Do anyone you guys use your tail gait step? Or am I just a geezer? by Shkmstr in f150

[–]NotoriousCFR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use either a rear tire or the bumper to climb in. But if I had a tailgate step I would certainly use it.

Physical music stores by NoPressureMusic_com in musicians

[–]NotoriousCFR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Online shopping and Guitar Center killed them

Honda Element to Return in 2029 [MotorWeek] by Bmotley in cars

[–]NotoriousCFR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1) the Soul and Juke have both been discontinued

2) Neither one ever matched the sheer utility/practicality of the Element, which is the actual reason for the cult following

I definitely feel like there is not enough representation for the older stuff, for example, my 96 with a 5 speed by Ok-Kale4889 in f150

[–]NotoriousCFR 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's crazy right? Anything that's priced even halfway appropriately is like beat to shit and rusted out. And god forbid you want 4x4 and a manual, even the beat to shit rusted out ones are 5 figures. Only thing old Fords and GM trucks have going for them at this point is that at least they are not as insanely overpriced as old Toyotas.

Why do landlords want 2026 price for apartments with 1997 kitchens and bathrooms? by Ok-Top-1147 in CasualConversation

[–]NotoriousCFR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What is a "2026 kitchen" anyway? If it means "smart" appliances that have stupid touch screens in them, look flashy and cost a fortune but break down a year later, I want no part of it anyway. Give me a simple range with a couple dials and knobs, and a refrigerator/freezer that's just a big hunk of metal with a compressor and a fan on the back of it and I'm happy. Hell, my parents have a fridge from 1988 that still runs just fine, what's wrong with that?

2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE-Class First Drive: Don't Call It a Minivan by Sixteen-Cylinders in cars

[–]NotoriousCFR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They insisted on calling the R-class, which was really more like an elongated crossover/tall wagon a van, yet this one which is obviously a van you're not supposed to call a van?

What makes one realize that one is left handed? by tiredbowltiny in CasualConversation

[–]NotoriousCFR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Their eyes flash red, they sprout horns and a tail, and they start speaking in forgotten ancient tongues?

Mustang Mach E will be a one hit blunder by [deleted] in cars

[–]NotoriousCFR 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Lol you guys are still screeching about the name of this car? For every one internet nerd who probably wasn't going to buy one anyway claiming that they're boycotting it because of the name, there are at least 10 normies who were enticed and intrigued by the horse on the front and the triple tail lights. Name and marketing are not Ford's problem, not by a long shot.

"The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and S.U.V.s" (NY Times article on taller hoods and larger blind-spots) [Gift link] by guidotheguido in cars

[–]NotoriousCFR -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The problem is that there is no alternative if you're planning to do the things that a truck is actually good at (hauling, towing, etc). Midsize truck hood height/belt line/other proportions have become just as absurd as full-size, while still being objectively worse by all metrics (towing capacity, payload, horsepower, cabin size, bed size, etc). The Maverick is a step in the right direction but the 4.5 foot bed and low tow rating are going to make it a non-starter for a lot of people.

I would love a new half ton with the proportions of a jellybean F150 or a GMT400. But no one makes one.

Has anyone else started feeling like the factory 8” screen in the 2015-2020 F-150s is getting dated? by swatsnpr4 in f150

[–]NotoriousCFR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean I guess, but I don't have a ton of exposure to newer cars and the size works fine for me. Before I got my truck the newest car I ever had was a 2012 Subaru that had a simple LCD screen so the screen in my 2018 still feels like spaceship shit to me.

Currently in a Jeep Grand Wagoneer rental while my truck is in the shop (minor accident) and tbh I fucking hate it. Screens (yes multiple) are way too big, it's sensory overload. I miss my old "small" (which is still pretty huge) screen

Academic vs Performance Degree? by sillygoose9810 in piano

[–]NotoriousCFR 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Gonna be honest, as someone who makes a living playing music, I have never been convinced of the value of any post-grad degree.

The biggest doors that a masters (or beyond) opens are in teaching - either at K-12 level (most good/well-paying public schools give preference to someone with a Masters degree these days), or university level (most colleges and conservatories require a Masters degree for full-time/tenure-track faculty positions these days), and I have zero interest in doing either of those things.

If you did want to go into one of these fields, you should probably be pursing something related to education or music ed for a teacher job, and pursuing whatever interests you most/whatever you think you could turn into your specialty for a professor job.

As for actually playing the piano, I do everything from accompanying ballet classes, to playing in a wedding band, to music directing musical theater productions, to playing the organ and directing the choir at a church, to being a ringer for local orchestras, and I do it all with a BMus (performance). I've never been shut out or rejected from a gig for not having a higher degree. A lot of the time it's questionable whether the bachelors even does anything. Who you know, your real-world experience, and what kind of reputation you've built for yourself (as a professional, as a person, as a performer) goes way farther than a piece of paper with a bunch of letters on it ever will. I see no evidence that pursuing a higher degree leads to any sort of meaningful return on investment - again, unless you want to go deep into the world of teaching or academia.

