It's Already 2AM: 36th Edition... THE REUNION THREAD !

I turned my studio the casita, into a home theater with 120 inch screen and electric leather recliners..beverage ref, microwave and popcorn machine. I made the room dark, so I cannot paint there anymore. I paint in my study with a wide glass sliding door that opens to a balcony, for large pieces I paint at the foyer with two floor ceiling and plenty of lights, I can also paint in the patio or inner courts.
Thanks for looking

tonyniev wrote in post #19390311
I turned my studio the casita, into a home theater with 120 inch screen and electric leather recliners..beverage ref, microwave and popcorn machine. I made the room dark, so I cannot paint there anymore. I paint in my study with a wide glass sliding door that opens to a balcony, for large pieces I paint at the foyer with two floor ceiling and plenty of lights, I can also paint in the patio or inner courts.
Thanks for looking

that's nice that you have a few places you can paint. sliding door and balcony sounds really nice hehe. do you keep the door open sometimes? or you keep it close to avoid quicker drying?

since covid, I have been enjoying watching movie at home vs the theaters. even with the theaters being open now, I have no interest in going and rather wait till it comes out on the stream, which is pretty quick now. I would definitely look into getting a projector if I have the space. currently fine with the old pioneer 60" 1080p plasma. 5.1 sound but I would use headphones when family are home.

here's my mock up coffee bar. it's set up in my room but it'll go in the kitchen somewhere, this was just to try to get some nice pictures hehe. have not pulled a shot to try yet, might not be able till until the weekend.

even during summer I keep art of the sliding door open even use an electric fan to exhaust air, acrylic more with oil emits fumes.

I like your gaga, set up...

I have not watch much on the projection 120 inch home theater with Onkyo German tower speaker sound system, I prefer to watch now in my bedroom with 85 inch QLED TV with Yamaha sound system with speaker craft wall and ceiling speakers.

Yes I have been binge watching for 2 1/2 years now

tonyniev wrote in post #19390656
even during summer I keep art of the sliding door open even use an electric fan to exhaust air, acrylic more with oil emits fumes.

I like your gaga, set up...

I have not watch much on the projection 120 inch home theater with Onkyo German tower speaker sound system, I prefer to watch now in my bedroom with 85 inch QLED TV with Yamaha sound system with speaker craft wall and ceiling speakers.

Yes I have been binge watching for 2 1/2 years now

gotta air out the room, didnt think about that :P

thank you. hope I don't regret getting an easier setup ehhe. I really get into this hobby I maybe get something better.

is your projector 4k?

and here I thought having a 60" in my room is big lol. I have a 43" 4k that I would use more for convenience and to reduce heat. the plasma is such a heat producer but I enjoy using it especially in the winter when it's cold, it acts as a heater hehe. sony is coming out with an oled 42" that I am interested in getting. really looking forward to enjoying it's colors. my current sony is pretty good already but I can use more picture quality

I did not see any knock box in your set up?

The projector is not 4K just HD 1080, good enough for most shows. My 65 inch in the bedroom before I replaced it with the 85 QLED was 4K.

16 years ago I had a Plasma TV in our bedroom, it lost some parts of the screen and it wa so heavy to lift, the wall bracket was heavy duty so I t can easily carry the 85,first replaced with a 60 1080, then the 65 4K and now the 85.

I have 10 TVs at home, in the family room 12 years ago I put the top of the Samsung 55 of that year ago I paid for $4500 still shows good images high contrast, most of my TVs are Samsungs and 3 TCL's with built in Roku, cheap but goo quality. I bought a 65 Sony Bravia, but returned it after a few weeks, it was overpriced.

tonyniev wrote in post #19391074
I did not see any knock box in your set up?

The projector is not 4K just HD 1080, good enough for most shows. My 65 inch in the bedroom before I replaced it with the 85 QLED was 4K.

16 years ago I had a Plasma TV in our bedroom, it lost some parts of the screen and it wa so heavy to lift, the wall bracket was heavy duty so I t can easily carry the 85,first replaced with a 60 1080, then the 65 4K and now the 85.

