New Shoes!

Despite the fact that I’m of the female persuasion, I could probably count the number of shoes I own on two hands. There’s the 8-year-old, no-longer-waterproof-in-any-way-shape-or-form hiking boots I need to replace soon, my fantastic snow boots from Lands End, a pair of UGGS, short city boots, tall riding boots (sensing a trend, here?), and various decaying Converse and tennis-style flats. And a couple pair of pumps that never get worn anymore. What’s that? Around ten, like I said. Since about a year before I got laid off three years ago, I have not bought a single new pair of shoes. That’s a long time.

I used to be able to find old-fashioned, simple espadrilles at the local swap meet for four bucks apiece. I’d get two or three pair every summer. They’re somewhat disposable, because the soles are made of woven jute rope. Works great for some while, but if you get them wet, the soles start deteriorating at an alarming rate. I stomped all over Europe one summer in a pale yellow pair that I loved. But I can’t find them anymore. They’re all dressed up and fancified, and 10 times the price. Recently, I saw a girl at the lake wearing a pair. I ran up to her and asked where she got them. “Ensenada.” Not going that far for espadrilles.

So, I’m flipping through a Lands End sale catalog, and I spy these adorable things called Gatas. Plus, they’re 20% off with free shipping. I’m a sucker for free shipping. So I ordered them, and I LOVE them. So soft and comfy. They’re already a bit dirty.

Then about two weeks later, Yardsellr.com sent me an email. They’d set up a sister site, called Style.ly, exclusively for clothing and accessories, and gave me a $15 coupon to use. I found a pair of Toms for $40, which also look like espadrilles, and got them. Toms is a great company: for every pair they sell, they donate a pair to children in need. Seller ran out of those, but had other Toms for $45. I asked for five bucks off, and got this pair of two-tone classics. I just LOVE them.

There's African animals printed inside!

Of course, BlackBot had to try them on, too.

"What do you think? Too big?"

BlackBot Learns About Water

For the past two and a half years, I’ve been doing the bookkeeping for our neighborhood’s small locally-run water company. Just recently, Rich & I started also doing the daily maintenance — checking tank levels, reading meters, running pumps, etc. Usually we do it together, but the other day I was working alone. BlackBot came along to help. He also learned a lot about water systems!

"That was a big hill... does this mean we're getting close?"

First, we checked the big 33,000 gallon tank at the highest part of our neighborhood.

"It's a LOT bigger than BlackBot anticipated."

The view from up there is stunning.

"Uploading... Middle Peak, 5883 feet. Cuyamaca Peak, 6512 feet."

From this vantage point, one can also see Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead mountains in the distance, often covered in snow. Hard to see this day, though.

Then we headed down to one of the wellheads. BlackBot was fascinated with the valves, even getting in the way a few times.

"Valve controls flow of H2O."

"I help turn key."

"H2O essential to organic life."

Once we had the lower tank filling, BlackBot explored the wellhouse.

"BlackBot want know what these do."

Then we got the generator and pumps running. BlackBot made sure the meter dial was spinning before we left.

 

OOF!

BlackBot and Owlet were having a whispered conversation, when Gracie suddenly jumped up on their chair. Startled, they both froze, and soon they had Gracie’s curled-up and sleeping bulk pinning their legs fast! Oh, the indignity!

“They make good pillows.”

A Cat, an Owl, and a Robot Walk Into a Bar…

While on an outdoor expedition recently, BlackBot detected something with his superior robot-senses.

"Danger, Will Robson, Danger! Unknown object detected in tree. Stand by."

It was an owl! She was rather starry-eyed from being out during a bright, sunny day. BlackBot lured her down and began compiling a database on owls.

"Gathering data... uploading..."

Later, Gracie joined the act, making for a merry threesome.

"What? You never saw a cat, an owl, and a robot having a picnic before?"

Sounds like the beginning of a bar joke…

Green Acorns

I’ve acquired an UglyDoll. His name is UglyBot, but I think we’ll be calling him “BlackBot.” His mission is to serve humans. We took him on an outing. He immediately climbed a tree.

"BlackBot climb tree. See better."

In order to gather data about his immediate surroundings, BlackBot wanted to gain high vantage points:

"Gathering data... uploading..."

His keen observation skills started paying off right away. He spotted some large, new, green acorns. A sure sign of approaching winter!

"BlackBot find unfamiliar object. Searching files..."

We brought them inside, where BlackBot demonstrated his encoded decorating skills.

"A-Corns fill space here in pleasing arrangement."