Goal Met: 50 hours of AI learning

February 28, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

This was an interesting one as the sources of learning ended up being pretty varied. There were two books I read “Co-Intelligence” and “The AI Driven Leader”, I watched a ton of YouTube videos and took a few training classes (some virtual, some in person). I came into this thinking AI could be a useful tool for some automation tasks or research and came out of it with a tool set that would let me use AI to improve almost every aspect of what I do. Learning advanced prompt engineering was the biggest takeaway. AI responds to what you prompt it with – a weak prompt will get you weak results. You can create specific projects that have long detailed instructions that allow you to have custom assistants that behave in a predefined pattern. When I started creating images the results weren’t great until I dug in and learned what the AI needs to create stunning visuals.

I’m going to let ChatGPT take the rest of this post – and explain what AI is and the current AI landscape. Take it away!
What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a type of technology that allows computers to think and learn like humans. Instead of just following strict instructions, AI can analyze data, recognize patterns, and make decisions on its own. Think of AI as a super-smart assistant that can understand questions, find answers, and even create new things like artwork, music, or writing.

At its core, AI is powered by something called machine learning, which is a way for computers to learn from experience. Instead of being programmed with every possible answer, an AI system is trained using massive amounts of data. It looks at patterns, makes predictions, and adjusts itself over time. This is similar to how we learn—by seeing, practicing, and improving. AI also uses neural networks, which are computer systems inspired by how the human brain works, allowing it to make more complex decisions.

There are two main types of AI: narrow AI and general AI. Narrow AI is what we use today—it’s specialized and good at specific tasks, like recommending movies on Netflix, translating languages, or helping doctors detect diseases. General AI, which doesn’t exist yet, would be a machine that can think and learn just like a human across different topics, but we’re still far from that.

Why Prompt Engineering is So Important

Since AI relies on learning from data and responding to inputs, the way we ask it questions—called “prompts”—is incredibly important. If we give AI a vague, confusing, or misleading prompt, we’ll get an answer that isn’t useful. This is where prompt engineering comes in.

Prompt engineering is the skill of crafting the right kind of questions or instructions to get the best possible response from an AI system. It’s like giving directions to a friend—if you’re too vague, they might get lost, but if you’re clear, they’ll find their way easily.

Let’s look at some examples:

Bad prompt: “Tell me about history.”

This is too broad. AI won’t know if you mean world history, American history, or the history of pizza. It might give a general answer that isn’t useful.

Good prompt: “Explain the major causes of World War II in simple terms.”

This is much better because it specifies the topic and asks for a simplified answer, making it more likely that AI will give useful information.

Another example:

Bad prompt: “Write a story.”

AI could generate anything—maybe a horror story, maybe a children’s fairy tale. It’s unclear what you want.

Good prompt: “Write a short science fiction story about a robot that discovers emotions.”

Now AI has a clear direction, and the output will be more relevant and interesting.

Prompt engineering is essential because it helps users get precise, useful, and creative answers from AI. As AI tools become more advanced, those who know how to ask the right questions will get the best results.

Five Cutting-Edge AI Use Cases

AI is already transforming industries in amazing ways. Here are five cutting-edge uses of AI:

Medical Diagnosis and Drug Discovery – AI helps doctors detect diseases like cancer earlier and faster. It can also predict how different drugs might work together, speeding up the creation of new medicines.
Self-Driving Cars – AI allows cars to “see” the road, recognize traffic signs, and react to other vehicles, making autonomous driving safer and more reliable.
AI-Powered Art and Music – AI can now create stunning paintings, realistic music, and even deepfake videos that look just like real people.
Smart Assistants and Chatbots – Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa use AI to understand speech and answer questions, while advanced chatbots handle customer service for businesses.
Climate Change Predictions – AI is helping scientists analyze weather patterns and predict climate changes, leading to better strategies for protecting the environment.

Five Non-Obvious AI Use Cases

Beyond the flashy tech, AI is also being used in unexpected ways:

Personalized Learning – AI tutors can customize lessons for students based on how they learn best.
AI in Farming – AI-powered drones and sensors help farmers track crop health, predict weather changes, and maximize food production.
Fraud Detection – Banks use AI to recognize suspicious transactions and prevent fraud before it happens.
Mental Health Support – AI chatbots are being used as virtual therapists, providing emotional support to those in need.
Sports Analytics – AI analyzes player movements and strategies to help teams improve their performance and predict game outcomes.

The Benefits and Risks of AI

AI brings enormous benefits, making life more convenient, boosting productivity, and even saving lives in medicine. It helps automate repetitive tasks, provides better recommendations for movies or products, and assists in solving complex problems. It can also improve accessibility, such as voice assistants helping visually impaired people navigate the world.

However, AI also comes with risks. One major concern is bias—AI learns from human data, and if that data is flawed, AI can make unfair decisions, like discriminating in hiring or loan approvals. Another risk is job displacement. As AI becomes more capable, certain jobs may become automated, meaning some workers will need to adapt or retrain. There are also ethical concerns around deepfakes, misinformation, and privacy, as AI can be used to manipulate information and invade personal data.

Where AI is Going in the Next 5 Years

AI is evolving rapidly, and in the next five years, we’re likely to see major advancements. AI could become much better at understanding emotions, making conversations feel more natural. We might also see more AI in creative fields, like writing, filmmaking, and game design. In medicine, AI could help develop personalized treatments based on a person’s genetics. AI will also play a bigger role in automation, from self-driving trucks to fully automated smart homes.

As AI grows more powerful, there will be more discussions about ethical use, regulations, and ensuring AI benefits everyone, not just big companies. The key will be balancing progress with responsibility, making sure AI is developed and used in ways that help rather than harm society.

Final Thoughts

AI is one of the most exciting and powerful technologies in the world today. It can do everything from answering questions and writing stories to driving cars and diagnosing diseases. But to get the most out of AI, people need to learn how to ask the right questions—this is why prompt engineering is such an important skill. As AI continues to evolve, it will bring new possibilities and challenges, shaping the way we work, create, and interact with the world. The future of AI is bright, but it’s up to us to guide it responsibly

I Did It.

February 27, 2025March 5, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

Wow. That was quite a journey. I’m honestly still processing the fact that I managed to complete everything. Looking back, I’ve spent over two decades setting goals, and the highest I ever reached before was maybe 60% completion—and that was with a modest list of just ten goals. When I first considered taking on this challenge, I almost talked myself out of it, remembering past failures. But turning 50 flipped a switch in me. I figured I might not succeed, but I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t even attempt it. Maybe not the most optimistic mindset to start with, but if this experience has taught me anything, it’s that with discipline and structure, you can fundamentally shift how you approach things.
Coming up with 50 goals was an adventure in itself. The first few were easy—I pulled from old, unfinished goals and added new ones that felt both exciting and challenging. But once I hit the 30-goal mark, I struggled. That’s when I had to shift my perspective. I started thinking about what turning 50 really signified. I reflected on what I had accomplished, what I had always wanted to do but never got around to. And then it hit me: I had spent years assuming there would always be time. But what if there wasn’t? Shouldn’t I seize the moment now, while I still had the energy to truly enjoy it? That realization changed everything. Suddenly, the list filled itself. Visiting my father’s hometown in Italy. Buying my dream guitar. Sipping on really old Scotch. Once I reframed the process, it became much easier to round out the list. I even left a few open slots, which I later filled with “Explore AI” and “Complete a Bob Ross painting tutorial.”

As I got deeper into rounding out the 50, I found myself turning to the internet for inspiration. Seeing what others had on their goal lists helped me refine mine. Some ideas resonated, some didn’t, but the process helped me think outside the box. And ironically, one of my late additions—learning about AI—ended up being a game-changer. AI became an essential tool throughout the year. With a goal of blogging about my experience, I faced an immense workload, closing in on nearly 300 posts. Without AI’s help in researching topics, I would have been buried under the effort. I even used AI to critique my writing, offering an unfiltered, sometimes ego-bruising editorial lens that ultimately improved my work.
To keep myself accountable, I knew I needed rules. Once the 50 goals were set, I committed to not altering them to make things easier. But I’m also pragmatic—life happens. In the early months, I tore something in my shoulder, which derailed my fitness-related goals. So, I built in a contingency: I allowed myself to swap out five goals if necessary. This gave me a degree of flexibility while ensuring I didn’t just swap out challenges for convenience. I ended up using four swaps (documented on my website), and two of them were due to physical limitations rather than avoidance.

