So I've been seeing this trend going around Facebook lately where people are turning themselves into action figures. You know, like the kind you'd see hanging on a toy store peg back in the day. I thought, hey, that looks like fun. I had to give it a shot. Images below in the comments.

Naturally, I turned to my trusty AI sidekick, ChatGPT, and asked it to whip up a Richard Rost action figure. The first version it came up with was pretty cool, but it looked a little too lifelike. More like a photo than a toy. The face also had a cleft in the chin that I don't have, and I really wanted it to look more like a Ken doll version of me.

And the CD... yeah, the CD just said "Microsoft" and "Access" on it. Nah. If I'm going to have my own action figure, it better come with one of the real CDs I used to send out, branded Access Learning Zone with Beginner Level 1, just like the old days.

So I asked it to fix those things, and the second version came out absolutely perfect. I'm thrilled with it. Red Access t-shirt, realistic packaging, a little model Enterprise (granted it's missing a nacelle, but hey, it's battle-damaged), a RUSH accessory, and my Complete Idiot's Guide to Excel 2010 in a blister next to me. It doesn't get more "me" than that.

If you want to make one of your own, here's a sample of the prompt I gave, along with pictures of me, my Excel book, and the Access CD. (Yes, GPT is getting real good at recognizing images now - more on this later).

Create a Richard Rost action figure in realistic toy packaging. Dress the figure in a red Microsoft Access t-shirt and black pants. Include accessories in separate blister compartments: a Microsoft Access Learning Zone CD, the 'Complete Idiot's Guide to Microsoft Excel 2010' book, a model of the Starship Enterprise, and a RUSH-related item. Make the packaging light red with the text 'Richard Rost Action Figure' at the top.

I had to add this for the second version:

The figure should look like a plastic toy, not a real person.

Yep. That's how I did it. And I regret nothing.

LLAP/RR

P.S. Had to make ones for my dogs, too. :)