What’s on your mind?

[BotchQue]

Well truth be told my Dad gets a Times at the weekend. But I’ve not had a physical newspaper in more than a decade.

I did buy a photography magazine at the airport at the weekend. First page is the editor explaining it’s their last ever printed version.

The Salt Lake Tribune went non-profit a couple of years ago. Their staff is a fraction of what it used to be (the price has nearly tripled), and most of the "reporters" they kept were the Sports Section writers (shades of High School!). I still pay for their paper subscription (Get Off my Lawn, you damn Clouds!) but its now just a Wed/Saturday publish, delivered via USPS. Their comics section has four entries, which all suck. I really want to support independent news reporting, as most of the UT Legislature are real estate/developers, and they keep moving public infrastructure to swoop in and make huge profits, but it seems to be a losing battle.
Glad I'm old and have no kids...

 

[The Clark]

I have to say I'm really enjoying my pixel phone and I did not expect that. It's the only non iOS phone I would consider as it runs stock android which is infinitely more optimized and polished than any other variant I've tried.

 

[The Clark]

Im thinking about how Staples will be the next Toys R Us or Radioshack.. it's definitely on its way out.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Im thinking about how Staples will be the next Toys R Us or Radioshack.. it's definitely on its way out.

Already gone in the UK. 2016.

Another one who lost their customers to Amazon no doubt.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just back from the market - where organic, free range, eggs, parsley, garlic, tomatoes, fennel, carrots, onions, celery, chard, plus potatoes, were all purchased at the organic stall; other purchases included organic, locally produced honey (the chap has his own bee hives), and organic aubergines, cooking apples, quince, and pears, - wonderfully seasonal, very redolent of autumn - along with citrus fruit - grapefruit, lemons, and oranges. And raspberries.

Olives, semi-sundried tomatoes, freshly made pesto, along with cheddar and Gorgonzola, and a large hunk of Parmigiano Reggiano, also found their way into my basket.

Fillet steak was purchased at the organic meat stall, while I also paid a visit to an old style pork butcher, and purchased various sausages, and bacon rashers.

And some fresh French sourdough bread - from the French bakery - also made its way into my basket.

Plus some sushi - I can rarely resist freshly made good quality sushi.

As I had a car at my disposal this morning, I collected my Chemex, and also collected two smart, formal, jackets that I had dropped into the dry-cleaners on my return a few days ago.

And I swung by the bottle bank, as well.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Just back from the market - where organic free range eggs, parsley, garlic, tomatoes, fennel, carrots, onions, celery, chard, plus potatoes, were all purchased at the organic stall; other purchases included organic, locally produced honey (the chap has his own bee hives), and organic aubergines, cooking apples, quince, and pears, - wonderfully seasonal, very redolent of autumn - along with citrus fruit - grapefruit, lemons, and oranges.

Olives, semi-sundried tomatoes, freshly made pesto, along with cheddar and Gorgonzola, also found their way into my basket.

Fillet steak was purchased at the organic meat stall, while I also paid a visit to an old style pork butcher, and purchased various sausages, and bacon rashers.

And some fresh French sourdough bread - from the French bakery - also made its way into my basket.

I collected my Chemex, and also collected two smart, formal, jackets that I had dropped into the dry-cleaners on my return a few days ago.

And I swung by the bottle bank, as well.

A nice selection of tasty goods. So, what is for dinner?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A nice selection of tasty goods. So, what is for dinner?

Very good question.

Usually, on market day, unless I have guests (not a regular occurrence in recent years), I rarely cook on a Saturday.

Snacking on pesto, olives, sushi, cheeses........fresh French bread.....seems to be what Saturday calls for.

The weather forecast is vile for tomorrow, hence, some cooking seems to be in order; perhaps, I shall roast some of the cooking apples along with a quince and perhaps, a pear or two, drizzled with butter, lemon juice, grated lemon rind, and some organic brown sugar.

I am also mindful that fennel doesn't have a terribly long shelf life, and have it in mind to prepare a gratin (with double cream, some stock, and freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano) with it, to serve with one of the meats.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Very good question.

Usually, on market day, unless I have guests (not a regular occurrence in recent years), I rarely cook on a Saturday.

Snacking on pesto, olives, sushi, cheeses........fresh French bread.....seems to be what Saturday calls for.

The weather forecast is vile for tomorrow, hence, some cooking seems to be in order; perhaps, I shall roast some of the cooking apples along with a quince and perhaps, a pear or two, drizzled with butter, lemon juice, grated lemon rind, and some organic brown sugar.

I am also mindful that fennel doesn't have a terribly long shelf life, and have it in mind to prepare a gratin (with double cream, some stock, and freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano) with it, to serve with one of the meats.

Your Saturday snacking is a wonderful idea. And your Sunday plan is equally fine. Sadly I won't be arriving in the UK (for a week in London) until Monday. Enjoy your weekend.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Your Saturday snacking is a wonderful idea.

Yes, it is, especially when there is such an abundance of glorious fresh food to snack on.

Snacking on leftovers is not quite the same, although that, too, can have its attractions.

And your Sunday plan is equally fine.

Yes, cooking on a filthy Sunday can be very relaxing, soothing and fun.

Sadly I won't be arriving in the UK (for a week in London) until Monday.

Safe travels.

Enjoy your weekend.

