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Have you ever wondered how AI writes fanfic?
Now you don’t have to. I asked ChatGPT to pick a fandom and write one. Here are the results:
Fandom: BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan)
Ship: Vmin (Taehyung and Jimin)
Title: Serendipity
In the bustling city of Seoul, where neon lights painted the night sky, there existed a serendipitous bond between two souls that seemed to defy all odds. Taehyung and Jimin, members of the global sensation BTS, shared a connection that transcended mere friendship. Theirs was a story written in the stars, an unwavering bond that whispered secrets only they could understand.
It was on a crisp autumn evening when fate decided to intertwine their paths once more. The members of BTS were gathered in their cozy dorm, reminiscing about their journey to stardom. Amidst laughter and shared memories, Taehyung’s eyes found Jimin’s, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a silent language that spoke volumes.
As the night wore on and the others retired to their rooms, Taehyung and Jimin found themselves drawn to the rooftop, where the city sprawled beneath them like a blanket of stars. They sat side by side, the gentle breeze playing with their hair as they lost themselves in the tranquility of the night.
In the hushed stillness, Jimin spoke softly, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken truths. He confessed his fears, his hopes, his dreams, laying bare his heart for Taehyung to see. And Taehyung listened, his heart aching with a longing he dared not voice.
But words were unnecessary between them, for their hearts spoke a language all their own. With a tenderness born of years spent together, Taehyung reached out, his fingers tangling with Jimin’s as they shared a moment suspended in time. It was a simple gesture, yet it held the power to unravel the barriers they had built around their hearts.
In that fleeting moment, beneath the canopy of stars, Taehyung and Jimin found solace in each other’s embrace. They were two souls bound by destiny, navigating the tumultuous seas of fame and fortune together. And as they watched the city come alive beneath them, they knew that no matter where their journey took them, they would always find their way back to each other.
For theirs was a love written in the stars, a serendipitous bond that defied all logic and reason. And as they sat entwined on the rooftop, their hearts beating as one, they knew that as long as they had each other, they could weather any storm that came their way.
As the first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, Taehyung and Jimin shared a smile, their hearts overflowing with a love that knew no bounds. For in each other’s arms, they had found home. And as they watched the sun rise on a new day, they knew that their love would burn bright for all eternity, a beacon of hope in a world full of uncertainty.
So, what do you think? It obviously can’t compare to the real thing, but I had a laugh.
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나의 일기 #1
Image by Evelyn Chai from Pixabay 안녕하세요! 네 이름은 혜리임니다. 한국어로 글 스는 연습을 하고 십다. 한국어를 배운지 3년이 되었다. 하지만 아직도 너무 어렵는다. 등산하는 것과 차 마시는 것을 제 가장 좋아하는 취미인다. 응원해주세요!
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Actions to Make Your Life Simpler, Easier, and More Convenient
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay As the title so cleverly says, here are some actions I have found to make my life more…livable. I am a firm believer that an easier life is a more sustainable life. Wait, wait, hold on, I’ll explain.
When we wake up in the morning, we have a certain amount of energy and focus. This amount varies from person to person, during the time of the month, and depending on many factors. Picture your energy and focus like two pokemon health bars at the top of the screen that is your life. Every decision, conversation, action, and thought drains these bars, either a little or a lot depending on your personality.
Running with this line of logic, the more choices we are forced to make, the less focus and energy, let’s shorten that to f&e, we have for the more important choices present in our lives. This is why you probably have a standard coffee order, not only because you like it, but because it takes away the tiny bit of stress that comes with having to choose a new coffee drink every time you go to a cafe.
Another example, famously smart people a lá Steve Jobs and the Zuck were/are notorious for wearing pretty much the same outfit day in and day out. Why? They are conserving their f&e for decisions and conversations regarding taking over the world running huge tech corporations.
Now we’ve exhausted the why we should conserve our f&e, let’s get a bit into the how. This list will be a different, maybe I daresay even unexpected, than other lists of a similar nature. Take as much or as little as you want away from this, and, as always, use your own intuition and a dash of salt.
Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay Mini meal prep
This one has the option to mean the full start-to-finish operation of making complete meals and putting them in separate containers to be stored in the fridge until needed. Or, we can dial it back ten notches if that sounds like too much work.
Here are a few examples of how I mini-meal-prep:
- I like cinnamon and (plant) milk in my coffee. I make a small container of milk with cinnamon to use as a DIY creamer. Boom, two steps combined into one, especially profound when it’s one of the first things I do in the morning.
- I add all my hummus vegetables into one container: baby carrots, sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, sugar snap peas. This way I have immediate access to healthy and balanced food when I can’t be arsed to cook somethings. Want to take it up a notch? Grab crackers, tortillas, chips, whatever for a bread component.
- Be a spice magician. Pepper increases the bioavailability of turmeric (makes it more absorbable in your body), so add a couple shakes of pepper into your turmeric container. Salt can give you high blood pressure, but boy is it delicious. Trick yourself into using less by adding other things to your spice mixes. I buy an industrial sized garlic salt container and a small garlic powder, and then mix them together. Less salt in each shake, but I’m not depriving myself of anything. If you want to really go for it, add cayenne pepper (a tiny amount) to any spice mix you want to consume in smaller amounts.
- On that note, add a spice agent to as much of your food as you can. Spicy things are good for you, so buck up and figure out how to like them. Ease in by mixing a mild and medium salsa together. Find the pepper with the lowest Scoville rating and incorporate it. Bump up your Thai takeout order by one point. If you’re American, this is especially pointed at you (if you’re offended, then it’s triply for you).
Image by BrutallyHonestFREE from Pixabay Create a Strategic Environment
This one is something I intuitively used in my life, but I didn’t have a name for until I work at a large coffee company that will remain unnamed. They called it ‘lean thinking’ or something along those lines. It refers to the concept of stacking activities together to increase your efficiency and productivity. Say if you were working at the espresso machine and needed to go to the back to get a clean blender because your coworkers are inept or blithely oblivious to the concept of hardwork, why not grab a sleeve or cups or a vanilla syrup to bring to the front as well. It also involves the notion of putting the things you need or use most right where you need them, thereby reducing time spent going to get them or dithering about. Great for forming us into stressed out, over worked, robot monkeys when applied at an extreme level, but the takeaways remain valuable.
Examples from my life:
-I have a cordless phone charger in my bathroom. I’m fully aware I can charge my phone at any moment in my life, but it’s extra simple to have my phone charging while I do my skincare or make up. It just works.
-I only listen to my favorite podcasts while doing a physical activity. Now I have an ingrained habit to move when I get the urge to listen. I self-trained a Pavlovian response in myself. I get smarted and more fit at the same time. I can walk, bike, or hike longer without getting bored because my mind is being stimulated.
– Be a clean aesthetic girlie in that condensing and reducing are your life mantras. In the kitchen, I’m always combing spices, grains, nuts, snacks, etc. Crackers can all go in the same container, as can nuts. If there are two jars of the same spice, no there isn’t, it’s one jar now. With uncooked grains, be wary of mixing cook times, but honestly I’ve mixed brown and white rice and the world didn’t explode and they both cooked perfectly evenly.
– Color code your fucking closet. The order is color → sleeve length → pattern. Put short sleeves next to each other, long sleeves behind them. Slutty napkin shirts is the only completely valid section that is separate from the above criteria.
If you are reading this and think to yourself, “damn this be reading like neuro-spicy self help tips,” congratulations, you’ve hit the bullseye. Here’s a trophy.
Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-trophy-with-tied-ribbons-on-red-background-7005687/ -
Car Country: How to Reframe Your Thoughts (and others) About American Car Dependence
If you’ve lived your whole life in the United States you’ve probably never noticed the absolute dominance of the personal automobile. Well, you’ve noticed, but never questioned it. That’s just the way things are, right? You need a car to get groceries, go to work, take the kids to school, go to the gym, what have you. For as long as many can remember, the United States has been characterized by its profound reliance on personal vehicles. Perhaps it’s something you’ve always taken for granted, never pausing to reflect on the matter. After all, it’s simply the customary way of life, isn’t it? An automobile has become an indispensable necessity.
