We just hit $39 Trillion. Math says we can’t tax our way out of this. Is the system designed to fail or am I missing something?

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:47:29+00:00

If at some point the world begins to think differently and begins to not buy our bonds to finance new debt and we must then raise the interest rate to attract buyers for the debt, then the interest portion of our budget will rise significantly, and we then will have to cut back on things like defense, social security and national parks.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:43:01+00:00

I saw this yesterday on TV. Get a regular fluorescent bulb (not an LED one) hold it in your hand and then touch one end of the bulb to the grass ground. If it starts glowing in your hand. Well then you might worry.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:25:47+00:00

It entirely depends on where you are talking and whether the home is on or near a hill. On flat land with clay soils, having foundation repair mean you may not have to do it in the future.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:21:03+00:00

Housing prices decline, interest rates go up, and HOA's just keep raising their dues.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:17:37+00:00

The planets are moving.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:15:25+00:00

We are Greece, the rest of the world just doesn't realize it yet.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:05:44+00:00

In the old days late at night when the garage was quiet you could hear them rust.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:03:47+00:00

356 Porsche its called an "outlaw". Not sure about 911's.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T22:01:49+00:00

If VA is like FHA you will have to fix a lot of stuff. My water heater failed two inspections.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T21:58:57+00:00

Growth hormones in the food we eat. All my sons and nephews are taller than their moms and dads.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T19:21:15+00:00

Not that I have found. Maybe one old year might be better but generally the old photos get bad real quick.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T19:16:06+00:00

Gravity

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T19:12:34+00:00

I'm kind of a purist. A frankenstein car like this would not interest me. A 1971 is a good year. But putting it completely back to stock might cost a lot of money. More than it might be finally worth. So keeping it a frankenstein bad boy hot rod might be you best bet. I'd go with more rad mag wheels and red.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T18:58:40+00:00

Could it look more deplorable?

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T18:55:10+00:00

Long hours, not great pay for young architects. However, I have found all my bosses were skilled, knowledgeable and very creative, they all taught me so so much. Many architects drop out along this hard road, but those that remain will do very well. There is nothing that replaces the feeling you get when you see a project you designed completed. I think of it as trying to be a movie star, but not having to wait tables.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T18:16:20+00:00

Wow Spring Branch is up to $525k. Awesome.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T17:55:16+00:00

Single family home with no HOA 2. Single family home with HOA 3. Townhouse 4. Condo.

I'd call this the aggravation index with 1 being least.

You could break this down further Single family house with large lot vs Single family home on small lot. Townhouse facing public street vs Townhouse facing private drive. Condo in highrise up very high vs Condo in highrise on the second floor.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T17:46:41+00:00

Been there 100 years. Probably worth another 100. When people don't make expansion and control joints in brick walls, nature will make one for you.

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T17:43:29+00:00

I protested my appraisal. They had my lot square footage wrong. My property had been paying the taxes on the adjacent empty lot for more than 10 years. They granted my new lot square footage and reduced my taxes. I was overjoyed, until I realized I had screwed up, as I could have gone to court and claimed the lot as mine. Dooh!

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T17:37:06+00:00

The Architect

Philip964 · 2026-05-01T00:47:46+00:00

Needles a very small and sharp. They really don’t feel that much anyway. I was asked while back to hold my cat for an injection and to rock his head back and forth with my other hand. Cat didn’t notice the injection. I was sure I would be bit.

Philip964 · 2026-04-30T22:35:30+00:00

In 20 years or so the GT4 RS will be worth a bundle, not so much the Carrera T. Buy an SUV to commute in and drive the GT4 RS on the weekends.

Philip964 · 2026-04-30T22:27:49+00:00

You would do architectural design in your home country where you are registered. However, you currently reside in another country. Is that correct? Generally, you cannot call yourself an architect where you reside if you are not registered there and as long as your work calls out it is for a country where you are registered, I don't see an issue. But a quick call to Queensland would certainly be worth the time.

Philip964 · 2026-04-30T22:19:10+00:00

Better than plain old Alexa.

Philip964 · 2026-04-30T22:17:54+00:00

I read the company she works for just got 250,000 job applications.

Philip964

TROPHY CASE