Every year I like to have a “project” such as my 60 until 60 project or my Year of Microadventures. In 2023, my project was all about Learning in Retirement. Each month, I’d pick a new topic that I wanted to learn more about. I’d find online classes and resources, podcasts, and books and set a goal related to the topic. At the end of the month, I’d write about the experience.
Here are the twelve resulting blog posts for my Year of Learning in Retirement:
I love learning in retirement! There are so many resources, most of them free! Unlike university days, there’s no pressure, and any homework or exams are optional (at least in all the classes I took.)
It’s amazing that podcasts, forums, and communities are available for every topic under the sun. The level of engagement is entirely up to you! I feel so lucky to live in an age when we can instantly connect with experts, thought-leaders, and others who are learning any topic whatsoever!
What Could Have Been Better
The biggest thing that could have been better with my project is my own commitment level. It’s important to be self-motivated when no one is holding you accountable. Though I’m typically a disciplined person, I was not as committed or engaged in these classes, knowing there would be no grades or accountability.
I, especially, wish I had taken the time to engage more with the forums and communities of the various online classes. I also think it would have been better for me to take at least one in-person class, where I might have met some new friends. Because I travel so much, online classes are much more convenient, but it’s much harder to feel the connection to others that you can get from in-person classes.
Summary
Retirement is a wonderful time to learn! There’s no pressure and there are so many free (or low cost) resources available to us – YouTube videos, podcasts, online classes, and best of all, people!
In my Year of Learning, it was fun to dig deeper into topics that I hadn’t even known about before the year began: ChatGPT and Psilocybin, for example! The world continues to change and if we want to stay relevant, we need to change, too – using new technologies to access the wide range of information that’s available.
2023 is over, but learning will continue throughout life! What do you want to learn in 2024? The options are endless!
To be honest, I’ve been super-busy and distracted and hadn’t even picked a December learning topic when my friend, Chris, sent me a link to the Lucid Dreaming online class. Chris, who lives in Bali, is an avid meditator, and goal-setter, himself. He’d just completed The Mindful Guide to Lucid Dreaming class, which was available through the Insight Timer app.
I’d just arrived in Bradenton, Florida and had tested positive for Covid, upsetting my plans to visit both Chris and his mother, who was turning 90, in St. Augustine.
Since those plans were completely disrupted and I had a week of isolation and bed-rest in front of me, it turned out to be the perfect time to learn about Lucid Dreaming.
What is Lucid Dreaming?
Though I can’t be certain I’ve truly experienced it (even after having taken the class) it sounds like Lucid Dreaming is the ability to have an awareness and control your actions while dreaming.
I’ve experienced the awareness piece on occasion, but not the second half – taking conscious action during a dream.
How does the class teach you to Lucid Dream?
First, the class helps you enhance your mindfulness and your ability to control what you’re thinking. This part was very similar to what I learned when studying meditation. (Makes sense since Insight Timer is an app that includes guidance on Mindful Meditation.)
Many of the exercises began with breathing exercises and an awareness of your conscious thoughts, including when you transition to a sleep and dream state. It was very handy for me to be listening to this class and doing these exercises while I was feverish and in a half-asleep state already.
As you slip into this dream state and see or experience something that wouldn’t be possible, your conscious mind that’s still half there is able to register, “This is a dream. I am not really pregnant again.” (One of my recurring dreams is that I’m pregnant yet again. In these dreams, I have lots of babies which I don’t remember having. These are undoubtedly the children resulting from all the other pregnancy dreams.)
OK, back to reality. Next time, I’ll be able to realize that that back pain is NOT about pregnancy!
Recording Your Dreams
So…what you’re supposed to do when you’re conscious enough to remember your dream is this: grab a notebook that you keep by your bed and write down your dream. If you wait until you’re fully awake, there’s a good chance you won’t remember the dream.
When I listened to this part of the class, I thought to myself: “I’m too sick to even want to move to take the much-needed Tylenol that’s sitting on that bedside table. This will have to wait.”
