What’s on your mind?

[rm5]

I'm in a bit of a weird spot with musical instruments. I'll probably be performing a lot off-campus next year, so I'll want a keyboard. My tried and true CP88 is back home, and it'd be a real pain (and expensive) to fly it all the way up here. So do I fly it back and forth and eventually incur several hundred dollars of baggage or shipping fees, or do I buy an entirely new keyboard specifically to be up here? I'm thinking of the latter. I could save several hundred dollars by buying one and not having to ship back and forth. If I shipped my CP88 one way, that'd easily be $200 or more. Checking it on the plane probably less but not worth the risk.

If getting a different keyboard I’d probably go with a MOTIF XF6. It’s an old one but still sounds good. I have friends who use them.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Enjoy; could be interesting - I like the Scottish cities, and have a lot of time for the old Scottish universities.

This is something that I simply cannot get my head around, and not only because I love train journeys.

I'm staying in the West End of Glasgow. The University is about a 15 minute walk and I love to walk around there. Founded in 1451! There's also the Kelvingrove Museum that I also highly rate.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sorry to make this all about me but this indeed is what’s on my mind. I passionately, wholeheartedly, and devoutly HATE being “the young kid” in any space. Or being perceived as such, especially in a room full of grown adults. It’s just really embarrassing and makes me feel as if I’m worth less. This is true even when I do have some experience and authority. I really, really wish I could just jump ahead to 50 years old, that would be amazing.

I hate to tell you this but you are so wrong. By the time you are 50, most of the world will be younger than you. They won’t give a crap about your experience or wisdom. They’ll just assume they know best, you’ve had your time and it’s time for you to move on.
I see this all the time at work from the young people (by young generally I mean up to their 30’s).

I used to supervise a team of about 30 in my early 20’s. They were all older than me and more experienced than me. The trick was to listen to their experiences and decide if their viewpoint was valid (of self motivated!). Then make the decision. Some would need more ‘encouragement’ than others to get on board.

The point is it’s not your age that is the factor. If you are waiting to be a certain age until people will value your opinion, you’ll have a long wait.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sorry to make this all about me but this indeed is what’s on my mind. I passionately, wholeheartedly, and devoutly HATE being “the young kid” in any space. Or being perceived as such, especially in a room full of grown adults. It’s just really embarrassing and makes me feel as if I’m worth less. This is true even when I do have some experience and authority. I really, really wish I could just jump ahead to 50 years old, that would be amazing.

Personally, I never much cared for being young - I was one of those who probably never quite got the hang of being young.

In any case, I am far more comfortable with middle age, and am much more comfortable in myself, both personally, and professionally.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Saw Decent Brother for a lovely, long, lingering, lunch and a great chat.

Today, as he reminded me, (and yes, I remembered), would have been our parents' wedding anniversary.

He further reminded me that he is no longer as young as he was, as yesterday evening's school reunion (which he enjoyed, in spite of earlier misgivings, followed by an outing to a pub with people, some of whom he hadn't seen in decades) left him a bit tired.

As for Sunderland, @Apple fanboy, while he was very pleased at their (wholly unexpected) promotion, he gloomily predicted that they will have headed right back down by the end of next season.

 

[Keukasmallie]

Beware the Apple Wallet Disaster! Twice within the past week I've had my credit card numbers stolen. My card was listed in the Apple Wallet on my iPhone SE (3rd gen) and therein lies the problem. First time resulted in some fraud purchases, I was alerted to the probability by CitiCard fraud unit, old card was locked, new card issued. (No clue as to the theft method that put my card in burgular hands.)

All was well, that is until CitiCard rep "sent" the new card in the Apple Wallet. rinse and repeat - fraud purchases, etc. So a second new card; no Apple Wallet for me this time.

CitiCard's service reps are a disaster to deal with because they are not primarily English language speakers. Admittedly I'm an old dude with 8.5 decades in the saddle, so some of the inability to understand and asking for repeats repeatedly falls upon me.

Technology is great, but maybe not so much when it is used by thieves.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Beware the Apple Wallet Disaster! Twice within the past week I've had my credit card numbers stolen. My card was listed in the Apple Wallet on my iPhone SE (3rd gen) and therein lies the problem. First time resulted in some fraud purchases, I was alerted to the probability by CitiCard fraud unit, old card was locked, new card issued. (No clue as to the theft method that put my card in burgular hands.)

All was well, that is until CitiCard rep "sent" the new card in the Apple Wallet. rinse and repeat - fraud purchases, etc. So a second new card; no Apple Wallet for me this time.

CitiCard's service reps are a disaster to deal with because they are not primarily English language speakers. Admittedly I'm an old dude with 8.5 decades in the saddle, so some of the inability to understand and asking for repeats repeatedly falls upon me.

Technology is great, but maybe not so much when it is used by thieves.

