It wasn't today, but last night just after dusk I was doing driving lessons with my 15 yo son. He nicely asked his sister if he could borrow her convertible for the exercise, and she conceded as long as I agreed to fill up her tank. :)Thats cool. You should treasure this period in your life. Time goes by so quickly. Seems like yesterday when I would go out on driver traing trips with my son. Just another thing no one ever tells you about being a parent. I must have done a pretty good job cause hes never been in an accident or even goitten a ticket. Hell I probably had at least 10 by the time I graduated UT. Course Id never tell him that.
There were storms about 10-15 miles out and the weather had just cooled, with big clouds off to the side but not directly above, with a lot of sheet lightning mixed in between them. We had the top down and were just cruising the streets out in my part of suburbia, almost no other cars on the road. And my son said, "Dad, I think this is going to be one of those memories I'll have forever."
It wasn't today, but last night just after dusk I was doing driving lessons with my 15 yo son. He nicely asked his sister if he could borrow her convertible for the exercise, and she conceded as long as I agreed to fill up her tank. :)
There were storms about 10-15 miles out and the weather had just cooled, with big clouds off to the side but not directly above, with a lot of sheet lightning mixed in between them. We had the top down and were just cruising the streets out in my part of suburbia, almost no other cars on the road. And my son said, "Dad, I think this is going to be one of those memories I'll have forever."
I woke up.and had myself a Be-e-e-r
What made you happy today?
Extension from yesterday that someone mentioned to me but I forgot to look at...Awesome, good news.
On my company's web site main page, the big banner at the very front and center links to... My white paper (that the CEO quoted).
But even beyond that, there's a section farther down with four tiles of content. One is a white paper I wrote. One is a tech brief that was existing but I rewrote and modernized to keep up with more recent innovations. And one is an innovation web site that was championed by a coworker but I'm probably 1/3 responsible for the content.
Not bad :)
Extension from yesterday that someone mentioned to me but I forgot to look at...
On my company's web site main page, the big banner at the very front and center links to... My white paper (that the CEO quoted).
But even beyond that, there's a section farther down with four tiles of content. One is a white paper I wrote. One is a tech brief that was existing but I rewrote and modernized to keep up with more recent innovations. And one is an innovation web site that was championed by a coworker but I'm probably 1/3 responsible for the content.
Not bad :)
Pulled them up to read them, but since white papers often have unlisted authors and these are no different, how I do know it's really you if it doesn't say "BRAD! dammit!" at the top?You'll just have to take my word for it.
You'll just have to take my word for it.I don't know, that would make me think @medinabuckeye1 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1547) might have written them... ;)
Or you can read it and realize that's it's so long-winded that it could be nobody other than me :57:
She was happy to be spending "money" or value of a sort, by being able to do something for her child. I suspect all of us who have children understand that.understood. doing something for children and using earned points or miles is a double whammy in my book
He's a super "kid". (He's not a kid of course.)
grass got it's first cutting of the season yesterday after 5pmDafuq I'll be on my 3rd cut if it ever dries out
Dafuq I'll be on my 3rd cut if it ever dries outI'm usually the last guy in the neighborhood to mow........ not this spring, beat my neighbors on both sides, across the street and across the alley
This was the core of our "wine group" at the local wine bar in Glendale, OH. We showed up every Friday and spent way too much money. I proposed to my wife in that room in the back on April Fool's Day a few years back.Where the hell is the wood bar,pinball machine,dart boards,juke box, beer signs and TV's with the games on? That place gives me the creeps
(https://i.imgur.com/gWXC4sK.jpeg)
I'm usually the last guy in the neighborhood to mow........ not this spring, beat my neighbors on both sides, across the street and across the alleyFORE!!!
they are probably all going to mow today or Sunday, I've got tee times so had to Git'r done Friday afternoon
Where the hell is the wood bar,pinball machine,dart boards,juke box, beer signs and TV's with the games on? That place gives me the creepsIt's a "wine bar", a classy place, doesn't need that stuff at all. We liked it a lot. Obviously.
It's a "wine bar", a classy place, doesn't need that stuff at all. We liked it a lot. Obviously.Meh,gimme a dimly lit smoky tavern with a pool table and a good choice of draft beers....and the game on
Obviously, there are bars for beer drinkers out there aplenty. Wine bars are much more rare, as I think wine drinkers are fewer in number, though they often spend a lot more on less volume.you see the problem?
We have a pretty neat "beer bar" not far from here where my stepson went a while back and noted Charles Barkley sitting in the back by his lonesome. The bar tender said he comes there when in town and prefers to be left to himself.
We 've had lunch there a few times, the food is better than a typical sports bar. There was a large water main break just outside a few months ago that caused quite a bit of damage to the place, they were closed for a couple months.
Midtown Atlanta pub destroyed in water main break reopens | FOX 5 Atlanta (https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/55-days-after-water-main-break-midtown-atlanta-pub-reopens)
Eleventh Street Pub (https://www.eleventhstreetpubatl.com/)
(https://i.imgur.com/WVupGag.png)
I'm usually the last guy in the neighborhood to mow........ not this spring, beat my neighbors on both sides, across the street and across the alleyI mowed for the fourth time Tuesday.
they are probably all going to mow today or Sunday, I've got tee times so had to Git'r done Friday afternoon
I mowed for the fourth time Tuesday.We've already got one of those (https://www.cfb51.com/big-ten/in-other-news-18271/).
Played 18 on Thursday; four 3-putts and made one outside four feet all day. A candidate for a "What Made You Sad Today?" thread.
tough to find'em smoky any longer - it's a damn shameI'm being repressed, I blame the damn,dirty,
I mowed for the fourth time Tuesday.what course, I'd like to avoid it if the greens are that treacherous??
Played 18 on Thursday; four 3-putts and made one outside four feet all day. A candidate for a "What Made You Sad Today?" thread.
Sheesh. Been mowin' since February, when it got close to 90 deg here, or at least seemed like it.don't move to Texas
well, it's pretty early to be happyI'm happy, pretty much, drinking my morning coffee and reading stuff here is good. My wife is still asleep, I think, I usually take her tea in the AM. We had a line of storms pass through last night while we were at the symphony, could hear thunder at times, it had pretty much ended when we got out, just some light sprinkle which was good as we had walked, it's less than a mile.
what course, I'd like to avoid it if the greens are that treacherous??No, no. All operator error!
My wife got me some new shorts, and so I guess I'm finally moving on from cargo shorts.
Oh, I don't actually USE the pockets. If I did, I wouldn't be getting ride of them!
One step away from becoming fanny-pack guy, in order to make up for all that lost pocket space.
No, no. All operator error!played in a 5-man scramble today, great weather - tied for first - 2nd place on tie braker - drank plenty - good food - I'm happy to be home
I played 9 yesterday and shot a 37, so I'm happy again.
I was offered and have accepted a new job as a principal at a charter school in Indy. 27K raise, commute time cut by 66%, an opportunity to make a difference for kids who need it.Congrats! 27K a year will buy a lot of beer!
Also, I get to play golf tomorrow morning in what should be great weather.
I was offered and have accepted a new job as a principal at a charter school in Indy. 27K raise, commute time cut by 66%, an opportunity to make a difference for kids who need it.This made me happy today.
Also, I get to play golf tomorrow morning in what should be great weather.
I was offered and have accepted a new job as a principal at a charter school in Indy. 27K raise, commute time cut by 66%, an opportunity to make a difference for kids who need it.Congrats!
Also, I get to play golf tomorrow morning in what should be great weather.
We're doing a crawfish boil tomorrow and I just bought a couple cases of beer. That made me happy.
My wife has had three hip replacements, which is not nearly as rough as a knee, and rotator cuff surgery, which is a lot worse than a hip.Yeah, her knee has been pretty rough; she did really well in February when she had a total reversal of her shoulder (instead of rotator cuff) and bounced back really quickly. Hoping she does the same now so we can convince her to do the other knee sooner rather than later - she has been bone-on-bone with both knees for a decade or more.
I had hurt it at age 16 pitching, nobody back then had a clue what it was.Called an ouchee - get back in there and play thru the pain. Well maybe not the amatuers
Freakin’ knee has been killing me this week. For almost no reason. Just hurting. Got an appointment with the ortho doc on Monday.a year or so ago my freakin knee was killin me for no reason - couldn't even squat down on my haunches to read a putt - told the Doc about it hopin for some help, he just smiled and said I was gettin old.
Called an ouchee - get back in there and play thru the pain. Well maybe not the amatuersYeah, I played and continued to play into my 40s, and started back again at 60. It was odd to me that on rare occasions I could still throw with a lot of zip, but most of the time my are felt dead. There is a sound the catcher's mitt makes when a pitcher throws about 80 or more that I found quite pleasing.
ICE is your friend - not Bud IceBud Ice is a friend to no one.
Don't feel bad. He's getting lessons. Almost free.Well, the golf team / coach doesn't do swing coaching. The [few] lessons I've taken him to since HS golf started were not almost free lol... Far from it. But they were with a guy who is worth what he charges.
It got to the point I couldn't raise my arm without pain, so I had it checked out, torn labrum and miscellanous debris. Surgery fixed the pain by my arm is still quite dead. I can MAYBE throw 60, but probably more like 55.Ya I tore my labrum not sure when,MRI even showed it looked like the liberty bell crack.Physician perscribed therapy which waisted time. So I got a cortizone shot and said come back if it hurts. Well I went back at 2 yrs even thought I wasn't hurting but the appt. was covered so what the hell. Told me to come back when it hurts again and that was 2019. I just don't golf anymore,not that i was any good before just didn't want to aggravate it
5 guys made me happy - haven't been to one in nearly 20 years - it was worth it.Hey, $23 for fast food, in Iowa, on the boss's tab, is certainly reason for joy!
[img width=259.818 height=375]https://i.imgur.com/uPkc7DU.jpeg[/img]
and I couldn't eat all the Cajun Fries!
not to mention, it's on my boss's tab, but I get 3% cashback on my Capital One Savor card and 23% cashback on my Upside app.
[img width=259.818 height=500]https://i.imgur.com/VCCDwzw.jpeg[/img]
Now, if the little fart will get a job in short order, that will make me even happier.He should have one lined up by now. ME's are in high demand.
How can you NOT graduate high school, unless you drop out?Didn't some places put in exit exams? You could fail those? Or just fail a lot of classes?
How can you NOT graduate high school, unless you drop out?I'm sure it can vary, some, like with some private schools that are pretty good.
I'm sure it can vary, some, like with some private schools that are pretty good.
Anyway, they view is as a cause of celebration, meriting a somewhat expensive 4 hour flight and $1200 of three hotel rooms paid by me. The daughter (aunt) is coming from France for it, she of the long unemployed variety, so my wife footed the ticket.
I know when I married there would be such things, and I have navigated them pretty much by staying relaxed about it all.
I graduated HS and started college less than a week later, it was just a transition.
I'm sure it can vary, some, like with some private schools that are pretty good.This is a complete tangent, but I went to a pretty decent private school, and it was actually paradoxically much harder to fail there than to fail at the local public school.
This is a complete tangent, but I went to a pretty decent private school, and it was actually paradoxically much harder to fail there than to fail at the local public school.I felt the opposite and saw it at my public school. They just process you through. Kids are just tax dollars and the more you have and the more you keep around, the more tax money that comes in.
When mom and dad are shelling out money, you get a lot more leeway. The public school was really sink or swim.
I have a long and frustrating story that very much does not belong in this thread, but the gist is that my daughter is graduating as a home school student despite transferring from dual enrollment to full-time at the HS two years ago and she will not be participating in commencement. She would be Valedictorian.
I have a long and frustrating story that very much does not belong in this thread, but the gist is that my daughter is graduating as a home school student despite transferring from dual enrollment to full-time at the HS two years ago and she will not be participating in commencement. She would be Valedictorian.
I'm happy she is so smart. What's next?We're filing a civil rights complaint with the BoE on Monday. (The school twice accepted unaccredited home school transcripts from male students, then denied hers on the basis it was unaccredited).
We're filing a civil rights complaint with the BoE on Monday. (The school twice accepted unaccredited home school transcripts from male students, then denied hers on the basis it was unaccredited).Save that money!
For her, she is going to Iowa Central for one year to join their dance team and get an AA, then transfer to Iowa to get a BA.
Snagged some extra lunch at the office today. Gonna save it and see if I can limit some degree of spending on food for the week.
(Saving and figuring this out brings me joy)
Hmm.....much like me and SFBadger, we are more alike than the surface might suggest.The surface didn’t suggest that?
The surface didn’t suggest that?
Well, I mean, you're from San Francisco and I'm from Louisiana. The surface suggests that you're out fishing for halibut and I'm digging in ditches for crawfish.I lived in the Midwest for a decent number of years and the deep south as well. I may take away is, folks are folks. People spend too much time imagining we’re somewhat different.
Well, I mean, you're from San Francisco and I'm from Louisiana. The surface suggests that you're out fishing for halibut and I'm digging in ditches for crawfish.Too bad neither of you gets Great Lakes Walleye/Perch
I'm in Philadelphia right now, helping my oldest pack up some stuff at college before coming home for the summer. That makes me happy. Perhaps perversly, they just screwed something up pretty badly in school, but they are dealing with it, and figuring out how to move on from a mistake that no one will fix for them. That makes me happy.Honestly it just boggles my mind how some of you can be so spread around the country. Some of you born on one coast, went to school in the mid-west, kids living all over the country/world.
Life can be weird like that.
Also, being here reminds me that, indeed, different parts of the country are culturally different...and yet very much the same.
I'm sure it can vary, some, like with some private schools that are pretty good.I mean, you DO travel all over the world, quite frequently. It's not like you never get out or travel. We didn't make too much of HS graduation back in my day either, but we did have a small party with friends and family (1990's). Maybe a cake or something. I kind of see it as more of an opportunity to have a little family reunion with a common cause.
Anyway, they view is as a cause of celebration, meriting a somewhat expensive 4 hour flight and $1200 of three hotel rooms paid by me. The daughter (aunt) is coming from France for it, she of the long unemployed variety, so my wife footed the ticket.
I know when I married there would be such things, and I have navigated them pretty much by staying relaxed about it all.
I graduated HS and started college less than a week later, it was just a transition.
Honestly it just boggles my mind how some of you can be so spread around the country. Some of you born on one coast, went to school in the mid-west, kids living all over the country/world.And then there's me-- born in Austin, raised in Austin, went to undergrad in Austin, worked in Austin, went to grad school in Austin, worked some more in Austin, and then moved all the way to... Cedar Park. Oh and I work in Round Rock.
And then there's me-- born in Austin, raised in Austin, went to undergrad in Austin, worked in Austin, went to grad school in Austin, worked some more in Austin, and then moved all the way to... Cedar Park. Oh and I work in Round Rock.And how about your and wife's family? Pretty much my entire family lives within probably 30 minutes from me, maybe a cousin here or there that may live somewhere else in Texas but I can't think of anybody who lives way off. College Station was about a 2-2.5 hr drive from here and that's about as far away as I moved. I did live in San Jose for a month when I worked for AMAT, but we were just training.
I'm crazy like that.
And then there's me-- born in Austin, raised in Austin, went to undergrad in Austin, worked in Austin, went to grad school in Austin, worked some more in Austin, and then moved all the way to... Cedar Park. Oh and I work in Round Rock.
I'm crazy like that.
Alpine.....wow. I only recently learned of that town because there is a state university there our ERP department supports. They don't have their own, it seems. That's quite a haul to Austin. Did your grandparents remain there, or other members of your dad's family?Yeah Sul Ross State University. It was directly across the street from my grandparents' house. They lived there until my grandmother passed away and my grandfather came to live at our house until he also passed. I was in college by then but still living at home during the summers so I got to spend a lot of time with my grandpa those last few years.
The ERP folks in my office have to go to Alpine for a week at a time every now and then. By the time they drive back, they act like they need vacations, except they don't want to drive anymore.
Honestly it just boggles my mind how some of you can be so spread around the country. Some of you born on one coast, went to school in the mid-west, kids living all over the country/world.Born in the Chicago 'burbs. Have lived in San Jose, Orange County, Atlanta, and back to Orange County. My brother is here, one sister is in NJ, and another sister lives on a boat in the Caribbean part of the year and in Vail other parts. Parents were lifelong Chicagoans but now live in the Denver 'burbs.
Born in the Chicago 'burbs. Have lived in San Jose, Orange County, Atlanta, and back to Orange County. My brother is here, one sister is in NJ, and another sister lives on a boat in the Caribbean part of the year and in Vail other parts. Parents were lifelong Chicagoans but now live in the Denver 'burbs.Southern Florida is lovely!
For now, my kids are stuck in OC (bc they're minors) but I have no clue where they'll end up. Not sure whether I'll stay here once we're empty nesters either...
Southern Florida is lovely!They have dinosaurs.
We've slowly climbed the coffee snob ladder. Cheap drip to cheap Keurig to higher-end Keurig to Nespresso. Been eying a Breville espresso machine for the last year or so.Oh yeah, we have a Nespresso machine as well. If all you want is espresso and don't do the fancy milk drinks, then the Nespresso is the best there is. When we stayed with our friends in Milan, they had a Nespresso and it made the absolute best coffee. All of their Italian friends had one. So we bought one as soon as we got back to the States and we've had it ever since. I don't typically drink espresso in the morning or during the day, but I love one after a big fancy dinner.
I love a French press, we have one in the house and one in the RV but honestly I only use it when we're camping. At home we just use the automatic drip machine.I'm sitting at my computer, windows and doors open, 69 degrees in the house, listening to the birds.
But to hold the theme-- it makes me happy when I'm out camping and I wake up early, get the water boiling, prepare the French press, then take a cup of hot fresh coffee outside and sit in my camping rocking chair, with the cool morning air, and listening to the birds sing. That's one of my very happiest of places.
I'm sitting at my computer, windows and doors open, 69 degrees in the house, listening to the birds.Spring morning coffee on the deck is some of my favorite coffee.
We've slowly climbed the coffee snob ladder. Cheap drip to cheap Keurig to higher-end Keurig to Nespresso. Been eying a Breville espresso machine for the last year or so.I have one. It's in the box still. Maybe I'll offer it up as a prize for the B1G Pick'em game this year.
I have one. It's in the box still. Maybe I'll offer it up as a prize for the B1G Pick'em game this year.I think I won a cookbook. I forgot all the details on that one, haha.
Was it you that won a smoker years ago?
having a cup of Black Coffee - straight up been grinding my own lately.Yeah, we were doing the coffee pod thing for a while. I decided I wanted to go for better coffee. Pods are "fine" in a pinch, but nothing remarkable. And I drink coffee black, because I actually LIKE the taste of coffee, so I figured I might as well get a good grinder and brewer. Buddy is a coffee snob, so I just took his recommendation for a nice burr grinder and drip coffee maker. It's much better.
Yeah, we were doing the coffee pod thing for a while. I decided I wanted to go for better coffee. Pods are "fine" in a pinch, but nothing remarkable. And I drink coffee black, because I actually LIKE the taste of coffee, so I figured I might as well get a good grinder and brewer. Buddy is a coffee snob, so I just took his recommendation for a nice burr grinder and drip coffee maker. It's much better.It's like homebrewing. You can get as into it, and spend as much money, as you want. Dangerous.
I haven't gone down the rabbit hole of trying to roast my own beans or anything crazy like that yet though.
Yet.
I have one. It's in the box still. Maybe I'll offer it up as a prize for the B1G Pick'em game this year.I've got a Breville as well. It was a $700 (or thereabouts) machine that we were gifted secondhand because it wasn't properly generating pressure, and the owner (family) didn't want to mess with trying to fix it themselves and know I'm an engineer so I have a fair shot at doing so.
Was it you that won a smoker years ago?
It's like homebrewing. You can get as into it, and spend as much money, as you want. Dangerous.Yep. And like homebrewing, probably go through a nice, long, learning period where your output is significantly worse than what you can buy. All while you're telling yourself it's great, because I'm sure new coffee roasters, like new homebrewers, suffer from ugly baby syndrome.
Yeah, we were doing the coffee pod thing for a while. I decided I wanted to go for better coffee. Pods are "fine" in a pinch, but nothing remarkable. And I drink coffee black, because I actually LIKE the taste of coffee, so I figured I might as well get a good grinder and brewer. Buddy is a coffee snob, so I just took his recommendation for a nice burr grinder and drip coffee maker. It's much better.
I haven't gone down the rabbit hole of trying to roast my own beans or anything crazy like that yet though.
Yet.
I'd like to drive a car I can't afford, maybe a $78,000 C8?I save some serious coin by avoiding long flights and cruises
I mentioned somewhere here last year about my stepson's gf who is about halfway like an adopted daughter to me....comes from a less than ideal family and really pulled herself up by her bootstraps. Last night several of the wife's family members were out eating to celebrate my stepson's graduation this afternoon, but his gf couldn't join us because she had a "graduation" to take care of herself. She's a special ed. kindergarten teacher at a pretty small school district, so she only has four kids in her class. Because I guess everything gets a "graduation" now, the kids "graduate" to elementary school from kindergarten, and this was her first class. This morning I got a text, a photo of her last night while she was missing eating out with us. It's her and her little classroom kiddos in their cap and gowns, with their little adorable, snaggle-tooth mouths. And she's pretty adorable herself, appearing to beam with pride for these kids. It's all cataclysmically cute, and I'd post the photo here because she wouldn't care about her picture, but it's probably not cool to post photos to the web of other people's kids. Anyway, that made me happy today.As a parent of a kid with special needs, all I can say is that anyone who is willing to be a special ed teacher is someone that--I mean this sincerely despite my religious lack of belief--is "doing the Lord's work". Kudos to her for taking that on. Teaching is brutally difficult, and it's even moreso IMHO for these kids.
I mentioned somewhere here last year about my stepson's gf who is about halfway like an adopted daughter to me....comes from a less than ideal family and really pulled herself up by her bootstraps. Last night several of the wife's family members were out eating to celebrate my stepson's graduation this afternoon, but his gf couldn't join us because she had a "graduation" to take care of herself. She's a special ed. kindergarten teacher at a pretty small school district, so she only has four kids in her class. Because I guess everything gets a "graduation" now, the kids "graduate" to elementary school from kindergarten, and this was her first class. This morning I got a text, a photo of her last night while she was missing eating out with us. It's her and her little classroom kiddos in their cap and gowns, with their little adorable, snaggle-tooth mouths. And she's pretty adorable herself, appearing to beam with pride for these kids. It's all cataclysmically cute, and I'd post the photo here because she wouldn't care about her picture, but it's probably not cool to post photos to the web of other people's kids. Anyway, that made me happy today.
