Lurker > IdiotMachine

Dat_Cracka_Jax posted...

Wat?

Yea, it's nuts how high the freakin' school tax is here:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/9/9cd2a2f3.png

archizzy posted...

You bought two extra houses and cover bills for two sets of parents just to compensate them for watching the kid?

Kind of. Theyre reasonably sized, at around 1,500 sqft each, and they gifted us some funds for the downpayment. Our two sets of parents needed help in their golden years, so we lended them a hand in exchange of them helping us out too. Its a win-win; we get to help our parents, they help us. Cant just leave them on the streets

boomgetchopped3 posted...

Daycare is a lot more than that for us. Luckily our school system gives us free pre school when the time comes. I say free but we pay up the ass in school tax.

I wish our school system had free preschool we pay $12k/year in school taxes for just our house! Our property taxes (which are separate from school taxes) are only like $3k/year.

And women will still pick the bear.

MrResetti posted...

I pay $190 a week for a two year old

How many days a week? If 4 days = $48/day, and if 5 days = $38/day which seems cheap. And I also assume thats before any federal and state tax credits.

We've had luck in having our parents watch our child (in return, we bought each of them a house and take care of their finances (medicare and social security)), but with her becoming 3 years old next year, figured it's time to get her on a waitlist for pre-school, so I called around and set up tours, interviews, and information sessions.

I called four different locations, and costs are $45, $49, $51, and $65 per day. Given that pre-school runs September to May (standard school year), and given that there's about 25 days of no school due to holidays, spring and winter break, consider that about 8 months of schooling. Kindergarten runs 3 days a week, so I'd like pre-school to have the same tempo, and have our parents continue to watch her for the remainder of the 2 days a week (the weekend = us, of course).

Math:
$45/day * 3/days a week * 4/weeks a month * 8 months = $4,320; or at $65/day = $6,240. Subtract $1,050 in federal child tax credits and another $1,050 in state tax credits = ~$2k to ~$4k a year.

I've heard horror stories about childcare costing like $2,000/mo, so color me surprised when I found out it's "only" ~$300/mo.

We have two places scheduled for this Thursday (5/9), and the other two places next Wednesday (5/15).

/blogfaqs

I hope all these expelled students take up on their offer to see just how tolerant Iranians and Yemenians are.

We have a pair of Oral B Series 9, one black and one white:
https://oralb.com/en-us/products/electric-toothbrushes/io-series-9-electric-toothbrush-black-onyx/

Bought the two-pack from Sams Club when it was on clearance for like $100. It feels like just from dentist clean.

BucketCat posted...

as a cat fanatic, this is how i'd approach things

number one, give the delinquent cat a space that nobody can get to. not you, not your little one, and not the other cat.
ideally this is when one cat is smaller than the other, simply make an opening where the larger cat can't enter.
alternatively, if your cat is a percher, give it somewhere to perch. if they're a burrower, give them a new space to burrow.
you can also do things like have the normal behaving cat wear a bell around their neck, and have your baby do the same. this way the cat will know the baby is coming and can leave the situation before getting mad.

number two, cats can get jealous. if you've had them since they were little, and now they're 10. they might think you're deliberately giving more attention to the new addition to the house. try to spend some time playing with them, go out of your way to feed them treats

number three, get some cat calming pheromone diffusers and put them throughout your house. they are fairly expensive, but they work. i have a rescue cat that was very, very aggressive towards my other cat. now she's still a jerk, but she's chill about it. like she will hiss and walk away rather than go on the offensive.

number four, if the cat is pooping outside of the box, they're trying to tell you something. could be sick, could be pissed, or most likely, could be extremely stressed out. have you taken them to the vet?

number five, Vetoquinol Zylkene. it's an over the counter mood stabilizer you can give your cat. if you take them to the vet and they determine that it's simply acts of aggression, they will most likely give them this to try. I would still consult with your vet prior to buying it on your own.

number six, exposure therapy. in tandem with some of the above, bring the cat into a room that it doesn't mind staying in and have it be a room with the pheromone diffusers.
take some warm butter (NOT HOT) and dip your cats paws into it. the cat will start to be 100% focused on cleaning themselves, generally speaking they only clean when they are comfortable. as they are cleaning, sit in the room with your baby and don't acknowledge the cat. just show the cat they can be vulnerable in the presence of the baby.
then work your way up to getting the cat okay with playing while the baby is nearby, etc. just show the cat the baby is not a threat or something that will impose on them.

number seven, do you have any close friends or family that the cat has gotten along with in the past? I would ask them to adopt the cat before taking it to a shelter.
even a no-kill shelter, you have no idea their standards. you have no idea what kind of person will adopt your cat.
I would give the cat to a shelter as a 100% last resort when you have tried everything.

