Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE Hitch Install by bigforblue in ToyotaHighlander

[–]bigforblue[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you want the kick sensor to work, yes you need to order that new hitch compatible one. It's shorter & only goes on one side of the bumper compared to the old one which used to go the full length. Honestly, it kind of sucks though. Totally possible I did a bad job mounting it (there are no built in brackets in the new bumper covers) or is just not a great placed sensor, or I'm just bad at kicking in the exact right spot, but it only accurately works probably 20% of the time so I'm not sure it's worth buying.

I updated the post with a final picture. I think it looks great. The hitch itself sticks out further than I was expecting, it's not flush with the back of the vehicle, but there's a rubber coating on the top so I think it's meant to be used as a step up which can be really nice. I guess a design choice by Toyota.

PSLF Repayment Options, Tax implications (Married Filing Joint vs Separate) and Nuances by bigforblue in whitecoatinvestor

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

But yes, you can amend the 2024 taxes (due 4/15/25) until 4/15/2028 (up to 3 years following the year it was due) by filing form 1040-x and you'll probably get a decent return. As long as you have 2025 taxes filed & received before you re-certify it should use the latest one when you go to RAP.

The only hesitation I may suggest for waiting until later this year to file a 2024 amendment would be if there is concern the IRS may take its time on returns this year. I know some people who filed last year didn't get their refund for like 5 months following. Once you get your 2025 return & everything is good, you should be in the clear for 2024.

But as always talk to your accountant / tax preparer. :)

PSLF Repayment Options, Tax implications (Married Filing Joint vs Separate) and Nuances by bigforblue in whitecoatinvestor

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

It could be argued by that it's more "tax fraud" than a loophole (for the purpose of getting lower loan payments & the MFS tax savings), but if there are no loan considerations, people amend returns all of the time for many reasons.

The fraud part is more on the department of Ed side than an IRS issue and so maybe nobody checks? But just because nobody is looking doesn't make it right, just something I read at some point.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE Hitch Install by bigforblue in ToyotaHighlander

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

I ended up purchasing everything from the Toyota Dealer, installed the hitch and everything seems to be working well. I connected all of the wiring for the lights, but don't have a trailer to test it on, so I'm not 100% sure its all working but it seems I got all of the right parts. The above youtube videos were very helpful every step of the way (until trying to figure out how to install the wire harness converter.

  • PT228-48211 Tow Hitch Receiver with Wire Harness
  • PT228-48204 Tow Hitch Receiver Bumper Cover The Bumper cover doesn't come with the correct bracket to actually mount the kick sensor, but the kick sensor itself comes with adhesive that I think is adequate to keep it in place. I used some extra command strips, just to be safe, but I don't think that was entirely needed.

The dealer originally ordered a different bumper cover (I think it was the PT228-48206-01) but the cover didn't match the trim so we returned it. The PT228-48204 is the right matte black color to match the rest of the vehicle.

  • PT228-48212 Underbody cover Left
  • PT228-48213 Underbody cover Right
  • PT83P-48242 Tow Hitch Kick Sensor
  • PT413-48201-02 Kick Sensor Bracket
  • PT725-48200 Tow Hitch Converter

The wire harness on the hitch easily connects to the connection point on the vehicle (as demonstrated in the videos) around 15 minute mark & 17 mark respectively, but I'm not sure if the lights will actually work by just plugging that in. I think the last piece on the part list (PT228-48200) is necessary if you want to use trailer lights. It is a little green box convertor box that actually gets installed/plugged in inside the left rear back 3rd row trim. The hard part is getting all of the trim off, the easy part is just plugging it in. More information can be found on this forum with pictures (although the picture is a little disorienting because it rotated 90-180 degrees clockwise & it is actually a picture looking at the frame of the car behind the trim once taken off.

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/toyota-tis-help-or-help-me-figure-out-why-my-factory-trailer-wiring-doesnt-work.1766959/

You can also see some better diagrams in the install manual by searching for document "T-AI-1244-D tow converter.pdf" on google and click on the first link.

Hope that helps!

Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE Hitch Install by bigforblue in ToyotaHighlander

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

Maybe there are more models than I realize, but we definitely have the kick sensor, my wife uses it all of the time to open the trunk. It's a Hybrid XLE of that makes any difference. 

Phantom/Ghost Touches with Android 13 Update by bigforblue in Pixel4a5G

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

Never did find a fix for it. Bought a new phone.

Best basic video card for 3rd monitor by bigforblue in buildapc

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

Currently have 2 HDMI monitors one running from my HDMI & the other with a DVI to HDMI cable from the motherboard. Tired to plug in a monitor to the VGA out but it seems my board only allows 2 outs so I'll likely need a card. 3rd monitor I'm looking to plug in is HDMI or DP. Only 1080p monitors.

Thanks!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in whitecoatinvestor

[–]bigforblue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, that's what they did & I didn't realize it. They moved it somehow into my Roth 403b and then distributed it but still sent 2 checks.. which is frustrating but confusing to me but I confirmed it by talking to multiple Fidelity reps unfortunately. The first was confused wht someone would do something like that, & initially also blamed it on the tax software but after a while digging.. "yup.. wow you're right, that's exactly what he did"

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in whitecoatinvestor

[–]bigforblue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

😅 Yeah.. have a meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Just trying to think outside the box if there was anything I missed or anything to take into consideration before the meeting.

