Something Completely Different

raptor smartwatch  8)

(https://alphagear.us/cdn/shop/files/raptor-watch-raptor-watch-alphastrongus-40343980179713.png?v=1687390016&width=700)
(https://alphagear.us/cdn/shop/files/raptor-watch-raptor-watch-alphastrongus-40343980146945.png?v=1687390008&width=700)
(https://alphagear.us/cdn/shop/files/raptor-watch-raptor-watch-alphastrongus-40343980081409.png?v=1687390013&width=700)

Excited to wear a smartwatch again, battery life has evolved major since my last google watch. Google watch would last not even a day and now smartwatches battery life is like 3 weeks. Looking forward to the health information it gets out. I think it has a music app and hopefully has a vibration alarm. It's going to give me a more accurate idea of my total steps per day too.

a thread for things you recently bought;


I also recently bought a new wallet;
(https://i.postimg.cc/PxSXKfBk/PXL-20230726-190301921.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/J0yLqNNb/PXL-20230808-230705464.jpg)

Last thing I bought with my own money was a bag of pretzel nuggets.

Last thing I bought using some money the mister gifted me was the dress I'm wearing in this photo, and as a bonus you can also see the bag of pretzel nuggets sticking out of my bag.

(Image removed)

Quote from: Mindy on Sep 12, 2023, 06:57 PMraptor smartwatch  8)

(https://alphagear.us/cdn/shop/files/raptor-watch-raptor-watch-alphastrongus-40343980179713.png?v=1687390016&width=700)
(https://alphagear.us/cdn/shop/files/raptor-watch-raptor-watch-alphastrongus-40343980146945.png?v=1687390008&width=700)
(https://alphagear.us/cdn/shop/files/raptor-watch-raptor-watch-alphastrongus-40343980081409.png?v=1687390013&width=700)

Excited to wear a smartwatch again, battery life has evolved major since my last google watch. Google watch would last not even a day and now smartwatches battery life is like 3 weeks. Looking forward to the health information it gets out. I think it has a music app and hopefully has a vibration alarm. It's going to give me a more accurate idea of my total steps per day too.

a thread for things you recently bought;


I also recently bought a new wallet;
(https://i.postimg.cc/PxSXKfBk/PXL-20230726-190301921.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/J0yLqNNb/PXL-20230808-230705464.jpg)

Cool watch, Mindy - I bet you'll wear it well!   8)

Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 12, 2023, 09:30 PMLast thing I bought with my own money was a bag of pretzel nuggets.

Last thing I bought using some money the mister gifted me was the dress I'm wearing in this photo, and as a bonus you can also see the bag of pretzel nuggets sticking out of my bag.

I love the color of your dress, Mrs. Waffles - it really sets off your eyes and hair beautifully.  A great color on you.  Looks like you matched your purse perfectly too.  <3

Now give me a pretzel nugget, lol.  :love:

Nice of Mr. Waffles to gift you the money for the dress.  You two are couple goals for sure.  <3

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 12, 2023, 10:08 PMI love the color of your dress, Mrs. Waffles - it really sets off your eyes and hair beautifully.  A great color on you.  Looks like you matched your purse perfectly too.  <3

Now give me a pretzel nugget, lol.  :love:

Nice of Mr. Waffles to gift you the money for the dress.  You two are couple goals for sure.  <3

Aww, thank you!  :love:

I don't normally have the impulse to buy snacks, but I didn't get a chance to eat much this morning. I was behind on some of my morning tidying so I did that while Mr. Waffles was eating his breakfast and I just grabbed two lemon poppyseed mini muffins for myself. That was it for the next 7 hours because in my haste to get to work I forgot to bring my lunchbox. So I ended up taking off work a half hour early partially because my stomach grumbling was getting to me. I pass by that pretzel place every day on my way to and from work, so I thought why not, haha.

If you're ever in my neck of the woods, I'll definitely save a pretzel nugget for you! Though I'd definitely rather you enjoy some of my fresh baked cookies.  ;D

I very much do appreciate my wonderful man and all the love he showers me with, and I really appreciate the compliment! I will pass it on to him as well.

Did you do enough today, Mrs. Waffles?  You put many of us to shame with everything you manage to accomplish!  Working and home management are not easy.

Yes, please do share the compliment with Mr. Waffles!  :D

Thank you so much for the kind standing invite to share pretzel nuggets and your delicious baked goods one day.  You won't need to convince me! <3

Edit:

P.S.:  When  you mentioned pretzel nuggets, the first thing I thought of (oddly enough) was when I was in labor with my daughter.  They had warned me not to eat anything during labor (except for ice chips) because if I needed an emergency C-section I could get sick from the local spinal anaesthetic if there was food in my stomach.  It was a long labor, about 18+ hours, and I was starving and begged my husband to get me some pretzel nuggets from the vending machine.  He finally gave in and gave me some, and we kept surreptitiously popping them into my mouth.  Sure enough, I wound up having an emergency C-section and due to the pretzel nugget consumption kept throwing my guts up after the operation.  I never looked at pretzel nuggets quite the same way again, but I stilll like 'em!    :o

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 12, 2023, 11:07 PMDid you do enough today, Mrs. Waffles?  You put many of us to shame with everything you manage to accomplish!  Working and home management are not easy.

