<p>In which I visit Sydney Zoo (the one near Rooty Hill)</p>

<p>So a lot has happened over the past few months and I don&#39;t think I&#39;m ready to put down my thoughts on all of that yet.</p>

<p>Instead I want to say that I had an awesome time at <a href="https://sydneyzoo.com/">Sydney Zoo</a>&nbsp;on the weekend. Apart from the rain, its a well layed out facility and perfect for people with wheelchairs. I managed to get some photos and have uploaded them to Flickr. I&#39;ll probably add more as I get the chance over the next few days.</p>

<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/25875680@N05/albums/72157712747416352" title="Sydney Zoo"><img alt="Sydney Zoo" height="395" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49412264478_00ed0b8f9d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>

<p>The feature image for this post is a one in a million shot I managed to snag of a lightning strike in Wollongong.</p>

A trip to the zoo

Angry Beanie - A trip to the zoo

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Exercise update for the week ending 2023-12-03

<p>Didn't manage to do the full three sessions I was hoping for last week but still managed to do some.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">Training Duration</td><td colspan="2">Distance</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>Active (hrs:min)</td><td>Passive (hrs:min)</td><td>Active (km)</td><td>Passive (km)</td></tr><tr><td>Hands</td><td>08:27</td><td>00:02</td><td>275.57</td><td>0.50</td></tr><tr><td>Feet</td><td>44:23</td><td>00:04</td><td>1035.70</td><td>0.79</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Exercise Update - 2023-12-03

In which I plan out a way to automate certain things

<p>Okay this is going to be a short one and basically stream of brain to keyboard.</p><p>For a long time I've been wanting to see HOW I can use the Internet of Things to make life a bit easier around the house for myself. Since I got sick some things have become more complicated and difficult and I'm looking at automating or simplifying how I do things.</p><p>To that aim, I've ended up with an ad-hoc collection to IoT devices. There's a couple of google home devices and three Genio lights. Pretty basic.</p><p>I've created a list of tasks that I want to automate. I've also added an extra requirement. I want to be able to build a home automation setup that relies as little as possible on external systems. When <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/10/optus-went-down-and-the-smart-lights-came-on-and-then-marayke-was-stranded-in-bed">Optus fell over in a screaming heap</a> people with disabilities who were using IoT devices were left stranded (another post on that is coming). I don't want to be in that position.</p><p>Oh and there is one limitation. I rent. I can't stick anything on a wall (not even one of those easy to remove hook things).</p><p>So here is my list of tasks:</p><ul><li>Voice controlled lighting: Already have this via the Google Home and Genio Light in a couple of rooms</li><li>Remote control power points: When we go to bed at night we switch off the power to our entertainment unit. It's a bit difficult to get into the switch, so I would rather either voice or remote control the switch. Oh and there's a couple of fans I'd like to remote control as well</li><li>Local door camera: This is a long shot I think. I want to setup a camera at the front door but ONLY store the video locally. No Ring or cloud storage.</li><li>Automate garage door: This is definitely a long shot. I need to find out what make and brand the garage door opener is and then work out what sort of signal is required and how to reproduce it.</li></ul><p>I've downloaded a docker container of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.home-assistant.io/">Home Assistant</a> and am having a play around. It's detected my Google and Apple devices but it appears a bit of pokery needs to be done for the Genio lights.</p><p>I'll post an update in the near future.</p>

Automating my home

<p>It's been a month since the last exercise update so I figured I should do a catchup.</p><p>Honestly though I haven't done as much as I would have liked. A longer than normal recovery from a physio session and then an aggravated umbilical hernia combined to break the rhythm that I was trying to build up.</p><p>Whelp time to start again.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">Training Duration</td><td colspan="2">Distance</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>Active (hrs:min)</td><td>Passive (hrs:min)</td><td>Active (km)</td><td>Passive (km)</td></tr><tr><td>Hands</td><td>08:17</td><td>00:02</td><td>270.33</td><td>0.50</td></tr><tr><td>Feet</td><td>44:03</td><td>00:04</td><td>1027.48</td><td>0.79</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Exercise update - 2023-11-25

<p>Okay so this is really a bit of a place holder post while I try and sort out the next two posts I want to write about in the Tech and Disability space.</p><ul><li>Transport</li><li>Striking the balance between Privacy and the Benefits that a disabled person gains from the Internet of Things</li></ul><p>I know this could have been a toot/tweet/poot/thread (whatever it's called on which ever platform) but I did commit to at least one non Exercise related post each week. So this is technically keeping my promise</p><p><img class="image_resized" style="width:43.31%;" src="/uploads/technicallycorrect_4d359fb446.jpeg" alt="A meme from Futurama. A balding man with a mustache is saying " srcset="/uploads/thumbnail_technicallycorrect_4d359fb446.jpeg 207w,/uploads/small_technicallycorrect_4d359fb446.jpeg 500w,/uploads/medium_technicallycorrect_4d359fb446.jpeg 750w,/uploads/large_technicallycorrect_4d359fb446.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Many ideas, not enough headspace

A belated exercise update for the past two weeks

<p>Wow look at that, I managed one on schedule and flubbed the next one.</p><p>Anyway here it is, my latest exercise update.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">Training Duration</td><td colspan="2">Distance</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>Active (hrs:min)</td><td>Passive (hrs:min)</td><td>Active (km)</td><td>Passive (km)</td></tr><tr><td>Hands</td><td>07:57</td><td>00:02</td><td>260.05</td><td>0.50</td></tr><tr><td>Feet</td><td>43:23</td><td>00:04</td><td>1010.81</td><td>0.79</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>I'm actually proud of this one, because not only did I manage at least two sessions per week (with three this week), I cracked the 1000km mark for leg work. I've got 589.19km to go until I can actually sing about "walking" a thousand miles, but I'm on the down hill run so yay!</p>

A trip to the zoo

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Exercise Update - 2023-12-03

Automating my home

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Many ideas, not enough headspace

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