Pokemon Go and Cameraphone Zen

You may have noticed that I've been posting images in the last week that I simply label "Cameraphone Zen". The original concept of my Cameraphone Zen is just a slightly interesting image that I saw while out walking or being out in the world that I caught with my phone. My first phone didn't have a camera, so having a camera and being able to take photos with my phone was cool. As a result, most of my Cameraphone Zen in the past has involved me being out for exercise - a nice walk or something.

This past week I started playing Pokemon Go with my new phone, which I got on August 28th. There was a slight kerfuffle figuring out that GSM coverage really sucks in this area, so I switched to a CDMA card that Ting thoughtfully sent with the phone and the GSM card and I have excellent coverage now. Ahem. Anyway, I'm playing Pokemon Go and walking at least a half mile almost every day because the obsession with the game is nicely motivating.

The phone on the left is my new Moto G6, on the right is my faithful old LG.

The Cameraphone Zen photos I have posted so far this year each represent about a half-mile walk. I am proud of getting out and walking, since I was despairing of ever getting the motivation to go out again. I don't know yet if I'll be able to lose weight with Pokemon Go, but I needed something to get me out and walking, and this game has definitely worked that way. It's not even that I "gotta catch 'em all", it's that I'm having fun cursing the ones that get away and visiting the various Pokestops around town, most of which are at statues or memorials or churches.

So, my new phone is basically my new personal trainer, insisting I get more Pokemon and Pokeballs and stuff. It's kind of crazy if you think of it that way, but hey, whatever works to get me moving!

In addition to Pokemon, I'm also getting LOTS of photos of Inkwell, who cannot avoid me having a camera I'm happy to use (the LG's camera was difficult to use). I have been posting them to Facebook, but at some point I'll make a nice compilation post of Inkwell for folks to enjoy here, as well.

Wednesday Links

Batman finds Waldo.

ThinkGeek and the Canned Unicorn Meat.

I've needed these before.

What kind of idiot steals signalling cable from a major railroad.

Cul-de-sacs make us fat. It's a good point. Most newer developments aren't designed to be friendly to walkers.

How would movie couples look years later? I like the last couple.

Is Your Trip Necessary?

Waffling.

MP3 Players, Podcasts, and Walking

I'm trying out the "new" editor in Blogger, so if the formatting looks odd, let me know.

Now that I have an MP3 player, I can go mobile with my music. In addition, my computer is getting slower and slower due to the demands of software updates, and now I can play music on the player while working on the computer without having the music "hang" every few minutes. Nice, right? But there's more advantages to having an MP3 player that I hadn't thought through. We originally got these for use in the cars, and Eric has had me put a pile of his audiobooks onto his Clip+ and is listening to them on his commute. I haven't had a chance to mess with my Clip+ in my car yet, except to test that the USB power adapter for the car works with the speakers (so I know I can listen to mine in my car). I've mainly been using mine to listen to music while moving around the house doing my daily chores and such.

And then I remembered some podcasts that have been recommended to me. Now, I need to state right up front that I am a visual learner. Podcasts hold little interest for me in general because I don't learn well from hearing something. When people talk about "in one ear and out the other" they are talking about me. If you write it down I can remember it, but telling me something is next to useless. So, I've generally avoided podcasts. There hasn't been any good reason for me to go to the trouble of downloading something and listening to it on my computer while I'm doing something else. I won't hear a word of it. Music at least has a soothing background effect on me, but podcasts... I'd get nothing out of them. The only way I could possibly listen to a podcast and get anything from it is if I'm not doing anything else that fully occupies my mind. Like, oh say, walking.

Hey, says I, that's a thought.

