Ethanol-Free Gas

At our first visit to the new Buc-ee's in Huber Heights, I noticed they sell ethanol-free gasoline.  I didn't even know it was a thing, so I went digging into it.  Most U.S. gas is blended with ten percent ethanol (i.e., E10), and ethanol absorbs water and can be corrosive.  That can lead to fuel system corrosion, “gumming” or varnish buildup, and hard starts after sitting a while.  

Ethanol-free gas is preferred because it’s more stable and causes fewer maintenance issues, and is used in boats, lawn equipment, motorcycles, and classic cars.  I can buy ethanol-free gas at our local Marathon station, and I'll start using it in my lawn mower, trimmer, and blower.

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

The sign below is posted at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.  It's sad to think that some parents are stupid enough to leave their kids alone in a parking garage.  I personally don't see the attraction to gambling, but it must overwhelm a small set of people to the point that they make crazy, bad decisions.  So sad.

https://www.riverscasino.com/pittsburgh

Using AI To Design A Deck Extension

I first used Google Gemini to imagine what our deck would look like without our hot tub, which was placed between the house and the small stairs.  That's the first picture below.  I used it again to visualize a 4'x8' extension to the deck, and that's the second picture.  The width of the extension isn't quite right, but I could have had it fixed, and for my purpose, it was good enough.  I think we have a winner!

https://gemini.google.com

Half-Sized Pizza

If you put a large Marion's pizza in front of me, I'll eat and eat until I'm about to burst.  Since I have no pizza self-control, the only option is portion control, and I do that by ordering the 9-inch pie you see, half-eaten, below.  This size is around $10, which is the perfect size for lunch, and I don't waddle around the rest of the day.

https://marionspiazza.com

Cute Colander

We found this cute little colander at Kuhn's grocery store in Pittsburgh, and it was an immediate impulse buy.  It measures six inches in diameter and three inches tall, perfect for little jobs like rinsing the pint of blueberries you see below.  We own three other colanders, and now we have four.

Wabana Street

My brother-in-law sent me this picture on Wabana Street in Pittsburgh's Northside.  Sure looks like an accident waiting to happen.  All the other poles are right up against the curb, which is still a bit scary.  Don't bother to try to find this on Google Maps.  It's blurred out.  Imagine that.

Patio Umbrella Holder

We never imagined that we could put an umbrella on a deck railing until Gourmet Chef Elaine had one pop up on her Instagram feed.  I found it on Amazon for under $30 (see the link below) and did some research to make sure it fit the spacing on our railings.  It's made of thick steel and requires no tools to install.  You just spin the wingnuts on the bolts and hand-tighten.  We've wanted shade on our deck for a long time, and we now have it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G388ZTMB

Using AI For Remote Tech Support

A friend sent me a photo of her Windows desktop, asking for help.  I didn't recognize them, so instead of making a visit to figure out what was going on, I just uploaded it to Google Gemini and asked, "What are these and how do I stop them?"  As you can see below, they are Google Chrome desktop notifications related to her AOL email account.  I just pasted the response in a return message, and she was able to get them to stop bothering her.  Two minutes and one chatbot interaction replaced a half-hour, in-person visit.  Loved it!

https://gemini.google.com

Venezuelan Arepas with Chicken and Avocado

The Avocado Chicken Salad that is stuffed in the homemade arepas you see below is delicious.  Avocados are mashed with mayonnaise and lime juice, then combined with shredded chicken (I used leftover Costco rotisserie chicken), bell pepper, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and garlic, and seasoned with salt and pepper.  Cover with plastic wrap, pushing it down to prevent air from turning the avocados, then refrigerate until ready. 

More information, including a recipe for the arepas, can be found at the link below.

https://www.panningtheglobe.com/reina-pepiada-arepas-chicken-avocado

Kettering Mayor's Award

We couldn't be prouder than to have our local Tangles Hair Salon selected for Kettering's first-ever Group Volunteer Award!  You can read the full platitudes at the link below, but just know that the eight ladies of Tangles have a long history of giving to our community through food drives, Christmas-time raffles, and raising money for great causes.  There isn't a more deserving group than the ladies shown below.

https://www.ketteringoh.org/mayors-award

Rolling Hot Tub

When our hot tub recently sprang a leak, we decided not to get it fixed and called 1-800-GOT-JUNK to dispose of it.  As you can see below, they moved it by getting it on its side and then "rolling" it out to the yard.  It took a team of four guys to manhandle it, and there were a couple of times that the hot tub, weighing in excess of 1,200 pounds, looked like it might tip over, but they kept it upright.

