So trivial, yet it really ticks you off.

[V.C. Brunswick]

I'm a lower class peasant down to the soles of my shoes and I've never owned any kind of a mobile phone. Not to preach, but I don't. I don't even like to touch them, I find them distasteful on an elemental level.

When somebody asks me to use theirs to take a picture for them it's all I can do to not reach for a pair of rubber gloves first. They really do strike me as not just philosophically objectionable, but physically objectionable too. Picking up a lost phone in the theatre is, to me, like touching somebody else's toothbrush.

Interestingly I really hate it when other people touch my phone, especially when I’m showing them something on my phone and they grab it from me. As my mom used to say, look with your eyes, not with your hands!

The other phone thing that bugs me is if you expect me to call you, be ready to pick up!

 

[Monte.C]

That is the point.

The free market regulates itself is the mantra.

As long as enough folks stand up every morning to buy those AI-whatevers there won‘t change anything. But it‘s of course in the customer‘s hand, or purse, or lazy butt to vote for the one or the other option at the counter. Not a trend to come over you like a biblical plague.

Though i think in this particular respect the train left the station some decades ago at your end.

In case of a majority to vote differently from your opinion you might have to look out for individual alternatives or to arrange with that, or to change something, what you‘re obviously already doing.

No. What you say is true, but my point is as follows.

People are enamored with the technology, with connectiveness, with what they perceive as easy entertainment, with what they perceive as convenience. Those who would consider themselves the puppet masters use this to assert themselves into every aspect of our lives, and to control every part of our experience. It's only just begun, but it's crystal clear. They want you stoned and hiding in your mom's basement playing video games, with Cheeto crumbs on your shirt. It's the direction we're headed, and that's what's frightening.

Yes of course it's about the free market system, and that isn't driving us in a positive direction. You can talk about a majority vote all you want, but in this case the masses might vote for free health care and universal basic income and a permanent easy chair on which to nap their lives away. Because human nature. They're willing to give up their freedoms for convenience. And I refuse to identify with the masses. I refuse to be part of the mob.

I've said it before. I'm so glad I'm a child of the 70s, and I'm so glad I won't live forever.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Why we can’t find anything good at thrift stores anymore. I could care less about many of the brands but note the whole categories!



— Alpaca
— Band Concert T Shirts
— Cashmere (100%)
— Down Fill
— Fur
— Leather
— Made in (USA, France, Germany, Norway)
— Military
— New with Tags (Retail price $100+)
— Sports Jerseys
— Quilts (Handmade)
— Vintage (Pre 1997)
— Wool (100% only)
— Native Western Wear

When the Salvation Army store by my house opened 15 years ago I picked up a leather jacket for ten bucks. Those days are long gone. I also used to look for military stuff and had noticed that they too had long since disappeared. They don’t even put them out for Halloween anymore.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

If you like modern buy a modern house, don’t destroy a beautiful old one!

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

No. What you say is true, but my point is as follows.

People are enamored with the technology, with connectiveness, with what they perceive as easy entertainment, with what they perceive as convenience. Those who would consider themselves the puppet masters use this to assert themselves into every aspect of our lives, and to control every part of our experience. It's only just begun, but it's crystal clear. They want you stoned and hiding in your mom's basement playing video games, with Cheeto crumbs on your shirt. It's the direction we're headed, and that's what's frightening.

Yes of course it's about the free market system, and that isn't driving us in a positive direction. You can talk about a majority vote all you want, but in this case the masses might vote for free health care and universal basic income and a permanent easy chair on which to nap their lives away. Because human nature. They're willing to give up their freedoms for convenience. And I refuse to identify with the masses. I refuse to be part of the mob.

I've said it before. I'm so glad I'm a child of the 70s, and I'm so glad I won't live forever.

However is it the case that the tail is wagging the dog and leading the consumer by its nose.

I for one think with the absurdity of taxes in America free health care should at least by included instead of money going across the word to fund wars corruption and other insanities.

However to keep in the spirit of the forum I will include some episodes from my personal minutiae

Politically- The enviro green movement convinced the people to take away little conveniences like plastic straws and bags. While 3rd world manufactures pump tons of plastic sludgy sewage in the sea,

Personally- The oblivious people that have no empathetic sense of their surrounding. Such as when I was caught behind a family of yapping ingrates taking up a whole sidewalk.

Jacketly - the little clickity clack that my metal zipper makes when walking.

Business - Recently about to purchase some boots custom made, the maker tacked on a $245 fitting fee for 5-10 minutes of work at the end of what is already a super high price point. This was done without letting the customers, myself included, to know beforehand about the extra charge.

 

[Monte.C]

However is it the case that the tail is wagging the dog and leading the consumer by its nose.