Spring morning coffee on the deck is some of my favorite coffee.Well I don't have a deck but a finished 3 season room off the back. But I do have a decent city park behind me with 2 beisbol diamonds. Between my 1100 sq ft palatial estate and those sits a small stand of trees with a path thru that. Then between us and that is a 15 ft ravine with a creek meandering thru that and trees and natural growth aplenty. Think I mentioned before with a wide assortment of Birds I can recognize but can't Identify. With all sorts of choirs converging every morning so a nice relaxing start with a kick start of a 5 bean mix of Black Coffee
I save some serious coin by avoiding long flights and cruisesA couple of Red Cardinals right now eating seed I spread around makes me happy
Walking into my garage to see the red car made me happy this morning
I'm from Iowa - dirt farmers don't behave that way.Didn't know Dirt Farmers had little red corvette's parked in their garages. What kind of equipment used to help prepare fields for planting can you drag behind that, besides screaming Hawkeye/Sooner fans? Bet that makes you happy
You're thinkin of the folks in Austin
I'm gonna take the red car out for a spinThen hook up that tiller attachment to it and get onto the back 40 you sharecrop for some sowing
Hit my first bucket of balls since the left knee replacement. No issues. That was nice.Just got back from the ortho doc. Been in pain all week on my knee, said it was likely a meniscus tear and it was probably already healing. Got to go back in a week for a check-up but for now taking anti-inflammatory and watching. He did say that most of my joints were in good shape (on the knee he xrayed) and I was a long way from needing knee replacement.
The results……. Well, I have some work to do.
Can a meniscus tear heal? I was told they can't.Well, I got a ambiguous answer. Apparently some can heal, but only if it's on the outer edge or in a certain place. And it also depends on how badly it's torn. You need an MRI to determine that and we only did x-rays. Since it was much better today versus last week he told me to come back in a week and we'll see how it's doing.
I'm expecting a GREAT day, just wish I'd slept better. It's gonna be a long day, but good. Headed to Lincoln tonight to have dinner with my daughter.You being in Iowa, I had to look it up. Not that far from Lincoln to Iowa. Strange for me to think about traveling to another state, but I can be in Louisiana in about 2-2.5 hours.
You being in Iowa, I had to look it up. Not that far from Lincoln to Iowa. Strange for me to think about traveling to another state, but I can be in Louisiana in about 2-2.5 hours.2 hours and 20 minutes from my house to my daughter's in Lincoln or to the stadium. Easy drive, all interstate.
Or better yet, you can go to Beaumont, which is even closer, and sort of like being in Louisiana, except that you're still in Texas :)It's funny, we can both say we're in SE Texas, but we're so far apart we'd be 2-3 states over in a lot of other states.
I can be in 3 different states in 20 minutes.NW Tennessee?
I can be in 3 different states in 20 minutes.me too - Iowa, Nebraska, & South Dakota
Silly one here: just thinking about SFGopher graduating high school on Saturday, turning 18 on Sunday, and, generally, watching him grow into a man. Nobody's perfect--he's not--but he is a damn good kid, and he's becoming a damn good man.Yep. Gigem Jr is 18 and graduates on Thursday.
Today my students promoted to high school. And thus, my one-year mistake of teaching 8th grade is over.Good on you. I'd kill one of them, or myself, if I had to teach 8th graders for a year. I couldn't do it. Kudos to you.
FUUUUUCK.
this made me happy yesterday............ sorry for not posting last night when I got back to the hotel at 1:30am🤤🤤🤤
We both had the tasting menu. The daughter paid for the food, I picked up the wine pairing for $95 each.
We were upgraded a couple times on the wine and a couple times on the menu we had some items added.
Probably the most impressive meal I've had.
(https://i.imgur.com/bdMlAcg.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TVeOQ5D.jpeg)
There is a restaurant near us where the tasting menu is $250 per, and the wine pairing is $185.it was outstanding but, if I ever go back on my dime or my daughter's, we'll sit at the bar and keep the bill down some. $600 for two is more than I'm comfortable with.
0337ff_ed38ecb0328d4e659dcb29f9c845ca50.pdf (https://www.lazybettyatl.com/_files/ugd/0337ff_ed38ecb0328d4e659dcb29f9c845ca50.pdf)
I just can't do it. Someone said you can sit at the bar and order al a carte, but that would get pricey as well.
it was outstanding but, if I ever go back on my dime or my daughter's, we'll sit at the bar and keep the bill down some. $600 for two is more than I'm comfortable with.Yeah, I'm a little fancy sometimes, but even when my wife and I go out to Mastro's Ocean Club for special occasions, even with alcohol it usually stays under $400 and that's for a VERY good meal--usually an appetizer or salad, steaks with sides, wine & beer, and sometimes dessert.
We also started with oysters and bubbly wine before the tasting
Yeah, I'm a little fancy sometimes, but even when my wife and I go out to Mastro's Ocean Club for special occasions, even with alcohol it usually stays under $400 and that's for a VERY good meal--usually an appetizer or salad, steaks with sides, wine & beer, and sometimes dessert.On the flipside, I've often had items on a tasting menu or omakase that I never would have ordered, and turn out delicious.
We generally avoid prix fixe menus though. Usually there's something on there that we're not as excited about as what we might order for ourselves, so it feels like a bit of a ripoff to be forced into a menu that isn't exactly what we each want for that kind of money.
my daughter really likes the tasting menus, they obviously change regularly. I went along with her wishes. I'm happy that I did.It means a set price for a multi-course meal. Often includes an app, main course, and desert. Sometimes more courses than that. Might or might not have a separate fixed price for a wine pairing add-on.
I'm not sure what a prix fixe is, but it doesn't look like a Nebraska term.
my daughter really likes the tasting menus, they obviously change regularly. I went along with her wishes. I'm happy that I did.Thank you for asking, I felt clueless.
I'm not sure what a prix fixe is, but it doesn't look like a Nebraska term.
Today my students promoted to high school. And thus, my one-year mistake of teaching 8th grade is over.
FUUUUUCK.
Today my students promoted to high school. And thus, my one-year mistake of teaching 8th grade is over.What grade do you prefer?
FUUUUUCK.
I remember 8th grade. Cassie Zammit was hot. Wonder how she's faring 30 years later.I remember my 8th grade social studies teacher. She was young--pretty much fresh out of college.
What grade do you prefer?These kids were 8th grade in age only. Many have plateaued since 4th grade. That might be covid-related, idk.
Google translation is a wonderful thing boys,huh boys.Or maybe you picked it up from S.W. spanish influences. But talking about Dicks on social media isn't something an aspiring 3rd grade teacher should be broadcasting - maybe it's just meWhat? :34:
I remember my 8th grade social studies teacher. She was young--pretty much fresh out of college.https://youtu.be/LetJHQ_V05o
It was really funny the summer after that year when I was playing our local muni golf course and ran into her as she was driving the beverage cart. I'd guess she got some decent tips.
https://youtu.be/LetJHQ_V05oIn 9th grade my English teacher was young and beautiful. She also happened to have a twin sister who was a lingerie model for JC Penny's catalog. It was nice
It always comes back to Van Halen.
Google translation is a wonderful thing boys,huh boys.Or maybe you picked it up from S.W. spanish influences. But talking about Dicks on social media isn't something an aspiring 3rd grade teacher should be broadcasting - maybe it's just meSome college students were explaining to me that you can circumvent the plagiarism detection software by downloading a term paper that was written in a foreign language, and then running it through google translate.
Some college students were explaining to me that you can circumvent the plagiarism detection software by downloading a term paper that was written in a foreign language, and then running it through google translate.smart!
The lack of smarts of making ignorant accusations lives on, though.Lack of smarts?
It meaning peck or kiss is slightly less creepy than talking about dicks to third graders, but not much. Now you're going on about peaches and a pair of balls?I can always count on you to double down for someone else, especially when it's something creepy.
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/590/495/574.jpg)
Nothing like floating on the lake with an adult beverage, smoking a joint and listening to classic rock.;)
(https://i.imgur.com/cJ20qKI.png)Didn't know you bowled also getting ready for the Decathlon are you
I like these protein drinks called Core Power, especially the chocolate flavored ones.Try an Edmund Fitzgerald Porter,you can thank me later
Getting back in shape makes me happy today.Round is a shape
Life was better with a cigar at theFIFYbowling alleyRace Track
I love watching construction, seeing all those dude on the top floor, with 20 more to go. Concrete trucks were lined up in the street to make pours, guys are making rebar junctions, it's cool.One of the Guys(Bob) who sponsors our food drives started a company in the '60s that makes concrete pumps. Brilliant as long as we have a modern society that need will be there. I told Bob I only knew one guy in my whole life affliated with that.Turned out Terry works for him, the nice neighbor chic who grew up next to me married him - small world. They go all over the place I know Denver for the last 3 weeks on a job
Nothing likeThat's mondsyfloating in your pooldriving down the fairway with an adult beverage, smoking a good cigar and listening to classic rock.
Edit: Cindy just made some home made Fudge,I guess it's an old Fanny Farmer recipe,now I have to make some popcorn:)
Just finished 4 and half hrs toiling around the property. Up on the roof blowing off debris from 6 days on/off rain and wind. Oak moss,Maple whirly birds,sticks. Moved the ladder over to the 2&1/2 car garage(no red vette in there) and did the same.Then edged & cut back and front lawns. I'm happy it's done and headed for a few cold refreshments.
I'm meeting customers here in 30 minutesSeveral Czech style lagers, I like it. If the weather is like it is here, I'd order one of the Czech pilsners. If it were a little cooler, I'd get the Czech dark lager.
https://fielddaybrewing.com/ (https://fielddaybrewing.com/)
Man now I want to buy a new boat! This is probably what I'd get if I won the lotto...Malibu and Pursuit are owned by the same company. Pursuit is an offshoot from Tiara.
(https://i.imgur.com/zuYLZwh.jpeg)
Malibu and Pursuit are owned by the same company. Pursuit is an offshoot from Tiara.I have friends who've had Malibus, Nautiques, Axis (which is Malibu's entry brand), Supra, and Moomba (which is Supra's entry brand). And of course we currently have the Mastercraft. I've driven all of them and ridden behind all of them, and the best ride and easiest drive is definitely the Malibu right now. They're just at a different level IMO.
Sailboats are a pain in the ass.
Sailboats are a pain in the ass.I brew my own beer. I cure and smoke and slice my own bacon. Sure, it'd be easier to buy Miller Lite and store-bought bacon. But what's the fun in that?
Looks like to much work to me.Sometimes the work is its own reward.
Have you ever sailed? I have. It's a shitton of work.Yes. It sucks.
It can be rewarding in its own way, but it's not my ideal of a good time.
I brew my own beer. I cure and smoke and slice my own bacon. Sure, it'd be easier to buy Miller Lite and store-bought bacon. But what's the fun in that?
Sometimes the work is its own reward.
Have you ever sailed? I have. It's a shitton of work.Have I sailed? Yes. Quite a few times. Have I helped out somewhat with the sailing? Yes.
It can be rewarding in its own way, but it's not my ideal of a good time.
Have I sailed? Yes. Quite a few times. Have I helped out somewhat with the sailing? Yes.My recommendation-- become fabulously wealthy, buy a nice big sailing yacht, and then hire out the captaining/sailing to someone else. :)
Have I ever been the one in charge of the boat? Nope.
So maybe I'm just looking at it through rose-colored glasses.
But every time I've sailed I've enjoyed it more than I've enjoyed powerboating. There's just a certain serenity to it. It seems like the type of boating I'd prefer if I owned one.
My recommendation-- become fabulously wealthy, buy a nice big sailing yacht, and then hire out the captaining/sailing to someone else. :)I've gotta get that first part figured out...
I know a sure fire way to make a small fortune with a sail boat.Break Out Another Thousand
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16Wq9nmep9/
I saw Kirkland Lager today and picked up the 12er, have yet to try it.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16Wq9nmep9/Solid beer. Made by Deschutes, a well-known and well-respected brewery from Oregon.
I saw Kirkland Lager today and picked up the 12er, have yet to try it.
I brew my own beer. I cure and smoke and slice my own bacon. Sure, it'd be easier to buy Miller Lite and store-bought bacon. But what's the fun in that?That sounds like a lot of work and then actually going to work? Then the wife,kids,house,yard,IPAs and the dog,dayum.And then hoisting masts and dodging yard arms and booms,plus posting here - are you some kind of masochist??? Not that there's anything wrong with that
Sometimes the work is its own reward.
Man now I want to buy a new boat! This is probably what I'd get if I won the lotto...I really enjoyed Jimbo's boat on Lake Michigan.
(https://i.imgur.com/zuYLZwh.jpeg)
My recommendation-- become fabulously wealthy, buy a nice big sailing yacht, and then hire out the captaining/sailing to someone else. :)(https://i.imgur.com/GCOqhw5.png)
Several Czech style lagers, I like it. If the weather is like it is here, I'd order one of the Czech pilsners. If it were a little cooler, I'd get the Czech dark lager.it's 79 degrees, sunny and no wind
For food I'd be trying the bulgogi steak tacos.
I really enjoyed Jimbo's boat on Lake Michigan.I believe CDawg and GopherRock also liked it. And Gator. Can't forget Gator. And SkiUMah98. And Burny.
Could go below to mix a drink or whatever needed attention
Maybe I should buy another lotto ticket?
I'm still debating how to cook the steak. I cut it into halves because she wants her steak blu rare, rarer than most folks including me. It's a lot easier to cook it in the oven with the T probe than on the grill. One option is sear it on the grill and transfer it to the oven, another option it turn on broil in the oven for a few and then cook it.I'd sear on the grill 1st - that's a bout all the wife's steak would need
I'd sear on the grill 1st - that's a bout all the wife's steak would needI think I will do this and transfer it and cook her piece to 120°F and the rest to 130°F.
A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into
I brew my own beer. I cure and smoke and slice my own bacon. Sure, it'd be easier to buy Miller Lite and store-bought bacon. But what's the fun in that?Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays immediately
Sometimes the work is its own reward.
Break Out Another ThousandI've been looking at fishing boats the last 4 years, but I can't beat the price of a Buddy With A Boat.
A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into
Which reminds me, the name of my last boat, the 22' Cobalt, was Hole in the Wallet
I learned that Costco, starting Jun 30, will open 1 hour earlier (9 AM) for executive members only.
So not only can I get my weekly Costco trip done earlier in the day, I'll have fewer "Gold Star Member" riffraff milling around to contend with. Nice!
What is the executive member cover charge?$200??? Gold Star is $65/year and Executive is $130/year. But with the Executive 2% cash back I not only cover the difference between the two memberships... I cover about 2x the cost of the membership every year.
It's a cool $200 for us lowly Gold Star dregs.
$200??? Gold Star is $65/year and Executive is $130/year. But with the Executive 2% cash back I not only cover the difference between the two memberships... I cover about 2x the cost of the membership every year.
$200??? Gold Star is $65/year and Executive is $130/year. But with the Executive 2% cash back I not only cover the difference between the two memberships... I cover about 2x the cost of the membership every year.Yup we've had Executive for years, ever since the kids were in diapers. Saved a ton of money on formula back in the day.
I think you misunderstood.Ahh, got it... Yeah, if I get out of there for even CLOSE to $200, it's a light week lol...
The joke is....you can't go in to Costco without dropping $200 bucks (cover charge).
Friday is a WFH day for me. I finished out yesterday without much to do today. Had a meeting scheduled for 10:30 but that got canceled. I basically have nothing work-related to do.
I am about to get some serious stuff done around this place.
lolz, j/k, I'm going to take the dog for a walk and then probably forcefully and dynamically nap on the couch.
(if you're wondering what about this made me happy today, it's all of it)
The US Open could make for some good "napping to". Golf is great napping background noise.Yep. And it's playing like a bloodbath so far. Only 8 players right now below par.
Yep. And it's playing like a bloodbath so far. Only 8 players right now below par.
If you like watching golfers get punished by tough conditions... It's certainly that.
Not today, but tomorrow, what will make me happy, is that I'll be going on a Brewery Crawl for Father's Day. Best part-- my now 17yo legally driving daughter, will be our DD.Nice!
Which reminds me of something else that makes me happy-- my i s c & a aggie wife's aggie parents, bought a car for my daughter. And they're about to buy a car for my son.
We're really blessed that they are so generous.
I went over to the park earlier and threw a baseball against a concrete wall, which is pretty good exercise, and then ran some and did steps. The ATL Athletic Club added new sand to the track which is much improved now. They show up on weekends sometimes which is nice because their group includes a number of 20 something females.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIG_GVE-KiE
The guys run in a group, very fast, as do the ladies. The track is a 0.55 mile oval and they can turn it in "no time" without breathing hard. The track used to be used for horses pulling "surries" which have rise to the Piedmont Driving Club which is positioned next to the park, and used to own the entire thing. The PDC is one of two "elite" ATL clubs. They aren't one you can "join". The driving part in the name referred to driving surries.
But I digress. This area has some peculiar history.
And I'm not sure any of us want to ride in his 22 year old vehicle...Wuss,where's your sense of adventure?I just got rid of 22yr old ride last yr It survived a few pub crawls.A VW Passatt that needed tie rod ends and brakes to a guy who volunteers at the food pantry. He patched it up and gave it to co-worker who went thru divorce who was low on coin - it's still ticking
Kirkland labeled wines are nearly all terrific. They had Chateaneuf du PapeI go for the Chez Floyd label myself
Kirkland labeled wines are nearly all terrific. They had Chateaneuf du Pape here for $18 a bottle and Vacqueyras for $20. I won't open the former quite yet.Yeah, my wife isn't a fan of their chard. BevMo has a house label brand called Unruly that makes a chard she likes, so that's her go-to.
The California chard they sell is not to my liking, very flabby. Their box cab is great at that price.
Wuss,where's your sense of adventure?I just got rid of 22yr old ride last yr It survived a few pub crawls.A VW Passatt that needed tie rod ends and brakes to a guy who volunteers at the food pantry. He patched it up and gave it to co-worker who went thru divorce who was low on coin - it's still tickingWell, it IS a Toyota Highlander, so even at 130K miles it's running fine. But it's certainly not as comfy as my 11-year old Ford Flex...
Ask me why I'm broke.The Vols Preferred season package with parking?
I'm happy my yard is mowedProlly pissed at that pretty red bitch you keep doting over and keeping clean in the garage
mower waited until I was done to break down
Prolly pissed at that pretty red bitch you keep doting over and keeping clean in the garageno worries, that pretty young bitch doesn't owe me anything after the past 15-20 years
I suppose I've been through Townsend on the way to Cade's Cove, but I don't remember it.Townsend is on the Maryville side of Cade's Cove, so it you went to CC from Gatlinburg, you didn't go to Townsend, unless you came out using the Rich Mountain road.
We used to drive through Gatlinburg and PF on the way to my grandparents several times a year, they lived outside Sevierville. Pigeon Forge back then was about 4 small motels, a couple restaurants, the mill, and a lot of corn fields. I just dislike what it has become.
Put this in the Grumpy Old Man thread.
It inevitably became a touristy, economic goldmine.
BUT, a touristy, economic goldmine with a ton of gorgeous scenery to drive around and take in. That's really my attraction, I can do without all the shows and tourist stuff in the actual town. I mostly just like to see pretty nature scenes.
There was something called the Alpine Slide in either Gatlinburg of PF that I had a blast on as a kid. I'd probably do that again.
Quick OT aside since you mentioned going to a Vols game.
My dad lived in Knoxville for a year when I was about 8 or 9. While staying with him in the summer he took me to see Neyland, along with a bunch of other stuff. I remember thinking it was an impressive structure but I wasn't sure why I was supposed to care or why he was taking me there. Maybe to go along with taking me to LSU/Ole Miss games when I was growing up, I think he just wanted to show me another venue, another place where other people got together en masse to do the same thing we do back home, but with different colors and different songs. That might explain why I've always tried to stop and see college football stadiums when traveling, if one is in striking distance. Never been to a game there, but I have seen the place from the outside.
It's possible he's just a closet TN fan, but the dude sure has a lot of LSU crap around his house so that he hides it well.
Well, it's actually "suck that Tiger ****, *****," and it's not recent. It's a chant the student section does along with one of the band's old fight songs, "Neck." I'm not sure how long it's been going on, but for a long time now. The university periodically bans the song because the student section (and inevitably other parts of the stadium) starts chanting it. It has bled through microphones on tv several times that I recall, despite CBS and ESPN's best efforts to cut it out.
They did that when I was at the A&M game in 2013 with UTerin03 and her husband. She blushed and asked what was up with that, her husband thought it was hilarious.
It gets banned, fans complain, they bring it back, more vulgar chants, it gets banned.....
Circle of life.
There's a chant/cheer break in the middle of our fight song, where the original 30s/40s/50s lyrics say "Hail, Hail, The Gang's all here."I don't think the "make 'em eat sh!t" is all THAT bad. It's certainly not on the STTDB level.
Sometime in the 50s/60s that got switched to "Give 'em hell, Give 'em hell, Go Horns Go!" and that's what most of the old folks will say.
But since the 70s at least, Texas students have chanted, during that break, "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, make 'em eat shit."
And then of course when we're playing hated rival OU, it switches to "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, OU sucks." You can hear this quite clearly on the TV broadcast every time the song is sung, which is after every Texas score and also after forced turnovers or other big plays.
I don't think the "make 'em eat sh!t" is all THAT bad. It's certainly not on the STTDB level.
My favorite Badger cheer has always been the rewrite of the Budweiser commercial: When you say Wis-con-sin, you've said it all!That stopped about 20 years ago.
That makes me smile, even right now typing it out on this screen. (The polka-ish song is now on repeat in my head.)
That said, as an adult, the "Shoot 'em like a horse" cheer that students hurl at injured players seems a little untoward. (Not sure if they still do that one.) As a student it was great fun.
That stopped about 20 years ago.That's what I thought, but I haven't been anywhere near the student section in a long time--and haven't been to that many home games, either.
I'm not a fan of the "Eat Shit - Fuck You" garbage, which they still do between sections O and P.
That stopped about 20 years ago.why would anyone be a fan of that?
I'm not a fan of the "Eat Shit - Fuck You" garbage, which they still do between sections O and P.
MWF I try to go over to a tennis practice court in the park and throw a baseball off the wall for 30-45 minutes. I work on control and some other things, it's kind of fun, but sweaty this time of year. Anyway, today I was walking back across the "quad", which has two soccer fields and two softball fields surrounded by a track, and I cut across it. A guy was kicking the soccer ball around and the ball landed in front of me, and 50 yards from him, so I walked up to it and kicked it back to him. And my plant foot slipped on the wet grass and I went down. It's wet enough that I plopped, and had mud all over my backside and arms. I was OK, but muddy. I had a T shirt in my hand and managed to wipe off some of it. But I was half covered in dark black mud.
