A Google-free life

My very old phone gave up on me today at least it looks like it. It starts up with a rattling sound and next it shuts down. Later I’ll ask my child for the tiny screwdriver to open (operate) it. What is broken can only be fixed. It’s worth the try. In the meanwhile, I looked for another phone. It can be a simple one just to make calls (a battery that lasts a week is rare these days and I’m getting tired of buying adapters and cables. The cables don’t last long.).
While searching the internet I read about 15% of the phones function without Google. To some it’s the end of the world to others like me it’s not although, I live in the modern world. A world where they force me into using banking apps, government apps, digital signing in apps and apps for health insurance and so on. All those apps can only be downloaded via the play store. This means Google knows all about it which sucks.

While reading on I read Google at least reads each account about 35 times an hour (if not hundred times, once a day is already a lot). Google reads your phone, knows who you are calling, texting, what you search for and even who you write and your notes! Really? Since if that’s true google shares my articles and publishes my books and will say I’m a plagiarist which doesn’t feel so good. Now you might say Google is just a huge computer collecting, calculating, selling private information but behind each machine is a person and I’m not the one who believes there aren’t individuals who have benefited from it.

So today it’s the second day in a row I keep myself busy with my e-mail address, Google account and opt-out of what I didn’t already. To be honest it sounds weird to me Google even checks my physical movements. What exactly is the idea behind that? If I move too much I’m not at home and spread a virus or am up to something bad? And what If I don’t move at all? Will consider Google me being unhealthy or dead?
To be honest, after reading all this info – true or made up – I’m glad I always suffered from a slow internet connection plus I do not pay with a credit card. So no Google Chrome for me, no buying whatever the play store has for sale. I’m not interested.

Besides the banking apps, what will I miss most in a Google-free life? Will I be limited?

I can email and use proto mail, onmail are many of the other free emails. I can surf the internet by using duckduckgo and some say the Samsung browser is a safe and good option too (this browser can be downloaded by every android user). If Samsung with its own apps and app store is safer than Google I don’t know but it’s an option. They say Microsoft is too by the way.

I gave up on the app MedGemak. It’s the government’s idea of a medical file plus extras. It should be handy to make an appointment with your doctor or figuring out your test results plus you can leave your doctor a message. It’s not a plus since the record I saw wasn’t mine which means the doctor – she never met me – messed up or made it up.

If it comes to apps there are many ways to lay your hands on them if you cannot use a site via the browser. Next to Samsung’s app store, there are other ways. You can visit the original site (Telegram’s it for example) and download the apk file directly from it. There’s F-droid, Aptoide, APKmirror, APKpure, Amazon (not sure if that’s smart and they don’t check you out) and so on. These are all sites where you find the apps you can’t live without including some extra gadgets and games. If you like you can even download Google apps – indeed without Google knowing you did – which is an option to some whose phone came without the 101 Google apps and to those who don’t want to lay hands on it without starting an Google account. I’m not going to advise this. It’s your decision what you install on your device and how you use your phone.

Since Huawei no longer is allowed to use Google’s apps it might be a great help and a good substitute. I say might because it depends on where you live. A phone made in China traces and checks you out too and all these data end up? I read that Xiaomi had to leave these “features” out to be allowed to sell in Europe but did they? Since Europe is not different from China these days I can imagine nothing has changed or the EU added their own spying chip in it to check out who’s a productive slave and who’s the terrorist.
Have you noticed batteries can no longer be removed? The reason for this is not only to force you to buy the latest model as soon as possible.

What I use my phone for on a daily basis:
– writing, so I need a notebook, my phone came with one.
– reading texts, pdf and text can be read by the notebook
– SMS/texting, the phone provides in it.
– using the internet, search options, I use duckduckgo
– making a phone call a few times a year, nothing special is needed.
– reading email, works fine without google’s email, via browser is an option too
– Telegram, downloaded the apk via their official site
– Signal to stay in touch in case of need, possible to install the apk

I deleted Google translate and never used Google maps. Nearly each Google app I deleted and what cannot be deleted is changed back into the ‘factory’s installation’, the state the phone is sold.  I gave up on boring Facebook and Twitter longer ago and last year on WhatsApp and I don’t miss these social media. Those I know and don’t have or want to use Signal can send me an e-mail. Google’s sneaky Covid-19 notification I switched off from day number one. I don’t consider it a helpful tool. It will only divide people more and it says nothing about someone’s health. I’m not interested in who has (had) what.

By the way: Without Google’s apps running in the background my phone (not the latest or most expensive one) became way faster which is another plus.

Good phone, bad phone, old or new with or without Google apps Big brother watches each one of us no matter where we live. The only way to opt out of the system is to live the life of a hermit and ‘leave’ your country or be homeless which I know some people around me do to opt-out of the system.
Besides of Samsung with its own apps and Huawei there are phones for sale without hardly any apps like some Motorola and Nokia and even Android phones without Google apps and /e/ OS/ * but they are very expensive. Threehundred+ up to over eight hundred euros for a phone – some a refurbished – I consider as too much. So what I don’t need I delete and I’ll see how far I get. If it doesn’t work for some reason and I can’t find another way to get what I need I can always install google again but not today.

https://linktr.ee/wakeupkitty


#kittywu #google #bigbrother #life #smartphone

What if there’s no electricity?

