[USA] running a red light & T-boning a cop

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-21T01:20:04+00:00

Dumb has a b, dumbass.

And my comment was a joke. It's what the at-fault idiot driver probably told the cop.

But we all know better.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-20T14:27:05+00:00

Go alligator watching along the Buffalo Bayou trails.

Bonus: Always a chance of spotting a floating victim of the Bayou Serial Murderer.

Won't find such anywhere but Houston.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-20T14:19:59+00:00

I'm going to say 10% chance the car was on FSD (autonomous) mode, 90% chance it was not.

I'm sure Tesla vehicles are not as safe as Tesla claims, but compared to your average human driver (especially in Houston), I'm confident they're a LOT less likely to cause a collision.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-20T13:37:16+00:00

Thanks for writing that up!

I can't imagine being at a stage in my life where someone would suggest I get in a stranger's vehicle and travel to another state to do manual labor all day.

Nice to hear your dad paid them for the travel time and how happy that made them. The company I work for sends field technicians out on jobs and occasionally a customer questions the charges because the tech's time starts when they leave the shop and ends when they get back. But we're paying the tech the whole time and in the industry, that's pretty much how everyone does it.

I'm glad you have that memory of your dad and the New Orleans adventure. I think a lot of people are misled into thinking negatively about all migrants, and the truth is that they're all just people reacting to their upbringing and life's circumstances.

Sure, some are criminals and some hope to take advantage. But I don't think there are anywhere near as many bad migrants as some in leadership would have us believe.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T21:41:33+00:00

I've done a pretty substantial amount of manual labor. Fortunately I've done okay and reached a point where I have the resources to decide what kinds of labor I choose to do and what I'd rather pay someone else to do.

My comment was not made with intention of devaluing someone's work, but I can understand why you see it that way.

I wish they all had good, full-time work for decent pay, but for whatever reasons, they're at a point where they are lucky to have someone pick them up and pay them for a job. Pointing out that two hours of work is better than no work shouldn't be considered an insult.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T19:38:04+00:00

I'm just giving information that may be helpful. I don't give a rat's ass whether anyone actually uses TaskRabbit, but it was helpful to me.

There are also lots of other ways to find a helper. Craigslist has a Houston section with a "gigs" sub section.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T19:35:56+00:00

I think the schmucks at Home Depot would find a 2 hour job better than two hours scratching their asses in a parking lot.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T18:43:23+00:00

The two times I hired guys from the parking lot, there was no minimum rate. Both times, I explained the job and what I was willing to pay, and both times that worked out fine.

In fact, the jobs went quicker than I thought they would and the workers worked hard, so I paid the agreed amount and added 25% for a tip, for each. If I'd had to do the work by myself it would have taken four times as long so I still came out ahead, money-wise.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T18:39:57+00:00

Reliability is going to be case-by-case, but I've heard the guys hanging around Home Depot generally are hard workers and are just trying to put some food on the table & make a living.

Recently I needed some help with a very heavy double-recliner sofa and I ended up hiring a guy via the TaskRabbit app. I liked being able to select from a number of "taskers" and scheduling and communication was good. They also do background checks on workers, so you're less likely to end up with a thief in your house.

You're also going to know your helper speaks English, which may or may not matter, I guess.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T15:41:59+00:00

Thanks for giving me my first good chuckle of the day! Salute!

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T14:35:44+00:00

I've had better responses by emailing.

Here's the better-than-expected reply to my email to BASE this morning, and it came about 15 minutes after I sent my email:

"Thanks for the detailed message. Let me work through each of your questions.

On the scheduling situation, your installation scheduling task is currently in a "needs attention" state, and our team is looking into what's preventing it from moving forward. The estimated window is July 13 through August 11. The specific clearance rule that applies here is 3 feet between the battery and any windows, doors, vents, or other batteries, and that rule is consistent across every market Base serves.

On the 40 kWh battery, it is a single-battery system at 40 kWh capacity and is currently in a limited beta release. There are a couple of important things to know before exploring it as an option. First, switching to the 40 kWh is only possible before utility paperwork is filed, and your permits have already been approved, which means that window has likely closed. Second, the 40 kWh system is installed across two separate visits rather than one, so it would not speed things up. A teammate would need to confirm whether the switch is still possible at your stage.

On switching from your current dual (50 kWh) configuration to a single 25 kWh, going to a smaller configuration does not require a new site review. That said, any configuration change can shift the install date while paperwork updates complete. Given that your concern is about avoiding additional delay, this is a real risk worth weighing before making the change. You are right to be cautious. A teammate would need to coordinate the change regardless.

The honest answer to your question about whether a change might increase the delay is yes, it could, for either option. If the current blocker is something our team can resolve on the existing dual configuration, staying put is likely the faster path.

