OT: THE OT Thread: Grass mowing szn is here

[MarkusKetterer]

Happy belated bday @Chainshot you fossil! :p

That lady I’ve met, I’ve somehow caused problems. For the past couple of days we’ve hung out in the morning having coffee together, while her kid hangs out and does whatever on the playground (communal playground between her apartment building and mine). Her neighbour brings his kid outside, but he spends his entire time jumping in to our conversation and not actually watching his kid. I pointed out to her that somewhere in his mind he’s threatened by me, so he’s doing his best to shut it down without being obvious. At first she thought I was just being stupid, but she got it today when I gave her the cigarettes she wanted me to get (for context: the next time I went to the reservation to get cigarettes if I could get a carton of hers), and this dude just walked over ignoring his kid. She got it that he’s only friends because he wants her, doesn’t wanna ruin the friendship between their kids, and also doesn’t want problems with him and I that I can’t solve

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Was the birthdays weekend from hell. A friend was in town to celebrate our day, he was born in the same hospital exactly 364 days 18hrs and 37min apart. We grew up about 8 miles distance and served together albeit he lasted 4 more years and retired as a MCPO. So we did the party at the bar, then I had my managers raffle off 10 tickets to the girls. The winners were given matching dresses and bar fined at 0005 to go clubbing. I had a double VIP section in the big disco, by the end of the night we had over 30 of my girls, some friends and managers, and a few other girls looking for their men of the hour. The funny part of the night was walking down Walking Street with 10 girls in matching outfits, we got quite the stares and supposedly ended up on some vloggers YouTube channels.

The next night was my friend celebrating his 55th, and turned his GoGo into an oil wrestling venue. $150 got you 4 ringside seats and a bottle plus mixers. The girls went crazy as the grand prize was 15k baht with 2nd at 10k, so $450 and $300. Considering the girls make 500 a night not counting drinks or bar fines, I was surprised there wasn't more blood.

The 3rd birthday night was more reserved as it started out as dinner, then a GoGo crawl followed by pulling strings to get VIP seating. That night ended by leaving the disco to being blinded by the sunlight.

All in all it was a fun weekend, though it definitely broke my budget

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Seems that being jai dee benefitted the business. At the weekly meeting my managers informed me that quite a few punters came in looking for my girls. They said the guys were showing personal pics and shots from the club's Facebook as we were front and center with their in house photographer.

 

[Jim Bob]

I hope everyone's commute is OK this morning.

 

[brian_griffin]

I hope everyone's commute is OK this morning.

Just the usual aggressive drivers on my 3.2 mile commute.

 

[truthbluth]

I hope everyone's commute is OK this morning.

Commute? What’s that?

 

[Jim Bob]

Just a normal Hump Day in the 585.

 

[brian_griffin]

Just a normal Hump Day in the 585.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Little premature but it's looking like there's a chance I'm getting a promotion to Director soon. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it.

 

[Jim Bob]

It is challenging to be the parent of a 19yo that has yet to learn the value of reliability.

Nate wanted to get a car with a manual transmission to learn how to drive stick so that he has the ability to move cars with manual transmissions around if he gets a job in the future that requires that. I have no issue with that line of thinking.

But, his decision to buy a Porsche 944 as that car when he goes to school and lives in Upstate NY is not a wise one in my opinion, his stepmom's opinion, or his mom's opinion. Heck, even he admitted it was a bad idea but he felt pressed to make the deal due to heading back to school next week and most people with cars for sale were not getting back to him.

At this point, I just hope it lasts through the school year. But, I have my doubts. And I also worry that if something breaks, the availability and cost of parts is going to be a huge issue for him.

But, he thinks "it's sick", so...

 

[MarkusKetterer]

View attachment 736687

It is challenging to be the parent of a 19yo that has yet to learn the value of reliability.

Nate wanted to get a car with a manual transmission to learn how to drive stick so that he has the ability to move cars with manual transmissions around if he gets a job in the future that requires that. I have no issue with that line of thinking.

But, his decision to buy a 1977 Porsche 944 as that car when he goes to school and lives in Upstate NY is not a wise one in my opinion, his stepmom's opinion, or his mom's opinion. Heck, even he admitted it was a bad idea but he felt pressed to make the deal due to heading back to school next week and most people with cars for sale were not getting back to him.

