A couple weeks ago we decided that Smallsteps could plan her "Dream Weekend" with us, as there has been so much going on with work (and not work) that we haven't had much time when all three of us are together. So, a few weeks ago we earmarked this weekend as the designated family weekend, and Smallsteps could plan what we do, and what we eat. This was planned last week and written into a schedule on my wife's phone.
In typical Smallsteps fashion, there wasn't anything too extravagant on the list. Friday night it was tacos and tortilla wraps while watching a movie together - She chose Ratatouille. The schedule today was an easy morning, and then for lunch, leftovers from the night before, because that is what we normally do anyway. The only "outing" was a trip to a kids climbing center that she visited for a friend's birthday a couple months ago, and enjoyed.
Except this time, Mummy and Daddy would be climbing also.
Neither of us were sure how this would work out, as while I have climbed at this place several years ago quite easily, a lot has happened since then. Plus, a few more pounds have been added onto my frame. Let's say that my wife hasn't changed at all, but she hasn't climbed earlier, and didn't realize how hard it would be on her arms. But, she managed well and even pushed herself to the top of the climbs she tried.
After the climbing, we headed to the shops to pick up some supermarket sushi (it isn't too bad), and then home for dinner, some origami, and then playing a board game. It was a nice and relaxed evening, and we just chilled in the loungeroom together, with the open fire crackling in the background.
What I should mention about the climbing is that there is a timed wall, where it is possible to "speed" climb with a button at the top to stop the clock. While I was well off my record from the other time I was here a few years back, I still managed a 12.60 second climb. Not great considering my other was sub 10, but I am no longer the person I was. However, what was cool to see was that Smallsteps built her speed rapidly, going from 35 seconds on her first climb, and taking it all the way down to 14.24 - She could go faster for sure with a few more runs, but this was toward the end of the hour we had, and her arms were tiring, even though in her head they were fine.
She will sleep well tonight.
And she is already in bed.
At 830pm on a weekend. With only a few half-hearted complaints. She also knows that there is a program for tomorrow too, and she wants to be fresh. Not that we are doing that much, but we will have breakfast together, a break of "free time" for a bit, and then Smallsteps and my wife are going to first bake a pie, and while that cools, make a pizza for lunch. The plan is another movie together, some games, some karaoke, and then sausages on the fireplace for dinner.
Not a bad dream weekend.
After the week I have had, this has been a great way to spend the weekend. Smallsteps doesn't know that I have lost my job yet, but I will tell her mid-week, so that she can at least carry the weekend with her for a few more days. She tends to worry about what might happen in the future, and she has some sense of what it means to not have money, because we have taught her about it over the years. However, at least for now, the impact on her should be negligible, and hopefully she will never have to feel what it is like to be financially struggling.
She was too young to remember her first few years of life.
But, that is my wife and my job to take care of, and ensure that regardless of what life throws at us, she is taken care of the best we can. It is going to be a change in lifestyle for us all over the next few months, but there will be some good that comes out of it too, I am sure.
At least, I hope there will be.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Sounds like a fun weekend :D
and made me realise just how long it's been since the last time we went climbing or did anything as well x_x we used to go on semi-regular excursions/fun outings when the kids were little and then they grew up and everything is boring except the very expensive things outside of our budget
Sucks about losing the job :< hopefully you pick up something else in the meantime.
Oh dear! What rotten news to receive at the end of the year. Sorry to hear that.
It reminds me of the same situation some years ago when I was made redundant due to restructuring. Luckily for me I have little family commitments, particularly no kids to worry about. I was on three months notice, and they paid me off after a month, then I found a job a month later so it all worked out well for me.
I hope it will for you as well
Thanks. It has been disappointing to say the least!
Hopefully, I am able to get a similar result. There is some padding in the severance that gets me through for a bit, but I will have to start looking soon. Not a great time to find anything at the moment though.