Managed to get home and strip down in our half bath and get off some of the mud, and then make it upstairs to the shower. I found mud crumbs along my path later. The shower looked funny a bit, and I was still sweating, I hate to shower when sweating but whatever. Came down and rinsed off my shorts and T shirt and socks and put them on the deck to dry. They are a mess.
The happy part is I didn't physically hurt myself. Yay.
Drunken college freshmen are fans of lots of stupid stuff.
(https://i.imgur.com/EMpUfUK.png)Which one is which?
getting home after thurssay, friday saturday golf tournaments with free drinksYeah, you are slurring your speech. :043:
I need a nap
My oldest just found out he scored 1530 on the SAT.
Holy cow! I'm more familiar with the ACT, and that's like the equivalent of scoring a 35 on the ACT.We're hoping.
I knew a highly intelligent guy in high school who scored a 33, and he was accepted into the Air Force Academy. Colleges must be lining up for your son.
We're hoping.Colleges lining up is good.
Power came back on after two days 84° in the house.AC kicking in after cleaning the condenser coil 😎Actually non of that is accurate the unit did come on and started to run but kicked out.Had a tree take out some wires after high winds the wires stopped the tree from landing on a neighbors garage. However two poles were snapped between 7 houses. So after having no power for two days when it was restored it evidently smoked the start capacitor on the condensor.So now two straight days over 90° w/o A.C. and hopefully the tech comes back with the right part he thought he had on his truck. Otherwise another evening in the basement-rec room really or snoozing in front of the fan and open windows
My oldest just found out he scored 1530 on the SAT.👍😎,ya well I got drool on mine from nodding off,Nice job Bwarb. So where is he off to? Gonna become a Boilermaker or Banana Slug?
👍😎,ya well I got drool on mine from nodding off,Nice job Bwarb. So where is he off to? Gonna become a Boilermaker or Banana Slug?Taking him to Ann Arbor and West Lafayette in a few weeks for campus tours. He's already been to UC-Berkeley.
Berkeley would be an easy pick for me outa those 3.I think the fact that he's never experienced a Midwest winter [and doesn't want to] makes it his top pick as well...
But, I grew up in midwest winters
Georgia Tech is a pretty good engineering school with milder winters. But then he'd be a nerd.
Oh, and all engineers are nerds, doesn't matter where they go to school. Berkeley, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Texas...Yep. He's already a nerd.
Best Nuclear Engineering Programs in America (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/nuclear-engineering-rankings)Texas A&M ranked #8. He could be an Aggie!
Texas A&M ranked #8. He could be an Aggie!:c002:
Texas A&M ranked #8. He could be an Aggie!Wisconsin ranked #3. He'd be better off there and experience a Winter while at it!
Texas A&M ranked #8. He could be an Aggie!
Sounds like you just weren't smart enough to move, until you got older.I'm older
:57:
I'm olderNot an engineer, and therefore not as smart.
Sounds like you just weren't smart enough to move, until you got older.He's good the Freshwater lakes don't dry up around here like the wagon ruts around the 40 Acres
:57:
Best Nuclear Engineering Programs in America (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/nuclear-engineering-rankings)That's apparently grad school, not undergrad.
Nuclear Engineering, BS - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison (https://engineering.wisc.edu/programs/degrees/nuclear-engineering-bs/)Not saying they don't offer it... Just that the ranking wasn't for undergrad.
I've made the decision to retire.
Best Nuclear Engineering Programs in America (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/nuclear-engineering-rankings)(https://i.imgur.com/CIg4uWz.png)
I've made the decision to retire.corngratulations!!!
Texas A&M ranked #8. He could be an Aggie!Marcus beat me to it. I vaguely recall A&M had a really good program. Small compared to other Depts.
(https://i.imgur.com/CIg4uWz.png)#8? Meh.
I'm going to a lunch meeting in Hays KSTell ol' WildcatWhateva howdy for me.
Gonna spot by Wildcat Forever's office
If Colton is there, I'll be happy
I woke up this morning, played a round of goldya played around with gold,ya well I'd be happy to. But I do have some Dortmunder Gold Lager in the Fridge so I'm not to teary
ya played around with gold,ya well I'd be happy to. But I do have some Dortmunder Gold Lager in the Fridge so I'm not to tearyWhy proofread when I can entertain with my typos 🙃
[img width=234.333 height=500]https://i.imgur.com/Ia1yWWf.png[/img]
So you were unimpressed with CfA?High floor, low ceiling food. Never a thing I really need to get, but at times a lot better than any of the other options.
Tell ol' WildcatWhateva howdy for me.unfortunately, the wheatfield lawyer was in court and actually working at 1:06 in the afternoon
I've been posting here (or this site's predecessors) for 19 years.It's crazy to me that I've been posting with some of you since 1997, which by my recollection is about 2 years after the internet was actually a real thing. Maybe 3 years, because I started college in 1994 and I think I got online at school either that year or the next (1994 or 1995) for the first time. Unfortunately I wasn't on the CFB News site or whatever it was that many of you posted to but I was on the original CNNSI site with utee and JCG (Hooky Hornstein, whatever his other names were through the years). We moved several times over the years after CNNSI shutdown, Winged Helmet had a site, Dustin R had a site, several others that escape me. When Dustin's site shut down (whatever happened to him?) I was homeless for awhile, and finally did a search for "Hooky Hornstein" and stumbled onto this one.
I like you clowns, I've met a number of you multiple times, and whether or not you like me and despite the fact you root for the wrong teams and have weird politics, I think of a lot of you as friends.
That makes me happy.
With two kids in marching band I see a lot of high school football games these days. Some of them are pretty good too.Having been officiating High School football for 25 years, I have seen a lot of high school football games, most just aren't that good, but the good ones are worth the bad ones.
Having been officiating High School football for 25 years, I have seen a lot of high school football games, most just aren't that good, but the good ones are worth the bad ones.Yeah, our kids' high school regularly competes for 5A state titles, and their archrival won the state 6A championship last year, and overall the district is pretty good, so many of the games I get to see are pretty high-quality Texas football games.
Always good to see you around @huskerdinie (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=14) !The only thing I have to brag about my HS Football team is that we had the #1 NFL pick this last season. Other than that we're not very good.
Yeah, our kids' high school regularly competes for 5A state titles, and their archrival won the state 6A championship last year, and overall the district is pretty good, so many of the games I get to see are pretty high-quality Texas football games.
New boat got delivered today, and the old one taken away.(https://y.yarn.co/4fc9cdd8-eda6-49a6-88a9-8738435e89ff_text.gif)
Double happy!
With two kids in marching band I see a lot of high school football games these days. Some of them are pretty good too.That was the only way I was able to watch games when I was in high school - I played flute in the marching band so got in free to all football and basketball games (the only two sports teams we had, lol). Loved the atmosphere and it hooked me on football (not so much basketball-our gyms were so small it was downright dangerous with the band right next to the court). Played in summer marching bands where we would play at a lot of rodeo parades like the Days of '76 in Rapid City and Deadwood and a couple years I lived in a town where we had regular Thursday evening concerts in the band shell at the park. Good times.
In FL, before all the private school nonsense took over, we had a rural 3A school that could have beaten most 5A teams - Lake Butler. Their uniforms looked like LSU. We didn't play them, but in the mid-late 90s, they were scary.
We competed in 5A which was the biggest in Illinois at the time IIRC. I think a couple of the championships were against Mount Carmel, a private school that was too small in enrollment for 5A, but was able to recruit for football, so they punched WAY above their weight class...
Their uniforms looked like LSU. We didn't play them, but in the mid-late 90s, they were scary.
Saw the cardiologist. Things are good. Took me off of one med that was causing headaches and weight gain and another that causes water retention. He replaced those two things with one thing.Well if you're not not bleeding a little after donation that's like having gravy in your veins.Good that things are getting balanced out for you. Probably good he put you on thinners. I've donated since like '89 and those needles are good bit bigger in Dia. than those that they fetch blood samples or I.V.s with. How are the stents doing they put in to you?
I'm happy.
And even more happy when I come off of the blood thinner in a few months. I used to be able to give blood and not even use a bandage after. Now I bleed like crazy when I scratch a no-see-um bite. I also bruise easy. Never was a bruiser. (This last bit was a grumpy part - sorry.)
I don't enjoy a cigar as much when it's really hotSmoked a Montecristo Churchill that was fantastic
didn't have one on the back 9 yesterday for that reason
I was happy that I filled the Vette with gas and rolled over 4,000 miles
not sure cutting alcohol is a sure fire weight loss solution, but it doesn't hurtYeah, it isn't that much of a factor I'm learning. My kid told me the pounds would melt away. I have not adjusted my diet much at all, and I like nuts as a snack. Nuts are loaded with calories. I'm also "working out" as best I can, I swim some nearly every day. I think basically what took 40 years to add doesn't go away in 40 weeks.
Good idea. I have a fund set up for that already. There is a group that looks really good for rehabilitating homeless.Or send it to Drew.
Georgia Works | Georgia Works transforms chronically homeless men into self-sufficient and productive members of society. (https://georgiaworks.net/)
I have Venmo nowWelcome to 2015!
Welcome to 2015!my daughters prefer Venmo
Of course, PayPal owns Venmo, so...
Scheduled a virtual happy hour Saturday with our good friends (my college buddy) that moved out to NC a few years ago. Definitely looking forward to that. Good to hang out with a fellow left-handed Polish electrical engineer. Great minds think alike... Sometimes ours do too!
A while ago I gave a presentation I called "AI In The University Setting" to our data governance officer, after which she asked for my powerpoint and speaking notes. Today she came to my office and said she talked with one of the Vice Provosts who heads up our AI Taskforce (my words, not theirs) and they decided to ask me to be on their AI Taskforce committee thingy. From what I gather, they set policy for the university regarding the use of AI and stay abreast of developments, news, software, etc.Keep us safe!!!
There's no promotion or a single cent of a raise involved. In fact, it sounds like it will just mean more meetings. But, I figure if I stick around this place it won't hurt to hobnob with some upper management types.
I guess it means the lady thought enough of my presentation to put me in a position to offer input. So that's something.
I mentioned to my wife as we were watching the little robots stumbling around midtown that my Dad was born in 1917, and told me he saw his first automobile in 1925.Just when thought you couldn't be any older....
A while ago I gave a presentation I called "AI In The University Setting" to our data governance officer, after which she asked for my powerpoint and speaking notes. Today she came to my office and said she talked with one of the Vice Provosts who heads up our AI Taskforce (my words, not theirs) and they decided to ask me to be on their AI Taskforce committee thingy. From what I gather, they set policy for the university regarding the use of AI and stay abreast of developments, news, software, etc.Congrats! I find myself getting volunteered for things constantly... But that means that they want me to do more, not want me to go away and no longer draw a salary :72:
There's no promotion or a single cent of a raise involved. In fact, it sounds like it will just mean more meetings. But, I figure if I stick around this place it won't hurt to hobnob with some upper management types.
I guess it means the lady thought enough of my presentation to put me in a position to offer input. So that's something.
I really should try harder to keep up with my old friends. A select few are very special to me and I always welcome the rare times we get together anymore. I'm not an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of guy, but one would be forgiven for thinking that I am, because I suck when it comes to picking up the phone, shooting a text, making time to visit, etc.
And, of course... You guys. :88:The HORROR!!!
Keep us safe!!!
That is good, considering.
What was the cause of the swollen lymph nodes?
That is a good news story, net. Is the small tumor cancerous? You have the whole group pulling for you obviously.
I have a cancerous tumor.See, I told you to get it checked out! Always better to find this stuff early than late. You're welcome :57:
Damn.
So why's this in the happy thread, you ask? Because it's a small tumor (that's good) and although this might all change pending the outcome my appointments with urology and oncology, it does not appear to have spread anywhere yet, it should be taken care of with a surgery, and I probably won't have to do chemo or anything like that. And I'm happy because it was so unlikely to have found this at all. What happened was, I noticed some bumps under my arms, got them checked by my Doc, which were prominent lymph nodes. She ordered a chest CT to rule out causes, and the chest CT just happened to show the edge of the kidney, and the radiologist got enough info from that to recommend more tests done on the kidney specifically, which is how this was found. I asked if it's possible the lymph nodes were swollen due to the cancer, my wife says no, it's just a happy accident that lead to more tests and clued us in before this got any worse. Again, the doctors will tell us more, but she thinks it's likely most of the kidney will be preserved and though it won't function at 100% after a piece is cut out, it can still function highly.
I consider this remarkably good fortune, given the circumstances.
My wife likes PBR, I'm not much of a fan.FYI PBW wasn't a typo... PBW = Powdered Brewery Wash
Yeah, it was good that I was brewing the beer and running the charcoal grill *yesterday*, not when that thing popped off :57:What are you brewing btw - asking for fearless
Had a basal cell removed successfully today. Happy to go to a world class out patient surgery center. A little biased as my wife is the Director of it. Great staff and care.I've had several of those taken off. I agree. Gotta have regular skin checks. Especially down here.
Psa: beyond doing your damn colon screening, take care of your skin, dont let it slide.
It's only being cocky if you can't back it up.
(https://i.imgur.com/fV1BaFo.png)
The use of the word was perfectly placed in getting across the specific idea I wanted to convey. So I wasn't just trying to "sound" smart... I am smart ;-)
I'm not pretentious but I possess an extensive vocabulary.
I just tend to dumb it down for all of you message board yahoos and jackwagons.
I'm happy I'm in a hotel across the street from Buffalo Wild Wings.......Ugh. More like Buffalo Diarrhea Wings. The one in our town ( neighboring) closed.
BOGO traditional wings Tuesday and the MLB All-star game!!!!!
Every summer the two movies we have to watch are Jaws and Sandlot. I love both movies, but I have no interest in watching them in February. Watching Jaws last night made everything okA lot of good things came from 1975.
Ugh. More like Buffalo Diarrhea Wings. The one in our town ( neighboring) closed.well, you live in Texas. Y'all ruin everything. No one would want to move there.
Every summer the two movies we have to watch are Jaws and Sandlot. I love both movies, but I have no interest in watching them in February. Watching Jaws last night made everything ok
Wife is taking me here for an early b-day celebration this weekend.I'd be interested in the roasted beef bone marrow, the crispy pork belly, the branzino, and the beef cheek mole. But man I'd have to know the mole was good because tons of places don't do it very well.
https://broadwaybyamarsantana.com/
We've only been there once, an anniversary dinner that I went into full radio silence as I'd DVR'd the Purdue/UVA E8 game to watch after we got home lol...
MUCH better.
So now the red accent wall that my wife wanted is a gray accent wall that my wife wanted.
I'd be all over this:I wouldn't make it past that. The other lost me at capers. Never developed a taste for those
(https://i.imgur.com/x4Q9uWv.png)
Ever since we bought our house with a pool, 13 years ago, my i s c & a aggie wife has wanted to set up our outdoor movie projector and watch Jaws whilst floating in the pool. We finally did that a couple of weeks ago. It was a lot of fun.I actually think it's less dated than most movies from that era. Hell, I think it's less dated that the early 00s CGI movies. They knew their limitations, and how to scare you without showing you anything. It's why Jurassic Park remains easily the best of those, aside from all of the other reasons. We hit a period where we leaned way too hard into CGI, when it was extremely bad. Showing these movies to kids, they laugh at the Star Wars prequels, or the LOTR movies. They look goofy. I think Jaws very much holds up
I hadn't seen the movie in many years. It's dated, as you'd expect, but it's still pretty good. Our kids had never seen it before and enjoyed it.
I'm supposedly an SAR but I never did any paperwork. Maybe I could get a scholaraship to study European history.I wish I had known about some of those scholarships when I was in high school as my mom was in the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as Daughters of the Civil War. She had relatives on both sides of that. I never got around to doing any paperwork either.
Givi, my Georgian friend, assured me the country is "safe". I didn't have any qualms about visiting Turkey, there are probably areas in both I should avoid.Had no Issue with Turkey. Taking a bus from Alexandria to Giza (Pyramids) we had an armed guard on the bus with us. That was interesting, but no problems.
But then I've been to place like Oman and Jordan and Egypt and Malaysia as well.
A new car? What happened with the used Mustang? Did they get him a Corvette? A Porsche? A Cadillac CTS-V Blackwing?It's a new Mustang. 2025. His older sister who only got a used Mustang (2 years old at the time) had some words to say about that. I told her to stuff it. :)
a 2025 Mustang,you have to be shyting me,talk about matress moneyMy inlaws are very generous.
It's a new Mustang. 2025. His older sister who only got a used Mustang (2 years old at the time) had some words to say about that. I told her to stuff it. :)V-6? Or whatever they put under the hoods these days. Surely it's not a 5.0L.
(She wasn't really serious, she loves her car)
V-6? Or whatever they put under the hoods these days. Surely it's not a 5.0L.Inline 4 turbo. It's not exactly slow, but it's not the 5L V8 either.
Ya ,hope they don't nickel/dime you to death with things like whole light assembly replacements instead of just switching bulbs out. A lot of corporate cocks are doing scams just like thatWell the good news about a brand new car, is that it has a warranty. Of course, somehow, some way, stuff always seems to break the day after the warranty expires...
I can't fathom that going to Costco is a decent experienceCostco is one of my happy places.
I don't even think purchasing on-line is decent
I like Costco and I wish they would build one closer.Within a 24 mile radius of my front door, I think I count 7 Costco stores. Expand out to 33 miles and it might be 10+.
They are building a new one in fort Myers, but it's still 24 miles.
The one in North Port is 33 miles.
Inline 4 turbo. It's not exactly slow, but it's not the 5L V8 either.Surprisingly powerful for a 4 cylinder. That was my impression when driving some recently.
Within a 24 mile radius of my front door, I think I count 7 Costco stores. Expand out to 33 miles and it might be 10+.Density will do that. We'll soon have enough rooftops here to support a Costco. We do have Sam's close, but Costco>>>Sam's.
My watch says 93°F and we're headed to the pool once lunch is digested a bit.that's a late lunch
The pool water is like bath water temperatures. They have a shower by the pool that sits in the sun and the first few seconds are scalding. I learned that the hard way. The pool deck is on fire. But it may cool off later this week.
You know me, can't wait to burn this place down with flame wars.I'm gonna make you a mod.
I have sworn off shotsI swore off shots in college.
I have sworn off shotswith the woods or irons?
Feel like I need to work through a couple of the ones that are nearly empty just to make room. But than I just reach for a pint glass and fill it with beer instead.You have a right to be happy and beer it has been said by the Prophet can make you a jolly good fellow
So we've established that CD likes violent crime. Cool.Is there another kind?
Oh, one more thing about the conference... I got to finally meet (in person) utee's SurlyHorns buddy that I work[ed] with.Yeah he's a hoot. Burnt Eyes and he were pretty good friends before Burny decided to go full prepper and move to a zombie apocalypse compound in an undisclosed location somewhere in the middle of Tennessee.
When our company split he and I predictably ended up on opposite sides, so we're no longer coworkers. So he was at his company's booth, not ours lol. But it was fun to say hello in person to someone that I'd talked to through a screen extensively, who not only is in the same industry but who shares the same deranged college football fandom as us weirdos here...
And now, today my oldest is officially a legal adult.So you have the ability to engineer your own golf clubs, but you don't?
We're taking him and his siblings out for sushi for dinner (his request).
He went to a Roger Dunn Golf to use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer to get "fit" for the right golf club shaft. His second best fit was the KBS Tour Lite in stiff, which just so happened to be a stock shaft for a good (and reasonably priced DTC company). So I ordered him some Takomo 101T irons in his specs to replace the 25 year old hand-me-down-from-Dad irons that he's been playing for the last few years. Although it will be a number of weeks before those are built and shipped...
So you have the ability to engineer your own golf clubs, but you don't?No, not even close. I'm an electrical engineer, not a mechanical engineer. And my decades of experience are in data storage, not in golf.
And now, today my oldest is officially a legal adult.lucky kid
We're taking him and his siblings out for sushi for dinner (his request).
He went to a Roger Dunn Golf to use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer to get "fit" for the right golf club shaft. His second best fit was the KBS Tour Lite in stiff, which just so happened to be a stock shaft for a good (and reasonably priced DTC company). So I ordered him some Takomo 101T irons in his specs to replace the 25 year old hand-me-down-from-Dad irons that he's been playing for the last few years. Although it will be a number of weeks before those are built and shipped...
Oh, one more thing about the conference... I got to finally meet (in person) utee's SurlyHorns buddy that I work[ed] with.Jeez...you post on SurlyHorns? You brave.
When our company split he and I predictably ended up on opposite sides, so we're no longer coworkers. So he was at his company's booth, not ours lol. But it was fun to say hello in person to someone that I'd talked to through a screen extensively, who not only is in the same industry but who shares the same deranged college football fandom as us weirdos here...
Jeez...you post on SurlyHorns? You brave.No, I don't post there.
Jeez...you post on SurlyHorns? You brave.Utee can correct me if I'm wrong, because it was a long time ago.
Whatever happened to Shaggy Bevo? I would get on those sites a time or two every year, after the losses were especially fun.
And now, today my oldest is officially a legal adult.Please report back on the Takomo's. They look interesting and I'm playing 20 year old Cleveland's.
We're taking him and his siblings out for sushi for dinner (his request).
He went to a Roger Dunn Golf to use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer to get "fit" for the right golf club shaft. His second best fit was the KBS Tour Lite in stiff, which just so happened to be a stock shaft for a good (and reasonably priced DTC company). So I ordered him some Takomo 101T irons in his specs to replace the 25 year old hand-me-down-from-Dad irons that he's been playing for the last few years. Although it will be a number of weeks before those are built and shipped...
Utee can correct me if I'm wrong, because it was a long time ago.Yeah something like that. I don't know the exact details but it sounds about right.
But I believe the site owner lost control of the site in a lawsuit vs a former business partner. So they started up surlyhorns and everyone moved over there.
I didn't transition to surlyhorns. I do miss Thujone's MS paint threads, though.
Please report back on the Takomo's. They look interesting and I'm playing 20 year old Cleveland's.Will do. It'll be several weeks at least. They're fairly backlogged. Online reviews are positive.
Yeah something like that. I don't know the exact details but it sounds about right.Ya I've seen you over on Surlyhorns,Bastage baiting the Buckeyes.
As for Thujone, he rarely posts or creates any new content anyway, so you're not missing out. It's a pity, he's pretty hilarious.
