Currently: Audio-Visual Installations at a University: Patience and diplomacy. Users refuse to adapt to new tech (HDMI dammit, NOT VGA) and update legacy hardware (2005 Mac laptop with mini DVI out); administrators refuse to set deadlines for removal of legacy tech (take the VCR out and they’ll be forced to convert…

I’ve only glanced through those settings, and never explored what they could do. This tip is really useful. Thanks, Emily.

The deal is for used, third party units.

The deal is for used, third party units.

It’s been crazy hot in SF, so oven-work is on hold unless absolutely necessary. That said:

Since it’s coming up soon: Thanksgiving in a casserole? It must include: Turkey, Stuffing or Corn Pudding, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans with bacon. Gravy on the side. I can’t quite figure out how the layers would go. I will leave that to the experts.

I had a similar thing happen to me years ago. I listened to Ella Fitzgerald records when I was young. I was mesmerized by that effortless voice, her astonishing range, her genius with phrasing. She was superhuman.

Scotch Brand Poster tape. It is strong, removable and does not damage the poster. I started using it at work, to mount instruction sheets to walls. I now use it at home for photos, prints, art museum postcards (DIY art gallery).

No problems at all. The fireplace is very well insulated and the mount keeps the TV a few inches away from the wall. They never pull the TV down when the fire is on.

Which is why, when my parents decided that the only place in their custom designed living room to place the TV was over the fireplace, I tracked down the only mount of its kind, at the time, the Down and Out Mount. They still get compliments.

Not really a hack, but if you visit, try to look beyond the expected places to see the real city we residents live in. I love the Sutro Baths and the little park across the street. That’s where Adolph Sutro’s house used to be. Read up on this amazing man’s life. When you visit, look out over the vast west side of town…

Aaaand this would be the week I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My overdeveloped sense of irony bites me again.

Second that. Try comparing data on two spreadsheets with 15 or 20 columns on one monitor. Therein lies madness.

• What was your very first cookbook? The Peanuts Cookbook and the Peanuts Lunch Bag Cookbook. Bought through the Scholastic Book Service when I was in grade school. I still make the occasional peanut butter, celery & ketchup sandwiches. Don’t mock, it’s good.

Try this version:

My job duties have changed so many times in 20 years (yup, I’ve been working at the same place that long) that I’ve given up trying to explain it. I just say “educational technology”. The confused expression on people’s faces when I say that is priceless.

I hate bananas in any form but I never pass up a Claire Lower column. Another gem.

Our Passover hard boiled egg experience takes this to a whole new level: 20 eggs one for each person at the seder table, 6-8 eggs for chopped liver, one egg (unpeeled then roasted) for the seder plate. We used to take bets to see how many came out clean. Broken ones were put in the chopped liver.

Buy several kinds of cold cuts/sliced cheeses. Curry mayo, pesto, hummus, etc for the sandwich spread. I always have peanut butter and dill pickles (been eating this since childhood). Buy variety packs of chips (variety is the spice of lunch). Carrots, apple, nuts. Make some salad (couscous, lentil, sorghum with bell…

The Planets, Charles Dutoit, Montreal Symphony. A transcendent recording of a masterpiece

The Planets, Charles Dutoit, Montreal Symphony. A transcendent recording of a masterpiece

Best childhood memory #10-Picking corn with my family. The farmer asked us if we had ever eaten raw corn. He stripped some ears and we dug in. Something about the warm sun on the ears, maybe, they were amazing.