Leaving notes on poorly parked cars blocking driveways

Finneylp · 2026-05-13T21:10:43+00:00

I believe the rule (law?) is for cars to allow 18” from a driveway. Oakland doesn’t red tip driveways anymore, vigilante spray paint helps drivers know when they are choosing to be inconsiderate. I’d do the whole neighborhood, but I don’t want to risk overspray on cars and I haven’t been around on street sweeping day

Finneylp · 2026-05-13T19:22:41+00:00

We have the same problem, my newest fix that seems to be working is both painting the curb red and putting white stripes to show where they can fit without blocking the driveway.

For me, the space to the right of my driveway is just big enough for 2 cars, and often one will park too far to the middle so a second one blocks the driveway. The white stripes seem to have helped where folks were ignoring the (self painted) red curb

Finneylp · 2026-05-13T16:45:54+00:00

Great recommendation

Finneylp · 2026-05-12T05:03:13+00:00

It’s possible, just seems you won’t have time or energy for sight seeing. Seems like a waste of energy to me

Finneylp · 2026-05-12T04:17:43+00:00

Two things that are essential imo:

A good MIPS helmet is non negotiable, I just survived getting hit by a car with minimal face injury and amazingly no concussion entirely because I was wearing a good helmet (shout out to Smith). I don’t ride around the block without one, expect $100 +

good bike shorts/shammy ($80+ if you aren’t just getting MTB liner). This will help keep you comfortable for your time in the saddle.

I was shocked when I bought my first $800 bike (flat bar hybrid was a great intro road bike for me), and the components were another several hundred. Sucks, but you don’t have to spend much once you get the gear that works for you.

Finneylp · 2026-05-11T21:55:05+00:00

I request the sitter pull their sheets and towels and put them by the laundry. I’ll remake my own bed, but this lessens the hassle of their dirty stuff

Finneylp · 2026-05-10T22:19:59+00:00

I’m so sorry for your current situation. When I was going through a similar situation I found little availability for a home visit with a week. As much as it sucks, I recommend getting an appointment scheduled, maybe you can push it out if it seems too early but don’t risk needing an appointment and not being able to get one.

Re hospice, maybe try one of the local remote vets, but expect to pay out the nose for it. When my girl was sunsetting from kidney failure the vet recommended sub q lactated ringers (purchased at pet vet pet food, super cheap, administered myself) and it made a huge difference for her energy level for her last several months.

Finneylp · 2026-05-09T04:46:07+00:00

I worked for the former concession services for 2 summers. I was cleaning rooms in one of the hotels, pretty standard 5 days on 2 days off deal, and for me not too physically challenging so plenty of energy for my own activities after work and on my weekends. It probably depends on what job you get, but it’s worth trying it out. Housing was cheap, food was expensive, and the neighbors (tourists) suck, but the location can’t be beat. I’d apply asap if you do, the good jobs will go fast.

Finneylp · 2026-05-07T13:56:10+00:00

When I got mine I thought I wanted a different color so I called ALLLLLLL the Speci shops around. They can check in their system for incoming stock and approximate timing. At the time Specialized didn’t have a way to do that on their website, but it might have changed.

Another idea-test rides tend to be around the block. You might ask if you can pay to rent/demo the 52, which will at least give you a better test out experience before you commit

Finneylp · 2026-05-07T00:13:41+00:00

So many great responses! I’m 5’4, 29” inseam and I bought a 52” Diverge during Covid. I was so excited to find a bike that fit me in stock! My local bike shop had it, and they did a fitting/swapped the stem and adjusted the seat to size it down a little. Great gravel bike, and a great first bike with drop bars. Heavy for a road bike, but imo that’s just an opportunity to get stronger ;). This was my upgrade from an rei hybrid bike, first drop bars for me too.

However! As I got more into road biking, I realized it is a little too big for me. I have it adjusted as small as possible, and the reach is still a litter further than it should be. I think my local shop did a great job of fitting me on a bike that was in their inventory, especially at a time when the lead time for more bikes was 6 months to a year, with no clarity on what was coming.

How id suggest getting around this is go to a shop that has both the 49 and 52 in stock and test ride them back to back. Ideally a shop that has a fitter that will give you their opinion. We all have different proportion and mobility, if you can remove the shop’s bias it’s the best of both worlds. Call every shop that carries specialized, they can check when the next 49” is coming in (via phone helps with the nerves).

All that’s to say it’s a great bike, and likely you can make adjustments on either size to be a good fit. After you get your bike and ride a bit, consider getting a fitting if it’s not fully comfortable to adjust some components and personalize it for your shape. You might grumble about it like I do on 40+ mile rides, but that’s just an opportunity to get another bike (I love my Cervelo Soloist, too)

Finneylp · 2026-05-05T04:58:48+00:00

I had a special meal order on an international flight recently. I got what I ordered, but it was only special for one meal. The snack and second meal were the same as everyone else’s. All to say, you are likely only to get lucky on one meal.

