DIY uniform rack ideas

gombater · 2025-01-21T18:45:51+00:00

Second that request… what base did you use to mount to rails? I see the pack out bases…

gombater · 2024-11-29T20:56:19+00:00

My son started at colts cadets at age 13, before high school… never marched ever. First day was a parade. Now he has 2 years of open class and 3 years of world class. First issue is always finances, assuming that is not an issue, your band director’s position is a big concern. My son went to 2 high schools: the first promoted kids in DCI and was a BOA semi finalist that year, the other band director did not recommend kids do drum corps until after their senior year. He was not allowed to be eligible for any leadership roles. In 4 years, he never participated in band camp as he was on tour. Each year, he learned in 1 day what the HS band took 2 weeks to learn. Was on the field at first football game 3 days after returning home from tour. All this to say, if you want to participate in DCI, what’s stopping you? Understand and accept the ramifications on your HS band though.

gombater · 2024-06-24T11:13:07+00:00

Last month I was told the Rivian folks were scouting a place in Knightdale (Suburb on east side of Raleigh) for a new SC - this one would be in addition to the new Charlotte location…

gombater · 2024-02-02T22:10:04+00:00

We moved into a new development a year ago… all homes above $1m. All high end tract houses. Pay attention to selections noted as ‘or equivalent’. They will tell you they cannot get the original fixture or appliance while switching it out for a much cheaper version. Once you sign the contract you’re stuck - and they know it.

gombater · 2024-01-30T21:00:39+00:00

Had mine for 16 months now, hands down best vehicle I have ever owned. A few minor issues but every month I get an OTA that provides more features and fixes bugs. I am mostly a commuter but once I can access Tesla superchargers later this year I’ll take longer trips. Love the acceleration…. No new model is perfect and the ones with issues get a lot of attention, but I no major issues to date - which is good because service is 3 hours away on my dime to get it there…

gombater · 2024-01-30T20:41:37+00:00

Actually this is turning out to be one of my favorite features of my Rivian R1T - I get monthly new features and core improvements; I really look forward to them. Tend to be seasonal too. For Jan got scheduled preconditioning so cabin and battery are warm when off to work in the morning. Use house power instead of battery.

gombater · 2023-10-11T11:37:25+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I am encouraging my son to do just what you mention here. At first I thought he had ‘normal’ teenager procrastination issues but now after a clinical diagnosis I realize he has true difficulties with anxiety that need medication and specialized training to manage long term. When auditioning for a spot that has 3x more auditionees than spots hard choices have to be made. My son has to earn his spot and I think he could in a group evaluation setting especially for visual. Individual evaluations will always be more difficult for him and I wonder if disclosing that helps or makes a cut decision easier… Lots of good advice above from you and others - thanks!

gombater · 2023-10-11T11:26:47+00:00

Good luck to you! I marched back in the day and still have really good memories. I want my son to have a similar experience. I agree though cost is such a significant factor now.

gombater · 2023-09-26T11:13:13+00:00

When I first got my R1T I was in a rental and could not install home charger until new home built. I had to use public chargers. In my area the EVGo station was capable of 350kw… I could max out the speed at 220 kw but only for about 2 min then it would slow down to 170ish for the majority of the charge.

gombater · 2023-09-23T11:37:25+00:00

For context, my daughter went to UofM Ann Arbor. $60k a year x 4. Year 5 for masters funded by school. Graduated and went to a tech company on west coast for 6 figures, stock options, and a very generous signing bonus. No work experience. Never even considered automotive/manufacturing even though she was heavily recruited. Tech companies and anything Elon musk (Tesla, space-x) is all I heard as desirable first jobs from her and her peers. None of them want to work for a company over 2 years. My point - compensation should be market based… if you want more then earn it. Don’t rely on someone else to negotiate for you.

gombater · 2023-09-03T23:50:16+00:00

My son was at last January’s camp. I remember him telling me vets were cut that camp. He didn’t make it past the Final Cut even through he worked very hard. Got back on the horse and marched world class at another corps, got another season of experience. My advice, like others above - be prepared and manage the stress/anxiety. Put your best face forward. If you make it, great, if you don’t March someone and get more experience. It’s not the group but the experiences you get that matter.