A couple of weeks later, when I wasn’t so sick, I was having a not-very-interesting dream about my girlfriend group. I also had to pee. I thought, “Since I’m up anyway, I should write down my dream.”
However, I’ve struggled with insomnia my whole life. Even though I had to get up to pee, I was still sleepy enough that I went right back to sleep without a problem. If I had taken the time to write my dream down in a journal, I think it would have made it difficult for me to drift back to sleep. Bottom line: I’m not doing the journaling thing.
Why learn about Lucid Dreaming?
I thought the final few lectures were the most insightful about the benefits of Lucid Dreaming. Often we dream about things that are bothering us in real life. If we can interpret and dig into the meaning of our dreams, we might be able to rewrite our ‘dream story.’ This, of course, might be especially useful if our dreams (or nightmares) are related to an anxiety that we need to address.
One of the most difficult times of my life was in 1997 after my brother (another ‘Chris’) died in a car accident. I had dreams every night where he was alive. Then I’d wake up and re-experience the grief of his death. (The opposite has also happened…. Dreaming that someone has died, and the huge relief in waking up, knowing it was just a dream.)
However, when I was having the nightly dreams that my brother was alive, it became so common that in my dream, I realized it was a dream, and would think, “I don’t want to wake up. If I wake up, Chris will be dead.”
As anyone who’s been through grief knows, it can be a time of deep depression and despair. Every morning when I’d wake up, again to the realization that Chris was dead, I would sob uncontrollably.
But one night, the dream was different. Chris was there and told me he was OK. He was his typical carefree, full of happy energy self, telling me to stop worrying. He was so real that it felt like I was really communicating with him in the afterlife. Even after I woke up, it didn’t feel like I’d just had a dream.
Was my experience “Lucid Dreaming”?
I don’t think that experience was “lucid dreaming” because it didn’t feel like a dream. It could have been my subconscious. However, the experience was vivid enough that I had a different feeling going forward. I was still sad that Chris was dead, but I had a sense of peace and a belief that he had been able to communicate with me and reassure me that he was OK. (I just wish he’d have given me a little more information about the ‘after-life’!)
Since that whole experience happened before I knew anything about “lucid dreaming,” I don’t know if it would serve as an example of how we can rewrite our dreams. However, if you have a recurring dream that upsets you, I think the idea is to ‘day dream’ a different outcome.. maybe one that you overcome the challenge you’re facing. The next time you have the dream, your lucid dreaming skills will help you rewrite your dream to a more positive outcome. Doing this in your dream (even in your day dream) may change your mindset and feelings while you’re awake.
Summary – Learning about Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming, like meditation, helps us develop more awareness of our minds and our consciousness.
Dreams can give us insights into our minds. By having a deeper awareness about our dreams, we may learn how to change the outcomes, not just of our dreams, but of our waking lives.
While I don’t intend to keep a dream journal or work much more on trying to develop my lucid dreaming skills, I’m glad I learned about this unique mind-control skill.
For the 11th month in my Year of Learning, I decided that iPhone photography would be the topic of my deeper dive.
Learning photography was one of my goals from my 60 until 60 project. This time, I invested in a class by Emil Pakarklis.
My biggest problem is that I had a hard time focusing! And I’m not talking about the camera, but my attention span! Yes, this is the first month that I only executed half the class.
However, thanks to AI, I can give you a quick overview of each of the 5 units:
Emil’s iPhone Photo Academy Highlights:
Cracking the Composition Code: Emil kicked things off by reshaping my perspective on framing shots. Suddenly, the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing weren’t just jargon—they were the secret sauce to transforming my photos from meh to mesmerizing.
Playing with Light and Shadows: Lighting, my friends, is the unsung hero of photography. Emil spilled the beans on how to use natural light like a pro, whether I was chasing the golden hour glow or dabbling in shadows for a touch of drama.
