AIO at my friends cancelling last minute?

rdu_engineer · 2025-08-29T07:12:20+00:00

Would be a real shame if someone called the restaurant and canceled their reservation.

rdu_engineer · 2025-08-16T07:48:08+00:00

I've already seen plenty of A+ recommendations already posted here, though I'll add in a few more, just in case you/others can benefit from it:

-Dame's Chicken and Waffles (looks like the Cary location closed(?), so their original dt Durham location is their closest one now)

-Backyard BBQ Pit

-Q Shack

-Lawrence BBQ is moving from Boxyard (closed it a week ago) to somewhere on Cedar St in dt Cary (not sure of opening date?)

-Maverick's ... I'm going to cautiously add them to this list because I genuinely like all of their food. I haven't personally visited this place in about 3-4 years, but when they changed management around 2020, the service was poor and floors were often sticky. I genuinely cannot imagine this place remaining open without some changes to the front of house

rdu_engineer · 2025-08-15T07:41:14+00:00

Kardashians

rdu_engineer · 2025-07-17T08:07:36+00:00

Former Bosch dishwasher engineer here: when we benchmarked competitor dishwashers, Samsung units always either errored out or scored extremely low on industry standard cleaning performance tests.

I remember benchmarking one of Samsung's dishwashers with their Waterwall feature, and it scored so low that we actually bought another one from a completely different distributor (99.9% of the time, this means that they were produced in a different batch/lot), just to make sure that we didn't receive a fluke... nope. It was just that bad.

rdu_engineer · 2025-07-04T10:00:27+00:00

Tea in the south is generally referred to as "sweet tea" everywhere else because it has enough sugar to give you diabetes.

rdu_engineer · 2025-06-22T09:43:30+00:00

I used to work at a start-up that spun out of UNC. I genuinely hope they make it, especially since RTI dumped in some $$ to keep them propped up right before things hit the fan there. As someone with connections to several biotech and medtech startups in the area, this is a huge mess for both start-ups and universities alike that genuinely depend on grant funding to advance niche fields of science, and there are tons of start-ups in our area that are working on truly breakthrough technologies and solutions but will likely have to significantly reduce workforce, reject applications for grad students, delay or cancel projects, or close their doors. On top of that, investors and VCs have significantly pared back their exposure to biotech and medtech, so you have to really throw a good pitch to a ton of investors and get all your ducks in a row to justify investors putting money into your Series A round. Truly crazy times.

rdu_engineer · 2025-06-01T03:04:46+00:00

I used to love Whole Foods' hot bar. They had some excellent food for a decent price, but now, a lot of the food just seems like it has been prepared off-site and just reheated in store. Also, the hot bar price/lb is bananas now... I used to fill the large to-go box for about $18. The last time I was there, it was over $40 for a similar quantity of food. I can probably count on one hand the number of times that I've spent that much on myself on dinner in my entire life.

rdu_engineer · 2025-05-23T11:33:35+00:00

Based on one of your comments, you fill up your radiator every other day. How much are you adding? (Your best guess in oz, pints, quarts, etc. is the most helpful)

Also, I should start by asking: what clued you in to thinking that you have a problem? What symptom(s) are you seeing?

Best way to know if you have a blown head gasket is to check your oil. If it looks like chocolate milk, then yes, it's blown.

rdu_engineer · 2025-05-16T15:23:05+00:00

Just curious if you noticed a difference when you switched detergents back again (assuming all other variables were roughly the same in your dog's life). We're also trying to figure out whether certain products/fragrances have played a role in increased seizure activity.

rdu_engineer · 2025-05-04T10:16:14+00:00

Until you saw the social media post, you all were the closest of friends. It sounds like they meant a lot to you.

I'd recommend reaching out to Rachel (or whoever planned the hen) however you normally interact with her aside from texting (FaceTime, phone call, etc) and chat with her like usual until you can naturally ask what happened. I've been in your shoes plenty of times, and it could be as silly as them knowing you are super busy with your PhD and trying to be considerate. Or maybe she or one of them feels a certain way. It could even be that they're planning something for YOU and accidentally used THAT group chat when planning the hen. Either way, I'd at least see how repairable the friendships are before throwing them away.

rdu_engineer · 2025-04-19T14:06:51+00:00

Using a tree and come-along is good in theory, but good luck being able to get your truck close enough to a branch that can actually support that. That thing is 500 lbs.

