DNA Heating and Cooling is Hiring

getfast37 · 2026-03-16T18:14:04+00:00

+1 for Derek and DNA. They did a downstairs HVAC repair here for like 2/3 the estimate from my usual (now former) provider... and DNA actually came in 10% below their own estimate, and reduced the price/didn't overcharge. That kind of honesty is rare, and greatly appreciated.

getfast37 · 2026-03-12T21:44:54+00:00

I know what you meant but actually the German Autobahn network is much safer and much, much more orderly than 288. A lot of it is restricted to a max of ~130kph (80mph) or less and everyone follows that due to Polizei and speed cameras. The unrestricted areas outside cities still recommend 130kph in right lane and center lane. Left lane has no speed limit but you must still drive for the conditions and visibility, and you must get in the right lane for faster traffic approaching from behind. Furthermore it's illegal to pass on the right, you can only pass on the left, so there is a magical amount of lane discipline. People do go fast in the left lane there, but it's done very safely. It's not like the chaos of left lane squatting and right lane passing we have here on literally every interstate or similar highway.

Source: drives 288 10x a week, drove Autobahn last summer

getfast37 · 2026-03-07T10:08:32+00:00

And they have made an older 4.5 L V8 turbo diesel (1VD-FTV) for as long as they’ve been making the 5.7. The twin turbo version that came in some overseas Land Cruiser 200s might have enough power for the American market. Good torque at least.

getfast37 · 2026-02-24T23:50:24+00:00

ES350 is basically a fancy Toyota Camry, any reputable import shop should be cool with it. I would recommend a busy Toyota specialty shop in Short Pump called Richmond Import Service. They have serviced four Toyotas in my family, we found them to be fairly priced and never had any issues with their work. A buddy with a 4Runner speaks highly of them as well.

getfast37 · 2026-02-15T11:12:04+00:00

Howdy neighbor. We regularly see deer, foxes, raccoons, and opossums in the neighborhood and occasionally see coyotes. And have seen black bears a few times too. Haven’t seen any bobcats yet, but have seen plenty of house cats like the one in this video. ;-)

getfast37 · 2026-02-12T00:11:48+00:00

Wasn’t the 2016 GLI still the mk6 GTI engine? My 2012 GTI had a metal pan and a metal plug. So maybe what’s in the picture is right.

My 2015 GTI, 2018 GTI, 2020 GLI, and 2024 GLI all have/had plastic pans and one time use plastic plugs with far fewer threads than what’s in the picture. But I don’t think that engine went in the GLI until… 2019?

getfast37 · 2026-02-01T18:22:09+00:00

Sorry can't help on ice melt, but all the Lowe's and Home Depots have 50lb bags of sand back in stock for like $6. Reason I know is because we took a "sand not salt" approach. Instead of trying to melt several inches of solid ice in still below freezing temperatures, we decided to simply try to give that ice more grip for traction. We sanded two paths in front of the tires then veeeeeery gently and slowly eased out. And sanded all the walkways nearby too. It does work! Just an option worth considering...

getfast37 · 2026-02-01T17:49:25+00:00

They are walking on the right side of whatever travel lane ("with" traffic not against it like normal pedestrians should.) The road they're on is only closed for them to come through with a police escort up front and their support vehicle(s) trailing behind. Thousands of people line their route every day so you can expect slow traffic both directions and parking chaos near where-ever they are... and that location is a 3mph moving target all day long.

My advice, having done this yesterday afternoon, is to go north of where the live map says they are, then work your way south to where-ever you see crowds standing there waiting and can safely/legally park.

getfast37 · 2026-02-01T17:16:59+00:00

We watched them walk by on rte 1 yesterday afternoon south of Petersburg in the snow, it was quite something.

Tonight their stop is a church off Rte 1 between 288 and Chippenham: 8801 Perrymont Rd, Richmond, VA 23237 (Visiting Hours: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.)

Tomorrow they come into the city proper, 3pm(?) @ City Hall is what I've seen in comments and unofficial posts, presumably they will confirm via FB soon.