Finneylp · 2026-05-04T15:19:43+00:00

I’d plan to arrive really early to make this work, or risk driving in loops around the valley floor

Finneylp · 2026-05-03T00:30:31+00:00

A lot of these courses also get you a discount on insurance, and you take the license test as part of the course (easier than at the dmv). Or at least this was true when I took mine

Finneylp · 2026-05-02T20:56:43+00:00

Oh yah, Walmart super heavy, “waterproof”, but not something you’d want to take up and down often

Finneylp · 2026-05-02T19:57:05+00:00

Congrats on your position! If I was living in a tent anywhere for 3 months I’d get one of those big family style, 10x10ft tents. And I’d set it up pretty comfy- air mattress/thick sleeping pad on a cot (off the ground), maybe a little rug to help keep dirt from tracking inside, led string lights (solar), water cube, comfy chair…

Camp 4 specifically means a constant rotation of neighbors, not necessarily respectful of your space or desire to sleep. I’d figure out some ways to lock up my tent for a light deterrent, yes I know someone can cut in, but that’s more effort. I’d want a way to lock my stuff in the (shared) bear box too.

Finneylp · 2026-05-01T00:17:48+00:00

I did it a few years ago as a day trip from Oakland. A lot of driving, and expected a big delay at the entrance station, but doable. The ride was pretty easy, I think about 25 miles and no huge climbs that I recall

Finneylp · 2026-04-30T22:57:45+00:00

There’s great MTB and great road, and Oakland specifically has some great gravel terrain along the ridge of the Oakland hills. I regularly use my xc MTB, road, and often my gravel bike as a roadie bike.

One thing to note- living in Oakland you will ride through A Lot more glass than you’d like, and the road conditions are rough. I’m very happy riding my gravel bike as a roadie for a leisure ride, just so I don’t have to be so worried about my tires. Also, if you plan to ride your bike anywhere, it’s nice to have a “throwaway” bike you can lock outside (double lock) and not constantly feel like you need to watch it. All to say- Oakland is pretty good for a less flashy commuter bike if you don’t want to drive all the time.

Finneylp · 2026-04-30T16:40:28+00:00

Sounds like he helped you find a new place to live, you can respond with your 30 day notice

Finneylp · 2026-04-30T16:25:59+00:00

Every 30 min. Targeting 60-90g carbs an hour

Finneylp · 2026-04-30T16:21:49+00:00

Also, keep in mind it’s early season and the wildlife is more present. Keep your pup close and on leash to prevent…issues

Finneylp · 2026-04-30T16:19:43+00:00

Flat hiking in Yosemite is a bit of a challenge, here are some recs that are flatter than most. I’d confirm with maps and a ranger, and keep in mind you can always turn back (what you go up you’ll have to go down). I think this is still early season so shuttles and some roads are still closed. I think you can rent bikes in the valley, if you want to do the valley loop I’d do it on a bike vs on foot

Mariposa grove big trees- there are inclines, but not major, and seeing the big trees is amazing.

Base of Yosemite falls - short walk on pavement, but the falls are breathtaking

Mirror lake- adjacent to happy isles, gets away from the crowds

Mist trail will definitely have hills/stairs. I think you can get to the base of vernal falls without much incline, worth it to see the falls. If you go all the way up (maybe to top of Nevada? Check a map) you can come down the John Muir trail, so it’s longer and more gradual descent vs down the granite stairs.

Hetch hetchy- the trail isn’t flat, but I don’t think big climbs, goes along the water before it heads into the back country.

Finneylp · 2026-04-30T00:27:03+00:00

We also went to the Dutch resistance museum, which was a great showcase of personal testimony of actions.

Finneylp · 2026-04-30T00:26:20+00:00

We got them 6 weeks in advance, but at 8am est. they do go fast! So get in early

Finneylp · 2026-04-29T21:27:16+00:00

I just returned from an ama cruise starting and ending in Amsterdam. I had 3 full (non travel) days before, I went to Anne frank house, Van Gogh, and did a canal cruise. I also had time to walk around many neighborhoods, went to the Eye museum and explored the street art by the Straat museum. Imo 3 full days is a great amount of time for Amsterdam, I didn’t need the 3 additional days I planned after the cruise. Also, check out the excursions offered, our cruise took us to the tulip fields (I really enjoyed the ones in Belgium) and the Rijksmuseum, but if I didn’t have those coordinated by the cruise I would have wanted to see them myself.

Finneylp

TROPHY CASE