PixlBit

So this is Southern California the past week: HOT. Last week it was in the 70s, I wore a hoodie (with shorts), the windows were open and everything is good. This week, it is warm there’s no hoodie (still wearing shorts), and yesterday I broke down and turned the AC on. I fought the good fight but it got toasty. After I update you good people on my randomness I will most likely head out to the bank, maybe check out the thrift stores on the way back, and then get an ice coffee before starting the 3 day weekend so let’s get this started.

Adventures With Google Home Mini

It’s been a week since I got the Home Mini and I like it. I like saying “Hey Google” and then proceed to ask a random question. Usually I have it turn the radio on and adjust the volume. Recently I attached it to a battery pack and I’m using it to stream music while I’m in the shower. It does a decent job of recognizing what I want played but at certain times it will play the wrong things. On Spotify it plays some garbage version of Guns N’ Roses November Rain, the live version of Reel Big Fish’s She Has A Girlfriend Now, and forces some Mariah Carey/Justin Bieber song instead of All I Want For Christmas Is You.

There are a couple of things I would like to change about the Home Mini:

-I want to call it "Computer" so I can get the full Star Trek TNG vibe. I also want her voice to be the Star Trek Computer voice...or Australian like Siri on my phone.

-Talk trash about Siri and Alexa. This has to be an easter egg one of the companies wrote into the software

Since this is 90% of it’s use its more a luxury item than an everyday necessity. I’m not hooking it up to the house lights, or using it as an alarm because I don’t want to have any more information on me than it already does (It knows my Axel Rose shower singing voice is on point. You’re know this US Government).

 

Chris Watches

Jack Ryan - Amazon Prime: Man I have been missing out. I’m three episodes in on Season 1 and it is such a good show. The show is set during young Jack Ryan when he’s working behind a desk in the CIA and catches onto how a mysterious terrorist transfers money.

The Affair - Showtime: One of my favorite shows ended last week and although I’m a couple of episodes behind I saw the spoilers. As much as this last season was kinda odd, I like the overall story. There were some big cringe worthy moments this season but overall I thought it was a good story.

 

Chris Listens

-I added the Dateline podcast to my podcast lineup. It’s just the audio from classic episodes with one or two commercials but it scratches that Dateline itch that I have been having to watch the series on TV.

-Unlike previous years where I go all in on Christmas Music, this year I’ve been mixing it with regular music. It’s odd listening to Baby It’s Cold Outside while you have the AC going in the truck but this is what I’m used to.

 

Randoms

-The random BBQ Championships in California came back to the local golf course this year after spending a year in the neighboring town. I went around 11am, the place was packed and I hit two vendors, one with the longest line, and the other with the shortest. The longest line had really good ribs and brisket, while the shortest line had sub par tri-tip (it was cold), but really good sausage. Since I live down the street I bought food and then came home to watch football

-Since the weather is nice (except for this week) and Daylight Savings kicked in I’m going to hit the local swap meet earlier since it gets dark at 5pm. Hopefully everyone is set up by then…they won’t be.

-While roaming around Walmart looking for random toys I spot this

 

I loved the originals when I was younger. I was into robots and I had a bunch, and with these little guys, going to Hawaii in the summer meant that my brother and I were able to get the Japanese versions. $20 is a little steep for these bad boys.

 

Pickups

Games

-On iOS I bought Bastion. Technically it was free but I had to hit the purchase the full game button in game.

-On Switch I bought the WWE 2K18 Accelerator DLC which unlocked all the wrestlers and let me edit the current Superstars skills. Alexa Bliss is now unbeatable.  

 

Found at the local Treasure Hunt

 

Some new weapons for the game. I bought them for a quarter. I'm getting closer to buying the PS4 version as well. It dropped from $12 to $8. I'm gonna check today to see if that's the lowest it will go.

 

Music

From Treasure Hunt

 

I don’t know this artist but he seems to be a pop act from Australia, and it was $3.00 so why not.

 

Toys

From Treasure Hunt…again 

Remember Masters of the Universe? I just called them He-Man’s, but I remember seeing these figures awhile back at Target and they have the same body style as the old He-Man's. I found these two buried under a mountain of Incredibles figures

 

I think they came out $3 each. Now I have to grab the He-Man’s from the garage and have the epic tale of how He-Man lost to Batman and Aquaman. I let them breathe and they're standing next to my TV. I don't know if I'll complete the set, but if I find the others at similar prices I'll probably pick them up.

 

Final pickup is from The Show’s online store (they’re the student section at SDSU). The OG shirt designer created a shirt to celebrate Kawhi and Stephen Strasburg winning Finals MVPs

 

 

Alright Pixlpeeps all this writing of Treasure Hunt makes me want to check out what they have so I am off. Have a good weekend!

 

That’s all for now, more later!

-Chris