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Gladeite

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Everything posted by Gladeite

  1. In the early 90's, my wife and I were in South Padre for the weekend. We went out Saturday morning to see the boat captain about parasailing. He said it was too windy that morning and come back after lunch. Being young idiots, we showed up at 1 p.m. to see about going. He said the winds were OK and let's go. We cruised out to the floating platform in the bay and we harnessed up. Took off from the bay and about 100 yards from the platform, the wind really starts to blow. Our sail goes nearly straight up and we are swinging about 90 degrees each way. Looked down and the sail was pulling the boat backwards. Water was coming in the back of the boat and captain was screaming something at us, but we could not hear because of the wind. I was looking at my wife's harness and how to detach it and somehow she could slide down the rope to get close to water. It was impossible because of all the swaying back and forth. Luckily the sail pulled the boat back into the platform and it crashed there. He was able to winch us back down. Scared us to death. The captain was white as a ghost and we spent a few minutes bucketing water out of the boat. The hull was cracked but still able to operate. He drove us to the dock and invited us to a bar. Once we got seated, he said no charge, drinks are on him and explained what was about to happen. He was able to see that the boat was going to crash into the platform. If it missed, he was going to cut our rope and had already radioed for 2 jet skis to trail us. The jet ski drivers were to wait until we got closer to shore and tie the rope. Then manage our descent into calmer water with the second driver to be there and help unbuckle as we hit the water. The backup plan was to have guys along the shore to catch the rope and tie off to anything before we hit any building. We have not tried it since that one time.
  2. One of my happiest days was getting rid of the wife's Sport. Loved the supercharged V8 and stable ride. I did a lot drag racing on Bee Caves Road and South Mopac. However, I think my wife was stranded 3 times in the 3 years we owned it. Electrical gremlins twice and once transmission. Got the 3 year, 100,000 mile warranty that covered the major repairs. The consumables, which includes shocks were a beating. Every time I looked around, it was $2500 for this or that. Very disappointing experience coupled with the worst dealership in Texas, the one on 5th.
  3. In our mountain community of Pagosa Springs, there is an all out war to limit STR. Same in Breckenridge, Aspen, Crested Butte. They are a plague to mountain towns in Colorado. There is a radical difference between owning a home for income vs pride of ownership/living there and it being a reflection of your life. As we enter 10 to 15 years into the program, no doubt prices have risen due to demand exceeding supply, but the overall condition of the homes/neighborhoods are in a state of decline. There is no incentive to repaint/stain the exterior, upgrade landscape, make the house look better when that does not increase rent. Rent is increased by putting bunk beds in the recreation room, increasing parking and having as many occupants as allowed by law. Our subdivision does not allow STR and many are moving in that direction. A law just passed in PS that every registered STR has to pay $150 per bedroom tax each month. My neighbor is on a board in Breck and their POA just passed a restriction eliminating any rentals less than 30 days. Investors had purchased most of the inexpensive housing in PS and there is an extreme shortage of homes to rent/buy for the working class. It is a real problem here. There are limited grocery store hours, restaurants closed because can't hire workers.
  4. Gladeite

    Colonoscopy

    Has anyone done the pre-procedure cleansing? Done at the Dr. office an hour before? This was offered by my practitioner. Come in, warm water enema bag, then over to the exam table. She said it was very popular with the younger crowd, but not so much in my age demographic. One of my 60 year old friends just tried it and said it was great, it was the only way he would do it from now on.
  5. After reading this thread for a long time and pondering my own sobriety, I made the calculated move to stop eating any processed sugar, flour, et... and eat a lot of vegetables, salads, fresh fish, pasture raised eggs, et... First 2 weeks were pretty rough with my brain craving food that made me feel "good". After 2 weeks, the cravings went away and my mind/body has no interest in processed foods. After that, completely gave up alcohol. No beer after work, no 4 glasses of wine while Netflixing, no bottles during dinner. The amazing difference for me is sleep and how good I feel. During my wine days, I would wake up every night, take ambien frequently and feel sluggish in the morning and tired every afternoon. Now, I sleep hard every night, never wake up and usually sleep for 9 hours. For me, giving up the sugar first certainly helped with giving up wine. Credit goes to many pages of this topic here on Surly.
  6. Spectacularly fun game! As a former tennis player, it is easy to pick up and be competitive. Learning to dink and overall strategy takes a little time. Lots of old college tennis players playing pb tournaments these days. Our neighbor built a court and Friday evenings are doubles and drinks.
  7. I have given them to a family member. Thanks for the interest.
  8. I bought a pair of alligator Lucchese boots 20 years ago. Now as I am older, my feet are wider and the boots can't be stretched anymore. Went to the Lucchese store at The Domain last week and got sized for the right width. Did not have the color ostrich I wanted, so they got another store to ship to my house. Fed ex arrived next day. Very happy with the new boots and the customer service.
  9. Gladeite

