Our microwaves last five or six years, which isn't great, considering the cost. Our current Farberware doesn't want to stop running, so it's time for a new one. The choices are overwhelming, and most companies offer too many models, so it's hard to find a review of one that's actually available. I'll read reviews of a recommended model, but that model is no longer available. Between the testing and the publishing, the manufacturer changed models. Is a $500 KitchenAid better than a $70 Comfee? I want one with 1000W, 1.1 Cu ft, 12" turntable. Breville seems to be the best brand, but it's not easy to find at reasonable prices.

Well, I've decided that I can't buy a microwave. They're either not reliable, don't heat well, or are too expensive. I'll just have to continue eating ice cream.

https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/microwave-ovens/toshiba-ml2-em31pass/m402662/

As a side note, most microwaves are made in a single factory in China. "The Midea Group has manufactured the majority of countertop microwave ovens sold in the United States since 2020."

Here's a warning that could help you live longer.

"Getting angry – even for just a few minutes – can change the functioning of your blood vessels, which may make heart attacks and strokes more likely. The finding could explain why some people experience these events during emotional outbursts. It comes from a study in young adults who seemed to be in good health. The participants were asked to think about past experiences that made them angry while various aspects of their circulatory health were measured. Perhaps unsurprisingly, none of them had a heart attack or stroke during this process, but they did experience impaired blood vessel functioning that has been linked to such outcomes."
NewScientist

Over the weekend, I took pictures with both a Galaxy S10 phone and a little Sony WX9 camera. I wasn't shocked to see that the phone pictures were better. I bought the Sony as a $130 refurb in 2012, and I was shooting in Auto. I like it because it's very small and fits into a belt case. Most of my shots were indoors without a flash.

For casual photography, the phone is a good alternative to the Z8.

Similar, but too cheap. I saw one for $205 and another for $115. Buttons on the handle let you point it in any direction.

I'm in black on the left, against the wall between 3:00 and 4:00.

Right, and there should have been some thought put into the design or color of those cables, even coloring the ends differently would have made identification easier.

Under certain circumstances, there might be a promotional code. Steve provides good products at good prices, so I'm not looking for codes. I tried some "code services," but they never found codes for anything I bought.

Well, it worked on Sunday because there wasn't a line of cars racing past me and cutting in later.

Yes, I have - over the weekend - and it didn't make any difference. Except when two 18-wheelers blocked the traffic, cars raced ahead to cut in.

It's not so much knowing what to do as doing it. People know that they can race up the closing lane and force their way in up ahead.

How did you know!

At an event this weekend, a woman took a 360° picture of a large group using a cell phone with a hand-held controller. She pushed a button, and the phone rotated and took a picture. She kept doing that until she was satisfied. She must have used software to produce the 360° picture. This was more than pushing a button to make the phone take a picture. She could change the view the phone was getting by pushing buttons.

Does that sound familiar to anyone? Looking online, I didn't see a controller like she had.

FYI - https://www.google.com/search?q=take+360%C2%B0+photo+with+cell+phone&oq=take+360%C2%B0+photo+with+cell+phone&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRifBTIHCAIQIRifBTIHCAMQIRifBTIHCAQQIRifBdIBCTEwOTY1ajBqNKgCALACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Yes! I didn't even want to mention that.

So, you have two cables that look identical, but they do different things. Great planning. All know is I have loads of different cables, and if I can plug them in, I plug them in. All charging cables should be red. Would that be so difficult?

Thanks for that. I have Libre Office. Good program, especially for the price.

Exactly.

Back around the 1970s, I would call a theater in Manhattan, order two tickets, first ten rows, center, and pay with my CC. The prices were in the $15 - $20 range. We'd drive down after work, park for a low price, and drive home. Life has changed.

A real estate man on YouTube said that the super-rich are moving to FL and acting as if they are privileged and superior to everyone else. When too many people have too much money, prices rise. Housing is a good example. There was an online article about how a couple were able to buy a house for "just $1,000,000." On the weekends, I see the City People driving their $500,000 cars as they come up for the weekend.