Random randomness

[disarm]

I called spectrum to see about a deal on my internet. Im paying $67.99 for 500/20.

On your budget, you should really consider scaling back to slower service to save a few bucks every month. There really isn't much reason to need 500Mbps if all you're doing is streaming video and occasional game downloads. Providers continue to push higher speeds as better and worth the cost, but it's really overkill for the average consumer.

[LordMortis]

You should have bluffed them about quitting Spectrum, and be forwarded to their retention department. They may give you the upgrade free.

That stopped working for me some years ago. WOW did cut my cost for a year after I cut the cord and then threatened to cut Internet as well on the same call. I don't think that bluff will work a 2nd time. Ironically, I still have basic cable after cutting the cord. WOW intend to cease providing cable and provide "a discount" to youtubeTV when they do. I guess it's too much effort to turn me off until they cut the cord for everyone. I would also lower my tier if could but their bottom tier is now 200/20 (I think) and it's $56 a month. I'd be happy with 100/10 especially as it's still cable, so it's "up to" and flighty with discontinuity, anyway.

[Daehawk]

I called spectrum to see about a deal on my internet. Im paying $67.99 for 500/20.

On your budget, you should really consider scaling back to slower service to save a few bucks every month. There really isn't much reason to need 500Mbps if all you're doing is streaming video and occasional game downloads. Providers continue to push higher speeds as better and worth the cost, but it's really overkill for the average consumer.

Actually this is the best plan for me. See Im grandfathered in and getting discounts as is right now. Im paying $67.95 for 500/20 . But they've boosted me for free to 600/20. I checked the speed online and Im getting like 670/24. BUT..their normal price for 500/20 is $105. SO Im saving a lot being with this grandfathered and discounted thing I got going. If I were to ask to be dropped to a slower speed it would cost me as much as Im paying now for 600/200...the next down is 100/10.

Its very difficult to go on their site and make any sense of their pricing as they always offer the first year at a much lower rate.

Also they offered to up me to 1 gig for an extra $10 a month,,haha I said thnx..I dont need that....plus Id called to save money not give them more! hahahaha

[Scoop20906]

I came across this site on social media and thought it was worth sharing. Finding sites like this through a search engine is nearly impossible these days.

Every Noise is pretty straightforward and minimalistic. It lets you listen to 30 seconds of different tracks, which is a nice way to get introduced to new sounds.

If you’re interested, take a look: Every Noise

[LordMortis]

If I weren't too lazy, I'd figure out how to unembed a FB video so I wouldn't hotlink it and make it work for everyone (like I'd do for a silly picture). Alas I am lazy and figuring out how to rip and post FB video is too much work for me.

https://fb.watch/wj-xD4mWtL/

[Daehawk]

OOfh I messed up with my math somewhere along the line the beginning of this month. Its only the 7th and Im $103.04 over the line in the negative land. Damn . I messed up big time somewhere. Now I got a whole month to go with go with a neg balance. And near the end of the month both walmart+ and Amazon Prime will hit me for about $7 each......My bank gives some leeway time...but not that much!..I could lose my bank account ..that would really fix me up.

Im gonna have to pull out of the STeam wishmaslist thing this year guys. ANd Ive already put stuff up for sale on FB market for local pickup. Man o man.

[Isgrimnur]

The Mads Are Back!

Join Mystery Science Theater 3000's Trace Beaulieu & Frank Conniff for an all-new online comedy special that will find the iconic duo live-riffing on a batch of cartoons curated by animation historian Jerry Beck, all for their 2024 holiday special!

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 8pm ET | $10

Please note: Ticketholders gain livestream & replay access to the entire event on YouTube, plus access to pre-order & purchase a download of the entire event for just $6.

Can't watch live? You can also pre-order just the download today for $11.99. Pre-order is available in the window below or by clicking here. The download will include the entire pre-show, intro, show & post-show Q&A, and will become available within 48 hours of the event ending.

