Kerry56's recent activity
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
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Comment on Details for the Motorola Signature 27 with GrapheneOS support in ~tech
Kerry56 Link ParentRight now, the number of GrapheneOS users is an insignificant blip compared to those on the "normal" versions of Android. If Graphene can't find manufacturers who will produce appropriate...Right now, the number of GrapheneOS users is an insignificant blip compared to those on the "normal" versions of Android. If Graphene can't find manufacturers who will produce appropriate hardware, for an affordable price, the operating system will fade away. People new to GrapheneOS will not be content to use older phones, if they are the only choice.
Graphene may be forced to find ways to support hardware they regard as less than optimal. But I might be jumping the gun a little too. Motorola may release other models, with sane prices, that can be used with Graphene.
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Comment on Tesla to wind down Cybertruck production in Texas next year in ~transport
Kerry56 LinkSo, I just read that Wired article about the Cybertruck. I didn't realize there were 11 recalls on this pile of junk. The part about the wheels coming off is both hilarious and alarming. In my...So, I just read that Wired article about the Cybertruck. I didn't realize there were 11 recalls on this pile of junk. The part about the wheels coming off is both hilarious and alarming.
In my part of Texas, we generally refer to them as rolling trash bins.
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Comment on 2026 United States midterm elections megathread in ~society
Kerry56 Link ParentOk. Thanks. The direction of the conversation wasn't entirely clear.Ok. Thanks. The direction of the conversation wasn't entirely clear.
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Comment on 2026 United States midterm elections megathread in ~society
Kerry56 Link ParentThe Secretary of State in Texas is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The Attorney General position was won in the election by a Democrat, Nathan Johnson.The Secretary of State in Texas is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.
The Attorney General position was won in the election by a Democrat, Nathan Johnson. -
Comment on Scribbles: a small drawing canvas and a gallery of what visitors send in ~creative
Kerry56 LinkIf you're wondering who left the crappy attempt at fall foliage next to a lake, that was me. Thanks for letting us doodle.If you're wondering who left the crappy attempt at fall foliage next to a lake, that was me.
Thanks for letting us doodle.
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Comment on Has anyone here experienced a tv show slump? in ~tv
Kerry56 LinkI stopped watching most American TV shows a long time ago. For a while, I was really into Korean shows, like Goblin, It's Ok to not be OK, and Hotel del Luna, but I've hit a dry stretch even with...I stopped watching most American TV shows a long time ago. For a while, I was really into Korean shows, like Goblin, It's Ok to not be OK, and Hotel del Luna, but I've hit a dry stretch even with them. The last outstanding one I watched was Extraordinary Attorney Woo, and that's been a couple of years now.
Last year's best Korean show was apparently When Life gives you Tangerines, but tearjerkers are not really to my taste.
I tried to watch Agent Kim Reactivated recently, and was very disappointed when it turned into such an unrealistic, comic-book style in the fighting.
If you want suggestions for more series to try, take a look at Silo, Dept. Q and The Eternaut.
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Comment on Is there a decent brand of USB-c earphones that wont break after 2-3 years but also doesnt cost hundreds of dollars? in ~music
Kerry56 LinkI don't know IEM's, else I'd try to help. You could go to the headfi.org forums and ask for a recommendation in this specific sub-forum:...I don't know IEM's, else I'd try to help. You could go to the headfi.org forums and ask for a recommendation in this specific sub-forum: https://www.head-fi.org/forums/introductions-help-and-recommendations.7840/
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Comment on What is your passion? And why? in ~life
Kerry56 Link ParentI 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...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. -
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.
I watched a couple of new movies this week. The first was Heart of the Beast. Overall, I'd rate it slightly above average, and mildly entertaining, but I was expecting a lot more.
Spoiler
I am not fond of the opening sequence in the movie. From that point on, there were no surprises for me in the story. I could see it play out in my mind, and I was right.The second movie is one I deliberately missed in theaters, because I was certain I wouldn't enjoy it. This was The Odyssey. I am not a fan of Nolan's films in general, and this one is a real stinker in my opinion. Normally, I can find something redeeming in his movies, like any one of the special effects sequences in Interstellar or Inception, or perhaps a great performance, like we got from Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. Heck, I'll even take a great musical score as some type of consolation, but The Odyssey has nothing that I'd regard as outstanding. Nothing. I disliked the structure, the poor acting from Tom Holland in particular, the writing... oh my god, the awful writing. I kept getting my suspension of disbelieve shattered by the Americanisms. The list of my dislikes could go on.
I felt sorry for John Leguizamo and Charlize Theron in particular. They were given jack shit to work with.
Ugh.