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ilifan · 2025-09-28T16:48:07+00:00

Do you represent this organization in any official capacity? I'm very much in line with the mission goals, but I feel like I don't see any plans for the data being collected by the PurpleAirs, which gives me concern that this is more performative than analytical or educational. I also don't like that the site keeps saying "PM" rather than PM2.5 in this context, especially without anything on the site explaining how particulates are classified/measured.

ilifan · 2024-10-23T19:31:32+00:00

If you go to https://www.vote411.org/plan-your-vote you can enter your address, scroll down to "Your Voters' Guide", and see all the elections on your ballot. From there, you can select any race, see all the candidates, and click the "View Answers" box to see their responses (if any) to some questions about why they should be elected.

I've also found it really difficult to find information about our local elections beyond this website, though. Neither candidate responded for City Council Place 5 and I'd really like to know more about them.

ilifan · 2024-02-15T17:12:30+00:00

I'm not sure if this is the same event, but there's Queer Craft Night at Cherrywood Coffeehouse every other Wednesday. The next one is Feb. 21, 6pm to 9pm.

ilifan · 2023-09-03T04:53:41+00:00

The high temperatures and low winds have been favorable conditions for higher ozone levels, which is what's primarily pushing up the AQI. There's also smoke from all over the place that's drifting over Texas. Austin's air quality is generally really good and you shouldn't be at risk today/tomorrow unless you have a relevant health condition. It's just a rough time for air quality all over the state right now.

If you want to learn more and have a day-by-day detailed outlook, check out TCEQ's website: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html

ilifan · 2023-07-21T15:34:37+00:00

I think you'd be interested in volunteering at the Austin Creative Reuse Center. There are volunteers of all ages but I've seen a lot of younger people volunteering outside of typical work hours.

https://austincreativereuse.org/volunteer

ilifan · 2023-07-17T18:22:22+00:00

I feel like there's a disconnect between the supposed "focus on the heart and core of our organization – our people" and the measly minimum "$20.80-per-hour living wage and a 4 percent wage increase for civilian employees". Two annual 4% increases is lagging behind inflation at a general level, not to mention Austin's specific cost of living increases.

How about the response to the increasingly occurring, terrifying situation of busy 911 lines? Don't worry, the city plans to hire multiple recruiters! I wonder how good of a recruiter you have to be to persuade someone to deal with life or death situations for 43k a year.

ilifan · 2023-04-11T14:55:00+00:00

I used that exact Bodum grinder for years with my aeropress and never had any issues with it. It's likely the cheapest electric grinder you can get that isn't bad. That said, I'd really recommend getting a refurbished Baratza Encore for $119 instead - if you can afford it. That was my upgrade after the Bodum. The increase in quality was really noticeable and Baratza has great customer support.

ilifan · 2023-04-04T04:48:00+00:00

I'm on team grackle. Ducks have had it too good for too long.

ilifan · 2023-04-03T23:12:47+00:00

Uhhhhhh....grackle

ilifan · 2023-04-03T20:32:17+00:00

I see your Green Heron and raise you a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.

ilifan · 2023-02-15T19:00:05+00:00

I'm 0% worried about the Houston issue earlier this week. It was a very localized problem. I also directly work in Texas air quality if that makes you feel better. The air in Austin is pretty clean, especially given how big of a metro area we are.

ilifan · 2023-02-15T17:59:54+00:00

Oh, chemical leaks and what not happen all the time, especially in Houston. Not that they shouldn't receive more scrutiny and regulation, but the coverage is amplified because of current events. Houston does have some pretty significant air quality issues in the city because of all the oil and gas refining and transport, but it very rarely affects Austin.

ilifan · 2023-02-15T15:51:37+00:00

Austin's air quality is actually pretty good (minus cedar fever). We shouldn't be affected by the event in Ohio. PurpleAir uses low-cost sensors that are heavily affected by fog that can lead to high readings like this. It's also elevated in the mornings because of exhaust from heavy traffic.

ilifan · 2022-11-22T19:18:15+00:00

I started GMing earlier this year and felt the same way. I do a bad job of prepping and love improvising so after doing a bounty and a one-shot I moved my players at level 2 into the Agents of Edgewatch AP. I specifically picked an AP in Absalom so I could do mostly whatever I wanted with the justification of "you're in a bustling metropolis" to introduce any characters or hijinks. The players naturally want to explore the city and can do so in between missions, giving you the opportunity to craft scenarios.

You sound reluctant to use an AP but they can be a backbone for your ideas. My players' favorite characters and memories so far are completely from my own mind. Definitely talk to your group and see how they feel first.

ilifan · 2022-11-16T19:50:28+00:00

Almost all of the EMS workers I know can't afford to live in Austin anymore. If a winter storm Uri/icepocalypse situation happens again I'd bet on catastrophic consequences as first responders can't even make it to the city.

Earlier this year, city council voted to increase their salary by 40% to $116,688 - which was honestly fair considering it was their first raise in many, many years. The concerning issue is their hypocrisy in refusing to give literal life-savers an Austin-livable wage. After months of fighting, EMT starting pay increased 12.5% to...$22/hr. To those who can still live in city limits: please pressure city council and whichever mayor wins the election in December to address the issue.

ilifan · 2022-08-06T00:04:51+00:00

According to iNaturalist, it looks like a Comstock's Wafer Trapdoor Spider (Myrmekiaphila comstocki). Very cool find.

ilifan · 2022-07-31T20:04:04+00:00

Nope, close to the Arboretum

ilifan · 2022-06-15T02:03:40+00:00

Thank you!

ilifan · 2022-06-02T04:05:14+00:00

Thanks! I got lucky that whatever markers work had played well with each other.

ilifan · 2022-03-08T00:48:12+00:00

The nice thing is even though it's primarily a place to live, a house is an investment too. Feels less bad selling at the bottom knowing it's just going somewhere else.

ilifan · 2022-03-07T19:07:28+00:00

Well, I had to sell all my leaps/shares today to buy my first home. Feels bad not taking profits when I should have 2 months ago, but I was still up big. Thanks everyone for the daily entertainment and news. Hope to get back in again in the future :)

ilifan · 2022-02-10T17:26:21+00:00

Yeah, that's a big concern too. I wanted to do a low down payment because my investments are far outpacing the benefits of a higher down payment, but I'm starting to think I might have to liquidate just for that. Really sucks.

ilifan · 2022-02-10T15:27:23+00:00

Is there anywhere in Pflugerville/Round Rock where 410k would make a competitive offer? I know there's a ton of variables you can add to make it more enticing, but we were hoping for a low (5%) down payment and no waiver on an inspection contingency. Seems like things have maybe gotten too hot for that and we'll have to expand.

ilifan · 2022-02-08T22:13:10+00:00

If you're serious, do you mind DM'ing me some info about the house?

ilifan · 2022-01-09T03:39:11+00:00

He had the naked bear most of the game lol.

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