I for one think with the absurdity of taxes in America free health care should at least by included instead of money going across the word to fund wars corruption and other insanities.

However to keep in the spirit of the forum I will include some episodes from my personal minutiae

Politically- The enviro green movement convinced the people to take away little conveniences like plastic straws and bags. While 3rd world manufactures pump tons of plastic sludgy sewage in the sea,

Personally- The oblivious people that have no empathetic sense of their surrounding. Such as when I was caught behind a family of yapping ingrates taking up a whole sidewalk.

Jacketly - the little clickity clack that my metal zipper makes when walking.

Business - Recently about to purchase some boots custom made, the maker tacked on a $245 fitting fee for 5-10 minutes of work at the end of what is already a super high price point. This was done without letting the customers, myself included, to know beforehand about the extra charge.

Just as I suspected. We're not butting heads here at all. What are you doing later? I'll buy you a beer.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

Just as I suspected. We're not butting heads here at all. What are you doing later? I'll buy you a beer.

Exchanging ideas without consorting to some parroted ignominies is what the internet is made to refine.

I see your BK bound if I am ever around the area I might just take you up on that beer offer.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

If you like modern buy a modern house, don’t destroy a beautiful old one!

View attachment 652143

"Oh! The humanity!" - Herb Morrison Hindenburg Disaster, 1937

 

[tonyb]

If you like modern buy a modern house, don’t destroy a beautiful old one!

View attachment 652143

I’m a fan of modernist architecture, but I agree that this is a crime scene. It’s that person’s right to do with the house whatever s/he wishes (provided it isn’t “landmarked” or otherwise restricted), but yeah, if you really want to live in a minimalist white box, there are far less expensive ways to do that, without desecrating a lovely home of a quite different style.

 

[Zombie_61]

...I think there's plenty room in the shoulders, enough for any sweatshirt. I appreciate the second opinion on the sleeve length - I haven't been sure if it should bother me. The problem that I have with this jacket is there's too much belly inside it...But I'm fixing that.

Oh, I know the feeling. When I was in my early forties (age, that is) I found I needed my eyeglasses more frequently for distances (near-sighted) and reading (bifocals). Fifties was noticing that the hair on my head was getting thinner and thinner (good excuse to wear a hat or cap--keep my head warm) while my waist was getting thicker and thicker, and the hair on my upper lip and chin was getting whiter and whiter. When I reached the age of 60 suddenly every joint on my body hurt for no apparent reason. Well, there was a reason--I sold my house and had to move my belongings out of it, which, at my age and with my lower back problems, isn't as easy as it used to be. "Wait, I have to carry what? How far? Can I just buy the house back instead?" Turns out, no. No, you can't. You sold it, now grab your garbage and get out.

Where was I? Oh, right, too much belly in the jacket. Yep, experiencing a bit of that too (see "Fifties" above). Trying not to, but my current fiancee is an excellent cook, and I don't wish to be rude and not eat what she cooks, so...

 

[LizzieMaine]

I went to buy a new bath mat yesterday. I have a bathroom with pink tile and light-green plaster. My color choice for bath mats were white, black, and a festive coal-ash grey.

I have really and truly had all of the 21st Century HGTV aesthetic that I care for.

 

[Zombie_61]

I went to buy a new bath mat yesterday. I have a bathroom with pink tile and light-green plaster...

My parents' house (later my house), being built in 1952/53, was part of the post-war craze for colors that stood out, so even in the relatively boring suburbs east of Los Angeles the house was coated in Pepto Bismol Pink stucco with turquoise trim. The "master" bathroom had tile around the sink and in the bath/shower stall--pink with "light blue" trim (I guess they couldn't find turquoise). Yeah, Mom had a thing for pink, and Dad just wanted to make her happy to shut her up.

 

[tonyb]

… When I reached the age of 60 suddenly every joint on my body hurt for no apparent reason. Well, there was a reason--I sold my house and had to move my belongings out of it, which, at my age and with my lower back problems, isn't as easy as it used to be. "Wait, I have to carry what? How far? Can I just buy the house back instead?" Turns out, no. No, you can't. You sold it, now grab your garbage and get out.

Where was I? Oh, right, too much belly in the jacket. Yep, experiencing a bit of that too (see "Fifties" above). Trying not to, but my current fiancee is an excellent cook, and I don't wish to be rude and not eat what she cooks, so...

I lived in the same little house (since demolished; a McMansion now occupies its site) from 1979 to 1999. Since then I’ve moved five times, most recently nine years ago.

