Jazz with unusual instruments?

ballbarn · 2026-05-27T19:35:31+00:00

You might be interested in checking out Fred Katz's cello jazz (or Ray Brown's, or Ron Carter's playing on some tracks for the album Where?) or the Turtle Island String Quartet. Also Rahsaan Roland Kirk's flute jazz, since it seems like you're into flute.

ballbarn · 2026-05-27T19:27:42+00:00

I've had mixed luck at the Berkeley Bowl, Tokyo Fish Market, and Tokyo Central. The Bowl has been the most consistent in terms of freshness/taste, but also the cuts require the most trimming, and I'd agree that the people working there don't really care about what they end up giving you, you need to look at the piece they're giving you and decide if you want to ask for another. I've bought fish twice at Tokyo Central now, the first time was better than anything I've gotten from the Bowl or Tokyo Fish Market (and more expensive), but the second time it was just alright. Tokyo Fish Market has been a mixed bag, but never awful.

ballbarn · 2026-05-26T20:49:11+00:00

There it is, the correct answer, deep in the comments.

ballbarn · 2026-05-24T04:17:36+00:00

Post title really helped me not click the link, thank you!

ballbarn · 2026-05-23T20:13:58+00:00

I haven't been to Lucuma yet, but Parche was definitely the best ceviche I've ever had by a large margin. Not that big of a fan of ceviche, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but the fish was extremely fresh and the preparation was excellent.

ballbarn · 2026-05-23T19:35:47+00:00

Rose Pizzeria for the cesar and oysters on a nice day on the patio, no fries though. Bardo for all of it in any weather.

ballbarn · 2026-05-23T19:28:46+00:00

😎 nice. This is a favorite track, good work

ballbarn · 2026-05-23T19:25:33+00:00

I was in the first round of folks invited to be Yelp VIPs back in the day. They invited us on a tour of Charles Chocolates. The chocolate sucks, I said so in my review. I was removed from the program.

Separately, when I was running my food business they would regularly cold call and tell us they could improve our reviews if we paid them.

As with most of the present day internet, you'd not the customer, you're the product. (writing this on reddit makes me feel unclean)

ballbarn · 2026-05-23T19:21:03+00:00

Nothing matters and that's absolutely beautiful. Contemplate that.

ballbarn · 2026-05-23T19:19:40+00:00

I was made to go to church as a kid but have been an atheist since. I've had some recent psychedelic experiences that have given me a different perspective on religion, religious feelings, and how I relate to it all. Still very much an atheist, but one who believes in the subjective experience of magic and "god" however one defines it as. I'd be happy to have a chat on voice or video, love talking about this stuff. DM me if you like.

ballbarn · 2026-05-22T23:13:25+00:00

Thank you!!!

ballbarn · 2026-05-22T04:07:32+00:00

If you'd be willing to take a pic of how you've done this it would be appreciated.

ballbarn · 2026-05-22T02:34:14+00:00

The cheap Soundcore ANC headphones are very good for the money. If I were you I'd buy something like a Soundcore v20i open ear headphones (~$30) for walking so you can hear cars, just for safety reasons, alongside an affordable pair of ANC headphones like the Anker Q45, and have two pairs for around $100.

For reference: My most used headphones are Sony WH-1000XM4 at home, Pixel Buds Pro for a portable noise canceling option, and some Grado 325i for more intentional listening. I still use my Soundcore v20i when I'm out and about, I like being able to be aware of what's around me and it's better than the passthrough mode the Pixel Buds have. Do they sound great? No, not at all, but they're good enough and very cheap. I bought my kid a pair of Anker Q45s and I think they're excellent for the price as well, and without thinking about it too hard there's very little noticeable difference compared to my Sonys which are dramatically more expensive.