Ya I've seen you over on Surlyhorns,Bastage baiting the Buckeyes.
------------------------------
utee94 Posted July 23
...and Ohio State. The defending national champions.
Why would they omit one of Texas' four OOC opponents, I wonder???
------------------------------
Now you know damn well Junior those schedules are made way ahead of time we had no idea who your sickly billygoats on stilts was facing. But since your infernal bovines laid a good one on those Ann Arbor Astros
(https://media.tenor.com/images/e4ae71099eeeccdaaf1495af637ac4c7/tenor.gif)
Please report back on the Takomo's. They look interesting and I'm playing 20 year old Cleveland's.I have a few CG14 wedges in my bag but they aren't 20 years old
I have a few CG14 wedges in my bag but they aren't 20 years oldTA 7's 3-P, although I traded out the 3 for a hybrid this year.
CG12s?
Utee will be happy that there's golf talk on the thread.If golfing and golf talk makes y'all happy, who am I to question that, here on the Happy thread?
I'm not the guy that upgrades clubs regularly, but 20 year old equipment seems a bit too long for me.I play a lot. I'm typically out there in some capacity 5-6 days a week. Don't always play a round, sometimes just hitting driver or approach shots, chipping and putting. Our course is a typical small town 9-hole semi-private, so it's fairly empty mid-morning during the week and I can bounce around the course to avoid the mowers.
That said, if you hit something very well, there's no sense in changing.
I really liked the CG16 irons I bought used for $300, but the shafts started breaking. So, I replaced them with my current set of Mizuno JPX-EZ from around 2015. So, they're 10 years old. I bought them used from a friend for $400.
How often do you play?
Oh, and the other thing about Sub70 is that they're located in Sycamore, IL (about 1.5-2 hrs west of Chicago). They have a full fitting studio there in Sycamore which I hear is really cool.Heard of them through reddit, but didn't realize they were in Illinois. I'll definitely look into that.
That doesn't help me, but while Sycamore probably isn't "around the corner" from Iowa... It's drivable.
https://www.the-seventy.com/
Heard of them through reddit, but didn't realize they were in Illinois. I'll definitely look into that.Yeah... One of my buddies that I knew in my college years used to "race" in the spectator class at Sycamore Speedway. We typically went out to watch and be "pit crew" to the extent that was a thing. He had picked up an old Lincoln Mark V (bear in mind this was the late 90s) to race. I remember sitting in the [open] trunk of the thing kicking out dents from the inside after one of the races... That was a freakin' land yacht!
Oh, and the other thing about Sub70 is that they're located in Sycamore, IL (about 1.5-2 hrs west of Chicago). They have a full fitting studio there in Sycamore which I hear is really cool.6 1/2 hours for me but only 3 hours from Cedar Rapids
That doesn't help me, but while Sycamore probably isn't "around the corner" from Iowa... It's drivable.
https://www.the-seventy.com/
6 1/2 hours for me but only 3 hours from Cedar RapidsNot in your Vette.
The site donation link is active now. I just donated a year's worth.I did 10 months. I'm happy.
Surgeon got all the cancer - actually got it the first time, and the second surgery confirmed that.Awesome news, so glad to hear it!
NO CHEMO!!
Radiation only.
I'm happy.
Surgeon got all the cancer - actually got it the first time, and the second surgery confirmed that.Hell yes!!
NO CHEMO!!
Radiation only.
I'm happy.
Surgeon got all the cancer - actually got it the first time, and the second surgery confirmed that.Great!
NO CHEMO!!
Radiation only.
I'm happy.
Surgeon got all the cancer - actually got it the first time, and the second surgery confirmed that.that makes me happy!
NO CHEMO!!
Radiation only.
I'm happy.
A lot of good news around here, including of course that FOOTBALL is near!Husker football in 7 days and less than 3 hours!
The weather here was only moderately hot so I went running and did pretty well, did some pushups, and came back and later went swimming. Tomorrow is schedule for throwing so we'll see.
Tonight I'm taking my wife to Fogo de Chao, which usually is pretty decent. She really likes it, her closest friend lives in Brazil and she likes a kaiparovska. I have a $25 off birthday deal.
But, of course health is tres important for all of us.
Surgeon got all the cancer - NO CHEMO!! - Radiation only - I'm happy.Great news 847
Anyway, I listen more and it is pretty neat, and he says it would be allowed in our condo.
Anyway, I listen more and it is pretty neat, and he says it would be allowed in our condo.Unless he's in cahoots with their HOA Bwarb's right he's definitely barking out of his backside. Be careful and I hope they allow it
I think he might be full of $#!+.Exactly.
It's a wood fire grill with an electric heat element just used to light the wood...
That doesn't mean that you'll get caught or get in trouble, but I'd think if you actually asked the HOA they'd tell you it wasn't allowed. And if someone complains, I doubt you'll be able to justify to them "but it's electric!" unless they know next to nothing.
So, we go to Costco, which we do every few weeks, fill up the tank at $2.70 per, which is pretty good, and I'm bopping around the wine section, bought about ten btls, and I see this fellow next to it selling grills. He motions for me to come over, my wife is somewhere else, so I stroll over and say "We can only have electric where we live.".hah!
Lo and behold, one of his grills is a pellet/electric. Fancy schmacy Traeger grills. He launches into his spill and frankly I'm hooked, but figure my wife will veto my notion, so I'm safe. Anyway, I listen more and it is pretty neat, and he says it would be allowed in our condo. Then my wife shows up and starts putting stuff in a cart, which is not our cart, but we sort that out, and I show her the grill. Turns out she likes it. The guy throws in a grill cover (for free) and a small bottle of special umobtanium spices, AND it's $50 off, only in Costco. So, now it's sitting on our deck, I just preseasoned it. It also can be powered by a car battery, which I might never use. Ours is slightly different from this.
Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill Review | PCMag (https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/traeger-ranger-pellet-grill)
hah, I'd be happy as hell to know I was breaking some HOA rule/law.Yeah, I doubt anyone would notice. My wife did a "Karen" once on a unit that had a propane bottle clearly evident on their deck. I didn't object. My equivalent is a bag of wood noodles.
Just for fun
So BRAD, I'm sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing because it made me feel better.Glad I could help :88:
Happy.That’s seriously a crazy good score!!!
(https://i.imgur.com/v78ozMU.png)
You're going to love that cookware...This year I switched all business expenses to going on credit that gets paid off every month for this exact reason. There’s a couple we still pay through checking because they have a 5% credit card fee which is excessive, but outside of that there’s no incentive.
We use credit cards (mostly the American Airlines one) for everything. as in EVERYTHING. It gets paid off every month.
This gives us a lot of free air travel and very high status with American.
That makes me happy.
Damn, that's like those social media posts single friends send from the Alps or South Pacific in September that make me feel worse about my humdrum life. Good on ya, Utee.Ha! Thanks man.
Yesterday was my wife's last radiation treatment day. We're happy.reading this made me happy
I'd enjoy that show.Yup, that's a serious GenX/early Millennial lineup.
I figured you were on top of it but, I put that up for youThanks.
The drummer is a woman. Interested to see how she tries to do Neil - or if she tries.I trust that if Alex and Geddy picked her, she's gotta be pretty damn good.
I trust that if Alex and Geddy picked her, she's gotta be pretty damn good.Either that, or they are just going for a beat keeper.
This was accomplished on Saturday, so perhaps it's not what made me happy "today", but I'm still happy about it.Wow. That's serious dedication. Great to read the core training. It's the one area I had to adjust in life. Grew up always thinking about strength with bench, squat and deadlift and older in life I've learned how valuable core and functional movement training is. 2,000 is a heck of a milestone so congrats. I'll have to scope out our Peloton progress more often to keep me going there. Winter months tend to be my uptick on the Peloton since we are close to crummy weather in NE Ohio.
On Saturday, I hit the milestone of 2,000 total Peloton-tracked workouts! Over 800 strength workouts (a lot of core), over 600 rides, and nearly 400 stretches, along with some other things (walks, meditations, etc) thrown in. And that's been on track for 15K minutes/year since the start of 2023, or a little over 40 minutes per day.
I'm a little past 39 months of ownership, so that's averaging a little less than 2/day when you put it all together.
I'm not lazy. I actually enjoy being active. But this is the first exercise thing that's ever stuck for me long term.
I hope Wisconsin wins this time.Based on the game vs USC, I thought Vander Kelen was really good. His season stats...are not great. He super over-performed in a blowout and thus the misconception on my end.
Wow. That's serious dedication. Great to read the core training. It's the one area I had to adjust in life. Grew up always thinking about strength with bench, squat and deadlift and older in life I've learned how valuable core and functional movement training is. 2,000 is a heck of a milestone so congrats. I'll have to scope out our Peloton progress more often to keep me going there. Winter months tend to be my uptick on the Peloton since we are close to crummy weather in NE Ohio.Oddly enough, I haven't noticed any increased distance on the golf course. Probably the fitness isn't doing anything to improve my janky swing :57:
Secondly, happy today from my sunburn from doing a golf outing at a place i'm sure MB knows well at the Medina Country Club yesterday. Apparently they are building a 35 million dollar new clubhouse. It's what happens what a billionaire buys a local golf course and wants to transform it. Have only been on the course 3 times now since my life changing surgeries. And apparently the core training and functional training pays off. Two different drives over 300 yards yesterday. That's probably 50 yards further than i ever drove a ball the previous 30 years of golfing. Now the putting green on the other hand, does not care about core training at all.
A while back, we got friendly with this Tunisian fellow who has a booth at the local farmer's market selling items carved from olive wood from Tunisia, very nice fellow, bought some stuff. He told us he had opened a furniture store in Marietta NW of us a spell and he asked us to visit, which we did. He explained the store was divided into sections, one part was appliances operated by an Indian guy he knows, his part was, well, nice in spots, and rough in spots, but the nice stuff was nice, and inexpensive.So, something good came out of the trip
In chatting he mentioned a French restaurant a bit further in Marietta which we tried, and it was good. The lunch bill with tip was under $50, which is good these days. I had beef bourginon (boeuf). My wife liked hers, and they have a bakery where we spent more money on ... baked goods. My wife ate the croissant on the way home and said it was great.
So, a nice find for us, it's a 30 minute drive with no traffic. Marietta appears to be thriving, a lot of traffic and "stuff" around their square. It's out past the baseball park NW up I75.
I'm happy I've been released from the hospital for the 3rd time in 4 months for infections in my feet/legs no libations for a while as I'm on antibiotics and off my feetOut of the horsepital is a plus. No libations during Octoberfest is a minus.
the Mill Stream Octoberfest keg ran dry as I walked in the door!The Horror
My son finished his first round of college applications a few days ago, for the schools that have early deadlines of Oct 15.Yup my daughter did the same for early deadlines, as well as a few that she just wanted to get completed. All of this week in Texas, it's zero-application-fee for in-state residents at most Texas state schools.
So now he has officially applied to Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee.
She's officially applied to::67:
Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Auburn, UC-Davis, and NC-State.
We're home, slept in our own bed last night. Pretty tired from flights.I love our wifi connected thermostats. A few hours before getting home, I turn on the AC (never the heat) so the house is cooled off before getting home.
Cold here, I had left heating off.
My son.....has officially applied to Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee.
She's officially applied to:
Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Auburn, UC-Davis, and NC-State.
I love our wifi connected thermostats. A few hours before getting home, I turn on the AC (never the heat) so the house is cooled off before getting home.One of our two heat pumps has a wifi thermostat, but for whatever reason it disconnected from wifi (we did have a power outage at some point). So, I couldn't turn it on remotely.
Well, half the way has been cleared, since A&M does rolling admissions...
Just saw these.
So, potentially, brad's son and utee's daughter could both go to A&M, meet, fall in love, get married, and then the guys here would have some Engineering Uber-nerd grandkids.
......who would undoubtedly grow up Aggie fans. Hmm.
The world needs uber nerd engineers, but I don't want the Aggies getting too powerful.
Well, half the way has been cleared, since A&M does rolling admissions...
...and my son just got accepted to Texas A&M!!!!
Yesterday I took a bike ride in the forest, then on the coast. It was spectacular. Nature therapy is a thing. In the forest, I did a pretty big climb that took about an hour. Could have come back in about 10-15 minutes, but decided to enjoy the scenery instead. Took me almost as long going down as up. It was amazing. Made me very happy.
(https://i.imgur.com/BgrbiAR.png)(https://i.imgur.com/tnYbzJx.png)
Well, half the way has been cleared, since A&M does rolling admissions...
...and my son just got accepted to Texas A&M!!!!
Congrats, my daughter is in as well. Now we have to wait to hear from the GOOD schools she applied to... :)Congrats to her as well! Same question as above.
Congrats to him! Does he have a preference among the schools you previously mentioned?His top three are Cal, Michigan, and Purdue.
His top three are Cal, Michigan, and Purdue.
Texas A&M, Illinois, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech are all in that tier just below. I'm not sure of his ranking below them. For the grad program rankings, A&M is something like 8th nationally for nuclear engineering though, so it's definitely a strong contender in that tier.
He's also applied to Stanford, and is planning to apply to UCLA, UCSD, and Cal Poly-SLO. I *think* based on wanting to go into nuclear with aeronautical/aerospace engineering as a fallback, they might be below the tier mentioned above due to not being as strong in nuke. However, in-state tuition might be important if he misses out on his top 3. Stanford, if he's lucky enough to get in, would probably be out of the running. They don't have nuke, and while they obviously have a strong aeronaut/space program, he wouldn't be going there unless he's getting a BOATLOAD of scholarship aid.
Yesterday I completed my sixth brew day since getting back into it this year. Made a 10 gallon batch of schwarzbier and got my 10 gallons of Marzen into kegs.You're doing the Lord's work
takin the red car to the golf course this afternoon - 60 degrees & sunny!!!(https://i.imgur.com/ysJXvhW.png)
probably the last Friday afternoon for this until late March or early April
FORE!!!
Congrats to her as well! Same question as above.Currently she's really keen on the idea of going out of state, to experience different climate/seasons/etc. So Wisconsin is probably at the top of her list. She'd definitely get some very different weather!
Currently she's really keen on the idea of going out of state, to experience different climate/seasons/etc. So Wisconsin is probably at the top of her list. She'd definitely get some very different weather!That makes me happy.
NC-State is up there was well. And probably UC-Davis.
But she's dragging her feet on many of the scholarship applications and I've already told her it's going to be up to her to make up the financial delta if she's going someplace significantly more expensive than Texas or Texas A&M.
Luckily marching band season finally finished on Tuesday night so she'll have a LOT more time in the coming weeks to work on this stuff.
Looks good in red, I've seen a few colors that don't look great, white is one. Dark blue and green look solid.I don't like white vehicles - fleet vehicle non-color
got the red car cleaned upIs that a Dodge parked in the garage
https://www.lewisbarbecue.com/location/lewis-barbecue-atlanta/John Lewis is fantastic. He's got a shop in Carolina that's doing really well. I'd guess this one will, too.
December 8 opening, in walking distance. Yay.
We are out of town Dec. 7-21.
https://www.lewisbarbecue.com/location/lewis-barbecue-atlanta/Probably for the best. Given how new openings can be, you might not be able to get in for a while.
December 8 opening, in walking distance. Yay.
We are out of town Dec. 7-21.
Oh, a good BBQ joint within walking distance is delicious...FTFY...
Walleye/Perch it's great,truth be told I don't get up to the Lake Erie Islands like I used to when the folks had a place there.My brother has a place and a boat and I told him let's buy a shanty and an atv to pull it. But neither him or his son are interested,nor does he have enough room to store those.So it is now quite pricey to hire guides who have the shanties and the transportation that will take you out to the hotspots. I mean you could damn near eat at the best Steak Houses in NYC for what it costs. Realistically we used to get 3 months of ICE season but it's has been really sporatic in recent years.Like just this week it was bone chilling with the wind,20s even teens in some places.And more of the same on the way - it has to stay that way consistently like the old days to venture outMan that's tough to hear. I'll give you this-- y'all have so much great fishing, and a delectable array to eat. I had my first walleye whilst working in Minnesota for several months, many years back, and I kept going back for more.
My bro, a couple of buds and his son do fish and we have a very spartan way of eating walleye. They are much bigger than perch the fillet is thick by the head but tapers down to the tail that makes cooking evenly tough.So one old friend who is a fishing whore - i mean worse than FF on the links ;D would cut the fillets length wise seperate - then cut everything in even pieces/cubes. Flour/Bread and into the deep fryer ensuring even cooking and pull athe right time.This is important with delicate fish fillets - gold Jerry gold. Not pretty but perfectThis is how my dad always made it, think he used Bisquick
deep fryerShore lunch!!!😍😍
(https://i.imgur.com/tHhzLDK.png)
Walleye are by far my favorite fish.Testify HB Testify
fishing in Canada is one of the best ways to catch cold, fresh walleye. Cooked by light breading, a touch of salt and pepper at shore lunch- is amazing! Throw in the fried potatoes and a few onions, some baked beans- and some of the best meals I have ever enjoyed.
deep fryerIs that Matt Rhule?
(https://i.imgur.com/tHhzLDK.png)
deep fryerAnyone who has ever wet a line deserves to experience a shore lunch at some point in their life.
[img width=273.619 height=500]https://i.imgur.com/tHhzLDK.png[/img]
I've only been to Vancouver, never to Montreal, except for changing planes in Toronto, which was unpleasant.Been to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Windsor, Toronto, and Ottawa. Vancouver [with a side trip to Victoria] is the only one (aside from Windsor when I was 19-20 and went there to drink) that I've gone to outside of work-related travel.
Guess I meant haven't fished in Canada since 2019. I've mostly fished Lake of the Woods, but I've also done Rainy Lake and Eagle Lake.Yeah, I'd like to see Banff. When I was doing business travel to Calgary I thought it'd be mountainous due to the winter Olympics. Nope. Flat as a pancake. Gotta drive to the mountains...
Wifey and I visited Banff / Jasper a couple years ago, and if mountains are your thing, it's a must see.
It is the best meal of every year, the shore lunch. This is northern pike which is delicious if one can take out Y bone. Bread crumbs here are corn flakes.I too love Northern. I can easily pull the Y bone out of my teeth.
I too love Northern. I can easily pull the Y bone out of my teeth.When we were in Ka-Bek(Quebec) we tossed many Northerns back and local canucks were aghast.So we hauled quite a few back and they could easily do 3-4 Pike to our 1 - Y bone wise. Ate good all week,whether shore lunch or cast iron skillett in the cabin - that's livin'.They have more blue berries up there than anywhere I've though a much shorter growing season. Tilted many Molson Exports
When we were in Ka-Bek(Quebec) we tossed many Northerns back and local canucks were aghast.So we hauled quite a few back and they could easily do 3-4 Pike to our 1 - Y bone wise. Ate good all week,whether shore lunch or cast iron skillett in the cabin - that's livin'.They have more blue berries up there than anywhere I've though a much shorter growing season. Tilted many Molson ExportsSounds like they didn't get a chance to be exports.
I got a big pot of pho simmering on the stove. Gonna make the house smell great all day, and be delicious as phok for dinner tonight.
You should move next door to Fearless. Cost of living is cheap and there's a wing bar nearby!I keep seeing shared posts about the Bronson Bar.
You should move next door to Fearless. Cost of living is cheap and there's a wing bar nearby!house across the street is going on the market soon - walkout basement - I'd guess around $150K - low taxes, low utilities
Quit going to fancy restaurants and buy a house!Wish I could go back to younger me and have that talk. Back in the day it was to appease the ex I believe. Current house was designed during the middle of covid so we made sure the kitchen could account for eating at home every day and the basement was designed to be play zone for the kids. Only money spent eating out is traveling and once or twice a year on birthdays or anniversary and the occasional business dinner and it's the best financial and health move.
We actually very rarely go to restaurants at all.Same.
When we do, we're usually more likely to go out for lunch on a weekend and then cook dinner at home than go out for dinner.
Wish I could go back to younger me and have that talk. Back in the day it was to appease the ex I believe. Current house was designed during the middle of covid so we made sure the kitchen could account for eating at home every day and the basement was designed to be play zone for the kids. Only money spent eating out is traveling and once or twice a year on birthdays or anniversary and the occasional business dinner and it's the best financial and health move.Correcting is done around here. Going back up again. From what I gather, sounds like the correcting was much more on the other side. Much more demand over there from 2020-2023.
Although good luck buying a house in this market.. outside of correcting Florida. Mind blowing the price of housing right now.
Quit going to fancy restaurants and buy a house!A friend of mine was in the process of buying a house and at one point turned to me and asked if a particular hobby (which will not be named because that’ll just spiral out into some nonsense) had maybe made this process harder. I told him probably not, and then he invited me to join him in Trying the hobby for half a day, and I might’ve been wrong, although I didn’t tell him.
wings are keto, no?That, I could live with.
you can order them naked
I don't think there's any place within 80 miles of my house that youse guys would cornsider REALLY priceyI think i've turned into a cheap human as i've aged.. There's steakhouses around here that are at or above that level, but I look at that and think damn that's expensive. $49 for a 6 oz filet? In my opinion, below is by far the best steakhouse in NE Ohio. Called Strip Steakhouse. Have probably eaten here 25 times and incredible every time. I also consider this the high end and pricing reflects it. Now that being said, when we are in Naples, FL, our two steak places are definitely more expensive, but I can't imagine consistently paying much more than below.
[img width=500 height=262.996]https://i.imgur.com/IV4WJRj.png[/img]
This is as fancy as it gets in this old river town
[img width=500 height=269.99]https://i.imgur.com/yKXtXeq.png[/img]
I'm happy that steak and baked potato is on the menu for Wednesday...I’m not particularly adept at making my own steaks, but I’m also cheap and thus almost never eat steaks at a restaurant.
A lot cheaper when you can make it yourself at home.
I think i've turned into a cheap human as i've aged.. There's steakhouses around here that are at or above that level, but I look at that and think damn that's expensive. $49 for a 6 oz filet?yup, I've never had dinner at the place I mentioned on my own dime. Always on the company tab or someone else was buying.
In my opinion, below is by far the best steakhouse in NE Ohio.Is that JAKE'S ON THE LAKE? Been there a few times never had the steak though.The Lake Perch Dinner or the Blackened Walleye I can attest to it's correctness
I eat steak for breakfast lunch and dinner and get it directly from the farm and would be sick if prices were anywhere near this.