Likewise.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Having a lazy Saturday so far. Will mow the last two lawns I didn’t attend to yesterday when they have dried out a little more.

 

[The Clark]

Already gone in the UK. 2016.

Another one who lost their customers to Amazon no doubt.

Ah I didnt know that, but not surprised.

It will be a slow bleed out for them here in Canada and in the states too. First comes store closures, then bankruptcy, then they convert to an online-first model, then they die off. Very sad.

 

[The Clark]

I am also mindful that fennel doesn't have a terribly long shelf life, and have it in mind to prepare a gratin (with double cream, some stock, and freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano) with it, to serve with one of the meats.

I initially read this as fentanyl, glad I misread it!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Ah I didnt know that, but not surprised.

It will be a slow bleed out for them here in Canada and in the states too. First comes store closures, then bankruptcy, then they convert to an online-first model, then they die off. Very sad.

The only way to prevent it is to stop shopping at Amazon but that’s not as convenient. I rarely go into town and buy anything these days.

 

[Clix Pix]

We used to have a Staples very close by, and also an Office Depot. Now both stores have closed, more's the pity, and while there are still a few stores in each brand around this area, they are further away and there are not nearly as many as there were a couple of years ago. Sad to say, I have to admit that the last couple of times I've needed the kinds of things one should be able to get at Staples or Office Depot, I did order them from Amazon. Why?

Because I didn't feel like running around to several stores in search of the items (both were for one reason or another a little out of the ordinary) and I had already noticed the changes at both Office Depot and Staples. Easier, SO much easier, to simply look at Amazon online, find exactly what I wanted and place my order..... The next day or the day after, voila, the item(s) were on the doorstep. Saved me time and saved me gasoline, but yes, I do feel guilty at not supporting the local merchants.

 

[rm5]

Alright, well, this seriously sucks. Stopped by the post office to ask about my lost package (it's been 2 months at this point). They said that there just happened to be a widespread tracking outage right when I placed the order, so it's likely just lost. They told me to call the sender (in this case, the company that issues textbooks for my university) to ask for a refund. So now on Monday, I'll have to try to navigate TextbookX's customer service, which I am absolutely dreading. It's too late in the term to try to get the book, it makes no sense. At this point, I just want my $50 back.

 

[BotchQue]

Alright, well, this seriously sucks. Stopped by the post office to ask about my lost package (it's been 2 months at this point). They said that there just happened to be a widespread tracking outage right when I placed the order, so it's likely just lost. They told me to call the sender (in this case, the company that issues textbooks for my university) to ask for a refund. So now on Monday, I'll have to try to navigate TextbookX's customer service, which I am absolutely dreading. It's too late in the term to try to get the book, it makes no sense. At this point, I just want my $50 back.

I apologize if I missed it, but how did you navigate your class without the text?

 

[rm5]

I apologize if I missed it, but how did you navigate your class without the text?

Oh god, really sorry for missing this key detail!! The textbook is not required! It's the fourth class in the audio production/editing/mastering sequence. Got away without needing the books for all three classes last year (bought them, didn't even touch them at all), and seem to be just fine now.

Actually, no class this term has required books, come to think of it.

 

[halledise]

 

[rm5]

Im thinking about how Staples will be the next Toys R Us or Radioshack.. it's definitely on its way out.

I haven’t been to a Staples since at least last year. I don’t know of any, at least in my hometown, that closed. All the ones that were open when I was a kid are still open as far as I know.

On the other hand, we have lost three Walgreens pharmacies in my hometown in the last year. But it’s fine because there are many others.

Not sure how in the loop you are (some people here know more about me than others)—but I grew up in a city of almost a million people and moved to a city of 70,000 for college. Obviously there are far fewer stores and such where I am now. So a store closing would have a much bigger impact, even if it’s a huge chain.

 

[xJustxMegx]

I'm overhyped.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sipping a rather tasty Ethiopian coffee this vile Sunday afternoon (strong winds, threatening, ominous and overcast skies, lashing rain outside - how I wish I was back in the Balkans, sipping wine, and espresso - but not together - while observing and reporting on, elections).

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sipping a rather tasty Ethiopian coffee this vile Sunday afternoon (strong winds, threatening, ominous and overcast skies, lashing rain outside - how I wish I was back in the Balkans, sipping wine, and espresso - but not together - while observing and reporting on, elections).

It is vile out there. Glad I’m not going anywhere today.
Currently on a free hours electricity. So have just about every device in the house on charge.
Mrs AFB is also baking a batch of broccoli bread.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It is vile out there. Glad I’m not going anywhere today.
Currently on a free hours electricity. So have just about every device in the house on charge.
Mrs AFB is also baking a batch of broccoli bread.

No, not a day for venturing out, instead, a day to read, relax, sip coffee, and watch the rain lashing the window panes.

 

[Apple fanboy]

No, not a day for venturing out, instead, a day to read, relax, sip coffee, and watch the rain lashing the window panes.

We did get some sun. But still windy.

Tea instead of coffee for me. I’ve had plenty today.
Dinner is in the oven.

 

[rm5]

No, not a day for venturing out, instead, a day to read, relax, sip coffee, and watch the rain lashing the window panes.

Come here to Wisconsin, because ironically, it's in the 70s today. Probably won't be this warm again till May. I need to enjoy it while it lasts. Plan to do something outside today.