I have 10 TVs at home, in the family room 12 years ago I put the top of the Samsung 55 of that year ago I paid for $4500 still shows good images high contrast, most of my TVs are Samsungs and 3 TCL's with built in Roku, cheap but goo quality. I bought a 65 Sony Bravia, but returned it after a few weeks, it was overpriced.

good observation :P

I have not decided on what to get, would like to have a big box but I'm not sure if I will have the space so I could just settle for a small one. I am eye'ing the saint anthony bloc https://stanthonyind.c​om/products/bloc

I like the idea of the catch pan when distributing the coffee when preparing. Maybe the small pan is good enough for the little usage it will have and then dump it at the end of the day.

the plasma is indeed heavy. I have mine just sitting on my ikea tv cabinet. two reasons, I don't want to put holes on my wall and also it being too heavy makes me worried hehe. but I like the viewing height and the stand is a nice one. I love the big black tv frame on the tv. If the tv decides to not work anymore, it'll be hard for me to replace it with a new one with thin bezel. I do have a backup samsung plasma in another room that is 3d capable or look for another pioneer elite kuro. I'll see what happens when the time comes.. 4k tv seems more like an ideal choice to have now.

Our first lcd was a samsung and it's still going strong today. the remote did get worn out and we had to replace it. but yes, the tv's colors is still very good. I've never tried the roku, how is it for you? I'm using an nvidia shield box which I like alot, I have a 2nd one that I would take when I go on a trip. the sony 43" i have is an android, which is what the nvidea shield is base off of. Android/google is my preferred option when looking at tvs.

Guns, skipped if not interested in guns....as I aged I have to adjust my self defense pistol and rifles,

as an old gun owner my pistols are chambered in large calibers .45 and and FB designed .40 cal, only one of the pistols is chambered in 9 mm, the ostpopuar caliber but I considered low power.

6 years ago as I aged I shifted to sam .380 cal with the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard, however are crime rose, I opted to get a PDW Scorpion in 9 mm, I can carry this concealed in a backpack or other means, inside the vehicle loaded etc.

Knowing that there will be no new gun control law on high capacity magazine ban, I decided to ge a small 9 mm picots with 11, 13 and 15 magazine capacity. the Springfield Hellcat is a new well designed pistol, to aid the going eye I opted to get electronic optical sight- a red dot.


with the red dot optical sight

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …i-NFHBVB5-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …i-jcgcvx8-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …i-W8nwkGm-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …/i-FfNw3hh-L.jpg&lb=1&s=A

I saw that box too< I opted for a large steel box- Breville brand very useful, stands at the back of my wood tamping station.

DTBaan wrote in post #19361398
suuwweettt!! baby's really costing you alot of money. cameras.. cars.. hahah

what a nice ride. plan on taking some long drives ?

i was looking at a few cars, kind of leaning towards a volkswagen tiguan but not sure if I want to pull the trigger. would be getting a black or dark grey.

Yup baby’s are expensive as hell but all he did was usher in expenses we avoided because they weren’t absolute needs. Living in Manhattan you don’t need an automobile. Plenty of public transportation and if that doesn’t work then you can Uber. Uber would have never amounted to the cost of a car if we decided to go that route but it’s the convenience of time. In the sense of loading up the baby and all his stuff. We started to feel stress taking an Uber and always feeling rushed to get to them. As anyone with a child can tell you they are unpredictable and our schedule is on their time when they are this young. After getting the car it’s been stress free.

I test drove the following 2022 models (reasons why we didn’t pick them):

-Audi SQ5 (it was such a boring drive to me)
-Genesis GV 70 (loved this car but back seat space for a car seat and a parent next to the car seat could not work)
-Mercedes Benz GLC 300 (high reliability issues reported with 2022 model so bypassed it)
-Porsche Macan (easily my favorite drivers car. Such a sweet ride. But same issue as Genesis although not as extreme)
-Tesla Model Y (it was the last model we drove and it felt so cheap. We just didn’t like the feel. Once the other luxury makers get more seasoned in EV we will go with them over Tesla. Also having one screen control everything is not something I like. Tactile buttons are important for activating things when driving and not having to take your eyes off the road).

