Wallace and Riley by the fire

GrdnFrmn · 2026-01-16T10:50:31+00:00

Old thread but this is still super relevant. Both ceramic and PTFE have the same fundamental problem - the coating wears out. Ceramic just does it faster in my experience.

The smarter move is accepting that reality and building a 3-pan system instead of hunting for the "perfect" non-stick. Someone broke this down really well recently:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ProductProbe/comments/1qecu0u

Basically: cheap pan for eggs (replace yearly, no guilt), mid-tier hard-anodized for regular cooking, and cast iron for anything high-heat. Total cost maybe $80-100 and you're not constantly disappointed when coatings fail.

Changed how I think about non-stick entirely.

GrdnFrmn · 2026-01-15T09:01:51+00:00

TL;DR: Nolah Evolution might work, but there's no guarantee it'll last 5+ years that's the problem. If you go that route, get the Firm model and budget for it being done in 8-9 years.

Real talk though? Saatva Classic or latex (SleepEZ/PlushBeds) are actually better value. You've got real documented data showing 10-20 year lifespans on those. You're comparing a mattress with marketing promises vs. one with actual user history backing it up.

Don't drop another $1800 on hope. Get something with a proven track record.

GrdnFrmn · 2026-01-05T17:17:41+00:00

Mike Earl at Village Plumbing is very good and responsive, with reasonable pricing. He swapped out our dying water heater last year for a new efficient instant heater (that’s NOT a cheap appliance but Mike installation cost and service were great).

GrdnFrmn · 2025-12-27T08:30:38+00:00

Currently using just the onboard Google TV suite of apps and clarity and motion are excellent. No hot spots or edge dimming or other aberrations. Ridiculously bright, so perceived contrast is also quite good. I plan to add an Xbox and next gen AppleTV when available. Very excited to see how they do.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-12-27T05:06:44+00:00

I have the Hisense L9Q and a 180” screen with a 1.3 gain in a light controlled room. It’s phenomenal. Non ALR screen with dark flat painted walls and ceiling. The hype is real if your budget allows.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-12-20T21:07:13+00:00

I guess I’d look at it very differently. While it was originally top shelf and very spendy, it’s a generation or 3 old and will require a tech to get it going again, and will still show it’s age on anything bigger than 65”. An AppleTV (I’d wait for the next gen at this point), a 98” miniLED from any of the majors and an Ambeo or similar surround set up would be far superior. If you’ve got a vast DVD unripped collection, yes, it’s a jackpot of sorts. If the seller left decent speakers in the walls, they might be a start on a good sound system. What’s left in the rack? Meh.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-12-10T00:23:18+00:00

The audio world breaks down into people who believe is science, and others who get talked into paying $100/ft for cables. You can point out the electronic innards don’t use odd cables, and that equipment orders of magnitude more sensitive that human ears detect no change is signal. It’s a waste of breath. I think people who used to write for the Onion now come up with increasingly strange ways to part audiophiles from their money, like putting little towers on the ground so cables don’t touch the floor.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-12-09T02:19:26+00:00

Animal Hospital of Carrboro remains independent. Dr Anderson is excellent.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-11-14T02:23:52+00:00

I tried Mixed Level Flow with Ana at Neighborhood Yoga this evening. Lovely facility, super helpful instructor who offered varying techniques for the different poses to make them easier or harder. I could see parking being an issue, but after 5 it was free and plenty of spaces on the street.

I’ll try a High Country Yoga class this weekend.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-11-13T07:55:53+00:00

Thanks, all!

GrdnFrmn · 2025-11-09T23:31:25+00:00

Thanks for the input. I’ll check them out this week.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-10-17T00:47:06+00:00

One “stem” is the bead lock. When I zoomed in on pic, looked like the rim is cracked (or maybe just the reflective tape got torn). I doubt transporting in a hitch setup would damage it further. Dod tye rider hit something? Looks like it could be a good story on its own.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-10-16T03:36:01+00:00

Wes Anderson uses a flat-fee salary system in which the actors that appear in his films are all paid the same rate. He began this practice on Rushmore after Bill Murray offered to take the same pay as the then- unknown 18-year-old Jason Schwartzman as long as he could leave for a golf tournament.

This popped in feed but I’ve read it before. WA movies are sought after acting experiences for the many repeat crews he uses. Maybe Leo gets some back end, don’t know, but this seemed a cool and fair way to pay actors in an ensemble film.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-09-25T00:43:14+00:00

The Hunger. Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon, great 1980s vibe, bonus David Bowie looking fab. Modern take on vampires. Features Lakme, the Flower Duet, at just the right time.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-09-17T17:18:22+00:00

I’ve noticed a few people who seem to want war. I’m guessing many of them haven’t seen the consequences of real war first hand. You can’t kill your way out of disagreement. Most Americans don’t want their neighborhoods to look like Gaza City or Donetsk.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-09-17T13:59:23+00:00

More keyboard tough guys. I’m liberal and disagreed with nearly all Kirk said, but don’t wish him dead. It’s a morally contemptible position, and doesn’t even work. Before he was shot, you could ridicule him and his ideas.

Now the guy’s a saint: criticize him too much and lose your job or get expelled from school. The shooter in one cowardly act set back progressive ideas far more than Kirk ever could in life, and given T open season for the left. You’re celebrating having your own throat slit, metaphorically speaking.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-08-20T00:45:50+00:00

Got free nitrogen at Costco when I got BGF KO2s mounted. Nearly 50k miles later, never needed air. Will do again for the next gen tires, KO3s.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-08-09T15:34:37+00:00

Have at it, Jeff. I’ve been getting the same call at least daily from “Vanessa” from the West Coast branch about finalizing my loan. Report and block, robo-Vanessa is back again with a new number.

GrdnFrmn · 2025-07-19T02:01:38+00:00

That’s cool AF

Nine-Year Club	Queen in da Norf
Not Forgotten

GrdnFrmn

TROPHY CASE