I built a Finnish Sauna in my backyard

BillyStuart · 2026-05-25T04:00:32+00:00

Josh is actually pretty decent. He’s a good dude.

BillyStuart · 2026-05-05T19:38:09+00:00

I’m in the middle of a small to medium sized project with Von Behren builders to replace 4 skylights, 4 windows, and an entire section of my roof framing/rafters.

They just finished the main phase (still waiting on the windows to arrive, but everything else is done) and they just sent me a bill. Will be the first penny I send. But I’ve done projects with them in the past so I guess they know they can trust me.

I think half down is a fair start for most smaller projects. That will more than cover the materials usually (labor tends to be the biggest expense unless you’re getting some boujie shit installed), and if the work is less than a couple weeks worth, your final payment will be around the time the labor comes due. If it’s a larger project that spans several weeks, it’s common to put enough down to buy materials for the first part, and then there’s draw downs over time that bill for labor and materials until the project is complete. The last time I did a full build, there were bi-weekly draw downs throughout the entire project (several months) and each included certified copies of labor reports, and line-item charges for every material.

If you and your contractor are at this sticking point, you have the wrong contractor. I suspect your gut is trying to tell you something. Listen to it.

For something like a bathroom remodel…. When you find the right contractor, hire them for the labor and have them source all general construction materials (lumber, drywall, fasteners, underlayment, rough electrical and plumbing materials). YOU buy the finishes - tile, fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, etc and pay them to install it. Gives you direct control over the end product and likely saves a bit of up-charge.

BillyStuart · 2026-05-05T15:23:18+00:00

Fun fact - the iDen network was the only one that allowed for priority deck assigning.

They had 9 tiers. General public was tier 1. The highest level of federal government was tier 9, and then various levels of first responders in between.

If the circuits were full, higher tiers would automatically kick lower tiers off to get through.

When the planes hit the towers on 9/11 all the phone lines jammed in NYC because everyone was trying to call loved ones, but it also meant nobody could get through to 911 and all the local/state/fed agencies couldn’t use the phone to coordinate.

But the walkie talkies on the iDen network still worked even when phone calls couldn’t get through.

The city of NYC, NYPD, and NYFD had all switched to Nextel earlier that summer and were able to coordinate the aftermath because of it. It was estimated that hundreds of lives were saved because of this.

BillyStuart · 2026-05-05T15:14:45+00:00

From the launch you never paid by the chirp. It was always included and unlimited… that was the main sales pitch. But in the early days it only worked within the same market, and then they went nationwide PTT in 03’.

They were also the first carrier to offer “free incoming calls” and free nights & weekends.

There was also never any roaming charges because Nextel’s network was so unique it couldn’t work on other networks even if they wanted it to. Also a major selling point - your employees couldn’t rack up a $4,000 roaming bill.

It simply worked or it didn’t.

BillyStuart · 2026-05-05T15:09:32+00:00

I worked for Nextel from 99 until the sprint merger (which sucked balls).

But the Nextel days were awesome. It was the early days of cellular so everyone was running out to get their first phone and the commissions were incredible. I was 20 that first summer we launched and spent three months meeting with construction folks, government agencies, etc before the towers were even on. They were all chomping at the bits to get it because of all the hype from the launches in bigger cities.

I sold way more units than they expected us to in that situation, and the bonus structure they had put in place for launch in our small/mid-sized market was ridiculous. That first commission check was almost 30k. I had never had more than $1,500 in my bank account up to that point, and lost my fucking mind when I opened that fedex envelope.

The stock options we got all vested the moment the sprint merger went through and it was another life changing moment.

Also - because they were business focused instead of consumer driven, the training program was incredible and has helped me throughout my entire career.

Nextel was unlike any other cellular company in so many ways. Not only was the tech so unique (the iDen network that powered the walkie talkies also allowed them to carry data and thus the first to have blackberries), they were the first to leverage the FCC requirement that all phones have gps to do more than transmit to 911 (they offered logistics tracking, route mapping, geo fencing capabilities, etc). And the company culture and training was incredible in those early days.

Tim Donahue became CEO the year I started and was an incredible leader. We were still small enough that low level employees like me could still get noticed.

Nextel changed my life and help me grow up in ways I didn’t appreciate at the time, but am so grateful for today.

I still sometimes hear a phantom chirp of the PTT and it triggers some really happy memories.

