7 Oh

 Well, that time has come--I've hit the big 7-0.  Frankly, I'm surprised I survived this long.

Could've killed myself a couple dozen times with all the crazy mountaineering and rockclimbing adventures I've been on.  My record was a 110' slide on Glacier Point Apron.  Spent a bitter cold night on Blanca Peak after I donated my down parka to Larry, who had just survived a 500' ride in a wet slab avalanche.  A 300 lb. boulder missed me by inches and slammed into Ken Ewing behind me on our belay ledge.  

Then I traveled internationally to more than a few places that were terrorist targets.  Had dinner at a restaurant in Ankara only to have it blown up a day later (there's a story here).  Hosted a training workshop for the IAEA in Mumbai a month before some crazies from Pakistan raided the harbor and torched the Taj Hotel.  Deb, Rebecca, and I had just had drinks there, admiring the Gates of India out the window.  Dodged events in Cairo and Amman, slid past protests in Vienna, but had a grand time in Venice for Carnival, twice. 

It's been a wild ride.  

Off to a Slow Start in 2023

It's been since the wildfires of May that I last posted.  Now that 2023 is well and goodly upon us, I'd better get with the program.  One of the easiest ways to write blog posts is to make use of the latest "cool thing":  ChatGPT.  Here goes...  

Input:  Write a short blog post about 2023 in the Albuquerque Botanic Garden

Output:  

The Albuquerque Botanic Garden is set to have a fantastic year in 2023! With the arrival of spring, the garden will be in full bloom with a variety of beautiful flowers and plants. The Garden staff has been busy preparing for the year ahead and have planned a variety of events and activities for visitors to enjoy.

One of the most highly anticipated events of the year is the annual Spring Plant Sale. This event, which takes place in April, is the perfect opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to purchase a wide variety of plants and seeds at great prices. From succulents to annuals, the Spring Plant Sale has something for everyone.

The garden will also be hosting a number of educational programs and workshops throughout the year. These programs, which are suitable for people of all ages, will cover a wide range of topics including gardening, horticulture, and sustainability. Visitors can learn how to create a beautiful and sustainable garden, or take a class on how to identify and care for different types of plants.

In addition to the events and activities, visitors can also simply enjoy the beauty of the garden during the year. The garden features a wide variety of different landscapes and environments, including a desert garden, a Japanese garden, and a butterfly garden, visitors will be able to experience the beauty of nature in a variety of ways.

2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden. With a wide range of events and activities, visitors will have plenty to see and do. Whether you're an avid gardener, or just looking for a relaxing place to spend the day, the Albuquerque Botanic Garden is the perfect destination.

Not bad.  The paragraphs about the spring plant sale and educational programs/workshops is not factually correct, but that never stopped an AI bot.  

Have a great 2023.