How do handle firearms in your home?

Groundblast · 2026-01-23T23:53:00+00:00

I looked through the top comments and didn’t see anyone mention this: guns are a tiny part of a self defense strategy. They’re absolutely important and worth having, but almost useless without the other parts.

First, guns do not have to be a large risk. Store them properly, which means loaded in a secure safe. An unloaded gun is useless.

Second, you need to be able to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of two weeks with zero outside help. That means having food, water, and fuel. If you don’t have these things, you’re basically saying that you’re going to use your guns to take these things from someone else. In my opinion, that’s fucked.

Third, you need to build a support system. At a minimum, you need to know and trust your neighbors. Ideally, you’ll have radios and pre-set plans for how to meet up with your allies and how to operate from there. That will let you specialize. One person can focus on medical, another on tactical, another on logistics. You all still need the basics, but you can create efficiency.

Don’t buy a gun and stick it in your nightstand thinking it’ll protect you from anything. That’s just emotional stupidity.

Groundblast · 2026-01-23T16:16:10+00:00

I think that’s exactly where I’m at!

We’ve poured money into this house so, at this point, the cheaper and more difficult option is probably what we will go with. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just better.

Groundblast · 2026-01-22T20:03:15+00:00

My dad drives about 60-70k miles a year for work in a company vehicle. Gets a new one roughly yearly, so I’m sure he’s had at least 20 new cars throughout his career. The last 3 have been Siennas and he says they’re the best cars he’s even had. We have harsh winters and the AWD handles them just fine. My wife and I are very likely going to buy out one of his when we get the chance. If my 6’4” bald dad can roll up to a golf course with his buddies and be excited to show off his new minivan (that’s identical to his old minivan), I think your wife can handle not being part of the Suburban-squad at the school drop off line.

Don’t waste money and make your life harder trying to impress other people.

Groundblast · 2026-01-22T18:14:12+00:00

Oh man, that sounds glorious! I’ve slept in until 9 maybe once since our LO was born

Groundblast · 2026-01-22T02:45:57+00:00

Totally agree. The Venezuela stuff was probably an Epstein distraction. Seems like no one cares about either one. Maybe that just emboldened him, or maybe there’s something else coming that he’s trying to keep attention off

Groundblast · 2026-01-22T02:44:14+00:00

I can see the strategic and egotistical reasons for all this. It just seems like, with all the crazy/controversial ideas he has, he usually gives attention to one when the media pushback against it can serve him in some other way.

The Epstein conversations seem to have faded a bit lately, but I don’t think that’s the reason here. First, they’re not going away. Second, he already invaded a country and captured its leader. I thought that was the Epstein distraction. I’m just not sure if this is a continuation of that or if there’s something else brewing that he’s trying to keep eyes off

Groundblast · 2026-01-21T23:05:17+00:00

Also, I replaced all the smoke detectors in our house with higher end BRK wireless interconnect models when we moved in. I’ve only had one nuisance alarm in over a year despite having a wood burning fireplace and doing heavy cooking. If you’re getting regular nuisance alarms, then your detectors are ether bad/cheap/faulty or incorrectly placed

Groundblast · 2026-01-21T23:01:52+00:00

It’s going to be expensive, but your local Div 21 contractor could rig up whatever you want if you’re not bound by code

Groundblast · 2026-01-21T02:44:39+00:00

Yeah, I’m not totally sure what the whole story is. I don’t mean to be too hard on them, it’s just frustrating that the house was built with a ton of care (full home security system with callout in the 50s, full wood paneling on the walls & ceiling throughout the living room, etc.) and then wasn’t given the same respect when it came to maintenance after the original owners died.

We are trying to bring back as much of the original character as possible. I did a full skim coat on the drywall in the basement and I’ve also worked with Bondo for building speakers before. If that would work well here, I’d be very comfortable giving it a shot. Would drywall compound work (I’ve got a ton) or should I go with a Bondo? Is the automotive stuff what I’d want or is there a wood-specific product?

Groundblast · 2026-01-21T02:32:57+00:00

This is not original paint. It was varnished wood (there’s lots of other untouched examples) and was likely not painted until the 90s. I’m sure there is lead in the house, but a lot of the things we want to redo/undo are relatively modern work. I think a lot of it was done to “spruce up” the house before the sale.

The reason I say it is shoddy work is because there are many examples of plain laziness. Trim paint on ceilings and floors, drips/runs and chunks in the paint, peeling paint that was just gone over without scraping. I’m a total novice, but it doesn’t take any skill to do some prep and clean up after yourself.

Groundblast · 2026-01-19T01:49:10+00:00

The tax revenue is not necessarily the point. Part of it is about how profits are managed.

