I‘ve written a love letter to Billy Joel throughout the pages of Moose, exposing my undying love of his music. Billy Joel is from the town of Oyster Bay—where I live now, here on Long Island, where I was raised. And here’s what I just did. “Alexa, play Billy Joel’s Downeaster Alexa.” Oh, the joy. I now have all Billy Joel songs playing in my living room as I type this. Though it’s maybe best not to sing along to Downeaster Alexa with Alexa nearby.

When I was in middle school, I wrote a paper about the future. Specifically I wrote about the year 2010, when we’d be able to talk to our homes. I was mesmerized by the possibility, and now it’s here.

MY GIRL ALEXA, SHE ALL BUT BRAIDS MY HAIR
Alexa isn’t just in my living room playing classical music and thunderstorm sounds as my kiddos do their homework. She’s in my bedroom, by way of the dot. She’s in my kitchen playing Audiobooks as I prepare dinner or wash dishes. Every morning, she tells me the weather and the news, tells me the open hours of any local business, lists nearby movie times and tells me about specific movies. She’ll tell me who the director or writer was of any movie. She plays 20 Questions with the kids and reads them bedtime stories. Hot damn, she’ll tell me the number of the kids’ orthodontist when I’m too lazy to look it up in my contacts (I’m so sick). If I don’t know the name of a song, I can say, “Alexa, play me that song that’s about Scrabble.” Then, as fast as that I hear Lorraine Feather’s Scrabble song (it’s weird). Or, “Alexa, play me Otis Redding songs.” Oh baby, now we’re talking. You can also name Alexa anything you want. “God, turn on my lights.”

My amazing home setup:
Amazon Echo in my living room. Mine is white because I’m racist.
Amazon Dot in my bedroom.
Logitech Harmony Hub this hub allows you to control your TV, video game consoles, lights, and other devices through your smart phone and with just your voice using Alexa.
Philips Hue bridge, dimmer switch, motion detector, and smart light bulbs. Rather than spend $60 per bulb with a Lifx wireless bulb that doesn’t need a hub or bridge, I opted for the Philips Hue bridge that controls up to 50, $14 bulbs.
Amazon Music Unlimited (Free 30-day Trial). Gives you all songs on command, vs. Amazon Prime Music which is much more limited.
Audible Audiobooks (Free 30-day Trial plus 2 Free Audiobooks)

You can also get voice-activated Alexa-compatible video security systems, thermostats, carbon monoxide alarms, doorbells, door locks, blinds, fans, vacuums, dishwashers, ovens, lives. INSANE.

This post contains affiliate links. And no, I’m not actually racist for all those who don’t read me the way I intend.