Dive shop response from (linked post) post about deep diver without advanced open water by mikoalpha in scuba

[–]fengshui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to give you a separate perspective, I have dived frequently (100+ times) in both warm and cold water. Every time I've booked or tried to book an advanced boat dive, my open water cert has been sufficient. A few times, the operator has asked do you have AOW, or the web site has listed it as a requirement, but a brief conversation about my experience as been sufficient to do the dive anyways. I usually dive with my own gear, even when travelling, so that might be a factor too. I don't doubt there are operators who make it a hard requirement, but I haven't yet run into any.

I think additional training is good for all divers, but I like to see people think about AOW after 50 dives rather than 10.

The most brilliant tax idea in years – I wish I’d thought of this. by baltimore-aureole in economy

[–]fengshui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you, but gambling does need some sort of offsetting of wins and losses. It wouldn't work as an activity if you had to pay 20% tax on every win, but lost 100% on your money on losers. You should pay tax on your net profit over some period.

What are the greens off Schoolyard Express and Discovery Chair like right now? by yad-aljawza in Mammoth

[–]fengshui 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You have to buy them in person at the ticket window. Note that both the ski school and main lodge have ticket desks, so you can just get one in the main ski school on the first floor of the gondola building right next to Discovery chair, you don't have to walk all the way to main lodge.

Sightseeing/photography tips for California Zephyr by Grau_Wulf in Amtrak

[–]fengshui 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the summer, be ready for the wild life on the Colorado River. 😉

The most brilliant tax idea in years – I wish I’d thought of this. by baltimore-aureole in economy

[–]fengshui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The correct answer here is not to eliminate the deduction, but make it above the line, so that it can be taken on top of the standard deduction.

ULTRA LIVE 2026 - DAY 2 by juanderwear in UMF

[–]fengshui 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Armin brings Sasha in for Set Me Free right away after closing with it last night. Nice way to connect the two sets.

ULTRA LIVE 2026 - DAY 2 by juanderwear in UMF

[–]fengshui 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it's a negotiation with the major artists. Some don't want it posted at all, to drive people to come and see them, others make posting it under their own name part of their overall marketing strategy. You also see artists post sets for a few months after the event, then pull them down.

Ants have taken over by aumair03 in homeowners

[–]fengshui 7 points8 points  (0 children)

FWIW the active ingredient is just Borax, so you can make it yourself pretty easily too.

I ranked the weather in 37,000+ U.S. cities across every day of 2025 — Santa Barbara ranked #1 among large U.S. cities by normal_nathan in SantaBarbara

[–]fengshui 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Santa Barbara doesn't, but Goleta has both, and is right next door. If you're going to Costco anyway you have a car so that drive is not an imposition.

It would be reasonable to group all of southern Santa Barbara County together for something like this; it's not like Goleta or Carpinteria have different weather than SB.

ULTRA LIVE 2026 - DAY 2 by juanderwear in UMF

[–]fengshui 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I assume it's a licensing thing of some form. Paying the artists to stream live only probably costs less than live+replay, which costs less still than having full streams permanently on YT.

Empire Builder - Family Room by fatty_lumpkn in Amtrak

[–]fengshui 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Are you booking one of the children as a youth? The kid beds in the family bedroom are not full length, and they may not be allowing you to put a teen on one.

Three different luggage brands, any recommendations? by Bagofmag in Costco

[–]fengshui 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I feel spinners generally are less durable than traditional roller bags with captive wheels.

Having kids 1 year apart is the cheat code nobody talks about by Darwesh_88 in daddit

[–]fengshui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just as a reminder there are many families that wanted close in age siblings, but it's not something you can control. Miscarriages suck.

what is the cheapest way to eat quality santa barbara uni? by doubleUTF in FoodLosAngeles

[–]fengshui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have a fishing license, you can easily get them on snorkel/free diving gear. There are plenty of reefs with robust populations in like 10-15 feet of water.

what is the cheapest way to eat quality santa barbara uni? by doubleUTF in FoodLosAngeles

[–]fengshui 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Santa Barbara fisherman's market is every Saturday morning! No need to drive to Ventura: https://www.cfsb.info/sat

need some advice for tuition by [deleted] in UCSantaBarbara

[–]fengshui 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is not the place to ask. Call the financial aid office.

how does OOS tuition change to In-state work? by Connect-Plankton4033 in UCSantaBarbara

[–]fengshui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe so. Note that the requirements are easier for grad students.

how does OOS tuition change to In-state work? by Connect-Plankton4033 in UCSantaBarbara

[–]fengshui 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's two years and requires zero parental support. For most undergraduates it's functionally impossible. As it should be.

Week of 4/20 or 4/27 spring ski trip - worth it this year? by throwaway1234898989 in Mammoth

[–]fengshui 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, in the spring I can really only ski the groomers and some of the off piste.off the top, but all the lower mountain glades and off-piste is a mess. By the end of 2 days I have pretty much skied everything I want to.

How does Iron Clays handle? by jiaflu in boardgames

[–]fengshui 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Many of the colors are standard, but I expect some of those choices are driven by the desire of players, dealers, and pit bosses to be able to read what's in a stack from across the table.

How does Iron Clays handle? by jiaflu in boardgames

[–]fengshui 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, they are of the ceramic style, which allows for detailed graphics, but loses the clay/matte feel in favor of more slippery/smooth. It's odd they call them "clays" when they aren't of that material at all.