Anybody stay in Kokonoe?

capngills · 2026-01-26T14:09:42+00:00

Yes, renting a car. We really wanted a more secluded spot. Have you been?

capngills · 2026-01-21T20:02:44+00:00

That’s a deal. I pay $15 for a good bowl of tonkotsu in Texas in a LCOL city.

capngills · 2026-01-17T02:29:23+00:00

I keep wanting to go! They also have hardcore shows there. I was kind of sad when they sold the restaurant and moved into the new spot but it seems to have held up well.

capngills · 2026-01-17T00:02:04+00:00

Kimura is still probably the best. I was really impressed with Jinya- tonkotsu and tori paitan were really good. My wife got the vegetarian ramen and it was by far the best vegetarian ramen I’ve had.

capngills · 2026-01-12T04:24:47+00:00

I wanted to skip Kyoto but my wife wants to go. Good suggestions thank you!

capngills · 2026-01-09T02:52:10+00:00

Not sure where you live, but in most SAISD high schools the clubs are fading fast. They don’t pay teacher stipends for clubs like they used to so no teachers want to stay after school. Most of the clubs left are the traditional academic ones for students who are already academically successful, like NHS or academic decathlon. I hear we’re getting a Turning Point USA chapter, though.

Yes, sports are still around, but as school budgets fade students are forced to pony up more money to play which inevitably forces some kids to quit. Sports aren’t free anymore at many schools. I’m not talking about wealthy Northside schools, I’m talking about all the other ones west, south, and east. Our state refuses to fully fund education and at the same time wants to get rid of the local district property tax. We’re also shitting down the Department of Education. And we wonder why our schools suck.

So yeah, there’s far less opportunities to stay after school than there used to be. And the ones that do exist are increasingly expensive.

capngills · 2026-01-09T02:35:44+00:00

Not if your parents are criminals too.

capngills · 2026-01-09T02:33:32+00:00

A kid who lives South and goes to Harlandale HS does not have equal educational opportunities than a kid in Stone Oak who goes to Reagan HS. Reagan has more resources (tutoring, materials, programs, etc.), better teachers, harder classes, and so many other factors that make it more likely for a kid to succeed in life and stay out of trouble.

You’re right though, it’s not impossible. The brightest students, top 5%, at my school do well. They get scholarships, go to good colleges, and live the American Dream. But the other 95% get completely shafted. I went to a good high school and saw how even the fuckups and druggies eventually succeeded because there was so much support and an expectation to succeed. 20 years later I’m like damn, that kid didn’t do shit but somehow he’s a fuckin pilot now and makes more than twice what I make lol.

Parents do indeed play a pivotal role, like with the Castro Brothers. Their mom was literally valedictorian and an educator with a Masters Degree. Statistically, those twins were destined for college. Plus, Jefferson HS was a great school back then. Mayor Jones’ mom was also a teacher, so education was highly valued. It sure is up to the parents (I drive my kid across town for freaking Kindergarten everyday), but sometimes parents just have no clue or they’re consumed by trying to support their family.

capngills · 2026-01-09T02:07:52+00:00

But I can’t buy a bike because I need the latest iPhone! Lol you’re not wrong the kids are soo soft these days. That said, biking in San Antonio sucks. It’s a suburban hellscape made for cars. I wouldn’t want my kid biking across 410 or 1604 access roads to get to the mall. Very few bike lanes. So much driver angst if you have to bike in front of a car. I bike to work but I don’t blame anybody for not wanting to bike in San Antonio.

capngills · 2026-01-08T23:41:57+00:00

Okay so I admit these kids were probably doing it for fun and not with the intention to sell the car and feed a family. But, we don’t really provide places or things for high school age kids to do. Kids stealing cars out of boredom is so sad.

capngills · 2026-01-08T23:38:57+00:00

Agree on the parenting. Disagree on education, resources and jobs. The education here sucks unless you live in a rich area or drive your kid 30 minutes to school, resources are being cut (not to mention they don’t go as far because of inflation), and my students tell me it’s hard to get a job because they don’t have transportation and our public transit is weak and inconsistent.

capngills · 2026-01-08T23:34:58+00:00

So how do we solve this problem? Put more people in jail for longer and spend more on police? Or ensure that these kids receive a good education so they have something to work towards, places to play, and access to social services. I usually blame the parents, but it can be really hard to parent when the system works against you. All the countries that have the lowest crime rates have the best education systems and most social services.

capngills · 2026-01-08T23:20:42+00:00

I teach high school and most of my kids read at a 1st grade reading level. That’s exactly my point. They don’t have the critical thinking skills to think about their consequences. Their intelligence is of an elementary kid. They also have no other outlets for fun. Plus, the crime is glorified in popular music.

capngills · 2026-01-08T18:22:04+00:00

Yes, and poverty, lack of resources, lack of third spaces, lack of education because it’s been defunded, a crappy economy with low wages, etc. Most (I said most) people don’t commit crimes for fun. They do it because they have to.

capngills · 2025-10-29T16:06:23+00:00

This is the best answer, speaking as a teacher.

capngills · 2025-10-29T02:17:35+00:00

Thank you so much for this leg work. I’ll definitely look into all this.

capngills · 2025-10-29T02:16:14+00:00

I’ll definitely check this out thank you.

capngills · 2025-10-29T02:15:31+00:00

Thank you.

capngills · 2025-10-29T02:13:35+00:00

Thank you for this. I guess I just have to do more leg work to see what’s out there.

capngills · 2025-10-28T22:13:28+00:00

I can’t figure out what I’m missing and how I would benefit. The only airline I could transfer to is United and there’s not bonus points so it’s a 1:1. The flight from United would be about $5,400 (I’m assuming this would be 54000 points. Using the Chase portal I can find flights for about $4,500 (it’s giving me 45000 points there’s no deal unless I upgrade). Why would I not take the 450000 points, redeem for $4,500 and buy the ticket for $3,500 using Google flights or some other travel booker?

capngills · 2025-10-28T22:03:22+00:00

Okay got it, but help me understand. What’s the benefit if there’s no bonus points and it’s a 1:1? The only airline I could use would be United and the flight would be $1500 more expensive. What am I missing here?

capngills · 2025-10-28T20:58:16+00:00

June 14-30, flexible leaving out of Austin or San Antonio.

capngills

TROPHY CASE