(https://i.imgur.com/DaHr7Cw.png)
I was overserved at the Christmas Party last Nite then it took about 1/2 hr to fire up the Blower at 13° this morning. After skipping coffee & breaking out the blower & changing out 2 different plugs and priming the fack out of it finally woke after 50 rips of the cord(literally). Completed 3 homes drives & walks - did I mention after 13° and being overserved and now I'm in by the fire with a mug of piping hot Honduran fair trade breakfast blend.13 above??? jeez
I'm also happy that Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman and I wish him all the luck that Troy Smith had after winning his Heisman :cheer: . We all noticed one thing at the over serving Christmas Party - that Mendoza looked exactly like Scut Farkas in the Christmas Story w/o the red hair.And his mum was easy on the blood shot eyes also. That is all
Very happy today because I found out last night that my daughter, who made All-Region band this year but missed the cutoff to advance to try out at Area, has been bumped up one slot, and will now advance to Area after all. Apparently one of the 3 kids who finished above her at all-region orhcestra, won't be available. She was the first one out, but now she's in. I told her she "pulled a Maverick" and she had no idea what I meant.Best of luck to your daughter!
It's been her dream to make State in her final year, and this gets her one step closer. She actually felt she had a pretty awful audition when she was one place out of advancing and she knows she can do a lot better. Hoping she has a great day when the Area auditions happen in January!
I'd be happy if utee sent me a jug of his eggnogSame-same have some pity on a couple of poor down & outs this holiday season
I'd be happy if utee sent me a jug of his eggnog
Same-same have some pity on a couple of poor down & outs this holiday seasonMy i s c & a aggie wife just made another huge batch on Monday. She plans on giving some out as gifts. I plan on drinking it all before she can do that.
My food intake and diet over the last couple years has been pretty insane due to some fun health experiences, but that stuff is like crack.. I've always been a huge chocolate and peppermint fan.. So i can't look at it in costo and I can go into a starbucks during peppermint mocha season.
(3) it is also Costco peppermint bark season. Very tasty. And I've managed not to just eat the whole damn box in one sitting (need to have some left when my eldest gets home from college next Saturday).
How long does it take you to ride your bike 18 miles, what time do you have to be at work, and does your deodorant hold up when you get there?An hour 5 to an hour 10, depending on conditions. I generally like to be in my office by 8:30--dependent on client and internal needs. We have a gym and shower in the building, so no worries about the deodorant--applied when I get here. I tend to leave the house between 6:30 and 6:45, which leaves time to go to the gym for a quick lift a couple of times a week, and cool off and shower before I get to the office (whether lifting or not). Today was not a lifting day, so I left at 6:45, and was in the office about 10 after 8.
An hour 5 to an hour 10, depending on conditions. I generally like to be in my office by 8:30--dependent on client and internal needs. We have a gym and shower in the building, so no worries about the deodorant--applied when I get here. I tend to leave the house between 6:30 and 6:45, which leaves time to go to the gym for a quick lift a couple of times a week, and cool off and shower before I get to the office (whether lifting or not). Today was not a lifting day, so I left at 6:45, and was in the office about 10 after 8.Wow.. and many days I'm annoyed by my 20 minutes on the Peloton in the morning.. that's seriously awesome!! And honestly inspirational.
An hour 5 to an hour 10, depending on conditions. I generally like to be in my office by 8:30--dependent on client and internal needs. We have a gym and shower in the building, so no worries about the deodorant--applied when I get here. I tend to leave the house between 6:30 and 6:45, which leaves time to go to the gym for a quick lift a couple of times a week, and cool off and shower before I get to the office (whether lifting or not). Today was not a lifting day, so I left at 6:45, and was in the office about 10 after 8.
I can imagine. Our local rec center is 11 min drive from the house and I used to get up in the mornings, head there, get a workout in and drive home. The 22 mins of drive time after kids was just not time I could allocate so when we built the new house, a lot of friends and family were questioning the portion of the finished basement that we made a gym. The setup is a perfect space for a movie room, but we did half the room gym, half kid's play area.. Best move ever. Has kept our exercise schedule much easier to keep.. although many days it means having to do it before any of the kids wake up.
I used to do this all the time, but the teen parenting years were hard on me and my exercise routine. It's something I've returned to now that the kids are both in college.
I can imagine. Our local rec center is 11 min drive from the house and I used to get up in the mornings, head there, get a workout in and drive home. The 22 mins of drive time after kids was just not time I could allocate so when we built the new house, a lot of friends and family were questioning the portion of the finished basement that we made a gym. The setup is a perfect space for a movie room, but we did half the room gym, half kid's play area.. Best move ever. Has kept our exercise schedule much easier to keep.. although many days it means having to do it before any of the kids wake up.Yeah, for me it was less a time/kids thing than a "friction" thing... If I have to drive to the gym, I'm just probably not going to go.
Just got back from a pedicure. I'm happy.No kidding.
Man, I've been doing pedi's for 30+ years. Every time I get one (every 3 weeks) my shoes feel brand new again.When I lived overseas I got them done frequently. My ex was pressuring me to do it and my initial response was I'm not the kind of guy that goes and does that.. boy was that the wrong mindset.. I do miss the accessibility I had to so many good things like that overseas. There was nothing like the deep tissue massage lady, Bee, that was 4'10" tiny lady that made me almost cry very time but boy did she loosen up my tension spots in my back. As a society, we dont' spend enough time with some self care items like that.
My 10 a.m. meeting just got canceled, which clears out the only work obligation I had today. Now I just have to tie up some loose ends, hope nobody drops a wrench on my day, and coast to sweet freedom with 17 straight paid days off.Seems like I remember you don't live in BR, correct?
Actually, it's technically 16 days, but I work from home tomorrow and will likely have very little to do, so I'm counting it.
Two solid weeks off without using a single vacation day makes me happy.
Seems like I remember you don't live in BR, correct?
My oldest called and her nanny shattered her heel and is out for 3 months, and her MIL is a crazy B and can't manage to fill the role.
If'n you were bored or something...
Anyway, I don't think I'd remember what my job was if I had 17 days off. Enjoy!
Kirkland wedges are back in stock! My current set is 4 years old and I thought I was gonna have to bite the bullet on some Vokeys next spring. A new Kirkland set will kick the can down the road a few years.Nice! My son plays the Kirkland wedges. I would, but I'm an ogre and stock wedges feel like junior clubs in my hands, so I know I'd have to reshaft (& lengthen) and then regrip the Kirklands, kinda defeating the point of the cost savings.
just go to the golf store and get fitted for some Cleveland wedges like a normal ogreSounds like what the Browns have been giving us
just go to the golf store and get fitted for some Cleveland wedges like a normal ogreI got fitted for my irons and extrapolated from that to select my wedge specs. I had my wedges built specifically to those specs.
Sounds like what the Browns have been giving usThe Browns have been thinking for about 30 years "if I just get a new driver and focus on speed training, I'll go from being a stupid hack golfer to competing on the PGA Tour".
I got fitted for my irons and extrapolated from that to select my wedge specs. I had my wedges built specifically to those specs.oh you can do that. It's smart. But the normal hack simply drops some serious coin and hopes for the best
I'm just thinking now that instead of getting new wedges built with the same heads to the same specs, I can just order the heads and use the existing shafts which meet my specs.
It was my SIL's 40th [surprise] birthday party last night. This is the BIL and his wife that just moved back from Texas (and Oregon before that), and I think we're obviously going to be seeing them a LOT more than we have over the entire last decade I've known my wife... My kids weren't with us but we'll get to see them with the kids next Thursday and Friday.I absolutely love my BIL-- he's fun and interesting and a genuinely good person. Plus, he's moving back from New Jersey to Central Texas while his wife (an amazing person who I also love) is going through her final deployment as a Lieutenant Colonel for the USAF before she retires after 20+ years. Anyway, point being, they're so much fun and I'm delighted they'll be moving back close to us this year.
But we were hanging out, and one of my nephews wanted to throw the football with someone, so I volunteered. And we literally just played catch by streetlight for 15-20 minutes.
It's not a big thing, but it made me happy.
had brunch with the daughter in Minnie, Triple D joint - Cuban - Victor's 1959 Cafe - awesome place.Is that up there where you & the rest of the corn fed folks reside?
We will be going back
Badge's BIRTHDAY!!!(https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NY11fAIWhiCMSV7oTHRv1RxbppssfsA-aDvF4yuPK6k7KTCBrfy3YLLDj8BeBoFowJZsq1deLPwtuhtbEKtylQOJk72HzOPNFB6Xl4Ju6A=s0-d-e1-ft#https://media4.giphy.com/media/2lce50gjqEpfR6Yxrw/200.gif)
Enjoy!
popped up on BookFace???
(https://i.imgur.com/ZYyrCtT.png)Portfolio has become way out of balance, the question is to ride the upswing out or go ahead take the gains and rebalance.
Portfolio has become way out of balance, the question is to ride the upswing out or go ahead take the gains and rebalance.I'm riding
So far the fall and winter have been so mild that pretty much all of the flowers are still blooming.
Just got done plowing my drive and removed 9-10" of global warming.Then shoveled the rest so I can so I can spread bird seed for the little guys that have no where to turn.Feed the creatures as our homes now sit where they use to find forage.They're scarfing it up and that makes me happyProbably should put this in the grumpy old man thread but I hate birds dirty nasty disease carrying vermin. Let them fend for themselves
Just had unexpected coffee with an old friend whom I rarely see. That made me happy.
My son was accepted to Purdue!Corngrats!
He may or may not ultimately choose to go there, but at least I never have to be mad at my alma mater for denying him :57:
The house down the street from me where their pit bull attacked a neighbor's golden retriever (and I had to intervene), and who put a nasty note on my son's car once b/c he had the audacity to park in the public on-street parking in front of their house...
...is getting foreclosed and their house is up for auction.
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyb3Z3c2R6dGpzOXNuaGY0cWtscWNncDM2dG12a2FwdHRqc3FzdDl5ZSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/WSsMO4cVwRPhrmRc4v/giphy.gif)
You gonna buy it???It wouldn't suck. However I don't really know how to navigate an auction and I suspect that the cracks I'm seeing in the RE market are deepening based on what I see in inventory on Zillow...
Here ya go, the cheapest free-standing (non-condo/townhouse) single family home on Zillow in Mission Viejo.Gotta hide those 55+ communities. I'm not QUITE there yet!
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/23516-Villena-Mission-Viejo-CA-92692/25614078_zpid/?
Gotta hide those 55+ communities. I'm not QUITE there yet!Yeah well, I'm just trying to help. You're the jackwagon that chooses to live in a hellhole of unaffordable housing.
(Plus 2bdr might be fine eventually, but I've still got a few more years of kids in house.)
Yeah well, I'm just trying to help. You're the jackwagon that chooses to live in a hellhole of unaffordable housing.That's true. I could just follow all the other Californians that moved to Austin, if you prefer...
That's true. I could just follow all the other Californians that moved to Austin, if you prefer...I'm told they all move out after a couple of years because Texas is so awful, I'm sure that's true.
but at least I never have to be mad at my alma mater for denying him :57:Alas, as y'all know, this is not my situation. Worse yet, I've come to really like the dang University of Minnesota (and I have good reason aside from SFGopher to feel that way...except for their sports teams). And SFGopher is thriving there* (this part belongs here on the what makes you happy thread, but it wasn't "today"). Frick. So much internal drama to resolve.
The house down the street from me where their pit bull attacked a neighbor's golden retriever (and I had to intervene), and who put a nasty note on my son's car once b/c he had the audacity to park in the public on-street parking in front of their house...You're a bad man Bwarb I might have tried it - with a taser or my shooting irons
...is getting foreclosed and their house is up for auction
In unrelated news, in my neck of the woods $800K can get you a decent-sized 3-2 on 2.5 acres...
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/280-Sunset-Ter-Cedar-Park-TX-78613/29578786_zpid/
Corngrats!
My son was accepted to Purdue!Congrats. We're in visiting colleges mode now. Our oldest recently removed Purdue from her consideration list ('I'm not an Engineer') that's besides the point, my pocketbook is sad. We're going to visit/tour U. of Michigan this weekend.
He may or may not ultimately choose to go there, but at least I never have to be mad at my alma mater for denying him :57:
Man I haven't been able to eat 24 wings since my early 20s.Haven't or couldn't aren't you one going on a hunger strike every Jan/Feb.?
well, they did offer Blue MoonYeah, that's okay I guess.
monkeying around? going ape shit?(https://chazoo.s3.amazonaws.com/Chimp-and-Ape-Infographic.jpg)
Just got done plowing my drive and removed 9-10" of global warming.Then shoveled the rest so I can so I can spread bird seed for the little guys that have no where to turn.Feed the creatures as our homes now sit where they use to find forage.They're scarfing it up and that makes me happyGot a more snow enough to cover the car/drive on top of that^^^. Anyway same thing clear 1/4 of the drive to spread seed when i finished on que the snow machine kicks in just enough to cover it all up :character0029:
Holiday day off, tomorrow's ribs are in their nice hot bath, we're having ribeye (me) and filet (her) for her tonight with baked potato and a nice bottle of wine.
Oh, and the weather was goddamned gorgeous so I played golf. Played match play with my buddy and closed him out 5&3, so he had to buy post-round beers.
Now all I need is a Miami win.
Now all I need is a Miami win.damn it, boy!
damn it, boy!I get it, he's allowed.
I get it, he's allowed.sorry, I won't allow it.
But for the rest of the college football world, Miami winning the NC would be a truly horrible thing.
sorry, I won't allow it.Would you root for OU over Miami? Texas over Miami?
BIG, BIG, BIG
yes, and yes sirWell okay then.
Hell, even Colorado
Change of plans today, not going to the lake, instead I'm gonna smoke a couple of pork butts and we'll have BBQ for dinner tonight.Was it a sweet BBQ sauce? Or a cowboy BBQ sauce?
Yay MLK!
I get it, he's allowed.
But for the rest of the college football world, Miami winning the NC would be a truly horrible thing.
Was it a sweet BBQ sauce? Or a cowboy BBQ sauce?No sauce obviously.
Holiday day off, tomorrow's ribs are in their nice hot bath, we're having ribeye (me) and filet (her) for her tonight with baked potato and a nice bottle of wine.I need you to wash your mouth out with Lava soap.
Oh, and the weather was goddamned gorgeous so I played golf. Played match play with my buddy and closed him out 5&3, so he had to buy post-round beers.
Now all I need is a Miami win.
I wonder how much they can reduce the price for that. My understanding is that the ESPN family of networks constitutes the majority of the total bill that providers pass on to us.I'll believe it when I see it. And by that I mean, significant cost reduction when cutting out portions of the offering.
It sounds like a step closer to an a la carte service, which some here opined several years ago would never happen.
What made me happy today was my bike commute. It wasn't even particularly different than it usually is. Even though it is mostly through "canyons of concrete and steel," it is just great. So there.(https://www.film89.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_1198.jpg)
I'll believe it when I see it. And by that I mean, significant cost reduction when cutting out portions of the offering.well, if folks can cut out live sports (ESPN) there SHOULD be significant cost reduction
well, if folks can cut out live sports (ESPN) there SHOULD be significant cost reductionSure. But it's historically been so expensive that providers wouldn't unbundle it. Rather, all of the non-sports-watchers have subsidized it. If they had allowed unbundling for non-sports-watchers, then the price would actually go up for those who wanted ESPN.
hay, if I can get all my sports and only save $10/month, I'm for it.What I'm saying is that historically, if they unbundled and stopped forcing all the non-sports-watchers to subsidize ESPN, you'd actually end up paying MORE than 82.99 per month.
I don't watch the other crap
$82.99 is high IMO
What I'm saying is that historically, if they unbundled and stopped forcing all the non-sports-watchers to subsidize ESPN, you'd actually end up paying MORE than 82.99 per month.well, $82.99 is for over 100 channels
The only way to unbundle it and your price for sports to actually decrease, would be for ESPN to take a massive pay cut. And maybe they will, but it's really not in Disney's nature to decrease prices over time.
Going against the suggestions here of hopping into the stock market early last year and going with gold. For some reason, I figured the Fanta Fascist would create instability.Did you invest in gold?
15% gains vs 54% gains
Math is fun.
Going against the suggestions here of hopping into the stock market early last year and going with gold. For some reason, I figured the Fanta Fascist would create instability.Fanta Fascist...that's Gold Jerry, Gold.
15% gains vs 54% gains
Math is fun.
You shoulda invested in silver, it's up over 280%
I've never understood well the gold/silver investment stuff. It is frequently advertised as hedges against the dollar, particularly if the economy goes way sideways. What I don't understand is, if things went to hell, gold/silver would only do you any good if you physically possess it. Having a piece of paper that says you own some somewhere that some company has stashed away in your name isn't going to help you out much.I've never invested in gold/silver for essentially that reason. We have this weird belief that gold/silver are "real" money. But... Why?
I've never invested in gold/silver for essentially that reason. We have this weird belief that gold/silver are "real" money. But... Why?
If we ever get to the point where the SHTF, the most valuable things to own will be barterable goods and firearms/ammunition. Not gold/silver. IMHO of course.
I've never invested in gold/silver for essentially that reason. We have this weird belief that gold/silver are "real" money. But... Why?
If we ever get to the point where the SHTF, the most valuable things to own will be barterable goods and firearms/ammunition. Not gold/silver. IMHO of course.
Agree. And I'm really not sure what exactly the best barterable goods might be, nor how to collect and store them efficiently.
But I've got plenty of the other kind...
Nice menu. My choices are below. Ask them if shipping is free. I also want to supplement with the fruits de mer. Thanks.I don't know what I'll order really, my wife loves tartare when it's made correctly. Crab fritter? Dover sold or duck. Stilton. Apple. A neat thing is they bring out amuse bouch between each course, so you think you're getting 8 courses. Their wine list is understandable selective. $$$.
(https://i.imgur.com/Mu7w64N.png)
I've never invested in gold/silver for essentially that reason. We have this weird belief that gold/silver are "real" money. But... Why?This, if things go side ways people aren't going to uphold the Golden Rule.As in those that have the gold makes the rules. Lead that's the ticket, special tips, conical, hollow point, and safety slugs. Matters not, all this should things get dire which of course most wish,hope & pray never happens - anywhere or time. Unfortunately it has in the past though,DC and Wall St better get their shit together,them and theirs won't be untouchable - IMHO of course.
If we ever get to the point where the SHTF, the most valuable things to own will be barterable goods and firearms/ammunition. Not gold/silver. IMHO of course.
found a customer that is willing to meet me for happy hour in Benkleman, NE - place called ShaRae's ResturantThat's pretty close to Big Ed's Steakhouse in Bird City, KS. I've been wanting to go there forever.
don't think they accept credit cards - but I'd guess $150 cash will cover
it's 52 degrees and sunny here - should have packed the clubs
That's pretty close to Big Ed's Steakhouse in Bird City, KS. I've been wanting to go there forever.only 20 miles away
have you been straight up hwy 183 to Willers Casual Dining, 859 3rd St, Phillipsburg, KS???Mike's brother?
my buddy's place - Scott Willer
have you been straight up hwy 183 to Willers Casual Dining, 859 3rd St, Phillipsburg, KS???Willer is like I don't know no stinkin' Fearless
my buddy's place - Scott Willer
have you been straight up hwy 183 to Willers Casual Dining, 859 3rd St, Phillipsburg, KS???No! But thanks, I have never been up the street on that block from the Courthouse, but I will!
my buddy's place - Scott Willer
No! But thanks, I have never been up the street on that block from the Courthouse, but I will!Scott Willer ran the food at the golf course in Phillipsburg for awhile
I don't spend much time up there since the chief judge pissed me off several years ago. They have a decent looking golf course, and the one 30 miles West in Norton is supposed to be great. Need to go try them both out sometime.
And, if you ever make it in here, we have a good public course, and the country club is very nice.
It would make me happy if I had time and there wasn't snow all over the ground and I could play. Sticking to topic, at least close.
No precious metals or crypto for me. Too volatile IMO.Yeesh.
Rough go for the S&P at the moment. Oh well.then I'm very happy I'm still putting in and not taking out!
I'm up about 68% YTD in my two main holdings.Do share,not the amount of course just the names. Trying to pick up the pieces of my shattered dream. So I put a good chunk on tails for the SB coin flip
Do share,not the amount of course just the names. Trying to pick up the pieces of my shattered dream. So I put a good chunk on tails for the SB coin flipreminds me to accumulate some ones for the high stakes gambling at the SB party
reminds me to accumulate some ones for the high stakes gambling at the SB partyYeah need some cash money for my ultra-high-risk game of Squares.
Do share,not the amount of course just the names. Trying to pick up the pieces of my shattered dream. So I put a good chunk on tails for the SB coin flipWell, I don't know if you want my advice. I'm now down 7-8% just since the market opened this morning.
You're not down unless you sell, which would be foolish.That just made me think of my favorite trading-educational movie of all time, which made me happy.
The internet and big feet.
No, this is not a post about foot fetishes.
It's about the fact that for people with anything over a size 12, finding shoes pre-internet was a nightmare. As someone who wears a 13 wide, I felt it. And I can't imagine what people who wear something larger like a 15 had to deal with. It was bad enough in things like sneakers, but then when you start getting into any "specialty" shoe like golf shoes... Good effing luck.
It's not that shoe companies couldn't make them. And it's not that there weren't enough people in the US with big feet to justify it. It's that the density of those people with big feet was spread so thinly that it didn't make sense for shoemakers to make a lot of those sizes, nor for shoe stores to carry them.
But now, it's different. I can go to a shoe store, and while they still won't have a lot of options in stock in my size, I can evaluate which shoes I like visually. Then I can go home and order a pair, easily, in my size. The shoemakers only have to fulfill out of a single stock location, so they can service the entire country of big-footed people from one place. And if they arrive and don't fit right... I can just send them back.
When some people gripe about how things keep getting worse, this is one area that I can say that a formerly underserved community now has ample access to something as pedestrian--pun intended--as shoes that fit properly.
Well, I don't know if you want my advice. I'm now down 7-8% just since the market opened this morning.Bastages,so I'm not paranoid,well maybe but it isn't happening just to me. Let's find them and wring their scrawny little necks or boot them in their ample backsides and then go have have a West Coast IPA. Or live big and have a Bud fat,naw couldn't do that to ya,worse part is the IRS hasn't even started in on me
No, this is not a post about foot fetishes.
As someone who wears a 13 wide, I felt it.
I've worn a size 13 since around 1993You two could have a lot of fun walking side by side trapsing around the Pacific Northwest or thru the Redwoods in Cali
That just made me think of my favorite trading-educational movie of all time, which made me happy.duly noted in the Hotties thread
Trading Places
And that fantastic rack Jamie Lee Curtis possessed.
You're not down unless you sell, which would be foolish.Yeah, I know.