Editing Secrets Unleashed: Post-processing might sound fancy, but Emil made it feel like a walk in the park. Armed with his editing wisdom, I dove into apps, tweaking colors, adjusting exposure, and making my photos pop like they were on the cover of a fancy magazine.
Flipping Perspectives Like a Pro: Emil dared me to break free from the norm. Forget the standard angles—this guy had me crawling, crouching, and bending like a gymnast to snag shots from unexpected perspectives. It was like seeing the world through a whole new lens.
Joining the Photography Party: Emil’s course came with a built-in VIP pass to a photography community. Sharing tips, getting feedback, and connecting with other photo enthusiasts added a social flair to my learning journey.
Conclusion:
Emil Pakarklis and his iPhone Photo Academy have left me wanting to learn more. My casual snaps are becoming works of art, and I’m pumped about the possibilities that lie ahead in my perpetual journey as an iPhone photographer.
Here’s to Emil, November learnings, and the magic of capturing life, one iPhone pic at a time! 📸✨
I’ve always been enamored by big family gatherings. And what’s the holiday that’s most known for big family gatherings? Thanksgiving, of course!
This year, the Thanksgiving dinner attendance was a record 26-people with representation from every decade. We had the babies, the kids, the teens, the young adults, the parents, and (the category that I fell into), the “elders.”
My son-in-law’s mother, Lynn, and her sister, Rebecca (aka “Lolly”) skillfully planned this extended family 4-day outing. They even created a multi-page brochure describing our luxury retreat accommodations, activities, and hiking options!
Rebecca (Lolly) and David (Pops) hosted the traditional feast on Thanksgiving Day at their gorgeous Mesa home. On Friday, the crowd went on to Moab, UT for the weekend for more hiking, feasting, and family bonding.
When I was a kid, I always envisioned being the matriarch of big holiday dinners. As it turns out, it is SO much less stressful to be a guest, rather than the host!
The years that I did host it was usually for 8 people for an afternoon, not 26 people for 4 days! I was so busy worrying about cooking and helping everyone find whatever they needed, that I barely had time to just enjoy myself.
In this case, the whole adventure was extremely well-planned and executed! The fact that it seemed seamless and smooth tells me just how much work was being done by a lot of unsung heroes. The planners worked hard at preparing all the meals and making sure everyone was happy and comfortable.
There was a lot of laughter, games, eating, playing, and family bonding as if everyone all jumped out of a Norman Rockwell scene.
Since I’ve retired, I’ve become much more aware of the importance of social connection. Between the Covid years and the family moves and changes, family gatherings are something I especially treasure.
Thanksgiving Gratitude
I know it was a lot of work to create such a successful weekend and I’m so appreciative to all of those who worked so hard. Though I’m sure there are a lot of people I’m not mentioning, here are some of the people and things I’m grateful for:
Scotty, for making the trip from Virginia to join us and be my hiking buddy.
Lolly and Lynn, for planning such an extraordinary holiday.
Lolly and Pops for opening up their home to all of us and providing so much food, warmth, and love.
Whitney, for all the food planning and preparing many of the meals throughout the weekend.
Megan and Chris, for inviting Scotty and me, and sharing rooms with us.
The gorgeous scenery we all enjoyed while hiking.
The way so many people pitched in with food preparation, clean-up, and helping each other.
The thoughtful conversations and the chance to get to know each other on a deeper level.
The fun of being around babies and little children.
Being with my grandchildren and seeing them interact with their cousins and extended family.
Reneya’s creative Turkey Cupcakes.
The glow-stick dance party!
Steve’s expertly prepared cafe lattes each morning.
Scotty’s driving throughout the weekend.
Everyone in attendance for their friendliness and thoughtfulness.
This will definitely be a Thanksgiving to remember!
I’m way overdue on this blog post. There are some adventures that I know a blog post can’t properly describe. My photos and writing just aren’t skilled enough to capture the beauty of the unique experience! This is one of those adventures.
