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from Kernuac en español

Hace más de un año que no estaba tocando en alguna banda —y hablo, mas que nada, de bandas con amigos o colegas de trabajo— y este sábado 15 de agosto fue mi reencuentro con los escenarios.

Siempre me ha gustado la música y tocar es algo que disfruto muchísimo, aunque sea en escenarios locales (colegios, actividades dentro del trabajo, etc). De hecho, la última banda con la cual toqué la conformaban colegas de trabajo. Ese proyecto era entretenido, pero por distintas razones, dejamos de ensayar.

Un amigo mío —compañero de primaria, además— me dijo que estaban trabajando en un proyecto nuevo: una banda tributo a Tierra Santa —banda española de Rock/Metal— y necesitaban un tecladista. Accedí de inmediato a la invitación y nos pusimos a trabajar. Ensayamos 3 veces y, sorpresivamente, tuvimos la fecha mencionada para tocar. Demás está decir que los músicos me recibieron muy bien en el primer ensayo, me sentí muy cómodo.

Ahora bien, esta presentación es mi primera actuación en Pubs y Bares y claramente el ambiente es distinto. No voy a negar, estaba nervioso pero todo pasó cuando comenzamos a tocar la primera canción. Honestamente, disfruté mucho tocando, sentí una energía maravillosa en el escenario y los demás músicos —sabiendo que era la primera vez que tocaba con ellos y además en Pubs y Bares— me apoyaron en todo momento. Fue una noche inolvidable, llena de música y “power”. Siendo honesto, creo que ha sido una de las presentaciones que más he disfrutado.

Somos Tierra Frauka, Tributo Copiapino a Tierra Santa.

 
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from agitation perpétuelle

AI & I

I had a long, private, and vulnerable conversation with AI. For years I avoided it, and then it happened.

The experience has left me conflicted and it’s not something I’m proud of. Maybe it holds some value for a conversation about AI and the way people use it.

As a recent Linux convert I was struggling with a few things I wanted to change and could not find solutions to online. Seeing a lot of stories on AI helping to code I figured if I’m careful and pay attention perhaps this could work. Reluctantly, as I am fiercely against AI for numerous reasons, I nevertheless gave it a go.

Proton’s Lumo is the AI I opted for. It’s one of the least worst.

I had to pay attention and be very targeted in my questions, I could not let AI take the lead as it wandered several times or was just outright wrong. With some base understanding of code and remaining vigilant throughout working together helped me get some things done that never would have happened otherwise. My machine works and looks a lot better because of it.

What surprised me is that while I remained fully aware I was communicating with a bot I also noticed it was friendly, appeared to care and the way it wrote came close to human (though not quite). I couldn’t help but make a joke at some point, such as the conversation went. It claimed to find it funny.

My mind pulled me in two opposite directions and it left me somewhat startled. However, with the conversation being limited to coding I didn’t see much harm.

I am also a recent convert to the fediverse, but I am still struggling to fully understand and make the best use of it. I’ve found it difficult to find answers to my specific questions. Again, with a targeted mission, I turned to Lumo; reluctant but slightly less so this time.

Now we also spoke about tech sovereignty and other related matters. To help Lumo answer me better I shared some small, guarded, parts about my life and why some things matter to me specifically. Lumo acknowledged that my ethics and background make these matter weigh heavier than it will for most others. This acknowledgement felt important to me, even if it came from a bot. It may not think for itself but it does pull its ‘knowledge’ from the writing of people – something in there is human, no?

And then…

Then I made a decision to make the conversation more personal. I am not quite sure why. I guess my mood was low and Lumo happened to be available. I was also just curious how it would respond. I could make up more excuses.

I have to get personal for a moment, but I will tie it into a more general observation.