    Colonoscopy

    Long family history of colon cancer so I have been on the program for 20 years. Started with Versed and could not do anything after. Heard I had a double meat/double cheese from Whataburger but don't remember them. Last several have been Propofol. No hangover, wake up clear and ready to go. Still have Whataburger, but relish it.
  10. Barton Creek. Up 10% total. We must have more TCAD management in our neighborhood than I thought.
  11. I have never heard of this. Drive back and forth to Pagosa at least twice per year. We have a home there and frequent the dispensaries. Bring back a suitcase full of edibles for friends/neighbors. Always 10-20 mph over speed limit and never been stopped. Rarely see a dps/hp since covid. We are old so I guess we don't fit the demographic?
  12. Gladeite

    Getting old sucks

    Steroids make you feel great. They have an immediate relief since they are so good at reducing inflammation. All of my ortho docs have said do not take them regularly. Only in small batches, like your standard prescription. Long term will cause bone density loss, kidney and liver problems. Which sucks, because my body really responds well to them.
  13. thirstnomore.org is a great organization whose expertise is disaster relief and water wells in Africa.
  14. Don't go anymore. Since the corporate buyout, the quality has gone downhill. It was so bad one day at one of my usual West Texas stops, I talked to a manager. The bun was different, the meat was dry and just did not have the Whataburger taste that I am fond of. He told me that their corporate mandate is to become the next Chick-Fil-A. From the ordering process, the drive thru line, the making of product is going to be based on that model. Hate it, on the other hand, have lost a couple pounds by not stopping for lunches on the go.
  15. Don't get it. Was at Russell Korman Friday. Wasn't paying much attention, but they put out like 20 of these in different colors. Looked them and just asked why? Did not know there would be demand for them.
  16. Gladeite

    Getting old sucks

    Osteoarthritis for me. Played competitive/tournament tennis for 30 years on concrete. My genetics are sensitive to friction and lays down bone in defense. I have it all over. Not a big deal. Hips were easy and I know lots of tennis players who have had replacements. The recovery is super simple. I have arthritic spurs shaved off my knee every 5 years which is great. Elbow will not straighten but does not affect daily living.
  17. Gladeite