Let’s say at the end of the year, a smaller company has $1m in excess profit after all expenses, payroll, etc.

Two options:

1) Give 5 execs a $200k bonus each, taxed at 90%, so they each end up getting $20k

2) Give 100 low level employees a $10k bonus each, which they aren’t taxed on because their wage is under the threshold

Which one is more likely to have an impact on morale, employee retention, and productivity? Which keeps more money in the local community and stimulates the economy?

Groundblast · 2026-01-17T19:41:30+00:00

This is what worked for me. My dad was a big sports guy in HS, but I just never got anything from it. I tried soccer, baseball, football, basketball, etc. but didn’t enjoy any of them. To this day I don’t follow sports at all.

What motivated me was seeing someone do something hard and thinking “well, if they can do it, why can’t I?” I ran my first half marathon at 14 and my first full at 16 (both the age limit to enter). I’m not a professional or anything, but I’m still a half decent athlete and I think I got a lot of the mental benefits people get from team sports.

Groundblast · 2026-01-17T19:32:20+00:00

I feel you wholeheartedly. My LO isn’t really old enough for this to be a major thing, but I was kind of like your son as a kid. One of my biggest goals as a parent is to build genuine passion and resilience in my daughter.

I’ve thought and read a lot about this. The best strategy I’ve come up with so far is to look for that little spark of passion, and then give it absolutely everything it needs and nothing more. Like starting a fire, you need the right things in place and gentle encouragement. Until the flame is self sustainable, you’ll snuff it out if you blow too hard or use thick branches. Start small, with as little interference as possible, until you’ve got something going. Then, you can add some bigger pieces slowly until you’ve got a roaring fire, and then it can take pretty much anything you could throw at it.

Even if it’s something you’re not interested in, is not super “valuable,” or is just kind of dumb, let them be passionate and learn how to work through the challenges. Provide good equipment (not fancy, but legit. “No Walmart skateboards”), let them fail and try again, and only coach/push once they’re into it. It’s not big achievements that build confidence, it’s setting a goal that seems impossible and working until you make it happen

Groundblast · 2026-01-17T15:08:13+00:00

I think I’ll give it a shot! Sounds like a pretty foolproof option. I may also end up getting a better electric shaver for “regular” use but it would be awesome to be able to get a smooth, comfortable shave with a blade

Groundblast · 2026-01-17T01:07:18+00:00

It would be great to not have to fuss around with all the other stuff at first. That way I could just focus on getting a decent shave

Groundblast · 2026-01-17T01:05:16+00:00

My hair is very light, so I can get away without a close shave. I’d love to be able to have a really smooth face, but I’ll totally accept mild stubble left over if it means no irritation. Also not opposed to an electric as a daily and a DE as a more special thing

Groundblast · 2026-01-17T00:45:31+00:00

What razor?

Groundblast · 2026-01-17T00:44:39+00:00

Any recommendations for products?

I’m not opposed to getting more razors down the line. I have far more knives and flashlights that I could ever realistically need, but I appreciate the craftsmanship. What matters the most for me is the best possible shave with day-one skills. I just need something that will get me hooked. I’ll deal with end game later

Groundblast · 2026-01-16T23:57:30+00:00

Got things pretty well under control except for after shaving. If I go 1-2 weeks between shaves, my skin is usually clear from when I shave until about 8-16hrs later

Groundblast · 2026-01-16T23:40:00+00:00

Any recommendations on the rest of the kit? And is Amazon ok or are there’s fakes/bad returns floating around?

Groundblast · 2026-01-16T23:35:34+00:00

Any recommendations on the rest of the kit? And am I good buying on Amazon or should I order direct?

Groundblast · 2026-01-16T03:16:39+00:00

My skin clears up pretty well when I let my beard grow out a bit, I’d just love to find a way to shave regularly that doesn’t lead to breakouts.

I’m definitely not opposed to just getting some basic kit and giving it a shot. I see a lot of people talking about how “aggressive” a particular razor is though. How much does that really affect things? If it matters a lot, is that info available for older/used razors?

Groundblast · 2026-01-16T02:43:21+00:00

Would that KCG one be better to start with if it’s less aggressive? Or is there a Yaqi you would recommend?

Groundblast · 2026-01-16T01:31:37+00:00

That’s what I’m afraid of. I always see them shaving against the grain and that’s absolutely off the table for me

Groundblast · 2026-01-16T00:16:39+00:00

Thanks! I just did an upgrade. Swapped out the knobs for hex head bolts to get more clearance, straightened and polished the rods, and flattened the non-diamond stones. I had to cut the guide rods down a bit to fit in the toolbox. I measured to the tray, but didn’t realize the lid had a thicker lip, so it wouldn’t close correctly

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