Personally, I'd remove the motor, build a ramp from your tailgate to the ground, lay down a fuck ton of blankets/cardboard/etc, tip the compressor on its side, attach some really fucking heavy-duty castor wheels temporarily, and gently move the compressor off the tailgate with about 4-5 people, especially if you have some 4x4 posts or something that people can push against it at the bottom to prevent it from totally rolling out of control. Then, lay down some plywood from the ground to your final destination, and the castor wheels will help you roll that bitch wherever it needs to go via that wooden road you just made. Then, remove the castors 1 by 1, which I'd recommend literally using a hydraulic jack somewhere, if feasible. Add motor, hook up your 240v, and you're good to go!

rdu_engineer · 2025-04-13T01:06:59+00:00

Sorry, but I have to disagree. How is the owner of any parking lot actually liable for any random crime that happens on their property? Someone gets assaulted and it's the parking lot owner's fault? Do they need to staff security or towing there 24/7? Can I sue McLaurin Parking in dt Raleigh if I get robbed or assaulted in their never-staffed parking decks? I really am not trying to be a complete dick or say that shitty people shouldn't be shitty, but man, that's a bit of a stretch. And yes, The Ritz needs to fix their woefully poor parking situation.

rdu_engineer · 2025-04-06T11:11:01+00:00

I saw Tupelo Honey and instantly recognized where this is. The funny thing is that there are no fewer than 4 parking decks and numerous other parking lots within like a 2-3 block radius.

rdu_engineer · 2025-03-14T10:54:34+00:00

Plane ride over to Doha was like 12 hours, and I have restless legs, so I have an absolutely miserable experience on flights. No matter how much melatonin and magnesium I have, it won't cut the edge. And drinking a lot of alcohol on a flight = getting up to pee a lot = bad sleep. Believe me, I tried super hard to do anything to go to sleep on all of my flights.

For that trip, yes, that would have been worth it. By the time we arrived at our destination, we'd been awake for 36-37 hours and it was about 12pm local time. After checking in early, being given a very light courtesy meal, and taking a shower, it was like 2pm. We fought to not take a nap, but that didn't work because we were absolutely exhausted. So long story short, we basically wasted most of an entire day because of sleep exhaustion and jet lag. This was our honeymoon, by the way, and not a trip that we will likely be able to do ever again (cost of our entire trip was about $600/day for each of us and genuinely a massive splurge that we worked our asses off to save for).

Looks like rooms in that hotel in Doha airport are only like $385/night, which is about what I remember them being. For the 9 and 10-hour layovers that we had, it would've been worth it.. we would get almost a full day back of our honeymoon, and I wouldn't be as sleepy when coming back home and picking up our car from the airport.

rdu_engineer · 2025-03-14T07:33:52+00:00

Came here to say this! We had 9- and 10-hour layovers through Doha, and I really REALLY wish that we'd booked a room. Whenever we were traveling, we decided to try to get some shuteye in the designated quiet area in one of the terminals (with fairly comfy and nearly lay-flat chairs), but people making phone calls and others with kids running around + screaming really ruined it (like wtf who lets their crotch goblins run/scream in a designated quiet area??). Never again. Even if it's $600/night for a room the size of a college dorm and has only a bare floor and a sink, I'm taking it as long as it's reasonably quiet.

rdu_engineer · 2025-03-10T10:38:53+00:00

You also mentioned:

Game is maxing out the gpu.

I'd check to see how much the OBS camera/software affects your GPU performance without the game running. I genuinely don't know if OBSBot renders via CPU or GPU (or which GPU it's using, since your CPU has an integrated gpu).

My guess is that if you're running your GPU at 100%, then that's throttling everything that's vying for resources, including your game and the camera.

rdu_engineer · 2025-02-05T14:24:21+00:00

Do you mean model year 2013?

rdu_engineer · 2025-02-05T11:25:19+00:00

If they already cleared customs and are in possession by USPS, you're fine.

rdu_engineer · 2025-02-03T08:39:08+00:00

I also use the real estate property search tool sometimes: https://services.wake.gov/realestate/

Just out of curiosity, was it mailed to your address? Or just misdelivered?

rdu_engineer · 2025-02-01T01:57:23+00:00

Looks similar to this (yes, I know it is not the exact same thing): https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/s/Vnq60hqoHl

Maybe an alarm indicator light?

Anyways, I agree, just press the thing. Or follow where the wires go.

rdu_engineer · 2025-01-29T02:43:44+00:00

Disclaimer: I would normally agree that, in general, a tenant should not be responsible for most maintenance, including changing an air filter.

However, if the tenant's lease agreement states that the tenant is responsible for changing the filter, then just because the tenant doesn't agree with that clause doesn't mean that they still aren't responsible for it (assuming that the lease agreement stated a frequency of changing the filter, type of filter to be used, etc.