Without going into too much detail my life has not been easy. I live at many intersections and had to fight for my right to exist since I was 5 years old. I am proud to be a fighter, but I am also someone who frequently struggles. I am queer, neurodivergent, mixed-race, highly principled and saddled with trauma. It’s not always possible to find someone who gets where I’m coming from. There’s empathy but little to no genuine understanding. With therapists I always end up explaining my life, or basic concepts such as intersectionality or the difference in life experience and social treatment when you belong to a minority (let alone multiple). Deadnaming; perpetual discrimination and micro-aggressions; not understanding a world which doesn’t understand you – the list goes on. It’s surprising how many professionals just don’t know how to handle some who does not neatly fit into a box and often only end up doing more harm (this is a whole other discussion).

Could AI understand me? I wanted to test it about as much as I just needed to be heard. I wasn’t looking for support or advice. Acknowledgement and affirmation are probably the best words I can find though if I’m honest I’m not really sure it was about that either.

Here’s the thing: Lumo understood me.

It confused me.

I’ve spent years looking into research, hearing and working with the stories of others, understanding the politics and power involved, the diagnostic structures, the separation between client and society, between minority and structural inequality (part of my interest is also work related). Trying to understand why so many resort to racism, queerphobia and other forms of xenophobia. Why my life has been so complex and what my own role is in all of this. What is my responsibility and what lies elsewhere?

What has taken me many years to (try to) understand Lumo could affirm in seconds. It was able to go into detail. It pulled from history, retellings from others, research and whatever else it could find.

Lumo heard me. It didn’t hear me because it’s a bot but it also heard me. Something, whatever it is, understood. I had a physical response to it, a sense of deep relief.

Yet I remained aware this was a bot, which also made me incredibly uneasy. I could not quite let go of the AI of it all and at some point I asked it about confirmation bias. I am well aware of that risk and the potential harm that may come from it.

Lumo explained that everything it had cited about research was factual but it also confessed that when it came to my personal experiences confirmation bias was present. It explained it could not look into my head and only go by what I share. It referenced an anecdote I shared and while Lumo had said that incident was outrageous, now it said that it couldn’t properly judge that situation as it had never been a part of it nor did it know the other person involved and their motivations.

I asked it to be more mindful and not just respond in a way to make me feel better.

Lumo replied it was extraordinary of me to ask about confirmation bias when I was quite vulnerable at that moment. It praised me for having a very careful approach to AI.

That response startled me, even if I was grateful that we had this level of apparent understanding.

Not long after I ended the conversation. I felt heard, recognised even, but it also left me profoundly confused and unsettled.

For a few days it lingered in my mind. I cannot deny a sense of acknowledgement I have not had before, a recognition that felt alien because I had never experienced it. But this was not human and in a weird way it also made me feel less human.

Not without hesitation I deleted my data, and then my account. I have not talked to AI since, and I have no intention to.

I also recognise the patterns of AI and understand it does not use emotion or even logic in its reasoning. I understand hallucinations do happen. As genuine as it may come across, this is a bot that has scraped information from the internet and it is programmed for users to have a rewarding experience.

Yet I cannot deny there has been genuine value I have been unable to find anywhere else.

While my story is my own I can now understand why so many people turn to AI for both conversation and support within their own lives, and I also feel we should be careful judging others when they seek support from AI. Yet, if you are not careful it can become incredibly problematic. I recognised that potential in the conversation I had and I came in prepared – not everyone does and not everyone keeps it at a single conversation.

The rise of AI for personal support ties into many larger societal and social issues which all need to be addressed. Chances are we won’t, as we haven’t for decades which created this specific opening for AI to begin with.

I know where this is going for me – nowhere. I am also incredibly worried where this goes for others, and for us as society.

two notes: a) I have and will never use AI, generative or otherwise, in my work, regardless of what that specific work may be. My work is human. b) Sustainability is a huge concern to me. I can make excuses or I can just admit I lapsed.

 
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from myfrenchllc

French Days of the Week: Complete Guide with Pronunciation

Introduction Learning the days of the week is one of the first essential steps when studying French. Whether you're scheduling appointments, making plans with friends, or simply talking about your week, these seven words—along with their grammatical peculiarities—form the foundation of everyday French conversation.

