Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 27, 2017 10:26:02 GMT -5
So wait, is she renting it furnished? Like, if I rent this apartment with a one-year lease I have to deal with being stared at by a hyena in the dining room?
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 27, 2017 10:23:13 GMT -5
As a realtor in an area where home prices have appreciated similarly to what you're saying (please feel free to PM me if you want to discuss in more detail), that house is so far under market rent it's almost comical. Your renters are staying because they have a great thing going and they know it.
I'll give you an example. In this area, right now, people are paying $1200-1500/month for rent on a 2 bed 2 bath *condo*. When we moved out here in 2011, we were paying $1600/month on a 3/2 SFR that was only ~900 square feet, and that was at the bottom of the housing crash. Without knowing details on location, lot size, whether you accept pets or are 420 friendly, and square footage, my best guess on a 3/2 home at around 1600 square feet is that they should be paying *at least* $1800-$2000 a month. His continuing to keep rent low and paying $600/month on the mortgage is incomprehensible. Personally, I'd recommend selling it and using that money to either a) pay off your current home so you don't have a mortgage and can bank your current payment or b) buy an investment property somewhere you want to vacation or already do vacation regularly and use it as an AirBNB or HomeAway when you're not staying there. However, if he decides he wants to keep it, he needs to have a come-to-Jesus with the property manager, as they should have advised him to raise rents along the way to keep up with market value and really did him a disservice not to have done so. He then needs to start raising rent gradually in order to come up to market value or get rid of his current tenants, do a property clean-up and reset, and then get new tenants at a more appropriate rate.
I have so many questions! How do you fuel for a race THAT long? Your support kayak carries it, right? And do you get to hang on to take the fuel?
Regardless, this is unreal! Keep us updated
How crinkly do your fingers get? Do you wee in your wetsuit? Do you get sleepy? We have so many questions.
No crinkle, believe it or not. I've never been a raisin-y person.
No wetsuit. Just pee while swimming - I've finally mastered this art (it only took me 35 years!)
I've never been sleepy while swimming, but I've gotten bored, lol. I need to come up with a couple new songs to learn for my mental radio, because singing Margaritaville and 5 oclock somewhere to yourself for 6 hours is seriously boring.
Oh! And for my complaints ... I have started thinking about END-WET for next year and as a result, I was talking to R the other day about the logistics of training for that and he got all pissy about the very *idea* of sitting in a kayak for more than 2 hours. UGH. Listen, dude. Support me or not, I don't care. I'll just do my training swims by myself if I have to. But don't start whining preemptively when I haven't even **ASKED** if you're planning on helping. Also, we sold our damn kayak, so we can get you a more comfortable one, geez.
And in the same vein, but more personally, how the hell DO you train for a 36 mile swim? I mean, that's like 12-18 hours, depending on the current. That's a lot of training, especially considering how our lakes around here don't warm up enough to do ultra-long swims until like ... March. Can I actually succeed at an 18 hour swim with just 3 months of outdoor swimming? I think it's time to start saving for an endless pool.
I have so many questions! How do you fuel for a race THAT long? Your support kayak carries it, right? And do you get to hang on to take the fuel?
Regardless, this is unreal! Keep us updated
Good questions, actually. The fueling does come from our support boat. I've found that I feed best about every 30 minutes or so, alternating a semi-real-food (I use toddler food pouches) with an 8-ounce serving of electrolyte/carb mix (UCan). So, toddler food on the half hour, UCAN on the hour. They are not permitted to (intentionally) touch us, nor we them, so people have come up with a variety of different feeding mechanisms, but the most common is to either tie a string to the fuel and throw it at us or use a fishing net. R and I just were careful in our handoffs and it worked out ok. At present, there is no hanging on to the kayak in order to take the fuel - USMS rules, as well as marathon swimming rules, prohibit it. USMS is considering reworking this rule to allow people to hang onto the kayak provided there is no forward motion, like USA Triathlon does. I am not in favor of this, generally speaking, so I'll still NOT hang on the kayak. Instead, you do something called "ottering" where you kind of float on your back and take the fuel, or you tread water while you fuel (I'm a latter person).
As far as training goes, I'm actually yet to get into the water this year (I'm embarrassed to admit that). I've got to get to a 5-6 swim/week place before I can even start thinking about training. In November, I'll consult my endurance guru and see what she recommends for training. That gives me more than 6 months, which I think will be enough.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 26, 2017 20:32:42 GMT -5
I'm glad she is wanting to make this change. My 74-year-old mother (with a hip replacement and broken elbow from - surprise - falling) is still resistant to leaving her two-story with a basement. It's terrifying to me.
