Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

venture said:

abacomike said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

Scotty will post anything to get clicks.
Similarly, driver100 will post anything to raise his number of them.

You may be in to something there. Has anyone seen both driver100 and Scotty at the same time? Coincidence ? Hmmmmmm.

Or has anyone seen driver100 and Batman at the same time, or with Superman at the same time? I'm beginning to think driver100 might have some issues.

You're just beginning to think Driver100 has some issues (with an emphasis on the word "beginning")? I figured that out 6 years ago! 😜🤪🤓🤙

You mean this guy?

See, people collect memorabilia about me. Others may laugh, but that picture could be valuable one day.

driver100

stickguy -or some reason I got thinking the other day about how my TLX is about the last of the "old school" cars in the premium/luxury segment. No turbo, no funky engine gimmicks (cylinder deactivation or auto stop/start). and at least in the 4 banger version, a normal shift lever

The E400 glides along, has lots of electronics and extras....but, it is kind of refreshing to drive the simpler C250. It has the turbo which I wouldn't want to give up, but, simplifies life not having all the extra gizmos that you have to think about....especially OFF/ON and changing radio stations by pushing and pulling the media dial-stick thing. Don't even have to worry about looking at a rear view camera.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

venture said:

abacomike said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

Scotty will post anything to get clicks.
Similarly, driver100 will post anything to raise his number of them.

You may be in to something there. Has anyone seen both driver100 and Scotty at the same time? Coincidence ? Hmmmmmm.

Or has anyone seen driver100 and Batman at the same time, or with Superman at the same time? I'm beginning to think driver100 might have some issues.

You're just beginning to think Driver100 has some issues (with an emphasis on the word "beginning")? I figured that out 6 years ago! 😜🤪🤓🤙

You mean this guy?

See, people collect memorabilia about me. Others may laugh, but that picture could be valuable one day.

Yes that picture can be valuable, blackmail can be profitable.

roadburner

Thinking back to the comments about cruises awhile back...
We were having one of our interminable Skype dockets and one of the Public Defenders was arguing a motion for the early release of one of her clients. In her argument she stated that detention centers can act like a petri dish for Covid-19 and that it was "worse than being on a cruise ship."
I replied that I had to respectfully disagree with defense counsel in one critical respect: there is absolutely nothing that could be worse than being on a cruise ship.
One of the other defense attorneys sent me a text saying I needed to warn her when I made comments like that because she almost lost it and would have received a dirty look from the judge.

suydam

I personally have no interest in cruises, but some good friends really like them and go on them all the time.

jipster

suydam said:

I personally have no interest in cruises, but some good friends really like them and go on them all the time.

Went on my first cruise a couple of years ago. It was fairly entertaining. Almost got in a brawl with some idiot who made a inappropriate pass at my sister in law. My brother in law saw it happen, went up to this mid 20's guy and told him he would....kick his @#$. I had been drinking a tad, a tad!... and didn't know what had happened at that point, but tried to calm my bil down, got him to back off. After 20 minutes the guy comes back over and says he wants to fight us....back in his cabin....or ours, he don't care! After 5 minute of those 2 jawing back and fourth, with me trying to be the peacemaker, I was able to get security and get things settled down. Seriously thought I'd end up having to fight some guy half my age...and sorry to say, don't think I would have won....or lived to tell about it.

Besides the crowds everywhere, the puny cabin... the cruise was a fairly good time. But, not something I'd want to make a habit of. Saw the ruins of Chichen Itzu. Snorkeling in Cosemel.(sp) Suppose to go on another cruise in December, but don't think it'll happen.

oldfarmer50

Getting beaten up by a fellow passenger is better than getting thrown overboard by a staff member who didn’t like your tip I suppose. Even before the current crisis, being stuffed into close contact with 2000 strangers was taking a health risk.

I have no desire to go on one.

omarman

Before 2020 CE (Coronavirus Era) my friend and I saw a news blurb about a retired man who "lives on a cruise ship" since his wife passed away. Funny story but not likely that he actually lived there 24/7. Still made us wonder how the old guy could survive extended cruise ship living even before Covid-19.

qbrozen

jipster said:

suydam said:

I personally have no interest in cruises, but some good friends really like them and go on them all the time.

Went on my first cruise a couple of years ago. It was fairly entertaining. Almost got in a brawl with some idiot who made a inappropriate pass at my sister in law. My brother in law saw it happen, went up to this mid 20's guy and told him he would....kick his @#$. I had been drinking a tad, a tad!... and didn't know what had happened at that point, but tried to calm my bil down, got him to back off. After 20 minutes the guy comes back over and says he wants to fight us....back in his cabin....or ours, he don't care! After 5 minute of those 2 jawing back and fourth, with me trying to be the peacemaker, I was able to get security and get things settled down. Seriously thought I'd end up having to fight some guy half my age...and sorry to say, don't think I would have won....or lived to tell about it.

Besides the crowds everywhere, the puny cabin... the cruise was a fairly good time. But, not something I'd want to make a habit of. Saw the ruins of Chichen Itzu. Snorkeling in Cosemel.(sp) Suppose to go on another cruise in December, but don't think it'll happen.