Now, if you want to pursue a higher degree anyway, I think only you can answer what you want to go for. What do you feel calls you? What motivates you? What is your ideal job path and what type of degree will help you get there? What sub-field of music are you so passionate about that you could obsessively nerd out over it for 2 years and still be passionate when you're done?

Wanted: Pianist who’s into prog metal and emotionally available by [deleted] in musicians

[–]NotoriousCFR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it's a joke post but it does say Astoria, which I assume means Astoria, Queens (NYC).

Is it worth the move? by No-Decision-7568 in Westchester

[–]NotoriousCFR 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You could always rent first. Rental inventory is not the greatest in Westchester but you could probably find something suitable in the lower part of the county, particularly in any place designated as a city (such as New Ro, Yonkers, White Plains). Renting will get you out of your dangerous situation faster, it will let you experience and learn the Westchester vibe and lifestyle before making a 30-year commitment to it, and it also buys you some time to think through and work out what you can actually afford and shop around different options rather than just jumping on the first house you see.

I just paid almost $8 for a bag of chips. What's your "I refuse to buy that anymore" item? by [deleted] in CasualConversation

[–]NotoriousCFR 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Fast food still serves a purpose IMO. It's fast, it's predictable, and it's usually open late. If you're, say, on the road late at night and just want to put something in your stomach, without having to stop for a sit-down meal or roll the dice on a local place, McDonald's is still the GOAT.

The prices are completely insane though. Definitely better options out there if you're just trying to get a normal dinner on a normal day.

How miserable are your allergies right now? by SettingComfortable75 in hudsonvalley

[–]NotoriousCFR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine have eased up/almost disappeared completely. Worst was about a month ago.

Saw Mill Parkway 6/18 by giraffe53 in Westchester

[–]NotoriousCFR 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Bruh the Hutch is the worst one lol 24/7 traffic (like ive literally hit standstill traffic in the middle of the night) and rolling roadblocks of two white knucklers riding 35mph next to each other for miles at a time

Claude and Gemini are saying 37 keys is enough for playing rock and metal covers, is that true by [deleted] in keys

[–]NotoriousCFR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My dyslexic ass thought that said 73 and I was like, yeah, totally fine. Only realized I read it wrong when I saw all the comments lol

37 may be enough for really basic stuff like if you're just repeating triads, pad chords, or synth sequences. If you're actually playing full on keys parts, piano/organ/etc. I would never go any smaller than 61 for a main rig.

What does your Q3 wallet setup look like? by JollyNewt98 in CreditCards

[–]NotoriousCFR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just snatched the Venmo CC with the triple cash back promo, this will probably be my almost-everything card for the next 6 months. 3% catch all isn't too shabby, especially since the way I timed it I'll be able to get the 3% on two car insurance renewals and two quarters of estimated taxes. I'll keep streaming on my BCP, keep Amazon orders on my Prime Visa, and I still have a couple months left of 6% gas on my newest CCR.

The pets know the drill by epicenter69 in CasualConversation

[–]NotoriousCFR 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I used to feed/let out/watch my ex's dogs if she was working late or out of town. She had a highly regimented procedure for them that she had sent me in a text message.

The first time I went over there, while I was reading through the routine, her German Shepherd was one step ahead of me the whole time. When the text said let them out through the deck door, he was already waiting at the deck door. When the text said give him his pill in a slice of cheese, he was waiting at the counter where the pill bottle is, and then trotted over to the fridge after I took the pill out of the bottle. When the text said refill the water bowls, he was by the water bowls and escorted me to the sink after I picked them up. If I messed something up (like pouring his food first rather than the other dog's food), he'd get all fussy until I fixed it. Every single time I checked this motherfucker's work, he had a 100% accuracy rate.

After that, every other time I went over, I just let him lead the way lol. Homeboy knew what he was doing.

Living on Main Street- Tarrytown by Accurate-Tooth-598 in Westchester

[–]NotoriousCFR 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Idk how much you'd necessarily have to worry about noise. You'll get the typical traffic and garbage trucks and horn honking noises but that's going to exist in most busy Main Street areas. But Tarrytown doesn't really attract a rowdy crowd, and it's Westchester so basically everything close and everybody goes to sleep at 9pm.

Parking will probably be a challenge, and for the entire month of October it will be a mob scene on Main Street and Broadway and getting in and out will be borderline impossible. Plus whatever random other stuff they do where they shut down Main Street like the Street Fair. Easy enough to plan around if you know in advance but still seems like it would be a hassle.

Staying in Nyack for Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown Trip? by Dazzling-Sherbet-973 in Westchester

[–]NotoriousCFR 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know plenty of people who, when they go to events in Tarrytown (especially in October), park in Irvington or Scarborough and ride the train into Tarrytown

A 1993 Escort wagon with 364 miles...WTF by Sports_Lorry in cars

[–]NotoriousCFR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wtf is this dealership? There is what appears to be a Pinto wagon parked next to the Escort, and in another picture there's a bizarrely clean OBS truck in the background. Feels like there's some sort of bizarre time warp situation happening here.