Blog #350: New Milestone, New Look!

Yes, ZootsBlogSpot has reached a new milestone! Blog number Three, Five, Zero!!! Well, if I have to be honest, it’s actually blog post #352. “Make Someone Smile Today” was #350. I just noticed it while completing the Father’s Day message and by then, it was too late. But no biggie. I wasn’t sure what I would have done to celebrate it anyway. Probably a “Best Of” post. Those are always fun, especially for my newer followers.

Excited as I am about reaching that number, I’m a little disappointed because I wanted to get here almost a year ago, considering the pace I set during the first two years. I mean, I was cranking out some serious posts in quick succession for a while. But the situation was different. I had a lot more freedom during the day.

Still, it’s not about the numbers, it’s about giving you a quality product. And I hope I’ve been doing that along way.

There are a few reasons why I slowed down. But none of them are because I didn’t have anything to write. I’ve got plenty. I’ve just had to focus on other things that I still can’t share. Not just yet. Just trust me when I say it’s some pretty exciting stuff!

I also had to get myself in the right head space. There have been some obstacles that have kept me from being my best, although I hypocritically tell everyone else to not be a victim of the same. Do as I do, not as I say…

But hey, the worst is over and I’m ready to move forward.

---

So, if you haven’t already noticed, there’s something new in the mix when it comes to Kenny’s Camera, Cooking & Crazy Confessions.

Artificial Intelligence.

That’s right, I’m on the “AI” train! Thanks to my son’s suggestions and assistance, I’ve gone next level with my imagery. I’m generating my own pictures to help illustrate what I’m writing. And it’s been a big help. I mean, sometimes I can describe the situation. Sometimes, words just don’t cut it. Like my vision of me retiring in Cameroon, enjoying sunsets and waterfalls, listening to EWF, Chante Moore, Luther Vandross, contemporary jazz and Makoosa music.

Or talk about my dinner with my favorite artist!

Unfortunately, this never happened. *sigh* But that’s cool.

---

In fact, some of you have already mentioned seeing some of these changes in my earlier posts, so I know it’s working…

It began two months ago with my blog “B-I-N,G,O and Beatdown Was His Name-O”.

Then again in “Good Pranks Gone Wrong (Ep. 4): Leavin’, Deceivin’ And Believin’”

And it’s been in every blog ever since. I’ve even gone back to add images to some of the old posts, like the time I mouthed off to my Tae Kwon Do instructor in “I Was A Ninja Warrior (For A Day)“. Remember that story?

In time, I hope to replace a good deal of the images used in my earlier articles. Partially because some of the old photos/gifs took up an inordinate amount of space. Also, because I’d rather my blog be as close to “my” work as possible.

Sadly, you probably won’t see many of these changes to my older posts because you’ve already read them. But they’ll be there for any newcomers who hit the links showing recommendations of previous articles, or for those who just happen upon them in their daily searches.

Being able to create your own illustrations, as opposed to searching for something similar (that I don’t own) on the internet? Dude. You can’t beat it.

I know that many are enraged about the fact that this technology will be putting a lot of people out of work. I can see it. It’s eliminating needs for general and graphic artwork, voice usage (I see now, it can actually replicate music artists, alive or dead) and other things.

And yes, my heart goes out to them. Been feeling that ever since new smartphone technology has begun to allow users to mimic a lot of what we photographers offer. Now all of a sudden, everybody’s a photographer. At least they think they are. But we won’t go into that. Suffice it to say that some things are still exclusive to digital cameras as well as people who put in the hundreds of hours, training and practicing – honing their skills and perfecting the craft.

With any luck, I’ll be able to create my own animated work someday. Eliminating the need to use those animated gifs made from popular scenes from movies, tv shows and videos.

I’m/we’re not there yet but give us time. Besides, gifs are fun(ny).

So enjoy the new look and more important, regarding reaching 350, thank you. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, each and every one of you. Thank you for supporting me as you have, signing up for the mailing list, sharing my blog posts, speaking in the comment section and just plain giving the love. It keeps me going and reminds me that what I do is worth my time. I’d like to know that it will benefit people other myself. Me specifically, I will need this to remember my life when/if dementia sets in. And as sad as memory loss is, the great part will be, I’ll get to experience my life all over again, for the very first time!

Always be positive.

So, here’s to 350 more and I hope that when/if I get there, you’ll all be here and still genuinely interested in what I have to say.

In the meantime, enjoy the new way I tell my stories. Say what you will, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay and for the most part, everybody is loving it.

Well, everybody except for Sarah and John Connor, who will probably be telling us, “We told you so!”

Most of you should get that joke, but for the dozen or so who haven’t seen it by now… Hint: Think “The Terminator“

God bless you all and thank you!

Like what you read? Leave a comment in the section below. And be sure to sign up at the bottom to receive email notification of future posts from Kenny’s Camera, Cooking & Crazy Confessions at ZootsBlogspot!