diff --git a/bike-lights/core/src/lib.rs b/bike-lights/core/src/lib.rs
index 5c4ed49..d9b3c06 100644
--- a/bike-lights/core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/bike-lights/core/src/lib.rs
@@ -7,31 +7,30 @@ mod types;
 pub use types::{DashboardPattern, Pattern, RGB};
 
 pub trait UI {
+    fn check_event(&self) -> Option<Event>;
     fn update_lights(&self, dashboard_lights: DashboardPattern, lights: Pattern);
 }
 
 pub trait Animation {
-    fn tick(&self, frame: Duration) -> (DashboardPattern, Pattern);
+    fn tick(&self, time: std::time::Instant) -> (DashboardPattern, Pattern);
 }
 
 pub struct DefaultAnimation {}
 
 impl Animation for DefaultAnimation {
-    fn tick(&self, _: Duration) -> (DashboardPattern, Pattern) {
+    fn tick(&self, time: std::time::Instant) -> (DashboardPattern, Pattern) {
         (PRIDE_DASHBOARD, PRIDE)
     }
 }
 
-#[derive(Clone)]
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 pub enum Event {
     Brake,
     BrakeRelease,
     LeftBlinker,
-    LeftBlinkerRelease,
     NextPattern,
     PreviousPattern,
     RightBlinker,
-    RightBlinkerRelease,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone)]
@@ -63,8 +62,12 @@ impl App {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn tick(&mut self, frame: Duration) {
-        let (dashboard, lights) = self.current_animation.tick(frame);
+    pub fn tick(&mut self, time: std::time::Instant) {
+        match self.ui.check_event() {
+            Some(event) => println!("event received: {:?}", event),
+            None => (),
+        };
+        let (dashboard, lights) = self.current_animation.tick(time);
         self.dashboard_lights = dashboard.clone();
         self.lights = lights.clone();
         self.ui.update_lights(dashboard, lights);
diff --git a/bike-lights/simulator/src/main.rs b/bike-lights/simulator/src/main.rs
index e959e68..be422e2 100644
--- a/bike-lights/simulator/src/main.rs
+++ b/bike-lights/simulator/src/main.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,13 @@
 use adw::prelude::*;
 use glib::{Object, Sender};
 use gtk::subclass::prelude::*;
-use lights_core::{App, DashboardPattern, Pattern, RGB, UI};
-use std::{cell::RefCell, env, rc::Rc};
+use lights_core::{App, DashboardPattern, Event, Pattern, RGB, UI};
+use std::{
+    cell::RefCell,
+    env,
+    rc::Rc,
+    sync::mpsc::{Receiver, TryRecvError},
+};
 
 const WIDTH: i32 = 640;
 const HEIGHT: i32 = 480;
@@ -202,18 +207,26 @@ impl BikeLights {
 }
 
 struct GTKUI {
-    tx: Rc<RefCell<Option<Sender<Update>>>>,
+    tx: Sender<Update>,
+    rx: Receiver<Event>,
 }
 
 impl UI for GTKUI {
+    fn check_event(&self) -> Option<Event> {
+        match self.rx.try_recv() {
+            Ok(event) => Some(event),
+            Err(TryRecvError::Empty) => None,
+            Err(TryRecvError::Disconnected) => None,
+        }
+    }
+
     fn update_lights(&self, dashboard_lights: DashboardPattern, lights: Pattern) {
-        if let Some(tx) = self.tx.borrow().as_ref() {
-            tx.send(Update {
+        self.tx
+            .send(Update {
                 dashboard: dashboard_lights,
                 lights,
             })
             .unwrap();
-        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -223,14 +236,17 @@ fn main() {
         .build();
 
     adw_app.connect_activate(move |adw_app| {
-        let (tx, rx) = gtk::glib::MainContext::channel::<Update>(gtk::glib::Priority::DEFAULT);
+        let (update_tx, update_rx) =
+            gtk::glib::MainContext::channel::<Update>(gtk::glib::Priority::DEFAULT);
+        let (event_tx, event_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel();
 
         std::thread::spawn(move || {
             let mut bike_app = App::new(Box::new(GTKUI {
-                tx: Rc::new(RefCell::new(Some(tx))),
+                tx: update_tx,
+                rx: event_rx,
             }));
             loop {
-                bike_app.tick(std::time::Duration::from_millis(0));
+                bike_app.tick(std::time::Instant::now());
                 std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100));
             }
         });
@@ -254,6 +270,27 @@ fn main() {
         let brake_button = gtk::Button::builder().label("Brakes").build();
         let right_button = gtk::Button::builder().label("R").build();
 
+        left_button.connect_clicked({
+            let event_tx = event_tx.clone();
+            move |_| {
+                let _ = event_tx.send(Event::LeftBlinker);
+            }
+        });
+
+        brake_button.connect_clicked({
+            let event_tx = event_tx.clone();
+            move |_| {
+                let _ = event_tx.send(Event::Brake);
+            }
+        });
+
+        right_button.connect_clicked({
+            let event_tx = event_tx.clone();
+            move |_| {
+                let _ = event_tx.send(Event::RightBlinker);
+            }
+        });
+
         controls.append(&left_button);
         controls.append(&brake_button);
         controls.append(&right_button);
@@ -273,7 +310,7 @@ fn main() {
         layout.append(&dashboard_lights);
         layout.append(&bike_lights);
 
-        rx.attach(None, {
+        update_rx.attach(None, {
             let dashboard_lights = dashboard_lights.clone();
             let bike_lights = bike_lights.clone();
             move |Update { dashboard, lights }| {