Search found 2492 matches

by Blues
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Just finished all seven seasons of VEEP, streaming on Max (via Hulu for me). This is a really dark, almost black, comedy. Very well written, produced, and acted. However it's odd in the sense that I was kind of relieved it was over because while the writing is razor sharp, it's kind of an "ugly" funny. I'm not sure I'm explaining it well. I liken it a bit to "Shameless" where I felt a mix of horror, sadness, and amusement for most of the series. Unlike many series, the ending is well done, seems they took a hint from "Six Feet Under" for it. When I think of how dysfunctional real politics seems to be I wonder how far off this show is from reality? :) Excellent review, IMHO. The missus and I are just starting s...
by Blues
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1713036

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

I enjoyed the World's Fair in 1964. Mostly went with my parents, I was 12, but would ride down on my bike the couple of miles from our apartment and sneak in on my own.

I found it pretty fascinating at the time. Still remember things about the NY State Pavilion, the GE, DuPont, and GM exhibits etc.

Spent a lot of time in Flushing Meadows up until I left (living in) NYC for good in 1987.
by Blues
Thu Mar 07, 2024 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1713036

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

I'm currently reading The Year of the Locust by Terry Hayes. https://www.amazon.com/Year-Locust-Thriller-Terry-Hayes-ebook/dp/B0CC6BH1Q8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=BIU6K6ROCYAL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.83A8SQjOIjSNlM2-tQKwiGVw9PZH489tNyhJZFJBIffT3xl4Hf4Ena0nu0nrwsLu_p-4QAH_gt5K-vXwM3-kmmcuyuJOhMOOcYXveojeuJ30hQpd6hMZ75My8uwdgXEq5IQBxZmvqejl8IVmgzuSE-SEIZIqNd5sLwGUa6StwgBLBg5HtV2VjUHFAnUsCYOOtbRlAA9dBAgv-ORIDDh0rpguz3rMR1rjUdD6APobDaI.S3Hks4XHgOuWVGqOS5H9xb9mpnURXKgFrw-LbYNIOUQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=i+am+pilgrim+terry+hayes&qid=1709838936&sprefix=i+a%2Caps%2C295&sr=8-4 He's the author of I Am Pilgrim from about 10 yrs ago. I recall how much I enjoyed that one. So much (I recall) that I'll go back and reread it after this one. https://www...
by Blues
Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taxation of Treasury bills, notes and bonds
Replies: 1028
Views: 149555

Re: Taxation of Treasury bills, notes and bonds

Accrued market discount from a maturing bond bought in the secondary market is treated as ordinary income on Schedule B, (as opposed to a capital gain), and is taxed just as interest reported on a 1099-INT would be.

The difference is whether the "accrued market discount" is taxable by the state or not (if it derives from a Treasury issued note or bond). Either way, it's taxed at the federal level.
by Blues
Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taxation of Treasury bills, notes and bonds
Replies: 1028
Views: 149555

Re: Taxation of Treasury bills, notes and bonds

I used FreeTaxUSA to file my federal and state returns for 2023.

After you input the data from the 1099-B into the software, during the "interview" process the software asks if there are any adjustments to be made. You select the relevant response from the options provided, (regarding accrued market discount), and it will automatically list the income as interest on Schedule B.

It was harder to write this than it was to accomplish the simple entry on the software.
by Blues
Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIPS vs TIPS fund?
Replies: 99
Views: 12847

Re: TIPS vs TIPS fund?

Since I have no idea of when we'll ever need the money, we just use a mix of the two Vanguard TIPS funds and let 'em ride in our Roth accounts.

(Not seeking perfection, and "good enough" has actually been good enough.)
by Blues
Sat Feb 24, 2024 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: insights on living in the Blue Ridge Mountain region?
Replies: 27
Views: 4834

Re: insights on living in the Blue Ridge Mountain region?

I live in the same area as oysterboy, but not the same subdivision, a few miles outside of town.

There is a lot to like about the area, especially for those that love the outdoors...but the issues he raised are real for those more reliant on healthcare systems.