[Daehawk]

And YAY Dec is the month that keeps on giving...in the ass. Not only am I over $100 in the hole in my bank account but nows the time for one of the two bolts that hold my toilet tank onto my toilet bowl to just fall right out. Yep lets just have a tank of water pour onto the floor and get under the linoleum. Why not? Its been in there since 1993...31 years...figured it was about time to take a trip it did. So I cant afford a toilet or a toilet tank or a plumber to put either in.

Lucky I have some sealant I can use...if I ever get the tank dried out. The tank is wobbly now so no telling if this will even work. Shall see. Its all I got and I aint gots no more.

Hey how do you look up arsonists on the web? Is that under pyromaniac or home remodeling? Reddit aint no help...they're all wanna be's...amateurs.

EDIT: Looks like Ill wait and leave it for now just not let it flow any water into the tank . I ll use a bucket from the tub that drips to flush it all this month and order a pair of bolts from walmart for less than $10 next month. Id juyst mess it up to where I couldn't put the right bolts in if I caulked it up.

On the other hand I stepped on the heater cord Id spliced together a couple times and it shorted out. So no heat in the bath room all winter. Everyone sing the happy happy joy joy song with me and Ren and Stimpy.

[Default]

Hi folks. I've mentioned this recipe in past Politics Chats but never got around to posting it-- making up for that now.

Here is the recipe I use for Vodka Pie Crust. It's incredibly easy to make and to use because it's much wetter than a normal pie crust, but it doesn't toughen the way a wet normal pie crust would because the gluten in wheat flour— the strands of protein that develop as dough is handled— can't form in alcohol. So this recipe is crazy easy to use, but cooks up light and flaky. And I am told the alcohol all cooks off.

I did not invent this recipe, and no longer remember where I got it.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur is the best)
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold butter, cut into chunks
1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into chunks
1/4 cup cold vodka
1/4 cup cold water

Cut the butter and shortening into the flour until the largest pieces are the size of small peas. Sprinkle in the liquids and mix thoroughly with a rubber spatula. Chill and then roll out between floured sheets of parchment.

Recipe from Heather Cox Richardson. If I told you more, I'd have to post in in R&P.

[Anonymous Bosch]

And YAY Dec is the month that keeps on giving...in the ass. Not only am I over $100 in the hole in my bank account but nows the time for one of the two bolts that hold my toilet tank onto my toilet bowl to just fall right out. Yep lets just have a tank of water pour onto the floor and get under the linoleum. Why not? Its been in there since 1993...31 years...figured it was about time to take a trip it did. So I cant afford a toilet or a toilet tank or a plumber to put either in.

Lucky I have some sealant I can use...if I ever get the tank dried out. The tank is wobbly now so no telling if this will even work. Shall see. Its all I got and I aint gots no more.

Hey how do you look up arsonists on the web? Is that under pyromaniac or home remodeling? Reddit aint no help...they're all wanna be's...amateurs.

EDIT: Looks like Ill wait and leave it for now just not let it flow any water into the tank . I ll use a bucket from the tub that drips to flush it all this month and order a pair of bolts from walmart for less than $10 next month. Id juyst mess it up to where I couldn't put the right bolts in if I caulked it up.

On the other hand I stepped on the heater cord Id spliced together a couple times and it shorted out. So no heat in the bath room all winter. Everyone sing the happy happy joy joy song with me and Ren and Stimpy.

I empathize with what you are going through, Daehawk. I genuinely feel for you as you struggle to navigate the overwhelming challenges that arise from ownership of a home that is rapidly falling into disrepair and in urgent need of expensive repair and renovations. However, as Smoove astutely remarked over two years ago, the essence of this problem has been unmistakably clear for quite some time now (emphasis added):

Daehawk, I'm being genuine here. I know it's your house and you're committed to being there but it's literally falling apart around you. You cannot continue to live like this without water. You also can't take the little money you have and waste it on anything other than fixing the core issue. All you'd be doing is buying time until that money runs out and then you're +2 weeks later and without water (and money) again.

