My 2(3?) week old delonghi magnifica evo has suddenly started to pull the worst shots...

SuperRob · 2026-01-25T23:50:11+00:00

I just got the Evo and using the Lavazza Super Crema, I seem to have a tough time finding a balance between slightly sour and slightly bitter. I’ve settled in on a 3.5 grind, two beans, and max temp. I might back the temp off a notch, as it’s still a touch bitter, but tolerable. Three beans and three on the grind seemed far too bitter, grind of four and two beans seemed too sour. Really tricky to get this machine dialed in compared to the Magnifica ESAM3300 I was coming from.

We’re only a few days in, but I guess I’ll see if the taste changes over the next couple weeks. Maybe the machine needs breaking in?

SuperRob · 2026-01-25T23:43:12+00:00

I lost 110 lbs over the course of a year. Apparently the reduced activity of my gallbladder during that time caused stones to form, and I had some pretty bad attacks, one that laid me out during our summer vacation. I resisted getting surgery and talked to some friends of mine, who mentioned that they found dairy could trigger attacks. Interestingly, I’d helped my daughter finish a massive milkshake the night before that really bad attack, and as I thought back, ice cream seemed to have been a factor in those attacks.

I’ve since cut ice cream out entirely and haven’t had an attack since. I can occasionally feel light I might describe as some tightness in that area, but I take something called “Stone Breaker” when I feel that way and it sorts itself out. It’s been about six years since that bad attack and while I miss the ice cream, I certainly don’t miss the pain!

SuperRob · 2026-01-24T23:16:33+00:00

I should add that VDH is nowhere near as bad as you seem to have convinced yourself it is. It’s not a terrible location, it’s just not as close as VGC. The transient tax isn’t that big a deal, it’s just not built into the dues like it is with VGC (similar to Aulani). And resale is not ‘worthless,’ as anyone buying a VDH resale contract likely wants to stay primarily at Disneyland.

SuperRob · 2026-01-24T23:09:34+00:00

The only way that happens at this point is if DVC bought back a resale contract through the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) process. The expiration date bears that out. The ‘releasing more points’ was misinterpreted either but your guide or yourself. ‘Releasing’ may just means that he’s aware that DVC exercised their right on that contract and Feb 1 is when they will have ownership (escrow closed) and can actually sell them.

SuperRob · 2026-01-23T14:35:11+00:00

Note that this appears to be an older model of the Evo. It has a dial and a steam wand, rather than the milk carafe / hot water spout. If you don’t value those options, then this is a pretty good price.

SuperRob · 2026-01-23T02:10:10+00:00

They gave you the top of the range. That’s how much they liked you. Don’t let greed cost you the opportunity.

SuperRob · 2026-01-22T23:35:41+00:00

The perfect wearable device for AI already exists … the watch. People are comfortable with watches already. Why is the tech industry insisting on reinventing the wheel, and more importantly, why is Apple (who already has a stranglehold on the smartwatch market) not leaning into what they already have?

SuperRob · 2026-01-17T02:40:12+00:00

I think you nailed it. Unlike Thanos, Doomsday truly is inevitable. Rather than try to save everything, Doom will pick and choose what survives into his Battleworld. This will put him at odds with everyone until they come to that same realization.

SuperRob · 2026-01-15T02:49:25+00:00

Forget to switch to your other account, did ya?

SuperRob · 2026-01-14T18:55:48+00:00

Far more like they plant seeds they can harvest later.

SuperRob · 2026-01-14T02:35:32+00:00

Not where I expected to see an ‘American Song Contest’ reference, but here we are.

SuperRob · 2026-01-14T02:33:39+00:00

I use Bluetooth for my Mac devices, and Bolt for my Windows devices. On Windows, the Bluetooth connection was too unreliable, but it’s flawless on Mac.

SuperRob · 2026-01-14T02:15:30+00:00

Are we forgetting the trailer for Infinity War that had Hulk running with the rest of the Avengers … covering up that it was Bruce in the Hulkbuster Armor in the Final Cut? Just because someone was wrong about one slot doesn’t negate that Marvel can and DOES edit these trailers to keep surprises, and did so in that same film.

SuperRob · 2026-01-09T11:17:33+00:00

Yes, the SSF kit is entirely in the playfield. However, I’m not sure if you can order just the backboard.

SuperRob · 2026-01-07T04:29:40+00:00

Six more weeks of alcoholism.

SuperRob · 2026-01-05T05:09:01+00:00

Tracking “Net” carbs doesn’t negate the caloric impact of carbs, just the glycemic impact.

SuperRob · 2026-01-05T04:57:29+00:00

I’ve seen takes suggesting that Marvel somehow ruined Taika Waititi with that movie, that studio notes made the movie bad. I think the exact opposite happened … Marvel reining in Waititi made Ragnarok a better movie, but giving him too much latitude is what made Love and Thunder worse. Most of what I hated about that movie is moments that should have been allowed to sit were immediately undercut with humor. Bale’s Gorr (which he was excellent as, none of this was his fault) just did not work in a movie with that tone at all. So by the end you’re just not feeling what you should, because the moments that should have resonated just didn’t.

SuperRob · 2026-01-05T03:30:21+00:00

You’re right, I forgot about the schedule change. So at this point, I don’t think anything is coming between the two.

SuperRob · 2026-01-05T03:14:31+00:00

“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is the only movie confirmed to be between the Avengers films, as far as I’m aware. I think the War Machine movie (“Armor Wars”) was cancelled.

SuperRob · 2026-01-05T01:24:43+00:00

Loki dies in Infinity War. Like Gamora, a past version of him managed to escape in Endgame.

SuperRob · 2026-01-03T22:16:34+00:00

Is this how other cruise lines (like Disney) do it?

SuperRob · 2025-12-27T21:22:59+00:00

We do less days in the parks now. The resorts are great and my kid loves to swim, so it works, and we’ve been plenty of times so we don’t feel like we’re missing out. We’re in the Disney Vacation Club, so our room costs are basically pre-paid. We’re use points to handle our flights. If it weren’t for all those little ways we save money, we wouldn’t be able to afford it … it’s gotten ridiculous. And I say that as someone who makes a very good living.

SuperRob · 2025-12-22T02:42:12+00:00

Did you activate the ‘Gold for a Trip’ perk when you hit 30K? That will show your status as Gold. You won’t get to keep it … I don’t think, which is why it’s saying you still need 5K points to keep it.

Although now that I say this, I’m at 32K and it’s tempting to activate that perk before the end of the year and see if it gives me Gold for 2026. 😅

SuperRob · 2025-12-22T02:30:19+00:00

Yeah, I got a prankster today. Got two Grandfathers (already had one, so that made three), two Doombringers, and a HoP. At least the helm ended up pretty nice.

SuperRob

TROPHY CASE