Kerry56's recent activity
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Comment on Breadmaker update: one year in! in ~food
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Comment on Movie fatigue in ~movies
Kerry56 LinkThe Lives of Others. ... German film, intense drama. Amelie ... Quirky French movie, romantic and with a unique style The Shawshank Redemption ... Brillant script, great acting in a prison movie...The Lives of Others. ... German film, intense drama.
Amelie ... Quirky French movie, romantic and with a unique style
The Shawshank Redemption ... Brillant script, great acting in a prison movie "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things."
Unforgiven ... Clint Eastwood's best western, which is saying something.
Das Boot ... German WWII movie about submarine warfare. One of the best WWII movies ever made.
Blade Runner ... Sci-fi classic. Watch the director's cut.
Alien ... Sci-fi horror at it's best
Young Frankenstein ... Mel Brook's masterpiece of comedy/parody
Cool Hand Luke ... Paul Newman is outstanding in this prison/chain gang drama
The Apartment ... Jack Lemmon is just a cog in the machine, until he has enough
Lawrence of Arabia ... an epic movie that really should be experienced at a wide screen cinema, but well worth watching anywhere
To Kill a Mockingbird ... bittersweet, and my favorite performance from Gregory Peck
Roman Holiday ... Audrey Hepburn's first major role, and pure romance
Casablanca ... Often cited as one of the best movie scripts. Engaging, witty, romantic and has interesting side characters. Claude Rains steals every scene he is in. -
Comment on Why Japanese companies do so many different things in ~finance
Kerry56 (edited )LinkThere is a Japanese company called Taiyo Yuden, which made the best optical media in the world. They were instrumental in the development of cd's and dvd's, and anyone who was serious about...There is a Japanese company called Taiyo Yuden, which made the best optical media in the world. They were instrumental in the development of cd's and dvd's, and anyone who was serious about burning data to discs used their blank media. In 2015, they quit the optical media business cold turkey. They just walked away. They sold their patents to CMC, a Taiwanese company, and never looked back.
Those of us who only knew them through their media business wondered how they were going to survive, but a cursory look at their organizational structure showed that they had dozens of different products, in very diverse fields, and they are thriving even now.
I think this was the first time I became aware of how broadly based even the medium sized Japanese companies are. It wasn't just Sony, Toshiba and other large corporations with this type of business structure.
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Comment on What has changed as you've gotten older? in ~talk
Kerry56 (edited )Link ParentYour gasp was correct, but that wasn't why I chose the name. I've been using it for over twenty years on the internet in various forums, but originally it was in reference to my football jersey....Your gasp was correct, but that wasn't why I chose the name. I've been using it for over twenty years on the internet in various forums, but originally it was in reference to my football jersey. Just a coincidence that it was my birth year.
I wrote a story set in my hometown, with four characters who were loosely based on my friends and me in high school. I sent a copy to one of them, who I lost touch with years ago, and it led to us keeping in contact a little better. That was one of the happier results of my writing efforts. Never too late to reach out to others, not while you're both alive and kicking.
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Comment on What has changed as you've gotten older? in ~talk
Kerry56 LinkI'm older than most here, and one thing that strikes me is that my world has gotten much smaller. Many of the people that I cared about are gone now, both family and friends. With each loss, a...I'm older than most here, and one thing that strikes me is that my world has gotten much smaller. Many of the people that I cared about are gone now, both family and friends. With each loss, a whole network of other people disappeared as well, and it is virtually impossible to reconnect without that bridge created by a friend.
Make an effort to stay in touch with your closest friends for as long as possible. They aren't really replaceable.
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Comment on The 100 best novels of all time published in English in ~books
Kerry56 Link ParentContinuing with your opening line, "Because not all translations are equal", I think a more interesting list could have been made with the goal of highlighting the best translations to English....Continuing with your opening line, "Because not all translations are equal", I think a more interesting list could have been made with the goal of highlighting the best translations to English. The 100 best novel translations to English might be very helpful.
Poll foreign authors, scholars, publishers, and the translators themselves, and come up with the most highly regarded translations. Also point out why they are seen as outstanding. I would appreciate this type of effort far more than just another "best novels" list. -
Comment on The 100 best novels of all time published in English in ~books
Kerry56 Link ParentWhy not just call it a list of the 100 best novels then? Why include English as a qualifier at all?Why not just call it a list of the 100 best novels then? Why include English as a qualifier at all?