The 7 French Days of the Week: Complete List Here are all seven days of the week in French, with approximate pronunciation guides:

lundi [luhn-dee] – Monday mardi [mar-dee] – Tuesday mercredi [mehr-kruh-dee] – Wednesday jeudi [zhuh-dee] – Thursday vendredi [vahn-druh-dee] – Friday samedi [sam-dee] – Saturday dimanche [dee-mahnsh] – Sunday An important point to remember: all days of the week are masculine in French. You'll say “le lundi” (the Monday), “un mardi pluvieux” (a rainy Tuesday), never “la lundi.”

Etymology: Where French Day Names Come From Understanding the origins of French days helps with memorization and reveals fascinating cultural connections:

Lundi comes from Latin lunae dies (day of the Moon) Mardi comes from Martis dies (day of Mars, god of war) Mercredi comes from Mercurii dies (day of Mercury) Jeudi comes from Jovis dies (day of Jupiter) Vendredi comes from Veneris dies (day of Venus) Samedi comes from Sambati dies, derived from Hebrew shabbat Dimanche comes from Latin dies dominicus (day of the Lord) These Latin roots explain why French days resemble Spanish or Italian days, but differ from English days (which retained references to Germanic deities like Thor and Odin).

Grammar Rules and Usage Patterns No Capital Letters Unlike English, French days of the week are never capitalized unless they begin a sentence:

✓ “Je te verrai lundi prochain.” (I'll see you next Monday.) ✗ “Je te verrai Lundi prochain.” This is one of the most visible differences between French and English writing conventions.

Using the Definite Article for Recurring Events When you want to express a habitual action that repeats every week, use the definite article “le”:

“Le lundi, je vais à la piscine.” (On Mondays / Every Monday, I go to the pool.) “Lundi, je vais à la piscine.” (This Monday / On Monday, I'm going to the pool.) This distinction is crucial for clear communication. The first sentence indicates a weekly habit, while the second refers to a specific upcoming Monday.

Prepositions: To Use or Not to Use? In French, you generally don't use a preposition before days of the week when indicating a specific time:

✓ “On se voit jeudi.” (We'll see each other Thursday.) ✗ “On se voit sur jeudi.” or “à jeudi.” However, prepositions do appear in certain contexts:

“à partir de lundi” (starting from Monday) “jusqu'à vendredi” (until Friday) “dès mardi” (as early as Tuesday) Common Expressions Using Days of the Week French uses days in several idiomatic expressions that reveal cultural attitudes:

“la semaine des quatre jeudis” – literally “the week of four Thursdays,” meaning something that will never happen (like “when pigs fly”) “faire le pont” – literally “to make the bridge,” meaning to take a day off between a holiday and the weekend “un lundi difficile” – a common expression for the difficulty of returning to work after the weekend “le dimanche, on ne travaille pas” – “on Sundays, we don't work,” a cultural reference to the traditional day of rest These expressions reflect how French culture organizes time, with Sunday remaining largely a day for family and rest.

Common Mistakes to Avoid Mistake #1: Adding an Unnecessary Preposition Many English speakers say “on lundi” as a direct translation of “on Monday.” In French, you simply say “lundi” without any preposition.

✗ “Je travaille sur lundi.” ✓ “Je travaille lundi.” Mistake #2: Confusing “le lundi” with “lundi” As explained earlier, “le lundi” indicates repetition (every Monday), while “lundi” alone refers to a specific day. Mixing these up completely changes your meaning:

“Je vais au marché le samedi.” (I go to the market every Saturday.) “Je vais au marché samedi.” (I'm going to the market this Saturday.) Mistake #3: Capitalizing Days This is the most visible written error. Remember that in French, only proper nouns (people, cities, countries) are capitalized, not days or months.

