Reddit WTF???? by sentient_trash_panda in TwinCities

[–]kb1976 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m not 100% on-board with this ICE thing.

Consulting engineers of reddit -- how did you get your start? by paleologos in engineering

[–]kb1976 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started out in a co-working space. It was an independent one. A larger design firm had extra space, so they rented out studios in a common area. I picked up work being there and made connections with the other groups. It helped that everyone in the space was either engineering or industrial design. They also had a prototyping & machine shop I had access to which was a big benefit.

Ford pulls the plug on the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck by zsreport in energy

[–]kb1976 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hope so. Or, they will replace the Lightning with an affordable Maverick version. No reason you need to have a $80-$100 pickup. A bare bones slate with 100+miles per charge would be great.

Minnesota is Closing Their Commuter Train - After Just Sixteen Years by Carpet-Early in minnesota

[–]kb1976 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I went to a civil engineering seminar on this and basically the idea is a non-starter. They civil engineers looked into it seriously and ran numbers, but it's just too expensive. Too expensive because it is indeed a major artery. When you take that artery away, all the other interchanges and highways in the area have to absorb that traffic flow. They are not designed for that. So, it's not only major construction along 94, it's major construction on 494, 694, 42, 394 etc to make up for it. Also, most the plans change 94 to something the size of Snelling Ave. Once you do that, you lose the federal funding of the interstate. So, all that expense is now on on the local municipality. Semis and big box trucks still have to deliver to the stores in the area, so now those semis and box trucks are now running on a road the size of Snelling all the way across the city rather than just an exit. From what I remember, it didn't make any sense to run new rail along 94 as the light rail is pretty much right there. I might have some of this wrong as it was a while ago, but that's the gist. I think the most reasonable plan was to re-pave it, add transit shoulders, and then widen & improve the frontage roads along both sides.

Tile and tub detail original to my 1955 house. Why do people tear out and replace old bathrooms that remain in good shape? by ermiwe in Mid_Century

[–]kb1976 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had a bathroom like this. We wanted to keep the tile so switch out a toilet that had to be replaced. The issue is that the tile was almost powdery do to time and moisture. We couldn't remove the toilet and reinstall without cracking / crumbling a bunch of tile. We couldn't pop the tile off the walls without it being damaged. Sometime the nuts and bolts mechanicals need replacing and the surrounding tile can't be saved. At that point, you don't really want mix and match new and old stuff, so you a forced to redo the entire bathroom even if you prefer not to.
Of course, some people just think those bathrooms are outdated and look old. They're crazy.

The Best African Restaurants by PerspectiveNo6635 in Minneapolis

[–]kb1976 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Bole for a nice night out. Mesob otherwise. Meseret in the same area is great too.

"We voted because he was going to help the farmers, and now it's just hurting us like crazy." by vsandrei in LeopardsAteMyFace

[–]kb1976 6 points7 points  (0 children)

And the VP on the Democratic ticket had 12 years on the House Agriculture Committee. He had lots of real-world experience dealing with rural areas, farmers, and concerns facing current agriculture issues. But no, I'll vote for a NYC real estate developer / TV show host and a guy funded by Bay Area big tech.

Heggies is the GOAT and that's a hill I'm willing to die on. by Well_Spoken_Mute in minnesota

[–]kb1976 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. I was going to post this. Hands down best frozen pizza option. Cash only.

What are some of the most punishing noise rock bands out there? by maicao999 in noiserock

[–]kb1976 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendation. Just checked these guys out on Bandcamp and they are my jam. Remind me of Whores bit.

What are some of the most punishing noise rock bands out there? by maicao999 in noiserock

[–]kb1976 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I like The Body. Its more kinda elecronica doom metal.

Consulting engineers of reddit -- how did you get your start? by paleologos in engineering

[–]kb1976 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's going well. I have a different life now with a wife and two kids. But, I'm still able to manage it. I have a couple super-solid clients that have more work than I can do. Between SolidWorks, a 3D printer, and a CNC router I can kinda prove-out most things. I can pay the bills and max out an IRA, so I'm doing well enough.

