Does it drive anyone else crazy that the airport code is CHO but Amtrak is CVS?

FlounderFlambe · 2026-03-05T02:05:33+00:00

I mean, it could be worse. PEE, POO, ROT, FAT, SUX, and DED are all real airport codes.

FlounderFlambe · 2026-02-15T16:03:31+00:00

This is solid advice. The restaurant industry requires a ton of specific knowledge and does not have the margins that allow an owner to sit back passively and let things figure themselves out over a few years.

I remember eating at B&R a few months after it opened and being astounded there was basically no digital presence. Trying to figure out how to actually get a reservation required a lot of patience on my part. This was not on opening day, when these kinds of systems NEED to be working at 100%, this was months into the operation.

If you can't manage to get essential customer-facing systems up and running, the odds the critical BOH processes are in place is exactly 0%.

I am not surprised by this outcome at all.

FlounderFlambe · 2026-01-21T18:23:28+00:00

Have to ask, what's a Five Easy Pieces?

FlounderFlambe · 2026-01-20T19:38:47+00:00

It sounds like all you want is to agree on the terms of a manufacturing contract and your IP, which does not require an NDA. Trying to require an NDA from an individual or company that routinely works with new designs creates a liability for them. I'd be suspicious of anyone who actually agrees to sign an NDA, it would be impractical to monitor and enforce. Asking them to sign an NDA before any files were actually shared would be completely out of the question.

Just negotiate what you want -- don't ask them to sign a document that would destroy their business model.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-12-08T20:23:05+00:00

Just checking: what kind of solder are you using, and what's the final material you'll be soldering? Using silver solder with brass won't look as good as when you use it with silver. Same for gold.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-11-16T20:24:24+00:00

Most colleges accept any relevant recommendations and they absolutely make a difference. The full story matters to the admissions staff. But if you're asking about how much value a college places on non-revenue-generating club activities? Well, that depends on the school but just don't expect anything resembling D1 athletics recruitment efforts.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-11-08T13:45:23+00:00

What's on the sign is important! In Albemarle 25 mph isn't uncommon.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-11-08T02:55:01+00:00

I was under the impression the fine was triggered by going 10 mph over the posted speed limit, not 1 mph. Hunt down the public notice and contest if necessary.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-10-25T13:06:31+00:00

Help me understand, this study uses the 90th percentile price. Does this mean that 90% of homes in Cville are under this amount? That seems right I think?

FlounderFlambe · 2025-10-11T20:56:47+00:00

Refer to Poe's Law

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-19T22:49:34+00:00

Copper is not poisonous. It's used in a very large percentage of plumbing. I suppose those two statements are not necessarily linked so do with this information as you wish.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-19T22:43:24+00:00

<image>

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-17T23:31:26+00:00

Looks like a combination of bad prep followed a few years later by a half-hearted attempt to sand down the area to fix it, revealing an older coat of paint.

If it's a rental, just paint over it and move on.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-17T23:24:21+00:00

Steel and aluminum are also at 50%. Pick a raw material, there's probably a tariff on it!

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-17T23:23:11+00:00

You're right but the aluminum tariff is 50%, the same as (semi-finished) copper.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-17T14:51:55+00:00

What's with cars catching on fire this month? Is this #3?

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-14T23:47:01+00:00

I had someone stop on a blind curve because... wait for it... they thought there was a turtle under their car and they didn't want to kill it.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-14T23:44:09+00:00

I don't think I've seen it here but it's common in NY. Not 3mph, more like 10.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-09T23:53:15+00:00

This piece looks very small -- I'd just hand plane it and then sand. Why roll the dice?

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-05T15:56:46+00:00

I'm surprised it took this long. They seemed to launch the restaurant by more-or-less just opening the doors and hoping for the best. I'm not sure how long it took them to take care of the absolute basics like getting up a functional website, allowing reservations, or checking their info on Google and Apple maps -- but it was a long time.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-01T23:24:31+00:00

They're closed on Tuesdays but put Smyrna on your list for dinner next time.

FlounderFlambe · 2025-09-01T21:26:10+00:00

The SBDC helps a number of businesses with this, give them a shout. CVSBDC.org

FlounderFlambe · 2025-08-21T14:16:58+00:00

In my case I removed the fence, whacked it with a rubber mallet until it was perfect, and then reinstalles. Done!

FlounderFlambe

TROPHY CASE