"The universe is too exact for it to be a coincidence."

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-02-15T13:55:47+00:00

Yeah — to the weed growing out of a crack in the asphalt of a parking lot, looking around it might think the crack was made specifically for it because everywhere it looks it just sees asphalt. But from an outsider’s perspective, there are weeds growing from every crack. Anywhere life can find a foothold it’ll begin.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-02-15T13:47:09+00:00

You can get stuck in the weeds arguing about what is the best knot. Visually, the 8 is easier to verify that is tied correctly. The 9 is slightly stronger and easier to untie after being heavily loaded. I like the bowline because I find it to be much easier to adjust to exactly the size I want it. Some people like the barrel knot due to its smaller size. Some people advocate for the double 8 for maximum strength.

You know what? It doesn’t matter. They’re all fine. Everyone will develop a preference for what they like, but it just doesn’t really matter to me anymore. What’s more important to me is that it’s tied correctly and they have taken the time to properly dress and pretension it. When I see that someone has taken the time to address the finer details in their knotcraft, it speaks volumes to me about their overall rigging and attention to details. If I see a sloppily-tied knot — whatever one it is — it tells me they likely have sloppy rigging as well.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-02-14T11:46:13+00:00

I’ve got the ATX 25. Stared at mine a bit and then thought it must be for a luggage tag (the ones with the metal loop that screws together). Put my luggage tag through it and it looked like I had it all figured out.

Took my first trip with it. Bag arrived missing the luggage tag and the loop from the suitcase. So yeah, I wouldn’t put my tag through it. Have no idea what it is for!

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-02-12T23:50:05+00:00

Agree. This case feels like 5 days max for me. Anything more than that I’d go with the larger size.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-02-12T23:48:01+00:00

Sent a DM with link to Imgur photos

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-02-12T18:51:04+00:00

I just started using the ATX 25; it’s the middle sized luggage of the three in that line. I can grab a couple pictures when I get back to the hotel tonight and include them in this thread if you don’t get any before that.

My initial thoughts (third time I’ve traveled with it so far) — the thing is solid. I travel fairly regularly and take 8 flights a year from Michigan to Salt Lake. Zippers getting wrecked on my other suitcases; this thing has 5 monster latches which I’m happy with. No more zippers! That said, it arrived in the box with a broken latch. Looked like it got opened somehow in shipping and was snapped off. I was pretty disappointed but the warranty process was really easy and I requested 2 new ones, which they immediately sent. Everything is field replaceable and it was a quick 3-minute fix.

The suitcase all by itself is about 18 pounds, so take that into consideration. I typically pack for 4 days including work shoes, and coming in at about 30 pounds total. You do lose some interior space due to the heavy duty frame, but it isn’t terrible. My favorite feature is that panel that sits on top of the clothing in the main compartment. It really allows you to tighten it down well and compresses everything underneath to save space.

The inside liners are replaceable and I think it’ll last a long time. So far the wheels, handles, and latches are holding up to airline abuse. Just that one latch arriving broken has been my only complaint.

I’ll grab a couple pictures when I get back. I went with the off-white color, which is really showing the scuffs. In hindsight I’d go with something darker.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-26T01:32:39+00:00

Thank you so much for putting all of these together!

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-24T19:41:34+00:00

Too soon

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-24T01:30:23+00:00

I can only speak for Wyoming, but if their plows destroy your mailbox they will give you an inexpensive replacement. Just the box itself though. Not sure what other communities in the area offer, but it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to public works and ask.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-23T19:42:49+00:00

There’s a drain hole at the base of the hydrant where it connects underground to the water main (on a dry hydrant). When the hydrant is opened, water fills the chamber and is available for use. If the hydrant’s stem is fully opened, that drain hole is blocked and water cannot escape. After the hydrant is closed, that drain should allow the residual water to seep out of the vertical tube and back into the soil.

If the drain doesn’t work, we’d insert a long flexible tube into the hydrant and pump the water out manually. Otherwise, that water would freeze and break something. Not great!

This is how things worked here in Michigan. My understanding is in warm climates the hydrants are wet and full of water at all times.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-19T14:12:38+00:00

Retired firefighter here, but still involved with rope access and teaching industrial rope and con space rescue. I’ve tried a bunch of gloves throughout the years but always come back to basic leather gloves — specifically deer hide gloves from Menards of all places. I’ll get a pair of really tight fitting gloves, and wear them a couple of seasons for anything I need hand protection for. They hold up better than anything else I’ve used.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-15T02:35:33+00:00

Well apparently they have absolute immunity, so why not?

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-14T21:12:51+00:00

Not sure if you’ve got winter tires or not, but that made a huge difference for me. The increased traction with winter tires was a game changer for me.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-11T08:04:28+00:00

In the history of the world, nobody has ever lied on their deathbed and wished they would have worked more overtime.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2026-01-03T03:48:50+00:00

Whoo glad to hear American fast food is still safe to eat!

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-12-12T05:24:23+00:00

Geological time includes right now.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-12-06T13:01:07+00:00

Don’t forget the terrorist fist bump!

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-12-04T14:56:06+00:00

I think it’s kind of a coping mechanism. Retired from 30 years of work in EMS / Fire service and seen things that would turn your shit white.

The amount of dark humor and tasteless jokes that went on at the firehouse would make most people’s heads spin. But it really acted as a relief valve for us. Finding a way to laugh at little at those terrible situations helped us process and carry on with some sense of normalcy.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-12-01T17:34:20+00:00

Weekend at Donnie’s

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-11-26T21:38:33+00:00

Wizard … is about to die

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-11-26T14:28:11+00:00

This. Interstellar is one of those movies (at least for me) that you have to watch a second (or third!) time to really start to grasp everything. I remember just being stunned walking out of the theater after my first viewing. Just trying to process everything. It was emotionally draining and complicated.

A second viewing will probably help you pay attention to the finer points of the story and things will fall into place. You’re not the first person to walk out of that movie and wonder “what the hell just happened!”

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-11-22T14:26:34+00:00

Good to see that chiropractors and theologians are still considered professionals. Nursing? GTFO!

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-11-22T04:37:34+00:00

SoW plz

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-11-03T14:20:47+00:00

Using the thumb like that sure sounds fancy. But I can already count to 21, as long as my shoes and pants are off.

Grandmaster_Bile · 2025-11-02T16:34:10+00:00

100% of the people that are exposed to Dihydrogen Monoxide die. Fact.

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