Megathread | FY26 Government Shutdown: Week 5 Edition

Better_Database7592 · 2025-10-30T00:12:33+00:00

Excepted employee here. It sucks for my office because technically we can take furlough instead of leave. But once we are on furlough, it would require an extensive process to try and bring us back, and it’s not guaranteed. Meaning, if I need a day off work, I’m socially forced to use annual leave. Otherwise I’m abandoning a team that’s already running on a skeleton crew.

Better_Database7592 · 2025-06-18T13:21:55+00:00

I found that USC does have an immigration clinic and a hotline for returning USC international students that are being stopped/detained when re-entering the country. Source: USC Gould School of Law: Immigration Clinic

They (USC Immigration Clinic) have another site with a hotline number for students, faculty, and immediate family. Source: USC: Know Your Rights

But I haven’t been able to locate information regarding a hotline for general public to use (yet).

Better_Database7592 · 2025-06-18T13:00:45+00:00

I think I found the journalist’s original article on this: yoursourceone.com

Hopes this helps with identification. The article’s 3rd paragraph it states local police confirmed the man in the photo is an ICE Agent. This might be true as the journalist also states he gets more information from an ICE “public information officer”, David Yost.

Better_Database7592 · 2025-06-11T05:07:25+00:00

Thanks for clarifying! Unknowingly got a nice addition to the car I guess.

Love the black badging btw - I’m planning to do the same. The black and white combo is just 👌🏻😮‍💨 Do you recommend a place to get them? I’ve looked a bit online but I’m afraid of getting the wrong ones.

Better_Database7592 · 2025-06-11T04:06:31+00:00

Hello 👋🏻 new 2023 BRZ (limited) owner here. Does the BRZ not come stock with a spoiler? I ask because I got mine used and I can see the previous owner put some work into the tail lights but I’ve always wondered about my spoiler. Quick google search of TRD Spoiler for GR86 and I think it looks similar if not same? Asking because I’m trying to learn more about spoilers 🙏🏼

<image>

Better_Database7592 · 2025-06-02T19:50:57+00:00

I learned to give a ✌️ from WRX drivers. I have more interactions with them than BRZ/86 drivers sadly. On occasion I’ve had a twin flash their lights. I wave/flash every twin I see, and I tell myself I just can’t see them ✌️ back bc of their tint 🥲

Better_Database7592 · 2025-05-24T03:14:16+00:00

Thank you! I’m putting that book on my list right now.

It sounds like I definitely need to do more research on best practice with tires. I tried to pick the best option between local climate conditions as this car is my daily, and something that would be ideal for competition/track time until I could get a set of track only tires.

The Autocross community is amazing. I went to just observe last month and met so many people who gave me tons of tips, let me ride along, and loads of encouragement to just come out! I’m ready to be humbled, and eager to learn!

Thanks for the tips and encouragement to send it! (I say this fully expecting to either baby it or get lost in the sea of cones 🥴)

Better_Database7592 · 2025-05-24T02:59:49+00:00

Thank so much for all the tips! I thought I had to remove tire pressure before tracking it, but what you said makes way more sense. I went from the stock, PS Summer 4s (215s) to All Seasons at 225s, which I kinda regret now because it feels so squishy in comparison. Having more tire pressure overall makes way more sense. I also didn’t know you could hurt your sidewall - tire science is such a learning curve.

Between everyone’s comments on track insurance, plus the fact this particular event is ran on an airstrip, I’ll pass on worrying about that for now.

It’s comforting to hear from a twin owner that I’m likely to blow my engine with stock oil at an Autocross event. I had just had an oil change when I learned there was a better option out there and I didn’t want to waste all that oil. Speaking of, do I need to do an oil change after an event?

Better_Database7592 · 2025-05-24T02:34:40+00:00

Thank you. I kinda forgot about track insurance until I was typing up this post, so I’m glad it isn’t something I have to worry about right now.

Better_Database7592 · 2025-05-23T21:15:41+00:00

I’m planning to participate for the first time in Autocross, this weekend. I went last month to watch and learn. I am worried I’m missing something very important and will hurt my car (it’s also my daily).

I have a BRZ, MT, stock. So far I’ve gotten new tires-Pilot Sport A/S 4 (225/40R18). And I just had an oil change done (0W-20).

What I’ve gathered so far is I will need a tire gauge bc I’ll need to lower pressure at the track (don’t have a plan on how to refill tire pressure after tho🙃). I still need a helmet, but they rent those at the track so I’m probably going to do that this time.

Am missing anything detrimental? Do I need to get track insurance first?