Any good adventure is not just about the experience, it’s also about who you go with! So, when one of my favorite girlfriends, Sonja, asked if I’d want to go to the Balloon Festival, I jumped on the opportunity! Heck, yeah!
Morning Ascent
Morning Session at Albuquerque Balloon Festival
Being newbies, we were both a bit unsure of the logistics. We made the 7-hour drive without a problem and rose at 4:30am in order to catch the shuttle for the sunrise ascent.
I’d read that we didn’t need to get admission tickets ahead of time, but it turned out the shuttle tickets were sold out and we were stuck in traffic at sunrise. Boo.
Despite this disappointment, when we did finally did make it to the park, the weather was clear and the balloons were plentiful.
Clear Sky Full of Colorful Balloons!
There was such a huge variety of balloons and it really was magnificent to see so many fill the sky all at once!
Old Town Albuquerque
Sonja with an artsy drink at The Dancing Crow in Old Town, Albuquerque
I was able to use my new Home Exchange Membership to get us a fabulous house for our 3-night Albuquerque stay. The house was beautiful, unique, and full of custom woodwork. It also turned out to be walking distance to Old Town, Albuquerque!
There were many fun and colorful shops full of whimsical items on display, including a “Seize the Day” mirror!
I loved this colorful Carpe Diem Mirror!
The town square was full of people dancing and enjoying music. One of my favorite memories from the trip is when Sonja and I danced and sang while the band played Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl.
Singing Brown-Eyed Girl with Sonja!
If you look at our ears in this video, you’ll see Sonja had bought us both some really perfect earrings! Hers had sunflowers and mine were my carpe diem colors of purple and turquoise. I love them and they’ll always remind me of this trip!
Evening Balloon Glow
Balloon Glow at Albuquerque Balloon Festival 2023
Our second night in Albuquerque, we went for the evening session at the park. This time, we knew to get the shuttle tickets (which included park admission) before they sold out. We also brought blankets and snacks, so we were much more prepared to relax and enjoy the evening festivities.
And those festivities were plentiful! This time, as the sun set and the sky darkened the balloons glowed as they were fired up in unison.
Nighttime Balloon Glow was Magnificent!
Besides the magnificent display of gorgeous colorful balloons, there were skydivers, a drone show and two sets of incredible fireworks! The shows totally exceeded all expectations!
In Summary
I understand now why the Albuquerque Balloon Festival is so highly recommended. Since we missed the morning shuttle, we didn’t make it to the park in time for the sunrise mass ascension, but we still were able to witness the beauty of the sky filled with colorful balloons.
But for me, the highlight of the Fiesta was the night session including the Balloon Glow, skydiving show, drone show, and fireworks. I’d never seen anything like it! So gorgeous!
Sharing the experience with Sonja was what truly made it special. Everything… the road-trip, our long talks, our shared excitement and joy of the shops and galleries, the thoughtful surprise earrings.. and, of course, the thrill of seeing all those gorgeous sites together – they all are memories I’ll treasure.
My 2023 Year of Learning continued this month with a deeper dive on ways to hack exercise in retirement. Exercise is critical for our mental and physical health, but finding the time and discipline to do it daily can be a challenge.
As a matter of fact, this month I’ve found it a challenge to do my daily exercise routines regularly, despite being retired! I’m still laying in my bed with my laptop at 10:30am!
One of my self-imposed “rules” is that I have to do a minute of push-ups as soon as I get up, so I get those out of the way first thing! However, with no commitments on this first snowy day of the season, I’m delaying those pushups for as long as I can. And to further justify my lazy morning, I have another “rule” – to write at least one blog post a month about a focused learning project.
Writing this blog post about exercise has reminded me of its importance. It’s great that I’ve gotten into the habit of daily exercise. However, I’ve also learned that it’s OK to miss a day, here and there. In fact, I also have a rule to have at least one day (usually Sunday) to not worry about all my self-imposed rules.
This was a motivating class! The short videos and assignments described different exercise hacks – ways we could most efficiently make exercise fun and easy.
