Revisting the ‘summer of shame’

Have you seen the popular trend on TikTok of people mostly in their 20s posting videos of their daily boring lives? You know, the 5-9 after a 9-5 type POV videos. They have figured out a way to monetize having what most of us call a normal life. Spoiler alert, getting up, going to work, coming home, and making dinner is what most of us do.

It’s crazy that there are so many people who love to watch these videos, comment on them, and live inside some giant virtual warm hug where it’s okay to feel good about being normal.

What TV shows I am watching right now

Happy day after Family Day. It’s back to the normal grind for most after a long weekend of family activities, the usual weekend stuff, and catching up on TV shows.

While things were looking pretty empty for a few weeks, the TV show library is starting to pick up the pace again.

The streamers are starting to release new shows on the regular after the various strikes from last year slowed everything down.

Here’s what I have been watching in 2024 so far.

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.

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.

Do we need a National news program anymore?

This may make me sound really old but I watch the news on TV every night. In our house it has been what we do for many years. 10pm-11pm, we watch the National news and then the local news.

Currently we are in the habit of watching the CTV National news at 10pm instead of waiting until 11pm (which we used to do when 11pm wasn’t so hard).

But over the last year or so, we find ourselves looking at each other and saying – is this even news anymore?

Better Call Saul never won an Emmy

Did you watch the Emmy’s last night? Probably not. We did. It wasn’t a bad show. There were some funny moments, a lot of TV nostalgia and zero surprises on who won in the end. Some of the categories seemed so telegraphed on who they wanted to win.

I read this morning that it was a confusing show because it was 4 months later than normal due to various strikes, and the submission window went all the way back to the summer of 2022.

Black Bird and Obi Wan were nominated.

The other part I don’t get about the Emmy’s is how a show gets nominated. Because based on last night, there were only like 9 shows on TV over the last year and a half.

Dad’s musical odyssey: Navigating the tunes of parenthood

Hey there, rockstar parents. We need to talk about a topic as crucial as the perfectly executed diaper change, the unparalleled joy of finding a lost toy in the couch cushions, or the tactical brilliance required to sneak vegetables into mac ‘n’ cheese. Brace yourselves – we’re diving into the world of dad’s musical tastes. You know, those tunes that keep us groovin’ through the chaos of parenting.

So, picture this: you’re driving the minivan with kids in tow, and suddenly, “Baby Shark” starts playing on the car radio. You clench the steering wheel, contemplating if it’s too early for a mid-life crisis. Fear not, fellow parent. Your musical taste hasn’t vanished; it’s just taking a detour through the realm of children’s tunes.