The BMW X3 M was the best of all worlds in our segment. Great drivers car that makes it interesting and engaging to drive. Great rear seat clearance so mom or dad can be back there with baby in car seat and assist with no issues. Cargo space was top notch as well compared to the others. Was it the best car in each category? In most yes in other no but it was the best all overall by far. Funny enough the current X3 is as large in interior space as the previous Gen X5. Cars just keep getting larger and larger. We thought about going X5 but interior passenger space is the same. Cargo space increases some but that’s about it. Wheel base grows because it needs the option to hold the higher larger specked engine.

Give a look at Volkswagen reliability scores and reviews on Tiguan. I remember in my car research it wasn’t too favorable.

Harm wrote in post #19362047
an M series in Manhattan...

also that does not look like a Tesla S Plaid to me....

Good thing I live next to the GWB and just jump on the Henry Hudson to go north. In seconds I’m in open freeway

Harm wrote in post #19388329
have I ****....

nah, paying off student loans, kids taking up all my time as the perpetual uber dad for footy, golf, swimming, dance teams, you name it...

ahhh, but one day . I still use all my old equipment that works really well.

You forget the memo? Your old equipment no longer works the minute new equipment is announced lol

DTBaan wrote in post #19389378
Tony, do you have any coffee beans that you like?

I'm looking for medium or medium-light. I like strong and non fruity/sour.

tonyniev wrote in post #19389407
I like Lavazza, the SF Bay Coffee bean factory,Starbucks, and the subscription through Trade coffee. SF Bay prices went up by 40% over the last four months recently stopped the subscription delivery via Amazon...using some old beans today. I need to do some shopping.

You guys should really check out "Graffeo"
https://www.graffeo.co​m/

Literally the best breakfast light roast I have ever had. It melts in your mouth!

tonyniev wrote in post #19391280
Guns, skipped if not interested in guns....as I aged I have to adjust my self defense pistol and rifles,

as an old gun owner my pistols are chambered in large calibers .45 and and FB designed .40 cal, only one of the pistols is chambered in 9 mm, the ostpopuar caliber but I considered low power.

6 years ago as I aged I shifted to sam .380 cal with the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard, however are crime rose, I opted to get a PDW Scorpion in 9 mm, I can carry this concealed in a backpack or other means, inside the vehicle loaded etc.

Knowing that there will be no new gun control law on high capacity magazine ban, I decided to ge a small 9 mm picots with 11, 13 and 15 magazine capacity. the Springfield Hellcat is a new well designed pistol, to aid the going eye I opted to get electronic optical sight- a red dot.


with the red dot optical sight

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …i-NFHBVB5-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A on Smugmug

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …i-jcgcvx8-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A on Smugmug

a good pair with the scorpion

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …i-W8nwkGm-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A on Smugmug

bullet comparison
I have .380, 9 mm , .40, .45, 5.7 .556 or .223 and not shown the AK47 7.62 mm

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …/i-FfNw3hh-L.jpg&lb=1&s=A on Smugmug

nice toys Tony :P

I think guns are cool. they just scare the heck out of me, knowing how dangerous they can be. A friend keep telling me that's because I don't know how to use them and encourages me go to try shooting. I'm going to just stick to archery for now hehe but yeah I do like guns and holding it, used to like shooting with a bb gun and later the air guns. they didnt feel good because they were plastic, I enjoy holding the bb gun more.

tonyniev wrote in post #19391296
I saw that box too< I opted for a large steel box- Breville brand very useful, stands at the back of my wood tamping station.

