Speculation: And yet again...the Off-Topic Thread

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

Intermittent fasting? I did a 16 hour window for a few months and realized that really sucks. But I can do 12 hours easily.

I mean really right now, it's just been eat more fruits and veggies and make sure portions stay in normal size. During my audit time, I would get ultra stressed and just eat and eat and eat whatever was there. So, it's a more holistic thing to just be mindful and thoughtful with what I'm doing. And walking the time helps, because if I'm intaking anything while walking, it would be just water from a water bottle and doing 5+ miles has been between an hour and two hours (closer to one if I'm feelin it, closer to two if I'm just cruising checkin out Canton). So, I mean, maybe I'm doing intermittent without realizing it, but it's not a consistent plan of any sort. Just keeping mental notes of approximately where I'm at calorie-wise during the day. I figure if I go too granular, I'll make it something I hate and have to do instead of something I'm doing because I enjoy it.

 

[FabricDetails]

I mean really right now, it's just been eat more fruits and veggies and make sure portions stay in normal size. During my audit time, I would get ultra stressed and just eat and eat and eat whatever was there. So, it's a more holistic thing to just be mindful and thoughtful with what I'm doing. And walking the time helps, because if I'm intaking anything while walking, it would be just water from a water bottle and doing 5+ miles has been between an hour and two hours (closer to one if I'm feelin it, closer to two if I'm just cruising checkin out Canton). So, I mean, maybe I'm doing intermittent without realizing it, but it's not a consistent plan of any sort. Just keeping mental notes of approximately where I'm at calorie-wise during the day. I figure if I go too granular, I'll make it something I hate and have to do instead of something I'm doing because I enjoy it.

Next time I see someone at McClumpha Park walking and then suddenly shifting side to side like a goalie Im'ma assume it's you, haha.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

Next time I see someone at McClumpha Park walking and then suddenly shifting side to side like a goalie Im'ma assume it's you, haha.

It would fit. Ask Bench, us goalies are a weird bunch.

 

[TCNorthstars]

Finally built the gaming pc with my kid. It was fun. He didn’t learn as much as I hoped he would but we still had a good time.

Now we need a decent monitor. 27-32”. Budget is 300-400. Cpu is a ryzen 5700 and gpu is a MSI GeForce 3060 if that helps. Any suggestions?

 

[Bench]

Finally built the gaming pc with my kid. It was fun. He didn’t learn as much as I hoped he would but we still had a good time.

Now we need a decent monitor. 27-32”. Budget is 300-400. Cpu is a ryzen 5700 and gpu is a MSI GeForce 3060 if that helps. Any suggestions?

Well... Believe it or not... I have a 1440p 32 inch display I'm looking to sell. If you don't mind it being used and shipped to ya, we could work out something for the kid.

It's this one. Retails for about $320.

Gigabyte G32QC Review

The Gigabyte G32QC is a decent budget gaming monitor with good dark room performance. It delivers an immersive experience with its large 32-inch screen and 1440p...

www.rtings.com

Only selling because I bought an OLED TV as monitor now.

But I recommend it regardless if you want this particular one. I really enjoyed it. Good panel for gaming. It punches above it's price for that purpose.

 

[TCNorthstars]

Well... Believe it or not... I have a 1440p 32 inch display I'm looking to sell. If you don't mind it being used and shipped to ya, we could work out something for the kid.

It's this one. Retails for about $320.

Gigabyte G32QC Review

The Gigabyte G32QC is a decent budget gaming monitor with good dark room performance. It delivers an immersive experience with its large 32-inch screen and 1440p...

www.rtings.com

Only selling because I bought an OLED TV as monitor now.

But I recommend it regardless if you want this particular one. I really enjoyed it. Good panel for gaming. It punches above it's price for that purpose.

Thanks Bench! Sent you a pm.

