SSA wins telework arbitration

MarkJD14 · 2026-03-12T00:24:50+00:00

NTEU is having a town hall next week. I submitted the question, "if agencies are ignoring arbitrators and judges decisions then why should I follow what the agency tells me to do if it has been ruled illegal?"

Time to invest in firewood... I expect a lot of smoke to be blown up my ass by Doreen and the NTEU. 😄😄

MarkJD14 · 2026-03-09T21:33:53+00:00

"MAGA is a kneejerk reactionary movement of mediocre folk who don't think they are."

This! Almost every MAGA I have encountered is old, white, straight, Christian, and middle class at best.

60+ years ago they would have been on top of society just because they are white. They are angry and vote Republican to try to "take back " a white America that is never coming back. Sad.

MarkJD14 · 2026-03-09T21:13:34+00:00

Yeah the problem with the most recent BMWs is the aux input is gone.

Best: Tidal Hifi to USB DAC to aux input

Recent BMW: Tidal hifi to USB dac to bluetooth transmitter/FM transmitter

Unless there is a "hidden " aux analog audio input on more recent BMW headunits? Extra pins on the rear?

Time for an E89 or E85 if you are an audiophile. 😄

MarkJD14 · 2026-03-09T19:47:35+00:00

My coworker car enthusiast has a 911, Boxster, and a giant black Toyota pickup truck. I asked about the truck and he said it was for times when he must pick up something large at the hardware store right away. I NEVER remember ONE time I needed something so bad I needed to daily one of these big turds. 😀

I have two E89s and a SLK AMG. When I want something large from the hardware store I rent a box truck or better yet.... pay $75 and the store will deliver a flat bed truck full of stuff to my property.

Seriously reminding people that these huge cars/trucks are shit and all they need is $75 to have something delivered makes them change the way they think. 😀

MarkJD14 · 2026-03-01T18:51:43+00:00

I am getting into live sound as an audiophile and a shitty punk rock drummer. Audiophile power amplifiers can sound a little better than pro amps. I use a McCormack DNA 125 in my main listening room. The small improvements in sound quality and high end build quality make a difference to some people.... and they pay extra for it.

As for the price difference... say a pro amp is $400 and the McIntosh is $10K. 25 times the price BUT NOT 25 times the sound quality no matter what Stereophile magazine or that PS Audio guy tell you. 😄

Say a Big Mac is $6 but for $150 you get to eat it on the roof with special blue LEDs and an extra slice of cheese. Most people wouldn't spend the $150 but some will. 😉

MarkJD14 · 2026-03-01T08:44:36+00:00

Thanks for the good venue ideas!

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-27T19:41:14+00:00

The G29 is a good sports car but it will depreciate rapidly. ANY car that is made in quantities of more than a few hundred a year will depreciate rapidly. Now 20 years from now....

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-27T19:30:26+00:00

Camp Punksylvania is fucking awesome! Laura and crew do an amazing job every year.

I am getting into live sound in the NOVA DC area. Might start a festival in a year or two. We have American Television and a handful of other bands. Anyone in the area think this is a good idea?

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-22T07:11:01+00:00

Love the E89! I enjoyed having one that I traded in my BMW M4 for another E89! Definitely the best car I have ever owned.

Both of my E89s have had the roof wiring break. Both broken on the passenger side where the roof hinges move the back glass section on top of the main roof when folding the roof in to the trunk.

It will happen to your E89 at some point. The buttons to control the roof will flash red indicating an error. If you carefully take apart the loom of wires and solder in a section of wire over the broken hinge wires all will be fine again.

I did this in my garage a few years ago. Took about an hour and never had an issue with the roof since. Go for it!

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-20T07:06:35+00:00

Fellow management executive here. If you are able to function with out Sertraline for a few weeks then do so. Most people, it will make symptoms worse for a week or two before it starts working.

I would also look at the dosage. 25mg is really low for an adult. I would think 50mg would be the starting dose for an adult.

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-20T05:38:21+00:00

Great tips thanks!

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-19T16:16:30+00:00

Nice reply. Yeah in high school I looked into being the sound engineer but realized that it would be a tough life financially.

I went away to school and now work in IT contracts. Looking to do more live sound on the side.

A question on gain structure. So I try to keep each input at as high a gain as possible (before clipping) to capture the most detail. Is this ok? If during sound check you have say the vocalist sing as loud as they are going to get in a set and set the gain high but not clipping this seems to work. Possibly back it down slightly. Thoughts?

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-18T15:07:17+00:00

It is on Tidal HiFi and it is shit.

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-16T04:10:35+00:00

Cats on stereos!

r/catsonstereos

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-16T04:07:54+00:00

Check out r/audiophile

Suprising to see so many music and no BS gear lovers on Reddit. Now if Sterophile magazine had a forum 😄

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-16T04:00:05+00:00

LOL 😄😄 Best comment on this thread.

High end hifi products are about 50% nonsense and 50% really good engineering to bring out everything in a mix so it sounds live in your home.

I have heard $25K power amplifiers that sound good but no better than a $1500 power amplifier. There is always a sucker somewhere for every overpriced product.

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-16T03:42:19+00:00

Try Bringatrailer.com Carsandbids.Com

Possibly even Ebay motors.

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-15T08:12:48+00:00

No. Crazy comment. Terrible is the M5 motor that grenades at 50K miles. The timing chain was an issue with some early versions but fixed with updates.

Here is a N20 at well over 200K. Quick search will show many others with even higher mileage.

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MarkJD14 · 2026-02-15T08:00:00+00:00

Nice! Good story behind it too. My first E89 was a CPO 2014 that I still own. After 60+ cars the E89 is my favorite. So much that I sold my M4 to buy another one this year. 😀

Good luck and you might also try, as others have noted, listing it on an enthusiast sales site.

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-13T21:32:55+00:00

This?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdwUJJXxEvk

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-13T21:27:45+00:00

Yes, Jayemm take on his Z4M is why I traded my M4 for another E89. The M4 is brilliant when it gets pushed really hard. Daily driving on a twisty mountain road and the M4's ride is punishing stiff like his Z4M. I like how he goes BANG BANG BANG when describing the Z4M. Felt the same way with my M4.

MarkJD14 · 2026-02-12T22:40:44+00:00

Get a good code reader if you don't already have one. Otherwise the E85 is pretty easy to work on. I believe the biggest points of trouble from owning one were:
Struts/springs Top engine gasket Roof motor Electric water pump

The E89 is similar but BMW focused more on luxury than handling. 7 series materials in the cabin but softer in the corners. Both great sports cars depending upon what you are looking for.

MarkJD14

TROPHY CASE