Welcome to the inaugural run of My Current Algorithm: a weekly roundup of the apps, hacks, purchases, and absolute failures currently taking up space in my brain (and my browser history).
System Updates (Tech & Hacks)
Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay
I know people love ChatGPT because it’s popular and easy to use, but if you are like me and have your life managed by your Google calendar(s), you need to look at using Gemini.
And like me, if you are also currently drowning in summer camp logistics, you can use Gemini to connect to your Google workspace. I’ve been staring at three different camp start times for the 11, 9, and 3-year-old, trying to figure out how I’m supposed to be at morning drop-offs in three different locations while still leading my morning product management meetings.
I finally just asked Gemini to cross-reference my work calendar with my personal calendar and map out a literal driving schedule. It analyzed the overlapping chaos, found the exact gaps between my work blocks, and generated a step-by-step itinerary so I know exactly when to load everyone into the minivan.
I can also share the Google map result with any grandparents or babysitters who are helping with the various drop offs and pickups.
Here’s a copy of the prompt:
“@Google Workspace, cross-reference my personal calendar and my work calendar for [Timeframe]. I need to handle drop-offs for [Number] kids at [Number] different locations. Kid 1 needs to be at [Location A] by [Time] and Kid 2 needs to be at [Location B] by [Time]. I need a step-by-step driving itinerary that accounts for travel time between these spots. I cannot miss any work meetings marked [Keyword/Required]. If the travel time overlaps with a critical meeting, flag it and suggest which drop-off I need to delegate to [Partner/Caregiver Name].”
Add to Cart (The Haul)
Since summer is less busy with sports and other activities, I’ve had more time to focus on organizing my kids’ rooms. Here’s what I’ve purchased recently to help my son’s room.
I made a Nerf gun and LEGO storage area to help him be able to find these toys more easily (and get them off the floor).
- I purchased a peg board as well as an accessory kit from the Home Depot. We spray painted it navy to match his room.
- Then, I just dumped boxes of legos into a bins and put them into a four-cube organizer. I’ve given up trying to keep the LEGO City pieces or the Minecraft pieces together. Just dump them out, and into a bin they go!
- On the top of the cube organizer, I hot glued two LEGO green squares. This gives him an area to play, which is also not the floor (and saves our feet!).
- Finally, I ordered a small desk chair and shelf for the wall to display his completed LEGO sets (out of the reach of his 3-year-old brother).
Note: As an Amazon affiliate, I may make a commission on related purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!
In My Feed (Media & Culture)
Reading: I mostly read non-fiction (memoirs and true crime are personal faves). Lately, I’ve been getting into humor writing. Two recommendations are Gary Gulman’s Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the 80s and anything by Harrison Scott Key. Key’s How to Stay Married is the funniest story I’ve ever heard of infidelity and marital strife. And it’s all true!
Watching: Finally finished Summer House, and whew, what a whirlwind. My husband and I recently started Widow’s Bay, too, on AppleTV. Did you know it started out as a spec script for Parks & Rec almost 20 years ago?
Listening: Happy Juneteenth! I stumbled across this hilarious post on Threads that said “Make sure y’all tighten up those cookout playlists. Ain’t nobody tryna eat ribs & potato salad to Jason Derulo.” The comments alone are worth reading, but then some people share their absolute fire cookout playlists. The Isley Brothers and the Commodores are currently getting me through my Friday.
404 Error (The Reality Check)
Device time continues to be a constant battle, one which I frequently lose. How do we get kids to play outside more and have a 90s summer? I can’t get them interested in anything without a screen involved. Please let me know if you have any solutions that have actually worked to get them excited about touching grass.
Photo evidence of me getting my kids out of the house to them immediately finding a way to watch YouTube on a smart refrigerator at Home Depot
Happy Friday, and happy Juneteenth! Let me know what’s your current algorithm and if you have any recommendations to share.