We've been here for 20 years now. Not planning on leaving.
by Blues
Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?
Replies: 74
Views: 4601

Re: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?

Just two of us and the dog.

Two standard sized refrigerators...one in the kitchen...one in the utility / storage / workout room in the basement. One refrigerator wasn't enough storage or freezer space. (We tend to go to the supermarket once every two weeks and load up.)
by Blues
Mon Feb 19, 2024 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book?
Replies: 186
Views: 19946

Re: What is your favorite book?

Protagonist, I hope you have read McCarthy's "Border Trilogy". Splendid writing and an excellent story. (Though I will admit a bit of frustration toward the very end because I'm not really a fan of "magical realism".)

I think your points are well taken on the whole, however. All of the authors you mentioned have meaning for me. (Not to mention Monk, Miles, Coltrane, Mingus and company...who are permanent members of my personal pantheon with a handful of others.)
by Blues
Fri Feb 16, 2024 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

abner kravitz wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 3:53 pm Latest season of True Detective on HBO. My wife likes it, I think it is very bad.
If nothing else, it is agonizingly slow.
by Blues
Thu Feb 15, 2024 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book?
Replies: 186
Views: 19946

Re: What is your favorite book?

A Confederacy of Dunces , by John Kennedy Toole I really like this one too. It's enjoyable and hilarious even though the main character is despicable. My wife and I have read it, and I sometimes jokingly tell her, "I fear my valve will be closed forever" after completing some small task for her. :D It is the only book my wife and I have both read. She read it because she saw me laughing so hard throughout the book. “I mingle with my peers or no one, and since I have no peers, I mingle with no one.” I've started Confederacy of Dunces at least twice and maybe three times. First when it won the Pulitzer (1981), then again several or more years later. And perhaps a 3rd time too. I've never finished it! I've always enjoyed the first h...
by Blues
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

On the other hand, I can tell you from firsthand experience that there were some very attractive women involved in the narcotics / money laundering universe encompassing Miami and South America.

(I have not seen the show. But I did work international narcotics cases in Miami from 1987 through 2004, give or take my time assigned to other investigations.)


ETA: Of course, Griselda couldn't be called a beauty by any standard...IMHO.
by Blues
Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

I just watched Tulsa King over the last few days. It started out great. Stallone is always fun to watch. The first 2-3 episodes are fine. I'd say good not great. Then the characters all start making major decisions that make no sense whatsoever. A guy does such and such and I'm like "wait why did he do that? It makes NO SENSE!" And then the consequence leads to another character making a huge pivotal decision that NO rational person would make, criminal or not. To the point that at least the entire second half of the show is made up of characters making incredibly stupid decisions that NO ONE would make because the plot has to go from X to Y but there is no good way to get there so what the heck. Let's have this character do such...
by Blues
Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

I just watched Tulsa King over the last few days. It started out great. Stallone is always fun to watch. The first 2-3 episodes are fine. I'd say good not great. Then the characters all start making major decisions that make no sense whatsoever. A guy does such and such and I'm like "wait why did he do that? It makes NO SENSE!" And then the consequence leads to another character making a huge pivotal decision that NO rational person would make, criminal or not. To the point that at least the entire second half of the show is made up of characters making incredibly stupid decisions that NO ONE would make because the plot has to go from X to Y but there is no good way to get there so what the heck. Let's have this character do such...
by Blues
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:45 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 41951

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Happy Birthday, Taylor. It would take a hundred more years for us to share all the thanks we owe you for all you've done.
by Blues
Sat Jan 20, 2024 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

life in slices wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 8:47 am A couple of things enjoyed recently (all different):

...snip...
- Joe Pickett on Paramount - excellent, bummed they cancelled after two seasons
...snip...
I like the actor who played the role...and have enjoyed his performances.

But, aside from being a nice guy and a good family man on the show, he was about the worst, most bumbling, ineffectual and, frankly, dangerous, LEO I've ever seen portrayed in a TV series.

