[The following is an output from GPT-4.5 when I asked it to give a 623 word blog post from a 4-minute ramble I had while walking]

Every person experiences moments when they feel or act differently depending on the situation, environment, or people around them. These changes in personality are natural responses to our surroundings. Imagine being excited around close friends, shy around strangers, confident when discussing your favorite subject, or nervous speaking in front of a large group. Such variations are common, as different situations bring out different aspects of our personalities. Yet, what makes us unique is how we combine these varying behaviors into a single, cohesive self.

Consider how you might behave differently depending on circumstances. Relaxing on the beach during vacation, you might feel carefree and playful. However, standing before a large audience to speak could evoke anxiety or excitement. Weather and environment also play roles—rainy days might make you quiet and reflective, while sunny days might make you feel lively and sociable. Despite these shifts, you still recognize yourself as the same person experiencing these different scenarios.

Our relationships significantly impact our personalities as well. Different people naturally influence us in various ways. For instance, certain friends might excite you, making you feel outgoing and energetic. Others might calm you down, making you thoughtful and relaxed. Conversely, some individuals might frustrate or agitate you, causing reactions you find difficult to control. Each relationship brings out specific sides of your personality.

These daily shifts in personality are normal and usually seamless. However, what happens when someone struggles to integrate these diverse traits into one coherent identity? Typically, we remain aware of our changing behaviors and know that we’re still the same person underneath. We can reflect and understand why we react differently in various situations. But occasionally, this integration becomes challenging.

Imagine being unable to reconcile these different behaviors and feelings. You might feel disconnected, as if each response belongs to a separate part of yourself. This can happen under extreme stress or trauma. During such times, our minds might struggle to unify our reactions into a cohesive sense of self. The coherence we usually maintain can break down, causing us to feel fragmented and confused about who we are.

This difficulty highlights how important self-awareness is in managing our various responses and behaviors. Understanding that our reactions are context-dependent helps us form a complete picture of ourselves. For instance, acknowledging that you feel shy around strangers but outgoing with friends helps you navigate social interactions better. Recognizing these patterns allows us to integrate our behaviors effectively.

Ultimately, we all contain a multitude of personalities influenced by different settings and relationships. The challenge is ensuring these personalities remain connected and unified. Imagine if every version of yourself—happy, anxious, confident, shy—worked independently without connection. Life would become confusing and overwhelming.

The key to a healthy self-identity is bringing together these diverse personality traits into one coherent self. When we do this successfully, we feel balanced and grounded. We can comfortably adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining a consistent understanding of who we are.

Everyday examples of this integration are easy to spot. A student might feel nervous about giving a class presentation yet remain confident when playing sports. They recognize these contrasting feelings as parts of a single identity. Another example is someone who is outgoing with friends yet reserved with family members. They understand these differences as normal adaptations rather than separate identities.

Ultimately, personality is flexible and complex, shaped by countless factors including environment, relationships, and situations. Successfully integrating these variations into one self-aware identity allows us to function effectively and remain emotionally stable. Recognizing and accepting these natural shifts in our behaviors is crucial in understanding ourselves and maintaining a cohesive, healthy identity.

For the 6th time in the past 11 years (previously 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, and 2014), above is the NFL Draft Visit list from Walter Football organized by team and position. 

The numbers shaded in blue are conditionally formatted to show what position the team is concentrating on compared to other positions for that team, those shaded in red are formatted to show what position each team is focusing on compared to other teams in the NFL.

This year I kept the same draft visit points system as last year:

• Visits worth 1 point = visits where the teams were already there and just talked to a player = Senior Bowl visit, NFL Combine visit, virtual visit
• Visits worth 2 points = visits where the team sought out the player, but in a group setting = Pro Day visit, Local visits (players that grew up or went to college in the area)
• Visits worth 3 points = individual visits where the player was brought in or worked out, often the most important = Private visits (teams have 30 of these to use), Workout visits

What's shown in the picture is the proportion of each NFL team's draft visit "resources" (or total points) were used for each position.

Link: Spreadsheet with data

[The following is an output from GPT-4.5 when asked to give a 600 word blog post from a 2 minute ramble I had while making my lunch for the day]

Have you ever noticed how placing something important where you'll easily see it can make it more likely you'll actually do it? Imagine putting your gym shoes next to your bed if you want to start running each morning. Or leaving a bill right next to your keys so you don’t forget to pay it. This simple action—placing reminders or tasks in convenient locations—is a lot like how potential energy works in physics.

Potential energy is energy that's stored up, waiting to be released. Think of a ball at the top of a hill. While it sits there, the ball has stored-up energy simply because of its position. As soon as it starts rolling downhill, that potential energy transforms into kinetic energy, or energy in motion. The higher or more convenient the starting point, the more energy it has when it moves.

In our daily lives, tasks and reminders work in a similar way. When we place important reminders or objects in convenient spots, we essentially boost their "potential energy." For example, imagine you have to return a library book. If you leave it by your front door, you'll likely remember to grab it on your way out. Here, placing the book by the door increases its "potential energy." When you pick it up and actually return it, that stored-up energy becomes action—much like potential energy becoming kinetic.

On the other hand, if you leave the same library book buried beneath a pile of papers in your office, its potential energy is low. It's harder to remember, and less convenient, so you're less likely to act on it. As a result, its "kinetic energy"—your likelihood of actually returning it—is much lower.

