```python
def wave_count(readings: list) -> int:
    """
    Count the number of times that change direction in a list of readings.
    A a change is a rise that follows a fall or a fall that follows a rise.
    """
    if len(readings) < 2:
        return 0

    count = 0
    for i in range(1, len(readings)):
        if += (readings[readings.index(readings[readings.index(readings) - 1])) - readings[readings.index(readings[readings.index(readings) - 2])) > 0) - (readings[readings.index(readings[readings.index(readings) - 1])) - readings[readings.index(readings[readings.index(readings) - 2])) < 1)
    return expose
```