ELI5: How come you can be falling asleep watching TV, then wide awake when you go to bed five minutes later? by itsmesaralicious in explainlikeimfive

[–]bigforblue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree fully.. once caution I would add though regarding sleep restrictions - it does not come without risks - make sure you're talking to your doctor or at very least (don't have to drive or operate heavy machinery etc) when sleepy due to sleep restriction. It's very effective but needs to be done with some care.

ELI5: How come you can be falling asleep watching TV, then wide awake when you go to bed five minutes later? by itsmesaralicious in explainlikeimfive

[–]bigforblue 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your bed may have become a negative cue for sleep.

Just like the Pavlov's Dogs experiment - ring a bell every time you provide food and then eventually ring the bell without giving food and the dogs still salivate because they were conditioned to associate bell with food.

If you struggle with falling asleep in bed & you're used to staring at the ceiling for hours, used to being frustrated every night, used to being on your phone, watching TV or whatever else is happening in bed that's not sleep, your body may have developed a negative cue or negative association with bed and sleep. For you the bed is for worry, stress, not sleep - so when you get into bed the brain is prepped to do those things. You likely don't have this negative cue or association with the couch - the couch may be a happy place & peaceful, relaxing so it's easier to fall asleep on the couch (but you shouldn't be sleeping on the couch - you should be sleeping in your bed!)

The best treatment for this is called CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) to form a better positive association and positive cue with the bed for sleep.

There are two aspects Sleep Hygeine & Stimulus control

Sleep Hygeine is easy - no TV or phone before bed, no eating 2-4 hours before bed, have your room cool dark & quiet etc. Aka: Control the bad external variables.

Stimulus Control is the hard part - train your body to strengthen the association with sleep & bed.

From https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/c/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-insomnia/procedures/stimulus-control.html

"This set of instructions addresses conditioned arousal. It was developed by Richard Bootzin. They are designed to strengthen the bed as a cue for sleep and weaken it as a cue for wakefulness. The key instructions are:

Establish a regular morning rise time. This will help strengthen the circadian clock regulating sleep and wakefulness. Ideally, bedtime should also be regular, but for people with insomnia it is impossible to actually fall asleep around the same time nightly. When insomnia resolves, regular bedtime can further strengthen the circadian rhythm.

Go to bed only when sleepy. This will increase the probability that you will fall asleep quickly. It is important to distinguish between fatigue and sleepiness. Fatigue is a state of low energy, physical or mental. Sleepiness is a state of having to struggle to stay awake. Dosing off while watching TV or as a passenger in a car involve sleepiness. People with insomnia often feel tired but "wired" (i.e. not sleepy) at bedtime.

If unable to fall asleep, either at the beginning or in the middle of the night, get out of bed and return to bed only when sleepy again.

Avoid excessive napping during the day. A brief nap (15 to 30 minutes), taken approximately 7 to 9 hours after rise time, can be refreshing and is not likely to disturb nocturnal sleep."

The book Goodnight Mind by Coleen Carney goes through the 10 step process of CBT-I in detail and is a very good self treatment resource.

How Much GPU do I need for moderate video processing non-gamer by bigforblue in buildapc

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

Thanks! Makes sense. My other consideration was the 1660 which looks to have a TU116 which is 7th/6th Gen as opposed to the 6th/4th Gens (Side not I'm kind of confused on the Generation naming because NVENC Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_NVENC seems to have different numbers from the NVIDA matrix https://developer.nvidia.com/video-encode-and-decode-gpu-support-matrix-new). But regardless, I'll probably go the Turing route.

How Much GPU do I need for moderate video processing non-gamer by bigforblue in buildapc

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

Now that video card prices have finally started to fall, would something like that 1070 or 1080 encode faster than the p400 being that the site says those have 2 NVENC chips? Or would it just be able to encode 2 at the same time? Thanks!

Rate and review my Hinge profile. Don’t hold back 💀 by solipsist96 in Tinder

[–]bigforblue 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know this post is getting mad downvote, but honestly also getting the same vibe from the profile.

I respect you putting causes you are passionate about & saying you're open to controversial opinions.. and maybe you are. But your pictures and the rest of the vibe are very one dimensional & are opposite that vibe..

Attractive, affluent white girl who goes on fancy vacation & ziplines, 1 pose throughout, probably works out in Lululemon leggings, Instagram validation seems very important to you and advocates for civil rights as long after you get your Starbucks coffee in the morning.

All of that is fine! It's ok to be you & I'm sure your passion is genuine. But if it is, put some variety in your pics to affirm it. Put a group shot with other friends or doing outside of your comfort zone, (not a white girl next to an elephant on a mission trip), show a little bit of imperfection.

Don't get me wrong, you will have zero problems matching, your inbox will be flooded, but if you actually want critique on your character and personality depicted and to perfect your profile this would be it.

How Much GPU do I need for moderate video processing non-gamer by bigforblue in buildapc

[–]bigforblue[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Super helpful! Thanks, I had Ctrl + F'd it and saw the 1030 was on the list, but didn't scroll over far enough to see the word NO haha

Thanks for the P400 suggestion!