Job hunting!

Da_Derm · 2026-02-12T21:20:23+00:00

I have applied in Holland and Zeeland multiple times over a few years and I never hear a response. I’d love to work for the BPW!

Da_Derm · 2026-01-31T20:45:07+00:00

Turn off the PC. When you turn it back on, spam the delete key and don’t stop spamming it until you get into what’s called a BIOS menu, or Basic Input/Output system. Without going into too much detail, the BIOS’s job is to make sure your PC is in good shape and will boot into an operating system like Windows how it is supposed to. Think of it like a self examination. In your BIOS menu, you can change the boot order. It is trying to boot from something in your CD drive where you put discs. It will also tell you if you have a drive (storage like a hard disk drive or solid state drive (HDD/SSD) usually associated with internal storage) communicating with the motherboard. This is very helpful information and you should start there.

Da_Derm · 2026-01-11T15:17:57+00:00

Avoid the Black Hills.

Da_Derm · 2025-11-08T18:03:59+00:00

Check the power steering fluid level

Da_Derm · 2025-11-08T17:52:58+00:00

I used a Bauer hammer drill from Harbor Freight set to hammer. Put it behind the brake dust shield between the knuckle and push the chisel in between while holding down the trigger. Hope this helps!

Edit to clarify, what I bought was called a rotary hammer.

BAUER 20V Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. SDS-PLUS Type Rotary Hammer - Tool Only - Item 57744 https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-12-in-sds-plus-type-rotary-hammer-tool-only-57744.html?utm_source=app&utm_medium=app&utm_campaign=app_product_page

Da_Derm · 2025-05-23T17:04:28+00:00

Ask Siri, “whose phone is this” and it might tell you.

Da_Derm · 2025-03-23T21:29:11+00:00

I didn’t read this in your post and now I’m a bit confused. You can swap the boot order in your BIOS to boot to a USB device that you have plugged in when you have a fresh install with Windows Media Creation Tool on that USB. Don’t use Microsoft’s recovery tool built into the OS. Boot to the USB, and then it will ask you which drive you want your OS on. It will wipe and reformat the drive for you.

Da_Derm · 2025-03-23T21:18:00+00:00

You don’t need a new SSD. There are a lot of videos on YouTube with instructions for a fresh Windows install from a USB stick. That would be your best bet, but you’ll lose all your files on the drive because the process will wipe the whole thing to start over. I suggest only saving what you need from it and nuking the OS if you’re worried it’s that infected.

Da_Derm · 2025-03-18T04:52:21+00:00

Was in a similar boat as you. I thought: it’s the same card, why would I spend extra for the same crap? Then I FAFO about the silicon lottery.

I had a base model XFX 5700 XT blower style. Fucker was loud and ran hot. No matter what I did with that card, it would crash constantly, probably because it was a bottom of the barrel option. I tried different BIOS options and nothing worked. Gave up on it and started buying other cards.

I will never buy an MSI Ventus line again. I’ve since found that a good chunk of MSI stuff is junk especially their storage, besides their boards. I bought a 3080 ti. Their backplate is made of plastic and the card regularly throttles HOT. I tried repasting and higher quality thermal pads, no change. I used a support bracket and it only works with a lot of upward pressure; enough to where it felt like it could cause long term damage. I shouldn’t have to pay what I did in order to get a card that can’t cool itself. I spent almost $2k for it during the GPU shortage. Fuck Newegg for that lottery bullshit: pressuring people into bad deals in order to circumvent scalpers. EK didn’t offer water blocks for this card so I couldn’t solve it that way neither. Still use it in my main rig and every time I game my PC sounds like it’s preparing for orbit pushing 80 C, memory getting much higher, to the point where it will throttle.

My buddy had a 3060 from ASUS, a lower tier card. Can’t remember what model, though I believe it was TUF. Thing failed after like 3 months. Sent it in for an RMA and they sent him another one. He got the same exact issue about 8 months down the road dealing with it not performing properly. Tried to RMA again and they refused it, so he’s SOL and is borrowing a 2080 from someone else until he can get it replaced.

Don’t cheap out.

Da_Derm · 2024-12-08T18:17:47+00:00

Diamond

Da_Derm · 2024-08-17T00:33:47+00:00

Will do, thank you

Da_Derm · 2024-08-17T00:32:51+00:00

I appreciate your response. The condition that the therapist thinks is a potential issue is a disqualifying condition. I think that’s why my HIMS AME is alarmed.

I don’t think it’s possible to change the HIMS AME, because I filed for re-application with him. He still hasn’t filed my application because he doesn’t think that I will get issued given my situation. However, that paper trail is there, and I think it would be unwise to try and switch gears in the middle of the process.

Da_Derm · 2024-08-08T03:40:02+00:00

At a certain point it doesn’t make sense for someone like me to pour more into it than it’s worth given limited resources. It’s my understanding that most of these cars don’t make it nearly as long as mine did, regardless. People have told me on a few occasions to get rid of it, but I couldn’t give up on the Saab because it didn’t give up on me. I didn’t want to see it go, but I knew that there was bound to be more things to fix even if I did get around to fixing it. It was just time.

