redkow97

Conventional wisdom says to put childcare money toward college after the kids no longer require childcare.

The wife and I did Riviera Maya for our honeymoon in May, 2009.   At the height of the swine flu scare.  There are 5 hotels on the property, if you include the "royal suites" as a hotel.  Anyway, because so many people cancelled their trips, afraid of catching swine flu, only 3 of the hotels were actually open.  They upgraded everyone to the top 3 hotels, and closed the other two. 

this had an interesting effect - the private pool at the royal suites was nearly deserted.  It was us, and one other couple that we saw.  Maybe two.  It also meant that the largest pool was the only place to really interact with other people, and that the folks who had paid a lot less had access to amenities they weren't "supposed" to be able to access.   One family was there for the grandparents' 50th anniversary, and the grandkids in their early 20's were pretty fun to hang out with (we were 26 at the time).

The other result was that we did not venture outside the resort, because of swine flu concerns, and also because I am a weenie who didn't want to get robbed in Mexico.  The staff layoffs were probably a blessing for us...  Every single employee we encountered spoke at least 5 languages.  Most more like 7-12.  And they were incredible. Think how well your company or place of employment would function if you only had to retain the top 1/3 of your staff. 

next time around, I want to book a cruise, with a group of our friends.  Plenty to do - or NOT do, if you just want to relax.  All-inclusive drinks, and everyone has their own room to retreat to for sleep, sex, or to avoid being dragged to drag queen karaoke ...again.  (Maybe this is only an issue with MY friends, but I've had underwear ripped from my body, while otherwise completely clothed, on two occasions.  I was blind drunk the first time.  I had to be told about the second time...)

I have never ridden on salt, but per Jason Britton, he went out with a rented GSX-R 750(i think) and had trouble getting above 140.  It's not just about holding it WOT.  Traction management and keeping the bike straight on a loose surface is harder than it sounds over 100 mph. 

can I buy tenths of a share?

a percentage point is a percentage point, but because it's a risky stock, I wouldn't buy a ton of it.  I'd throw $500 at it without much hesitation, but right now that only buys 1.2 shares.  In the 10:1 split you referenced, the same $500 buys 16 shares. 

just checked TSLA - down $30 in the last 5 days.  Still $299/share.  A little rich for my blood     wish it would split. 

I've tried to operate as if my pension and SS won't be solvent by the time I retire.  I consider either a "bonus" at this point.

The amount I save and forget about each month is probably part of the reason I feel so poor all the time.  My IRA pulls from my paycheck the moment it hits my bank account, so I literally never see the money i'm saving, until and unless I check my retirement account statement.

In that vein of thinking, I was reading a Jalopnik article yesterday about Telsa's production woes with the model 3.  Their stock is expected to tank.  I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for that to happen.  Tesla seems to be a favorite son for gov't subsidies.  And if the Democrats mount any kind of response to Trump, I expect Tesla's stability and growth through 2024 to be just fine.

12 hours ago, Tonik said:

Are u state or federal now? Different retirement systems.

State.  I'm not SUPER concerned about retirement, because I've continued to pay into my IRAs.  Just trying to minimize any loss of pension contributions, and take into account the possibility of student loan forgiveness by maintaining public employment.

I generally like my job.  Some days I love my job.

There's just a level of uncertainty about future advancement here that I'm not inclined to tolerate if other options are present. 

Annoyed enough at work right now that I'm updating the resume. 

In a perfect world, I would land at another public agency, and maintain my pension.  But life's not perfect.  Considering insurance companies as potential employers.  My experience is in criminal litigating.  Lots of bench trials, and a few jury trials.  That doesn't sound like very much, but it's more than most attorneys have ever tried, and I've won them all. (the jury trials, not every bench trial.  that would be staggeringly impressive)

The other path would be 'compliance' type jobs.  State filings.  Federal Rail Administration.  OSHA audits.  Any profession with a regulatory body should have an attorney reviewing their compliance, and appealing any questionable decisions or sanctions.  I'm less interested in contract work; however, i'm not a dummy when it comes to contracts.  Employment and HR law is not my area of experience, but I'm certainly capable of learning how to be the "Toby" of the office... (although I shudder at that thought, a bit).  

your'e killing me.

I'm' being a weenie about winter cycling and have been going to the range instead. 

Yep.  Plus it's like any other form of racing - the rules book is what makes it competitive.  Otherwise it would be a competition to see who could spend the most money.

oh god damnit...  I'm supposed to buy new toilets this weekend, not another gun.