Other than that he was fine. LOL. :beer
by Blues
Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

heartwood wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:01 am True Detective: Night Country on Max. New cast, new story, set in Alaska.

I don't understand it! It's s4e1. I also read online reviews for insight into what's happening. Can't anyone just tell a story that's linear?

I'm not sure I'll watch the next episode.

Comments, anyone?
Every season is a separate story despite being under the "True Detective" banner.

This year there have been some changes with writers, though the original writer remains as one of the show producers.
by Blues
Thu Dec 28, 2023 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

stoptothink wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2023 12:30 pm

Can't disagree. IMO, he's a really poor writer but apparently a genius at knowing what will keep people watching. IMO "1883" was really bad (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were surprisingly good), almost unwatchable with Elsa's monologues, but we decided to watch Yellowstone anyway, and it's even worse than we expected...but we keep watching.
Her monologues were what had me blowing it off after a couple of episodes. That and the completely unrealistic rewriting of what actually occurred back in the day on virtually every level.
by Blues
Thu Dec 28, 2023 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Just finished the latest season of Slow Horses on Apple TV+. We've loved all of the seasons so far but we really enjoyed this one. One of the few shows on TV right now where a 45min episode feels like 20mins. Highly recommend. Love the show, Oldman and the cast...but last night's finale really pushed the envelope in requiring the suspension of reality...especially as regards the tactical and shooting elements. I have to wonder about the technical advisors to the show, and how in the world they could allow Louisa to manipulate a firearm in the fashion demonstrated. It really drove me crazy. That said...I will look forward to next season...despite the criticisms. 100% agree with you. I grew up in a military family with several special forces...
by Blues
Thu Dec 28, 2023 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

jjunk wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2023 7:05 am Just finished the latest season of Slow Horses on Apple TV+. We've loved all of the seasons so far but we really enjoyed this one. One of the few shows on TV right now where a 45min episode feels like 20mins. Highly recommend.
Love the show, Oldman and the cast...but last night's finale really pushed the envelope in requiring the suspension of reality...especially as regards the tactical and shooting elements. I have to wonder about the technical advisors to the show, and how in the world they could allow Louisa to manipulate a firearm in the fashion demonstrated. It really drove me crazy.

That said...I will look forward to next season...despite the criticisms.
by Blues
Sat Dec 02, 2023 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Youngblood wrote: Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:38 pm Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV+
There are four episodes now available. Each one either put one of us to sleep and/or almost put the both of us to sleep. Probably I
don't remember because I was sleeping.
None of the actors were able to convince me to care whether or not Godzilla or another monster killed them.

Anyone here watch and enjoy it?
My first thought when I saw this series: "Why?"
by Blues
Sat Dec 02, 2023 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

We're still struggling through season 2 of Yellowstone, on like episode 6. IMO 1883 was OK, but poorly written (OMG, Elsa's monologues :oops: ) and Yellowstone is much of the same (but even more ridiculous plot development). I think I've said this previously, but Sheridan seems to be the new Kurt Sutter (writer of Sons of Anarchy); have a really interesting setup for a show, but ruin it with ridiculous/unbelievable plot lines and terrible dialogue. I honestly think we'll slowly continue slogging through Yellowstone as it is at least mildly entertaining and there is nothing else we're interested in, but I am totally confused about the praise this show has gotten. Well said. (Elsa killed any chance of us watching past the first couple of epi...
by Blues
Sun Nov 26, 2023 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Watched s5e1 of Fargo on Hulu. There are 10 episodes. The first two dropped this past week. Lots of action. We didn't really understand the situation in e1 beyond violence and surprises. We'll watch more, but weren't grabbed by the pilot episode to immediately watch e2. (In fact after e1 we went back to our usual night time viewing of Yellowstone and the original Frasier.) From wikipedia: Set in North Dakota and Minnesota in 2019, the plot of the show's fifth season has been teased with the following questions: "When is a kidnapping not a kidnapping, and what if your wife isn't yours?"[10] Jon Hamm, Juno Temple, and Jennifer Jason Leigh have been cast as lead characters Roy Tillman, Dorothy "Dot" Lyon, and Lorraine Lyon...
by Blues
Sun Nov 19, 2023 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

vnatale wrote: Sun Nov 19, 2023 6:09 pm After finishing Bosch Legacy Amazon Prime started for me the following series:

