An old friend I’ve not seen for 30 years passed away yesterday. On my mind a lot yesterday and today.
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- Thread starter Gutwrench
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Condolences.
I can well imagine.
This year, I learned that two of my classmates from college had died, - a few months apart - guys more or less my age.
I hadn't seen either of them for years and years, but, still, there was a time when we had been pretty friendly.
Funny when you don’t see someone for such a long time they are always the age they were when you last saw them.
I learnt that my old friend had got married and had two children.
Must be quite young I’m guessing, so will be tough on them especially. Losing a mother at any age is tough.
Had a terrific chat for an hour and a half with a former student of mine (now friend) - possibly the best student I ever taught - @Apple fanboy knows of her, her eldest son is autistic; her husband - who was also a student of mine, - lost his mother (who was ill and elderly, but with whom he was very close) in the past fortnight.
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Has anyone seen "The Fifth Element?" I haven't seen the actual movie, but someone just showed me this clip. Damn, it's crazy! I can't get over 4:16, that's one hell of a lick! Wonder if I could figure out how to sing that—down two octaves obviously lol
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I ordered a brand new item from Amazon, and this morning received an open-box item with half the parts missing 🤦🏼♂️
I’ve heard more and more about this happening online, that returned items are being passed off as new. Oh well, now I’m even more sure that dropping Prime was the right thing to do.
I’ve heard more and more about this happening online, that returned items are being passed off as new. Oh well, now I’m even more sure that dropping Prime was the right thing to do.
Yeah, Amazon isn't what it used to be. Mostly becuase they don't seem to be able (or willing) to deal with counterfeits. I bought some of those BreathRight strips. What I got were obvious counterfeits. Amazon gave me credit but is still selling the fake strips. Caveat emptor.
That, combined with the fact that it’s easier than ever to purchase fake reviews so I can’t trust any rating anymore, and that you have to wade through pages of generic products with nonsensical “brands” like WLUPEL and HIHHY (it’s how Chinese factories comply with American laws requiring products to be sold under a brand name) just to find anything recognizable, makes the shopping experience on Amazon worse than ever. I basically only use it to find a specific product I already know I want (but that’s what I did this time and look what happened!)
Exactly. I usually go through the reviews sorted by "Most Critical" first. That's where the "This is a fake" warnings usually show up.
My experience of Amazon is great, but I assume it’s different everywhere, and for everyone.
I am also pretty sure many sell 'sh#t' through the place, so a quality check when buying is to prefer and checking up the specs and the reviews throughly.
If it's too cheap comparing to other sellers, it’s probably crap as well.
But all companies, especially as so many sellers sells through Amazon, mistakes happens, I assume.
I dropped Apple Music yesterday, and immediately got an email from Apple, saying: don’t let the music get silent, and asked me to subscribe again.
But no good offer to make me stay, nor any question of why I unsubscribed, so what a totally useless mail from Apple, even bordering to arrogant in that situation.
Looking forward to investigate more of YouTube's opportunities and subscriptions etc. also now 👍🏼
I also have a NAS - with a LOT of music on, especially a very large Maria Callas collection - that I will give some love again soon, and if I am patient enough I will get it to work.
I didn’t have that patience last year, and wanted to enjoy my new Mac Studio after enough of trouble with the old iMac before that. So decided to diss the NAS temporarily, and settled with Apple Music as I already subscribed to it, but not for the music. But soon love for the NAS.
Now is the time for Espresso, with more bags to be delivered today. Not bought on Amazon, but a specialized Swedish espresso-love website with a lot better prizes and more expertise then Amazon on beans.
I am also pretty sure many sell 'sh#t' through the place, so a quality check when buying is to prefer and checking up the specs and the reviews throughly.
If it's too cheap comparing to other sellers, it’s probably crap as well.
But all companies, especially as so many sellers sells through Amazon, mistakes happens, I assume.
I dropped Apple Music yesterday, and immediately got an email from Apple, saying: don’t let the music get silent, and asked me to subscribe again.
But no good offer to make me stay, nor any question of why I unsubscribed, so what a totally useless mail from Apple, even bordering to arrogant in that situation.
Looking forward to investigate more of YouTube's opportunities and subscriptions etc. also now 👍🏼
I also have a NAS - with a LOT of music on, especially a very large Maria Callas collection - that I will give some love again soon, and if I am patient enough I will get it to work.
