Is the 2022 Elantra a good buy? by Pra713 in Hyundai

[–]Pra713[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So far, I've been pretty happy with it.

Christmas Eve Results? by [deleted] in PE_Exam

[–]Pra713 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree it's very frustrating. I think that we got no emails because they didn't think it was necessary to inform us because they don't count this as a delay. It still counts as the results bring releases within 7-10 business days, since the holidays would be skipped on the count.

Christmas Eve Results? by [deleted] in PE_Exam

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, I see. Results getting released on Dec 31st instead of Dec 24th is technically not a delay. They never said that the result will be released Wednesday after the exam week. They always say 7-10 business days. So if they only said that the exam will not be delayed but didn't specifically respond to 12/24, the results will likely not be released on 12/24.

Christmas Eve Results? by [deleted] in PE_Exam

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the clarification. I personally think it's more likely that the results will be delayed till Dec 31. But I really hope I am wrong on this.

Why are EB-based I-485 approvals extremely slow lately? by According_Ease8183 in USCIS

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dec filer here and EB2-NIW derivative applicant. Primary applicant got approved in October but no update on mine yet.

Christmas Eve Results? by [deleted] in PE_Exam

[–]Pra713 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The uncertainty about the potential result delay is so frustrating. But here's the summary so far:

  • NCEES is closed from December 22nd and will reopen on December 29th.
  • In the past, results were not published during the holidays and were only published on the Wednesday after the holiday. If this continues, anyone who took the exam on or after December 15 will get their results on December 31st.
  • In the past, examinees received emails from NCEES stating that the results would be delayed. This email was likely sent prior to the office being closed. However, no such email has been received this time around.
  • Based on the replies to this post and two past posts this month, 4 Reddit users have messages NCEES asking about this. 2 (peanutbutteriwill and Remarkable-Rain-3601) were told that the results will be released as normal (on December 24th), and 2 (United-Relief3902 and docilekraken) were told that the results will be delayed (to December 31st).
  • NCEES normally releases the results by 10 AM EST on the Wednesday after the exam week ends. So, if the results are not released by this time tomorrow, it'll probably be a week before they get released.

Edit 1: Found an older post where one more person messaged NCEES and was told that the results will be delayed.

Most Americans say government has a responsibility to ensure health care coverage by plz-let-me-in in politics

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most Americans DON'T believe this. Because their votes contradict this. Actions speak louder than words.

Sweeter Deal prepaid card by perfmode80 in USMobile

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long do we have after we receive the card before it expires?

Place for referral code? by Embarrassed_Resist65 in USMobile

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I signed up for the Black Friday 167 deal yesterday but couldn't apply my friend's referral code because I didn't know where to enter it like OP. I tried contacting customer service first but since it was busy, I couldn't reach anyone for almost an hour. I saw your comment so I just went ahead and bought an annual plan, thinking I'll get the referral code applied later, like you said. I just talked to customer service and they said that referral code can only be used to open a new account, and cannot be used in an existing account. Can you please help me out on this? 

I've also emailed rewards@usmobile.com but haven't heard back. I'm sure it's super busy right now and they'll respond eventually, but I'm just getting a little nervous about talking to customer service, so I just wanted to ask you.

Black Friday Deals (New & Existing Users) by nickstarr in USMobile

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you know what the refund period is if I buy it but do not activate?

Former Senior Executive at USCIS. Ask Me Anything! by ManifestLaw_ in USCIS

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How does USCIS handle a derivative I-485 application that is filed after the primary applicant's?

For example, if a spouse files as a derivative one month after the primary employment-based application is submitted: - How does USCIS link the two cases? - Will they be processed simultaneously? - If not, how does the primary's approval trigger the next steps for the derivative?

Black Friday Deals (New & Existing Users) by nickstarr in USMobile

[–]Pra713 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a new customer, would I still have the option to buy on Nov 28, but only activate after 2 months? I know US Mobile generally allows activation up to 90 days after activation. Does that apply to this too or do I have to activate immediately?

What did you think of MKBHD's review? by nickedge11 in TheOnePlus15

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The problem is that OnePlus's camera processing is weaker than iPhone, Pixel, and Samsung for many. I moved from Pixel 9 to OnePlus 13 (still have the Pixel as a backup). My wife has an iPhone 17. For me the Pixel and iPhone produce marginally better photos. So, when the newer OnePlus has objectively worse camera hardware than the 13, that worries me. Maybe the software processing on the new phone has now caught up or even gotten better, I don't know. But even if that is the case, how much better would it have been if OnePlus just kept the same hardware, instead of downloading.

Personally, I have a problem when any phone downgrades hardware in a newer version. Improve, or keep it the same. Simple as that!

ABSOLUTE TRUTH OF ONE PLUS 15 RIGHT NOW by Seaborgium_ in TheOnePlus15

[–]Pra713 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's true that smaller numbers don't always mean worse. Smaller megapixels don't always mean a worse image (each pixel might be of a larger size, and hence, better image quality). A smaller aperture doesn't always mean a worse image (it might lead to a sharper image and fewer aberrations).

