Kerry56's recent activity

  1. Comment on In a blind test, audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between audio signals sent through copper wire, a banana, or wet mud in ~tech

    Kerry56
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    Dried mud or frozen mud come to mind. Though dried mud could just be called clods.

    Dried mud or frozen mud come to mind. Though dried mud could just be called clods.

  2. Comment on In a blind test, audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between audio signals sent through copper wire, a banana, or wet mud in ~tech

    Kerry56
    Link
    Over at Headfi, they won't even let you mention double blind tests except in one small, ignored subforum. I suspect it causes havok among their advertisers and sponsers. It really is difficult to...

    Over at Headfi, they won't even let you mention double blind tests except in one small, ignored subforum. I suspect it causes havok among their advertisers and sponsers.

    It really is difficult to wade through all the crap spouted at Headfi when trying to find good information about headphones. Take nothing, absolutely nothing at face value there.

    23 votes

  3. Comment on What if Hwasa sang Good Goodbye in a school? in ~music

    Kerry56
    Link
    I don't know if any of you would be interested in this video, but I think it is a wonderful interaction between Hwasa (the youngest member of Mamamoo) and a group of Korean high school kids. This...

    I don't know if any of you would be interested in this video, but I think it is a wonderful interaction between Hwasa (the youngest member of Mamamoo) and a group of Korean high school kids. This is from a program where a famous musician comes in and gives a talk, and a little performance for the kids.

    At one point, one of the boys brings her shoes to her, and this is him copying something from the music video of the song she is singing. The whole episode is heartwarming and wholesome.

    2 votes

  5. Comment on What are your food aversions? in ~food

    Kerry56
    Link Parent
    Be careful with that. I had the same reaction to walnuts and pecans, and filberts to a lesser degree. I thought it was harmless, and at most would give me a little heartburn as well as the itchy...

    Be careful with that. I had the same reaction to walnuts and pecans, and filberts to a lesser degree. I thought it was harmless, and at most would give me a little heartburn as well as the itchy mouth reaction. But the last time I accidentally ate a pecan it sent me to the hospital and it took a couple of epinephrine shots to make my body calm down.

    1 vote

  6. Comment on What are your food aversions? in ~food

    Kerry56
    Link
    Broccoli, Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts taste awful to me. Always have. Boiled cabbage is also on my shit list. I don't drink root beer, for the simple reason that it makes me throw up. I...

    Broccoli, Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts taste awful to me. Always have. Boiled cabbage is also on my shit list.

    I don't drink root beer, for the simple reason that it makes me throw up. I suspect I must have had a bad experience as a child, but one sip makes me gag.

    Canola oil, on the other hand, seems almost tasteless to me, and it is my primary cooking oil.

    10 votes

  7. Comment on Most and least expensive US supermarkets in ~food

    Kerry56
    Link
    In my area of Texas, HEB is known for low prices compared to the other, regular supermarkets. There is one Costco, but it is an hour drive to get there for me. HEB store brand products are...

    In my area of Texas, HEB is known for low prices compared to the other, regular supermarkets. There is one Costco, but it is an hour drive to get there for me.

    HEB store brand products are generally good quality too, and I can't say that about Walmart. There are always exceptions, but I've had good luck with HEB products overall.

    My biggest gripe with HEB is that they will stop carrying a product I buy with no warning. Sometimes it seems like they want to direct traffic towards alternatives under their brand, but other times, there's just no explanation.

    4 votes

  8. Comment on Wired vs. wireless mouse and keyboard? in ~tech

    Kerry56
    Link
    I settled on vertical wireless mice and wired keyboards a long time ago. Since I don't move my keyboards around much, there wasn't a reason to go wireless with them. I have gotten spoiled using...

    I settled on vertical wireless mice and wired keyboards a long time ago. Since I don't move my keyboards around much, there wasn't a reason to go wireless with them.

    I have gotten spoiled using mechanical keys, and any time I have to use a mushy keyboard it stands out as an instant irritation. Using a wired mouse is also off-putting, from the extra drag of the wire.

