Octopus Overlords

hitbyambulance wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:07 pm i don't get Lego theme sets... one pays a whole lot of money for one of these, builds it, and it just ... sits there? collecting dust? i thought the appeal of Lego was 1) using your imagination to build what you want 2) tear your constructions apart and build something else, over and over

People buy crap to fill shelves and cover walls. I think we generally term them decorations. LEGO sets can be decorations you actually got to do something to create. For people with a specific mindset, following instructions and seeing the completed product is extremely satisfying. For other mindsets, taking a bunch of bricks and making something cool is extremely satisfying. There is room for both groups of people.

Also "a whole lot of money" is generally true, but hobbies in general aren't known for being cheap. The LEGO Titanic was cheaper than any of my RC cars... that sit on a shelf... and annoy my wife.

hitbyambulance wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:09 pm

Unagi wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:36 pm
What you describe is what a kid gets out of it.

i think the kids have it correct, here

You have kinda lost me. Why is this a zero sum game ?
Of course the kids have it right, for a kid.

And it’s not like people that enjoy building the sets are suddenly incapable of doing anything creative it’s simply that one’s ability to imaginatively play like that starts to vanish around age 15.

Do you also not understand why people build wooden ship models? Or any model?

I still enjoy swimming in a swimming pool, but I think the kids do swimming pools more ‘correct’…. But I still think adults can truly enjoy swimming pools, just in a different way. And they aren’t “incorrect” for it.

hitbyambulance wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:07 pm i don't get Lego theme sets... one pays a whole lot of money for one of these, builds it, and it just ... sits there? collecting dust? i thought the appeal of Lego was 1) using your imagination to build what you want 2) tear your constructions apart and build something else, over and over

Those sets still exist, and you can still do that. And when my kids were little, they were obsessed with the Halo sets. They built them, then had... toys. Toys that they played with extensively.

And when it comes to just paying the money, building it, then it sitting there collecting dust, compare that to scale model kits, Metal Earth-style kits, wooden kits, jigsaw puzzles, and a gazillion other similar hobbies where what you make is predefined, after which it just ... sits there. Or is torn down so it can be rebuilt again later. Some people just really enjoy the process of making something, and when it's predefined, it becomes almost meditative.

Rumpy wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 7:14 pm

Daehawk wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:32 pm

Rumpy wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:11 pm Speaking of Amazon, we bought a power pack through them recently, and whoever packed it sent along the wrong power adapter. When we first got it, we tried charging it, nothing happened. It was only through testing that we realized they had sent us the wrong adapter with wrong amperage. You can't really deal with Amazon Support to tell them specifics like that. We tried. Far easier to just order a new adapter.

Just tell them the entire thing wont work. Not really lying.

But it technically wouldn't be the entire thing, as it does work when the correct amount of power is fed to it. The power pack itself works just fine. It's the wrong power adapter that they sent us that's the problem. Someone fudged up in sending the completely wrong adapter for the thing they're selling.

Was this item supposed to be new? If so, how was the adapter the wrong one? I've seen more than one seller repackage a used or returned item and resell it as new. And it isn't unheard of for someone to need a part, order an item that has the part, swap out that part with their wrong/broken one, and return the entire thing. If it gets repackaged and resold, the next guy gets the broken/missing parts. I've had this happen (I've learned not to buy card sleeves from Amazon - people buy premium ones in bulk, swap them out for dollar-store sleeves, shrink-wrap them back up, and return them - after which the next guy gets dollar store sleeves at premium prices, while the first guy gets premium sleeves for nothing.)

And after dozens of support headaches with Amazon, I can guarantee you that their entire system falls apart if there is any nuance involved. They are equipped to: Give you a refund, send a replacement, arrange a return, provide a credit... and not much more. They have no mechanism for returning one item out of a set. If it was sold through a third-party seller, you may have better results contacting them directly (via your order page.) The easiest way to get what you actually paid for is just to return the entire thing for a replacement. If you have a shipping location nearby (UPS store, etc.), then it will likely cost you nothing to ship it back, you won't have to box it up, and they'll ship you the replacement as soon as you drop the old one off (they're notified it's been dropped off and process it immediately.) Just be sure to ask for boxless shipping if you don't want to have to seal it up and put labels on it - if so, you can just toss it in a shopping bag and set it on the counter.

I am still hating chargers. It looks like a spiderweb of cords between my bed and nightstand (and that's after making sure I only have one of each charger type.)