Would you believe me if I said this isn’t the only way? Would you believe me if I told you there are other paths to choose from?
It wasn’t until I moved out of the U.S. and lived abroad that I fully understood and appreciated well-designed and efficient public transportation. In the United States, I always lived in towns and cities. There were always at least some public buses, the system was never truly reliable. Unfortunately, it often took twice as long for me to reach my desired destination, in the worst case I would feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Nonetheless, my experiences living overseas taught me the true value of effective and well-structured public transportation systems.
Driving a car in the U.S. is so necessary that it’s melded with our national consciousness as Americans; to be American is to drive, to sit in traffic, to road trip, to commute, and to circle the parking lot endlessly in hopes of finding a spot.
Outside of places like New York City, the biggest outlier in public transportation in the U.S., having far reaching systems of buses and subways just isn’t done. We’re not going to get into the why because that opens a whole can of worms about the power of the auto industry tycoons over the last century. In this house we are focused on the solutions, the ways we can move forward into a better future. There will be time later to dissect the past, or you can go read a book (wikipedia article) about it.
My only goal in writing this is to help you see the degree that car centered thinking has infiltrated our psyche, and why that isn’t the only way to design a neighborhood, city, or country. Cars are not (or should not) be necessary to live a fulfilled, healthy, and connected life.
My biggest caveat to this is to use your brain. I’m quite obviously not saying that someone who lives in the countryside, or manages a large plot of land, should not use a car. The car discussion pertains mostly to cities, urban areas, and the suburbs, of which there are thousands across the U.S., so many people will still be able to relate to the ideas presented here.
For now, as always, we start by reframing our own internal thought process before launching into heated debates with our extended family about the pros and cons of a car centered economy, nation, and social fabric.
Here are my first options at reframing your internal bias:
- When using Google Maps (or Apple Maps if you’re like that), briefly switch over to the public transportation tab. Take a moment to look at trip duration, route, and number of transfers. Note how it makes you feel when you think about using this option. Example: feeling anxious because you might be late versus feeling relieved at not getting lost.
- Think about how far you would have to walk from your home to get basic necessities. This includes food, water, toiletries, and small appliances. Can you walk less than 10 minutes to get apples, a beer, or toilet paper?
- Can you walk to the nearest park, playground, library, or other public space in 15 minutes or less?
- When you drive somewhere, how many purposes do you fulfill per trip? Example: driving to the grocery store fulfills the purpose of buying food. 1 trip, 1 purpose.
Questions to ask yourself and others to highlight the absolute monarchy of cars:
- “Is a car the best/only way to reach [your destination]?”
- “Is there bike parking?”
- “What’s the nearest bus stop?”
- “Do I have to drive to get there?”
- “What is the parking situation like at [your destination]?”
If any of these thought exercises or questions make you feel angry or skeptical, or you think this article is dumb and useless, I encourage you to dig deeper into that feeling. Why are these questions dumb, why would it be pointless to entertain the scenarios described above?
Detaching oneself from the narrative that places cars at the center of our American lives and livelihoods is an ongoing practice. Much like exercise trains our physical bodies, this is an exercise for our minds. Feeling uncomfortable is not always bad, and can help you be a more independent thinker and more confident in other areas of your life.
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The Three P’s of Sustainability: People, Planet, Profit
6 minutesI’m here to bring you a new way to frame sustainability that recenters the discussion onto the many different areas of sustainability, and away from the narrower model of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.’ The three R’s work well when discussing certain specific topics; water, plastic bags, aluminum cans, and the like. However, in order to fully address the complexities of sustainability, it’s crucial to broaden the conversation and take into account a wider range of factors. This expanded perspective allows us to delve deeper into the various dimensions of sustainability, such as energy consumption, biodiversity preservation, social equity, and economic stability. By embracing this holistic approach, we can develop comprehensive strategies that not only promote environmental responsibility but also foster sustainable development across diverse sectors. So rather than being confined to the mantra of the three R’s, let’s embark on a more nuanced exploration of sustainability that encompasses its multifaceted aspects and encourages innovative solutions for a better, more resilient future.
