Saturday, July 13, 2024

Gallimaufry#135

Just a gallimaufry of AI-generated photos, real photos and ramblings ๐Ÿ“ธ
Clearly, this ride belongs to a true Doraemon fan.
Notice the Life Key on the spoiler
The Life Key is a gadget owned by Doraemon, used to bring life to inanimate objects like toys.

THE LOST CHARM OF SALON MAGAZINES: A NOSTALGIC REFLECTION

In the past, a visit to the hair salon for a touch-up on my grey roots was always accompanied by the delightful anticipation of immersing myself in the latest issues of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Elle, and other such magazines. However, the advent of the digital age has cast a shadow over this simple pleasure. Regrettably, the salon I frequent has ceased to stock these magazines, a casualty of the times where everyone’s eyes are glued to their cellphones, engrossed in the digital world, rather than the glossy pages of a magazine. The charm of flipping through a fresh magazine, lost in the world of fashion and glamour, is sadly becoming a thing of the past.

REDISCOVERED GEMS: POSTCARDS FROM 1990

San Francisco
My AI mouse buddies stumbled upon the forgotten postcards!
In primary school, Cousin Bernie loved to play Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" over and over again on her cassette player.  It was a tune that we associated  with visits to our late Aunt Monica's house after school. 

Those afternoons became etched in my memory, especially when Aunt Monica had just returned from her adventures in San Francisco. She brought back a treasure trove of photos—towering redwoods, cable cars climbing steep hills, and the vibrant streets of Haight-Ashbury alive with color and music. Her stories transported us from our small town to the bustling, eclectic city on the West Coast.

I promised myself I would visit San Francisco someday. And so, years later, in 1990, my dream came  true. I finally stepped foot in San Francisco, walking the same streets I had seen in those old photos. The nostalgia of Scott McKenzie's song played in my head. Aunt Monica's tales mingled with the reality of the Golden Gate Bridge stretching across the bay and the charming crookedness of Lombard Street, echoing with the sound of clanging cable cars.

Standing there, I realized how those childhood moments had shaped my longing for adventure and appreciation for new experiences. The United States was the first distant country I visited outside of my home country, apart from our neighboring Singapore. Aunt Monica's love for San Francisco had become a beacon, guiding me to explore beyond what I knew. And as I watched the sun set over the Pacific, I silently thanked Cousin Bernie and Aunt Monica's infectious wanderlust for bringing me to this vibrant, unforgettable city where I left my heart.

           

Standing before the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, I am swept away by a wave of nostalgia. It feels like a dream come true, a surreal moment that takes me back to the days when a poster of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge with running LED lights was a rite of passage for every electronics student. I vividly remember my husband (then boyfriend) meticulously soldering red LEDs onto his poster, and I wistfully imagined how incredible it would be to visit the bridge one day. Little did I know that this dream would become a reality, and here I am, marveling at its grandeur in person.

Dinner - Vietnamese

Thit Kho To - braised pork belly in coconut water
Thit Heo Nuong Xa - lemon grass pork chops
Saw this on FB and had to share! ๐Ÿ˜‚

Prayers needed!

Dear Heavenly Father,

So pure and bright,
Guide our hearts and ease our plight,
For 23 years, peace was mine,
Until 5 years ago, came neighbours unkind.

Kids game till 3:00AM, then Dad's on a spree
Vacuuming at 7:00 AM, moving furniture, you see.
Thump, thud, and screech, with a bang and a clatter, 
Complaints fall flat, management's no help, the matter. 
Constantly dropping things, creating a din, 
Adding chaos, under my skin.

They wash their AC, pigeon poop, feathers, and all, 
Foul water drips in, my fries take the fall. 
Dinner ruined, pizza we had to call, 
From pigeon-poop water, in a flood.
I went quite loco, boiling blood. 

Mom vacuums again later in the day, 
Driven by OCD, in her own frenzied way.
So if they must stay, grant me patience, I pray, 
Or guide them to find a new place to play. 
In peace we pray, both night and day, 
For love and kindness here to stay.

Amen

Dear bloggy buddies, I could use all the positive vibes and prayers you can spare. Dealing with my neighbors from hell, who live above us in our condo, has been quite the challenge. Despite my repeated complaints to condo management, my neighbors persist in their disruptive behavior. Seriously, who vacuums not once, but several times a day???!!
Your prayers mean the world to me.