 

[Bondurant]

Met a family from Oxford today at Palatine Hill. They were ahead of me getting bottles of water from a vending machine. The dad started talking to me because of my Lions hat.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

This is briiliant

from the San Diego Chargers official social team.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

5 days into my get fit challenge run by my friend Bianca. Feeling a lot better. Don't know if any actual physical changes are in the early process of being made, but damn, the endorphins are making me feel better even though I'm physically sore.

 

[Bench]

5 days into my get fit challenge run by my friend Bianca. Feeling a lot better. Don't know if any actual physical changes are in the early process of being made, but damn, the endorphins are making me feel better even though I'm physically sore.

There's actually physical changes in a week. It's not wild, but everytime I start up again week one is always the brutal one. Week two feels better.

Keep at it, brother!

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

There's actually physical changes in a week. It's not wild, but everytime I start up again week one is always the brutal one. Week two feels better.

Keep at it, brother!

Definitely some mental changes. I went out of my way to find a way to adjust the plan to work with my limited access to exercise gear today. I’m thinking different. Aiming to come back to tending 4 games in a night fitness level.

Thanks to you all. Shootin the shit with some of you guys is exactly like going down to the corner bar hangin out

 

[heyfolks]

This is briiliant

from the San Diego Chargers official social team.

As a long suffering Chargers fan, I approve. some may not like the QB carousel fo Indy (given Rivers went there for a year, but their PR has gone up a ton since moving to LA.

 

[FabricDetails]

@Bench - No way you haven't heard of this story.

 

[Bench]

@Bench - No way you haven't heard of this story.

I remember that guy in the ICU way at the start of all this but I did not know what an incredible comeback he's made. What a journey.

 

[Bench]

Here's an interesting looking hockey indie game being made. They cite NHL 94 as an inspiration and added rougelite elements. Hopefully it's good!

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Super serious question for folks here...

I currently live in Dallas (where I've spent a grand total of 6 of the last 18 months due to work.) and I have considered moving to the country and homesteading. Construction costs in rural communities are anywhere from 20 to 35% higher than I would pay in a larger city so I'm looking at prefabricated options. Originally I was thinking just a lone house for me, but after talking with a friend from work that rents his place out in Port Mansfield TX, it got me thinking about turning it into a side business.

My goal is 5 to 10 acres, starting out with 2 homes (My primary residence and 1 tiny home to rent) then buying 1 more each year for the property before stopping at about 5 or 6.

Here are some of the prefab options I'm considering.
Avrame
The Backcountry Hut Company
Wheelhaus | Tiny houses - Modular prefab homes and cabins
haven — ideabox

I'm mostly looking in the Texas hill country between Austin and San Antonio, and a couple areas in NC between Charlotte and Ashville, and southern Colorado close to the New Mexico border, but I'm open to buying anywhere that I can turn a reasonable profit running a couple AirBNBs. What are some other areas that have affordable acreage that could also be tourist destinations? And has anyone here done anything like this before?

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

Just a quick update. 2.5 weeks into my challenge. Feelin' kickass. Between starting walking on 3/31 and doing this challenge, I'm sustainably down 20 pounds as of this morning. Workouts are ramping up in difficulty, but I'm actually better prepared for them too, so it's progressing nicely. Not aligned with a team at the rink again yet either.

On the verge of two things that I think should be rocket fuel to keep going too.. Either summer/fall seasons start and I'm back in net full time or I'm feeling ready to start consistently running again too.

I highly suggest getting started doing something fun that you enjoy doing to move. It is literally life-changing to get the endorphins flowing.

 

[The Real Pastafarian]

Super serious question for folks here...

I currently live in Dallas (where I've spent a grand total of 6 of the last 18 months due to work.) and I have considered moving to the country and homesteading. Construction costs in rural communities are anywhere from 20 to 35% higher than I would pay in a larger city so I'm looking at prefabricated options. Originally I was thinking just a lone house for me, but after talking with a friend from work that rents his place out in Port Mansfield TX, it got me thinking about turning it into a side business.

My goal is 5 to 10 acres, starting out with 2 homes (My primary residence and 1 tiny home to rent) then buying 1 more each year for the property before stopping at about 5 or 6.

