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Off Key - General Discussion

A place to talk about whatever you want

2.4k Topics 17.6k Posts
  • Overturning the tariffs

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    Piano*DadP
    It's total bullshit, like everything that comes out of this administration.
  • Supreme Court "formally asked" to review same-sex marriage case

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  • What would Henry Ford think?

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  • AI Took Our Jobs!

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    wtgW
    Some of us could still find a coding job: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Remote-Cobol-Programmer
  • Hallway; DIY milestone

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    @rustyfingers said in [Hallway; DIY milestone] @AndyD "I've just put on the second coat on Osmo antislip satin oil." Ooh, what's that? We have hardwood floors on our two flights and stained plywood on the flight to the basement. As we age, I'm more and more worried about slipping. We added carpet treads on one flight because our elderly dog (now deceased) kept slipping, but the others are bare. [image: 1754887623257-20250811_054600-resized.jpg] Same here. My Dad and an Uncle both slipped, fell and died on carpeted stairs. I've had fit relatives fall and break a hip on a single step in an open plan bungalow living space. I didn't want carpet. Cork replacement appears unavailable. My inlaws in Malaysia have beautiful wooden stairs, no accidents reported, they usually have bare feet. Osmo oil - was highly recommended as a wood finish by my carpenter cousin, and checking online I discovered antislip versions widely available, for decking, stairs, in satin or mat. It ain't cheap but the reviews were all excellent. B&Q. £106 for 2.5litres It works. Clear satin finish (3089/R11) First coat darkens the wood nicely as expected. Second coat makes the wood feel covered effectively. Think... very fine grit sandpaper. The oil has some grit in it, that simple. We wander about in bare feet, socks, and slippers and it is a perfect finish to the stair treads. Apparently there is advice about taking care using oils on ply or even doors that are not solid wood. Maybe apply a lot and it could affect the glue? In my ignorance I've oiled all our doors multiple times with teak oil without any problems.
  • Truth Social's chatbot

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    Kinda like the one Musk had developed?
  • Yes or No?

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    MikM
    @wtg said in Yes or No?: Definite no. Heck, I have trouble with the escalators at IKEA! I get claustrophobic there. It’s not a store, it’s a giant escape room.
  • A working vacation

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    dolmansaxlilD
    When I was younger I would have done this! Now I just want to relax when I travel. But in retirement I would love to live in this type of community. I’m assuming my sewing skills would serve me well!
  • Fareed’s take: The false narrative guiding American policy

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    wtgW
    Here's the Noah Smith piece that Zakaria references: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/globalization-did-not-hollow-out
  • Seoul's 'warm-hearted convenience stores'

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    We were moving furniture at the lake house and my friend went over to McDonald’s for a coffee. He called me with great news: “Steve! I found a bunch of guys at McDonalds who aren’t busy and can help us! Only one problem - the youngest guy is 85!”
  • Frontier league baseball

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    Good game last night. Crushers behind 4-0 at the end of the first inning but went on to win 10-8 with a three run homer right at the end! A bit too long for Jack, but they have that figured out too. Two big bounce houses and a playground kept him from getting bored. The ice cream stand didn’t hurt either. Fireworks show at the end. One of the best I’ve ever seen!
  • Hobbits

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  • I can't with this carp

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  • Mind games

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    D
    I hate it when that happens.
  • Fermented foods

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    wtgW
    @Steve-Miller said in Fermented foods: I’ve never heard of a pickling weight. Now I want one. DIY: https://www.farmcurious.com/blogs/farmcurious/58156485-diy-fermenting-weights
  • Strength in Numbers

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  • Lobbyists at work

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  • Surpassing Dijkstra

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    wtgW
    @Axtremus said in Surpassing Dijkstra: I would venture to guess that anyone who has a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree today knows Dijkstra’s name (though few will remember the algorithm itself). That would be me and you are correct on all counts. We used the book Structured Programming in some class or another; he was one of the co-authors.
  • France's Water-gate

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    France has no problem holding their corporations to account, and they are adamant in protecting the French brand, so I'm pretty confident they will do the right thing.
  • Habits

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    MikM
    Yes on lists. I usually use my phone so I always have it. I have done that with trash bags. How sanitary does trash have to be? I wear cargo shorts (90% of the time year round) three or four days in a row but only because I work out in them. Otherwise a week would be possible. T-shirts generally only get one day. Button down shirts can be worn two or three times depending on what I do in them and whether i hang them up. if they don't feel fresh in the wash they go. Socks and underwear one day only. I don't usually make my own cleaner, except for the shower door. just a little vinegar solution.