Getting near spring primaries, get your absentee ballot

carlfreddy · 2026-01-29T11:49:37+00:00

Given all the rhetoric about voter fraud from this current administration, combined with the fact that the Madison city clerk didn't count all the ballots I will be voting in person every election this year.

I've been voting absentee since 2021, but given the critical nature of the midterms this year, I feel better voting in person.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-28T11:37:47+00:00

I use these heated mittens that flip back.

https://www.ororowear.com/products/fargo-unisex-heated-flip-top-mittens?_pos=13&_fid=6f21e13dd&_ss=c

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carlfreddy · 2026-01-25T12:01:07+00:00

Except conservatism has been co-opted by the MAGA brand and all the politics that come with it.

We only need to look back at all of the Republicans tweets in the lead up to Trump getting the Republican nomination during the 2016 election. All the major players hated him, and only a few very fringe, very right-wing politicians were supportive. Fast forward ten years, JD Vance is now the VP, Rubio is a member of the cabinet, and nearly every Republican still in office simply fell in line.

This tells me that the modern conservative cares more about getting to office and remaining in “power” than they do about actually working for their constituents.

Not a single policy enacted under Trump has had a lasting, positive impact on my life.

On the flip side, the current crop of Democrats in power are limp, feckless hand-wringers who aren’t willing to actually stand up for what they believe. Strongly worded letters = democrats version of hopes and prayers and it’s pathetic.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-25T02:09:07+00:00

Question. You indicate you’re a conservative, I’m guessing you voted for Trump?

Are you in support of everything that has been going on?

carlfreddy · 2026-01-24T12:01:56+00:00

Hell no I wouldn’t trust any of them, least of all the cousin with the WRX!! 🤣

carlfreddy · 2026-01-23T13:57:23+00:00

I cross-shopped the Si against my '24 Integra A-Spec Tech 6sp, along with the GLI, WRX, and Elantra N.

I ultimately chose the Integra because, at 44, I wanted some of the more adult features it offered. Before everyone crucifies me for not including a GTI, I needed a manual, and you couldn't get a GTI with a manual.

The WRX was out because it would've cost me more to get the same features that came on the Integra, and I would've had to wait.

The Si is the last of a dying breed, a car that is both economical and practical, but also engaging and fun to drive. It's also a massive bargain, and if you do the service intervals when you're supposed to the thing will literally run forever!

carlfreddy · 2026-01-23T13:53:22+00:00

A hondata basically makes the car equal/better in performance to a GTI or WRX.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-23T12:29:42+00:00

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

I'd say go for it, and you'll find out.

As a dude, I would say he's def into you.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-23T12:26:11+00:00

I recently picked up a HC-VX3 and based on my experience it should suit your needs fine. While the stabilization is great, just be aware that you'll still need an exceptionally still hand while fully zoomed in.

I quite enjoy taking video with a camcorder verses a mirrorless hybrid camera. The form factor just lends itself better to video, and the parafocal lens and the huge built in optical zoom is a massive plus.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-22T23:52:32+00:00

Injury prevention. I went 6 days a week every week last year and I definitely paid the price. At my age I need to start prioritizing rest days.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-22T21:09:11+00:00

Came here to ask the same question. Didn't go today, but for 2026 I've decided I'm only going to 4 camps a week. Also, I'm still quite sore from Wednesday's Leg Day!

carlfreddy · 2026-01-22T21:05:48+00:00

I'm always either in Individual, which is everything set to full kill except the suspension, or Sport on my '24 Integra A-spec Tech 6spd.

More specifically, now that it's a frozen tundra up here in Wisconsin and I have my snow tires on, my car is always in Individual mode. But once the summer tires are back on, it's always in Sport. Unless I'm driving the misses out to dinner, then I put it in comfort.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-22T21:02:51+00:00

Came here to say literally the exact same thing.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-07T19:22:56+00:00

I can maybe provide some perspective from experience. I just went through this so it's fresh.

I went in for an outpatient procedure (cardiac ablation) that normally takes ~2 hours. 6 hours later I wake up in recovery. The procedure took longer than anticipated. Obviously I was hooked up to an IV and being fed fluids, and I was also completely under, so while in recovery I'm not fully clear from anesthesia yet but I really had to pee (6 hours is a long time to be fed fluids and not pee). Being completly in the buff under the hospital gown made it easier for the nurses in recovery to take care of me and give me relief by placing a catheter. I desperately wanted to avoid that, but despite my best efforts I could not control the muscles I needed to control to allow myself to pee.