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Comment on The 100 best novels of all time published in English in ~books
Kerry56 LinkI would not have included works that were first published in other languages and then translated into English. That would knock a fair number out of this list. They weasel-worded it as "published...I would not have included works that were first published in other languages and then translated into English. That would knock a fair number out of this list.
They weasel-worded it as "published in English" rather than best English language novels as is stated in the title here at Tildes, so they gave themselves wiggle room.
But what do I know? I've only read a handful of these books. Eleven for sure. Don't remember if I ever finished 1984.
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Comment on Moving from Cinnamon to Xfce fixed my video playback stutter on Linux Mint in ~tech
Kerry56 Link ParentI agree, and as I said, I do think it's an interesting sort of problem. The fact that it pops up with some hardware combinations and not others makes it a nasty bug. This sort of thing could drive...I agree, and as I said, I do think it's an interesting sort of problem. The fact that it pops up with some hardware combinations and not others makes it a nasty bug. This sort of thing could drive developers nuts trying to track it down.
The original poster didn't mention trying VLC. Don't know if it would have helped or not, but I've rarely had issues of any kind with VLC while using it in Linux. Back in the day, while running Windows 7, I avoided VLC, as it sucked for Blu-ray playback. As far as I am aware, it still doesn't work with Blu-ray menus, but I've moved on to mkv files for the most part.
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Comment on Moving from Cinnamon to Xfce fixed my video playback stutter on Linux Mint in ~tech
Kerry56 LinkHmm, that's interesting but not consistent with my own experiences using Cinammon in Mint. I have no issues playing videos in any of the three desktop computers I have, and they vary quite a lot...Hmm, that's interesting but not consistent with my own experiences using Cinammon in Mint. I have no issues playing videos in any of the three desktop computers I have, and they vary quite a lot in age, from brand new to one that dates from 2013. That old one is actually in use as a home theater pc, though admittedly in a very limited sense. It's just hooked to my TV and I play from internal hard drives or USB sticks. I don't stream anything.
One difference is that I use VLC to play videos. Nothing else.
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Comment on What’s something that didn’t work for you? in ~talk
Kerry56 LinkI developed a hole in the macula of my left eye. There is an operation to deal with this problem, called a vitrectomy, which has a high success rate, but not for me. I happen to be one of the...I developed a hole in the macula of my left eye. There is an operation to deal with this problem, called a vitrectomy, which has a high success rate, but not for me. I happen to be one of the unlucky 10% for whom the operation did not give great results. Now, I can't really complain, since it did improve my sight in that eye by a large margin. It just didn't get rid of all the distortion in the center of my vision, and that makes it difficult to read with my left eye.
As to my feelings... eh. My ophthalmologist did everything he could for me. You take your best shot, and sometimes it just doesn't work out. There was no way to predict the result.
I can give one bit of advice. Don't hesitate to talk to a doctor when you feel something has gone wrong with your body. The faster you can get it diagnosed, the better chances you'll have. Yes, this is obvious, but I'm constantly learning about people, men especially, who try to tough it out.
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Comment on What are your go-to meals that you cook? in ~food
Kerry56 LinkOne low effort meal I make often is based on ramen noodles. I basically make a stir fry, using frozen stir fry vegetables and whatever meat I have that day. The type of frozen veggies I buy have...One low effort meal I make often is based on ramen noodles. I basically make a stir fry, using frozen stir fry vegetables and whatever meat I have that day. The type of frozen veggies I buy have snow peas, carrots, mushrooms and onions, which I can augment if I wish.
I use a spice mix I make and keep available at all times. It consists of 2tsps of paprika, 2 tsps of cumin, 2 tsps of onion powder, 2 tsps of garlic powder, 1 tsp of cayenne, 1 tsp of MSG, 2 tsps of black pepper and 1/4 tsp of salt.
Sprinkle the spice mix liberally on the chopped up meat, fry in your choice of oil (I use canola) and add the frozen veggies. Pour in some soy sauce (and siracha if you want it spicier).
While all that is cooking, I make the ramen noodles in the microwave, pour out all the liquid when it is done and add the meat and vegetable mix to the noodles.
Very quick to make.
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Comment on Which covers did it better than (or put a fresh twist on) the original? in ~music
Kerry56 (edited )LinkThere is a Korean program called Begin Again which brings in artists to perform different versions of their own songs and covers of other groups and individuals. Often times, they will pair...There is a Korean program called Begin Again which brings in artists to perform different versions of their own songs and covers of other groups and individuals. Often times, they will pair singers from different generations, and artists who have never worked together before. It's always high quality.
