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1. 7 days ago on Crankshaft

   As the sun dipped lower, Rose and Tom paddled back towards the shore. The sky was ablaze with colors, reflecting off the water and creating a magical atmosphere. They docked the canoe and stepped onto the shore, hand in hand.

   “That was wonderful,” Rose said, her eyes still sparkling with the joy of their shared adventure.

   Tom nodded, a contented smile on his face. “It’s amazing how a simple canoe ride can bring back so many memories.”

   They walked slowly back to the car, the air cool and refreshing. As they drove home, they talked about the past, their voices filled with warmth and laughter.

   In the days that followed, Tom found himself thinking often of their time at the lake. One evening, while Rose was resting, he decided to take the old canoe out once more, this time alone.

   The lake was serene, the setting sun casting long shadows over the water. Tom rowed slowly, his mind filled with memories of their shared life. He could almost hear Rose’s laughter, feel the warmth of her hand in his. As he reached the center of the lake, he paused, letting the canoe drift.

   The sky turned a deep shade of purple, the sun a fiery ball on the horizon. Tom felt a sense of peace wash over him. He knew that their love, their memories, would always be with him, as enduring as the lake and the setting sun.

   With a final, contented sigh, Tom dipped his oars back into the water and began to row back, the gentle rhythm of his strokes a comforting reminder of a lifetime of love and adventure shared with Rose.

2. 8 days ago on Crankshaft

   Rose and Tom paddled gently across the lake, the rhythmic dip of their oars breaking the serene surface of the water. The air was filled with the scent of pine and the distant calls of birds, creating a perfect backdrop for their journey back in time.

   As they glided further from the shore, Tom couldn’t help but chuckle. “Remember how we used to race to that little island in the middle of the lake?” he asked, his voice filled with fondness.

   Rose smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “And how you always let me win,” she replied, her laughter mingling with the soft sounds of the lake.

   They reached the center of the lake and paused, letting the canoe drift lazily. Tom leaned back, his hand trailing in the cool water. “It’s amazing how some things change so much, while others stay exactly the same,” he said, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

   Rose reached out and touched his hand, her fingers warm and reassuring. “What’s important is that we’re here together,” she said softly.

   Tom nodded, his heart full. “Here’s to old canoes and even older memories,” he said, lifting an imaginary glass.

   They sat in companionable silence, the past and present intertwining seamlessly. As the sun dipped lower, casting a golden glow over the lake, Rose and Tom felt a profound sense of peace. They had weathered the storms of life together, and now, in this quiet moment, they were reminded of the enduring power of love and the simple joys that time can never take away.

   With a contented sigh, Tom dipped his oar back into the water, and together, they paddled slowly back to shore, their hearts light and their spirits rejuvenated.

3. 8 days ago on Crankshaft

   It takes an artist to actually help AI create real art — it’s just a tool. There will never be a replacement for human creativity or emotion. I don’t just push a button and out pops magic — there is real effort that goes into what I create when using AI.

4. 9 days ago on Crankshaft

   Rose and Tom continued their walk along the familiar lakeshore, each step a journey back through time. The modern kayaks and paddleboards felt like foreign objects in a place that held so many of their cherished memories.

   Tom paused near a stack of brightly colored kayaks, his gaze fixed on a lone wooden canoe, weathered by time but still sturdy. A young attendant approached, his uniform crisp and clean. “Can I help you, sir?” he asked politely.

   Tom pointed to the old canoe. “That one,” he said softly, “we used to take those out all the time.”

   The attendant smiled, recognizing the nostalgia in Tom’s eyes. “That old thing? It’s more of a relic now, but it’s still seaworthy. We keep it for sentimental folks like you.”

   Rose, catching up to Tom, wrapped her arm around his. “Would you like to take it out one more time?” she asked gently.

   Tom nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I would love that.”

   With the attendant’s help, they eased the old canoe into the water. Tom took his place at the stern, and Rose settled in the bow, just as they had done so many years ago. As they paddled out onto the serene lake, the years seemed to melt away, leaving only the two of them and the timeless beauty of the water.

   The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the lake. Rose and Tom paddled in silence, their hearts full, their souls content. In that moment, they were young again, two lovers on a summer adventure, bound by memories and the enduring strength of their love.

5. 10 days ago on Crankshaft

   Continuation of the Story

   Rose and Tom strolled hand in hand, their steps slow and measured, as they made their way down the familiar path to the canoe rental. The sun was high, casting a golden hue over the park, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air.

   Tom smiled, memories of their youth vivid in his mind. “Remember our first canoe ride?” he asked, squeezing Rose’s hand gently.

   Rose nodded, her eyes sparkling. “You were so determined to impress me, even though you could barely paddle straight,” she teased, her laughter light and melodic.

