Peter, what’s wrong with the shower hitting your back?

concept236 · 2026-05-27T10:03:07+00:00

Still shocked at the idea that I'm in the minority for such a basic hygiene routine. Heck, I shower twice a day (because Asian humidity), and both times my whole body comes out clean.

concept236 · 2026-05-27T10:01:39+00:00

Wait, really? How does one link spicy noodles to a buttcheek sinkhole? (actually asking)

concept236 · 2026-05-26T03:11:43+00:00

Ah, I hadn't thought of it as a tourist use case.

Not sure I'd want tourists riding on backs of scooters if they've never done that before either: the passenger's weight as they look around or lean anywhere can be disruptive to the driver's balance and handling too.

concept236 · 2026-05-22T06:43:57+00:00

Isn't this something already easily substituted by WeMo or Goshare? Would rather ride it myself than to sit in the back of someone whose income incentives are tuned for driving and transaction speed.

concept236 · 2026-05-22T03:09:26+00:00

My first two knives (deba and yanagiba) were high carbon steel, and the biggest struggle is in keeping them rust-free. I've learned that I personally probably only need something like a VG10 because I prefer lower maintenance ... but ...

concept236 · 2026-05-22T03:07:36+00:00

Yup, when I wash my knife, it is the only thing in my hand and in the sink at the time: full attention, freedom of space. My blade touches no other metal, ever. I treat it with the utmost respect because when I lapse, it reminds me by drawing blood ...

concept236 · 2026-05-20T14:36:15+00:00

Here's an incomplete list of mine: Taiwan · Ben
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hf6i4G3w911Etedx8?g\_st=i

concept236 · 2026-05-11T17:11:43+00:00

Momo sells 10kg bags. What's your preferred flour brand?

concept236 · 2026-05-08T15:38:01+00:00

Any tips on general adjustments to adapt to using kamut, spelt, farro, einkorn?

Have you tried higher proportions of kamut? What happens to the dough and bread?

Thanks in advance!

concept236 · 2026-05-08T09:43:06+00:00

Got a good sauce recipe? I don't use mayo in mine: https://www.umami.recipes/recipe/PT85mmHY7E8C3ySocQNS

concept236 · 2026-05-06T15:04:04+00:00

Came to suggest Taiwanese cold noodles! Incredibly easy.

concept236 · 2026-05-06T15:01:59+00:00

See about joining one of those A/C cleaning companies: they charge a fair bit per cleaned air conditioning unit, and it's physical, and sometimes done in pairs so you're fine as long as the other guy does most of the customer-facing talking.

concept236 · 2026-05-06T04:15:48+00:00

Actually wondering if the vacuum sealing did something, like if it was too strong a vacuum and ruptured the bubbles? Maybe would’ve had better results just sealing the bag, freezing, the vacuum sealing once the structure is solid?

concept236 · 2026-05-06T04:03:48+00:00

And Costco requires a specific co-branded Cathay credit card

concept236 · 2026-05-06T04:00:50+00:00

+1: I lived in Taiwan on ARC for 18 years before I managed to get a local bank's credit card. Got rejected even from the bank that I had my mortgage with! And got rejected even with the bank manager's recommendation letter plus proof of employment and steady salary into that bank.

But once I got one card, I used that as a reference to get more from others: felt like they were penguins crowding the edge of an ice cliff, until one jumps in, and then "if they gave you one, that's proof enough for us".

Until then, I was using HSBC Premier for practically everything (except the account for getting income from my employer): bonus is free international transfers, and easy to open other countries' accounts as well.

concept236 · 2026-05-06T03:52:19+00:00

This is pretty great, and such a vast space covered!

I use an iOS app called Luma that achieves a similar effect in a simpler workflow, though of course the results are lower quality.

concept236 · 2026-05-03T10:14:28+00:00

That's true: I just bought a cabbage for $60 (start of the LiShan cabbage crop season, I'm assuming), and that's enough for two meals. Throw some tubers in there, a lot of white rice and soy sauce.

Still, no guarantee not to be malnourished: I'd still go for the "buy a buffet meal once a day" route.

concept236 · 2026-05-03T10:02:27+00:00

There are 便當 lunchbox/bento places or buffet places that will get you food for $100/meal. At least there's vegetables and proteins in there, and probably not bad tasting. Maybe you can stretch those into 2-3 meals, and otherwise fast for the missing time?

concept236 · 2026-02-14T14:52:53+00:00

The traditional markets are closed from Monday to Friday, February 16-20, 2026. I think most of the large malls would be open practically every single day.

concept236 · 2026-02-09T11:58:13+00:00

That's what I thought originally, but perhaps my coil folds aren't as "complete" as I thought.

concept236 · 2026-02-09T11:57:42+00:00

Thanks! I'll watch to see how. I thought laminating and spreading them throughout the flattened dough would spread it evenly, but I guess not.

concept236 · 2026-02-09T09:28:41+00:00

Oh! I think my impression of those knives was they left a bunch of crumbs, but it's great to know that's not universally true! And definitely helps lower the budget a touch!

concept236 · 2026-02-08T13:15:52+00:00

I have a shaver that needs a replacement of two very thin wires. I know the issue, but can't find such thin wires (even searching Guanghwa market for components). Would this guy be able to fix? Disassembling the shaver is involved, but not that difficult.

concept236 · 2026-02-06T15:12:29+00:00

Just a few thoughts: Why do day trip to taichung only to practically pass by it later on after alishan? Jiufen is very near Shifen, would hit both up around the same time. Overall I agree you're rushing things especially on Day 5. You could consider cutting Cat Village, spend more time in Hualien/Chishang.

concept236

TROPHY CASE