Out of the Blue

I know some of you live in more arctic climes, but it's been pretty damned frigid here in the BlueTower for a while now. Today it calls for a low of -3°F, which is simply not enough degrees. The good news is we still have that batch of chili I made the other day. But there's more bad news, as it's actually not spicy enough! In cutting the recipe in half and substituting peppers I managed to make a mild batch of chili for the very first time in my life. I would put this at maybe 1½ stars out of five, and I bet my mildest ever before that was three times as hot. Oh well, we can always add some hot sauce. That feels like cheating, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Mild Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

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25 Replies. 2 pages. Viewing page 1.
Newer [  1  2  ] Older
25.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 22, 2025, 22:15
25.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 22, 2025, 22:15
Jan 22, 2025, 22:15
 
I don't think I've used PC speakers since like 1998.

Need them footsteps clear, crisp, and directional for MP FPS.
Avatar 17249
24.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 22, 2025, 20:49
24.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 22, 2025, 20:49
Jan 22, 2025, 20:49
 
Haha. Yep. I always take my phone with me when I leave the house, but it very rarely leaves the belt holster I carry it in. I tried bluetooth in the car to the phone a couple of times, but didn't care for it. So, now my phone always stays in the holster when I am in my car and if I get a call or text while driving, I just check the phone when I get where I am going. And if that place isn't home, I probably wait to respond until I get home.
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
23.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 22, 2025, 19:38
Jivaro
 
23.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 22, 2025, 19:38
Jan 22, 2025, 19:38
 Jivaro
 
I hadn't really thought about it, but yeah, I live alone and wearing headphones is not something I do either. My speakers create a pretty awesome experience, particularly the bass levels, and I don't have to worry about not hearing the front door or my dog while using them. I have some nice over ear headphones I use for meetings because the content usually falls under HIPAA, but thats the lone exception. When I am out and about I do not listen to music passively (other then in the car) and I rarely answer calls until I am home again. I keep a cheap pair of ear buds in a "car" coat pocket but I can't remember the last time I actually used them. I find it all very distracting from whatever it is I am out there doing I guess. If I could, I would leave my phone at home when I leave the house most of the time. Unfortuantely, as most of you can probably imagine, there are family and friends that freak the fuck out if you don't respond on your phone for a few hours these days. It's ridiculous. /endweirdtangent
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22.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 22, 2025, 18:36
22.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 22, 2025, 18:36
Jan 22, 2025, 18:36
 
Jim wrote on Jan 22, 2025, 08:55:
I'd never go back to using speakers. Headphones give a much better sound experience and also keep others in the house happy

I used these for quite a while
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ - $80
Eventually replaced them with these
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ $318

I have a big head so both fit well

I'm the only one in the house, so that's not an issue. I really doubt headphones can give the same immersion as a surround sound setup. I know headphones can do virtual surround, but you don't feel the sound when the sub-woofer kicks you in the gut. But I'm at the point where I don't want to fuck with it anymore.
"You can either want something to be true, or you can want the truth. Pick one." - Mr. Diety
Avatar 17277
21.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 22, 2025, 09:43
21.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 22, 2025, 09:43
Jan 22, 2025, 09:43
 
Jim wrote on Jan 22, 2025, 08:55:
I'd never go back to using speakers. Headphones give a much better sound experience and also keep others in the house happy
Yeah, I am the exact opposite. First, it is just me in the house. Second, even if that wasn't the case I can only wear headphones for short amounts of time. I'm just not comfortable wearing them. I use a 2+1 Creative Speaker set I bought at least 15 years ago, probably more. I dread the day they fail. I've looked for possible replacements out of curiosity and haven't found anything I particularly cared for.
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
20.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 22, 2025, 08:55
Jim
20.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 22, 2025, 08:55
Jan 22, 2025, 08:55
Jim
 
I'd never go back to using speakers. Headphones give a much better sound experience and also keep others in the house happy

I used these for quite a while
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ - $80
Eventually replaced them with these
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ $318

I have a big head so both fit well
19.
 
Re: Morning Legal Briefs
Jan 22, 2025, 04:44
19.
Re: Morning Legal Briefs Jan 22, 2025, 04:44
Jan 22, 2025, 04:44
 
Rectal Prolapse wrote on Jan 22, 2025, 02:14:
You might have a bad speaker. My left speaker, a Paradigm Monitor 9 from 1996, has a dying tweeter and it would sometimes buzz randomly when certain frequencies are played. To diagnose, I swapped the left and right cables. Still got the buzz on the left speaker. Definitely was the speaker that time. I finally replaced the speakers in 2020, upgrading to KEFs.

