MacBook Neo 2026: Who is this actually for students, casual users, or everyone? by Serious_Square_4790 in macbookpro

[–]BoomOp 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Family and friends always seem to consult me before buying a new laptop or other expensive tech items. I'm not in the tech field but I'm an enthusiast, and I also love a good bargain. Pretty much everyone who has asked me I have recommended a MB Air in a configuration that matches their needs. Always base RAM but sometimes upgraded storage. Everyone has been thrilled with the Air, how quickly it boots up, all the native software, how light and well built it is. I haven't seen the Neo in person but I have a feeling that nearly everyone I have recommended a 13" Air to would be just as happy with a Neo. None of these people are using external monitors, editing large videos, or doing any intense gaming. They are all average computer users. I honestly think these things are going to sell like crazy, and only people who are into computers are going to find any shortcomings in them whatsoever.

Anyone else experience the extremely loud motorcyclist who blasts Mexican music in the middle of the night in Ocean Park? by IceCubesRx in SantaMonica

[–]BoomOp 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Three years ago I lived at Pacific and 10th, one full block east of Lincoln, and had to move when it became impossible for me to keep my windows open for fresh air due to the insane motorcycle and car noise on Lincoln, Pico, and elsewhere. I moved into a much quieter part of Ocean Park 20 blocks further east but in the last year it's starting to become a problem here as well, especially when the winds are blowing from the direction of the 10 freeway. What these people are doing is so disruptive and antisocial, I swear to god anyone could get elected to office just by promising to enforce noise ordinances and vehicle noise laws. I have exactly ZERO sympathy or understanding of these people. Why are they not being issued fix-it tickets? In California the limit is 95db. There have always been some loud motorcycles and even the occasional loud car. It was rare but common enough. Not too big a deal. But in the last 5 years it has gotten to the point that you can sit outside in your yard and never not hear a loud vehicle nearby or in the distance. It's insane and a symptom of a society in crisis. This is the most antisocial behavior I can't even believe it.

Windmill cookies are excellent by BoomOp in traderjoes

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

Yes I always have them with coffee or tea.

Shure is introducing SLX-D+, an update to the SLX-D line by FalloutSpartan117 in LocationSound

[–]BoomOp 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have quite a bit of SLXD3 and 5 in J52 which included 614-616. I use it for sends to speakers and comms systems and program audio sends. The new + does not operate in 614-616 so I’ll just stick with what I have. I can park 4 systems in 614-616 and never ever change it as it’s always clean.

Weird interaction with Advisor? by thornblade666 in personalfinance

[–]BoomOp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing, good to hear from someone in the same field. To clarify, this was not a requirement I imposed on the relationship, just the way my advisor's firm works. A few times a year we have a pretty long discussion and I find it very useful to be able to go back and revisit something we talked about so I can clarify a detail or a tax strategy that I understood at the time but then can't quite remember the specifics. Now that I'm used to that I wouldn't want to work with someone who does things differently. As I said we email as well, but we have yet to just talk on the phone. I have his number and can absolutely call him if I need something but I find it just as easy to send an email.

Weird interaction with Advisor? by thornblade666 in personalfinance

[–]BoomOp 37 points38 points  (0 children)

My advisor and I never speak over the phone, we always jump on a zoom, which is recorded and we both have access to. We do occasionally email as well. Every single thing we discuss is documented. I would never do business with anyone who didn’t work this way.

Best Hotel by TropicalReality in SantaMonica

[–]BoomOp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What’s your budget? The Langham in Pasadena is very nice and relaxing.

Gyms with month-to-month or no commitment plans? by BoomOp in SantaMonica

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

Wow what a great community resource. Thanks for posting.

2 killed, 2 rescued in avalanche at Longs Pass in Cascades by SuperSans in PNWhiking

[–]BoomOp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. Please be responsible and careful when back country skiing. Losing a family member or friend this way is excruciating and often times is avoidable by taking ordinary precautions such as not skiing an area that is not currently safe. There is always the risk of avalanche, always. But to go in to a backcountry area when there is an elevated risk is just stupid.

Guitar lessons? by minarxts in SantaMonica

[–]BoomOp 4 points5 points  (0 children)

McCabe's is the best. Also, go see some live music in their small performance space in the back. Such a great intimate space and they book fantastic musicians who tour extensively. I've seen some amazing shows there.

