Author Topic: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?  (Read 1288057 times)

Ze Stash

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2900 on: December 02, 2020, 07:12:25 AM »
I'm currently spending countless hours researching and daydreaming about various soundbars, sound systems and even home theater setups. It all started with the desire to have some way of streaming music via Spotify other than my phones loudspeakers or headset, which is arguably not the most enjoyable way to listen to music.

So I began looking at smaller loudspeakers and soon after decided I could kill two birds with one stone and get a reasonably good soundbar to both stream music with and also improve the sound of my TV as we have been watching quite a bit of Netflix during the pandemic. While browsing various forums and reading countless reviews the price range I was looking at incrementally increased.

"If you're already willing to spend X, why not spend X+1 and get this awesome feature as well?".

Suddenly I'm looking at Soundbars with an external subwoofer and rear speakers that cost upwards of 2k € and deciding whether they will be good enough in conveying Dolby Atmos surround sound or if only a full on home theater setup that costs even more will be able to achieve that.

I have the tendency to overanalyze and research things. That coupled with the feeling that I "deserve something nice" because I wasn't able to spend money where it brings me the most joy this year due to the pandemic, on travel, has lead me down this rabbit hole. I'm finding it really difficult not to pull the trigger on the Sonos Arc surround set, but as I'm not an audiophile and probably won't even be able to tell the difference between a setup for 2k or 1k I'll give myself some time to cool off and revisit the decision after Christmas.

jinga nation

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2901 on: December 02, 2020, 07:58:03 AM »
I'm currently spending countless hours researching and daydreaming about various soundbars, sound systems and even home theater setups. It all started with the desire to have some way of streaming music via Spotify other than my phones loudspeakers or headset, which is arguably not the most enjoyable way to listen to music.

So I began looking at smaller loudspeakers and soon after decided I could kill two birds with one stone and get a reasonably good soundbar to both stream music with and also improve the sound of my TV as we have been watching quite a bit of Netflix during the pandemic. While browsing various forums and reading countless reviews the price range I was looking at incrementally increased.

"If you're already willing to spend X, why not spend X+1 and get this awesome feature as well?".

Suddenly I'm looking at Soundbars with an external subwoofer and rear speakers that cost upwards of 2k € and deciding whether they will be good enough in conveying Dolby Atmos surround sound or if only a full on home theater setup that costs even more will be able to achieve that.

I have the tendency to overanalyze and research things. That coupled with the feeling that I "deserve something nice" because I wasn't able to spend money where it brings me the most joy this year due to the pandemic, on travel, has lead me down this rabbit hole. I'm finding it really difficult not to pull the trigger on the Sonos Arc surround set, but as I'm not an audiophile and probably won't even be able to tell the difference between a setup for 2k or 1k I'll give myself some time to cool off and revisit the decision after Christmas.

I paid USD 170 + tax for the Yamaha YAS-207 in Oct 2019 as it was being phased out.  The newer model is the YAS-209 (https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/sound_bar/yas-209/index.html), selling for $299-349 as of today.
The older 207 doesn't have the Alexa/Amazon Music/Spotify integration (which I didn't want).
Highly recommend this. Beautiful sound, I use the optical input.
Pretty good review by one of the head honchos at AVSForum (https://www.avsforum.com/threads/yamaha-yas-207-worlds-first-soundbar-with-dts-virtual-x.2865609/)

jinga nation

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2902 on: December 02, 2020, 08:05:57 AM »
Trying to do mental gymnastics to justify leasing a base model, no frills, all white, Land Rover Defender 110. It is the vehicle of my childhood, going on Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Aberdares safaris in Kenya. Just the basics please. Estimating 15,000 miles/year and USD 10k down, the lease is $429/mo.

And also want to buy a used 2006 Tundra pick-up (made in Japan) with 104,000 miles, in excellent condition from a private seller in my neighborhood. He wants USD 10500.

And then want a new road bike, the current one's drivetrain has issues that local bike shop can't fix, parts are on last legs. I should replace the drive train, but the new carbon fiber bikes are sooooo much lighter than my 2007 CF one.

I could go on, but I'll stop for now.

I don't need any of these, I just have a stupid mental itch. And a desire to spend for no genuine reason. I'm a feckin idjit.

RWD

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2903 on: December 02, 2020, 08:31:34 AM »
"If you're already willing to spend X, why not spend X+1 and get this awesome feature as well?".
It's a never-ending spiral, isn't it?

Suddenly I'm looking at Soundbars with an external subwoofer and rear speakers that cost upwards of 2k € and deciding whether they will be good enough in conveying Dolby Atmos surround sound or if only a full on home theater setup that costs even more will be able to achieve that.
Hsu sells a really nice 5.1 surround sound package for the equivalent of about 1300 Euros shipped. Rivals much much more expensive systems (I've heard these first-hand). I'm not sure you can get it outside of the US but it might be worth looking into internet-direct companies.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hybrid2mk5pkg.html

YttriumNitrate

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2904 on: December 02, 2020, 08:43:19 AM »
I feel like we're entering a similar phase with software developers and engineers.  There's been such a huuuuuuge push over the last decade or so to get more kids involved in STEM.
I don't think so. Developed western countries are still importing STEM grads from developing countries.

