From Moby Dick to Moving On: The Case for Quitting Books

Sometimes, quitting is the right decision – even when reading a book. I know this from personal experience, as I’ve tried to read the classic Moby Dick four times now. There’s nothing wrong with the book – every time I read it, I am amazed by its depth and meaning. However, it’s just a bit overwhelming for me.

Have you ever encountered a book that was too much to handle, not because of its content or emotion, but because of its sheer length? It may be because we live in such a fast-paced world that it’s hard to sit down and focus on a book that’s thousands of words long. This might be a problem – and it probably is – but it’s the reality we live in, and we have to decide how we spend our time.

That’s why I enjoy quilting. Quitting is just as important as weeding or throwing things away. Sometimes quitting is a good thing, and it’s important to remember that it’s okay to prioritize your time and well-being. There’s no shame in putting down a book if it’s not the right fit for you – there are so many other great books out there waiting to be discovered. The key is to be honest with yourself and make choices that allow you to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. That’s what my learning for myself.

I’m reading a new book called “The Gift” by Lewis Hyde. Like Moby Dick, it’s packed with value that I can use in my life. But unlike Moby Dick, it’s not hundreds or thousands of words long. It’s a short book I can reflect on now without worrying about how many more pages I have to read.

I know some people have the time to read long books, and others enjoy them. I do too, but my life has changed. I have to split my time between my master’s program, writing, making AI art, and spending time with my family. I need to ensure I’m not sacrificing other things to read a book I just want to read. So I believe in quitting while you’re ahead – it’s all about finding the right balance and overcoming a reading slump.

Before you continue reading a book that overwhelms you, consider whether quitting something might be the right decision. You never know what amazing new literary adventures are waiting for you around the corner.

Thanks for reading!

(AI-generated ART)

The Melancholy of Late Autumn

the air was cold and dry, and I held a chill.

there were dead leaves that crunched into smaller pieces, hues of brown, gold, and red.

there was a green leaf lying there

it was over before it could evolve into a red leaf, gold leaf, or brown.

I avoided those leaves so they had a little more time.

Just a little more!

Before it is all gone.

(AI generated ART)

AI Art: Insult or Joy?

AI art, or art created with the help of artificial intelligence, is a hot topic of debate, with people arguing from legal, ethical, and moral viewpoints. Recently, renowned creators Hayao Miyazaki and Del Toro stated that AI art is an “insult to life.” While I can understand where they’re coming from, I have to admit that I don’t completely agree.

As someone who has always been fascinated by digital art and the potential of creative technology, I see AI art as a game-changer. I am unable to create digital artwork or physical art. I have tried to draw off and on for many years, but I can’t become an artist due to chronic pain. But AI Art has allowed me to create whatever I want, even though I’m still fairly new to it and not yet an expert. My physical limitations are no longer holding me back, and I can express my creativity in ways I never thought possible through computer-generated and virtual art.

But is it really “creating” if I’m using AI? That’s a question that’s still up for debate. Some argue that AI-generated art isn’t legitimate because it’s not created solely by humans, while others see it as a complementary tool that enhances human creativity and digital art. I don’t care whether I’m considered an “artist” as long as I can use AI art to bring my stories to life.

Of course, it’s understandable that some people might find the idea of selling AI art a bit shady or illegitimate. But I think it’s important to remember that we’re still in the early stages of understanding and exploring the potential of creative technology in the art world. There are bound to be growing pains as we figure out the best way to use and regulate this technology.

Ultimately, whether or not you believe that AI art is an insult to life comes down to your own perspective. The joy and freedom that AI art has given me to create and express my digital creativity can’t be an insult to anything – it’s a gift. We may all have different opinions on this topic, but we can all agree that we want to create and express ourselves.

Thanks for reading!

(AI-generated Art)

A Wannabe Historian’s Journey to an Instructional Design Career

I started this blog while pursuing a degree in History, not knowing what I wanted to do with the degree or even motivated to finish college. But earning a degree in History was important to me, so I returned to school and graduated in December 2020.

After graduation, I was at a loss for what to do next. I knew I couldn’t stay in my current job and deserved better, so I decided to pursue a career in teaching. It seemed like the logical choice for someone with a history degree. I enrolled in a teacher certification program and quickly realized it wasn’t for me.

During an interview, I was asked to create a lesson plan for middle school students. I had a blast using Canva to create something interactive and engaging, but the thought of teaching it to young kids filled me with dread. I realized that teaching wasn’t my passion.

That’s when I discovered instructional design. As an instructional designer, I can use my creativity and problem-solving skills to design effective learning experiences for various audiences. I can work with cutting-edge technology and learning theories to create educational materials that make a real difference in people’s lives by helping them acquire new knowledge and skills.

The demand for online learning is only increasing, so the field of instructional design is constantly growing and evolving. I’m excited to be a part of it and am pursuing a Master’s degree in Instructional Design, which I’ll graduate in the spring of 2024.

Though I won’t talk about ID much here (I can’t find a way to make it relate to AI ART and short stories), I will do an update once in and while.

Thanks for reading!

(Ai-generated ART)

The Last Moments in Fear

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She clutched the stool with shaking hands, her knees trembling beneath her. It swayed with her movements.

She let go, stumbling towards the wall and pressing her head against the frigid, pale pink paint. Her bare arms were covered in goosebumps, but heavy sweat dripped down her face, soaking her shirt.

Laughter echoed in her head and from downstairs, the source unclear and beyond her reach. She fell to her knees, still leaning against the wall. They would find her soon, in minutes or hours.

They would find her defeated, with terror in her eyes.

#2 Blood Cycle

“Where does all the blood go?” my hunter partner asked as I finished wrapping the deer.

