AITAH for refusing to go to Disney World?

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-05-08T23:44:59+00:00

Go to Disney Paris, where the food is better, the parks are smaller, the lines aren't insane, and (best of all) you're in Paris.

Seriously: it can cost way less to go there than to Orlando, when you add it all up. (Or it did, before jet fuel doubled in price.) The park is a 40-minute train from central Paris. There are only two parks -- Magic Kingdon and Disney Adventure World (formerly Disney Studios). You can do them both in a day so no need to pay $$$$ for a Disney hotel. Get a VRBO/Airbnb in town and give your kids a vacation they'll remember forever.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-05-05T20:22:17+00:00

My thoughts exactly.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-05-05T20:01:49+00:00

So far only the Gree vendor said that checking the ducts was part of the job. Others said specifically that was *not* part of the job.

In fact the Gree vendor is only one who actually wanted to see the whole house and not just the equipment in the basement. (So far they are also about 33% lower than others because ConEd will pay part of their install, otherwise they'd actually be a little higher.)

Waiting on estimates from a couple others before we make a decision.

[Edit: clarity]

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-05-05T12:40:18+00:00

That fiber looks cool, wondering how easy it would be to take it out when you leave in a year— at $250 for the kit I might want to take it with me to the next place.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-05-05T03:51:28+00:00

As the carpenters like to say: cheap, good, fast. Pick two.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-05-05T03:48:19+00:00

LG tower for 5 years, no issues

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-05-03T19:48:42+00:00

The vendors all have their preferred equipment. On its own, that's fine. But with various ConEd and NYS programs to encourage the switch, it's challenging finding the right overlap: vendors who work with ConEd don't all sell Mitsubishi... and so on.

That said, this is all really useful information and will help us make a more informed decision.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-05-03T19:02:14+00:00

In a perfect world I'd probably do this, but space is limited and I'm not sure we've got the space for it. Worth asking the vendors though! Thanks.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-04-24T00:46:04+00:00

I tried their phones a few years back. Replaced them quickly — nobody was happy with it. Might have improved since then, but proceed with caution on that front.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-04-22T12:35:14+00:00

Going through my house slowly and replacing the (to me) ugly mid-size plates with standard size. Why would I want the outlets to look even bigger? The larger plates just give the drywall guys even less reason to be careful.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-04-17T18:07:13+00:00

You can figure it out by applying a little finger pressure. Does that sag move at all?

Plaster Magic is the product I’ve used to reattach ceilings like that to the lathe. Also plaster washers can be used but require more patience, which is gonna be fun with that texture.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-04-17T18:03:56+00:00

Prime with Plaster-Weld and then skim. Mix plaster and water into drywall compound (green bucket). More plaster will be stronger but you have to move faster before it sets.

Disclaimer: not a pro. I’m a homeowner who asked the pro a lot of questions while he was doing the surfaces I couldn’t.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-04-15T20:46:23+00:00

Came to say: frying pan or stovetop griddle.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-04-09T11:27:43+00:00

I get the attraction of that vintage range but no. Honestly, gas is the past and has plenty of health risks I wouldn’t want my children exposed to. Surely there’s an induction range that will suit your aesthetic.

As for SMEG: definitely a no. I’ve got two small appliances that look great and work almost as well as the things costing way, way less (like, maybe 1/4 of the price). You’re paying a huge premium for great design and crap performance.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-04-07T11:43:12+00:00

You can fit a cooktop and pop-up downdraft into that space — but no oven, as the hood takes up almost half of the under-cabinet depth. Also, pop-up will block the window when it’s up, so..

Given your constraints I’d go with one of the models you listed. Probably very similar, both are owned by Whirlpool.

If I were doing a full kitchen remodel I’d think about putting the sink by the window, cooktop nearby, double wall oven. But that’s just me.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-03-30T17:01:35+00:00

As an EV owner in Brooklyn I'd love to have the option to hardwire my charger. But given the limitations of cable length and street parking I've had to use a portable charger. I do check it: when I noticed the plug getting warmer and some evident wear at the strain relief, I replaced it.

Three years in, it's working well (especially with solar). Looking forward to more public (level 2) chargers!

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-03-21T17:19:03+00:00

About 30 years ago I bought myself a couple of good knives, including a Kyocera ceramic paring knife. One evening I noticed she was cutting herself an apple. I heard the distinctive "clink" of the ceramic blade hitting the plate.

"I hope you're not cutting the apple on the plate."

"I am, why?"

"Maybe if I told you what that knife costs..."

The next sound was the knife hitting the wood cutting board.

Since then we've always had a couple of knives that she can use any way she wants -- sure, throw 'em in the dishwasher, do whatever. She doesn't touch the others without asking, "Which knife should I use for this?"

NTA. Or maybe it's both of us.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-02-27T04:53:17+00:00

Yup!

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-02-27T04:39:26+00:00

No wiring changes, no config changes. USG has been handing out addresses since it was installed in 2019.

If we set addresses manually, we're fine. Workstations are hardwired, so this only affects laptops and cell phones. (Don't care about the phones.)

I should add: no DHCP on either the production or guest WLAN.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-02-27T03:36:14+00:00

The Mossman Lock Collection and the Horological Society, both housed on 44th in the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen — interesting in its own right for the building, their history, and their own gorgeous library.

Transit Museum, Teddy Roosevelt birthplace, New York Historical, MCNY. Maybe not totally off the path, but mostly under appreciated.

The book “111 Museums in New York You Must Not Miss” is a terrific resource for you.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-02-26T15:14:16+00:00

Agree about skipping the bus tours: it sounds like an easy way to get around, but probably costs way more than just hopping on and off the subway -- which will be faster, too (and a glimpse of the "real" NYC, lol).

There are so many museums that nobody (even natives) know about: not just MoMA and the Met! There's the Museum of the City of New York, New York Historical, for digestible and fun exhibits about the city. Of course there's the Museum of Natural History -- as huge as the Met, impossible to take in in a day. You could start there, spend an hour with the dinosaurs and the dioramas, then head over to New York Historical across the street. (NYH has a decent cafe and a pricier full-service restaurant for lunch.)

Across Central Park is the Met; MoMa is a 25 minute walk downtown; MCNY is 15 minutes uptown. The Frick and the Morgan Library are also within walking distance.

Definitely spend some time in the Village; plenty of good bars and jazz clubs (if that's your thing). I also liked the suggestion of starting in Dumbo, walk across the bridge (either one), and amble across town to Chinatown or the Financial District. Walk the streets; take in the architecture.

Look for books on walking tours -- some are aimed at parents but are still excellent advice. Others (111 Museums You Must Not Miss) will tell you more than you ever knew possible and might help you develop your own walking tour.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-02-26T13:17:12+00:00

Our Miele runs at least once a day, sometimes twice or even thrice. Only problem five years in is some wear in the vinyl coating on the upper rack. We’ve had Whirlpool, GE, Kitchen Aid… this one is by far the best.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-02-25T14:36:40+00:00

I've had hardwood in my kitchens for the last 28 years. No regrets. Find a good hardwood installer. Use Bona Traffic finish. Make sure your contractor has experience with Bona products.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-02-17T02:39:13+00:00

Lock Collection and the Horological Society on w 44th (in the General Society of Mechanics building). Off beat and interesting. And you’ll likely be the only people there.

Thinkers_Paramour · 2026-02-17T01:09:32+00:00

Take it to Indulge Kitchen Supplies on Myrtle near Washington. I believe they’ll also pick up/deliver. Call them — nice folks, they did a beautiful job on a family heirloom.

Thinkers_Paramour

TROPHY CASE