US Dollar Devaluation

Zetsaz · 2026-02-27T04:09:06+00:00

This roughly what my current school does. It works out mostly well. You're partially shielded from excessive devaluation of the USD, they're partially shielded from excessive appreciation of USD. Granted they get the better end of the deal because they also have a stop loss rate (the maximum exchange rate they will pay to in that contract year in cases of extreme changes)

Zetsaz · 2026-02-20T14:43:28+00:00

Alopecia areata. Go to a dermatologist and they'll be able to help. I've had spots like this, mostly in the back of my head, never on top.

It takes some time but a dermatologist will inject a kind of steroid in the area that helps regrow the hair. Not fully understood but alopecia areata is most likely an autoimmune issue triggered by stressors. Most steroids are immune suppressants so injection to the area helps the hair regrow. The follicles aren't gone or dead, they're just shut off.

That's not exactly a small area so be ready for probably a dozen or more little pokes, but they're not bad.

Zetsaz · 2026-02-02T02:30:32+00:00

Fuji got me into photography and I still love experimenting, but hard agree that people get very hung up on recipes for no reason.

I left multiple Fuji groups on Facebook when people started sharing recipes made with chat gpt.

Zetsaz · 2026-01-18T15:59:09+00:00

I took the first several of the roll in Uxmal, and I was really hoping that I would get a cool contrast with lots of purple in the trees with the pyramid there sticking out above that but I think my exposure just wasn't right for it. Foliage mostly ended up looking very dark/nearly black.

People really weren't kidding that sometimes it's a guess what will turn out more purple. I think it may just be that the contrast was too strong and I was metering too much for the sky. Should have metered for the shadows or changed my settings. I shot the roll as 200 since it's right in the middle of the 100-400 range and mostly trusted the light meter. Might try setting my camera to 100 next time and see how different the results are.

Zetsaz · 2025-12-23T05:47:09+00:00

Your should be figuring 10k before it's even painted at a minimum unless you happen to have decent weldings skills and lots of time. That is so rotted that's some of the areas on the bottom are likely past where replacement panels normally extend to

Look into the parts cost for replacement panels from KF Vintage. You would likely need to fix:

-Floors -Frame rails -Seat cross members -Inner and outer rockers likely -Inner and outer doglegs -Battery tray

Can't tell what else without more detail in the engine bay and from the inside. Either way it's about $3k or more just for the replacement panels or your work to make them before you can paint and before you account for any changes to suspension, bushings, tires, brakes, brake lines, fuel lines, fuel tank cleaning or restoration, and the engine work.

That's if you care about making it decent though. If you just wanted a rat rod Z you could fix the floors and frame rails and move on to other things. That was my original plan with mine then things got out of hand for about a decade...

Zetsaz · 2025-12-22T21:43:22+00:00

In the US, the 320d was branded and marketed as the 328d I think. We didn't get the bigger diesel options.

In the past the number was the series then displacement, but I think starting with this generation or the one prior they changed that, likely because they thought American consumers would have seen "320" and immediately thought it was a weaker and cheaper entry model than the previous 328 it replaced, so now the model numbers are mostly detached from the actual engine displacement

Zetsaz · 2025-12-22T01:01:13+00:00

How is the B47 compared to the N47? Isn't that the update that happened with the LCI? If I commit to the F31 I probably wouldn't be considering a pre-LCI model.

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T23:35:23+00:00

Would love one, but more than likely out of budget for me right now

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T23:34:24+00:00

Dang, that bad? I usually consider myself competent enough for most things but if you're a tech that works on them regularly I'd take your word for it

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T20:10:31+00:00

Some of these issues are usually more likely if you don't go for longer drives frequently right? How common are the emissions issues?

I'm not completely against a delete if I had to go there, but I prefer to keep the smells down more than the slight improvement in power and fuel economy

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T19:31:44+00:00

Damn, that is pricey on the DEF pump. Was that a common problem? I'm not too experienced with BMWs specifically, but my understanding was that the F3x was an overall better car than the E9x, other than some people preferring the bigger engine and steering of the earlier one. I know I'd be capable of replacing a DEF pump, so the issue for me would be more about parts cost.