I didn’t have that patience last year, and wanted to enjoy my new Mac Studio after enough of trouble with the old iMac before that. So decided to diss the NAS temporarily, and settled with Apple Music as I already subscribed to it, but not for the music. But soon love for the NAS.
Now is the time for Espresso, with more bags to be delivered today. Not bought on Amazon, but a specialized Swedish espresso-love website with a lot better prizes and more expertise then Amazon on beans.
My company have been selling to Amazon and on Amazon since the beginning almost.
They have everything stacked in their favour. Selling fake or genuine products makes no difference to them. They make their % whatever.
Crap products? The sellers just pay more to sponsor them to increase the sales. If it works or fails makes no difference. Amazon get their margin regardless.
Easy to return stuff? Yup the seller loses out again. They either sacrifice an even greater % to not have to take it back, or return it to the supplier at their expense.
They have everything stacked in their favour. Selling fake or genuine products makes no difference to them. They make their % whatever.
Crap products? The sellers just pay more to sponsor them to increase the sales. If it works or fails makes no difference. Amazon get their margin regardless.
Easy to return stuff? Yup the seller loses out again. They either sacrifice an even greater % to not have to take it back, or return it to the supplier at their expense.
An excellent idea, and one I shall keep in mind as it is well worth heeding.
Exactly what I do. What annoys me is when someone gives a 1-2 star review because the delivery was late. What’s that got to do with the product?
Ha, yes - of course, a Luc Bresson film. His big break was the Big Blue - which (as you can probably guess from my user name) I loved when it came out. I've sort of followed him since - the Fifth Element is predictably mad and good fun, saw it when it came out as well and at the time it was well reported he got a famous Opera Singer to do the sing'y bit. (Just googled and it was Inva Mula)
For a while it was all a great 'free lunch' and boy, did we all over order! But, guess what - having now finished the last few 'waaaafer thin' mints and now blearily swirling the last of the cognac dregs or contemplating that last swig of increasingly tepid coffee and we've just been presented with the bill... and it's not going to be fun...
In my world (YMMV), Amazon is rapidly becoming just a jumble sale of cheap Chinese imports all backed by a clearly totally gamed review and recommendation system - I've started to contemplate dropping Amazon Prime, something that wouldn't have occurred to me a few years ago.
There's a really good article on the 'ensh*tifcation' of everything at Wired - linky here. Ostensibly about TikTok and nothing we don't really know but a really good synopsis of where everything is inevitably going.
With Amazon? No it’s never been great. They are literally killing the opposition. All the while they are gaining more market share. Not a good situation.
Excellent article, and very spot on about how internet platforms are getting worse: the way ads dominate online searches, the way “algorithms” get rid of chronological feeds and replace them with “recommended” content which often has no relevance to you and is more about pushing lucrative sponsored content.
The one upside is I know more and more people ceasing to use these platforms, many of which are addictive and we’re better off not using anyway.
It’s remarkable the way a lot of these platforms are becoming more alike. It’s all just one nebulous mess. I think Twitter becoming “X”, the “all-purpose app” encapsulates this perfectly.
Well of course it's never been great for suppliers - it was though a great big free lunch for consumers - also we shouldn't forget lots of venture capital was burnt up effectively subsidising the consumers use of various internet start ups and delivery companies. (neg interest rates and all that - the money looking for some sort of yield had to go somewhere).
Truth is if you are using Google, whichever platform you are on, people are paying to get in your first page of searches.
It’s not surprising Google and Amazon are two of the biggest companies around. They are making money with every search you do.
Sure, that's the full phrase "There's no such thing a free lunch" - but you can think you're getting one - for a while. If you're buying branded products, at a discount with free delivery and a no quibble (at all) returns policy then someone is getting screwed.
One of the problems with social media is when you receive a DM from a complete stranger. The person refused to tell me how they found me, and I asked them if they know who I am, and they also said no. I just hate when that happens... It's not even clear to me if they're a real human. Anyway, I blocked them so no worries there.
What’s on my mind? In the ethereal dance of existence, where moments fleet like the gentle touch of a breeze, I find myself pondering the brevity of life's ephemeral beauty. As the celestial tapestry unfolds, an ember of hope illuminates my heart, guiding me toward a cherished dream - to weave the tender threads of family, embracing the boundless promise of tomorrow.
The Fifth Element stands as a timeless treasure among my most cherished films, a masterpiece that showcases the pinnacle of Milla Jovovich's talent. Her awe-inspiring performance undoubtedly elevates the cinematic experience. Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly endorse indulging in the sheer brilliance of this cinematic gem.