Aww, shucks.  :love:

Thankfully my job is only 4 hour shifts (with one 6 hour shift per week) making for a total of 22 hours a week on average. I work at a clothing store that is rarely busy at all. The work adds up, especially the sheer amount of time I have to be up and "on" each day, but I'm fine with the current setup.

I am so grateful and appreciative of my wonderful husband-to-be for working hard to provide so much for us and help me pursue my passions of the domestic arts. I'm so lucky to have him. And he was honored by your compliment as well. <3

Oh, that sounds like such an awful way to spend the hours after having your daughter! I have a similar story from a surgery I had, though I'm sure mine was nowhere near as much of an ordeal as one involving childbirth of course.

That reminds me of another story; I was also an unexpected C-section. The funny story about that goes that my mom wanted me to be born to the song "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera, but the delivery kept running into complications and the doctors had to do a C-section. This messed up the timing, and my dad kept trying to cue up the cassette player to the right song while the doctors were cutting my mom open, it was evidently a bit of a mess, haha. My dad ended up accidentally rewinding the tape too far and the song I was actually born to was the ominous Phantom of the Opera overture.

I don't know if my parents would have considered that some kind of omen, haha. But in the end they were just happy I came out healthy and the surgery went fine.

^ It actually wasn't so bad - just a few hours of puking. ;D  It's just that pretzel nuggets always bring back the memory.  :laughing:

That is such a cute story about your Mom wanting you to be born to "Music of the Night" and your Dad miscuing the tape to the overture!  Well, given the sweet baby your parents wound up having I would say that was definitely a very GOOD omen.  :)

(https://i.postimg.cc/y8PHs3rP/PXL-20230915-140503923-2.jpg)
bling bling

^ Looks great, Mindy - forearms ftw.   ;D

I'm a born thrifter notorious for finding incredible deals. I went to a local library sale yesterday and scored some fun loot!

A mint unopened copy of the mammoth 700pg AllMusic Guide to Electronica: The Definitive Guide to Electronic Music

(https://i.imgur.com/Igdxoawl.jpg)

A mint hardcover copy of the New York Times bestseller Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks

(https://i.imgur.com/5fbOADgl.jpg)

And best of all - from Readers Digest, Vintage Hollywood: 50 Classic Movies From the Golden Age of Cinema. It's a giant DVD box set housed in a metal film reel tin I picked up for just $10! (That works out to just twenty cents per film!)

(https://i.imgur.com/dFk4CPvl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/qTjTxPMl.jpg)

I have another treasure hunt in the works which I hope to report on by next weekend.

I like that wallet @Mindy but I have way too many cards. Whats the max card slots it has?

Last thing I bought that wasn't for the gym was this Yamaha amp:

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NVrGHegGB0KOjYyf-13PfyX2jByN-luh)

I'm so happy with it! I can dial in useful guitar tones for most things and it sounds great.

It also goes well with our white Yamaha piano 🙂

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Nn2pzzKISYOKZotbqUR0e0cxG1LBmDIn)

Technically the last thing I bought was our weekly groceries, but besides that I splurged on some makeup yesterday. Now that the weather is getting cooler I'll be able to glam up more often without having to worry about sweating it off, so I got some foundation, mascara and setting spray.

My friends also gave me some advice on fake eyelashes, so I decided to try those out as well. I'm always looking for new ways to prettify my looks. I never tried those before because I was always paranoid of them falling off when I'm out and about, but I'm going to be out and about a lot less in the months to come so I'm gonna give it a try.

Some sliders. UK size 5. I'm a UK size 8 but sliders tend to always be too big for me. Hopefully these will be good. My current ones are size 7 and about an inch too long.

Quote from: jimmy jazz on Sep 23, 2023, 12:35 PMSome sliders. UK size 5. I'm a UK size 8 but sliders tend to always be too big for me. Hopefully these will be good. My current ones are size 7 and about an inch too long.

This must be another thing that's different across the pond because this is what I think of when I hear the term slider lol
(https://i.ibb.co/cgfv4K3/Cheeseburger-sliders-5225855-hero-01-8fd8bf5f8997469c99535edcebbe6742.jpg)

Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 23, 2023, 12:39 PMThis must be another thing that's different across the pond because this is what I think of when I hear the term slider lol
(https://i.ibb.co/cgfv4K3/Cheeseburger-sliders-5225855-hero-01-8fd8bf5f8997469c99535edcebbe6742.jpg)

Tiny cheeseburgers :love:

Sliders:

(https://www.sportsdirect.com/images/products/22213040_l.jpg)

I wear them with socks BTW, like a true Brit 🇬🇧

Quote from: jimmy jazz on Sep 23, 2023, 01:23 PMTiny cheeseburgers :love:

Sliders:

(https://www.sportsdirect.com/images/products/22213040_l.jpg)

I wear them with socks BTW, like a true Brit 🇬🇧

Ah gotcha, I figured it was a shoe of some sort.