Is there any way you can temporarily relocate with family until this is somehow resolved? I can't imagine your family wants you to be living like this and the house is slowly killing you - the physical issues and the financial burden. You need to get out from under this house.

Have you thought about utilizing the Tennessee Housing Trust Fund's Emergency Repair Program (ERP), as described below?

Home Repairs
THDA provides funding for home repairs for low- and very low- income, elderly, disabled and special needs Tennesseans through the Tennessee Housing Trust Fund's Emergency Repair Program (ERP)

Emergency Repair Program
To correct, repair, or replace an essential system and/or critical structural problem that poses an immediate danger to life, safety, or health of low-income homeowners who are elderly (60+) or disabled. This is not a comprehensive home renovation program; the aim is to stabilize the homeowner's residence by making emergency repairs to insure homeowners can continue to reside safely in their homes . If you are a homeowner interested in receiving an ERP grant, please contact your local ERP agency.

Contact your local ERP agency

In the meantime, I do understand that it may feel daunting or intimidating to contemplate. But going forward, I think the only viable, realistic option for ensuring you have a functional and affordable roof over your head -- especially as you get older, weaker, and more infirm -- is to apply for Section 8 Housing or the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program as soon as possible. As I understand it, those programs are almost always in high demand, and typically require getting on a waiting list. So, it's a protracted and time-consuming process. Meaning the sooner you get the bureaucratic ball rolling, the better your chances become of finally living functionally and affordably.

[hepcat]

Hi folks. I've mentioned this recipe in past Politics Chats but never got around to posting it-- making up for that now.

Here is the recipe I use for Vodka Pie Crust.

I feel like I’d continually forget the pie crust part of this recipe.

[Blackhawk]

Hi folks. I've mentioned this recipe in past Politics Chats but never got around to posting it-- making up for that now.

Here is the recipe I use for Vodka Pie Crust.

I feel like I’d continually forget the pie crust part of this recipe.

Or just switch to vodka cookie dough, as actually cooking it could be optional.

[Default]

Hi folks. I've mentioned this recipe in past Politics Chats but never got around to posting it-- making up for that now.

Here is the recipe I use for Vodka Pie Crust.

I feel like I’d continually forget the pie crust part of this recipe.

Or just switch to vodka cookie dough, as actually cooking it could be optional.

If you skip the flour and butter, you can skip the chore of washing dishes.

[Daehawk]

My Aussie Google Assistant told me this joke on my new phone...

What’s the difference between a hippo and a zippo?

Spoiler:

One is really heavy, and the other is a little lighter.

Yes I did chuckle at that one.

[TheMix]

Definite "Dad joke" there.

[YellowKing]

I am raising two pun monsters thanks to my constant dad jokes. The other day my wife jokingly said the trees were shedding their "clothes" for the winter. My daughter responded, "Thats what you call 'bark naked!" which works as a double layer pun for both buck naked and stark naked. It was a real "the student has become the master" moment.

Then the other night my wife was making chicken penne and my son said, "Oooh is that macaroni?" and my wife said, "No, that's penne." "Ah," he replied, "we've got a macaroni impasta."

[Daehawk]

Lol...doin something right there.

[Blackhawk]

My youngest has developed my sense of humor.

I feel like I failed as a parent.

[GreenGoo]

My daughter is now beating me to the sarcastic comments when we watch anime. I don't mean she's faster with her own comments, I mean she's faster with the comments I was about to make. It's...something. Slightly terrifying.

[Daehawk]

I have just discovered the cutest little singer...everyone probably knows of her but me until now lol. Tess Mohr. She is amazing. She has a tiny yet large voice..powerful but playful. She can do a Marilyn Monroe style song and look or a quick video of Fly Me to the Moon and anything in between. She has been on Post Modern Jukebox. So not sure how Ive missed her.