Here are a couple of favorites:
Wheein singing Dimple, originally by BTS. This is a very different take on the song, with an R&B flavor.
Solar and Navi singing Drowning Original song by Woodz. The power in their voices is just astonishing.
Edit: Fixed second link.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
Kerry56 (edited )LinkI finally got to see Project Hail Mary. I went in thinking that I was going to like this movie. It was based on a novel from the same author as The Martian, so I thought it was going to be a...I finally got to see Project Hail Mary. I went in thinking that I was going to like this movie. It was based on a novel from the same author as The Martian, so I thought it was going to be a slam-dunk. Nope.
When reading or watching any work of fiction, you have to employ suspension of disbelief, to enter that world and immerse yourself in its structure and meaning. This holds true especially for science fiction, which often breaks what we know of the universe. But this story kept pushing my boundaries on what I could accept. The handwavium just got piled on too thick for me to ignore. A menace that conveniently also provides enough power for us to go nearly light speed? Meet an alien, then have conversations in a week or two?
And then the sappy story line began. A buddy movie where they sounded like a couple of frat boys was too much to bear.
Somehow, I made it through this pile of treacle, but it was not worth the effort. Worst disappointment of the year so far for me. -
Comment on Which Linux distro do you use, and why? in ~tech
Kerry56 LinkI use Linux Mint, and have for about nine years. It was originally an easy transition from the Windows world, and I've found that it does everything I need. On the rare occasions I've run into an...I use Linux Mint, and have for about nine years. It was originally an easy transition from the Windows world, and I've found that it does everything I need.
On the rare occasions I've run into an issue, there is a lot of help available for this operating system and the Linux Mint forums have been welcoming for those of us who aren't technically proficient.
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Comment on Am I German or autistic? in ~health.mental
Kerry56 Link49% Autistic and 29% German Hmm, never thought of myself as autistic.49% Autistic and 29% German
Hmm, never thought of myself as autistic.
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Comment on TV series suggestions in ~tv
Kerry56 LinkI've thought of a couple more, and I don't think they've been mentioned. The Pitt ... Which is an outstanding medical drama with a unique format. Dept. Q ... This is a British crime series that...I've thought of a couple more, and I don't think they've been mentioned.
The Pitt ... Which is an outstanding medical drama with a unique format.
Dept. Q ... This is a British crime series that surprised me in its quality. I enjoyed it more than the last season of Slow Horses. There is a second season in the works for Dept Q.
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Comment on TV series suggestions in ~tv
Kerry56 LinkHere are a couple of Korean shows worth watching: Extraordinary Attorney Woo and if you can find it, It's Ok to not be Ok. I also like Silo, both seasons.Here are a couple of Korean shows worth watching:
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
and if you can find it, It's Ok to not be Ok.I also like Silo, both seasons.
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Comment on Writers who don't read books: a response in ~books
Kerry56 Link ParentI've learned through my writing that you can't get too attached to what you've written in your first efforts on a new manuscript. You'll have to tear it down and rewrite your story a dozen times...I've learned through my writing that you can't get too attached to what you've written in your first efforts on a new manuscript. You'll have to tear it down and rewrite your story a dozen times or more. Recognizing where to deconstruct is difficult, and often discouraging.
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Comment on What are some bands you regret not seeing live (or, just never had the chance to see in the first place)? in ~music
Kerry56 LinkMamamoo (yes, I know, you've never heard of them) had a concert tour of the US back in 2023, just about the time I discovered them, and I didn't get to see them when they had a stop in Texas. I...Mamamoo (yes, I know, you've never heard of them) had a concert tour of the US back in 2023, just about the time I discovered them, and I didn't get to see them when they had a stop in Texas. I may get another chance however, as they have announced a new album coming out in June, followed by a world tour with a fair number of events in the US. If they schedule a concert anywhere close by, I'm going to try to make it.
Good to hear that you are happy with the machine and your results.
I recently bought an inexpensive bread maker, just to experiment. I've been making bread that isn't entirely whole wheat... the recipe calls for half white flour and half whole wheat flour. I've amended that successfully and now use one cup white flour and two cups of whole wheat flour. This makes a 1 and 1/2 lb loaf. I freeze the bread and thaw out a slice or two as needed.
Until I read the instructions for the machine, I wasn't aware that it could make jam as well. My experiments in this have been interesting, but not entirely successful. Starting with fresh strawberries, and following the instructions, I got something that tasted delicious, but was more along the lines of a strawberry topping. Great on ice cream, but not really a jam. Second batch, this time with pectin, gave the same results. I'm going to try with some blackberries next.