Most of the class was a review for me; however, the importance of maintaining fitness and building strength are especially important as we age.
The class talked about techniques such as HIIT – High Intensity Interval Training, explaining the science behind building strength and endurance. I was surprised that strength-training can be really effective with resistance bands and by exercising using our own body-weight. Dumbbells and weight machines are not required!
If we are using weights, one of my takeaways was that the first set of reps in weight-building is the most effective. Even if we are just doing strength exercises for 5 minutes we get benefit from it.
Since I travel so often, I wanted to find a way to keep up my fitness and strength regardless of where I was. The class helped me feel much less worried about losing strength if I couldn’t get to a gym.
Strength-Building Hacks
My daily push-ups prepared me well for the challenge at the Bolder Boulder
One of the easiest strength-building hacks is just to use your own body-weight and execute exercises like push-ups, planks, lunges, and squats.
When I first started doing a 5-minute strength-building routine, I couldn’t even do one push up! But every day I tried to do one more than the day before and within a month I was able to do 20. Now I do a minute’s worth of push-ups every most mornings. I usually go at a pace of one per second, so get in 60 pushups!
I sometimes add a YouTube strength routine or resistance bands.
I tried The Exercise Coach which uses “exerbotics” and two 20-minute workouts a week. Though this was a cool new way to get in strength-training, it was expensive and required me to go to a gym with the specialized machines.
Now I know that I can get in the benefits of strength-training with resistance bands and exercises I can do these anywhere. Twenty minutes, twice a week is all it takes!
Hacking Exercise by Doing What You Love
One of the best hacks for fitness is participating in sports you love.
Sports I love? My younger self would say, “I’m terrible at all sports!” PE was my worst subject. I hated it and was that kid that always got picked last for team sports.
However, as an adult, I discovered I wasn’t nearly as terrible an athlete as I’d believed. I started running at 39 and loved the races. The annual Bolder Boulder became a big tradition in our family.
Dancing, hiking, and walking are all social and other activities I love. These activities are all great for building bone density on top of keeping me fit!
I’ve written a lot about the benefits of hiking and walking and my obsession with walking at least 10,000 steps every day.
Even though I’ve given up running because of back problems, I LOVE so much about walking or hiking regularly. It’s probably been one of the best things I’ve done for my mental health. I’m usually either listening to a podcast, audiobook, or music or talking to a friend. The combination of exercise, getting outside, and socialization, are all perfect remedies for managing the stresses in my life.
And my bone density has improved! I no longer have to worry so much about a vertebra fracture, so can even do an occasional fun run! I had so much fun run/walking with my granddaughter at yesterday’s Trick-or-Trot. She doesn’t like running, but I taught her about my walk/run strategy (basically to pass the wimpy walkers in front of us.) She ended up getting 2nd place for her age group and I was 3rd place for mine!
Arvada Trick-or-Trot – I’m “Weird Barbie” and ran/walked with my granddaughter, Reneya
Summary
Getting into the habit of daily exercise has been one of the best things I could have done, not just for my fitness, but for my mental health.
It can be tough to find the motivation, but with exercise hacks you can find ways to make fitness fun. It doesn’t require a gym to build strength and fitness. Even doing a little will improve your health and your mood. As they say at Nike, “Just Do It!”
I’d read that Improv skills were very much like the skills encouraged in the Agile community… skills to help with teamwork, communication, collaboration, and dealing with uncertainty.
The exercises were easy and adaptable and absolutely things that didn’t require a group, but rather, exercises that would help us individually become better, healthier, human beings.
The book is split into 12 “lessons”, each with 10 “games.” The “games” are the “exercises” or “activities.” As a big game player myself, I particularly liked Lesson 3: Finding the Game. These exercises were all about finding ways to play games in every-day life. I’m quite an expert in this and have always gamified chores or different aspects of my life.
For the most part, the lessons reminded me of the importance of finding the humor in life. My natural personality is pretty “Type A” driven by lists and plans. Improv is all about spontaneity and thinking fast, but with a chill, laid-back kind of attitude.