The mister almost never wears anything but sneakers in the casual day to day. I like that, and I get to be his personal shoe-tyer when they come undone.  :love: 

Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 23, 2023, 05:55 AMI like that wallet @Mindy but I have way too many cards. Whats the max card slots it has?

It holds 7 cards and so far since buying it I haven't gone back to something else so I must like it lol

Quote from: jimmy jazz on Sep 23, 2023, 01:23 PMSliders:

(https://www.sportsdirect.com/images/products/22213040_l.jpg)

I wear them with socks BTW, like a true Brit 🇬🇧

My son wears the exact same ones, but as slippers with no socks. :love:   I miss seeing those around the house now that he's at college (told him recently that I miss seeing his "Adidas"es and got a little choked-up.  About SLIPPERS.   :laughing:)

Quote from: Guybrush on Sep 23, 2023, 09:36 AMLast thing I bought that wasn't for the gym was this Yamaha amp:

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NVrGHegGB0KOjYyf-13PfyX2jByN-luh)

I'm so happy with it! I can dial in useful guitar tones for most things and it sounds great.

It also goes well with our white Yamaha piano 🙂

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Nn2pzzKISYOKZotbqUR0e0cxG1LBmDIn)

Wow, Tore - those are things of beauty.  I love those portable amps with the dialable tones, they are so much fun!  (Btw, I also love the green color of your livingroom wall and your floors.  Very nice!) :D

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 24, 2023, 05:46 AMMy son wears the exact same ones, but as slippers with no socks. :love:   I miss seeing those around the house now that he's at college (told him recently that I miss seeing his "Adidas"es and got a little choked-up.  About SLIPPERS.   :laughing:)

Aw ☹️🫂

These are just the first pic I found BTW, the ones I have are Puma ones.

(https://i.ibb.co/tpZt9Pn/IMG-20230923-164622-edit-266817064800299.jpg)

I really like them and think they look fetching with socks.

Those look good, jimmy! 👍 I think they must be much more comfortable with socks.

Quote from: jimmy jazz on Sep 24, 2023, 07:08 AMAw ☹️🫂

These are just the first pic I found BTW, the ones I have are Puma ones.

(https://i.ibb.co/tpZt9Pn/IMG-20230923-164622-edit-266817064800299.jpg)

I really like them and think they look fetching with socks.

I would roast the hell out of you if I saw you in person rocking socks with slides.

People do it here too but it looks tacky af and they get roasted whenever they do it.

Socks with slides, socks with sandals and socks with slippers all tacky and deserving of being roasted for wearing like that.

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 24, 2023, 05:59 AMWow, Tore - those are things of beauty.  I love those portable amps with the dialable tones, they are so much fun!  (Btw, I also love the green color of your livingroom wall and your floors.  Very nice!) :D

Yes! They used to be kinda shit, but the technology really has evolved and now they sound good 🙂 I don't think I'll buy another tube amp again.

This one isn't for music production, but rather just to make it easier for me to sit down and play. I have a setup out in the studio, but I don't use it because I have to go out to the studio and set it up, etc. I've noticed I don't do these things because I literally often just want to play something for like 3 minutes and then even small impracticalities can become barriers. So I was occasionally playing my acoustic guitars and our piano, but never my electric. That's changed now 🙂

And thank you so much for your kind comment! It took us a few attempts to find the right green 🙂 it looks a little darker in this pic than the general impression, though!

What kind of electric guitar do you have, Tore?  Glad you'll have more opportunity to play it now.   :)

That green you guys created looks like it has the faintest grey undertone - which I tend to favor.  Greens are sometimes tricky to mix.   

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 24, 2023, 08:26 AMWhat kind of electric guitar do you have, Tore?  Glad you'll have more opportunity to play it now.   :)

That green you guys created looks like it has the faintest grey undertone - which I tend to favor.  Greens are sometimes tricky to mix.   

It's just a cheap, black Ibanez RC320. I had a white fender 56 reissue years back that would look great in our livingroom 😄 but I sold it along with my fender blues amp.

I had a great Godin electric with humbucker pickups that I loved. Sold that. Sold a few other electrics too.

We had limited space before moving here and I had this 5 guitars rule, but then I was only playing the acoustics.. so the electrics had to go.

When I found I wanted an electric again, I just wanted something I could pick up and play comfortably. It didn't have to be fancy. So I got this upgraded RC320 cheap 🙂

A colleague of mine builds guitars, so he might make me a telecaster style guitar at some point. He hasn't started, though, but he's really talented and an absolute perfectionist, so.. that'll probably be my next electric 🙂

Oh and one thing I remember about the green is it's neutral, so doesn't lean towards blue or red. I kinda like that and it still looks warmish in the kind of lighting I prefer.

Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 24, 2023, 07:54 AMI would roast the hell out of you if I saw you in person rocking socks with slides.

People do it here too but it looks tacky af and they get roasted whenever they do it.

Socks with slides, socks with sandals and socks with slippers all tacky and deserving of being roasted for wearing like that.

So basically what you're saying is you want to see my feet? 😯

Quote from: jimmy jazz on Sep 24, 2023, 10:58 AMSo basically what you're saying is you want to see my feet? 😯

Those are shoes that require you to show your toes. That's like the point of them. They are summer attire. If you are wearing them outside of summer when it's cold and you need socks then just don't wear them!

Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 24, 2023, 02:31 PMThose are shoes that require you to show your toes. That's like the point of them. They are summer attire. If you are wearing them outside of summer when it's cold and you need socks then just don't wear them!

I'd say the idea is just that they're quick to put on and take off. Doesn't have to be any toe action.

Only shoes I have like that are my flip flop sandals, which are reserved near-exclusively for poolside events. Otherwise I'm usually wearing some cute flats, lower heels, mary janes, and in the summer open toed heels, and occasionally my birkenstocks for more dressed down affairs.

We have a hardwood floor in the kitchen and living room area, so I more or less have to wear slippers when I'm at home. Contrary to the image of me some of you might have, I'm not going around dusting the furniture in heels, haha.

In Norway, we don't wear shoes (or sliders) indoors. Just maybe the occasional slipper. I guess it's a cultural thing 🤔

Quote from: Guybrush on Sep 24, 2023, 04:46 PMIn Norway, we don't wear shoes (or sliders) indoors. Just maybe the occasional slipper. I guess it's a cultural thing 🤔

I wouldn't say it's a cultural thing, at least not for me. In my case I wear them to give myself a bit more support; I'm on my feet for most of the day, and walking barefoot or with socks on hardwood floors for extended periods of time does cause pain and builds up calluses after a while. So in my specific situation they are very much a practical thing.

When we see Seinfeld, he's wearing sneakers inside his apartment. Such a foreign concept!

I've just assumed a lot of Americans do this 😅

Quote from: Guybrush on Sep 24, 2023, 07:57 PMWhen we see Seinfeld, he's wearing sneakers inside his apartment. Such a foreign concept!

I've just assumed a lot of Americans do this 😅

That would be the correct assumption unless you go into an Asian American house, some spanish people too and West Indians are known to leave shoes at the door. At least I do anyways.

Quote from: Guybrush on Sep 24, 2023, 08:44 AMIt's just a cheap, black Ibanez RC320. I had a white fender 56 reissue years back that would look great in our livingroom 😄 but I sold it along with my fender blues amp.

I had a great Godin electric with humbucker pickups that I loved. Sold that. Sold a few other electrics too.

We had limited space before moving here and I had this 5 guitars rule, but then I was only playing the acoustics.. so the electrics had to go.

When I found I wanted an electric again, I just wanted something I could pick up and play comfortably. It didn't have to be fancy. So I got this upgraded RC320 cheap 🙂

A colleague of mine builds guitars, so he might make me a telecaster style guitar at some point. He hasn't started, though, but he's really talented and an absolute perfectionist, so.. that'll probably be my next electric 🙂

Oh and one thing I remember about the green is it's neutral, so doesn't lean towards blue or red. I kinda like that and it still looks warmish in the kind of lighting I prefer.

Thanks for sharing about your guitars, Tore.  I enjoyed reading that, as I'm a bit of a closet guitar nerd even though I rarely play these days.  I have heard that Godins are amazing guitars.  I really hope your friend can make a Tele style guitar for you (and it bodes well that he's a perfectionist!).  I have always loved Teles and gravitated toward them, despite the occasional hankering for Les Pauls which I think are beautiful guitars; but for me, a Les Paul is like trying to pick up a chair and play it, lol.  They are just too heavy.  ::)

I have a Squier Classic Vibe Tele (pictured here - in "vintage" white  :D).  The acoustic is a Guild M-120 mahogany parlor guitar. 

(https://i.ibb.co/tX9R5NB/teleguild1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tX9R5NB)

Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 24, 2023, 04:01 PMWe have a hardwood floor in the kitchen and living room area, so I more or less have to wear slippers when I'm at home. Contrary to the image of me some of you might have, I'm not going around dusting the furniture in heels, haha.

:laughing:

Similar here - we have parquet floors throughout the apartment, with area rugs, and plain Mexican tile in the kitchen. I usually go barefoot or wear slippers around the house - and rarely keep my shoes on for long after I get home.  I don't ask company to remove their shoes, though.

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 25, 2023, 07:59 AM:laughing:

Similar here - we have parquet floors throughout the apartment, with area rugs, and plain Mexican tile in the kitchen. I usually go barefoot or wear slippers around the house - and rarely keep my shoes on for long after I get home.  I don't ask company to remove their shoes, though.

I ask company to remove their shoes and I have a shoe rack near the door for them to place them. If they don't feel comfortable removing them, I don't pressure them but trust after they leave, I end up sweeping and mopping the floor.

Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 25, 2023, 11:44 AMI ask company to remove their shoes and I have a shoe rack near the door for them to place them. If they don't feel comfortable removing them, I don't pressure them but trust after they leave, I end up sweeping and mopping the floor.