So I downloaded a couple of podcasts and set out yesterday with my old headphones and my Clip+ and tried to go for a nice walk. Didn't work. The old headphones are so low quality that every car that went by drowned out the sound of the podcast. In addition, I'm having minor knee issues and couldn't go as far as I wanted to walk. So I came home slightly discouraged, but decided to try again today using the earbuds that came with the Clip+ (that I keep wanting to call "Clippy" for some reason). Today... today it worked. I walked 3 and a half miles and listened to two long podcasts. I used the "speed" function on the Clip+ that allows you to listen to audiobooks or podcasts faster (but with a higher pitch) so I could get through both. But I had a surprisingly good time and even felt like I'd learned something. Fortunately, my knee was ok today (although now that I'm resting it's beginning to hurt again, *sigh*). I hope to go out and do another walk tomorrow.

So here's where I'm going to get a little odd. I guess I'm new to podcasts. Before now, I've had three set up in my iTunes that I listened to whenever I felt like it, which wasn't very often. Now I've found a few more, and I'm interested in other good ones. I prefer shorter podcasts to long ones, but I'd like to hear (in the comments) what podcasts you listen to, and what you think of them. And in return, I'm going to list the ones I've found.

One more thing. I don't particularly like iTunes, and I didn't see any obvious way to link it to my Clip+, so I downloaded a program called MediaMonkey and have already trained it to download several podcasts and sync them with my Clip+, and download an Oz podcast and link it to Eric's Clip+. I'm still a very new user with MM, but I'm liking it so far.

So here's "my" podcasts (the links are to the podcast feeds, not the podcast websites):

• Stuff You Missed in History Class. This one was suggested to me by my sister, and I listened to almost all of the old episodes while playing solitaire on my computer because I found it so interesting. I eventually stopped listening, but now I've got them on my Clip+ to catch up again.
• Pipeline Comic Book Podcast. What can I say? I like Augie's style, and have enjoyed his insight into comics. He may not be the best out there, but he's easy to listen to even when I disagree with him, and he keeps 'em short.
• BBC History Magazine. I love the magazine when I can get my hands on it, and so this was a no brainer to listen to once I discovered it. It's long, but it's only once a month.
• The President's Weekly Radio Address. It's a good thing to know what's going on at the top of the political food chain. It's only once a week.
• The Royal Podcast of Oz. Ok, I haven't listened to it at all yet, but the most recent episode as of this writing is an interview with my husband, so I have to include it. In addition, this is the one I've got set up to sync with hubby-Eric's Clip+.

I also tried a couple of political podcasts that were not very good, so I'm not going to link to them. There are a whole bunch of podcasts on HowStuffWorks.com that I have the links for, but haven't had time to listen to yet, including Stuff You Should Know, BrainStuff, Stuff from the Science Lab, Stuff Mom Never Told You, and TechStuff. I also have the link to NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me but again, haven't listened to it yet.

So, what do you listen to?

Thank Goodness for AAA

So hubby-Eric and I went out this morning. He noted that his car had been having odd power-loss problems recently, but neither of us thought it was serious enough to worry about. Ha.

While we drove down a long straight road, the car lost power twice. Not huge losses, just ... twitches... Right up until we got to the stoplight at the end of the road. Then the car died. Eric managed to get it going, but halfway into the intersection it died again, and he couldn't get it started. With the help of another driver, I pushed the car out of the intersection, then I got in the driver's seat and kept trying until the car started up again. I got us through the intersection... then into a tiny parking area after the car died again.

We didn't try to go further, we just called AAA.

While we waited, I called a few other people. The only one I got a hold of was my brother, who offered to come and help. I thanked him and let him know that we would call back if AAA stranded us somewhere we needed a ride from.

It took awhile, but we finally got a tow truck. The driver played with the battery and showed us that the cable leading to the battery was loose. He thought that maybe it wasn't getting charged properly, so that was the problem. He used a penny to tighten up the cable, and hopefully that was that.

We left the car running and signed a bit of paperwork (and I called my brother back to let him know we didn't need help), and the tow truck took off for his next call. By the time we got back to the car, it had stopped running. I didn't think anything of it, but Eric was a bit flustered. He tried to start the engine. Nothing. Just that annoying clicking you get when the battery is completely dead.

The tow truck was far enough gone that we couldn't wave him back, so we made a second call to AAA. A short while later the same tow truck called to find out what had happened. Eric explained. The truck was on the way to another call, but he said he'd send a different truck.

