After a long hiatus, I finally got to go out for a hike this weekend. I forgot how much I love hiking, it’s such a good way to distress the mind, and a great workout too. Also was nice to catch up with my friend Gingee and her pups, since I haven’t seen or interacted with in months. Wasn’t a very long hike, about 3 miles or so, but invigorating. It was a little cold out, we had some snow, but it melted pretty quickly too. So by the end of the hike, the trails were muddy. This is also part of my plan to get back in shape. I have been very inactive for many months now, I have gained some weight and feel physically weak. It is no secret that I have been battling depression for a while and losing my job also contributed to my lack of exercise or activeness in general. But things are starting to look up a bit, in a way. Having the motivation to go out for a hike and reaching out to my friend is a good sign I guess.

And here’s a picture of the fabulous John P.

The Saturday after it’s release date, I walked into my local Best Buy just to browse around whilst my parents here at a different store. Little did I know that they would have the HomePod in stock. There was only one Space Gray HomePod left, so I had to pick it up (had to or really wanted to?). Anyway, I picked one up and I have to admit I was never too excited about it before like never got my attention until I saw it in front of me. But after trying the Amazon Echo (2nd Generation) for a while I thought I would give HomePod a try. Also being an Apple Music subscriber it sort of made sense I’d try the HomePod (also since I’m so invested in the Apple ecosystem). I didn’t know exactly what to expect but at the same time, I was expecting it to work somewhat like the Echo did. Set up a timer, reminders, play music and that’s pretty much everything I need (I think). I don’t have smart stuff around the house to control with — yet. So my needs for such a device are pretty basic. My first impressions were this thing is massive — compared to the Echo that is (and yes, I smelled the thing). The sound quality blew me away, I don’t think I have ever owned something in my home that sounded so good. It does a good job at hearing me well most of the time — as long as I say the magic words, “Hey Siri”. But there are a few times were it doesn’t quite work, like I’ll be asking to “Siri in the tube” to play a specific song or artist and it will tell me something like “I cannot find that in your library” (like the other day when I asked for “Medico Brujo by La Banda Algarete”). Or when we tried to play music by Cultura Profetica, we had to ask like in 5 different ways before we got the right thing. Which it becomes a little frustrating at times (especially to my wife, she has no empathy for the machine). Then again, I love how it sounds, it sounds better than the Amazon Echo for sure. And like I have said before, my needs are minimal — for now. I’m hoping that this product will get better over time because right now it feels like a half-baked product. That being said, it’s sitting in the kitchen area right next to my Amazon Echo still debating whether to return it or not.

In other news! I got 2 new video games. Dynasty Warriors 9 (which I have been waiting forever) and Bayonetta 2 for the Nintendo Switch. And I am pretty excited.