Making stuff do stuff... that's my jam

This morning I spent way too much time and way too many 'fuck you!'s trying to get the Amazon Echo Show to play the feed from my brother's Nest Webcam that he has in his chicken coop. Now I can say "Alexa, show me chickens" and up they pop right on the screen.

And, yes, it looks just like an overpriced baby monitor which would, of course, we way easier to set up and configure. But, that's almost not the point. The point is just proving I can get it to work. It tickles me no end.

One of the first things I ever did once I traded my dial up connection for always on broadband was buy and set up a webcam because I read where it was really hard to do. It was but I did it. Over and over again. And then there would be new hardware and new software and I'd need a different angle. And then I discovered IP cameras... Making stuff do stuff. Happily, I'm not tied to practicality or a straight path. And I know a lot of swear words. It's a lovely match.

Yesterday, when I dropped off the dolls and creatures at the baby bank, I just dropped them off. I did not tell them who I was and they didn't even look at what I was dropping into the bin. So I was pretty darned impressed when I got a very non-boilerplate email last night thanking me (and giving me what I need for tax donation which was lovely). I was a little less than impressed this morning when it's clear they also signed me up for their newsletter. But, I opted out and all is fine. At least it is clear I've found a solid future for my stuff!

This morning, as soon as the traffic clears, I'm off to meet ljtourist. He's found yet another apparently Seattle institution that I've never heard of where we're going to have a delicious breakfast. I'm jazzed and hungry!

It's over kinda near the good fabric shop which happens to be having a 4th of July sale today... hmmmm Also that happens to be near the really good Rudy's Barber Shop where maybe I'll just get my hair cut. And, really, there's no telling what will happen after that.

I do have a swim suit about 2/3rd completed and I want to finish that.

Also, this morning, while I was swimming, I did some house rearranging in my mind. I think after my Kiwi friends leave, I'm going to make some changes in stuff. For their visit, I'm renting a car - a four door Audi. They leave on Saturday morning early and I'm not on tap to return the Audi until Saturday afternoon. So... I think while I have it, I'm going to make a giant Goodwill haul. I have two large cupboards out on the terrace that need a massive cleanout. I want the space back and this is the perfect opportunity.

I just read the most heartbreaking story. A kid (22) started his major league career last night with the New York Yankees. In the outfield. His first game. He's likely spent all of his life since t-ball working to get to that spot in the outfield last night. Imagine. Playing major league baseball for the Yankees Finally. In the first inning... the first inning... he dives after a ball, crashes into the wall and fucks up his knee so badly, he had to be carried off.

I cannot imagine what he's feeling this morning.

My tweets

• Fri, 07:34: My brothers chickens in Texas. On Echo Show. @ Seattle, Washington https://t.co/Bn5aaBCh6C

Friday

Everything did not go according to plan but every bit turned out fine.

Frank was operating under the assumption that he would pick me up here at home and we'd go to breakfast. I was under the assumption that we would meet there. Yep. Confusion. Exacerbated by his having a new phone without my phone number and my not answering when he called on the front door intercom because I figured it was a delivery and I didn't want to let them in without being there. Comedy of errors really.

But the place he had picked out was perfect for killing an hour over coffee with my phone. And, once he got there, we had a great breakfast and a great visit.

Then I went on to the fabric store where they did not have my heart's desire but had two very good options that were 35% off. So score. Then on to Rudy's to get a haircut.

Rudy's is a now fairly large local-ish (although that's changing, too) chain that has always been a 'walk in place' but now they are taking appointments. The Rudy's I went to had most chairs full and no one waiting. Ordinarily, this would be good news. I'd sit, I'd wait, my turn would come in 15 mins max. Except now that they make appointments what I got was 'sorry, no openings until 6 pm.' It was noon. So I came home. (I did look online and my favorite hair cutter is 'supposed' to be on duty tomorrow and I made an appointment. However, the last time she was 'on duty' online turns out she was not in the shop that day at all. So... who the fuck knows. Happily, it's not an emergency. If it gets cut, great. If not, no biggie.

I finished my swimsuit. And I like it.



I put a button on the front of all my swimsuite because when I put these suckers on at 4:45 am, I do not have the bandwidth to stop and figure out front from back. The button saves my sanity.

My brother and I have been using Google + for conversations for several years now. We have our own 'community' of two. It's a great place to leave messages, conversations, photos, whatever without clogging email and when the urgency of texts is not needed. We can 'chat' leisurely and it's been great.

But G+ keeps tweaking itself until now we can't even find conversations in our own community of two. Geesh. So I think I've found a decent replacement. I hope. We won't be able to test until next week or the week after. He's at the airport right now picking up his eldest son in from Boston. They are headed for the Roger Waters concert tomorrow night in San Antonio.

I finally heard back from the bear lady. We agreed on Monday for the drop off. So, by the time my friends from New Zealand get here on Tuesday, the living room will be clutter free. Whew.

My Fitbit needs 1,500 more steps. But, I'm thinking maybe I'll let it go begging. It's only 4 pm. It's too early to pack it in. I guess I'll go take a walk.