Well, I don't know if you want my advice. I'm now down 7-8% just since the market opened this morning.Quite a bit down today, but losses almost completely offset by Eli Lilly and Apple gains
I may have mentioned this but,............Which is crazy because we are in the thick of grog season,still hasn't hit freezing here in 3 weeks. Not like anyone is reaching for the lighter lawn cutting suds anytime soon. Good prices for sure but no place like home sweet home for the time being.
Daughter's brewery making room for the new seasonals has lowered prices on the Winter ale and the Porter - $2 discount
the Radler is Reg price
I couldn't afford to stay sober
P.S. - you're a liar FF i thought it always came our way - BASTAGEI send it your way. Not my fault if it takes a detour or wrong turn or gets highjacked!
60 degrees here - expected to match the record high of 68!26° here but
I think I'll take the red car out for a spin later
I have avoided malpractice by sending my taxes away for 20 + years.
I procured 4 cases of mostly near expired seasonal biers from the local guy (by 8 different craft breweries) for almost a 3rd off told him he may not see me until Memorial Day. Guess I'm not going out for The SB :dance:So fast forward - in this abundance of suds is nestled a sixer of "Hell or High Twilight" Citrus Wheat Ale (5.6% ABV) from the 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco. Well I had to look them up because last year I had their Fireside Chat a winter/holiday seasonal spiced ale (7.9% ABV) and that was really,really good. Started wondering how the local guy found this brewery on the left coast as I was going to order more of their efforts.
Well it turns out the "Twilight" series appears prophetic as it was "Last Call" for them - the spigots went dry and they locked their doors at the end of November after 25 yrs in the business :(. So I'll be nursing the 5 of those I have left and going to check out the shelves at the small mom/pop places that might have a few a few of them collecting dust. Damn shame when Independent U.S.I'll check "The Casual Pint" the next time I'm in Omaha
Just this past year, Texas stopped requiring inspections prior to registration for non-commercial vehicles. If you live in a county that requires emissions tests, you still have to do that.They don't, but anybody that wanted to get around it before, could, so I don't anticipate any real change. Everybody "knew a guy" who either didn't care, or was willing to hand out an inspection sticker for the right price.
It's nice not to have to bother with that, but I'm not sure how the DMV ensures vehicles are road-worthy.
Illinois has emissions testing. Glad to not have to bother with that anymore.I heard something about changes for the EPA - nationally
happy.
Realized that when I replace my car, I'm going to be able to do something that I've never been able to financially do before.
Write a check and buy it outright instead of taking a loan.
I've always dreamed of being able to do that.
Bought my last Ram and then my previous sedan that way. The Ram was used, but nevertheless, I paid cash for it.Well the good news for you is that by that time, minimum wage will probably be $50/hour.
I'm paying notes for the next five years on the truck I just bought, because it's not possible for me to purchase a vehicle outright.
As mentioned elsewhere, I'm a rare case who's gone backwards in my career. By the time I retire I should be pulling down minimum wage.
I heard something about changes for the EPA - nationallyI will have my mechanic disable them on both cars at their next service if this happens. It's always the first button I push upon starting.
Realized that when I replace my car, I'm going to be able to do something that I've never been able to financially do before.that will make you happy!!!
Write a check and buy it outright instead of taking a loan.
I've always dreamed of being able to do that.
I don't advise paying cash for anything if you can borrow the money almost for free.
Especially if you can deduct the interest.
Realized that when I replace my car, I'm going to be able to do something that I've never been able to financially do before.I was raised to do that. But always bought modest cars.
Write a check and buy it outright instead of taking a loan.
I've always dreamed of being able to do that.
I don't advise paying cash for anything if you can borrow the money almost for free.Insurance needs can complicate that math a bit, depending on the price of a car.
Especially if you can deduct the interest.
Insurance needs?If you buy a lower value car, collision becomes a bad deal. If you have a loan, you’ve no choice but to pay for collision.
Can you borrow money on a car loan for almost free right now, though?Yes, you can. I have one at 3.9% at the moment.
Honest question, because I have no idea what car loan rates are, I haven't had a car payment in quite a while. But it seems to me rates are up lately?
If you buy a lower value car, collision becomes a bad deal. If you have a loan, you’ve no choice but to pay for collision.Collision is cheap.
Can you borrow money on a car loan for almost free right now, though?
Honest question, because I have no idea what car loan rates are, I haven't had a car payment in quite a while. But it seems to me rates are up lately?
Speaking of TV ads, any of you oldtimers remember when "9.9" was a big deal, advertised as a favorable rate on new car loans?The dog years.
Collision is cheap.Your situation is likely different than average. In most cases, it’s at least as much as liability if not more (although, paradoxically, adding more liability tends to be cheap).
Liability is where the money is (we have $300K/$300K/$100K and an umbrella on top of that). That liability coverage is $600 every six months! No tickets. No accidents. No claims.
Collision/Comp on the wife's SUV is only $140 every six months.
INS is fairly evenly split for us:That comp breakdown is interestingly high.
2017 Sequoia
Liability (250K/250/100, umbrella not included) - $198
Comp - $230
Collision - $143
OTOH, my 18yo daughter as primary operator:
2021 Rav4
Liability - $401
Comp - $270
Collision - $335
Can you borrow money on a car loan for almost free right now, though?There are some pretty stellar deals right now if you're buying new. I think the Kia EVs I was looking at it's 0% and $3500 "Kia cash".
Honest question, because I have no idea what car loan rates are, I haven't had a car payment in quite a while. But it seems to me rates are up lately?
There are some pretty stellar deals right now if you're buying new. I think the Kia EVs I was looking at it's 0% and $3500 "Kia cash".Google tells me that interest rates on used cars for buyers with excellent credit are around 7%. If correct, I definitely wouldn't consider that "nearly free money."
But...
I don't buy new.
Speaking of TV ads, any of you oldtimers remember when "9.9" was a big deal, advertised as a favorable rate on new car loans?back when you could write off the interest - not anymore
I will have my mechanic disable them on both cars at their next service if this happens. It's always the first button I push upon starting.The Environmental Protection Agency says it is ending credits to automakers who install automatic start-stop ignition systems in their vehicles.
I went with a female friend to shop for apartments, as she's leaving her husband. I officiated the wedding. While I don't like that they're breaking up, she took her time, has good reasons (nothing bad), and is actually doing it. It makes me happy that she is being proactive and doing what she thinks is best. It's got to be such a hard step to take, but she's taking it.Good on you for being supportive. Divorce sucks. But it's better than the alternative.
I feel bad for both of them, but I guess it's for the best.
I went with a female friend to shop for apartments, as she's leaving her husband. I officiated the wedding.I think I see where the wheels started coming off this venture. /s
There are some pretty stellar deals right now if you're buying new. I think the Kia EVs I was looking at it's 0% and $3500 "Kia cash".(https://i.imgur.com/c6cZ0cj.png)
But...
I don't buy new.
Yet the poor produce the most...I bet you kept that to yourself when you were teaching on the Navajo res.
a Godless ceremony!:96:
I commented to my wife about how the two of us seem to enjoy "small things" in life often, and how important that is.Ya but when that small thing is the bank acct during hyper inflation.....well that doesn't make me happy
Small things ...
Yesterday was our first day back and we went to the Dekalb Farmer's Market (which is a place to see) and had lunch at Cafe d'Alsace. The owner was there and chatted with my wife a bit, their food is pretty decent and they know us now, which is nice. I commented to my wife about how the two of us seem to enjoy "small things" in life often, and how important that is.yup, smaller than traveling out of the country
Small things ...
here tooHonestly it was probably around 64 here... But full sun which makes things seem warmer, and not that much wind (until the last few holes).
another record high 64 degrees!
very little wind
I did some work in the backyard
It was absolutely PERFECT weather for golf today.Actually the temps got high enough for the 1st time in almost a month but people are cross country skiing on courses. Not duffers of course as ya can't use a cart
I postponed my fancy Valentine dinner that I was going to make last night, until tonight, so it should be another good day with homemade filet mignon, seared jumbo scallops, garlic roasted broccolini, and potatoes au gratin.Yep, we did as well. Made pasta pomodoro last night. Scott Conant's recipe. It was delicious.
So we went out looking at cars today. First things first... I was happy because we went to In n Out for lunch before we looked at cars :57:
Went to Toyota... Only thing I have any affinity for is the 4Runner, but it still didn't wow me. And considering I've already got an off-roader, it's not the right fit. Then we hit Subaru. They're, uhh, quirky vehicles. The Outback didn't interest me. The new 2026 Outback--especially the grill and the accent pieces on the front end--looks like it's made of drab black plastic. The Ascent was nice for something big, but not, well, all that great. And it looks like it's got a very fat rear end. The Ford dealer was next. Which frankly made us quite angry, because unlike the typical scenario where a car salesman is about to descend on you smelling blood... Nobody even approached us for ~15 minutes. And then I found out that the only car I was interested, the Mach-E, isn't big enough for a human adult (or even most kids) to sit in the seat behind me.
From there we went to Hyundai. And both sat in, and test drove, the Santa Fe. And it's exactly what I thought it would be, an updated/modernized Ford Flex replacement that has all the latest tech and other features that didn't exist when the Ford was built. It's comfortable, drives nicely, and is highly functional. I realize it's rather "uniquely" styled, but that has some advantage because it doesn't look like everything else on the road. So it's in the running. (We also sat in a Palisade, which was very cool and nice, but I don't love the styling, so it wasn't actually an option.)
Finally we had a wild card. My wife has been suggesting that we look at Acura. I think she realizes that I have always liked the more sharpened lines of Acura compared to Lexus. (Her RX was in a VERY good model year stretch where it has very sharp and attractive styling, and she knows that's what I like about it.) I've never really looked at them closely because I never really see myself as a "luxury car guy", but I went along. We sat in both the MDX and RDX and both were contenders. I ended up not driving either, because I hadn't done my research on Acura and didn't want to waste their time if I ended up doing my research and realizing that the financial end of the bargain was going to be biting off more than I want to chew. But... I just got on their certified pre-owned site and it's completely doable.
So I'm down to three options. Hyundai Santa Fe, or either the Acura RDX or MDX. RDX if I decide not to go "big", and MDX if I decide I just want the extra space.
So we went out looking at cars today. First things first... I was happy because we went to In n Out for lunch before we looked at cars :57:
Went to Toyota... Only thing I have any affinity for is the 4Runner, but it still didn't wow me. And considering I've already got an off-roader, it's not the right fit. Then we hit Subaru. They're, uhh, quirky vehicles. The Outback didn't interest me. The new 2026 Outback--especially the grill and the accent pieces on the front end--looks like it's made of drab black plastic. The Ascent was nice for something big, but not, well, all that great. And it looks like it's got a very fat rear end. The Ford dealer was next. Which frankly made us quite angry, because unlike the typical scenario where a car salesman is about to descend on you smelling blood... Nobody even approached us for ~15 minutes. And then I found out that the only car I was interested, the Mach-E, isn't big enough for a human adult (or even most kids) to sit in the seat behind me.
From there we went to Hyundai. And both sat in, and test drove, the Santa Fe. And it's exactly what I thought it would be, an updated/modernized Ford Flex replacement that has all the latest tech and other features that didn't exist when the Ford was built. It's comfortable, drives nicely, and is highly functional. I realize it's rather "uniquely" styled, but that has some advantage because it doesn't look like everything else on the road. So it's in the running. (We also sat in a Palisade, which was very cool and nice, but I don't love the styling, so it wasn't actually an option.)
Finally we had a wild card. My wife has been suggesting that we look at Acura. I think she realizes that I have always liked the more sharpened lines of Acura compared to Lexus. (Her RX was in a VERY good model year stretch where it has very sharp and attractive styling, and she knows that's what I like about it.) I've never really looked at them closely because I never really see myself as a "luxury car guy", but I went along. We sat in both the MDX and RDX and both were contenders. I ended up not driving either, because I hadn't done my research on Acura and didn't want to waste their time if I ended up doing my research and realizing that the financial end of the bargain was going to be biting off more than I want to chew. But... I just got on their certified pre-owned site and it's completely doable.
So I'm down to three options. Hyundai Santa Fe, or either the Acura RDX or MDX. RDX if I decide not to go "big", and MDX if I decide I just want the extra space.
Acura = HondaAs long as you avoid those nine years of Daimler-Chrysler. ;)
Cadillac = Chevy (and Buick, GMC)
Lexus = Toyota
Infinity = Nissan
Genesis = Hyundai (and Kia)
BMW = Mini (and Rolls-Royce)
Audi = Volkswagen (Porche, Bentley, Lamborghini, et al)
Lincoln = Ford
and on and on
Mercedes-Benz is all on its own.
I'm happy.
fwiw, my mom bought a Santa Fe several months back. I drove her back from Houston to Louisiana over the holidays and found it an enjoyable ride. It felt comfortable for me--and familiar too....oddly, though it's a completely different vehicle than the small Hyundai sedan I previously owned, and 17 years newer, somehow the seat felt quite a bit the same.....and I loved the seat in my old Hyundai. But specifically, I'm talking about it feeling comfortable for my height. At 6'2" I'm taller than most, but in some respects my car-space accommodations are even more demanding. I'm an oddly built, long-legged guy. My legs are disproportionately long compared to my torso. My dad is also 6'2", but more "normal," and my hips are a good 2" at least higher than his. I have the legs of a 6'4" guy. Anyway, I get cranky with the leg space in a lot of vehicles, but didn't notice anything uncomfortable in the Santa Fe.Yeah, I knew long before I even sat in the seat that there wouldn't be any space issues in the Santa Fe for me. I expected it to be big, tall, wide, to the point where I would feel like I'm in my living room, not cocooned into a vehicle cockpit. In that sense, it was like I said, it felt like stepping into an updated Ford Flex.
Take a loan and then pay it off as soon as you can/want to.Thinking about it... I just went back and confirmed on their site that right now they're offering a 1.49% APR deal. Which isn't bad even if I wanted to wait to pay it off.
Thinking about it... I just went back and confirmed on their site that right now they're offering a 1.49% APR deal. Which isn't bad even if I wanted to wait to pay it off.Make sure you drive it - quite a bit, as much as the dealer will allow. I do not like the way Acura rides and drives.
Edit: although I hate the idea of a car payment, financing might be the answer. 1.49% would be next to nothing over 5 years. Given that I'd be investing the money I'd be using to pay for the car instead of just stuffing it under a mattress, I'd probably make a lot more in investment growth than I would pay in interest...
Steak and scallops last night were out of this world, best I've ever done. Au gratin and broccolini were tasty too. My kids at it ALL.That's borderline grumpy right there.
1.49 is nothing. Do it.what's the origination fee and other costs?
Make sure you drive it - quite a bit, as much as the dealer will allow. I do not like the way Acura rides and drives.When I was looking to buy my truck back in 2018, I insisted on taking each one home overnight. It took me weeks to settle on what I wanted but it also absolutely helped me clue in on what exactly I wanted.
That's borderline grumpy right there.No way! I was happy. My daughter can be a really picky eater, especially with textures. I was worried she wouldn't like the way the seared scallops chewed, but she loved them. She loves shrimp and other seafood but she'd never had scallops.
1.49 is nothing. Do it.Yeah, just ran a simple calc assuming $50K. 1.49% would cost me just under $52K over 60 months. Investing $50K at a relatively conservative 7% RoR would be worth about $70K after 60 months...
Steak and scallops last night were out of this world, best I've ever done. Au gratin and broccolini were tasty too. My kids ate it ALL.
Yeah, just ran a simple calc assuming $50K. 1.49% would cost me just under $52K over 60 months. Investing $50K at a relatively conservative 7% RoR would be worth about $70K after 60 months...
Make sure you drive it - quite a bit, as much as the dealer will allow. I do not like the way Acura rides and drives.Out of curiosity, what exactly was it that put you off?
Out of curiosity, what exactly was it that put you off?The setup in the cabin - the steering wheel is in a goofy alignment on the models I've driven, going back to the 1990's. Honda is the same - I could never have one.
I haven't driven a lot of Mercs. But I've driven a few BMW over the year (all 3-series, so possibly not comparable to the RDX). One of the things I like about the way BMW drive is that it seems a little more "heavy", taut, and sporty. Whereas--and again I haven't driven/ridden Mercs much--the Mercedes feel I recall is a lot of a softer, more cushy, "luxurious" feel. You can probably tell from the way I describe it that I prefer the BMW feeling. Bearing in mind that I haven't driven many of either, especially recently, so maybe I'm completely off base.
We just booked our vacation at a gorgeous property in east Tennessee.My Mom was from east Tennessee, we traveled pretty extensively in that area. I remember what it was like "before", talking about places like Pigeon Force. Certainly places remain that are really nice. The Tricities area is decent. Knoxville is, well, OK.
Speaking of taxes and things that make me happy, I adjusted our W-4's over the weekend to try and avoid the big return. Still don't know why that happened, we filled everything out the way you'd want to if you want to aim for 0 owed and 0 returned, but whatevs....I'm no tax guru. If I made the adjustments correctly, the bi-weekly checks should get bigger and won't have much of a return coming next year. It's like getting a raise!Trump is taking credit
We plan to try out a new "French" restaurant a few blocks away, the weather is nice for strolling.Menu looks the part, prices are pretty steep but what isn't these days? Happy Hour menu looks like a bargain. Enjoy your day!
French Restaurant in Atlanta - Brasserie Lundi (https://brasserielundi.com/)
Seems like the day for it....
I finished and filed our income taxes. My wife started a custodial account for four grandkids and wants me to file those also. I actually hope I can do it simply, just file out a form by hand.We have custodial accounts for our grandkids but the income level is still below the threshold so we don't file.
Watching curling(https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUybmVqcnBscWJrcDV3cnlyZmVseDd5MGw3cnZqemw4YTR6c2FxcHAyNCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/3oEjHI8WJv4x6UPDB6/200.gif)
Home early is good. I can tell this conference is really cutting into your posting time on the music threads in the B12 forum and that's a shame.That should should be federal statute right there with maternity leave,what the hell,WHAT THE HELL
Turns out it was just a really big house cat.She better stop yelling fire or they'll send Kristine Larson,unless of course the bobcat doesn't look like her
I thought that was very funny...
On my brewing rig, I have one ball valve that has always given me fits.So when the the current batch is ready what are you going to call it.? "Bwarbs Brewing Rig Belgian Wit
And then on top of that, when I came back from my brewing hiatus last year... It had developed a bit of a leak problem.
LFG!Watch it Junior the "Revenuers" will be by to pull the plug
(https://i.imgur.com/gaSW1rk.png)
Well, I'm probably not going to call a Bavarian Hefeweizen a Belgian Witbier....Damn I'm getting thirsty might be heading to the basement shortly,fine choice
Watch it Junior the "Revenuers" will be by to pull the plugHomebrewing, for personal use, has been federally legal since 1978. Subject to a 200 gallon household annual limit. Exceeding that limit, or selling your output, requires official licensing.
You lived in Georgia and you didn't make any moonshine?Eh. I lived in Marietta, a relatively affluent suburb of Atlanta. Full of nice big single family homes, soccer moms, good schools, and a lot higher ratio of Euro cars to pickup trucks than you might think.
Eh. I lived in Marietta, a relatively affluent suburb of Atlanta. Full of nice big single family homes, soccer moms, good schools, and a lot higher ratio of Euro cars to pickup trucks than you might think.Soccer moms probably need some 'shine more than most.
It barely felt like what anyone might envision when they think of "Georgia". Honestly it felt not that different from where I grew up in DuPage County IL (city of Wheaton) except that you'd occasionally hear a Southern accent.
Soccer moms probably need some 'shine more than most.They wouldn't be caught dead... But they'll down more than their fair share of Sauvi B.
LFG!
Look here, Walter White, I see anything blue coming outta that rig, I'm calling the cops.
Say my name....BRAD!HEY, you subversives stop with the irksome harangue of the zymurgist at least until he finishes this batch
It's here.Did you end up with the Santa Fe? I can't tell what make/model it is, not familiar with the Santa Fe models.
Did you end up with the Santa Fe? I can't tell what make/model it is, not familiar with the Santa Fe models.Acura.
Did you end up with the Santa Fe? I can't tell what make/model it is, not familiar with the Santa Fe models.Yep, this is the Acura RDX.
yup, I've got a coupon expiring today as well (Red Robin) nothing fancy but my daughter loves their burgers so we're going there.Yeah I always liked Red Robin too. The one near us closed down a few years back, not sure if there are any others.
It wouldn’t bother me except these GM engines are well known for lifter failure and all sorts of other engine problems caused by AFM and DFM. In my last truck, also a 5.3, I started to have lifter issues around the 50k mark. I disabled the AFM and the issue went away.
After I did that, the mileage improved by 1 mpg. So it ended up being more fuel efficient without it.
My dads previous truck, 2008ish model, the engine cratered at just over 100k miles despite regular oil changes. Plus, I’ve known many people who have had the same issues with AFM engines.
You know what’s better for the environment ? Well maintained engines that run dependably for 100’s of thousands of miles. Not gimmicks that are designed purely for the EPA’s test cycle that don’t translate into real world savings.
It wouldn’t bother me except these GM engines are well known for lifter failure and all sorts of other engine problems caused by AFM and DFM. In my last truck, also a 5.3, I started to have lifter issues around the 50k mark. I disabled the AFM and the issue went away.Reminds me, I need to see if there is one of those gadgets available for my 2020 GMC with the 6.2 yet. I have been lucky, as it's at 82K and still running fine.
After I did that, the mileage improved by 1 mpg. So it ended up being more fuel efficient without it.
My dads previous truck, 2008ish model, the engine cratered at just over 100k miles despite regular oil changes. Plus, I’ve known many people who have had the same issues with AFM engines.
You know what’s better for the environment ? Well maintained engines that run dependably for 100’s of thousands of miles. Not gimmicks that are designed purely for the EPA’s test cycle that don’t translate into real world savings.
Reminds me, I need to see if there is one of those gadgets available for my 2020 GMC with the 6.2 yet. I have been lucky, as it's at 82K and still running fine.It’s a plug in that year. Very simple.
My brother in law has the 2022 Denali with the same engine, and it blew up at 50K for that very issue. However, his was new enough that GM replaced it for free--I'm sure they would wiggle out at this point for me.
Twin Peaks in WichitaOkay, but how was the talent?
The smoked wings with spicy garlic sauce were very good
This made me happy(https://i.imgur.com/oS0aBLH.jpeg)
I recognize the one on the rightSame.
I recognize those guys!The one on the left is lookin' good. Kinda past due for a haircut, maybe. Guy on the right is pretty well preserved, as well. I'd never say pickled.
