Razors Edge

I see that in a lot of the Velopigs strava ride names. Reston BC recently sent out an email saying they were considering adding a gravel ride option to the century this year. A 50-60 miler that shares the centurie's rest areas but would cover LoCo's gravel roads. I think it's a neat idea if they can pull it off.

Hopefully above the high tide mark. That will wake you up in a hurry in the middle of the night!

We keep the toilets clean, but that was a PITA when remodeling was going on and the work guys would have free access to the bathroom. Luckily, the floor folks included a housekeeping service at the end of their time as they really make a mess with dust and such, and the bathroom cleaning was part of that (even. in the contract).

White guy! Got it

Morning drinking is only advised on vacation. You're not on vacation, are you?

Be VERY wary of when you return the van. If they spot dog hair, that's an opportunity for the classic "deep clean" up charge. We rented Pacificas going out to and returning from CA, and on the return, I didn't want to bother vacuuming out the van after a weeklong trip. $100 fee because our pup had the prime middle passenger area, and she sheds when pet.

For years (since COVID and WFH started), my "go to" spot for pooping was the downstairs bathroom where I generally am closest too while having breakfast and coffee. In recent weeks, I've shifted to the upstairs guest bathroom as it is a little more private and near my office. The downstair bathroom has all new stuff from the remodel, including a new toilet, and until I am 100% sure it's a "good" toilet - ie able to handle the load - I'm sticking with the tried and true one upstairs!

Wait! He said they were PAYING him!!!

Major perving options, so perfect for you, @Randomguy, and now @jsharr . I get it! I get my perving time on my rides and all the hotties jogging or sometimes even riding!

How many flats have you had in the past year? Or 10 years? How many were pluggable and how many solved via the tubeless sealant? I think I'm currently running about a flat - while out riding - of about once every three years. I'm due for one, and am fairly religious about carrying a mini pump, tube, etc., but luckily don't get to use them often. What I find more often - with tubes - is a slow leak so a tire is flat when I head out for a new ride. Often something that would have been caught/fixed by tubeless sealant.

I see the VW camper models fairly regularly. Not all the time, but enough to not comment much on it. Often in that mild orange Ralph mentions. Orange and cream???

So????? Don't keep us waiting! Did they decide to roll it out nationwide because you liked it or not?!?!?! Was it your vote? Was there a vote? Or did they just see repeat buyers? FTR, I'm not getting pizza at a Tim Hortons or Dunkin' Donuts or even McDonalds.

How much gold was recovered?

That's a @JerrySTL move!

Your CC and your own auto insurance should be all you need, but verify first! And the dopey international driver card is available at AAA. We've been doing esims for our phones - easy and relatively cheap. GPS is always just my phone, but if you are worried you won't be near a cell for the data portion, you can always download maps in Google Maps ahead of time to your phone, so the GPS (coordinates) have an overlay (Google Maps) no matter if on or off a cell network. Not 100% perfect (ie route planning needs a network connection - wifi or cell) but good enough to always know where you are. We missed the Anne Frank house tour recently because we waited too long. Most places aren't as restrictive or busy, but certainly worth getting tickets once you know your plans. Likely can download the apps for those places now too.

Back in 2008 when stuff went sideways, our company was trying to make themselves look good for an acquisition. My boss and I arrived at work and noticed a 9am meeting with HR. We chatted a little about it, and then realize we were each meeting with a different HR person at the same time. A quick check with some other folks on the team and it seemed several had the same type of meeting on their calendars. They axed our whole team (we got all day to clear out and say goodbye), but it ended up for most of us as "promotions" as raises within the company were not as competitive as new job offers were. But it was a super headache, and scary in the moment, and a clear sign to always have a back-up plan and an FU option. You'll land on your feet and be better for it, but it still is no fun.

It is almost ALWAYS a step back when hiring folks simply because you (the experienced person) are now doing a job PLUS training a new person. With luck, the new person is good and eventually it's a couple steps forward, but that's later. Very few professionals businesses have simple plug and play systems. Sure, a plumber can plumb, or an accountant can calculate, but the "company" is rarely the same in how they do things from Company 1 to Company 2. Heck, the way Company 1 did things might be why the person left to come to Company 2!

My strong suggestion would be to start paying attention to trends NOW - especially for flights. The more you know, the more you can jump on a good deal when you see it. I'd also suggest flexibility - ie having a few places that interest you so when any one of them comes up as a good deal, jump on it. Another thing is subscribing to various email alerts - whether flight price trackers or "best deals this week" sort of thing. I get regular ones from places like TravelZoo. Also, don't discount taking a tour with a company. Folks like Gate 1 or Indus regularly have nice deals on really neat places. Those are ZERO stress vacations as the planning is done for you. Restrictive in some respects, but not as much as you might think. And, of course, if the $$$ matter up front, create and stick to a "travel fund" where $XX out of every paycheck go into the fund, and let it save up on auto.

Calvin! All about the BENJAMINS! $$$

I guess to them, that's sort of like "Made in Canada" being a good thing for maple syrup or "Made in America" on a pair of cowboy boots?

Where was he yesterday to help you drill a hole in a brass fitting that’s in the end of a polycarbonate cylinder-thingie? You definitely needed some supervision for that FUBAR event!

I drank it black. It definitely didn't need any help from sugar or creamer!

I got hooked on coffee when on vacation and my wife would make it HER way - ie lots of 1/2 & 1/2 and sugar, so it was essentially very similar to how coffee ice cream (a favorite of mine) tastes. Back around 2007 or so, I weaned off the sugar, but kept to 1/2&1/2. Then, several years later, dropped that too. Black coffee - from good beans - is quite easy to enjoy. I still will dress up Starbucks or a Keurig coffee, but generally, the black route is the best. Happy you made the transition. It really simplifies things too.

I hope - in addition to the obesity trend coming down - it starts to bend the diabetes one just as much. In a separate "wonder drug" category, metformin is one of those that has lots of very positive side-effects for folks on it. I'm not in the group that does this, but some "healthy" people use metformin for the life-extending benefits. I'm no Big Pharma guy, but I'm definitely in the camp of "there's good and bad reasons to take drugs, but if the reasons are good, do it".