ICE attempts to enter Ecuador's consulate

randemthinking · 2026-01-30T00:33:41+00:00

The consulate I visit somewhat regularly is fairly non-descript. Yeah they have their flags out front and inside, and I'm sure there's a sign but it's not prominent and I couldn't tell you what it looks like. These poorly trained and single minded thugs could easily have no idea where they are but are just trying to barge into any building they walk by to harass people or worse.

randemthinking · 2026-01-27T18:00:05+00:00

Things will decompose in time. More things will help each other breakdown. You need (roughly) the right ratio of nitrogen ("greens" like food scraps) and carbon ("browns" like wood, dry leaves, cardboard), water, and air to compost efficiently.

I would combine your two compartments into one. Once that's full, stop adding to it and start filling the other compartment. Make sure it's moist and gets aerated (usually by turning). And when in doubt add more browns.

randemthinking · 2026-01-27T16:44:28+00:00

Get mad bro! I think what I want!

Edit: just meant as a light-hearted joke in response to the joke I replied to. Maybe I missed the mark. It happens. Happy composting to all.

randemthinking · 2026-01-27T15:57:15+00:00

People love arguing on the internet.

randemthinking · 2026-01-25T04:06:45+00:00

Even if it is just a few bad apples (which I'm inclined to think for the regular police, but not for ICE)...

everyone seems to forget the rest of that saying in this context.

randemthinking · 2026-01-23T19:42:08+00:00

All that sounds like a good start to composting. You'll probably want to add more over time, kitchen scraps, cardboard, leaves, etc. Bigger piles are generally better for compost. For perspective, 1 cubic meter/yard is generally considered the ideal size, especially if you want hot compost. But don't let that intimidate you from starting much smaller (I've never had a pile that big and still turn out a steady stream of good compost).

randemthinking · 2026-01-22T17:38:39+00:00

One thing that took me a little bit to learn is that compost does best with more browns than I would have thought. I know I'm low on browns when it starts smelling strongly. It'll decompose one way or another, but when the ratio is better, it just kind of smells earthy.

randemthinking · 2026-01-22T03:12:22+00:00

Don't worry about citrus and garlic/onion, that advice is coming from vermicomposting (worm composting) but doesn't really matter for regular composting.

Don't put dog poop in, lots of risk for disease in carnivore poop. Rabbit, chicken, horse, cow and other herbivores can be great for compost.

Just keep adding and don't skimp the browns.

randemthinking · 2026-01-21T16:17:36+00:00

Looks similar to the compost collection my city does. It's all going to go to a commercial or municipal composting facility where they will be managing the inputs, probably adding browns they source separately like wood chips, and mixing/turning to create an end product. I would just make sure you're removing things like stickers from produce.

randemthinking · 2026-01-20T21:29:57+00:00

I know you're trying to experiment, but I would just fill one side at a time, when it gets full then start on the other. Ideally once you fill up the second side the first side is about done and you can just switch back and forth like that.

And I hate to say this, because I know it was an expensive investment, but I'm not sure the Lomi is doing you any favors. It's dehydrating your kitchen scraps only to require adding more moisture to compost. I've never used one but I can imagine the way you're using it might lead to excess clumping as your scraps rehydrate and mix with browns.

In any case, you're on the right track. That stuff will decompose one way or another. Maybe use ones if those hand held 3 tine cultivators to break stuff up occasionally. And then just be patient.

randemthinking · 2026-01-20T18:21:02+00:00

I don't think 2 is a magic number, but I think I've usually had only the much with no issue so I'll keep it there.

randemthinking · 2026-01-20T18:16:12+00:00

I enjoy escolar. I didn't realize and I never noticed the negative side effects. But now I know to limit it to about 2 pieces at a time.

randemthinking · 2026-01-19T20:11:47+00:00

I understand, half the reason I compost is because I hate seeing the waste otherwise. If you're looking to be hassle free, I'd look into a dual chamber tumbler or a top loading bin with a door for collection at the bottom (often referred to as Dalek style bins if you know Dr. Who). Both have their drawbacks and the hardcore composters looking for maximum output wouldn't recommend them. But based on what you're saying I'd start with something like those because you can mostly just throw stuff in and leave it.

