Author: wwducat

About: Writer, Technology guy, Photographer, Possibly EX-Software QA Engineer, Worker Bee. Interests: SCUBA, Working out, Friends, New Views, New Vistas, Photography
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Well I was planning to write something completely different.

But due to smoke alarms that are failing and other household chores I’m only now getting around to writing.

Sigh…

Did you know that smoke alarms have a lifespan?

You know what happens when they fail?

One started chirping, another started sounding for no reason.

After checking the machines, their build dates, and the wiring… Two dead. So what do we replace them with?

Nest?

First Alert?

Ionizing or photoelectric?

Of the four units we have, two are still operational. I’m leaning toward Nest units and it looks like the new version is a much smarter machine than the previous iteration.

All of the “smart” units are pretty expensive are they worth it? I don’t know but we’re doing the research and shopping now.

So much for my grand plan of a quiet day of writing.

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The Day after Christmas

Today begins the annual week of Returns and Exchanges.

I have Zero intention of being anywhere near a shopping plaza for the next few days. Of course I’m mindful that; “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Or in the case of California, concrete and asphalt.

Our gift exchange this year was the gift of time.

The other half and I replaced a couple items that were worn out or lost. However most of our gift exchange was comprised of broken things we personally repaired or paid to have repaired. This is the first year we’ve done the season like this. I think I like it, there’s a thoughtfulness that is somehow more intimate and caring.

It’s also GREEN for those to whom that matters.

Our general philosophy is to reuse, repair, & retask, I guess that’s why our recycle bin is the bin that’s half full or less, each week and the landfill bin typically has only one kitchen bag of waste.

If I had a bit more property, I’d be composting a majority of the kitchen waste. I suppose I sound like a wing nut but I’m a believer that it takes remarkably little to minimize my impact on the environment. I believe that if everyone minimized, we’d make more of an impact than some arbitrary carbon tax.

So to those of you at the malls, Return and Exchange away, just make sure you’re not wasting stuff. Take advantage of the after Christmas sales and above all, be good to each other.

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Christmas Eve

The moon is going to be full or dang near full. The presents are under the tree and I’m doing nothing but watching Christmas movies.

I’m starting with The Bishop’s Wife, the one with Cary Grant.  I’m likely to watch Donovan’s reef and A Christmas Story. before the day is done.

Do you see a theme? Comedies and laughter.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas Eve as well.

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I forgot to Blog today.

Suddenly I realized I’d blown it.

Then I remembered Bea Arthur in History of the World Part 1

“Did you try to bullshit last week?”

In my defense, I have been Mr. Creative regarding gifts and stuff this year. With my continuing unemployment frankly I don’t have the cash to be able to engage in the capitalistic orgy that this season is renown for.

So I purchased one gift for the other half, replacing something they lost. I’ve also fixed one of the two defective key fobs which will allow the car to be remotely opened and locked. The remote start appears to be offline but I can hear the car attempting to do something. So that says the fob is working, but the problem is in the car.

I may try to take a look at the car but I’m probably out of my depth before I’ve opened the hood. I have no idea what the car does when it remote starts I don’t know if there’s a separate starting circuit or if the computer in the car just hits the starter bypassing the key.

Since I’m hearing the car clicking… I’m figuring that the remote start system is probably as complicated as it could possibly be. I may open the hood, then stroke my chin thoughtfully for a few minutes, then poke around and pronounce, “it’s broke”. Hey, don’t judge me. Can you fix your car?

I’m enjoying the creativity adversity has brought this year. I wrapped the one store-bought gift in wrapping paper I created and printed on the printer. 8.5 x 11 turned out to be the exact size needed to wrap the gift, so I photoshopped a Grinch motif and got busy wrapping.

Our Christmas may be minimal, but it’s going to be nice.