It becomes slightly more challenging to apply those principles to a notion such as sustainable eating. Are you truly expected to decrease the amount of food you consume in order to contribute to the conservation of the environment? Is it genuinely plausible to expect individuals to limit their food intake as a means of safeguarding the planet? As the Aussie’s say, “Naur.”
The three R’s also pin all the responsibility, and therefore action, onto the individual, implying that it is up to you to reduce, reuse, and recycle, or you’re bound for sustainability purgatory. It’s the 21st century; we are all aware that a large percentage of environmental damage comes from a handful of mega-corporations, and a company of any size has a significantly larger impact than one individual. In this day and age, it is crucial to acknowledge that the burden of responsibility for reducing, reusing, and recycling falls on each and every one of us. By embracing these principles, we can actively contribute to a more sustainable future.
It is undeniable that a considerable portion of environmental harm stems from a limited number of mega-corporations. Therefore, the actions of these companies must be scrutinized and regulated to make a significant impact. Whether big or small, every company has the potential to influence the environment on a larger scale than an individual alone. By holding corporations accountable for their ecological footprint and encouraging collective action, we can foster genuine change and work towards a greener, more sustainable world.
With all that out of the way, let’s explore the three P’s, what they mean, how they relate to you, and what (generally) falls under each one.
Let’s Define The Three P’s
People
The first, and arguably most important P. It’s you, it’s me. It’s your family, your community, your school, your coworkers, the people you see at the grocery store. It’s all 8 billion of us.
Planet
This giant ball of rock and water hurtling through the infinite darkness. Everything on Earth, under the surface, and in the gravitational pull of our beautiful little green gem.
Profit
Money. Plan and simple. A little bit more complicated: the money you make, but also the money made by business, corporations, non-profits, and governments. Profit refers to any surplus money in the frame of desired specificity. For example, if we specify me as the subject, profit would only refer to the money I earn, through any and all means. Profit is a helpful lense to analyze sustainability because it provides a reflection on the values of an individual, family, organization, company, corporation, or government.
The Three P’s and You
People
This is you, your thoughts behaviors, values, actions, and desires. Next, it’s everyone around you, and all the same relating to them. Beyond that, it’s the people in your neighborhood, city, region, country, and continent. It can be people you see in the flesh, or those you see through a screen or keyboard. In this technologically connected era, our communities are not beholden to physical spaces, and neither will our solutions. Sustainability is not accomplished alone, and community-building is integral to any degree of success.
Planet
How do you interact with our space rock home? Where do you live, and where does your food and fuel come from? The way you interact with the physical world will determine what’s important to you and guide the way you spend your time, money, and effort.
Profit
Sustainability, contrary to popular discourse, has everything to do with money. In the world we have made for ourselves, money is the true revealer, changing and modeling society according to who has money and what they do with it. On a personal level, the amount of money you have can change the way you are able to interact with sustainability. A main tenet of this model of sustainability is achieving financial sustainability; having enough money to live safely and comfortably before worrying about nebulous concepts like the plastic gyre in the Pacific Ocean.
Let’s Make Some Lists
People
- You as a singular physical being
- The things you like buy
- Your physical, mental, and emotional health
- What you like to eat and drink
- Any clubs or organizations you belong to (gym, book club, car enthusiasts group, bird watching association, etc.)