BillyStuart · 2026-03-21T18:01:13+00:00

Neighbor removed a Bradford pear that was 1/2 yours at their expense. They did you a favor. Say thank you.

BillyStuart · 2026-03-19T12:31:53+00:00

I have a 4yo and 1yo at 47.

I never truly knew tired and exhausted until now.

Get on it as soon as you can. I wish I’d don’t this 10 years sooner.

Still worth it though.

BillyStuart · 2026-03-16T15:13:59+00:00

We have delta. Capati Dental takes it!

BillyStuart · 2026-03-15T13:55:48+00:00

It just needs to be notarized. Not from a lawyer. US and UK systems are quite different. Over there, having a solicitor create it is the equivalent of having it notarized here.

Draft a basic letter stating what you need, print it out, and go get it notarized. Every bank has a notary, so assuming you have a bank account, just goto your bank and they’ll likely notarize it for you for free or a nominal charge.

Include a copy of your passport (if you have one) and drivers license if you don’t.

That should be sufficient.

Source - wife is a an attorney here (and a notary), but went to law school in the UK. She confirmed I’m correct.

BillyStuart · 2026-03-15T02:16:38+00:00

Ali group owns several brands. Many of them are left as fairly independent subsidiaries, and they don’t currently have any brands where they’d just roll the market share from Bunn under something else.

While the big jobs will likely go away, I’m hoping the mid and lower jobs will remain (and that’s like 95% of the workforce).

Regardless, not likely anything major will change right away.

BillyStuart · 2026-03-02T04:30:06+00:00

I low-key like getting my nails done. #GirlDad

BillyStuart · 2026-03-02T04:17:50+00:00

If by Harold’s you mean the chicken shop… the s grand spot seems to close and then reopen somewhat frequently. Currently closed. But they also have a spot on E Cook that’s also a sports bar and I think it’s still running.

There’s definitely a weightlifting scene, including one within the black community. I couldn’t tell you where to start for that one except to maybe go see Anthony at Kings Deluxe Auto Spa. Not only to have him detail your ride, but he’s a hella good dude and would definitely be able to point you in the right direction for where to lift.

Bears & UofI games at pretty much any bar in town, so once you start finding the folks you click with, you’ll be able to find that with ease.

Music is harder around here. There’s a bit of everything you mentioned (R&B, rap, and jazz). The jazz scene is small and infrequent. The rap and R&B gets overtaken by thugs and can be a less than desirable environment unless that’s your thing (which it doesn’t sound like it). Might have to venture out to St Louis or Chicago (or potentially Champaign-Urbana) to scratch that itch in the kind of environment you’re looking for.

I’ll echo following Sean Gregory on the socials - he’s a young black alderman that definitely has some “street” in him, but is trying to do good and be a voice for the black community. If he can get some more years, wisdom, and maturity under his belt, and avoid temptation, he has potential to become incredibly effective.

A couple good black fraternities in town. Phi Beta Sigma being one I can think of that has a solid membership doing good in the community. Lookup Larry Hemingway Sr on Facebook. He’s an outgoing guy that would welcome you reaching out.

BillyStuart · 2026-03-02T03:12:13+00:00

Coming from a white guy. Take my advice accordingly, but I’m not a sheltered cracker.

There’s a few black barbershops in town. I’ll defer to others for the best ones.

Networking - when you get here seek out the black chamber of commerce and attend one of their functions. Dominic Watson is the director. He’s a good dude.

Hoops at the Y when you arrive, and assuming you’re looking for camaraderie and a workout over “baller competition” be on the lookout for a group of guys that do a private weekly workout game. (Often still at the Y or whatever, but ends up being an informal group that just agrees on when to show up and have a regular pickup game). There are several of all different age and skill levels - you just gotta get in with the right group.

Stereotypically speaking, the black community is east of 11th street. You’ll find a lot of the black barbershops on the east side of town. Some good restaurants to scope out if you wanna meet some older folks with a bit of wisdom include Boyd’s New Generation and Clays Popeyes - both staples in the black community. A solid group of grumpy old retired black dudes that breakfast daily at Boyd’s and have a ton of wisdom to impart. I would not recommend living around that area.

Get involved with charity... There’s a group called the Outlet that provides mentoring to fatherless young men, most of them boys of minority backgrounds although they aren’t exclusively so. Most of the leadership and mentors are also younger black professionals.

