In a way, I could see all of them leaning red. But I believe it would be Northern CA and Southern CA. Coastal CA is so-so, but includes Los Angeles, Carmel/Monterrey, Santa Barbara. Northern CA would include the hard-core red area of CA-1, and the San Diego area leans red, not to mention the inland empire.
I live in CA-1, by means of gerrymandering.
Northern California as a whole *shows* red on a map, but the population centers are nearly entirely blue. Sure, CA-1 is dark red (R+11) and gigantic, but it only includes about 700k people. Compare that with the relatively tiny CA-6, which is dark blue (D+21) and has about 713k people. Throw in the entire Bay area and you've definitely got a blue state.
That said, this is absolutely STUPID and I can't believe that tool got this thing on the ballot. Fortunately, even the local news articles comment sections seem to go against it (and these are people who are generally the trolliest of trolls.) It would seem that republicans think this is a democrat power grab. Despite the fact that republicans put it up in the first place. LOL
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 12, 2018 10:54:54 GMT -5
First, don't psych yourself out about the swim. You'll give yourself more to panic about than necessary. From what you've said, you are more than capable of completing this.
Second, if you're not feeling confident in your ability to do the swim, don't do the swim. Just do what you feel confident enough to do - maybe that's just 20 yards out and back, maybe it's a swim along the shoreline in waist deep water, maybe it's just swimming a few strokes and then floating on your back. But don't push yourself to do something in water if you're not comfortable/confident, that's what leads to issues. Be realistic and accept wherever you are at the moment, then work to improve that in future.
Finally, if you're going to be doing your first open water swim as a non-event, make sure there's someone on shore who is watching you. If there's a lifeguard there, tell them what you're doing. If there's no guard, make sure there's an adult with a cell phone, just in case. They don't have to be trained, just watchful and prepared to call, just in case.
I don't want to be scary, I swear. But even the best swimmers can get into trouble by pushing too hard and not doing more than you're capable of (on any given day) is a great way to stay safe.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 12, 2018 10:13:56 GMT -5
We recently lost two oak trees on the back of our house (they were healthy as could be, but we got a warning letter from CalFire indicating that they were too close to the house and had to be trimmed back for fire risk, but the distance they gave us for trimming them back resulted in having to trim past the trunk, so obviously they just had to go.) I am so sad about this, because both were mature oaks and gave us great southern shade. Now we are southern-exposed and our poor AC is sitting back there with no shade whatsoever. We need to find some very-specific trees because a) it's a steep slope they have to grow on b) we need shade on the house/AC asap and c) they're technically in a right of way, right under the power lines, so it would need to grow to a certain height and width only (to avoid being a nuisance to the power company and/or getting yet another CalFire violation).
ETA: So, I have no advice, but I wanted to sympathize.
The lady I met last month said that she's usually everyone's first Indexer that they've met.
I do indexing occasionally, but medical indexing, for medical-legal court cases. It's fun, but you have to have a lot of knowledge of which conditions can cause what (i.e. kidney problems can cause back pain) so that you're accurate.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 9, 2018 23:16:42 GMT -5
I volunteer for a tri with a kid's event and it's the cutest thing ever. The kids swim is so shallow, half of them walk it. A good quarter require someone to hold their hand while they do so, which is also freaking adorable.
Did the inspection report indicate why they suggested a structural? Some home inspectors will recommend the moon to protect themselves - basically, they don't inspect that stuff, so you should get someone else to. But it's not actually always necessary - the home may show no signs of structural issues, it's just a cya. If the inspector called out signs of structural problems (certain kinds of wall cracks, excessive settling, visible issues with the foundation), then yes, get a structural. Better to spend $1000 now and avoid a financial nightmare later.
No. My H is a home inspector. Due to liability reasons, they rarely will go into detail on the report about why they suggest certain engineers be involved - they aren't engineers, they're just there to give recommendations. They may say something to the home buyer themselves if they're with him as he's working, but it's generally vague. That said, unless you have a shitty HI, they won't suggest a structural engineer if it's unnecessary.
At least half the home inspections I see have a boilerplate paragraph recommending a list of other inspections if there is concern. (I'm in California, we disclaim liability for everything here, lol.) That's why I asked if there were actual conditions mentioned to indicate actual concern. I don't question home inspection recommendations, just wanted to make sure she wasn't looking at a cya paragraph.
Did the inspection report indicate why they suggested a structural? Some home inspectors will recommend the moon to protect themselves - basically, they don't inspect that stuff, so you should get someone else to. But it's not actually always necessary - the home may show no signs of structural issues, it's just a cya. If the inspector called out signs of structural problems (certain kinds of wall cracks, excessive settling, visible issues with the foundation, etc.), then yes, definitely get a structural. If there are no signs but it would make you a more confident buyer, get a structural. It's up to you to decide where the line is, but IMO, better to spend $1000 now and avoid a financial nightmare later.