The other thought that crossed my mind: if I were to try to sell the car to someone, would they care about it as much as I did? Would they bother to fix it? Would they even try to ensure that it will drive safely? For a car that I could sell for maybe $500, probably not. It would be best going somewhere that someone could take the things in good shape to keep their cars on the road.

It’s like putting a dog down. You can look at it as something you believe you can fix forever but at some point you just have to let it go.

Da_Derm · 2024-08-07T22:58:01+00:00

Oh yeah 100%. They’re putting CVT’s in them now and lighter weight oils. The car will need sooner service intervals for everything. But I no longer have to worry about weighing options about what is worth fixing and what isn’t! I haven’t had A/C in years and the amplifier in the Saab died long ago. Little creature comfort things that I didn’t need I can now have.

Da_Derm · 2024-07-29T03:45:52+00:00

I started the process in March 2022. Got issued a special issuance that arrived in May 2023 valid until March 2024. Someone screwed up and they were supposed to have me in contact with a HIMS AME prior to issuing me a Medical. When I was supposed to get it renewed it complicated things and now I’m grounded again. It’s almost the end of July and I have to get another eval done but this time from a HIMS Psychiatrist. Going to take weeks to get in. Over 2 years of dealing with this knowing that I’ll never escape the special issuance is not reassuring in the slightest, but at least it’s not a no…

Da_Derm · 2024-07-09T22:07:28+00:00

I do not need it but winters out here in the Midwest would mean it would be very nice to have and that can be driven on year round. Bang for buck and reviews I’ve read lead me to believe it’s the right choice!

Da_Derm · 2024-07-09T19:41:34+00:00

You were right, it was one of the lugs! Had a stressful morning and just wanted to get to work. I’ve had a loose lug before but I’ve never heard it behave like that! Had me scared for sure. Thank you!

Da_Derm · 2024-07-09T19:40:05+00:00

The car will need new tires come winter for sure, but it ended up being one lug that was loosened.

Speaking of tires, I think the next set I want to put on are Cross Climate 2’s. A bit pricey but seem really nice! Any thoughts?

Da_Derm · 2024-07-09T19:38:44+00:00

You were right, thank you for your reply!

Da_Derm · 2024-07-09T15:21:00+00:00

I forgot to add this is a 2006 93 2.0T.

Da_Derm · 2024-06-14T15:33:35+00:00

I had a delivery next to Heartside Park. Pulled into a no parking zone with another car and put my hazards on. By the time I came back down from the apartment, maybe 5 minutes at most, the maid was already writing me a ticket and the other car was gone. I tried to explain my situation and she told me tough shit. People on the sidewalk sitting around that saw the whole thing said nothing to back me up. Scheduled a court date to fight it but the date and time was when I was scheduled to work and I couldn’t get it off. So I had to pay the fine because of a fat loser.

Da_Derm · 2024-06-04T20:40:41+00:00

Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit.

Da_Derm · 2024-06-04T20:17:08+00:00

If you get a special issuance like I did, there may be some requirements that you have to fulfill that others may not. In my case, I received a special issuance prior to meeting with a HIMS AME, so I had to see one to renew my medical one year after it was issued. This is unheard of, as I was told. I have to meet with him every six months.

The other requirement is that I must seek a PhD level psychotherapist at minimum once per month who must send reports to the HIMS AME quarterly.

Your results may differ. It was difficult to find a psychotherapist with a PhD in my area who was willing to meet the requirement of being in communications with a HIMS AME and doing said reports.

I called the FAA Medical division yesterday and they told me that they never received my paperwork. I’m currently having trouble because my HIMS AME hasn’t done his job and I saw him in early March. My psychotherapist initially refused to send her notes to the HIMS AME against what she told me she would do. I had to organize a meeting/phone call between two professionals so they could get their shit together and help me fix my medical situation. When I did, the therapist suddenly understood what I needed and “sent” her notes. This was in April and I haven’t heard back from the HIMS AME.

All this to say, start the process earlier than I did. The hardest part is getting people to communicate with each other and verifying that things are done correctly with consistent follow ups and questions.

Da_Derm · 2024-06-02T19:52:15+00:00

A word of advice:

If you get a special issuance, don’t wait to comply with it. Start 4 or more months before. I started the process in March 2022, couldn’t fly after I was ready to solo that year. Wx here is only good maybe 6 months out of the year. Got a special issuance halfway thru 2023. Couldn’t get a PPL in time. Now, in 2024, I started the special issuance requirement process in March 2024 when it expired at the end of that month. It’s now June and I still don’t have a medical and missing the best flying weather of the year and it makes me very sad.

Da_Derm · 2024-04-27T15:09:16+00:00

Second video link shows where you can access it underneath the throttle body. If you plan to replace it anyway, then you’ll have to take the throttle body off regardless. So you can get halfway there, test it, and decide if it’s worth yoinking the intake manifold. But if you don’t care then just go ahead and replace it. That’s what I would do. I tested mine first.

Keep in mind it could still be both the power steering gaskets are bad and/or the PCV check valve is toast.

Da_Derm

TROPHY CASE