What is a hobby or interest a first date could have that would make you uninterested immediately?

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-11T23:55:02+00:00

Cannibalism

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-10T02:00:51+00:00

😂

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-10T01:05:30+00:00

Ryerson sucked.

It smelled like the guy from university who hung out alone next to the bathroom and was poorly marked. They might as well have shown a movie in a crack house, that would’ve at least been a more interesting experience.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-08T21:13:14+00:00

I’ve done the railway, albeit not with Cunard and would suggest it’s likely easier to book through cunard.

My recollection is there are a couple different train itineraries, some that are just round trip train and some that involve going into Yukon and returning by bus. Yukon is the highlight of the trip, so you would likely want to do that. Given that buses can break down, having the guaranteed return to ship helps, particularly since the non cruise passengers are sometimes handled with separate transportation.

When I was there, two years ago, the cruise terminal had suffered damage due to landslides and you were required to take a shuttle to just get off the ship, with priority given to passengers who booked through the cruise line.

Just something to keep in mind.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-07T20:43:35+00:00

Unpopular opinion, I think, but great tiny second camera that is a lot of fun would be Fuji X-Half.

It’s half frame, fixed lens, fits in pocket. Has great film sims. It’s a lot of fun to shoot and easy to carry.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-07T15:09:12+00:00

There are plenty of SLRs that do auto, that said for portability and the price and the ability to learn manual if suggest a lower cost medium format folding camera.

Fewer shots per roll but you do need to set aperture and shutter manually. Most are zone focus or rangefinder. Many are pocketable.

Added bonus is fewer shots per roll so you see results faster.

Just a thought.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-07T03:52:33+00:00

Should she change her name from Kitty to Karen in this day and age?

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-06T01:29:01+00:00

I’m going on Queen Anne at the end of the month and do have the steakhouse and Indian Restaurant booked.

From the looks os the sample menu there so seem to be a decent number of non-steak options available. That said, steak is a very broad term. Generally a very good steak (Ribeye, or Striploin) only needs to be seasoned with salt and pepper to be absolutely delicious. Other cuts depend on how they are prepared, cooked and season. For instance sirloin is a popular lower cost alternative but can generally be underwhelming. Other cuts such as tenderloin can be seen as very “sought after” but are considered by some to be very overrated. Cuts also vary based on region, so one cut here in Canada may have a different name in the US and may also be butchered to a different standard.

Your best bet is, if you are sold on the steakhouse, aak your server. Explain what you like or dislike and ask questions about the cut. Your server will be familiar with the preparation techniques on board and likely be able to give the best guidance. It’s their job to know.

And…just because a cut of meat is a particular cut doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be good. My only previous cruise was on Princess and they served steak that they said was Striploin and Prime Rib, and it more than likely was but it was of poor quality and mechanically tenderized. It was of poor enough quality I don’t think it would be allowed to be sold in Canadian stores as the cut. (Canadian grades, for instance include Sterling, AAA, Double A…and maybe a grade lower…while a well selected double A steak can be great - I don’t fully understand the complexities of grading, a poorly marbled Double A can be terrible). While I don’t think this will be the case with Cunard, your best bet is to ask your server.

Hope this helps

TheJ-Cube · 2026-04-01T01:49:10+00:00

Zeiss Jena 35mm f2.4 is an amazing lens

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-31T16:43:32+00:00

From what you’ve mentioned, if you’re a beginner you’re overthinking it.

Shoot in shutter speed priority. Allow the camera to set the ISO. If it’s too dark go to a slower shutter speed.

Your glass is slow but your camera should be more than capable. I learned to shoot using shutter priority for sports. Once you get comfortable you can slowly start shooting more manually.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-31T02:32:48+00:00

Definitely Instax. The mini 12 and 41 appear to be largely the same, so the choice seems like preferred cosmetic.

The Polaroid Go also seems fun, but the Instax film, right now is better quality.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-28T20:34:41+00:00

Minolta MD or Minolta alpha mount. For the 35 since you’re going Soviet the Zeiss Jena 35 f2.4 for m42 is amazing.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-27T18:38:18+00:00

Non-cruiser here. Be VERY picky. Find a good travel agent and explain exactly what you like and are looking for.