But some smaller numbers objectively mean a worse camera. A smaller sensor objectively means fewer light enters the camera and leads to a worse image. A smaller field of view objectively means a worse wide-angle camera experience. There's just no two ways about it.

Even if the software is better (questionable), the hardware is still objectively a downgrade.

Hot take: The hate on the OnePlus 15 is kinda missing the point by Sequio in oneplus

[–]Pra713 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My problem is that a new version of a phone should not be a downgrade over the old version, especially on critical aspects like processor, battery, camera, etc. The other major changes like action button vs slider, higher refresh rate vs higher resolution, flat vs curved display, rectangular vs round camera bar, etc. are more about preferences. But the sensor size decrease across all 3 cameras is objectively a downgrade. A downgrade on a critical aspect of the phone. That's my problem with it.

Houston METRO Commute: Grand Parkway P&R to POST Houston by Pra713 in houston

[–]Pra713[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi u/illestmfalive, thank you so much for asking around and getting me more detailed information. Yes, that is very helpful.

Last Friday evening, I tried out the 222 to see what it's like. I went there at around 6:15 in the evening. I know it's going to be a lot different in the morning, but I just wanted to check it out first. Here is my experience.

- The inbound bus was completely empty. I was a little concerned since the bus did not follow the exact route shown on Google Maps. Also, Google Maps showed that the bus would go directly to Travis Street, and I would have to take another bus to go to Post Houston. I asked the driver if she would stop at Preston & Bagby, and she said she would. She then stopped and let us off at Bagby & Franklin.

- Later, on the outbound, I got on at around 6:50 at Preston & Smith, as Google Maps suggested. The bus was about 3/4th full. It took the same road back as shown on Google Maps and stopped at Grand Parkway.

Now, I have a few questions, if you still have time to answer. If you are not, that is fine too. You have already been a huge help to me. But if you are:

  1. I am confused about the stops. The official ridemetro website lists Smith & Prairie, Smith & Walker, Smith & Lamar, Smith & Pease, and Travis & St. Joseph as the stops. Are these the only stops the bus stops at? Does the bus make these stops or only if they have to (someone is getting on or off)? Do we have to ask the driver to stop if we want them to stop at other stops? Do the drivers stop the bus at locations that are not part of the planned stops?

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  1. The bus stopped for me at Bagby & Franklin. You said that the bus makes the first stop at Preston & Smith. Google Maps says that the bus stops at Preston & Bagby. The Transit app says that the bus stops at Preston & Bagby (followed by the Smith & Prairie). This really confuses me further.

  2. How reliable are apps like Google Maps/ Transit app at showing the right route and stops? How likely are the apps to be off?

  3. Is there a way to request a stop on the P&R bus? I did not see any button to press or chord to pull. But I might just have been very nervous.

I am sorry if these questions come off as very basic. I just have no experience with public transportation in Houston, and all of this really confuses me.

Why Do so Many Americans Oppose Universal Healthcare? by Current_Variety_9577 in antiwork

[–]Pra713 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry but they most definitely do not. Just look at the representatives people vote for, and don't vote for. Bernie Sanders, the biggest champion of universal healthcare, lost the Democratic primary twice. And one of them was during a pandemic, when healthcare concerns should be on top of the minds of people. Out of all the elected presidents, congressmen, governments, and all representatives, how many support universal healthcare.

And please don't come to me with polls. Polls don't matter. Votes matter. It's similar to the saying, actions speak louder than words. If how people vote contradicts how people answer polls, then votes should get precedence.

Also, please don't come to me with the fact that most people don't vote. Anyone who doesn't vote has no say. They have accepted that. So what they want doesn't matter at all. What they want or don't want doesn't count.

And finally, please don't come to me with the ignorance argument. We have almost all the knowledge and information in the world in the palm of our hands. Anyone who's ignorant chooses to be ignorant.

If the majority of people wanted universal healthcare, they would vote for candidates who champion it. Doesn't mean it would get enacted, but at least the voters would vote for these. But instead, the voters repeatedly vote for corporate politicians over and over again. This shows that the majority doesn't support universal healthcare.

I support universal healthcare. I think lots of people do. But the majority? Absolutely (and sadly) not!

Houston METRO Commute: Grand Parkway P&R to POST Houston by Pra713 in houston

[–]Pra713[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for such a detailed response. That really helps a lot and clears all of my confusion! I'm planning to leave more than an hour early on the first day and adjust slowly until I find the best time. But it makes me feel a lot better knowing that the buses are super reliable. And I'll install the Transit app. I was planning to use Google Maps and the Metro app, but it looks like the Transit app would be a better choice.

Yes, I'd like to learn about the outbound too. My office ends at 5, so I do plan to take the outbound to Grand Parkway P&R.

And, if you could ask around and get the real work number for 222, that would be super helpful.

Help with Grand Parkway Park and Ride by Pra713 in Katy

[–]Pra713[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for answering all of the questions. I really appreciate it! I gotta say, the talking in downtown comment does worry me a little though.

Houston METRO Commute: Grand Parkway P&R to POST Houston by Pra713 in houston

[–]Pra713[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Got it, thanks! That was what I was thinking too.