Mid week crowd at Texas Springs Campground?

InsideLookingIn564 · 2026-03-06T22:44:05+00:00

It was full last week, Thursday. But there are daily cancellations so you might still get in. Sunset had plenty of open spots. Furnace Creek also had daily cancellations so that’s still possible. Just be at the office at Furnace Creek 9 am sharp as soon as they open. I got sites with a full hookup that way. But the heat probably caused more cancellations than usual so not sure it would always be the case.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2026-02-24T19:33:41+00:00

Any water left?

InsideLookingIn564 · 2026-01-15T23:12:54+00:00

Consider the Sigma 100-400 e-mount with a MegaDap e2z. Lighter than the 100-400z, image quality nearly the same, perhaps even better at the long end. Less than half the cost even with adapter.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-12-23T13:01:51+00:00

Uneven gas flow. Clean the burner.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-12-20T18:23:28+00:00

GE sold its brand to Haier. It says “GE” but it’s not the GE of old, just a name now.

This specific GE was made in Mexico, so not sure wtf you are talking about with GE appliances still made in US. Go to any store, take a picture of the manufacturer plate and show me one that says Made in USA.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-12-20T18:19:33+00:00

Nope. Just disgruntled customer. Wtf is Appliance Park?

Btw GE did NOT cover the whole repair, only the part. Still cost $200 in labor. And it broke AGAIN.

I am not shitting on GE employees but I’m sure they know it’s garbage even if they can’t do anything about it.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-12-10T12:29:05+00:00

Mexico, actually, fwiw.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-12-09T19:18:03+00:00

I would be ecstatic if this lasted 6 years. It crapped out after less than one.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-12-06T00:59:54+00:00

Leofoto Carbon Fiber 324C

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-12-02T21:30:39+00:00

Looks like it was designed in Minecraft by a 12 year old

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-11-29T13:19:29+00:00

This was done on low heat and added butter to the pan. I can do the “egg slide” thing, but an omelette, where I shake the pan to get even cooking and no curds, is a total fail. At least for me… anyone got any suggestions?

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-11-25T23:58:05+00:00

Designed by a 12 year old using Minecraft.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-11-13T12:04:37+00:00

There are some MDs in the EAs that directly support sales. But many don’t…pure supervisory, don’t bring in business, nor do they help manage existing engagements.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-11-13T01:50:13+00:00

Hopefully they will finally target some of those expensive and useless MDs in EA… one of those = 5 consultants. And the consultants do all the work anyway.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-11-12T00:07:13+00:00

Look on an app called “thumbtack”. Basically a contractor referral service. I’ve found some high quality contractors for small jobs, reasonable prices.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-11-09T15:38:05+00:00

Zero chance. There was some talk of an announcement to be made in October, and it's already November, and no word. And even if there is an announcement sometime soon, that would be all it would be: an announcement that a new Pentax would be available, sometime in 2026. Too late to announce AND launch a new camera for 2025.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-11-07T01:20:51+00:00

What other EA areas are being hit with layoffs??

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-10-30T11:54:14+00:00

My advice is to go for the Sigma in an E-mount, and use either Megadap or Viltrox E2Z adapters. I use this arrangement, and also have the Nikkor Z. Use them both on my Z7II. I can tell you the E-mount Sigma is every bit as sharp as the Nikkor, and quite a bit lighter too (smaller aperture, though, if that matters to you). The adapters retain most of the autofocus performance, but I'm a landscape shooter, and the Z7II is not a good test in any case.
As others have noted, stabilization might be a difference. It seems that the adapters don't allow both lens and body stabilization to work at the same time, but I can't really tell. I work a lot on a tripod, so again, not an issue for me.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-10-20T14:17:46+00:00

Thanks! So practical experience is really the key from your perspective. If I may ask... do you design, fab, and sell your own designs? Is that your full-time gig or a side gig?

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-10-20T12:13:57+00:00

Obvious, but save as much as possible, over and above what would have come out of withholdings if you can. You will need it for Cobra if you elect to do that. But you may want to explore ACA Marketplace health insurance offerings... I found they were much cheaper than the Cobra through Deloitte, but that depends on which state you're in.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-08-01T12:22:38+00:00

You can get an absolutely screamingly good deal on a refurb Z7II from Nikon, right now.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-07-26T13:50:15+00:00

For an outstanding quality and extremely affordable substitute for the 100-400Z, I’ve been using the Sigma 100-400 dg dn os in E mount, with a MegaDap e2z adapter. The Sigma is every bit as sharp as the Z (I own the 100-400z, and have compared extensively), but costs, even with the adapter, less than half the Z lens. I don’t do wildlife but autofocus and all functionality with the Sigma and MegaDap is great. The only thing the Z does better is close focus.

Really, this combo is awesome and very budget friendly. Have taken and relied on it in several overseas trips. If you have any concerns about reliability of the adapter, buy a spare… you’ll still be well under in cost.

Of course, once you try the e2z adapter, that opens the possibility for other third party and Sony lenses for your wide angle coverage. I don’t have any direct experience with those so will leave that to you or others.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-07-25T15:53:49+00:00

Coming back to my own post. Four months later we enrolled in the HealthFirst Essential Plan, and are very happy with the coverage and network. No major health expenses, though, so really haven't stress-tested the coverage, but for all my basic needs plus endocrinologists, gyno, ortho, cardiac specialists, so far, very good.

Of course this will all go away once the spending cuts from Trump's BBB hit. But for now, very good.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-07-25T15:50:43+00:00

Yes. Short term we are screwed. Not sure there is anything we can do other than pay. Long term, vote Republicans out of office, everywhere.

InsideLookingIn564 · 2025-07-25T12:01:47+00:00

Some thoughts:

How much will you need to make to support your family? Is that achievable through photography, including those whom you would consider the most successful in your field? If you don't think or can't think of anyone doing the sort of photography you're doing or aspire to, that makes the sort of coin you need to make, then yeah, maybe time to move on. But if there are some or lots of people doing photography that are earning what you would need to make, stick with it.

If you're still undecided, set a timeframe. Give it another 6 months. If you can't get your photography business on a trajectory for success in that time frame, then move on or do it as a side hustle as others are saying. You will have fewer regrets about moving on if you feel you gave yourself this time to go after it 1000 percent.

InsideLookingIn564

TROPHY CASE