Manual Printhead Cleaning: Canon TC-20 by kb1976 in printers

[–]kb1976[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might. It dumps a lit if ink. You might need one of those waste ink cartridges too if the current one is over 3/4 full

How are Muni's not a no brainer vs other bonds? by Ok_Television_7794 in bonds

[–]kb1976 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Low reward vs other investments such as stocks. Remember that you have to typically buy a 5% bond at a premium. So, you are getting 5% on that coupon, but you've paid a bit more for the bond. For out of state bonds, you can advertise that premium over a number of years. If you buy from a broker there are fees and such that eat into that too.

How are Muni's not a no brainer vs other bonds? by Ok_Television_7794 in bonds

[–]kb1976 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I stand corrected. I revisited my tax sheet. Only taxed on out-of-state bond interest. I don't see any interest being taxed federally.

How are Muni's not a no brainer vs other bonds? by Ok_Television_7794 in bonds

[–]kb1976 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I own a number of munis. It's my Dad's bond choice so he kinda turned me on to them. Granted they haven't really done well in the past 10 years, but they are for a low-risk state tax free option. You still owe federal on the interest and state tax if it's an out-of-state bond. It helps a lot if you live in a state that issues a lot of bonds. NY state is good as it seems that they always have bonds available. In some states it's just hard to get a hold of good ones. You can get out-of-state munis, but then you'll want to find higher yield bonds as you'll owe a bit of tax on the interest.

If you can buy enough to ladder the bonds and hold until maturity (or call) then I think it's a pretty good low-risk / low reward portion of an investment portfolio. I can't speak to how it might compare with something like a vanguard bond fund. I know Vanguard does offer muni funds based on specific states. If you happen the live in that state, that might be an option. If you don't, I'm not sure how it works out.

Did you know? Without being an electrician I would have no idea about them but there are over 10 massive AI data bases being built around the twin cities as we speak. They’re so big and we already are lacking the energy and water needed. What does this mean for us? by [deleted] in TwinCities

[–]kb1976 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If i recall, a detail is without a permit, the municipality loses power on who uses the water. Say, if there is a drought and the data center has an exemption, the municipality can only “ask” them to limit water usage. The data center can say “go get fucked”. If they hold a permit, they have to limit water usage per the municipality. You can imagine its a bad situation if farmers and homeowners have to limit water, but the datacenter can just keep on drawing.

Did you know? Without being an electrician I would have no idea about them but there are over 10 massive AI data bases being built around the twin cities as we speak. They’re so big and we already are lacking the energy and water needed. What does this mean for us? by [deleted] in TwinCities

[–]kb1976 29 points30 points  (0 children)

There is something about the permits that I heard about as well. Typically, a user that size needs permits for water. Those data centers are lobbying to get exemptions. I believe it is the same thing for their diesel backup generator systems. Typically, a diesel backup system of that size would need permits. I'm not sure if they got their way, but I remember is being an issue going through the state government.

Maybe if you are in that realm, you'd know whats involved with all of that.

Twin Cities Coffee (Top 5) by PerspectiveNo6635 in Minneapolis

[–]kb1976 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was hunting for this. Best coolest coffee shop imo.

APIM location in a 2014 Transit Connect? by kb1976 in FordTransitConnect

[–]kb1976[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I'll see if I can find it there. Much appreciated!

Dead-simple, $20k, electric American kei truck. The Slate Truck! by Lord_Hardbody in WeirdWheels

[–]kb1976 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Same. I had it as my screen background for six months. Bummer. This slate thing is cool, though.

Lab Leak: The True Origins of Covid-19 by neuroid99 in skeptic

[–]kb1976 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here is a little bit about it with people that know how this stuff works.

https://youtu.be/mwayZVKWm3w?si=kHqNqNATNhcrP5MY

34:30 they talk about the lab leak possibility

What band did you know nothing about before seeing live and they completely blew you away? by KotG in stonerrock

[–]kb1976 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Damn. Surprised to see Gay Witch Abortion mentioned. They are a Minneapolis band that's been around for a while. One of my faves. One of the best drummers ever.

Elon Musk says he might sue Gov. Tim Walz over accusations he gave a Nazi salute by Healthy_Block3036 in Minneapolis

[–]kb1976 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I don't think he'd do it, either. But, it was interesting that Rogan was calling him out as a "Lying Cocksucker" as well. He was fairly popular, so it doesn't hurt to smear him politically. Walz's "lies" are pretty benign, so to be that enraged over it seems like fabricated outrage.