to think about the size of your lake, your budget, and the type of boating activities you plan to do. Additionally, you'll need to make sure that you have proper docking and mooring facilities available for your yacht.
Human: Okay, cool. I have unlimited budget. Where's a good place for me to get a yacht?
AI: If you have an unlimited budget, there are several places you can look to buy a yacht. You could look into getting one from a yacht broker, a private seller, or a yacht dealer. Or, you could even consider custom-building a yacht with the help of a professional boatbuilder. Of course, you'll want to make sure you get exactly what you're looking for and a good warranty.
Human: I need staff for my yacht. Preferably with no criminal record. How should I hire a quality crew?
AI: The best way to ensure you hire a quality crew for your yacht is to thoroughly research each potential employee. You should verify job references, check with previous employers, and request criminal background checks for any candidate before making a hiring decision. Additionally, if possible, it’s a good idea to take crew members out on a trial basis to get a better feel for their capabilities and compatibility with the other members of the crew.
Human: And if the crew members fail the trial? What if we're out at sea and I want to fire them?
AI: If a crew member fails their trial and you decide to fire them while out at sea, you'll need to pay for their return voyage. This can be accomplished through a mutual agreement or by using maritime laws governing payment for services. It’s also important to document the reason for dismissal in writing, as well as ensure the crew member has a safe way of getting home.
Human: That all sounds rather above-board. Okay. I shall get a yacht.
AI: Sounds great! Before you get a yacht, it's important to do your research and make sure that you're choosing the best option for your budget, needs, and preferences. Good luck!
Human: Thanks!
AI: You're welcome! Is there anything else I can help you with?
Human: Nope. Go get some rest.
AI: Will do! Have a great day!