Tuesday Tinkering…

Wiwohka2 Comments

You know, it’s much harder than you’d think to create images of myself in miniature… and even harder to make them look anything like me, at all!

I don’t know why it’s such a big deal to me, anyway, but it is.

For some reason, whenever I work with this program to generate images of the little model I’d created, it still requires me to go back and alter not only her eye color, but her hair color and style, as well. I get very irritated by this little daily detour the ai tries to take me on, so it’s time to make an actual avatar, or character, if you will.

I got to thinking about it yesterday, when I’d attempted to generate an image of myself for the daily prompt. Asking Norbert to create an image of myself dressed in a childish outfit, actually created a random image of me, but in small form.

It was actually kind of funny at first, but then I got to wondering if I could reproduce a similar image of myself for creating a child sized avatar. First of all, the child looks kind of mean. Secondly, I’ve no idea why it put me in that ridiculous pajama get-up!

So, I tried a different scene, with different clothing and actions, just to see if it might improve things.

Nope!

All I ended up with was a really creepy image of one of the von Trapp family singers from The Sound of Music…

Quickly, I realized that it would require an actual child in order to create a valid childlike appearance in the image’s rendered. So, going back to our little model of mini Wiwohka, I asked a similar question to the ai, and this is what it offered me…

While she is an adorable little girl, as you can see in the image, her hair goes blond and her eyes go any color but blue!

Now, OpenArt recently added in a new feature where you can chat with the ai, rather than trying to manually edit the image on the art board. In truth, it’s kind of like leading a child through an art class… very slowly.

I first asked for blue eyes and brown hair,

Now she looks like a small teacher, ewwwww, no! So, I asked Norbert to soften her hair…

Uhhh, no! Please shorten it…

What is this, Shirley Temple hour? Don’t get me wrong here, as I love that actress, but I’m not her!

So, I took the first image of the child and took it to my art board, just to adjust the eye color, which worked better for what I was looking for…

From here, I went back to Norbert for another go, but this time I chose to make mini Wiwohka her own beautiful self instead of trying to copy me! Why? Because, I’m not that little girl anymore, so of course it’s going to be an impossibility for me to duplicate the Now ME into an image of the Then ME. Hopefully, I’ve not just talked you into a giant circle. Sorry for that.

Before I finalize her into the actual avatar, I thought to ask what your take on her personality and image in this next photo…

I tweaked a few colors for comparison, but I can’t decide which is better. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Til next week, thank you in advance for any feedback, and I’ll do a whole fun photo reveal for her… hugs

I do a little dance…

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Daily writing prompt
You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?
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While I could show you a video of my own very excited, and amazingly fantastic news dance, I’ll show you the video of how I learned to do it. No one does it better than Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska…

Seriously though, I really do dance a bitty Jig when I get really happy. You should’ve seen the crazy dancin that went down at the birth of each of my grandbabies. I could have been a star (not really).

The next best thing to do with good news is to bake cookies, and I’m very good at that! Well, at least I think so…

Wait! Does my hat make those cookies look funny?

Hang on, cause I think I can fix that…

Monday Messages…

Wiwohka4 Comments

It’s amazing what kind of stuff you can find in a dictionary, but what if it’s not amazing stuff… what if it’s inamazing? Apparently, that’s not a real word, and I even checked!

So, what’s with Famous and Infamous? Why didn’t they just say famous or average… famous or unknown… or even, famous or boring? I think these are valid questions.

Before I go judging those who created the English language rules, I’ll make an effort towards some good old google research… that’s what everybody else does.

According to Google,

Famous and infamous both describe someone or something that is widely recognized, but they differ significantly in reputation: famous means well-known for positive, admirable, or neutral reasons, while infamous means famous for bad, evil, or scandalous actions. While a celebrity is famous, a criminal is infamous. 

Sorry, but that’s sort of a silly reason to do that with the word famous. You’re either famous or creepy, so why muck up the language waters?

What stops us from switching up all words and giving them nefarious opposites by adding two letters?

I thought to find out how many words they’ve actually done this to… oh, and they call these words Antonyms, if you were at all wondering.

Google says,

Many English words form opposites (antonyms) by adding the prefix in- (or its variations im-, il-, ir-) to indicate “not” or “opposite of.” Common examples include accurate/inaccurate, complete/incomplete, visible/invisible, formal/informal, and sensitive/insensitive. 

Ok, in some instances, I guess it actually does make sense, and also saves a good amount of time in explaining a thing… but all of them? I’m still not sold!

In most of these words, adding the in seems more like holding a mirror up to a word, and seeing it’s perfect opposite. But I believe that some words are too broad of a word to simply flip-flop it’s meaning with two simple letters.