Thank you. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•ฏ️

#AIart #GenerativeArt #NeuralNetworkArt #ComputerGenerated #AlgorithmicVisuals #DigitalCreativity #MachineLearningArt #SyntheticIllustrations #AutomatedDesign #CreativeAlgorithms #AIEnhancedGraphics #AlgorithmDrivenArt #DigitalGenerativeArt #AIGeneratedGraphics #ComputationalCreativity #CreativeCodingArt #DeepLearningImagery #VirtualArtwork #CreativeAI #ArtificialIntelligenceArt

51 comments:

  1. Dearest Veronica,
    Just like you, LOVED that Scott McKenzie song and when I was 32 I went to San Francisco and many times since then. It has been our most favorite city for a long time. My Pieter lectured in San Francisco at the 1st ever North American Mushroom Conference in 1979 so he fell in love with it a couple of years before me.
    Vietnamese food is delicious and having a Vietnamese born friend had us savor that quite often.
    My goodness, what a life with such neighbors living above you that don't respect others, neither quiet time...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  2. Beautiful series of photos.
    I think the mice are so cute.
    The food looks delicious.
    I wish you a beautiful Sunday.
    Greetings Irma

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  3. Dear Veronica,

    I must laugh when I read your story about hairsaloons. It's true that the magazines are gone. It's strange to read about Scott McKenzie. My husband and I talket about this lovely song for two days ago. I remember it very well.
    Have a great week ahead, Veronica!

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  4. Love your food shots as always. The AI mouses are so cute

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  5. The pork chops look really juicy and yum!

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  6. I share the idea of the three stages of life. ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„
    Happy Sunday, Veronica!

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  7. I live in the States but I have never been to San Francisco. We were in California once for a wedding, but that was in Los Angelos. Your photos are wonderful. I love the mice under the hair dryers . The hair dryers ares nostalgic to me more than the magazines. Condo living can be wonderful if you have the right neighbors. Wrong neighbors can make you miserable.

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  8. Veronica Lee, your neighbors are certainly an inconsiderate group and it is unfortunate that your condo management is not helpful. Here in the U.S. there are condo associations and I wondered if there is a similar group in your building which you appeal to. We live in an apt now and on the top floor, so thankfully no one is above us. Have you considered relocating as a last resort?

    Enjoyed your recollections and sharing your memories of your aunt and your first visit to San Francisco. I agree that magazines were always enjoyable to read while in medical waiting rooms or hair salons and, lime yourself, I miss these small pleasures replaced now by TV screens in some places. In some ways, Life is not better because of technology.

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  9. Just love your mice, they are ever so cute in all the photos.
    I forgot about the hairdresser's and their magazines in the salon - my hairdresser comes to my house every 10 weeks to do my hair, she lives in another city - long story and she has a salon at her house.
    The food looks nice and I remember that song - nice video.

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  10. That is a cute little car!
    I was at the eye doctor the other day and they have no magazines either. I miss that too.
    I'm so glad you got to visit San Francisco and that it met up with your hopes! I've never been there.
    I'm sorry about your neighbors. We had bad neighbors some years ago and it's draining. I will pray for you!
    I always love your mice!

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  11. Amazing pictures of AI mice. In general I enjoyed the singing, the wandering, the magazines in the Saloon, I was distressed by the annoying neighbors, and I loved your prayer! I hope all goes well and have a lovely week!

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  12. I'm glad you made it to San Francisco. It is not far from my hometown, about three hours away, and I've visited many times. There's always something interesting to see and do there. The Golden Gate Bridge photo is grand. And the one of you next to it is a special keepsake. Thanks for the song. It's a classic for sure. I'm so sorry you are dealing with chaos from your neighbors. Having good neighbors makes all the difference. Saying a prayer for some peace and quiet. : )

    ~Sheri

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  13. Prayers from all of us too. The mouse art is so pretty and those pork chops look delicious.

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  14. What a nice shots, thanks for your sharing

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  15. Hello,
    I love San Francisco, such a beautiful city. Your post and photos bring back happy memories. I am sorry you are having problems with the neighbors. Sending prayers. Take care, enjoy your day and have a wonderful week!