Improving Improv at a Broomshticks Meetup
Broomshticks Imrpov Meetup is a Fun Way to Play Improv Games
Even though I’m quite an expert in doing exercises similar to those described in Play Your Way Sane, I’m nowhere close to being willing or ready to entertain an audience!
Luckily, Broomschticks Improv is a safe and easy way to simply play improv games without the pressure of performing for an audience.
This Broomfield Meetup group meets monthly and even newbies like me feel welcomed. Once again, improv really is all about just having fun and playing games!
I wish I could be as quick-witted as the experienced players. I think it’s amazing how they can so quickly snap into different personalities and accents.
Improving Improv by Playing with Friends and Family
Celebrating Fall Hat Month with my GGG Women’s Group
In the spirit of Improv Games, I always enjoy costumes, photo-booth props, and celebrating unique holidays, like Fall Hat Month. I have a closet full of dress-up clothes and accessories and love any opportunity to celebrate.
It’s also been an awesome month to play games since my son Scotty has been visiting for the past two weeks as he’s recovering from knee surgery. Game-playing is his specialty!
When my grandkids were visiting for the weekend, Scotty taught us all to play The Fishbowl Game which is a perfect example of a good improv game. Players act out different characters while their partners guess who they’re supposed to be.
Reneya playing The Fishbowl Game
For the final day of September, creative costumes paid off! Megan, Scotty, and I won a Best Dressed Team Award for the Beauty and the Beast CluedUpp Game! I’d invited my family to join me for this event months ago. They’re all pretty busy, so I was excited that Megan and Scotty were able to play with me!
Megan arrived at my house this morning in a perfect Belle costume. Scotty and I hadn’t really put much effort into our costumes. I was the French Maid Feather Duster and he was the Beast using my gorilla costume and a cutout mask. However, Megan helped us add a few accessories and we looked great!
Team Carpe Tiem wins Best Dressed in the Beauty and the Beast CluedUpp Game
Scotty really was a Beast and did the entire event on crutches! It was fun to win the Best Dressed award with our “improvised” costumes. (It really helped that hardly any other teams dressed up!)
Summary
Initially, I believed that “improv” was only for those talented people like Wayne Brady who can whip out clever lyrics and witty punchlines instantly. Improv comedy on stage is something I greatly admire but there’s no way I wanted to perform on stage.
However, after this month of focused IMPROVement, I’ve discovered that improv skills have countless everyday applications that can make our lives more fun. These skills are all about adopting a mindset that finds humor in life, and I absolutely love that!
AI Generated Barbie photos from a “real” photo of me dressed as Barbie
AI and ChatGPT: Friend or Foe?
This month my learning topic has been AI and ChatGPT. There’s been a lot of chatter in the news, both good and bad. And as with any innovative technology, there will undoubtedly be both good and bad applications of AI.
Being a tech-lover, I’m much more excited and optimistic about all the positive outcomes that I think will become available, including advances in everything from medicine to the arts.
Just like the Internet and social media have allowed us to collaborate and learn from brilliant minds throughout the world, AI will make it possible for us to accelerate that learning.
As for the bad stuff? I have faith in humanity. There will be jobs, smart people, and tools to expose those who are using technology unethically or for harm. That’s my viewpoint, anyway.
Using ChatGPT to blog for me
I had ChatGPT write an earlier blog post this month: August Learning: Embracing AI and ChatGPT in Retirement. Though I was amazed that ChatGPT could write, in a few seconds, what typically takes me at least an hour, I also felt like this was somehow “cheating.”
No one is “grading” my blog posts (in fact, hardly anyone is even reading my blog posts!) so why should it matter whether I write it or AI writes it? If AI can write better than me, then what motivation do I have to even want to write?
