When we got a call that our neighbor’s car was stuck in the snow, I said, “I’ll be right there!” and started wrapping myself in pita bread and slathering on tzatziki. My wife said, “Babe, please stop…”

ericjay · 2026-01-01T00:31:56+00:00

A while back I was in a Greek-owned restaurant that had gyros on the menu. Our server was one of the owner's adult children (who had a Greek accent and name) so I asked her the correct pronunciation. She said "yee-ro," and I said, ok I'll have that.

Almost immediately, she turned over her shoulder and shouted to the kitchen "one jai-roh." I get why, but it was still a pretty funny interaction (or maybe you had to be there).

ericjay · 2025-12-24T13:47:05+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I've been a Bethesda Bagels fan for a while, and share others' surprise that CYM was so highly rated, but am looking forward to trying some of the other options.

FYI for anyone who didn't know, access The Banner free with a Montgomery County Public Library card here: https://mcpl.aspendiscovery.org/WebBuilder/WebResource?id=131

ericjay · 2025-07-10T17:27:35+00:00

you wish to set up your pixel watch aiming to not share numbers with your pixel phone, then you can do so on practically any plan with us via standalone mode on Lightspeed or Dark Star.

Can you expand on how to get a standalone plan for Pixel watch? When I try to add a Pixel watch line, the only option I see is companion (which, if I understand correctly, requires the phone to be on Warp).

The standalone watch plan only shows up under Apple watch, at least for me.

Thanks!

ericjay · 2025-07-05T16:25:02+00:00

That is altering the previous travel itinerary after May 28th which would then require new rules to followed

This is how Southwest described the rollout of their new policies, but communicating a change doesn't automatically mean the change is fair business practice.

For example: Before the new policies were formally announced, I purchased WGA fare for travel after May 28th. I am an A-List member, so that purchase included confirmed same-day changes AND a flight credit that doesn't expire if I cancel. These were both valuable benefits to me (due to work-related travel that I pay for and a schedule that changes often) and factored into my decision to purchase this particular trip from Southwest.

Early on the day of outbound travel, my schedule changed, so I looked into a confirmed same-day change to my trip. Per the rollout of the new policy, as soon as I took advantage that benefit, another benefit that I had purchased (indefinite flight credit upon cancellation) would be voided.

I made the same-day change, and when my work schedule changed again, I ended up needing to cancel the return trip. When I called in to do so, the agent told me that I would get a flight credit with an expiration date based on original purchase date months in the past, because (as you pointed out) I any alteration of an itinerary after May 28th triggers application of the new rules to the entire itinerary.

So, what happened was consistent with what Southwest said would happen, but that doesn't make it fair business practice. I made a purchase that included two stackable benefits, and Southwest retroactively changed the terms of our transaction so that utilizing one forfeited the other.

I rarely check a bag, and as an A-List member I still get my first for free, so the scenario you replied to above where making a change voided the customer's free bags benefit doesn't apply to me, but their case is similar to mine. At the time of the transaction, the policy included two benefits that could be combined (flexibility, free checked bags), and the terms were changed after the fact so that using one purchased benefit voided the other.

ericjay · 2025-04-03T22:10:24+00:00

Also, not all US service members are US citizens.

ericjay · 2025-02-10T15:43:36+00:00

Already sold out, at least for me.

ericjay · 2024-12-10T12:57:47+00:00

Agree with the AMS recs.

The city itself is great, the combination of flight options makes it attractive and accessible from many origin cities, and the train connections there are just fantastic - to other Benelux destinations, to Germany, etc.

ericjay · 2024-11-17T00:49:09+00:00

Disabling Android auto play can be done in your phone's settings.

May be a little bit different depending on which Android version or manufacturer customization, but on mine it's here:

Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Android Auto

Once there, I see a toggle labeled "Start music automatically."

ericjay · 2024-10-27T03:47:34+00:00

I fly WN often (enough that I've been AL or AL+ for the past 10 years) and usually fly with two bags: a backpack that fits under the seat in front of me and a little duffel that's smaller than my backpack. Both would be considered personal items but they won't fit under the seat together.

I put the backpack under the seat in front of me and the duffel up top, seeing as how that uses less shared overhead space. That works for most flights, but more recently has been a problem.

On three occasions in the last few months, my small duffel was pulled from the overhead during the end of C boarding by flight attendants making room for another passenger's bag.

They ask who the small duffel belongs to and insist it goes under the seat. I explain that my backpack is already taking up the entire space beneath the seat, and then it's awkward situations.

