Kerry56's recent activity
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Comment on What is your passion? And why? in ~life
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Comment on What is your passion? And why? in ~life
Kerry56 LinkI've had a few passions over the years. First one that had a major effect was tennis. I played for over twenty years, with no formal training and made it into the advanced levels for a brief...I've had a few passions over the years.
First one that had a major effect was tennis. I played for over twenty years, with no formal training and made it into the advanced levels for a brief period. An injury to my shoulder put an end to this passion, plus I had no one left to play on a regular basis.
Switching to golf was the next one, and I became obsessed with shooting par. Many years later, I was simply burned out, plus it was becoming too expensive to chase after that damn score. Closest I ever got was two over.
A friend asked me to make a bed for him. That fired me up, and I decided it would be as close to perfect as I could accomplish. Cherry wood, with swirling grain on the posts and crosspieces, and Bolivian rosewood inlay... it remains the best piece of furniture I've ever built. Fairly proud of that one.
In 2017 I started having a recurring dream featuring people I couldn't possibly know, but it was important for me to understand them. I started writing my first novel, with no experience writing anything of that length. The story poured out of me, so quickly I couldn't keep up with my typing. That hasn't happened again, and I'm not sure I really appreciated how rare that is. Rewriting and polishing it took a couple of years, and the sequels showed up along the way, but the first one was such a fun experience. I published them, just so I could enjoy their physical presence, to know that what I imagined now existed in the world. -
Comment on I survived the certificate expiration of October 19th 2026 and all I got was to make a silly shitpost in ~tildes
Kerry56 LinkI made a post in the "self-promoting" thread and poof, the site was down. I thought I'd jinxed it. Had to go make a snack and munch until my nerves settled down.I made a post in the "self-promoting" thread and poof, the site was down. I thought I'd jinxed it.
Had to go make a snack and munch until my nerves settled down.
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Comment on Does Tildes welcomes “self-promoting” links to personal blog posts? in ~tildes
Kerry56 LinkI haven't posted, or linked to my own writing here on Tildes for several reasons, but mostly because the majority of my works are longer formats: novels and one novella. I have considered sending...I haven't posted, or linked to my own writing here on Tildes for several reasons, but mostly because the majority of my works are longer formats: novels and one novella. I have considered sending copies to members here if they are interested, but I feel a little awkward about promoting them.
All my completed stories are sci-fi adventure tales. If that fits your tastes, and you'd like to give me a bit of feedback, I'd be happy to send a free copy of what I consider my best novel so far. Send me a personal message.
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Comment on Tildes “orphans”, what do you do for Christmas? in ~life
Kerry56 LinkContext: Retired, no kids, no family close by. Christmas has become an insignificant holiday for me. It's just another day. What family I have left sends me a gift or two, and I always send my...Context: Retired, no kids, no family close by.
Christmas has become an insignificant holiday for me. It's just another day. What family I have left sends me a gift or two, and I always send my brother one, but we've not spent Christmas together in many years. I tend to visit them on Thanksgiving instead.
Last year, I think I spent most of the Christmas holiday season writing. That novel is still unfinished, and it pokes at me from time to time to get off my butt and finish. I've finally got another section forming in my head, so maybe I'll get back to work.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
Kerry56 LinkLast night I watched a Korean creature-feature called Hope. It was mildly entertaining for most of the movie, with the usual Korean quirkiness of including comic scenes in the middle of mayhem....Last night I watched a Korean creature-feature called Hope. It was mildly entertaining for most of the movie, with the usual Korean quirkiness of including comic scenes in the middle of mayhem.
Then we got to the end, after nearly two and a half hours.
Click for hidden text
In the last ten minutes, I felt like I'd been yanked out of one movie, and shoved into another, with the same characters as before. As the credits rolled, I sat there asking myself, what the hell was that? -
Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv
Kerry56 Link ParentFirst and second seasons of Silo are good, and kept my interest throughout. The third season is much slower to build the storyline, and I felt like they wasted a few episodes spinning their...First and second seasons of Silo are good, and kept my interest throughout. The third season is much slower to build the storyline, and I felt like they wasted a few episodes spinning their wheels. It does pick up near the end.
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Comment on What foods are better after a day or two? in ~food
Kerry56 Link ParentTry reheating pizza in an air fryer. It comes out crisp and hot, and is dirt simple to do.Try reheating pizza in an air fryer. It comes out crisp and hot, and is dirt simple to do.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Kerry56 Link ParentOk, now I'm picturing him in his Ford vs Ferrari outfit, drifting through corners in his pickup.Ok, now I'm picturing him in his Ford vs Ferrari outfit, drifting through corners in his pickup.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Kerry56 LinkI own a first generation Toyota Tacoma, 2004 model. These are rugged little trucks, known for their durability, but they have two flaws that need to be addressed by their owners. The first is that...I own a first generation Toyota Tacoma, 2004 model. These are rugged little trucks, known for their durability, but they have two flaws that need to be addressed by their owners. The first is that they are vulnerable to road salt and the frames will rust out. I live in Texas, so this isn't an issue for me. The second issue is the design of the lower ball joints. They are prone to catastrophic failure when they reach a certain amount of wear, and most people recommend changing them when the truck hits 200,000 miles.
My truck has 219,000, so it was time to get to work. By the way, never, ever use anything but genuine Toyota parts for this particular job.I bought a couple of tools, the parts and set to work on Wednesday morning. I've changed lower ball joints before, in a Chevy, and it was hell on earth. Working on the Toyota was so simple, it doesn't even compare. No rust anywhere, so the job went smoothly. It still took three hours, but time well spent.
Not sure how much I saved doing it myself, but probably $800 to $1000.
