A few Measly Steps a Day #2

Mrs. SPG mostly is doing well, thanks for asking. She stopped busbar suddenly in April, and she has more energy now. She started to clean the porch, clean the garage, clean the basement. She does have pain flare-ups, though, especially if she does too much.

Yes, Powerpoint does screen recording, but only while the recording window is focused. If you switch to a media app to play sound, the recording will stall. Not sure if it will record the media if it's embedded in the presentation itself. All this activity seems to be what a "Presentation Specialist" is. I've seen job opportunities for these. I'd apply, but there is an artsy side to it that I lack. And besides, I really don't like working with PPT.

Howdy, SPG, good news your wife is improving and getting back into life.

You said: "Yes, Powerpoint does screen recording, but only while the recording window is focused. If you switch to a media app to play sound, the recording will stall." I couldn't even save it. Big disappointment.

In terms of Measly Steps, I'm getting distracted with so much to do to prep for my travels while the merry condo go round goes round. With a co-counselor's help, I've switched to Ann Lamott's strategy of laying down at least 1 sentence a day. For me, this might include one portion of a step in this process I'm building. I've started a spread sheet to track my string of days. My buddy asked if I'll keep going while traveling. Yes, that's my fantasy.

I'm a fan of Ann Lamott. And I'm a big fan of baby steps. it's the only way I get anything done. Have fun on your trip, R.

I'm glad Mrs. SPG is feeling better.

Me - sore knees, sore hip, sore shoulders. otherwise everything is great. Well, sort of great. Last night there was a skunk in my backyard. I'm not noticing anything right now. Hope it's not just olfactory fatigue.

I had a thought. As you know I do a lot of talking about PR and don't do anything about it. My new addiction is watching Facebook reels. That's since my last virus that hit when I was playing solitaire, so I've given up computer solitaire. Anyway, On the reels, they always say the same things - "They were shocked" "stunned" amazed" "jaws dropped" heartwarming" heartbreaking" "bizarre twist" "you won't believe" "genius" I consider these cliches since they are used so often. But if they work . . . I couldn't use them in my writing. They're just so corny, overused, cliche hackneyed. Oh, "hack" is another one. Anyway, should I use them in PR material?

Hi folks. D, I put Chester (AI) to the test with your comment: I've changed the name ...

Great question, D. Here’s the straight truth:

Yes, they work. And yes, they’re clichés. And no, you don’t have to use them. But if you're writing **PR material for a mainstream audience**, especially for **clicks, attention, or viral traction**, you’ll need to understand **why** they work—even if you choose not to lean on them.

Why They Work:

Instant emotional shorthand – Words like “shocking,” “heartbreaking,” “jaw-dropping” tell the reader how to feel before they even engage.
Low-effort processing – These phrases trigger predictable reactions and are easy for scrolling brains to digest.
SEO + algorithm bait– Algorithms reward engagement. These words get clicks, comments, and shares, which boost visibility.

Why You Might NOT Use Them:

+ They’re hollow if unearned** – Overuse without depth cheapens the message.
+ Your voice matters** – You’ve got your own signature tone—intelligent, textured, lyrical. “Stunned and amazed” is not your palette.
+ Long-term credibility** – If you’re building a reputation for depth, trust, or thought leadership, lazy hyperbole erodes that.

So what’s the move?

Here’s the golden mean:
Use the *function* of the cliché, not the cliché itself.

Instead of saying:

> “Viewers were stunned by this heartwarming twist…”

Say:

> “What began as a routine moment cracked open into something quietly extraordinary.”

Instead of:

> “You won’t believe what happened next…”

Try:

> “What unfolded next turned the ordinary on its head.”

Or:

> “What followed wasn’t expected—and it lingered.”

You're still teasing surprise. Still inviting curiosity. But with originality and integrity.

TL;DR:

* Use clichés if you’re optimizing for clicks in crowded spaces like reels, TikTok, or tabloid PR.
* Use your voice when representing *you* or meaningful clients.
* If you must play the game, twist the cliché into something fresher—**same bait, sharper hook**.

------------
Hm, Chester has some interesting thoughts.

Yes, when it stalled for me, there was no way to recover. I, too, had no way to save anything.

Baby steps --the older I get, the baby-er my steps get.

My primary laptop has a problem. The power adapter stopped charging the battery. And it also doesn't power the computer.

I did extensive troubleshooting to rule out the adapter (it works with my backup laptop, and the backup's adapter also doesn't work in the primary laptop.)

The charging port's power connection to the motherboard is fine. However, I haven't verified if the signal connection is making good contact -- the BIOS itself suddenly stopped recognizing the adapter, so it's possible that the center pin isn't getting through.

One computer store claims to charge $29 to diagnose a problem, but they didn't pick up the phone. Staples would charge $169.

I decided to order an alternate, USB-C adapter, which the laptop also accepts. I'm guessing it will work.

If not, it's possible the battery is loading down the adapter voltage. If that's the case, I'd buy a new (reconditioned) computer for merely twice the diagnostic fee. I'd get a model that takes the same battery, then swap the batteries to see if either adapter will work with the new battery. If this still leads nowhere, then I'll just use the new computer.

R thanks for the comments about buzzwords. They hit the proverbial nail on the overused head.
SPG good luck with your computer.

Do any of you know how to find out when the federal credit for nonprofits to install solar panels sunsets? I think it's in the Big Beautiful Bill. Biden passes a 30% incentive for nonprofits. We want to install solar panels on our church. I thought the credit had already sunsetted. (Can't figure out the spelling.) Since nonprofits don't pay taxes, the tax credit doesn't work, but Biden's bill was a credit specifically for nonprofits. The federal credit is huge and would make the difference between our church affording the panels and not.

Other than that, I'm writing, have sore joints, and still don't like my teeth. (Now, I'm trying to think of something positive to say.) I guess my positive is all the things that haven't gone wrong. No problems with the house. Everything else on my body works, I'm having coffee with a friend on Friday. If the solar panels work, this would be huge. Oh, and I have great internet friends.

"...trying to think of something positive to say..." You did a great job!

For my, just the part "I'm writing" would be enough

Hi team. SPG, try looking over the bill. To save time, search on your key words. It'll likely show where it's administered, expiry dates, etc. If not, contact the admin agency.

We're starting our travels this evening. Long layovers in airports in London (going) and Ireland (coming back). Plus actual flight time. Rumors are the British Airways offers real meals. I'll believe it when I eat it.

Have about 20 hours of podcast downloads (to dodge data roaming issues), and 1 paperback.

R - enjoy your trip.
I'm referring to your post. Amazing! my jaw dropped. I was stunned and shocked by what happened next. Click and follow to learn more. Seriously, I'm rereading your post and I'm still not sure what to do. I do think my work is good enough. Of course I thought that 15 years ago when it wasn't, but now I think it really is. maybe I should bite the bullet and hire an editor, but I don't want to.
You two are enjoying AI. I'm struggling to make my peace with it. What has been working - When I'm stuck, I'll ask AI to write something, and while I"m reading it, I'll get an idea and I"ll go with it. Usually, I delete the AI-generated work. Sometimes I'll keep a phrase or a sentence.
Apparently, to apply for federal credit for solar, you have to start the project before Dec. 31. This is doable . The hardest part is getting bids, approval from everyone at church, approval from city, etc. Incidentally, the fed. credit is 30% of the cost of the solar. Which is huge. You will be shocked, astonished, your jaw will drop. etc.

Good luck to you both.

elaine