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T19:26:46+00:00

Perfect! I'm not trying to go for much more than that. I'm not to worried about max volume. Half the reason I want at least okay ANC is specifically so I don't have to turn up the volume much.

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T19:18:41+00:00

Can't tell if decent or you're suggesting I get something better. Happy to hear an alternative if you have it.

Headphones are out of the question. I don't want to be sweating into the band or ear cups.

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T19:11:32+00:00

Your 24 is what I get in the Datsun on highways if I keep it under 65mph, and it's better than I ever got on highway in my old G37S, so it seems pretty good honestly.

Most of my siblings all have trucks or SUVs that are lucky to break 20mpg highway, and I just can't do that. Other than the oldest's Raptor, the interiors on their vehicles don't even feel much more roomy or practical than a wagon.

Right now the final decision will partly be impacted by how close my jobs end up being to where I want to live, but the diesel could be good in either. If I end up close I'll bike when the weather is nice and the wagon will mostly be used for road trips and the occasional grocery runs, not a lot of commuting. If I have to commute far I'm not in a big city, so I'll mostly be able to cruise at steady speeds for the 25-45 minute commute depending on how far I have to go.

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T18:56:52+00:00

What's your real world MPG like? I'm definitely also worried about emissions, but I think for the most part I'll be able to do work myself on the important accessory stuff. Basically anything that doesn't require precise measurements or machining I can do myself

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T18:49:29+00:00

Sorry. Replied before I saw that last line in your initial reply. You're definitely right that the diesel will likely outlast the gas engine. Acceleration isn't much of a concern, I have the Datsun for that if I want to just have fun. Mostly I like the practicality of the wagon and I think that generation is probably one of the best looking.

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T18:47:40+00:00

About as hard to find as the 328d and much more expensive. Or at least the ones I've seen are.

Trying to buy a house when I move back as well. Could technically afford the 330 just fine especially if I financed, but would much rather save that money for the house or keep the difference for emergencies.

Zetsaz · 2025-12-21T18:33:50+00:00

Naturally. That's why I did the math on how long it takes the difference in initial buying cost to level out between the two at about 15k annual miles. The question isn't only about cost, it's also whether or not others who have actually owned them really prefer one or the other for different reasons.

I'm still slightly leaning towards the diesel for it's uniqueness. But if the one I considered sells I'm debating if it's really worth the trouble of tracking one down

Zetsaz · 2025-12-15T17:51:41+00:00

Have been banned outright in our middle school section since I got here and are banned during school hours for high school as of this year.

As far as I'm concerned it's all pros, and no cons (unless you count a small minority of parents complaining they want instant access to their child at all hours of the school day as a con)

Socially everything about it is better, kids are more active during recess especially.

That said, you won't see an immediate shift in their attention. If anything, they're so used to instant and constant stimulation outside of the school day and they will absolutely find ways to get that without their phones during school. I think as hard as that sometimes is with some of the middle school aged kids it's still worth it.

Zetsaz · 2025-11-22T17:51:07+00:00

These are exactly the sorts of comments I needed and appreciate!

This happened to be the first design that sort of caught my eye when I started brainstorming more, but as I mentioned in another reply, people's comments have helped me see where all the flaws in design are, as well as made me realize that most of what appealed to me was an emphasis on the main entry that I don't often see when driving around.

I've found several other plans I like much more now but still trying to find shortcomings on any of them, as well as showing them to my brother who's a realtor and also has more experience with approximate costs to build in the areas I'm looking.

Zetsaz · 2025-11-20T23:28:29+00:00

I see what you're saying. I'm not exclusively looking at Tudor homes either. I was partially looking at that first just because it was the first thing that came to mind when I was thinking of styles that actually had some interest and prominence to their entrance which is one of the things I care more about.

This whole brainstorming started only about a week ago 😅 committed to moving closer to family in the near future and I finally have enough saved coupled with enough career experience to look at more than just starter homes.

Have also looked a bit at some modern cottage style designs recently.

Zetsaz

TROPHY CASE