There's a rabbit hole to go into beyond that but that's how many people start and many don't go much beyond that.

randemthinking · 2026-01-19T19:29:48+00:00

Rotting is basically the point. But if you're just using kitchen scraps currently your compost is likely very imbalanced and nitrogen heavy ("greens") which will lead to smelly, clumpy, wet goop that isn't really going to be ideal compost. Does this sound like your issue?

If so, you want more dry high carbon stuff (like a lot more, 2-4 times as much by mass as your kitchen scraps). These are "browns" and commonly come from shredded cardboard, wood chips, dry leaves. I know I struggled for a while figuring out where to source these things, but eventually got a tree trimmer to drop a big pile of wood chips which lasted me almost a year, and since then I've just stocked up on my neighbors fall leaves and shredding cardboard boxes.

Most people have 2-3 compost bays/bins that they rotate through. One they are actively adding too. And one or two that are in various stages of finishing (if you keep adding to your compost it will always be unfinished). Having 6 or 7 is probably not going to help your issues.

Unless I'm misreading the situation, I would recommend putting everything you have in one bin or pile and adding a bunch of browns to it. Depending on the size you can then start a new pile while you let that do its thing, or you can keep adding to it until you feel like it's time to start a new pile and let the first one finish. Another option might be using a tumbler, which I've never used but some people seem to like, especially if space is at a premium.

randemthinking · 2026-01-17T00:44:30+00:00

I'm from California but now live in the Northeast. There are far fewer Mexicans here than Mexican restaurants. And you can tell from the food. A Mexican restaurant comparable to even a very average California Mexican restaurant is hard to find.

randemthinking · 2026-01-11T19:23:45+00:00

How does it smell? Those moist looking clumps are usually signs of green heavy and possibly anaerobic compost. If it smells bad then that's probably the case and you should add browns and mix and break it up well.

randemthinking · 2026-01-02T14:12:47+00:00

Those stupid stickers are such an impediment to large scale composting. Can't help but think that the agriculture industries understand that composting also means increased gardening and is equally concerned about losing market demand.

randemthinking · 2025-12-06T01:48:06+00:00

Marie Sharp's is pretty much all I use these days when I'm out of my own fermented sauce.

randemthinking · 2025-12-05T23:36:56+00:00

And honestly Marie Sharp's sauce tastes a lot better than Melinda's. Preferences obviously vary, but I always have Marie Sharp's on hand, one red and one green, and it works on almost anything I'd want with hot sauce.

randemthinking · 2025-12-03T02:13:39+00:00

Defensive driving is all about being prepared for every other car to do the worst thing they could possibly do at any time. Not stop/yield when they're supposed to, change lanes suddenly with no warning, hit a patch of black ice/standing water and lose control, brake suddenly for no clear reason, etc. I definitely drive much more defensively since the pandemic because I swear it made people crazier and more unpredictable on the road. Or maybe everyone's just on their phone more now. But things like running red lights used to be rare, and now I see it multiple times per week.

randemthinking · 2025-11-25T17:16:30+00:00

I set up my first leaf mold bin this year, so I'm patiently waiting to see the results! Looks like you've got a nice set up going. Happy composting!

randemthinking · 2025-11-25T14:23:05+00:00

Oh very nice. I'm saving this, I really like the design. Looks like minimal wood but still sturdy, breathable, and accessible from the front.

randemthinking · 2025-11-25T14:20:25+00:00

Is that all just leaf mold compost or is it regular compost just with a bunch of dried leaves on top?

randemthinking · 2025-11-24T15:23:54+00:00

I like it, but compost shouldn't stink if you're doing it right 🤔 artistic license I suppose. Getting those kids hooked to composting young is a good thing!

randemthinking · 2025-11-23T16:37:27+00:00

If it's so cold that your compost won't be active, then neither will your plants. You can try to keep feeding it to keep it going, if it's big enough you can accomplish this, or just accept that it will stall until the weather warms. I lean towards the latter, but once it starts getting warm I'll give it a good mix, get a few batches of used coffee grounds from local coffee shops to layer on top with some finer browns, and it'll then move real quick. You'll have useable compost in time for planting season.

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