March/April update

With the help of GPT-4, I write a brief story of what happened in my life recently in the style of Charles Dickens.

In the first breath of a most capricious month, I find myself reminiscing upon the events which have transpired in the days of March, that have now taken their leave. Permit me, dear reader, to regale you with the particulars of my academic, athletic, and literary pursuits, as well as my recent social engagements.

Chapter I: The Scholarly Pursuit

As the fourth year of my PhD commences, I have dedicated the entirety of March to an endeavour of great importance: the integration of text information with maps. Through the conscientious application of a well-designed user study, I have unearthed promising results. Alas, despite my ardent exertions, a well-polished paper proved elusive, and I missed the March 31st deadline. Undeterred, I shall submit my research to another esteemed venue, though it sets my PhD timeline back by a month or two. Yet, I am not disheartened, for I am resolved to submit only the most impeccable work to my dissertation, as befits a scholar of my standing.

Chapter II: The Aquatic Contest

In the midst of March, I found myself embroiled in an aquatic contest of skill and fortitude at an Arizona Masters Swim Meet. With a display of remarkable vigour, I swam the 100-yard breaststroke in a respectable 59.10 seconds, securing second place. Yet, I was bested by the venerable Jeff Commings, a thrice U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier, who, despite approaching the venerable age of 50, displayed an athleticism that left me awestruck. His triumph serves as a reminder that, though I have come far, much training still lies before me.

Chapter III: The Literary Feast

During these past months, I have partaken of a veritable feast of literature, consuming such illustrious works as Yuval Noah Harari's tomes, Sun Tzu's The Art of War, and Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope. I ventured to sample Solzhenitsyn's Gulag Archipelago, but alas, amidst the whirlwind of research and training, I could not find the fortitude to complete it. Most recently, I have embarked upon Erik Larson's Dead Wake, a riveting account of the sinking of the Lusitania, which, akin to Arthur L. Herman's biography of General MacArthur, transforms historical events into high drama. I find myself enthralled and anticipate with great pleasure the remaining pages of this gripping tale.

Chapter IV: The Social Excursion

This week, dear reader, I have ventured forth to the fair city of Philadelphia, visiting my beloved brother and cherished friends. I was bestowed with a most humbling honour when my dear friend, Dan, requested my presence as a groomsman in his forthcoming nuptials. My heart swells with joy at the prospect. Soon, I shall traverse to the bustling metropolis of New York City, where friends and family await my arrival.

Thus concludes my chronicle of March and the inaugural week of April. Until we meet again, I remain your faithful correspondent.