We were about 2 miles from home, where the van sat. Rather than sit and stew, I suggested to Eric that he walk home. Then, if I ended up having to be towed, he could come and pick me up at the dealership or autoshop. He finally agreed after I talked him into it for awhile. Thus I got to sit in the car, next to the freeway, waiting for the tow truck.

After a good long wait, the new tow truck arrived. He was perplexed by the problem, but after I described the whole series of events and he used a mobile jump box to start the engine, he told me the battery was not holding a charge anymore. I chose to drive it home, where I could get another jump if needed, and not worry about it. The tow truck followed me home, and I got home just before Eric. As expected, when we tried to start the car again once home, it wouldn't start. The tow truck driver said the battery and its cables need to be replaced.

So we have a dead car in our garage. We're down to only the van working. And Eric's shop for the car is in Ballard, which is a good long drive away. We haven't really got the money to repair the car, but we have no choice. It's always the way, though. You aren't allowed to get ahead, just less further behind.

Someday, when I'm rich, I'm getting a new car. An actual new car, not a used car that's just new to me. Preferably a hybrid or a smartcar or something with great gas mileage that doesn't have too much nasty emissions. Someday. When I'm rich. Yeah.

McDonald's of Oz, Part 5

It started with Dorothy. Then we got Glinda and a bad bruise. Next came Witches and Lions. And finally a frantic hunt that led to one complete set, and another set almost complete.

Over the weekend, while my sister and I were at the Comicon, hubby-Eric went out for a McDonald's lunch and got himself another Glinda. He was hoping to find Toy #5, "Wicked Witch of the East", and complete the second full set. No such luck. I decided when I heard about his meal when I got home Saturday night that I would go to McDonald's once more sometime this week and find the final figure. It was my quest!

Monday morning, poor hubby-Eric was really sick. I spent some time during the day taking care of him, and decided not to go out for lunch for a variety of reasons. On Tuesday he was recovering, and although I ran a bunch of errands and such, an opportunity to go out to McD's didn't come up. Besides, I felt a bit woozy on Tuesday myself, and spent much of the day hoping I didn't have what Eric had.

I was beginning to think I did have it this morning, but a couple of hours of sleeping in banished the illness and I felt almost normal by midday. Good thing, too, as I had a number of errands I really needed to get done TODAY, including stuff for work and stuff for hobby. One of the things I didn't need to get done was a trip to the comic shop for new comics day, but I was feeling well enough that I headed out there anyway. Heck, I get to show off the sketchbooks on the Wednesday after a con at the comic shop, so it was fun. There were a couple of folks in the shop that had been at the con, and they both agreed that this year was a good one, with a very relaxed atmosphere. But I digress.

After visiting the comic shop, I decided to try the McDonald's near the shop where I had so much luck last time. I decided that if I found ol' East Witch, I would buy a Happy Meal to go with her... and EAT IT, too!

Again, the store was pretty much deserted when I entered, though the drive-through was insanely busy. No line, so I asked the cashier which Oz dolls they had. She had to get me to clarify which toys, as she was once again a person who had more Spanish than English. I followed her over to the toy bin and watched as she pulled out a Tin Man and something that had a flash of red. She held them out to me, and I grinned happily as I took La Bruja Mala Del Este, Toy #5, from her and said, "This is the one I wanted!"

I think my enthusiasm was a little catching, as she smiled back and it didn't look forced at all. I said I would buy a Happy Meal to go with the toy, which made her laugh, and got a burger, apple dippers, and a diet coke. She had no problem taking my order, and even remembered that I asked for no caramel for the dippers and no ice in my drink. Yes, I ate it (285 calories, 9 grams of fat).

Note to self: Whenever you need to go to McDonald's for a promotion, go to the Kenmore one FIRST. They seem to be the best in the area.

After returning home, I completed my work stuff and got a package ready for my hobby stuff. Then I walked down to the post office (165 calories spent) to mail it. Not quite enough exercise to offset the Happy Meal, but enough for the day, I think. I then sat down to write this and delay working on my next con report. Current tally: Two complete sets, plus an extra Glinda.

