Everything posted by Gladeite
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All Encompassing Mortgage and Real Estate Thread
I hear a lot of talk in the industry about appraisals and assumptions/statements. Probably going to exterior only inspections/2055s very soon. Appraisals to include statements that estimate of value does not take into consideration the effect of Covid-19 since there is no market data available to demonstrate any significant change in value. I know there are talks going on w/ FNMA/FHLMC, BofA, Wells, Citi, etc... about purchasing mortgages during this time period. Underwriting will require re-verifying employment/income before closing. When the dust settles in 30 to 60 days, there will be a dramatic shift in demand/supply. Demand will go down and supply will linger/grow. Prices will drop. To what, I have no idea and if I knew, I would be famous and not perusing Surly message boards. Best guess is immediate 10%, languishing to 20-25% over the rest of the year. Every segment will be hit.
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Coronavirus Impact on Travel
Went to matinee yesterday on broadway. Sold out. During intermission was informed broadway closing at 5. Went to dinner on 48th and was a good crowd. Waitstaff very grateful for all customers that came. Went for drinks at a bar on Central Park south and it was semi busy. jfk is quiet. Breezed thru security and getting on a plane back.
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Coronavirus Impact on Travel
Arrived at jfk around 11:00 am. Our flight from austin was pretty full but the airport was a ghost town. I would guess less than 20% of the normal crowd. Light traffic from airport to Central Park. Very few people walking around Central Park or 5th Avenue. Told we could walk into any coveted restaurant in town tonight. Shows are 1/2 price.
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Coronavirus Impact on Travel
Leaving for NYC in the morning. Have dinners and play scheduled. Talked to concierge this am. International customers are cancelling but all US bookings are holding up. I will report back if not quarantined.
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Your go to DQ Blizzard
Small Blizzard Double Oreo. Just the right combo.
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The Gun Owner’s thread
You are describing your needs as a 1911. In 9mm with large hands, the Commander size should be about perfect. Enough weight that recoil will be negligible and large enough frame to be comfortable. You can get a used Colt for around $700. For around $1000, Dan Wesson can be had in the used market. There are some great semi-custom 1911s on the market for $1500-2500 used. They are $3-4000 guns new. I carried a Commander for many years. I have since gone Glock w/RMR because it is an evolution in defensive pistols. Can't beat a 1911 trigger but weight, accuracy, capacity, ease of use are also factors that come into play.
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Alligator Gar
When I was a kid, my dad, brother and I ran throw lines up and down the Sabine River all the time. We gave the gar and buffalo to poor families that lived nearby. They seemed appreciative and always wanted more. I have never tried it.
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The Gun Owner’s thread
I enjoy reloading. It is a thinking game that I can do at my bench and I can develop/test loads that I think are appropriate for the task. Mostly '06 and .416 Rigby is what I spend my time on. I can tailor make loads for the '06 for whitetail culling that are easy on the shoulder and deadly on the deer. I can load out heavy A-frames that will kill everything in Africa. I load down cast .416 ammo for practice. Much more economical and easier to shoot than factory. I can also load up some 300 grain TTSX at 2600+ fps that is a fantastic killer or 400 gain A-frames at 2400 fps that are penetrate forever killers. And like anything else, you can get as intense as you want. COAL, jump, neck tension, temp stability, standard vs magnum primers, case prep, annealing, etc... will keep your brain occupied for days.
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Truck Nuts
Roll-n-lock here. Love it. Had the dealer move it from my '15 to the '20 as part of the deal.
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Truck Nuts
It is the new white color Star White which has a metallic sheen to it. The leveling kit makes it look great. They ride on Hankook Dynapro AT2. The tires are very quiet on the road, track well and seem to hold the road. I have been trying to break them loose in a big parking lot in the evenings when the cars are not there. Doing power slides, increasing radius turns at speed, etc... The tread is semi aggressive. I want to like the tire, but have not driven in the snow/ice, black clay, crappy limestone ranch roads, etc.... The first thing I usually do with a new truck is swap the tires out for BFG KO2s. I really like that tire and have had great luck offroad and in Colorado. Sorry about the pics. I am pretty good at looking at them, not so good at posting them. For reference in looking for a new truck, I got $11 and change off sticker for the 20. I had to buy $1500 worth of add ons on top of that. Bed liner, wheel liner, door/handle protector and rubber mats.
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Truck Nuts
Just got the 20 Platinum. Leveled and rides on Hankooks. The ride is great. Been ferrying around relatives this past week and they all comment on the nice ride, roominess and quality of interior. Could be they are just being nice because they have been freeloading off of me this past week. Drank all my beer, wine and never once found their wallet to pay for a meal.
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Best earplugs for shooting
This is what I did. A lifetime of shooting has damaged my hearing and I cannot lose anymore. I wear the custom set covered by Howard Leigh electronic muffs when I am training at the range. If I am doing any type of hunting, I am wearing the molded set. I can wear them 10 hours a day and never notice them.
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Truck Nuts
Just picked up the '20 F150 Platinum. Did the leveling kit and Roll N Lock bed cover. I really like it. Also looked at the AT4. The 36 gallon tank and the interior was the difference for me. I really like the looks of the AT4. What tires came on the AT4? Hankook Dynapo AT2 came on the F150. I have never had them and prefer the BFG K02.
