@Axtremus said in "Ghost tapping": I am not convinced that the various RF-protective sleeves/fabric/wallets etc. actually work as advertised. I'd say, after you get your product, test it -- put your tap-to-pay card if your product, then try to scan it at a tap-to-pay terminal and see if it still works. Why aren't you? Have you tried this experiment? We're living in a bad dream if, in fact, anyone can steal your money out of thin air!

@Bernard said in Pete’s take: "Affordability." Period. It worked in the election a few weeks ago in 3 disparate locations. +1

The little Italian market I popped into yesterday had DiCecco at $4/lb. The proprietor said next week it will be $8. On the other hand, today I was in my usual Key Foods supermarket and DiCecco was on sale at 2 packages for $5. I bought two but may go back for more. Lately it’s been $3.79/lb. there.

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 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.

Thanks, Mark!

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.”

I just finished The Time Traveller’s Passport (only available on Audible). It’s a collection of six short stories all related to time travel. I picked it up because one of my favourite authors (John Scalzi) wrote the first story. I absolutely loved three, liked two, and hated (DNF) one. Not bad for a short story collection!

@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

@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.

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

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.

@Steve-Miller That is a Grand Grill (not an upright)

Exactly! You can always put more on, but there’s a limit to how much you can take off…

This NYTimes review is coming out on the 16th, but is up in pixel form now ... https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/arts/television/ken-burns-the-american-revolution-documentary.html?searchResultPosition=2

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.

I'm a Congregationalist so I don't qualify. I will say one thing. "Lament" was a good word choice.

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/

Over the legality or lack thereof is more to the point.