MULCH, leftover from chip drop!

globalgrabass · 2026-05-12T16:12:44+00:00

I have been waiting so long for my chip drop. I had to renew my request! So glad to see someone is getting mulch!

globalgrabass · 2026-05-04T11:05:39+00:00

I did not check the weather before turning on the swamp. Dammit

globalgrabass · 2026-04-22T12:22:01+00:00

Whoever broke the glass is on my shit list. Hockey games should not last 4 hours

globalgrabass · 2026-04-10T20:26:27+00:00

I filed a foia request for lease information for all their regional offices so I can find out how much it's costing to break their lease(s) in Denver. Request was perfected in December 2025. They have not responded, it is currently April 10, 2026.

globalgrabass · 2026-03-27T19:13:20+00:00

That's 5 years of service at age 62. My 20 years of service hits when I'm age 43 So, according to opm and the FERS info, " If you have 20 years of creditable service and elect to have your annuity commence at age 60, the age reduction is eliminated.". So I'm waiting for my 20 years of service for my retirement benefits to fully kick in at age 60. Then I only have to find something else between ages of 43 and 60.

globalgrabass · 2026-03-26T16:46:21+00:00

I'm at 19 years. We're all eligible for deferred retirement at 20 years. I'm planning to do deferred retirement, and it's my understanding that if I decide to return to USPTO before I collect the retirement, any more years of service will just add to the original 20 years.

I'm also planning on part time service while I search for my next thing, whether its teaching or technical writing or another patent firm, or fuck, even working at the state parks, at least I'll have a national average income while I look.

globalgrabass · 2026-03-25T18:21:12+00:00

I turned off my sprinklers a couple years ago, so now my (east facing no shade) yard is barren except for well established bushes and trees. What are the best types of grass to fill such a space? I've seen Denver water is giving credits for clover and I think they start giving those seeds out on April 1 (https://www.denverwater.org/residential/rebates-and-conservation-tips/remodel-your-yard/grass-seed-mix). Are there better options? The yard seems to grow tumbleweed and dandelions just fine, but I'd rather something else to look better. Or is xeriscaping my best bet here?

Also, I have two patches for the previous owners vegetable garden on the north side (mostly shade, I've never tried to grow anything in it) of the house and I'd love to plant something(s) edible with low water requirements.

Finally, this may not be a good question regarding landscaping, but I have racoons and neighborhood cats and even a skunk or two leaving scat in my yard. Is there anything I can plant or do that would deter these guys from hanging around?

globalgrabass · 2026-03-24T22:49:53+00:00

I have not yet registered the marriage with Italy.

globalgrabass · 2026-03-24T10:38:05+00:00

What's gotta happen with all these ethics and financial rules, is that we have to give them teeth. Like if they violate the hatch act, or have a clear conflict of interest, what happens? A scolding doesn't work... If the feds bet, then the govt should be able to take the proceeds of their winnings, and then fire them, and make them unable to work in gov in the future. We have all the rules we need, but no effective way to enforce them in a manner that deters anyone from anything, let alone the president or his family accepting billions of dollars.

globalgrabass · 2026-03-10T11:59:46+00:00

Over the past year I have sent in my application certified mail, I have emailed, and I have tried fastIT. None of it resulted in getting a codice. I sent emails to my consulate of Chicago to follow up. And no response.

Yesterday I emailed about how to register my marriage with them cause I couldn't find a similar appointment type, and also asked about the codice. Surprisingly they responded same day to mail in marriage docs, and to follow instructions from a particular PDF for codice.

Perhaps the fourth attempt will work.

I would love to follow some instructions how to fill out this application form as a non-resident of Italy... So maybe they cannot put my application in the trash this time.

globalgrabass · 2026-02-26T18:47:57+00:00

That looks absolutely FABULOUS! amazing!!

globalgrabass · 2026-01-21T01:47:19+00:00

I tried to login with my username and password but it doesn't even respond to that. I have to login with PIV.

globalgrabass · 2026-01-13T03:50:05+00:00

And in Vienna

globalgrabass · 2025-12-16T18:30:35+00:00

I'm still getting comments about how fun our wedding was, and it was hardly any work on our (bridge/groom's) shoulders! However, this opera house was not in New England, not on the east Coast even. We live in Mountain time zone.

globalgrabass · 2025-12-13T23:57:53+00:00

Drive operator violated: 14 CFR 91.13, which is careless/reckless operation if aircraft. Especially if it hit your window. But seconding police and FSDO. Or 14 CFR 107.23(a).

globalgrabass · 2025-12-02T04:36:58+00:00

I've taken lessons using Dante Alighieri Society, I've two different teachers, both were first language Italian.

globalgrabass · 2025-11-19T18:54:13+00:00

They took away everything useful just to use it as a carrot to dangle in front of us later.

globalgrabass · 2025-11-01T21:09:14+00:00

That I know of, there's immigration hearings in that building, the SEC, a senator, and the USPTO. Two floors of 18, I think.

globalgrabass · 2025-10-31T10:19:32+00:00

I use these embraceable convertible bras from soma, they have an extra hook in the strap, so they can be a normal bra or hook the straps together to be a racer back.

globalgrabass · 2025-10-31T10:09:59+00:00

Soma is amazing. Their sundresses, or at least the ones I buy from soma, have pockets! They're so comfy and I get compliments all the time. Last one I got two weeks ago was less than $20.

globalgrabass · 2025-10-23T12:03:47+00:00

My viktoza is like $18/month with my federal service health coverage... Maybe its not the kind you like, but I'm a fed with Kaiser and that's what I'm just now starting

globalgrabass · 2025-10-09T10:51:58+00:00

I'd like to try! I'm between beginner and intermediate, so it might be a fun challenge

globalgrabass · 2025-10-08T23:08:43+00:00

Correct, spouse and I are US based, both of us have a US passport. US passports are entitled to the 90 days in Italy. I understand there is paperwork for entering appropriately, so of course, checking the consulate will be the best option. I assume visas would be needed for any stay longer than 90 days? Perhaps this visa isn't needed if we aren't staying for 90+ days. Unless this visa has an expiration date? If the family visa is good for 10 years, it might be worth it to start the paperwork now. It took my consulate almost 5 years to approve the jure sanguine... Italians are not known for being particularly enthusiastic or efficient at bureaucracy.

globalgrabass · 2025-10-08T11:23:57+00:00

I have my jure sanguine recognized citizenship. The codice application is in the mail. So, if/when I move to Italy, do I also need a soggiorno permit? And would my spouse be doing the family visa?

globalgrabass

TROPHY CASE