Realigning

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Online marketing has become incredibly aggressive, likely thanks to AI technology.

I have begun routinely wearing a multi-colored gemstone ring; it’s not expensive but charming. I began thinking of finding a daily-wear bracelet to go with it. I went to two online jewelry sites, didn’t enter any personal contact information, and looked at some multi-gemstone bracelets. Immediately afterward, my usual internet sites became bombarded with advertisements for bracelets of that type and from marketers I’d not contacted.

It isn’t as if I’d not noticed this before because I’ve seen clothing and shoe ads pop up. This time, however, is different because the bracelets are colorful, very specific, and in my face. As I scroll through the major online daily newspapers, multi-gem bracelets are popping up with easily accessible links to commercial sites. As I’m googling for information, those bracelets are popping up. I’ve been found.

My purpose for looking online wasn’t as much to buy as to explore. What’s happening feels invasive.

The Amazon phenomenon has changed everything, from how we shop to how items are marketed. Such an aggressive style of commerce is facilitated by AI technology, which Amazon was among the first to exploit. Today, sales aggression comes first and foremost.

Selling is always aggressive. As a former sales trainer, I can attest to encouraging aggressiveness while being cautious about stepping up the heat. The internet depersonalizes that process and is in-your-face aggressive. Becoming more immune to such aggression will encourage in-person salespeople to take more aggressive approaches.

In my part-time role of selling fine jewelry, I consider how to apply what I have learned from the internet. Customers becoming more tolerant might respond to more encouragement if it isn’t also overwhelming. I will consider this more and actively retest and adjust my sales skills as time passes.

Dear Friends: We spend lots of energy on many daily living nonessentials. Diana

Heating Up

Sunday, July 07, 2024

The cool of this early hour is ideal for tackling outdoor chores and sprucing up the property. Soon, the sun will blaze overhead, and any trace of refreshing coolness will vanish. Temperatures of 101 degrees are predicted for today and tomorrow here in Central Oregon. That gets worse on Tuesday, with our anticipated heat reaching 104 degrees.

Global warming is a deeply concerning issue. For instance, I try not to dwell on its impact on polar bears and places like Iceland. However, experiencing extreme heat firsthand reinforces the reality of the situation and makes it clear that this is not just a local issue. The stark reality is that we all are interconnected, and on a global scale, climate change has consequences that impact individuals and locations.

Personally, experiencing these very high temperatures makes me realize that I’m coping with some emotional distress, and it’s related to climate change. I am gathering, too, that anxious feelings like mine are becoming more common. They’re often referred to as climate anxiety or eco-grief.

Well, today’s environment creates such new “anxiety tags.” I did some research and learned that “Climate Anxiety” is a chronic fear or worry about the future due to the effects of climate change. More research also clarified “Eco-grief” as a profound sense of loss and mourning for the already occurring environmental damage and the potential loss of ecosystems, species, and even entire landscapes.

Climate change is a global crisis. It affects every corner of our planet and evokes personal grief. I’m challenged to comprehend the complex and often contentious political landscape surrounding the issue, and internationally.

As more people accept the reality of climate change and learn to move beyond personal grief, we may gain a better understanding of the global political conflicts surrounding climate change, commerce, and power. More understanding could empower us to have a greater influence on these issues.

Dear Friends: The thermometer’s reality extends beyond mere temperature. Diana

Imprisoned

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

That’s my puppy, Chase, in prison. He’s in a standalone kennel with high fencing and concrete flooring; escaping is nearly impossible. This fellow’s determined jumping and digging skills instantly become triggered whenever my car leaves home. I’ve learned, and nowadays, he waits safely imprisoned for my return home.

A new riding mower, assembled and ready to roll, sits outside. Yesterday, I studied its instruction book, tried repeatedly to start the machine, and never got it fired. Yes, oil and gas are in it, so a lack of those isn’t the problem. Maybe its transmission is set in a neutral position for pushing and rolling, which is how the delivery guys moved it. That might require attention wherever such a switch may be found. Today, I’ll reread the instruction book and try to start that motor more.

It is so different from my trusty old 2006 Poulan Riding Mower, which has chopped dependably for years and, in the beginning, was a simple get-in-and-go machine. A week or so ago, Poulan’s underside hit a rock that made its engine instantly fail. After it wouldn’t start again, I debated having it repaired versus ordering a new machine and decided to do both. Repairing would take too long to mow aggressive weeds and grasses adequately. Besides, having a backup mower to carry on in future rock-caused stoppages can’t hurt.

Occasionally, I wish for another brain, particularly when reading and comprehending a modern instruction manual. Whether the manual covers a tool or some heavy equipment, its stuff is complicated and I find its schematics squeezed, undecipherable, and maddening.

Dear Friends: In learning, unique brain-wiring leads to our successes and failures. Diana

Past “Magic”

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Long ago, in my career as a learning and development specialist, I designed employee training. My goal was to help various levels of employees understand better and embrace an organization’s goals, and work to achieve them.

Yesterday, I learned that the department store where I work as a part-time clerk must address some challenging goals. Meeting those goals calls for boosting the energy of front-line staff. When our store manager told me about this, my mind activated my training brain.

Last night, I drafted a couple of proposals to address some training-related challenges. For me, that was duck soup: I could create training and development routines in my sleep.

There’s a problem in modern organizations. They don’t offer in-person training and development activities. Companies today provide online goals and skills training. Although perhaps well-presented, hours on the receiving end of computer-generated training can turn learners into brain-dead, unabsorbing beings.

Today, I will take my training proposals to work. Hopefully, the Store’s management team will discuss the suggestions, and all or some will resonate. Improving ways of training staff would help line personnel more fully understand and focus on key goals, to achieve more of them.

Dear Friends: Regardless of the outcome, finding my mojo again is fun. Diana

Music! Moon!

Monday, February 26, 2023

My friend, Julie, joined me at yesterday’s concert by the High Desert Chamber Orchestra. An excellent event. The Chamber Orchestra is perfectly sized for playing and being heard optimally in Bend High’s large auditorium. The Orchestra’s active community support group provides free tickets to concerts with a first-rate program guide detailing musical choices, composers, and guest performers.

An audience of all ages packed the house; nobody made a peep through the performances. The house exploded, however, at each segment finish, with vigorous applause and appreciative cheering. Well deserved by the ensemble!

Its maestro, an accomplished, animated conductor (on whom Bradley Cooper as Bernstein has nothing), encouraged and supported excellence from musicians and guest artists. All guest performers were young and also very accomplished. The double-bass soloist and the viola soloist adroitly handled complex compositions highlighting their instruments. A ten-year-old piano wunderkind perfectly played Tchaikovsky on a concert grand.

Yes, there was “the dress” that, several weeks ago, its wearer purchased over my counter. Yesterday, she wore it while narrating DeFalla’s “Three-Cornered Hat.” I didn’t know that very familiar music has narration; the words and music worked together well. The very active piece draws the audience’s attention to all onstage sections. Drums work almost constantly, brasses stay busy, and strings, including a harpist and pianist, go nearly non-stop.

Last night, a nightcap, as the completely full Snow Moon visibly rose and moved upward in and out through scattered clouds. My view became today’s header photo. I hoped to explore AI and enhance my capture, but other unrelated “evening needs” sidetracked me.

Dear Friends: I will become a season ticket holder for these fine musicians. Diana