I'm not sure how useful importing workers is as a metric for determining the golden age of a field. We've been importing migrant field workers for decades, but I can't recall a time where it's been good to be one. Similarly, just because we import inexpensive H-1B STEM workers doesn't mean it's a good time to be in those fields.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2020, 11:18:30 AM by YttriumNitrate »

ender

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2905 on: December 02, 2020, 10:35:35 AM »
Lol, good fucking question. As someone who has advised MANY medical professionals on their personal finances, I can say with absolute certainty that that's not really how it works.

No, the supply side here is absolutely not slowing down. Tuitions are still rising, and incomes are plummeting due to oversupply and the rise of corporate dentistry, but still, kids are killing themselves to get into dental school. It's more competitive now than it was decades ago when the incomes were much higher.

I'm shocked a lawyer would say otherwise, because the same thing has happened with law in tons of regions. Same with A LOT of other professions.

I have extended family who are dentists and talk about the golden age of dentistry having passed (in the USA).
I feel like we're entering a similar phase with software developers and engineers.  There's been such a huuuuuuge push over the last decade or so to get more kids involved in STEM.

The difference is that the number of people who write code can scale less directly than with population.

I think we'll hit that point eventually for tech folks but I do not believe we are there right now. Most engineering professions do not have a surplus of graduates either.

PDXTabs

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2906 on: December 02, 2020, 12:53:03 PM »
I feel like we're entering a similar phase with software developers and engineers.  There's been such a huuuuuuge push over the last decade or so to get more kids involved in STEM.
I don't think so. Developed western countries are still importing STEM grads from developing countries.

I'm not sure how useful importing workers is as a metric for determining the golden age of a field. We've been importing migrant field workers for decades, but I can't recall a time where it's been good to be one. Similarly, just because we import inexpensive H-1B STEM workers doesn't mean it's a good time to be in those fields.

Come on, Germany isn't giving migrant field workers permanent resident track visas.

I work in STEM and the only people I see having any trouble at all are civil and mechanical engineers, and even they still get good middle class jobs with little student debt. Along those lines, eventually the USA will have to fix its crumbling infrastructure and civil will be in great demand.

Optimiser

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2907 on: December 02, 2020, 02:21:08 PM »
I'm finding it really difficult not to pull the trigger on the Sonos Arc surround set, but as I'm not an audiophile and probably won't even be able to tell the difference between a setup for 2k or 1k I'll give myself some time to cool off and revisit the decision after Christmas.

I was in a similar place as you recently, having decide to sell my fairly large home theater speaker system when I moved. I ended up buying a refurbished Sonos Playbar and Ones and a used sub. Ended up costing about $1,000, which is still a lot, but I covered some of the cost buying selling old speakers. I've been really happy with it so far. (I also added a few more 2nd hand Sonos speakers around the house for music too)

I decided against the ARC because it's more expensive, I didn't really want something with integrated microphones, and I wasn't even sure if my TV could output the correct signal for Atmos.

Ze Stash

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2908 on: December 04, 2020, 08:12:50 AM »
I paid USD 170 + tax for the Yamaha YAS-207 in Oct 2019 as it was being phased out.  The newer model is the YAS-209 (https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/sound_bar/yas-209/index.html), selling for $299-349 as of today.
The older 207 doesn't have the Alexa/Amazon Music/Spotify integration (which I didn't want).
Highly recommend this. Beautiful sound, I use the optical input.
Pretty good review by one of the head honchos at AVSForum (https://www.avsforum.com/threads/yamaha-yas-207-worlds-first-soundbar-with-dts-virtual-x.2865609/)

It's a never-ending spiral, isn't it?

Hsu sells a really nice 5.1 surround sound package for the equivalent of about 1300 Euros shipped. Rivals much much more expensive systems (I've heard these first-hand). I'm not sure you can get it outside of the US but it might be worth looking into internet-direct companies.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hybrid2mk5pkg.html

I was in a similar place as you recently, having decide to sell my fairly large home theater speaker system when I moved. I ended up buying a refurbished Sonos Playbar and Ones and a used sub. Ended up costing about $1,000, which is still a lot, but I covered some of the cost buying selling old speakers. I've been really happy with it so far. (I also added a few more 2nd hand Sonos speakers around the house for music too)

I decided against the ARC because it's more expensive, I didn't really want something with integrated microphones, and I wasn't even sure if my TV could output the correct signal for Atmos.

Thank you all for the suggestions, I'll have a look at them. But knowing myself I just need to stop researching for a bit and the strong desire to find and buy the best possible option that can do it all will go away soon if I just stop looking for it. Then I can come back to the decision later on and just get something reasonable that I'll be happy with.

Accrual

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2909 on: December 04, 2020, 04:42:11 PM »
Have been lusting over a first edition book for a year or so now. Pulled the trigger today. Spent about 10% of my yearly bonus, all else went to investing.