- How much you like to online shop (this one is mostly self-directed)
Planet
- Where you live
- Where your food is grown
- The type of energy used to heat and cool your house
- Where your electricity comes from
- What type of buildings you live and work in
- The type of Big Nature you prefer, though all types have inherent value
Profit
- How much is in your back account
- How much your salary is
- All your expenses
- What you like to spend money on (yes it’s double listed)
- The profit margins and spending choices of every single mega-corporation
- The financial movements of the world’s millionaires and billionaires
- Any non-monetary items you are given or earn through your job
This is a basic overview of the Three P’s, my proposed secondary system for analyzing sustainability that takes the onus off of the little guys, aka you and me. I’ve been using this view for a few years, and it has changed the way I view sustainability and how I incorporate it in my own life and choices. I recommend combining this with the 5 levels of sustainability as a fun thinking exercise. But don’t work too hard now, the world will still be on fire tomorrow!
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How to be a Sustainable Person in Five Levels
3 minutesLevel 1
Hey there, congratulations for making it this far. You must have searched quite specifically to end up here. Consider Level 0.5 complete for having the initiative to get started.
Let’s ease into this journey by doing absolutely nothing. I’m a big beliver in making everything as easy and natural as possible, or else I won’t do it. Level 1 is all about thinking. If that’s not fun for you, just know that you’re kicking Alzheimer’s ass by engaging that soup jelly in your head.
Kick back and have a chuckle while we dive into the vortex of your existence. Do you alone, with a partner, with children, with parents, or in any other configuration? How’re you and the fam holding up, health-wise? And hey, what wheels do you normally use to get to work or school? Are you feeling like a million bucks physically (or mentally), or could you use a 12-vitamin-juice-cleanse-dirty-bulk health boost? Speaking of the green, how’s your wallet coping with this rollercoaster called life? Are you living in a city or out in the countryside? Throw down a rough estimate of the population. Now, about the weather… spill the meteorological tea, what’s Mother Nature cookin’ up for ya? Are you thriving through seasonal wildfires or having a blast with polar vortices? And last but not least, write down your hobbies, or however you spend your unpaid time.
This is Level 1, so care not for style, perfection, spelling, grammar, or whatever else stops you from word vomiting this information out. Doing more in this step will make the next steps easier and smoother.
Self awareness and reflection are absolutely crucial and necessary to make any meaningful change and impact. Before you jump into the deep end of trying to reformulate your whole life, stop and take a breath. Build out a mental (even better if you write all this shit down) map to help figure out what will be the easiest path towards sustainability for you.
This level will set the stage in your mind to get ready to think about sustainability it an easy and manageable way.
Time needed: 20 minutes to 1 hour
Tools needed: brain, pen, paper, notes app
Action needed: none
Level 2
Make ‘buckets’ out of your answers to the previous questions. Find the commonalities in your answers. Do you commute by car and also love taking road trips? Congratulations, you have a ‘car‘ bucket. Do you shop and/or cook for your family and worry about their health? I’d put that into a ‘food‘ bucket, a ‘health‘ bucket, and a ‘wellness‘ bucket. Consider creating a ‘family‘ bucket as well if you prioritize caring for your loved ones.
This step requires more mental work; if it still seems overwhelming, here are some sample buckets to help you organize:
- Health
- Food
- Car/Commuting
- Finance
- Pets
- Children
- Hobbies
- Clothes
- Habits
- Selfcare
Under each bucket, using your own or the above, please jot down as many sentences as you can about the topic. There are no bad sentences; they do not need to be well thought-out, long, or special in any way. For example, under the “health” category, you could put, “I take medication for ______” and also “I hate working out but I want to be skinnier.” Both statements relate to the bucket category, and both are valid in your life. It might be surprising, but sustainability can also be connected to both of these aspects. Feel free to explore and expand upon these ideas within each category.
Time needed: 20 minutes to 1 hour
Tools needed: brain, pen, paper, notes app
Action needed: none
Level 3
Coming soon…
Level 4
Coming later…
Level 5
Coming later…
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But not forgotten…
1 minuteHello my flower petal zombies, it’s been a minute. Safe to say I’ve fallen off the writing wagon in the last few days, weeks, months.
This post signals to some that I am getting back on the proverbial wagon. That would be incorrect. I have abandoned the wagon altogether; this game of Oregon Trail won’t survive to manifest destiny.