Case Histories


Everything I've seen on it has been well worth watching.
Fun series. Jason Isaacs is very good. You might also check out another show with him, "Brotherhood".
by Blues
Sat Nov 18, 2023 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1713036

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

I'll be the dissenting voice regarding Harlan Coben's books. (Someone had to be. I'm also not a Stephen King fan, but for one or two rare exceptions.)

Cheers!


:sharebeer
by Blues
Wed Nov 15, 2023 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA - LastPass breach!
Replies: 718
Views: 64249

Re: PSA - LastPass breach!

mander75 wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2023 5:23 pm How painful or easy was the move from LP to 1Password? Any other alternatives to 1Password to consider?
I switched from LastPass to Bitwarden. Easy to swap and a great password manager.
by Blues
Tue Nov 14, 2023 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 1099-R (Vanguard) - Quick Question
Replies: 9
Views: 854

Re: 1099-R (Vanguard) - Quick Question

Thank you, Livesoft, that's exactly the info I was seeking.


I truly appreciate your having gone to the trouble of providing those images. :sharebeer
by Blues
Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 1099-R (Vanguard) - Quick Question
Replies: 9
Views: 854

Re: 1099-R (Vanguard) - Quick Question

"come from" is an interesting phrase. All the tax documents will be available online and downloadable for printing. Do not blindly go by what tax-prep software might or might not import. Look in all your accounts by logging into them online. That goes for you and your spouse. I do all entries into the tax software manually (for both of us) once downloaded to my drive. I have oversight for each. I was only wondering whether the same "fiduciary", I forget the name of the particular Vanguard section listed as the issuer on the 1099-R for the conversions while still on the mutual fund side...I'm merely wondering if it's a different "fiduciary" because of the conversion to the brokerage side. It's simply a matter o...
by Blues
Tue Nov 14, 2023 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 1099-R (Vanguard) - Quick Question
Replies: 9
Views: 854

Re: 1099-R (Vanguard) - Quick Question

Thanks, Todd. That was my thought. :beer
by Blues
Tue Nov 14, 2023 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 1099-R (Vanguard) - Quick Question
Replies: 9
Views: 854

1099-R (Vanguard) - Quick Question

I have been doing partial conversions on my wife's tIRA for several years. In the Spring of 2022, we converted from the mutual fund side of the house to the brokerage side. Everything went without a hitch and we were fine doing our taxes with documents from both the mutual fund side as well as the brokerage. In January of 2023, I did the final conversion, on the brokerage side, and now my wife only has a Roth account in addition to our jointly held funds. When we get the tax documents for 2023, we will get the consolidated statement from the brokerage. But I'm assuming that will only contain info on our jointly held funds, and not her IRAs. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Will this 2023 1099-R for the final partial conversion, (performed af...
by Blues
Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

roamingzebra wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:15 pm ^^Sometimes Americans playing Americans can have funny results. I see this a lot in spy series. it seems like with foreign intelligence agencies, they always have to liason with a CIA officer at some point, and the CIA officer often sounds funny, even crude. Not sure if it's because Americans -- and thus American actors -- sound a bit flat compared to the well-educated Brits or the smooth-talking French, but the result is often laughable.