    Use what feels comfortable for you.

    1 vote

  9. Comment on Resist and Unsubscribe in ~society

    Kerry56
    Link
    I don't have any of these subscriptions. Am I already unwittingly resisting? Though I do shop at Lowes Hardware now and again, and wasn't aware of them using license plate readers.

    I don't have any of these subscriptions. Am I already unwittingly resisting?

    Though I do shop at Lowes Hardware now and again, and wasn't aware of them using license plate readers.

    8 votes

  10. Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies

    Kerry56
    Link Parent
    The Apartment is a very good movie. Bittersweet and poignant. It has one of my favorite performances from Jack Lemmon... the common man turned into an exploited cog in the corporate machine, until...

    The Apartment is a very good movie. Bittersweet and poignant. It has one of my favorite performances from Jack Lemmon... the common man turned into an exploited cog in the corporate machine, until the day he can take no more abuse. If you haven't seen it, Lemmon is also great in Mr. Roberts.

    As for Marty Supreme, it is one of those well-made movies that feature good performances, but have very little appeal for me. I disliked the main character so much, I'll never rewatch it.

    4 votes

  11. Comment on Is it possible to live without WhatsApp? in ~tech

    Kerry56
    Link
    I'm in the US and never use any of the apps mentioned. I have SMS on my phone and the only person I use text with regularly is my brother. There are, perhaps, four others that I use text with...

    I'm in the US and never use any of the apps mentioned. I have SMS on my phone and the only person I use text with regularly is my brother. There are, perhaps, four others that I use text with occasionally. Other than that, I make calls. I have no need for group texts.

    Most annoying is the fact that so many sites/companies insist on sending texts as confirmation that I am who I say I am.

    1 vote

  12. Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies

    Kerry56
    Link
    Finally got around to watching The Life of Chuck. It has an unusual structure, and while it was interesting, I don't think it will ever rank among my favorites. There were scenes that made the...

    Finally got around to watching The Life of Chuck. It has an unusual structure, and while it was interesting, I don't think it will ever rank among my favorites. There were scenes that made the movie worth watching, especially the dances. This is one I'll revisit in the future, if only to see those dance scenes once more.

    2 votes

  13. Comment on I am kinda curious about the demographics of Tildes in ~talk

    Kerry56
    Link Parent
    Sorry to hear about your father. Instrument makers are awesome, with amazing skills. It's good you have many of his pieces. They'll be heirlooms to pass down and remember him by.

    Sorry to hear about your father. Instrument makers are awesome, with amazing skills. It's good you have many of his pieces. They'll be heirlooms to pass down and remember him by.

    2 votes

  14. Comment on I am kinda curious about the demographics of Tildes in ~talk

    Kerry56
    Link Parent
    I still have a complete woodworking shop, and I try to stay in practice with projects for myself, my family and a few friends. I'm going to make a new chest of drawers for myself, to match a...

    I still have a complete woodworking shop, and I try to stay in practice with projects for myself, my family and a few friends. I'm going to make a new chest of drawers for myself, to match a cherry armoire that I made years ago, and a new headboard is in the planning stage as well. A longer term project is replacing the two sofas in my front room. I've only got a vague notion of the design I want, so I suspect it will stay on the back burner for a bit.

    Woodworking in an apartment can be done on a small scale. Are you interested in carving? That can be done with just a few tools and a small workspace. I tried chipcarving for a while, but never got proficient.

    As for my writing, I've finished eight Sci-Fi novels. I'm working on another right now, though progress is similar to walking through mid-calf cement. This current work is a slight deviation into fantasy, rather than Sci-Fi. I'd characterize all my works as adventure tales, so nothing in the hard science fiction sub-genre.

    8 votes

  15. Comment on I am kinda curious about the demographics of Tildes in ~talk

    Kerry56
    Link
    I seem to be the oldest to post in this topic so far. I'm 69, which is not as fun as it sounds. Male, single and straight. A lifelong woodworker, furniture maker and antique restorer, I shifted...

