Just a gallimaufry of AI-generated photos, real photos and ramblings 📸
Kuih Loyang Kuih Ros aka Kuih Loyang is a traditional Malaysian snack that is popular during festive seasons like Eid al-Fitr and Chinese New Year. Delicate and crispy, it is made from a simple batter of rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Ever stopped to peer into a pet store window and felt a pang of sadness seeing those animals looking so forlorn?
What if, just for a moment, the roles were reversed? Picture this: we're the ones behind the glass, on display for all the pets passing by to see. How would we feel, confined to such a small space, longing for freedom and connection?
FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES
Dubai's pink taxis
Dubai's Pink Taxi service operates a fleet of 115 vehicles driven
exclusively by female drivers from various nationalities. In 2023 alone,
the dedicated women-driven taxis recorded over 674,419 trips –
underscoring strong demand. These taxis primarily serve family and
female passengers, offering a safe and comfortable transportation option
in Dubai. This initiative aims to provide a sense of security and
privacy, catering to the needs of women and families in the city.
Dinner - Korean
Pajeon
Korean seafood pancake, or pajeon, is a savory treat filled with seafood like shrimp or squid, mixed with green onions and veggies in a crispy batter. It's popular as both street food and homemade dish, served with a soy-based dipping sauce.
I had the 'UFO Fried Rice.' I wouldn't say it was 🛸 out-of-this-world delicious. 😞
The Story Behind 'OF MICE AND raMEN'
I've been blogging for 16 years, and every now and then, curious bloggy
buddies ask about the meaning of the name behind my blog, 'OF MICE AND raMEN'. Note the uppercase letters except for 'ra'. You probably didn't notice that in my blog header.
I am a big fan of John Steinbeck, and his timeless classic “Of Mice and Men,” my favorite read, served as the muse for my blog’s name.
One day, while slurping ramen and contemplating a name for my blog, I noticed the book of the same title on my bookcase and thought, 'Why not?' I decided to change 'men' to 'ramen' because I thought it had a playful twist, even though there's no direct connection to the novella.
My muse
Note - Every AI-generated photo you see here is a product of artificial intelligence, meticulously and painstakingly crafted through textual descriptions alone. No actual photographs were utilized or manipulated in the creation of these images.
JUST A GALLIMAUFRY OF AI-GENERATED IMAGES, REAL PHOTOS AND RAMBLINGS 📸
A hanging daybed in the restroom?
Restroom in Vassilikos Restaurant, Santorini
Sometimes, all you need is a cozy corner, even if it's in the most unexpected of places. Unconventional, yet oddly inviting. Who says relaxation can't happen in the midst of daily routines?
Breakfast - paratha
Paratha is a versatile flatbread from the Indian subcontinent made with
whole wheat flour, water, and ghee or oil. It's rolled thin, folded, and
cooked until golden brown and crispy. Paratha can be enjoyed plain or
stuffed with fillings like potato or paneer, and is often served with
yogurt or chutneys. Loved for its flaky layers and delicious taste, it's
a popular breakfast in Malaysia.
Interestingly, did you know that frozen store-bought paratha, with its flaky, crispy, and buttery goodness, makes a fantastic pizza base?
Doughnut wisdom 🍩
AI-generated image
“Ah, doughnut, son. Doughnut.” I would always use that quirky reminder whenever my sons complain about trivialities. It’s a playful nudge to shift their focus from what’s missing to what’s there—a sweet reminder to savor life’s blessings.
So, what's with the doughnut, you might ask? It is a power analogy that our parish priest, Father Paul, used in his sermon during one Sunday Mass. "God gives you a doughnut and you complain there's a hole in it," his voice thundered through the pews, rousing half of the congregation from their slumber that morning. His words painted a vivid picture that resonated deeply with us.
The analogy encapsulates a profound truth about human nature — our tendency to fixate on what's lacking rather than appreciating the abundance of blessings surrounding us. We humans, in our ceaseless quest for fulfillment, often focus on the voids—the missing pieces—rather than savoring the sweet completeness of our blessings.
FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES
Statue of General Joffre, Paris 2019
Brussels 2019
It is said that the best chocolates on the planet come from Belgium!
How may I help you?
AI generated
Care for a taste of bourbon? Our bourbon-infused chocolates are our specialty.
AI generated
LOST IN TRANSLATION: "WESTERN FOOD"
Picture this: a wide-eyed American wanders the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in search of a taste of home. Suddenly, he stumbles upon a sign that reads "Western Food" in bold letters. Excitedly, he imagines himself chowing down on hearty cowboy grub – beans, brisket, and maybe a side of lassoed potatoes. Ha, he's about to embark on a culinary adventure that's anything but Wild West!
As he approaches the stall, visions of saloons and tumbleweeds dance in his head. Our intrepid traveler braces himself for a taste of the American frontier.
"Yee-haw!" he exclaims, ready to dig into a plate of Malaysian "Western Food." But wait – what's this? Instead of a slab of beef as big as Texas, he's presented with a chicken chop drizzled in black pepper sauce, accompanied by a mountain of fragrant rice and a side of crispy fries!
So essentially, what is western food in Malaysia?
Western food in Malaysia typically consists of dishes influenced by
Western cuisine, particularly European and American culinary traditions.
This includes a variety of items such as burgers, steaks, sandwiches,
pasta, pizza, grilled meats, and salads. Malaysian "Western food" often
incorporates local flavors and ingredients, resulting in a unique fusion
of East and West.
A FUNNY TO SHARE
Marital Bliss
Ever wondered?
Inspired by a scene from "The Twilight Zone" from the episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet"
50 years on and I still feel a shiver of nervousness when I peer out of the plane window at night.
Note - Every AI-generated photo you see here is a product of artificial intelligence, meticulously and painstakingly crafted through textual descriptions alone. No actual photographs were utilized or manipulated in the creation of these images.
I've been getting requests to teach how to generate AI photos, so
instead of responding to each email individually, I am sharing this
in a post. But before we dive in, let me explain how this fascination
with AI began. Remember those images of homeless people I shared on
Gallimaufry#122? Long after my vacation in Greece, those sights haunted
me, but I struggled to express them. Lacking artistic skill, words alone
couldn't capture the vivid visuals in my mind. Like they say, "A picture paints a thousand words". That's when my son
suggested I try using AI, but he warned me of the backlash I might receive. After
generating a few images, well, you know the rest of the story.
I am no guru, just sharing what I've learned.
Let's get started.
1. On your browser, type bing.com
2. Create an account. It's free!
3. Navigate to Copilot at the top of the page. Hit return.
4. Scroll up a little until you see this.
5. Choose "More Precise" for conversation style.
6. Describe your image in the text input box provided.
7. Submit your request.
8. Ta da! You're done!
9. If the generated image does not match your description or meet your expectations, you can refine your description and generate a new image. This process can be repeated as many times as necessary until you’re satisfied with the result.
Remember, AI does its best to create an image based on your description, but it might not always be perfect. It’s important to be patient and willing to experiment with different descriptions to get the best result. Happy creating! 😊
Here's an example inspired by my Paratha breakfast.
Haha! Notice the inaccuracy. The flatbread is not paratha, but chappati!
When it comes to AI, unpredictability is the name of the game. You never
know what to expect, and sometimes you have to keep refining your
description to get what you want. Occasionally, the images are way off,
and they only get worse with each adjustment. In those cases, I find it
easier to start fresh. If things aren't going as expected, start a new
chat rather than continuously refining an inaccurate image.
AI operates on machine learning technology and AI models like Copilot rely on large amounts of data and continuous
learning to improve their performance. Each interaction contributes to
the model's understanding and capabilities, and it adapts based on the
patterns it learns from a wide range of inputs. I've noticed that the accuracy of its outputs tends to improve over time
as the model remembers and learns from my preferences and
specifications.
If you were to type in the same text that I did in your input box, you will probably not get the same output that you see above. I think my past interactions with AI have trained it to adapt to my style and requirements.
