So our Electric clothes dryer went on the blink yesterday so had one of the jack-of-all-trades construction workers who had built the house come over, dismantled everything, put it back together, and still not working. Ok, that only ran around $10 so no big deal; we’ll call the Whirlpool dealer tomorrow or so and have them send out a technician to fix it. And then yesterday we were in a little pueblo nearby, and some old guy on a motorbike came around a slow moving curve, in the wrong direction of course, and slowly ran into the left front end of our SUV. Again, what do you do? No real damage so let it go, then stopped by the local pizzeria where they actually have pepperoni, and took some slices home. And today, back home, went to the local mechanic, $10 and he straightened the left front fender, fixed a broken bulb, reconnected and aligned some underside stuff, and I’m back in business again. (image created in AI). (click on the title above to make or view comments)
I have to admit earlier in life I wouldn’t have believed I could live in rural, I mean, it just never occurred to me as I’m pretty hyperactive, and always was around where the action is doing new things and ,,,doing. Yet I love it now. The upside is we really have a nice place out in the mountains, fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fresh air and water, that’s great, and even more, it is so peaceful. Yesterday was a day trip to Villeta, a mid-sized town about 90 minutes away, walked around a bit, a really hot 80 degrees there, but still nice to walk around bustling activity sometimes. Today we took the puppy to the local vet, $8 for checkup, pills for bugs and whatever, shampoo cleaning and dryer, that’s pretty good. The downside has been like the last two days where internet has been spotty; drives me nuts. But that’s not so bad, watched tv this afternoon since cable not dependent on internet, bit refreshing as I hadn’t watched tv (Pearl Harbor) in like maybe two weeks. A local gardener was here doing outside work, so I was outside a bit, and I also washed 3 pairs of sneakers. Last night I re-read an ebook I have stored on ipad since internet didn’t come back up till like 7 or 8pm. Tomorrow I’ll call up and see what pricing is like for satellite tv, so that should be interesting. Ok, let me close for now, have to do some studying, python programming, since I do need to finish that course. Harold out!
Microsoft Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nvidia CEO, ex Google CEO, Meta CEO, Oracle CEO. Watching them speak over the last couple of months made me realize that our world is about to change, greater than the Industrial Revolution, greater than the invention of electricity and computers. The best way I can explain Artificial Intelligence, AI for short, is like this: Imagine if on your smartphone, you had apps that combined, are like your personal assistants, smarter than the best physicists, mathematicians, programmers, teachers, lawyers, cooks, everything you can think of in society.
Design a sophisticated plan to start your own business in 60 seconds? Same with completing a 20 page research paper for school with all the footnotes included? Same with creating an APP for smartphones based on the criteria you choose? Help with an invention you have been thinking about? Prepare for a case in court? AI is like a computer system trained on basic facts and processes in the world, combined with all the libraries in the world, so it can learn and predict solutions, even beyond what is already known, and keeping on learning. Machine Learning. In its simplest form to get your results, it is being able to carefully write or say, with SPECIFICS, exactly what your problem is and what solution you are looking for. AI will do the rest.
Within 3-5 years, many entry level jobs such as in customer service, legal work, accounting, teaching, manufacturing; many of these jobs will disappear, being replaced by automation and business processes that don’t need humans anymore. Even all programmers will be replaced by Artificial Intelligence Programmers. Imagine, right now at Microsoft, up to 30% of all their programming code is being written by AI. Only senior programmers will soon be needed to double check and monitor code being produced.
The thrill for me is being witness to this great change that hardly anyone in our society realizes is coming in just a few short years. I’m a retired IT professional, yet I’m inspired to be a part of this new world. So on my own, I’ve taken free online courses on basic AI, and am now 30% into Python Programming, very friendly to AI programming, just to understand the basics of what’s moving the phenomenal change. For yourself if you’re young and want to be a programmer, make sure it is AI programming you consider. If you’re older, look to see how AI can multiply your value, or how it can assist you in your goals. Being prepared, you will always be able to succeed. (image created with AI) ( click the TITLE OF POST to view or make a comment)
If you love what you do, then you do what makes you happy. So that’s a good principle to live by. Today was great, as I got to speak to my sister (which is not often), who lives in Jamaica, and where Hurricane Melissa is about to hit. Not to be funny but if the whole island gets washed away to Heaven, after that long chat I especially told her I love her. Ok, don’t get all teary-eyed and wimpy, but that’s what real people do. It was fun, she even gave me a WhatsApp video tour of her house, the one we grew up in, wow, has it changed, modern and all that! During the last couple of days I also reached out on social media to some of the folk out in Jamaica to wish them well. Granted it’s only a few as I only keep a small social media “footprint”, but it was a great opportunity. In the evening, I spent a couple of hours on some programming (I’m self-teaching) related to my Artificial Intelligence project I’m undertaking. I’ll write more about that tomorrow. (keep up to date with me on my my blog and also website, www.MitchTrain.com.)
