What’s on your mind?

[D.T.]

I have never used cruise control in all the years I've been driving in any of the cars I've owned that have it..... I feel the very strong need to be in control of my vehicle at all times. Even when cruising down the highway, interstate or expressway on a long-distance trip it is not impossible that a deer could leap in front of the vehicle unexpectedly or an accident could occur just ahead, in which case the driver needs to be in command of the car in order to prevent additional damage and potential disaster.

Throttle vs. brake, even with CC, you're still the same motion away from stopping, and modern automated implementations (ACC) regulate speed, distance, and generally come with emergency pre-braking systems as well. When you're driving down to The Keys, for a 400 miles on long stretch of open, flat 6-lane interstate 95, ACC (the automated flavor) is fantastic.

It's more just a bit of physical relief vs. relinquishing focusing on the task at hand. And even as someone who is __very__ engaged in driving, every time I get behind the wheel, I find it a nice vehicle enhancement.

I've never liked heated seats and when I've sat in someone else's car that has them I always shut it off once I realize that my seat is unusually warm.....I don't need that, thank you! Just feels weird to me.....

Do a remote start with the car sitting outside in single digit cold, and when you make it to the car, it's warm, seats are too, even the steering wheel, (side mirrors are defrosted), oh yeah, that's when that kind tech is glorious.

(FWIW, I drive around with the top down, heated seats on, in 60 degree weather, so at least my, umm, rear is warm )

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Have been reading about Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Extraordinary stuff.

 

[Clix Pix]

Agreed about the cockpit feel of some modern cars - very off-putting - and can't help noticing that those of us who are less than enthusiastic about it tend to be ladies (and ladies "d'un âge certain").

That, in turn, prompts a question, which is that I would love to know how many (if any) women are actually involved at a senior level in designing cars.

Personally, I loved the clear, uncluttered, easy-to-read, classic feel of the dash of say, Saabs, or Volvos, or those old Rover P5s, or so on.

My brother and I hired a car over Christmas to visit my aged aunt, (and visit the cemetery), a Renault Clio, a lovely car - but we couldn't work out how the incredibly complicated radio worked, some mad touch screen thing - and all we wanted was to listen to some soothing classical music - and, needless to say, we didn't have the time to sit with instruction manuals. So, no noise, no distraction, simply chat.

A couple of months ago I went somewhere with a friend in her new car. Like the one you describe here, the radio system was rather complicated and my friend still hadn't figured it all out! She tends to be impatient and she's usually busy or in a hurry when going somewhere so hasn't really sat down with the manual and gone through everything thoroughly yet. Another thing I'm a bit uncertain about is that new cars now don't lock/unlock or start with a regular key. I suppose one gets used to it after a while, though.....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A couple of months ago I went somewhere with a friend in her new car. Like the one you describe here, the radio system was rather complicated and my friend still hadn't figured it all out! She tends to be impatient and she's usually busy or in a hurry when going somewhere so hasn't really sat down with the manual and gone through everything thoroughly yet. Another thing I'm a bit uncertain about is that new cars now don't lock/unlock or start with a regular key. I suppose one gets used to it after a while, though.....

Now that you mention it, that Renault Clio had some sort of card thing one had to use to actually start the car; and no, it didn't have car keys as we understand the term.

Mind you, I have had similar issues with card-keys in hotels, - having to trot down to reception to get them re-set, and don't get me started on the subject of air-conditioning in hotels; these are - or can be - an absolute nightmare between excessively complicated controls, the fact that the temperature is invariably set far too low (not only am I female, but I am the sort of female who loves heat and hates the cold), takes an age to rise to a comfortable temperature, and then only works as long as the card has been inserted in that stupid slot designed for it.

In other words, if you choose to head out somewhere, the stupid temperature will have re-set to the previous frigid setting on your return, requiring you to start all over again. Nice, clear, easy-to-use uncomplicated A/C - the sort that you don't require an advanced degree in physics to operate - would be very welcome. Actually, I am not too embarrassed to admit that I have requested help and idiot-proof instructions from hotel staff - and reception - on how to actually set these things to my desired level of temperature.

 

[yaxomoxay]

I truly don't like when ladies call each other b--- even in a friendly way. I see and hear this more often, even in public places etc... I truly don't get it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I truly don't like when ladies call each other b--- even in a friendly way. I see and hear this more often, even in public places etc... I truly don't get it.

I daresay that it may be viewed as a way of reclaiming the word, and reclaiming ownership of it, but, in general, personally, I don't much care for situations when anyone (male or female) uses coarse or crude or demeaning, or deliberately belittling, insulting or offensive language, especially language that carries an added charge of insult derived from gender, ethnicity (or race), or social class.

 

[Septembersrain]

I truly don't like when ladies call each other b--- even in a friendly way. I see and hear this more often, even in public places etc... I truly don't get it.

I'm so used to being called names I just ignore it. I don't even blink.

I'm very fortunate to have titanium skin when it comes to language.

 

[D.T.]

I'm so used to being called names I just ignore it. I don't even blink.

I'm very fortunate to have titanium skin when it comes to language.

Can we try it? You're a booger head! Anything? Hahahaha, sorry, that made me laugh and most excellent for you, we're really trying to instill in our little G that not everyone will like you, and some people will say things to you that mean absolutely nothing.

 

[Septembersrain]

Can we try it? You're a booger head! Anything? Hahahaha, sorry, that made me laugh and most excellent for you, we're really trying to instill in our little G that not everyone will like you, and some people will say things to you that mean absolutely nothing.

As soon as I say I'm a Trump supporter, it all goes downhill. Luckily I find some of the insults amusing. Angry people can be really creative.

