The Raven's Roost

Some time last year we noticed one of the utility poles near the house was leaning and cracked. Part of it may be weather, but this pole was also part of a really long run of wire and they had the tension a little too high, so it was pulling on the pole. The guy from the co-op who came out to look said they'd replace it, but he didn't know when someone would come.

Someone came yesterday afternoon. Three power trucks showed up suddenly. Fox put the house on generator power and we just hung around outside watching them work. Generator power keeps the internet online for everyone getting their service off our tower. They also replaced a pole at the end of the run which was having the same problems. We still have the same transformer as before, but got new copper wiring, a squirrel guard, and of course all new grounding wires and rods. Yay, infrastructure! :D

Sorry, I'm kind of a fan of infrastructure. I may not quite get how some things work but I like to learn.

We also bought me a fancy Japanese toilet seat. Fox has had a Toto Washlet since 2019, but my bathroom seemed to have no good options for a power outlet. Happily, Fox was nosing around at it and on a hunch, he cut a hole in the bathroom wall and stuck his phone in it to take a picture. Turns out we were able to draw off some wiring supplying the kitchen, and long story short I have one of those awesome toilets that warms the seat and everything.

I gotta call my bank today. My credit card number got out and someone is very determinedly trying to use it - except they don't have the right verification code, and I leave my credit cards blocked unless I need to use them, so I'm just watching all these declined charges in amusement as they started out trying to buy watches and shit and have now gotten desperate enough to try Walmart. But I'm going to call today and get a new card issued. I'd love to know how the number got out but I'm not seeing anything in my legit buying history that looks like a security risk.

I decided against putting in a volunteer application with the state and instead signed up with the county. I specifically sent in a note of interest in "invasive plant remover," which would have me digging up and cutting down invasive plants in local parks and forests. It's not as sexy as hunting Burmese pythons in the Everglades but it helps. Plus I get to be outside. AND it doesn't seem as "dangerous" as another opportunity Fox found, which is "feline friend" at the animal shelter. Duties include cuddling and playing with adoptable cats. Knowing what a sucker I am for a homeless animal with a sob story I can see that getting out of hand quickly. Plus, sometimes the culture at animal shelters tends to encourage people to take on more than they can handle in the name of "helping the animals," and it ends up helping no one. Like the time I found someone's dog and was trying to find the owner and the shelter people were straight up telling me to keep it myself like ... I don't want this fucking dog. I'm trying to help out here, but I do not want this dog. They finally did actually scan it for a microchip, but were still telling me to just take it home instead of calling the owner. WTF.

Wow this post went all over the place.