She is really good.

[YellowKing]

My daughter and I performed our first public music recital this past weekend. I'm taking guitar lessons and she's taking drums.

The music place we're taking lessons at has about 300 students, and probably 85% of them are kids. So I knew I'd be one of the only "old guys" actually performing. However, I wanted to do it because it terrified me. And I needed that terror to motivate me to practice.

Our names were being called at random according to how the owner wanted to structure the program, so we really didn't know when we were going to be called to the stage. The audience was about 100 people made up of parents and friends. My heart was beating out of my chest, and even my Apple Watch kept warning me that my heart rate was through the roof.

However, I made it through, with only a minor timing flub at the beginning, and my daughter killed it. I was so proud of her.

It was really something special see all those students go up there - ranging in age from 5 to mid-70s, across a wide variety of instruments - vocal, clarinet, guitar, piano, etc. Some were jaw-droppingly talented. Some struggled a bit. But it was really heartwarming to see everyone trying their best - not in a competitive way, but as a celebration of doing something they enjoy. For a couple of hours we got to sit in a beautiful candle-lit chapel, with nothing to focus on but doing our best and watching others do their best, and showing appreciation for one another. It really kind of helped me reset my attitude from the stress of the recent elections and chaos.

[Daehawk]

Sounds like you had fun. Reminds me of my own adventure in childhood music...

As a kid in 6th grade I was still very shy and had huge stage fright. But 6th grade was at a totally different school than the horrible one Id attended for 3-5. This one has music class. We learned to read music and to play the recorder flute. And one evening we all went to our city's downtown little square block park to sing our choir out . I still remember holding the flashlight at about waist high with it shining up onto our faces as we stood up there on the park's stage and sang our little hearts out for the holidays.

I was nervous but its a good memory Ive had all my life. That music class and that music teacher was one very special year in my school life...which most of those years were me hating it all and couldn't wait to get out of it all.

[Jaymann]

My daughter and I performed our first public music recital this past weekend. I'm taking guitar lessons and she's taking drums.

The music place we're taking lessons at has about 300 students, and probably 85% of them are kids. So I knew I'd be one of the only "old guys" actually performing. However, I wanted to do it because it terrified me. And I needed that terror to motivate me to practice.

Our names were being called at random according to how the owner wanted to structure the program, so we really didn't know when we were going to be called to the stage. The audience was about 100 people made up of parents and friends. My heart was beating out of my chest, and even my Apple Watch kept warning me that my heart rate was through the roof.

However, I made it through, with only a minor timing flub at the beginning, and my daughter killed it. I was so proud of her.

It was really something special see all those students go up there - ranging in age from 5 to mid-70s, across a wide variety of instruments - vocal, clarinet, guitar, piano, etc. Some were jaw-droppingly talented. Some struggled a bit. But it was really heartwarming to see everyone trying their best - not in a competitive way, but as a celebration of doing something they enjoy. For a couple of hours we got to sit in a beautiful candle-lit chapel, with nothing to focus on but doing our best and watching others do their best, and showing appreciation for one another. It really kind of helped me reset my attitude from the stress of the recent elections and chaos.

That is awesome. My son picked up guitar from Rocksmith and other online sources. I showed him some basics and he took off on his own. We play together occasionally (in private).

[Isgrimnur]

Spoiler:

https://bsky.app/profile/erinbiba.bsky. ... 2m6g2u6s2m

https://www.target.com/p/latke-sour-cre ... A-90720108

[hepcat]

My daughter and I performed our first public music recital this past weekend. I'm taking guitar lessons and she's taking drums.

The music place we're taking lessons at has about 300 students, and probably 85% of them are kids. So I knew I'd be one of the only "old guys" actually performing. However, I wanted to do it because it terrified me. And I needed that terror to motivate me to practice.

