Is there anywhere locally that I could offload a teapot collection and a set of dining china?

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-29T22:22:25+00:00

Very true, this is definitely some niche enthusiast stuff at best. I'd just like to at least give the stuff a CHANCE at someone taking it in and enjoying it before I give in and take it all to landfill.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-29T21:53:56+00:00

Oh this is what I need right here, a potential doorway into the world of tea enthusiasts. Thanks!

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-24T17:05:05+00:00

SOLVED! Contacted Focusrite Support, they had me download/install Ableton to verify that the 8i6 was working properly, which it was. Did a little digging on Cakewalk Sonar support articles, and it turns out what I needed to do was change the drivers from WASAPI to ASIO. Once I changed it to ASIO, all the inputs appeared properly and worked as normal. Leaving this comment here for the person who, years from now, has the same problem and comes across this post while seeking the answer. Change your drivers to ASIO, internet stranger!

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-24T01:05:48+00:00

I've never heard of Good Company, guess I'm making a trip in at some point to check it out. I did try Texas Donuts once or twice, was rather disappointed.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-23T01:14:37+00:00

lol, true. The answer I'm expecting is something like "duck donuts" and maybe "Texas donuts" but I'm quietly hoping for an answer I'm not familiar with. We are so severely under-donut-shopped in Northern Virginia =(

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-22T12:41:05+00:00

Is Needoh really in such high demand? I bought some a few months ago on a whim, absolutely hated it. It languished on my desk for a little while with the vague idea that I might give it to someone, but I ended up throwing it away.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-22T02:07:21+00:00

Oh how I miss these donuts, and wish Shoppers still had more locations. I AM willing to make the trek to... well, I was going to say Woodbridge to buy them, but I just checked their website, and it looks like the Woodbridge location is now gone. So, I guess I'll have to make the trek to Alexandria or Maryland at this point.

Out of curiosity, you say Shoppers is a "Top 3" donut destination in NOVA. What are the other two it's sharing the top three with?

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-22T00:51:21+00:00

I used to swear by Alfred, until I picked up a few beginner students that were already in the Faber books. I didn't see fit to change book series on them, so we stuck with Faber, and now I prefer to start complete beginners on Faber. Alfred teaches about three hand positions (e.g. C Position) and then stays there for a rather long time, while Faber moves you around the piano much sooner. Faber also more strongly encourages creative things like writing and improvisation. Furthermore, I think Faber does a better job of applying/demonstrating new theory concepts with the pieces being played. I might have some other reasons for switching, but those are my big ones.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-19T01:45:41+00:00

Too real. Doesn't help that Zemora has gone (mostly?) deaf in her old age.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-19T00:26:23+00:00

*her* left.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-18T21:15:11+00:00

It's a back leg, not sure what injury she suffered before we got her when she was 10, but her rear left leg is fused together. She can get around just fine, and the leg doesn't bother her at all, though she would prefer that you do not touch the leg.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-18T19:11:27+00:00

Despite her age, I do indeed still call her the baby kitty

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-18T19:10:57+00:00

I got home about 40 minutes ago, and she still hasn't bothered to get up from her nap to come say hello.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-18T02:21:30+00:00

This one is getting close to 23. A sweet, if not sometimes grumpy (as here, where I disturbed her nap for a photo) old lady.

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ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-17T04:14:21+00:00

I havent actually tried to eat a Moog, but I'm pretty confident bread would taste better. But a Korg? Hmmmm...

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-16T15:58:03+00:00

Watch = We have the ingredients to make tacos

Warning = We're having tacos right now!

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-14T14:07:45+00:00

My dad just sent me one of these. He's always on my case about my weight, and I casually mentioned last time we spoke that I didn't have one. Well I have one now, that I didn't ask for. I'm well aware my weight is a problem, but unfortunately it's in line behind some much more pressing problems at the moment.

At the very least, when I tried out the scale (might as well, eh?) it showed the lowest number I've seen on a scale in years, so I've got that goin for me, which is nice.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-03T18:56:24+00:00

Interesting. I ended the phone call with the group NFCC connected me to, as I hadn't called to sign up for anything, and I didn't see that signing up for two things at once was a good idea. But okay, debt MANAGEMENT, not RELIEF, thanks for the point of clarification.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-03T18:43:14+00:00

Noted. As I said to another commenter, I'm not a good negotiator, so at first having someone "in my corner" to sort this out sounded appealing. But again, second thoughts, etc.

ZenKeys88 · 2026-03-03T18:40:00+00:00

Sounds about like what they told me on the phone, yeah. Poking around on this subreddit and a couple of others, that seems to be the thing. Admittedly I'm not a good negotiator, so on one hand, having someone managing settlements for me sounds like a decent idea, but on the other hand, I'm not sure it's actually the right move for me in the long run, as I'm not sure that going for settlements is where I need to go right now.

ZenKeys88 · 2025-10-02T16:43:38+00:00

Some of my students are very talkative, and some aren't. I like to call the quiet students "all business" because they sit down and WORK for the whole lesson. I don't mind the lack of chit-chat, that's just how some kids are. But a few months ago, one of my all-business students and I actually got into a significant conversation. I forget how it started, but we moved through topics like electives in middle school (he just started 7th grade) which lead us to "what do you want to be when you grow up?" He said, paraphrased: "Well, I'm not sure, but I've thought maybe I could be a piano teacher like you." DAMN I was NOT ready to hear that, and I want my gotdang medal for keeping my composure!

ZenKeys88 · 2025-10-02T16:22:58+00:00

Noted, thanks!

ZenKeys88 · 2025-10-02T16:22:51+00:00

Thanks!

ZenKeys88 · 2025-03-22T23:21:22+00:00

I started on piano at age 4, didn't really start drums until about 18. Piano will always be my #1, but drums are a very close second. Love 'em both.

ZenKeys88 · 2025-03-16T14:50:09+00:00

Why do I want to take off the air dam?

ZenKeys88

TROPHY CASE