My life is hectic, and will continue to be unpredictable for the foreseeable future. As such, I am doing away with schedule and deadlines, especially for something I consider a hobby and creative endeavor.
Soundcheck Sunshine will wait for me like an old friend, every time we meet we pick up right where we left off as if no time has passed.
Improving myself through writing is not some passing fancy of mine, it is a deep desire founded from a core memory. I have complete faith in myself; not that I will write with consistency, but that I will always come back to this place.
I have many aspirations tied to my writing, and a mind that often thinks so far ahead I catch myself living in a future state that will never happen. I struggle with the here and now, always looking at the end goal or big picture when the steps to get there are just as important.
I find myself needing reminders that I don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it, to put it out into the universe, and to live without expectations of grandeur and perfection.
Until next time, my wagonless daisies.
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On Intermittance
1 minutein·ter·mit·tent
/ˌin(t)ərˈmitnt/
adjective
- occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady. “intermittent rain”
The tides of the ocean; a slow glide up the beach, before retreating into the ocean once more.
The cadence of spring rain; at one moment a gentle shower, the next a torrential downpour.
The flickering of fire; warmth fluttering to and fro in a burning dance.
Acts of nature, unbound by time, holding fast to an unknown schedule, changing on a whim. Commanding the world around them to bend to an understanding of the universe where time is the last priority. Neither late nor early, nature acts as the true wizard of this Earthly realm.
To be intermittent is to act out against the bars built in our gilded cages. To be irregular angers the algorithms, upsets the machines that consume our data. To be unpredictable is to thwart the mechanisms created to guide and contain, to nudge us down a path not of our own choosing.
Intermittence, not a panacea to the drudgery, but an offering as a counterpoint. Be steady, yet not. Continuous, with breaks. Be unfaltering in pursuit of goals and dreams, but know that glass need not be held in the fire forever to be molded into something beautiful.
A resolution to be the spring floods that carved the Grand Canyon, but only when there is water in my soul. When the intermittent rain has gone, and my soul withers in despair, I will comfort in the inevitable. The tides will turn, the rains will nourish the soil again, and I will feel the warmth of the flames.
Intermittence is the difference between not right now and never.
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Welcome to Write Club
2 minutesHere lies the first installment of what I’m naming Write Club; where I will write one essay every week in 2023. This week’s essay will lay the groundwork for the future essays and cover the why aspect of this whole shenanigan. Let’s get into it, shall we?
First, I suck at goals. It is the year of our lord 2023, and I suck at setting, planning, and fulfilling goals. Hence, me setting a huge, monumental, consistent goal such as writing a whole essay every week. Makes sense, yeah?
I pride myself on being a person of action and living out my ideals, so this year I decided to get my shit together and act. I’ve always wanted to write in some capacity, but my (undiagnosed) brain has problems with ambiguous, nebulous goals, so I’ve never actually put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).
What’s different about this year? I’m still the same person, with the same challenges and skills. But I’ve also gained life experience from moving abroad and opening up my mind. I’ve let go of the notion that I need to have everything figured out before I leap. I have zero expectations of this blog right now. It’s just me writing, and whatever unlucky losers who stumble across my page. Hah, welcome loser.
Second, I teach children how to write and I’ve been feeling pretty hollow about my own skill recently. Granted, I teach elementary students, so they aren’t turning in critical analyses of literature or anything, but I want to be assured that I am teaching from a place of experience and not half-forgotten memories from my AP English Lit. class a decade (plus) ago. This blog is my way to practice what I preach, so to speak.
Third, I crave a creative outlet. My time is taken up and I am pulled in many different ways these days (who isn’t?), and writing is an easy creative outlet. With no expectations, this space is here for me however I need it, and I find that freeing and inspiring. I’ve set no goals or rules for Write Club beyond one essay a week, and I’m planning to get wacky with it. My (undiagnosed) brain requires whimsy at every turn to stay interested, and this is my space to feed that part of myself.
So begins Write Club, blessed be everyone who takes that first, frightening step into the unknown.
See you next week my flowers.
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Soundcheck Sunshine 