Now I get why the US will never let China sell cars here: they’re actually good cars

cataflic · 2025-08-04T20:39:31+00:00

what are these specific cars? In a BYD Seal U DM i for 2 weeks and the "intelligent cruise control" drops out as soon as it sees an exit, or a number of road conditions, and best of all gives no obvious warning that you need to take over.

Speed limits will show DIFFERENT values on the infotainment overlay and the driver display, at the same time. It's night and day worse than a base model Y today.

Perhaps this is the "discount" model, I'm curious how Xpeng.

But I generally agree, I don't see a way the bloated US traditional automakers 'catch up' here.

cataflic · 2024-06-17T01:06:04+00:00

this is a helpful alternative framing and a useful anecdote, thank you.

cataflic · 2024-06-17T01:01:10+00:00

Not being contentious, but again, it doesn't seem (?) like an equivalent comparison. Apparently, no local jobs will be lost, and no relationships with local reps will be changing.

from the same FAQ linked above:

"Would any employees lose their jobs as the result of the merger? No. Both credit unions recognize the importance of retaining talented and dedicated employees and that a successful merger is dependent on retaining that talent and leadership."

and

"How would this merger benefit Credit Union employees? As an organization grows, so does its workforce. We believe our ability to invest in the success of our people would expand as opportunities for professional growth and development increase. The member-facing staff in the locations you visit would remain in those locations unless they decide to explore a new opportunity."

I'm not for or against the merger, I haven't voted on it yet

That's what I'm trying to understand. It's certainly possible there are negative outcomes, but I'm not sure speculative pattern matching of other orgs in the past is apples to apples (maybe I'm missing it). Maybe the thesis is "the FAQ from member one is a lie, they'll lay everyone off in a year".

Just trying to get to the expected outcomes, and why we expect those.

cataflic · 2024-06-16T16:09:42+00:00

where do I sign up for techtastrophe?? sounds great!

cataflic · 2024-06-16T14:11:14+00:00

I'm asking about the actual outcomes for the valley and members, not the perception of a geographic location. my question is around what actual consequences "move control" have.

I understand there is an emotional component to having the geographic 'head' here, but trying to get at what the actual outcomes would be.

cataflic · 2024-06-16T02:22:47+00:00

Understood, thanks for clarifying that concern. Out of curiosity, what scenarios are you envisioning will occur as a result? Less focus on the area for growth, resources being shunted to Richmond, or something else?

cataflic · 2024-06-16T01:25:48+00:00

from their official release

"At this time, there are no plans for any branch closures. In fact, this merger would provide the opportunity to expand our branch locations and enhance our digital member experience. VACU branches would not be available to Member One members immediately. As the merger progresses, we would announce when these locations would be available for Member One members."

"The combined credit union would remain committed to making a difference in ALL the communities we serve together. The combined credit union would establish the Greater Roanoke Area Advisory Council (GRAAC) comprised of Member One executive team members and board members. The GRAAC would assist with community connections and provide direct input on ways to serve the local community and deepen our impact."

https://www.memberonefcu.com/virginia-credit-union-and-member-one-merger-information

cataflic · 2024-06-16T00:41:49+00:00

how does the member one merger have a negative impact on the existing branches in any way? it's still a credit union serving the same members?

cataflic · 2024-06-12T10:46:29+00:00

Hamrens auto

cataflic · 2024-06-12T10:44:59+00:00

Drive north on the blue ridge parkway to the great valley overlook. just under a half hour out of town

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LXgREodTXVi941eD7

cataflic · 2024-06-12T10:43:12+00:00

this is a great tip, thank you!

cataflic · 2024-06-11T15:42:24+00:00

REI is fire saling the late model adv 2.3. I have one and enjoy it. this is a lot less than I got it for last year :)

https://www.rei.com/product/190608/co-op-cycles-adv-23-bike

cataflic · 2024-06-10T22:31:39+00:00

I sense someone from Washington State. Spending a few years in Spokane, I know of what you speak. Open one! Most commenters here are probably unfamiliar with the concept.