So how did I pull this off while managing a full-time job, two small kids, and a marriage? With structure. I built a framework that allowed me to make progress without compromising what truly mattered.
The first rule: priorities first. My family always comes first—no exceptions. I didn’t pursue these goals at the expense of time with my kids or my wife. I still coached my kids’ teams, played with them on weekends, and handled all the usual parenting duties. I made sure my wife and I kept our Friday lunch dates, giving us uninterrupted time together. And work? That stayed a priority too. I enjoy my job and wasn’t about to let this project interfere with my professional commitments. With those priorities locked in, anything else became negotiable.

The second rule: do something every day. Even on chaotic days—work was crazy, the kids had back-to-back activities, and my wife was out of town—I could still do something. Read a few pages of a book. Practice Italian on Babbel for five minutes. Write a quick gratitude journal entry. Even brushing my teeth at night, I could squeeze in a small action. The consistency was the key. After a few months, it became so ingrained that skipping a day felt like a glitch in my system. These small, daily efforts accumulated, creating momentum that accelerated progress over time.

The third rule: find hidden time. It’s there if you look for it. That hour-long commute? Perfect for listening to educational podcasts or checking off an album from my music list. Instead of doom-scrolling my phone during lunch, I’d read, write, or learn something new. Even waiting for my kids to finish practice became an opportunity—reading on my Kindle, researching goals, or sketching ideas. Once I stopped treating time as something to kill and started seeing it as something to use, my productivity skyrocketed.

The final rule: track everything. This was huge. I needed to see my progress at a glance, so I built a spreadsheet with progress bars and a dashboard to keep me motivated. If one goal was lagging, I’d shift focus to bring it up to speed. As the months passed and those bars turned blue, I felt the inertia pulling me forward. That visual reinforcement made a huge difference. I also used OneNote to collect ideas, notes, and drafts, which kept me organized and efficient. These tools gave me a comprehensive view of where I stood at any given moment.

As the year progressed, I started identifying areas of wasted time and replacing them with intentional actions. Little by little, I started to see myself as someone who followed through, rather than someone who set goals only to abandon them. That shift in self-perception was a turning point. Once I hit 75% completion, I could see the finish line. In the last 60 days, I went into overdrive, laser-focused on getting everything to 100%. I don’t think I could have sustained that level of intensity for an entire year, but as I neared the end, it felt like shifting from marathon pace to an all-out sprint.

But of course, there were downsides. Sustaining focus for an entire year was mentally exhausting. Between work, family, and this challenge, there were weeks when I was completely burned out. Fortunately, some of my goals—meditation, hiking, drawing—helped counteract the stress. On particularly rough weeks, I leaned into those activities, taking long hikes with my kids to reset. Still, there were stretches, especially in the summer, where I did nothing, and guilt crept in. Eventually, I realized that guilt was unnecessary. I wasn’t trying to become a productivity guru or a social media influencer—I was just a 50-year-old guy trying to accomplish something meaningful. And as I watched my goals falling one by one, I realized that even with breaks, I was still on track.

Another major downside? Free time took a massive hit. Movies, TV, video games—I barely engaged with any of them. I didn’t play a single hour of video games all year, missed most new film releases, and barely kept up with my sports teams. (Not that the Jets gave me much to miss.) These things might not be “productive,” but they’re enjoyable, and I realized I missed them. Sometimes, you just want to unwind and watch your favorite team blow a late lead.

Ultimately, I learned so much from this experience—not just about discipline and productivity, but about balance, adaptability, and what really matters. There were tough moments, but overall, I’m glad I did it. And now, looking ahead, I’m excited to see where these lessons take me next.

Goal Met – Start a Gratitude Journal

February 27, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

Now this one was a bit of a stretch. As I was looking for goals to round the total out to 50 this one kept popping up on a lot of the lists of goals people were setting. It seemed like a bit of pop psych or new age silliness but once I started doing some research (noted below) I saw that there are scientific papers backing up the practice and showing it has clear benefits.

I simply didn’t have the bandwidth to commit to a daily entry – but twice a week? I mean that’s doable. I was always able to come up with something I was grateful for that week or some kindness that came my way (or opportunity for me to show kindness – also very important) It really wasn’t too difficult and sometimes a bit of time would go by before I sat down and did it but the intent was there and I think that’s the point.

I’m not sure if there were any huge benefits I noticed but it did feel nice to remind myself of some of the awesome things I have in my life so I enjoyed doing this.

[Research]

Embarking on the practice of maintaining a gratitude journal can profoundly enhance your overall well-being. This simple yet powerful habit involves regularly recording aspects of your life for which you are thankful. Scientific research has consistently demonstrated that such a practice offers numerous psychological and physical benefits, making it a worthwhile endeavor for anyone seeking to improve their quality of life.

Psychological Benefits

One of the most significant advantages of keeping a gratitude journal is its positive impact on mental health. Regularly focusing on the positive aspects of life can lead to increased feelings of happiness and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 64 randomized clinical trials found that participants who engaged in gratitude interventions experienced greater feelings of gratitude, improved mental health, and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, they reported a more positive mood and emotions.

The act of writing down things you are grateful for shifts your attention away from negative thoughts and fosters a more optimistic outlook on life. This practice encourages mindfulness and helps break the cycle of rumination, which is often associated with depression and anxiety. By consciously acknowledging the positive elements in your life, you train your brain to focus on what brings joy and satisfaction, thereby enhancing overall mental health.

Physical Health Benefits

The benefits of gratitude journaling extend beyond mental health to encompass physical well-being. Research indicates that individuals who regularly practice gratitude experience better sleep quality, reduced blood pressure, and improved heart health. A study by UCLA Health highlighted that practicing gratitude can help with depression, anxiety, and stress, and also noted that the benefits of being thankful include improved sleep and heart health.

Engaging in gratitude practices has been associated with a reduction in stress-related symptoms, which can have a direct impact on cardiovascular health. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, gratitude journaling may contribute to lower blood pressure and a decreased risk of heart disease. Additionally, the positive emotions elicited by gratitude can lead to the release of endorphins, which act as natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Enhanced Relationships

Expressing gratitude can also strengthen your interpersonal relationships. When you regularly acknowledge and appreciate the kindness and support of others, it fosters a sense of connection and encourages reciprocal positive behavior. This can lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships and a robust social support network.

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that gratitude is linked to prosocial behavior and can enhance social bonds. Participants who expressed gratitude were more likely to engage in helpful behaviors and report stronger relationships. By recognizing and appreciating the contributions of others, you not only enhance your own well-being but also create a positive feedback loop that benefits your social circle.

Neuroscientific Evidence

From a neuroscientific perspective, practicing gratitude can lead to lasting changes in brain function. Research has shown that gratitude activates regions in the brain associated with reward, morality, and positive social interactions. A study highlighted by Mindful.org noted that the science of gratitude shows it can support greater health, happiness, and wisdom in ourselves and our communities.

Regular engagement in gratitude exercises can enhance the brain’s sensitivity to future experiences of gratitude, making it easier to access positive emotions even during challenging times. This neuroplasticity suggests that the more you practice gratitude, the more attuned your brain becomes to recognizing the good in your life, leading to sustained improvements in mental health and well-being.

Implementing a Gratitude Journal

Starting a gratitude journal is a straightforward process. Set aside a few minutes each day or week to reflect and write down things you are grateful for. These can range from significant events to simple pleasures. Consistency is key; regular practice maximizes the benefits. Some studies suggest that writing in a gratitude journal once or twice a week can be more effective than daily entries, as it prevents the activity from becoming routine and losing its impact.

Incorporating prompts can also enhance the depth of your reflections. Consider questions like, “What unexpected kindness did I experience today?” or “What aspect of my health am I most grateful for?” By diversifying your entries, you can gain a more comprehensive appreciation of the positive facets of your life.

