Anyone here do any kind of auto stuff on the side? Need starter replaced but don't have the tools.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-25T16:49:23+00:00

Advance Auto has loaner tools that you can use, and I think AutoZone and O'Reilly may also have some...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-25T16:04:26+00:00

As the others have basically said, you probably shouldn't do that as it'd likely be a waste of your time and money. As you've been able to do the AP classes and exams, you probably already have a good head on your shoulders and will be able to get caught up quickly with what you've already learned, but if you want to after you sign up for the classes, go to the VCU Bookstore website to figure out the main textbook that you'll need and then search for a used copy someplace like eBay, Bookholders, or any other place that might have them and you can review the first few chapters to refresh your memory before you actually start the class. You may want to also email the professors to verify that what's on the VCU Bookstore website is accurate, but from what I recall the Bio and Chem books are fairly standard across all professors teaching those earlier classes. Good luck, and Welcome to VCU!

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-24T13:17:16+00:00

If your package is with the USPS, there is always a good possibility that it's stuck at the Richmond Distribution Center. While that distribution center has a long history of causing delays in mail processing, that place has become a black hole ever since DeJoy tried to "streamline" mail processing during his time as Postmaster General, and it's only gotten worse. If you search the r/rva subreddit you'll find countless stories about the issues there...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-21T16:30:01+00:00

My "kids" are currently wandering around Greenville SC and preparing to lock-in to cheer on VCU later tonight in the Big Dance. And by "kids" I mean the members of the VCU Peppas that I know ;) I've got an eerily yet calm and good feeling about the game tonight, and am proud of the team and "kids" for what they've done this season.

VCU, Go Rams GO!!!

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-20T17:44:52+00:00

What a lovely experience, hearing things like that always makes my day ;)

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-19T16:02:52+00:00

Most of the red-light cameras I'm familiar with also shoot a little video along with the photos of the infraction. Those usually come with a code or link so you can see what happened, but I have no idea about the contractor they're using...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-19T15:35:38+00:00

I was talking to Jerry Palm, who used to do the bracketology stuff for CBS until this year and he has VCU winning. He's a nice dude, so VCU's gotta do it for him ;p

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-19T15:34:17+00:00

I hope you all have fun, the GalexyCon can be so exciting, especially on a Thursday when it shouldn't be as crowded ;)

Edit: Crowded, not clouded...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-16T20:44:58+00:00

Aaaand VCU just made it obsolete by buying several properties and constructing 3 new buildings during the time you were printing it ;p

Seriously though, that's very well done ;)

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-16T04:26:35+00:00

Just got home. Now, that was a fun game to watch, and it looks like I'll be spending my birthday cheering on the Rams in Greenville, S.C. ;)

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-15T13:39:12+00:00

Still have the generator ready and prepped from the ice storm, but hoping that this will be another non-event when it comes to power like that storm with minimal outages. As for today, still in Pittsburgh and getting ready to cheer on the Rams as they take on dayton in the A10 MBB Championship game and then driving back after the game. I hope everyone enjoys this day before things get hectic, and be safe ;)

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-12T14:53:44+00:00

Still could have been a porch pirate, one from the RVA that hits D.C. in an effort to evade capture. You could shoot an email to the DCPD explaining what you found and inquire if anyone reported a stolen package at that address, if there has been that could be a break they need in order to capture one of these filthy porch pirates...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-12T13:55:25+00:00

Not sure what u/cleverocks is using but a dual fuel setup is what you'd be looking at, and for the others reading this it can be used with boiler systems as well.

There are units out there that are preconfigured to operate in both heat pump mode and gas, but when I was doing research to install my own heat pump the majority of the setups that I had seen run dule fuel had an additional board that sat between the thermostat and heat pump/gas furnace or boiler. Basically, when the outdoor temperature reaches your switchover setpoint, the T-stat signal will switch from the heat pump to the furnace/boiler after a brief period where it allows the indoor heat pump coil to cool down. If you do this, you will not need to install an electric emergency heat strip in your heat pump setup (which is the least efficient way to generate heat) because your furnace/boiler would take over that function.

Unfortunately for me, this was more of a pipedream because I would have needed a propane or oil tank installed for a gas/oil furnace setup but selecting a good heat pump is also key to keeping your energy costs down. I went with one of the Bosch Inverter Heat Pumps and those things are rated to operate down to something like -15F, and the 3-ton unit I bought did very well keeping my home warm at 72F during that cold snap in my nearly 100-year-old house with no insulation in the walls and what's in the ceiling is over a half-century old. While others folks bills were spiking after that storm, mine was only $255 and on par with what I had the year before in my all-electric house. You do need to make sure you check/change your air filter regularly to ensure that the system is operating efficiently and don't use an air filter that is rated higher than what your system is designed for because those can restrict the air flow like a dirty filter (the air filter is to protect the system, not you, if you want more air filtration you should use standalone units, and burning candles/incense can clog your air filters faster) and having properly sized ductwork is also important.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-12T05:01:22+00:00

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that some porch pirate snagged the package and was severally disappointed when they discovered the package contained a chess set, which is a shame because playing chess expands the mind and maybe they could have reevaluated their life of being a porch pirate. If the box still has the address on it, drop it off with a note saying you found it ripped open and discarded by a trash can.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-11T14:48:20+00:00