It’s important to note that while AI models can learn and adapt to patterns, they don’t “understand” in the human sense. They don’t have consciousness or subjective experiences. They process information and make predictions based on their programming and the patterns they’ve learned from data.
JUST A GALLIMAUFRY OF AI-GENERATED IMAGES, REAL PHOTOS AND RAMBLINGS 📸
Earlier, I mentioned I was experiencing a photographer's block, so I
took a walk in my neck of the woods, hoping to capture something new and
interesting. As soon as I stepped out of the house, I realized that I
was greeted by the same old perennial flowers and the same tired
landscapes. And then it hit me: for 16 years, except for my travels, I
have been blogging about the same old things!
Living in a tropical country with only one season and unchanging flora and fauna, I've run out of things to photograph. Just how many times can one capture the same hibiscus petal, the same dew-kissed curve? The landscapes? I’ve traced their lines with my lens until they blur into monotony. And the people—they wear their lives in cotton: t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops. A uniform of permanence. The tropical monotony just wraps around you like a warm, unchanging breeze.
So, I turn to AI photography, my digital alchemist—a sorcerer of pixels, a weaver of memories and wild imaginations.
Bear with me, my dear bloggy buddies, while I frolic in my new playground until my mojo returns or until the travel bug bites once more.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
View of a *new village from my window
*New Villages represent a type of settlement that is unique to Peninsular Malaysia. They were originally established by the government as roadside relocation settlements for rural Chinese during the Malayan Emergency (1948–60), a period of intense conflict between the British administration and a (largely Chinese) communist guerrilla insurgency that arose after World War II. With the end of the emergency in 1960, some of the New Villages were abandoned, but most of them became permanent settlements.
Gazing out my window at the serene village below, my overactive imagination conjures up a majestic dragon soaring above the rooftops. Suddenly, it tumbles from
the sky, and it crashes down onto the village
below. Ha, thanks to AI, I can now bring my fantastical vision to life.
Grandma's stories of dragons, told with such vivid detail and wonder when we were little, must be the source of my fascination for the mythical creatures.
Nine-Dragon Wall, Chin Swee Temple, Malaysia
Dinner
The restaurant was promoting tilapia, and we savored the fish prepared
three ways: deep-fried with sweet and sour sauce, steamed in soy sauce,
and deep-fried and coated with delicate egg floss.
The egg floss was the clear winner of the meal.
Crafting egg floss is a unique process that involves a few simple steps. First, you heat oil and butter in a wok and use a ladle (not a spatula) to swirl the mixture. Then, with one hand gently trickling beaten egg into the swirling oil and butter, and the other hand swirling the ladle, you patiently coax those delicate strands to form. Swirling the oil continuously can make your hand very tired, but with practice, it becomes a satisfying culinary dance that adds a touch of elegance to any dish.
Egg floss is good with any meat, especially seafood, as it adds a unique texture and flavor that enhances the dish.
FROM DESPAIR TO DESTINY: JOURNEY OF OUR FOSTER KITTY
AI image of Kitty wearing an inflatable collar following a visit to the vet in his new loving home
Remember our blind foster kitty from my previous posts? He embarked on a journey of adoption, filled with hope and promise. However, the resident cat’s refusal to accept him, despite a seemingly smooth introduction, led to an unfortunate turn of events.
Kitty’s loud distressed meows, echoing through the night, kept his adoptive dad and the neighbors awake. Consequently, he found himself returned to our care. In the aftermath, he became a shadow of his former self—traumatized and reclusive, showing no interest in toys or social interaction. It seemed as if a cloud of despair had settled over him. He was constantly scratching the underside of his chin and meowing incessantly. We had to make him wear a cone all day as the wound where he scratched started to bleed, and that spot was beginning to bald. The root of his behavior may be linked to boredom and anxiety, a heartbreaking sight to witness.
With his sight and sense of smell gone, his whiskers became crucial for navigating the world. The cone obstructed them, leaving him frustrated and isolated, relying solely on his hearing. The cone, meant to aid in his recovery, unintentionally exacerbated his sense of isolation and dependency on a single sensory channel. Trapped in darkness, he found solace only in sleep. Caring for Kitty, with my own anxiety issues, was incredibly stressful
and overwhelming, leaving me feeling utterly helpless and lost,
desperately uncertain of what to do.
