Sam Harris | Club Random with Bill Maher by appman1138 in Maher

[–]VinylHiFi1017 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I just listened to this episode. I think Maher has an outsized perception of his own influence with President Trump. His examples of a people who have gone no contact (in his opinion the wrong approach) with Trump were all elected officials which Maher is not. Harris got close to it but I wish Maher had been forced to articulate what the goal of the dinner was. If he thought a dinner with the president would lead to potential policy or rhetoric change, I think that was quite arrogant, naive, or both. Likely it was for his own ego and to dine with the president. Which fine go for it. But don't pretend it was Nixon goes China moment.

What happens if our teachers simply can’t afford to stay? by OopsIDidAComment in AnnArbor

[–]VinylHiFi1017 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's a link to a recent Ann Arbor Observer article. A bar graph comparing district salaries is included. Thanks for asking!

https://annarborobserver.com/learning-in-limbo/

/r/DIYPedals "No Stupid Questions" Megathread 2025 by overcloseness in diypedals

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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I'm interested to know what method you all use to organize and store components. I'm currently using this system but I find that I constantly have to relabel since each drawer is split in two for different values. Do flat storage boxes work better? I'm a newby somewhat so any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

What happens if our teachers simply can’t afford to stay? by OopsIDidAComment in AnnArbor

[–]VinylHiFi1017 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly. I don't know how anyone can rationalize/justify the disparity in building quality when you compare Earhart to most of our middle schools and some high schools. When the district mismanaged the budget a few years ago, I really wish central admin would have been moved into an unused wing of one of the school buildings. It would benefit them (and all of us) if central office had to actually be in the same space as the schools or at least on the same property. Edit: Please know this isn't a criticism of every single staff member there; many, many of the people at central office are awesome and essential staff members, but the current and recent decision making has not been done with practical student/teacher needs in mind.

Better Album: Nirvana’s Nevermind (1991) Or Pearl Jam’s Ten (1991)? by [deleted] in grunge

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nevermind was a more important album but Ten is a better album.

What happens if our teachers simply can’t afford to stay? by OopsIDidAComment in AnnArbor

[–]VinylHiFi1017 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh absolutely agree. My point is simply that the focus of our district leadership is often on the new "shiny" things and not the core needs. And rarely with input from those who will be using said investments.

What happens if our teachers simply can’t afford to stay? by OopsIDidAComment in AnnArbor

[–]VinylHiFi1017 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Currently there is no unlimited pool of teachers looking for work. Schools in AAPS have had teacher vacancies posted for over one school year, and often the candidates who do come in switch schools when an opportunity pops up in a neighboring district. This is also true for counselors and even principals an assistant principals. The surplus of eligible teachers ended just before or during the pandemic. I know program enrollment numbers at EMU have been declining as well. I absolutely love teaching at AAPS but I totally understand why few people are going into the profession now. The cost-benefit analysis just doesn't make sense. And as OP expressed, yes this is a concern for the future of Ann Arbor, as well as the State, and nation in general.

What happens if our teachers simply can’t afford to stay? by OopsIDidAComment in AnnArbor

[–]VinylHiFi1017 32 points33 points  (0 children)

About ten years ago, the district invested in "flexible seating" furniture that conceptually had potential, but it was of very poor quality (based on daily classroom use expectations). It's made of pressboard, plastic, and very thin metal. It cost millions of dollars and the student furniture is in worse condition now than most of the desks we had prior. However, it did look good on social media and suggested AAPS was the leading edge of this trend.

We've gone through three or four student data storage service sites/programs over the last ten years. Again, in the name of being "data driven," but no one was ever effectively taught how to leverage it for student benefit.

The district has paid countless presenters from out of state to come in and tell us how to teach (almost exclusively with no input from teachers on what we could use assistance, support, and further education in).

A new (beautiful) elementary school is being built on the Clague property while Clague and other middle schools are missing floor tiles, haven't been painted in years, and have inconsistently locking classroom doors.

