Fear not, it's just 4 exterior lights and they operate inside my Tailscale VPN, so no data leaks. That was the difficult part. Due to salary cuts neighborhood security has been lax, and break-ins are on the rise thanks to the economy. It offers piece of mind to know the security lighting is doing its thing without having to depend on others.
My deepest sympathies Mr. Fareside. Putting yourself through all that so I won't have to--not that there is much chance of that technology ever finding it's way to my place. Cussing in four languages sounds like something that would definitely broaden my horizons though.
I highly recommend cussing in as many languages as you can muster. They all give different levels of relief for different sitatuions.
I stretched the story a bit for a laugh. The lights were easy, but getting everything to function inside my super-secure network took some doing. I don't trust anything Chinese to protect my privacy. The missus, though, is resting easier knowing that the security lights are always on when they should be. We may be in for some rough times ahead, and she's lived through some rough patches that have made her paranoid--especially as she gets older.
As you probably can surmise from previous posts, I don't cotton much to any outside lights either. Much prefer the darkness---although I do keep a good flashlight by the front and back doors. Night security is handled by the LGDs that have free run of the place. Officially their job is to keep the varmints away from the goats, but there have been times they have treed unwanted two legged visitors also, calling for me to come out and do what might be necessary. Keep a .45 by the doors also, when it's not on my hip. I do agree, that we all are in for some rough and tough times---all part of the turning. Be nice if you and Mrs. Farside can manage to get away from the city and live full time at the retreat, but I do know how the women folk are. My latest just couldn't stand the quiet--had to have radio and TV going all the time just for the noise. Been about 5 years or so since she last ventured out to the ranch, and honestly--can't say that I miss her at all.
I've lived in some gloriously dark places, and I used to take the kids camping in Big Bend, where the night sky is mind blowing. Up the hill, I built a sky lounge that blocks stray light and lets me do my stargazing, and I love sitting on the porch at night after the holler houses have quit for the day, just to enjoy the absolute silence. Generally, women folk just can't handle that sort of intense aloneness, and Indonesians in general hate darkness.
It's hard to have a dog here in a majority Muslim country. Half the neighbors want it gone, and the other half want to eat it. Also, I can't leave it alone at one house while I stay at the other. Dogs are a lot like women in that regard--always need socializing. When I abandon the sity, I plan to get a dachshund, which is my favorite breed. Fearless and loyal. I also plan to buy a telescope at that time, as well. Watching the heavens is a life-long passion of mine.
Fingers crossed next year I can escape, after I renew my visa for another 5 years.
Your comment about how many Indonesians it takes brought to mind two of my favorite old jokes (forgive me, I'm old and can't help myself).
How many Irishmen does it take to change a light bulb? (I'm Irish so I can tell this) Eleven. One to hold the light bulb and ten to drink until the room spins.
How many psychiatrists to change a light bulb? Just one, but the light bulb has to really want to change.
Sorry, I'll get on with my day now. I did enjoy the post about 'smart' homes. I wonder, will the robots do everything for us or is the plan to do everything without us?
Alas, I suspect you're right. Folks are so distracted by their blinky lights and tinker bells that they don't see what's going on around them, and that's by design, too.
Ha! I'll drink to that! I had forgotten the Irish one. Love it. Wrote it on the white board to keep me laughing during the long hauls.
I have to wonder what people will do with all that free time, or will "they" just finish culling the herd so we don't have as many humans around? Frankly, I prefer doing things myself. Never have trusted anyone - or anything - to do as good a job and me.
Realistically, ‘at a certain ill-defined age’, simplicity is a better path: there being that guy. Suggest you resurrect your Ray Bradbury library, and as well Soylent Green - just saying.
Simplicity is a marvelous thing, and best served when females are not present. Were I alone, I'd be perfectly happy in the dark watching the stars roll by. Alas, the womenfolk yearn for "security".
LOL! I tend to exaggerate for humor's sake. I have no intention of going whole hog on this stuff, and if you look back a couple of months ago, you'll find that I have a very robust VPN that keeps all my data and devices safely tucked away. But it was funny watching my wife and I hook up a couple of light bulbs.
That is the highest compliment I could ever receive. Thank you for that. You made my day. Sorry about the spelling and grammar mistakes. I was in a hurry to publish on time and I did a poor job editing. Your comment is much appreciated.
Smart home? You're joking, right?