Let me check if there are any more savings bonds from my grandma in our fire box.  (not kidding.  I found several when I sold the Honda.  Title was in the same fire box.  Forgot about the bonds)

Gavin is growing like a weed.

Shot at lunch w/ another guy from work.  He is much better than me.  Traded his G19 back and forth w/ the PF9.  Man does my gun make me prone to flinching and anticipating recoil.

I also shot the 995 carbine for the first time.  Groupings were excellent. Sights are a little off.  Both of us were shooting good groups, just slightly low and to the right of our point of aim.

zero malfunctions, although it was a short trip, unfortunately.  I put my older defensive rounds through it and bought new ones for the PF9.  I was surprised how well it fed the hollow-points.  Should be a very fun way to use up a lot of 9mm ammo     I really enjoy rifles. 

1 hour ago, Bad324 said:

I mean I quit riding mainly from lack of time and boredom

You quit, or  you stopped?  You're still on this site, and you consider getting another bike once a year.  Are you really done?

No one ever really quits riding unless they have an injury that prevents them from riding, or are scared out of riding from an injury or close call. 

The only person I have ever heard of who quit riding because he or she didn't like it is Jay Dobbins.  He wrote "No Angel," a dramatized true account of his time spent under cover investigating the Hells Angels.  (if my memory is correct, I typed that right, without an apostrophe.  He explains that the club believes there are multiple kinds of hell, so it's plural, but not possessive).  Anyway, it's a good read if you like Sons of Anarchy.  I'm a little surprised he didn't sue the show's creators, actually.  But Jay Dobbins rode thousands of miles a year for several years straight, then parked his motorcycle in the garage and hasn't touched it.  He said he hates riding.

You can question my credibility if you choose, but I based my statements on quotes from your posts.

love reading this kind of thread. 

Now to convince the wife that the half-clone and I can take one across the country when she's 5  

traffic camera violation?

(sorry mods - please move to "other stuff")

the business referenced is a produce deliver company, btw.  She was hauling/towing with it, but nothing crazy heavy.    I'm kind of surprised she is replacing the truck, rather than just getting a larger refrigerated trailer, but apparently that's not as cost-effective(?)

This crowd might be more apt to appreciate a pristine low mileage 454.   Belongs to my friend Lisa, who lives in Charlotte, but does get up to Ohio periodically to visit family - especially if anyone is seriously interested in this.

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/1992-chevy-c2500-silverado/6351445481.html

I have no idea if her price is crazy high ($10,000 for a 25 yr old truck?), but it's in amazing condition for its age, and could practically be a show vehicle if you were into that, or it could pull a boat or whatever else you wanted it to do...

So suck it up and buy a G19 or 17...

Maybe I'll have to spend more time with one from the rental case and see if I can adjust my grip enough to enjoy the G19.

If there's one happy side effect from that Chiappa revolver search, it was finding the 10 round 22lr revolver for $199.  That adequately fulfills my original desire for the Heritage Rough Rider, at a reasonable price-point, in a caliber I have thousands of on-hand.

we may have different ideas of "affordable."

the Chiappa 22s are fairly priced.  Their 9mm revolvers are $800+

13 hours ago, jschaf said:

Just get the Mustang GT convertible. That's what you wanted in the first place.  If your wife insists you get a track bike I would suggest an R6 or GSXR 750.

I only started suggesting 'fun' cars because I don't have a bike in the garage, and can't ride to work.  I could drive a mustang a couple of times a week throughout the summer though.  The problem with a third car is storing it.  I can keep a bike in my shed, or ditch my bulky work bench and park it in front of my car.  Plus we're probably getting rid of the fridge we have in the garage, which also frees up space, but obviously not enough for a car...

I don't need or want an R6 or a 750.  I'm not looking to set lap records, and if I race any bike, even with stock suspension, I always need more improving than the equipment.  An SV is probably the ticket...  I might even run dirt bars on it, and just accept that those will be less than ideal for the track - even if that's where the bike sees more miles.

I can't decide if i'm retired from big bike racing or not.  The minis are fun to race, because it's relatively safe.  On a bigger bike, I'm not sure I want to deal with the elevated consequences of pushing myself.  It might be time to just go turn some laps in Intermediate group, hide my lap timer, and enjoy burning up knee pucks.  I wouldn't write-off riding in advanced group again, but part of me doesn't want to be tempted to try to keep up with everyone else.