Spring 2015 May 12 Tuesday

50 degrees this morning, 45:10 minute walk.

A brief respite from the rain, if the weather forecast is correct and it starts raining Wednesday.  Spring and Summer (as far as actual weather)  seem like it hasn’t arrived yet.

Moving is becoming a reality as we debate what to give away/donate/toss, including items we have carried with us for years.  

Aliene decided to give her piano away, and it fortunately went to a family who will use it.  It was a church piano for years until the church dissolved.  In fact, Aliene played it when she was a child.  

The piano, like many things anymore, was still in excellent shape and, with care, will probably last forever, but it is a technology fossil.  The electronic keyboards etc. are much easier to play and move around.  

I expect the same happens to every new generation of cell phones, TV’s, etc., something that is still excellent and useful is tossed for something new and improved.

I don’t think that is necessarily bad, it just seems we need to encourage the repurposing of obsolete devices that are still good.

Probably, like in my case, the proud owner of a bunch of obsolete phones, iPads, music payers etc., I should give them to someone who will use them.  Of course, I still use my  iPhone 3 as an iPad and it works well for that purpose.  I am not quite sure what I will do with them when the battery goes out, probably will depend on the cost of a replacement battery.  Of course, by then, I will have another obsolete iPhone to use, although the “new” iPhones can be re-purposed  as security cameras etc.

I expect it was a difficult decision to give it away.  (Says he person who dithers about getting rid of a 30 year old t-shirt that he never wears:)

Our new house has almost exactly the same square footage, it is just arranged different.  Our actual living area will be bigger, but we will lose one bedroom, so to speak.  

Now that I think of it, I think the new house perhaps emphasizes the minimalist lifestyle many people prefer now, without a lot of possessions.  

Although I have to wonder where all the junk that is sold over the internet and at garage sales etc. goes!  

I was amused by the use of 3-D printing to print more trinkets and souvenirs etc., although they are actually using them for more substantial items such as replacement parts, I even read about an artificial ear being printed by a 3-D printer.

I actually had thought 3-D printing would be more advanced by now, but progress takes time sometimes and also branches off in ways you never think it would.  

Of course, I”m still waiting for the driverless car, which was first envisioned (by me anyway) over 55 years ago, and we’re still driving the same basic concept, much improved of course, but still the same basic concept.

Yesterday, the city came by and advised us the water would be off for “4 or 5 hours” while they made final repairs to the water system.  My respect for the city increased a lot based on their response to the water lead (fixed promptly on a Sunday morning, and they took the time to allow us time for the water to be out for 4 or 5 hours, which was much appreciated!

That’s it for today, Tuesday, May 12, 2015.