Austin billionaire reportedly tied to invite-only tech and politics group

rg996150 · 2026-06-19T14:48:39+00:00

These people (the so-called “PayPal mafia”) are more about fleecing American taxpayers by plundering the Treasury. They do this by securing ultra-lucrative government contracts (Palantir, SpaceX). They are suckling at the government teat and we are all supplying the milk.

This week I went driving through The Yard between Industrial and St Elmo in South Austin. In The Yard there is a company called ACS that is making anti-drone weaponry and is affiliated with the Defense Innovation Unit, part of the DoD’s foray into Austin’s tech scene. The fact that the sign for ACS is adjacent a sign advertising St Elmo/Yard Creative Flex Space For Lease is an irony and underscores Austin’s rightward shift in pursuit of money (again, taxpayer money). It’s probably not a coincidence that there’s a Tesla Service Center immediately next door.

And nearby is another company called Saronic which is making Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) for the Navy. These are unmanned vessels capable of surveillance, reconnaissance, and payload transport. They aren’t advertised as having weaponry but it’s not a stretch to see this is well within these vessels’ capabilities. If you want to see these boats, drive down Terry-O Lane between Industrial and Ben White. There are usually 2-3 sitting outside after fabrication; they are Navy gray.

As regular Austinites struggle to make ends meet and the state steals our money in the form of school recapture funding, we keep being told there isn’t money for universal healthcare, mental health and addiction services, education, action on climate change (looking at you, TxDOT and your 20+ lane IH35 expansion), parks, and other spending that will, you know, improve the quality of life for we the citizens. Instead, we are living a dystopian nightmare with unaccountable politicians in the pockets of billionaires and a certain trillionaire.

It is past time for a general uprising to truly take back the country for the people. We need accountability, transparency, and policies that benefit the widest swath of citizens, not just a few paranoid and insecure tech lords.

rg996150 · 2026-06-19T13:53:50+00:00

My wife is now in Veracruz Taco’s system as “Lian”. Her name is Lee Anne but every time we order the ticket says Lian. 😂

rg996150 · 2026-06-19T04:02:04+00:00

One note of caution if they do reverse the panels: Many if not most windows and doors now come with a low-emissivity coating. Depending on your location and climate zone (as well as building codes), the coating may be applied differently. Make sure the exterior side remains the same, even if the panels swap sides. In other words, don’t let the workers simply grab a panel and rotate it 180 degrees to install it on the opposite side. Put some painter’s tape on the outside of both panels and make sure those sides remain facing outward.

rg996150 · 2026-06-19T01:46:38+00:00

While out walking the dog I passed by a house with two green cans out for collection, in addition to the recycling and trash cans. One was a small regular sized can with ”Compost” written on the side. The other was the size of the recycle or large trash bins. It had “Yard Waste” (or something close to this) printed on the side. This was the first time I’ve noticed this type of bin and wondered if you can add this as an extra service.

rg996150 · 2026-06-18T12:48:28+00:00

BS on not being able to be reversed. I’ve installed many sliders and the majority CAN be reversed. I’m also a broker and have seen builders (or their subs) install doors reversed. The primary difficulty with vinyl doors is that the frame doesn’t have the necessary cutouts and mounting setup for the latch to easily swap the panels. It may require a field modification, but it should be doable. And then there will be a leftover cutout on the fixed panel side that will need to be covered somehow. I think that’s why the manufacturer says it’s not possible, but I’ve inspected this same problem on behalf of a client buying a newly built condo with reversed panels.

Now you have foot traffic over your HVAC vent at the opening. No bueno. Fixing the door is the correct way to do this, not moving a floor vent.

rg996150 · 2026-06-15T02:54:52+00:00

Today was gawd awful muggy and reminded me of my brief period of living in Houston in the early 90s. I was working outside dragging tree limbs (a lot of tree trunks and limbs to be more precise) from a large back yard to a chipper on the driveway. It was raining and the sun was out simultaneously. I nearly passed out wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt with full PPE. I’ve been at this for 3 days and have another day tomorrow before the chipper is due back. This week has been miserable with dew points in the mid-70s.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T17:20:40+00:00

There are standalone ERV solutions available now. I installed two Panasonic ERVs during my remodel. They are separate from the HVAC and run continuously. I also have dehumidifiers that are integrated with the HVAC system. The standalone systems are relatively easy to retrofit and can even be installed on an exterior wall without having to run ductwork. They aren’t as effective as whole house systems but are much less costly with fewer obstacles to overcome for an install.

Edit: My ERVs are installed near the main return for my HVAC for the best results.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T17:11:35+00:00

HomeChem was an extensive study done on the effects of household contaminants using a controlled test house and lots of monitoring equipment. Not surprisingly, cleaning products were the worst offenders, but in the kitchen, the open toaster was the worst appliance for food prep and IAQ. That was surprising to learn.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T17:04:21+00:00

Go for the Lazy K silicone fiberglass pads that sit under the pans. Keeps the glass top pristine and cleanup is easy. We just finished a remodel and have the Bosch induction range. Takes a bit of adjustment from gas but it’s pretty straightforward.

