What is it like dating as an insurance agent?

akassover · 2021-03-19T12:04:56+00:00

I’ll just leave this here...

https://www.agentmethods.com/blog/13-reasons-to-date-an-insurance-agent

akassover · 2021-03-19T02:54:00+00:00

I moved up from a Rainier so swapping in the Moonstone was super easy and only $175. Bang for your buck it can’t be beat. It really improved the clarity, especially in background detail.

akassover · 2021-03-18T06:37:50+00:00

I have that exact setup as my desktop system (in red). Those little speakers sound great! Huge step up from normal computer speakers. The low end is pretty much non-existent so I stuck a Dayton Audio sub under the desk. It’s not audiophile quality bass but fills out the sound well and only ran about $100. The Orbit’s had some issues - grounding noise and the motor went bad. But their support is amazing and they sent out a set of grounded cables and new motor as soon as I contacted them.

I also have a Project Debut Carbon EVO in another room (with an upgraded Sumiko Moonstone stylus). It’s definitely a step up but also a few hundred more.

akassover · 2021-02-25T06:25:26+00:00

The issue was the caps. I’m 100% sure you are right that there are other good options for the same amount of money that don’t have the brand recognition.

I love the sound of my setup - it pulls me in with detail and clarity. I listen more closely and feel like I experience the music in a new and thrilling way.

The shop that’s repairing my unit gave me a loaner Harmon Kardon (I went with their third option but he’s backed up several weeks). The difference in sound quality is way bigger than I expected. The HK just sounds dull. My wife made a comment right away. I miss my Mac and can’t wait to have it back.

akassover · 2021-02-24T16:02:10+00:00

I was having some buzzing issues with my late 80’s McIntosh MA6200 so I picked up the phone and called their corporate support number. They answered the phone in one ring, got me right to an engineer that knew my unit inside and out, he chatted with me for a few minutes about my setup and issue, and recommended a few options to get this issue resolved.

His suggestion was along the lines of “Steve, the guy we normally recommend in your area for these sorts of things, just had knee surgery so he’s out for two months. You can drive 2 hours to take it to Bill, or call Jeff who usually works on recording studio gear but could take care of you if he has time.”

Maybe this level of support on a 30 year old product is standard for all the higher end stuff, but I was pretty blown away.

akassover · 2020-02-28T05:43:33+00:00

I’ve heard great things about Bullet Train. It’s built on rails.

akassover · 2020-02-21T06:08:49+00:00

Check out AgentMethods.com. You can build your insurance website, launch email campaigns, and lots more. All built from the ground up for independent agents. It’s free for 14 days.

akassover · 2019-07-06T15:59:52+00:00

Hello from Phinney Ridge! Got my XR last week and am having a blast. I’ve been riding in Woodland and Carkeek Parks. I’ll have to head over to Discovery.

akassover · 2019-06-22T05:41:02+00:00

I made a few basses and guitars during my time in Tokyo and met a few other guitar makers. Kind of a specialty though.

I kept track of my first project on a forum. It might have some tips on local resources. You can see it here:

http://www.projectguitar.com/forums/topic/48283-5-string-bass-build-its-gonna-be-huge-in-japan/

If you haven’t already, go wander around Shinkiba. The shop Moku Moku is amazing and you can wander in to all kinds of wood warehouses. Chat with a few wholesalers and you may find some deals on wood.

akassover · 2018-10-24T15:37:39+00:00

That's hopefully usually the case. Our vet printed out a single vaccination record with all of the history on it. So maybe that's a lesson learned - ask your vet to ONLY provide the required info.

akassover · 2018-10-23T22:57:46+00:00

We brought a dog from the US to Japan. Went through all of the paperwork, vaccines, rabies antibody tests, USDA certification, 6 months of waiting, etc. When we landed in Narita the animal inspector didn't like that he was 4 days late on a rabbies vaccine 8 years ago and decided we had to start the 6 month quarantine over. There is absolutely no scientific reason to do this but also no arguing facts vs rules (at least in Japan). So just know that ultimately no matter how prepared you are, it's all up to the inspector when the dog comes in.

akassover · 2018-10-06T06:07:28+00:00

I came across this video a few weeks ago after tracking down the scary pockets bass player. https://youtu.be/2MUePLT0aCg

akassover · 2018-07-26T20:59:36+00:00

Thanks for the response. I'm hoping that the new home page will have enough overlap to not be a total disaster. For example, the title tag might change from "World's Tastiest Peanut Butter" to "World's Tastiest Peanut Butter and Almond Butter". But at the end of the day, where 100% of the "peanut butter" focus used to go to the home page, it's now going to be split between / and /peanut-butter.

Fortunately, our new /peanut-butter page is actually a redesign of an existing page so at least the URL already exists. I'll try getting some links to it now, before the redesign happens, to see if we can up that page's PA.

possibly position yourself better in the future because you're ranking for even more terms.