So my advice: Check that the speaker isn't blown first.

It's been doing this off and on for about a year now. I swapped speakers around and no matter what I did, when I did a speaker test, when it played sound from the rear right channel, it would crackle in and out. The reason I suspected the sound card is that I found I could fix it by going into the sound card's software, boost the level to that channel and it would "wake it up." I could then reset it back to normal and it would stay fixed for a while. Unless I got extremely unlucky and got a new sound card with the same problem, it has to be the receiver. That and the left rear channel is starting to do it too. I'm going to check the rear speaker wires again because maybe I did pull something lose this time while moving things around with the new setup, and my cat has been going under the desk to inspect all the new things to play with.
"You can either want something to be true, or you can want the truth. Pick one." - Mr. Diety
Avatar 17277
18.
 
Re: Morning Legal Briefs
Jan 22, 2025, 02:14
18.
Re: Morning Legal Briefs Jan 22, 2025, 02:14
Jan 22, 2025, 02:14
 
MeanJim wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 20:34:
I'm looking for some headset recommendations. I love my 1000w surround sound setup for gaming, but I've been randomly losing or getting crackly sound from my right rear speaker. I checked all of the cables, so I thought the problem was my sound card. It fixed itself for a while, then came back right as I was building my new system, so I got a new sound card. The problem is still happening, so it must be something with my surround sound system.

You might have a bad speaker. My left speaker, a Paradigm Monitor 9 from 1996, has a dying tweeter and it would sometimes buzz randomly when certain frequencies are played. To diagnose, I swapped the left and right cables. Still got the buzz on the left speaker. Definitely was the speaker that time. I finally replaced the speakers in 2020, upgrading to KEFs.

So my advice: Check that the speaker isn't blown first.
Avatar 58068
17.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 22, 2025, 00:31
17.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 22, 2025, 00:31
Jan 22, 2025, 00:31
 
IDK, with all due respect Sir, personally I wasn't really expecting a "Texas-Style Chili" that has chocolate as an ingredient to be very spicy.
Avatar 15164
16.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 20:34
16.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 20:34
Jan 21, 2025, 20:34
 
I'm looking for some headset recommendations. I love my 1000w surround sound setup for gaming, but I've been randomly losing or getting crackly sound from my right rear speaker. I checked all of the cables, so I thought the problem was my sound card. It fixed itself for a while, then came back right as I was building my new system, so I got a new sound card. The problem is still happening, so it must be something with my surround sound system.

I'm going to re-check the cables, but if the cables check out, that means something is wrong with the receiver. If it is the receiver, I'm just going to get a headset. Since the problem is just the RR channel/speaker, I can rip out the rear speakers and keep it as a 2.1 setup for when I want loud boom-booms and don't want to wear a headset.

I know practically nothing about headsets though. I want one that does surround sound, but I'm not sure if I want to go wired or wireless, or find one that does both. I have plenty of re-chargeable AA and AAA batteries, but it looks like they all have built in, non-replaceable batteries. If I go wireless, should I get one with its own USB transmitter or go Bluetooth? If I go wired, do I go USB or one that plugs into my sound card?
"You can either want something to be true, or you can want the truth. Pick one." - Mr. Diety
Avatar 17277
15.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 19:08
15.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 19:08
Jan 21, 2025, 19:08
 
chickenboo wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 13:41:
Adding hot sauce to chili is a key ingredient for a source of acidity. I like Cholula or Valentina's for it: you need something with a vinegar base flavor.
Or just add some vinegar.

I picked up some Choulula - regular and sweet habenero - a few months back and they're way hotter than I remember. My faves are still Franks and Louisiana Hot Sauce.

And yeah, we're in a cold snap here until next week. We have an extreme cold warning for most of the province atm. It's going to be coldest tonight at -20C - -25C and a windchill pushing that -30C - 35C. That's goddamned cold. It's the wind that's the real problem, and it gets windy a lot where I live.
“With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably." - Aaron Sati
14.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 18:51
14.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 18:51
Jan 21, 2025, 18:51
 
Sarah Cooper is back, in full form. https://youtu.be/P2PIco48G4k?si=d9DcgT6WCOhXehd_
Avatar 58135
13.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 18:17
13.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 18:17
Jan 21, 2025, 18:17
 
Sepharo wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 17:54:
I found two things poking around... a Ford diesel truck with a million miles and no sludge
and claims that motor oil intended for diesel engines has more/better detergents
Thanks!
My buddy added that diesels burn cooler than gas engines and mentioned that gas breaks down differently during the burn, further resulting in a different crankcase environment.

curiosity momentarily sated
Avatar 58135
12.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 17:54
12.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 17:54
Jan 21, 2025, 17:54
 
RedEye9 wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 17:33:
Sepharo wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 17:23:
RedEye9 wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 17:20:
Actual Serious Question
I've watched dozens of engine teardowns and don't remember seeing a diesel engine packed full oil sludge. Diesels never appear varnished on the inside, nor gooey gummy.