Aw ❤️

I've only been living here full time for about six months, as per the man of the house's policy, I ask our guests to take their shoes off and there hasn't been a situation where someone hasn't immediately complied. But that is a very good practice, DJ, so I'll definitely keep it in mind and ask the mister what he would do in that situation; speaking as a hostess the last thing I want to do is make my guests feel uncomfortable. Thank you as always for your thoughtfulness! <3

Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 25, 2023, 01:09 PMI've only been living here full time for about six months, as per the man of the house's policy, I ask our guests to take their shoes off and there hasn't been a situation where someone hasn't immediately complied. But that is a very good practice, DJ, so I'll definitely keep it in mind and ask the mister what he would do in that situation; speaking as a hostess the last thing I want to do is make my guests feel uncomfortable. Thank you as always for your thoughtfulness! <3

Yeah you never know what they are going through. They might be anxious and afraid that they feet/shoes stink. Or they probably were rushing out of the house and put on dirty socks. They don't want to let everyone else know they have dirty socks on. You never know what someone is going through so it's good to be mindful of certain anxieties that people may have for numerous reasons.

Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 25, 2023, 04:12 PMYeah you never know what they are going through. They might be anxious and afraid that they feet/shoes stink. Or they probably were rushing out of the house and put on dirty socks. They don't want to let everyone else know they have dirty socks on. You never know what someone is going through so it's good to be mindful of certain anxieties that people may have for numerous reasons.

That's very considerate, DJ - I like the way you think. 👍 :)

Eh I just wear shoes indoors regularly, on hardwood floors too. I ask if I should take them off when I'm a guest somewhere

Quote from: Marie Monday on Sep 25, 2023, 05:44 PMEh I just wear shoes indoors regularly, on hardwood floors too. I ask if I should take them off when I'm a guest somewhere

I would like to do that more honestly. I am going to be hosting a Christmas party for family and friends this year, and I would feel ridiculous if I were wearing slippers then, haha. I'll look into what is wearable without causing damage and see. It's not my call in the end of course, but the mister likes me to look good for party guests, so I'll see what he thinks about it.

Mrs. Waffles, I've worn these exact shoes at Christmas in the past.  Nothing earth-shattering here, but they were surprisingly lightweight and didn't scuff floors.  I wore the red (because I wore them with a black skirt), but they also come in black.  Anyway, you and Mr. Waffles will choose what's best for you but of course I had to put my 2¢ in.  :D

Very exciting that you will be hosting Christmas!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266224053945?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143230%26meid%3D76d07d21f4b64547b077e77f7284c0c6%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D175912061304%26itm%3D266224053945%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4429486%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRanker%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p4429486.c101224.m-1

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3NIAAOSwt~1jdvm4/s-l1600.png)

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 25, 2023, 09:13 PMMrs. Waffles, I've worn these exact shoes at Christmas in the past.  Nothing earth-shattering here, but they were surprisingly lightweight and didn't scuff floors.  I wore the red (because I wore them with a black skirt), but they also come in black.  Anyway, you and Mr. Waffles will choose what's best for you but of course I had to put my 2¢ in.  :D

Very exciting that you will be hosting Christmas!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266224053945?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143230%26meid%3D76d07d21f4b64547b077e77f7284c0c6%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D175912061304%26itm%3D266224053945%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4429486%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRanker%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p4429486.c101224.m-1

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3NIAAOSwt~1jdvm4/s-l1600.png)

I love those! I have shoes that are similar. I think the mister is really more concerned with our guests' shoes, he knows I keep both of our shoes nice and clean and as far as I know it's really only stilettos that do real damage to hardwood anyway. I've just never had a situation before where I've asked or even thought that much about wearing shoes at home before, so there's no precedent for protocol yet.

And thank you! It's an honor to host the party for everyone this year. Even more exciting is my sister will be in the US from Thanksgiving to New Years, so I'm super looking forward to the holiday season.

Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 25, 2023, 10:39 PMI love those! I have shoes that are similar. I think the mister is really more concerned with our guests' shoes, he knows I keep both of our shoes nice and clean and as far as I know it's really only stilettos that do real damage to hardwood anyway. I've just never had a situation before where I've asked or even thought that much about wearing shoes at home before, so there's no precedent for protocol yet.

And thank you! It's an honor to host the party for everyone this year. Even more exciting is my sister will be in the US from Thanksgiving to New Years, so I'm super looking forward to the holiday season.

Got it!  Apologies for misunderstanding - I thought you were trying to think of comfortable shoe alternatives to wearing slippers while hostessing Christmas, lol.  :D

So happy that you'll be able to enjoy the holidays with your sister present this year!

 

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 25, 2023, 10:57 PMGot it!  Apologies for misunderstanding - I thought you were thinking of comfortable shoe alternatives vs. wearing slippers while hostessing Christmas, lol.  :D

Oh, no, you're totally good. I got some of it a bit muddled in my head, the cat woke me up at 2:30 AM again and I'm here hopped up on Red Bull getting everything jumbled up. I wasn't sure if we were talking my comfort or his protocol, so I kind of flopped between them. Sorry for the confusion!

