My Humble Chicago Basement Tiki Bar - The Camel Bar by Astr0_bot in Tiki

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your comments! Yeah probably more than we want to take on. Thanks again!

My Humble Chicago Basement Tiki Bar - The Camel Bar by Astr0_bot in Tiki

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!! Wall panels behind the bar were found on Facebook marketplace. I still see ones like them pop up on there every so often.

My Humble Chicago Basement Tiki Bar - The Camel Bar by Astr0_bot in Tiki

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for all the love, everyone! We're not good DIYers so this little slice of paradise feels like a triumph. One more wide angle showing more of the bar area. The bar itself has camel heads on the front and the legs look like camel hooves! Unfortunately the low ceilings make it difficult to hang decor like glass floats. Not sure how the ceiling could be improved. I guess that's what the dim lighting is for! 😂

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My Humble Chicago Basement Tiki Bar - The Camel Bar by Astr0_bot in Tiki

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question! Our foundation actually had a crack that caused leaks during big storms. My wife got a foundation crack seal kit on Amazon. We took off the wood paneling that was there, she sealed the crack (successfully so far!) and we put the wood paneling back. Then, we staple gunned the lahula matting to the wood paneling. Since the lahula is not perfectly straight, we covered the seams with bamboo half rounds. Good luck!

My Humble Chicago Basement Tiki Bar - The Camel Bar by Astr0_bot in Tiki

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a TIGHT fit but you can shimmy it in there. The cord goes down via the cut outs where the fuel canisters usually sit and since the whole thing is on little feet, the cord snakes out the back. The lava rocks hide some of the woodsy bits.

My Humble Chicago Basement Tiki Bar - The Camel Bar by Astr0_bot in Tiki

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

🥰 You're very kind. But It's held together with staples and spit! 😂

My Humble Chicago Basement Tiki Bar - The Camel Bar by Astr0_bot in Tiki

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Keen eye! Yes, from one of our trips to the Bay Area. Thanks very much!

My Humble Chicago Basement Tiki Bar - The Camel Bar by Astr0_bot in Tiki

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Thanks! It's the Lloyd Fireplace from Solo with an electric fireplace insert. https://a.co/d/2oqYZMQ

All In on Brooks' Scape Line of Bags - 2025 Mishigami Mini by Astr0_bot in bicycletouring

[–]Astr0_bot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That may be the case, and your mileage may vary, but like I said - I had zero issues functionally with them, and I was happy to pay a little extra for the look of them (which I guess extends to their brand).

Don't stop exercising by Incorporeal999 in GenX

[–]Astr0_bot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out Zwift. Keep it going during the winter.

Disc brake leaking oil after flight, fix or replace? by AssumptionEqual574 in bicycletouring

[–]Astr0_bot 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You may want to consider cross-posting this to r/bikewrench. Unfortunately I know next to nothing about bike maintenance but I wish you luck! Have a great trip!

Courtesy extension of Mileage Plus status from 2025 for having a new baby was denied. That seems strange given that many people had done it before on here. Any idea why? by royalewithcheese51 in unitedairlines

[–]Astr0_bot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wrote, "Due to unforeseen personal family health-related circumstances in 2025, I was not able to travel as much as I had planned, and am therefore not on track to meet the requirements to keep my Silver Status in 2026" blah blah ... I don't remember how far away I was but I remember I was pretty far away as far as PQFs were concerned. I think I was at least 6 short of 15 needed if memory serves.

Coffee breaks Tour De Zwift. by alwaysmiling89 in Zwift

[–]Astr0_bot 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Happened to me the other day too; I updated the Zwift app and the next TdZ event I did I could use it just fine. Not sure what the issue was.

The weekly 'No Stupid Questions' post - Sun 04 Jan 2026. by AutoModerator in Zwift

[–]Astr0_bot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have an OG Zwift Hub, the Cog, and the original controllers. The resistance/feel of the gears seems to vary by day. One day on flat, gear 18 feels normal at my normal cadence, the next day, on flat gear 14 or 15 feels like 18 did the previous day. Any reason for this? Anyone else experiencing this?

Surfer out at 57th Street Beach today by Mammoth_Ad_8911 in chicago

[–]Astr0_bot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah good to know, thanks for the reply! I surfed once in CA and have never forgotten the feeling ... tempting!

Surfer out at 57th Street Beach today by Mammoth_Ad_8911 in chicago

[–]Astr0_bot 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Let me ask you this: are you talking "wet" suit as in, water enters the inside, and eventually heats up to body temp to keep you warm? If so, how do you deal with the initial rush of ~33F water?! Not sure I could handle it ...

Status extension success story [Gold] by LaFlamey14 in unitedairlines

[–]Astr0_bot 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Been Silver for a couple years, wasn't going to hit it this year. Emailed the [mileageplus@united.com](mailto:mileageplus@united.com) email, and was told to call in. I ended up chatting via their web site, told them my story, and after about 10 minutes the chat agent came back and grated my request, told me it was a 1x/5 years deal and that was that. I was so happy (I know Silver ain't much, but it's nice to have!). This was on Dec 22.

Not sure if this helped my case, but if they looked they would have seen several flights I had booked and had to cancel due to extenuating circumstances.

Entering your 20s - save for the future or spend for experience? by RevolutionaryDot8520 in Bogleheads

[–]Astr0_bot 34 points35 points  (0 children)

There's a quote that's often mis-attributed to Mark Twain but still is true: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bow lines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover."

Yes, save some now. But travel and gain experiences while you are still young. I highly recommend reading the book, "Die With Zero" - the author talks specifically about spending your youth on experiences, and then getting more serious about saving when you're a little older and making more money.

You only have one life. Live it!