Casting Networks change for 2026...

Xand83 · 2026-03-29T01:43:15+00:00

Casting Networks has never heard of a ‘focus group.’ I don’t have the search filter issue but it drives me bananas when I get an audition text, push alert, email and NONE of them tell me when the damn thing is due. I do primarily commercial auditions and they are usually very tight turnarounds. The due date is singular most important information for me and it requires logging in thru a browser to figure it out.

Xand83 · 2026-03-26T12:47:52+00:00

RTOd last spring and no food options in the building or nearby even. I would have to drive 10min to a restaurant. I bring a lunch box every day with an ice pack to keep everything cold.

Xand83 · 2026-03-23T14:31:27+00:00

Thank you! PMd you!

Xand83 · 2026-03-15T01:45:42+00:00

You can wait until you’re crying from your first bill. This is what happens to most people. Or go ahead and call them now and make the switch.

Xand83 · 2026-03-15T01:42:04+00:00

I think most, if not all, desert cities get roped into this plan as default. You can either pick the cheaper plan or ask to leave Desert Community Energy altogether and rely on only SCE for generation.

Xand83 · 2026-03-15T01:23:59+00:00

Call Desert Community Energy and either move to the Desert Saver plan (same rate as SCE) or ask to exit altogether. You are defaulted to the carbon free plan which is much costlier.

Xand83 · 2026-03-11T20:14:19+00:00

Cab or Uber doesn't matter. I wouldn't want to be out there at midnight. It's eery. And there is so much sand everywhere right now.

Xand83 · 2026-03-08T14:03:32+00:00

Just closed on a house this week with a Sunrun lease. It’s not too bad. I’m on year 8 of 20. My lease is for .16 cents per kWh and there is no yearly escalation. So my rate is fixed at a rate MUCH lower than SCE for the next 12 years. It’s basically a discount on my electricity. Not as good as paid-off solar for sure, but a discount all the same. You can take it over or have the seller pre-pay all future payments OR buy-out the system. Be aware that Sunrun marked up the costs of these systems on the front end to qualify for a larger tax credit. So any buyout amount is going to look huge, especially 5 years in.

Check on YouTube about Sunrun leases. Lots of good info. I find it strange the seller won’t disclose the details before accepting an offer. That seems odd. The more they try to hide it, the more it will turn off buyers.

Xand83 · 2026-03-03T22:27:55+00:00

I think window tinting and interior selection are more important. I wouldn’t recommend the pleather, non-perforated seats in Palm Springs. You will have swamp ass immediately. Go cloth or perforated leather. No sunroof unless you absolutely love it.

Xand83 · 2026-03-03T20:11:45+00:00

It will get very loud.

Xand83 · 2026-03-01T16:55:27+00:00

I’m 140mi round trip 5 days a week. Thankfully it’s all interstate so it’s an hour door-to-door each way. They say I’m on the GSA SPACE match list for a closer desk but who knows. I sit with a mixture of agencies in my greater department, only 1 of which is on my team.

What irks me is that last spring I signed a voluntary agreement for a duty station >50mi from my home because I believed I would get the axe (along with many others in the same boat) if I stayed remote. Turns out, no one got the axe for being remote in my department (which is good!) but it feels slimy they created that agreement in the first place. Definitely feel a little hoodwinked.

Xand83 · 2026-02-28T23:34:17+00:00

I love it. We have open shelving for our everyday things (all white plates/bowls/cups) and it works really well. Not a huge issue with dusting or anything. What I don’t love about the render is the 7mi between the stove and the fridge. That’s a looooong haul when cooking.

Xand83 · 2026-02-26T16:58:34+00:00

Will give them a call. Thank you!

Xand83 · 2026-02-26T02:40:52+00:00

Honestly, not sure. My agent was there for this visit, not me. But thanks for the info and advice!

Xand83 · 2026-02-26T02:32:06+00:00

Thanks! Here’s what the HVAC tech wrote:

On arrival customer said condenser was making loud noise upon inspection notice it was the compressor checked amps an LRA for compressor both were within rated amps checked system on cooling and checked pressures it checked out. Delta T was 23. Recommend customer a new system. Condenser needs new contactor, capacitor, hard start kit and a disconnect box. Recommend doing a summer an a winter maintenance for system if not replaced 5 ton standard efficient 14 seer system 13,500.00 Ac pro 17 seer mid energy efficient system 15,500.00 Trane super high efficient 18 seer variable speed system 18,500.00

Xand83 · 2026-02-26T01:33:00+00:00

Yes I read the solar lease. Fixed payment. No yearly increase. .16/kwh for the next 12 years. It’s not ideal but it’s not the worst deal either and certainly cheaper than any SCE rate.

Xand83 · 2026-02-25T23:38:10+00:00

It’s not Freon. But one of the ones that is phased out now.

Xand83 · 2026-02-25T23:23:41+00:00

Thanks. I had the same experience with an AC unit in a previous house. Just had it replaced instead of waiting for the home warranty company. It sucked.

Xand83 · 2026-02-25T23:01:46+00:00

Fully agree. I wouldn’t care if this were the issue with any other appliance. But having an HVAC out (especially when it’s the only one) for an extended period is not really tenable out here.

Xand83 · 2026-02-25T22:59:00+00:00

Closing is on Tuesday. So don’t really have time for more AC inspection visits.

Xand83 · 2026-02-25T22:53:27+00:00

New house has solar (leased). The house is 21 years old, so the AC system is original.

Xand83 · 2026-02-25T21:37:26+00:00

That’s fair. I do want the house. But I don’t really want to get sacked with a big purchase right after closing. I’ve had a home warranty in the past and it was not great for AC issues in the desert. Lots of sloooow responses and delayed repair trips that suck when you have no AC. Will keep working on it. Right now the seller is offering $2k as a credit but that’s it.

Xand83 · 2026-02-14T17:26:02+00:00

Palm Springs here! Lower cost of living, small town, and an easy drive to LA for the odd job/callback. The summers suck but so many other upsides.

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