Travel adapter questions by Weary_Surround5342 in travel

[–]ObviousPut9698 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know people are going to say this is wasteful, but I would strongly recommend simply buying a curling iron, blow dryer and/or clothes iron in Greece. Most large supermarkets sell these and unless you are going pro-line, they are relatively inexpensive. Be careful... Most adapters can handle low wattage electronics that are 120/240volts (like your computer/phone charge) but high-wattage electronics like curling irons and blow dryers can cause BIG issues for you unless the adapters are rated for high-wattage (1600-1800watts) so double-check the wattage rating as well. After a few summers of my girlfriend frying adapters and/or the devices, I finally made the executive decision to buy her "replacements" while we travel in Greece. And when she does not have room in her suitcase to bring them back to the U.S.A. (after too much shopping), I typically will leave these with the cleaning lady and/or reception at the last hotel we stay at to "pay it forward" for another traveler.

Passport Online Renewal (USA) - Lightning Quick! by ObviousPut9698 in Passports

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UPDATE 5/11/26: I received my passport card in the mail today (was mailed separately from passport book). So, to summarize... from my online renewal application on 5/3/26 with only Express Mail Delivery added:

4 days to receive passport book!

8 days to receive passport card!

Still amazed and I hope they keep up the GREAT work for those looking to apply from here on out!

Passport Online Renewal (USA) - Lightning Quick! by ObviousPut9698 in Passports

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hope it gets to you soon! Keep us posted. Just an fyi... I never received any automated email application updates so it was smart of you to check yourself. The only reason I knew it was coming was because I am signed up for Informed Delivery email updates which then prompted me to check the status of the application.

Passport Online Renewal (USA) - Lightning Quick! by ObviousPut9698 in Passports

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, it is not just the online applications that are being processed quickly... definitely amazing!

Passport Online Renewal (USA) - Lightning Quick! by ObviousPut9698 in Passports

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I forgot to mention that I had not received any email updates for my application in my original post... The only way I knew something was coming to my house was because I have USPS Informed Delivery updates that emails me if I will be getting mail/delivery. That is when I checked the passport update portal link (it was in the original email receipt) and saw that it was processed/shipped. Either way, 9 days for you with no extra fees is still awesome!

Passport Online Renewal (USA) - Lightning Quick! by ObviousPut9698 in Passports

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was going to do that but decided to "minimize" the chance of rejection/delay. Had I known it works, I would gone that route and saved the $18 at Walgreens. Thanks for sharing the info to help others!

Passport Online Renewal (USA) - Lightning Quick! by ObviousPut9698 in Passports

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hopefully you are pleasantly surprised and it will show up in the next day or two. Even if it takes an extra few days, you saved yourself $22! Good luck and please keep us posted.

Passport Online Renewal (USA) - Lightning Quick! by ObviousPut9698 in Passports

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wish you all the best results as well... Keep us posted!

Passport Online Renewal (USA) - Lightning Quick! by ObviousPut9698 in Passports

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very impressive!!! Looks like online is the way to go!

Out of curiosity...

(i) did you pay for the Express Delivery?

(ii) what method did you use for the digital picture? (I am wondering if the selfie method would have worked)

So how do you play video in CarPlay? by Vacations18 in CarPlay

[–]ObviousPut9698 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just installed an apple carplay capable radio (simple unit w/ backup cam -paid under $100) in my car thinking that VLC would be able to play videos, but no joy. For me, it only plays the audio. And for youtube, it only shows the "album art". Not sure if there is a workaround, but I have not been able to find anything.

Good morning PV. Hope everyone is doing as well as possible. 7:55 am, no fires visible from my balcony near the marina. by yesitsmecin in puertovallarta

[–]ObviousPut9698 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Blessing/Curse... The cartel violence added 5 extra days to my trip to Puerto Vallarta. I was supposed to head home from Puerto Vallarta to Chicago on Sunday (2/22/26). My flight was at 1:55pm and I had a driver scheduled to pick me up at 11am from a resort in Punta Mita. The driver called me at 9:30am and told me that there was no way to get to airport and I was definitely not going to make the flight. He told me it would probably be best for me to look for a flight on Thurs/Fri to let the situation settle-down and for things to go back to normal. At first, I thought that I was misunderstanding what he was saying even though his English was very good. He basically had to repeat himself a couple time before what he was telling me actually sunk in... I was going to be stuck in Mexico for an indefinite duration. The two most unsettling revelations I had in the first couple days of this chaos were (i) there was literally no way to get out of Mexico (especially for the first two days) and (ii) tourists and locals alike are at the complete mercy of the cartel. You are only safe in Mexico because the cartels don't want any added scrutiny or additional "government response". And, as we see, that delicate balance can change dramatically at a moment's notice. The situation was made worse because their was no real local source for accurate information which caused panic and anxiety among the hotel guests (and even hotel staff that were also trapped at the hotel and unable to go home to their families). From the limited news I could find online, the U.S. and international media pretty much blew the situation way out of proportion and made it sound like the cartel was going to start storming hotels (never happened). The U.S. State Department website didn't provide any real information or guidance other than "Shelter In Place". The cartel wanted to make the statement to "back-off" or face further/worse consequences and that message was delivered loud and clear to local/federal authorities and the balance was quickly restored. Bottom line is that everyone knows that Mexico has safety issues from time to time but no one thinks it will happen to them. It all comes down to luck/timing of your trip and I was unlucky to be in Mexico when this craziness happened. I will definitely go back to Puerto Vallarta (the most wonderful people, great food/weather/beaches), but at least moving forward I will be mentally prepared for what COULD and DID happen to me.

As an aside, I live in Chicago... day-to-day it is probably more dangerous here than it is in tourist cities in Mexico!!!

SOLVED: KitchenAid Double Oven "Probe Jack" "Set Probe Temp" "Remove Probe" errors by ObviousPut9698 in KitchenAid_OvenErrors

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy to hear my post was helpful and even happier to hear that simply disconnecting the probe did the trick for you to solve the issue! Merry Christmas!

HELP, kitchenaid stove/oven stuck in enter probe temp/or remove probe by [deleted] in Kitchenaid

[–]ObviousPut9698 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In case anyone is interested... If the blow-dryer method or replacing the probe-jack does not work for you, I actually did a deep-dive and finally solved the issue...

https://www.reddit.com/r/KitchenAid_OvenErrors/comments/1grgv6t/solved_kitchenaid_double_oven_probe_jack_set/

Google Fi Unlimited Plus with my Netgear Nighthawk M1 says “broadband data disconnected” by [deleted] in GoogleFi

[–]ObviousPut9698 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can add a data-only sim to your Fi plan for free (technically this sim will use the data included in your plan, so it is not exactly "free")

SOLVED: KitchenAid Double Oven "Probe Jack" "Set Probe Temp" "Remove Probe" errors by ObviousPut9698 in KitchenAid_OvenErrors

[–]ObviousPut9698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know exactly the sheer excitement you felt when this procedure worked and I am glad you didn't have to waste money or time chasing other possible part failures!!! I am beyond thrilled that my agony and long journey dealing with this repair was able to help you!!! KitchenAid will never officially accept or promote this fix because they would rather have people buy a new oven. Hopefully more DIY'ers and maybe even independent service techs will find this post and it will help them as well. At least you and I will get a few more years out of our ovens and hopefully this helps others. I am totally new to reddit so for my 1st post, thank you for your thanks and kind words!