I ended up getting the bloc. If I need a bigger box I'll get it later, some people complain its too small to dump their pucks. I will think so too so I'll see how it goes heheh. was watching a youtuber and a discount code was offered for the company. 'hoon20' if you are interested in their products. good until Sunday night for father's day coupon.

still have not pull a shot, havn't had time to play around with the machine. very excited to try out the beans and enjoying latte's at home

vipergts831 wrote in post #19391460
Yup baby’s are expensive as hell but all he did was usher in expenses we avoided because they weren’t absolute needs. Living in Manhattan you don’t need an automobile. Plenty of public transportation and if that doesn’t work then you can Uber. Uber would have never amounted to the cost of a car if we decided to go that route but it’s the convenience of time. In the sense of loading up the baby and all his stuff. We started to feel stress taking an Uber and always feeling rushed to get to them. As anyone with a child can tell you they are unpredictable and our schedule is on their time when they are this young. After getting the car it’s been stress free.

I test drove the following 2022 models (reasons why we didn’t pick them):

-Audi SQ5 (it was such a boring drive to me)
-Genesis GV 70 (loved this car but back seat space for a car seat and a parent next to the car seat could not work)
-Mercedes Benz GLC 300 (high reliability issues reported with 2022 model so bypassed it)
-Porsche Macan (easily my favorite drivers car. Such a sweet ride. But same issue as Genesis although not as extreme)
-Tesla Model Y (it was the last model we drove and it felt so cheap. We just didn’t like the feel. Once the other luxury makers get more seasoned in EV we will go with them over Tesla. Also having one screen control everything is not something I like. Tactile buttons are important for activating things when driving and not having to take your eyes off the road).

The BMW X3 M was the best of all worlds in our segment. Great drivers car that makes it interesting and engaging to drive. Great rear seat clearance so mom or dad can be back there with baby in car seat and assist with no issues. Cargo space was top notch as well compared to the others. Was it the best car in each category? In most yes in other no but it was the best all overall by far. Funny enough the current X3 is as large in interior space as the previous Gen X5. Cars just keep getting larger and larger. We thought about going X5 but interior passenger space is the same. Cargo space increases some but that’s about it. Wheel base grows because it needs the option to hold the higher larger specked engine.

Give a look at Volkswagen reliability scores and reviews on Tiguan. I remember in my car research it wasn’t too favorable.

Good thing I live next to the GWB and just jump on the Henry Hudson to go north. In seconds I’m in open freeway

You forget the memo? Your old equipment no longer works the minute new equipment is announced lol

whats up Omar!?
man you really did try out alot of cars heheh. That sucks to hear about volks being unreliable. I'm trying to avoid Japanese cars because I'm not diggging the looks on them these days, but I guess I'll have to look at the rav4 again. can't afford to maintain the premium german cars. one is enough hehe. I was curious about the volks too, if they will cost alot to fix. a friend loves the volks but she just leases the cars so hasnt got much experience in running into car problems. yeah I don't like tesla because it's just an ipad in the middle of the dash. buttons is also good when driving, it's hard to tell if you hit the button while if it's a soft button. I say that, but I really like the audi a6 and would sacrifice buttons for it heheh.

DTBaan wrote in post #19391986
nice toys Tony :P

I think guns are cool. they just scare the heck out of me, knowing how dangerous they can be. A friend keep telling me that's because I don't know how to use them and encourages me go to try shooting. I'm going to just stick to archery for now hehe but yeah I do like guns and holding it, used to like shooting with a bb gun and later the air guns. they didnt feel good because they were plastic, I enjoy holding the bb gun more.

My wife was afraid of them as well. I signed her up for gun safety training at a local range which covered a lot from simple things like operations, grip, aim, and got into more complex legal aspects as well. It was a 12 hour course spread out over 4 sessions. At each session we also had a hour of instructed range training. Went to the range about once a week for over a year and she got quite proficient with her Glock. The uncomfortableness went away pretty much after the first session in the range when she realized that they are really no more dangerous than a car or using a table saw, or angle grinder. She went on to get he concealed carry permit and I'm assuming that she is carrying pretty much all the time.