Question about using a stand mixer for bread dough

I tried using my KitchenAid on a high hydration sourdough recipe from a book... it just climbed the hook and never really kneaded. I learned you need to keep it on a lower speed for that wet of a dough, or just use your hands. Anyone have a mixer model that actually handles sticky dough well?

I had to choose between a bag of potatoes or a box of pasta for my main cheap carb this week.

The potatoes were $2.50 for five pounds, and the box of pasta was $1. I went with the potatoes because I realized I could roast them, mash them, and even make a simple soup. It worked out great, and I got four different meals from them. Anyone have other cheap ideas for a base ingredient that can be used in a bunch of ways?

A deckhand on a Seattle tender told me 'you're just a tourist down there' and it's been bugging me.

We were cleaning up after a job and he said most divers just follow the shot line, do the task, and come up without ever really seeing the site. He said if you don't know what's ten feet to your left and right, you're just visiting. That hit different because my last inspection felt rushed and I barely looked around. Do you guys make a point to scout the area even on simple jobs?

Spent a full 45 minutes trying to get a stubborn milia out before remembering my mentor's trick with a warm compress and a comedone extractor.

What's your go-to method for those super deep, stubborn ones that just won't budge?

A horse in Spokane taught me to always check the frog first

I was trimming a draft cross at a barn out there about six months ago, and the owner kept saying the horse was just 'off.' I went straight for the hoof wall and sole like usual. After twenty minutes of frustration, my mentor, who was watching, just said, 'You're looking at the wrong part.' He had me feel the frog, and it was mushy and hot. That one comment shifted my whole process. Now I start every single job with a frog check. Anyone else have a moment that totally flipped their routine?

PSA: I picked a cheap tarp over a pricey tent for a weekend in the Adirondacks.

Got caught in a downpour for two hours and stayed bone dry, which my buddy in his tent did not. Now I'm a total tarp convert for solo trips. Anyone have a good knot guide for setting one up fast?

My dew heater failed right as Jupiter was coming into view

I was out in my yard in Boise last Tuesday, it was about 2 AM and my scope was finally cooled down. The lens fogged up so fast I couldn't see a thing, and I had to pack it in for the night. Does anyone have a good backup plan for when your gear just quits on you like that?

Vent: A drop of mineral oil on a stuck aperture ring made a huge mess

I had a vintage 50mm lens come in with a really stiff aperture ring. The owner said it hadn't moved in years. Instead of a full teardown right away, I figured I'd try a tiny bit of mineral oil on the ring's seam, just to see if it would free up. Big mistake. I used a single drop from a needle applicator. It didn't just seep in, it wicked right under the ring and got all over the aperture blades. Now the whole mechanism is gummed up and I have to completely disassemble it to clean every single blade, which is a much bigger job. I learned that even a 'safe' lubricant in the wrong spot can cause a real headache. Has anyone else found a better first step for a stiff ring that doesn't risk this kind of mess?

Vent: A hotel wifi hack in Denver made me stop using public networks cold turkey

I was at a conference in Denver last month and connected to the hotel's free wifi to check my email. Within an hour, I got alerts for three login attempts from a city I've never been to. The hotel's network was wide open, no password, and someone had set up a fake portal that looked legit. Now I'm totally against using any public wifi, even with a VPN, because that risk feels too high. But my coworker says I'm being paranoid and that a good VPN is enough for checking basic stuff. What's your take? Do you ever use hotel or cafe wifi, or do you avoid it completely?

Tried a new water-based finish on a walnut table and it dried with a weird blue tint.