Our names were being called at random according to how the owner wanted to structure the program, so we really didn't know when we were going to be called to the stage. The audience was about 100 people made up of parents and friends. My heart was beating out of my chest, and even my Apple Watch kept warning me that my heart rate was through the roof.

However, I made it through, with only a minor timing flub at the beginning, and my daughter killed it. I was so proud of her.

It was really something special see all those students go up there - ranging in age from 5 to mid-70s, across a wide variety of instruments - vocal, clarinet, guitar, piano, etc. Some were jaw-droppingly talented. Some struggled a bit. But it was really heartwarming to see everyone trying their best - not in a competitive way, but as a celebration of doing something they enjoy. For a couple of hours we got to sit in a beautiful candle-lit chapel, with nothing to focus on but doing our best and watching others do their best, and showing appreciation for one another. It really kind of helped me reset my attitude from the stress of the recent elections and chaos.

That is awesome. My son picked up guitar from Rocksmith and other online sources. I showed him some basics and he took off on his own. We play together occasionally (in private).

+1. Great story for this holiday season. Thanks for sharing!

[dbt1949]

OO OO OO I just found Babylon 5 on Amazon Prime!

[Kraken]

OO OO OO I just found Babylon 5 on Amazon Prime!

Such a great show. We re-watched it a year or two ago.

[LordMortis]

I don't often feel lucky, but while pulling laundry out of the dryer today I happened to notice a washcloth was stuck at the top of the tumbler. No idea how long it had been there as I don't normally pay attention to something possibly hanging from the top of dryer. I had to pry it out and it was pretty badly burnt. That was just a huge problem waiting to literally ignite. :whew: (This also exemplifies why I am loathe to leave any appliance, short of the furnace, fridge, and AC running when I am not at home. I even get that feeling when I leave the slowcooker on and I go shopping.)

[Max Peck]

Still no Babylon 5 on Prime Video here in Canada (although the standalone movies are available for purchase/rent), but I just noticed this morning that Babylon 5: The Road Home will be airing on Adult Swim on Saturday, Dec 14, at 10 PM.

[Daehawk]

I can clearly remember a thought I had upon seeing the very first ep of B5...it was seeing Mollari at the bar talking..I thought "Wow he looks like a chicken or a rooster with that hair" hahahaha

[hepcat]

I don't often feel lucky, but while pulling laundry out of the dryer today I happened to notice a washcloth was stuck at the top of the tumbler. No idea how long it had been there as I don't normally pay attention to something possibly hanging from the top of dryer. I had to pry it out and it was pretty badly burnt. That was just a huge problem waiting to literally ignite. :whew: (This also exemplifies why I am loathe to leave any appliance, short of the furnace, fridge, and AC running when I am not at home. I even get that feeling when I leave the slowcooker on and I go shopping.)

Why do you cook washcloths in your slow cooker?

[Daehawk]

Well lo and behold my credit score jumped back up. Seems due to me restructuring and approving the remaining mortgage loan amount and starting to pay it.

Transunion is 713 and Equifax is 712 now...weeee

[Daehawk]

Stupid Gmail. Tells me Im running out of space. I go to look and see -13.38 GB of 17 GB (78%) used. So I try to delete everything in the TRASH warehouse.

Theres 122,430 conversations in the trash. But it only lets me delete 50 at a time. Fine I try to make it select ALL of them. It gives me this warning - This action will affect all 122780 conversations in Trash. Are you sure you want to continue? I choose OK which gets me to -
Deleting Messages
Deleting all messages from Trash...
122780 conversations left to delete. lo and behold wouldn't you know it I get this -An error occurred while deleting messages.

So I try again..now I have 140,000 conversations...I can see Gmail's server sweating...its like the old original Star Trek when Kirk would give the God computer on a random planet under its control a mathematical equation it just couldn't solve or used logic on it and gave it a rhyme that caused it to think too hard and short circuit. I can see this happening at Google's Gmail server center now.