Wow that is kinda scary. I don’t use Apple wallet/pay although my wife does. From my limited understanding the only way a crook could use your Apple wallet for payments that didn’t originate from your phone would be to know you Apple ID & password, your mop acc# and a device generated pass or code. Thats crazy that they immediately had access to your new card. It’s almost as if your phone (the device all of this is stored on locally) is compromised somehow.

I’m sorry this happened to you.

I’m old fashioned in that I am a cash or card only customer (which has its own inherent security problems) . The most modern I’ve gotten is using the card reader tap feature LOL. 😂

 

[rm5]

It's combo concert week! End of the year concert is always all originals. One of the combos performed last night, which was great. They played an absolutely ridiculous tune at the end. The fact that it was called "Cattywampus" says enough—very angular melodically and rhythmically. I saw the score, and it has no chords, just the melody—so the pianist did an amazing job interpreting it and putting chords in! My combo performs tomorrow afternoon, with our set of originals.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It's combo concert week! End of the year concert is always all originals. One of the combos performed last night, which was great. They played an absolutely ridiculous tune at the end. The fact that it was called "Cattywampus" says enough—very angular melodically and rhythmically. I saw the score, and it has no chords, just the melody—so the pianist did an amazing job interpreting it and putting chords in! My combo performs tomorrow afternoon, with our set of originals.

Sounds brilliant.

I hope that you have a terrific time.

 

[rm5]

What are your thoughts on using PowerPoint slides for presentations? We presented our final projects in one class today, and I think I was one of two students who didn’t use slides (it wasn’t a requirement). I found peoples’ slides to be incredibly distracting. One person used 6 point font so it was completely illegible. Another used distracting images and animations. And another wrote enormous walls of text on their slides.

I’ve never been a fan of slides, because it does two things:

1. The screen is a distraction, so you generally look at the screen more than the person presenting.
2. At least for me, when someone uses slides, I am less tempted to do the actual work and take notes. Instead, I tend to zone out and lose focus. By not using slides, the audience is forced to write things down in their notes.

I am also the ONLY one in that class who doesn’t use a laptop to take notes.

If I was speaking at a conference or something with hundreds of people in attendance, I might write one word per slide to sort of guide the audience. But I just hate PowerPoints.

 

[Apple fanboy]

What are your thoughts on using PowerPoint slides for presentations? We presented our final projects in one class today, and I think I was one of two students who didn’t use slides (it wasn’t a requirement). I found peoples’ slides to be incredibly distracting. One person used 6 point font so it was completely illegible. Another used distracting images and animations. And another wrote enormous walls of text on their slides.

I’ve never been a fan of slides, because it does two things:

1. The screen is a distraction, so you generally look at the screen more than the person presenting.
2. At least for me, when someone uses slides, I am less tempted to do the actual work and take notes. Instead, I tend to zone out and lose focus. By not using slides, the audience is forced to write things down in their notes.

I am also the ONLY one in that class who doesn’t use a laptop to take notes.

If I was speaking at a conference or something with hundreds of people in attendance, I might write one word per slide to sort of guide the audience. But I just hate PowerPoints.

Power points aren’t the problem. It’s how they are done. If they enhance the subject matter they can be a very useful teaching tool. If they are done badly, or if the speaker is not very engaging it won’t matter how clever their slide transitions are.

We use them at work often. Most places do.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Yeah PP is not the problem. It is 110% execution; how it is employed. Use of PP is ubiquitous across business to consistently communicate ideas or message and disseminate content after the fact, so a very useful and ubiquitous tool. It is worth understanding how to use it effectively.

Of course it is not the only tool in the toolbox but the first time your boss tells you to submit your idea via PP, it's best to leave the judgment of the media behind and understand how to accomplish that task effectively.

 

[The Clark]

Broke my Google Pixel two days ago - picked up a 16 Pro - wow it's nice to be back.

 

[BotchQue]

It's combo concert week! End of the year concert is always all originals. One of the combos performed last night, which was great. They played an absolutely ridiculous tune at the end. The fact that it was called "Cattywampus" says enough—very angular melodically and rhythmically. I saw the score, and it has no chords, just the melody—so the pianist did an amazing job interpreting it and putting chords in! My combo performs tomorrow afternoon, with our set of originals.

Are you familiar with the Swedish trio Dirty Loops? They take popular songs and follow the melody, but the keyboardist (also a stunningly good vocalist) reharmonizes the whole thing, and the bass player weaves some magic below (the drummer is just... ferocious).
I'm sure I'm missing a lot of their genius as I don't listen to the really Pop songs out there anymore; the couple I've known from the lyrics, and recognized while listening to the Dirty Loops track, just floors me!
They didn't change the chords too much to this bridge, but why would you?

 

[KaliYoni]

...and something @BotchQue 's post made me think of for the rockists on here.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

...and something @BotchQue 's post made me think of for the rockists on here.