Vashy

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2910 on: December 05, 2020, 05:01:29 AM »
I'm lusting after a $535 gold-nibbed fountain pen:

https://kanileapenco.com/kahakai-fountain-pen/

or

https://kanileapenco.com/maui-makai-fountain-pen/

(I already have all the fountain pens I could ever conceivably need but these are stunners...)


hounton

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2911 on: December 05, 2020, 02:42:54 PM »
Five years ago I went on vacation to Kona and stumbled upon a coffee shop that roasted their own beans.  They are about 40 dollars a pound and just heaven upon the lips.  Sigh

Optimiser

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2912 on: December 07, 2020, 10:43:22 AM »
An Aptera. I was so sad to see them go and now I'm so excited to see them come back. I really hope they succeed this time.

Villanelle

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2913 on: December 08, 2020, 12:10:44 PM »
My real estate 'porn' obsession continues.  If we were in a position to commit to a place (and we hope to be, in the next few weeks), I would 99% be submitting an application for a 4600 sqft home if a viewing didn't turn up issues or concerns.  That's more than double our current house.  it is in budget (almost exactly the same rent as our current place), a super short commute for the place we hope DH will be working (not easy to find) and has a pool, which our current place has and we unexpectedly love.  It's also single family, instead of row style townhomes, which is unusual.  Small yard (a plus for us).  It's even pretty, though that's not high on the list.   It's not the 4600sqft that I love, but everything else about it is pretty much perfect and I'm willing to live with all the space (which I do very much consider a con, not a pro). 

I check every day, and the place is still available, and the move in date isn't until in March, so this legit may happen. 

Sibley

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2914 on: December 08, 2020, 12:26:38 PM »
I want to go to the zoo. And ice skating. And a movie night at my friend's. I want a giant fireworks display. I want glorious pipe organ Christmas music.

Damn covid.

YttriumNitrate

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2915 on: December 08, 2020, 02:29:49 PM »
I want to go to the zoo. And ice skating. And a movie night at my friend's. I want a giant fireworks display. I want glorious pipe organ Christmas music. Damn covid.

So there's a backyard ice skating rink advertisement that keeps popping up in my Facebook feed. While I'm not about to spend $1,500 for a pre-made kit, it's tempting to cobble together some scrap lumber and a few tarps this year for a rink.

rothwem

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2916 on: December 08, 2020, 02:43:39 PM »
I want to go to the zoo. And ice skating. And a movie night at my friend's. I want a giant fireworks display. I want glorious pipe organ Christmas music.

Damn covid.

I went to the zoo last weekend.  Well at least the outdoor part of it. It was pretty cold out, so it was empty. My 13 month old son fucking loved it, couldn’t stop pointing and exclaiming at the great horned owl in the raptor section.  Oh and they have a “petting” section that was converted to just a “looking” section and he thought the goats and burros were neat too.

Does your zoo not have some kind of outdoor area? It seems like that would be pretty low risk if there’s not a high crowd.

NorthernMonkey

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2917 on: December 09, 2020, 02:15:09 AM »
I'm currently spending countless hours researching and daydreaming about various soundbars, sound systems and even home theater setups. It all started with the desire to have some way of streaming music via Spotify other than my phones loudspeakers or headset, which is arguably not the most enjoyable way to listen to music.


Go a bit more retro-tech. You can pick up some older SH high quality speakers for $100 on CL, and the same again for a good quality hifi amp. For the inconvenience of having to plug a wire from your phone to the amp, you'll get better quality sound as the speakers havent been squeezed into some long sausage shape to make them fit under the TV.

If you don't want older tech, the sound upgrade from a phone peizo-speaker to an amazon alexa is huge. There will be another sale after christmas and youll get one for <$100

Freedomin5

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2918 on: December 09, 2020, 03:16:15 AM »
Christmas sweaters. Christmas is a big deal at my current workplace, and most people are dressing in Christmas colors. I’ve added three Christmas-y sweaters to my cart and am sorely tempted to buy them. We need more fun and lightheartedness this year.

alsoknownasDean

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2919 on: December 09, 2020, 05:20:38 AM »
I'm currently spending countless hours researching and daydreaming about various soundbars, sound systems and even home theater setups. It all started with the desire to have some way of streaming music via Spotify other than my phones loudspeakers or headset, which is arguably not the most enjoyable way to listen to music.


Go a bit more retro-tech. You can pick up some older SH high quality speakers for $100 on CL, and the same again for a good quality hifi amp. For the inconvenience of having to plug a wire from your phone to the amp, you'll get better quality sound as the speakers havent been squeezed into some long sausage shape to make them fit under the TV.

If you don't want older tech, the sound upgrade from a phone peizo-speaker to an amazon alexa is huge. There will be another sale after christmas and youll get one for <$100

If you can still find them (out of production a while ago), the Chromecast Audio works well on an old stereo. I've got one plugged into my old stereo which I've had for over a decade, but I've considered getting rid of the lot and buying one of those new Google Nest Audio speakers or a small digital radio.

