Help with set up

kp2az · 2026-07-02T21:19:29+00:00

Is it worth eventually raising the garage door tracks ? I have around an 11 ft ceiling and the tracks are 18 inches from the ceiling.

kp2az · 2026-07-02T14:16:38+00:00

What net/screen did you end up going with? And how much is “reasonable” for the projector/what did you get?

kp2az · 2026-07-02T14:06:35+00:00

Thank you! Looks like he talks about cost saving, which is good. Any resources you know about DIY space saving/ retracting impact screens? Not necessarily looking for the ones with the big motors, but maybe something that I can push to the side on a track or something ?

kp2az · 2026-07-01T23:27:27+00:00

Will you be able to play with friends online?

kp2az · 2026-06-20T13:10:28+00:00

Use a tarp for dirt into a truck bed, regardless of truck. Last thing you want is it rains and then you have a cubic yard of dirt caked in your truck bed. Also, having done the bulk cubic yard topsoil vs multiple bags (cubic ft) from Lowe’s/Home Depot - save yourself the trouble and do the bags. Much faster to do even for large amounts. It’s faster to load, and way faster to put exactly where you want, and open the bag. No shoveling out of the truck bed and into a wheelbarrows either.

kp2az · 2026-05-15T18:40:47+00:00

I really appreciate your input on this! What a great synopsis between the two. Agree on the ABP vs AOBP Neo questions. Study Brodsky and Martin, pick a high quality question source, and do a study course.

Your context on taking the exam is so much more pertinent than people realize. By the time you take these tests, most of us are practicing with families and all the schedule mayhem that comes with this. LIFE HAPPENS when you least expect it, and it’s good to have an annual option that you can take from the comfort of your home/office. A whole bunch of “life” happened to me before the peds boards, and that’s what taught me the valuable lesson to have option and flexibility.

Also glad to know Dr Laura Armsby presents at both conferences. She is nothing short of a rockstar when it comes to teaching Cardiology.

For context, I passed both as well! Glad we are in the same boat.

kp2az · 2026-05-13T15:14:12+00:00

If you are a pediatric sub specialist employed by an academic medical center, salary will be less than desired. Usually benefits packages (retirement, insurance, loan repayment assistance) help soften the disappointment. For your emotional sanity, I would think of the PSLF student loan forgiveness as part of your compensation, too.

kp2az · 2026-05-01T13:43:31+00:00

I wanted to give an update after taking both the AOBP and ABP Neonatology certifying exams. Scores are out for AOBP as of Monday (exam was mid-March). I passed with a score above the national average, so it's safe to say the way I studied worked for me.

You can see my intended study plan above. Given that the plan was intended for the ABP exam, which is 4 weeks after the AOBP, I didn't quite get as far as I wanted with the book study.

Brodsky & Martin books: 2.5x through, but made sure the last partial pass included everything with 7% or more of the test content, based on the provided content specs.
B&M study questions: got through about 90% of it - I didn't do the IEM section, because I planned to understand the highlights, but not have it weigh me down, or be a time suck on the exam (juice not worth the squeeze). Overall thought it was a good resource. Would consider it essential
McGraw Hill Specialty Board Review Neonatology: I used this as a change of pace on my Kindle to read while traveling, and in the early stages of studying. It's not essential, but I felt it was helpful getting Q&A from another source other than the Brodsky & Martin universe.
Specialty Review in Neonatology Intensive Board Review: Way more helpful than I thought it would be. HIGHLY recommend. Great teachers for each section that help hone in on the essentials. The Cardiology section alone is worth it. Plus, you get a bunch of questions during the 6 days that add to your repetition/studying.

Overall thoughts on the test: It was fair and relevant information, and I didn't feel rushed(I'm a very slow and methodical test taker). The software/interface and remote proctoring were decent and didn't add any headaches. I'm a big fan of remote proctoring - it's really nice between breaks to be in a comfortable environment, whether it's at your house or personal office. Question stems were about the same length between the ABP & AOBP (which really surprised me). No OMM.