Im not putting a bell on my baby.

Ive actually tried Feliway diffusers and cat attract powders for litter, but neither helped much.

I did bring the cat to the vet ~1.5 years ago when these things started and showed no signs of slowing down, and they didnt see anything physically wrong with the cat. I havent been to the vet for either of the cats since then though (have, instead, gone to Vetco for yearly vaccines).

Vetoquinol Zylkene: why not. I just bought it. Lets see if that helps.

As for having the baby with the cat- shes a toddler now. She absolutely will not sit still and let the cat get used to her lol. Shes been equally pissed off and angry at the cat; both of them do not like each other. The other cat and my child really likes each other though.

kingdrake2 posted...

10 years is beyond the tipping point in which a cat can die at any time

That is also kind of the reason why Im dealing with it, seeing how she could just die in the next few years or so. Just let her be here until she passes away.

Heres the other cat, freshly shaved lol:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/7/72564296.jpg

My search history before I even posted here out of frustration:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/e/e6f0b8f7.jpg

BunkerBoy posted...

You have a history with animal abuse topics. Like the one where you killed some bird eggs then tried to draw an abortion parallel. So thinking you're just baiting

Believe what you want, but this is real. And its frustrating because I really do care for my two cats. Its just really hard to care for this one specific cat because of how different she has reacted in the past couple years, with no signs of it getting any better.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/bbc65601.jpg

Heres the cat. It sucks because she was so sweet before the baby.

BunkerBoy posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/2/2b96ed57.jpg

Bait topic...?

Not really. I guess I was just super annoyed with this stupid cat that time I posted that.

I have two cats. Both of them were fantastic. Ever since we had a child about two years ago, one of the cat became toxic; she constantly hisses and has attempted to attack our baby numerous times. This cat also started attacking the other cat, and now the two cats hate each other. This cat also started pooping and peeing outside of the LitterRobots, sometimes brazenly right in front of us (would come into the living room, meow, and just fucking pee/poop right in front of us; what the fuck).

Kind of dealing with it the past two years, and hoping things will get better, but this cat just is miserable to be around and hates our child and the other cat. Shell do well in a house without other kids, I guess.

What triggered me now is I caught my toddler playing with cat poop that was hidden in a corner that I didnt see. This made me furious. I set up a litter box and locked the cat in a bathroom, something I had done at least four times now to try to re-train her to use a litter box.

So here I am now, with a difficult decision to surrender this 10-yo cat that Ive had ever since the cat was just 6 weeks old thoughts?

The other cat is still fantastic, with no issues and is just calm and sweet as ever.

IdiotMachine posted...

Its Chinas flag, before Mao made Chiang flee to an island, despite the US backing Chiang. Chiang and the island continues to fly that flag, which is better known today as Taiwan.

On a side note, based on the limited history I know about this, its amazing to me that Chiang lost against Mao and a bunch of farmers and peasants, when Chiang had limitless funds, weapons, tanks, etc. from the US.

Mistere_Man posted...

What flag is that? Isnt China

Its Chinas flag, before Mao made Chiang flee to an island, despite the US backing Chiang. Chiang and the island continues to fly that flag, which is better known today as Taiwan.

Crimson_Corsair posted...

You think Americans wouldn't know what a Japanese flag looked like days after they attacked Pearl Harbor?

Its like right after 9/11, when Americans committed numerous hate crimes against anyone looking Middle Eastern, or right after Covid when Americans committed numerous hate crimes against Asians. Bigots dont give a shit.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/2/267bd075.jpg

Bold of her to assume Americans would know what a Chinese flag even is, and to not harass her because shes Chinese and not Japanese, at the time when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

I have it for free thanks to T-Mobile, and thats exactly how much its worth.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

https://youtu.be/YSob-Pyj6pM?si=o1yjMJo4JThFRXIm

@2:30. King Charles dissolves parliament. Can this actually happen?

Sorry to hear that. What field? And how many people were laid off?

Enclave posted...