These days if I want loud music I'm better off with headphones.

Sibley

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2920 on: December 09, 2020, 08:04:50 AM »
I want to go to the zoo. And ice skating. And a movie night at my friend's. I want a giant fireworks display. I want glorious pipe organ Christmas music.

Damn covid.

I went to the zoo last weekend.  Well at least the outdoor part of it. It was pretty cold out, so it was empty. My 13 month old son fucking loved it, couldn’t stop pointing and exclaiming at the great horned owl in the raptor section.  Oh and they have a “petting” section that was converted to just a “looking” section and he thought the goats and burros were neat too.

Does your zoo not have some kind of outdoor area? It seems like that would be pretty low risk if there’s not a high crowd.

I'm avoiding the grocery store. Luxury like the zoo ain't happening until case numbers are way down. And I would not enjoy it while I was cold, with no way to warm up. I will continue to wait, then who knows might take some time off work and be a tourist for a week.

rothwem

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2921 on: December 09, 2020, 11:29:56 AM »
I want to go to the zoo. And ice skating. And a movie night at my friend's. I want a giant fireworks display. I want glorious pipe organ Christmas music.

Damn covid.

I went to the zoo last weekend.  Well at least the outdoor part of it. It was pretty cold out, so it was empty. My 13 month old son fucking loved it, couldn’t stop pointing and exclaiming at the great horned owl in the raptor section.  Oh and they have a “petting” section that was converted to just a “looking” section and he thought the goats and burros were neat too.

Does your zoo not have some kind of outdoor area? It seems like that would be pretty low risk if there’s not a high crowd.

I'm avoiding the grocery store. Luxury like the zoo ain't happening until case numbers are way down. And I would not enjoy it while I was cold, with no way to warm up. I will continue to wait, then who knows might take some time off work and be a tourist for a week.

Yeah Indiana cold and North Carolina cold are two totally separate animals.  (heh, zoo pun) It was in the high 30s/Low 40s so bundling up and strapping my toddler/space heater to my chest made for plenty of warmth.  I don't think I would've done it in 20 degrees or less weather. 

Sibley

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2922 on: December 09, 2020, 11:35:10 AM »
I want to go to the zoo. And ice skating. And a movie night at my friend's. I want a giant fireworks display. I want glorious pipe organ Christmas music.

Damn covid.

I went to the zoo last weekend.  Well at least the outdoor part of it. It was pretty cold out, so it was empty. My 13 month old son fucking loved it, couldn’t stop pointing and exclaiming at the great horned owl in the raptor section.  Oh and they have a “petting” section that was converted to just a “looking” section and he thought the goats and burros were neat too.

Does your zoo not have some kind of outdoor area? It seems like that would be pretty low risk if there’s not a high crowd.

I'm avoiding the grocery store. Luxury like the zoo ain't happening until case numbers are way down. And I would not enjoy it while I was cold, with no way to warm up. I will continue to wait, then who knows might take some time off work and be a tourist for a week.

Yeah Indiana cold and North Carolina cold are two totally separate animals.  (heh, zoo pun) It was in the high 30s/Low 40s so bundling up and strapping my toddler/space heater to my chest made for plenty of warmth.  I don't think I would've done it in 20 degrees or less weather.

It's not that cold (yet), but it is colder than I'm willing to tolerate outdoors for several hours.

Uturn

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2923 on: December 11, 2020, 05:55:12 PM »
a 35ish ft trawler and do the Great Loop

bobble

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2924 on: December 13, 2020, 10:46:45 AM »
Gigabit internet connection at home.

Just moved into a new place and 100 Mbit/s fiber internet is included in the HOA. That's 10x faster than we're used to. But upgrading to 1000 Mbit/s would only cost $29/month...

Not gonna do it but definitely lusting over all those zeroes!

Bloop Bloop Reloaded

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2925 on: December 14, 2020, 06:53:58 AM »
I know dentists working all over the world. Their debt has no impact on what the market will bear for their services. The same with law, or any other form of education.

My Canadian lawyer flatmate (licenced to practice law in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia - where salaries vary wildly in part because the Canadian lawyers take on less debt) would beg to differ. Because it's supply and demand, right? If the market for your services can't support your rent+debt servicing, why would you do it? Why not go do something else less unprofitable, or move to a different location? When enough people do that it changes the supply/demand quotient by restricting supply.

Lol, good fucking question. As someone who has advised MANY medical professionals on their personal finances, I can say with absolute certainty that that's not really how it works.

No, the supply side here is absolutely not slowing down. Tuitions are still rising, and incomes are plummeting due to oversupply and the rise of corporate dentistry, but still, kids are killing themselves to get into dental school. It's more competitive now than it was decades ago when the incomes were much higher.

I'm shocked a lawyer would say otherwise, because the same thing has happened with law in tons of regions. Same with A LOT of other professions.