As a realtor, we get this a lot. What I recommend is that you first go over her financials. If she can afford to buy first (even if she needs a bridge loan to do it), then move her stuff-to-keep, then purge the rest, it generally goes a LOT less stressfully. She can take what she absolutely loves and wants to keep, give whatever she wants to go to family members to them, then the rest of the stuff could be taken care of by an estate sale person, with a donation to the charity shop of her choice for whatever is left. Then, the home can be cleaned up and staged to sell.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 26, 2017 17:04:11 GMT -5
Oh! And for my complaints ... I have started thinking about END-WET for next year and as a result, I was talking to R the other day about the logistics of training for that and he got all pissy about the very *idea* of sitting in a kayak for more than 2 hours. UGH. Listen, dude. Support me or not, I don't care. I'll just do my training swims by myself if I have to. But don't start whining preemptively when I haven't even **ASKED** if you're planning on helping. Also, we sold our damn kayak, so we can get you a more comfortable one, geez.
And in the same vein, but more personally, how the hell DO you train for a 36 mile swim? I mean, that's like 12-18 hours, depending on the current. That's a lot of training, especially considering how our lakes around here don't warm up enough to do ultra-long swims until like ... March. Can I actually succeed at an 18 hour swim with just 3 months of outdoor swimming? I think it's time to start saving for an endless pool.
I mean, not one hand in a full circle, but I can start with my hands both on at my sternum on my bra band and run them around till they meet at the clasp in the back without losing contact. My shoulders are wonky, but i'm not double jointed or anything. I'm now sitting here doing it with my chapstick (with the lid on) pretending it's body glide to make sure I'm not the nutball.
Yeah, I can do this, too, and I have pretty tight shoulders.
Likewise. I just pretended my phone was a stick of bodyglide and I can totally do all the way around, although the very middle was a little touch and go there for a bit. LOL
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 24, 2017 11:37:05 GMT -5
I'm up. Waited way too long to take Missy for a walk today and now I'm a sweaty mess. Damn summer. Next up is dog training class, then trying to decide if I take a nap today before pulling my all nighter at Western States.
I have to make it until 9pm tonight and then I can declare survival if my hellacious week between working 60 hours and driving into the district every day. I'm celebrating by going the fuck to sleep.
Sauna log, day three: I had the room to myself until some random dude walked in, when I had ten minutes to go, and proceeded to RUB HIMSELF ALL OVER THE GLASS WINDOW THE ACTUAL FUCK. With some bizarre perverse gratified look on his face. There is not enough bourbon to erase that mental image.
WTF. This is the only gif I could find that accurately portrays the look on my face just now:
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 22, 2017 10:32:21 GMT -5
It is so abso-freaking-lutely scorching outside. I do not want to be outside for more time than it takes to get into the car, so going to the pool sounds awful. (And at this point, like it would be too warm, which is likely) I'm even getting up at 6am in order to take the dog for a walk before it gets too hot - and this morning it was already 85 and I was sweating like a madman before I got back.
WS100 does, in fact, require wetsuits (or dry suits) for volunteers - but at least they're free to rent from a local kayak/rafting supplier. I'm hoping for a nice loose drysuit instead of a chokingly tight wetsuit, but we'll see.
I'm volunteering to kayak for a friend's Tahoe crossing on July 10th and it's so exciting! I can't wait to see her face when she finishes!
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 22, 2017 9:58:47 GMT -5
For long swims, I freeze all my bottles except the first one. They're not any heavier than when they're liquid - it's the same amount of stuff inside.
When I was a runner, I had a nathan iceshot (? I think that's what it was called) handheld flask-type bottle. It didn't hold a lot, though. So if you're looking for more water, I'd try maybe a hydration pack and put ice cubes in the bladder.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 21, 2017 16:41:32 GMT -5
Yep, I love those daisies, but they spread like wildfire. We planted two little tiny plants like 3 years ago and completely ignore them (no water, no care except to deadhead so we don't wind up with more plants), and they're humongous and multiplying now.
I've always thought fleabane was a weed, but I think it's pretty so I leave it too.
I might ask ahead of time or bring a wetsuit just in case. Do you have access to a short sleeve or shortie/spring suit that might work better for you?
What is the water temp going to be? You might be significantly colder if you are going to be mostly stationary in the water verses swimming.
I don't have a wetsuit at all, I'll end up renting or borrowing one if I have to wear one. My best guess on water temp is 55-60, but it's hard to predict, as we have a *serious* heat wave coming up this week, but the water is snow melt. So ... could be anywhere from 40 to 70. I'm comfortable without a wetsuit standing/marinating in temps down to about 55 and swimming down to about 45 (below that is just ridiculous, lol). I mean, it is what it is. I know I'm going to wind up in a dang wetsuit.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 16, 2017 14:25:20 GMT -5
I promise, I'll be brief about it.