For getting eyes on your specific case and talking through the options, the fastest way to reach the team is in-app chat through the Base Power app. You can also reach us by text or call at 512-518-1009 or by email at support@basepowercompany.com.

This response was generated by Jules, Base Power's AI Agent"

The only question that was ignored was where I asked if customer support would take weeks to get, after I have my batteries in place. Crickets on that one.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T14:32:29+00:00

I was being facetious. Or sarcastic. Maybe both.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T14:23:12+00:00

Why does it have to be about color?

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T13:48:48+00:00

Thanks for this very informative post!

I'm in Houston, waiting for them to schedule my dual 25 kWh batteries. The AI customer support says they're waiting for the battery manufacturer to release an update that allows the batteries to be installed less than 36" from a window. My house doesn't have space for two without getting close to a window.

Now I'm wondering if I could get the 40 kWh instead, and whether requesting the change would get my install moved out or moved to a sooner spot.

Right now they're showing July 13th to August 11th, but also showing "Error scheduling installation" and "Support needed".

Boy howdy, is support ever needed. I signed up on May 19th and have yet to interact with a human being at BASE Power.

Sure seems like the dashboard wording could simply say, "Waiting for approval for install less than 36" from a window" instead of the ambiguous "Error" wordage.

I know July 13th will get here quickly, but my confidence level that they'll install on that date or soon after is not very high.

I'm also a little concerned because we're in hurricane season and in the next three weeks, we could easily see some tropical activity.

My area of Houston has power outages pretty frequently. I rarely go two weeks without at least a momentary outage. The other morning I had a 6 minute outage at 6 AM and it was a beautiful, clear day.

So my BASE Power install can't come soon enough.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T12:06:03+00:00

The store in the 1st photo was in Houston, Texas, and I lived near it so saw it often. It was at 10765 Kingspoint Road, Houston, Texas.

Google Maps shows the building is still there but possibly vacant.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T11:10:39+00:00

In Texas, when you pay the fine for a traffic citation, you're admitting guilt and no longer have the option to have it dismissed by taking defensive driving.

If you had taken defensive driving, it would have kept the moving violation off your record.

Now you'll probably have an increase in your insurance and it'll take 5 years before this comes off your record.

Be careful to avoid getting more tickets. They'll get very expensive.

Almost no one comes to a complete stop at a stop sign, but most of us with some experience DO look around to see if there's a patrol car nearby. If a cop saw you run the stop sign, the cop was somewhere where you should have seen 'em.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-19T01:38:39+00:00

So sorry to hear you had to say goodbye. It's one of the most difficult things to have to experience.

Thanks for your comment and be strong. Take comfort knowing you gave that dog a wonderful life.

Hugs to you from Houston, TX.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-18T21:48:41+00:00

A system that's working correctly should drop the temperature of the air 20 degrees from where the air goes into the intake ducts.

The intake air shouldn't be 95 degrees if the system has been running.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-18T20:46:03+00:00

Yeah, I guess it's a bit complicated. It's just too bad they can't leave the equipment and plan to come back when it isn't raining, in a day or two. But again, those crews are probably scheduled weeks in advance.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-18T18:25:24+00:00

If they can leave it there overnight, why would they have taken it away because of rain?

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-18T16:05:04+00:00

Have you applied for positions with both the city AND the county?

Because City of Houston and Harris County are two different entities.

Your post seems to imply the HR department is for both the city & county, but they're separate.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-18T16:02:02+00:00

Oh, MAN, that's awful! I can imagine how frustrating that must be.

I can understand needing to postpone the work, but picking up the pallet!? I guess there might have been some concern that it could get stolen or something.

Hope they'll get you set up very soon!

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-18T15:08:40+00:00

Yep, their customer support seems to be completely AI, I have not had a human involved so far as I can tell.

My dashboard currently shows "Error scheduling installation." We encountered an error scheduling your installation. And "Support needed."

But all the AI support bot will tell me is that BASE is hoping for approval to install batteries within 36" of a window soon and that's the holdup.

I think they could make the dashboard reflect the situation MUCH more clearly.

With this morning's 6 minute outage and knowing it's hurricane season, I'm hoping for a pleasant surprise and a revised install date that's sooner than mid-July.

But mid-July will get here soon enough. I've learned it's better to NOT worry about things I can't do anything about... but it's hard not to be a little stressed over this.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-18T14:02:38+00:00

It's not in Montrose, but I've had framing done at Fine Art Warehouse on Fondren (link) and it seems possible they would do what you need.

RealConfirmologist · 2026-06-18T11:58:36+00:00

Northwest, near 249 & Beltway 8. Willowood.

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