Getting to know ChatGPT

Good morning all, happy Thursday. It’s the day before an extra-long weekend in our house. PA Day tomorrow and Family Day on Monday. So that gives today a bit of a Friday feel.

For today’s post, I wanted to share with you my learnings of using ChatGPT, the AI tool that is taking over the world.

In the early days, I used it mostly for playing around and testing what it could do. Writing silly emails to friends and seeing what it would say when you asked it subjective questions.

It’s been a huge help in resume creation and cover letter writing, as well as kick-starting some idea generation.

I still think it’s pretty obvious when you read it that a computer created it, but it’s getting better.

All things come to an end

Well that was a dramatic title. No the blog is not over.

What I am referring to is how yesterday was the first weekday this year where I did not file a post. I opened up the screen and nothing. Nothing came to mind. Nothing seemed interesting to write about. I scanned Twitter, which is usually my idea generator, had nothing of note. I think we are all tired of Taylor and Travis.

So I thought about the streak. I thought about how I had written 500 words every weekday since 2024 started. I really tried, but all that was going to come out would feel very forced and the whole point of what I am doing is to not force it.

RMHC® Canada unveils family cookbook to support growing food program

This is a direct copy and paste of the news release I recieved. I get a lot of these, but this one I felt was worth sharing.

Don’t really want to read it? I asked my friend ChatGPT to summarize for you.

RMHC Canada, RBC Insurance, and Chef Chuck Hughes collaborate to launch the RMHC Family Cookbook, aiming to alleviate food insecurity for families with seriously ill children across Canada. The cookbook, featuring recipes from 16 Ronald McDonald Houses, seeks to provide hope and nourishment, with each download triggering a donation from RBC Insurance. RMHC addresses the pressing issue of food insecurity by offering critical meal programming, recognizing the financial and emotional strains on families facing pediatric illnesses. The initiative underscores the joint commitment of RBC Insurance and RMHC Canada to support families during challenging times, emphasizing the importance of community support in ensuring no family goes hungry during their healing journey.

Why I am not enjoying the Toronto Raptors anymore

Pretty bold way to start a Thursday right? Hope you have had your coffee. I’ve been holding back some feelings. As we near today’s trade deadline at 3pm EST, I am hopeful that we have some clarity on what this team is and will become. Because, watching what the current product is as a whole from on the court, to the broadcast and even the social media discourse, has become unenjoyable.

Let’s start with the actual team. In the past several months, any remnants of the 2019 title team has been removed. No more FVV, no more OG and no more Pascal. It’s clear how much we miss those guys due to how much we now focus on the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. FVV, OG and Pascal became part of the family.

At least in our household, we talked about them like we knew them.

A reminder that cooking isn’t always easy

I like to cook. I have felt that way ever since I was out of school and on my own. Being in the kitchen is a happy place of mine.

I don’t pretend to be any type of chef, but I think I can hold my own for many recipes and dishes.

To me cooking is all about getting in your reps. A lot of doing the same technique or dish to over and over to get better each time. I don’t think a dish ever reaches perfection, but you can get it close.

Why I now prefer one monitor over two for maximum productivity

I want to share with you something that feels like a very hot take in 2024. Something I didn’t think I would ever go back to.

I think I have returned to being a one monitor kind of guy.

For so long I gave my wife grief because she would never set up multiple screens and now I am seeing the light.

Last year we had a home office space shuffle at home which meant I was using my laptop in a few different places around the house. Our son’s bedroom, the dining room table, or out in the world at the library. Previously I was always all about a multi-monitor setup where the laptop connected to a second monitor for what I had always thought was the most productive way.

Struggling to keep our plants alive

Well today is the day. The first time in over a month where I have pulled up WordPress and stared at this screen for more than a few minutes.

I have nothing trying to jump out of my brain. No hot opinions. Nothing entertaining to share. So what do I do?

I could just close the tab and move on with my day, but then my streak is broken. And I am a sucker for keeping a streak alive.

So I am basically writing my way into a topic. So stick with me. The weather in Toronto has been very mild considering there are other parts of Canada buried in snow. I mean buried. Go check out the photos from Cape Breton.

I have a podcast on in the background. NBA talking heads going on about the NBA trade deadline. This is pretty boring as it’s usually all talk, no action. The Toronto Raptors are a sad mess. Maybe they tear down the team even more. Nothing there.

Friday Newsletter – The sun is shining

Every Friday I fire off a list of things I think you need to know. Want me to know something in return? Leave it in the comments.

Hello sunshine – As I sit here putting together this week’s Friday Newsletter, I am basking in the glow of the sun that is actually out this morning. This winter so far has felt more dreary than normal so when the light blasts in through the window, it is special. It makes me think about spring. We are not that far from it now. February will be over in a blink. It also helps that lately the weather has been pretty mild compared to other parts of Canada. This is great for getting out for long walks and closing those rings on the Apple watch.

New TV – With February upon us, that means more new TV shows starting to come out. On my radar this weekend is the premiere of the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. One of my all time favourites. Larry David has been making the rounds on talk shows and podcasts to promote and I have to say, it’s nice to have LD back in my life. He even had a moment with Elmo after Elmo had his big moment on X for mental health this past week.