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 25, 2023, 07:45 AMThanks for sharing about your guitars, Tore.  I enjoyed reading that, as I'm a bit of a closet guitar nerd even though I rarely play these days.  I have heard that Godins are amazing guitars.  I really hope your friend can make a Tele style guitar for you (and it bodes well that he's a perfectionist!).  I have always loved Teles and gravitated toward them, despite the occasional hankering for Les Pauls which I think are beautiful guitars; but for me, a Les Paul is like trying to pick up a chair and play it, lol.  They are just too heavy.  ::)

I have a Squier Classic Vibe Tele (pictured here - in "vintage" white  :D).  The acoustic is a Guild M-120 mahogany parlor guitar. 

(https://i.ibb.co/tX9R5NB/teleguild1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tX9R5NB)

Nice! I've been looking for a Guild, but they're somewhat rare over here.

Like you, I find Les Pauls to be beautiful. I agree that they're heavy (and unbalanced), but the relatively short neck is very comfortable to play, I think. I wouldn't mind one, although it's not near the top of my want list. Overall, I do gravitate towards strats and teles (at least visually), but I might like a slightly shorter neck. So that's one of the things I'm hoping for with my custom guitar; to get to make some choices like this :)

About Godin, I've considered them a sorta hidden treasure of the guitar world. At least here, because I think a lot of people like to buy acoustics in stores still and you rarely (if ever) see Godins in stores here. From my experience, they're extremely well built, generally awesome to play and they used to be very cheap. Maybe they still are, but I wonder if that's changed now. The only downside I know of is they typically aren't sexy, although this is less an issue with their acoustics and more an issue with their electrics. Plus, this is just my opinion.

I've had 5 godin guitars now. A 1993 acousticaster which was awesome. I never should have sold it. I still have a Multiac nylon guitar which has built-in special pickups that make it compatible with roland guitar synths. I believe it is the most expensive guitar I have. I had the Godin LG P90 which was great, but that I sold. Then I have an awesome Seagull (one of their acoustic brands) artist studio in sunburst which was made for studio recording and a cheaper (but still very nice) Seagull S6 Original Cedar.

All these guitars are brilliant to my mind 🙂

I don't visit guitar shops often, but if I do, I like to just play some and see what I like. Last time I bought a guitar like that, I ended up buying a Yamaha FGX3 acoustic which was brilliant.. The build quality wasn't great because the glue on the back bracings came undone, but the warranty covered repairs and now it's back home again after a 9 months repair trip around the world. So that was dumb, but the sound and playability is tremendous.

Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 25, 2023, 11:02 PMOh, no, you're totally good. I got some of it a bit muddled in my head, the cat woke me up at 2:30 AM again and I'm here hopped up on Red Bull getting everything jumbled up. I wasn't sure if we were talking my comfort or his protocol, so I kind of flopped between them. Sorry for the confusion!

Absolutely no apology necessary, Mrs. Waffles - I'm mixing up absolutely everything lately.  Sorry the cat woke you up - ugh!  You are very sweet to take care of her.  You have me laughing about Red Bull now - I have never tried the stuff, but maybe I should!  Not getting much sleep lately either and feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone.  My only saving grace today is it's Yom Kippur, so most folks are out of the office and I can zone out with no one noticing.  :laughing:

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 25, 2023, 11:18 PMAbsolutely no apology necessary, Mrs. Waffles - I'm mixing up absolutely everything lately.  Sorry the cat woke you up - ugh!  You are very sweet to take care of her.  You have me laughing about Red Bull now - I have never tried the stuff, but maybe I should!  Not getting much sleep lately either and feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone.  My only saving grace today is it's Yom Kippur, so most folks are out of the office and I can zone out with no one noticing.  :laughing:

Noooo don't go down the Red Bull rabbit hole. My wife is addicted to them and they are so not good for your heart. Well most energy drinks aren't. Just stick to coffee if you have the time to make it.

Yeah energy drinks were a problem that's why Mrs. Waffles needs to ask me to have them now.

My dad drinks those energy drinks. I hate it and am desperate for him to stop ☹️

Quote from: Guybrush on Sep 25, 2023, 11:14 PMNice! I've been looking for a Guild, but they're somewhat rare over here.

Like you, I find Les Pauls to be beautiful. I agree that they're heavy (and unbalanced), but the relatively short neck is very comfortable to play, I think. I wouldn't mind one, although it's not near the top of my want list. Overall, I do gravitate towards strats and teles (at least visually), but I might like a slightly shorter neck. So that's one of the things I'm hoping for with my custom guitar; to get to make some choices like this :)

About Godin, I've considered them a sorta hidden treasure of the guitar world. At least here, because I think a lot of people like to buy acoustics in stores still and you rarely (if ever) see Godins in stores here. From my experience, they're extremely well built, generally awesome to play and they used to be very cheap. Maybe they still are, but I wonder if that's changed now. The only downside I know of is they typically aren't sexy, although this is less an issue with their acoustics and more an issue with their electrics. Plus, this is just my opinion.

I've had 5 godin guitars now. A 1993 acousticaster which was awesome. I never should have sold it. I still have a Multiac nylon guitar which has built-in special pickups that make it compatible with roland guitar synths. I believe it is the most expensive guitar I have. I had the Godin LG P90 which was great, but that I sold. Then I have an awesome Seagull (one of their acoustic brands) artist studio in sunburst which was made for studio recording and a cheaper (but still very nice) Seagull S6 Original Cedar.