The guy wanted to go back to his cabin or yours? Sounds like he was hitting on YOU.

stickguy

They appear to actually have year round residents. Cheaper than an assisted living place. I assume they change ships occasionally though. Did seem weird to me.

ab348

jipster said:

Went on my first cruise a couple of years ago. It was fairly entertaining. Almost got in a brawl with some idiot who made a inappropriate pass at my sister in law. My brother in law saw it happen, went up to this mid 20's guy and told him he would....kick his @#$. I had been drinking a tad, a tad!... and didn't know what had happened at that point, but tried to calm my bil down, got him to back off. After 20 minutes the guy comes back over and says he wants to fight us....back in his cabin....or ours, he don't care! After 5 minute of those 2 jawing back and fourth, with me trying to be the peacemaker, I was able to get security and get things settled down. Seriously thought I'd end up having to fight some guy half my age...and sorry to say, don't think I would have won....or lived to tell about it.

Maybe the guy thought he was on one of those hookup cruises and figured anything was on the table.

ab348

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

and they can easily CGI in a crowd and crowd noise. Especially in racing where you really don't get a clear look at the crowd anyway, unless they do a close up shot. During the race it just blurs past.

The spoofers were actually in the top rows of the grandstand, so they could spread out.

I found it funny when they showed a shot of them later in the race that they were mostly all together. Mike Joy made the comment that they started out spread apart to maintain proper distancing and then just let the picture tell the story that they had abandoned that.

driver100

The only cruises I would recommend are ones where you see a lot of places that are nearby....like Rome, Florence, Venice, Pompeii it saves you making travel and hotel arrangements - and you keep the same room. Also if you want to see St Petersburg Russia......otherwise you need a Visa which is a lot of work. That can be combined with a Baltic cruise.....once again multiple stops.

But going to islands and see kids begging for money and looking at things made out of straw is not my idea of a fun time.

driver100

roadburner said:

I replied that I had to respectfully disagree with defense counsel in one critical respect: there is absolutely nothing that could be worse than being on a cruise ship.

One at sea day is extremely boring unless I guess you like to gamble or spend hours in the bar. But waiting 2 months in your cabin until you can depart would be torture.

One sight I will never forget was a guy at the all you can eat buffet, he had two huge mountains of food and carried his two plates to the table to dig in to them....all by himself.

stickguy

Small riverboat cruises like that are much different than the giant cruise liners. I would do a European river cruise an a small boat. My parents did them every year.

ronsteve

driver100 said:

qbrozen said:

I’ve got lots of useless half-formed opinions, so I’d probably give youtube a shot as a self-proclaimed gearhead if I didn’t have this constant fear of being found by people I don’t want finding me.

Might as well. they seem to let any idiot who doesn't hold down a real job go on and spout off as if they know what they are talking about.

Actually though.....I thought this one made a bit of sense, and in it he says or alludes to that he actually has a Masters Degree from the University of Illinois:

Why Toyota Makes the Most Reliable Cars, Japanese vs American Culture

Oldfarmer, according to Scotty, that Camry would make a great Uber car.

I have a master's degree from the University of Illinois but you won't find me on YouTube!

roadburner

We liked the on-shore cruise activities but that was it.

driver100

ronsteve said:

driver100 said:

qbrozen said:

I’ve got lots of useless half-formed opinions, so I’d probably give youtube a shot as a self-proclaimed gearhead if I didn’t have this constant fear of being found by people I don’t want finding me.

Might as well. they seem to let any idiot who doesn't hold down a real job go on and spout off as if they know what they are talking about.

Actually though.....I thought this one made a bit of sense, and in it he says or alludes to that he actually has a Masters Degree from the University of Illinois:

Why Toyota Makes the Most Reliable Cars, Japanese vs American Culture

Oldfarmer, according to Scotty, that Camry would make a great Uber car.

I have a master's degree from the University of Illinois but you won't find me on YouTube!

Scotty is probably a freakin genius.......he just acts this way to seem like a regular guy. ...and it works!

graphicguy

driver100 said:

roadburner said:

imidazol97 said:

Scotty needs to be banned from here. PC. I watched the wiper blade video.

So many scientifically untrue, untested statements. LOL. He even throws in some conspiracy theory about how the stores don't want to sell them because they wouldn't get to make smaller profits per time from selling many more inferior rubber wiper blades more often to the unsuspecting public. That's right there next to the 100-miles per gallon carburetor some car company hid away after buying the patent for it back in the 50s.'

This guy's awful.

As I've said before, he is a complete and utter tool.

.....an utter fool....who probably makes $200 grand a year! Call me crazy, I don't care if I can rake in that kind of dough.

Scotty has said more than once that he’s a millionaire because of his frugal ways. But, he also said the land his house/shop sit on are worth millions. The land better be worth something because his shop and his property look like they’re trashed. Who knows? He’s somewhere around Houston, though. He had a local mechanic show on a TX public access channel for a while. True? I dunno. If you’ve seen one of his videos, you get a pretty good idea about how they are all going to go.

He loves Toyotas, and to a lesser extent, Hondas...especially if they’re manufactured in Japan. He has no use for Chrysler or GM, and is just a smidgen more forgiving of Ford.

He despises Mercedes, BMW and Audi, though.

There...I just summed up his entire channel for you.

graphicguy

suydam said:

I personally have no interest in cruises, but some good friends really like them and go on them all the time.

We like them. Can’t get the sort of accommodations, food, entertainment etc for the price anywhere else.

The GF actually booked us on an Alaska cruise in October. Not sure if that will happen, but we’ll see.

jmonroe1

imidazol97 said:

What's the vaste reservoir of knowledge here about radon. Son and DIL are buying the house they fell in love with. It's not in the description, but the disclosure papers tell that it has a radon system installed. It has a basement that's unfinished. It's a tightly sealed 4000 sq ft home by a quality high end builder in that area from 2002.

Should they be concerned that it needed mitigation equipment.