When really thinking about why I blog in the first place, it’s mostly so that I have a place to reflect and process some of my thoughts. It gives me a way to hold myself accountable to whatever goal or project I’m currently working on. It also is a great way to preserve memories (I’m much more aware of this, lately, as I think about the importance of memory and the ‘stories’ we tell. )
And, of course, I like to blog because I like to write. I get a kick out of words and puns and wordplay… trying to find my own unique voice. Having ChatGPT quickly write up a blog post for me is entertaining and amazing, but it doesn’t give me nearly the satisfaction I feel from writing a blog post on my own.
Learning more about what AI and ChatGPT can do for us
However, I discovered that I could use AI to help me improve my writing, rather than asking it to simply write something for me.
Besides the more technical Coursera class I took about AI, I also took a Udemy course, ChatGPT Complete Course: ChatGPT Beginner-Expert. ChatGPT. This course was very informal – no quizzes or technical content whatsoever. In fact, I listened to most of the lectures similar to how I listen to podcasts, while walking.
Though this was not your typical course, it opened my eyes to the vast number of ways that the free version of ChatGPT could be used. I’m especially impressed at how well it can write poetry or can imitate the “voice” of famous authors or poets.
There are a lot of other AI tools besides ChatGPT, of course. I had fun converting my photo to a Barbie image with one of the AI Barbie tools. There will continue to be more and more interesting and unique tools, allowing us to experiment, play, and learn.
In Summary
Technical innovations are exciting for me, but even I have had my uncomfortable feelings. Am I becoming even less valuable as a person? This is a time of life when I already am questioning my purpose and value. Knowing that a tool is more skilled than I am in the art of writing, I initially felt demotivated to blog anymore at all.
However, I have now learned that there are so many ways I can use ChatGPT to enhance my skills. AI cannot replace ME. We are each unique in our experiences and talents. But there are some amazing tools that will help us do some of the easier tasks, leaving our minds to the more creative, unique tasks that make us who we are.
In retirement we have more time to embrace the wonders of technology on our own terms. We get to be our own bosses and explore the apps that benefit our interests and hobbies. Let’s debunk that myth that those of us over 60 aren’t up for a bit of digital magic. In fact, we’re here to show the world that retirement is the perfect time to ride the AI wave and discover the endless possibilities it brings to our ever-curious minds.
Now, don’t get me wrong – I don’t recommend staring at a computer screen all day. Waking up without an alarm clock and trading business meetings for leisurely walks are luxuries we’ve earned. But let’s not forget that our brains are still firing on all cylinders, ready to absorb new knowledge like a sponge. And what better way to satisfy our tech-hungry souls than by diving into the realm of artificial intelligence?
Yes, I’ve always been a tech geek. From the early days of floppy disks to today’s AI-powered marvels, I’ve marveled at the evolution of technology. So, when I heard about the world of AI, it was like discovering a new galaxy waiting to be explored!
Enter the Coursera class to learn the basics: “AI for Everyone” (yes, the link is right here: AI for Everyone on Coursera). This course isn’t just for the young and restless; it’s for us, the curious and seasoned souls who believe that learning has no expiration date.
Led by the legendary Andrew Ng, the course breaks down AI concepts into bite-sized pieces, making it as easy to digest as your favorite comfort food. Remember those neural networks and machine learning jargon? Andrew will explain the lingo and the concepts. It’s like he’s sitting right beside you, guiding you through the AI maze with the expertise of a seasoned tour guide.
One of the most exciting parts of the journey is discovering how AI is already shaping our world. From personalized recommendations on streaming platforms to medical breakthroughs, AI is everywhere. By becoming familiar with AI, we’re not just keeping up with the times – we’re becoming active participants in shaping the future.
One more benefit of online learning – the camaraderie you’ll find in the course forums. Connecting with like-minded learners from all walks of life, sharing insights and epiphanies, is a truly enriching experience. Contrary to popular belief, we’re not alone in our pursuit of tech enlightenment. Retirement isn’t about fading into the background; it’s about shining even brighter with newfound knowledge and experiences.