Conclusion

Incorporating a gratitude journal into your routine can lead to substantial improvements in both mental and physical health. By consciously focusing on the positive aspects of your life, you can foster a more optimistic outlook, enhance your relationships, and even rewire your brain for increased happiness. Given the extensive scientific evidence supporting its benefits, starting a gratitude journal is a simple yet effective step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

The Power of Discipline

February 27, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

Self-discipline is often seen as something reserved for high achievers—athletes, CEOs, military leaders—people with an almost superhuman ability to resist temptation and power through obstacles. The Power of Discipline by Daniel Walter dismantles that myth, arguing that discipline isn’t an inborn trait but a skill that anyone can develop. The book makes a strong case that success isn’t about motivation or talent—it’s about consistently doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it.

At its core, The Power of Discipline is a guide to understanding why we struggle with self-control and how to build habits that make discipline automatic. Walter explains that most people rely too much on willpower, which is both unreliable and finite. When you force yourself to resist temptation through sheer willpower, you’re fighting an uphill battle that you’re bound to lose eventually. Instead, discipline is about setting up systems that make good decisions easier and bad decisions harder. The key isn’t to have endless self-control—it’s to remove the need for self-control in the first place.

One of the most important takeaways from the book is the idea that discipline isn’t about making radical changes overnight. People fail at self-improvement because they try to do too much at once, burning out before real progress happens. Walter argues that discipline is built through small, consistent actions. Whether it’s waking up earlier, cutting out distractions, or sticking to a workout plan, the trick is to start small and build momentum. By doing something every day—even if it’s just a tiny step—you train your brain to follow through, making discipline a habit rather than a struggle.

Another powerful concept Walter explores is the role of delayed gratification. In a world of instant everything—instant entertainment, instant communication, instant food—it’s easy to get trapped in short-term thinking. But true success comes from prioritizing long-term rewards over immediate pleasure. The book reinforces this idea with research on how the most successful people are the ones who can consistently delay gratification, choosing to do what’s beneficial in the long run rather than what feels good right now. Whether it’s saving money instead of spending it, choosing a healthy meal over fast food, or putting in extra work when no one is watching, self-discipline is about making choices today that your future self will thank you for.

Walter also challenges the common belief that motivation is the key to discipline. The problem with motivation is that it’s unreliable—it fluctuates based on mood, environment, and external circumstances. People wait for motivation to strike before taking action, which is why they struggle to stay consistent. The book flips this thinking on its head: action comes first, and motivation follows. The more you take action—even when you don’t feel like it—the easier it becomes to keep going. Discipline isn’t about waiting to want to do something; it’s about doing it anyway, and letting motivation catch up later.

Another major insight from the book is the impact of environment on discipline. Most people fail not because they’re weak-willed, but because they set themselves up for failure without realizing it. If your phone is next to you while working, of course you’re going to get distracted. If junk food is in your kitchen, of course you’ll be tempted to eat it. Walter emphasizes that discipline isn’t just about resisting temptation—it’s about removing temptation altogether. Setting up an environment that supports good habits is one of the most effective ways to stay disciplined without constantly battling distractions.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of The Power of Discipline is that it reassures readers that self-control is a muscle that can be strengthened. No one is born naturally disciplined, but by practicing small acts of discipline daily, you build the mental toughness needed to achieve long-term goals. It’s not about perfection—it’s about persistence. You will slip up, you will have days where you don’t follow through, but the key is to keep going. Discipline isn’t about never failing—it’s about getting back on track every time you do.

What makes this book stand out is that it strips away the excuses people use to justify their lack of discipline. It doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that discipline requires effort, but it also makes it clear that anyone—regardless of background, personality, or past failures—can develop it. If you’ve ever felt like you lack the willpower to stick to your goals, The Power of Discipline offers a straightforward, practical roadmap for developing the habits and mindset needed to take control of your life. In a world where distractions are everywhere and self-control feels harder than ever, this book serves as a much-needed reminder that discipline isn’t a talent—it’s a choice.

DOUGHS DOUGHS DOUGHS

February 27, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

Throughout this challenge I came across alternate ways of making pizza dough using interesting raitos, methodologies or ingredients. Since I usually just made a cheese pizza with each of them (a nice baseline that lets me judge solely on the crust) I don’t think they need their own post, but I’m going to touch on them here and provide some notes

Rye/Wheat Pizza dough (Nancy Silverton)
This pizza dough was getting a lot of hype online and I was curious what the addition of rye flour would do for a pizza dough. So I tracked down her recipe and gave it a shot. The methodology was simple – it used a sponge (or biga) to preferment and the folding technique. The rest of the steps were easy enough to follow. The resulting pizza was tasty and definitely had an earthier flavor than I was used to which was kinda of nice. I think the issue I has was the recipe I was using was adapted for home ovens, and I cooked them at 900 in my outdoor pizza oven so they dried out a bit. I think I’d like to give this a go again but use the high heat formulas

No knead cast iron pizza
No kneading? No complex formulas to create a delicious pan pizza? Sign me up -I’ve got a cast iron pan and some time so lets go! There’s a bunch of versions of this out there but the most referenced one is here . It really couldn’t be simpler: Mix the ingredients then cover and wait. That’s it. Once the dough has risen put it in the pans, then rise again until they’re puffy. Sauce, cheese and fire on a baking stone or steel. The resulting crust was open and airy and crispy from the oil used and the cheese at the edges got crispy. Overall this was a really good pizza, and super easy.

“72+” Pizza (extreme fermentation)

I’m usually a 24-48 hour pizza fermenting guy – 36 hours is usually the sweet spot where the yeast has put in the work and the flavor and rise is where it needs to be for an amazing pizza. I found a pizza formula for 72 hours and decided to make three dough balls and make them at 72, 96, and 120 hours. It obviously used very little yeast and relied on time to make it happen. The dough at 72 was super easy to open and felt a bit delicate so I was careful to top and bake quickly. The dough definitely had a nice flavor and cooked up crisp. The 96 was a bit more delicate and I had to use a a bit more bench flour to ensure I didn’t rip the dough when opening it and it cooked up a bit flat – I suspect the yeast was starting to give out. The 120 was a problem as it felt like it would tear if I looked at it funny – so I setup the pie on parchment paper and shaped it gently into a square shape as opening it didn’t seem possible. What came out of the oven wasn’t that great it didn’t have a great bite and was almost a flatbread. I suspect if I wanted to ferment that long I’d need to change the yeast ratios to account for it as the original formula was only for 72.

Thin Crust (Bar Pie)
Who doesn’t love a cracker thin crust? Crispy yet tender this bar pie style pizza is super easy to shape as you roll it out with a rolling pin (so much easier with an industrial roller, but all I have is the pin, so..) parbake it to ensure the sauce doesn’t make it soggy then top and throw back in the oven. Charred edges, crispy crust lots of ‘ronis and you’ve got a good Friday night. This goes really good with an ice cold beer which makes sense!

Sourdough Pizza
What to do with all this sourdough discard I was creating in making a sourdough starter? The very first thing that came to mind was making sourdough pizza of course. I did some research and found a few common methodologies and the one that made sense was to use the discard with some fresh yeast to refresh the rising ability a bit. It was also useful in that I could make it in the morning and have pizza at night since the starter delivered most of the flavor elements a long rise in the fridge would give it. The first attempt wasn’t that great, I think the starter was a bit weak so I fed that bad boy a bit more frequently and the next time the dough rose much better and the pizza had a great sourdough flavor note. I suspect I’ll be using this a lot as I go through my sourdough phase.

Tortilla Pizza / Naan Pizza
Is this cheating? Probably but I wanted pizza and didn’t have dough available. What I did have was a bunch of flour tortillas in the pantry. So I looked online and I found a viral video of tortilla pizzas and decided that sure this could work. Dear readers – it did not. If you aren’t a pizza person and just want a hit of sauce and cheese then sure, this could work for you. I suspect that one of the issues can be that I had ‘extra soft and fluffy’ tortillas because that’s what my kids like. If I used standard thin tortillas maybe it would have been a different experience?

