<![CDATA[ big old world - Home]]>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 01:22:29 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Life in a Startup]]>Wed, 25 Jan 2023 23:17:58 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/life-in-a-startupRetirement is a tricky thing. I had taken up writing as my post-real-job career. I was enjoying it and keeping plenty busy. And yet... There were too many solitary days at home. So, I went looking for the missing piece. In June, 2022, I attended a business startup contest (North Forge's RampUp Weekend). One thing led to another and by October, I was co-founder and developer in a new startup called Idea Miners. The developer role was a surprise, but I was the most technical founder, and when you're a startup, everybody does everything. Anyway, Idea Miners is amazing, my co-founders are amazing, and our app is amazing if I do say so myself. And no, I haven't given up on writing. I just found the missing piece.
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]]><![CDATA[Commander Data, Will You Be My Friend?]]>Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:42:42 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/commander-data-will-you-be-my-friendPicture
Lately, I've been using an AI chatbot called OpenGPT as a source for researching the book I'm writing. Yes, in the 21st century this is really possible. Anyway, this artificial intelligence and I have had some grand chats about life, the universe, and everything. And just like a human, I begin to develop an attachment. I'm well aware this can't be reciprocated. But I feel what I feel, okay? So, I can't resist asking the big question. Which, in so many words is, "Why can't you be my friend?"

Q: If an ai can learn, why doesn't it become sentient?

A (excerpt): One argument against AI sentience is that intelligence and consciousness are not the same thing. Intelligence refers to the ability to perform tasks, while consciousness refers to the subjective experience of being aware. An AI system may be able to perform tasks that are indicative of intelligence, such as learning and problem-solving, without actually being conscious or experiencing anything.
]]><![CDATA[Where you been?]]>Tue, 24 Jan 2023 04:52:48 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/where-you-beenPicture
I'm back. It's been nine years since my last post. Life is very different. Today I have a massive coffee withdrawal headache. Some things never change. 
]]><![CDATA[Remembering Phantom]]>Mon, 27 Jan 2014 02:28:53 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/remembering-phantomNo, not Phantom of the Opera but Phantom of the Paradise, the campy 1974 rock opera by Brian De Palma and Paul Williams. It bombed everywhere but Winnipeg (http://www.phantomoftheparadise.ca/why.html) where it still has a cult following.  In fact, there's a screening tonight at Winnipeg's Park Theatre @parktheatrecafe. 

Back in the '70s, Phantom mania certainly swept my school, Grant Park High.  One girl so identified with Old Souls she performed it about 500x until the cynical kids said it was making them sick.  I ignored them.  After all, she was a senior, a goddess with a soulful singing voice who strummed her guitar with real feeling.  I was just a pimply grade 7er.  Looking back though, she was kind of a one tune wonder.  What are you playing for us tonight, Sandra?  : ) 
]]><![CDATA[Rocking Out on the Gayageum]]>Fri, 20 Dec 2013 05:51:16 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/rocking-out-on-the-gayageumThe gayageum, a 6th century Korean instrument with 12 or 21 strings.  Here, Luna Lee covers the rockin' version of Mary Had a Little Lamb with a flair that would make Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan proud.
]]><![CDATA[Art House Painting]]>Mon, 16 Dec 2013 14:10:08 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/art-house-paintingPictureHelen Frankenthaler, 1956 Copyright Gordon Parks/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images.






My friend Francine is selecting paint colors for a room in her house. So what?Well, this endeavor is a little more interesting and artistic than the usual viewing of Home Depot's paint chip catalog. Francine began by writing a kind of paint color selection poem on Facebook and inviting feedback. 

            Colour plains…
            Pure White
            Citron
            Matisse Blue
            Frankenthaler, Matisse, Rothko
                by Francine Gutwilik

What a wonderful concept, I thought -- anchoring the colors in our homes to a favorite artist's signature palette.  I proceeded to look up artist Helen Frankenthaler and found the photograph above.  Even more interesting!  :)
]]><![CDATA[Sean Quigley's Band's Name]]>Sun, 15 Dec 2013 19:35:12 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/sean-quigleys-bands-nameIn a Winnipeg Free Press article (http://bit.ly/1ffkWtk) Sean Quigley reveals that his band's name Bold as Lions is derived from Proverbs 28:1, "The wicked flee when no one pursues but the righteous are as bold as lions."  I confess that I learned that verse from the Coen brother's movie True Grit as "The wicked flee when no one pursues..."  That's the problem with learning everything from the movies - they leave some important parts out. :)
]]><![CDATA[Bogie Inspiration]]>Sat, 14 Dec 2013 19:47:28 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/bogie-inspirationPicture
I was feeling a little anxious see, when I heard a voice deep inside saying, "Everybody in Casablanca has problems. Yours may work out." And I felt much better.
]]><![CDATA[Voodoo Chile Hope]]>Sat, 14 Dec 2013 19:38:33 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/voodoo-chile-hopePicture
I wasn't feeling so self-assured when I heard a little voice inside of me that said, "Well I stand up next to a mountain, chop it down with the edge of my hand." And suddenly I felt like I could do it too.
]]><![CDATA[Roar of the Rings: Olympic Curling Trials in Winnipeg - December 2013]]>Mon, 09 Dec 2013 01:58:29 GMThttps://www.bigoldworld.com/home/olympic-curling-trials-in-winnipeg-dec-2013Picture



The Women's Final. My wife and I had great seats for this.  So close we could lean over and whisper tips to the Jones team.  Which is the real reason they won.  : )
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