All these guitars are brilliant to my mind 🙂

I don't visit guitar shops often, but if I do, I like to just play some and see what I like. Last time I bought a guitar like that, I ended up buying a Yamaha FGX3 acoustic which was brilliant.. The build quality wasn't great because the glue on the back bracings came undone, but the warranty covered repairs and now it's back home again after a 9 months repair trip around the world. So that was dumb, but the sound and playability is tremendous.

Once again, I really enjoyed reading your guitar musings, Tore - thanks!  Now I'm inspired to read about the Godins and Seagulls you've mentioned; sorry you had to part with the Acousticaster.  Hopefully the super-customized Tele your friend builds for you will make up for that, and then some.

My *the one that got away* guitar was a used Gibson Hummingbird that played like a dream and had perfect easy action.  I eventually strung it with a Nashville tuning and it just rang out beautifully.  Ah, memories...   :)

Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 26, 2023, 01:36 PMNoooo don't go down the Red Bull rabbit hole. My wife is addicted to them and they are so not good for your heart. Well most energy drinks aren't. Just stick to coffee if you have the time to make it.

Thanks for the warning - I was going to try Red Bull, as they have it in the cafeteria here, just to see what it's like, but may as well avoid it.  I hope your wife will be able to cut back as it's obviously unhealthy. 

I regularly drink Ito En Oi Ocha iced green tea, which has a moderate amount of caffeine, but lately I've been drinking way too much of it.  So I think that's one of the reasons I've had trouble sleeping lately.

(https://www.caffeineinformer.com/wp-content/caffeine/oi-ocha-green-tea.jpg)

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 26, 2023, 07:34 PMOnce again, I really enjoyed reading your guitar musings, Tore - thanks!  Now I'm inspired to read about the Godins and Seagulls you've mentioned; sorry you had to part with the Acousticaster.  Hopefully the super-customized Tele your friend builds for you will make up for that, and then some.

My *the one that got away* guitar was a used Gibson Hummingbird that played like a dream and had perfect easy action.  I eventually strung it with a Nashville tuning and it just rang out beautifully.  Ah, memories...   :)

A hummingbird got away from me too! A guy was selling one second hand. We made a deal that I would drive to his place about an hour away on a Sunday and pick it up. So I did, but when I got there, he was not home and had sold the guitar to someone else. Just completely disregarded the deal we'd made.

I've done a lot of second hand buying and selling and this is my worst experience yet.

I still want a hummingbird 😄 but I'm at peace with not having one.

How did yours get away?

Quote from: Guybrush on Sep 26, 2023, 08:21 PMA hummingbird got away from me too! A guy was selling one second hand. We made a deal that I would drive to his place about an hour away on a Sunday and pick it up. So I did, but when I got there, he was not home and had sold the guitar to someone else. Just completely disregarded the deal we'd made.

I've done a lot of second hand buying and selling and this is my worst experience yet.

I still want a hummingbird 😄 but I'm at peace with not having one.

How did yours get away?

Nice guy.  :(  That's terrible!

Both our hummingbirds flew away.    ???

Although, in my case, I set it free and it never came back.  I had bought it in high school with money saved from my first job.  And sold it shortly before I got married.  Yes, I was stupid.  :embarassed:

I'd still like a hummingbird too, but am OK not having one.  We are very *Zen* in that respect, Tore. :D

Quote from: ribbons on Sep 26, 2023, 08:36 PMNice guy.  :(  That's terrible!

Both our hummingbirds flew away.    ???

Although, in my case, I set it free and it never came back.  I had bought it in high school with money saved from my first job.  And sold it shortly before I got married.  Yes, I was stupid.  :embarassed:

I'd still like a hummingbird too, but am OK not having one.  We are very *Zen* in that respect, Tore. :D

Yes. And having never even played pne, who knows.. I might even prefer the guitars I already have 🙂

A little while ago, I was watching a YouTube video with a guy playing old vintage keyboards, especially a wurlitzer and also comparing the Fender Rhodes Mark I and II. Now, I LOVE the sound of the Fender Rhodes Mark I, which is why I was watching it in the first place. It sounded great.

Then the guy says something interesting. Despite having these old keyboards, he doesn't actually play them that much. The reason is he has a Yamaha reface CP synth that emulates all these and does so rather well, so he plays that instead. It doesn't have a good range of keys, but he fixes that by controlling it with a full range midi controller and sustain pedal.

My own Fender Rhodes is a plugin in my studio computer, so way too inaccessible when I'm in the house, so.. I didn't even have to think about it. I just ordered a Yamaha reface CP for myself and it came today.

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mZr_aaMZBL6E1Ev7fIf3DhvjPoI1USNt)

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mUE4BJJv0JY7KDLlA-MsiG1zuS8P10rq)

So now it's sitting on top of our clavinova and hooked up to its midi out so I can play it with our piano and pedals. It sounds absolutely lovely! So I've been tickling the ivories quite a bit today, fully mesmerized.

I'm real happy with it 😊

Nice, @Guybrush! I'm envious. I found a stockpile of albums prominently featuring the Rhodes in a torrent a while back and I put together a playlist of favorites.