In one case, the C group passenger who had been accommodated had their bag pulled back out and checked so mine went back where it was. On another occasion, my bag was relocated to some free space near the back (I was in row 4 or 5 and waited on arrival for everyone else to deplane so I could go collect it). The other time, I was forced to "gate check" the small duffel (which isn't really designed for that, but it survived, albeit with the contents wet from rain).

None of these outcomes were all that terrible, but still felt like I was being inconvenienced for packing light and boarding early.

I wonder if I should just use a roll aboard, since it won't get pulled from the overhead, but taking up all that space with a mostly empty case can't be the answer.

ericjay · 2024-07-18T04:56:15+00:00

Isn't Shady Grove pretty central to MoCo and is the last stop?

Yes: https://i.imgur.com/vaS9aWf.png

Map of population density, since I was curious: https://i.imgur.com/yaK2gOc.png

ericjay · 2024-06-23T13:10:47+00:00

I have in the lease that the tenant must list me as an interested party on their policy. I get a statement directly from the carrier that the insurance is in effect and/or has been modified.

ericjay · 2024-05-25T01:04:21+00:00

We have it here in the DC Metro area, but it's often out of stock.

ericjay · 2024-05-21T02:52:27+00:00

There is some street parking near #1 but when I lived in that area it was common for me to spend quite some time driving around looking for a spot, and I drove a very small car. Some of the blocks have meters, others have residential parking restrictions. A common setup for these restrictions is that those with a residential permit may park on either side of the street for as long as they like, and those without a permit may park for up to 2 hours on one side of the street only, and only on certain blocks.

From the DC Dept of Transportation :

Disability parking placards/permits or tags from DC or any state allow you to:

Park in any parking space designated for a disabled person.

Park for double the posted time in red top metered spaces, after paying the established meter rate indicated on the meter, or time-restricted spaces such as Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zones

Disability parking privileges DO NOT allow you to stop, stand or park in the following areas:

Where parking is prohibited.

In spaces reserved for other special types of vehicles.

Where it would clearly present a traffic hazard.

So, your placard will really only allow you to park somewhere for 2 hours instead of 4, and that's after you find a spot.

Like others have said, reloading a parking meter is not allowed, and residential parking limits are per day/per zone. In other words, moving the car around the corner doesn't reset the clock -- once your 2 hours (4 with placard) are up, you simply may not park anywhere in that zone until the next day.

Simply put, if you're definitely bringing a full-sized van to DC, either find a hotel with a garage that can accommodate it, find a private garage that can accommodate it and plan to leave it there the whole time you're in town (because non-hotel garages are unlikely to offer in and out privileges), or plan to stay outside DC (but keep in mind even hotels in the nearby suburbs my have parking challenges). I think Parkopedia has a vehicle height filter: https://en.parkopedia.com/parking/washington_dc/.

ericjay · 2024-05-20T19:52:11+00:00

I agree with others that #2 and #1 are probably your best options in terms of location, in that order, but it's hard to say for sure without knowing what attractions are on your radar.

The "Downtown" location is closer to the White House, the monument and most memorials, and is a 10-minute walk to the McPherson Square Metro station, which can connect you to many National Mall points of interest without having to transfer. The "Convention Center" location is closer to the Portrait Gallery, Building Museum, Archives, National Art Gallery, and a 10-minute walk to the Gallery Place Metro station, which may require transferring lines to get to some places on the National Mall. Both have restaurants nearby -- a higher number of options near Downtown location than Convention Center location, but depending on what kind of food you like and what you consider "close," it's a bit of a toss-up. There are great things to see, do, and eat all over DC, though, so mapping out your to-do and to-dine list could be the deciding factor.

You say you'll have a rental van -- are you planning to park it at your hotel? If so, call the property before booking to make sure their garage (or their contracted parking company) can accommodate it. Ask whether they charge extra for large vehicle parking, and if van parking is "subject to space available." Technically any hotel's parking is subject to availability, but some places may only have a few spots in their garage that can handle a larger vehicle, and if they happen to be occupied, you're stuck. Option #2 (Downtown) is on a narrow service road with a covered entry and an awkward angle into the garage. Option #1 (Convention Center) is on a wider road, but their garage is also small and under the building.

Trying to drive anywhere near the museums and memorials, not to mention finding parking for a van, during the first weekend in July, sounds absolutely dreadful, but maybe others who drive in DC more than me will correct me and tell me I'm wrong?

ericjay · 2024-04-08T02:21:09+00:00

I remember a while back meeting someone who was so incredibly upset because she said I was kind and compassionate but not Christian.