The floor in the addition is slightly slanted and there are some minor cracks near the ceiling.
It would 100% make us more comfortable to do all of that. I think it’s really that we are worried the house will be a money sink. I wish I didn’t like it so much!
Do the structural. If it's awesome, great. If it's awful, then you have all the facts you need to decide to walk away, request repairs, or request a credit.
If they are not willing to do the work, this is a good bargaining chip to lower the asking price a lot. and then, if you fix it, you know it is done to your standards.
I'm hesitant to spend $1200 for an inspection, HVAC/plumber & structural engineer come out on a house we may not even buy. MIL & FIL seems to think that is pretty reasonable for a house we like this much but I think DH & I are just really cautious because the damage we just repaired. In my head I KNOW its not the same so I think it is just anxiety.
It is an old house (1928) so its bound to have some issues BUT it is priced the same as similar houses with no issues. They are motivated sellers so we may get lucky. SaveSave
Did the inspection report indicate why they suggested a structural? Some home inspectors will recommend the moon to protect themselves - basically, they don't inspect that stuff, so you should get someone else to. But it's not actually always necessary - the home may show no signs of structural issues, it's just a cya. If the inspector called out signs of structural problems (certain kinds of wall cracks, excessive settling, visible issues with the foundation, etc.), then yes, definitely get a structural. If there are no signs but it would make you a more confident buyer, get a structural. It's up to you to decide where the line is, but IMO, better to spend $1000 now and avoid a financial nightmare later.
R and I would be in this situation now. My mom knows we drink, but his parents don't. They are fundamentalists. We don't drink around them, mostly because we've been hiding it for so long it would be awkward to explain it at this point, but also out of respect for their opinions on the matter. Quote Do his parents know he drinks? If so, I say party hearty and if they don't like it, tough. They don't have to partake, after all. If not, I'd consider having a wedding and reception somewhere alcohol isn't allowed, then have an "after-party" somewhere where those who want to attend can drink and dance. Most weddings I've been to, the parents kind of bail on the actual partying anyhow.
I don't get this. What about respecting your choices? Why does the non-drinking choice trump drinking? We are all adults, respect should be a two way street. To me not respecting one's wishes would be pushing or pressuring to do it rather than hiding the fact that you do or not doing it in front of them.
Because, to be honest, while that makes perfect sense to the non-fundamentalist - you know, adults having an adult conversation including calm disagreements - to the fundamentalist, rejecting any part of their beliefs is rejecting them, because their religious beliefs are them and they are their religious beliefs. They cannot separate the two, as they have no existence outside the realm of their religion.
You should have heard the kerfuffle that occurred when it somehow came up that if our non-existent/future/potential child was gay or trans, we'd be okay with that. It was wailing and gnashing of teeth and all variety of stupid drama (and the reason I haven't talked to either of my inlaws in several years). I think we're STILL on the "prayer list" for that horror. So, since this is a situation that can be avoided/doesn't HAVE to be addressed with them, we're avoiding it. I'm no stranger to confronting them over their racist, homophobic, misogynistic belief system, but having that same level of drama over alcohol when I don't *have* to drink in front of them is just easier. So, "out of respect for their opinions" is inaccurate. It's really more like "out of respect for my own sanity."
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 7, 2018 17:04:33 GMT -5
When I worked in IT, our favorite prank was saran-wrapping someone's mouse with an entire continuous roll of saran wrap - usually a birthday prank. So you'd come in and find everything as normal, except there was a giant ball of saran where your mouse goes. It was fun and harmless, mostly. Even with scissors, 200 yards of saran wrap takes a while to undo.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 7, 2018 16:53:51 GMT -5
R and I would be in this situation now. My mom knows we drink, but his parents don't. They are fundamentalists. We don't drink around them, mostly because we've been hiding it for so long it would be awkward to explain it at this point, but also out of respect for their opinions on the matter.
Do his parents know he drinks? If so, I say party hearty and if they don't like it, tough. They don't have to partake, after all. If not, I'd consider having a wedding and reception somewhere alcohol isn't allowed, then have an "after-party" somewhere where those who want to attend can drink and dance. Most weddings I've been to, the parents kind of bail on the actual partying anyhow.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 7, 2018 16:33:48 GMT -5
I'm not a triathlete, but I don't swim with my hair confined, as it were, because it increases breakage and gives me a headache on longer swims, but I have a LOT of hair to fit under a typical cap. I do, essentially, a french twist with no pins or bands to hold it under my cap. When I take the cap off, I usually can pop it right into a ponytail without any difficulty, so if you find that the braids don't work, maybe try that.
