Tuesday, November 20, 2018

SEXY NEW BEST FRIENDS


The days here are getting shorter and shorter.  It is pitch black at 5:45 pm.  I have to shut my blinds and turn on all the lights in my Granny Pad to be able to not fall asleep at 7:30!

It’s also gotten COLD already. (This is when I think I shouldn’t sell my Maui cottage … and just live there 5-6 months a year!)  If I could just win the lottery …

Fortunately I have built in company, so I’m never at a lack for conversation.  But since I’ve been spending more time indoors, I finally hooked up Alexa in my room.



I was thinking about putting her in the living room but once you hear little boys asking her questions, you can see I made the right decision.  I doubt I’ll ever use her for very much (there is amazing potential), it’s nice to turn on some music or ask the weather or the headlines.  I might see if she can read me to sleep each night!  Or soothing music for 20-30 minutes.


They ask for jokes.  Poop jokes.  They ask her to fart.  She does.  They ask her to burp.  She does.  They ask for music.  Dance music or Michael Jackson music or relaxing music or elevator music. They come in at night to say Alexa, good night.  She always has something nice to say to them.



Braeden’s second grade class has access to iPads several times a week.  He came home one day so excited about a Math “game” that I promptly researched it online and then downloaded it on my phone and we played it for over half an hour.  It was hard for me to see the game on the iPhone (over his shoulder), so I broke down and bought an iPad for me!  I had given Mr. Ralph’s old one to Jesse when I returned as I prefer a real keyboard. 

They sure have gone down in cost since we bought one for Mr. Ralph.  This one is wifi only so no monthly cost.  (In fact, I have made all devices except cell phones wifi only).  Before we know it, iPads will be mandatory in elementary school!  Even Deacon knows his way around.  (I had to remove YouTube on my devices as it allows inappropriate videos, he doesn’t like YouTube Kids … dat’s for babies, Gramma.) 


And I have so much to learn with Siri!  Since she was invented to work well with Apple products,  she has access to my address book, I can ask her when someone's birthday is.  Or an address while I'm writing the envelope.  I need to use her more for writing emails and texts.

Or maybe this blog!



7 comments:

  1. I can see by your blog that I'm not using Alexa to her full potential. I only have her on my Kindle and the volume doesn't get loud enough for me to hear her play music. I wish I knew if she's louder in the room model. I can't believe she'll answer those little boy requests! Who knew.

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    1. She's very nice when she doesn't want to cooperate with their gross little questions. She likes pizza and then tells them which pizza place it close to us.

      I changed Siri to have a male voice!

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  2. I would love to have a male voice in my virtual assistant.

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    1. They are working on that! I have the Echo Dot ($40) and it is plenty loud! I usually have to ask her three times to turn down the music. Might make a good Christmas present for yourself!

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  3. I would like one of these talking devices. I would also like it to have a male, British accent. Nice to have a man to talk to and not have to clean up after or take care of.

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    Replies
    1. So far, only Siri let’s you choose (Apple products). Everyone else is almost there!!!

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  4. I've never asked Alexa to fart or burp, but you can be sure that I will now. I use her mostly for music when we're cooking - we find that we bicker less in the kitchen when music is playing - and I ask her for the weather every day. She tells the temp out side and a short forecast of what the day will bring. I think she will give the weather up to ten days out. Maybe it's only 7. I like that I can put "reminders" in and she will remind me of birthdays or Dr. appointments, etc. When I ask her for reminders, she will give me the next four. I also ask her for famous quotes. She's a fun gal. If you say good morning to her, she will tell you something interesting about that particular day.

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