Here are some of the prefab options I'm considering.
Avrame
The Backcountry Hut Company
Wheelhaus | Tiny houses - Modular prefab homes and cabins
haven — ideabox

I'm mostly looking in the Texas hill country between Austin and San Antonio, and a couple areas in NC between Charlotte and Ashville, and southern Colorado close to the New Mexico border, but I'm open to buying anywhere that I can turn a reasonable profit running a couple AirBNBs. What are some other areas that have affordable acreage that could also be tourist destinations? And has anyone here done anything like this before?

Well, that's an interesting idea. Sounds like a more promising investment than any I've found in the current environment. This probably won't be terribly helpful to you, but here's my input:

I'm not sure if you've owned rentals before -- I owned a residential rental many years ago, and I decided it wasn't for me. I just couldn't bring myself to chase people down for rent, knowing they didn't have much money. And I was always worried about one particular renter burning the place down, because he'd use his grill on the porch. But the clincher for me: I talked to a young couple who were interested in renting, but ended up going with another tenant, and then I later found out that the young couple died in a fire a few months after that -- I guess they rented their second choice, and it had some sort of space heater.

So immediately afterward I sold that house.

I still have rentals, but they're vacation rentals, and they're managed by a local company, so I don't have to do anything, other than make decisions about maintenance. It sounds like you're more interested in that sort of non-residential situation.

I know that part of NC -- I have a (non-rental) house in Winston-Salem a couple of hours from there. Beautiful area, wild and rustic, with mountains and little trout streams and waterfalls. The entire state of NC is filling up with people from other parts of the country, so if you're going to buy some land there, you might want to do it sooner rather than later.

Let me know if you move down there, I'll show you my bar. It should be done by then.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Well, that's an interesting idea. Sounds like a more promising investment than any I've found in the current environment. This probably won't be terribly helpful to you, but here's my input:

I'm not sure if you've owned rentals before -- I owned a residential rental many years ago, and I decided it wasn't for me. I just couldn't bring myself to chase people down for rent, knowing they didn't have much money. And I was always worried about one particular renter burning the place down, because he'd use his grill on the porch. But the clincher for me: I talked to a young couple who were interested in renting, but ended up going with another tenant, and then I later found out that the young couple died in a fire a few months after that -- I guess they rented their second choice, and it had some sort of space heater.

So immediately afterward I sold that house.

I still have rentals, but they're vacation rentals, and they're managed by a local company, so I don't have to do anything, other than make decisions about maintenance. It sounds like you're more interested in that sort of non-residential situation.

I know that part of NC -- I have a (non-rental) house in Winston-Salem a couple of hours from there. Beautiful area, wild and rustic, with mountains and little trout streams and waterfalls. The entire state of NC is filling up with people from other parts of the country, so if you're going to buy some land there, you might want to do it sooner rather than later.

Let me know if you move down there, I'll show you my bar. It should be done by then.

I appreciate the input, and yeah. I have a good friend from work that has a side gig with his father renting out residences all over south-southeast Georgia and he's told me some horror stories. The vacation rental is the way I want to go. I think my long term goal would be 10 total vacation rentals and just letting a management company do the heavy lifting. I'm dead tired of working for the man and dealing with micromanagers.

If you don't mind my asking, what are the occupancy rates you usually have for your homes?

 

[The Real Pastafarian]

I appreciate the input, and yeah. I have a good friend from work that has a side gig with his father renting out residences all over south-southeast Georgia and he's told me some horror stories. The vacation rental is the way I want to go. I think my long term goal would be 10 total vacation rentals and just letting a management company do the heavy lifting. I'm dead tired of working for the man and dealing with micromanagers.

If you don't mind my asking, what are the occupancy rates you usually have for your homes?

I have two beach houses in NC, most guests rent by the week. One house is booked solid from mid May through early September, with a couple of weeks rented in April and October; then just occasional short stays at holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving) and otherwise empty from late October through March.

