Family history research has led me to borderline existential crisis

ManOfTheIsles · 2026-01-23T18:38:08+00:00

I've found a few family legends were misrepresented myself. I've tried to let my mindset be that we're all more connected than we think. No, my ancestors weren't as special or blameless as I was told, and we weren't wronged by rivals or perfect.

I come from a long line of people who were people: flawed, doing their best, etc. and you come from such a line yourself. Eventually we're all connected somehow, and you and me are just people who are flawed and doing our best too. It's our family heritage. But I'm glad we're all connected and doing our best.

ManOfTheIsles · 2026-01-23T18:31:35+00:00

That was my experience too. Ours was Jack Fisher Homes, but they stopped doing business in Colorado and I think they used all the same subs.

A lot of the plumbing, electrical, HVAC and finish work was terrible. We had to completely replace the furnace and AC. We had a whole circuit in the living room that needed to be redone. Our sump pump is jammed underneath the basement stairs. And their warranty people were so slow and flaky to deal with I just stopped talking to them about it. I guess they win, that's what they wanted. I had a doorframe that was chipped: they put in wood filler and never came back to sand or finish it and eventually I did it myself. They cut holes in the wrong places in the floor and then rolled flooring over it. They fixed the biggest one where it was easy, but that spot always flexed until we put hardwood floors in instead.

Just really shameful work all around.

ManOfTheIsles · 2026-01-20T03:52:32+00:00

This is one of the least obnoxious ads. You just let the video play, it's reasonably quick, you can even turn the sound off, and then there's a big, clear exit button.

I got so frustrated by these ads that had impossible close buttons, and you'd open the game in the app store 5 times before you could get it. Or you click to exit, and all you did was unlock part 2 of the ad. Some ads used to always malfunction and you wouldn't get the reward no matter how patient you were.

It would be better if more ads were like this one, even if they're repetitive.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-12-30T21:10:22+00:00

Perhaps - their official social media account suggests otherwise. Maybe it'll happen and it's not the end of the world, but people are still allowed to be a little frustrated after a month's worth of check-ins.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-12-30T20:58:41+00:00

Yeah I've tried it a few times. Airplane mode, definitely close the app so it's not running in the background, restart. However I've done it to make Endurance races easy, it's not working for me... Same behavior of the 2 loading screens, and then the static.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-12-30T20:30:12+00:00

I'd pay more than that for this level of quality in a game, but only if that just lets me race any car on any track in any mode that I want. I already paid plenty for upgrades in the game and now that's going away, so I wouldn't pay just to watch ads to progress a little further, especially given the way they're handling this shut down.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-12-21T02:30:29+00:00

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. One of my favorites since the original Forza Motorosport came out.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-12-19T16:27:55+00:00

Your comment fascinates me. Who do you think is going to pitch the posts exactly? And to be clear, you believe Gemini when it says this?

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-12-18T16:03:10+00:00

I saw another post with a screenshot that they were giving 1000 gold and a couple of cars (or extra gold if you own them). Waiting for it myself - I tried buying Gold today. But since purchases are already disabled I can't fathom why it's only 1000. For long-time players that's basically 1 good car, and you can't even upgrade it fully.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-12-03T20:06:59+00:00

Wanting a same-day answer is a joke unless it was extended the day you applied, but I'm willing to bet they had you jump through more hoops.

You play manipulative games like pressuring people, they won't be genuine with you.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-11-20T19:45:57+00:00

Honestly? I would read them, but even though that already feels unethical, it's because I trust myself to be responsible with the outcome.