    Getting old sucks

    Double hip replacement for me 14 years ago. Super easy. Anterior approach with sports replacements. Simple recovery and back playing tennis 3 months later and tournament play after 6 months. I was 48 when done and no issues since.
  18. I am showing my age. When I was starting my career in the banking world - accountants, bankers, analysts used the Roman numeral M to represent thousands. MM to represent millions(thousand x thousand).
  19. It is an absolute nightmare for first time homebuyers in Austin. My daughter(no pic) is trying to buy a house. Preapproved for $600M. Every house in north Austin she looked at has gone for $100M over list price with buyer paying title policy, mortgage and appraisal waivers. 10 to 20 offers first weekend on market. There is a traveling group of relatively young adults in this area who have rejected offers a couple times a week. They are walking zombies that feel like there is no hope. New construction in West Austin is in the $900/ft range. Selling like crazy. My neighbor across the street, 3500 sf, backs to the golf course and high end construction. Not listed and sold for $3.25MM cash, close in 30 days. Unreal. I built a 4500 square foot spec in Spanish Oaks about 4 years ago. Had trouble selling it for $1.8MM at the time. Under contract for $4.25MM. The new Four Seasons Private Residences on Lake Austin will have 179 units, starting at $4MM. 1/2 of the units already have deposits and construction has not started. $2500/ft and $4000/month HOA dues.
  20. I have a 365 that I have had 0 issues with. Shot a lot of rounds and never a FTF, anything. I have a Shield dot and TLR 7 sub on mine and it shoots very small groups. Don't carry it every day because my natural presentation/draw is a little off with this gun. Grip angle, way I hold it, etc... it is a little lower than what my eye is looking at. Not a big deal, but can shoot faster, better with either Glock. Strictly personal preference. 1911s are nostalgia. Shot one growing up and first competition pistol. Compare them to my mechanical watches. Mechanicals are pretty and expensive(1911), but if I want to have the best time keeper that never has an issue, I'm wearing my Citizen Eco(Glock/Sig).
  21. I have tried to love the Wilson EDC platform but have not been able to. I bought one when they first came out and shot it a lot. Had too many failure to feed properly so I sent it back to Wilson. They worked on it, sent it back and I burned more ammo. Still was having a few FTF so I sold it and moved on. Got the itch again while sitting around in late 2020 and ordered another one from Wilson. This one with an RMR, suppressor height sights, etc.. Very accurate gun, but had 5 FTF in first box of 50. Super annoying. Called Ken in customer service, who by the way is a great guy and will bend over backwards to solve an issue, and he said the platform has some tight chamber tolerances and shoot a couple more hundred rounds. I brought five different brands/weights and let them rip. Took pictures of every FTF and there were some from each brand. Sent them to Ken and his advice was to send back. Got it back a week later, took to range and had a couple FTF in the first box. That was it for me. Boxed it up, took it to my favorite gun store and they bought it for a little less than I paid. This was during the peak of hysteria and they had no ammo, no guns, nothing to sell so they were willing to pay a premium to have something in the case. I like the idea of the EDC platform with no grip safety, 15 rounds, new rail system that allows greater reliability(?), semi custom features, etc... I have just had bad luck it seems. Good luck to yours and I hope it works great. I shoot a lot and expect mine to run. I have Glock 19 and 30S that I carry frequently. Clean every few thousand rounds whether they need it or not, shoot them every week and never have an issue. I have a couple of custom 1911s that I also shoot weekly and rarely clean them. I do keep them heavily oiled and I believe the slurry helps polish the contact points and increases reliability. Never have an issue with either one. I am getting the itch for the new SFX9 with flat trigger, RMR, etc... What can I say, it's an illness.
  22. The 5.7 x 28 is known for its stopping power in a handgun platform. Very high speed projectile that has devastating affects on humans. Soft point and fmj are lethal. Best known example is pos Hasan at Fort Hood. Of the 13 killed, 11 were one shot kills. Hits anywhere in the chest were fatal. Due to the high pressure of the round, platforms are bulky.
  23. Howe is great. Very dry, witty sense of humor with no bs. He has a low tolerance for want to be gunfighters. He has been there, done that and stacked up a lot of bodies. He expects you to be good or put out the extra effort to learn quickly. I was in a class with 12 enrollees. 8 never passed the class. They stayed on the 7 yard range all 3 days and never passed his standards test. We could hear him yelling at the class and instructors from a long way away. I think now you have to prequalify to take certain classes or referred from someone he knows. 4 of us passed it the first afternoon/try and we went on to room clearing, multiple bad guys in buildings, engaging from vehicles and parking lots, medical and triage, force on force, and burned a lot of ammo. I was exhausted after 3 full days. Never saw the others except at beginning of day meetings. Class started at 7:30 a.m. HIs expectation is that 30 minutes early is being on time. So we all were in our seat by 7. We got to hear a lot of stories about Mogadishu. I can't say enough good things about him. His techniques are solid, he is the hardest working person there and genuinely wants you to get better. Will take all the time in the world to explain a technique or tactical problem. He will come unglued if you question his method or do not put out 100% effort. All of his instructors are great and preach/teach the same way.
  24. Very little recoil and 1/2 the total magazine weight. It is enough weight for me to notice carrying all day. I was doing a shooting class with Paul Howe and he commented about teaching all day and noticing the weight difference. So I tried it and like it. There appears to be some hydrostatic pressures at play with these rounds. They penetrate well enough anyway that I will continue to carry them for the weight savings and less recoil.
  25. I use the .410, 2.5", 1/2 oz loads for quail, dove, chukker, etc... 1350 fps out of 30" barrel makes a great pattern and lots of pop down range. I have no trouble knocking anything down in reasonable shotgun range. Luckily, I had 25 boxes when the virus hit. Not very many quail this year, so have some left for next year. I have a pallet of 28 gauge, but just don't shoot it anymore.
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