:: climbs soapbox ::
Listen, there’s no reason we all need so many different cables. I was away for the weekend, and here’s what I had to pack: Lightning to USB. USB-C to Lightning. USB-C to USB-C. A proprietary charger for my sleep tracker. And because I’m me, I always pack a network cable. More cluttered accessorizing: my laptop doesn’t have a network port; I also need a USB-C to Ethernet adapter. It’s exhausting and adds heft to my carry-on bag.
The Internet is a vital service for people now more than ever. Between work, shopping, entertainment, and information, the average person can probably find something online. This connectivity provides such an essential service that internet access is now a utility. It has evolved from a luxury to a necessity, like electricity or access to running water. But even in this country, not everyone has access to modern internet services. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) refuse to expand their aging networks into the vast rural areas of this country.
How annoying is it when you’re busy and rush to answer your phone, and it’s a robocall? “Spamantha Likely,” as some say. Robocalls are out of control and have become a hot-button topic amongst phone providers. AT&T airs nonstop commercials about them. And I’m guessing most of you have experienced an uptick in robocalls and would like them to stop, too!
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to drink more water! I was pretty good about this in 2020 but slowly slumped off during 2021. My habit of “reach for my water, and if it’s empty, get more” became “reach for my water, and if it’s empty, make a note to refill in 5 minutes (repeat for the next hour or two).” I realized I rather enjoyed carbonated water, and the fading aftertaste flavor was a natural cue to get more. However, if this were to become a habit, it’d VERY quickly become expensive. On my monthly grocery shopping trips, I’d pick up a few 12-packs of some of the store brand flavored water on sale, and without fail, I’d consumed it all within a week. As the pandemic eased, and I no longer had the “well, I’m not spending money on “XYZ” anymore” to fall back on, I searched for a solution.