Post a vid of you performing "Angela (the Theme From 'Taxi')" and I'll go to pieces. :)

Quote from: innerspaceboy on Sep 22, 2023, 10:39 PMI'm a born thrifter notorious for finding incredible deals. I went to a local library sale yesterday and scored some fun loot!

A mint unopened copy of the mammoth 700pg AllMusic Guide to Electronica: The Definitive Guide to Electronic Music

(https://i.imgur.com/Igdxoawl.jpg)

Now I'm getting silly -- stupid me wants that book just because the Orb are on the cover.  I absolutely adore the Orb.  It's really hard to get better than them. 

I had a little purchase mishap today which I hope will end well.

I pre-ordered the new archival KLF DVD back in August. Sadly the British Film Institute has been non-responsive to my emails and their website bears a notice saying they're having difficulty with their distributor so all orders are indefinitely suspended.

I checked Amazon - Amazon USA does not offer nor even have a listing for the DVD.

I checked Amazon UK next. There I saw an independent seller with multiple copies in England.

I then checked eBay and found the only listing was from the same UK seller, and eBay remarked that I had purchased a Penguin Cafe Orchestra LP from that same international seller in the past year.

I then went back to BFI's UK website. There is no option to cancel an order through them, and they haven't responded to my emails in weeks.

So I phoned my bank and submitted a dispute for the original payment from last August to BFI. My bank said they'll contact me in 10 days. Hopefully they honor the dispute and refund my original purchase.

I went ahead and re-ordered the DVD from the eBay seller and eBay says I should have it in 2-3 weeks.

That's at least better than waiting endlessly with no response from BFI.

Hopefully my bank rules in my favor soon.

(https://i.imgur.com/jfPZLTGl.jpg)

Quote from: Guybrush on Nov 11, 2023, 01:22 AMYes. And having never even played pne, who knows.. I might even prefer the guitars I already have 🙂

A little while ago, I was watching a YouTube video with a guy playing old vintage keyboards, especially a wurlitzer and also comparing the Fender Rhodes Mark I and II. Now, I LOVE the sound of the Fender Rhodes Mark I, which is why I was watching it in the first place. It sounded great.

Then the guy says something interesting. Despite having these old keyboards, he doesn't actually play them that much. The reason is he has a Yamaha reface CP synth that emulates all these and does so rather well, so he plays that instead. It doesn't have a good range of keys, but he fixes that by controlling it with a full range midi controller and sustain pedal.

My own Fender Rhodes is a plugin in my studio computer, so way too inaccessible when I'm in the house, so.. I didn't even have to think about it. I just ordered a Yamaha reface CP for myself and it came today.

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mZr_aaMZBL6E1Ev7fIf3DhvjPoI1USNt)

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mUE4BJJv0JY7KDLlA-MsiG1zuS8P10rq)

So now it's sitting on top of our clavinova and hooked up to its midi out so I can play it with our piano and pedals. It sounds absolutely lovely! So I've been tickling the ivories quite a bit today, fully mesmerized.

I'm real happy with it 😊

@Guybrush, congrats on the new Yamaha reface CP - very exciting!  I've always loved the sound of a vintage Fender Rhodes and dreamed of having one (although that was never bound to happen!).  In fact, I believe I've seen that same video you watched with the guy playing Wurlitzers and Rhodes. A great idea to hook up the reface CP to your clavinova's midi and it must be a thrill to play it with your piano keys and pedals.  Yes, I am jealous!   8)  ;)

Quote from: ribbons on Nov 14, 2023, 05:59 PM@Guybrush, congrats on the new Yamaha reface CP - very exciting!  I've always loved the sound of a vintage Fender Rhodes and dreamed of having one (although that was never bound to happen!).  In fact, I believe I've seen that same video you watched with the guy playing Wurlitzers and Rhodes. A great idea to hook up the reface CP to your clavinova's midi and it must be a thrill to play it with your piano keys and pedals.  Yes, I am jealous!  8)  ;)

Hey, great minds think alike 😊❤️

I love it when it's hard to put down or stop playing an instrument. It's a sure sign of goodness!

To my surprise, Yamaha has hidden a grand piano sound in there as well. You have to turn the CP off, then balance the instrument selector dial between two instruments, turn it back on and voilà! Grand piano.

I don't need it when I got my clav for obvious reasons, but might be nice for gigging 🤔

Got one of those Casios from the 80s.

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0064/9842/products/a168-2_1400x.jpg?v=1571438497)

They're really nice. Cheap as shit and piss easy to use.

Quote from: jimmy jazz on Nov 17, 2023, 09:07 PMGot one of those Casios from the 80s.

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0064/9842/products/a168-2_1400x.jpg?v=1571438497)

They're really nice. Cheap as shit and piss easy to use.

Cool, mate 🙂

Is it actually from the 80s or a rerelease?

Quote from: Guybrush on Nov 19, 2023, 04:27 AMCool, mate 🙂

Is it actually from the 80s or a rerelease?

No it's new. But they were released in the 80s and are a classic watch (and dirt cheap).