I think that lawyers figured out during the great recession that the demand isn't keeping up with supply. I would imagine that some medical professionals will follow suit. But that AMA very carefully controls supply for MDs in the USA, right?

I'm late to the party but the advantage of law and medicine is that the professional associations act like giant cartels. In my field of trial lawyers we only admit 80 of us per year in my state (of 5 million population) which keeps our fees high and competition low. In my particular specialisation there's only about 10 new trial lawyers admitted per year and only about 100 of us in the whole state who do the sort of work we do.

At some stage it'll probably change but by then I'll be long retired.

Same thing goes for the medical field here - consultant training is hard to get into, which means specialist consultants get paid well.

If you are paying your professional association fees then at least hopefully those fees are going towards cartel maintenance :) that's the only reason to have such a self-regulating body. It's all a bit of a sham isn't it.

On topic, I really want some sour worms lollies.
« Last Edit: December 14, 2020, 06:56:14 AM by Bloop Bloop Reloaded »

okparallax

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2926 on: December 14, 2020, 08:43:50 PM »
A nicer neighborhood.

Luke Warm

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2927 on: December 15, 2020, 11:25:28 AM »
a radio controlled airplane. either electric powered or a glider (or both).

Kitsunegari

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2928 on: December 17, 2020, 08:08:43 PM »
A pair of warm sweatpants
I'm freezing my ass at home, but I DO have pants, so I kick the can with what I have. Unfortunately the warm ones were so worn out I cut them in rags, and I can't go to the thrift store for time constraints.
I just look up to buy some new-new ones from a traditional (non-second hand) retail online and I was shell-shocked at the price

BlueHouse

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2929 on: December 18, 2020, 07:06:52 AM »
Grid-it organizer from Cocoon.

Most people use them for traveling and electronics, but what a PITA to fight with a tight elastic every time I want to use something!  Still, I can't stop thinking about them.  I've been searching ideas for what to use them for.  I am actually using one and it's wonderful for that purpose, but I STILL have a jones for more of them. 

Current:  stuck some electronics cords and chargers and a powerstrip in one, then screwed it to the bottom of my table on wheels.  so I can move my desk table anywhere I like and only have one power cord to plug in.  And all the cords to my devices are hidden on the underside of the table.  LOVE IT.

Now I want more -- I think I'm going to use one to put my remotes in.  I'm tired of losing the tiny apple TV remote, so if I stick it in one of these along with the other remote, then I won't lose it.  I had thought about taping it to a 2x4, but that seemed a poor idea. 

maisymouser

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2930 on: December 18, 2020, 09:36:04 AM »
A pair of warm sweatpants
I'm freezing my ass at home, but I DO have pants, so I kick the can with what I have. Unfortunately the warm ones were so worn out I cut them in rags, and I can't go to the thrift store for time constraints.
I just look up to buy some new-new ones from a traditional (non-second hand) retail online and I was shell-shocked at the price

Yeah I got a pair of thrift store old-school thick Hanes sweats last year (wearing them as I type) and they were well worth the $5 I paid for them. I wear them almost every day now, interchanging them with the wool (!!!) lounge pants I also found for $5 at a thrift store.

I'm a wuss in the winter, try to be a BA mustachian and 'get used to the cooler weather' per Pete's recommendation, but I hate being cold. Which is funny because it's not like it gets below 30F often here in NC. I'm probably going to be getting long underwear to go under my pants for Xmas, and I am super stoked about that.

Staying warm in the winter has become something of a hobby for me. Developed over the course of four years, here is my go-to list of ways to keep warm in a cold house, in order of efficiency/effectiveness:

  • Hot pad (I made mine out of old jeans and filled it with free ag corn I got from work, which I found retained heat for like an hour or two over rice and doesn't stink like beans). The hot pad is localized heat right on my body so it's more efficient than, say, running a space heater.
  • Wool, wool, glorious wool! I am stockpiling wool clothes for life. I keep a close eye at thrift stores even for really ugly wool items just to wear around the house. And I've been surprised at how many wool socks I have found at said stores, especially during warmer months.
  • Exercise. Blech, the last thing I want to do when it's cold.
  • Space heater. Not my favorite option but better than heating up a whole house by a few degrees nonetheless. Sometimes I put it at the 'door' of my kid's little blanket fort and just hang out in there with him.
  • Plug the drain on your tub while taking a hot shower so that the water heats up the house just a little bit more than it would if it went down the drain.
  • Wear a hat in the house. Lame looking, but a lot of heat is lost from the head, so it helps a lot. At least, for me it does!

maisymouser

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2931 on: December 18, 2020, 09:45:47 AM »
I want to go to the zoo. And ice skating. And a movie night at my friend's. I want a giant fireworks display. I want glorious pipe organ Christmas music.

Damn covid.

I went to the zoo last weekend.  Well at least the outdoor part of it. It was pretty cold out, so it was empty. My 13 month old son fucking loved it, couldn’t stop pointing and exclaiming at the great horned owl in the raptor section.  Oh and they have a “petting” section that was converted to just a “looking” section and he thought the goats and burros were neat too.