If I wasn’t so busy with flip house #2, I would have commented earlier. In short I’d say you don’t have to be concerned but I have a little story about this:

When Son #1 bought his first house about 6 months after he was married in 2000, his 8 year old house had a radon mitigation system already installed. One nice Spring day about a dozen neighbors were talking in his driveway. One of the women asked about the plastic pipe going up the side of his house. When he said it was a radon mitigation system her response was, “ew that’s dangerous isn’t it”. He said, “it could be if it’s too high but with my system the radon level is way below what is considered safe levels. I’d be willing to bet that other homes around here have what are considered unsafe levels and the owners don’t even know it. The homes might have been OK if and when they were first tested but concrete floors develop cracks over time and that’s when you could have a problem. The only way to know for sure is to have it tested again”. Well, that caused a mild panic with the young moms so they had their husbands schedule an appointment for testing ASAP. Most of the homes were within acceptable levels but there were a few that were not. However, without exception, all of the homes that were deemed safe had radon levels higher than his house. So, it depends on how safe you feel you have to be. I hope this helped.

jmonroe

snakeweasel

graphicguy said:

driver100 said:

roadburner said:

imidazol97 said:

Scotty needs to be banned from here. PC. I watched the wiper blade video.

So many scientifically untrue, untested statements. LOL. He even throws in some conspiracy theory about how the stores don't want to sell them because they wouldn't get to make smaller profits per time from selling many more inferior rubber wiper blades more often to the unsuspecting public. That's right there next to the 100-miles per gallon carburetor some car company hid away after buying the patent for it back in the 50s.'

This guy's awful.

As I've said before, he is a complete and utter tool.

.....an utter fool....who probably makes $200 grand a year! Call me crazy, I don't care if I can rake in that kind of dough.

Scotty has said more than once that he’s a millionaire because of his frugal ways. But, he also said the land his house/shop sit on are worth millions. The land better be worth something because his shop and his property look like they’re trashed. Who knows? He’s somewhere around Houston, though. He had a local mechanic show on a TX public access channel for a while. True? I dunno. If you’ve seen one of his videos, you get a pretty good idea about how they are all going to go.

He loves Toyotas, and to a lesser extent, Hondas...especially if they’re manufactured in Japan. He has no use for Chrysler or GM, and is just a smidgen more forgiving of Ford.

He despises Mercedes, BMW and Audi, though.

There...I just summed up his entire channel for you.

How does he feel about Lada?

imidazol97

jmonroe1 said:

When Son #1 bought his first house about 6 months after he was married in 2000, his 8 year old house had a radon mitigation system already installed. One nice Spring day about a dozen neighbors were talking in his driveway. One of the women asked about the plastic pipe going up the side of his house. When he said it was a radon mitigation system her response was, “ew that’s dangerous isn’t it”. He said, “it could be if it’s too high but with my system the radon level is way below what is considered safe levels. I’d be willing to bet that other homes around here have what are considered unsafe levels and the owners don’t even know it. The homes might have been OK if and when they were first tested but concrete floors develop cracks over time and that’s when you could have a problem. The only way to know for sure is to have it tested again”. Well, that caused a mild panic with the young moms so they had their husbands schedule an appointment for testing ASAP. Most of the homes were within acceptable levels but there were a few that were not. However, without exception, all of the homes that were deemed safe had radon levels higher than his house. So, it depends on how safe you feel you have to be. I hope this helped.
jmonroe

I don't know what kind of mitigation system was installed until they get possession
of the house. Passive? Active? I dont' see a pipe going up on the outside of the house.
@oldfarmer50 mentioned the type of subsurface soil affects the migration of the gas
through the ground. They are above the large aquifer area here containing gravel pushed by the
glaciers over this area. So it makes sense they have more likely radon infiltration than here where I
am with clay soil undersurface.

If someone knows their house builds up old air with some radon, just leaving a window open or exhaust fan running when house has been closed up can be enough to reduce levels.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

driver100 said:

roadburner said:

imidazol97 said:

Scotty needs to be banned from here. PC. I watched the wiper blade video.

So many scientifically untrue, untested statements. LOL. He even throws in some conspiracy theory about how the stores don't want to sell them because they wouldn't get to make smaller profits per time from selling many more inferior rubber wiper blades more often to the unsuspecting public. That's right there next to the 100-miles per gallon carburetor some car company hid away after buying the patent for it back in the 50s.'

This guy's awful.

As I've said before, he is a complete and utter tool.

.....an utter fool....who probably makes $200 grand a year! Call me crazy, I don't care if I can rake in that kind of dough.

Scotty has said more than once that he’s a millionaire because of his frugal ways. But, he also said the land his house/shop sit on are worth millions. The land better be worth something because his shop and his property look like they’re trashed. Who knows? He’s somewhere around Houston, though. He had a local mechanic show on a TX public access channel for a while. True? I dunno. If you’ve seen one of his videos, you get a pretty good idea about how they are all going to go.

He loves Toyotas, and to a lesser extent, Hondas...especially if they’re manufactured in Japan. He has no use for Chrysler or GM, and is just a smidgen more forgiving of Ford.

He despises Mercedes, BMW and Audi, though.

There...I just summed up his entire channel for you.

How does he feel about Lada?

I could post the video but may upset a few...try youtube, Scotty What Soviet Cars are Like, Russian Made Lada
btw....he seems to like it but I think this was made in his early days.