Building on this, I also has some garlic naan leftover and said – well what if I throw sauce and cheese on this? The first try was a disaster as naan is designed to absorb liquid and that’s what it did turning into a soggy mess. Try #2 was me putting down a solid layer of cheese first then saucing it and that one was actually pretty good.

Bear with me here – I know these are pizza hacks. They are no substitute for a real dough that is made with love but if my research showed me anything its that a lot of people are doing this and who am I to judge their pizza happiness? One of my favorite memories as a kid is making hot pockets (back before they actually existed) by buttering two slices of bread and filling it with sauce and cheese and using that old school sandwich press. If doing these hacks makes people want to learn how to make their own pizza, isn’t that a good thing?

That’s what it all comes down to. Pizza is happiness – you make whatever pizza makes you happy. Except pineapple pizza. Stop it.

Goal Met – Listen to Top 50 Albums of all Time

February 27, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

OK so this one is bound to generate arguments. I again used ChatGPT to collate a list from as many sources as possible and come up with a consensus top 50. Some of the albums I was familiar with, some I’ve never heard of so I knew this was going to be an adventure.

I actually went out and got some high quality headphones so I could experience them with as much audio fidelity as possible. I was pleasantly surprised at what a difference they made from my $10 amazon headset I was using!

Some of the albums were sonic masterpieces.. While others were a struggle for me. I mean I understand why Patti Smith is highly regarded but her music was a slog the same for the velvet underground. I listened to every song on every album and I feel like I get why some of these are so highly regarded – I mean what’s going on is such a great album that I listened to it again as soon as I was done.

The one thing that this challenge did was improve my Apple music algorithm – I mean it was pretty polluted from my kids asking Alexa to play Taylor Swift and dinosaur songs so injecting the algorithm with some quality music really helped balance the scales!

I got interested in the evolution of music and wish I had followed the movie goal and selected albums from each decade as I think that would have been a more interesting experience but I still managed to dig deep and explore why these albums are so well regarded and how they might be connected to each other.

[Filter by music tag to see individual reviews]

AI – Google Notebook LM

February 27, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

Google’s NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and writing assistant designed to help users synthesize and interact with their own notes, documents, and ideas in a more intelligent and intuitive way. At its core, it allows users to upload files, input text, and link sources, then leverages Google’s advanced language models to provide summaries, generate insights, and answer questions based on the specific materials provided. Unlike traditional AI chatbots that rely on broad internet knowledge, NotebookLM focuses on personal and curated content, making it particularly valuable for deep research, writing projects, and knowledge management.

One of the most obvious applications of NotebookLM is for students and researchers who need to digest large amounts of information efficiently. By uploading lecture notes, research papers, or even entire books, users can get concise summaries, cross-reference concepts, and generate study guides without having to manually sift through pages of text. Writers and journalists can also benefit by using it to structure articles, generate outlines, or even fact-check details against their own sources, ensuring accuracy while streamlining their workflow.

Beyond these expected use cases, NotebookLM has the potential to be a game-changer in more unconventional ways. For example, a legal professional could use it to analyze contracts and legal documents by asking it to highlight key clauses, compare different agreements, or explain complex legal language in simpler terms. Similarly, entrepreneurs and product managers might find it useful for competitive analysis, feeding it market reports and customer feedback to extract key insights and trends that inform business strategies. Even artists and creative professionals could leverage NotebookLM in unique ways, such as using it to organize scattered notes, develop thematic connections between ideas, or even generate poetic interpretations of their own past writings.

Another less obvious but powerful application is in personal knowledge management. Users who keep extensive journals, meeting notes, or personal reflections can use NotebookLM as a kind of second brain, allowing them to surface forgotten ideas, track recurring patterns in their thinking, or even generate personalized recommendations for self-improvement based on their own writing. It could also be valuable for historians or genealogists, who could feed it letters, old documents, and historical records to uncover new insights or narratives within archival materials.

By grounding AI-generated responses in user-provided content, NotebookLM bridges the gap between personal knowledge and artificial intelligence, making it more than just a generic chatbot. Whether used for research, creative exploration, or business intelligence, it redefines how individuals engage with their own information, unlocking new possibilities that go beyond simple text generation.

I immediately had two use cases for Notebook LM. The first was feeding it all the information on the 50 for 50 program and having it provide insights on things that I accomplished. It was able to answer basic questions like how much time I spend each month on a specific task but since it could also search the web I was able to feed it information that would bolster the information I provided. It did a great job of making connections I didn’t see and the ‘make your own podcast’ feature was amazing. It spit out a 20 minute podcast as if I was a guest on it and it was pretty seamless and even let you tweak it to focus on specific things if you wanted.

The second was feeding it all my book notes and chapters and asking it questions based on the world lore and character bios. Thinks like ‘would this character actually behave this way?’ The more information you feed it the smarter it gets on the specific topic you’re developing. I can see a huge opportunity there as I build out the ideas and add characters and world lore. You can also feed it writing guides (like Orson Scott Card’s on writing fantasy and science fiction) to give it a framework to evaluate what you are writing. Really amazing stuff and I can’t wait to keep working on it and discovering new use cases!

Chapter Four

February 27, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

1 year ago

Caldren wasn’t one for taking risks or making foolhardy choices but he knew if followed procedure gave that book to his superiors he would lose his chance to track down the explorers writings and find that map he had made. He quickly hide the slim book on the inside of his robes and made some excuse that he was unwell and forced himself to walk slowly back to his quarters to hide the book behind a loose stone in the walls of his living quarters.

He read that entry and every other one written in the journal daily, imagining finding this lost school of mages that the imperial pogrom failed to uncover. He spent his time not in the library searching for copies of books by the explorer and putting out a quiet word to some less than official contacts that the he would pay good coin for a copy of the explorers writings.

Months had gone by and he was starting to despair that there wasn’t a surviving copy of the book when he got a message slipped under his door to meet a man at fishmongers the next morning at first light to discuss certain books that he was looking to procure. He immediately grew nervous as the fishmongers were a set of ramshackle stands down by the docks that were far away from the city center and the watch that patrolled it. As he was considering his options he started with a sudden fear that his superiors had somehow found him out and he was being setup to be quietly eliminated in a place where no one would see. He barely got any sleep alternating between excitement at possibly getting his hands on the map and the anxiety of being robbed, imprisoned, or outright killed for violating imperial law.

The next morning found him walking carefully down the fog shrouded streets wrinkling his nose in distaste as they changed from the well maintained city streets to dirt roads caked in mud and debris. In his excitement he hadn’t thought to change into more appropriate clothing and his scholars robes and sandals were quickly caking with mud. As he was getting closer to the waters edge the pungent smell of rotting fish and the low tide added to his tally of miseries for the day. He started his trip jumping at every sound and motion in the corner of his vision but now he marched doggedly up fishmonger square looking at the etchings on each stall to find the correct one wanting to get this over with so he can go back to the library with its polished floors and incense scented air.

As he was walking around the market searching for his contact he was starting to draw looks from some of the men sitting on the seawall waiting for the day’s catch to be brought up to the market so they can start gutting the fish. Caldren tried not to draw any attention as he kept searching for the right stall but he could feel them looking at him and he suddenly remembered the large sum of coin he had hidden beneath his robes. Did his contact set him up to be robbed? Perhaps these men just saw him as a target? While there would be repercussions if an imperial scholar was killed, rolling his body off the side of the boat was skirt any entanglements with the watch.

“Hey Book Boy, maybe I can help you find what you seek” one of the gutters yelled as he levered himself off of the seawall and slowly walked over to Caldren, swinging his gutting knife slowly on the catch rope in an almost hypnotic pattern. Caldren hurriedly kept looking for the correct stall cursing the size of the market. While he understood that the bay was a critical commercial element of the city right now he found its size more frustrating than helpful.

“No, I’m OK I think what I’m looking for is right over here” he said angling towards a section of the market that already had some stalls up and running, mostly selling food and supplies for the fishermen. It was better lit and had witnesses who he belatedly noticed were finding anywhere else to look but at the scene unfolding in front of their stalls.