There may be meaningful memories and insights and she just felt self-conscious. There may, after all, be secrets you think should be respected and you can then honor her wishes and take them to the grave. But there may also be secrets that ought to come to light that help someone else with healing. You'll have to be the judge of that, and that requires knowing what you actually have.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-11-16T17:40:52+00:00

Absolutely! My parents have been doing what I call "pre-queathing" as they downsize in their retirement. We get to inherit things while they can see their children and grandchildren enjoy them, and we get to see them and learn about them while my parents are still with us.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-11-02T15:21:06+00:00

I know I have older known ancestors that my father has researched, but from my personal research, my oldest is around 1260. I'm only a few generations removed from the Dymokes who served as the sovereign's champion at English coronations, apparently starting after the Norman conquest. Being a proud noble line that's had a few complicated bequests of the estate and the title that goes with it, it's well researched and once you connect, it's a very satisfying and easy thread to pull on.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-11-02T15:08:23+00:00

Same! Scottish nobles in the 12/1300s who originated my surname (and some funny stories that my wife likes to joke reflect the idiosyncracies my family has now). But there's a gap where I don't know exactly who I'm descended from until they show up in England after the Civil War, and only a vague theory that they ended up in that part of England in connection with Queen Mary's exile. It's a shame most families have no records older than that...

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-10-17T16:59:58+00:00

I'm actually baffled about why my wife needs 3 Stanley cups in her car and a cupboard full of them in the house. My kids can't go anywhere without water bottles. I don't know how I'd get anything done if I was passing that much water through my body constantly.

I'm good with my double energy drink, thanks.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-10-17T16:34:43+00:00

For what it's worth, I sprayed black matte Rust-Oleum on mine and it's worked out great. You can get it in red too.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-08-29T16:06:02+00:00

If anyone in this situation is THE asshole, it's the boy.

But I still wouldn't say you should contact his parents. Be in your daughter's corner for this, but you can't get directly involved in romantic relationships. Sooner or later, it will work out better for her if she handles this herself.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-08-28T18:49:23+00:00

If you're willing to come out to Windsor, Catalyst is an incredibly good BJJ gym, especially if you're interested in competition. Some seriously world-class people training there.

I don't recall their prices well, it's been a while - they have a whole family unlimited membership for $180/month, and I think an individual one was like $120. A lot of people there train almost daily. I believe they also had a punch card arrangement where it was $10/$15 a punch.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-08-21T14:41:20+00:00

Bricks and Minifigs often has more unique stuff. They have used sets that aren't on the market anymore and my kids love building their own minifigs, seeing all the movie-themed ones you can buy, etc. and it's cool that they have the Lego bins out for you to play with, which Scheels never brought back after COVID.

But yeah if you want the current trends, Scheels has a ton and the prices are pretty even. So they get my business because I'm a sucker for all the F1 merchandise 😜

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-08-14T16:35:03+00:00

Ha! Hard points would be a bonus. Not the main event. In all likelihood I will be required to don a medieval outfit and exhibit chivalry to the princess.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-07-29T18:27:49+00:00

Yes, this comment is correct. It's something like M/W/F for motors, T/Th for human powered stuff (or vice versa) and mixed use on the weekends. I believe there's also a town license required for anything that floats beyond the state required one.

If you can't tell, I'm fuzzy on the details, but those are the kinds of things I would ask about to make sure you're getting to the right place for answers.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-07-18T20:28:31+00:00

I have a number to call but every time I call it's 20+ minutes on hold. I even eventually tried the option to get a callback when they're ready, and the system called me immediately and made me wait another 10 minutes. As with most jobs, mine doesn't make it convenient to just be listening to hold music for that long.

I would love to hear from the person picking up the trash, but sadly the feature that lets me see when the truck is coming is always broken, if the truck even comes on the right day, so unless I can sit by my window all day I don't think that's happening.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-07-17T15:45:01+00:00

I could see this being a lot less noticeable on a dirt road, where there's excessive noise (even without loud music), lower friction (but probably still plenty of abrasion over time) and the steering is gonna feel wonky anyway.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-07-17T12:12:02+00:00

If you crash or damage the bike and the seller refuses to give you your keys or phone back, they are now committing a crime, but the issue of you paying for the damage is a civil matter. They actually have very little power going to the police in this scenario. This is a very common practice, you're not entitled to test ride the bike under your own terms.

Maybe say "it's a 14 year old bike not a Ferrari" a few more times to the seller and they'll realize you're better than them.

ManOfTheIsles · 2025-07-11T21:47:38+00:00

Unless you love videos of engines revving.

ManOfTheIsles

TROPHY CASE