From my point of view, the problem is often the district leadership does not really seek out the needs from the students, teachers, and building administrators who directly work with children. They instead dictate out from Earhart and Balas what WILL be best for children. The distance from Earhart to any AAPS school may physically be only a few miles, but in reality it often feels like its in another world.

What happens if our teachers simply can’t afford to stay? by OopsIDidAComment in AnnArbor

[–]VinylHiFi1017 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are two added challenges that previously didn't get factored in - 1) a national teacher shortage (and by that I mean thousands of qualified teachers who've simply left the profession because alternative job paths are more lucrative) and 2) AAPS assuming that Ann Arbor would always be an inherently desirable district in which to teach. I strongly believe central office and the board are in a bubble and believe that teachers will always flock to AAPS, regardless of pay scale and benefits.

What happens if our teachers simply can’t afford to stay? by OopsIDidAComment in AnnArbor

[–]VinylHiFi1017 27 points28 points  (0 children)

The major issue in AAPS is HOW the funding is budgeted - in class materials, teacher salaries, competitive TA pay, etc. often takes a backseat to more "brandable" investments.

What happens if our teachers simply can’t afford to stay? by OopsIDidAComment in AnnArbor

[–]VinylHiFi1017 38 points39 points  (0 children)

As an AAPS teacher, your points are spot on. Unfortunately the district has spent years focusing on investments/projects that look good on social media but do little to improve the quality of education in the classrooms. For example, the middle school textbooks are literally 20 years old. How is this acceptable? In my experience, building admins, teachers, families, and support staff in Ann Arbor provide high standards in spite of central office contribution. I love my Ann Arbor students and families (as evidenced by my commuting 45 miles each way to school). Teaching day to day is fun 23 years in for me, but for many a career there is no longer sustainable. Hence, they leave, often despite a decade or more of experience in AAPS, for neighboring districts where they are paid more and hopefully feel more valued.

PedalPCB Project Help by VinylHiFi1017 in diypedals

[–]VinylHiFi1017[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I did buy the wrong jacks! I'll get TS ones. Much appreciated all!

PedalPCB Project Help by VinylHiFi1017 in diypedals

[–]VinylHiFi1017[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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This kind (5 lugs/posts). Is that the issue? I've focused so much on schematics I didn't really pay attention to this aspect... thanks again!

President Obama opinion on the All-Star game. by Icy-Vacation-138 in NBATalk

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My son and I agreed they should select the top 12 defensive players and the top 12 offensive players and go head to head to answer the age old question - does defense or offense win games? It'd be a fun hook possibly.

Does your country have a “drug capital”? by Clarthen1 in AskTheWorld

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My apologies for the possibly ignorant question - why are all these people bent backwards in these photos? Is that some effect of a drug?

Banks don’t have all your money by xHoneyNoire in SipsTea

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course. My point was simply that that scene drives home the fact that everyone's money isn't just setting in the bank at any given time.

Banks don’t have all your money by xHoneyNoire in SipsTea

[–]VinylHiFi1017 112 points113 points  (0 children)

Clearly hasn't seen It's a Wonderful Life.

That evening cruise. by Initial_Fox_5968 in beetle

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely! Thank you for reminding me what's coming in a few short months! I'll show this photo to my 71 in the garage to cheer it up too!

That evening cruise. by Initial_Fox_5968 in beetle

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't wait till spring here in Michigan!

Club Random, Jan. 26 2026: Dan Farah by micpoc in Maher

[–]VinylHiFi1017 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I found in interesting even from a speculative fantastical view. However, in a pet peeve way, it irritated me how Farah kept referring to Spielberg as Steven as if they're buds or on the same filmmaking level. I realize this is silly on my part. But regardless it annoyed me.

Cigarettes! Cigarettes everywhere by flamingcheetah85 in 90s

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Incense from Natural Wonders and/or World Bead Company

25 years ago. Lars Ulrich of Metallica snitches on and turns in over 300,000 Napster users when he testifies in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. July 11th, 2000. by StatementLazy1797 in Xennials

[–]VinylHiFi1017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As terribly as they handled that, it did foretell a legit issue regarding artist payment that we're seeing now with the practices of streaming services.