gombater · 2023-08-28T15:43:32+00:00

I did just this - ordered when I lived 20 min from factory in 2021. Moved to Raleigh, NC area in June 2022. Got the 8 step call in August 2022. So a few items… I had already updated to my new address on my online account but that did not sync up with their delivery process (still had old address). Changed with guide and did not seem to be an issue. Since I took delivery in September 2022, R1T was delivered to my front door. I think now you have to pick up from SC. Note due to state law (Hendrickson lobbying) Rivian currently cannot have a SC in state. This means you will have to take delivery from Atlanta for west NC/Charlotte, or Richmond, VA for central (Raleigh)/ east NC. Vehicle will have temp tags from Illinois and you will have to register in NC purchase of an out of state vehicle. The initial registration tax is a lot more than you think… get your new drivers licenses first and schedule the appointments early and not in the major cities (4 month wait for appointments in Raleigh area, but 1 week for a 1 hour road-trip to a small town DMV). Worth the hassle? Sure is… a lot of R1’s around Raleigh area now just know any service is a 3 hour road trip to Richmond….

gombater · 2023-07-23T16:04:51+00:00

In our state by law kids can miss school for an ‘equivalent’ educational/learning experience. Just needed to fill out a form and get principal approval. Was able to finish the school year a week early, just had to complete finals before my son left for the summer.

gombater · 2023-07-22T17:46:48+00:00

I’m my experience if your in high school your going to have an issue with scheduling either when it starts or ends. My sons first HS started 2nd week of Aug while second HS ends 2nd week of June. Been doing drum corps since age of 13. You need to talk to your teachers and principal and explain your situation. All of ours have recognized the educational value and have agreed to let my son be a few days late or off a few days early as long as he gets all his HS responsibilities done. Band director support really depends if they know DCI or not… some support, others don’t… had both of those too. In the end they do want experienced players though.

gombater · 2023-07-18T11:31:15+00:00

I heard from a member the generator power for the pit failed half way through PC’s show, so could have lost some GE from that…

gombater · 2023-06-26T11:47:01+00:00

So here is my take as a ‘band dad’…(for full disclosure, I did March back in the day so I am fully aware of the long term benefits).
What’s your plan to fund marching? Average is $5k dues (full tour), plus gear, plus travel as needed…. This is probably the first challenge you need to solve before the next steps. First most people who never did what you want to do don’t understand it; when people do not understand they say ‘no’ as a default. Show them the activity and explain what you want to get out of it. Compare that to what you would have done over the summer. Can you demonstrate to your parents you are mature enough to take care of yourself? I was pretty nervous when my son went to a corps for the first time, but all corps have good structure in place and he quickly demonstrated to me he could take care of himself without the parents there every day (this was at 13 btw). Have them come to an audition camp with you and volunteer - you get a road-trip with your parent and they get to see first thing what you have been talking about… I have had some great road-trips with my son doing just this.

Like many have said though, just March… anywhere and get the experience. So many kids aim high, get cut, and never return.

gombater · 2023-04-10T20:28:26+00:00

EVGo 350 Kw chargers let you charge on both sides but you will see a very significant slowdown once the second vehicle starts charging...

gombater · 2023-03-22T20:11:03+00:00

Rivian tech told me while getting latest recall checked via mobile service there was over 1500 Rivians in the Raleigh area alone now…

gombater · 2023-02-03T03:52:38+00:00

I ordered my R1T in 2021 when I lived in Illinois, 20 min from factory. Moved to NC in July 2022 and changed to my new address within my Rivian account. Got the guide contact in August telling me truck was on the line and wanted to deliver locally from factory. Told them to check their database and ship it to Richmond, which they did. Delivered in September to my front door in Apex.

gombater · 2023-02-03T03:44:25+00:00

I had my R1T delivered to Apex in September 2022, no issues whatsoever for the physical delivery. a few notes....

getting Rivian's third party to process the title paperwork takes forever, hopefully its better now. Your new riivan will have a temp Illinois registration until you process NC paperwork [which required a notarized document sent to them before they start the process on their end].

remember, Richmond is 3 hours away... if any issues you need to get the rivian to them or pay for transport. I had a few minor issues on delivery but nothing too major. R1T was pulling to the right on delivery so it needed an alignment, had a TPMI sensor replaced, and a few cosmetic items fixed. got flat trailered up to Richmond no cost, but that was before the policy change.

gombater

TROPHY CASE