The Curious Crew

In today's special episode, The Curious Crew . . .

Oh, our young folks are ready, with AI so grand,

A new era of wonders across every land!

With curious minds, vast as Space, full of creative delight,

And a zest for exploring, with all of their light!

They welcome new tools, with a gleam in their eye,

To learn and to grow, way up to the sky!

Our thinking's a marvel, a clever design,

We make new plans, so fantastically fine!

With problem-space maps and memories, too,

We build new ideas, quite fresh and quite new!

With smiling faces, showing gratitude's grace,

We find our own wonderful, human-filled place!

Sharing a meal with generosity and love,

A warm human spirit, a gift from above!

We stand tall together, collaborate, and help with a grin,

For with Agentic AI, together we win!

Not machines all alone, but with us by their side,

We'll create and serve, with nothing to hide!

I'm Patrick Ball. Stay curious and ask questions. See you next time.

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Engineering Beef Stew

On July 2nd—Day Two of what I call The Great Un-Working —I sat down with my morning notebook to map out this new chapter of my life. One goal made the list in bold ink: Learn to Cook. At seventy, I was adding a skill most people master before they’re old enough to drive. Before you judge me, understand our household ecosystem. Lori is a phenomenal cook. For decades, she’s made meals so effortless and delicious that restaurants seem unsatisfying . My contribution to the culinary arts during my bachelor years–tuna mixed into Kraft Mac & Cheese. Let’s just say I wasn’t threatening her spot on the Food Network. But retirement changed the equation. I’m officially off the clock while Lori is still working. And I had a lovely thought: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she came home after a long day to find dinner waiting? She loved the idea. Then came the question that haunted me for weeks: “What do you want to make?” I had no idea. Apparently, the first step in learning to cook is deciding wh...

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