Picking the Pen Back Up

Several of you have inquired about my blog recently, hard to believe that you remembered my blog since I have not published in over 5 months.  As I have mentioned to several of you it has been difficult to "get back into the rhythm" of writing since my mom passed away back in September.  This is not the result of any extensive mourning but frankly with settling her estate, doing much needed chores around the "new house"  and enjoying time with my kids and grandkids I just have not found an easy way to kickstart my writing habits. 

This is not to say I do not have anything to share but frankly going back into "gender wars" where I left off seems kind of uninspiring at the moment.  So I need to shift gears some and get started by going in a new direction for at  least a few entries if I am ever to "pick up the pen" again.  I do know that my editor (AKA Faithful and obedient companion) has said I should either start writing, or start reading again (preferably both as it has been about 2 years since I last was motivated to read a good book!).

So rather than discuss some "current event" or political issue using Haidt as my compass let me spend a couple of minutes describing my latest passion, one near and dear to my heart, joining the "Smart Home" movement.

I am and have been something of a gadget freak.  My faithful and obedient companion not so much.  So you can imagine my joy when I was asked by my spouse to install on of those new fangled door locks that you program codes to allow entry into your home without a "key".  I saw an opening to move forward with my gadget infatuation (stealthily) while just doing this small "favor" to my better half. 

First I researched Locks and "Z Wave" technology, bingo, I found my opening.  Thanks to Amazon I purchased a whizbang Schalge lock, and something called a "wink" hub. Amazon delivered in 3 days and after about 2 hours of work I had a lock that "talked" to my hub and could be opened from our third floor living area using my phone.  Heck I can do that from anywhere in the world.  As an added bonus my hot tub guy and our cleaning service got there own "codes" so I can tell when they arrive and leave even when we are not home!!!.  Even my Faithful and obedient companion was duly impressed and happy!

So I did what ANY good gadget freak would do ..... why stop there? 

First came Smart Thermostats I can now turn the heat up downstairs from the comfort of my room!
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Next up Smart "outlets"  these came in handy at Christmas...I could turn n the tree lights with my phone, or with a little work assign a command that would turn on my tree lights by saying to my phone hey google "turn on tree lights" and bingo on go the tree lights!  I was in heaven.  What's next???  Well how about an outlet for the living room sofa lamp.  Hey google, turn on living room light! Again "Bingo".  Next up we have boot heaters in our garage, added an outlet and now instead of hiking down 2 floors to the garage to warm our ski boots it's hey google turn on boot heaters!  Yeah it works like a charm!.

Next up "Smart Light Bulbs for our Kitchen "Bar lights".  You see I did not like where the light switch was and was always frustrated by its' location (One had to turn on in the living room which was about 20 feet from the other kitchen switches).  Once again the setup was fast and easy "turn on the Bar Lights"  and  again Bingo on go the lights. However this was my first mistake and with it came the realization that my  love for"Smart Switches", "Smart Thermostats" and "Smart Bulbs came at a serious cost and I do not mean from my bank account.

You see faithful and obedient companion did not like "Bar Lights" she insisted they should be "Island Lights" and this opened my eyes to a realization that I had successfully removed my spouse from the entire electrical grid.  It dawned on me that she had now abdicated much of the responsibility for "light activation" and instead simply turned me into a human "Alexa".  Her solution was simple "Jim would you turn on the island lights! Jim did you turn on the boot heaters? etc.  Easy Peasy.


Now I suppose the next step would be to get an Alexa to do this for both of us but for some reason I think it would still end up in my lap because Barbara will likely continue to say "Alexa Turn on the Island Lights"...and when nothing turns on she would need me to say "turn on the Bar Lights"

Progress?????  Now I am not so sure

Until next time

Adieu.