I've never been able to get out of my mind the "cowboy" CIA officer in "Les Bureau des Legendes", who looked and sounded like a Texas Ranger.
I've met CIA officers who look like your maiden aunt. They come in all flavors...
by Blues
Wed Nov 01, 2023 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

roamingzebra wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:40 pm
Blues wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 4:08 pm Interviewing and interrogation were two of my favorite arenas.
Probably a tiny bit safer than going undercover. :mrgreen:

I started my career with a 9 month stint doing undercover on organized crime and outlaw motorcycle gang operations. It was fun...but it was a roller coaster. Still, I don't regret a minute of it.
by Blues
Wed Nov 01, 2023 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Oh, and I forgot to mention earlier how odd/funny it is to see Government/Law Enforcement wholeheartedly embrace Dr. Lightman's methods as if they were standard investigative tools. I can just see our friend Blues asking some cartel guy where the coccaine is stashed, and making any deal contingent upon getting the okay from a "Deception Consultant". :D :D :D I'm not familiar with the show, so I can't comment. I can say that, generally speaking, when we had someone in the room, we pretty much already knew what we were dealing with...and any deal, (whether it was simply to make his cooperation known to the U.S. Attorney, ... or with the U.S. Attorney's prior knowledge), were conditional upon successful retrieval of the load and / o...
by Blues
Wed Nov 01, 2023 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Oh, and I forgot to mention earlier how odd/funny it is to see Government/Law Enforcement wholeheartedly embrace Dr. Lightman's methods as if they were standard investigative tools. I can just see our friend Blues asking some cartel guy where the coccaine is stashed, and making any deal contingent upon getting the okay from a "Deception Consultant". :D :D :D I'm not familiar with the show, so I can't comment. I can say that, generally speaking, when we had someone in the room, we pretty much already knew what we were dealing with...and any deal, (whether it was simply to make his cooperation known to the U.S. Attorney, ... or with the U.S. Attorney's prior knowledge), were conditional upon successful retrieval of the load and / o...
by Blues
Sun Oct 29, 2023 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Just finished Killing Eve, season 4. I started this series a few years ago on a plane and just came back to it now. I skimmed seasons 1-3 to recall the plot before finishing season 4. I was pretty disappointed, season 3 seemed to go in an odd direction and season 4 was just a mess in my opinion. I had a hard time staying interested. I'm glad it's over and I can watch something else! It's too bad because I liked season 1 and 2. "Killing Eve" is famous for having a terrible season 4. I didn't bother to watch it. Not exactly the same, but this post by Blues may guide you to something similar: "Kleo" on Netflix. A German version of "Killing Eve" meets "The Americans". Entertaining, humorous, with a good ...
by Blues
Wed Oct 25, 2023 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

While I was working with the Met in London on a case, when the "lads" felt like having me on, they could speak in a way that I hadn't a clue what the heck they were saying...and I have a facility for languages. It was as if it was no longer English.

It was all in good fun. Normally we had no issues understanding one another...unless it was a late night in the pub. :sharebeer
by Blues
Sat Oct 21, 2023 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

I've been a little underwhelmed by the new season of Bosch: Legacy through the first four. The writing could / should be better IMHO.
by Blues
Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1713036

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

protagonist wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:45 am I just started reading "Anaximander And the Birth of Science ", by Carlo Rovelli.

I have read two other books by Rovelli, one of the leading physicists exploring loop quantum gravity, and, in my opinion, probably the best living writer of science books aimed at the general public . His knowledge is extremely broad and his writing style is very engaging and entertaining, while at the same time packing a lot of information in as few words as possible.
Brings me back to my Pre-Socratic Greek Philosophers course back in the day.
by Blues
Sun Oct 08, 2023 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Waterpik --cordless or corded?
Replies: 17
Views: 2752

Re: Waterpik --cordless or corded?

Definitely recommend the corded version.
by Blues
Mon Sep 18, 2023 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

stoptothink wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 10:17 am
Blues wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:21 am
surfinagin wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:49 am Was given the "1883" DVD set, and have watched Discs 1/2.
Think I'm done -1883 didn't hook me like the first few Yellowstone seasons did.
Elsa ain't no Beth -the storytelling using her perspective/narration turned me off.
I started using fast forward for much of the frequent extended uninteresting dialogue/narration that slowed the pace of the story vs Yellowstone.
The missus and I couldn't take it either. We lasted a few episodes into the first season and both agreed it was not worth the time for much the same reasons as yours.
We watched the entire season, but it was very mediocre. OMG the constant Elsa monologues in the background was so annoying.
Couldn't agree more.
by Blues
Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

surfinagin wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:49 am Was given the "1883" DVD set, and have watched Discs 1/2.
Think I'm done -1883 didn't hook me like the first few Yellowstone seasons did.
Elsa ain't no Beth -the storytelling using her perspective/narration turned me off.
I started using fast forward for much of the frequent extended uninteresting dialogue/narration that slowed the pace of the story vs Yellowstone.
The missus and I couldn't take it either. We lasted a few episodes into the first season and both agreed it was not worth the time for much the same reasons as yours.
by Blues
Sat Aug 26, 2023 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