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Comment on What foods are better after a day or two? in ~food
Kerry56 LinkHome-made chili. Mine is always better the next day.Home-made chili. Mine is always better the next day.
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Comment on Amazon uses its tracking data to guess whether shoppers have a flat butt and no friends in ~tech
Kerry56 LinkTheir information on me is fairly accurate. Favors professional-grade tools over consumer versions Likely manages landscaping and yard improvement projects Likely maintains vehicles personally...Their information on me is fairly accurate.
Favors professional-grade tools over consumer versions
Likely manages landscaping and yard improvement projects
Likely maintains vehicles personally
Builds and upgrades computers
Owns a custom-built gaming PC
Likely owns a Toyota vehicleThe one they missed is Gradually building woodworking workshop
My woodshop is damn near complete, and I'm just filling in a few holes with newer types of tools, especially battery operated ones. -
Comment on What single episode of a show would you recommend as a standalone? in ~tv
Kerry56 LinkI've thought of another one. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4 Episode 10 called "Hush" The fourth season is not a favorite of mine, but this episode might be one of the most outstanding in the...I've thought of another one.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4 Episode 10 called "Hush"
The fourth season is not a favorite of mine, but this episode might be one of the most outstanding in the series. They set out to scare the pants off their audience, and did they ever succeed. This is a stand-alone, since the villains never appear again, and aren't part of the main story line of the season. -
Comment on What single episode of a show would you recommend as a standalone? in ~tv
Kerry56 LinkBattlestar Gallactica: Episode 1 of Season 1 called "33" This one had more tension, more fear of the enemy than any other episode in the series. Nothing had gotten overly complicated in this...Battlestar Gallactica: Episode 1 of Season 1 called "33"
This one had more tension, more fear of the enemy than any other episode in the series. Nothing had gotten overly complicated in this introduction to the series, it was just a visceral reaction to an overwhelming enemy who was relentless in their pursuit.Firefly: "Out of Gas"
This episode gives you vignettes, showing how the crew came to be on the ship Serenity, but it also shows how precarious their lives are, and how the thin the margin between living and dying truly is in space. -
Comment on Become worthless (to tech companies) in ~tech
Kerry56 Link ParentI'm trying this out. We'll see how it goes, but for now it seems to be working ok. Thanks for the idea.I'm trying this out. We'll see how it goes, but for now it seems to be working ok.
Thanks for the idea.
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Comment on Become worthless (to tech companies) in ~tech
Kerry56 LinkI've done what I can to minimize my footprint. I switched to Linux many years ago, and recently switched to Graphene on my phone. I have a Google account, but I only sign in to check my rarely...I've done what I can to minimize my footprint. I switched to Linux many years ago, and recently switched to Graphene on my phone. I have a Google account, but I only sign in to check my rarely used Gmail account, then i immediately sign out. Well, now I think about it, I do click a like or subscribe to a Youtube channel now and again to help those channels, but that is also rare, and I immediately sign out. So, Google does get some information from me. I doubt I can cut it back much more.
I watch Youtube videos on a browser I've got set to never remember history. I know the channels I like and go to them directly.
Amazon knows more about me than anyone, and I can't see a good solution for them.
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Comment on Wikipedia's list of the best video games: how many have you played, and what's missing? in ~games
Kerry56 LinkI was never much of a gamer, so I'm surprised to find I've played 38 of these, though I didn't finish many of them. One early title that is missing is Starflight, from 1987 I think.I was never much of a gamer, so I'm surprised to find I've played 38 of these, though I didn't finish many of them.
One early title that is missing is Starflight, from 1987 I think.
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Comment on Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ finally breaks Mariah Carey’s all-time record for weeks at US no. 1, eclipsing ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ in ~music
Kerry56 LinkI hadn't heard it, so I looked it up on Youtube. I'm not a fan of country music in the slightest, and I managed to get about halfway before I shut it off. Sounded like any other generic country...I hadn't heard it, so I looked it up on Youtube. I'm not a fan of country music in the slightest, and I managed to get about halfway before I shut it off. Sounded like any other generic country song to me, so I don't see the big fuss. Shrug.
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Comment on What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear? in ~life.style
Kerry56 LinkI have a pair of Nike sweatpants from 1992 (approx.) that I still wear on occasion. The oldest piece of clothing that I own is something I don't wear anymore, so it doesn't fit your criteria, but...I have a pair of Nike sweatpants from 1992 (approx.) that I still wear on occasion.
The oldest piece of clothing that I own is something I don't wear anymore, so it doesn't fit your criteria, but it is a leather coat that my grandfather had, and it is from 1953. My mother gave it to him, so I know the date.
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Comment on What is your "when I found out about 9/11" story? in ~talk
Kerry56 LinkI was off that day and driving early in the morning to play a round of golf. I first heard the news on the radio, and when I stopped by the pro shop of the golf course, everyone was watching...I was off that day and driving early in the morning to play a round of golf. I first heard the news on the radio, and when I stopped by the pro shop of the golf course, everyone was watching events on the tv. One conversation I remember was where we discussed the possiblity of shooting down a hijacked plane before it could reach its target. Of course, the folks on Flight 93 rushed the cockpit, and it crashed before that choice had to be made.
I was a professional cabinetmaker before I retired, which involves designing layouts for kitchens, installing cabinets and occasionally making them from scratch. Making furniture was a natural extension of that trade, so I've made quite a lot of furniture over the years.
I haven't done much over the last couple of years, but I'm gathering supplies right now, to make myself a new headboard for a queen sized bed in my guest bedroom. The bed I sleep in is one I made, and I have lots of other pieces that are hand-made, like chests of drawers, an armoire, storage cabinets, and shelves.