Raoul’s Two Cents: August 22, 2025
2gether Forever
Last year, as I was chugging along with the routines of work, I thought about my wife. The romantic in me kicked in. I remembered: of all the eligible women in the world, I chose her; and somehow, she chose me too. And just because I already won the prize almost 40 years ago, what’s stopping me from trying something romantically crazy? What if we dropped all our work and just went out on a date today?
What’s that? Do I hear music? Is that a song just waiting to be written?
I was inspired by the movie theme from UP and wrote lyrics to fit. It sounded great in my head but equipped with just a guitar and my vocals it was sorely lacking? She still liked it but I wasn’t satisfied.
A year passed and I remembered my song and I decided to use AI (Artificial Intelligence). When I fed my lyrics to AI, the program churned for a few seconds and came out with this song — complete with singers and orchestra:
My wife was thrilled (to say the least). I scored major points. We’ll be going to New York next week. Maybe we’ll do something crazy there.
What do you think? I listen to it often and pass it on. It puts me in a good mood all the time.
Follow this LINK to read my thoughts about the technology and to experiment with it yourself. I’ve put in some helpful tips.
TGIF people!
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Quotes of the Week
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
— William W. Purkey
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
— Lao Tzu
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
— Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land
“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.”
— Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you…I could walk through my garden forever.”
— Alfred Tennyson
“Whoever does not love, does not know God because God is love.”
— 1 John 4:8
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” — John 13:34
Joke of the Week
Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, California
Original art by Raoul Pascual.
Parting Shots
Thanks to Frank of Modesto, California
Thanks to Mary of Rhode Island
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA
Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA
Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA
Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA
Good advice:
I found these:
My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.
Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!
Know someone who enjoys a laugh? Share this post.
Tom
August 23, 2025 at 6:34 pm
Raoul, that song is wonderful! AI is amazing but your words are so very true. Have a great time and Cherish your relationship.
Congratulations. Tom
Heather
August 23, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Hi Raoul: The only reason we work is in order to play! My husband and I had date nights that we both loved and sometimes I order from Chris and Pitt’s or Dal Rae and he would take Manila paper that he had and put it on the desk in his office and we’d sit there and share a meal.
The best thing that we can do with our mates is look them in the eyes and remember all the things you talked about enjoying with your wife. As I mentioned many times before ‘Love is the answer’ and when I saw that picture of you and your wife together that said it all. I’ve seen your passion and you’re lucky that passion is still part of your life and you’ve spread it around every where you go.
Larry
August 23, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Playing music for your wife and being the romantic love of her life.
Very refreshing and very sweet. I know you can be a bit of an abrupt and direct person but I also know your sweet soul.
I believe in your talent and your ability to be a positive influence to many.
AI? Come on. Stick to acoustic guitar and music. Real music. Not Techno, Rap, Hip Hop.
James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, others who play real music.
Like the music you make. Simple and beautiful. You Romantic Rascal You.
TGIF
Cheryl
August 23, 2025 at 6:44 pm
I really enjoy your weekly emails.
Thanks for the good work! Happy Funny Friday to you! Emoji
Cheryl
Tom L
August 23, 2025 at 6:45 pm
I hope there is a funny reason I didn’t receive the last couple of TGIF e-mails.
Tom L
admin
August 23, 2025 at 6:48 pm
Sorry about that Tom. Mailchimp has been deleting some of my email database for some suspicious reason.
Ed
August 23, 2025 at 6:51 pm
Not dumb…
Oh Raoul, it’s wonderful! Both the idea and the presentation. And especially the idea. Your wife must have loved it. I just hate the idea of AI being so creative…. But your lyrics were the best part.
A beautiful tribute to your wife!
Pat
August 24, 2025 at 10:41 pm
You outdid yourself again. I have forwarded this one to several people.
Thanks,
Pat
Vijie
September 6, 2025 at 11:59 pm
Excellent, beautiful!
Ma-Ann
September 7, 2025 at 12:01 am
Wonderful song you created. Did you also sing it? Who was singing this? You? And the female, who … very good!
Jo
September 7, 2025 at 12:02 am
Very beautiful song Raoul. Bravo!
Skinny
September 7, 2025 at 12:02 am
Impressive!
Minette
September 7, 2025 at 12:03 am
Wow, Raoul, I can just imagine your wife grinning from ear to ear, listening intently, teary eyed and emotional. You are truly a romantic, Raoul. Beautiful!
Chris
September 7, 2025 at 12:04 am
Bravo! Speechless!
Corky
September 7, 2025 at 12:05 am
Wow! Really nice Raoul, beautiful!
Rey
September 7, 2025 at 12:06 am
I didn’t know you had a beautiful voice, Raoul!
Lois
September 7, 2025 at 12:08 am
I know nothing about AI, but I know I like the song. When we get together you’ll need to explain to me how it works.