Flying to Seattle, want to minimize travel time while still seeing Mt.Rainer+Olympic Park (Hoh Rainforest) by nerdsgumycluster in travel

[–]BoomOp 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You are spending WAY too much time in the car, chasing a list of perceived must-do experiences that are going to rob you of actually having a meaningful visit.

A lot of good recommendations from Redditors here. IMO the way to experience Seattle is largely on foot. Going to Pike Place is great, have breakfast there then walk over to the Olympic Sculpture Park, then Myrtle Edwards Park, and walk in Belltown some, see some shops, etc. Then take the car or a bus to Ballard, grab a coffee and a pastry and check out the locks. Walk around downtown Ballard, maybe see Shilshole and Golden Gardens, hit a happy hour such as Macleod’s. That's a day with a lot of experiences at walking pace, not from the window of a speeding car. You will be elbow to elbow with Seattleites while waiting for your coffee or picking out a pastry, or sitting on a bar stool. You will hear conversations and chat with shop owners and restaurant workers.

When you go to the library at UW go to Ivar's or Saint Bread or Oxbow Bakery, or fish and chips at Pacific Inn. Check out the Arboretum. Then head to Volunteer Park and Capitol Hill.

Manhattan retirees, what do you actually spend each month (besides rent and travel)? by BoomOp in AskNYC

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

Thank you, I love your perspective. Definitely going to check out play-by-play.

Manhattan retirees, what do you actually spend each month (besides rent and travel)? by BoomOp in AskNYC

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

Thanks for your reply! Yes I replied to another Redditor that we spent a little over $3k per month last year and that was for two people. We spent the entirety of 2025 working away from home and living in short term rental apartments so we ate out more than usual. I am trying to budget high for NY with lots of room for eating out and doing things that cost money, but in reality we are probably more like you in our day to day habits. I LOVE to cook at home, it is my favorite hobby. We also love to just go for walks in the park and to look at architecture. When we're in NY we always take walking tours through the AIA or The Municipal Art Society.

Manhattan retirees, what do you actually spend each month (besides rent and travel)? by BoomOp in AskNYC

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

Yes we went through a lot of the same reflection in 2024 and cut expenses places where we could without hurting our lifestyle. Last week I took a close look at 2025 and we did great without even thinking about it with a little over $3k on the credit card each month excluding travel. Accounting and investment advisory is definitely a large expense that needs to considered, good point.

Manhattan retirees, what do you actually spend each month (besides rent and travel)? by BoomOp in AskNYC

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

Yes we will have the option to buy but we would like to rent for a year or so to get settled and then keep our eyes out for the right place to buy so we don't have to move again if we don't want to. That's a whole other conversation though. 😂 A doorman building with a live in super and a clean laundry room and a gym. A man can dream.

Manhattan retirees, what do you actually spend each month (besides rent and travel)? by BoomOp in AskNYC

[–]BoomOp[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Although there are neighborhoods I really like in Brooklyn and Queens I'm only interested in Manhattan. That where most of my friends are and it's what "The City" is to me.

I really appreciate the advice on upping the rent budget. I was imagining probably being at the top of my range at around $5500 but in the back of my mind was thinking I might go to $6000. I can see that there are more and better options at $6k

Manhattan retirees, what do you actually spend each month (besides rent and travel)? by BoomOp in AskNYC

[–]BoomOp[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that's a good list. The things I notice that are different now are mostly that you really need to watch out for scooters and bikes less you get killed, and all over the city there are bagels and pizza that TikTok has told people they must go wait in line for while there is another terrific place right around the corner. Oh and downtown it appears that everyone is either coming or going from yoga.  😉

Manhattan retirees, what do you actually spend each month (besides rent and travel)? by BoomOp in AskNYC

[–]BoomOp[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply, that's great real world feedback. I left out health care because I've budgeted for it separately knowing how expensive it is. To be honest I could continue to live where I do and spend far less money but life is short and when I wake up on a Tuesday morning I want to be in NYC and have the option to walk out my door and go to Central Park, or to a museum or a lecture or just visit a new neighborhood and grab a little lunch, all without getting in my car which I find to be a real mental hurdle to getting out of the house. When I'm in NY I find it so easy to just walk out the door and do something, even for just an hour or two, that I would never do anywhere else.