I hope never to move again, but should circumstances compel me to, I know I will be doing little of the actual moving myself. I can box stuff up and prepare it for the strapping youngsters to schlep, but I just don’t have the strength nor the stamina I had even nine years ago, when I last moved, let alone 25.

 

[tonyb]

I went to buy a new bath mat yesterday. I have a bathroom with pink tile and light-green plaster. My color choice for bath mats were white, black, and a festive coal-ash grey.

I have really and truly had all of the 21st Century HGTV aesthetic that I care for.

I’d have gone with the black. All kidding aside, pink and black is a killer combination. It’s often combined with a third color, most frequently white, it seems. I see it everywhere.

 

[Monte.C]

suddenly every joint on my body hurt for no apparent reason.

I just don’t have the strength nor the stamina I had even nine years ago, when I last moved, let alone 25.

Hell, I just bought a new pair of boots and I'm not used to the weight. I was forced to decide I'm just not as strong as I used to be. I felt like they were kind of wearing me out.

 

[tonyb]

Why we can’t find anything good at thrift stores anymore. I could care less about many of the brands but note the whole categories!

View attachment 652102

— Alpaca
— Band Concert T Shirts
— Cashmere (100%)
— Down Fill
— Fur
— Leather
— Made in (USA, France, Germany, Norway)
— Military
— New with Tags (Retail price $100+)
— Sports Jerseys
— Quilts (Handmade)
— Vintage (Pre 1997)
— Wool (100% only)
— Native Western Wear

When the Salvation Army store by my house opened 15 years ago I picked up a leather jacket for ten bucks. Those days are long gone. I also used to look for military stuff and had noticed that they too had long since disappeared. They don’t even put them out for Halloween anymore.

It’s been a point of annoyance for me as well. It’s understandable that the mission of the thrift stores is to make money for their sponsoring not-for-profits. That being the case, their marketing of the donated swag in ways that make the most money is certainly defensible.

Still, though, what rubs me the wrong way is that the stuff IS donated, acquired free, and that the merchandise that actually makes it to the sales floor is priced at levels beyond the means of the people who could really use that stuff — the housewares and kids’ clothing and all that.

 

[Edward]

If you like modern buy a modern house, don’t destroy a beautiful old one!

View attachment 652143

At least it looks like all they've done is paint everything rather than ripped it out.... The number of older houses in pricey parts of London which have been bought and gutted to be so open plan the ground floors are like a caravan... Round Chelsea way they actually had a few instances of houses collapsing because so much of the original Victorian structure was knocked out...

It’s been a point of annoyance for me as well. It’s understandable that the mission of the thrift stores is to make money for their sponsoring not-for-profits. That being the case, their marketing of the donated swag in ways that make the most money is certainly defensible.

Still, though, what rubs me the wrong way is that the stuff IS donated, acquired free, and that the merchandise that actually makes it to the sales floor is priced at levels beyond the means of the people who could really use that stuff — the housewares and kids’ clothing and all that.

I can't fault the charity shops for making more money for their charities, no - especially when I've known of so many in previous times who saw half their stock on sale a few doors down in a for-profit 'vintage' store at ten times what they sold it for.... As you say, though, it hurts the secondary purpose those stores always served to my mind, which was to be for people who couldn't afford to buy elsewhere. That said, that market isn't what it once was here in the UK with the advent of fast fashion and clothes that sell so cheaply to begin with charity shops have to practically give it away for free, to the point it's not worth their time.... Depending on how hard that has hit them, that could also be another driver for them turning away from that market to a degree.

 

[tonyb]

^^^^^^^
For several years my Dear Old Ma ran her small-town senior center’s thrift store. They sold housewares for next to nothing, often to the itinerant farm laborers who would be in that agricultural Mecca for a few months before moving on. When the next year‘s work brought them back, they’d buy back the stuff they left with Ma the past autumn. Plastic dishes and such that can be had for pocket change just ain’t worth moving.

 

[tonyb]

Being on friendly terms with a few people in the old-stuff (vintage, antique, etc.) enterprise I can be only so critical of the practices of the thrift stores and the pickers who resell the stuff they find there.

The thrifts wouldn’t be charging the prices they do if there weren’t people willing to pay those prices, and the pickers wouldn’t be picking if there weren’t people willing to pay even more.

You gotta hit a lot of thrift stores (and garage sales and estate sales etc.) and develop a working knowledge of what might be turned over at a profit. It’s certainly not effortless.

 

[Monte.C]

The thrifts wouldn’t be charging the prices they do if there weren’t people willing to pay those prices, and the pickers wouldn’t be picking if there weren’t people willing to pay even more.

Bravo. +1.
And the world keeps turning, regardless.

And there's no such thing as "should". Should is just a description of your discontent with the reality of the moment.