Caldren reached for his belt knife which was substantially shorter than the blade the gutter was still twirling around as he approached. It was then that he really wished he had paid more attention to his father when he was trying to teach him how to hold and use a blade. Caldren had little patience for martial training as it took time away from his books and as such gave only a token effort before his frustrated father would rap him with the wooden training sword hard enough to bruise,then walk away without word.

The gutter got close enough that Caldren could make out the scars that crisscrossed his arms, evidence of a lifetime of using that sharp blade that he now realized was pointing right at him. When did they get that close?

“Hey now lad – how about I guide you to your location and you can pay me.. let’s say the standard navigators fee. I’m sure you’ve got enough coin to cover that as well as some extra coins for good service an’ all”

“I’m afraid I don’t have much coin on me, I’m here to uhh.. get some fish for the school and I’m looking for the correct place to pick it up”

Caldren hoped the lie was convincing enough as he edged his way towards the stall he was pretty sure was the one mentioned in the message. The gutter kept pace with him seeming to give Caldren’s excuse some thought

“Well, I’m sure for a school they need plenty of food to feed you, so I’m thinkin’ you’ve got some coin there that could be diverted towards more deservin’ folks, wouldn’t you agree?”

As his back slammed into a pole Caldren realized he’d run out of room to backtrack and started calculating ways he could get out of this without having any parts of himself filleted. It didn’t take long as the only options he could see were to throw the bag of coins on the ground then run like mad hoping the thug would more concerned with grabbing the money than stabbing him, losing out on the only lead he had in years or try to escape through the mud in long scholar robes and sandals, probably get stabbed and robbed and thrown into the bay to be a fish’s breakfast.

“I don’t suppose there’s an arrangement we can come to that doesn’t involve you robbing me of everything or stabbing me?” Caldren ventured

“Not as such – now slowly take off your robe and leave it on the block there, that should be nice on the cold nights on the waterfront. Then put anything you have that is valuable on top of the robe and take three steps back. I don’t want to stab one of you imperials but mistakes can happen”

Caldren swore under his breath, his cowardice winning out over his desire for knowledge. He raised his hands slowly and started pulling the robe over his head. As he finished pulling it off and went to put it down he started as they were no longer alone.

The gutter had dropped his knife and had his hands up as there was a sword point pressing lightly into his neck. Caldren frowned and his eyes followed the sword from the point to the man holding it. He was of medium height with long sandy brown hair tied back with a black ribbon. He was wearing dark blue shirt with silver lining and a black cloak with blood red trim . His eyes were pale blue and hard with anger as he regarded the gutter at end of his sword. Caldren’s eyes widened slightly with recognition and he scrambled back unsure of who to be more afraid of.

“You were trying to rob me” the newcomer growled moving his sword point ever so slightly causing a trickle of blood to run down the gutter’s neck.

“Wait! I’ve never seen you before sir I’m sure there’s a misunderstanding” the gutter was looking around the best he could without moving his neck to see if he had any support but everyone was still studiously looking in other directions including his comrades on the seawall who Caldren noticed had all vanished when the stranger had appeared.

“This man is here by my invitation to make an exchange. In attempting to rob him you were in fact stealing coin meant for me”

“I wasn’t stealing – I was trying to simply collect a fee for guiding him to the right location!”

The newcomer raised and eyebrow and turned to Caldren with an inquisitive look

“Oh, no. He was most certainly trying to rob me”

“Then what do you suggest we do in this situation?

Caldren really wanted to suggest he stab the gutter through the neck and throw his body into the bay but he was not a violent man by nature and couldn’t bring himself bear the burden of someone’s death so he tore his gaze away from the bright blood at the gutter’s neck and looked him in the eyes

“Go – run. I want no blood on my hands today – especially yours as you stink. I don’t understand. You’re literally right next to the water, maybe once a week or so jump into the water and swim around a little. There’s no reason for you to smell like that”

The man lowered his sword and the wide eyed gutter took off running back into the market quickly losing himself in weak early morning light. Caldren slowly turned towards the man in the cloak and weakly said “Are you here about.. the book?”

The man was still staring into the gloom as if he could still see the gutter running then slowly turned back towards caldren.

“Well done scholar – its a measure of a man how he acts when he has another in his power and I’d have been disappointed to have had cut that man down as he is beneath me and such acts bring no honor”

Caldren swallowed hard. He knew this man to be dangerous and he didn’t want to offend him in any way. “I’m sorry sir you had to deal with that” he stated and started to bow.

The man raised his hand to cut him off “Please scholar – do not address me by title or name. Today I am simply a bookseller looking to sell an old book to a scholar of such tomes”

He reached into his satchel and took out a thin book, worn with age and held it almost reverently. He looked at Caldren and asked “why do you seek this book scholar?”

Caldren ran through all the lies and excuses he’s used over the years while tracking down the book trying to decide which one would work best in this situation but something in the man’s eyes told him that only the truth would get him what he sought. The only problem is the truth might also get him cut down as a heretic as this man was an imperial officer.

Caldren right then wished he’s been stabbed and robbed instead as that seemed preferable to the situation he was in now. He fought an internal battle between his cowardice and the desire for the knowledge he spent years chasing. The man seemed to sense his fear and smiled slightly sheathing his sword. “Do not worry scholar – I am not here to arrest you, I simply wish to ensure that this book is given to someone who understands what is contained in it and what they plan to do with that knowledge.”

“What is that supposed do mean?” Caldren ventured, unsure of what was happening. Why was an imperial officer here in the the fish markets before sunup and why did he seem to know more than he let on about the book? Overwhelmed by indecision he took an involuntary step backward and froze when he heard the sharp rasp of a blade being drawn.

“Make no mistake” the office said – you will answer, and answer truthfully. I have seen the recognition in your eyes and I cannot let you leave here with that knowledge until I am assured of your answer”

Caldren got a sinking feeling that if the officer didn’t hear the answer he wanted he was simply going to cut him down where he stood. He wasn’t going to let him walk out of here with the knowledge of who he was and what he held in his hands. So he gathered himself and took a deep breath and raise his eyes to me the officers

“I seek a map contained in that book – one of the eastern mountains. I believe the map will lead me to a place of learning. My interest in one of a scholar seeking knowledge.” Caldren hoped this half truth would be close enough to the real truth to fool the officer and get him out of this mess.

The officer’s eyes held onto Caldren’s for what seemed like forever before they softened and he spoke, his voice which was until now filled with the command of his station became a whisper. “I’m sorry scholar – that is not the answer I sought” and he drew his blade.

The workers who were up until now pretending they didn’t see anything bolted into the shadows. One look at the way the man held his blade as he advanced convinced them that there wouldn’t be any witnesses left alive.

Caldren couldn’t run. The fear overwhelmed him and he stood there staring at the blade as he saw all his dreams coming to a swift and abrupt end. Time seemed to slow as thoughts rushed through his mind. Why did he take such a foolish risk as to seek the book in the first place? Why did he come down here to an isolated location before dawn? It’s pretty much the perfect place to kill someone why was he only thinking of this now. As he saw his death approaching he thought of his mother and the promise he made to her.

“I just wanted to find the magic” he closed his eyes and whispered

The killing blow never landed – the officer altered his swing at the last moment shallowly slicing across Caldren’s arm, leaving a gash which started to bleed freely. Caldren fell to his knees, grabbed his arm and kept his eyes shut thinking that maybe he just missed the first swing and the killing blow would be coming very soon.

The officer was quiet a moment and Caldren cracked one eye open to see him standing there looking at him, absentmindedly wiping blood on a cloth like it was an ingrained habit perfected by repetition- The officer, having finished cleaned his blade looked over at Caldren with a thoughtful gaze and repeated his first question “What do you want this book for scholar?”

Caldren shocked by the fact he wasn’t dead and reeling from the pain of the sword cut spoke the words he never dared to speak out loud, the secret he held in his heart since he was a child “I seek a way to learn magic, not the sanctioned magic of the (find a neat work for imperials mages here)the old magic thought removed from the world by the empire”.

