Just read a review that said the average smartwatch battery lasts only 18 months before capacity tanks

Unpopular opinion: hitting 500 covers on a Tuesday night in February changed my mind about prix fixe

We ran a $65 four-course menu at my spot in Asheville, thinking it would be a slow season filler. We hit 500 plates served, which is insane for a random winter weeknight (and way more than our usual a la carte numbers). It proved that people will show up and pay for a focused, well-executed experience, not just a cheap check. Anyone else have a menu change that blew up your expected covers?

My big bag of rice split open in the parking lot and I had to figure out what to do

Honestly, I was at the discount grocery store in Springfield, the one by the old mall, and I'd just bought a 20 pound bag of rice for like eight bucks. As I was loading my car, the bottom of the bag gave way and rice went everywhere, all over the asphalt. I just stood there for a second, totally annoyed. I couldn't just leave it, and I sure wasn't going to waste all that food. So I grabbed a big plastic bin from my truck, swept up what I could, and took it home. I spent the next hour picking out little bits of gravel and dirt. It was a pain, but I got most of it cleaned up and now I have a giant tub of rice. Has anyone else had a grocery disaster like that and managed to salvage the food?

I thought chicken diapers were a joke until my hen needed to come inside

Okay, so my favorite hen, Mabel, had a hurt foot and the vet said she needed to be kept inside for a week. My wife was not having feathers and droppings on the floor. I saw people online talking about chicken diapers and honestly, I thought it was the dumbest thing ever. I bought one as a joke from a farm store for about $12, figuring I'd just keep her in a big box. But after two days of constant cleaning, I tried it. I was shocked. It worked perfectly, no mess at all, and Mabel didn't even seem to mind it after a few minutes. She just hung out on a towel in the living room like a tiny, feathered dog. Has anyone else had to bring a chicken inside for a bit? What did you do to handle the mess?

Overheard a guy at the supply shop say he only uses one color for everything

Honestly, I was picking up some clear tubing last week and this older guy was telling the clerk he only uses 'Midnight Blue' for every single piece. He said he's done it for 15 years and his work sells fine. Ngl, it kinda messed with my head because I stress over color combos for hours. I've got like 30 different frits and powders, and half are past their prime. Makes me wonder if I'm overcomplicating it just to feel like a 'real' artist. Has anyone else just picked a signature color and stuck with it?

Spent $450 on a new carbon monoxide analyzer last fall. Best money I ever spent for peace of mind.

The great 'butter or shortening' debate for my pie crust

Had a big order for 20 apple pies last week and had to pick between all butter for flavor or a butter-shortening mix for flakiness. I went all butter, and the crust was tasty but a bit tough after baking. Anyone have a good middle ground recipe they swear by?

A cold spritz caused a mini disaster during a facial

I used a chilled toner spray and the customer leaped up, tipping my stool into a shelf. It was hilarious, but I'm convinced cold steps improve circulation more than warm ones. How do you handle reactions to unusual techniques?

My client's false alarms have me doubting motion detector placement.

I think motion detectors should always be installed high up, not at waist level.