Again though, you're looking at him wearing those idiotic golden robes with the stupid golden sceptres as well while Liz is just wearing a dumb looking crown with way too much jewellery and not wearing absolutely maximum level ceremonial outfit.

That cape of hers by the way? Looks really dumb.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/301d1628.jpg

Even in that picture, Charles looks so dumb compared to Elizabeth. But agreed, that cape is ridiculous LOL.

Enclave posted...

Because you're looking at when she's not wearing ceremonial jackassery.

Everybody looks at least a little dumb wearing a crown and I'm sure you can find her wearing far more ridiculous things, that was just from a 2 second google image search.

Honestly, she looks better than Charles wearing that crown.

Enclave posted...

Yes she did.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/ae519746.jpg

She kinda just looks like an old grandma with really nice clothes.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/3457c7a2.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/a96956f7.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/7/798bf46a.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/38f4398a.jpg

Just something about him wearing the crown and holding two sticks just looks so awkward and hilarious. Queen Elizabeth never looked so silly for some reason.

KajeI posted...

Who's handling getting rid of the old fence?

I included fence removal in that time estimate. Putting up a new fence of 95ft in length would only take 2 days at most for two people. I was generous and estimated 2 additional days for removal and 1 day buffer.

Axiom posted...

Ah yes go to school just so you can know how to install a fence yourself. How practical

Installing a fence isnt technically difficult, just labor intensive. Itd take two guys maybe five days to remove and put 95ft worth of fencing. 5 days * 2 people * 8 hours a day = 80 hours * $25/hr = $2000 in labor. Plus insurance, plus profit, plus various overhead, say +$3000 above material.

This project should be reasonable at $5000ish, not $8500. Thats just nuts.

Dat_Cracka_Jax posted...

All home improvement projects are super expensive

8ft tall x 6ft wide wood fence panels cost about $60. 95ft / 6ft = 16 panels.

Rough material cost:
16 panels @ $60/panel + 10 posts @ $10/post + $200 in concrete + $200 in paint =~ $1500 in raw materials. Say $2000 in raw materials and one time material cost (like hardware, screws, brushes to paint).

+$6500 on top of that for labor is ridiculous.

lilORANG posted...

Everything sux. Anderson Windows wanted $10k for 3 Windows in my house lmao.

That doesnt sound so bad if youre adding these windows. But based on your description, I take it you were trying to replace three existing windows?

My fence needs replacing, and I called seven fence companies. Literally four of them said theyre not interested, and of the three that said theyre interested, only one actually bothered to schedule something and show up. He quoted me $8500 for 95 linear feet of wooden privacy 8ft tall fencing, and said earliest he can install is in September.

LOLWAT

Verdekal posted...

Spice enhancement triggers ancestral memories and fast forwards development so she's basically given a conscious mind (and beyond) before she's born. Ancestral memories are dangerous if your personality and sense of self are weak. She hasn't been born yet so the memories and influences could drive her mad.

squall567 posted...

When a foetus is exposed to ancestral memories, they have no self to maintain their own personality because they haven't had the chance to develop one yet.

This leads to the possibility of an ancestor personality taking over.

That makrs sense. Sucks that the baby wont be her own person

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

I didnt feel like the Dune universe gives a shit about unborn babies tbh

divot1338 posted...

Getting all the benefits without having to do any of the work. That couldnt possibly be bad.

I mean the mother became omnipresent and able to see the future and stuff by just drinking that worm liquid and didnt work up her way to get to that point she was just in the right place at the right time.

Paul also got his voice and omnipresence by drinking that worm liquid too, and didnt do any work either; he just assumed he can survive since he has main character syndrome, even though its been said no man can survive.

divot1338 posted...

It would make more sense if you saw his sister. She is basically born with the full abilities Paul develops over years.

Picture a kid so small it cant even form words correctly that already has the knowledge of an adult and the abilities of a Bene Gesserit.

Its like the rules vampires had about turning children in the Anne Rice books.

Whats wrong with that? Seems like thats a good way to get the sisterhood more powerful, faster. I assume with the knowledge of an adult, the child wont have child-like tendencies (like unable to control emotions), so theres like no negative here.

ssb_yunglink2 posted...

bro did you watch the movie after that point

Yea. The unborn baby talks to the mom. So what?

SPOILERS

So why is it such a big deal that the mom is preggo when she drinks the worms blue pee? Why does the old woman get angry / surprised?

emblem-man posted...