He would crouch on the floor in this position, feeling very
miserable and meowing mournfully until his cone was removed. We had to take turns cuddling him to ensure that he would not
scratch his wound when his cone was taken off.
Then, as if guided by destiny, a ray of hope emerged. Our advertisement for his adoption caught the attention of two compassionate souls, a gentleman and his partner. They were seeking to open their hearts and home to a senior cat or one with disabilities. Our little kitty, with his unique needs, was a perfect match. The moment they laid eyes on him, it was an instant connection, a love at first sight.
We were overcome with joy and relief! The weight of uncertainty lifted, replaced by the realization that this
decision marked the end of a journey fraught with emotional turmoil. Yet, it
was a poignant moment—a culmination of ambivalence and guilt. Guilt,
because I wasn't selfless enough to fully embrace the sacrifices
required to be his forever mom.
Kitty happily playing with his new dad.
From the ashes of his past experiences, our kitty found a loving home where he is cherished, just as he is. This tale serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful stories are written by the hand of fate. If not for the accident that fateful evening, he might still be a sighted cat, but struggling for survival on the street, forever deprived of the tender care and safety he now enjoys in his loving home. His story is also a testament to the importance of second chances
visual charm of this cat-and-dad duo speaks volumes without words
AI-generated photos of our happy and contented kitty
AI generated
AI generated
AI generated
When Son#2 found the stray kitty in the middle of the road one late evening,
the feline was dazed and confused, stumbling around in disoriented
circles. Its right eye hauntingly protruded from its socket, jaws
dislodged, and a trail of blood hinted at a recent and vicious
encounter, either with a car or, more horrifyingly, with an animal abuser.
The helpless and frightened kitty was rushed to a nearby vet hospital.
The vet advised giving the kitty a chance at survival but cautioned that
a decision about euthanasia would be made the following morning.
Miraculously, the cat defied the odds and survived the night.
Acknowledging the cat's will to live, the vet emphasized the need for
intensive care, and the kitty stayed in the ICU for three weeks before we brought him home.
Throughout our foster kitty's journey, we had to stand vigilant during his
meals, ready to intervene if he choked. His time in the hospital, where
he was tube-fed for three weeks left him with a vulnerability that required constant attention. Despite the vet's efforts, his jaws were not perfectly aligned after the surgery.
Kitty recovering at the veterinary hospital
Sharing a video of the kitty when we first met him at the vet hospital.
Seeing him in that condition, vulnerable and scared, broke our hearts. Despite his pain, he meowed back every time we assured him that he was coming home with us, his eyes pleading for comfort and safety.
Kitty's right eye was enucleated. He had an endearing habit of sticking his tongue out as his jaws couldn't close properly. To add to his quirk, he seemed comforted when wearing that camo print shirt. We think it made Kitty feel like he was cuddled and gave him a sense of security.
Kitty has undergone a remarkable transformation in just two weeks under his new parents' loving care. He's now a different cat—confident, adventurous, and
at times, even a bit naughty, embodying the spirited nature that cats
should have. This is a far cry from the emaciated and broken kitty we
first laid eyes on at the vet hospital.
Now, Kitty eats with confidence, a symbol of his newfound strength and
security. He has learned to adapt to his new condition. It's a small victory that speaks volumes about his journey
from despair to destiny, and we couldn't be prouder to have played a
part in it.
The scratching has stopped, and the fur under his chin has grown back,
showing just how much progress he's made since those days of misery. It's a
relief to see him no longer suffering and instead embracing his playful
side.
A big shout-out and heartfelt thanks to Terry @ Brianshomeblog.com for his invaluable advice
and insightful guidance. His advice was instrumental in the adoption process! And thank you, Mariette @ mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com, for your prayers and support throughout this journey.
Note - Every AI-generated photo you see here is a product of artificial intelligence, meticulously and painstakingly crafted through textual descriptions alone. No actual photographs were utilized or manipulated in the creation of these images.
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