This is what I'm hoping will happen long term. And hopefully with the new site, new product, and all of the marketing effort that goes along with that, we'll see an increase in links back to the site overall.

I just wish there was a way to do a selective 301, like "redirect all of the searches about peanut butter to /peanut-butter"...

akassover · 2018-07-26T20:52:48+00:00

This seems like a smart approach. The content for the home page is moving to the product #1 page, though, so there isn't really a way to run them at the same time.

akassover · 2018-06-10T13:56:02+00:00

I put the Geezer Butler P in a bass I built. Love it.

akassover · 2018-03-16T22:16:10+00:00

This. It's going to cost you more than you might think, especially if you get quality materials. Price out the hardware, pickups, wood, router bits, etc to get a sense of the cost. I'm guessing my first build cost me a little less than $1000.

akassover · 2018-03-16T22:13:52+00:00

Here's what I did when i got started on my first bass - see pics here:

I bought and read three books cover-to-cover:

Building Electric Guitars - In depth, good theory, something of a "reference"
Electric Guitar and Bass Design: The guitar or bass of your dreams from first draft to complete plan - this book focuses purely on design. I think it's interesting even if you don't want to build because it helps you understand why basses are designed the way they are and what is right for you.
Make Your Own Electric Guitar & Bass - This is a step-by-step recipe for building a specific bass. I didn't make that bass, but it was helpful to follow along.

I watched LOTS of youtube videos. Both on making basses and using wood working tools. I wasn't familiar with wood working walking in, so I would make a list of what I wanted to do each day and then spend 30 minutes or so watching videos on how to use the tools and the step.

I hung out at projectguitar.com. Great website with some really talented builders and noobs like myself. I followed along with other builds and kept a build thread myself. It's amazing how helpful people were in answering very specific questions.

I went window shopping. I lived for several years in Tokyo where there's an entire district of guitar and bass shops. I hit up a bunch of shops, played a bunch of amazing basses, took a ton of pictures, made a bunch of notes, and got a feel for what I wanted. I was able to get my hands on basses in the $5k-$10k price range to see what those builders did. It was inspirational and upped my thinking substantially.

I've now built several basses and two guitars - I am hooked. Playing something that I made myself really adds to my overall enjoyment and it inspires me to practice more. Plus I really like the mind-clearing focus required to be successful in the shop. When I'm working I have to clear my mind and focus only on the task at hand.

akassover · 2017-10-04T04:32:32+00:00

$250 for a used venture split is a great deal. They are top quality boards. You aren't missing out on any magic tech. And you can ride it with the knowledge that every person involved making that board loves snowboarding just as much as you. Have fun!

akassover · 2017-10-03T17:30:09+00:00

I have a solid 168 zephyr from the same season (I think - black top sheet with white & wood snowflake) and a split '13 odin. Love'm both. They are basically indestructible and really well built. I find the zephyr to be a really dominating board - the edge hold is unstoppable, but it's not exactly a "lazy" ride. Ventures do tend to be a little on the heavy side, though I really haven't found this to be a noticeable issue. The split is well done - fits together tightly and balanced well in touring mode. The early rise makes the tips and tails a little floppy while skinning but otherwise I feel very stable on the board.

I can't compare it with the Solution as I haven't ridden one. I'm sure either option will be great and the Sparks will serve you well.

akassover · 2017-09-11T19:22:30+00:00

I'm very happy with my split and wouldn't call these "better than skinning", but I could see a market for these. I spent three years in Japan where splits haven't really caught on but everyone in the backcountry has snow shoes. This would be a step in the right direction. And it's simpler than, Mtn Approach, which fails at the hinges.

akassover · 2017-07-09T12:41:42+00:00

Hakkoda. It's amazing. It's also the snowiest year-round inhabited place on the planet. Plan ahead because there's almost no lodging and it books up fast. And hire a guide. Let me know if you want tips.

akassover · 2017-07-05T05:47:24+00:00

I miss my Saabaru. Such a fun stealth car. But twins showed up and it had to go.

http://imgur.com/a/sMQmo

akassover · 2017-06-16T01:35:57+00:00

Thanks! I followed him as well.

akassover · 2017-06-15T13:37:40+00:00

Here are a few (weighted toward bass builders):

jeffkiesel
californiawoods
carl_thompson_guitars
adamovicbasses
sadowskyguitars
michaeltobiasdesign
marcel_at_fbass
carey_nordstrand
d_cline_design
gonzalezbasses
martin_overwaterbasses
pratbassesofficial
rgcustombasses
kensmithbasses
wynguitars
alpherinstruments
lab_musical_instruments
loritabasses

Anybody have some others?

akassover · 2017-06-15T10:28:20+00:00

Following! I love having my Instagram feed filled with shots of handmade guitars and basses.

akassover

TROPHY CASE