adora's Profile

I know what you mean by the peace of mind of always having staples at home.

I feel like I need to clear up those fights upstairs started by European snobs. I've lived in several countries in Europe, Asia, US and now in Canada. Buying in bulk is sure a N. American culture that is under appreciated elsewhere. It is not because Americans are crazy, but rather due to the lack of bulk discounts in other countries. Prices simply fluctuate more rapidly in the US. Discounts of toilet paper in the US often go up to 70% off, not to mention coupons. Sales in Europe and Asia often means a modest 10% off, it's just not feasible to stock up.

For me, time savings is the main attraction for bulk buying. I make room for these "supplies of life". I have a minimal kitchen with just a knife, cutting board, few pots and plates. It frees up the kitchen for storage. When it is important to you, you can always find the space.

First, you must know that moisture alone doesn't cause mold or mildew. They are cause by fungal growth. Keeping the bathroom dry is only one of the ways to inhibit their growth.
The cheapest way is perhaps to wipe the walls and ceilings with diluted bleach solution, this would kill most of the existing spores that aren't yet visible to the naked eye. You may also paint the walls with anti-fungal paint for a more lasting effect.

Wouldn't they chip?

"I want my hat back" is my favorite picture book of all time! :D

Kettle with auto shut-off - I drink a lot of tea and keep forgetting the stove-top kettle. It is money well-spent in terms of preventing fire.

The major splurge in kitchen should be safety-related. Kitchen is a hot zone accidents. Auto shut-off, pans that are not too heavy, sturdy handles, ergonomic design... stuff like that would be my priority.

I disagree on knives. You can get a good-enough chef's knife at Ikea for $15, keep it in shape with a sharpener. It will last you several years.

Temperature and humidity can affect the sound, but it is only a concern for concert-level performance. The surrounding furnishing of your home probably have more effects on sound quality than its placement location.

For home use, it is more important to find a spot that is comfortable for the player. Think about it like buying a car. An upright is like a family sedan, it serves as a working horse.There is no point of giving it showroom treatment that would be an inconvenience.

Lastly, if you can't tell the difference between mp3 and quality CD recordings, the exterier/interior wall probably doesn't matter.

Dude, where's the total depth and width of the area?

I find myself using a lot more Pathogrous theorum than I had expected. Here it goes:
2 a^2 = 38^2. Therefore A = 26.87".
So your total depth is about 85". Total width is about 70". Your room is 6'-10" wide and 7'-1" depth.

To be seated comfortably, you need at least 24" clearance from the walls. Your maximum table size should be no more than 37" x 22". So get a table about 24" x 36". Can't use benches, because they are at least 42" wide. Try stools instead, then you can get away with 20" clearance.

I just eat what I like and let them fight it out inside.

An additional question is: Would the person who gave this to me care if I toss it?

My mother kept 3 large broken Samsonite suitcase from the 60s my grandpa had bought her when she was a teenager. They are ugly, heavy, smells weird. She would rationalize it by using them to keep off-season clothes but the clothes would get a strange smell. She couldn't throw them out because her father will not come back to life to buy her new suitcases. Which is a poor argument. He died in 1985. Suitcase were broken before I was born, 10 years prior. She just say that so that none of us can throw them out!

My grandpa was a man of quality. That's why he splurge on Samsonite, which was a luxury in the 60s. He would hate to see my mom burden with clutter. If he were alive, he'd say, "For god's sake, why are you keeping them? Please buy new ones!"

So if you are keeping something just because it is from a deceased person, just think about how ridiculous it would seem to him or her!

In NYC, London, Hong Kong, Singapore or Tokyo, I'd prefer public transportation. It's actually a burden to have a car. (e.g. You parked at Covent Garden, then have lunch with a friend in Leicester Square and went shopping near Piccadilly Circus. Then you have to walk or talk the tube all the way back? So annoying.)

Living in suburb of Toronto right now, away from subway, only national trains nearby. I do enjoy using my car for groceries and other heavy stuff. I would have never bought 2L soda pop if I had to take public transport or walk.