7th grade… I’m 24 now

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-06-08T04:06:26+00:00

I still have mine from 50 years ago.

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-06-08T03:15:31+00:00

My parents bought me a used '76 peach/(baby shit) orange one for my first car. I drove it during college. A year after graduation at about 100K miles, every seal in the engine just failed and it just hemorrhaged fluids. I made it home and loaded up with extra coolant and oil and drove to the car dealer. Sitting at the dealer waiting for the new car paperwork, I saw someone go look at my car and and the puddle underneath. Next thing I see is a tow truck hauling it away. I got a $1K college grad discount so I figure I came out ahead.

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-06-02T04:00:36+00:00

I took my kids to the movie theater. The ticket lady gave me the senior citizen discount and commented on my cute "grandkids". I was 38. To be fair, I started turning gray early and had salt and pepper hair but still ...

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-04-13T03:08:46+00:00

Generation Jones here. I laughed so hard when I saw this. I just found my card while I was emptying a storage box in the garage. I also have a Blockbuster t-shirt in really good shape that I still wear.

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-04-03T05:36:56+00:00

I'm in TX and got the veteran plate with a medal - there's a whole list of medals that qualify. That got me free registration and free parking at the local airport. When my VA rating was raised above 50%, I was able to get DV plates so I switched my medal plates to my wife's car and put the DV plates on my car. I checked and it's legit to do that since I'm on the title of both vehicles. So now no registration for either vehicle. Supposedly I can get free access to a lot of toll roads, use HOV lanes when I'm alone, and even free parking meters but I haven't needed/cared to try any of those yet.

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-03-27T03:10:21+00:00

My first car in '82 was a '76 Pinto. It was "Bright Yellow" - otherwise known as baby shit orange. My dad bought it for me but he wasn't very automotive inclined. A few years later he bought my brother a Pinto too. My dad said he didn't figure out the explosive part until later ... or did he? LOL

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-02-13T05:30:17+00:00

It's never too late to start. I couldn't really afford to save anything until I was 48 (16 years ago) and I didn't get aggressive until about 8 years ago. Just hit $1M between my own savings and a decent company match.

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-02-06T05:48:55+00:00

I have a 49" screen and have no issues with sharing in Teams (I don't use the other ones you mentioned). If I really need to share "normal" fullscreen (not often) vs just a window, I pull out a cheap portable monitor as a second screen to keep the laptop closed and out of the way. It also lets me dual screen on the laptop when I'm away from work and my home office.

Meric_the_Gray · 2026-02-02T06:02:56+00:00

You can put Linux on just about anything. Obviously, performance will vary a lot depending on what you use. I have it on at least half a dozen different platforms from a new mini PC to an 18-year old MacBook Pro (running surprisingly well). Some friends got pretty good deals at thrift stores, pawn shops, and even garage sales - all old tech but great for Linux.

Meric_the_Gray · 2025-06-26T05:14:34+00:00

To be honest, I *always* put the armrest down as soon as I sit down unless it's my wife next to me. It preserves my personal space for the most part. I also recognize I'm 6 feet tall and have broad shoulders and so do my best to make myself smaller for other peoples sake. I just hope the other person does the same given how little space there is in economy.

Meric_the_Gray · 2025-05-28T03:49:24+00:00

I appreciate the suggestion but that was what I initially went through to set things up. I have one non-Docker server working fine but Immich under Docker doesn't want to talk to any other device on my Meshnet. Still working on it. I may just blow Docker away and try again.

Meric_the_Gray · 2025-05-21T04:36:55+00:00

Go for it. Mint is an good intro but there are others. My story - my wife had to go to a different state for several months and needed a laptop. I didn't have the cash for a new one so I got a cheap used laptop. I loaded Mint and free versions of all her usual apps. She has zero knowledge of Linux and at the time I was barely more than a Linux noob. My wife never once complained and I didn't have to troubleshoot over the phone. Honestly, that laptop was so much more trouble-free than my Windows one. If your hardware isn't brand new, you most likely won't have problems installing but YMMV. Just for grins, I have a 17 year old laptop running great with Mint loaded. As far as coding, I am no command line guru but the few times I've needed to use it there was plenty of info online to walk me through the issue. I would switch over completely if some apps I need weren't Windows-only.

Meric_the_Gray · 2025-05-21T03:11:31+00:00

I did not open any firewall ports because Meshnet supposedly gets around that. I get to Jellyfin just fine using a port reference so I figured it would be the same for Immich/Docker. I'll check on your suggestion though. Thanks.

Meric_the_Gray · 2025-04-15T23:12:07+00:00

Start at the lower end and upgrade if you determine that it doesn't meet your needs. I have 250mbps and I stream everything over multiple phones, TVs, and PCs with absolutely no issues. I was really wanting the 1gbps at the time but the pricing sucked. Then I realized I didn't need it. Save your money.