I’ve got family in the States, Panama, Jamaica, Colombia. Let’s pick Jamaica today. They’ve got like a hurricane coming in 2-3 days it looks like, so I’m hoping things turn out alright. I haven’t been there in ages but in my mind it’s just like yesterday. Weather is one of those things that can really impact our lives, from day 1 of the universe, through history to now; we are so prone to its effect on us. We just keep on living, don’t we; and on and on the conversation rages on whether we can do anything to control or affect weather. Well, the truth it seems we can and cannot. We can do some things to protect the world from climate changes (by using umbrellas,,,,,joking!), like minimizing deforestation in the Amazon, but other things we have to live with. One thing for sure though is we all pitch in when we can to help others in disasters; that’s one of the most beautiful things people do on earth. Lets do our part when we are able to help others in need. (image in AI) (click THE TITLE of this post to view or make a comment)
Spent the day in Mosquera, Colombia, pop. About 150,000, an hour west of Bogota, temp averages around 75 degrees F. It’s bustling with activity, streets teeming with people all over, sporty yet casual outfits, I peek into little stores, walk past big stores, watch street vendors hawking goods, music coming from somewhere, it feels safe and just walking along the sidewalk feels invigorating. A bit warm, rain clouds forming, but everything makes you want to soak in as much of this beautiful country as you can. (click THE TITLE of this post to view or make a comment)
So spent the last couple of days introducing Luca our German Shepard to our little world in Colombia, don’t these pets ever sleep? He got his first bone today, and you’d think he won the State lottery! And then, today I went for my yearly medical checkup. You know, the first time in 2021 when I did that I was totally shocked. Unlike in the States where 1) you’re hesitant to go because of the cost, and 2) they’re hesitant to offer treatment you need until you can prove you really need it; here in Colombia, doctor is pleasant, casual yet serious, and gives out referrals like candy to a baby. Like on my first visit they gave me the usual blood work referral, and then plus 5 other referrals for everything they could think of. Of course I declined the one for psychiatrist, obvious reason as I am clearly NOT sane!,,,,haha. Anyway, it was pleasant, I’ll probably do the bloodwork in November before going back to the States for a few months, but at least that’ll be over with. Oh, and all this will cost around $1 for each referral including bloodwork. (Image in AI) (click THE TITLE of this post to view or make a comment)
So, the Colombian grapevine works. Isabella, the owner of the local pastry and cake store, called us this morning at 6am. Long story cut short, desperate owner 3 hours away contacted her, couldn’t keep 3 month German Shepard puppy and was willing to drive over with two sacks of dog food, a brand new dog house, two large day beds, not sure how else to describe them, plus assorted stuff. All free package deal if she could find an owner. Like we were totally all-in on this deal, right? So here she is, tomorrow we’ll give her a name, any ideas?
Facatativa, population nearly 200,000, about an hour NW of Bogota, one of my favorite places, about 70 degrees F . Sorry, had a little trouble with video sizing, but anyway, we’re in the main park, 11am, a band is rehearsing for an event tonight. What a surprise as we came just for breakfast and a little shopping. Heavy metal and well charged up, loud speakers shaking the earth, these guys had jive and groove. So, like I belonged, I walked past security, up the side-stairs, to ask a guitarist something on technique; it sure did help, nothing like hands on. Then I just did a quick video to show you buildings, see some local people, the main plaza; they only practiced for 15 min, event is tonight, I think some holiday. I love this city, you can see a bit how stores are , small, great variety, some only 5 steps wide in width, so it’s intriguing walking around as so many stores in small area, and it is so completely safe, jewelry worn, phones out, people strolling, nice! There are some department stores around but really, the street stores are where the action is, where you feel the pulse, the people, traffic, and the colorful products as you’re walking by stores. We come to a shoe repair shop here, $10 fixes anything on 3 pairs, unheard of, right? Another shop here I get guitar odds and ends, and where we stop for breakfast, they make the best Tamales, a steamy corn-flavory mass, kinda like mash potatoes density, with Chicken inside, wrapped in some kind of plantain leaves. Delicious! Best breakfast. I think the “Tolimense” style is the best. Try it when you come!
