Best smash burger in the world: Smash Hiro Barcelona!

Smash Hiro in Barcelona has the best smash burger in the world. 

My journey to Smash Hiro is a testament to the power of social media in travel. Inspired by my friends' posts, I ventured from Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to this hidden gem, documenting my experience along the way.

It was great. 

In addition to the burger being delicious, I ordered it all in Spanish! 

 

Made it to La Sagrada Familia by train.

I made it to La Sagrada Familia by train after figuring out how to buy a ticket and getting on the correct train in the correct direction.

A Beautiful hotel in Barcelona, Nobu Hotel.

Enjoying an Estrella Damm at the Nobu Hotel Restaurant Bar, Barcelona overlooking Sagrada Familia.

Traveling Again: Boston to Barcelona via the MBTA

Traveling Again

We packed for our first airplane trip in four years with the essentials that would fit in an overhead carry-on, just as we always do.

We were headed to Barcelona for a few nights before embarking on our Viking Ocean cruise along the Trade Routes of the Middle Ages.

I picked up my prescription for seasick patches at CVS. After reading about the possible side effects, I decided to try avoiding them and use the electronic band I ordered if necessary.

We walked to the Green Street Orange line MBTA station and used our Charlie cards to enter. There was enough money on the card for both of us.

The next inbound train arrived in 2 minutes. It was a new Orange line train, clean and efficient, delivering us smoothly to State station by 7 PM, after the rush hour.

At State, we followed the always confusing signs upstairs to switch to the Blue line, reaching Airport station quickly as the next train arrived in just 1 minute. Despite the announcer’s request for no smoking, a young man across from me puffed on his vape.

At Airport station, we boarded a shuttle that stopped at the car rental, Terminal C, and then the renovated International Terminal E.

The lobby was crowded with many people who seemed to have nowhere else to go, according to Carol.

We proceeded directly to security, having checked in online, only to discover our boarding passes didn’t have TSA PreCheck because I’d forgotten to add it to our online reservation. We were turned away at the first/business class line because our record wasn't found in the system.

At the check-in counter, which was 63 stalls away, we learned we needed to check in physically as part of a random security measure requiring passport presentation. Surprisingly, we had to check our carry-ons too.

I took the opportunity to add TSA PreCheck to our boarding passes.

Back at security, an older couple was slowly placing their belongings on the conveyor belt. I seized the moment to step ahead, but a security officer quickly reprimanded me, "There is no cutting!" I was sent back to wait my turn.

“Were you cutting?” He asked. In my best Larry David impression I could muster at that point in time I said, “Yes I was.”

Unlike in “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, no further consequences applied to me. 

After finally getting through security, we enjoyed the baked haddock at Legal Sea Foods, asking for it to be fully cooked after the first attempt.

I bought a Smartwater in a metal bottle, preferring it over the paper cups used on the plane.

We boarded LEVEL airlines in Group 1, settling in to watch the Woody Allen film *Midnight in Paris”. I enjoyed it, ending my years-long Woody Allen boycot.

They provided water in bottles and distributed plastic bottles filled with amenities, including an eye mask which I used to take a short nap.

I’m eagerly anticipating the warm weather and sights of Barcelona.

LECIA Q3: Initial Setup - Connect to FOTOS App

 

I found this NEW Leica Q3 (Part 1) Tutorial | All you need to know very helpful. 

There are A LOT of settings in the Leica Q3 and it's going to take me a long time to figure them all out.

One thing that I found helpful was to SELECT the 'Connect to app' selection when first setting up your camera. It automatically sets up a few settings including time, date, and time zone, so you don't have to do it manually with the camera. 

It also gets you to learn how to connect the FOTOS app.

You scan the QR code for your camera in the app and the camera information is shared with the app. It connects using WiFi. The camera's WiFi network name and password are preset and can be changed in the camera menu.  

How about using the existing Naval and maritime flag as the new Massachusetts state flag?

 How about using the existing Naval and maritime flag as the new Massachusetts state flag?

Scanning QR Codes Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Scanning from Your iPad

Scanning QR Codes Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Scanning from Your iPad

1. Press on the QR code

2. SELECT 'QR Code' in the pop-up

3. SELECT 'Open'.

Sensibo Air devices control my Mitsubishi mini-splits

I installed four Sensibo Air devices to control my Mitsubishi mini-splits. Installation was a breeze, and now I can control each mini-split individually via the Sensibo app or via the Google Home app. It’s a very nice integration. 

It also lets me monitor the temperature in each room remotely.

Assessment panel for MASSACHUSEETS state seal, motto disbanded. A FAILURE ONCE AGAIN.

The Boston Globe:

Assessment panel for state seal, motto disbanded.

Report suggests a revised working group be formed to ‘carry forward’ its work

 “The state commission originally faced an October 2021 deadline to produce recommendations, which it missed amid a series of logistical hurdles and questions over its mission. The Legislature then gave it three separate extensions — and $100,000 in funding — ultimately setting a Wednesday deadline for it to produce its recommendations.

The Legislature ultimately would have to approve any changes to the seal, motto, and flag."

NO. ANOTHER PANEL SHOULD NOT BE CREATED. 

We should just use this FLAG from ‘Flags for Good’ and move on.