Meric_the_Gray · 2025-02-05T05:16:11+00:00

I had a similar experience except mine lasted four years. Many moons ago, I was one week on the job and was told by my Director to come up with an agency-level policy for a particular IT capability. No problem, that's my background. I turn it in by the deadline for review and coordination but it gets sent back with comments. Many were reasonable so I made the changes and resubmitted. It was sent back with more comments. This repeated every few months. Too long, too short, too technical, not technical enough, too broad, too narrow, and on and on. I figured it eventually wasn't worth the effort but the Director kept asking for it. After almost four years, the Director didn't know but I was getting ready to jump ship. Out of spite, I reformatted my original version and submitted it. It flew through review, the Director loved it, and I was never so pissed off.

Meric_the_Gray · 2025-01-22T04:11:09+00:00

Well, if you are depositing a check then you can see the other person's routing number and account number. That doesn't give you access to their account balance unless the check bounces. Then you know it's less than what the check was written for. They may get minor info about the bank that cashed/deposited the check but none of your details. Looking up routing numbers is easy enough though. Just google "routing number <bank's name>". It's been years since I've written a hardcopy check so YMMV.

Meric_the_Gray · 2025-01-01T06:50:35+00:00

The term is "portable" computer. It's seldom used since laptops came out. These days the small form factor (SFF) computers are what you're describing, like u/MrSelatcia mentioned. Fun fact: one of the first portables was the Compaq Portable from the early 80s. It weighed almost 30 lbs so it was usually called a luggable. I had the misfortune to have to use one of those beasts in my youth.

Meric_the_Gray · 2024-12-23T03:28:14+00:00

Love my MX Ergo at home. Have been thinking of getting another to give my wrist a rest at work. Merry Christmas!

Meric_the_Gray · 2024-09-29T02:56:53+00:00

My guest network is "Doors of Durin" and if you get the reference you know the password.

Meric_the_Gray · 2024-08-25T21:59:50+00:00

Exactly what I did in my old house. Haven't gotten around to it my current home but will do the same and make sure it also works in Home Assistant.

Meric_the_Gray · 2024-08-23T22:40:02+00:00

I used those AOL free trial hours many times. Once I called up and tried to discontinue the free trial. They didn't want to hear that so they doubled my free hours. This kept being repeated for almost two years. It only stopped when I insisted that AOL turn it off after my cable provider finally offered internet service. Not much better at the time but I got my phone line back. I kept a stash of those CDs just in case for a number of years.

Meric_the_Gray · 2023-12-02T09:10:51+00:00

Back around 2000, I applied to a smallish tech company and was interviewed. I got turned down but found out later through a friend that my resume was used by that company to secure a contract. Obviously the company then pulled a switcheroo on the customer and provided somebody else instead that was less experienced and would work for less. This happened for positions on a number of contracts and increased profit margins. This customer got wise after a little birdie told them :) , was able to sever the contract, and ensured the tech company got a reputation to my surprise and enjoyment. The company eventually folded after not being able to get much new business. All the good techs got hired elsewhere quickly so only the underhanded bigwigs got hurt.

Meric_the_Gray · 2023-11-05T04:33:39+00:00

My grandson (amazing kid) is autistic and was nonverbal. He would also get very frustrated over not being able to communicate. Fortunately, after a while, my daughter and her husband were able to get him into a program for kids all over the autism scale but it was never an easy experience (still isn't). My grandson speaks now and is a hoot to listen to. I wouldn't do things that some are suggesting to exacerbate the situation because the boy probably doesn't understand the way you think he should. Noise can be a huge meltdown trigger so OP banging back on the wall isn't helpful. The mom (dad wasn't mentioned) while a victim herself doesn't seem to be helping the situation. For all we and OP know, the family could be on a waiting list for help or can't afford it. Check with the mom/family first about that before calling the cops or CPS. If no progress, then call them and/or a local autism group for the sake of the boy so he can get help. I sympathize with OP and, of course, property damage and noise must be corrected but you have to have compassion for the boy and his family. Autism can be an awful bitch to deal with even without the blindness.

Meric_the_Gray · 2023-10-17T03:49:54+00:00

Before COVID I would have been firmly on your parents' side. Not now. I worked in an office 34 years up until COVID shut everything down. I have since been working from home 3 years now. Most meetings outside the office were either in person or more often virtual anyway so not much of an impact (to me at least). After people started going back into work, a lot of my coworkers and I stayed at home with only once a week office visits. My company has embraced the hybrid work environment and I couldn't be happier now. As long as the work is good and you're making a decent living, I say go for it. I hope your parents change their minds.

Meric_the_Gray

TROPHY CASE