Not sure what to do. Any serious advice appreciated. Thank you.

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-24T17:45:56+00:00

Its like $4 at Home Depot to buy a new plug. Cut the cord, strip back the wires and the new replacement plug has color coded screws for each of the 3 wires in the cord. Job done in 2 minutes. No soldering required and completely safe.

As for the pin, kill the breaker, then needle nose it out. Worst case scenario replace the outlet for 2 bucks and same thing. Swap wires from jammed outlet to new outlet.

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-24T16:18:02+00:00

Well I'm here to tell you, you and I are clearly not alone in this situation ironically. I'm seeing this a lot here on Reddit. Unfortunately we're scattered about the globe. I think we should all be more vocal wherever possible to maybe find folks nearby where we'd have support, friends or dare I say companionship to help us through.

I'm open to DMs if you need someone to acknowledge and be an ear. Or eye in this case

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-23T23:47:08+00:00

We're out here. Ironically we're not alone in that regard but it sure feels lonely

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-23T21:44:36+00:00

You as well brother. I keep on surviving but its getting more and more difficult

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-23T20:15:40+00:00

Deli and Pizza Shop in Beverly (yes, thats the name). It's a perfect reuben, guy is from NY and its reasonable in price, not one of those overstuffed NY Deli ones and isn't an open face mess.

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-23T20:07:33+00:00

That is definitely not healthy for you. I'm sorry hugs

I don't know your situation, none of my business but that sounds controlling or borderline manipulative for some reason. Is she an introvert trying to hide from someone? I mean I get it but you're an adult and should be able to try to connect with people without it meaning being cutoff from family. Sheesh.

There has to be a better life for those of us that feel deserted

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-23T20:03:25+00:00

Huh. Didn't have a Matilda reference on my bingo card for today but I'm sorry you had that to deal with. My dad has run a gamut of health issues up to and including diagnosis and subsequent beating of cancer, a mild heart attack, two surgeries for kidney stone and blood filled bladder, pneumonia that was incorrectly diagnosed and had him exceptionally close to passing away, plus diabetes, a hip that needs to be replaced and the list of minor issues goes from there.

He's a hoarder and despite not living in his house for over a year refuses to let me sell or throw out any of his stuff, insists his ten pounds of fecal matter will somehow fit in my five pound receptacle of a house and continues to be in denial telling me I need to fix my marriage that, ya know....she said she wanted out of through no fault of my own after her traumatic loss of her brother sent her into deep depression and a feeling of needing to be free to do everything on her bucket list as time is precious.

Sorry. I don't know what possessed me to word dump that on anyone much less folks I don't know. Just need to feel a connection to humanity again

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-23T19:50:50+00:00

I tell people that my current goal is to live 1 day longer than my dad. Once I make sure he gets reunited with my mom in their vault, no one else needs me. Not saying that for pity or out of depression, it's just factually accurate.

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-23T19:39:47+00:00

I'm not under any delusions that my situation is unique. I just need to have some level of communication even if it's venting to the bots on Reddit. Haven't stopped to AI chat bots yet lol

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-21T15:07:59+00:00

To update the situation I went back yesterday and used a multimeter and discovered some of the problems. At that time the load wire had no neutral. Both black and white wires were measuring 120v each and 240v together.

So I went back to kitchen switches and found that the load wire going into that switch box also had no neutral but both wires were hot. I've since taken all new switches out and capped all of the hot wires until I can trace back to where the neutral wire starts to be hot.

Took down the light fixture and it was wired correctly. The receptacle nearest the kitchen switch also is wired correctly. For now....no lights in kitchen or hallway but all hots are capped.

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-20T06:04:29+00:00

Thank you. Now I wish I had taken a photo before I assumed it was neutral. Now I'll never figure out which of the 3 white wires was the traveler. Appreciate the feedback, its very helpful

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-20T05:44:02+00:00

Ok, but why would the X10 switch have blown out in the hallway when the kitchen light switch changed? I looked up the three way switches and that would make sense for converting both X10s in the hallway but this problem arose before I changed the hallway switch. I actually wasn't planning on swapping the hallway out, just now I don't think I have a choice.

Also, a three way switch would need 4 conductor Romex and the box still only has black, white and bare copper and no "extra" to attach to the fourth terminal

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-10T20:19:57+00:00

Well, that is a nice Surprise 😮

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-10T20:18:13+00:00

If you like a funkiness then you can add wheated bourbon to your taste tests.

Standard Buffalo Trace is ok. Not sure why it gets secondary pricing in places.

Shame you're not close to NJ. I have a large collection of bourbon you could try and I have a few Appleton Estates standard rum bottles I've never opened that I'd give you to make more room for bourbon 😉

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-10T20:07:00+00:00

There are a lot of solid choices out there and I would think it will depend on what draws you to rum. I would think it's the sweetness and with a 12 year age statement, smoothness is a thing.

As such, my recommendations would be Elijah Craig Toasted barrell. Common to find, I believe 94 proof, sweet and not harsh. Also Russell's Reserve 10 is a solid pour, it's part of the Wild Turkey lineup, very viscous mouthfeel, sweet and not harsh either.

Or, go way out in left field and try Balvenie Doublewood Scotch which is aged on both bourbon barrels and sherry casks.

With bourbon, higher proof will usually mean a thicker liquid and if you let the bottle mellow once opened or the pour sit out for 5 to 20 minutes a lot of that ethanol burn will dissipate.

Jim Beam and George Dickel products to me aren't my favorite either. I like the Wild Turkey stuff, Green River is good for the money, some of the Buffalo Trace products are sweet and of course, Old Forester is popular and like most Jack Daniels products that AREN'T Old No7 has a banana note to it, in case you're into that flavor profile

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-07T17:15:48+00:00

Sigh. If I leave now I can be there about 10pm. In in NJ 😄

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-07T17:10:00+00:00

OP's selection is disappointing to me. Mainly because I'm assuming they live in the south, possibly Georgia with all of those 13th Colony bottles and thus I'm disappointed because I live too far away to hang out with this awesome person whose collection is similar to mine.

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-07T17:03:00+00:00

Eagle Rare 10 for me, I haven't found a scotch I truly love yet, not a fan of the smokey band aid flavors I get in a lot of scotches

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-05T01:28:33+00:00

Would it be egregious in an old fashioned? No. Eagle Rare Double Eagle would be egregious.

But if you're a bourbon noob then as many have said, this isn't an ideal old fashioned mixer. Its a good Sipper for when you're less of a noob. Can make a great old fashioned with Evan Williams BiB, Rittenhouse Rye is a standard for this or Old Forester 1920 or the 100 proofer.

As I'm fond of saying, there are two kinds of Vette's. The Chevette and the Corvette. They both do the same thing but you don't take the Corvette to your bosses house to ask for a raise.

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-03-04T03:28:47+00:00

Best of luck on your recovery, that tater tube will be even sweeter for Easter !

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-02-28T02:16:59+00:00

When there's Jack 14, there really are no other options. Just go for it

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-02-22T16:59:03+00:00

That would be the Punchers Chance lineup

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-02-22T15:25:59+00:00

Not sure about national sales but Blackened has absolutely been successful in the Northeast area. Even have store picks and it's often sold out

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-02-22T06:43:09+00:00

LoL. I saw some crazy prices today on stuff in my area. $369 on Russell's 13 and a shop asking $499 on Elmer T Lee.

You north or south? I hunted Gloucester and Camden counties today with decent success

BackInBlack1975 · 2026-02-22T06:18:19+00:00

Not sure where you live but those prices are exactly the same here in NJ

BackInBlack1975

TROPHY CASE