The luxury of electricity is normal to many of us. If it all works fine it’s hard to imagine what life looks like without once used to devices with a plug.
The fridge, washing machine, smartphone, computer, television set, radio, oven and so much more can no longer function without a socket. Today I miss the good old batteries. It feels as if there’s aways something to charge. Being not able to to cook, making a necessary phone call or heating the house can stress one out. It can be good to live a day or two without electricity and see what is needed to be prepared and continue life without stress.

Frequently I have a day without energy. Better not ask how many times the company was called to have a look at what caused it. It’s never a fallen tree. Most likely we are with too many and there’s not enough electricity for all of us. I try to save electricity and try to avoid using two electrical appliances that consume a lot of kilowatt at the same time. If the boiler is on (once a week) I do not use the washing machine or an electric heater. This doesn’t mean others don’t but this way I at least avoid short circuits at home.

They say 30 electric items should be enough. It sounds like a lot but the average family has way more. A phone for each member, a computer, tv, DVD player, radios, kitchen aid, power banks, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, dryer, ventilators, electric kettle, fridge, toys, toaster, electric blanket, lawnmower, heaters, hairdryers and today e-bikes and even electric cars. All that electricity needed coming from power grid ending up in a socket isn’t unlimited. It could be if you use the sun, wind and water but it’s not for the common man. Companies go first and next the wealthy. They even get it cheaper than the people. With us the common man is the one who pays for investing in what they call ‘green energy’. Not that the energy out of the socket is green. It’s the same and as ‘grey’ as all electricity in the country. For green electricity you pay just pay more because they electricity company spends that extra money on windmills, advertising, sponsoring some people and once in a while they plant a tree. No one knows where on earth Sa but they say they do. Hard to believe if you take into consideration nearly every city in the country cuts down trees and tries to get rid of everything that looks green instead of taking care of nature.

Today it’s my electricity-off grid day again. At 3 am there was power at 5 am I was switched off. At that time of the day, it’s needless to call the company. The children left for the bus stop and I stayed in bed.

We have two lamps on batteries, a bag with candles (tea lights) and a jump starter with a light, USB and another plug build in.

At 7 am it was grey outside but no longer pitch dark. Enough light to find my way. I made myself a mug of tea with the warm water in the thermos flask left from yesterday.

At 7:30 am I started the day. Curtains, blinds and windows open and time to get dressed.
I used a bit more warm water from the thermo flask and a washing cloth and soap, to wash myself. For sure this saves water and water is what I don’t have. Without electricity, my water pump cannot function.

My stove by the way, isn’t electric. I cook on butane so I can cook the left water for a hot cup of tea (I don’t need to eat). I can’t do the dishes today and do not read my e-mail. I could because I have a mobile router (charged just like my phone yesterday) but I can do without. I don’t feel like being updated.
Instead I make three crossword puzzles and feed the cats. After I’m finished I go outside. It’s time to feed the wolves. I have two filled water cans plus a filled bucket and in case of need 10 bottles of 2 litres each with my own tap water. I saved yesterday’s rice water too.

Back inside I put the gas heater on. It works on butane too. It can not heat the entire house, not even the room where I sit but it makes a difference. I won’t let it burn the entire day to save gas. Once I no longer feel so cold I switch it off and sit with the hot water bag till the children are back home. That hot water bag is filled with water so I will reuse it.

The bucket with water in the kitchen is filled. I can mop the floor and if necessary flush the toilet with it at the end of the day. With us, toilet paper is rarely flushed through the toilet.

The hallway is still a bit smelly after the cats used the litters and although I left the front door open and mopped with bleach. Time to light a stick incense. I use the flame of the gas heater. No need for Airwick or a spray.

I don’t have a fridge so my food cannot get spoiled which is a plus. In the past twenty years washing machines, electric ovens, laptop batteries and much more were damaged because of electricity issues. This means I never leave adapters or plugs in sockets and what is plugged in is always switched off unless I need it.

Without electricity I can cook, heat parts of the house, I can drink my tea. I can use my phone (powerbanks) and the internet (mobile router). I can heat water on the cooker. The only thing lacking is water.

Since we never watch the telly we won’t miss it. We can do without the news and not interested in watching rehearsals of rehearsals. There are plenty of books to read, we have games, can talk, write and watch a downloaded film if we like.