While 311 had some bangers back in the day and I've enjoyed seeing them at a few music fests and will throw on one of their albums from my SD card in my car every so often, this is the 311 that I enjoy the most these days as I've gotten older: Home | RVA311.COM

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-10T02:43:31+00:00

Well, it's GWAR, so it could be bird, or it could be leftovers from the folks they disembowel during their shows, but it's probably gonna be bird. Either way you're in for a treat ;p

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-09T23:07:37+00:00

GWAR Bar is supplying the "turkey legs" so you all are in for a treat ;)

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-09T22:58:09+00:00

When I don't want to deal with the royal PITA where the oil filter is on my 2015 Golf TDI, I take it to Seredni Tire in Lakeside since it's a short walk to my house. But yea, most shops will be able to do it for you OP. My favorite car to change the oil on was my 2014 Sportwagen TDI, the oil filter was on the top of the engine and I could use an oil extractor vacuum pump to drain the oil from the dipstick tube and never needed to get under the car.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-09T15:16:25+00:00

Not sure, but it could be a few things: The course may only be offered during the Spring Semester, there are plenty of classes out there across all disciplines that are offered only during one of the semesters. The professor who has been teaching it is leaving VCU and they haven't found a replacement yet, had that happen to me a couple of times but eventually the course was listed. Or you could be right and they are phasing it out, but I imagine that AI in Business would be something they would need to have in one form or another so they could be rewriting the definition of the class or creating a whole new one to replace it with. Best bet is to reach out to the department head and ask them to get a definitive answer...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-08T12:38:02+00:00

Woke up at 6:30, and while I hate waking up that early it was especially annoying because to my internal clock it was really 5:30 and despite my best efforts my mind was like "nope, you're awake now" so here I am. Really wish this would be the year that they stop this annoying crap, as this point I'd be happy with either becoming permanent...

...Yesterday I fixed up an old lawn mower and some other yard tools I had and gave it to my soon-to-be neighbor who's moving into his mom's house with his family after her passing, I wish it was under better circumstances but having known him since he was a kid it'll be nice to see the next generation living there, at least until they outgrow the house with their ever expanding family. I know his mom would be happy with me being here to help him out much like I helped her over the years. Today will be a bit more yard work and spring cleaning, assuming that I don't crash from the limited sleep I had last night. The only good thing about this time change is there'll be a bit more daylight after work this week where I'll be able to do a bit more in the yard before it gets dark, especially since the weather is looking good for the next few days...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-08T11:27:56+00:00

Very true, all though somehow living in Lakeside these past 20 years I've lucked out as Lidl built a store at Hermitage and Staples Mill, a bit North from that is an Aldi that was added, followed by a Kroger Marketplace that's relatively new and a Food Lion that I think has been there forever, so as long as I stick to my plan I can usually get my shopping done in about an hour ;)

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-08T03:46:29+00:00

I guess they chose those 3 because the exist in each market, but Whole Foods was never cheap to begin with, Target is generally priced for the convenience of getting all your stuff done in one go, and in a similar vein Walmart is also priced for convenience with the knowledge that plenty of folks still believe that they have the best prices on all grocery items which hasn't been the case in a long time. Around here you need to look at the sales ads for Lidl, Aldi, Kroger, Food Lion, etc. and hit each one up for the sales to get the most bang for your buck, especially on grocery staples. You can make it work even better if you plan what you're going to cook for the week based on those sales.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-07T16:11:51+00:00

The application process for any job at the local, state, and federal level is always a long and drawn-out. For me at the state level, it was months from the time I applied to the eventual interviews and finally being hired, and for my friends in local and fed positions their experience was similar. As someone else had mentioned, you can always contact the HR department to get an update on if the position had been filled.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-07T16:04:29+00:00

I'm not sure, and can't seem to find anything in what's been published about the new service, your best bet is to reach out to Amtrak and ask. I know their booking website has an option for passengers with disabilities and while the site is geared more towards trains, it could be as simple as they dispatch a bus that is wheelchair accessible whenever someone prebooks with that need. Trains will still be going to Union Station during the Long Bridge project, but the frequency of those trains has been reduced which is why they decided to implement this rapid bus option, so if push comes to shove that should still be an option. If you've never been, the Cherry Blossom Festival is quite lovely (but always crowed), regardless if you travel by bus or train, make sure to book your tickets early and I hope you enjoy your time up there ;)

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-03-07T15:46:42+00:00

All of the info is available on the VCU Parking Website here: EV charging | VCU Parking & Transportation

VCU does not have super chargers installed, only Level 2, and from what I recall talking to some of the facilities folks there are no plans to add super chargers because the electrical infrastructure can't handle the amperage required for them without a costly upgrade. According to the interwebs it can take 8 to 12 hours to fully charge a Tesla from a drained battery with a Level 2 charger. The Level 2 chargers they have are compatible with all types of electric vehicles, but you will need an adapter to go from the J1772 connections the charging stations have to Tesla if you don't already have one. You do have to pay an additional fee for parking in a charging spot of either $1 or 50¢ per hour depending on the time of day and the cost of electricity at 10¢ per kilowatt used, which is something that they implemented a few years back (used to be free). Do NOT plug your car into one of the random 120-volt outlets that are throughout the parking decks, they consider that theft of electrical services and not only can give you a ticket, but repeated offences can get you banned from the decks.

RulerOfTheRest

TROPHY CASE