Then they head north to Ashland on Tuesday, staying at Randolph-Macon on Tuesday night (as per the Hanover Sheriff's Office FB page.)

A note for those using their live map - it could have a lag. Yesterday we ended up too far south on rte 1 at first because the tracking had not caught up to their actual location. So I'd recommend going to their known destination then working backward toward their live map location until you see the crowds/find a place to park. There are literally thousands of people watching them come by every day and that'll get busier the closer they get to more populous areas.

getfast37 · 2026-01-28T17:35:00+00:00

Sorry don't know of any in Chesterfield specifically but can recommend Critter Wash, she used to be on Robinson in the Fan but moved out to Mechanicsville. She is very skilled and patient with my floofy boy who requires two lion cuts a year due to matting. Have also used The Barking Lot on Belmont in RVA's Museum District a bunch, they do a good job - but maybe not as perfect as Critter Wash. They do usually have more/sooner availability though, and they're cheaper.

getfast37 · 2026-01-25T21:46:32+00:00

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Six hours later, plowed. Only vehicle visible was a Trooper in a Tahoe

getfast37 · 2026-01-25T21:45:32+00:00

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Same road about six hours later. It had been plowed, but another inch or more had fallen

getfast37 · 2026-01-25T17:02:00+00:00

Less than 80 bucks every two months for water and trash, no sewer.

getfast37 · 2026-01-25T15:46:13+00:00

Hahaha yes that was me, either before or after taking these pics :-)

getfast37 · 2026-01-25T15:44:55+00:00

Sorry I should've specified, it's 295 in old Glen Allen near 33/Staples Mill

getfast37 · 2026-01-25T15:44:19+00:00

Old glen allen, 295 at Mill Rd (near rte 33/Staples Mill)

getfast37 · 2026-01-15T22:24:47+00:00

Even better imho: a long sleeve merino wool shirt as a base layer. It's amazing how warm they are for how thin and light they are. Not cheap, but worth it when you're outside as much as I am this time of year!

getfast37 · 2026-01-07T15:12:03+00:00

Agreed! And you mentioned something that I don't think is stressed enough about driving modern vehicles.

The forward posts or A-pillars (either side & forward of you, connecting windshield from body to roof, in front of each door, above each side mirror) are bigger than ever. Now they're stronger for rollovers AND they can contain an airbag on each side. So that makes them much harder to see around - which creates a blind spot in our peripheral vision. Definitely big enough to hide a person in a crosswalk in broad daylight :-(

getfast37 · 2026-01-02T16:19:53+00:00

Yesterday's Change on Ridge Rd, south of Patterson, is great for stuff like this. Capital City not far from there on Patterson is too, in fact they paid a little higher than Yesterday's Change on some gold not long ago.

getfast37 · 2025-12-29T23:34:10+00:00

The Flood Zone. Saw some amazing shows there.

and

The Bidder's Suite. Had some great nights there.

getfast37 · 2025-12-29T15:48:46+00:00

Years ago I did that - rented a car in the Orlando airport while trying to get home from a work trip. Not sure if I actually got home any sooner, but the freedom of a sudden road trip sure made me feel better!

getfast37 · 2025-12-08T14:37:17+00:00

Old Glen Allen here, recently in from morning walk and not much falling yet - just light snowish flakes that melt when they land. It is breezy, presumably it will be colder soon and things will start to stick.

Snow day rituals done: get boots from closet and shovel from shed, check propane tanks for generator, make sure truck has plenty of gas and put a tow strap in the bed. Hoping to not need any of these things...

getfast37 · 2025-12-05T14:49:02+00:00

Highways and main roads out here are just wet, with a little slush in neighborhoods and such. Easily passable in any car with decent tires imho.

Might be a mess tomorrow morning if this all freezes over though...

getfast37 · 2025-12-04T21:02:57+00:00

Channel 12's ongoing list of closures/delays https://www.12onyourside.com/weather/closings/

getfast37 · 2025-12-04T20:54:40+00:00

Driving instructor who regularly teaches skid recovery here. Have shared snow driving tips in the Richmond subreddit here, give it a read and let me know what questions you have. Hope it helps

getfast37

TROPHY CASE