Tangled up in Blue.

Peter Pearson.

I like to use the VR app, Wander. Wandering all around the world in virtual reality using Google Street view. I keep the verbal “call and response” version of the ChatGPT app on my phone close by. As I wander around the planet, I ask the bot questions, really obscure ones, about all the weird stuff I see. It’s like having a deeply nuanced travel companion with a deep book on tons of minutia. It makes the obscure become visible. And it’s a lot of fun…

Stab stab stabby stab stability stab.

You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension—a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas.

Variation, selection, heredity, time.

I will no longer be doing. I will don’t.

Agreed. The “Sphinx” sentence is the cooler of the two. I’ve been using it for a long time. My personal twist: the last word becomes “vowel,” not “vow.” For me, easier on the ears.

I haz a value.

Sir, to the best of my knowledge, I’m not on your nuts.

All your knowns are belong to us.

I admire a man who speaks the truth, plainly.

Can’t get them to run on Windows.

Well that’s fine, but I want to know what they were drinking.

I retired.

Honestly, I think he’s morose but identifies as gay.

Most def.

I think that’s a really good point. Of course it’s easier said than done, and any particular neighborhood environment could make it difficult to accomplish. I live in suburban Southern California. Our neighborhood is near the beach, about 150 years old. We have condo boxes, old post-WWII flats, ranch style houses, apartments, AirBnBs. I’m retired, loquacious, and I keep an eye out. I’ve met most of my neighbors, know them by name, and I try to stay out of their hair. I even say hello to the AirBnB peeps. We have an older lady next door, kind of a shut in. Never saw her outside. One day I left a note in her mailbox, introducing myself and my wife. Told her we were always around, and if she needed a hand once in a while (as we all do), we’d be able to help. She got back to me and was very grateful and happy I dropped the note. You never know, you might make someone’s day or even save their life.

Your comment has been my experience. I’ve been a homeowner in the same house for 30 years. We did a remodel after we first arrived. Gotta say we were naive about many things, plumbing fixtures included. Most of our pipe valves were (as you described) those oval knob jobbies. They are simple compression fixtures that screw in for many turns until the valve closes. These are terrible, awful and very bad. Mine suffered corrosion and froze in place. We recently went through another remodel, and among other things, had all new valves installed. This time we used 1/4 turn brass valves. A simple 90 degree turn and the valve is closed. Much less susceptible to corrosion/rot, etc. They cost more during installation, but in the long run you save time, money and sanity.

Loves me some Boost. Boost is the moost.