Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's one thing on your to-do list that you want to get done, need to get done, or that must get done before the year ends? 

Really nothing.  I guess I am lucky in this regard.

2.  December 17th is National Maple Syrup Day...are you a fan? Do you like maple flavor in other food items such as candy, cookies, donuts, oatmeal, hot toddies, coffee? 

Yes, a fan.  Maple flavor donuts are my favorite, but I also like maple flavor candy and cookies.

3. Time magazine names a person of the year every year.  The tradition started back in 1927 with a 'man of the year' but has since changed to recognize not only an individual, but also to consider the impact of a group, movement, or idea that most influenced the year. The selection is not always someone or something good (think Hitler in 1938 and Stalin twice). 

This year they've named The AI Architects as their 'person of the year'. What say you? Is this a good choice, an obvious choice, a logical choice? Who do you think should have been named person of the year? 

Naming the AI Architects as 'person of the year' shows that the world has entered the age of applied AI.  The AI Architects is one person but a team effort of researchers and developers.  

Let me just say, I do not agree with this selection. An obvious choice because the way technology is affecting our world.  And people like Sam Altman and Elon Musk is a why they (AI Architects) were chosen. I think AI will eventually eliminate millions of jobs across white-collar workers.  I think the chatbots have contributed to our mental health crisis.  Teaching middle school, I have already seen the danger this has had on females.  Heck, it takes me a few minutes or longer see if a photo I am looking at is 'real' or AI.  And students are using this feature to write their essays!!! 

I would have named Pope Leo XIV as Person of the Year.  He was the first American Pope and his election was a major global religious event.

4. What's a city, state, or country you've visited that you never care to visit again? Tell us why. 

Newark, New Jersey

Back in 2012, I finally got hub to go to New York.  On the way to New York, I found out the reason it didn't take much persuasion for him to go.  He had purchased a Volkswagen (one I had wanted, beige with a tan top that you could let down).  Hub had bought this vehicle on-line and had given the man a deposit.  We spent a few days in New York going to the Empire State Building (which I also found out that hub was terrified of heights), Statue of Liberty, and a Yankee's Game' I am a Yankee fan.  The day came when we were to go and pick up the car.  How do you know where it is was my question to hub.  Only for him to reply someone was coming to our hotel and get us. 

A lady did come.  We got in the car with her and there was incense burning in the floor board.  We chatted (only after I heard her chatting on the phone).  She was from the Middle East and was speaking Aramaic.  We pulled up to this very, very tiny fenced in lot.  Then we went inside and I told hub I smelled marijuana and he just shrugged it off.  I asked the lady where was the vehicle I had came after.  She replied they were washing it, and this seemed like no big deal to me. Hub and I walked around the small lot which had only about 4 cars in the entire lot!!  Finally, the Volkswagen arrives, but the top is no longer tan, it is jet black.  I go and stand beside the vehicle and put my hand on the top.  My hand is jet black.  They had painted the  top.  RED FLAG!!!  Hub explained to the man that I really wanted the tan top so the deal was off and could he have his deposit back.  He writes him a check (I kept thinking this check wasn't real).  Anyway, he tells the lady who picked us up to take us back to the hotel.   On the way back to the hotel, (incense still burning strong) she pulls into a doughnut place.  We all get out of the vehicle.  The lady orders her a doughnut and a drink (I am thinking to go of course) AND she sits down at a small table to eat and drink.  We get back in the car and then she says, "I really don't know how to get you guys back" and she asks hubs for directions!!!  Hub has never been to Newark or New York EVER!!  I kept thinking I was DOOMED!!  I don't remember how we made it back, but we did!!!

That was my first and last encounter with Newark.  I don't ever want to go back!!

5. Next Sunday (December 21st) marks the first day of winter (or the opposite if you're living down under). What's one thing you love about this new season? 

Right now, I dread the winter.  We have already had snow and ice.  The temperature was in the single digits Sunday night and the wind chill factor was well below zero. School was closed last week for a couple of days and the days we were able to go, we went on a delay schedule!!  I love watching it snow, but we haven't hit winter yet and I am ready for the warmer temps.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday night was my Ladies Bible Study Group.  We decided to meet an hour early due to the cold.  I love this group of ladies.  Our devotion centered on HOPE.   Worldly hope is based on certain outcomes.  Hope in Jesus is based on the unchanging character and faithfulness of Jesus.  Waiting patiently through trials and sickness is definitely difficult, but having hope in Jesus one knows the glorious outcome is certain.  We know the final chapter!!  Our group is trying to decide on a book for our next meetings.  Any suggestions?

Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Enjoy Life this season!