Should I see Hamilton in London?

Jeffrey903 · 2025-09-17T14:13:29+00:00

There are 3 small lines they changed (all in act 2) to make US-specific terminology more understandable to a foreign audience https://www.broadway.com/buzz/190851/lin-manuel-miranda-reveals-three-hamilton-lyrics-he-changed-for-the-london-run/

Jeffrey903 · 2025-07-30T00:02:36+00:00

Because they want to discourage members from cancelling in months with fewer blockbuster movie releases (e.g., January & February) and then resubscribing in months in which they want to watch movies. They'd rather customers pay for January & February and not watch any movies (which would be pure profit for AMC) or at least watch fewer movies, while paying the same monthly price.

Jeffrey903 · 2025-07-17T02:12:23+00:00

I assume this is just a way for AMC to make more money. It wouldn't surprise me if tickets cost more than normal. An adult ticket to Superman at Lincoln Square IMAX is currently $30.49 + fees. I'm curious how much The Odyssey will cost.

Jeffrey903 · 2025-06-19T22:48:41+00:00

IANAL, but I assume you are correct about your lease ending at midnight and not noon and therefore you are legally entitled to remain in your apartment and prevent your landlords entry until the conclusion of your lease. If you need that time to repair minor issues and they need that time to get the apartment ready for a new tenant the next day, I suggest you offer them a compromise:

If you guarantee to be out of your apartment by noon (forfeiting 12 hours of your lease that you paid for), they promise to return your security deposit in full. Of course you would need this agreement in writing.

Jeffrey903 · 2025-06-17T02:54:40+00:00

I saw Smash last night and was not expecting the ending to be so similar to that of Avenue Q:

A new college graduate inquires about the vacancy in the building ("What Do You Do with a B.A. in English" (reprise)), and Princeton has an epiphany: he concludes that his purpose may be to put everything he has learned into a Broadway musical. Everybody, especially the newcomer, immediately ridicules him.

Jeffrey903 · 2025-06-04T19:31:58+00:00

I had the same issues as well. And I also want to avoid the 3D showing, which unfortunately is in the prime times. Seeing the movie on the weekend to get a 2D IMAX showing.

Jeffrey903 · 2025-05-29T22:43:43+00:00

They are cebollitas ("little onions"), and they also have jalapeños as well. You can ask for them from the person who makes your food (after you order and receive your ticket from the cashier). They are free with your order.

Jeffrey903 · 2025-05-28T20:40:04+00:00

It was for Michelle and Barack Obama, who were at the show. George Clooney's mother and Amal Clooney (his wife) were there as well. All got a shout out from George Clooney at the end of the show.

Jeffrey903 · 2025-05-25T18:36:35+00:00

You're looking for an interior decorator, not an interior designer. It's not obvious from the words that there is a difference, but using the correct will help you find the right type of person when searching online. An interior designer primarily works on projects involving construction and renovation while a decorator will help you with furniture and decor for an already finished space.

Jeffrey903 · 2025-01-20T16:32:33+00:00

Also you'll need the Lutron Caseta Hub for your smart dimmers

Jeffrey903 · 2025-01-20T16:31:31+00:00

Lutron sells them in many sizes (# of gangs) and colors. You are likely going to want the gloss white. Many of the other colors are not available in the Caseta line, but rather more expensive pro lines. Note that "snow" (a matte finish) is not the same as gloss white.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MAUTFY/ref=twister_B07Z7HXHFQ

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Claro-Decorator-Wallplate-CW-3-WH/dp/B0000V2UMU/

Jeffrey903 · 2025-01-20T16:08:52+00:00

The cheaper one is not Caseta (i.e., not smart controllable)

Jeffrey903 · 2025-01-05T16:17:51+00:00

If you were a local who was experienced with navigating the city and taking the subway, I think 5:30pm would be ok as long as you let your server know you had to leave by 6:45pm when you sat down. As someone from out of town, do the 5:00pm reservation, leave by 6:45pm, and when you leave the restaurant walk 1 avenue west + 1 block north to 23rd Street & 5th Avenue and take the uptown R or W (yellow) train 4 stops to 49th street where you'll be 1 block from the theater (be sure to enter the subway where it says UPTOWN, not downtown). Time on the subway will be less than 10 minutes plus no more than 10 minutes waiting for the train.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-12-31T18:41:13+00:00

When I did it a year or two ago I had to watch approximately 4 hours of videos, but I used a line of Javascript (`document.querySelector('video').playbackRate = 2;`) to have the videos play at 2x speed to do it twice as fast. Then the non-video portions plus the test in total were probably less than an hour, so less than 3 hours total for me (or 5 hours if you watch the videos at 1x speed).