And hey, I don't care what hubby-Eric's April Fool's Day Joke says, this is it. We're done.

McDonald's of Oz, Part 3

With reports coming out on Eric's Oz Mailing List that people were already seeing The Cowardly Lion at McDonald's, we decided that I'd better see what the store had today instead of waiting until Friday. However, I really didn't want to eat another Happy Meal. Ok, I admit, some small part of me craves the stuff, but my stomach isn't small and wasn't doing the craving. After the potluck at our Torchwood party on Saturday, and two Happy Meals in the last week, I really wanted some real food for lunch. So I was hoping I could buy just the toys and escape with my health intact.

Just in case I did need to eat at McDonald's, I wanted to go on a walk today. We had a couple of letters to mail, so I used that as my excuse to walk to the post office. After I got to the post office, I decided to continue on to UW Bothell to see if the bookstore there had a sketchbook. While I don't suspect my current sketchbook will get filled at Emerald City Comicon, I don't like to take risks. So I walked down to UW Bothell, and checked out the bookstore, which was humming with business. No joy, the only sketchbooks they had were the larger size, and I prefer small ones.

Once I was home, a quick check on the pedometer gave me a total for my walk of about 2.25 miles. Not bad. That's enough to cancel the calories in a Happy Meal if I got one. And so I hopped in the car and drove up to the other McDonald's, since I'd already determined in my last two visits that the downtown location doesn't like me.

Despite it being lunchtime, there wasn't a huge rush, so I didn't feel bad about asking just for the toys. The gal at the counter was happy to sell them to me, after showing me the Cowardly Lion, which I wanted. I asked if they might have any leftover Dorothys, since hubby-Eric had only gotten one of those, and she said she'd check in a moment, so I stepped aside.

Her manager spotted me, and asked me (in a thick Spanish accent) what was up. I explained that I was trying to get the toys for a collector. Her eyes lit up and she told me to wait. She went into the depths of the store and came back momentarily with two Cowardly Lions and two Wicked Witches of the West. She apologized, said these were all they had at the moment, and sold them to me. No food required. Thank goodness.

Tally so far: 1 Dorothy, 2 Glinda, 2 Wicked Witch of the West, 2 Cowardly Lion, and one big bruise on my left leg.

UPDATE: After calling around town, I found a McDonald's with a Dorothy still in stock, and got my butt down there and bought it. So the new tally is 2 each of the first four figures in the set. Huzzah.

Another Day, Another Doll

Hubby-Eric wanted to get in on the hot McDonald's action, so today we walked together down to the same McD's I visited yesterday to get lunch. I was a little hesitant because of yesterday's experience, but it wasn't hard for him to talk me into a walk, despite the rain.

Walks go much faster with a friend, so this one sped by like the wind as we chatted about various Oz, comics, Dr Who, and weight loss things. We'd spent the morning cleaning up for the Torchwood party (which starts in less than an hour) so we were already both a bit tired. It was raining a bit harder then yesterday. A heavy drizzle.

When we got to the McDonald's, we ordered our Happy Meals with a cashier who had no problem understanding us. Eric watched to make sure they got the right figures, and I didn't end up with an unwanted Turtle again, while I went to sit down. No sign of ducks. Maybe they did end up on the menu.

When Eric brought our meals over, I reached in and... Glinda! It wasn't Dorothy. Had they run out of Dorothy already, or were they switching by day? I considered asking, but never bothered. I got my apples, thank goodness, and realized that the caramel dip alone is twice as much as the apples. Hmmm. Maybe I should just eat the apples next time, and save myself 70 calories.

As we left, I turned to hand Eric the bag of Happy Meal toys and swung my left leg solidly into a piece of metal that was jutting out into the sidewalk. OUCH. A bruise has not yet formed, but it still hurts. I commented to Eric that I think that McDonald's hates me. It's certainly out to get me. Despite the need to walk off the McD's calories, I think I might visit a different one in future.