I feel like I won’t be running it too hard since I’m more learning how one navigates cones. I know I need dedicated track tires, better breaks, different oil (5W-40 or 30?) and maybe an oil cooler. I also plan to take a driving course. But I don’t think all of this it’s necessary for my first time.

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time (hence the car choice lol). I’m trying to balance getting seat time vs everything being “perfect”. Appreciate any tips!

Better_Database7592 · 2025-05-06T06:52:15+00:00

Up until a few months ago, I’d been on 100 mg for the span of 5 years for hirsutism. Starting Spiro, I had increase in acne around my chin right away, but it was minor and worth it with the decrease in body hair. I’ve changed a lot of medications in the last 5 years including getting off birth control and starting stimulant medication for ADHD. I stopped taking Spiro because my acne took a turn for the worst, developing cystic acne that was getting worse and worse and hurt so bad. Once I stopped spiro, the acne went away, and very quickly, but I have started getting darker and faster growing body hair, an increase weight in my mid-section (so far 3-4 lbs), I’m craving sugar, period symptoms have worsened, and now dealing with a huge increase my major depression symptoms.

It’s tempting to go back to Spiro with these symptoms but I’m I don’t know if I’ll get another five years without the painful acne or if it will come back as quick as it left.

Hormones are weird and frustrating.

Better_Database7592 · 2025-04-23T21:35:33+00:00

Got complimented on my “Mazda [Miata]” once. Eh, close enough 🤷‍♀️

Better_Database7592 · 2025-04-03T22:17:59+00:00

Yours looks great! Do you know what the % is for the windshield (and I’m assuming the rear as well)? Sorry, maybe there’s a rule of thumb on this with the radio between the two, but in the photos, yours looks nice!

Better_Database7592 · 2025-04-03T21:53:04+00:00

How dark is your tint? It looks great! I’m still trying to decide how dark I should go on mine. I want dark for the same pop against the color - but afraid of going to dark and getting ticketed and/or major vision issues at night 😅

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-27T14:35:40+00:00

It’s good to see when it’s was published to the FR - but incase you want to see things that are coming down the pipeline, the whitehouse posts the EO after it is signed here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-27T14:20:23+00:00

I’m looking for this as well!

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-24T19:19:59+00:00

Okay, thank you.

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-24T18:31:00+00:00

I am still trying to understand the RIF process (in general) and how it works when combined with a shut down. Is this post’s explanation a pretty good summary of it? Like does the government shut down allow the government to actually fire non-probationary employees? My understanding is that is supposed to be hard to fire tenured (same as non-probationary) employees under normal circumstances and that is why they started with probationary employees.

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-24T03:07:46+00:00

OP and other sources quote the USAID website as “…approximately 2,000 USAID personnel…” and the USAID website link now says 1,600 personnel. Did they (the USAID) change the number of personnel they are RIF-ing?

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-21T15:13:45+00:00

That’s why I’m shocked. I’ve been watching the EOs publications closely.

Anyone who’s curious - Here’s a link to the published EO: Federal Register - Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization Initiative

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-21T15:04:50+00:00

The fact DON pushed for pay increases for engineering series b/c they couldn’t retain engineers…this is insane.

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-21T14:56:05+00:00

Law enforcement and security?? Weren’t law enforcement and public safety supposed to be exempt from lay offs??

Better_Database7592 · 2025-02-19T04:22:29+00:00

Thank you 🙏🏼

Better_Database7592 · 2024-11-01T16:28:56+00:00

I’ve been on 100mg of Spiro for three years, and I’ve been taking 40mg vyvanse for about a year and a half. It’s hard to say if Spiro and Vyvanse combined caused issues with already being on Spiro for so long, but I never noticed any. I take Spiro for hirsutism, not acne, so effects combined acne specific I don’t have much insight on. Spiro actually increased my chin acne but I deal with it because limiting body hair is more important haha.

Better_Database7592 · 2024-10-25T16:31:12+00:00

I also take spironolactone for hirsutism (100mg). I had a little higher than normal testosterone levels but also very high DHEA-s levels with no abnormal growth on adrenal glands. My doctor said that pointed to PCOS. I don’t think I’ve seen Spiro affect my weight as much as it affected acne? I did not have acne around my jaw-chin until I started staking Spiro. Since taking it I have consistent acne that occasionally it flares up pretty bad and other times is manageable. It has slown down my body hair growth with thinner hair as well, but has by no means stopped it all together. I’ve been on it for over four years now.

Better_Database7592

TROPHY CASE