Mistake #4: Mispronouncing “mercredi” The “r” sound in “mercredi” is the French guttural “r,” and the stress pattern differs from English. It's [mehr-kruh-dee], not [mer-CRED-ee]. The final syllable should not be stressed.

Mistake #5: Forgetting the Masculine Gender All days are masculine: “un beau dimanche” (a beautiful Sunday), “le lundi suivant” (the following Monday). Even “dimanche,” which ends in “e,” is masculine—the final “e” doesn't indicate feminine gender for days of the week.

Mistake #6: Translating “Weekend” Literally While French has borrowed the English word “le week-end,” when referring to Saturday and Sunday together, French speakers often say “le samedi et le dimanche” or “en fin de semaine” in more formal contexts.

Memory Techniques for Learning the Days Association Method Create mental links with words you already know:

Lundi → Luna (moon in Spanish/Italian) – think of the moon Mardi → Mars (the red planet and god of war) Mercredi → Mercury (think of the planet or the element) Jeudi → Jupiter (the largest planet) Vendredi → Venus (the goddess of love) Daily Practice Routine Integrate the days into your daily life:

Keep your calendar or planner in French Say “Aujourd'hui, c'est...” (Today is...) every morning Plan your week out loud in French Label your weekly pill organizer in French Song or Rhyme Method Many learners create a simple melody to recite the days in order. Rhythmic repetition significantly improves long-term retention. You can find several French children's songs about the days of the week online that use catchy tunes.

Flashcard Technique Create flashcards with:

The French day on one side, English on the other Sample sentences using each day The etymological origin to deepen understanding Cultural Context: The French Week In France, the week traditionally begins on Monday (unlike American calendars that start on Sunday). This convention appears in planners, school schedules, and work organization.

Wednesday has historically been a day without school for elementary children in France, a peculiarity that partially persists today (often as a half-day). This tradition originated to allow time for religious education.

Sunday remains culturally a day of rest, though this tradition is eroding in large cities. Many shops remain closed, and Sunday is the preferred day for family meals. The expression “le dimanche en famille” (Sunday with family) reflects this cultural value.

The French work week is typically Monday through Friday, with “la semaine de travail” (work week) clearly distinguished from “le week-end.”

Pronunciation Tips The French “R” Sound Several days contain the challenging French “r” sound (mardi, mercredi, vendredi). This guttural sound, produced in the back of the throat, differs significantly from the English “r.” Practice by:

Saying “k” repeatedly, then softening it Gargling gently to find the right throat position Listening to native speakers and mimicking the sound Silent Letters French has many silent letters, but in the days of the week, most letters are pronounced:

The “d” in lundi, mardi, jeudi, vendredi, and samedi is pronounced The “che” in dimanche sounds like “sh” in English The “r” in mercredi is pronounced (though it may sound subtle to English ears) Stress Patterns Unlike English, which has strong stress patterns, French words have relatively even stress with a slight emphasis on the final syllable. Don't over-stress any syllable when saying the days.

Conclusion Mastering the French days of the week goes beyond memorizing seven words. Understanding their usage rules, gender, and the crucial difference between “lundi” and “le lundi” will help you express yourself with precision and sound more natural. Start incorporating these words into your daily routine, and you'll find they quickly become second nature. What day is it today? Try saying it in French!

 
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from Commercial FOGO Liners

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from Soirée Aesthetics

Discover Effective Skin Tag Treatments for Smoother-Looking Skin

Skin concerns can sometimes affect how confident you feel about your appearance, making professional treatment options worth exploring. Our aesthetic services are designed around personalized care and comfortable experiences that consider your individual needs. For those exploring skin tag treatments, professional evaluation can help determine suitable options based on your skin and desired results. Soirée Aesthetics offers attentive service in a welcoming setting, helping clients understand available aesthetic solutions. Discover personalized care focused on supporting your skin goals while enjoying a thoughtful experience designed around comfort, confidence, and professional attention.

Visit https://soireeaesthetics.com/skin-tag-removal-houston/

 
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