At this point, I just hope it lasts through the school year. But, I have my doubts. And I also worry that if something breaks, the availability and cost of parts is going to be a huge issue for him.

But, he thinks "it's sick", so...

My coworker did the same thing. He can’t really drive stick, but bought one anyway. Kids, I tell ya…

 

[Jim Bob]

My coworker did the same thing. He can’t really drive stick, but bought one anyway. Kids, I tell ya…

I think that having a daily driver that is a stick is the best way for him to learn how to drive it.

My issue is just with the everything about the car other than it being a manual.

 

[Jim Bob]

Pro athletes with creative social media handles always make me smile.



I knew this was coming a few weeks ago after I emailed the AD to say that they needed to get this done and he said they had signed him the day before.

But, it is good to know that Nate has some stability at head coach as I doubt Coach Cooper will want to leave over the next three years.

 

[oldgoalie]

I think that having a daily driver that is a stick is the best way for him to learn how to drive it.

My issue is just with the everything about the car other than it being a manual.

The 944, while badass looking back in the day, is not for the faint of heart. IIRC, lots of aluminum in that ride.
That aside, I learned how to drive a stick in about 25 minutes after I bought one, and the sales guy took me out back and taught me the basics. That was a three on the tree, too.

 

[Jim Bob]

The 944, while badass looking back in the day, is not for the faint of heart. IIRC, lots of aluminum in that ride.
That aside, I learned how to drive a stick in about 25 minutes after I bought one, and the sales guy took me out back and taught me the basics. That was a three on the tree, too.

The challenge is that not all manual transmissions are as easy to use as others, in my experience. My MIL used to have a Corvette convertible that was her Sunday drive car. Neither my wife nor my BIL knew how to drive a stick. But, my MIL let me take it out for a few dates with my then GF after I passed her driver's test. That stick was not as user friendly as the ones that I had on my previous daily drivers (Saturn sedan & Kia Soul). Even my mom's Subaru Imprezas have been unique and taken me a bit to get used to when I've had to move them for her.

 

[Digable5]

View attachment 736687

It is challenging to be the parent of a 19yo that has yet to learn the value of reliability.

Nate wanted to get a car with a manual transmission to learn how to drive stick so that he has the ability to move cars with manual transmissions around if he gets a job in the future that requires that. I have no issue with that line of thinking.

But, his decision to buy a Porsche 944 as that car when he goes to school and lives in Upstate NY is not a wise one in my opinion, his stepmom's opinion, or his mom's opinion. Heck, even he admitted it was a bad idea but he felt pressed to make the deal due to heading back to school next week and most people with cars for sale were not getting back to him.

At this point, I just hope it lasts through the school year. But, I have my doubts. And I also worry that if something breaks, the availability and cost of parts is going to be a huge issue for him.

But, he thinks "it's sick", so...

Point: It is sick. Congrats!

I'm not mechanically inclined, but I do like looking at and driving cars. There have been plenty of "dream" cars over the years I've wanted to buy. When I was younger, I didn't have the money. Now that I have the money, I have a wife that tells me "No".

If he can afford to buy it and has no one to tell him "No", it's the great Venn Diagram to do something dumb.....I mean to make bad decisions.....I mean to do something that you love but might not have the chance to do again.

My daughter is about to turn 16. My wife and I have discussed getting her a car. Since my family couldn't afford such luxuries when I was younger, I kind of want to spoil her. I keep looking for good deals on Jaguars, Audi, Mercedes, etc... I'm sure we will end up with something practical like a Honda or Toyota. I want my kids' classmates to be "jealous" of them. Is that so wrong? Yes, yes it is. And I don't care.

 

[Jim Bob]

Point: It is sick. Congrats!

I'm not mechanically inclined, but I do like looking at and driving cars. There have been plenty of "dream" cars over the years I've wanted to buy. When I was younger, I didn't have the money. Now that I have the money, I have a wife that tells me "No".

If he can afford to buy it and has no one to tell him "No", it's the great Venn Diagram to do something dumb.....I mean to make bad decisions.....I mean to do something that you love but might not have the chance to do again.