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  16. oh yes I've had many noisy neighbours over the years, they seem to have no comprehension that everyone else can hear them 10 times the volume they think they are making, do you have noise control there you can call?

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  17. I remember that song as if it were yesterday, Veronica. I'm glad you got to see San Francisco when you did. That once gorgeous city is now filled with the homeless, crime and human excrement on the streets. How sad!
    I love all your mice, but the praying ones are priceless. I'll pray for you!

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  18. Prayers for your neighbor situation? You bet. There is nothing worse. I'm so sorry you have to experience this and wish there was a way you could work with them directly and/or with your building owner/super. Can you threaten your building person with moving? If you've been there a long while and are a good tenant, that might have some weight. Good luck. Meanwhile, we'll all do for you what we can. The SF photos are great memories for me, too and I do love that song!

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  19. When dealing with issues like your neighbors, the first thing is to imagine them happy *someplace else*. Can you discuss with them some of the issues? Or have you already tried and they were less than reasonable?

    I've been to San Francisco a couple times. Great city.

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  20. I was just in San Fran! Prayers for those neighbour issues.

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  21. Me pareciรณ lindo el carro. Y me fio ganas de la comida. Orare por t u. Ojala los vecinos se muden. Te mando un beso.

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  22. I loved seeing all of your photos from San Francisco. This is also one of my favorite cities to visit. The views and the food are amazing. Adding the adorable little mice to the street cars was such a cute idea!

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  23. Oh wow; look at all those old postcards! How neat that you go to visit and make your dreams come true. Prayers for you in dealing with your neighbors.

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  24. I love the photos from san francisco. The food looks delicious!
    Have a nice evening

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  25. Love the photos so colourful and cute also oh and of course I always like the food heheh! :-)

    Have a gallimaufrytastic week ๐Ÿ‘

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  26. I used to collect postcards!

    I'm so sorry to hear about your noisy and disruptive neighbours. Here's hoping that they will either quiet down or MOVE OUT soon!!!

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  27. A beautiful walk down memory lane for you. Thank you for taking us along!

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  28. Lovely old postcards of SF, and your AI mice ae as cute as cute can be.
    I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbors upstairs. That sounds horrible. Praying for the Lord to intercede and either get them to change their ways or their address.

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  29. agree with 3 stupid stages of life..... ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ˜

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  30. Love the key on the trunk. Mom says the small cars and the way they "decorate" them in Asia was always so interesting to her. Good luck with the neighbors above. We have enough trouble with the people adjacent to our house as they are always loud, fireworks, parties, loud cars. Very irritating.

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  31. I wish mice could be as sweet in reality as they are here, my dear friend. :)
    Thanks for this nice article.

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  32. You have AI down very well. Wow. What great shots.

    The shots of the city are most beautiful.

    I love your food and as usual I ate much of it.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

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  33. I know nothing about AI images, but I was wishing I did blog post before this last one. I would have created an ogre in crocs!

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  34. It seems that you have strange neighbors...
    Nice images in your gallimaufry, Veronica!
    Happy WW, my friend! Huggs and blessings!❤️๐Ÿ˜˜

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  35. I visited San Francisco back in the 90s. I loved it and your post brought back some good memories. Sorry about the neighbor from hell, I sending good vibes and prayers your way.

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  36. I'm glad you were able to visit San Francisco. I've been there twice and it was fun both times. Those hills are no joke though. lol

    Sorry to hear about the bad neighbors. I know too well how that is.

    Sorry I've been MIA for almost 2 weeks. My internet was out and I had a hard time getting on blogs with my phone. But it's fixed now and I'm making my way around to all the blogs I love.

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  37. ...I must live in a cave, I've never heard of Doraemon! Veronica, I hope that you are having a wonderful day.

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  38. I was 17 years when San Francisco by Scott McKenzie, great era. Hippie style. I love .

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  39. It's been years but I'd know San Francisco with one look. Now I want a wind-up car and mice to drive me! Oh the fabulous worlds you create!