28firefighter

Our Alaska Cruise has been rescheduled for August 2021. They allowed us to keep our rate, perks, etc. (which were very good) and just shift it to the 2021 sailing. That also mitigated needing to make final payment now, which I could not stomach knowing full well they'd probably cancel.

qbrozen

driver100 said:

ronsteve said:

driver100 said:

qbrozen said:

I’ve got lots of useless half-formed opinions, so I’d probably give youtube a shot as a self-proclaimed gearhead if I didn’t have this constant fear of being found by people I don’t want finding me.

Might as well. they seem to let any idiot who doesn't hold down a real job go on and spout off as if they know what they are talking about.

Actually though.....I thought this one made a bit of sense, and in it he says or alludes to that he actually has a Masters Degree from the University of Illinois:

Why Toyota Makes the Most Reliable Cars, Japanese vs American Culture

Oldfarmer, according to Scotty, that Camry would make a great Uber car.

I have a master's degree from the University of Illinois but you won't find me on YouTube!

Scotty is probably a freakin genius.......he just acts this way to seem like a regular guy. ...and it works!

What the hell kind of "regular" people do you hang out with? If Scotty was a representation of who I'd run into on any given day out in the real world, I'd go live on top of a remote mountain with zero personal interactions.

carnaught

You cruise haters sound like you’d be going on the Titanic with Norovirus. No, I know they’re not for everybody.

Like @graphicguy, wife and I love going....NOT during these Covid times, however...it IS a culture medium.

Norovirus outbreaks, for the most part are rare and fortunately we have not participated in them. I must say, being on a larger ship is smooth and calm - any gentle rocking you might feel seems to lull one asleep at night. We’ve never gotten the least sea sick or slightly nauseated. We always get a small or large suite, an even have gotten the two-floor suites with a living room with sound system and second bath and dining area on the first floor. Although we are usually not drinkers, there is something very relaxing and enjoyable about sitting up in the concierge lounge sipping on a well made drink, an unlimited amount included with your cabin plan, and watching out of a panoramic window, a slow departure from port. Then after chatting with people, all stress-free and in great moods, feeling a little “happy”, your biggest task is deciding on which of several great restaurant venues you want to go for dinner. Not having to bring anything with you but your door card/ship pass, you then look forward to a great dinner with great service. After dinner you can go to a show aboard or nightclub or just walk out, see the moon and calming waters, and plan your next day’s excursion and activity(s). During the day, when out to sea, walk the deck, go to the gym, then curl up with a book in a great choice of venues aboard. To me the scenario is totally stress-free and relaxing. There is no greater bang for the buck - top entertainment at night, great restaurants and the chance to get off and explore when you’re in port, be as active as you want, or just relax.

With life changed the way it is now, I hope this won’t become a thing of the past.

jmonroe1

sda said:

I have a Dyson that is about 5 yrs old. I paid way too much for it. My wife was surprised that I bought it and still won’t use it in fear of dropping and breaking it. It won’t stand on its own so you have to set it down carefully when it’s not hung on the wall to charge. About a year ago the beater bar motor head stopped working. It was out of warranty so I was prepared to buy a replacement part, hoping not to buy a new unit. Dyson sent me the needed parts at no charge, which was a very pleasant surprise. The run time from the battery is starting to fade and the battery isn’t replaceable so not sure what’s next when it becomes unusable.

C’mon man, it’s going to be a curb ornament on garbage pickup day and you know it.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

sda said:

I have a Dyson that is about 5 yrs old. I paid way too much for it. My wife was surprised that I bought it and still won’t use it in fear of dropping and breaking it. It won’t stand on its own so you have to set it down carefully when it’s not hung on the wall to charge. About a year ago the beater bar motor head stopped working. It was out of warranty so I was prepared to buy a replacement part, hoping not to buy a new unit. Dyson sent me the needed parts at no charge, which was a very pleasant surprise. The run time from the battery is starting to fade and the battery isn’t replaceable so not sure what’s next when it becomes unusable.

Is it REALLY not replaceable? Or is it like Apple products and they just say its not replaceable but the brave can pull it off?

My wife is out of her damned mind when it comes to vacuums. I have a dyson sitting in my garage that is relegated to car use. Her excuses for kicking vacuums out of the house vary far and wide, from “not enough power” to “It makes a funny smell.” My folks had ONE vacuum their entire marriage. I’ve averaged at least 1 every 2 yrs.

Damn, that sounds like Mrs.@qbrozen ripped a page out of your Chronic Car Buyer’s Anonymous book.

jmonroe

snakeweasel

carnaught said:

You cruise haters sound like you’d be going on the Titanic with Norovirus. No, I know they’re not for everybody.

Like @graphicguy, wife and I love going....NOT during these Covid times, however...it IS a culture medium.

Norovirus outbreaks, for the most part are rare and fortunately we have not participated in them. I must say, being on a larger ship is smooth and calm - any gentle rocking you might feel seems to lull one asleep at night. We’ve never gotten the least sea sick or slightly nauseated. We always get a small or large suite, an even have gotten the two-floor suites with a living room with sound system and second bath and dining area on the first floor. Although we are usually not drinkers, there is something very relaxing and enjoyable about sitting up in the concierge lounge sipping on a well made drink, an unlimited amount included with your cabin plan, and watching out of a panoramic window, a slow departure from port. Then after chatting with people, all stress-free and in great moods, feeling a little “happy”, your biggest task is deciding on which of several great restaurant venues you want to go for dinner. Not having to bring anything with you but your door card/ship pass, you then look forward to a great dinner with great service. After dinner you can go to a show aboard or nightclub or just walk out, see the moon and calming waters, and plan your next day’s excursion and activity(s). During the day, when out to sea, walk the deck, go to the gym, then curl up with a book in a great choice of venues aboard. To me the scenario is totally stress-free and relaxing. There is no greater bang for the buck - top entertainment at night, great restaurants and the chance to get off and explore when you’re in port, be as active as you want, or just relax.

