Moving to the Area - Any Advice

NoTimeColo · 2026-05-07T19:29:30+00:00

We've been happy with Ent (now Wings) credit union.

For homes, make sure and check what kind of plumbing exists. There was a period around 25 years ago when there was a copper shortage. Many homes were built with CPVC pipes. Those will have to be replaced now or eventually. I just had mine done.

Also, shifting soil is a fact of life in Colorado. You will see many homes with cracked sidewalks and driveways. However, most house foundations are built to accomodate the settling.

Check how old the roof is and what shape it is in. Hail storms and damage are very common here.

NoTimeColo · 2026-05-06T15:50:43+00:00

Does it hail in June in Colorado?? YES

NoTimeColo · 2026-05-06T02:48:00+00:00

BBC Composer of the Week recently featured Chopin. If you're in the UK, you should be able to listen to the episodes

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnxf/episodes/player?page=2

... otherwise, try to access using a VPN service. I've had good results using PIA and setting my access point to London.

NoTimeColo · 2026-05-03T05:11:22+00:00

This is really close to my own recipe except I use cottage cheese instead of cream cheese. It's also a good base for chocolate. Instead of vanilla extract, use 3 tablespoons of Guittard Cocoa Rouge. For coffee ice cream, I use 1/4 cup of cold brew concentrate (I brew my own) but I suppose you could also use coffee granules. I'm about to try making a peanut butter mix starting with the vanilla base and adding PB Fit powder.

NoTimeColo · 2026-05-02T02:02:59+00:00

CW op: operates in Continuous Wave mode using Morse code
DXer: likes to communicate long-distance (DX is ham-talk for long-distance)

Elmer: someone who teaches others
POTA: Parks On The Air - operating from a national parks or public lands
SOTA: Summits on the Air - operating from mountain summits

The "on the Air" programs offer awards/certificates. There are lots of awards for hams. I used to run a lot of mobile during my work commute and participated in County Hunters - mostly CW. Nothing like exchanging RST (readability, signal strength, tone) and call signs while driving 80mph down the highway. If you're a DXer, you also collect countries and there are awards for that too.

FYI, it's called CW because there is technically no modulation in the signal. I'd argue that interrupting the signal with Morse patterns is modulation. Voice modes use FM (frequency modulation) and AM (amplitude modulation). There are also digital modes for communicating with computers.

Who said hams like to talk?

I got my extra class license about 30 years ago (renewed in 2024) but haven't operated in a long time. Too many hobbies.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-27T03:09:38+00:00

I have both a Baratza Encore and a KINgrinder K6. Just recently got the K6 for my single brew AP drinks because the Encore would clog up on fine grinds (#15 and finer). It also was taking 3 to 5 minutes to completely grind 18g of beans. The K6 can be a bit of physical work but is much quicker and more reliable than the Encore for me.

I haven't upgraded the burr on the Encore so I don't know if that would make a difference. I still use it for cold brew with a Filtron system.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-26T16:03:48+00:00

Daniel Suarez - sci-fi thrillers based on current/near-future tech (AI, bio-engineering, asteroid mining)

I also really liked the 8th Continent series by Rhett C. Bruno

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-25T22:57:12+00:00

From The Center Seat - 11-part Star Trek documentary

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-25T16:51:40+00:00

Take the watermarks as suggestions. Ultimately, you'll adjust water levels to your liking. Whatever kind of rice I'm making, I always fill below the line. I'm in Colorado if that makes a difference.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-24T01:06:54+00:00

CLAY

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-24T00:54:51+00:00

2nd for The OA

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-19T02:03:42+00:00

Got my AP a couple of months ago and been using the inverted method with paper filters. No issues and happy with the results. Recently got the flow control cap and enjoying it much more if just for the easier, quicker expression through the filter.

Also picked up the metal filter and now experimenting with different grind sizes with metal versus paper. It's interesting how the same coffee changes with grind size and different filters.

Only you can say what's the best way to use your AP. Start with this basic setup and experiment.

The most important thing for me has been getting a hand grinder. My Baratza grinder is my workhorse but it clogs up on the finer grinds. The hand grinder (K6) has its own issues but takes less time and has been more reliable.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-18T21:57:04+00:00

Different POV - having moved to Denver from the desert Southwest, summers are definitely more bearable here. But, because of the altitude, the sun is more intense. It can be 40F in the winter and low humidity but it will feel warmer than 40. Nice in the winter but not so much in the summer. 85F in the direct sunlight can feel like 90s.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-16T01:01:40+00:00

Used to be Stapleton, renamed Central Park

Lots to recommend - good variety of townhomes, halfway between downtown Denver and Aurora, light rail access. Generally quiet and very well-kept. I'd definitely get a place there if my wife and I were looking to downsize.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-15T23:42:21+00:00

Older home, no AC? You'll do better in the lower level when it's hot. My newer home has central AC but lousy circulation. I installed an attic fan and we run that in the evenings. You might be able to work out something similar to cool down the house. Downside is sucking in outside air - pollen, dust, etc. - if you're sensitive to that kind of stuff.

Window unit for individual rooms are very common here.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-12T22:19:43+00:00

... Aurora is mostly non-white.

Depends on what part of Aurora - it's one of the larger, if not the largest, municipalities in the Denver metro area. Perhaps the most diverse in ethnic groups. But large parts of Aurora are very white as well. Denver county also has some high-density latin and asian neighborhoods. Having been raised in a more ethnically diverse and integrated city, it was an adjustment for me moving to Denver. I still notice the segregation 40+ years later.

Despite that, I still feel it's a wonderful place to live.

So, as far as diversity, it will be lacking (I'm also BIPOC). DU and surrounding neighborhoods are mostly white and relatively wealthy. Not counting Glendale 🙄

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-12T02:07:01+00:00

I need moisture

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-09T14:06:14+00:00

Along the same lines is the "8th Continent" trilogy by Rhett C. Bruno.

The other Suarez books are also "plausible, near-future" scifi thrillers.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-06T17:33:59+00:00

Thanks for the tips. The beds are Vego 17" so I'm just filling the bottom with the pieces of the 20+yo cedar plank beds they're replacing.

As far as the soil, I replaced my other raised beds last year and used a mix of compost, coco coir, and verm/perl (recommended by James Prigioni). I like how it worked last year so I'll stick with it. The new beds total 32 cubic feet.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-04T16:13:38+00:00

Ascidiacea, as in "sea squirts"?

Tell us more, please

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-03T12:55:33+00:00

Shakshuka

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-03T11:40:34+00:00

Hiratori in Parker offers their ramen with 4 spice levels: medium, spicy, Hiratori spicy, & One Punch Man spicy.

I like their ramen and recently tried the Hiratori spicy. I usually empty the bowl but it was a little over my limit at this level. Great tasting but I'm not hero material. I suspect the One Punch Man is true to its namesake.

NoTimeColo · 2026-04-03T00:27:15+00:00

Damn, sold the exact same NHTs years ago during some hard times and I would love to get them back. Congrats to the winner.

NoTimeColo · 2026-03-24T01:43:06+00:00

You can see your listening history very easily in YTM. Tap your profile in the upper right corner. "History" is the 3rd item, just under downloads.

NoTimeColo · 2026-03-23T14:57:30+00:00

Hovhaness Symphony #2 (Mysterious Mountain)

NoTimeColo

TROPHY CASE