I tried the magnetic chargers, but they ended up being more of a headache than boon. Like everything else out there, the companies rotate in and out that if you need more, the originals no longer exist and you'll have to buy a different, non-compatible one. Plus, they charge much slower than a direct cable, and the little plug-in adapters don't play well with lots of devices. My case and phone tablets get in the way, my Paperwhite's charging port is on the bottom (so it won't sit straight with the adapter plugged in), and having that thing on my earbuds isn't desirable.

I've tried several cheap options for organizing them, but in the end? Nothing worked as advertised.

Unagi wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 8:04 am

hitbyambulance wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:09 pm

Unagi wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:36 pm
What you describe is what a kid gets out of it.

i think the kids have it correct, here

You have kinda lost me. Why is this a zero sum game ?
Of course the kids have it right, for a kid.

And it’s not like people that enjoy building the sets are suddenly incapable of doing anything creative it’s simply that one’s ability to imaginatively play like that starts to vanish around age 15.

Do you also not understand why people build wooden ship models? Or any model?

I still enjoy swimming in a swimming pool, but I think the kids do swimming pools more ‘correct’…. But I still think adults can truly enjoy swimming pools, just in a different way. And they aren’t “incorrect” for it.

i think there's a miscommunication here. your 'What you describe is what a kid gets out of it." sounded dismissive and a bit condescending, since.. well, that's what i get out of the sets.
​
didn't know this off-hand initial comment would be so controversial...

Blackhawk wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 12:43 pm

Was this item supposed to be new? If so, how was the adapter the wrong one? I've seen more than one seller repackage a used or returned item and resell it as new. And it isn't unheard of for someone to need a part, order an item that has the part, swap out that part with their wrong/broken one, and return the entire thing. If it gets repackaged and resold, the next guy gets the broken/missing parts. I've had this happen (I've learned not to buy card sleeves from Amazon - people buy premium ones in bulk, swap them out for dollar-store sleeves, shrink-wrap them back up, and return them - after which the next guy gets dollar store sleeves at premium prices, while the first guy gets premium sleeves for nothing.)

And after dozens of support headaches with Amazon, I can guarantee you that their entire system falls apart if there is any nuance involved. They are equipped to: Give you a refund, send a replacement, arrange a return, provide a credit... and not much more. They have no mechanism for returning one item out of a set. If it was sold through a third-party seller, you may have better results contacting them directly (via your order page.) The easiest way to get what you actually paid for is just to return the entire thing for a replacement. If you have a shipping location nearby (UPS store, etc.), then it will likely cost you nothing to ship it back, you won't have to box it up, and they'll ship you the replacement as soon as you drop the old one off (they're notified it's been dropped off and process it immediately.) Just be sure to ask for boxless shipping if you don't want to have to seal it up and put labels on it - if so, you can just toss it in a shopping bag and set it on the counter.

Yep, brand new. Was still wrapped in plastic. The only thing I can think of is that the power adapter was separate from the actual power pack (come to think of it, the power pack was in its own box while the adapter wasn't), and the person putting together the package didn't look at what they were packing and just grabbed something at random. I know it isn't third-party as it was an an Amazon box.

Ugh, shipping it back would be too much of a hassle. We don't have the things to facilitate the shipping back, ie no UPS stores. Which is why just buying the correct power pack is going to be the easiest route.

Rumpy wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 1:09 pm Yep, brand new. Was still wrapped in plastic. The only thing I can think of is that the power adapter was separate from the actual power pack (come to think of it, the power pack was in its own box while the adapter wasn't), and the person putting together the package didn't look at what they were packing and just grabbed something at random. I know it isn't third-party as it was an an Amazon box.

Third party stuff often comes in Amazon boxes. In fact, a huge portion of the companies who sell through Amazon ship all of their inventory directly to Amazon, who keep it in their warehouses, then ship it to you in their own boxes. And companies who don't want to lose money by writing off returns often keep shrink wrap on hand.

If it was new, and hadn't been resealed, then someone at the factory would have had to mispack it. It happens - but usually results in missing or duplicate parts. They don't normally keep the parts for one product where they're packaging a completely different product. Now, again - it's not impossible. Some employee at the manufacturer may have inadvertently dropped cords for one product into the wrong sorting box. But it's a lot more likely that your 'new' item was a repackaged return or used item (which is a very, very common problem with Amazon.)

Like this:



Prime. Ships from Amazon, in an Amazon box.