Speaking of robot vacuums, I should really start using our roborock more. I use it like once a month these days

That's what I used to do with my Roborock S5 Max... but with the S7 MaxV (for first floor) and my Q5+ (for second floor), I use it daily. The dock that cleans the robot for you makes all the difference. It's freakin' amazing.

ai123 posted...

I don't think I've ever had an appliance die on me within the extended warranty period.

I never buy one for household appliances (like dishwashers, washer and dryer, refrigerators, etc.). Nor do I ever buy one for electronics (like monitors, TVs, game consoles, etc.). There's no way these things will break in <5 years.

emblem-man posted...

Those batteries on the vacuum cleaners are shit

Oh yea that too. Like the robot vacuums, even super expensive ones seems to just die after 2-4 years. And you bet your ass that I get extended warranties on those! Last one that died was the Roborock S5 Max, and with the refunded amount, I upgraded to Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra. This thing will definitely break in less than 5 years for sure. So many moving parts.

My pool cleaning robot also broke within 5 years (just last month, actually), and Asurion just sent me a gift card in the full amount (of ~$1,000!).

I don't understand how Asurion makes money, if they're just refunding everyone instead of even attempting to fix it.

I buy them for products that I know has high failure rates, and I've definitely come out ahead so far. Examples:

• Portable ACs
• Robot vacuums
• Carpet cleaners (carpet cleaners are 100% planned obsolescence... not a single one lasted over 2 years for me)

I just had my portable carpet cleaner fail on me, and filed to get it repaired, to which they just refunded me the full amount I paid and told me to throw out the broken one. With that gift card, I just bought another portable carpet cleaner (w/ extended warranty again, of course), and am going to throw this broken POS out.

On another hand, I wish companies just made products to last...

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


nekrodev posted...

If I Google "windows 10 tablet", there's a ton of them, even just the first Amazon listing.

If you're wanting a tablet w/ decent specs - there's your problem. Get a laptop.

They do exist, but with shit specs. I'd like something with an i5-level performance and 8gb minimum RAM in a small 10" form factor, which I cannot find.

An iPad-sized full Windows-based tablet that is actually good. Kind of like the Surface Go, but with better specs because holy shit does Surface Go 3 underperform with its shit processor (Gold 6500Y/i3-10100Y, at 3,012/2,940 CPUMark scores).

I searched around and the best I can find is Chuwi Minibook that has an N100 processor (5,558 CPUMark) in it:
https://us.chuwi.com/products/minibook-x-1

But what the fuck is Chuwi? I want some reputable brands, you know?

Umbreon posted...

Don't forget the "pls turn off adblocker" pop-ups. "We sold your data but we need more money"

Oh yea, that too. Some sites dont even have a Ill turn it off later or continue without turning it off option, and you cant even go to the site.

Doe posted...

Sucks to hear you're having trouble with AdGuard, it is completely ruthlessly effective on my iPhone even as the free version

Im having no issues with AdGuard; I have like 20 of their lifetime licenses for a bunch of our devices. I just hate the modern website experience is all.

Even with AdGuard, the modern website experience sucks ass. Idk who actually likes it:
1) Visit a website.
2) Accept all cookies, or read the entire work of Homer to accept specific cookies.
3) Deny location sharing request.
4) Deny notifications request.
5) Start browsing the website.
6) A random video starts playing in a corner that travels with your page scroll, and you have to wait a few seconds for the x to pop up to close the video.
7) A random pop up comes up to ask you to sign up for their newsletter to get a coupon or whatever. If you put your email and hit next, they ask for a phone number next.
8) Fucking FINALLY browse the god damn website.

Why the fuck do I have to do all this? Why cant I just browse the god damn website? I cant imagine visiting a website without AdGuard how much worse is it?

*EDIT* I forgot one more. Some websites do a goddamn pop up to get you to install their app too, that you have to reject.

Cynrascal posted...

Easier to get and cheaper. Of course where I live, goldendoodles can be seen quite a bit.

I guess why is it so easy and cheap? I would have guessed golden retrievers will be the most popular, but Im wrong.

Of all the breeds, I feel like pit bulls represent the largest percentage of breed, and Google shows it is in the US.

Glob posted...

*Laughs in Asia*

In China, you have to pay and bring your own toilet paper tho (per a Chinese coworker I asked a few weeks ago when that Chinese viral watch an ad for toilet paper video; i.e., the ad for TP is a backup since everyone is expected to carry their own TP in public). Idk about other Asian countries.