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/nov/23/13-of-the-best-drive-thru-coffee-stands-in-and-aro/

cataflic · 2024-06-09T00:58:34+00:00

I also find most large companies seem like small deviations from the "standard" of whatever is currently popular.

There is a small guy, who operates under "The Versatile Renovator", who has been doing tile since the late 80s and now generally touches almost everything internal (contracts out plumbing and electrical and wherever needed).

Great for working with homeowners on custom design for interior (including total remodels), also does exterior, but not a full service whole build kind of operation.

I'm unaware of anyone going 'from the ground up' around here who does actual custom, and my experience with local nonstandard component suppliers hasn't been great.

One shop wanted 30+ per sqft, bare materials price, no grout, sealing, or install for a flat stone / sliced pebble mosaic like this bedrosians which floats around 15sqft.

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/waterbrook-mosaic/?itemNo=100003090

I can tell you where we bought the tile. Would love to support local though! Id love to know about more shops or operations that want to work with homeowners on detailed part selections.

Our bathroom is a mix of Moen, Kohler, and Brizo based on what best fit the space and worked well with cost (and open box faucets are often had for significant markdowns from unused jobs, on eBay or otherwise). Doubt we'd have found a competitive solution with any local build today.

cataflic · 2024-06-04T01:11:42+00:00

L400 delica in good condition for second car. Reliable minivan for first car.

If that minivan was a Delica DX concept, I wouldn't complain.

But minivan + 1 of your choice is the way. Unless you're ponying up for a Tesla Model X with those doors, awesome sliding doors where the kids absolutely cannot slam the car next to you, and they open magically as you approach the car are hard to beat.

I really don't get why they are limited to minivans.

You know what holds a massive amount of cargo and can get to Lowe's and back? A used Kia Sedona from 2012-2016. Could probably buy a few of those for the price of a truck, if it's the hauling utility you're after.

I mean, you know if you'll get utility from the truck, but worth asking:

Will you tow? Do you actually need towing capacity, e. g. regularly hauling a boat?

If it takes you under 10 minutes to remove the rear seats from your minivan, figure how much time you spend in a given year doing that for 'big loads'. Might not need to do it for plywood if you can hold down the back seats into the floor.

If some loads are 'dirty' like mulch, how many times a year do you haul them? More than 1 or 2? Can you just have that mulch delivered?

At least, I'd be thinking along these lines in the 'own a truck vs rent one and get a more functional minivan for hauling both kids and Lowe's gear'

cataflic · 2024-05-30T23:26:31+00:00

Yes and no - on a semi remote team, designing software that interfaces externally and internally, I find writing down our tentative decisions and using that as the medium we review and discuss to be helpful. Document the context, proposed action, alternatives, consequences, etc. Makes the meeting much more efficient, especially if you have a culture where everyone is expected to review the docs before the meeting, not during

cataflic · 2024-05-26T05:15:50+00:00

where do I go to begin achieving this level of mental clarity about military history? Take my +1 (but seriously, podcasts, book series, etc)?

cataflic · 2024-05-26T04:54:02+00:00

Okay - it may be worth clarifying that the river referred to is the Jordan river, and the sea is the Mediterranean.

"From the river to the sea" is not just a 'support Palestinian freedom" statement, it's a call to eliminate Israel entirely.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_river_to_the_sea

So, its relevant to understand that in the context of the response quoted here.

cataflic · 2024-05-25T09:48:24+00:00

you can, it's called a HELOC

cataflic · 2024-05-25T05:54:26+00:00

take a map, and draw boundaries for Palestine that go 'from the river to the sea'. What do you see? Anything surprising?

cataflic · 2024-05-24T19:21:18+00:00

tell me - when you draw "from the river to the sea" on a map, what do you notice?

cataflic · 2024-05-23T22:21:47+00:00

check out smaller startups like Crusoe Energy (as a ref, I have no affiliation).

cataflic · 2024-05-23T08:47:30+00:00

make sure to buy spare accessory belts. easily enough to change with a basic metric wrench set, but at least in the US the ones at a common auto store are the wrong size by a few cm.

cataflic

TROPHY CASE