He knew those words were heresy and punishable by imprisonment or summary execution and here he was telling them to an imperial officer. He just shook his head wondering what he was getting himself into. He had a nice safe job in the library, he was a scholar and from what he heard, on track to be promoted to the central library. He was set for a life of relative ease and comfort why was he here on his knees on the hard cobbles among the detritus of fish guts and human refuse, bleeding freely, a red bloom staining his already filthy robes. I don’t die in the next few minutes, this is probably going to be infected” he mumbled to himself as he tried in vain to get the bleeding to stop.

The officer crouched down close to him and said in a low voice “Look at me scholar”. Caldren looked up but couldn’t meet his eyes, afraid of what he would see. The officer continued “Your lies could have cost so much more than just your life, Scholar”

“What does that mean? Why are you here – if not to arrest me? What secret were you ready to cut me down to protect? I’m just a scholar looking to fulfill a promise I made a long time ago I’m not even sure what to do even if I found what I’m looking for” frustrated tears filled Caldren’s eyes as the emotions started to overwhelm him. “What do you want?” He cried out softly

The officer paused again tilting his head as if he was trying to hear something then nodded to himself and sheathed his sword. He carefully placed the book on the ground right in front of Caldren and stepped away. “What I want scholar is the same thing as you. Why I want it, is my business alone. I’ve sent many of my agents to try to find this place but they all came back empty handed. So either the entire thing is fabricated or it is hidden in some way that my people cannot figure out. You, however, have dedicated your life to this secret and my hope is that your study will be able to discover what has been lost and return it to the world. I cannot spare anyone to accompany you as this must remain a secret and there is no one I trust with this knowledge”

Looking around the market to assure himself they were still alone he lowered his voice so that Caldren could barely hear him and anyone hiding in the shadows would certainly hear nothing. “Scholar, I hope you find what you seek. Be wary however, if you seek to use this power and unleash it upon the world again you will hunted and no where will be safe for you. You will spend your life on the run and as long as the emperor sits on his throne his hounds will sniff you out and they will not be gentle. Knowing the risks you must decide if taking up this power is worth the cost. “

“So it’s either travel halfway around the world, by myself, and seek to find answers that may set an entire empire against me or be cut down right here and now by you to protect this secret”

“I don’t think that will be necessary” The officer chuckled which seemed so out of character that Caldren started to laugh as well, just at the ridiculousness of the situation he found himself in.

The office rested his hand on the pommel of his sword and tapped it slowly then nodded to himself again and looked to the east where the sun was starting to rise above the horizon spilling a soft light that infused the fog with a soft pink color. “There is a wagon that leaves here in a week as part of a caravan to the city of Riverside which borders the gap that leads to the eastern mountains. I’ve secured you passage under the guise that you are a scrivener bringing documents to the imperial offices there. Once you are there deliver the packet and then find a reason to leave the city. The path to the location mentioned in the map is blazed with a small imperial sigil look for it among the roots of the trees. These will guide you to where the expedition was camped. After that, you are on your own.”

While it was infuriating Caldren knew the officer was right – he was going to take the book. He’d spent ten years of his life searching for this knowledge and while he was terrified of pretty much everything after that part he had a promise to keep. He reached down quickly and slipped the book into his pocket. His hand brushed up again the money he had brought and he hesitatingly asked “So… do you want the money that we agreed on?”

The officer had pulled his hood up to hide his face but Caldren saw a slight smile on his face “Oh no, Scholar you are going to need that money much more than I am” then he turned and walked away quickly fading into the growing crowd.

With the sun now rising higher in the sky, Caldren felt a bit safer but he started picking up his pace wanting to put as much space between him and the fish markets as he could. As he reached the docks he saw that the gutters were all back on the seawall and were staring right at him, so he broke into a full run which didn’t last very long as he leaned towards a sedentary lifestyle but it was enough to get him to the watch post between the fish market and merchant’s square where he collapsed against the wall breathing hard from the exertion.

The watchman on duty leaned out to look at him, saw him sprawled on the street his dirty robes caked with blood and raised an eyebrow as if to say “I see you, but I don’t want to fill out any paperwork today”. Caldren tiredly waved him off, got up and trudged back to the library.

Chapter Three

February 27, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

Caldren just stared. Fifteen years of searching. Scouring books, tracking obscure clues—and now, here he was, standing on the precipice of his journey’s end. And he was terrified. After almost a month of searching this area he was now sitting across the fire from a being made of light was telling him she can teach him about magic. He wondered if this was a dream and he would awake soon to the cold hard ground at his campsite to resume his fruitless searching. He had so many questions they all raced around his mind and he had trouble deciding which one to ask. Imogen was sitting there and had resumed her humming seeming not to care as the silence stretched on.

“Why did you wait so long to come here? I’ve been searching for almost a month!” was the question that won. Caldren winced, of all the questions that he had about magic and the fundamental powers of the universe, that was the question that got asked first? He started to ask a different question when Imogen cut him off and answered him “I told you that it is hard for me to understand the flow of time but in the resonance time works completely differently. I’m not sure the mechanism of it as far as I can tell it’s random and part of the chaos of raw magic. When I activated the failsafe I was unsure how long I should stay in the resonance. How long would they search? There was no guidance I was given so I thought perhaps a year would be the safest. I couldn’t leave as the raw magic would rip me apart once I left the safety of the library so I was alone for such a long time. When I initiated the return I came back to a place completely empty of life and a reminder of what was lost. You see, scholar, even though I’m not human anymore I still have emotions and feelings I’m still the orphan girl who laid dying and made a choice”

She stopped, and Caldren’s eyes widened as a pearlescent tear traced down her cheek, streaking with pale light. He was fascinated by this and had so many followup questions for her but she held up her hand indicating she just needed a moment, then she continued

“I was now without a purpose. No one came seeking knowledge and there were no guides anymore to show people the way, so I faced an eternity alone” she lowered her voice to a whisper and continued “Scholar, I even searched for a way to end the magic that sustains me but I could find nothing” her shining eyes rose to mine and he felt her loneliness. He was taken back to that dark tunnel where he cried in the dark, alone. He wanted to give her a hug but wasn’t sure that was possible with her being an incorporeal being.

“I was alone for a long time when at last I felt some people entering the vale. I sought them out and watched them. Maybe they were seekers of knowledge and I could once again have a purpose. However, these men bore arms and the insignia of the empire and I could almost feel their ill intent. So I remained hidden to keep the knowledge from them and returned to my library to resume my solitary vigil.

“How did you hide from them? You’re made of light – wouldn’t you be spotted almost immediately?” Caldren asked curiosity making him interrupt her story. She grinned at him and suddenly vanished. Caldren swung his head around trying to find her but she seemed completely gone. Suddenly her voice came from the spot she as sitting at “Now do you see how I was able to hide?” Caldren nodded and she slowly faded back into view. She continued her story “For many years these men came however as time wore on they came less and less and it seemed like they had given up and assumed the library was completely gone. Recently, however, a small group of men arrived wearing plain traveling clothes and carrying no blades. They were searching with a purpose as if they knew what to look for. They seemed to want to hide who they were but I could tell they were the emperor’s men. They came very close to finding a way in, scholar and I had no way to arm the defenses of the school as that requires actual real hands.” She held up her glowing hands and smile ruefully. “If these men were to gain entrance they would have access to the greatest store of knowledge in the world. Normally entrance to the library was meted out by the keepers who ensure requests were within the guidelines and the library was guarded by the clockwork archivists so this never was an issue in the past but now they lie dormant and there are no keepers left and I fear the knowledge these men are seeking”

Caldren took a long drink of his water then out of habit offered it to her realizing too late what he was doing. She laughed and that broke some of the tension that was building when she was telling her story. She gave him an appraising look then resumed speaking “I was unsure what to do – they were getting closer and I felt it was only a matter of time before they discovered a way in. Shortly after they left I felt another person enter the vale I thought that odd as there was usually some time between their visits so that’s when I found you. I didn’t reveal myself to you until now scholar because I needed to be sure and to be honest, I’m still not entirely sure of your intent.” She gave him a pointed look that reminded him that he evaded her questions on why he was seeking Temerith. “However I find I’m out of time and options and this conversation has been somewhat illuminating” Caldren couldn’t help but giggle a little bit and she rolled her eyes at him and continued “I need someone in the library to help me prevent these men from gaining access. Someone who can operate the defenses of the school and in the worst case, help defend it.