I think the one on the left is Dos Equis' Most Interesting Man In The World. Had no idea he was friends with the Most Pot-Stirring Man In The World.Cool. I think I like that better than Bob Vila or Kenny Rogers.
um, the lovely lady taking the picture, of course
Why would you go to a blue chicken bar?you can't swing a rubber chicken around there w/o hitting multiple Blue Chickens
Copilot did this................Nor your feet. They are gone. :o
(https://i.imgur.com/PYgIr98.jpeg)
I asked to remove the keychain/lanyard
It must not like Blue Chickens either
Why would you go to a blue chicken bar?There is a purple sign or two around on the wall, as well.
Plus, it's about 300 feet from my office, the food is good for a dive bar, and the beer is always cold and served in a frosty glass.Dive bar hell, that's God Send 🙃
Fearless you’ll understand this.What kind of courses do you play over there? Lots of executive courses on this side - can't really use a whole lot of clubs in the bag.
doing something today I’ve always wanted to do but never have done before and that is to be custom fitted for a brand new set of golf clubs.
the ones I’m using are old and standard off the shelf, which makes no sense for somebody who is 6 ft 3.Plus after my knee replacement surgery my swing is a lot more upright so it’ll be good to get loft, lie, and shaft adjustments for my swing speed and launch an angle and all that fun stuff.
My older brother got this for my 50th birthday. What a find! One of the best 'old poll' seasons ever.1985?
Fearless you’ll understand this.I understand, could really help your game
doing something today I’ve always wanted to do but never have done before and that is to be custom fitted for a brand new set of golf clubs.
the ones I’m using are old and standard off the shelf, which makes no sense for somebody who is 6 ft 3.Plus after my knee replacement surgery my swing is a lot more upright so it’ll be good to get loft, lie, and shaft adjustments for my swing speed and launch an angle and all that fun stuff.
Fearless, should leave the glasses and phone on the table, gives the wrong impression. Even if expressions denote the 2 double wells and 3 pints having been consumed.blame copilot
blame copilot'Tis a poor workman that blames his tools...
I just asked it to remove the lanyard
many people that write software are just plain lazy
goes on the Grumpy thread
1985?That was 84 FF, the Cuse game which I was at.. ugh.
Great season, not so great for the Huskers - damned Orangemen!
I had a subscription back then, might have that issue in the basement somewhere
Well it appears I've found a 3rd IPA that I'd pay forbully for you
MYSTICORE
Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale 9%
From Rhineheist Brewery Cincinnati
I will add. I’m going to be sore for a couple days.What shafts in the irons?
I took 197 full swings. If You think about it a normal round of golf where you shoot 85 includes 65 swings. I just played three rounds of golf in three hours lol
the amount of data they have on every swing is unbelievable ball speed, clubhead, speed, launch angle, smash factor, landing angle, carry distance, roll distance, it never ends.
I ended up with Callaway quantum driver and three wood with custom shafts, tailor-made P – 790 irons half inch longer than standard each with a different shaft than the woods, Callaway three and five hybrids again with even different shafts, and Titleist Volkey wedges. They also gave me slightly oversized grips and tweaked the angle of my nine iron and pitching wedge.
I took 197 full swings. If You think about it a normal round of golf where you shoot 85 includes 65 swings. I just played three rounds of golf in three hours lolThat'd be 1 round for me,then the scorecard gets lost,same thing happens to FF evidently
I ended up with Callaway quantum driver and three wood with custom shaftsAccording to Golf Spy testing..............
What shafts in the irons?Accra iSeries IS60
Let's see how you guys do with real wood woods.That's how I started. I know what "hitting it on the screws" means :57:
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DLIAAeSwtA9pax~b/s-l1600.webp)
According to Golf Spy testing..............Thanks. I got the Quantum Max. Ironically- my distance did not improve, but my dispersion certainly did.
(https://i.imgur.com/bx5xwau.png)
That's how I started. I know what "hitting it on the screws" means :57:me too
Let's see how you guys do with real wood woods.hell, those have steel shafts. My college roommate from North Loup/Scotia, NE was swinging is grandfathers clubs with wooden shafts back in 1983
FIFYDoes he wearBy the way which one's Pink?
So now, all the pressure is on the boy...He's too busy cruising in the 'stang to feel it,prolly thinking of Grand Prix Racing - good on him
He's too busy cruising in the 'stang to feel it,prolly thinking of Grand Prix Racing - good on himOh he's got that covered. With the grades he's managed so far, it's pretty much impossible for him to get into UT. And A&M's not looking all that likely, either, to be honest.
Oh he's got that covered. With the grades he's managed so far, it's pretty much impossible for him to get into UT. And A&M's not looking all that likely, either, to be honest.Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg didn't finish college, John d.Rockerfeller or Henry Ford didn't attend.
Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg didn't finish college, John d.Rockerfeller or Henry Ford didn't attend.The random small number of people who drink whiskey, smoke a pack a day, eat lots of bacon, and live to 100, exist.
Larry Ellison does not have a college degree. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later the University of Chicago but dropped out of both institutions without graduating. He moved to California in 1966, where he taught himself computer programming and later founded Oracle in 1977. I think he's right behind Elon for the moment
-Kirk Kerkorian worth $5.2 billion had an unusual path to success, dropping out of the eighth grade to become an amateur boxer and later a World War II fighter pilot before developing the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
-Best Buy founder and former CEO Richard Schulze Net worth today: $3.8 billion had dropped out of Central High School in St. Paul, Minnesota — not that it seems to have held him back
- David Green the founder of Hobby Lobby and his family employ more than 43,000 employees at around 900 stores across the nation. He completed high school in Oklahoma but never attended university, instead becoming a retail manager and using a $600 loan to start a home business assembling and selling picture frames.
- Fearless there's another....well I'll stop right there ;D
Dialed in dudes who carved their own way
Kid'll be fine just letting his hair down a little
The random small number of people who drink whiskey, smoke a pack a day, eat lots of bacon, and live to 100, exist.While Nubbz highlighted a few uber-wealthy people, the number of people who have and more that can be come successful without a four-year degree is not a random small number.
That doesn't mean it's an optimal or high-odds strategy for the general public to expect the same.
Fearless there's another....well I'll stop right there ;Dwhy stop. Michael Dell's biggest competition was a guy that dropped out. Ted Waitt (Gateway 2000) and I first met in Iowa City back in 84 or 85.
Welcome to the world of genuinely liking your kid's university, but despising its sports teams. I think you'll generally like it here. Honestly, I find the competition kinda fun, even though SFIrish also sides with the kid.Here here. I remember all the fall football seasons were this Ohio State fans two daughters were at Michigan, and Michigan State, respectively.
Here here. I remember all the fall football seasons were this Ohio State fans two daughters were at Michigan, and Michigan State, respectively.Oh man, had no idea your kiddos went to the enemy like that. You know my pain. ;)
It made for some interesting Saturdays lol
Well, congrats to her. 20 years ago I could've told her where all the best hidden spots to eat in College Station were, but it's probably all changed now. It's a little cult-y around there, but on the whole, a town I'd feel pretty comfortable sending a kid off to college. Just tell her to stay on the CS side and stay away from the Bryan side.....that's where things get shady.
The random small number of people who drink whiskey, smoke a pack a day, eat lots of bacon, and live to 100, exist.You are an inspiration to us all, ya I get that, the point is his situation hardly indicates scholastic collapse,plenty of time for improvemnet. Young 94 like many may be more focused right now on fun,instead of facts and figures at 16-17. He has plenty of time to rachet it up after all "You're only young once"
That doesn't mean it's an optimal or high-odds strategy for the general public to expect the same.
Congrats to @utee94 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=15) on the daughter's great achievement! I'm happy.Forced me to look that up, since I have a bunch of buddies that graduated from KSU, lucky #13, considering the multiple ties just ahead. One friend is a drug company salesman now, and he flies around the country wining and dining potential clients. He's well suited for the role. Our pics clearly show his protruding liver may not be.
aTm is a great school for Veterinary Medicine (and many other things).
It shares the top 5 VM spot with NCSU, UF, UPenn and UW (also makes me happy).
Congrats on the future Aggie grad!She's not really sure yet. We have a friend whose kid is graduating TAMU this year in animal science/pre-vet, and we're actually going to meet up with her when we do a visit to College Station next week. She has a lot of insight as to what the possibilites are, including but not limited to strictly being a vet.
Curious…if she’s intending on being a Vet, is she going to one day open her own practice ? It seems like nowadays a lot of newly graduated vets start their own practice, but they aren’t small anymore. Most of them have big animal hospitals and such. The one near us just built a very large steel frame building, it had to be well over $1,000,000.
Sunday evening, after the Nebrasketball game, I ate half a pound of bacon, drank a few glasses of Woodford, and smoked a cigar on the back deckChurchill made it to 95 carrying in such a manor and alot has to do with enjoyment and genes perhaps,IMHO. Not really a smoking fan I use have an occasional choker on/off back in the day, so
I'd like to live to 85. Only 21 years and change to go
2 of my 3 daughters are K-Staters, and the one that didn't parlayed her Army Intelligence training into a rather ridiculous at age 24 135K salary working remote that gives her time and moneyAn old Buddy his oldest son was the Geek Squad type in HS. Well his father was a Jet Mechanic in the USAF and convinced him to join.He did 6 total yrs in Germany then another stop in the EU then finished up in San Antonio. Got out around 5 yrs back making 95K took another gig making prolly about the same as your kid in Cyber Security. Buddies other son my God Son got a Bachelors in M.E. making 65K he's north of that now but behind his brother the cyber geek who prolly worx 95% from home
Besides the football stadium, what impressed me most about my trip to College Station/Bryan for a game a few years ago were the A&M undergrads.Wow, is this the grumpy old man thread?? :57:
They were sober, polite, went to church, dressed modestly, had upstanding plans for their futures when asked, and almost no tattoos. Other than Auburn's undergrads, I can't really say that about other campuses.
For better or worse, most college campuses look like your local dive bar scene, a music festival, or China.
boss just invited me to the Minnesoota Wild game tonight!All your shuffling around is starting to make Gatorama (RIP) trips like a jaunt to the corner
I'll be headed north in an hour or so.
Planning to take my daughter to lunch tomorrow before heading home
Besides the football stadium, what impressed me most about my trip to College Station/Bryan for a game a few years ago were the A&M undergrads.You wanna know which type of campus I'd prefer to go to? And DID go to? :)
They were sober, polite, went to church, dressed modestly, had upstanding plans for their futures when asked, and almost no tattoos. Other than Auburn's undergrads, I can't really say that about other campuses.
For better or worse, most college campuses look like your local dive bar scene, a music festival, or China.
Well I'm happy to say, my daughter has made her final decision about where she wants to go to college. And her i s c & a aggie mother is REALLY excited about it.Man, Davis would’ve been an interesting (pricy) one, and NC State is an underrated one coming out of state.
Yes, she has indeed selected Texas A&M University as her college of choice. She'll be studying animal science/pre-vet there, beginning in the Fall of 2026.
She worked hard and was admitted to several fine schools including the University of Texas, UC-Davis, NC-State, and Auburn. Unfortunately (for me), Texas doesn't offer her major, so she was highly unlikely ever to enroll there. She really just applied for me, and maybe also just to prove she could get in.
But ultimately she decided she'd like to stay closer to home, and also save us all a little money, so the Ags it is.
I'm really proud of her, and although it's tough to lose one of my kids to the enemy, I'm still delighted she's making this choice all on her own and is enthusiastic about her future.
So now, all the pressure is on the boy...
Man, Davis would’ve been an interesting (pricy) one, and NC State is an underrated one coming out of state.Maybe? I mean, it's one of the very top animal science/vet schools in the country, regardless of geography, so the folks that know that field, are well acquainted with it nationally and internationally.
That said, from the couple of game days where I wandered College Station, good time down that way. People also probably sleep on how much is there. Congrats to her!
Besides the football stadium, what impressed me most about my trip to College Station/Bryan for a game a few years ago were the A&M undergrads.All 70,000 of them? LOL, just kidding.
They were sober, polite, went to church, dressed modestly, had upstanding plans for their futures when asked, and almost no tattoos. Other than Auburn's undergrads, I can't really say that about other campuses.
For better or worse, most college campuses look like your local dive bar scene, a music festival, or China.
Maybe? I mean, it's one of the very top animal science/vet schools in the country, regardless of geography, so the folks that know that field, are well acquainted with it nationally and internationally.I just meant stuff in the town.
It became tough to justify going to an NC-State or UC-Davis, both of which accepted her, and getting the same tier of education for 3x-4x the cost.
I just meant stuff in the town.Ah sorry, didn't get your meaning.
Did y’all visit Davis? That was the first school I looked at.
My ex is trying (from what I hear through the grapevine) to dissuade my son from Purdue because West Lafayette is a rural college town in the middle of nowhere.I totally get what you're saying about your ex's purported reasons vs. the likely actual reasons, but as for the highlighted, it really just depends on the kid-- not everyone wants or needs the same college experience.
Ummm... Isn't that better?
The great thing about a "college town" is that when the weekend comes around... Nobody leaves. It's a collection of tens of thousands of people between the ages of 18-23 who all have nothing to do except whatever they do with each other. (No, I don't want to contemplate what they do with each other.)
Ultimately, my ex is trying to keep him from moving 2,000 miles away because she doesn't know how to handle him being far away.
But for that kid, being in the cocoon of a college town is the best thing that could happen to him. Being at UC-Berkeley where everyone's going to SF every weekend and nobody stays on campus on the weekends is going to be WAY too much for him...
I totally get what you're saying about your ex's purported reasons vs. the likely actual reasons, but as for the highlighted, it really just depends on the kid-- not everyone wants or needs the same college experience.Understood. I think he's a lot like me, and a "city" feel wouldn't have been right for me at that point in my life.
I loved going to college in a large not-just-a-college-town like Austin. I loved having a bazillion different movie theaters and bars and restaurants and parks and swimming holes and swimming pools and lakes and rivers. The campus and adjoining area are all self-contained and walkable enough that you don't HAVE to leave, and indeed I had friends who never had cars their entire time in Austin. But for me, I loved enjoying everything a city like Austin had to offer.
All your shuffling around is starting to make Gatorama (RIP) trips like a jaunt to the cornerwas a good night
It's tough to compare, because I went to both undergrad and grad school in Austin, and did two long summer programs at Northwestern and the Air Force Academy. So I'm probably unfairly comparing all other college towns to Chicago, Austin, and Colorado Springs, when it comes to "having cool stuff to do in your college town."
It's fun to watch this guy play baseball for my favorite team. He made 2 spectacular plays, actually.
I wouldn't call any of Austin, Chicago, or Colorado Springs "college towns," although they are towns (or cities) that have colleges in them. Seems like when people say "college town" they're referring to places that basically only exist because of the university and would collapse without it. Like College Station, or Athens. Places like Austin and Chicago have a lot of cool stuff to do by virtue of the fact they are bigger cities, independent of the university, and are not really the same category, so it's kind of like comparing apples and oranges. Which, I guess was your point. It's probably easier to compare an A&M experience to a UGA experience than to compare either to a Northwestern or UT experience.Right, that's exactly my point. All of my college experiences have occurred in towns that have vastly more to offer, than the typical "college town." And I'm contrasting my experiences, with those that might occur in a typical "college town."
Texas State was a weird combo when I lived there. The place was 75% college kids, and San Marcos qualified as a "college town" in my definition, but on weekends a ton of the kids still cleared out and did their partying in Austin.
You might enjoy reading this, which made me happy when I read it yesterday.Awesome dude.
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/paul-skenes-mlb-baseball-pittsburgh-pirates-wbc-usa
And finally, given what Austin has become compared to what it was, when I was in school, I'm not lamenting that part of my daughter's decision at all. Sadly, large parts of the city have become a complete shithole.
That hurts my feelings.....what a shame.Yeah, Austin voters are getting exactly what they continue to vote for, and I've never once regretted moving out of the city proper. In fact it's the second best decision I've ever made.
I'm happier in rural areas by and large, and I ultimately wound up happiest living outside of Austin in a smallish town, but with quick access to both Austin and San Antonio. However, when I did live in Austin, at the time it was still in my wheelhouse. Big enough to have everything I wanted, still small enough not to feel like I was getting swallowed up in a soulless, concrete jungle. And always seemed to be plenty safe, and clean. By the time I left, it had really grown in a short time, and then in the year or two that followed my departure, people were moving there in record numbers. So I feel like as far as population/vibe/traffic/etc. goes, I got to be there at the perfect time for me.
Many of the news stories I've seen coming from over there in the last 5-6 years makes me think they must be talking about some other Austin.
Yeah, Austin voters are getting exactly what they continue to vote for, and I've never once regretted moving out of the city proper. In fact it's the second best decision I've ever made.Sounds like you're happy about your move...
But unfortunately this is not an appropriate conversation for the "happy" thread. :)
Sounds like you're happy about your move...Good point. Yes, I'm delighted with the move. I'm about to go outside and drink beer in the garage with my neighbors who are all pretty awesome. That makes me happy today.
...just perhaps not the reason you had to make it.
Just like I'm happy about my new car...
...despite the fact that I am grumpy about the situation that forced me to buy it.
Good point. Yes, I'm delighted with the move. I'm about to go outside and drink beer in the garage with my neighbors who are all pretty awesome. That makes me happy today.Speaking of beer in the garage... Grumpy thread addition incoming shortly...
How large can a city be and still be regarded as a "college town"?When I first got to Madison it was 75K and the metro maybe 150K.
Consider metro area population. I know Cincinnati had over 2 million people and is certainly not a college town as I think of it. Columbus? Nope.
I'd probably limit it to about 500,000 regular residents as a stretch. I looked up Athens, GA, which I do consider to be a college town, 220,000 metro area, much larger than I thought.
Beginning to put things together for my cross country trip. That doesn't make me happy but knowing it is getting closer does.I'm trying to think of a way to talk my wife into doing one. I did one with my kids, Ohio to Idaho, in a 4 cylinder minivan with a manual transmission. Iowa is mostly flat and featureless.
It's not terrible from Omaha to Lincoln because it's 6 lanesNot sure how you avoid that in that general longitude. Recall the line in that Tom Hanks bore, whole lotta nothin' between South Texas and Canada on US Hwy 83. And it ran through my town about halfway between those points.
from Lincoln to York there's too much traffic
after York it isn't bad - just boring
I'm trying to think of a way to talk my wife into doing one. I did one with my kids, Ohio to Idaho, in a 4 cylinder minivan with a manual transmission. Iowa is mostly flat and featureless.I did I-80 from the Iowa border to the Bay Area when I moved to CA. I was traveling with my sister and her husband who had a truck to move a bunch of my stuff, and I trailed in my car. It was only the Iowa border b/c we'd headed down from Chicago to Lake of the Ozarks where they lived at the time, or it would have been I-80 straight from Illinois.
Sand. Bar.Kill Joy.
https://streamable.com/xr7w6fWhere is that?
Sitting on the boat at the sandbar, having a few coldies with some great friends!
Where is that?Near St.Lucie inlet.
OSU upsets top seeded Michigan State in the ice hockey conference tournament.MSU has a winning record against every team this year...except a bad OSU team. Cant figure OSU out somehow
I’m happy today because I finally deleted all the extra emissions crap from my 550 truck. Couldn’t keep it running with 40k on the clock, had to go.Does that include the catalytic converter? I'm surprised the engine would run well with all the "extra crap", but maybe.
Does that include the catalytic converter? I'm surprised the engine would run well with all the "extra crap", but maybe.That’s the point of deleting it. It had a diesel particulate filter. Basically a big filter to catch the soot, which would fill up with the carbon soot over time, and then get burned out occasionally via elevated exhaust temps, usually by increasing the idle or sometimes injecting raw fuel into the exhaust.
taxes are donegettin' to be that time of year I guess
Do Diesel Engines Have Catalytic Converters? - DFC Diesel (https://dfcdiesel.com/2022/09/21/do-diesel-engines-have-catalytic-converters/)(Excuse me CD, this isn't directed at you, but the author:))
Whether or not your diesel engine has a catalytic converter depends predominantly on what year your model is. Because diesel engines are requested to meet non-toxic emissions standards, almost all diesel engines made after the year 2000 will have a catalytic converter to reduce the vehicle’s toxic emissions. If your diesel vehicle was made before the 1990s, however, you will not have a catalytic converter.
An Ultimate Guide to Diesel Particulate Filters - White's International Trucks | North Carolina | Truck Dealer (https://www.whitestractor.com/an-ultimate-guide-to-diesel-particulate-filters/)
Diesel engines utilize internal combustion. The engine cylinders compress air with a force that makes it into a dense gas that will ignite the fuel. A controlled explosion is occurring when this happens, transferring heat energy into kinetic energy that turns the wheels that power the truck.
This transfer of energy results in a release of excess gas and solid particles, what we know as exhaust, which ultimately will exit through the exhaust pipe. The DPF filters the exhaust, trapping roughly 90% of the heavy particulates.
The particulates, or soot, that is collected in the DPF will then be recycled into the fuel system, creating better fuel efficiency. The recycling process, or regeneration, can happen in two ways: passively or actively. Passive regeneration occurs when the soot burns and the heat naturally becomes power during long drives at high speeds.
Active regeneration requires the soot to burn at a lower temperature, usually meaning there is an additional part or process that triggers a second internal combustion. This is known as catalytic combustion because the second internal combustion that takes place acts as a catalyst to super-heat the soot. Once it’s heated, it can be used to further power the truck.
Yeah, I wondered how that could be. Did you dispense with your Ad Blu stuff as well?You mean DEF, or urea? Yes. No DPF, no DEF.
Hell of a game. Ended up watching that over basketball.I haven't even looked up the results of basketball yet. Wish the US didn't look like they were at the end of a long road trip. I guess they kind of were, as the against Mexico, the Dominicans, and the Venezuelans all had at least 70-30 foreign fans in the stadium.
Thought it was weird that Aaron Nola pitched for Italy. I read that he was eligible because his great-grandmother emigrated from Italy a bunch of years ago, but.....how much are you really tied to another country in that case? And why would pitching for a country you've never lived in and to which you have only bare familial connections be enticing? One of our former pole-vaulters, Mando Duplantis, competes for Sweden in world events like the Olympics, etc., but one of his parents is Swedish and he's held dual citizenship with the USA and Sweden his whole life, so that makes more sense.Royals players Jac Caglianone and Vinnie Pasquantino played for Italy. Both born and raised USA. The guys that played for other countries just have to trace ancestry back, and just their last names seem to fit the bill! Both of those guys aren't good enough (yet) to be invited to the US Squad, so they took the opportunity to play for Italy. Michael Lorenzen is signed with Colorado this year, but has been in KC for the last few years, also played for them--and did very well until his last inning v. Venezuela Monday night.