   As they approached the rental booth, Tom’s smile faltered. The familiar wooden shack was gone, replaced by a sleek, modern building. He stepped up to the counter, pulling out his wallet.

   “Two for the canoe, please,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia.

   The attendant, a young woman with bright blue hair, looked up and smiled apologetically. “Sorry, but you have to rent the kayaks in advance online.”

   Tom’s face fell slightly as he turned to Rose. “I guess times have changed,” he murmured.

   Rose patted his hand reassuringly. “It’s okay, Tom. Let’s just take a walk along the water.”

   They wandered down to the edge of the lake, watching the kayaks glide smoothly across the surface. Rose leaned her head on Tom’s shoulder. “We have the best memories, don’t we?”

   Tom nodded, a smile returning to his lips. “We sure do. And we’re still making them.”

   Together, they stood at the water’s edge, the past and present blending seamlessly, a testament to a love that had weathered the changes of time.

6. 10 days ago on Crankshaft

   Why does it terrify you? Because a machine is capable of actually “thinking” or that humans will start relying on AI so much that they will actually stop thinking?I’m exciting about the entertainment possibilities — in just a few short years I will be able to generate my own Hollywood style movies at home with only a few well engineered voice prompts. And AI humanoids will become personal assistants for the elderly and infirmed so humans can live vibrant lives, staying in their own homes and not have to rot to death in a “nursing home” locked away and forgotten.

7. 11 days ago on Crankshaft

   Read my story continuation on today’s (07-16-24) comic — it’s pretty amazing what ChatGPT can do.

8. 11 days ago on Crankshaft

   Across town, Tom was indeed standing in the parking lot of Summit Beach Park. The once bustling boardwalk was now quiet, the echoes of laughter and the scent of the ocean breeze long gone. He touched the brim of his hat, a habit he never lost, and smiled faintly. The memories of those summer days with Rose flooded back, filling him with a warmth that defied the years.

   Tom walked slowly to the edge of the boardwalk, the wood creaking beneath his feet, just as it had so many years ago. He closed his eyes and let the memories wash over him. The feel of Rose’s hand in his, the sound of her laughter, and the way the sun would set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink.

   Back in her room, Rose felt a sudden urge to visit the park. She hadn’t been there in years, but today felt different. She dressed with care, choosing a simple dress and a sunhat, and made her way to her car.

   As she drove, the familiar landmarks guided her, each turn bringing her closer to the past. When she finally arrived, she saw him, standing at the edge of the boardwalk. Her heart skipped a beat. She stepped out of the car, her steps hesitant but filled with purpose.

   “Tom,” she called softly.

   He turned, and for a moment, time stood still. The years melted away as their eyes met, filled with the shared memories of a love that had never faded. They walked towards each other, and as their hands clasped together once more, they felt the same warmth, the same connection that had bound them so many summers ago at Summit Beach Park.

9. 11 days ago on Crankshaft

   I want to share with you something amazing. Yesterday I I wrote a scene about a couple Rose and Tom — I wrote the draft and then ran it through ChatGPT to improve and fill it out in more detail — the story was really good. Today I took a screenshot of this comic and asked ChatGPT to continue on with the story — here is what it gave me — this is 100% ChatGPT.

   Analyze This comic strip and what’s going on and then continue on with the story based on what you see.

   In the comic strip, the left panel shows a young couple, likely Rose and Tom, arriving at Summit Beach Park in a vintage car. Tom is opening the car door for Rose, who appears to be in high spirits, dressed in a polka-dot dress, as they prepare to enjoy their day at the park. The setting is nostalgic, capturing the essence of a simpler, more innocent time.

   In the right panel, an elderly man, presumably Tom, stands in the now-deserted parking lot of the same Summit Beach Park. He looks wistful, wearing a hat and a shirt reminiscent of his younger days, gazing at the once vibrant place now quiet and empty, save for a single car.

   Continuation of the StoryRose placed the photo back on her nightstand, her heart heavy with the weight of the years gone by. She stood up, feeling the familiar ache in her bones, and walked to the window. The sun had risen fully now, casting a warm glow over her garden, a reminder of the relentless march of time.

   In that moment, her thoughts drifted back to Tom. She wondered how he was, if he, too, reminisced about their days at Summit Beach Park. She imagined him standing there, just as she remembered, his eyes filled with the same mix of longing and love that she felt.(continued below)

10. 11 days ago on Crankshaft

    I actually wrote the draft and had chatgpt rewrite it in my style with improvements — so you are half right. You still have to guide Chat with what you want to achieve and steer the story in the direction you want it to go — it’s like having a writing assistant at your fingertips.