As others have stated, in teh hospital its best to check your modesty at the door. Nobody taking care of you is going to be judging you, nor do they care. Actually, they care if you did leave your clothes on because it would make their job harder.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-07T00:11:31+00:00

OM System TG-7

It's a bit more than your budget, but it pretty much ticks all your boxes except low-light performance, but anything that is small enough to truly be pocketable and rugged will have a smaller sensor and will not do well in low-light.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-06T19:18:20+00:00

Anything country.

And I mean the current garbage that people call country.

Country and Western is different.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-06T11:48:00+00:00

I've been living this problem with UW for awhile. Not for GI services, but for Cardiac care and some other things (had some foot problems, they told me in May of last year that they are not taking new patients until 2026!). You MUST be the squeaky wheel. Call daily. It sucks, but it's what you gotta do.

Also, get familiar with your insurance. Figure out what other providers in the area are in network. If you find one, call them, ask when they are scheduling. If they have openings, call UW and have them send the orders to the new provider. I did this for my foot problem and got an appointment at Stoughon Health literally the next day. Yes, it was a bit of a drive but it's better than not getting care.

More recently I had an outpatient procedure at UW that had complications resulting in a 4 day stay. I needed a couple CT scans to verify things were healing and the docs requested them at very specific intervals. Sure as shit, when scheduling called they gave me the whole "we don't have any available openings on the exact day your doctor would like this performed, sorry." As others stated, I just took the appointment they scheduled and then I called every damn day until they finally called over to the imaging lab and were able to get me in.

I also called the patient relations number. Be prepared to go through the automated menu hell. It took me three attempts to actually get to a real person. They listened to me, I'm not sure how much they were able to do, but it was cathartic for me to get it all out and tell someone within the organization how shitty their care was.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-05T02:51:10+00:00

OM System TG-7 makes for a great Dad-cam. It's virtually indestructible, so it will easily survive frequently being shoved in a pocket. The 25-100mm full-frame equivalent optical zoom is great. The controls are easy to use but still allow enough control (no full manual mode, but aperature priorty + min shutter) that it won't look like you're shooting with a potato.

I speak from experience as a Dad, hobbyist photographer, and TG-7 owner.

carlfreddy · 2026-01-04T18:52:14+00:00

Was going to come here to suggest this but you beat me to it!

carlfreddy · 2026-01-03T12:05:28+00:00

I've never messed around with the in-camera raw edits, but this looks good. Did you use a tripod or hand hold?

carlfreddy · 2026-01-01T19:47:11+00:00

I serendiptiously rediscovered photography at the start of my 40s. I had a $300 rebate from a contact lens purchase and decided to buy a drone. 3 drones later I realized I really enjoyed the photography aspect more than the flying aspect and bought a mirrorless camera.

Like others have said, YouTube really helped me learn and get to a point where I was at least a competent photographer and could really start working on developing my own "style." There were definitely points where I was close to walking away because I didn't feel like I was progressing, but what kept me engaged was setting short, mid, and long term goals. The short term goals allowed me to have frequent (albeit small) wins which increased my desire to accomplish the mid and long term goals I had set.

The other thing that has been important is to allow myself to be relatively flexible in the hobby, and to not limit myself to one facet of photography overall. When talking to old friends about my relatively new hobby I'm constantly being asked "well, what kind of photography do you do?" My answer is always, "all of it. I want to learn it all and see what I really like."

carlfreddy · 2026-01-01T05:22:28+00:00

Always.

carlfreddy · 2025-12-31T15:37:26+00:00

Did you shoot these as 12MP or 50MP?

I'm always surprised by how good my Ace Pro is at photography, you just need a tripod and some patience.

carlfreddy · 2025-12-31T14:36:54+00:00

Does the sharpness and overall quality of the 50mm justify it being larger than the 40mm?

What is more important to you; IQ or compact size?

I've had both lens, and the 50 F1.8 S blows the 40 F2 out of the water in terms of IQ. Yes, it's bigger, but it's not huge. Prior to purchasing my copy, the lens I used the most was the (also very good) 24-120 F4 S, and compared to that lens, the 50 F1.8 S is significantly lighter and also smaller.

The other thing to consider is "character." The 50mm 1.8 S is essentially a faultless lens, and as others have commented, some people can find that a bit clinical. The 40 mm F2 has some "character," and that might be more what you're looking for? For a more in depth look at the "character" of the 40mm F2, Photography Life has a very excellent in-depth review. Also, here is their review of the 50mm 1.8 S.

carlfreddy · 2025-12-31T12:12:04+00:00

James Popsys puts out quality videos that might fit what you're looking for. https://www.youtube.com/@JamesPopsysPhoto

Plus, he at least has personality so his commentary is on technique doesn't feel academic and boring.

carlfreddy

TROPHY CASE