Author: Aynaria

February 2021: Snow!

Aynaria 2 Comments

It’s been a few years since we received more than a dusting of snow,

and to be perfectly honest the snow we’ve received the past few weeks hasn’t been a lot.

We received at least three inches with this last snowfall, but you know what? I’ll take that snow. It sure looks lovely.

My only regret is that I haven’t been able to get out and enjoy the snow as I have in the past.

Life has been so busy, however, I took a few photos of the snow on my way to work last Monday.

Here’s hoping we receive some more snow before spring makes an appearance.

Website update: Enabling SSL

Aynaria Leave a comment

A few years ago, I activated SSL on my websites. And although it was “enabled” within the admin panel under my hosting provider’s account. It wasn’t until a few hours ago that it became active on my website. I really haven’t been active on my websites in a few years, although I do believe that will hopefully change soon. I downloaded the WordPress addon ReallySimple SSL, created a WordPress backup, watched a video posted on my hosting website, and enabled the addon and so HTTPS is now active on this website. Really Simple? Why yes… the WP Plugin is easy! And now this site is showing up as “secure”. Still, HTTPS doesn’t protect your website from the many ways it can be compromised, however, from my readings Google views sites that have HTTPS enabled as more trustworthy, and apparently, the website can load faster? Well… ok

I do have a few other websites that I need to take care of. However, I will have to follow up with my hosting provider. According to their site, it appears that all my sites hosted under my package should be covered; however, when I log onto my admin panel at my hosting provider’s website, it states that my crafting SSL is “pending” I swapped over to SSL on my hosting provider’s website a few years ago.

 

Something’s not quite right.

A few hours after enabling SSL, I noticed my images were no longer appearing; however, when you open a post, screenshots for related posts appear. I’ll have to do a bit more research and perhaps follow up with my hosting provider to resolve this issue.

I completely forgot today was Valentine’s Day. Although I never celebrated the holiday, to those who do, I’m hoping you have a wonderful day!

New computer: Acer Nitro 5; Downloading Final Fantasy XIV

Aynaria Leave a comment

Earlier today, I purchased another laptop, it’s a 17″ Acer Nitro 5 for myself. It’s listed as a gaming computer; however, I will be doing most of my online coursework from here. I also purchased a wireless mouse. I bought them both from Best Buy earlier today. I took advantage of their curbside delivery.

I’m currently going through setting things up on the computer, moving files from one of the desktops to this computer, and perhaps later, I’ll play a video game with my daughter. Currently, I’m downloading Final Fantasy XIV. I’ve never played it before. However, I’m curious to check it out. I’m a World of Warcraft player, although admittedly, I haven’t’ actively played WoW in months, let’s be honest… years. However, I still enjoy playing the occasional game. I’m just not that impressed with WoW. I have plenty of fond memories within WoW and have met folks that have turned into real-life friends. The friends will stay even when I leave the game for good.

Currently, I’m in my daughter’s room watching her play Genshin Impact on her PS4. Later this year, I’ll be purchasing another MacBook Pro. I’ll give the new computer to my daughter, and take her old MacBook.

 

Portable outdoor oven: Ooni Pro 16″ Multi Fuel Pizza Oven

Aynaria Leave a comment

Last weekend, I purchased an outdoor pizza oven, and although it’s listed as a “pizza oven,” it can do so much more. I bought the (portable) 16” Multi-Fuel Ooni Pro pizza oven.

However, it won’t be available until mid-April. It seems that the pandemic had a lot of people expanding their horizons and trying out new things. Creating pizzas is just one of many hobbies some have discovered. Making my own pizza’s isn’t a new hobby for me. It’s something I’ve actively enjoyed making for a few decades.

I’m looking forward to the outdoor oven. It’ll cook foods at much higher temperatures than our oven can ever hope to reach. Currently, it’s the highest temperature is 550 F. What’s the highest temperature for the Ooni Pro? Oh, about 1000F. My Neopolitan pizzas will be ready in less than two minutes. I’m definitely looking forward to baking pizzas, bread, and all sorts of delicious foods in my outdoor oven.

Until then, I’ll keep making pizzas in my standard oven. While our oven does not cook a pizza in under two minutes, I still make delicious pizzas.

Merry Christmas 2020

Aynaria Leave a comment

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas holiday. It’s been a hectic few months, and now the year is almost over. I for one will be happy for things to slow down a bit. Is that even possible? I truly hope it can happen. Today was a slow day spent at home. It doesn’t even feel like a Friday, it feels more like a Saturday! Does anyone else feel that way?

Stationery Bike: Over 1000 Miles!

Aynaria 4 Comments

This past May, I received my stationary exercise bike. Since that time, I’ve ridden over 1000 miles. I ride my bike daily for at least an hour. This purchase was because I was unable to go to the gym because of COVID. I’m enjoying the at-home workouts. I’ve always worked out at home, but now I do it exclusively. When my gym finally reopened, I did not return. I would have returned if the rules for being in the sauna weren’t so restrictive. At my gym, you can only be in there for ten minutes at a time. To truly receive the health benefits from the sauna, the time suggested is much higher.

Besides my stationary bike, I also purchased two Specialized mountain bikes in August, one for myself and my daughter. The stationary bike, combined with mountain bikes, exercise bands, and an exercise wheel, are more than enough ways to keep me physically fit.

Specialized Bikes: Outdoor biking

Aynaria 1 Comment

My goodness, where has the time gone? This year has passed by in a blur. In August, I purchased mountain bikes for my daughter and myself, and several times weekly, we’ve been exploring the great outdoors. I’d been researching bikes for several months and narrowed my selection to Trek and Specialized bikes. Since Trek wasn’t available at any local bike shops where I’d visited, I went with Specialized. I must say that we’re both happy with the selection. It gives us another way to be outdoors, enjoying nature.

The quickest workout is within our community. It’s about a mile back, surrounded by trees on both sides, before opening up into our little community. Upon leaving the neighborhood, there’s a hill. While you might not notice it within a vehicle, you’re aware of that hill when you’re bike riding or running. This hill has a slow incline, so it’s a lactic burn until it levels off. I’ve joined a few local biking groups and plan to do my first century (100-mile ride) sometime next year.