Not sold by Amazon. It's sold by AnkerDirect. And there is no guarantee that "AnkerDirect" is in any way affiliated with Anker (in this case it actually is - but many sellers use company names when they're not associated with the company.) But even that's no guarantee. If you live in Vermont, and you order this item, and all of the ones provided by Anker themselves are in warehouses in Utah, Denver, and Atlanta, but there is some fly-by-night third party that has one at a warehouse in New York, you're probably getting the one from New York (and Amazon credits one power bank from Anker's virtual inventory to the other guy's.) There are very, very few ways to guarantee that you're getting something from the whoever is listed on the site as selling it.

I don't blame you for going the easy route - more power to you. It just frustrates me when people get taken advantage of.

Yeah, but this was very clearly sold by Amazon, not a third-party. The whole situation just leaves us with little advantage or recourse. I can only imagine someone getting this and thinking the power pack itself is faulty. But we have an electrician friend who was able to check things out.

Anyway, it works, that's the main thing. Just needs a different power adapter. I think what they sent us was a DC power adapter when the thing needs an AC Adapter.

Summer is sort of ending, at least for the northern hemisphere. And that means, soon it will be time for a cup of hot apple cider.
But that made me wonder, are there other fruit juices that are commonly served hot besides apple?

Grape juice. After fermentation that is.

hitbyambulance wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 12:53 pm

Unagi wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 8:04 am

hitbyambulance wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:09 pm

Unagi wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:36 pm
What you describe is what a kid gets out of it.

i think the kids have it correct, here

You have kinda lost me. Why is this a zero sum game ?
Of course the kids have it right, for a kid.

And it’s not like people that enjoy building the sets are suddenly incapable of doing anything creative it’s simply that one’s ability to imaginatively play like that starts to vanish around age 15.

Do you also not understand why people build wooden ship models? Or any model?

I still enjoy swimming in a swimming pool, but I think the kids do swimming pools more ‘correct’…. But I still think adults can truly enjoy swimming pools, just in a different way. And they aren’t “incorrect” for it.

i think there's a miscommunication here. your 'What you describe is what a kid gets out of it." sounded dismissive and a bit condescending, since.. well, that's what i get out of the sets.
​
didn't know this off-hand initial comment would be so controversial...

No problem. I’m super happy to hear you still enjoy Lego.



I’m sure it was controversial because you said that you didn’t understand how people could enjoy something in a certain way and that it wasn’t the correct way to enjoy that thing, while a good number of people enjoy that thing the ‘incorrect’ way.

Has all the hallmarks of a controversial statement.

When did youtube get the google spam results treatment? Google putting search results on 1/4 of a page 1/3 of the way down is already terrible. Now a youtube search result yields... one result on the page. And then two more results on the next page.



I really do need to stop saying I need to decouple from google and actually decouple from google.

Also none of three results were what I searched for.

Jaymon wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:25 pm Summer is sort of ending, at least for the northern hemisphere. And that means, soon it will be time for a cup of hot apple cider.
But that made me wonder, are there other fruit juices that are commonly served hot besides apple?

Coffee is a fruit even if we aren't using the flesh.

Jaymon wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:25 pm Summer is sort of ending, at least for the northern hemisphere. And that means, soon it will be time for a cup of hot apple cider.
But that made me wonder, are there other fruit juices that are commonly served hot besides apple?

Mulled wine (grape) and a hot toddy (lemon).

That's all I got.

Madmarcus wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 9:54 am Coffee is a fruit even if we aren't using the flesh.

Time for some fruit juice!

I was today year old when I found out that those little sealed packets of butter can, indeed, go rancid given enough time.

Well that was loud and annoying

Exodor wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 2:20 pm Well that was loud and annoying

Sorry about that. That'll teach me to eat rancid butter.

I've been pondering as well. grape, yes. lemon, yes. Apple, obviously. coffee? why the hell not.

but what about the other things we would use to make pie. peach, cherry, various berries (I know they aren't fruit)

I know there are herb teas with peach or mango or whatnot. Next time I make peach cobbler, which should be soon considering the weather, I will take the juice, heat it up, add some mulling spice, and see what happens. maybe it will be good? but more likely I will discover why the local markets don't sell hot spiced peach cider.

I would think pears would/could be a stand in for apples in a cider.

Also, just remembered that we like pomegranate tea.

I've never heard of any one doing it but I'm sure the warm spiced pear juice would be great. The thing is that I really never see pear juice around even if I have seen pear cider.

As an update to the power adapter situation, my Dad sheepishly found the correct one after having misplaced it, thinking the other one he had laying around was it. Problem solved. No need to order a new one. Memory is a precious thing.

