“Take the lead” is certainly an expression used in the UK to denote guiding people, as in “I’ll take the lead”. I assume both come from ballroom dancing.

I’m sure it’s used elsewhere but it may also simply be a conflation of the two.

Very much so - it’s why I came into the comments.

I move back and forth between the standards. My laptop and 75% mechanical are ANSI, my work laptop and Bluetooth keyboard are ISO.

You’d be surprised how quickly you get used to switching between them.

Unfortunately, you violated the law slightly by asking a question!

Cunningham’s Law states “the best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it’s to post the wrong answer.”

I don’t read many, but Geraint Thomas’ autobiography, ‘The Tour According to G’ is really enjoyable.

I think you’re underestimating the intelligence of average people. There’s definitely a lack of knowledge, but average people are plenty smart to invent everything you’ve listed. It just takes time and is an iterative process.

Definitely yes, but like all philosophies your understanding will develop as you age and your perspective changes.

Consider the book Happy by Deren Brown. It’s a great summary of Ancient philosophies and then a good ‘entry level’ introduction to Stoicism.

I love calling someone a ‘berk’. Simple, harmless word but it’s got a good affectionate ring to it.

It’s a great idea - I don’t have much time for gaming anymore, but I’m sure others would be keen to participate!

I’m slightly confused by the phrase “get back into crumpets” - you fell out of love with them? That’s like falling out of love with breathing!

This is the community I’ve been looking for! Thanks!

I work at home, in a small office with my partner. For my first mechanical, and mindful of their sanity, I fitted Outemu Silent Forest switches to a cheap 65% Amazon kb. It’s remarkably quiet though the cheap kb generates a lot of noise, relatively.

I recently got a Keychron Q2 with Gateron reds. I’d planned to change to their silent blacks but the sound is such a lovely gentle click I haven’t bothered. I fitted a few switches to compare and my partner specifically said they were enjoying the gentle click, and not to change it.

I do still covet the whisper-quiet boards, though…

Edit: a mass of typos

Very true, very true. You could probably do a fair job pressing well and then hand sewing it even without any prior experience whatsoever, tbh.

Just want to say I read your username as Northum-Brian-Lad at first. Now I’m intrigued whether it’s a masterful play on words by someone called ‘Brian’, or actually Northumbrian-Lad.

There might be a craft space somewhere in your town - they’re becoming more common. Someone there would likely do it for you for the fun of it!

For some reason, I appreciate that you’re not working towards on specific word from the start but slowly narrowing down the “available words” until one fits.

My sympathies - I do most of my own bike repairs but fully understand the good vs fast predicament when it comes to mechanics.

Did you need to remove them entirely? The few times I’ve done that, they seemed to be irreparably stretched - probably because of my cack-handed nature.