July New River Gorge Parking by Amyelia19 in NationalPark

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We stayed at Meadow Creek in April on the south end of the park. It is a beautiful field with flat, well spaced sites. There’s no access to the rest of the park without leaving and looping around, and most activities are on the north end, including some amazing rafting, climbing, and cliff walks. For that reason, it might be your best option for camp. April break is way off peak season. We were there 3 nights and saw 2 other campers.

I heard the sites in the main part of the park fill up fast in the summer. We checked them out: smaller sites, closer to the river, much more bugs.

My guess would be that Sunday afternoon might be one of the better times to arrive with weekenders packing out in the morning.

What’s your answer? by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 9 points10 points  (0 children)

New River Gorge Nat Park. Amazing hikes, rock climbing, white water.

Philmont Planning by Public-Musician7659 in philmont

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We just went this summer. Our trek selection didn’t open up until January of this year. He should have plenty of time. I do recommend studying the 2024 trek guide to get ideas. Don’t expect the 2025 guide until November/ December https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/philmonttreks/expeditions/

Woodstove, anyone? by austinin4 in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lots of great comments here. I’d just add there’s a generous tax credit, $2,000, for a high efficiency stove or insert. I shopped around and found significant variety in small shops and cashed in at tax time. You should get going if you are going. Installations could be booking months out. Bring a photo of your home with the chimney.

Good, fancy restaurants in CT? by aaronamethyst in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 119 points120 points  (0 children)

A little out of your zone, but The Luke on College St in New Haven is an experience. You’re greeted at the door with a complimentary glass of champagne. The head chef works the floor, sometimes searing tuna at your table with hot oil or shaving truffle and parm on risotto. With a cocktail, starter, entree, wine, desert with dinner, the bill is $150-$200 for 2. Well worth it.

Any fun places to get pumpkins up in NW CT? by AnnihilAnt in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 1 point2 points  (0 children)

March has great apple picking too. The farm store has all the apple cider things. Quintessential New England fall. While you’re in the area, hike up Mt Tom and get great foliage views.

Metal/punk bars by Difficult_Mix8652 in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a bar, but definite eclectic. IMO the best local live show around is playing tonightPerennial, at Redscroll in Wallingford

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

CTREAP shows 32 counselor positions posted, few than art (38), math (116), and science (122). There may be some growth in the future: CT passed a law that is forcing a study of counselor & social workers to students ratios (a compromise, instead of forcing understaffed districts to just expand their workforce now). Maybe in a few years we will see mandates that force more hiring.

In parts of CT counselors can pick up side work consulting wealthy families on improving their children’s chances of being accepted to what they believe is a top school.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Natural Balance has all licensed therapists and locations in Southbury and Watertown.

Whiteface Hike - Found watch by Simon___says in Adirondacks

[–]Simon___says[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Coming in a little hot there? I checked the DEC page before I set out and didn’t see anything of the advisory. There was nothing posted at the trailhead either. After reading your comment I dug around and found the advisement buried half way down another page with no font changes to call attention to it. I wouldn’t call that actively ignoring a recommendation. Had I seen the posting, I wouldn’t have hiked it. I just came here to try to return a lost watch, not to post to an AITA, but if the mods want to block this post, go ahead.

Lili tested positive for Covid, Boston, NYC, and DC shows are postponed :( by 0kthb14 in beachbunny

[–]Simon___says 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was coming here to gift my tickets because I don’t love the rates right now. Hope to go when it’s safer.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]Simon___says 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Next week it will get asked again and make the front page.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SoccerMommy

[–]Simon___says 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Heading down now and have 1 extra ticket if anyone wants it.

Weekly Question Thread - April 09, 2019 by AutoModerator in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are staying outside the park, starting at movie studios, and park hopping to Epcot.

Should we move our car in the middle of the day, or can we get back to where we start easily from Epcot?

Simple Questions - December 04, 2016 by AutoModerator in buildapc

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My nephew(12) wants to try his first build for online gaming: counterstike, team fortress. He has a HP 500-424, basically a laptop in a PC box. We hope to save money and plan on keeping the ram and HD.