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Best shootouts in movie history
I am old and don't know how to load it, but Thief from the early 80's cemented my love for the Colt Gold Cup. Pretty good fight scene with decent reload.
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Bee Caves, Lakeway, Hudson Bend Eats
Just affirming Giovannis as a great dinner spot. I had a crab and pasta dish with cream sauce the other night that was fantastic. Have eaten at Wayback the past 2 weeks and it has been spot on both times. Very good date night place. I understand the woman who owns the place is divorced and she has to make this place work. She puts in lots of effort and it shows. Had chicken/waffles Sunday after church. Place was packed and the food was on point.
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Cooking Thanksgiving Turkey a Few Days Ahead of Time
I have smoked several with varying results. My best method so far has been to inject liberally with Tony Chachere butter mixture and spatchcock on BGE. Last year, all the ham was left and not a single bite of turkey remained. I will do my practice turkey next week. New grill and unfamiliar with its cooking tendencies. .
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Recommend me a built-in outdoor grill
Weber is the correct answer. Had it at my last house and I was a steak searing magician. 900 degrees was no problem and easily the best grill I ever had. Just moved into a new house and went to look at the Weber, got talked into the 3X more expensive TEC with ceramic plate, smoker grill, etc... It sucks compared to the Weber.
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African Safari
Dar is a tough town, I would avoid it. Zanzibar is great. Beautiful beaches and resorts to match your budget. Kilimanjaro is a great family trip, depending on age of kids. Selous is beautiful but hard to get to. Typically have to fly in on a bush plane to the tented resorts.
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African Safari
I don't know that I would stay in Doha as a vacation itinerary. I have been there a few times and it is hot as balls in July/August. They spend money like crazy over there. The roads are fantastic and the hotels are first class with great restaurants, jazz clubs, etc... I have only stayed in the city maybe 8 hours at a time. I remember it being very hazy from the sand blowing, 90+% humidity and about 110 degrees outside. OK for a layover, but not for a sightseeing trip. If you choose this route, ask for the airport hotel. You stay within the airport, are never out in the heat, and the rooms are very nice.
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African Safari
The above trip looks fantastic. Kruger is a great park. I would do everything I could to avoid the Atlanta to Johannesburg leg on Delta. I think they are the worst airline for Africa travel. They charge an arm/leg for coach and also a first born for business class. Several years ago I tried to upgrade to business class in Dallas and they wanted $8000 each for my wife and I one way. Got to Atlanta and tried again and they quoted $11,000 each for a one way flight to Johannesburg. I refuse to fly that route again. I like DFW/Frankfurt route and just got back from the Doha route on Qatar. Love Qatar Airlines and they treat you like royalty in business class. I paid $5000 for round trip tickets from DFW to Windhoek, Namibia. It was 14 hours to Doha. 9 hour layover at a 4 star hotel that the airline paid for, 10 hour flight to Windhoek. Very good wines, impressive meals and the latest in business class comforts. Individual pods, big screen tv, pretty comfortable bed, etc... I have friends who fly Emirates and have good things to say about them.
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African Safari
Yes, go to Dallas Safari Club convention. It will be packed on Friday afternoon and Saturday. If possible, go on Thursday or Friday morning. You will get the most personalized attention and better info. I have been many times on shooting safaris. Mostly culling for parks, conservancies, etc... Prices are all over the place and dependent on what you want to do. I have been Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, etc..... The Serengeti is very nice and there are great lodges, photo safaris, game drives, etc... You pick your level of comfort. Zimbabwe is nice near Vic Falls and Hwange National Park. Zambia has nice resorts just across from the falls. I am not a South Africa fan. Crime has grown exponentially in the past, especially if you are unguided in Johannesburg or Cape Town. The national parks do not have any crime problems. They are well patrolled and Kruger is a great park.
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The New Car Fanatic Thread
I have all of my 2015 F150 wrapped with the exception of the roof. Same color as factory color. Did it because I hunt a lot and tend to get lots of mesquite scratches on my trucks which bites my ass when I trade them in. Now, the film has lots of scratches, but none have gone thru to the paint. I will take it off in the next year when I trade for a new one.
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The Gun Owner’s thread
I have the Shield RMSc on my 365. Really helps with accuracy. Not very quick on dot pick up though. I "hear" the xl has a different grip angle? At 15 yards my RMR'd Gen 5 19 is much more accurate.
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Truck Nuts
72000 miles. Secondary hunting/Colorado vehicle. Rarely put in 4wd on hunting trips and drove it to Colorado about 3 times a year. I think it got abused during March winter storm in Colorado. Drove thru that crazy storm from Steamboat that morning to Castle Rock where the 100+ car pile up was. Stopped at shelter for night. That next day at noon, those with 4x4 were allowed to gingerly go down the interstate to Colorado Springs where the ice had melted. Was in 4 high all the way from Steamboat to Colorado Springs. At one point I had the transfer case locked and pushing snow at 10 mph. It was intense. Only did 2 smart things that week. Bought new BFGs and loaded 500 lbs of sand over the rear wheels before we left. . Never had a bobble. Wanted to sell it when I had trouble, now $7500 later I feel like I need to keep it awhile.
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Truck Nuts
My 2015 F150 4 x 4 had a transmission crap out this past week. Repair $4000, rebuilt $6000, and new transmission $7500. That sucks.