Despite the fact that I am generally perfectly ok with sub-60 degree water immersion for hours (I did 5+ hours once at 58 degrees), the race regs state (and with good reason, because you really shouldn't take anyone's word for their cold-water acclimation skillz) that every in-water volunteer has to wear a wetsuit. I *hate* wetsuits. With a freaking passion. I feel like I'm strangulating and usually overheating. Also, at the moment I'm a weird size/shape combo which means that my 5'4" self is probably going to wind up in a Men's XL wetsuit. HATE THAT TOO, because they bag up at my ankles and wrists something FIERCE and the hips are freaking sausage-wear.
But I digress. Do you think that if I showed up with neoprene pants only, they'd be ok with that? Or if I wore the wetsuit but didn't zip it? Should I ask or even bother asking because safety and rules are rules and all that?
Kongs are pretty indestructible. Nylabones or similar could be a good option too. My dog never took to those kinds of bones, but she loves antlers and the Kong with peanut butter and a few pieces of dog food shoved inside.
She has a kong and loves it - and doesn't chew it, fortunately, because it's a 6-year-old one from Dot's reign in the household and is "senior" strength. LOL She doesn't seem to dig the nylabone. She likes to chew and seems to like "tug" toys. Also seems to like any toy she can carry around with her. Before the rope toy died last night (RIP), she was trotting around the house with it in her mouth and it was adorable. But it was toast shortly after she settled down.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 16, 2017 13:58:56 GMT -5
Turns out newdog (Missy) is a powerful, determined chewer. Like, she tore up a rope toy last night.
Other than antlers, what toys have your dogs *not* destroyed? Next up is a fire-hose toy, I think, but I really am trying to avoid spending a fortune to determine what she can't destroy.
UPDATE: She destroyed an antler today. 3-4 inches in half an hour. I can't even fathom this ...
That is so cool! Volunteering for ultras is my favorite. I can't imagine how awesome it would be to volunteer at WS.
The coolest thing about WS100 is the volunteers. Literally 1600+ people - mostly locals - volunteer every year to keep this thing going for 400-ish people. And even more turn out to cheer - some ALL NIGHT LONG. It's amazing.
It makes me a little teary thinking about how awesome our town is.
I have plumbing issues. Two weeks ago we noticed under our sink had water. We figured it was coming from the garbage disposal so we call the home warranty company. It's still not fixed two weeks later. The warranty company and plumber are fighting over price.
Now our dishwasher died. Super. Call the home warranty company, open a new claim. There is a guy here now. The old owner installed the dishwasher completely wrong, there is water leaking under it and it's so swollen, we can't even get the dishwasher out.
I love our new house but damn, it's costing us a lot of money.
OMG! What are you going to do if the dishwasher won't come out?
Yay! That's so exciting! I still need to figure out where we're going to go spectate. I bought one of the "look mom, no hands" shirts, because they're awesome.
The obvious answer here is no hands bridge.
If you're bringing the kidlet, you may not want to do this, because he'd probably tucker out on the way back, but if you want to avoid the canyon traffic, you're welcome to park at my house and take Stagecoach down there.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 15, 2017 16:26:24 GMT -5
I got picked to help with the Rucky-Chucky river crossing and I'm so excited I can barely stand it!
Who *doesn't* want to stay up all night standing hip-deep in a freezing cold river to help runners in and out of crossing boats? It's a freaking dream assignment!
No really, I'm super excited about this and it really is my dream assignment. Eeeeee!
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 15, 2017 15:36:19 GMT -5
It depends on the company. I typically use and only recommend First American to my clients, and I always let them know that if they have any trouble with their service to call me, because I have a direct line to someone at their company who can move things along (which is why I use and recommend them).
Check with your realtor if you *do* have trouble, perhaps they have someone like that.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 15, 2017 14:42:14 GMT -5
So far today, I've: *spilled 24 ounces of water into my antique desk and all over my keyboard and mouse *spilled the dog's dish - on the dog *spilled a scrambled, but not cooked egg on the dog *spent almost $14 on a salad bar salad because apparently I'm a hog (It's $7.99/lb) and *somehow managed to get so much cat hair on my black pants I had to change clothes.
OMG. Can I get a do-over?
On the upside, though, having Missy (that's newdog's name) around is forcing me to get out and take a walk every day, even when it's hot, and I'm loving it! I forgot how awesome and walkable and friendly our neighborhood is!
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jun 15, 2017 0:30:35 GMT -5
I struggle with "Mirrors​" by JT. Every time he says "with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul" I hear "pocket full of soap" which was so confusing until I googled the actual lyrics.