And now, for the grand reveal: the very post you’re reading was crafted with the help of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. That’s right, the same AI technology we’re diving into has lent a hand in shaping these words. Talk about full circle!
Rather than my usual struggle with an end-of-month blog post summarizing my learning, I’m 21 days early, thanks to ChatGPT!
So, fellow tech enthusiasts, join me and embark on these AI explorations. Let’s break those stereotypes and show the world that retirement isn’t a pause button – it’s a gateway to endless exploration. AI is our canvas, and we’re the artists shaping its masterpiece. The future is bright, and we’re ready to embrace it, one AI-powered discovery at a time. 🚀🔌
“Some of it’s magic and some of it’s tragic, but I’ve had a good life all the way.”
It’s time to show some Birthday Gratitude for a great leader and friend, Glenn Pinkerton!
8/8 is a Gr8 Birthd8!
8 Reasons I’m gr8ful for Glenn:
He’s always extremely generous – he treats people to lunches, hosts big parties, maintains the Grey Wolves dues and countless other things with no expectations of repayment from others.
He’s an active listener and conversationalist. Whenever we’re hiking, we have long conversations and I feel safe in saying anything. He listens without judgment.
He’s an excellent host, leading one of the area’s most successful Meetup Groups, the Grey Wolves, and hosting many events.
He likes to sing! I especially enjoy the hikes where we’re invited to sing along!
He likes to dance! I remember when we learned the Shim-Sham together at the Avalon. And, of course, it’s always fun to swing dance with Glenn!
He’s a supportive friend. Whether it’s a Carpe Diem event to raise money for ALS or a Microadventure, Glenn is always supportive and helpful.
He knows where all the best wildflower hikes are and offers to be my chauffeur and guide (knowing my tendency to get lost easily!)
No matter what I might look like, he’s always quick with a smile and a flattering compliment.
Recently, another Grey Wolves leader, Larry, died unexpectedly. There were many photos and messages about how much he will be missed.
It’s so much better to be able to express birthday gratitude for Glenn while he is alive and healthy! So on his 70th birthday, I’m also very Gr8ful for Glenn’s health and happiness! Looking forward to many hikes and adventures ahead.
Birthday Gratitude Poem (generated by ChatGPT!)
In the realm of friendship’s grace, a gem named Glenn I find, A spirit kind and generous, a rare and precious find. With open heart and outstretched hand, he shares without restrain, A symphony of selflessness, a melody of care unfeigned.
A host of gatherings grand, he orchestrates with glee, From lively soirées to gentle hikes, a bond of unity. In the Grey Wolves’ embrace, we gather, hearts entwined, Guided by his leadership, a fellowship so kind.
Upon the trails of life we tread, in conversations deep, Glenn’s attentive ear, a haven where my secrets safely keep. Without judgment’s shadow cast, my thoughts take flight and soar, In the refuge of his empathy, I find myself once more.
A singer’s heart, a dancer’s soul, a joyous spirit free, He invites us to join the song, to dance with jubilee. In melodies and twirling steps, our laughter finds its home, With Glenn as guide, the dance of life becomes a vibrant tome.
Supporting causes near and far, his heart knows no divide, From Carpe Diem to Microadventures, he stands forever by our side. A steadfast friend in times of need, a pillar strong and true, With Glenn beside, the path ahead seems clearer to pursue.
Through meadows dressed in wildflowers, he leads with knowing smile, My guide and chauffeur on nature’s trails, mile after verdant mile. With patient care, he navigates, ensuring I never stray, In his company, even the lost find solace on the way.
A master of compliments, his words a gentle art, No matter how I may appear, he always sees my heart. With smiles that warm the soul, and praises rich and sweet, Glenn’s kindness wraps around me like a cozy, love-filled retreat.
So here’s to Glenn, a beacon bright, a friend beyond compare, In gratitude we raise our voice, a tribute rich and rare. With generosity and listening ear, with dances and with song, In every facet of his being, his friendship shines so strong.
