A Digitally Delightful Day in Suburban Lake Life 

Welcome to a day in the life of a suburban Lake Monticello Lady, where Ring, Amazon and Facebook play key roles in the daily drama.  Join me on this journey as we navigate the highs and lows of digital life, all while keeping a close eye on those mischievous Aussies, Bluey & Casey!

Morning Rituals
Ah, the Amazon Chronicles of my daily life – where Alexa my trusty life commander orchestrates the symphony of my existence.  Picture this: waking up to the sweet tunes of my favorite music, as she curates the soundtrack to my morning routine.  It’s like having my very own multitasking maestro- a DJ who spins tunes, a fashion guru with style tips, a meteorologist predicting my daily forecast, and a personal assistant that keeps my schedule on track. All in one, because who needs separate entourages when you’ve got Alexa in the house!

And let’s not forget the daily shipment warnings from Alexa.  I call it a warning because, you know, strategic planning is key when it comes to concealing the evidence of my shopping spree – especially when those boxes might contain a surprise gift for yours truly.  Because, really, who doesn’t deserve a little self-indulgence every now and then?

As I write this, it’s 5:11am on a Saturday morning, 28 degrees outside and I have very ripe bananas on my kitchen counter.  I think what do I do with these and summon Alexa to show me a recipe for banana muffins.  Gone are the days of wrestling with a massive cookbook; now it’s just a casual chat with Alexa to unravel the secrets of baking.  How, have times have changed – from cookbook struggles to voice activated baking bliss!

As I leave for work I activate Ring and Alexa Guard to be the superheroes of our home.  These trusty sidekicks not only keep a vigilant watch for fire alarms, CO2 alarms and camera alerts, but also stand as the undisputed champion against Aussie-induced mayhem of Bluey & Casey.  It’s like having a digital Sherlock Holmes meets dog whisperer – because who said technology can’t be a bit of a comedic detective in our everyday chaos?  Because let’s face it, no one wants to come home to a canine construction site. 

Alexa has a knack for telling us what to do and when to do it.  She’s the unsung hero in our chaotic lives, bringing a touch of order to the madness.  Who knew that amidst the barks, alerts and hardwood acrobatics, Alexa would emerge as the conductor of our harmonious, albeit slightly comedic home?  It’s a digital saga where technology collides with amusement, and chaos takes a breather, courtesy of Alexa’s directives – because who knew a virtual assistant could moonlight as a chaos coordinator.

Facebook Follies
Welcome to the whimsical Facebook soap opera, starring the dazzling cast of personal updates! Brace yourself for the riveting drama of status updates, featuring a cinematic collection of photos and videos capturing life’s everyday moments, special occasions and those unforgettable experiences. Let us not dare forget the annual birthday reminders for acquaintances I haven’t laid eyes on in a whopping 35 years! It’s the never ending saga of life laughter and the occasional “Who’s that again?” moment in the grand theater of Facebook.

But dear reader, amidst the laughter, a dark force has infiltrated my once serene Facebook haven, the invasion of ads.  Suddenly, my feed resembles a marketplace for DIY tobacco baskets, weight loss miracles, and kitchen transforming towels.  It’s overwhelming.  Amidst updates on friends’ lives, I’m bombarded by ads that make me contemplate digging out my old rotary phone just to connect with friends. 

Now, the unthinkable crosses my mind – paying for a Facebook subscription.  Yes, you heard right.  The idea of digital liberation through subscription fees to escape relentless ad onslaught is increasingly tempting.  Who wouldn’t toss a few bucks into the virtual hat of an ad-free haven and a chance to salvage peace in my digital domain? Think of it like investing in a VIP ticket to escape the “ad circus”. 

Inbox Insights
Ah, welcome to the inbox battlefield – a war zone where Bed Bath & Beyond emails think they are kings of the castle.  They bombard me with four emails a week, as if that’s the secret sauce to turn me into a shopping wizard. Spoiler alert:  It’s not.

Strategic marketing, not email overkill, should be the name of the game. It’s like Bed Bath & Beyond mistook my inbox for a clearance sale – everything must go! Their emails have become a digital avalanche swallowing my inbox faster than you can “unsubscribe.”.  Most times I hit delete without even a glance – it’s a one-sided conversation where the delete key does all the talking.

To reclaim my in-box, I’ve enlisted Google’s handy unsubscribe tool.  It’s my digital superhero, fighting against the relentless tide of emails.  Picture it as the Kraken, releasing it’s might tentacles on unwanted messages. The irony is, the more they flood my inbox the less likely I am to fall for their marketing charms.  It’s like they are that persistent friend who just won’t take a hint. 

So, here’s to the ongoing inbox battle, where Bed Bath & Beyond plays the role of the clingy suitor, and I brandish the unsubscribe tool like a digital superhero.  Let the emails fall where they may, and may the unsubscribe button forever reign supreme in my quest to reclaim my inbox sovereignty.  They think they are the kings of my castle, but little do they know I’m the queen of the subscribe button!

Conclusion
A typical morning in our home: I wake up to Alexa playing my favorite tunes in my ear; as I are prepare my coffee, Alexa tells me what to expect on my calendar for the day. As I leave for the day I guard our home with Amazon Guard and Ring. I then begin to wonder what the Ring camera shenanigans staring the mischievous pair, Bluey & Casey, will have in store for us today.  When I check in on the ring.com site later in the day, it’s a hilarious mix of laughter and entertainment that sometimes leaves me struggling to contain my giggles (and attempting not to turn the office into a comedy club with my sudden bursts of laughter).  At least once a day, I reluctantly open Facebook, not just to check on my friends but to ensure the world is still spinning – you know just in case it decided to take a coffee break or something.

As I bid you farewell, I’m gearing up to face the inbox apocalypse, courtesy of the holiday email invasion.  Armed with my trusted unsubscribe sword, I’m on a mission to declutter my digital life.  After all, my New Year’s resolution is all about embracing the less-is-more philosophy, both in the digital realm and in the tangible world.  Here’s to a 2024 filled with fewer emails, less chaos and a whole lot more laughs!