    I seem to be the oldest to post in this topic so far. I'm 69, which is not as fun as it sounds. Male, single and straight. A lifelong woodworker, furniture maker and antique restorer, I shifted gears late in life and started writing novels.

    19 votes

  16. Comment on What video games would you say have the best stories? Feel free to suggest more than one. in ~games

    Kerry56
    Link
    Anachronox was always a favorite of mine. One of the wittiest games I've played. It is ancient now, but available on GOG, I believe. Yep, just checked and it's on sale for less than a dollar...97...

    Anachronox was always a favorite of mine. One of the wittiest games I've played. It is ancient now, but available on GOG, I believe. Yep, just checked and it's on sale for less than a dollar...97 cents for the next day and a half.

    2 votes

  17. Comment on Movies: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~movies

    Kerry56
    Link Parent
    Since this thread has been revived, I'll add a couple of movies that I've watched in the mean time. Marty Supreme is a difficult one for me to rate. Overall, a good movie, but I dislike the main...

    Since this thread has been revived, I'll add a couple of movies that I've watched in the mean time.

    Marty Supreme is a difficult one for me to rate. Overall, a good movie, but I dislike the main character so much, I don't think I'll ever watch it again, and I rewatch movies quite often. A one and done deal for me.

    It was Just an Accident is a much better film that hits with more authenticity. I'd say this is easily the best movie I watched in 2025.

    3 votes

  18. Comment on Not-so-humble brag: What are you proud of that you don't normally get to talk about? in ~talk

    Kerry56
    Link
    I finished writing the last book in a sci-fi trilogy, and published it on Amazon in March of 2025. It was the shortest, and yet the most difficult one to complete. Bursts of inspiration, followed...

    I finished writing the last book in a sci-fi trilogy, and published it on Amazon in March of 2025. It was the shortest, and yet the most difficult one to complete. Bursts of inspiration, followed by weeks of frustration characterized the writing process with that one. On the plus side, I spent a lot of time researching technical problems, and learned a lot, especially about flying and entering an atmosphere in an unpowered space plane, like the space shuttle.

    22 votes

  19. Comment on Are you still using social media? in ~tech

    Kerry56
    Link
    I'm not active on many sites. I come to Tildes to get snippets of information that might otherwise pass by unnoticed, and I watch Youtube videos with very few interactions on that platform. In...

    I'm not active on many sites. I come to Tildes to get snippets of information that might otherwise pass by unnoticed, and I watch Youtube videos with very few interactions on that platform. In fact, I'm almost never signed in when I'm at Youtube, and only do so to like a video, or on rare occasions, leave a comment.

    There is one small community on Discord where I read and leave comments. It's usually about Mamamoo, so that's a very niche subject.

    And I have a tiny group of friends on a private server. We've known each other for more than twenty years.

    And that's it. Definite no's to X and Reddit.

    3 votes

  20. Comment on TV: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~tv

    Kerry56
    Link
    I've enjoyed many different TV series this year, some new to me and some re-watches. Department Q was a surprise. I'd never heard of it, but it turned out to be very good. I think I liked it...

    I've enjoyed many different TV series this year, some new to me and some re-watches.
    Department Q was a surprise. I'd never heard of it, but it turned out to be very good. I think I liked it better than the fifth season of Slow Horses, which itself wasn't terrible, just not up to the level of the previous seasons.
    Squid Game Season 3 was predictibly sad, and not as shocking as the earlier seasons. Not bad.
    Landman Season 2 is still ongoing, and is maintaining its quality so far.
    I rewatched Silo season one and continued to the second season. Really quite good.
    Murderbot was quirky and a little disappointing. It just fell flat for me.
    Stranger Things season 5 isn't finished, but the first four episodes were better than I expected. We'll see how they end everything soon enough, and I have more hope for that than I thought I might.
    Wednesday Season 2 lost most of its charm.
    A Korean series, called Weak Hero was interesting. I watched both seasons.
    The Pitt was outstanding.
    Pluribus has been better than expected. Not finished yet, of course.
    And I tried to watch Severance. I went back to the first season and got through the first two episodes before giving up. It was both boring and weird.

    4 votes