Fear not, it's just 4 exterior lights and they operate inside my Tailscale VPN, so no data leaks. That was the difficult part. Due to salary cuts neighborhood security has been lax, and break-ins are on the rise thanks to the economy. It offers piece of mind to know the security lighting is doing its thing without having to depend on others.
My deepest sympathies Mr. Fareside. Putting yourself through all that so I won't have to--not that there is much chance of that technology ever finding it's way to my place. Cussing in four languages sounds like something that would definitely broaden my horizons though.
I highly recommend cussing in as many languages as you can muster. They all give different levels of relief for different sitatuions.
I stretched the story a bit for a laugh. The lights were easy, but getting everything to function inside my super-secure network took some doing. I don't trust anything Chinese to protect my privacy. The missus, though, is resting easier knowing that the security lights are always on when they should be. We may be in for some rough times ahead, and she's lived through some rough patches that have made her paranoid--especially as she gets older.
As you probably can surmise from previous posts, I don't cotton much to any outside lights either. Much prefer the darkness---although I do keep a good flashlight by the front and back doors. Night security is handled by the LGDs that have free run of the place. Officially their job is to keep the varmints away from the goats, but there have been times they have treed unwanted two legged visitors also, calling for me to come out and do what might be necessary. Keep a .45 by the doors also, when it's not on my hip. I do agree, that we all are in for some rough and tough times---all part of the turning. Be nice if you and Mrs. Farside can manage to get away from the city and live full time at the retreat, but I do know how the women folk are. My latest just couldn't stand the quiet--had to have radio and TV going all the time just for the noise. Been about 5 years or so since she last ventured out to the ranch, and honestly--can't say that I miss her at all.
I've lived in some gloriously dark places, and I used to take the kids camping in Big Bend, where the night sky is mind blowing. Up the hill, I built a sky lounge that blocks stray light and lets me do my stargazing, and I love sitting on the porch at night after the holler houses have quit for the day, just to enjoy the absolute silence. Generally, women folk just can't handle that sort of intense aloneness, and Indonesians in general hate darkness.
It's hard to have a dog here in a majority Muslim country. Half the neighbors want it gone, and the other half want to eat it. Also, I can't leave it alone at one house while I stay at the other. Dogs are a lot like women in that regard--always need socializing. When I abandon the sity, I plan to get a dachshund, which is my favorite breed. Fearless and loyal. I also plan to buy a telescope at that time, as well. Watching the heavens is a life-long passion of mine.
Fingers crossed next year I can escape, after I renew my visa for another 5 years.
Your comment about how many Indonesians it takes brought to mind two of my favorite old jokes (forgive me, I'm old and can't help myself).
How many Irishmen does it take to change a light bulb? (I'm Irish so I can tell this) Eleven. One to hold the light bulb and ten to drink until the room spins.
How many psychiatrists to change a light bulb? Just one, but the light bulb has to really want to change.
Sorry, I'll get on with my day now. I did enjoy the post about 'smart' homes. I wonder, will the robots do everything for us or is the plan to do everything without us?
most likely the second.
Alas, I suspect you're right. Folks are so distracted by their blinky lights and tinker bells that they don't see what's going on around them, and that's by design, too.
Ha! I'll drink to that! I had forgotten the Irish one. Love it. Wrote it on the white board to keep me laughing during the long hauls.
I have to wonder what people will do with all that free time, or will "they" just finish culling the herd so we don't have as many humans around? Frankly, I prefer doing things myself. Never have trusted anyone - or anything - to do as good a job and me.
Realistically, ‘at a certain ill-defined age’, simplicity is a better path: there being that guy. Suggest you resurrect your Ray Bradbury library, and as well Soylent Green - just saying.
Simplicity is a marvelous thing, and best served when females are not present. Were I alone, I'd be perfectly happy in the dark watching the stars roll by. Alas, the womenfolk yearn for "security".
until now I'd always thought of you as smart. I guess you still are but couldn't resist this horrible temptation.
LOL! I tend to exaggerate for humor's sake. I have no intention of going whole hog on this stuff, and if you look back a couple of months ago, you'll find that I have a very robust VPN that keeps all my data and devices safely tucked away. But it was funny watching my wife and I hook up a couple of light bulbs.
This was so well written, that I just to read it out loud. My husbands laughter, in the background, made my day.
That is the highest compliment I could ever receive. Thank you for that. You made my day. Sorry about the spelling and grammar mistakes. I was in a hurry to publish on time and I did a poor job editing. Your comment is much appreciated.