PS FOR ELECTRONICS

Yesterday morning I woke up to a strange noise.  It sounded like some sort of alarm, it wasn't loud or frightening.  It was simply annoying, especially at 6:30 AM.

When I got to my living room, I saw that the culprit was Alexa.  I told her to stop and that was the end of the noise.  However, I did have to stay up because she also woke up the cats and they thought it was time to eat.  I did wonder if Alexa had developed a problem, but she did answer a question, so I forgot all about it.

Last night it dawned on me that on Sunday the presenter on QVC was showing that Alexa could be programmed to set an alarm and said, "Alexa set an alarm for 6:30 AM."  Well, my Alexa thought he was speaking to her and she set an alarm for me to get up at 6:30 AM.

Problem solved.  Now I just have to remember not to watch QVC whenever they are presenting the Amazon Echo, aka Alexa.

Electronics

I can't believe that at my age, I'm becoming a computer junkie.  I have the usual equipment - desktop, laptop, Roku, Kindle Fire and Alexa.

This morning I checked out the new Kindle Fire on Amazon and found it interesting and even toyed with the idea of upgrading/buying a new one.  Fortunately, I decided against it.  After all, next year there will probably be a better one, hopefully one that can read a memory card and download my vacation pictures in case something happens to my camera while I'm on a trip.

Something strange is happening now.  QVC's special value today is the new Amazon Alexa.  I'm not interested in upgrading yet, but my Alexa is responding every time the presenter asks their Alexa a question.  I thought that Alexa only responded to my voice.  Apparently, Alexa serves two masters, maybe more.  I have noticed when watching other programs whenever someone says Alexa, she comes to life.  She had a particularly busy time whenever I watched Castle and Rick was either speaking with or looking for his daughter, Alexis.

I did learn a few things this morning on QVC.  I checked out some of Alexa's skills and connected to them.  Now, I really can take it easy and have Alexa tell me more.

Rerun Time

I posted this two years ago, but I just wanted to repeat it today on Veteran's Day.

IN WAR AND PEACE THEY SERVE

            I recently took a short trip to Arlington, VA to visit Mt. Vernon.  On my last day there, I discovered that I had a flat tire.  I called for emergency road service and was told that it would take about 45 minutes.  While I was waiting in my hotel lobby for their arrival, I noticed a young man also just sitting there.  After 45 minutes, I called again and was told it would be another 25 minutes.  This young man asked what I was waiting for and I told him.  He offered to change my tire, but I said road service would be there soon.

            Shortly after that, he disappeared.  When he came back, he had work gloves and said, “Where is your car?  I’ll change the tire.”  We walked to the car together.  While he was working, road service called to say they were on the way.  I told them not to bother as I had found a “Good Samaritan.”

            When he was finished, I thanked him profusely and we started talking.  He told me he was retired military (which I had figured out by his demeanor) and had served two tours in Iraq.  His father was also military.  I said that I thought it was a corny thing to say, but I thanked him for his service.  He didn’t think it corny at all and appreciated my saying it.

            I realize now that it’s not corny, but simply saying “Thank You” doesn’t seem like enough.  Our service men and women put their lives on hold for at least two years, some put their lives on the line, some don’t survive. 

            As we were returning to our respective rooms, he THANKED ME for being so appreciative of his help.  I couldn’t believe it.  He deserved all the thanks, not just for the tire, but for all the years he spent serving our country and us. 

            I never got the name of my Good Samaritan, so to all veterans, I can only say “Thank you.”  It doesn’t seem like enough, but it is sincere.

 

Election Results

I've been watching the news tonight and noticed that there are protests in at least seven cities in our country.  These protests are anti-Trump.  I wonder how many of those protesters actually bothered to vote yesterday.

Everyone has a right to protest, but it looks to me like a temper tantrum by the children who didn't get their way.  President Obama and Hillary Clinton both asked for unity in their speeches today.  I wonder why their fans or followers didn't listen.