Friday Donuts

Friends, Photons, the embodiment of pure light, travel so fast they don’t experience time. And yet, a group of scientists at the University of Birmingham have produced a visualization of a single photon … a snapshot of the fastest thing in the known universe. If the images flooding the web are to be trusted, it resembles a yellow frosted donut (I favor my description over the paper’s “membrane-like shell of a hollow cylinder”). In hindsight, it just makes sense. Donuts taste like pure sunshine. They brighten your day and bring a smile to your face. They warm your soul and make you feel good all over. So, take a bite (hopefully you haven’t given them up for lent) and let the light fill your being. Happy Friday! A single photon. Photo Credit: Phys.org

Friends, Remember that time I had  AI write the Friday Donut blog ? That was two years ago, a more innocent time when ChatGPT was a novelty. I remember the mix of amazement and fear while experimenting first-hand with the object of all that hype on this very medium. While I have reluctantly embraced GenAI for work, I have not used it as a writing aid for this blog. It feels like cheating – besides, I don’t need to increase my productivity, and I regularly meet my extravagant adjective quota. I have, however, given some thought to the role of AI in society. The way I see it; the bottom line is AI is acceptable as a tool at the service of humanity. So long as AI is attempting to make it faster and more convenient for us. So long as the content it produces is for humans to consume. So long as there is a person at the end of the line, I’m OK with AI. The minute AI starts creating content for AI, that’ll be the time to start worrying. In the meantime, enjoy your donut and be nice to you...

Friends, Do you ever find yourself starting to say a word, realizing it’s the wrong choice and trying to change it while speaking — making it worse? For me, it’s happened more times than I care to admit. A recurring faux pas for me occurs at the part of the mass where the congregation says “when we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim your death, o Lord, until you come again”. For some reason my brain wants to say “profess” instead of “proclaim” — which would essentially mean the same thing. Unfortunately, in my clumsy attempts to fix my mistake mid-word, what comes out sounds like “profane” — totally the wrong vibe. Good thing the entire congregation is saying the same thing in unison. If someone heard me they might think the priest was consecrating a donut, instead of the host. Happy Friday!

Friends, The older I get, the more elusive a good night's rest has become. As a naturally light sleeper, it doesn't take much to wake me -- and even though my Apple watch may claim I get eight hours most evenings, I find that claim suspect. Lately, I've been starting to see the small interruptions to my slumber in a whole new light. In a way, I am grateful for them. Let me explain: A table lamp and low volume real crime show past my bedtime are a welcome sign that I don't have to sleep alone. That sore shoulder waking me up at midnight makes me glad I'm in good health. Two spoiled dogs scratching the door to be let out at 2 are a small price to pay for the unconditional affection they give us. That forgotten task my mind inevitably remembers at 3:21 makes me grateful I have a job I enjoy doing. The low battery beeping in the smoke alarm at 4 reminds me I am fortunate enough to have a roof over my head. The door slamming shut before dawn brings a smile to my face, kn...

Friends, All the hubbub about memecoins might $TUMP some and $MELL-ANIA a little funky to others. Personally, it dragged me down a rabbit hole — “research” is way too generous a word — that crash-landed on a site called pump.fun. This site lets anybody with cash to burn buy into a gazillion available offers. You can even start your own memecoin, if you’re so inclined. As I perused the potential portfolio, a few things struck me. It takes zero talent or taste to launch a memecoin. Way too many people have way too much time and money to burn. Donuts are a surprisingly popular meme. As you get your morning started, may I suggest a hot black coffee, a sweet, flaky cronut — and if you’re tempted to “invest” in a meme, come on down to my place, you can save some time and flush your money down my toilet. Happy Friday!

Friends, As we slither into the new lunar year I’ve decided to tune out the new brood of vipers on Capitol Hill and tune into the little things that make me smile. The magical frost turning ordinary branches into fairy tale forests. The spectacular sunsets painting the cloud canvas shades of gold leaf, blood orange and coral pink. My granddaughter’s joie de vivre, generosity and spontaneous laughter that melt my heart every time. And of course that first bite into a raised chocolate frosted donut. Mmm … that’s what I’m talking about! Happy Friday!