Other Thoughts | BulgingButtons

June 25, 2019
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Keep on Dancing

So Mr. Google and I have been seeing a lot of each other lately, as I try to figure out some of the cool features he has to offer. Why a he? No idea. Moving on.

As I was sorting through photographs (on Google Photos) I came across a cool feature that probably everyone else in the world already knows about. Google sorted my pictures by events or objects, like boats, castles, graduation, etc. Well, the category that immediately caught my eye was dancing.

I clicked over to that group and was greeted by not only photos, but some short videos I had taken. I got to see my son dance around with intensity at his summer camp performances (I think choreography is a talent of his). It was fun to watch him “Bernie” with his friends and totally get into it.

I also took a trip down memory lane to watch my niece Whip and Nay-nay (I don’t have a clue how to spell that one and frankly don’t care enough to find out). She was a little smidge of a kid at her oldest brother’s Bar Mitzvah. In a few months she’s having her own Bat Mitzvah. She’s grown up a lot.

And then there was my brother and his wife. It was a short clip, but it was lovely to see the two of them enjoying themselves surrounded by family and friends. Finally, and maybe best of all, was the clip of my son dancing with his grandmother. She has about two dance moves and they both involve pumping her fists at her sides at though she’s running. It’s awkward, but she loves to dance, and he loves her, so there you go. It’s sweet, and I’m glad I got to see it today.

It’s funny how something unexpected can transport you to another place and time. I wasn’t expecting to think about any of those events today, but there they are. I’m grateful for photos and videos. I know many people take them but never look at them. I look at them. I like to remember. I also like to dance.

June 24, 2019
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Hey Google, Thanks for the Music

I’m not someone who always has music playing. I don’t keep the tv on for background noise. I like quiet. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like music and tv. I do. I just don’t always think of turning them on, since quiet is my default setting.

Well, lately that’s been changing, at least in one room of my home. In there I have a Google Home device (I’m sure there’s an exact model name, but I don’t have a clue what it is). It was a gift from my sweetheart so I could have my favorite photos scrolling while I work, since my last two digital frames have given out on me. It’s a thoughtful gift, but really the photos don’t look that great, or at least I haven’t quite figured it out yet.

What I have figured out is that I can say, “Hey Google, play Bob Marley” and it does. “Fine Young Cannibals.” “Pretty in Pink Soundtrack.” “Grateful Dead.” “Drake White.” “Aretha Franklin.” They’re all in there. Well, not exactly in there, but available. Today I was in a Monkees mood. It lasted about three songs, but Google doesn’t care how frequently I change my mind. “Housemartins.” “Hoodoo Gurus.” “The Alarm.” Google has no problem reaching into my past and pulling up the soundtrack. Thanks, Google.

June 16, 2019
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So Much for Early Boarding

Tomorrow I get to fly again. As many of you know, flying isn’t my favorite thing, due 99% to my size. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and downright embarrassing. Yet, I fly several times a year, because time is valuable too. Besides, who really wants to drive cross country a couple of times a year?

So, there’s an airline whose fares are typically lower than others, and it flies pretty much wherever I want to go. It also has a credit card that allows me to earn points toward my flights. For those reasons, I usually use said airline. Well, this particular airline doesn’t assign seats, just boarding groups based on when you check in (you can check in 24 hours in advance of your flight). Travelers, you know who I’m talking about.

Well, the airline came up with a plan to allow folks to get an earlier check in position by paying an extra fee. At first it was $12. Okay, for me it was worth it, especially if I was traveling with a companion. Finding two seats together once the plane starts filling up is tough. Then the fee went up. Now it’s $25 and I still pay it. Why? Because I’m fat.

If I can get on a little sooner, I can be sure to get a seatbelt extender with little drama. No flight attendant will tell me she/he has to track one down and then deliver it to me. Then I can slide into a window seat (where I can squish myself into the corner for the duration of the flight) as unobtrusively as possible. I can also avoid the looks of dread from people who see me coming and think to themselves, “God, I hope she doesn’t sit next to me.”

Well, today it happened. I checked in to my flight, after paying the extra fee, and I’m in the B group. NOOOOO. That means after all the A group and family boarding I will finally get my chance. And I’m in the middle of the B group at that. So much for my $25 buying me some peace of mind. Oh, and in case you were wondering, I checked in exactly twenty-four hours before my flight.

So, wish me luck tomorrow. Hopefully I get a window seat. Hopefully there’s a seatbelt extender readily available (or available at all… perish the thought!). Hopefully I’ll get a seat mate who is skinny and not sick and doesn’t put her bare feet on the seat (that was my last flight…ew) and is just generally kind (and maybe not too talkative). Hopefully we have a smooth flight, otherwise those five hours are going to be torture.

And Airlines, don’t mess with the early check-in stuff. If you don’t have anymore available, don’t sell them. I wish I had my $25 back.