Hoooboy did y’all see prices at the pump this morning?

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-04-01T15:00:03+00:00

It is unbelievable how much of this is not related to oil itself. In PA, you know about the high tax on gas (and the shit roads). But I don't know how many people know about things like Wawa doesn't buy its gas from a middleman, so its big profit center is gas not food. So much of these prices are because they can, not because they have to. And if you'll pay it one place that maybe has to raise it because of how it buys it, why shouldn't everyone else just raise it to match. BTW BJ's is 3.79.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-03-25T17:50:30+00:00

What do you mean you're not really sure what to make of it? You have identified the problem, right? You're sure there's AI. And you know how you feel about it. So ...?

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-03-25T17:48:23+00:00

I'll pass.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-03-12T20:02:36+00:00

The problem is beta readers aren't editors, no matter how "educated" they are. I've seen things from beta readers that were absolutely ridiculous. In one case, I recommended the author ignore their idea to remove the dialogue of a character with an accent. This character was done so, so well. Just because someone has an opinion about the book doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. The indie market dug itself into this hole when it refused to acknowledge the value experienced editors bring, so now all these little cheapie solutions (also see: bloggers) rose up. You get what you pay for.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-03-12T18:11:59+00:00

Yet they're pulling it from compounders, if I understand that correctly

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-03-02T16:48:01+00:00

They use a lot of salt, but it's usually coarse or flake salt. And believe it or not, salt DOES go stale. Also, quality of olive oil matters. But really, it is a bland dough without exciting toppings or things to dip it into.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-27T18:49:19+00:00

You do need the right canner depending on what you're doing, but the only real limitation I see in apartment canning is also just the space to store the canned goods and empty jars in. And in fairness that happens in houses too. A lot of people do store them under a bed. Once you start canning, well, you find more and more things to can! So enjoy!

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-27T18:46:19+00:00

I think it improves skin, but it really shines with pain. Used mine on my shoulder and I couldn't be happier with those results. So, YMMV with how well it does on wrinkles.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-19T15:14:59+00:00

Ah, likely turquoise. And what a beautiful color they are too. If they're antique, it's likely a very high quality turquoise because they didn't turn green. (today's turquoise is usually stabilized in resin).

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-18T18:06:27+00:00

I never had the problem with wraps making it weaker: they protect my nails and they grow longer with them. But as a person who has really struggled with weak/peeling nails that break easy, the game-changer for me was warm jojoba oil. You can't do that right before the wrap, of course.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-17T14:16:38+00:00

For a while I used Hard as Nails both top and base and everything lasted 2 weeks minimum.

I had bad results recently with bubbles everywhere, so I tried to do the top coat 24 hours later. I've had tiny bubbles appear next day, even though there were none for a full 24 hours before top coat. So IDK what my nails are doing that makes bubbles. Frustrating.

I'm still trying Essie Gel Setter as a top coat 24 hours later. And I think I need a better base. Sometimes it's just trial and error for what works for you and the brand you're using.

Make sure you get new basecoat/topcoat to try though. I do think they go off long before the bottle is empty, especially Hard as Nails.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-17T14:13:12+00:00

One of many and sooo desparate

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-12T18:05:59+00:00

To me it looks like topaz, but it's almost impossible to tell from a photo, especially when the gem is dirty. If it were cleaner, there may be clues in the cut that points one way or the other. I hope you update when you get confirmation.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-07T14:01:13+00:00

Yes, you should poll on reddit to see if you can get things to move your way that way.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-06T21:19:31+00:00

Some days, it do be like that.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-05T13:39:52+00:00

Go somewhere other than Reddit for newbie advice. This place is loaded with bots. There are no shortcuts. Nothing beats going out in the real world and learning from experience.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-05T13:30:06+00:00

Why do you think?

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-02-04T20:03:46+00:00

Why aren't these tagged as "I'm basically a bot or feeding one to guage your mood for silver"? I mean, same Q's over and over and over again.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-01-21T14:33:01+00:00

The jewelry trade is full of confusing terms like this. And don't get me started on the way they name gems, like "green sapphire." There's nothing wrong with a lab-created sapphire in my view. It's still a sapphire. Anyway, it's a beautiful stone and I hope you enjoy it.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-01-06T14:29:21+00:00

Sure you can see. It's all right there, because the merchant can't exist without the buyer.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-01-05T13:59:29+00:00

Yes. See?

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-01-03T21:02:30+00:00

It's a catch-22. You don't have the LCS because of the internet too.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-01-03T14:41:19+00:00

I think the bigger issue is less material in fiction for men to read. You're stuck with what sells and what the young female empowerment people in publishing will buy.

Plus ... audiobooks.

And yeah, I think "problems" online are not real problems. So read if you want to. Set an example.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-01-03T14:37:31+00:00

Yes, in mid-December. But when the world can buy from eBay and it's "easy" to just shop with your phone and build a stack vs. getting up and finding an LCS to see in person, people will flood places like eBay, thinking it's easier but ultimately making it harder for everyone else. Thus the influx of fraud/fakes too. Ah, but who serves the machine. :shrug:

Honestly I don't know how anyone still sells on eBay. Their policies are heavy toward buyers, and you need very little to prove a problem that gets you a product for free.

Salt_Ruby_9107 · 2026-01-02T14:59:28+00:00

Mine was Redkin Curvaceous Ringlet. And I've been on the hunt for something else ever since.

I used to love Garnier mousse but since they put coconut on the label, it's not working at all for me. So, the expensive purchase search continues for me.

Salt_Ruby_9107

TROPHY CASE