We're Off to See the ... McDonald's?

I used to be a big McDonald's fan, back before I realized that they don't actually sell food, but "food product". Still, they have their uses. I liked getting the mini-Beanie Baby penguins, back during the craze (I collect penguins). I have nothing against most of the toys. And I've always liked the Monopoly game. I don't like eating there often, but every once in awhile I crave junk. Sadly, today wasn't really one of those days. But I wanted to get hubby-Eric a Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz doll, and I wanted to go on a long walk, so I decided that lunch today would be a Happy Meal from McDonald's!

I wasn't positive that today was the first day of the promotion, so to hedge my bets, I decided to take some books back to the library first. That way, if I got to McDonald's and there was no Oz, I could head home at least feeling like I'd accomplished something. The walk to the library was easy, as I've been doing it for the last few months no problem. Ok, I generally avoid walking in the rain if I can help it, but you can't always help it around here, and it was more a light drizzle than real rain.

From the library I headed to McDonald's, which isn't much further away. As I walked up to the place I saw a cute little girl in the window playing with a doll that had a checked blue dress and ruby red shoes. I grinned broadly, and the girl smiled back. Into the place I went... and there my problems started.

Only one poor cashier was taking orders, and she was out of her league. She spoke English with a thick Spanish accent, and although she was cheerful, she was a bit hard to understand and was having some trouble understanding the customers. I speak very little Spanish, otherwise it might have been a less stressful moment for me. I ordered a "Wizard of Oz Happy Meal with Apple Dippers and a Diet Coke". She didn't understand me. All she got out of it was "Happy Meal". Then she asked me which toy. I said, "Wizard of Oz". She looked confused then typed something into her register. "Wadriwayaike?" She said. "Huh?" I said. "Wadriwayaike?" She said. I thought maybe my ears were misadjusted, "HUH?" "Wa drink waya like?" She said, and this time I got it. "Diet Coke," I responded, then said aloud, mostly to myself, "didn't I already say that?" The guy behind me grunted, "yes."

I paid then stepped aside to await my "meal". As soon as I got the bag, I checked the toy. Yup, it was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, not a Wizard of Oz figure. I called the cashier over, pointed to the Wizard of Oz side of the bag and said, "I wanted a Wizard of Oz figure," and handed her the turtle. She nodded, smiled a forced smile, and got me my Dorothy figure. To her defense, she was young enough that she might not even know what Wizard of Oz is AND it's the first day of the promotion. I then retired to a seat in the place to eat my food product. As I walked to my seat, I saw a duck standing in the door, looking in. I paused for a moment, then continued to my seat.

I was maybe a quarter of the way into the fries when I thought to myself, MAN, these fries are really salty. And then I thought to myself, Hey, I ordered Apple Dippers! I sighed, looked down at my food product and weighed my choices. I could go back and complain. I'd probably get my apple dippers. I could eat the rest of the fries. I could dump the rest of the fries and just not worry about it. I had eaten enough of the fries that I didn't want to eat any dippers. And the fries were just too salty to finish. So I decided on number three: non-confrontationally dump the rest of the fries and be happy I got the Dorothy doll at least.

I looked up and saw a guy walking in the door looking curiously at the duck, which was still standing there. "He's not on the menu," I said to the guy. He smiled, looked back at the duck, and said, "Not yet, at least." I was going to say that McDonald's would never serve anything that fresh, but decided I'd had enough human interaction for the moment.

As I left McDonald's, I realized I was a little angry at them for messing up my order. I decided to use that anger to go on a longer walk. So what if it's raining? I walked to the local Safeway to check if they had any of Stephen Colbert's Ice Cream. No go. Then I walked about a quarter mile out of my way to the QFC to see if they had the Stephen Colbert ice cream. Nope, not yet. Then to home, where I entered my lunch and my walk into CalorieKing, and was pleased to see that they canceled each other out.

All's well that ends well? I suppose. Hubby-Eric was pleased when he got home and I gave him the Dorothy figure. That makes it all worth it.