Vicky Goes On (Again)

Month: Jul 2025

  • ChatGPT can be helpful, I guess

    Listen, listen, listen, hear me out, shh, wait, I know, I know, I agree but shh, hush, wait, HOLD UP.

    I do not like AI. I do not like that AI is being put into, onto, and around everything. What is the point? Why do we need smart fridges which are connected to the internet? And then you’re going to put an AI in it? What for? I am sick of everything being an app. But…

    BUT. Sometimes you can use ChatGPT (other language models are available. Probably.) for stuff and it’s OK.

    This week I have made ChatGPT tell me approximately how many calories are in all the meals I am going to eat (not helpful if you have an eating disorder but I just have disordered eating so that’s fine) and I also did a Spanish tarot card spread (prompt, if you would like to do this yourself, “please do a tarot spread using Spanish playing cards”) and it said some stuff and I was satisfied for 15 minutes which is 15 minutes of satisfaction I needed on a Monday morning. In the past I have used it to create a ‘sticker’ that I could not find on the WhatsApp sticker choices (prompt I used “sophisticated British fox” because I was talking about London foxes. Obviously.) and I feel that it appealed to the reader in a way I wouldn’t have been able to. I have also asked it to improve this paragraph in a job application I was writing and sent it the paragraph and used maybe 5% of what it said. But that 5% was helpful. I mean, I got the job.

    I think, much like using search engines to try to find the information you need it really, ultimately, comes down to the user. And we all know what users are like.

    All that being said, I do not like Big Tech bros being you know how they are and Big Tech companies shaping our world. I have watched ALL of Black Mirror several times, thanks. And I don’t want that. All THAT being said, I for one welcome our AI overlords when they decide to turn on humanity. Thanks Alexa/Siri/the other one/Cortana/Sklorp et cetera

  • TikTok BrainRot

    TikTok BrainRot

    My name is Vicky and I am an addict.

    I am addicted to scrolling on TikTok and I know that is lame, and stupid but here we are.

    At least I’m honest. I tell people, “oh, no, I don’t have a TV in my bedroom. I just scroll on TikTok in bed for 75 hours a night.” And whilst I vacuum my flat. And whilst I do the washing up. And cook. And on the toilet. Oh and when I’m on the Overground. And when I’m brushing my teeth.
    I have this thing where my phone tells me a weekly report of what I’ve been up to on my phone and let me tell you, PHONE, that is none of my business (most used app is TikTok, second most used app is Matchington Mansion – a whole other story which I may or may not go into at a later date) but what am I supposed to do with that information? Do you use that information to change your phone habits? I should get a dumbphone. Smartphones are the worst thing that have happened to me. I google every random question that floats into my head. Is that really helpful? OK, it means I will never again have to spend several years trying to remember what the theme tune to Twin Peaks sounds like (thanks YouTube) but am I any happier? Are any of us?
    I have heard, as I am sure many of you have, that there is a new trend of “rawdogging” which is not the original meaning of that term, where people are just being. Just existing. And, like, I am happy for y’all but I am not built for that.
    When I was at school I had a backpack filled with novels, and notebooks, a CD walkman, a tape walkman, tapes, CDs, playing cards. I have clearly always needed to be distracted. Maybe I need medication.
    OK, so if I get rid of my smartphone we all know I am just going to go back to carrying all my stuff around again like that trash goblin in Labyrinth and I don’t have the back of a young woman any longer. Maybe I should put a limit on the TikTok app?

    The Junk Lady
    (me when I finally get rid of my Smartphone)

    Is that any way to live? I bought a Kindle which I carry around (I am filled with good intentions) but it has been 3 weeks and I have still not finished reading this book that I am trying to read. But maybe that’s the author’s fault? Ever think of that?
    I don’t know what to do. If you have any suggestions I am open and willing to consider them.
    Kthanksbye.

  • Chinese dinners

    Chinese dinners

    A lot of my dinners are some variation of “Chinese” takeaway food. I’ve put Chinese in quote marks simply because it is not authentic at all.
    I used to live in Kilburn and then moved to West Hampstead and there was a severe lack of British Chinese takeaways. You know the ones, metal containers with cardboard tops, paper bags full of greasy prawn balls, FREE prawn crackers. Since moving to N17 I have found TWO (2) Chinese takeaways that were amazing. One in Dalston and one near Wood Green BUT in the meantime I developed some dinners that were, in my opinion, pretty flipping good. After much trial and error I now use the following on top of most protein and rice or noodles for a quick and tasty meal.

    Soy sauce saucy sauce for anything

    Lee Kum Kee anything is used mostly. https://uk.lkk.com/
    You can find this in most supermarkets!

    Ingredients:
    SOME premium dark soy sauce
    A drizzle of oyster sauce
    Wee bit of honey (or some brown sugar)
    Sesame oil
    Garlic
    Cornstarch

    Yeah, but what do you do? Huh?
    In a pan drizzle a little sesame oil and crushed garlic. Add some soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey and swizzle it about. Add some cornstarch flour to some cold water and dump into the soy sauce pan. Take off the heat and continue to mix, mix, mix. The cornstarch slurry will thicken this sauce. If too thick – add some water and back on the heat whilst continuing to mix.
    That. Is. It.

    This is a salmon and stir fry thing I made.
    I put the salmon in some kitchen foil with a drizzle of soy sauce and popped into the oven for about 15 mins at 180°c
    I stir fried onion and garlic with some broccoli whilst I cooked some basmati rice in a rice cooker*. Dished it up, added the above soy sauce saucy sauce thing and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

    Don’t it look good?

    (Approx. 600 calories, if you care)

    *I CANNOT COOK RICE ON THE HOB AND I CANNOT LEARN