Gallimaufry#141

Just a gallimaufry of AI-generated photos, real photos and ramblings 📸

TONY TONY CHOPPER RIDES WITH FOOD PANDA

Walking to where our car was parked, I noticed something perched atop a food delivery box.

My sons recognized them as a pair of action figures from the beloved anime series One Piece. The spiky character is none other than Tony Tony Chopper, the reindeer doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates. 

It was a quirky sight, seeing Chopper, in all his forms, hitching a ride on the back of a motorcycle. It felt like a little piece of anime magic had spilled over into the real world, turning an ordinary food delivery box into a moment of fandom joy.

Dinner - Fusion Dim Sum

*Dim sum for dinner? Absolutely, because why not! And yes, I'm diving into some fusion dim sum too—cheese on tofu? Let the food purists roll their eyes!

*Traditionally, dim sum is enjoyed during breakfast or brunch, especially in Cantonese culture. It's a social meal often shared with family and friends over tea, usually served in small portions like dumplings, buns, and other bite-sized delicacies. The practice of enjoying dim sum in the morning is rooted in its origins as a light, early-day meal to complement tea drinking, known as "yum cha" (drinking tea). However, the appeal of dim sum has grown globally, and now people enjoy it at any time of day, including dinner.

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

Lucerne 2019 

In the charming town of Lucerne, where the historic Chapel Bridge stands proudly against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, humans love to walk their dogs in the evenings. But if you care to look closely enough, you might just bump into Elsa the Mouse and her dapper pet snail, Sir Escargot, enjoying their own little evening stroll. 

Lugano 2022

Have you ever noticed how tricky it can be to capture photos of benches with breathtaking views? When you’re sitting on the bench, you’re naturally facing the scenery, but the photographer can’t position themselves in front of you because it’s often a water’s edge or a sheer cliff. And even if they could, the backdrop behind you wouldn’t be the stunning view that the bench is designed to enjoy.

Isn't it amazing how AI can creatively solve this age-old dilemma of capturing the perfect photo on a bench with a stunning view? In real life, when you sit on a bench facing a breathtaking scene, the photographer is often limited by the landscape—usually, it’s a water’s edge or a cliff—making it nearly impossible to get both you and the view in the same frame. But with AI, it’s a different story. It can position the mice on the bench so they’re enjoying the view while simultaneously turning them to face the camera, all without sacrificing the beautiful backdrop. 

JUST A RANDOM QUESTION

Me, wide awake at 4:00 AM despite counting sheep

I’m curious—do any of you have trouble falling asleep? And if not, do you find your sleep gets fragmented or interrupted? I’ve been wondering how many hours of sleep most people actually average.

I’ve been having trouble falling asleep lately, which is new for me—never had this issue before. I suspect it might be an aging thing, but noisy neighbors have definitely been a trigger! I recently discovered CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) on YouTube and am now trying to practice it. It’s a method that helps address the thoughts and behaviors that might be keeping you awake.

Has anyone else faced similar challenges or tried CBT-I? I’d love to hear your experiences and any tips you might have for dealing with sleep issues.

Looking forward to your insights!