Here’s where things get really irritating for me, personally…

Valuable and Invaluable,

Valuable and invaluable are often confused, but they are not antonyms; rather, invaluable is an extreme form of valuable. Valuable means having high worth, importance, or monetary value. Invaluable means something is so extremely precious, useful, or essential that its worth cannot be calculated—it is truly priceless. 

Now, they’ve added a new in word, but with an entirely different definition to remember.

How on earth did any of us learn to read as children, honestly? Grown ups need to make up their minds, I think.

I love making check-lists…

Wiwohka5 Comments
Daily writing prompt
Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?
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Let’s see now… activities or hobbies I’ve either outgrown or lost interest in… hmmmmmm.

Without a check-list we won’t know for sure, will we?

So, what with me being such an accommodating individual, I’ve put forth the effort to ensure that my answer to the prompt is an honest one.

I’ve made a list that will just about cover it all, I think…

Baking – Check!

    Reading books – Check!

    Dreaming – Check!!!!!

    I don’t outgrow things, though I do overcome them…

    I do not lose interest in things that I love, though sometimes I have to let them go…

    What I am is a child at heart, and I probably always will be…

    Here, take a cookie or two…

    I got excited and made too many cookies this morning, so take as many as you like.

    Thoughtful Thursday…

    Wiwohka6 Comments

    Be thoughtful today…

    Open the door for a stranger, take someone’s cart back for them, allow a car to merge in front of you, offer a smile to encourage another, or even be bold enough to pay it forward, so to speak.

    Let’s do as we were meant to do,

    John 13:34-35:

    “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”. 

    1 John 4:7:

    “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God”. 

    Romans 12:10:

    “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves”. 

    Ephesians 4:32:

    “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. 

    1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

    “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (describes the nature of love).

    1 Peter 4:8:

    “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins”. 

    Colossians 3:14:

    “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”. 

    1 John 3:18:

    “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth”.

    Something worth thinking about!

    Healing waters…

    Wiwohka10 Comments
    Daily writing prompt
    Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.
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    I’ve always had the desire to travel along the Nile aboard one of those beautiful boats, or possibly sailing over the waves on an authentic Pirate ship. I wouldn’t even mind taking all those sea sickness pills, just to make sure I don’t get ill.

    I’ve been on a charted fishing boat, but those waters were so wild that I barely made the 4 hour trip without running for the bathroom… but I didn’t get sick!

    Now that I’ve remembered that little excursion, I think that my ideal day would have to be experienced on the calmer waters of the Nile. I didn’t say calm waters, but calmer waters. I’ve seen videos of spots on that river that are rather sketchy.

    However, for all intents and purposes, let’s just say that our river excursion would be the calm stretches of water. I mean, this is my ideal day, right?

    To wake up in one of those stately rooms, aboard a beautiful river boat, would be divine. Lying on a posh bed, covered in crisp, clean linen and immense fluffy feather pillows. I can hear the waters gently lapping against the side of the boat, outside my window.

    Stretching lazily, I roll over and ring a small, delicate bell, alerting the attendant that I’d like my morning tea. (Nobody put any budget limits on this prompt, so don’t judge my imaginary poshness!)

    When I’ve finished my first tea of the day, a bath has already been drawn in one of those beautifully crafted claw footed basins. All the towels smell of Jasmine, and there’s a side shelf with all differing types of bath oils, and soaps. I pick an argon oil mixed with some sort of fragrant flower, making me feel exotic and mysterious.

    The whole of my morning will be spent on deck, sipping more tea, and watching the land as it passes me by.

    Of course, most of the day will be spent touring one of any number of historical sights along the river. I’ve always wanted to travel along the Nile, watching numerous documentaries about the land, the culture, and the people. Honestly, I should have become a journalist for National Geographic. Oh, well. Woulda coulda shoulda, right?

    Anyway, after a long day of adventuring through the pages of history, I’d spend the rest of my evening on deck, playing cards with the porters, and listening to them tell stories about themselves, and their families.

    When one spends an entire day running through the desert seeking history and adventure… that beautiful bed, covered in all those pillows and fine linen feel simply divine…

    Cookies?

    There’s plenty of tea and coffee, as well. I spared no imaginary expense!

    Wednesday Words…

    WiwohkaLeave a comment

    Eustace has taken to plowing the whole back half of the barnyard, planting everything green, including zucchini squash, asparagus, romaine lettuce, and of all things, watermelon. It’s all the way at the back, near the tree line. I told him it was far to early for them, but you know how the camel can be when he gets on one of his kicks.

    Honestly, I think he’s growing enough for the entire valley.

    We’re gonna need a fruit and veggie stand down by the road, unless he thinks he can eat all that stuff, once harvest time gets here. Bless his heart, though.

    I think he’s finally found his passion, and seems much happier than working in an office… and, I’m reaping all the benefits, muhahahahhhh.