ETA: the only solution I've found for sweating chlorine is Dr. Bronner's castille liquid soap in eucalyptus. I'm not sure if it covers the smell or eliminates it, but I haven't smelled like chlorine since I started using it two years ago.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 7, 2018 9:13:58 GMT -5
I am so glad no one here takes both lanes. We are much more likely to have that asshole that just keeps speed with you, no matter how fast or slow you go, so you can't merge.
Guaranteed that if there's a traffic jam here "for no reason", there's a merge lane at the front of it. Californians are the absolute WORST at merging.
Personally, I would just like merge lanes long enough to get up to speed and safely merge. This brought to you by the number of on-ramps near me with a 15-mph right turn, then approximately 20 feet of actual merge space. I can't get up to speed that fast, CalTrans! (Without a Tesla, I'm not sure who CAN, honestly.)
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 7, 2018 9:08:28 GMT -5
Newsom is a scandal waiting to happen. But Cox is a disaster and JUST NO, so I'll suck it up and vote for the cheesy slimeball.
(I am incredibly irritated that his entire platform seems to be "TRUMP SUCKS" which is true, but let's take a small step back and talk about issues here in California, eh?) This feels like he's going for something bigger in the future - a presidential run or similar - and doesn't actually care about California as long as people are talking about him.
Also, an excellent quote: "She is well-tempered. She didn’t spit on me so I knew we would work well together,” Carson said.
Living in a smallish town with a hearty rural bend has its benefits sometimes. A few years back, there was an ad in the paper for an elephant-sitter. (As in, someone to watch the elephant, not someone to sit on the elephant, in case that needed to be said.)
Edit in case you don't want to click: Bella the Llama got a prosthetic leg and joined the local amputees support group. (ETA2: Said amputee group was previously entirely human.)
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 5, 2018 18:12:32 GMT -5
Personally, I'd be vague in my response. I don't like when owners get defensive on reviews, but I also don't like reading what appears to be a valid complaint without a response. So, person A, perhaps something like "Thank you for the feedback; we're always interested in how we can improve - if you decide to give us another try, ask for *name* and we'd be delighted to discuss your ideas for improvement." Person B, I'd probably just respond as suggested above "At this time, we support charities A, B, and C, but we're always interested in new ways to help our community! If you'd like to discuss another non-profit, come in and ask for *name*!" Or something like that.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 5, 2018 10:58:11 GMT -5
We dropped off our ballots this morning. I've had mine done for a week, but R took his sweet time making up his mind.
I'll just be happy if we get a non-R option to hopefully replace Doug EFFING LaMalfa, who is an absolute pile of coyote shit. His name was on the ballot but his stupid signs (complete with good-ol-boy-style cowboy hat) have not been as everywhere as usual, so I'm hoping that's a good sign.
Does anyone see any issue in the fact that he doesn't bark? I am not kidding when I say he has never once barked since we got him. His foster mom said the same thing - that he only barked once when the other dogs were going crazy and he joined in for one bark. I've had a beagle before and he like revolution dog was very mouthy and barked and howled a lot.
I'm thinking maybe he used to get abused if he barked so now he is super quiet. I'm not complaining but I want him to feel like he has a voice and can use it, kwim?
We have had two beagle mixes. Neither of them were/are big barkers. Our old girl literally barked exactly once in the 5 years we had her, and it freaked us the hell out because it was the middle of the night (we think maybe there was a skunk by the sliding door.) Our new girl barks ONLY when she is in the yard on leash AND someone walks another dog past on leash. She wants to play, I guess. But she doesn't bark any other time, ever. So, no, not really concerning to me.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on May 29, 2018 20:05:08 GMT -5
I once sat on my foot at work so long it fell asleep and when I stood up, I just toppled over like I was fall-down drunk. In front of my boss, his boss, and at least two company clients/VIPs. And I was wearing a tight-ish pencil skirt that proceeded to ride ALL the way up in the process. "Hello! Welcome to XYZ co! I swear I'm not drunk! Sorry you had to see my crotch!"
Post by mrs.jacinthe on May 29, 2018 7:07:11 GMT -5
I have a high instep and normal arch, plus really wide feet, and really love my olukais. But I would recommend, especially if you're not at all sure what's up with your feet, that you go to the Walking Store (they are in most higher-end malls) and get a foot analysis. They can recommend the exact right sandals for your foot style. And not all their styles are ugly (some REALLY are, though).
Post by mrs.jacinthe on May 27, 2018 22:00:08 GMT -5
My carryon meets international standards (and it's a hardside) so if I can fit everything in it and not check a bag, I will. I once went to St. Kitts/Nevis for four weeks and then Puerto Rico for two (same trip). I packed two checked bags and a small carryon tote. The airline (Continental, FTR), lost one of my checked bags for LITERALLY the entire 6 weeks I was out of the country. They found it, smashed and broken all to smithereens, about 3 days after I got home. Still had my stuff in it, mostly, though. But I have definitely been substantially once-bitten-twice-shy about checking bags since then.