If you can't be kind, at least be vague.

I attended four funerals this summer, all for friends or relatives. And there were two other folks who passed away who didn't have a service.

I was asked to speak at one service and as I remembered the adventures I had with the deceased, I was reminded of this saying (...at least be vague). No one is perfect. Everyone has foibles. The loved one I was eulogizing had her share of oddities, but I think I managed to put a funny spin on them. It wasn't until she was diagnosed with dementia that we realized some of those foibles were a manifestation of her disease.

It's hard to see someone you love deteriorate. I think all of us would prefer to spare our loved ones that agony. The choice is almost always taken out of our hands, though. So I guess it's best to live your life as though the next day might be the last -- because it might be.

I hope when my time comes, the details are vague....

Those who don't move

 ... won't notice their chains.

How many people do you know who won't change their opinions even when presented with facts?

I know, I know. How can we trust 'facts'?

Here's a rule of thumb: anytime a fact makes you question your beliefs, double-check that fact. Go to sites that you normally wouldn't visit.

If two sources say it's right, then your belief is wrong. 

 

A waist is a terrible thing to mind.

You know, the older I get, the less I care about my appearance.

That's not to say I'm a rambling wreck, but I don't do a lot to enhance my looks. I swipe on a bit of makeup, make sure my clothes are clean and comfortable, and that's about it.

I was never good with the whole appearance thing. Maybe that's why I gravitated to a job where I could wear jeans every day. Whatever it was, I'm glad I never had to "dress for success" because I would have failed. Every day was casual Friday for us.

I wonder how much time I've saved because I never fussed with hair or face?

Food for thought ... 

God answers all prayers.

Sometimes the answer is no.

I think this is important to remember. Just because I think something is important or right, that doesn't mean it is.

I do wish some people in the government would remember this, too. Futile wish, I know.

You can do anything, but not everything--

 FOCUS.

This sums up what I've been reading from others who feel overwhelmed by the current state of affairs in our country. It seems as though every time I look at social media or the news, I'm seeing some new outrage. 

I want to STOP IT ALL. I want to go back to the time when America had potential to be a moral leader. Now this country has become an arrogant bully with no moral center.

That's when I tell myself to FOCUS. The fact that a slim majority of those who voted chose an amoral felon to lead us does not mean that I have to change.

I still support trans people, gay people, women, minorities, those who are handicapped or disenfranchised. I will continue to support them no matter what the government does.

FOCUS on what can be done: write to the politicians, support those who are fighting in the courts, give money to those who can make a difference. You can't do everything.

FOCUS.

Never attribute to malice

 that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

I think the last election proves this point. 

Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

 Ain't it the truth?

There's been a lot of talk about AI lately. I took a bunch of AI classes back in the day and the same thing I learned then applies now: GIGO.

Garbage In, Garbage Out. In other words, a system is only as good as what data it's given. AI systems require (1) huge amount of storage capacity and (2) huge amounts of energy to run the fans that cool the storage capacity and (3) huge amounts of data in order to craft reasonable results.

Sure, you can run systems without those things, but it'll be GIGO and will be obvious (I sometimes wonder if that's what's happening with Trump,,,but I digress). I'm not too worried about the Rise of the Machines or Skynet taking over the world. 

Not yet, at least...