Why is that?
1. I just have not seen that many diesel dismantlings.
2. Diesel dilution of motor oil decrease sludge buildup.

They eat the oil up.
(not a serious answer)
I understand piston ring blowby, fresh motor oil on a diesel instantly turns black.
I'm familiar with a runaway diesel. That's when a diesel engine can't be shutoff because it starts burning motor oil, but that is normally due to another mechanical failure like a Turbocharger leaking oil into the intake.

dangit, i got halfway thru and noticed your secret. Rotfl

I found two things poking around... a Ford diesel truck with a million miles and no sludge
and claims that motor oil intended for diesel engines has more/better detergents
Avatar 17249
11.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 17:33
11.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 17:33
Jan 21, 2025, 17:33
 
Sepharo wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 17:23:
RedEye9 wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 17:20:
Actual Serious Question
I've watched dozens of engine teardowns and don't remember seeing a diesel engine packed full oil sludge. Diesels never appear varnished on the inside, nor gooey gummy.

Why is that?
1. I just have not seen that many diesel dismantlings.
2. Diesel dilution of motor oil decrease sludge buildup.

They eat the oil up.
(not a serious answer)
I understand piston ring blowby, fresh motor oil on a diesel instantly turns black.
I'm familiar with a runaway diesel. That's when a diesel engine can't be shutoff because it starts burning motor oil, but that is normally due to another mechanical failure like a Turbocharger leaking oil into the intake.

dangit, i got halfway thru and noticed your secret. Rotfl
Avatar 58135
10.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 17:23
10.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 17:23
Jan 21, 2025, 17:23
 
RedEye9 wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 17:20:
Actual Serious Question
I've watched dozens of engine teardowns and don't remember seeing a diesel engine packed full oil sludge. Diesels never appear varnished on the inside, nor gooey gummy.

Why is that?
1. I just have not seen that many diesel dismantlings.
2. Diesel dilution of motor oil decrease sludge buildup.

They eat the oil up.
(not a serious answer)
Avatar 17249
9.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 17:20
9.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 17:20
Jan 21, 2025, 17:20
 
Mr. Tact wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 16:52:
Why not? It is not like we are going to start shooting CEOs or something...
Security guards have just made LinkedIn’s fastest-growing jobs list for the first time
The top 10 roles on LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2025 report
1 thru 9 Artificial Intelligence Engineer, Artificial Intelligence Consultant, Physical Therapist, Workforce Development Manager, Travel Advisor, Event Coordinator, Director of Development, Outside Sales Representative, Sustainability Specialist
10. Security Guard

The article says "LinkedIn’s data predates the UnitedHealthcare killing"
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,
Actual Serious Question
I've watched dozens of engine teardowns and don't remember seeing a diesel engine packed full oil sludge. Diesels never appear varnished on the inside, nor gooey gummy.

Why is that?
1. I just have not seen that many diesel dismantlings.
2. Diesel dilution of motor oil decrease sludge buildup.
Avatar 58135
8.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 16:52
8.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 16:52
Jan 21, 2025, 16:52
 
Jim wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 15:16:
Ozempic, they have overpriced that drug so much that it would bankrupt some states if they covered it in their plan. Medicine is a big fucking scam.
Why not? It is not like we are going to start shooting CEOs or something...
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
7.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 16:24
Enahs
 
7.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 16:24
Jan 21, 2025, 16:24
 Enahs
 
Jim wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 15:16:
Ozempic, they have overpriced that drug so much that it would bankrupt some states if they covered it in their plan. Medicine is a big fucking scam.
Since production of it and the likes can't keep up with the demand, the drug manufacturers would disagree with you.
I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally.
- W. C. Fields
Avatar 15513
6.
 
Re: OotB: Mild!?
Jan 21, 2025, 15:27
6.
Re: OotB: Mild!? Jan 21, 2025, 15:27
Jan 21, 2025, 15:27
 
Jim wrote on Jan 21, 2025, 15:16:
Ozempic, they have overpriced that drug so much that it would bankrupt some states if they covered it in their plan. Medicine is a big fucking scam.
Didn’t Luigi fix it? There was also this guy who said "Now, I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject," "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated."
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
Patrick Stewart on Red Dwarf Alien


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