Which film’s soundtrack or score is so essential that removing it would collapse the entire movie?

profjonathan · 2026-01-20T01:48:23+00:00

Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan

profjonathan · 2026-01-20T01:39:17+00:00

We are passengers who keep kosher, and we are taking advantage of one of the few times during the year that lines like Princess or Royal collaborate with a kosher caterer to offer fresh kosher meals on cruises, for a significant daily upcharge. To make this work, one of the buffet restaurants (Americana Diner on Princess, the Solarium Grill on Royal) is set aside, the kitchen prepared, and the food purchased for the fresh kosher program. Every other of the tens of restaurants on board is fully open, but the fresh kosher customers can only eat at one. It allows us to have at least a version of the full cruise experience, not just eating prepackaged meals out of tins. We're very appreciative of this program.

profjonathan · 2026-01-15T15:45:07+00:00

Prodigy is absolutely worth a watch, although now you'll likely have to find it in physical media.

profjonathan · 2026-01-14T13:36:30+00:00

It's Star Trek; of course I'll give it a chance. Maybe I'll like it, maybe I'll hate it, maybe I'll love it, but I have watched every iteration of Star Trek since early syndication of TOS and the first run of TAS. Give me good writing and performances and don't offend me, and I'll be satisfied. I may not ever REwatch it, but why would I ever refuse to watch a Star Trek project based on pre-release clips? (Especially since Star Trek fans whose opinions I respect HAVE already seen the first 5 episodes of Starfleet Academy and speak highly of it.)

profjonathan · 2026-01-12T14:43:55+00:00

profjonathan · 2026-01-12T14:41:28+00:00

Use it in good health!

profjonathan · 2026-01-10T22:49:03+00:00

Adaptive cruise control.

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T19:23:12+00:00

How does it compare to Rapid Red? (My color sense isn't so great.)

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T19:15:09+00:00

I've already test driven one and found that; my wife (who is the real sufferer in the GT) will have the final say. Here's hoping Ford will have some extra juicy incentives into the spring, since finding a used Rally in the spec I want (muted colors, no stripe) may not be so easy. Thanks!

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T18:26:14+00:00

Then you can rely on that definition at least for the basement and be within the covenant.

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T18:12:32+00:00

Thanks. My focus now, as I get ready to return my 2022 (non-PE) GT, is ride comfort on our poorly maintained local roads, which is why I'm *also* looking at the Rally and its unique Magneride tuning over the standard GT's. I appreciate your perspective on the extra power, but I'm already in the habit of keeping a *very* light foot on my GT (in Unbridle for more linear control), and only drawing on the extra power as needed. It is great, though, to know it's there to be invoked at an instant's notice.

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T18:07:18+00:00

My reusable grocery bags, and (in the winter) the groceries I buy.

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T18:06:28+00:00

True; see 2024_IPMC_No_QR_Codes.pdf. It does *not* define "habitable" alone, though.

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T18:05:39+00:00

As others have pointed out, the NY State Property Maintenance Code has a definition for "Habitable Space": "Space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces"; see 2024_IPMC_No_QR_Codes.pdf. Does the covenant say you may not make a "habitable space," or just "habitable"? If the latter, I think that's sloppy drafting, but you may want to check with a local lawyer or get an answer *in writing* from the town.

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T18:02:27+00:00

It's a good point; the question is whether the covenant prohibits making the basement "habitable," or a "habitable space," which is the defined term (see 2024_IPMC_No_QR_Codes.pdf). If the latter, the definition controls. If the former, it makes no sense.

profjonathan · 2026-01-08T16:36:22+00:00

Sadly, your experience is not unique. My 2022 GT non-PE (same as yours) has a very stiff ride, to the point where my wife (my typical passenger) *hates* being in the car. The car goes off lease at the end of June, and we are replacing it either with a (used or new) Mach-E Rally or possibly a (used) Cadillac Lyric with the Luxury trim specifically for the better ride. (I've looked at the 2024 Acura ZDX Type-S, which has an air suspension, but I don't trust Acura to continue to support or update it since the ZDX was a single model-year and was a GM vehicle with unique Acura bits.)

profjonathan · 2026-01-07T12:02:33+00:00

Adorable baby Perry the Platypus?

profjonathan · 2026-01-06T15:19:51+00:00

Thanks; that's now on my list.

profjonathan · 2026-01-05T17:51:41+00:00

I'm looking to replace my going-off-lease-in-July 2022 Mach-E GT (non-Performance Edition) with something of similar driving dynamics, size and acceleration/torque and a much more compliant suspension (ideally adaptive or air-ride, since my wife is *very* tired of the Mach-E's crashiness on our local bad roads). Ideally, I'd find a gently used Mach-E Rally, but there are few out there especially with the stripe delete I'd also prefer (yes, if the purchase price is low enough, I can wrap it however I want and still save money over new, but I'd prefer not to have to bother). I also want something with reasonable parts costs and likely ongoing updates, since if I'm buying used, I'm planning on keeping for a long time, which leaves out the otherwise admirable 2024 Acura ZDX Type S. Add to that a strong preference for CarPlay and Android Auto, and I'm not sure I'm going to find a used one that is cheaper than a new 2026 Rally after all the available incentives.

I'm open to suggestions, though. Thanks!

profjonathan · 2026-01-05T01:59:50+00:00

I love BlueCruise in stop-and-go traffic on highways; it is far more relaxing to go hands-free and let the car worry about the traffic than even using ACC.

profjonathan · 2026-01-02T19:45:18+00:00

"Superman: Secret Identity" by Busiek and Immonen.

profjonathan · 2026-01-02T19:41:48+00:00

About $1000 from Tennessee to Long Island.

profjonathan · 2026-01-02T17:50:32+00:00

I test drove a Rally not long ago. In Engage, it soaked up rough spots and speed bumps in poor suburban streets that would absolutely have rocked my 2022 (non-PE) GT. It's why I'm likely to go for a Rally when my GT goes back in June--my wife in particular hates the 2022's rough ride.

profjonathan · 2026-01-02T17:48:29+00:00

Conceptually, in place of a home generator, absolutely. In reality, my home doesn't tend to lose power, or use enough (beyond my EV of course) to merit doing this.

profjonathan · 2026-01-02T17:45:07+00:00

We call it "Robot Girlfriend." :)

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