I shrugged and replied, “Whose blood are you talking about?”

“Everyone’s blood. All of it.” He fiddled with the hat in his hand, gazing at the trees, grass, and flying birds as if they held the answer.

“I guess it evaporates,” I said, “Into the clouds or something.”

He turned to me, his hungry eyes searching.

“What’s got you so anxious?” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “Anyway, this blood will end up in Sarah’s stew.”

As I turned to leave, I couldn’t help but give the worried old man one final, lingering look. He stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the orange and pink sunset.

Changes

Wow, so much has happened lately! I’ve changed careers and am now working towards my Master’s in Instructional Design. As I return to old interests and passions, the world is also getting its first taste of AI and all the amazing possibilities it brings. It’s an exciting, but also a little scary, time to be alive.

That’s why I’m excited to revamp this blog and document all the changes happening in my personal life and how they’re affected by these larger global shifts. You’ll find more stories, articles, and even some AI art (like the image above!) on topics that really interest me, all collected in my own little museum.

Fun fact: I actually tried starting a new blog for all these things, but it didn’t go quite as planned. So, I’m happy to be returning to this space and feeling better equipped to be as creative and imaginative as I want.

I hope you continue to follow this blog as I continue my journey!

Thanks for reading!

MK

The Bench-Version 1, 2, and 3

Version #1

You were embarrassed but curious.

Version #2
the bench

There was no one at the bench. It had been empty for hours.
She saw it then quickly paced to it. Before anyone else would come.
But there was no worry for her. No one sat on benches anymore but the broken-hearted and the old.
And she was too young to be broken-hearted and she was too young to be old.
The bench felt the heaviness from the girl as she sat down.
She was too thin to be so heavy and carried nothing in her hands.
The heaviness wasn’t in body weight but something that couldn’t be seen.
But she was too young to be broken-hearted and too young to have a crushed soul.
She sat on the bench for 30 minutes. Not seeing the trees or the people walking past her. She didn’t pull out her phone and stare blankly ahead. She didn’t try to pretend anything was okay.
She didn’t want to pretend she was waiting for someone and so didn’t look around.
The bench didn’t want to believe it.
Oh! She was so young.
How can someone so young be so broken-hearted?
When she finally stood. After an hour and a half.
The bench was empty again and missed the heaviness the girl brought.
The bench wished, and shameful as it is, for someone else to be broken-hearted.

Version #3

No one sat on the bench.
The girl walked then paused.
She saw it empty. Before anyone else would come. She walked and sat.
But there was no reason for the rush. No one sat on benches anymore but the broken-hearted and the old.
And she was too young to be broken-hearted and she was too young to be old.
The bench felt a heaviness from the girl as she sat.
The heaviness wasn’t in weight but something that couldn’t be seen.
But she was too young to be broken-hearted and too young to have a crushed soul.
She sat on the bench for 30 minutes. Not seeing the trees or the people walking past her. She didn’t pull out her phone and stare ahead. She didn’t try to pretend anything was okay.
When she finally stood, after an hour and a half, the bench missed the heaviness the girl brought.
The bench wished for someone else to be broken-hearted.
So, the bench wouldn’t be empty again.

Note from the author:

Nothing fascinates me more than how a person creates.

Follow Up Post and Project Panda

This is not what I was drinking but close enough.

Hello fellow writers/readers. I wanted to make a post today because… well, I said I would.

I just got off work and, as usual, my brain is fried. When I done with my job, which is joyless and miserable, I don’t want to do anything but curl up with a coconut Boba tea and watch some random Korean drama. Right now I am watching something called “Return” with Lee Jin Wook. It’s okay.

I want to complain about my life for a moment. To be honest, it was just so much easier to write and focus when I was just a full time student. I wish I could return back to those days and really take advantage of that free time I had. I wish I hadn’t taken it for granted. Living an adult life is hard.

Anywoo, I want to talk about Project Panda. It’s something that I wrote about before and that I have been working on for a year. I’m actually finish with it! As I stated, or should have stated, it a collection of really short stories, they are all around 100 words or less. None of them have been posted before and I’m really proud of them. The thing is… I’m not sure of my next step. Like I know I want to publish it… but… yeah… that’s all I got. I’m just happy I finished it!

I have a real title for it too which I will post once I finish thinking about my next step. I think too much….

What I am working on now is3 short stories. I am brainstorming ideas about how I want them to be. I just need to find the energy to focus and write.

This is the end for the post. Enjoy the rest of your day everyone!

Update since… 2019???!!!

So much as changed for me since I started this blog. I have gotten a job (that has nothing to do with what I want), a apartment, and a new car. Oh yeah! I finished getting my Bachelors in History. I thought, like most foolish souls, once I finished getting my degree I would know what I wanted to do with my life.

So the thing is… I’m stuck. I don’t.

I mean I do know what I want to be. A writer of children’s fiction. I’ve settled on that a year back but… why can’t I believe I can do it? How does it even start? I don’t even know where to begin. A part… a small part of me.. says to write. That’s how it begins and that’s how it ends. So, I write and then I stop. I start again and then stop. That’s how 3 years went by with no updates on the blog. I did post a story or two on my Instagram but that’s about it. I just focus on a job I absolutely hate. I didn’t nothing for myself.

I don’t want to spend anymore time regretting my past decision. I did make drastic improvements in my life that I am so proud of. But I’m tiring of running away from my passion. I’m truly lost without writing and pursing my goal of being an Author. I don’t want to do anything else. I just can’t.

I have no plans but to write. No aim, but to write. No big ideas but to write. And of course, I have to post what I write for the enjoyment of readers. (I hope!)

Ugh! This feels so good!

A new post will be up tomorrow after work.

I hope everyone will have/had a great day.