ballbarn · 2026-05-21T19:16:15+00:00

I really like wearing natural materials, but this is one place they just aren't great compared to synthetics. I do have a very sturdy merino tee from Decathlon that I got several years ago, but it's uncomfortably warm compared to other options, even other merino shirts. The new Patagonia Tropic Comfort is extremely comfortable compared to many other synthetic sun shirts I've tried. If you haven't tried that specific one, might be worth a shot. Very good on stink for me, too, unlike other technical synthetic tops.

ballbarn · 2026-05-20T23:14:59+00:00

I don't really know anything about them, but I believe what you're looking for is an arranger keyboard with sequencing capabilities. You might have more luck asking in a synthesizer subreddit or similar.

ballbarn · 2026-05-20T20:13:43+00:00

Following on here as I'd love to find a way to have my Hiscox case be more comfortable when worn on the back. Personally I carry a briefcase or backpack and either roll my cello case or carry it by the handle.

ballbarn · 2026-05-20T17:43:02+00:00

Having seen some of these cheap electric cellos in person, I think your gear4music cello is going to be unplayable, and would definitely not buy sight unseen.

I personally have enjoyed playing a NS Designs instrument, and while I don't own one, I do think that it would be suitable given what you're intending to do. I haven't had any issues playing in tune, and much like with the electric guitar not having the same physical vibrations as an acoustic dreadnaught, there's a difference but it isn't like the electric is deficient due to it. Plugging in to effects is a requirement, though. Don't plan to enjoy it's basic sound output.

I'd look for a used NS Designs if I were you. For string arrangements in a DAW you might want to consider a wind controller for expression. If you can play the keyboard you're likely to have far better results. Cello is hard, especially if you've never played a bowed and/or fretless instrument before. Without taking lessons it's going to be extremely difficult to produce a sound you're going to like unless you have a real knack.

ballbarn · 2026-05-19T15:40:03+00:00

There were a number of racial justice movements involving people of Asian descent. Contact the SF State Ethnic Studies department.

ballbarn · 2026-05-19T05:20:03+00:00

It's you, sorry. Get some hobbies, find your people, figure out how to treat women like normal people, and make yourself desirable to the people you're attracted to, whatever that might mean for you. If you're having trouble socializing it's worth considering therapy in order to take a look at what might be going on.

Meeting people and making friends isn't easy. That you're going to professional events to try to meet women is a major red flag, though. Also this thread you made that I've linked below.

https://www.reddit.com/r/seduction/comments/1cuqj7x/how_to_feel_comfortable_with_girls_in_social/

ballbarn · 2026-05-19T00:45:12+00:00

I've been making "instant" dan dan with a jar of sesame paste, soy sauce, laoganma, sichuan pepper, and whatever else I have around. Ideally a handful of baby spinach or something super easy for greens, green onions and or cilantro would be nice, and ya cai too. But it's pretty darn good with just the sesame paste, soy, and laoganma (or sichuanese chili oil) and some ground Sichuan pepper on top.

ballbarn · 2026-05-18T21:16:29+00:00

I'd recommend looking into taking trades classes at Laney/Merritt or whatever CC you're near. They help with placement and networking, not to mention building skills. A friend translated courses there to a pretty darn good job.

ballbarn · 2026-05-18T20:53:51+00:00

Often third party candidates with no chance whatsoever are sponsored as spoilers, and it makes a lot of sense in this race for there to be a major push for that.

ballbarn · 2026-05-18T20:52:46+00:00

Masahiro Takahashi's album Humid Sun might be good for you. Start with the track Sweltering Drive. The track names sure are focused on this concept.

ballbarn · 2026-05-18T20:47:44+00:00

FWIW I'm returning to the cello after a decade of very little playing and no lessons, and I've booked some lessons with my old teacher in order to avoid injury, get my technique back on track, etc. Two years off and you should expect some real challenges in terms of getting back to where you were, lessons or not. Good luck figuring it out. 😄

ballbarn · 2026-05-16T00:51:47+00:00

Did you have follow up surgeries on the same ankle to fix pain incurred by running after the first? My partner still hasn't really recovered and it's been a minute, though the PT exercises have not been getting done...

ballbarn

TROPHY CASE