With life changed the way it is now, I hope this won’t become a thing of the past.

So how long have you worked for the cruise industry?

oldfarmer50

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

driver100 said:

roadburner said:

imidazol97 said:

Scotty needs to be banned from here. PC. I watched the wiper blade video.

So many scientifically untrue, untested statements. LOL. He even throws in some conspiracy theory about how the stores don't want to sell them because they wouldn't get to make smaller profits per time from selling many more inferior rubber wiper blades more often to the unsuspecting public. That's right there next to the 100-miles per gallon carburetor some car company hid away after buying the patent for it back in the 50s.'

This guy's awful.

As I've said before, he is a complete and utter tool.

.....an utter fool....who probably makes $200 grand a year! Call me crazy, I don't care if I can rake in that kind of dough.

Scotty has said more than once that he’s a millionaire because of his frugal ways. But, he also said the land his house/shop sit on are worth millions. The land better be worth something because his shop and his property look like they’re trashed. Who knows? He’s somewhere around Houston, though. He had a local mechanic show on a TX public access channel for a while. True? I dunno. If you’ve seen one of his videos, you get a pretty good idea about how they are all going to go.

He loves Toyotas, and to a lesser extent, Hondas...especially if they’re manufactured in Japan. He has no use for Chrysler or GM, and is just a smidgen more forgiving of Ford.

He despises Mercedes, BMW and Audi, though.

There...I just summed up his entire channel for you.

How does he feel about Lada?

Since you asked:

https://youtu.be/KMPQI08nJ5U

roadburner

carnaught said:

You cruise haters sound like you’d be going on the Titanic with Norovirus. No, I know they’re not for everybody.

Like @graphicguy, wife and I love going....NOT during these Covid times, however...it IS a culture medium.

Norovirus outbreaks, for the most part are rare and fortunately we have not participated in them. I must say, being on a larger ship is smooth and calm - any gentle rocking you might feel seems to lull one asleep at night. We’ve never gotten the least sea sick or slightly nauseated. We always get a small or large suite, an even have gotten the two-floor suites with a living room with sound system and second bath and dining area on the first floor. Although we are usually not drinkers, there is something very relaxing and enjoyable about sitting up in the concierge lounge sipping on a well made drink, an unlimited amount included with your cabin plan, and watching out of a panoramic window, a slow departure from port. Then after chatting with people, all stress-free and in great moods, feeling a little “happy”, your biggest task is deciding on which of several great restaurant venues you want to go for dinner. Not having to bring anything with you but your door card/ship pass, you then look forward to a great dinner with great service. After dinner you can go to a show aboard or nightclub or just walk out, see the moon and calming waters, and plan your next day’s excursion and activity(s). During the day, when out to sea, walk the deck, go to the gym, then curl up with a book in a great choice of venues aboard. To me the scenario is totally stress-free and relaxing. There is no greater bang for the buck - top entertainment at night, great restaurants and the chance to get off and explore when you’re in port, be as active as you want, or just relax.

With life changed the way it is now, I hope this won’t become a thing of the past.

I suppose if I took enough mind altering substance I might-repeat, MIGHT-share your opinion. That said, I suspect I would OD before that happened.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

jmonroe1 said:

When Son #1 bought his first house about 6 months after he was married in 2000, his 8 year old house had a radon mitigation system already installed. One nice Spring day about a dozen neighbors were talking in his driveway. One of the women asked about the plastic pipe going up the side of his house. When he said it was a radon mitigation system her response was, “ew that’s dangerous isn’t it”. He said, “it could be if it’s too high but with my system the radon level is way below what is considered safe levels. I’d be willing to bet that other homes around here have what are considered unsafe levels and the owners don’t even know it. The homes might have been OK if and when they were first tested but concrete floors develop cracks over time and that’s when you could have a problem. The only way to know for sure is to have it tested again”. Well, that caused a mild panic with the young moms so they had their husbands schedule an appointment for testing ASAP. Most of the homes were within acceptable levels but there were a few that were not. However, without exception, all of the homes that were deemed safe had radon levels higher than his house. So, it depends on how safe you feel you have to be. I hope this helped.
jmonroe

I don't know what kind of mitigation system was installed until they get possession
of the house. Passive? Active? I dont' see a pipe going up on the outside of the house.
@oldfarmer50 mentioned the type of subsurface soil affects the migration of the gas
through the ground. They are above the large aquifer area here containing gravel pushed by the
glaciers over this area. So it makes sense they have more likely radon infiltration than here where I
am with clay soil undersurface.

If someone knows their house builds up old air with some radon, just leaving a window open or exhaust fan running when house has been closed up can be enough to reduce levels.

Yep, gravely soil allows the gas to migrate. An open window will do the trick but it’s hard to do that in the winter. An AC system will work too if it takes in outside air.

dino001

I go to national parks, historical cities for vacation. Still have a long list to check. I'm too old for it now, but in the past a week in woods with a backpack used to be my ideal vacation. Sleeping in a tent of mountain hostel, boy how I miss it. Now I need at least a clean motel room, cabin or chalet with a kitchen for a base for my sightseeing or hiking. I stay within North America to see nature, or I go to places like Europe to see culture. Would like to see some places on other continents, but it may take a while now.
"Going places" cruises, like Alaska, European rivers, etc. may be of interest to me in some distant future, when I'm too old to do sight seeing on my own. Caribbean-style of cruises - never. Nothing to do with health concerns. Those cruises are "resort" style and to me a week in a tropical resort would probably be even worse for me - on a ship you at least move forward and change places.

carnaught

roadburner said:

carnaught said:

You cruise haters sound like you’d be going on the Titanic with Norovirus. No, I know they’re not for everybody.