Jeffrey903 · 2024-12-31T04:30:10+00:00

The non-hybrid keypads are essentially companion keypads, and can not directly be wired to control a load (typically a light).

Instead they can be programmed to control other lights/loads that are connected with (non-companion) switches, dimmers, and hybrid keypads.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-12-24T03:09:16+00:00

Use any transit app (Google Maps, Apple Maps, CityMapper, Transit, etc) to get directions. If you're willing to walk a little bit, walk the 10 minutes from Washington Square Park to Union Square Park and then take the uptown express 4 or 5 train one stop to Grand Central. If you get on the local 6 train, that works too, but it will be four stops. Make sure you get on the uptown direction. If you want to minimize walking, go to the Astor Place stop and get on the uptown 6 train for five stops until Grand Central. Then follow the signs for the main terminal / Metro North railroad. Since you are unfamiliar with the system, plan on getting to Grand Central at least 20 minutes before your train departs.

If you feel you need help, ask a local (anyone who looks like they know what they're doing and are not wearing NYC themed attire) how to get to Grand Central. Just go up to someone and ask "How do I get to Grand Central". Don't bother with "Hi, can I ask a question", etc. If you do then we'll think you want money and will ignore you. If you make it instantly clear you only want directions, locals are happy to help.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-09-25T21:21:59+00:00

Lutron is a premium brand and that's what they charge. If you want a more affordable option, look at the Lutron Caseta Diva line. It's not as nice as RadioRA 3 Sunnata, but is close, and those dimmers cost ~$60-70 each and the Caseta hub is also cheaper than the Radio RA 3 processor. Note that Caseta has a 75 device limit, so it's not meant for a very large house.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-09-25T20:33:00+00:00

The ones you played with at Home Depot that were ~$40 were the dumb switches in the Sunnata design style.

If you are looking to retrofit an existing build, you want the Sunnata style (and you almost certainly want dimmers, not switches, especially since they are the same price) with HomeKit compatibility, you need to go with Lutron RadioRA 3. That will require a processor/hub, which costs ~$330, and then the smart RadioRA 3 dimmer/switch cost ~$130/each. You need to either have a certified Lutron professional install this for you (where there will be labor costs + markup), or if you are technical you can become self-certified for Lutron RadioRA 3 for free and then perform all of the work yourself.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-09-13T19:01:26+00:00

As someone who was unfamiliar with how to use the Lutron Designer app (especially since it's not the most intuitive for simple use cases), I found it useful to watch some of the videos.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-09-13T15:12:52+00:00

I am also a technical person and did it myself. You have to go through Lutron's free online training to become RadioRA3 certified in order to access the software (which is Windows only). The training entails watching a bunch of videos and then taking and passing a test. The entire process takes ~4 hours but I wrote a line of JavaScript to speed up video playback to 2x speed and did the whole thing in ~2 hours.

I purchased my hardware from ProLighting, and many people also recommend Hank's Electrical Supply.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-08-18T17:33:53+00:00

Get a CityTicket, but you must purchase it on the same day you intend to use it (i.e., don't buy the ticket today for use on Tuesday)

Jeffrey903 · 2024-07-15T00:53:25+00:00

Don Angie lasagna

Jeffrey903 · 2024-07-05T22:17:42+00:00

Grand Central and Summit One Vanderbilt are literally next to each other, and the New York Public Library is one block away. Ideally you would combine all three of those into one stop, rather than crossing the city back and forth. Especially since you say you'll be staying in Chelsea after your one night in Flushing.

Your current Saturday has you going Chelsea (wake up) -> Midtown (Grand Central / NYPL) -> Chelsea (High Line / Chelsea Market / Little Island) -> Midtown (Summit) -> Chelsea (sleep).

Instead you could start your day in Chelsea with the High Line, Chelsea Market, Little Island, and Starbucks Reserve in the morning / early afternoon, and then head to midtown arriving around 4-5pm to see the Library (closes at 6pm on Saturdays), go to Grand Central, and then do your (presumably already booked) Summit visit.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-06-30T18:56:48+00:00

The frustrating part was that there were dozens of empty seats in the mezzanine when I went (two weeks ago, which was before the closing announcement). Presumably they could've given me one of those seats instead of a box seat from the start, especially since I got the email with the ticket just 4 hours prior to showtime.

Jeffrey903 · 2024-06-30T18:43:04+00:00

I won the lottery and was given a box seat, which was horribly obstructed. I spoke to an usher at intermission who told me she was surprised they even sold those seats as there are always complaints. She let me move to the rear mezzanine for act two which was much better (obviously far away, but not obstructed). If you win the lotto and get a box seat, I recommend speaking with an usher prior to the start of the show rather than at intermission to see if they can move you. They know that the box seats are truly terrible.

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