You CAN NOT EXPORT your Minted Address Book!

You CAN NOT EXPORT your Minted Address Book!

I used Minted for Holiday Cards after cardstore went away.  

"Can I print or export my address book?

You have the option to print your contact list from your Address Assistant. You can select your entire address book, or just include certain contacts.

We are unable to support exporting your Address Assistant as a file format (.xls, .xlsx, .doc, .docx etc.)"

FAIL!

Now it's over to Shutterfly.

Charging on the Go: Mastering Payment Methods at Electrify America Stations with Your Credit Card or App

I’m going on a long trip with my 2023 Volvo XC40 and wanted to test the high-speed charging capabilities of the Electrify America station.

I downloaded the app and set up an account. I also added Electrify America to my Apple Wallet. 

At the station, I plugged the high-speed adapter into the car outlet, then tapped my phone where the credit card reader it. No matter what I did, It would not recognize the phone, telling me that there was an error, and to try again. 

I tried a few times and then gave up. 

CREDIT CARD

I ended up swiping with a credit card, which activated the station and started charging. 

After I finished this first test, I ended the session and removed the charger. 

SECOND TRY

Then I plugged in the charger again to try to get the app to work.

Only then did I realize that I had to tap UNDER the credit card payment box against the charger where it says, "Members: tap here to pay with plan". That user interface needs a lot of improvement.

After I tapped there, the charging started once again. 

Without a plan, you have to pre-load at least $10 into your account. I did that. 

When I looked at my recent credit card transactions I saw a $50 charge from Electrify America. I had to search online to see why that happened and it is a temporary charge that verifies your credit card account that is supposed to go away once the charge from your charging session completes. I'll be watching that to make sure the $50 charge goes away. 

UPDATE: It looks like I was at an older charger with an old design. Here’s a photo of a newer charger. Makes more sense.

Scan and Visit: Accessing a URL from a Saved QR Code on Your iPhone

Scan and Visit: Accessing a URL from a Saved QR Code on Your iPhone

Open the QR code image in your iPhone photos

CLICK the recognize icon at the bottom right

CLICK the photo

CLICK OPEN IN SAFARI

YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/FjmAxO5I2Q8?feature=shared

OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE ARE:

- Add to reading list

- Copy link

- Share… 

Tesla Universal Wall Connector is Energy Star Certified

I was waiting for the Tesla Universal Wall Connector to show up in the Energy Star database to enable me to apply for an installation rebate.

When recently I looked a the record for the Tesla Wall Connector, I saw that the Tesla Universal Wall Connector has been added to that record, at the bottom of the page.

Tesla Universal Charger installed

Tesla Universal Charger installed by Steve Wallace. Now charging at 30 mi/hr.

That’s twice as fast as using the clothes dryer outlet with an adapter.

Charging an Electric Car via a Clothes Dryer Outlet Adapter

I'm using a clothes dryer outlet adapter to connect to my Volvo XC40 Recharge charging cable. I set the 'Current Limit (amps)" setting to 24. It charges at a rate of 15 miles per hour.

My electrician says, "It is safe to go to 24 amps, fyi. You will be good. 20 will work fine with that adapter. You can go 80% of the load, which is 24 amps."

Please discuss this option with your electrician.

Volvo XC40 Recharge EV doesn’t have an AM radio!

Volvo XC40 Recharge EV doesn’t have an AM radio, but you can get AM radio like WBZ-AM via apps like iHeartRadio and TuneIn.

First At-Home Electric Car Charge

First at-home charge.

I used the supplied Volvo charger to connect to the standard plug in my garage.

“Domestic Outlet/Home Charging (Level 1): 

A standard three-prong outlet with 110V/120V doesn't charge an electric vehicle at great speeds, but it's good for plugging your car in overnight so that it's charged in the morning. With level one charging, you can usually expect about 24 hours for a full charge to be complete.”

8 hrs = 24-40 miles. At best 5 mph.

I wasn’t ready to buy or lease an electric car, so I subscribed to one. 

I wasn’t ready to buy or lease an electric car, so I subscribed to one. 

Volvo lets you subscribe to a car at a fixed price without a long-term commitment. 

That was perfect for me because while looking for a new car, I wasn’t ready to commit to an electric vehicle, but when I found out that I could subscribe to a car with a minimum five-month term, I decided to do it. 

We got a 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge TWIN AWD Ultimate. It’s all-electric. The subscription includes insurance, tire coverage, dents and dings coverage up to $1,000, maintenance, and 24/7 roadside service.

After five months, you can return the car, buy the car, or continue leasing it for a total of two years. 

Now begins my personal experience with owning an electric car.

How To Change Batteries in a Heatilator Remote Control

How To Change Batteries in a Heatilator Remote Control

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=_pxK2Ru1eSM&feature=share

HOW TO READ the JANUARY 6th REPORT for FREE on KINDLE

 HOW TO READ the JANUARY 6th REPORT for FREE on KINDLE

You can share the January 6th Report PDF from the report’s page, linked here, to your Kindle email address. It then gets delivered to your Kindle for free. 

PDF Link:

FINAL REPORT

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol

Here’s a How to:

Here is how you can read PDF files on the Amazon Kindle