But anyway, I heard Italy got good use out of Nola, so that makes me happy, I guess. Would've been cooler if he'd been paired with Skenes for the USA. I heard Skenes did well too, so I guess that's another thing that makes me happy.
Thought it was weird that Aaron Nola pitched for Italy. I read that he was eligible because his great-grandmother emigrated from Italy a bunch of years ago, but.....how much are you really tied to another country in that case? And why would pitching for a country you've never lived in and to which you have only bare familial connections be enticing? One of our former pole-vaulters, Mando Duplantis, competes for Sweden in world events like the Olympics, etc., but one of his parents is Swedish and he's held dual citizenship with the USA and Sweden his whole life, so that makes more sense.This is an interesting thing that I just saw an article on this I think over the weekend... The below isn't the same article, but it discusses the same thing:
But anyway, I heard Italy got good use out of Nola, so that makes me happy, I guess. Would've been cooler if he'd been paired with Skenes for the USA. I heard Skenes did well too, so I guess that's another thing that makes me happy.
Citizenship by descent has not always been so unpopular. At the Tokyo Olympics, 12% of the Italian national team (https://italianismo.com.br/en/12-dos-atletas-olimpicos-da-italia-sao-italo-descendentes/)were born abroad, including 10 in the US.
@betarhoalphadelta (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=19) , @Wildcat4E (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=2270) , both of you raised the point about not being good enough to play for the US and so taking their opportunity for another squad. Hard to think that fits in Nola's case, as he's the Phillies' ace. Maybe there's still not enough room for him on Team USA, but damn.I guess it was up to DeRosa to ask, and ultimately, the player can choose what team to play for. I'd certainly have taken Nola over Skubal and his antics, had it been known he would pitch once and then go back to spring training.
Got an appointment with an endocrinologist tomorrow. Been waiting a while.Mr Big?
Grumpy.
Met with the Adrenal Surgeon up in Tampa last week and he will be removing the tumor up there at his Adrenal Institute.
But I have to lose weight, and I can't with this tumor messing me up. I've been waiting for 6 weeks to see this local doctor to get an Rx to block the effects of Cortisol (causes weight gain, among many other things).
One phone call from Mr. Big up in Tampa and all of a sudden, I have an appointment here.
Funny how that works.
Happy.
World-renowned Endocrinologist and Adrenal Surgeon.Ahhhh, I see. Well that is good.
Adrenal Glands, Adrenal Tumors, and Adrenal Surgery (https://www.adrenal.com/)
One phone call from Mr. Big up in Tampa and all of a sudden, I have an appointment here.
Funny how that works.
@betarhoalphadelta (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=19) , @Wildcat4E (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=2270) , both of you raised the point about not being good enough to play for the US and so taking their opportunity for another squad. Hard to think that fits in Nola's case, as he's the Phillies' ace. Maybe there's still not enough room for him on Team USA, but damn.That's why I said "often". It's not always the case. Sometimes its because of an emotional connection to the country they're playing for.
Yup. If the Endo's over there are anything like the ones here, they're drowning in patients and the wait time tends to be god-awful. But most doctors will force an opening as a professional courtesy if a peer-to-peer conversation happens. Especially if the other doc attests to them the urgency of the matter.This one had me pushed out into June. Not anymore.
Yup. If the Endo's over there are anything like the ones here, they're drowning in patients and the wait time tends to be god-awful. But most doctors will force an opening as a professional courtesy if a peer-to-peer conversation happens. Especially if the other doc attests to them the urgency of the matter.My endo books 13 months out. He's a total badass and I understand why.
I was referred to endo months ago and I haven't even heard from them yet. That's how bad the logjam is here. Our area is under-served in several specialties, though. The worst is rheumatology. There's just too few doctors, and so many patients who need their help.Getting an MD is hard. We have big a shortage too.
I was referred to endo months ago and I haven't even heard from them yet. That's how bad the logjam is here. Our area is under-served in several specialties, though. The worst is rheumatology. There's just too few doctors, and so many patients who need their help.Keeping apprised of my son-in-law's 10 year journey, and some of the stupid hoops they make them jump through...I guess it's good news that he will be needed when he finishes the 3 yrs of slave labor they term "residency." And he can start buying supper at some point.
This would make me happy.My Nephew is working- volunteering really - on the camera crews that track the balls in flight during the tournament. With all the flight paths with different colors traced on the TV screen. This is the 2nd straight year he's doing it,evidently they approved of his work last year and asked him back
(https://i.imgur.com/KoRzXwe.jpeg)
Keeping apprised of my son-in-law's 10 year journey, and some of the stupid hoops they make them jump through...I guess it's good news that he will be needed when he finishes the 3 yrs of slave labor they term "residency." And he can start buying supper at some point.
This would make me happy.Well it's Rory, so you know it was going to be bougie...
(https://i.imgur.com/KoRzXwe.jpeg)
I've been told it's better than it used to be. There's laws now about the amount of hours residents can be forced to work within a certain time frame. My cousin, a big-shot surgeon in NJ who is a year older than I, likes to scoff when he hears doctors complain about what they're put through. He says they'd never survive what his cohort went through.I made a habit of cutting across an old lady's lawn BECUASE I was walkin in hip deep snow uphill both ways
As he's not too far off from 50, I perceive he's just about ready to start talking about how he had to walk to school, in the snow, uphill both ways, and yelling at kids to get off his lawn.
I've been told it's better than it used to be. There's laws now about the amount of hours residents can be forced to work within a certain time frame. My cousin, a big-shot surgeon in NJ who is a year older than I, likes to scoff when he hears doctors complain about what they're put through. He says they'd never survive what his cohort went through.S-I-L took a raft of shit for taking off 3 days to attend my mother's funeral. Attending said he didn't even go to funerals when HE was at that stage.
As he's not too far off from 50, I perceive he's just about ready to start talking about how he had to walk to school, in the snow, uphill both ways, and yelling at kids to get off his lawn.
scheduled a lunch meeting with client at Zipline Brewing in Lincoln, NESounds like a good day. Maybe Nebraska will win their first-ever tournament game, even!
I'll get there before the Husker tip and grab a table near a big screen
if client has to go back to the office before the end of the game, that's no reason for me to not have a beer and finish watching the game
happy
2pm tee time this afternoon............ FORE!!!Golfing today? What are you some sort of communist?
(https://i.imgur.com/748AWGy.png)
I've been told it's better than it used to be. There's laws now about the amount of hours residents can be forced to work within a certain time frame. My cousin, a big-shot surgeon in NJ who is a year older than I, likes to scoff when he hears doctors complain about what they're put through. He says they'd never survive what his cohort went through.I don’t totally understand the history of that practice and I remain curious if there’s any upside to it.
As he's not too far off from 50, I perceive he's just about ready to start talking about how he had to walk to school, in the snow, uphill both ways, and yelling at kids to get off his lawn.
Golfing today? What are you some sort of communist?nobody works on Friday afternoons - not even commies
nobody works on Friday afternoons - not even commiesWell yeah but today especially no one plays golf either unless they want to conspire
I don’t totally understand the history of that practice and I remain curious if there’s any upside to it.shut the hell up and pay yer dues
like, I would assume sleep deprived doctors are worse for patients. But I don’t really understand if there’s any payoff to training while in that state.
I don’t totally understand the history of that practice and I remain curious if there’s any upside to it.
like, I would assume sleep deprived doctors are worse for patients. But I don’t really understand if there’s any payoff to training while in that state.
My last year in grad school was pretty brutal. I had some weeks where I counted up 100+ hours. Some of that was sleeping while this machine cranked away, it would ding when it finished. My gf did not understand.
Yo have to wonder… would there really be that much of a shortage if being a doctor wasn’t so much of a bitch to start with?There would be less of a shortage, but arguably the doctors would be worse. How much that would matter is up for debate.
Yo have to wonder… would there really be that much of a shortage if being a doctor wasn’t so much of a bitch to start with?
well done, SirChili is good but I wish him vast amounts of crawfish and gumbo in celebration.
chili soup
Chili is good but I wish him vast amounts of crawfish and gumbo in celebration.too pricey for me I don't have stuffed mattresses like FF. But I do have a Lenten Perch Fry on Friday so that will sustain me in my times of culinary travail - when I'm done with this excellent batch Yuengling Chili
I wonder what the best beer to throw in the crawfish boil is. I used to pour in a bottle of Miller Lite, mostly because that's what we had. Maybe it doesn't matter....far as I know, a bottle of beer is just to soften up the tails a bit to get them so they're easier to tear apart in one smooth motion. But I bet you there's some a buncha Cajuns out there somewhere who claim that for the best taste, you need to use *insert brand here* beer.I wouldn't even dare to make a suggestion here.
I wouldn't even dare to make a suggestion here.
For chili I like to use dark beer, even ones with some spices like a winter seasonal. Adds to the richness and depth of flavor.
But for crawfish boil water, I'm not sure how much it would influence the flavor. I mean, if you used NOTHING but beer to boil, I would think it'd influence the flavor. But if we're talking about one 12 oz. beer dumped into 3-5 gallons of water? I dunno.
I wonder what the best beer to throw in the crawfish boil is.I'd go with Laurentide Ale exclusively produced in Quebec, was created specifically for the province and wasn’t available anywhere else in Canada. Know this as i use to fish those parts,good stuff back in the day. They are French speaking as were the Acadians or Cajuns ;D. Of course I can't find it here were the Buckeyes roam so happy hunting
I don't visit much with my fraternity brothers about their finances, but the surgeon has the 1.5 M yacht anchored off his backyard in Gulf Breeze, and another that opened up in East Central Kansas is donating hundreds of thousands--but, he didn't have any children to siphon off the potential savings, and his wife is a veterinarian.
What is suffering is the payoff. Doctors can't make the same kind of money they once did. I know multiple doctors who claim they discouraged their kids from entering the profession, because they saw the writing on the wall for many years, and now are living it, that the profession no longer compensates you like you'd want for what it demands of you. This largely has to do with insurance reimbursements, but also other things.
So we're left with incentivizing foreign doctors to come here and importing the ones we can lure.
Dermatologists make bank down here.Father daughter combo in an office here.
I don't visit much with my fraternity brothers about their finances, but the surgeon has the 1.5 M yacht anchored off his backyard in Gulf Breeze, and another that opened up in East Central Kansas is donating hundreds of thousands--but, he didn't have any children to siphon off the potential savings, and his wife is a veterinarian.
Dermatologists make bank down here.The real money goes to the specialists... Such as a surgeon or a dermatologist brought up here.
It's a different ballgame than it used to be. I've heard more than a few of the older ones say it's not as attractive of a field as it once was, and they discouraged their kids from trying to go that route.I hear that from many professions
I've heard more than a few of the older ones say it's not as attractive of a field as it once was, and they discouraged their kids from trying to go that route.I wonder what they are advising their kids to do?
hah, the optometrist office I go to is owned by an optometrist's son.There's a gal here that went to law school but could never pass the bar. Daddy dealt with a lot of the oil and gas lease stuff here, and he just had her in the back room doing all the work but keeping the cash flowing in.
the eye doc is a younger guy not related
My kid just got accepted to UC Berkeley!WOAH. That's incredible. Well done.
WOAH. That's incredible. Well done.Maybe I'll have to meet you and @bayareabadger (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1571) for a beer sometime I head up that way... Guessing I'll be there a fair amount over the next few...
My kid just got accepted to UC Berkeley!OH HELL YEAH!!!! That rules!
Is UCB the top choice? I know it's often ranked as the top public in the US, which I infer means it's reasonably priced. For college.Yeah, it was his top choice. Top 3 were Berkeley, Michigan, and Purdue.
In GA, there is a Hope Scholarship program that pays tuition, but not the other stuff (which gets pricey of course). You need pretty good academics to get it, but you need that to get into Tech or even UGA these days. It has significantly boosted UGA's academic numbers, I think, because so many in state kids want to go there now.I think that's one of the reasons my kid was denied at Tech... So many in state kids want to go there due to the Hope scholarship, that not being a very big school, they can be ultra selective.
It's paid for out of the state lottery.
I'm curious what costs aside from tuition are these days. My one kid not on scholarship at OSU was costing me about $17 K a year back when (2007-2011). She was pretty frugal.
Tech has more students than UGA by quite a bit.(https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyemhobGMxOG9mamIyajVvY2pyeWJnZjdhaTBkMXJ0Y3FhcDRoNXYwMCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/OP6gvbzoZXryw/200.gif)
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyemhobGMxOG9mamIyajVvY2pyeWJnZjdhaTBkMXJ0Y3FhcDRoNXYwMCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/OP6gvbzoZXryw/200.gif)Graduate students are the majority at GT, by quite a bit. That is not the case in Athens, where undergrad is king.
Graduate students are the majority at GT, by quite a bit. That is not the case in Athens, where undergrad is king.Ahh, that makes sense.
I idly wonder how common it is to have a larger grad student population than undergrad. This is a pretty large swing.
My German Shepherd- Brutus- had his back right leg amputated Wednesday due to a very aggressive cancer in his knee joint. The cancer will get him- but not today.
Basic instructions right there but shouldn't HAZMET get involved at some point?I would rather have a colonoscopy which i have done every 5 years rather than cologuard
perhaps I'll have to visit againIt's not a requirement.
I'm 3/4s German
Check for >$600 came from Acura for over-collecting DMV fees. I know it's just my own legitimate money being refunded, but given that I didn't expect it, it seems like a win :57:
Check for >$600 came from Acura for over-collecting DMV fees. I know it's just my own legitimate money being refunded, but given that I didn't expect it, it seems like a win :57:Maybe i can turn loose whoever was lawyering for that case on my city. As they ignored repeated requests 25 plus years ago to cut down the tree in front of my house by the street that was creeping towards the sidewalks(on city property). Last year I had the sidewalks leveled,satisfactory according to an inspector making the rounds - nothing in writing though. So I get a certified letter from the city today and it appears that they are either contesting a few of sidewalk panels or the curb and quite possibly both. I mentioned in an e-mail to them any damage would have been from city plowing. As I have NEVER owned a plow or truck and have never had my driveway plowed with one. Suppose I should take this to the grumpy thread.
only if you don't put the lid on properly and tightlyOf course even if that's the case it could come off in their ahem "care". And that'd be a shitty thing
Would you happen to be the rebranded former poster, BrutusBuckeye? Haven't seen that guy in years
UGA gets a bit out there …
(https://i.imgur.com/JB7YRyt.jpeg)
Got on the scale this morning -- 188 lbs.Congrats. What all did you do?
Feb 21st I was at my highest weight ever 201 lbs, and decided that day to do something about it.
Self discipline FTW.
Congrats. What all did you do?
I struggle to lose weight, still trying. Ideally would be at 200 or so but reality is around 235, all muscle of course, even in my cranium…
I struggle to lose weight, still trying. Ideally would be at 200 or so but reality is around 235, all muscle of course, even in my cranium…
At least you are tall. I am decidedly not -- at all.Yep, height is why I'm not "fat" even at my current 255 lbs.
Just fasting for 24 hr cycles.Any other physical activity besides more steps?
Mon - Fri -- Dinner only.
Sat - Sun -- (2 meals) Late breakfast / early dinner
Working on getting more steps as well.
Any other physical activity besides more steps?
my father worked at both of these stations growing up in this small town in NW Iowa.........
(https://i.imgur.com/cu2fqVr.jpeg)
yup, is place is on old highway 20. new highway 20 in about a half mile north - 4 lanes
So, question about that. I see two highway signs, one for US Hwy 60 and the ones on the pumps that say US Hwy 66. Hwy 20 goes through NW Iowa, but the famous Route 66 does not. Are they there just for some Americana decoration?
yup, is place is on old highway 20. new highway 20 in about a half mile north - 4 lanesU.S. 20 goes thru Northern Ohio and is a coast-to-coast highway and the longest road in the United States, stretching approximately 3,365 miles. It runs from Newport, Oregon, on the Pacific Ocean to Boston, Massachusetts. Cliff Clavin would be impressed
Route 66 signs are just for some Americana decoration
U.S. 20 goes thru Northern Ohio and is a coast-to-coast highway and the longest road in the United States, stretching approximately 3,365 miles. It runs from Newport, Oregon, on the Pacific Ocean to Boston, Massachusetts. Cliff Clavin would be impressedEd Zachery
Love the old highways. I'm sure I've mentioned before that in my younger days I would drive Highway 41 from Tennessee to Chicago to meet up with college buddies over long weekends. Always enjoyed that I was in the middle of an Allman Brothers song.
And good God, to be young and stupid. I'm just realizing that was a 7-hour trip in good conditions. I would leave Friday at the end of the work day, and drive until after midnight to get there, then drive back on Sunday. Dumb.
One thing I like when we do short vacations nearby is taking the old roads. Sometimes it’s sad to see towns ruined by a Walmart on the outskirts, but several towns in the mountains have come back and are pretty neat.At an old job I had to go up to Clayton for something. Damn pretty country, and a welcome place to go in August.
My wife likes Clarkesville, GA a lot. The downtown square is pretty neat.
Even out here in California the backroads take you through a bunch of towns that are largely overlooked, but are often pretty great.One of the things I’ve learned in my travels around the country: a lot of it is pretty dang cool if you go with an open mind.
The Masters has begun.
40th Anniversary of Jack's 1986 victory, that I watched from our living room floor as a 15 yo on the final Sunday, that being my only day off from work on the farm.
Got the present iteration streaming via Amazon Prime at the office,
FIFYSometimesAt all times it’s sad to see towns ruined by a Walmart on the outskirts, but several towns in the mountains have come back and are pretty neat.
Do you know the whole TV schedule? I read that some will be Prime, Paramount, ESPN and CBS. Just don't know when they all get their turns.Right now they are on Prime following 2 groups, one with McIlroy, another with Matt Fitzpatrick and Bryson DeChambeau.
The Masters has begun.My nephew is working it as a Volunteer,working on the crews who tracks the balls in flight that appear on the TV screen. There is a process evidently he belongs to some hoity-toity Country Club around Hotlanta. A longstanding member there suggested/sponsered him to Masters committee or what ever they are called
The Masters has begun.It's hard to believe that 1986 was 40 years ago. It was the best of times. There I was, in the 4th grade, 14 years old, having the time of my life.
40th Anniversary of Jack's 1986 victory, that I watched from our living room floor as a 15 yo on the final Sunday, that being my only day off from work on the farm.
Got the present iteration streaming via Amazon Prime at the office,
I was, in the 4th grade, 14 years old...Um...
Um...He's from the South. Checks out.
He's from the South. Checks out.So long as you didn't end up in prison for putting the moves on the 4th grade girls at the time.
:57:
So long as you didn't end up in prison for putting the moves on the 4th grade girls at the time.I had a response to this, but man, this ain’t the thread for it.
Speaking of which, my youngest was silly enough to register to vote in Manhattan instead of home, and just spent the week as a juror in a kid touching trial. Young male wrestling coach accused of groping two girl wrestlers he was coaching. Guess they found him not guilty.
I can tell you this, doing what I do, there is NO WAY IN HELL I would demonstrate wrestling moves on young girls. And that's why there are so few males going into teaching, imo. Somebody makes an allegation, and you are fighting for your very life.
My son set up a "Masters Fantasy League" for the family. You pick 5 players, one of each of the following:I don't ever root for Euros, but I wouldn't mind seeing Justin Rose win one, could have last year and is one behind McIlroy's -5 today.
- Past winners
- US player
- International player
- First-timer
- Wild card
Only one of my 5 (Fleetwood) is currently below par. I'm getting my ass kicked.
I had a response to this, but man, this ain’t the thread for it.OK, this is too disturbing to not share, proper thread or no.
I don't ever root for Euros, but I wouldn't mind seeing Justin Rose win one, could have last year and is one behind McIlroy's -5 today.Yeah, Rosey seems like a right good chap. And he's an old* guy. Always fun to see the old guys win.
I hadn't thought of that aspect of why we have teacher shortages.The teacher shortage is 100% economic. There are plenty of people going into education. Very few stay in it. The pay sucks, the bureaucracy sucks, the system sucks.
I don't ever root for Euros, but I wouldn't mind seeing Justin Rose win one, could have last year and is one behind McIlroy's -5 today.no need to start now
The teacher shortage is 100% economic. There are plenty of people going into education. Very few stay in it. The pay sucks, the bureaucracy sucks, the system sucks.
agreed but what's the average for first year teachers?
kids don't want to wait 10-20 years to get to the 72
The national average for a public school teacher is 72k annually.Much depends on where you live. Teachers down here made an average of $53K in 2024, which was the lowest in the country.
That’s not awful for someone that gets the entire summer off.
My son set up a "Masters Fantasy League" for the family. You pick 5 players, one of each of the following:Be happy you didn't take McIntyre.
- Past winners
- US player
- International player
- First-timer
- Wild card
Only one of my 5 (Fleetwood) is currently below par. I'm getting my ass kicked.
The national average for a public school teacher is 72k annually.
That’s not awful for someone that gets the entire summer off.
It's nowhere near that here. But, that doesn't stop the College of Education where I work from being our biggest college (most populated, not the most departments).
I dreamt that I finally made it to one of Fearless's infamous tailgates, and he served me a burger with a slice of pizza in place of the top bun.It had to be a dream,would have been a nightmare if he broke out the Sharkwater
My wife loves opera, me, or so muchMe too
no need to start nowWell, who I root for obviously has not much impact on the outcome.
Well, who I root for obviously has not much impact on the outcome.
Had to listen on XM on the way home from The Boys from Oklahoma II yesterday. Would have liked Young or Burns to win their first, then go to Scottie, but in the end, McIlroy didn't quite choke it away, again. Got home in time to see that tee shot on 18 and manage to save bogey and hang on.
Now, happy. We all survived another trip from Stillwater back to Edmond to the Air BnB after the 8 hour concert. And my 5 hour drive home yesterday. F'ing idiots on the road...
They got to a sudden death playoff.The Masters has implemented the 4-hole aggregate playoff.
I'm sure Rory's tee shot on 18 got Scheffler up and moving on the range.
The Masters has implemented the 4-hole aggregate playoff.I missed that part.
I like the US Open--the playoff is another 18 the next day.
That would kinda suck for the patrons to change their travel plans to stick around, but I think the people that can afford to be at The Masters could swing it.
Hasn't changed. Still sudden death: https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-playoff-format-rules-holes-augusta-nationalI'm not usually this wrong. Well, don't ask my wife.
Since 2018, the US Open is a 2-hole aggregate playoff, not a full 18 the next day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Open_(golf)#Playoff_format