“Defend it? I’m not sure you noticed but I’m no warrior. I’m afraid I’m not going to be much help if armed men break in and try to storm the library” Caldren winced a bit as he remember his cowardice as the seekers grabbed his mother and he ran away, leaving her to them. The Lucent was offering him a resolution to his years long search but he wasn’t sure he could hold up his end of this bargain. “Also, please call me Caldren – there’s no need to be so formal”

“I don’t need a warrior, Caldren. That’s not how things were done in Temerith. The guards patrolled the town, not the library. The library… it was defended with power.”

Caldren stilled. Was she offering to teach him magic? Is the impossible promise he made to his mother actually one he could keep? He spoke up hesitantly daring to hope “Are you saying you can teach me to harness this power?”

“Yes and no Caldren” she replied “I am not a teacher and the blood of all who could teach you have stained the blades of the imperial seekers. However I have access to their knowledge and methods and I think between the two of us was can possibly make it work. Understand this is very dangerous. This power is one of pure chaos and you will struggle to control it. It will fight you and if you lose control it will burn you out from the inside leaving behind ash and destruction. This risk is even higher as most are trained from childhood how to harness this power and have years to learn the right way. However, we do not have that luxury of time”

Caldren’s eyes went very wide at this. Suddenly the desire to learn magic was secondary to his desire to stay alive and not be burned to ash. He also has the warning in his mind from that imperial officer that if he tried to take up this power they would hunt him down relentlessly. He wrung his hands as he considered this information. He had no idea that the old magic was such a dangerous thing. Did his mother know when she sent him to seek it out? Was that why the seekers came for her? Thinking of her bolstered his nerves and he decided that he should at least follow this journey to the end. One he was in Temerith and understood more he could make a better decision. He asked Imogen what she needed him to do.

She noticed his nervous bearing and told him “Be calm, I am not asking you to perform anything too dangerous or draw in so much power that you are in true danger. Most of what I need required but a trickle of power to activate defenses that are already in place. The first thing we should do is close the ways. They were open when the library was attacked and remain open which means that if these imperial men should find the path there is nothing to stop them from entering. The other important task is repairing the archivists. I do not know how but during the attack the imperial seekers somehow disabled them and our protectors stood silent as we were cut down.”

Those tasks didn’t sound overly dangerous to Caldren. She needed him to perform tasks she couldn’t and was willing to teach him how to draw power which was what he wanted. It seemed like a fair trade but he felt like there were some things that perhaps she wasn’t sharing. He had a thought and asked her “Why don’t you just do the same thing you did last time? If these men find the path and break in just bring he library back into the..” He struggled to remember the name. “The resonance” she supplied.

“Why is it called that?” He asked

“Because the resonance exists in the same space as the world we are in right now. The power overlays everything, invisible and harmless in this world because the power is dampened but cross the veil and that power is amplified greatly. Over eons of time that power has become a maelstrom as it builds upon itself. That is why it is so dangerous Caldren, when you try to draw the magic you become a conduit and that raw power is pulled into this world through you.”

“I’m still not sure how that is dangerous – you opened the door to this place, can’t you shut it and cut off the power?”

She shook her head “It isn’t that simple. The power is constantly pushing against the veil with unimaginable force. Most mages only draw a trickle of power through what amounts to a pinhole and even that power is more than enough to perform most tasks. However there some who seek to pull in vast amount of power for great works and others..” she grimaced as she finished the statement “others drew in great power to bring death and destruction”

“Ash mages” Caldren breathed. He had read the stories of these mages calling down fire from the heavens and wiping out entire armies. He had always thought them legend as the very idea of that level of power seemed impossible.

“Yes, Scholar. These men were trained to be living weapons—years of study and discipline, reduced to nothing by the whims of lesser men.” She shook her head. “They would open a vast conduit, pulling in as much power as their bodies could withstand, unleashing devastation. But the power was never meant to be wielded like that. In the end, it always consumed them. That is why they were called Ash Mages, Caldren—because when the magic was finished with them, that was all that remained.

He had spent years searching for magic, longing for it. But now that it was within reach, the idea of channeling raw chaos through his body—power that could leave him nothing but ash—made him feel sick. Had his mother known this when she made him promise? Had she wanted this for him?

Caldren shifted closer to the fire as the cold settled in. He looked over at Imogen sitting simply on a log and wondered how she did that. She wasn’t here physically so was she floating? He shook his head to clear it out and tried to connect all the dots. She came to him because she needed his help. The officer’s men were getting close to discovering the entrance and she feared what they would do once they did. She obviously had no love for the empire after what they did and was desperate to keep them out. She couldn’t do it herself and needed someone to help. She couldn’t leave Aethervale so appearing to him and asking his help was the only option she had. The question is whether he trusted her to be telling him the truth. She answered all his questions so far and he didn’t get a sense she was trying to trick him but his life had taught him to be very careful when it came to trusting people

He wondered why she was telling him everything he wanted to know when he was struck with an idea. “You’re bound to answer any question I ask, aren’t you?’”

She leaned in speaking urgently “Yes! Do you see now, Scholar? The risk I take in trusting you? Do you understand what is at stake?”

Chapter Two

February 27, 2025Anthony Panariello Leave a comment

Caldren’s first instinct was to run. He edged back towards the trees quietly hoping he wasn’t noticed. His food and all his equipment were still by the fire however including his knife. Not that I’d be able to do much with that, he thought to himself but maybe if I hide whoever this person is would just leave. They hadn’t reacted to his presence yet so he crouched behind some trees to get a better look.

He took a few steadying breaths, then edged around a tree for a better look. Whoever it was, their back was to them and Caldren couldn’t quite make out what they were doing. Once the panic subsided he found that he missed a bunch of small details in those first few seconds. Instead of some bandit or imperial this was a slight woman with flaxen hair pulled back into a tight braid. She was wearing what looked like a uniform, but not one that he’d ever seen before. Once the thundering of his heart subsided he could just make out that she was humming to herself. She has the air of someone who was patiently waiting and Caldren was really hoping it wasn’t for him.

Caldren shrunk back a bit further behind the trees trying to decide what to do. She didn’t seem armed so he probably wasn’t in danger of physical violence unless there were others hiding about. He peered into the lengthening shadows trying to discern if there was anyone there but as far as he could tell they were alone on this ridge. The temperature was starting to drop and the rational part of his brain started lecturing him on the dangers of cold exposure and wild animals. Then the emotional part of his brain started getting indignant that he’d let someone half his size take his fire and food and demanded he march in there and take it back. Caldren told them both to calm down and that they all needed to work together to form a rational plan.

Caldren rubbed his face running his hands through his beard. Muttering under his breath that he needed to stop talking to himself so much. Not that he had a choice as he had been alone for almost a month. He felt a sudden longing to go to the fire, if at least to have someone to talk with to help alleviate the loneliness he’d been enduring. He looked over again and she hadn’t moved from her spot seeming content to wait for however long it took.

Caldren cast his gaze around and found a rock that was passable sharp and palmed it. If this turned violent at least he’d have something to defend himself with. He took a stilling breath then quietly circled around the clearing until he was facing his visitor. She still was staring into the fire and hadn’t seemed to notice him. She was younger than he initially though and had fair skin with a light crop of freckles on her cheeks with green eyes which were fixated on the fire which was now burning a bit brighter and giving off waves of heat into the cool night air. After staring for a bit rom his hiding place he started as he realize the first wasn’t shimmering, it was her.

This is definitely getting a lot weirder, he thought to himself. What if she’s some sort of vengeful ghost that I angered in some way and she’s here to haunt me until I go crazy and fling myself from this ridge? Shaking his head to clear out that thought he mentally chided himself “Ghosts aren’t real, there has to be a rational explanation for this. Maybe it’s a trick of the mountain light or something”. He stood there for what felt like a long time trying to come to a decision on what to do. Currently his cowardice was winning, as usual, and he just crouched there in the dark and cold watching someone else enjoy the fire he worked so hard to build.

