Python script that checks Instagram and flashes Pimoroni's Blinkt if the follower count has increased

blinkt-followers.py

#!/usr/bin/python

import urllib2
from urllib import quote
import time
import json
from config import (
    ig_style,
    ig_account,
    ig_access_token,
)
from blinkt import set_pixel, show, set_clear_on_exit, set_brightness
import math

# The functions that creates the magic - checks your Instagram account for the number of followers then sends this data to Slack to notify you.

set_clear_on_exit()

reds = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 16, 64, 255, 64, 16, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]

start_time = time.time()

# This function is for the Knight Rider KITT light effect

def larson():
    count = 0
    while (count < 75):
        delta = (time.time() - start_time) * 16
        offset = int(abs((delta % 16) - 8))
        for i in range(8):
            set_pixel(i, reds[offset + i], 0, 0)
        show()
        time.sleep(0.1), count
        count = count + 1

# This function gets the follower count from Instagram

def fanCount():
        ig_url = 'https://api.instagram.com/v1/users/self/?access_token={}'.format(quote(ig_access_token))
        fanCount = urllib2.urlopen(ig_url).read()
        jsonResponse = json.loads(fanCount)
        return jsonResponse['data']['counts']['followed_by']
      
# I want to write the jsonResponse output to a text file, and ideally I would like to check this file. If the follower count has increased,
# I would like to overwrite the text file with the new count, and then use this value in the "if / else" bit below.

# Triggers the KITT effect on the Blinkt if the follower count is greater than 320 - customise this number to be alerted of your key milestones.

if int(fanCount()) < 320: # If I could pull the "320" from the text file created by the jsonResponse output, that would be awesome!
	larson()
	exit()
else:
	exit()