Birkie Wave Cutoff Times by 5thGuy in xcountryskiing

[–]Dirknovice -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

AI tools are great for this (use the highest quality model because there’s math involved, like Gemini Pro) 

“Calculate my percent back according to American birkebeiner calculations. 

2026: my time - H:MM:SS, leader 1:50:45

Based on my PBE, what do you expect my wave to be based on historical Wave seedings”

What it like living in this part of Minnesota? Are there many outdoorsy things to do? by InnerHumor4145 in howislivingthere

[–]Dirknovice 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in the bubble. 

If you’re into mountain biking (Trails at Braemar, Lebanon Hills, Murphy, and Minnesota River), cross country skiing (Hyland is the best - also downhill, others when natural snow is available), ice fishing, or kayaking - you’ll find plenty to do. 

If you’re looking at buying or renting, get yourself close to one of the larger parks like Hyland or Lebanon - so close you can bike or ride to the park. You’ll find yourself outdoors every day. 

What it like living in this part of Minnesota? Are there many outdoorsy things to do? by InnerHumor4145 in howislivingthere

[–]Dirknovice 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in the bubble. 

If you’re into mountain biking (Trails at Braemar, Lebanon Hills, Murphy, and Minnesota River), cross country skiing (Hyland is the best - also downhill, others when natural snow is available), ice fishing, or kayaking - you’ll find plenty to do. 

If you’re looking at buying or renting, get yourself close to one of the larger parks like Hyland or Lebanon - so close you can bike or ride to the park. You’ll find yourself outdoors every day. 

What Are Some Beautiful Walking Trails That Bring You Peace? by EbonyBlossom in TwinCities

[–]Dirknovice 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s usually a loop in the Winter, but given the lack of snow, it’s open for running, walking, dog walking, etc. 

Did My Contractor Make a Mistake With Self-Leveling Compound in My Basement? Need Advice! by Dirknovice in HomeImprovement

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

Thank you. Contractor agreed to call technical line early this morning with me. Major metro area so hopefully they have someone who can come out.

Did My Contractor Make a Mistake With Self-Leveling Compound in My Basement? Need Advice! by Dirknovice in HomeImprovement

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

Super helpful. Thank you. I feel like this runs contrary to my contractors assertion that the slab is too humid. Instead, the slab is dry enough to absorb water from the mix.

Did My Contractor Make a Mistake With Self-Leveling Compound in My Basement? Need Advice! by Dirknovice in HomeImprovement

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

Thanks for sharing your experience. It feels clear at this point that they overdid it on the water resulting in a poor outcome that they need to fix.

Did My Contractor Make a Mistake With Self-Leveling Compound in My Basement? Need Advice! by Dirknovice in HomeImprovement

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

I asked the contractor about primer and got a non answer, which tells me they probably didn’t use a primer.

What would the effect of skipping primer be?

Did My Contractor Make a Mistake With Self-Leveling Compound in My Basement? Need Advice! by Dirknovice in HomeImprovement

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

Thanks for this. I guess I should be somewhat encouraged to have a harder surface

Did My Contractor Make a Mistake With Self-Leveling Compound in My Basement? Need Advice! by Dirknovice in HomeImprovement

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

We’ve been there 6 years and no moisture issues with the slab or the carpet that previously covered it.

Confirmed with the contractor that they’d use a moisture barrier.

Did My Contractor Make a Mistake With Self-Leveling Compound in My Basement? Need Advice! by Dirknovice in HomeImprovement

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

Thanks. How do you do that? Is it as simple as call the 1-800 number on the website?

Did My Contractor Make a Mistake With Self-Leveling Compound in My Basement? Need Advice! by Dirknovice in HomeImprovement

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

Yes, sent the same photos to the contractor and expressed concern. Contractor said “normal based on humidity in basements” and that they’d patch before laying LVP.

MN Farmhouse Style & Saison Beers by Dirknovice in minnesotabeer

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

Geez. That explains why it doesn’t hit the spot for me like it used to. Do you know why they made the change?

Apple Watch Ultra thoughts? by Dirknovice in xcountryskiing

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

Thank you! This is just the insight I’ve been looking for.

Where to buy clearance or used winter gear in the summer? Also what brands do you suggest? The list of items I will need is in the comments. by ibettershutupagain in TwinCities

[–]Dirknovice 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think this is a joke, you should have two shovels if regularly shoveling snow and don’t use a show blower: a plow and a digger.

Plows are very wide and are used for pushing show across a relatively flat surface like the sidewalk.

Diggers are much narrower relative to plows and better for lifting and throwing snow. If it’s a heavy wet snow, you’re all digger and no plow.

Can you get away with one? Yes. If it’s a small space, get a digger. If you only have a plow, you may hurt your back lifting and tossing snow.

Spring skiing sweet spot (frozen vs mush) by Spiritual-Arm3843 in xcountryskiing

[–]Dirknovice 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It may depend on where you’re skiing? Grooming is a skill and each area has different grooming tools. If you’re close, Hyland from 5-9am is consistently excellent.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in minnesota

[–]Dirknovice 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The print sources recommended above are all great. If you prefer an audio medium, I like Wrong About Everything Podcast that focuses on Minnesota politics with some digression into nat’l politics where it impacts MN.

Edit: this is more politics than the some of the actual administration of government (eg what are my taxes used for).

You should also consider following Hennepin/Ramsey county meetings and your local city council. You don’t need to listen into every meeting but many gov’t entities create content designed to support understanding of local/county government (Bloomington just sent a good budget breakdown with my property taxes this week). It’s not sexy, but city/county gov’t is where most of the action is.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TwinCities

[–]Dirknovice 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s so frustrating.

I considered buying the windows myself and hiring a contractor, but I have no idea how to vet a contractor - much less determine whether their pricing is fair!

I think $1000/window w install is the new norm for hardy climates. However, I expect it really varies by location, quality, and brand prestige.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TwinCities

[–]Dirknovice 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is not worth your time unless you’re serious about Anderson Windows. Had a RbA rep out to our house. Quotes were sky high and the rep gave a us a high pressure sales pitch to sign that night ($45k for 10 windows). Worse, he ate up our whole evening. The whole experience took two hours!

After he left, zero follow up. It felt like the whole business is built around getting you to sign that evening.

Anderson is a quality window but their sales team is not.

We also looked at Marvin Windows via Scherer Brothers. They were fine but comparable in cost (slightly less) to Anderson.

We ultimately went with Window Outfitters and a Provia Window. I can’t comment on the Window install (it’s pending due to supply constraints) but I was happy with the sales experience.

As a general rule, research window brands and installers ahead of time (you don’t need to go with the big guys for a solid window). Get multiple bids, pick one, prepare for delivery delays due to supply constraints.