My mom instilled this in me. I was outrageously poor growing up. Like no running water or electricity in the late 90's early 2000's level of poor.

People would attack me over my clothing, say I smelled (Like I had control over my mom smoking), and every day was a new challenge. My mom gave me the profanity laced female version of "Man up!" speech if I ever complained.

I've come to appreciate that sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.

Not if I don't let them.

 

[Septembersrain]

What in the world? Where is the rest of the number?!?

 

[LizKat]

What in the world? Where is the rest of the number?!?

Hmm... looks like someone or something in San Antonio testing out a global emergency broadcast system unless it was just a butt dial and the system doesn't have a "you didn't supply a message" error check.

It would seem you've been volunteered onto the beta test squad?

 

[S.B.G]

How to be a smooth operator.

 

[LizKat]

^^^^ Still admiring how your cats took over the place, eh?

 

[S.B.G]

Yeah, they move in space with minimum waste and maximum joy.

 

[LizKat]

Yeah, they move in space with minimum waste and maximum joy.

Yes, so beautiful in flight to top of the fridge! but sometimes there's this move instead:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1220334217336442880

 

[Septembersrain]

Hmm... looks like someone or something in San Antonio testing out a global emergency broadcast system unless it was just a butt dial and the system doesn't have a "you didn't supply a message" error check.

It would seem you've been volunteered onto the beta test squad?

Someone told me it's a one ring spam. When I call back, it'll charge me. Good thing I wouldn't call back someone with a non existent number.

 

[BootLoxes]

How does one shift from struggling paycheck to paycheck to being able to comfortably start and support a family? 🤔

 

[Apple fanboy]

Someone told me it's a one ring spam. When I call back, it'll charge me. Good thing I wouldn't call back someone with a non existent number.

I never call back numbers I don’t recognise.

 

[Clix Pix]

Same here. When a call is coming in, I look at the number and if it is unfamiliar to me, I don't answer. If it's important, such as the optician's office letting me know that my new sunglasses have arrived or something of that sort, then they leave a voicemail message. My carrier -- AT&T -- also has a fraud alerts system and a lot of calls never make it to my phones at all now, which is just fine with me!

 

[D.T.]

I wanted some leather, brown/dark-brown caz/biz-caz sneakers, wasn't sure which ones I liked - hahahaha, ordered 4 different pairs to cover my bases (with free, Amazon NQA returns, Rockports, Ecco, Cole Haan)

We just planned a crazy spring break trip [everyone] ORLANDO >> [everyone] PITT >> [ me] DC >> [everyone] ORLANDO >> [everyone] Universal (packing a business trip in the middle)

Scored a killer deal just now on an iPad 12.9" 3rd gen, 64GB, more-or-less NIB (only 2 weeks old), $740 delivered (~$165 cheaper than an Apple refurb)

 

[yaxomoxay]

@Mefisto - David Lynch surprised everyone by releasing a 17min short on Netflix, titled What Did Jack Do?
It's Lynchian to the top; I enjoyed it. It seems that people are arguing if it's a comedy, horror, noir, or drama. Personally, I laughed during the entire thing.

 

[D.T.]

@yaxomoxay BTW, new iPad == Awesome new Mansions of Madness game controller

 

[compwiz1202]

A couple of months ago I went somewhere with a friend in her new car. Like the one you describe here, the radio system was rather complicated and my friend still hadn't figured it all out! She tends to be impatient and she's usually busy or in a hurry when going somewhere so hasn't really sat down with the manual and gone through everything thoroughly yet. Another thing I'm a bit uncertain about is that new cars now don't lock/unlock or start with a regular key. I suppose one gets used to it after a while, though.....

Yes push button unlock and start is great. Don't even need to get the fob out of your pocket. I finally don't reach for a key anymore after over a month.
[automerge]1579900335[/automerge]

How does one shift from struggling paycheck to paycheck to being able to comfortably start and support a family? 🤔

Unfortunately, only increase income and/or decrease expenses. Now how to do either or both is a whole other discussion.

 

[Mefisto]

@Mefisto - David Lynch surprised everyone by releasing a 17min short on Netflix, titled What Did Jack Do?
It's Lynchian to the top; I enjoyed it. It seems that people are arguing if it's a comedy, horror, noir, or drama. Personally, I laughed during the entire thing.

Yeah, I actually read about this earlier today! Been quite busy so I haven't really had the time to keep up with pretty much anything, but thank you for mentioning it! This is something I need to check out soon.

 

[LizKat]

How does one shift from struggling paycheck to paycheck to being able to comfortably start and support a family? 🤔

Unfortunately, only increase income and/or decrease expenses. Now how to do either or both is a whole other discussion.

It is really challenging now when there may be more jobs around but they're not all great or even have defined hours... and trying to work two jobs to stash up some money for a family in future can be quite a trap. I mean it's your life you're living even while you're doing that.

Sometimes a couple can agree to reduce expectations on what kind of material setup they'd like to have and settle for pretty much rock bottom basics for several years in order to try to save up for a step up later on.

Keep an eye out for a way to step up to better pay.

Meanwhile try to keep spending down to putting food on table, roof over head, skip everything but utilities and insurance and enough clothes so you don't look like you only have one pair of jeans and they should be in the wash right now.

Tell the people you love what you're doing so they don't expect holiday gifts and you don't end up turning down dinner invites because reciprocating isn't in your budget.

It's a hard row to hoe for very long... but it's better than just rummaging around in couch cushions for money to put into a savings account once in awhile.

Every penny counts. 100 of them are a dollar and five of them might be for something you'd rather have now but don't really need, so just say no and remember what you and your significant other if you have one already are trying to save up for.