Jaymon wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:25 pm are there other fruit juices that are commonly served hot besides apple?

Tomato Soup

Unagi wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:53 pm

Jaymon wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:25 pm are there other fruit juices that are commonly served hot besides apple?

Tomato Soup

Prune juice?

Memory is a precious thing.

I wouldn't know.

Exodor wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 2:20 pm Well that was loud and annoying

I'm guessing you mean the test of the US national phone alert system?

I was in a room with 75 other people when it happened. Interestingly, it seemed to affect everyone in waves. My phone didn't go off until about 20 seconds after the first batch, and then there were two more waves after me. But everyone got it within about a ninety second span.

Still, it sucks to be last in that line if there's an ICBM coming in.

“When seconds count…. Who’s your cellphone provider? At AT&T you will have a 20 second head start on looting and finding all the best places to shelter in place. Depending on your neighbor’s carrier, you may be able to get the jump on him and claim his wife later, when humanity rebuilds itself. AT&T, Rethink the Apocalypse.”

At least it's not Rogers. Last year, in Canada, Rogers caused a nationwide outage that was very widespread because so many businesses and services rely on them. For for instance, many couldn't call or use 911 services and many businesses couldn't use their interac systems to let people pay for things and it was pure chaos. And yet despite this, earlier this year they were allowed to merge with Shaw, another of the big telecommunication companies in Canada

Rumpy wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:39 pm As an update to the power adapter situation, my Dad sheepishly found the correct one after having misplaced it, thinking the other one he had laying around was it. Problem solved. No need to order a new one. Memory is a precious thing.

What? You mean this one?

Fardaza wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 9:51 pm

Rumpy wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:39 pm As an update to the power adapter situation, my Dad sheepishly found the correct one after having misplaced it, thinking the other one he had laying around was it. Problem solved. No need to order a new one. Memory is a precious thing.

What? You mean this one?

I swear, my Dad sometimes does things that are baffling, and I admit to being embarrassed at times.

Rumpy wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 11:34 pm

Fardaza wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 9:51 pm

Rumpy wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:39 pm As an update to the power adapter situation, my Dad sheepishly found the correct one after having misplaced it, thinking the other one he had laying around was it. Problem solved. No need to order a new one. Memory is a precious thing.

What? You mean this one?

I swear, my Dad sometimes does things that are baffling, and I admit to being embarrassed at times.

I've been a father for a little over 17 years now, so I speak from experience. Embarrassing your children is one of the joys of parenthood. I do try to keep it in the family, not embarrassing them in front of friends, teachers, etc but sometimes the opportunity is too good.

Seemed to be one of my dad's too. All in good fun. My dad could be a character when my step mom wasn't around. I think he was more himself then. Him and my mom were a lot alike.

coopasonic wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2023 11:52 am

Rumpy wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 11:34 pm

Fardaza wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 9:51 pm

Rumpy wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:39 pm As an update to the power adapter situation, my Dad sheepishly found the correct one after having misplaced it, thinking the other one he had laying around was it. Problem solved. No need to order a new one. Memory is a precious thing.

What? You mean this one?

I swear, my Dad sometimes does things that are baffling, and I admit to being embarrassed at times.

I've been a father for a little over 17 years now, so I speak from experience. Embarrassing your children is one of the joys of parenthood. I do try to keep it in the family, not embarrassing them in front of friends, teachers, etc but sometimes the opportunity is too good.

For him, it's based on memory issues, and he'll do it just about anywhere.

I will deliberatly mis-name video game characters, becasue I know it annoys the kids.

If you want to make that jump, you have to ride Yogi, and then jump off halfway.

I see you are fighting Spearfingers again, Didn't you already beat this game?

If you are going into the nether, watch out for Smithers

Maybe you should play as Green Mario, he jumps higher because he is taller

Jaymon wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2023 1:39 pm
If you are going into the nether, watch out for Smithers

if you're going into the end, watch out for Neiderman

Jaymon wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2023 1:39 pm I will deliberatly mis-name video game characters, becasue I know it annoys the kids.

Same, anime characters.

"Who's that girl Zelda is talking to?"

I've commented on my water before, about how we can't use our water in any appliances whatsoever without destroying them, and about how absolutely every fixture in the house ends up caked in lime. If found some updated testing info. For reference, going off of ppm:



The water here tested at...
We can't even use filters here. A three-month filter is dead in a week.

You're using a well? Also kidney stones.

Daehawk wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2023 11:14 pm You're using a well? Also kidney stones.

City water.

And it's why I have to buy distilled water to make tea.