There is no easy way to say this, so I won't try. I am not sure how attached you were to your job, which would proportionally suggest how dissapointed you are. So time like this I think we need a bit of laugh. So here it is. I asked Gemini the following:
Here is the AI response:
Acknowledge their feelings: "I'm so sorry to hear that. Losing a job is tough, and it's totally understandable to feel [sad/frustrated/etc.] right now."
Offer specific help: "I'm here for you, whether you need to vent, brainstorm job leads, or just grab a beer. Let me know how I can help."
Highlight their strengths: "You're such a talented [skill/quality]. I know you'll find something great that's a perfect fit for you."
Express confidence: "I have no doubt you'll bounce back from this. You're strong and resourceful."
Keep it positive: "This might be a setback, but it's not the end of the world. There are plenty of opportunities out there."
Remember, the most important thing is to be genuine and supportive. Let your friend know you care and are there for them.
Here is the thing. I say AI still has a long way to go to communicate human emotions. Also, if you hear any of those phrases from your friends, you know that they are using some LLM or other :)
Cheers, mate!
:D :D
The job was okay, I enjoyed it and was pretty good at it overall. However, many of the people I worked with are awesome. This has made it much harder.
On the AI side, I am pretty sure that in very short order, people are going to discover that AI is better at being a supportive human than most humans. And on another note, I think you and I were talking about prompt engineering the other day and how much call there is for it. Already though, they are finding that AI can do it better than most humans, even those who are good at it - and AI will keep learning faster. Throw in an AI camera that reads micro expressions, a voice ai to read pauses, tone and pitch, and an AI friend is going to be far more sensitive, or manipulative, than any human can be.
"Asshole" is what is generally put between the brackets ;)
Well, It is uncanny good sometimes. Then it is crazy bad like this example that I just wrote.
What I am finding that it is crazy good with research, finding articles, comments, information from the web. I have forgotten when is the last time I used the google search bar last 4-5 months when I am in front of my laptop. So here is my take. Lot of "front-office doctors" folks known as family physicians, and physicians assistants, soon their jobs will be all gone. It has started here already. Pharmacists are not needed. Research assistants...gone. Customer service reps...not needed. We can go on and one, but it is reality. We have to find the alternatives.
The impact on jobs is going to be very swift, the impact on the economy is going to have some lag. Companies will make more money for a time, until not enough people can afford to buy enough of what they are selling.
The alternative is a fundamental change in how we value human life.
Farming, especially urban organic farming will be here to stay I think. Grow your own food. Nothing can go wrong with that.
I wonder what it would take to set up a grow room in the basement through the winter. Might have to look into it.
It looks and sounds like it was a really awesome time. I am sure you did way better on the wall than I would have. I don't think I have ever been on one of those, but I know I probably don't have the strength to handle it. I hope she takes the news well. Kids have better things to do than worry about adult things.
Depends. I have terrible technique and use to much of my arms I think. The scariest part is trusting that the cable will hold when letting go!
Exactly. When I was her age, I was worrying far too much about things I had no control over, even though they impacted me.
Yeah, that is a good point. If you have strong leg you can push yourself up rather than pulling. I've been through some of the classes with those ropes and stuff. I trust them more than I trust my body no question!
It seems Smallsteps was braver than ever as her parents climbed as well 🙂
She loved showing off a bit :)
That's a wonderful weekend you have and planned. I hope your daughter won't worry that much if she knows you lost your job. Keep safe!
As long as she feels safe, she will be okay.
Haha am sure with a climb like that she sure will sleep soundly, oh boy I myself will love a family outing like this
A family outing, or a family day at home. Doesn't matter - just spend time together doing something enjoyable.
I am sorry in vain for my comment, it is just that sometimes words are carried away by the wind and the efforts one makes to encourage others and show some hope that things will get better are lost. You have a beautiful family, and I am sure that little Smallsteps, will give you a hug full of that love that a son knows how to transmit. That hug will change all your sorrows into a moment of joy, and there you will know that the whole universe will be an accomplice in the blessings you will receive.
I don't always buy pizza but when I do I expect my favorite basketball team to win a Euroleague game.
This didn't work a few times.But pizza was still nice...