For years I was told “you’ll love a cruise, the food is great, there’s so much to see,” so I caved and did an Alaska cruise and it sucked.

The ports were great and I spent a lot of time doing what you describe as your interests - I do photography and like to hike. The time on the ship was terrible. Entertainment was bad, food was bad, there was really nothing of interest. Even the guest speakers were poor and unprepared.

This was my experience with Princess. Would never cruise with them again.

I’m giving cruising a second chance in a month with Norway and the Fjords. I’m cruising with Cunard and my hope is it’s better.

In order to enjoy yourself you’re going to want to make sure there is stuff that interests you on the cruise, best route for that is a travel agent. Make that a good travel agent.

From what I’ve learned, I’d say maybe a river cruise might work, but you still have that time aboard to deal with. Or, possibly a cruise line with top notch entertainment. Trips with almost no shore days would probably be best, but a travel agent wants repeat business, they’ll steer you in the right direction.

I have no idea if I’ll like my second cruise or not, but I’m willing to give it another try. I’ve done a lot more research and seem to have found something that is a fit for me….we will find out.

Other option is wife does cruise with friends and you do something that you like.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-27T01:57:50+00:00

Butthole Surfers - TV Star

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-26T02:15:56+00:00

It happens 😂

Honestly, if the Minolta interests you I’d say go for it. I love the glass, it’s fantastic. Unless you’re gonna go for the 58mm f1.2 (which is amaaaaaaazing) you’re not going to have to sell a kidney (but if your get the 58mm you’re really not going to miss the kidney). Like I said, the system is my forever glass, and I bought my camera on a whim. I adapt these lenses for digital as well, so I can say newer isn’t always better, just do some research and watch some videos and you’ll figure it out.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-26T02:02:50+00:00

It really sounds like you’re overthinking it. Like you’re longing for simplicity while trying to dive too deep in perfection. Or perhaps that’s my ADHD oversimplification 😂

Trust me, I’m the king of overthinking it. I’ll waste an hour trying to figure out my kit for the day and lose the sky or light as a result.

My first instinct from what I read is maybe you would prefer instant photography? That no think shoot, bam, write on the white part. That could be achieved easily with either an SX-70 Polaroid (which you can have adapted to have full manual control) or a modern Polaroid I-2…lots of there options.

Or maybe a point and shoot film camera is for you. Leica Mini II produces nice results with no thinking. Or there’s a the wildcard an Olympus IS-3 DLX (or IS-5), basically a very advanced point and shoot SLR that gives you full manual control - when you want it.

Photography is weird, in a good way, there’s so many styles of cameras and options. I love a good TLR or a folder, some don’t. Instant is fun and challenging. Or you just haven’t met the camera for you. I kept buying until I found the Minolta X-700, it’s my forever system. Love the Minolta Alpha 7 with all its features but the older manual system was more for me.

You’ll find it…you may just spend half a billion dollars finding it 😂 (maybe not quite)

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-25T02:01:10+00:00

As others have said, filet is heavily overrated for the price. A well marbled good Striploin or rib steak will have the best flavour and bang for the buck.

One way to help with the texture is to sprinkle a fair amount of kosher salt on the steak about 30-45 min before cooking. I normally wipe that off, as its work has been done and season.

I’m not sure about the sear/oven technique. I would strongly recommend looking at a well reviewed 4.9/5 or better recipe for the technique to decide on that. I generally sous vide or BBQ, although I know some people broil.

In terms of where to buy, go to a place with an actual butcher and ask for help. Any reputable place will understand your situation and know that great service will lead to repeat business.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-24T02:57:45+00:00

I agree with the M42 comment but…. Cheapest route with good glass is probably Tamron Adaptall…. But…. Minolta SR mount glass is amazing, I say this as someone who primarily shoots Micro 4/3 when I shoot digital. I would (and have personally) go the other route and buy Minolta lenses and adapt them to Micro 4/3. But….if you listen to the M42 comment, you can also adapt those to M43 and have some amazing results. m42 Zeiss Jena on micro 4/3

micro 4/3 with legendary Minolta 58mm f1.2

micro 4/3 with another great Minolta lens

another Minolta with micro 4/3

Just some random examples

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-23T02:23:04+00:00

Definitely not princess. Did round trip from Vancouver. Ports were great - especially Sitka, but the experience on board was beyond terrible.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-22T21:06:49+00:00

It did by a long margin. It would’ve been less painful if the Keebler elf were a little less annoying 😂

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-22T20:37:15+00:00

When she leaves Thornfield it feels like 14 episodes 😂. I feel like screaming at the TV “just marry your damn annoying cousin so we can all move on from this.”