The final loading on their truck can be seen in the short YouTube video link below.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TK0k_heeuio

YouTube TV Full Custom MultiView

I've blogged about the MultiView feature in YouTube TV a couple of times, and while useful, Google's recent update that lets you choose any combination of 2, 3, or 4 channels you want instead of their preset combinations is awesome.  I plan to use it to watch one sporting event and the Moments of Zen channel in a 2-window Multiview, because I do not like listening to commercials, particularly the same ones playing over and over.  Since this feature is powered by Google's servers, even lower-powered devices can support this.  More information can be found at the Yahoo article link below.

https://tech.yahoo.com/streaming/articles/youtube-tv-officially-launching-fully-221554422.html

Using AI To Find Fonts

I was looking for a new font to spice up an old presentation, and instead of searching myself, I asked Google Gemini for some recommendations for upscale fonts.  The two I liked best were Montserrat and Playfair Display, which you see below.  To make that more visual for you, I added both fonts to my Google Blogger and formatted the text below using those specific fonts.  Seeing is believing. 

https://gemini.google.com/app

1. Montserrat (Geometric Sans-Serif)

Montserrat is a modern classic that feels clean, high-end, and architectural. It is exceptionally legible even at smaller point sizes, making it perfect for return addresses.

• Why it works: It feels "boutique" and contemporary.

• Pro Tip: Use All Caps with slightly increased letter spacing (tracking) for a high-fashion, minimalist look.

2. Playfair Display (Sophisticated Serif)

If you want a more traditional "old money" or editorial aesthetic, Playfair Display is an excellent choice. It features high contrast between thick and thin lines, reminiscent of late 18th-century European styles.

• Why it works: It looks like it belongs on a luxury invitation or a premium real estate brochure.

• Pro Tip: Use the Italic version for the recipient's name to add a touch of grace.

Fried Rice

Gourmet Chef Elaine found this super-easy recipe for fried rice, and it was a hit.  You just cook the veggies (chopped white onion, frozen peas and carrots) in sesame oil until tender.  Slide the vegetables to the side, pour 2 lightly beaten eggs onto the other side of the skillet, scramble them with a spatula, and mix everything together.  Stir in rice, combine it all together, and cook until warm throughout.  Serve with sliced green onion, if that's your thing.  A few other details can be found at the link below.

https://therecipecritic.com/easy-fried-rice

Golf Shirt

I rarely find a great product at a ridiculously low price, but the golf shirt you see below is just that.  First, it costs only $14.99, has a subtle cross-golf-club design, is light but of good quality, and is long enough to stay tucked in.  It's available at the link below and includes over two dozen other designs, some pretty wild, with most costing $19.99.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F94FMGX9

SQL Murder Mystery

For the non-techies:  SQL means Structured Query Language.  It's used to read and write records in a database.  You can stop reading now.  

For the techies, the link below will take you to a murder mystery created by Knight Lab.  The first query you run gives you the names of the nine tables where clues are buried.  The second query allows you to see all the fields in a table.  You start with the statement below.

---

A crime has taken place, and the detective needs your help. The detective gave you the crime scene report, but you somehow lost it. You vaguely remember that the crime was a ​murder​ that occurred sometime on ​Jan.15, 2018,​ and that it took place in ​SQL City. Start by retrieving the corresponding crime scene report from the police department’s database.

---

Can you find the killer?

https://mystery.knightlab.com

Fork Mystery

The oddly designed fork you see below came from a luncheon at Wright State University.  I'm still wondering exactly the purpose of the little "wings" you see in the middle.  One theory is that they're designed to work with a particular type of dispensing unit, and the "wings" help the forks from falling out.  Another theory is that it adds additional strength at the point of maximum stress, helping the fork from breaking.  The weirdest theory is that you use it to pick off pieces of chicken or ribs from their bones.  

I don't know what to believe, but I can't find an online seller that offers this shape.  Perhaps one day I'll find the truth.

Using AI To Design A Cabinet

The picture on the left below was the result of the Gemini AI chatbot being asked to take an existing empty cabinet, add a shelf so a TV sits on top, and a cable box that fits below.  But when I saw it, the thought occurred to me that maybe painting the inside black could look even better.  Gemini then created the picture on the right in a few seconds and confirmed what my imagination cooked up.  

This example is one of the things I like about AI chatbots.  They allow me to be creative, and they do the creating.  I can let my imagination go wild and leave all the brushstrokes to the bot.  Sweet!

https://gemini.google.com/app

Slicing Texas Toast

I love Aunt Millie's Texas Toast, but two slices will cost you 220 calories of your daily intake.  Gourmet Chef Elaine taught me this trick to reduce that to a more reasonable 110 calories.  You first toast the bread, let it cool enough to handle it, then slice it in half with a serrated knife.  This would be tough to do with a regular piece of bread, but the thickness of the Texas Toast, combined with the additional rigidity gained by toasting it, makes it a breeze.