My daughter is about to turn 16. My wife and I have discussed getting her a car. Since my family couldn't afford such luxuries when I was younger, I kind of want to spoil her. I keep looking for good deals on Jaguars, Audi, Mercedes, etc... I'm sure we will end up with something practical like a Honda or Toyota. I want my kids' classmates to be "jealous" of them. Is that so wrong? Yes, yes it is. And I don't care.

He's had two previous vehicles that ended up broken down in his mom's driveway. This car will stop being sick if it ends up like those previous two vehicles. That is my concern.

I told him that if he had a second vehicle that was more reliable, especially when it comes to driving in the snow, then I would feel a whole heck of a lot better about this.

But, he didn't buy this to be a "Sunday drive car" but to be a daily driver in the Rochester and Syracuse area.

 

[TehDoak]

The challenge is that not all manual transmissions are as easy to use as others, in my experience. My MIL used to have a Corvette convertible that was her Sunday drive car. Neither my wife nor my BIL knew how to drive a stick. But, my MIL let me take it out for a few dates with my then GF after I passed her driver's test. That stick was not as user friendly as the ones that I had on my previous daily drivers (Saturn sedan & Kia Soul). Even my mom's Subaru Imprezas have been unique and taken me a bit to get used to when I've had to move them for her.

Learning stick is going to be about as useful as knowing how to dial a rotary phone in the next 20 years. They are a rarity today and as car battery costs drop, electric cars are going to be everywhere. It's pretty rare to find one outside a hobbyist car. It'll be just for antiques soon.

 

[Jim Bob]

Learning stick is going to be about as useful as knowing how to dial a rotary phone in the next 20 years. They are a rarity today and as car battery costs drop, electric cars are going to be everywhere. It's pretty rare to find one outside a hobbyist car. It'll be just for antiques soon.

They have become rare in the US, but outside of the US, the vast majority of vehicles on the road are still manuals.

Plus, if he wants to keep open the chance of working in specialty shops, then it will be a skill he will need. And given the quality of the school he is attending, I am sure he has a handle on what he will need to know once he graduates.

 

[Burgmania]

I won tickets to NASCAR at the Glen this weekend. It'll be twice to the Glen this summer for me, as I was able to take in the Sahlen's Six Hours. What a fun time that was - hoping the NASCAR event will be just as fun!

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Little premature but it's looking like there's a chance I'm getting a promotion to Director soon. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it.

Maybe not as premature as I thought. Looks like it could be done by September 7th.

 

[oldgoalie]

Maybe not as premature as I thought. Looks like it could be done by September 7th.

congrats! if it's anything like a director position at the places I've worked, get ready for the political shitstorm sure to follow.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

congrats! if it's anything like a director position at the places I've worked, get ready for the political shitstorm sure to follow.

It will be that, for sure.

 

[Digable5]

He's had two previous vehicles that ended up broken down in his mom's driveway. This car will stop being sick if it ends up like those previous two vehicles. That is my concern.

I told him that if he had a second vehicle that was more reliable, especially when it comes to driving in the snow, then I would feel a whole heck of a lot better about this.

But, he didn't buy this to be a "Sunday drive car" but to be a daily driver in the Rochester and Syracuse area.

When I was 19 I needed to buy my first car. I found this “sick” 1987 white BMW 325i. First dream car since getting my license. But, I knew in Buffalo it couldn’t be my daily driver. I tried to find a way to get a beater for the winters AND this BMW. Unfortunately I maxed out my credit on the 1987 Ford Bronco II instead. I’ve spent the last 26 years wishing I had a 1987 BMWi.

As a parent myself I totally get your side of things, but having been in his position many years ago I’m happy for him. Life’s too short.

 

[brian_griffin]

Little premature but it's looking like there's a chance I'm getting a promotion to Director soon. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it.

Maybe not as premature as I thought. Looks like it could be done by September 7th.

I assume this is not related to theater productions Congrats.

My company / division has a "sister division" where it seems half the people with a pulse have a title of vice president. It's a running joke.

I chose a technical ladder for my career path, because I recognized I would have to sell my soul and / or give up too much personal time to achieve director or director-equivalent status. I'm one step below and content to ride my career out. The difference in integrated (cumulative) compensation isn't trivial, however, likely would have halved my timeline until retirement (i.e., several years).

Good luck with the politics!!