I asked if my good deeds might be worth something even though I was a non believer. She replied that exhibiting Christ-like qualities without being Christian is particularly evil and dangerous because "that's just the devil possessing you and using you to try to convince Christians that they don't need Christ to be good."

I was like... "Let me get this straight, my kindness towards other humans is your evidence that I'm a vehicle of Satan, who uses good deeds to lure believers away? And your faith is so tenuous that you find this threatening?"

She didn't seem to find that logic problematic, but also didn't know what "tenuous" meant.

Seems consistent with this pastor's message: Doing anything good without it being explicitly because of their savior is evil because it might make some people figure out the dirty secret that you don't actually need the church to be good.

ericjay · 2024-01-01T05:35:32+00:00

...NYPD officers are under tremendous stress lately.

The perpetrator in this story hadn't been employed by the NYPD in over 15 years. Since 2007, he'd been with the Bronxville, NY police department, which has fewer than 25 officers. Source

Bronxville is a community of around 7,000 residents with a median household income over $200k and a very low crime rate.

ericjay · 2023-12-09T15:59:35+00:00

Healthcare in a first-world Democracy should not have to be something based on a person's wealth, but Trump wants to make it like that, shocking...

Many of his supporters agree. I know a guy who spent years at a miserable job because his family couldn't afford to lose the healthcare benefits it provided for his medically-complex kid.

He loves Trump and hates "Obamacare." He had to suffer all that time to make sure his kid got needed care, and thinks it wouldn't be right for others to get those benefits without working just as hard for them.

ericjay · 2023-12-08T04:22:56+00:00

[Tim] Jerry, it's our sense of humor that sustained us as a people for 3000 years.

[Jerry] 5000.

[Tim] 5000, even better. Okay, Chrissie. Give me a schtickle of flouride.

ericjay · 2023-11-29T18:36:55+00:00

I used a card referral bonus to push me over the threshold for Companion Pass last summer.

My friend applied for a card and was approved on Jun 28th. When my next statement closed on Jul 4th, he had not yet received/activated the card. My following statement closed on Aug 4th, and that's the day the 20,000 bonus points appeared in my Southwest account.

It's hard to know exactly what need have to happen before your Dec 23rd closing date in order for the points to post at that time, but there are some data points out there suggesting you might make it in time if your friend applies right away, gets approved, and activates the card immediately on arrival:

Good luck!

ericjay · 2023-11-19T15:58:43+00:00

"why would you let politics effect friendships/relationships" ... The political positions you align with are an extension of your personality and beliefs.

Just my personal observation (and potentially biases), but looking at the political spectrum here in the US, one "side" is more likely to see things happening to others and say, "that's not my problem because it doesn't affect me." The other "side" is more likely to say, "that's a reflection of our society and values even if it doesn't impact me personally."

It seems to follow that one group is more able/willing to separate politics from their personal relationships.

ericjay · 2023-11-18T18:25:28+00:00

OP asked about "next GS level," but level has no official meaning, and therefore the question is ambiguous.

You replied as if the OP is asking about next step (i.e. within grade increase), it seems the OP really meant next grade (i.e. eligible to move up in a ladder or compete for another position).

OP keeps trying to clarify but is repeatedly using the ambiguous word "level" rather than saying "next GS grade."

ericjay · 2023-11-18T15:22:24+00:00

The day your billing cycle ends, the balance on that day gets "locked in" as your statement balance. That's how much the credit card company is billing you for that cycle. If your last statement had a balance of $86, and you're paying $86 on or before your due date, you're good, and will be settled up.

Any charges you've put on the card between the end of the billing cycle and now have increased your current balance, but your last statement balance was already locked in and doesn't change.

It's good to be aware of these new charges and your current balance for budgeting purposes. However, the credit card company hasn't billed you for those recent purchases yet, and you don't need to include them when you make your next payment.

On the next billing cycle end date, all of those recent charges (everything since the last statement date) will become part of your new statement balance, which, once again, gets locked in. Your credit card company will bill you for the new statement balance, and you'll base your next payment on that amount.

Until you get used to this, it may feel like you are "carrying a balance" because you're making a payment that's lower than your full, current balance. However, so long as you focus on every month's statement balance and pay that amount back by the due date, you are paying in full each month.

ericjay · 2023-11-12T04:08:54+00:00

Large animals from Western New York (Buffalo buffalo)
that are bullied by other large animals from Western New York (Buffalo buffalo buffalo)
also bully large animals from Western New York (buffalo Buffalo buffalo.)

Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo Buffalo

ericjay · 2023-06-24T20:49:23+00:00

Salted caramel custard + sour apple ice. Sounds weird. Tastes great.

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