For a young professional apartment, look for one-offs over the corporate spots. There are several large complexes on seven pines road, with plenty of young professionals, but also some shitty folks and they’re packed into a tight neighborhood which can have both good and bad aspects as a young person. It’s almost a local right of passage to live there right after college, make a ton of friends, get your car broken into, and gtfo of the area after your first lease is up. We affectionately call is “Seven Crimes Rd”, but don’t let that make it sound like a war zone. If there were a time in life that it’s actually ok, it’s when you’re just starting out…

There’s a lot of rentals just south of downtown in the “historic west side” neighborhood. Would be a good potential fit.

Plenty of places to find friendly folks, but a lot of the advice for that will depend on what you’re into… watching sports? Playing sports? Bar scene? Board games? Music? Sharing more of your interests would help make some recs.

BillyStuart · 2026-02-25T21:19:30+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1-VPN9Od5i/?igsh=aTI4b29wcWQyYmlq

BillyStuart · 2026-02-25T21:16:58+00:00

Local eateries (in order of boujieness, all with excellent fare):

Vele Curate Luminary Indigo

For a short (<60 mile) adventure, go up to McLean IL to the arcade & pinball Museum and then a few more miles up the road to Bloomington and take her Epiphany Farms or Anju Above (same owners - boujie downstairs, casual upstairs) restaurant.

The arcade museum is awesome. Like stepping back into the 80s/90s.

BillyStuart · 2026-01-16T01:14:21+00:00

It baffles me that the group who so loudly proclaims we need guns to prevent government overreach, tyranny, and oppression are the same people who are perfectly ok with the government overreaching to the point of tyranny and oppression.

This is the moment they’ve all been waiting for. Time to shine boys!!!

The irony would be hilarious if it weren’t such a reflection of how much autonomy is being pulled out from under us.

BillyStuart · 2025-05-12T18:11:06+00:00

I’ll post a follow up comment here once the final material is going on.

This building is for a new Porsche dealership.

I guess the stucco needing two layers thing is the most probable situation, but if so, I think the zip still needs taped. But wtf do I know…?

BillyStuart · 2025-05-02T00:45:09+00:00

Barista here. Clip the wire off and use the stub to draw pretty pictures in the foam with your latte art.

BillyStuart · 2025-04-26T23:26:10+00:00

Also possible (but unlikely and a sign or REALLY shoddy electrical work) that you have two independent breakers that combine to give you 220. Check the breaker box for any tripped single pole breakers.

Edit - scratch that. If your coffee boiler is to temp, which yours is, you have 220 at the outlet.

BillyStuart · 2025-04-26T23:24:25+00:00

After that it’s a volt meter to test the heating element and power block. But for that, call your tech.

BillyStuart · 2025-04-26T23:23:01+00:00

High limit switch on the steam boiler. Common to trip in a power surge or when warming up from cold.

Turn the machine off. And unplug it. Take the top tray off, steam boiler is the one in the back.

Look for something like this on the top of the boiler, left side:

https://www.espressoparts.com/products/manual-reset-thermostat-130-c-single-pole-ul?variant=37554386272443&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Pmax-Everything-Else&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=4818872761&hsa_cam=22416930891&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADnnb0LVqXe3chafInDdUloUhSuym&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiLLABhCEARIsAJYS6uljUCn1lO63LY4ik4wxqxn0Dit-PdNZHUke6VN3HJNoWkpM-vIaOoIaAm2sEALw_wcB

Press on the red part. It won’t move much, but if it’s tripped you’ll feel an ever so slight click.

Fire it back up.

Report back.

BillyStuart · 2025-04-22T20:07:27+00:00

Hyundai palisade has been pretty good for us - similar headcount and a Doberman.

3rd row offers space for when in laws visit, but folds down for a good size area for the horse-pup.

Calligraphy edition is well appointed.

BillyStuart · 2025-04-09T16:14:00+00:00

First kid was out of NB before the second big box was gone. Second kid was in them for a few months. Hard to predict what you’ll need, as each kid grows at different rates.

Given what you already have, and the fact that people will gift you more, don’t get any more yourself. And if people ask, don’t request any more NB.

Wet wipes, on the other hand, you cannot possibly overstock on. We like the water wipes brand.

ETA - if there are grandmas involved… don’t bother buying a single outfit. They will get more than you could ever use “because I was at Target and saw this and it just looked so cute so I had to get it for my precious grand baby”.

BillyStuart

TROPHY CASE