Author: janeslessonslearned

Unintended Consequences: Free Movies

I learned about free movie streaming from Amazon and I learned it from Netflix!

Netflix started this all, when it raised its prices dramatically, splitting streaming from DVD.  That did it for me, as we weren’t using it enough to justify the new price and I cancelled Netflix.

I was happy to complete the “exit interview” the why-are-you-leaving survey, because I wanted Netflix to know that the price increase drove me away.  There were questions about how I will watch movies now, and “free movies from Amazon Prime” was one of the options.  What?  I’ve subscribed to Amazon Prime for years – the free shipping pays for the membership many times over at my house.

It turns out that Amazon Prime offers 5000 movies and TV shows, as part of something I already pay for.  Score!

Thanks, Netflix!

Home Sweet Rental

Sally learned to treat your apartment as though you own it.

She woke up to no hot water but didn’t want to bother her landlord so early in the morning.  She meant to call him later but forgot.

In the few hours between her discovery and his, the hot water tank sprayed water all over the basement!

Next time, she’ll get to the root of the problem, or at least make that phone call.

Free Bikes for Short Rides!

This morning I saw the snazzy black and green bikes in Kenmore Square, and then another batch on the little street leading to my office – they are here!

Hubway is the new program in Boston to pick up a bike in one of many locations, ride to to another, and leave it there.   The map is here.

Lauren just told me that if your ride is under 30 minutes it’s FREE!

Telltale

This is a “telltale”.  Today it’s over a gorgeous rail trail, but once it was over a train track of the Northern Railroad in New Hampshire.

I don’t think I would have noticed it if I had not learned about it from the New Hampshire Rail Trail book by Charles F Martin.

He says: “These are horizontal bars holding a set of vertical metal strips that hang down toward the track.  If a train worker were on one of the cars and couldn’t see the bridge coming, then a telltale would tickle his back, reminding him to keep down”

 

Sweet Summer Jamfest

I learned how to make jam!

Caren taught me how to make blueberry and strawberry jam!  I learned how to mash and cook the fruit, how to sterilize and fill the jars, how to heat them in boiling water, and how to listen for the “pop” that seals them.

I won’t be telling my mom about this adventure, because this would push her over the top with her relationship with Poison Control, but I’m  confident that we did it all right!

Thanks, Caren!

 

Lessons to Go

These are some of the things Kat and her helpers learned about moving :

  • Feed and water the crew.  Have snack and cold drinks at the start and end locations.
  • Wheels were invented for a reason.  Have some available.
  • If you disassemble something, put the hardware somewhere very obvious.  Maybe tape it to the item.  Or put it another container with a GREAT BIG LABEL on the outside.  (Oh my.  Just had Kat-move Déjà vu experience!  It involves a futon with missing hardware!)
What else, Kat?