Skip to content

Off Key - General Discussion

A place to talk about whatever you want

2.3k Topics 16.3k Posts
  • Contingency planning

    Pinned pinned
    28
    28 Posts
    820 Views
    wtgW
    @Piano-Dad Yes, I know how to reach you. We do have some folks who signed up and who have either never posted or haven't posted in a long time. I don't want to pester them with updates unless they want to be pestered. You can choose the option to hide your email address from casual observers, but people with superpowers can see that info. Mostly I just wanted to know who wants to be notified if we have a major outage. Additionally, a few folks who signed up early might not have had to provide an email address to create a user ID because registration was open and didn't require authorization by an admin or mod. Eventually we locked the door and deleted all the spammers who had signed up while this was the backup site. I just wanted people to check their profile and see if they have an email addy where they can be reached.
  • Pinned threads

    Pinned pinned
    4
    4 Posts
    319 Views
    S
    Great!
  • AI Jazz

    1
    1 Posts
    1 Views
    No one has replied
  • What’s cookin’ good lookin?

    62
    62 Posts
    532 Views
    B
    Cleaned out a corner cupboard last week and ran across the pasta machine that I haven't used in many years. So, I made pasta earlier today, cooked it up for dinner. One forgets how easy it is and now I'm retired it's no big deal to make pasta around noon and have it ready for dinner. It will remain secured to the work surface for now, where I intend to use it regularly.
  • On a whim

    36
    36 Posts
    217 Views
    C
    I use Teeccino as a coffee substitute. I use it in my expresso maching. I like the flavor though it does not mimic coffee well. There is zero caffeine in it. I get it from Amazon.
  • Faunascrolling--what's visiting where you are?

    118
    2
    118 Posts
    2k Views
    B
    I had to go out to close the shed door which I'd left open this afternoon and, more importantly, fetch the bottle of wine that I left in the car from shopping yesterday. Flipped on the lights for the deck and there were three raccoons cautiously edging their way towards the bird feeding area. Aw. I interrupted their supper. I made sure to shut the lights as soon as I got back in so they can have a nosh.
  • Bucharest to Budapest Trip Report

    25
    4
    25 Posts
    75 Views
    B
    Wow! What a fantastic trip and what a superb photo journal. Thanks for sharing. I absolutely love this charteuse-y color: [image: 1754408940047-img_1234.jpeg] I've seen some Kolodko sculptures in the NYC subway system.
  • Speaking of vaccines

    2
    2 Posts
    18 Views
    ShiroKuroS
    Thanks for the reminder @Bernard ! I have been meaning to get mine, but I'm not looking forward to being under the weather, so I keep putting it off. I really need to get it done with soon!
  • Hey Steve - heard of this stuff?

    4
    4 Posts
    25 Views
    AxtremusA
    "Polymer" makes me think of plastic that will break down over time and become either sticky or brittle; so I am unsure how durable this new material is, functionally. Other than that (and I have not researched this), everything else sounds good.
  • Goodbye, mRNA vaccine funding

    19
    19 Posts
    106 Views
    D
    Most professionals speak for themselves very easily. You are the exception to the rule especially when you're discussing topics about which you are only a layperson. I don't know where you get your sense of superiority since I've never seen anything to justify it and where you get your hatefulness, who knows, and, finally, when it comes to the live streamed genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, you are as dumb as a box of rocks. You're ignorant, obstinate person masquerading as some kind of scholar. Your opinion its irrelevant to me.
  • Convert Image

    3
    3 Posts
    53 Views
    dolmansaxlilD
    In Photos in my Pinned Collections there is one called Recently Saved. I can see mine in there but not in my main library.
  • Drones in Lithuania

    1
    1 Posts
    5 Views
    No one has replied
  • Piano Party 7/27 Klaus is coming to visit

    40
    40 Posts
    451 Views
    B
    @Bootsy Hi Bootsy! I have no doubts your playing was top notch.
  • Fermented foods

    16
    16 Posts
    65 Views
    wtgW
    @dolmansaxlil said in Fermented foods: I need to find a savoury yogurt dish for breakfast (is there such a thing?) as I don’t love sweet in the morning. How about Avocado Yogurt Toast? Avocado Yogurt Toast Give your avocado toast a protein boost with this clever twist. Spread Greek yogurt on whole grain toast, then top with mashed avocado, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning. This toast combines the creaminess of avocado with the tanginess of yogurt for a satisfying breakfast. It’s packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber to keep you full all morning. https://mykitchenmates.com/yogurt-breakfast-ideas/
  • Cryptocurrencies and Private Market Assets in 401(k)

    1
    1 Posts
    6 Views
    No one has replied
  • Brain drain?

    2
    2 Posts
    46 Views
    wtgW
    College applications rise outside US as Trump cracks down on international students The U.S. remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognizing opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on U.S. universities — and the nation’s economy — may be significant. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the U.S., Canada and Europe. “But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting,” he said. https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-trump-uk-dubai-6fd432398ce4c87f49a89c9c39421dec
  • Relentless heat

    24
    24 Posts
    227 Views
    A
    [image: 1754578272148-20250807_143025-resized.jpg]
  • College Admission Getting Easier

    3
    3 Posts
    113 Views
    AxtremusA
    How parents' income correlate to students' admission chances when the test scores are the same: [image: 1754576905064-img_7716.jpeg] Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/upshot/trump-college-admissions-race-wealth.html?unlocked_article_code=1.cU8.f8l1.TdcoG4CdoBWR Still very good to be very rich. Some college admission advantage for being poor/lower income (when test scores are the same). Some college admission disadvantage for being upper-middle class or just only a little bit rich (when test scores are the same).
  • Fried fish

    6
    6 Posts
    37 Views
    D
    I forgot the worst part. I was leaving and apparently crushed a garden lizard between the top of the door and the door frame. This was when I noticed the wasps. I was hoping its tail was just cut off but it was dead. It didn't look like a good omen so I found a stick and knocked it to the ground.
  • Meanwhile, in Teesside

    9
    9 Posts
    36 Views
    A
    @Bernard said @Steve-Miller Many the time I saw rats on the subway tracks waiting for the train in the NYC subway system! Same on the London Underground. When a train approaches they vanish. Jack Russel dogs are our ratters though any small terrier like Border or Patterdale or Fox will have the natural instinct.