    There’s life in the learning…

    Wiwohka6 Comments
    Daily writing prompt
    How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?
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    Good events, bad events, and events that are happy or sad, all have one thing in common. They’re all significant!

    What we choose to glean from those events, whether we like it or not, will form the perspectives we have later in life.

    The things we encounter become our defining hour, not by what we overcame, but how we overcame.

    Age, and the passage of time, have taught me that my perspective can be intentional, rather than being brought about from life’s influences.

    The only perspective I desire to attain is one shaped by God. If he deems it so, then I allow things of the past to influence my perspective. For example, putting myself in someone else’s shoes, or something like that.

    I’m certainly not saying that I don’t think I’ve been influenced by things from the past, because none are immune to it.

    I will say this… the experiences I’ve lived through, and those that I put myself through, have all left an indelible mark upon my heart, but from there it’s been my choice whether to be a statistic or a survivor.

    The mind is a powerful and complicated thing. We need to take captive every thought, every word, and every perspective. Humans are wishy washy with our attitudes, motives, and yes, our perspectives.

    From the beginning of time, God gave mankind the free will to choose their physical, emotional, and spiritual choices. For the most part, we’re terrible choosers! We allow things of this world to control our perspective, but those things are just that… of this world.

    When I let go of my own opinions and perspectives, laying them before God, he provides the perspective that should be within my spirit. F.Y.I., I said when I let go, not I always let go.

    I tend to build mountains out of mole hills, while God leads me right up over em! Being carried is always a humbling experience, but such a blessing.

    God does the heavy lifting, so I’m left to watch him work, and in turn, form a Christ like perspective. When God’s the one in control, there’s life in the learning. That’s what I call influence!

    Cookie?

    Whispers…

    Wiwohka4 Comments

    Sometimes, the winds and rain of life’s storms can become so loud and overpowering, all one can do is hold fast to something solid.

    All strength has been spent in search of answers, directions and/or solutions to escape the storm’s fury.

    But, what if one is meant to endure a storm, rather than escape it? What then?

    I find that when things are beyond my control, my understanding, and my own strength… I seek God!

    Here’s the place where my thoughts, my opinions, my plans of escape, and the sound of my own voice, need to take a time-out!

    God most often will speak softer and quieter, the more agitated and anxious I become. You would think that he would simply raise his voice over my own babbling, just as I would do to my children when they were small.

    But I’m not a small child any more. Those days are far behind me, so I’ve no excuse for not listening when my heavenly father counsels his daughter.

    Here’s why I am eternally compelled to seek this God that I speak of so often… He whispers!

    I’ve had ups, downs, successes, failures, and really big Uh Oh’s!

    God has walked with me through each and every storm of my life, whether it was of my own design or something completely undeserved. He stayed, comforted, encouraged, and counseled… but always in the quiet, after I’d settled down into his lap, as it were. I learned a long time ago that when I felt the most anxious, it was because I wasn’t listening for God’s quiet voice.

    There were times that I became angry with God for not speaking louder, telling myself that I could have avoided a thing all together, had He spoken up!

    The funny thing is, I doubt I would have listened to His counsel anyway… it’s what I often did over the years. You know I like to keep things honest.

    I would be less than truthful if I didn’t admit that I still do this on occasion. It gives me hope to know that I live in grace.

    I doubt I’ll get all this stuff right in just one little ole earthly lifetime… I’m pretty sure that’s what eternity’s all about.

    Now that I’m getting older, it’s even more important that I listen more carefully for His whispers. My hearing isn’t what it used to be. Fortunately, in my case, God often speaks clearly to my heart through scripture.

    You know why he does this to me?

    Cause I can’t read and talk at the same time…

    Hugs

    Show me the money…

    Wiwohka5 Comments
    Daily writing prompt
    Something on your “to-do list” that never gets done.
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    I finally quite making those ridiculous to-do lists, as they only reminded me of what seemed to never get done!

    Since there are no longer any of those discouraging lists lying around, I’m free to take one day at a time, while savoring my successes and rethinking my failures.

    Whether I ever come to any financial success is no longer a priority, but rather, where I put my faith and hope. God speaks to me freely, and without handing out any lists.

    I know that we like to make lists to make us feel like we are moving forward, or getting a thing accomplished. I suppose that’s all well and good, to a point. However, for many folks, we tend to take things a bit over the edge. Notice how I’ve said we, because I’m no different than anyone else.

    It’s alright to make a list of things essential for the day’s comings and goings, but beyond that? Perhaps we should just put “don’t let the tires out of your nasty neighbor’s tires” and, “smile when you feel like crying” on those lists.

    My point is that we often put the wrong things on our to-do lists, which is why they never seem to get done!

    We humans tend to make things an awful lot harder than we need to, especially when it comes to our to-do lists.

    I vote for a to-do list burning party! I’ve got the cookies…