willux

I want to make pecan tassies today, but I realized I don't have corn syrup. I'm already in my lounge pants, so I don't feel like going down the block to get corn syrup. Plus I bake so rarely, I don't need it.

As such, I need a good alternative. I asked my Alexa, and she suggested a few options, the most interesting ones to me were maple syrup and honey. I'm leaning towards trying the former.

But I really don't trust her opinions because she cannot taste things. But all y'all must have tastebuds and corresponding opinions.

Does anybody else use a corn syrup substitute when making pecan tassies? Would it be apocryphal to use maple syrup?

I am also not afraid to make my own simple syrups. S

I've been interested in adopting a cat, however my new apartment's radiators can be very loud at times. Like someone's hitting them with a hammer. I think I'm finally starting to get used to it myself, but I've found it to be very bothersome myself. But my hearing is hardly as sensitive as a cat's hearing. So I'm concerned that beyond just scaring the cat (which it may get used to), the loud clanging will cause physical harm.

How concerned should I be about this, and should it stop me from adopting a cat from a local rescue?

I live in NYC and currently rent. I still don't know how worth it owning would be because I can get like 10% returns in my mutual funds (VFIAX). So I have just under $800k in non-retirement funds and an additional $450k in retirement funds. If I consider my total net worth I could probably retire at 55. But if I ever buy property, then I'd have assets tied up in that rather than actively compounding in the markets.

Please also note that in NYC many apartments you can buy rather than rent are in buildings with HOA fees that can easily be as high as rent - and that's in addition to mortgage payments. So owning doesn't always save money.

I usually prefer my hair long, but for the past two years have been shaving it all off as part of a "mini-breakdown" I go through in mid/late July.

But I actually don't like the way I look with short hair. And recently I've been under a ton of stress and my hair has been coming out in clumps while I shower, so I'm worried about how it will look if I cut it all off again.

This is how my hair looks now

https://preview.redd.it/dys96pngwz9d1.jpg?width=2880&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9dbd03b8e139786a307e4b41cb2880f6a0717dd3

https://preview.redd.it/e0g9qkngwz9d1.jpg?width=2880&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=633811f6f31f2b76a29bb400a7cc6b2a24513643

and this is how I look with short hair:

[2 years ago](

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I feel like PAX Unplugged is the weekend after Thanksgiving for a reason. The last few years it has been my primary source of non-denominational winter holiday gifts for my friends and family...and also birthday gifts.