As he was wrestling with his choices the girl moved for the first time and looked right into the woods where he was hiding. The corner of her lips turned up a bit and she called out “It has to be cold out there. Please, come sit by the fire I mean you no harm” then she waved to a log on the opposite end of the fire, inviting him to come sit.

Caldren sheepishly came out of the woods and walked slowly over to the log ready to bolt like a spooked deer at the very first sign of danger. She didn’t say anything as she tracked him moving to sit across from her. She didn’t seem dangerous but that didn’t mean she wasn’t. She gave him an encouraging smile and waved again to the log. “Please, sit. The night grows cold and things stir in the woods. You shouldn’t be in the darkness on this eve”

Caldren was intrigued by her very formal way of speaking and his curiosity won out over his fear and he finally sat down heavily on the log as his adrenaline ran out and his legs just gave out. He noticed that the fire seemed larger than when he left which was odd as he didn’t collect enough wood to fuel a fire that big. He looked across the fire at the girl and he noticed that the shimmering was less pronounced up close but it was still there It was as if she was made of light somehow. Some sparks flew off from the fire and seemed to go through her which Caldren found fascinating. The silence wore on as Caldren tried to make sense of what he was seeing but she didn’t say anything just looked at him expectantly.

“Who are you?” He ventured

“My name is Imogen, thank you for sharing your fire this evening scholar”

“You’re welcome” he replied then what she said seemed to register “Wait, how do you know that I’m a scholar? What else do you know about me?” He asked hesitantly as the fear that he took so long to suppress started bubbling to the surface again. She stared into the fire for a few minutes then looked up to meet Caldren’s eyes.

“I miss a good fire on a cold night – the heat soaking into your bones to drive away the cold. I miss mostly the camaraderie of friends around a fire as the wine is passed around and stories are shared getting more outrageous as the wineskin is emptied” she turned back to the fire with a wistful look on her face. Caldren was taken aback by the switch in tone from her initial speech and just stared at her unable to form any cogent questions.

She sighed and looked back up from the fire “To answer your question, scholar I’ve been watching you since you entered the pass. Instead of those men with their swords and their avarice you came with only a book, so it wasn’t hard to determine that you came seeking knowledge. You’ve been here for weeks when other men gave up after a few days so I ask you what you are seeking here”

Out of habit Caldren started running through his usual lies and half truths but something about his guest seemed to want to draw out the truth and since he was already out here in the middle of nowhere there didn’t seem to be any reason to pretend anymore.

“I seek Temerith” he said quietly

She tilted her head and considered him. Caldren felt stripped bare by the look as she seemed to be seeking way to see inside of him. The fire crackled into the cold night as the silence dragged on. They sat opposite each other and the tension built but Caldren was afraid to say anything f that might cause her to leave.

“Why?” She asked leaning closer to the fire. “A Promise I made” he said softly. She seemed to consider this for a moment then replied “Who did you make this promise to?”

Caldren stared at the ground as the memories of that terrible night, long pushed down started to rise to the surface. He struggled with himself for a moment trying to get his emotions under control. Angrily wiping away his tears he couldn’t meet her eyes or bring himself to relive that night. He simply shook his head and said “I made a promise to someone who meant the world to me and that’s why I’m out here in the middle of nowhere talking to someone who I’m not entirely sure isn’t a figment of my imagination. What are you? You aren’t really here I can see the fire smoke going through you” the anger he was feeling at reliving the night his mother was taken from him was bleeding into the conversation but if Imogen was bothered by it, she didn’t show it.

She held his gaze for a long moment, then sighed. “I… am not what I once was.”
She spread her fingers. A faint shimmer of light danced along her skin, slipping between the flickering firelight. “I am a Lucent.”

“What is that?” Caldren asked. He’d never heard the term nor read it any of his books. She raised her eyebrows with a shocked expression and said “Surely you know of us? Has all knowledge of this place been destroyed?”

“If you mean Temerith, then yes. The empire has done a very thorough job in removing all traces of this place or any reference to magic” He very pointedly did not bring up his part in that effort, small as it was. “In fact most people believe this place to be a myth” The expression on her face turned from one of surprise to one of true sorrow “A myth? How long has it been? I sometimes have trouble with the flow of time” Caldren did some quick math in his head using historical records from the time and gave her his best guess “I’d say approximately five hundred years give or take a decade”

Imogen let out a gasp. She sat there quietly and to Caldren she seemed to be trying to come to terms with what he just told her. He wasn’t sure what she was or why she was here but he felt like she might have the answers that he really needed so instead of pestering her with questions he simply patiently waited for her to speak again. There were a mix of emotions playing across her face but the final one seemed to be a determined look like she had made a decision.

“Has it truly been five hundred years Scholar? She asked quietly. He nodded and she continued “Again, I am a Lucent – a being created to be responsible for managing the great library. Once there were many of us but I am the last. I am.. alone” she paused, hugging herself, as if the weight of that statement was almost too much to bear.

Caldren wanted to shoot out of his seat in excitement. Temerith was real – he was speaking with someone from the library. One of the beings of legends and most importantly she knows where the library is! He held himself back however as the aura of sadness around the girl seemed to have a physical presence. He knew, even in his excitement, that she needed time to process what she was feeling having been there that night many years back when his life was ripped apart.

Closing her eyes, she spoke again “Once, I was alive. I was orphaned as a child by the wasting and took to begging and stealing to survive until a passing templar caught me trying to rob him on the road. He was a kind man who served the God of compassion so instead of punishment he took me here since he frequented the library and knew they always had a need for servants. They took me in and I worked in the library as one of its clerks. While it was hard work I felt like I had finally found a family after all that time alone.” Her wistful expression fled her face and something bleak replaced it. Then one morning I started coughing up blood and was swiftly brought into isolation away from my new found family. In a cruel twist of fate the wasting that had remained in my system dormant suddenly started to spread. The prognosis was grim and that’s when they came to me”

She paused to collect her thoughts then continued “They explained that the wasting was a disease created by magic and as such their healers were unable to purge it from me. They asked me if I wanted to become a Lucent. They explained it was completely voluntary and painless. They would transfer all my memories from my failing body into the beings of light who manage the library. The only restriction was that I couldn’t leave Aethervale and had to follow a set of rules that governed access to the information. I would still be me – I would have the same thoughts and emotions but I would be a soul trapped in an immortal construct of magic.”

Caldren just stared at her as he tried to take in all that information. The soul was inviolate, even the darkest of magics couldn’t strip you of it unless you allowed it. To be trapped fully aware in a place for eons, how does one remain sane? Who would make that choice?

She must have read the expression on his face because she grew angry and pointed at him saying “I had just found my family, scholar and I couldn’t lose them again. I knew I would likely watch them grow old and die but I could have that time with them, so the choice for me was easy” She turned away and said with disgust “Then the emperor’s hounds came and killed them all anyway and there wasn’t anything I could do to protect them. They somehow had a way of harming us as well – swords of an oily metal streaked with red.”

“Arcinium blades” Caldren breathed – the fabled captains of the empire carried these swords and something about the properties of the metal interfered with magic effectively negating it. He could see how striking beings like Imogen would destroy them. “How did you survive?” Caldren asked, his voice hushed in awe.

Imogen’s eyes belied the anger she was feeling and she grounded out her reply “I hid, scholar. Not just myself I hid the entire library. When the hounds and their masters reached the library proper they just found empty rooms. That was the failsafe and it could only be triggered by a Lucent as we were bound to the laws of the library and to protect it. It was my duty as the only remaining Lucent to activate the failsafe and pull the entire library through the veil into the resonance.”

“The Resonance?” Caldren asked

“Have we truly lost so much knowledge that even the fundamentals are lost to time?” She asked sadly. “The resonance, scholar, is the place where magic resides and the veil is what separates that raw chaos of magic from this world, do you understand?”

“I don’t understand much of anything you’ve said since I sat down here” he said shrugging apologetically.

“Would you like to learn?” She asked.