Now wouldnt it have been cool if Geddy Lee did a little cameo in the middle of that. Thanks for sharing

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Are you familiar with the Swedish trio Dirty Loops? They take popular songs and follow the melody, but the keyboardist (also a stunningly good vocalist) reharmonizes the whole thing, and the bass player weaves some magic below (the drummer is just... ferocious).
I'm sure I'm missing a lot of their genius as I don't listen to the really Pop songs out there anymore; the couple I've known from the lyrics, and recognized while listening to the Dirty Loops track, just floors me!
They didn't change the chords too much to this bridge, but why would you?

Dude, how have I not heard these guys before. They are great I love the vocalist and what he is doing.

 

[rm5]

Broke my Google Pixel two days ago - picked up a 16 Pro - wow it's nice to be back.

The 16 Pro is wonderful. I am very lucky to have it.

 

[rm5]

Are you familiar with the Swedish trio Dirty Loops? They take popular songs and follow the melody, but the keyboardist (also a stunningly good vocalist) reharmonizes the whole thing, and the bass player weaves some magic below (the drummer is just... ferocious).
I'm sure I'm missing a lot of their genius as I don't listen to the really Pop songs out there anymore; the couple I've known from the lyrics, and recognized while listening to the Dirty Loops track, just floors me!
They didn't change the chords too much to this bridge, but why would you?

I love this, and what a great cover! I’ll have to check out more of their stuff.

 

[VisceralRealist]

Sorry to make this all about me but this indeed is what’s on my mind. I passionately, wholeheartedly, and devoutly HATE being “the young kid” in any space. Or being perceived as such, especially in a room full of grown adults. It’s just really embarrassing and makes me feel as if I’m worth less. This is true even when I do have some experience and authority. I really, really wish I could just jump ahead to 50 years old, that would be amazing.

No!! We're 20, man, this is our chance to feel like we're on top of the world even if we're not! I have a sneaking suspicion this is an age we'll want to go back to years later, wishing we could do it all over again. I've been in a few situations where I'm the youngest and I take it as an opportunity to learn from people older than me or to impress with the knowledge I do have if they assume I don't know anything because of my age (recently I helped someone older than my parents' age with tech stuff: QR codes, push notifications, two-factor security, they were happy to have my help!)

The point is, we're not worth less because we're young--we have something to offer too (sometimes it's just our curiosity and energy and willingness to try new things), even if it's different from what those older than us have to offer. I'm trying to make the most of this time, so I hope you do too.

 

[Apple fanboy]

No!! We're 20, man, this is our chance to feel like we're on top of the world even if we're not! I have a sneaking suspicion this is an age we'll want to go back to years later, wishing we could do it all over again. I've been in a few situations where I'm the youngest and I take it as an opportunity to learn from people older than me or to impress with the knowledge I do have if they assume I don't know anything because of my age (recently I helped someone older than my parents' age with tech stuff: QR codes, push notifications, two-factor security, they were happy to have my help!)

The point is, we're not worth less because we're young--we have something to offer too (sometimes it's just our curiosity and energy and willingness to try new things), even if it's different from what those older than us have to offer. I'm trying to make the most of this time, so I hope you do too.

Personally I’d rather not go back to my teens, twenties or thirties. I’m quite happy where I am.

 

[The Clark]

The 16 Pro is wonderful. I am very lucky to have it.

I have really bad OCD and since I bought it, I am not sure how to settle on a wallpaper. This is what I have so har:

Lock screen:

I keep finding things wrong with each wallpaper even when I initially really like them and then I check my phone multiple times within minutes to see if I should keep it or not. For instance the rainbow time - I like that, makes it kinda pop BUT my OCD says that it doesn't make sense in the context of that background, and that it's a more serious background that shouldn't have al ight hearted rainbow text overtop of it.. idk. Im probs not making any sense, it's hard to explain.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Personally I’d rather not go back to my teens, twenties or thirties. I’m quite happy where I am.

Amen to this.

A heartfelt, passionate and profound amen to this.

I loathed my teens, and deeply disliked my early twenties.

However, my mid to late twenties were better, my thirties and forties (and yes, fifties) were each, successively, far better than the decade that had preceded it, a time when I had become comfortable in my skin and grown into myself.

Anyway, I am one of those who does not regret - not in the slightest (well, perhaps, apart from a slight regret that the boundless energy of youth is a more fleeting experience these days) - the passing of my youth.

Actually, I think that I was born middle aged, - certainly, I have always felt that way - and am one of those people of whom it could be said that I never quite got the hang of being young.

 

[rm5]

Are you familiar with the Swedish trio Dirty Loops? They take popular songs and follow the melody, but the keyboardist (also a stunningly good vocalist) reharmonizes the whole thing, and the bass player weaves some magic below (the drummer is just... ferocious).
I'm sure I'm missing a lot of their genius as I don't listen to the really Pop songs out there anymore; the couple I've known from the lyrics, and recognized while listening to the Dirty Loops track, just floors me!
They didn't change the chords too much to this bridge, but why would you?

I just showed this to a friend and he was not a fan. I don’t know why, this is great music.

 

[BotchQue]

I just showed this to a friend and he was not a fan. I don’t know why, this is great music.

Some folks prefer predictable, "safe" music, and there's nothing wrong with that.