Like @graphicguy, wife and I love going....NOT during these Covid times, however...it IS a culture medium.

Norovirus outbreaks, for the most part are rare and fortunately we have not participated in them. I must say, being on a larger ship is smooth and calm - any gentle rocking you might feel seems to lull one asleep at night. We’ve never gotten the least sea sick or slightly nauseated. We always get a small or large suite, an even have gotten the two-floor suites with a living room with sound system and second bath and dining area on the first floor. Although we are usually not drinkers, there is something very relaxing and enjoyable about sitting up in the concierge lounge sipping on a well made drink, an unlimited amount included with your cabin plan, and watching out of a panoramic window, a slow departure from port. Then after chatting with people, all stress-free and in great moods, feeling a little “happy”, your biggest task is deciding on which of several great restaurant venues you want to go for dinner. Not having to bring anything with you but your door card/ship pass, you then look forward to a great dinner with great service. After dinner you can go to a show aboard or nightclub or just walk out, see the moon and calming waters, and plan your next day’s excursion and activity(s). During the day, when out to sea, walk the deck, go to the gym, then curl up with a book in a great choice of venues aboard. To me the scenario is totally stress-free and relaxing. There is no greater bang for the buck - top entertainment at night, great restaurants and the chance to get off and explore when you’re in port, be as active as you want, or just relax.

With life changed the way it is now, I hope this won’t become a thing of the past.

I suppose if I took enough mind altering substance I might-repeat, MIGHT-share your opinion. That said, I suspect I would OD before that happened.

You’re obviously free to do life your way, the “right” way .

driver100

carnaught">You cruise haters sound like you’d be going on the Titanic with Norovirus. No, I know they’re not for everybody.

Carnaught...I think it depends on where you are in life. If you have a stressful job/life, a cruise is relaxing....most of the thinking is done for you, just relax. Some retired people feel the same. If we go on a trip I want to experience the real place, see how people live, learn about the culture, check some restaurants, see places I can learn something. I can relax at home.

Norovirus outbreaks, for the most part are rare and fortunately we have not participated in them. I must say, being on a larger ship is smooth and calm - any gentle rocking you might feel seems to lull one asleep at night. We’ve never gotten the least sea sick or slightly nauseated.

Ships are made so sea sickness rarely happens. Few people get Norovirus but it is torture for those who do. I wonder if there will be buffets after the panemic?

We always get a small or large suite, an even have gotten the two-floor suites with a living room with sound system and second bath and dining area on the first floor. Although we are usually not drinkers, there is something very relaxing and enjoyable about sitting up in the concierge lounge sipping on a well made drink, an unlimited amount included with your cabin plan, and watching out of a panoramic window

Never had an inside room but this isn't my idea of a panoramic view;

When we pulled into dock in St Petes Russia we were in a toxic barrel zone. They were refueling the ship and the fumes in our room were intolerable, had to find a place outside to sit. Speaking of docks, unless it is a more expensive trip docks aren't too close to the attractions.

Then after chatting with people, all stress-free and in great moods, feeling a little “happy”, your biggest task is deciding on which of several great restaurant venues you want to go for dinner. Not having to bring anything with you but your door card/ship pass, you then look forward to a great dinner with great service

.
Everything is an extra....if you want a case of bottled water...$50, the drink of the day the bartender hold up like it is free - $12 added to your room, resteraunt for a change.....cost as much as going to a restaurant....sometimes good, sometimes not.
Talk to guests. On the St Petes cruise we were at the a table with another couple, every 5 minutes she asked for Mrs D100s name and asked where we were from. The second day a guy that couldn't say more than a few monosylable words. After that, we sat on our own....did meet another nice couple sitting on their own after similar experiences.

After dinner you can go to a show aboard or nightclub or just walk out, see the moon and calming waters, and plan your next day’s excursion and activity(s). During the day, when out to sea, walk the deck, go to the gym, then curl up with a book in a great choice of venues aboard. To me the scenario is totally stress-free and relaxing. There is no greater bang for the buck - top entertainment at night, great restaurants and the chance to get off and explore when you’re in port, be as active as you want, or just relax.

Shows vary from excellent to mediocre. Usually a hassle getting in, they seem to have more people than seats.....come early to get a good seat and wait it out.

With life changed the way it is now, I hope this won’t become a thing of the past.

The one last cruise I would consider is the Panama Canal - one way. I don't know how else to see it, and it would be a learning experience.

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

driver100 said:

roadburner said:

imidazol97 said:

Scotty needs to be banned from here. PC. I watched the wiper blade video.

So many scientifically untrue, untested statements. LOL. He even throws in some conspiracy theory about how the stores don't want to sell them because they wouldn't get to make smaller profits per time from selling many more inferior rubber wiper blades more often to the unsuspecting public. That's right there next to the 100-miles per gallon carburetor some car company hid away after buying the patent for it back in the 50s.'

This guy's awful.

As I've said before, he is a complete and utter tool.

.....an utter fool....who probably makes $200 grand a year! Call me crazy, I don't care if I can rake in that kind of dough.