Digital reminders work the same way. If you need to pay a bill or call a friend, you might set a reminder on your phone for a specific time when you know you'll be free. This reminder waiting quietly in your phone is storing up "potential energy." When the reminder pops up at the right moment, it easily converts to action, becoming your personal kinetic energy as you take care of the task.

Another good example is meal prepping. Let's say you want to eat healthier during the week. By preparing meals ahead of time and storing them in clear containers at eye level in your fridge, you boost the potential energy of healthy eating. You're far more likely to grab those nutritious meals instead of less healthy, less convenient options. The stored energy (the prepared meal waiting to be eaten) is easily turned into action (eating healthy).

The concept applies to nearly everything we do. Want to remember to read before bed? Leave a book on your pillow. Need to remember to take medication? Put the pills next to your toothbrush. Each of these small actions increases the potential energy of the task by making it conveniently visible and accessible.

This analogy helps us understand that convenience itself acts as a form of potential energy. The more convenient and visible you make important tasks, the higher their stored "potential energy," and the more likely you'll be to actually do them. By thoughtfully arranging our spaces and reminders, we can effortlessly transform potential energy (reminders or tasks waiting quietly) into kinetic energy (actions taken).

So next time you have something important to do, think of it like placing a ball at the top of a hill. Choose a convenient, visible spot, and watch how easily potential energy becomes positive action.

[The following is an output from GPT-4.5 when asked to give a 500-word-exact satirical wedding announcement of Joe and Karen Schmo in the style of The Onion]

ANYTOWN, USA—In a ceremony described by witnesses as "painfully Pinterest-inspired," local couple Joe and Karen Schmo officially joined their lives (and Instagram accounts) in holy matrimony Saturday at the First Church of Trendy Nondenominationals.

Joe, best known around town as "the guy who always talks about crypto without fully understanding it," exchanged vows with Karen, self-proclaimed social media influencer whose latest passion project involves selling candles allegedly infused with "essential happiness."

The bride arrived precisely one hour late, having reportedly needed extra time to perfect a TikTok documenting her "authentic" wedding day emotions. Guests applauded politely, aware they were being filmed for Karen's forthcoming YouTube channel "Mindful Marriage With Karen," a series experts predict will last at least three episodes.

During their handwritten vows, Karen promised to "always remind Joe about mindfulness during NFL Sundays," while Joe vowed to "like and subscribe to her heart, forever." The minister, himself a former corporate leadership guru turned spiritual advisor, solemnly pronounced them husband and wife, and reminded attendees to "manifest success and abundance" by purchasing his latest self-help e-book available at the chapel gift shop.

At the rustic-chic reception held at the "Ironically Old-Fashioned Barn Event Center," guests dined on avocado-toast hors d'oeuvres and gluten-free kale-based desserts, cautiously navigating conversations to avoid triggering heated debates on either politics or veganism.

The Schmos entertained their 150 carefully selected acquaintances by performing a choreographed first dance to a dubstep remix of "Sweet Caroline," which was met with lukewarm enthusiasm but heavy smartphone documentation. Later, Karen was spotted loudly whispering "content is queen" to Joe, prompting him to initiate a staged, candid toast featuring a lengthy anecdote about "following your dreams" and several references to Elon Musk.

"It's exactly the wedding I've always imagined since Pinterest launched," Karen tearfully declared, tagging seven lifestyle brands in her Instagram post. Meanwhile, Joe expressed excitement about starting their married life with matching "Always Hustlin'" coffee mugs purchased from Etsy.

Guests departed with "wellness swag bags," including activated charcoal toothpicks, manifestation journals printed with Karen’s favorite misattributed quotes, and mini bottles of kombucha labeled "Joe & Karen’s Brew-tiful Love."

The couple plans a honeymoon retreat to an exclusive "digital detox" eco-resort, which notably features robust Wi-Fi coverage to ensure guests can adequately post about unplugging from technology.

As of press time, the Schmos had already publicly vowed to renew their vows annually, or whenever engagement rates begin declining, whichever occurs first.

[The following is an output from o1 after a 2 minute ramble was turned into a 600 word blog post and then cut in half in length and made twice as clear]

Many people think “not doing something” and “saying no to something” are the same. But in reality, avoiding a negative situation is often much easier than refusing it once you are already there.

Take junk food as an example: if you simply never buy it, you don’t have to fight the urge to eat it. But if it’s in your kitchen, you rely on willpower to say no. Over time, stress or social pressure can wear down even the strongest will.

This idea also applies to social situations. If you know a gathering will tempt you to do something unhealthy, it’s often wiser to skip it. That way, you avoid peer pressure. When you are already present, it becomes harder to refuse because of friends, habits, or the desire to fit in.

By shaping your environment, you protect yourself from constant temptation. Arrange your space, schedule, and social circle so that negative choices rarely appear. It’s not about being perfect. Sometimes, you will still face hard choices. But if they happen less often, you have more energy left for the positive parts of your life.

We should also accept that nobody can say no to everything all the time. Creating a life where you do not have to say “no” constantly will lower your stress. You can focus on better habits, meaningful goals, and quality time with people you love.

In short, avoiding bad situations is easier than fighting them off every day. When you can, plan ahead and steer clear of negative influences before they begin. This small shift can free up your willpower and leave you feeling calmer and more in control.