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  40. The old postcards are wonderful, dear Veronica. I love "San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie, and when I was in San Francisco in 2012, the song accompanied me, too. I don't think you were reading my blog back then - if you're interested, here are my 3 San Francisco posts:
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2012/12/san-francisco-1-tag.html
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2012/12/san-francisco-2-tag.html
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2012/12/san-francisco-3-tag.html
    On our trip around the world in 2024, we visited San Francisco again, but this time we didn't take the cable car like your sweet mice, but mainly saw places that we didn't manage to see in 2012. I'll tell about that in the course of my travel report.
    I'm very sorry that you're having problems with your neighbors. In my experience, it helps if you try to change your life so that you don't feel too bothered by your neighbors: tailor-made ear plugs to stop the noise and hobbies that often take you out of the house. As far as I know, there are laws about disturbing the peace at night - you could file a lawsuit. I assume you're not the only one who feels disturbed, so you'll have to join forces with other witnesses. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things will get better soon!
    All the best, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/07/sommerliche-leichtigkeit-in-der-wachau.html
    PS: I had to lough out loud about the 3 stages of life...

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  41. Wow your discussion of when you were a child and spoke of wanting to visit SF this suddenly brought back memories of when I was a kid and watched the Rice-a-Roni commercials "The SF Treat" and I would think to myself I want to go there! Ye it is sad I use to work in publishing, sadly magazines will not be around in the future.

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  42. I love seeing all of your photos as I'm a real homebody and have missed visiting all there is to see in this world. I can relate to the 3 stages of life - I'm currently in the final one LOL Living with bad neighbors can destroy your life, which is why I choose to live in my own house where I no longer have to deal with nonsense from anyone. Wishing you all the best with that issue.

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  43. such lovely images, I haven't seen them in a long time. full of candor and some romance.
    I wish you a fabulous summer! hugs and kisses.

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  44. The Doraemon car is adorable! I love it, specially the key! Your San Francisco photos are beautiful, made me think of postcards. Have a good week, Veronica!

    -Soma

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  45. I'm glad that San Francisco didn't disappoint! I live close to it and it sure has changed since your visit in the 90s. However, it hasn't become the "hellhole" that some people claim it has become. It is still a beautiful and fascinating city. I have been living here for more than 20 years now, and I still get goosebumps when I cross the Golden Gate Bridge. As a teenager I also loved Scott McKenzie's song and told myself that one day I would drive and walk across that bridge, but never would I have though that one day I'd live so close to it.
    I'm sorry to hear about your neighbors from hell. That is awful. during 40 years in Germany I have always lived in appartments, but we never had problems with our neighbors. Having good neighbors is so important and I hope that your situation will improve. It's sad that the condo management doesn't seem to be able to help. Hugs - Carola

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  46. Wow, how cool to see images created now and from years ago, and your meal looks delicious, thanks so much for sharing! Hope you have an amazing summer beauty!

    xoxo, Midori

    https://www.midorilinea.com/blogs/midori-linea/panda-village-koala-world

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  47. You have just reminded me that I really should visit San Francisco one day! Another delightful post, though I'm sorry to read about your noisy neighbours.

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  48. All your photos and your memories of San Francisco were a delight. The AI photos are very cute too. We lived in California for many years and I have been to San Francisco several times. The last visit was when we stayed with family members who lived there for a couple of years because of work. This was a few years ago. I am sorry to read about your annoying neighbors and hope that situation resolves itself very soon.

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  49. That pork belly does look tempting.
    Thanks so much for participating and sharing at #36 #WW (Words welcome). See you Wednesday at #37, https://esmesalon.com/tag/wordlesswednesday/

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  50. Not sure if you wrote that poem but its really cool and OMG I feel for you. I really do, to have loud neighbors, etc. Luckily I only had to deal with that once in my life when we first moved to a different mountain town than we are in now. Right across the fence was a Jack Russell dog who never ever ever stopped barking. Anyway - I love your story about SanFrancisco and what a cute photo of you at the bridge. My oldest son and daughter in law with two kids lived in Marin County, Mill Valley area and I loved going there to babysit while they would go on vacation. We lived about 7 hours away so visiting San Francisco was such a treat. I have such good memories. I may put some up on my blog. Your AI mice is such a treat to see. Do you do the creating of them - expressing what you want to see in the photo. I played around a little with a simple app one time and enjoyed it so much.

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  51. I truly enjoy the old postcards you kept. Original

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