Water will be the main problem. At this moment I have 24 litres of drinking water but that won’t be enough if I need to provide the animals with water (15 litres is the minimum), wash myself and the children, want something to drink, cook and flush the toilet only once a day. For that, I need about 35-40 litres of water a day and the laundry isn’t included.
During the Summer of 2020, we did six weeks without electricity. It helps if it rains (water for the animals and to flush the toilet) but I can’t count on rain. The only option is buying a generator. A few years ago I thought about it but they are very expensive plus my fear is I cannot pull hard enough to start it. An acquaintance said I could buy his since he bought a new one. He asked 1000 euros for his second hand which is too much for a generator without a warranty. So far I managed without. I can survive one or two perhaps even three days if the children visit school. It would make me feel better to be more independent if it comes to electricity. A solar panel would help as would a generator. Hopefully, I can save enough money to buy one before 2022 is over. I like to be prepared for my children and the animals since the pond I dug is empty for the biggest time of the year.


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https://linktr.ee/wakeupkitty


#kittywu #energy #life #blackout

Ga jij ook een eigen bedrijf beginnen?

Vandaag is mijn vriendin en naamgenote jarig. Eerder tranen omdat ik er niet kon zijn, nu alleen nog zorgen. Vriend is zijn baan (alweer) kwijt en gaat voor zichzelf beginnen (nog een jaar WW). Bij de notaris is de BV opgezet.

Een BV in wat, vraag ik.

Het is iets met leasen en klussen en…? Zij heeft er een hard hoofd in dat het wat wordt, want hij wil wat anders dan zij en er moet wel van geleefd worden.

Ik heb er een hard hoofd in omdat ik mij geen beeld kan vormen bij “leasen en klussen” enzo. Welke doelgroep ga je daarmee aantrekken?

Eerst maar een site en facebook pagina maken en whatsapp-bereikbaar zijn. Een logo is van later belang net als een boekhouder. De eigen administratie bijhouden is echt niet zo moeilijk (zeker niet zolang er geen klant is) en een begroting en inventarislijst kan elke huisvrouw maken (helemaal diegenen die moeten goochelen met geld), los van het feit dat er zat programma’s op internet te vinden zijn.

Zonder eigen site besta je niet, las ik laatst.

Ik besta dus niet, want ik heb geen eigen site of je moet blogspot of google+ daarvoor aanzien.

Het aardige van een site is dat je ook zonder iets te hebben iets kunt zijn.

Een mooie site kan suggereren dat je een topbedrijf hebt, terwijl je in werkelijkheid in hok onder de trap leeft of op een vervallen zoldertje bivakkeert. De vele oplichters en scammers zijn een goed bewijs daarvan.

Netwerken, alle bekende social media gebruiken, je bek overal ingooien en je naam rondstrooien is de sleutel tot succes.

Doen dus als jij ook voor jezelf wilt beginnen. Ook aan mooie praatjes valt goud geld te verdienen net als het verkopen van gebakken lucht.

Misschien moet jij maar voor jezelf wat beginnen, opper ik. Gewoon iets wat je in de loop der tijd kunt uitbreiden.

Er zijn zat zaken waarvan zij verstand heeft en zij kan mensen ook wegwijs maken in de wereld van “rugzakjes” en instanties. Dat vervelende uitpluiswerk waar iedereen een hekel aan heeft in de wereld van de bureaucratie en het van het kastje naar de muur gestuurd worden.

Doe iets waar je goed in bent en durf jezelf te verkopen!

Mijn oma zei het al: Een brutaal mens regeert de hele wereld en dat klopt. Het is toch echt haantje de voorste die altijd met de bek vooraan staat en durft te vragen (of zelfs eisen) en krijgt.

Misschien moet je in België gaan wonen, stel ik voor.

Een kennis woont daar. Het gaat haar (lichamelijk) niet goed, maar terug naar Nederland wil zij niet. Ik zal gek zijn, zegt zij, alleen die achterlijk hoge ziektekostenverzekering al.

Hier betaal ik 9 euro per maand en huisarts en deels tandarts zit daar bij in. Haar dochter poetst 13 uur per week en verdient daarmee 450 euro en krijgt ook nog eens kilometervergoeding, dat krijg je niet in Nederland aldus haar. En daar heeft zij gelijk in. Tel ik daarbij op dat de Nederlanders ook nog eens voor het stroomgebrek in België mogen bijlappen… (hoezo 1 EU overal alles gelijk?)

Ik bedenk me dat ik voor alleen al het prijsverschil in ziektekostenverzekering heel wat boodschappen kan doen. Medelijden heb ik alvast niet, ook de kinderbijslag zorgde bij haar voor een flink inkomen.

Voorlopig zit verhuizen er voor mijn vriendin niet in.

Voor de jongste is eindelijk een school gevonden die hem wel leert lezen en schrijven en waar hij het naar zijn zin heeft. De koopwoning zou dan ook onder de prijs verkocht moeten worden en zo zijn er nog tal van redenen.

Of het water echt aan de lippen komt te staan is afwachten. Vriend vond steeds weer werk, er is een overvolle voorraadkast, een familie die beslist bijspringt in tijd van echte nood en naar ik vermoed een aardige spaarpot. Het grootste probleem zou hooguit zijn als zij echt ergens op moeten bezuinigen.

#kittywu #bezuinigen #werkloos #eigenzaak #bv-beginnen #belgië #jarig #eigen-site