Skip to content

Off Key - General Discussion

A place to talk about whatever you want

2.7k Topics 19.1k Posts
  • The Chicago kidnappings have begun

    42
    42 Posts
    878 Views
    wtgW
    Some street vendors say they are barely making enough to survive, due to the widespread immigration crackdown in the Chicago area. Community members are stepping in and finding creative ways to help them. "We try to get out at 6-7 a.m., get into the neighborhoods, buy all the products they have so that they can leave and go home and be safe with their family for the rest of the day," said Rick Rosales, a community organizer with CyclingxSolidarity. They are being called "buyouts." Groups of cyclists are riding through neighborhoods across Chicago, and purchasing everything street vendors have, from tamales to elotes. The movement is meant to support street vendors, as many fear being detained, during "Operation Midway Blitz." https://abc7chicago.com/post/cyclingxsolidarity-street-vendors-association-chicago-seek-help-scared-sell-amid-operation-midway-blitz/18152580/ Good riddance. ICE has moved to Charlotte.
  • Frankie the flamingo

    2
    2 Posts
    26 Views
    D
    Very interesting. In Hawaii, part of Maui (a large piece of land, actually) is a sanctuary for native plants and animals. There are experts who have catalogued every type of bird to the point they know when there are only a few of one type left and when a type (species?-- I'm not sure) goes extinct. It's very intense.
  • Grado XR80x, Replacement L-Cushions

    5
    5 Posts
    54 Views
    D
    Thanks, Mark!
  • An unusual beer

    2
    2 Posts
    21 Views
    AxtremusA
    Maybe they still call it “beer” merely for marketing; something like this may not “stand out” at all if it’s marketed as mere “hard liquor.”
  • US missing people with 'certain talents'

    7
    7 Posts
    76 Views
    AxtremusA
    @Steve-Miller said in US missing people with 'certain talents': Seems to me Melania came over on an H1B visa. Not sure what her skills might be. Melanie came over to the U.S. first with a tourist visa, then later she obtained an H1-B visa, then later an E1-B visa before she became a U.S. citizen. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43256318
  • GOP plan in Utah backfires

    7
    7 Posts
    51 Views
    Piano*DadP
    @jon-nyc said in GOP plan in Utah backfires: Im wondering if, to the extend the Latino swing to Ds this year endures, if Texas might get bitten in the ass by their new gerrymander. That would be glorious. I have seen speculation to that effect. In order to increase the number of red-leaning districts in Texas the GOP has had to split off some voters from red districts, making them only pink, in order to turn existing blue-leaning districts pink as well. In a wave election the GOP could lose both of 'em.
  • A recipe ... try it or not?

    3
    3 Posts
    26 Views
    JodiJ
    Like this one. https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/kitchen-sink-cookies/ Or maybe just salt like this one: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019152-salted-chocolate-chunk-shortbread-cookies?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Or this one https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/salty-sweet-butter-pecan-cookies-recipe
  • £220 ‘for a cut-up sock'

    5
    5 Posts
    53 Views
    D
    I keep mine in my small sling/ belly bag but I need something else too. I've lost three phones in six months. It's hell when it happens.
  • Magnificent Beast!

    10
    10 Posts
    148 Views
    C
    @Steve-Miller That is a Grand Grill (not an upright)
  • This old dog learned some new tricks

    24
    24 Posts
    160 Views
    AdagioMA
    Exactly! You can always put more on, but there’s a limit to how much you can take off…
  • Tutoring a baby

    5
    5 Posts
    55 Views
    D
    I thought the child of the UK upper class would need (I'm using the word loosely) a nanny. Tutor? Impossible. I didn't read the article but it seems these people are grasping.
  • U.S. Bishops' statement on mass deportations of immigrants ...

    2
    2 Posts
    34 Views
    D
    I'm a Congregationalist so I don't qualify. I will say one thing. "Lament" was a good word choice.
  • Are you singing enough?

    9
    9 Posts
    81 Views
    RontunerR
    I know a few that have joined the SoundsGood choirs. It appears to be just in the Chicago area. All levels welcome and they even have a group for memory-care singers. It is getting lots of seniors to sing again! https://soundsgoodchoir.org/about/
  • UK-US intelligence sharing

    2
    2 Posts
    36 Views
    D
    Over the legality or lack thereof is more to the point.
  • AI-designed virus that kills bacteria

    4
    4 Posts
    53 Views
    B
    AI is seriously flawed and seriously dangerous if they cannot control it. Some FB influencers posted fake news about the UPS crash, concerning people who were supposedly on board. The guy over at Pilot Debrief decided to see if it was true and AI said it was true citing the fake posts on FB as proof. That is totally unacceptable. And I've encountered sheer stupidity coming from AI. It will only ever be a benefit if it is licensed out for use with strict controls on who can be licensed and how it is used.
  • Robots - China v Russia

    1
    1 Posts
    11 Views
    No one has replied
  • Senate reaches deal on ending the shutdown

    18
    18 Posts
    164 Views
    B
    @Piano-Dad That's what I've heard too.
  • 3 Posts
    41 Views
    ShiroKuroS
    @Amanda Wow that’s super interesting! I remember, a few years after I started playing piano, I was trying to get a score for happy birthday and that’s when I learned about the copyright. I remember something about it struck me as odd… maybe this was it. ??
  • Decibel Chart

    6
    1
    6 Posts
    61 Views
    D
    Lol. My mobile home doesn't have insulation (some do-- installed after manufacturing). It gets up to 120.
  • Laughter is the best medicine

    55
    55 Posts
    2k Views
    B
    [image: 1762827540226-mirrors.png]