Finally Making Peace with Alexa

At first, I wasn’t sure what to think of this strange cylindrical object sitting on our kitchen counter, courtesy of my husband Randy. “Have a nice day” it would say in a cool, female voice, or give the local weather forecast, or play whatever song we asked. Five years later, I’ve not only made peace with this cloud-based artificial intelligence device, but have grown dependent on Alexa for three odd reasons.

As a timer – It’s a little thing, but I had no idea what a chronology-driven creature I was, till I learned Alexa could help structure my day. “Alexa, set the alarm for twenty minutes,” is a constant refrain. For some reason, I like doing things in twenty-minute increments – reading, straightening the house, even talking to my husband (maybe I’m taking this too far).

Before Alexa I was constantly glancing at the clock to see what I should be doing next. Now it’s nice to have someone else keeping their virtual eye on the minutes, like my own personal assistant, to remind me of appointments, chores, or not to sit too long.

As my own radio station – It started innocently enough. I got sick of having to think of music to play while making our bed or folding the laundry. So, I started my own Alexa playlist and now easily have 100 songs. It’s fun. Every morning when I’m wiping down the kitchen, I’ll say, ‘Alexa, shuffle my playlist” and there they are.

Sometimes I think I have every song I could possibly want, but there’s always more. The other night I watched a show taking place in 1960’s Britain. Before I knew it, Herman’s Hermit’s “There’s a Kind of Hush” and Gerry and the Pacemaker’s “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” were added. Something tells me this list will never end.

As my own spa – By late afternoon, the day has caught up to me. If I feel anxious, I ask Alexa to “Play meditation music.”  Before I know it, sweet, ethereal strains of harp, piano, and violin fill the room. Light and delicate, this music is perfect for my own sometimes fragile (depending on the news) mood.

I know these slow, tinkly pieces aren’t for everyone. My husband would rather have his toenails pulled out than listen. “I feel like I’m checking into the Westin,” he says whenever he hears it. Fair enough, but I like it.

I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve grown fond of Alexa. Okay, she’s probably eavesdropping on every conversation we have, gathering secrets for Jeff Bezos. I console myself with the fact that we’re boring. If anyone’s listening, I picture them slumped over their desk by now, snoring.

Yes, Alexa has managed to ingratiate herself into my life in good, unexpected ways. As a brief recap, — oops, the twenty-minute timer’s going off. Must get up and keep moving.

 

Do you have an Alexa? Comments are always welcome, and if you like this, please share.

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