My husband and I have gained some weight recently, and in spite our daughter’s pleas, ”Accept that you’re fat. Don’t buy a new scale,” we bought a new scale. A digital one to replace the one with the numbers on it. The old scale had this red needle that waved back and forth with uncertainty. We both felt confident we would know our true weight with the new scale. And surely it would tell us that losing weight would be easy.
It is a Weight Watchers scale. Well, having had a career in marketing before getting into the “art world,” there had to be some sort of catch. You know, “fish while the fish are biting.” Make people sign up when they know they’re getting fat.
Doug got on first. He had no idea he was that heavy. My weight, too, was way more than the old scale told me it was. Okay, we accepted it. Didn’t join Weight Watchers, but tried not to eat the fries.
The next day, Doug came down the stairs, exclaiming he had lost ten pounds! Oh, I guess Weight Watchers figured we would join after the first weigh-in. Then it would throw us a bone of encouragement the next day-hey this weight loss thing is a piece of cake! (so to speak)
My weight continued to drop one pound a day. Even though, on a routine trip to the doctor, the scale had me demoralized again. One day, our new digital scale read me the original first day weight again, and I yelled at it, saying, “What??? I thought I was losing weight?” And then, when I got on again, the scale read the lesser weight it had registered the day before.
Artificial intelligence is making its way into our lives. We are all nervous about it. We fear the power that computers may have over us. But none of us figured on it being easily conned. Like when I yelled at the scale, it was easily bullied. How about that?
That is actually a really scary story–and not just about the weight runaround. Another scary aspect (besides the implied one about AI) is that your daughter called you both fat. Doesn’t she know SHE is supposed to con you with sweettalk?
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Well, Luanne, it’s her particular sense of humor. Even the dog has gained weight. So, a little bit of an exaggeration, that’s all. If it were true, I guess I wouldn’t be writing about it. Haha!
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GOT YOU! I knew it wasn’t true (as I’ve seen your photos).
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I “know” your sweet daughter, Hollis and I can’t believe she’d call you fat. Not that sweet little face…never! 🙂
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Her sense of humor is a little off. but the truth is, we all did put on a little and we are working at it. However hard that is. Still can’t find your book. I guessI missed the photo op. I wanted to show it among other books. Now I think I have to go to Amazon. Rats!
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Yeah, I think the April books have already been shelved. Thanks for looking, Hollis!
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You both look good to me!
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Hey Marjie! Well, those Holiday pounds keep lingering….and Lyla being just an “itch” as Mom would say……
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I love your new state of the art scale. However…I think you’ll be forever polishing it to keep it crystal clear so that your beautiful wooden floor shines through. Mind you, that action in itself will probably help remove a few calories…not that I really think you need to shed them😆😆
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You are right. The bending over. Silly.🙄 😂 Isn’t that what always preoccupies us, the losing of pounds, when so many other things are more important? I guess it’s our way of trying to control something in this world that seems to be spinning out of anyone’s control.
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Hollis, this story is a riot!! You have to be one of the most fit and thinnest people in my age group I know! And you photograph like a small skinny-minny, from all your lovely pics I’ve seen. So I do think that perhaps your scale is like The Picture of Dorian Gray – and just wants to tantalize you! But I believe this scale is wrong.
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Patricia, I know….but….BTW, I have enjoyed seeing your new work. It is very elegant. And I am glad that you are exhibiting all over the country!
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What a really kind thing to say – thank you, Hollis! And your latest series of paintings seem more impressive than ever. Keep it up!! 🙂
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