Scotty has said more than once that he’s a millionaire because of his frugal ways. But, he also said the land his house/shop sit on are worth millions. The land better be worth something because his shop and his property look like they’re trashed. Who knows? He’s somewhere around Houston, though. He had a local mechanic show on a TX public access channel for a while. True? I dunno. If you’ve seen one of his videos, you get a pretty good idea about how they are all going to go.

He loves Toyotas, and to a lesser extent, Hondas...especially if they’re manufactured in Japan. He has no use for Chrysler or GM, and is just a smidgen more forgiving of Ford.

He despises Mercedes, BMW and Audi, though.

There...I just summed up his entire channel for you.

How does he feel about Lada?

Since you asked:

https://youtu.be/KMPQI08nJ5U

It was a joke, you were supposed to laugh not post a video of the man with no eyes.

graphicguy

I dunno....you wake up to a view similar to this every day.....maybe have a Jacuzzi in your room....see a sunset every night....or maybe white sandy beaches....

tjc78

I’m a cruise lover. Not sure my wife will ever get back on one after all this, but I’m hopeful in a few years.

Best vacations I’ve ever taken. Heck we got stuck for four extra days at sea during super storm Sandy and it still was awesome!

jipster

qbrozen said:

jipster said:

suydam said:

I personally have no interest in cruises, but some good friends really like them and go on them all the time.

Went on my first cruise a couple of years ago. It was fairly entertaining. Almost got in a brawl with some idiot who made a inappropriate pass at my sister in law. My brother in law saw it happen, went up to this mid 20's guy and told him he would....kick his @#$. I had been drinking a tad, a tad!... and didn't know what had happened at that point, but tried to calm my bil down, got him to back off. After 20 minutes the guy comes back over and says he wants to fight us....back in his cabin....or ours, he don't care! After 5 minute of those 2 jawing back and fourth, with me trying to be the peacemaker, I was able to get security and get things settled down. Seriously thought I'd end up having to fight some guy half my age...and sorry to say, don't think I would have won....or lived to tell about it.

Besides the crowds everywhere, the puny cabin... the cruise was a fairly good time. But, not something I'd want to make a habit of. Saw the ruins of Chichen Itzu. Snorkeling in Cosemel.(sp) Suppose to go on another cruise in December, but don't think it'll happen.

The guy wanted to go back to his cabin or yours? Sounds like he was hitting on YOU.

I think he wanted.to be "hitting" on both of us.

I assumed this goon was cognizant of all the security cameras around and didn't want to end up in some Mexican jail....again.

carnaught

Well, in other news, another from some of our childhoods, Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond), dies at age 76.

driver100

jipster said:

qbrozen said:

jipster said:

suydam said:

I personally have no interest in cruises, but some good friends really like them and go on them all the time.

Went on my first cruise a couple of years ago. It was fairly entertaining. Almost got in a brawl with some idiot who made a inappropriate pass at my sister in law. My brother in law saw it happen, went up to this mid 20's guy and told him he would....kick his @#$. I had been drinking a tad, a tad!... and didn't know what had happened at that point, but tried to calm my bil down, got him to back off. After 20 minutes the guy comes back over and says he wants to fight us....back in his cabin....or ours, he don't care! After 5 minute of those 2 jawing back and fourth, with me trying to be the peacemaker, I was able to get security and get things settled down. Seriously thought I'd end up having to fight some guy half my age...and sorry to say, don't think I would have won....or lived to tell about it.

Besides the crowds everywhere, the puny cabin... the cruise was a fairly good time. But, not something I'd want to make a habit of. Saw the ruins of Chichen Itzu. Snorkeling in Cosemel.(sp) Suppose to go on another cruise in December, but don't think it'll happen.

The guy wanted to go back to his cabin or yours? Sounds like he was hitting on YOU.

I think he wanted.to be "hitting" on both of us.

I assumed this goon was cognizant of all the security cameras around and didn't want to end up in some Mexican jail....again.

Jip, Glad you survived that possible rumble aboard the cruise ship.
But....how is the new Accord running? Are you keeping it?

driver100

carnaught said:

Well, in other news, another from some of our childhoods, Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond), dies at age 76.

Didn't hear that yet, sorry to hear it, always liked Eddie and his polite Mrs Cleaver!
Did notice the Dow is up over 1000 points! I should add, right now!

jipster

One of the more memorable characters in the history of t.v, ole Eddie Haskell. Loved that show growing up. RIP you wise guy. ;-)


On a lighter note, my 725 page Honda Accord owners manual came in the mail today, and about 3-4 weeks early. Should keep me busy for awhile.

graphicguy

Well...Murphy's law just went into effect. As soon as I talk about selling my home and downsizing, here comes a "whammy". Twice/year I have either my Central A/C and Furnace tuned up and checked out. A/C guy just left my house.

It's not even hot yet, and the technician pointed out that my condenser was freezing up. That's a sign that the refrigerant is low, and there's a leak. Given it's a closed system it shouldn't leak. The kicker, my system takes R22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced (and hasn't been for a while). He knows a guy, who knows another guy, who can get the R22, at $430/lb. My unit is down about 5 lbs. That's about ½ of what my unit needs to be filled. He said the coil is deteriorating (which is probably the source of the leak) as it's made of copper tubing and the new ones are longer lasting because they're made of aluminum, which doesn't deteriorate nearly as quickly or as badly as copper.

He said I might be able to get by if the temps don't get in the 85ºF range. Southern Ohio? In June, July, August or Sept not hitting 85º. That's not something that will ever happen.

