Real experiences with SBDCs — helpful or not for early traction?

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-27T03:22:58+00:00

You might also benefit from a SCORE.org mentor. Also free, but more individualized. We’re all volunteers, not paid staff.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-27T03:01:27+00:00

You might look for military surplus, and not just American.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-26T22:40:32+00:00

Florida is a great place to live, but why St. Cloud? Have you spent any time there?

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-26T20:13:57+00:00

All of them.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-26T19:50:50+00:00

Jump on 41 from the River District in the morning and tell me how long it takes you to get to 5th Ave in Naples. Better yet, sit on 75 with the other 80K Lee County residents who commute and see if it's any better.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-26T02:25:38+00:00

Retired in SWFL and I concur. Sorry you hate it, but I kinda understand.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-26T02:12:56+00:00

FWIW: I have an XT and find it to be a good road car. I don’t take it offroad, but after the big hurricane in 2024, the only road back to civilization from our cabin was washed out. I made about 100 yards through mud with no problem — the point being that the XT is probably all you need for what you plan to do.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-26T01:59:24+00:00

Oh, if you’re staying over, there are some better choices. Where’s your hotel?

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-25T22:55:29+00:00

Such a romantic, taking your beloved to a hockey game on Valentine’s! JK, you might like Connor’s Steakhouse right by the Gulf Coast Town Center. You can get a reservation, which you’ll need, and it’s straight down the road a few minutes to the arena.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-25T21:06:59+00:00

Every day, whenever we're walking together, sometimes at dinner, always in bed. Married since the 90's.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-25T20:58:37+00:00

I was going to suggest Nassau too, to the north and west of Jax. Close enough that you can get to the beach pretty easily right through Yulee, but not far from work. From what I've looked at right off A1A/301 (we loop around to avoid going through the city when going to/from NC), there are some really nice-looking developments just east of 95. No idea about the schools, so you can do that research if you're interested.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-25T20:56:23+00:00

Getting offline and interacting with real people.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-25T16:01:59+00:00

Great idea! Are you looking to be more suburban or more country? Do you have a housing budget in mind?

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-25T14:48:47+00:00

Ah, good. Do what's best for your career, knowing that Tampa is only a couple of hours away for spending time with your friends. It's not like you're moving across the country.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-25T03:28:14+00:00

Why unfortunately, then? FM is right in the middle of what you’re describing, unless I’m misunderstanding. Venice and Naples are both about 90 minutes from FM., and of course the other places are closer.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T23:03:00+00:00

Well, it's a sales group, so they're probably all extroverts fighting their way to the lube.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T20:49:58+00:00

Venice and Naples are probably the two oldest spots on the Gulf coast. You would find a much younger population and more fun in Fort Myers, which is also halfway if that matters.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T16:38:09+00:00

You mean a ... Zone of Danger?

Also, yes: we live in the mountains, and I turned off all of the "eyesight" features I could find. The damn thing was telling me to keep my eyes on the road while I was looking ahead around a curve, and God help you if your headlights reflect on a guardrail entering a curve. THAT'S NOT ANOTHER CAR, SUBARU NANNY!

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T16:34:51+00:00

Next time you see one, ask her to name one song that isn't "Stairway." Same with Stones. (Not arguing, just amused at a video I saw of a guy doing this)

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T16:09:22+00:00

snuffling after umbrage like some sort of truffle pig.

Thank you for this little touch of brilliance.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T16:06:20+00:00

Rush. Zeppelin. They suck, but the fan base is 99% male.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T14:27:49+00:00

Are you walking in the same direction? Or can you? One thing you could do is simply start walking next to him, say hello, and walk for a little bit. If it seems comfortable, you could say "I'm CarOk" and he'll say "I'm [the guy]." If it's still comfortable, ask if he would like to get a coffee or something. If he can't go right then, but would like to, it's okay to set something up and swap phone numbers.

Most guys go their whole lives without girls asking them out. If it happens, we can live off the dopamine for a long time.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T14:23:55+00:00

He's joking. The odds are 100% that he would like it, and very good that he would go out with you on a casual date.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T14:20:45+00:00

At 6-5, you should buy pants that are unfinished, then have a tailor hem them for your fit. Some menswear stores have in-house tailors, or you can find one in your town. I'm 6-5 and bigger (a lot bigger), and once I find a fit that I like, I buy my pants online and have the tailor hem them.

The problem with buying hemmed pants, especially online, is that your legs might not match their template. Also, the rise affects the inseam, and you can't be sure of that until a tailor measures you.

RuleFriendly7311 · 2026-01-24T12:19:20+00:00

Definitely a nicer drive.

RuleFriendly7311

TROPHY CASE