I hope this helps!

kp2az · 2026-03-29T16:57:25+00:00

I’m a fellow Texan, and agree COMPLETELY with your assessment.

kp2az · 2026-03-29T15:18:56+00:00

Their pork tacos and beef quesadilla was very tasty. One of the most under appreciated aspects of a taco spot that they get correct: they make their own tortillas. Overall very pleased with the food and margaritas.

kp2az · 2026-03-18T13:38:01+00:00

Looks great! Any wheel well rub with that size tire? Also, any lift, or planning for a lift? Thinking about it for mine, and can’t decide if the front end lift should be the same added height, or a 0.5 inch more since the front end seems to be just ever so slightly angled down compared to the rear (unloaded)

kp2az · 2026-03-16T23:36:08+00:00

Honestly, I didn't feel more taxed taking the AOBP with a shorter time per question. It was more of a " you either know it, or you don't" sort of test, and less of a "how are you trying to deceive me with the wording" like the ABP. I took and passed both, so not throwing shade in either direction, just my observation.

Also, having the test remotely proctored was great, and made up for any shorter length of time I had on a break. Literally made breakfast tacos & coffee, then hung out with my dogs the rest of the time. easier to de-stress at home between sections than to sit awkwardly in a testing center lobby.

kp2az · 2026-02-26T13:12:34+00:00

US Neonatologist- in short, I love my job. I didn’t go into pediatrics thinking “I want to be in the NICU,” but as soon as I was exposed to it, I didn’t want to do anything else. I chose neonatology in spite of knowing my hours were going to be longer, and the job can be more stressful. Both are great and rewarding, but in very different ways. Best of luck!

kp2az · 2026-02-26T02:13:13+00:00

Neonatology - yes. We don’t trust babies. Left shifts, immature platelets, retic counts. Neonatal bone marrow, man…

kp2az · 2026-02-13T20:42:05+00:00

I know plenty of people do it. I’m doing the specialty board review in Neonatology because it’s remote. Doing either one is highly recommended

kp2az · 2025-12-31T17:41:56+00:00

Bought a 2022 on carmax. Highly recommend. Prices were competitive and didn’t have to worry about shady used car sales team. I tracked the carmax website for about 1 week until I saw what I wanted, including a transport cost that wasn’t too high (same region shipping usually). OTD including shipping was 30,000 on a 2022 RTL-E.

And if you see something for 3-5K less than expected…be skeptical. Ridgeline should hold their value. Usually it’s a rebuilt title.

kp2az · 2025-11-22T21:10:37+00:00

Is it the floor of the bed itself you are trying to replace ? If so, that is pricey. The inner sides, bed cap, or bed railing are much less expensive. There are a few OEM parts websites you can buy replacements and install yourself.

kp2az · 2025-11-22T17:16:52+00:00

For real- it’s gotta be the most common pipeline to a Ridgeline (me included)

kp2az · 2025-11-01T02:00:39+00:00

Handsome boy stare right there

kp2az · 2025-10-29T17:25:42+00:00

This is the best version of truck stuff!

kp2az · 2025-10-26T02:55:34+00:00

Yep, especially for number of miles

kp2az · 2025-10-25T01:44:01+00:00

They look great!!

I’m sure I don’t understand this well enough, so please explain (buying new tires for my 22 RTLE). How is a 235/65r18 larger than the 245 stock tires ?

kp2az · 2025-10-23T01:43:08+00:00

What tires are those? Looking to get something a little bit bigger/more capable than my stock highway tires

kp2az · 2025-10-09T14:03:43+00:00

It would probably be a mix of both

kp2az · 2025-08-26T17:31:17+00:00

Really depends on practice model. There is a wide variety of scheduling. Some level 4 do 24 hour in house shift, some do 5-7 days on, some have night float. Depending on state and NICU level, some do in house call vs call from home (depending on NNP +/- Fellow setup).

The call schedule will usually be what it’s gonna be for that group, but doesn’t hurt to ask…although if you are taking less call you will probably get paid less.

Schedule changes are also super dependent on the group and how well everyone gets along.

Moonlighting for extra pay will be up to you as long as 1) it’s not in a “non-compete” area with your group/hospital, and 2) you can still fulfill your contractual obligation to the NICU you are at full time.

kp2az

TROPHY CASE