Does your zoo not have some kind of outdoor area? It seems like that would be pretty low risk if there’s not a high crowd.

@rothwem did you go to the NC Zoo? I drove 1.5 hours to go there a few months ago and it was absolutely NUTS, covid wise. I got incredibly anxious and we had to leave without seeing any critters at all, 20 minutes into the zoo. People would walk right next to me w/o masks, and actually getting to see animals was just not going to happen due to the large numbers of people gathering at the front of the exhibits. It was honestly one of the THE lowest point of my year. I had been feeling so cooped up but excited to do something that was supposed to be safe, outdoors, with a mask policy in place... And it turned out to be a total waste of time, money, gas, and to top it off my poor kid was stuck in the car all day.

I realized pretty quickly that A) it was kind of stupid to try and go on a weekend and B) judging by the scenery on our drive in- which consisted largely of MAGA signs- I shouldn't have been surprised about the behavior of the other clientele visiting the zoo. But it was still incredibly depressing to realize, "we can't even do THIS without being consumed by COVID anxiety?!!!"

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2932 on: December 18, 2020, 09:51:07 AM »
Staying warm in the winter has become something of a hobby for me. Developed over the course of four years, here is my go-to list of ways to keep warm in a cold house, in order of efficiency/effectiveness:

  • Hot pad (I made mine out of old jeans and filled it with free ag corn I got from work, which I found retained heat for like an hour or two over rice and doesn't stink like beans). The hot pad is localized heat right on my body so it's more efficient than, say, running a space heater.
  • Wool, wool, glorious wool! I am stockpiling wool clothes for life. I keep a close eye at thrift stores even for really ugly wool items just to wear around the house. And I've been surprised at how many wool socks I have found at said stores, especially during warmer months.
  • Exercise. Blech, the last thing I want to do when it's cold.
  • Space heater. Not my favorite option but better than heating up a whole house by a few degrees nonetheless. Sometimes I put it at the 'door' of my kid's little blanket fort and just hang out in there with him.
  • Plug the drain on your tub while taking a hot shower so that the water heats up the house just a little bit more than it would if it went down the drain.
  • Wear a hat in the house. Lame looking, but a lot of heat is lost from the head, so it helps a lot. At least, for me it does!
The first thing we tell our kids when they complain about the cold is "go put on a pair of socks."  It's amazing how much of a difference that makes!

sparkytheop

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2933 on: December 18, 2020, 11:46:33 AM »
I just discovered this winter that rechargeable hand warmers are a thing now.  Lust lasted about five minutes before I gave in and bought one.  I have to do outside rounds in the winter, and these things are awesome.  They can also double as a phone/device charger, so will be useful year-round.  I also use it if I'm at the computer too long (I don't have a desk job, fortunately, but I get cold very fast anytime I sit down too long.  Can't bundle up under a pile of blankets on the couch when I'm at work.)

rothwem

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2934 on: December 18, 2020, 01:03:48 PM »
I want to go to the zoo. And ice skating. And a movie night at my friend's. I want a giant fireworks display. I want glorious pipe organ Christmas music.

Damn covid.

I went to the zoo last weekend.  Well at least the outdoor part of it. It was pretty cold out, so it was empty. My 13 month old son fucking loved it, couldn’t stop pointing and exclaiming at the great horned owl in the raptor section.  Oh and they have a “petting” section that was converted to just a “looking” section and he thought the goats and burros were neat too.

Does your zoo not have some kind of outdoor area? It seems like that would be pretty low risk if there’s not a high crowd.

@rothwem did you go to the NC Zoo? I drove 1.5 hours to go there a few months ago and it was absolutely NUTS, covid wise. I got incredibly anxious and we had to leave without seeing any critters at all, 20 minutes into the zoo. People would walk right next to me w/o masks, and actually getting to see animals was just not going to happen due to the large numbers of people gathering at the front of the exhibits. It was honestly one of the THE lowest point of my year. I had been feeling so cooped up but excited to do something that was supposed to be safe, outdoors, with a mask policy in place... And it turned out to be a total waste of time, money, gas, and to top it off my poor kid was stuck in the car all day.

I realized pretty quickly that A) it was kind of stupid to try and go on a weekend and B) judging by the scenery on our drive in- which consisted largely of MAGA signs- I shouldn't have been surprised about the behavior of the other clientele visiting the zoo. But it was still incredibly depressing to realize, "we can't even do THIS without being consumed by COVID anxiety?!!!"

Nah, I went to the WNC Nature Center.  Its a pretty small zoo, but its all local(ish) animals that have been rehabbed and can't be released back into the wild due to various reasons.  And goats and sheep and burros. 

https://wildwnc.org/

Bummer about the Asheboro zoo!  I guess nice weather + weekend brought out the crowds.  And yeah, the Piedmont of NC has a pretty bad level of mask wearing.  I've got a rental in Raleigh that I've had to check on a couple times during the pandemic, and everyone is well masked in my area, and well masked in Raleigh, but if I stop anywhere in between I'm very nervous to be indoors with other people. 