So now I give up and move to the promotions area under TRASH to see if I can delete all thats in there maybe. At this point I Select all
25,339 conversations in Promotions to be deleted. To which Gmail happily tells me - All 25,339 conversations in Promotions are selected.
I hit the trashcan icon to start the delete and Gmail asks me -
Confirm bulk action
This action will affect all 25,339 conversations in Promotions. Are you sure you want to continue?

I choose ok. ( BTW As Im typing this Im hearing it read back to me in William Shatner's Kirk voice.)

Loading........

I see an 'Ooops'..... passed by too fast to see the error...then I get - We moved some conversations to the Trash. We'll do the same for any remaining conversations in a few minutes. This might take longer, depending on how many conversations are selected.
All the while..... Loading........... is still showing at the top of Gmail.

I finally get all Promotions and Updates under TRASH deleted and cleared out
But its still showing - 13.38 GB of 17 GB (78%) used

So I click on TRASH..and dang it I see - Select all 179,420 conversations in Trash

It took 7 minutes real time to delete all that, and now I show - 2.66 GB of 17 GB used ,YAY!!.

I can see the IT guys at Gmail changing shifts..."Anything interesting happen?" .."Just a slight glitch in the matrix"

[LordMortis]

There has to be setting for empty and for auto delete. My gmail trash only keeps 30 days trash and there is clear button that says empty trash now.

[Blackhawk]

Solution discovery:

I was hungry. I made lunch. An hour later, I was still hungry. I wondered why.

I discovered that making lunch isn't enough. You also need to eat said lunch.

[Jaymann]

I remember one time I went into a sales office where they had a meeting the night before. Someone had written on the white board:

DON'T SELL PLASTIC CLOTHES

That was either one of the stupidest or possibly most brilliant things I have ever seen.

[gilraen]

I have a credit card from PayPal (Mastercard) that's underwritten by Symphony Bank who apparently think that their only customers are either scammers or scam victims. When used outside of PayPal checkout, the card gets declined most of the time when used on any website other than Amazon (not that I use it much but I literally can't remember the last time it actually went through). It wasn't bothering me too much because it gives you 3% cash back IF you use it as part of PayPal checkout.

But I went to use it on Steam, and the PayPal checkout got declined. So I tried using the card as a straight credit card payment - it popped up a security verification, where it texted me a 6-digit code. Okay, no problem, enter the code. The card is declined. I try it again. Declined. At that point I figured fuck this and just used a different card - I'm not going to insist on giving my business to someone who clearly doesn't want it.

15 minutes later I get an automated call and text from Symphony Bank "we just declined a bunch of transactions that looked fraudulent, was it really you?" You sent me a fucking code, what's the point of the extra security verification step if you still don't trust it?

[LordMortis]

I have a top tier major bank Visa and Steam also rejected it and the bank later texted a suspicious activity notice. I have use paypal as CC intermediary to pay for Steam ever since. Whatever. It hasn't been a problem since.

[Smoove_B]

When I lost access to my Steam account for like a month almost 20 years ago on Xmas, it was because of my credit card thinking the charges were fraudulent, despite me specifically indicating verbally and in writing they were not. I was told (again, almost 20 years ago) that Valve was a huge "red flag" site for credit card fraud and so many (most?) credit card companies were not allowing transactions to occur. I would have thought that might have changed over the last decade, but maybe not.

[Daehawk]

Im new to using a phone to scan a check and deposit it in my bank. But I did that saturday for the first time It was after 12 noon but it showed up as a mobile deposit in the pending area in my online banking site. I figured it would go in by Sunday. Nope. Now yesterday was monday and I was sure it would be counted but it showed both a mobile deposit with the right amount in pending and in the posted area. BUT my balance is STILL showing a negative $105. So..from what I see its both counted and pending yet theres no change to my balance. I cant use it still..wtf is that? Is this normal? This is my first time taking a pic of the front and back of my check with my phone using my banking app to digitally deposit a paper check.