My Cat Loves a $20 Audio Hack! | The Hoard V2

A heavy-duty fidget spinner and the $2 time machine that fixed my cat.

This column is simple. I scour the internet (and the real world) so you don’t have to. Sometimes it’s high-tech, sometimes it’s low-tech, and sometimes it’s just a ridiculous bargain.

This week, it’s some behind-the-scenes madness I had to share.

A few recent purchases have brought a surprising amount of joy and utility to my life.

Check out these three cool things.

1. The Nostalgic Feather 😻

I used this to attract my cat from the dark corners of my room right about this time of year. This isn’t just a toy. It’s a tiny, powerful time machine.

I bought a simple “Da Bird” style feather wand that perfectly mimics the first little feather I used when I adopted her about a year ago. It’s amazing how this one small thing instantly brings back those early memories. It makes her happy-prancy-hunting dance come out every time.

It is a sweet reminder of our “gotcha-day” love story.

Meet Freedom the Cat

2. The Mighty, Multi-Tasking Magic Arm 🪄

I finally invested in a professional “Magic Arm” (specifically the SmallRig model with the crab clamp). You know, those incredibly adjustable jointed arms for mounting microphones, cameras, and lights.

It is a game-changer for my desk setup. It gives me the perfect angle every time. I liked the first one so much I bought a second one this week.

Bonus Use: I also highly recommend it as a “heavy-duty, surprisingly stiff fidget spinner.” (Don’t judge, the locking knobs are very satisfying to crank!)

3. The Budget-Friendly Audio Upgrade 🎙️

You can’t beat a good deal! I scored an amazing pair of wireless lapel microphones for only $20. I’ve been wanting to upgrade my recording audio, and for that price, I couldn’t pass it up. Perfect for interviews, vlogging, or just sounding great on video calls without being tethered to my desk! Clear sound doesn’t have to break the bank.

At the end of the day, we’re human, we’re adults, and we still love toys, especially when they’re this fun, useful, or sentimental.

These are just some fun things I’ve added to my life lately.

Venga!

Mark (VengaDragon)

P.S. The Protocol Behind the Madness

You might wonder why a guy with 55 years of life experience is playing with cat toys and fidget spinners.

That is the 55/35 Protocol in action.

The core philosophy of VengaDragon is combining 55 years of wisdom (knowing what actually brings joy and utility) with 35-year-old speed (using tech to execute fast).

If you want to see how I apply this to business and AI, not just shopping, make sure you check out this week’s Sentient column. That is where we turn the toys into tools.

Venga!