Metalcat

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2935 on: December 18, 2020, 01:08:42 PM »
A pair of warm sweatpants
I'm freezing my ass at home, but I DO have pants, so I kick the can with what I have. Unfortunately the warm ones were so worn out I cut them in rags, and I can't go to the thrift store for time constraints.
I just look up to buy some new-new ones from a traditional (non-second hand) retail online and I was shell-shocked at the price

Somehow I seem to have deleted my previous reply to this.

If your bar for a purchase being "stupid" is warm pants for when you are cold, then what the hell do you consider a smart purchase???

Go buy some warm pants. You're only seeing expensive ones because jogging pants became trendy a few years ago, so are now considered fashion-wear, not functional wear.

There are still plenty of vendors of entirely uncool jogging pants though. Costco here sells nice thick ones for about $15.

Alternatepriorities

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2936 on: December 18, 2020, 03:02:53 PM »
Update on previously posted paved driveway desire.

Were more than a 1/3 of the way through winter now. I'm not sure if I do any less work to keep the driveway ice free, but the results are definitely better. I get it cleared off right after a snow and the remaining dusting sublimates away within a couple days. Even after an ice storm I was able to get it back to bare pavement with a little salt. That didn't really work when it was gravel.

Arbitrage

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2937 on: December 18, 2020, 03:59:20 PM »
A pair of warm sweatpants
I'm freezing my ass at home, but I DO have pants, so I kick the can with what I have. Unfortunately the warm ones were so worn out I cut them in rags, and I can't go to the thrift store for time constraints.
I just look up to buy some new-new ones from a traditional (non-second hand) retail online and I was shell-shocked at the price

Yeah I got a pair of thrift store old-school thick Hanes sweats last year (wearing them as I type) and they were well worth the $5 I paid for them. I wear them almost every day now, interchanging them with the wool (!!!) lounge pants I also found for $5 at a thrift store.

I'm a wuss in the winter, try to be a BA mustachian and 'get used to the cooler weather' per Pete's recommendation, but I hate being cold. Which is funny because it's not like it gets below 30F often here in NC. I'm probably going to be getting long underwear to go under my pants for Xmas, and I am super stoked about that.

Staying warm in the winter has become something of a hobby for me. Developed over the course of four years, here is my go-to list of ways to keep warm in a cold house, in order of efficiency/effectiveness:

  • Hot pad (I made mine out of old jeans and filled it with free ag corn I got from work, which I found retained heat for like an hour or two over rice and doesn't stink like beans). The hot pad is localized heat right on my body so it's more efficient than, say, running a space heater.
  • Wool, wool, glorious wool! I am stockpiling wool clothes for life. I keep a close eye at thrift stores even for really ugly wool items just to wear around the house. And I've been surprised at how many wool socks I have found at said stores, especially during warmer months.
  • Exercise. Blech, the last thing I want to do when it's cold.
  • Space heater. Not my favorite option but better than heating up a whole house by a few degrees nonetheless. Sometimes I put it at the 'door' of my kid's little blanket fort and just hang out in there with him.
  • Plug the drain on your tub while taking a hot shower so that the water heats up the house just a little bit more than it would if it went down the drain.
  • Wear a hat in the house. Lame looking, but a lot of heat is lost from the head, so it helps a lot. At least, for me it does!

Where I am in SoCal, a space heater actually isn't a better option than heating up the whole house (if you have a gas furnace).  We have super-expensive electricity and relatively cheap natural gas.  Per unit of energy, gas is so much more efficient/cheap that it basically costs the same to heat the whole house with the furnace as it does to heat one room with a space heater.

My wife is perennially cold.  Even in SoCal.  Though it doesn't get that cold outside here, insulation tends to be terrible and it does get quite cold inside (overnight, when we never run the heat, it'll drop to the 50s in the house fairly frequently during the winter).  I bought her a 'Comfy' wearable blanket a few days ago, and when she's wearing it it's amazing how much warmer she is - I noticed last night that her hands were very warm even though they're uncovered.  Not the most functional garment for getting much done, but if your goal is to lounge in comfort, it definitely does the job.

big_owl

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2938 on: December 18, 2020, 04:09:55 PM »
Well did it, ordered. 2021 Acura NSX.  Gotta wait til March to get it though. Gonna be a long winter.

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2939 on: December 18, 2020, 04:33:26 PM »
A pair of warm sweatpants
I'm freezing my ass at home, but I DO have pants, so I kick the can with what I have. Unfortunately the warm ones were so worn out I cut them in rags, and I can't go to the thrift store for time constraints.
I just look up to buy some new-new ones from a traditional (non-second hand) retail online and I was shell-shocked at the price


I have a pair of these and very strongly hinted to DH that I want another for Christmas.  We keep the heat set at 62*, and I run cold.  These are so extraordinarily warm.  They make any other pair of sweatpants seem like nothing at all.  They certainly aren't flattering because they are so bulky, but I could not care less about that. And at less than $30, I can justify it, especially because it keeps me from turning up the heat or switching on a space heater.  They are still fairly new (washed maybe ten times, and put in the dryer at least a few of those), but they seem to be holding up well.   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081ZN24SG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bloop Bloop Reloaded

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2940 on: December 18, 2020, 09:13:53 PM »
Well did it, ordered. 2021 Acura NSX.  Gotta wait til March to get it though. Gonna be a long winter.