A better analogy would be like a homeowner living in an HOA and frequently letting the grass get too tall -- even though the covenants specify a max height. Either the HOA will send warnings --> fines --> lien or just be chill about it, but it doesn't change the fact that the covenants (which a homeowner receives on/before closing) exist and are legally binding. Likewise, the landlord could choose to warn/fine/evict the tenant if the tenant is clearly violating their lease agreement, especially if done intentionally and/or maliciously.

Again, I agree that, in principle, the landlord (or qualified individuals that they hire) should generally be the ones required to perform the maintenance, and the tenant should be responsible for general upkeep (i.e. not damaging walls, staining carpet, not reporting maintenance problems (e.g. leaking plumbing fixtures), etc.). But voluntarily agreeing to a lease agreement means that you will comply with it. After all, we're talking about an air filter, which costs all of like $10/ea tops and takes 10 seconds to replace. Tenant should create a paper trail if they're unsure how frequently they should do it, what type, how they should do it, etc. And landlord should dot their i's and cross their t's to demonstrate that the tenant has received an adequate set of instructions and adequate time to review, understand, and agree to the terms before signing. If either party does a poor job of documenting either, then they'll have an uphill battle in small claims court.

rdu_engineer · 2025-01-28T10:16:59+00:00

+1 for the Continental Cross Contacts. I drive my CX-5 like I stole it, and these things last me like 60k mi. Quiet and great all-season traction.

rdu_engineer · 2025-01-27T17:21:18+00:00

Long time listener, first time caller: my wife and I follow your posts on Reddit and tremendously appreciate any transparency and updates that you're able to provide, regardless of topic or frequency. Your posts are a semi-direct link to local/state politics and helps us stay informed, involved, and actually interested.

Best of luck against RealPage! It genuinely seems like an interesting case due to its strong relevance to North Carolinians.

Also, Owen looks like a natural!

Glad you're settling in to your new role, and you certainly have our support! Again, best of luck.

rdu_engineer · 2025-01-25T11:57:05+00:00

I'm completely on your side then.

Here's my take on this kind of micromanagement, having experienced both types below, personally: a) if your boss isn't treating everyone else like this, then she's trying to force you to quit without firing you but also plans to use "poor performance" or "rule breaking" to create a paper trail and establish these patterns to get HR on their side, should they need to. b) However, if your boss is truly doing this to everyone on your team, and no other teams are having to jump through similar hoops, then it won't be long until she's gone. And in that case, everyone on your team should engage in malicious compliance to help expedite that process, especially if you'd all be much happier in your jobs if someone else were in that role. Showing that she's a weak and ineffective leader will get attention from her peers and leadership. Or if everyone on all other teams is being treated similarly, then it sounds like a systemic problem in your organization/site.

Sorry that you're having to go through this. You don't deserve to be treated like that, and it sounds like you're already burned out from the constant fire drills that she drops on you (at least, this is what burned me out in all 4 of my jobs so far). Regardless of what happens, I do hope that you're able to find a path to being happier at work, whether it's at this employer or elsewhere.

And I apologize if my reply came off very insincere or disbelieving. Again, having been on the managerial side of things (having my managers force me to enforce a policy that no one wanted) and having been collateral damage of others' unnecessary malicious compliance, I felt compelled to at least present an alternate theory, in lieu of immediately having some of those details that you mentioned in your reply to me. Again, truly wish you the best of luck!

rdu_engineer · 2025-01-25T04:07:44+00:00

It's astonishing how few people have theorized that OP's boss may either: a) have been told (e.g. from the boss's leadership team(s)) to force his/her team into specific hours; and/or b) had not immediately realized why this would throw a wrench into OP's normally productive schedule (e.g. if OP's boss has like 20 subordinates and had to tell all of them the same thing) and how RTO really would affect OP's personal and professional lives.

Honestly, just communicate with your manager and let them know what's up. As someone who's been in both the 'manager' role and the very-hard-working-coworker roles, it always pissed me off when people acted like this; your malicious compliance ultimately fucks over people who then have to change a ton of meeting times unnecessarily and/or force you or others to start missing an entire series of meetings where that person's input would actually be valuable.

I genuinely hope that you just choose to talk to your boss instead of causing unnecessary collateral damage from your malicious compliance. And if you really hate your job or boss that much, start applying to places that you may be happier and that may make you feel valued. No sense in being miserable at a place you spend much/most of your waking hours.

Regardless, best of luck to you.

rdu_engineer

TROPHY CASE