^^^^^

One of the greats. I have much of his work on Blue Note in my collection.
by Blues
Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066929

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

From the 70s on DVD, The French Connection , which I hadn't seen before. Not your average cops-and-crooks movie, the cops are as bad as the crooks. The gin-soaked rageaholic Popeye Doyle tramples on 57 varieties of civil rights, and never actually catches the crooks. Has the greatest chase scene in the history of movies. I was pleased to see two '70 Buick Electra 225s, like one I used to drive, but mine was a two-door. The director, William Friedkin, just passed away, so his movies have been much in the news. If you haven't seen it, Sorcerer is quite good. It famously bombed in part because it came out two weeks after the first Star Wars, but, after watching it, it was never going to be as big. I recommend the 1953 film The Wages of Fear ....
by Blues
Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Crash predicted - should I temporarily reduce contributions to 403b?
Replies: 99
Views: 11553

Re: Crash predicted - should I temporarily reduce contributions to 403b?

jebmke wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 5:24 pm I posted somewhere about our early investing days. In 1987 (I was 34) the market dropped 22% in one day. Yes, it was brutal but it came back strong and has served us well. I retired early at age 55.
Very similar story. 35 in 1987...which was about the second, maybe third year after I started (limited) investing, and the year I got married.

Retired at 51.
by Blues
Mon Aug 14, 2023 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690207

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Watching Justified: Primeval on Hulu. Raylen Givens always delivers. Watching this, too, but I'm disappointed. None of the elements that made the original show charming are here. In fact, the Elmore Leonard story this is based on doesn't even have Raylan as a character; the writers switched out the original character and inserted Raylan. It could be anyone playing the cop chasing the bad guy in the big city. Given how well the original show ended, they should have left it alone, IMO. We're through the first 2 episodes. It definitely does not have the same charm as the original series. Also, Raylan's daughter (played by Timothy Olyphant's actual daughter) is super annoying. I'm not certain we'll make it through the season. Wife and I both d...
by Blues
Tue Aug 08, 2023 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: House generators 101 - Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Above Ground Power Lines
Replies: 20
Views: 2048

Re: House generators 101 - Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Above Ground Power Lines

My 50 gallon propane water heater with a pilot light, has never had any issues during a power outage, prior to getting a generator, nor since, when the generator supplies power. It's 20 years old.

Then again, my propane tank is not tied into anyone else's lines.
by Blues
Tue Aug 08, 2023 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: House generators 101 - Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Above Ground Power Lines
Replies: 20
Views: 2048

Re: House generators 101 - Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Above Ground Power Lines

We had a 24 kW Generac installed in May and activated on 6/1. It's come in handy a few times already.

Sorry we waited so long. It's been great.

(We have a 500 gallon in-ground propane tank which has been in place since we bought our home 20 years ago.)
by Blues
Sat Aug 05, 2023 7:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Music Subscription - which do you prefer?
Replies: 58
Views: 5605

Re: Music Subscription - which do you prefer?

Spotify Premium. (I have hulu as an extra they threw in years ago.)

Best music service I have found.
by Blues
Mon Jul 31, 2023 7:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Have you recovered from the market downturn?
Replies: 117
Views: 10806

Re: Have you recovered from the market downturn?

Our portfolio as a whole is at an all-time mark even though we are retired and have been for several years (since age 51 for me).

(But we are still able to invest a portion of my pension, and just recently her SSA, so there were new funds added during the year and a half it took to get back above the previous high.)