Awesome! Looking forward to pics when you get it.

big_owl

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2941 on: December 19, 2020, 06:18:32 AM »
Well did it, ordered. 2021 Acura NSX.  Gotta wait til March to get it though. Gonna be a long winter.

Awesome! Looking forward to pics when you get it.

Will do, thanks!   It's black with carbon ceramic rotors and red calipers.  Should look pretty nice. Black Alcantara interior.  They have a $20k bonus right now so the whole thing even with the CCRs was only $159k. 

sonofsven

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2942 on: December 19, 2020, 07:04:35 AM »
Staying warm in the winter has become something of a hobby for me. Developed over the course of four years, here is my go-to list of ways to keep warm in a cold house, in order of efficiency/effectiveness:

  • Hot pad (I made mine out of old jeans and filled it with free ag corn I got from work, which I found retained heat for like an hour or two over rice and doesn't stink like beans). The hot pad is localized heat right on my body so it's more efficient than, say, running a space heater.
  • Wool, wool, glorious wool! I am stockpiling wool clothes for life. I keep a close eye at thrift stores even for really ugly wool items just to wear around the house. And I've been surprised at how many wool socks I have found at said stores, especially during warmer months.
  • Exercise. Blech, the last thing I want to do when it's cold.
  • Space heater. Not my favorite option but better than heating up a whole house by a few degrees nonetheless. Sometimes I put it at the 'door' of my kid's little blanket fort and just hang out in there with him.
  • Plug the drain on your tub while taking a hot shower so that the water heats up the house just a little bit more than it would if it went down the drain.
  • Wear a hat in the house. Lame looking, but a lot of heat is lost from the head, so it helps a lot. At least, for me it does!
The first thing we tell our kids when they complain about the cold is "go put on a pair of socks."  It's amazing how much of a difference that makes!

Ha! Clothes, too- I walk around the house in shorts and a t shirt all winter because I keep it so warm inside. When I step out to get more firewood it's a "damn, it's cold out!"  moment.

broketriathlete

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2943 on: December 20, 2020, 02:21:09 PM »
Well did it, ordered. 2021 Acura NSX.  Gotta wait til March to get it though. Gonna be a long winter.

Awesome! I just sold my 570s and miss it already! Don’t miss the attention or strangers following me to my house, but I do really miss the car! Enjoy it!

Bloop Bloop Reloaded

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2944 on: December 20, 2020, 03:01:47 PM »
Well did it, ordered. 2021 Acura NSX.  Gotta wait til March to get it though. Gonna be a long winter.

Awesome! I just sold my 570s and miss it already! Don’t miss the attention or strangers following me to my house, but I do really miss the car! Enjoy it!

What did you replace it with?

I'm looking to get the 570S as my new car but I've heard there's a lot of turbo lag - was this a problem for you?

broketriathlete

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2945 on: December 20, 2020, 03:06:04 PM »
Well did it, ordered. 2021 Acura NSX.  Gotta wait til March to get it though. Gonna be a long winter.

Awesome! I just sold my 570s and miss it already! Don’t miss the attention or strangers following me to my house, but I do really miss the car! Enjoy it!

What did you replace it with?

I'm looking to get the 570S as my new car but I've heard there's a lot of turbo lag - was this a problem for you?

I didn’t replace it with anything. I do want the 765LT but that will come in time. Going to focus on getting a few rentals in the next 2 years. Then get whatever I want LOL. The car didn’t really come alive until 4K, but it was no means sluggish although there was some lag until 4K. Hope that makes sense.

Bloop Bloop Reloaded

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2946 on: December 20, 2020, 04:14:13 PM »
Yeah it does. Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to drive it for myself to see if the lag is okay. Hopefully it is something that can be dealt with by keeping the car in the right gear.

broketriathlete

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2947 on: December 20, 2020, 07:12:17 PM »
Yeah it does. Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to drive it for myself to see if the lag is okay. Hopefully it is something that can be dealt with by keeping the car in the right gear.

You’re welcome. Definitely drive it and see. I always rode in between 2.5-3k so the lag was never really there.

Just Joe

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2948 on: December 21, 2020, 09:18:18 AM »
Well did it, ordered. 2021 Acura NSX.  Gotta wait til March to get it though. Gonna be a long winter.

Geez you are my hero. That's the poster car for me if I were 14 and had car posters anymore.

For me its ~350 lb iPods

...aka vintage jukeboxes.


mspym

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Re: What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?
« Reply #2949 on: December 21, 2020, 02:16:15 PM »
This feels appropriate for the thread - what you do feeds into what you want so changing what you pay attention to can change your wanting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=salgtCpST3A

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!