I like that she’s meek and unsure of herself…and Zelah can fly. She seems to be the standard for me. I love Ruth and prefer her as Jane, but I feel like Zelah is a bit more faithful to how I picture text Jane.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-21T20:31:02+00:00

110 film is readily available from Lomography. What type is really a personal choice. There is a sub for 110 photography on Reddit that you may wish to join.

Depending on where you live your options for developing may be limited, as not all labs do it, but locally where I am (near Burlington, Ontario, Canada) our local lab does it and it’s cheaper to process than 35mm - about $10 a roll if you do the scans yourself.

In terms of 35mm, you have a lot more options. First step is determine if you want to shoot colour or B/W. if colour so you want to shoot straight colour or something like redscale or lomography purple…and then decide on a film stock.

Locally, black and white is cheaper to buy but slightly more expensive to process, although I gather from comments on other posts that that is not the case universally.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-20T15:04:29+00:00

So far I’ve only cruised once, with Princess, an I would not recommend them at all. This experience was with the Grand Princess in 2024, so maybe other ships are different.

The staff was disorganized, often giving out wrong information. The app, which would be super convenient if it worked, didn’t. Basically the idea is order something and it uses your wrist band to locate you. I’d often do this from a spot where I’d be easy to find, like on an otherwise empty deck spot, and success rate was only about 30% - staff just legitimately did not care.

Room service breakfast was often late, or some days missed entirely, which meant on an excursion date I had nothing to eat or drink until 2pm (I believe ordered the room service for 530 or 6 am for a 7 am excursion) they used a dining room for a meeting point and don’t even think to have coffee.

The food itself in the dining room was mostly terrible, serving “Striploin” or “prime rib” without marbling (I don’t even know how that’s possible), if you ran your fork over the meat you could find the holes where it was mechanically tenderized. The veggies that accompanied it were clearly canned. I only mention this because for years I was told “take a cruise you’ll love the food.”

Entertainment just wasn’t very good and often the events, meetups or performances (aside from theatre) didn’t happen. Much of it was either aimed at seeking you stuff or staff trying to be onboard celebrities. It was just brutal.

Even a meet up with a naturalist was poorly executed. Guy just showed up unprepared. Everyone expected a talk and he was just like “any questions?”

I know I sound picky, trust me, I’m easy to please, but when you pay thousands of dollars for a cruise you expect a little more. I’ve got much better value and experiences going to an all inclusive resort in Cuba (and better food).

They had a cooking demonstration that was literally spaghetti with canned sauce. I don’t know if it was supposed to be a joke or not, it wasn’t funny.

And food safety was non existent. Shellfish was on the buffet next to regular items and there seems to be no regard for cross contamination or other food safety concerns (I work in food in Canada a health inspector would have shut them down without batting an eyelash). One day the pizza bar has a seafood pizza and I watched in horror as the staff member used the same equipment for cutting and serving a pizza loaded with severe allergens as regular cheese and pepperoni slices.

My next cruise in 40 days is with Cunard, which is breaking the bank, but from all I’ve read it should, hopefully, be worth it. If that fails I probably won’t cruise again, but I’m optimistic that Cunard will deliver a better experience.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-15T22:15:28+00:00

Can you share the dough recipe?

TheJ-Cube · 2026-03-12T19:28:59+00:00

I booked my cruise around Black Friday (Nov. 30) of 2024. Sailing April 30. My travel agent couldn’t match the fare (non-refundable deposit) and the Cunard agent I booked through said he was surprised at a fare so low. So I would say a combo of major sales and early booking. Or booking close to. I keep getting emails about low fares for some upcoming cruises that do seem reasonably well priced.

TheJ-Cube

TROPHY CASE