The other house has a few more unrented weeks, even a couple in the prime season, because it's never been rented before and it doesn't yet have any return customers. It will probably be pretty solid next year.

 

[Ricelund]

So who's seen Top Gun?

I saw it in IMAX last night... 10/10, A+!

 

[Konnan511]

So who's seen Top Gun?

I saw it in IMAX last night... 10/10, A+!

I have not, but I can't wait!

I got tickets to Jurassic World for Friday. I'm super excited for it, even if it is terrible, we got the old crew in it which will be fun.

 

[jaster]

So who's seen Top Gun?

I saw it in IMAX last night... 10/10, A+!

I saw it opening night. I brought back my Goose costume I wore for Halloween a few years back. Acquired all the Goose patches, put 'em on my flight suit, grew out my mustache, dug out my old gold cross from church-going childhood (singed my skin a little bit when I wore it again), did my hair like Goose, had my aviator sunglasses. Great time. Several people wanted pictures with me lol.

The movie was great. Totally ridiculous on so many levels, completely unrealistic, but probably would have been disappointed otherwise. *spoiler alert* I did cringe a bit when Maverick and Rooster were trying to eject from that F-14 at the end, when they didn't have parachutes equipped. Small plot hole there.

*another spoiler alert* And then, I came across this fan theory that I kinda love. Helps explain the ridiculousness of surviving your aircraft disintegrating at Mach 10.1, lol. Theory: Top Gun: Maverick Is Mostly a Death Dream

 

[RabidBadger]

Super serious question for folks here...

I currently live in Dallas (where I've spent a grand total of 6 of the last 18 months due to work.) and I have considered moving to the country and homesteading. Construction costs in rural communities are anywhere from 20 to 35% higher than I would pay in a larger city so I'm looking at prefabricated options. Originally I was thinking just a lone house for me, but after talking with a friend from work that rents his place out in Port Mansfield TX, it got me thinking about turning it into a side business.

My goal is 5 to 10 acres, starting out with 2 homes (My primary residence and 1 tiny home to rent) then buying 1 more each year for the property before stopping at about 5 or 6.

Here are some of the prefab options I'm considering.
Avrame
The Backcountry Hut Company
Wheelhaus | Tiny houses - Modular prefab homes and cabins
haven — ideabox

I'm mostly looking in the Texas hill country between Austin and San Antonio, and a couple areas in NC between Charlotte and Ashville, and southern Colorado close to the New Mexico border, but I'm open to buying anywhere that I can turn a reasonable profit running a couple AirBNBs. What are some other areas that have affordable acreage that could also be tourist destinations? And has anyone here done anything like this before?

You might want to check out Trannsylvania County in NC. Someone I worked with in Asheville essentially homesteaded there. The fly fishing is great and the land is good for growing. It's also close to some good hiking areas to draw your Airbnb crowd.

But, like the other poster said, you might want to move quickly. Steve Martin has a house in the area as do alot of 2nd-home Florida jagoffs. You can probably get something reasonable for your purposes though. Henderson County might be a good bet....the area draws people for whitewater kayaking.

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

My expectations for Stranger Things Season 4 were pretty low since there's been so much time off. Started the first episode after the Oilers game the other night and stayed up obscenely late on a binge. That show just always hits right for me, flaws and all.

It also gave me a weird wave of nostalgia for 2010s, early streaming-era television. I was in college when that first season of Stranger Things dropped, and man it just caught like wildfire. You couldn't go to a Halloween party in 2016 without seeing Christmas lights strung up on the wall and someone doing a Winona Ryder impression. Thrones was the pinnacle of it of course - in its prime it felt like there was a new Super Bowl every week.

Now, idk, it just feels like things are spread too thin. So many streaming services putting out content now, but it seems like nothing catches fire the way it did 5-10 years ago. COVID I'm sure is a factor here, took the wind out of a lot of projects' sails. I'm sure it will come back around, but I feel like we're really missing those shows that are so big you can't go anywhere without seeing or hearing about it.