So, refill with R22 for $2,100+ and buy a new coil plus labor (who knows how much that is.)? Or, spend $3,400 and put in a whole new system with a new coil, new R14 refrigerant and with the knowledge I will only benefit from it for maybe a year?

I don't like either choice!

Michaell

graphicguy said:

Well...Murphy's law just went into effect. As soon as I talk about selling my home and downsizing, here comes a "whammy". Twice/year I have either my Central A/C and Furnace tuned up and checked out. A/C guy just left my house.

It's not even hot yet, and the technician pointed out that my condenser was freezing up. That's a sign that the refrigerant is low, and there's a leak. Given it's a closed system it shouldn't leak. The kicker, my system takes R22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced (and hasn't been for a while). He knows a guy, who knows another guy, who can get the R22, at $430/lb. My unit is down about 5 lbs. That's about ½ of what my unit needs to be filled. He said the coil is deteriorating (which is probably the source of the leak) as it's made of copper tubing and the new ones are longer lasting because they're made of aluminum, which doesn't deteriorate nearly as quickly or as badly as copper.

He said I might be able to get by if the temps don't get in the 85ºF range. Southern Ohio? In June, July, August or Sept not hitting 85º. That's not something that will ever happen.

So, refill with R22 for $2,100+ and buy a new coil plus labor (who knows how much that is.)? Or, spend $3,400 and put in a whole new system with a new coil, new R14 refrigerant and with the knowledge I will only benefit from it for maybe a year?

I don't like either choice!

Bite the bullet and get a new system - at the very least, you can advertise it as a feature when you list the house.

tjc78

Don’t refill with R22. Not worth the risk of a leak popping up somewhere else.

Put the new unit in, enjoy piece of mind and lower running costs while you are there and then hopefully it’s a nice bullet point on the for sale ad.

Sucks to have to replace/fix it either way.

Before we had our addition done, my HVAC was aging (20+) and I remember telling my wife if anything goes on it we need to replace it. The system lasted longer than it’s life expectancy and was reliable. When we did the addition it wasn’t large enough to do the new space so we replaced the whole setup anyway.

I joked with the HVAC contractor about him making money on the full charge of R22 my system had. He wasn’t amused. I’m sure he did well on it during a future service call.

jipster

driver100 said:

jipster said:

qbrozen said:

jipster said:

suydam said:

I personally have no interest in cruises, but some good friends really like them and go on them all the time.

Went on my first cruise a couple of years ago. It was fairly entertaining. Almost got in a brawl with some idiot who made a inappropriate pass at my sister in law. My brother in law saw it happen, went up to this mid 20's guy and told him he would....kick his @#$. I had been drinking a tad, a tad!... and didn't know what had happened at that point, but tried to calm my bil down, got him to back off. After 20 minutes the guy comes back over and says he wants to fight us....back in his cabin....or ours, he don't care! After 5 minute of those 2 jawing back and fourth, with me trying to be the peacemaker, I was able to get security and get things settled down. Seriously thought I'd end up having to fight some guy half my age...and sorry to say, don't think I would have won....or lived to tell about it.

Besides the crowds everywhere, the puny cabin... the cruise was a fairly good time. But, not something I'd want to make a habit of. Saw the ruins of Chichen Itzu. Snorkeling in Cosemel.(sp) Suppose to go on another cruise in December, but don't think it'll happen.

The guy wanted to go back to his cabin or yours? Sounds like he was hitting on YOU.

I think he wanted.to be "hitting" on both of us.

I assumed this goon was cognizant of all the security cameras around and didn't want to end up in some Mexican jail....again.

Jip, Glad you survived that possible rumble aboard the cruise ship.
But....how is the new Accord running? Are you keeping it?

LOL. Yeah, I'll probably keep it. Though I may go ahead and start the new car buying process in a couple weeks, for my planned 2035 trade in of the Accord. Maybe start test driving in a year. ;-)

And yes, the Accord is still running pretty good. May take it in for a tune -up next week just to be on the safe side.

I still haven't clay barred and waxed the car yet. We've been getting a lot of rain lately, and I'd like to drive it a couple days in a row without it getting puddle water on it.

jipster

graphicguy said:

Well...Murphy's law just went into effect. As soon as I talk about selling my home and downsizing, here comes a "whammy". Twice/year I have either my Central A/C and Furnace tuned up and checked out. A/C guy just left my house.

It's not even hot yet, and the technician pointed out that my condenser was freezing up. That's a sign that the refrigerant is low, and there's a leak. Given it's a closed system it shouldn't leak. The kicker, my system takes R22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced (and hasn't been for a while). He knows a guy, who knows another guy, who can get the R22, at $430/lb. My unit is down about 5 lbs. That's about ½ of what my unit needs to be filled. He said the coil is deteriorating (which is probably the source of the leak) as it's made of copper tubing and the new ones are longer lasting because they're made of aluminum, which doesn't deteriorate nearly as quickly or as badly as copper.

He said I might be able to get by if the temps don't get in the 85ºF range. Southern Ohio? In June, July, August or Sept not hitting 85º. That's not something that will ever happen.

So, refill with R22 for $2,100+ and buy a new coil plus labor (who knows how much that is.)? Or, spend $3,400 and put in a whole new system with a new coil, new R14 refrigerant and with the knowledge I will only benefit from it for maybe a year?

I don't like either choice!

$430 a pound? Wow. I think I paid around $130 2 years ago when my system was a little low. I'd go with a new system. $3,400 seems like a really good price...like too low to be true. Is that installed?

stickguy

Definitely the math says put in the new unit.