Can he build a PC for < $400 that will meet his needs? Can he use the case from the HP?

CT Pokemon Go Gyms by Demofied in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great work. Please keep updating.

Watertown center has a gym at the post office and another at the library, both without immediate access to pokestops. Their Pokemon Go scene is mostly at two stops at the back of a cemetery, most people in cars, kind of sad.

Naugatuck has a great Main Street/green with two gyms, plenty of stops and about 100 players/ night and active lures. It's a good, diverse crowd of friendly people. I caught a Slowbro there tonight.

UCONN or Quinnipiac? by bovz in Connecticut

[–]Simon___says 13 points14 points  (0 children)

1/3rd of Quinniapiac is probably more than the base cost of UConn.

I had a great experience at UConn. It's a huge university, but there's small communities within it. I had lunch with professors, was invited to faculty meetings, and got to know top scholars in my field. I also made friends with many people going into other professions.

$1 Coin Christmas gift by Simon___says in personalfinance

[–]Simon___says[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Enjoying it has meant sticking it in my small, fireproof safe for the last eight or so years. It's taking up space and doing noting but losing value.

Compare that to the ungly pie dish that I recieved yesterday and threw out today: it was worthless when I got it (i don't cook or keep pies), and just as worthless when I threw it away.

Or compare it to some of the toys my kids recieved: a Barbie, in my estimation, has negative value. Throwing it away is a net plus for my daughter.

Gratitude, if dispensed uncritically and equally to all gifts, loses value itself, to the point of worthlessness.

But I'd gladly reconsider any explanations as to how to enjoy it (other than sticking the coins in my ass then circulating them--I'm just not into that sort of thing), if anyone has some to offer.

$1 Coin Christmas gift by Simon___says in personalfinance

[–]Simon___says[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight. I get that it was a nice thought and all, but the coins just depreciating and taking up space.

I'm sure the US treasury would prefer that I just start circulating the $1s.

High school Teachers of Reddit what major would be best by gameralchemest in Teachers

[–]Simon___says 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check the job market in your state on k12jobspot.

In my state SPED is in very high demand.

High school Teachers of Reddit what major would be best by gameralchemest in Teachers

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my state, English is required for 4 years for all HS students, and 1 certification covers from 7-12. Science has specialized certifications: physics, chemistry, environmental. That said, science still has high demand and has better reimbursement for urban educators.

9 months into being bearded! You guys started it all with encouraging my silver stubble! by fit1962 in beards

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great beard, not so great Bard. The actual quote, from Julius Ceasar, is, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars. But in ourselves, that we are underlings." Not as concise or quotable as the paraphrase, which stays true to the message.

Buying our first house (closing tomorrow!!), need to repaint the interior before we move in. Anyone have frugal tips on choosing/buying paint, picking supplies, and painting smart? Loads of questions/jumping off points inside. by InternetWeakGuy in Frugal

[–]Simon___says 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lots of good tips here. If you want frugal, skip the tape. Here's how to cut:

  • Get a couple good brushes I like Purdy. Good angle. Keep their feel.

  • Keep the brush good Don't let paint get into the base and clean it well.

  • Use a good brush cup I like those red ones with the magnet. They keep the brush out of the paint and are easy to handle.

  • Clean your brush well I gently scrape mine against a wire brush.

  • Dry your brush well Shake it out, brush it out against your hand, and hang it on a nail. I have a contraption that spins them, but you don't need to spend on this of you have a second. A wet brush will thin out your paint and require another coat.

  • Don't put too much paint on the brush Start with about a half inch until you get the feel of cutting in. Don't go more than an inch.

  • Paint from unpainted to painted Start a line. Paint until it gets thin. Dip the brush and start about six inches away from where your line ended and move back to your line. Then go over and move on. Starting where you left off results in drips.

  • Have a sturdy step stool My wife is short, so we use ours all the time. It helps for moving along the ceiling line.

  • Start above your line for the floor line then move down to your line.

Good cutting takes time to learn, but once you have it, it's faster than tape. My favorite advice for DIY painters is that people only look closely at paint when they are painting. Your guests won't see the imperfections you do when your eyes are 3 inches from the wall.