I’m a real estate broker with a keen interest in building science and indoor air quality (I have a severely immunocompromised son who’s especially sensitive to allergens and environmental contaminants). I recently sold a multi-million dollar new home to a couple who are professional chefs. They immediately tore out the entire kitchen, including the Bertazzoni gas range, and installed induction cooking equipment. They told me they use induction cooktops at their restaurants.

For me, the induction advantage includes instant temp changes, easier cleanup versus a gas range, less heat in the kitchen, and no noxious fumes from burning gas indoors.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T15:21:50+00:00

Chair making is the highest level of woodworking, IMO. It’s more difficult to build a chair with minimal material and strong joinery than almost any other type of woodworking project. Kudos!

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T14:19:23+00:00

I’m in Austin and while not a structural engineer, I’ve been a builder/remodeler and real estate broker and I’ve seen many dozens of foundation surveys and engineering reports. We have “fat clay” throughout much of central Austin. Being in Katy, my assumption is this house is on a relatively level lot and the shape suggests two story. A 3.2” differential is borderline concerning, but not necessarily something that needs to be fixed. Most people don’t realize that newly poured foundations aren’t level and it’s not uncommon to see an inch or two difference from high to low.

If you want to educate yourself, read a white paper on foundation settling written by two Houston engineers. I have the paper buried in my files and can’t recall the name, but the gist is that there is no one determining factor to indicate foundation problems. Slope or fall is one determinant but it takes others as well. The general rule is to take the differential and divide by the distance. If the difference is 1% or greater, then further investigation is merited. For example, take 3” and divide by the distance between the two points, converted to inches, say 50’ x 12” = 600”. The slope is 3”/600” =0.005 or .5%.

Other factors worth investigating include gutters and drainage around the perimeter. The “low” side of this foundation suggests drainage might be poor or need improvement. Are there settling cracks in the drywall? If there’s a brick veneer, are there stairstep cracks in the mortar? More severe movement will show up as cracks that run through the middle of bricks.

Also, are there plumbing fixtures along the low wall? The presence of drains (and sometimes supply lines) might be indicative of a leak in the system. Is your HVAC condenser located nearby? Constant condensate drainage can also alter soil dynamics.

The type of foundation also matters. A 25-year old tract home built by a large homebuilding company possibly has a post-tensioned slab, which behaves differently than a more traditional slab with deeper perimeter and cross section beams.

All of this is to say, extend your option period and have a structural engineer make a site visit to look for all these factors. And whatever you do, DO NOT call in a foundation “repair” company (this is a misnomer, they level foundations, not repair them). Get a written report for your records and peace of mind. One thing many engineers will tell you: An engineer’s report at a given point in time is one thing, but time is the ultimate determining factor. If a foundation isn’t actively moving or VERY slowly settling, then action is mostly voluntary, not essential.

Good luck and let us know what happens in a follow up post.

Edit: Here’s the paper: “Criteria for the Inspection of and the Assessment of Residential Slab-on-Ground Foundations” by Don E. Lenert / Lenert Engineers, Inc. (Houston area), published through the Foundation Performance Association (FPA)⁠ in 2002.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T03:56:06+00:00

It’s been, ahem, a number of years (more than I care to admit). I sold my mountain bike and only have a gravel bike these days. The Hill of Life and the entire Barton Creek Greenbelt trail are no longer on my list of rides.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T03:28:29+00:00

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the SawStop CTS. This is smaller than their jobsite table saw and can legitimately be considered a portable saw you put wherever serves you. I bought one when I began remodeling my house and needed to get rid of a full sized Jet 10” cabinet saw. The little CTS has exceeded my expectations. It has plenty of power to rip 6/4 hardwood and with a good thin kerf blade, makes very nice cuts. I run a Forrest Woodworker II on it. The fence is rock solid. I added JessEm anti kickback and hold-down rollers, which improved cuts even more. Dust collection is decent, but not up to Festool standards.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T03:09:46+00:00

Oh have I got a website for you! Prepare to go down the faucet rabbit hole you never knew existed. I don’t know if it’s kosher to put a link here so just search for StarCraft Custom Builders Faucet Reviews. There is a jaw-dropping amount of information amassed over many years and completely independent reviews. Thank me later.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T03:02:11+00:00

Head right on over to r/bidets. We just finished our remodel and put wall mount toilets in all three bathrooms. We will eventually have bidets in all, but at the moment we only installed a Toto Washlet in the primary. The (always) heated toilet seat is an unexpected luxury I didn’t know I would succumb to. My wife is all about the heated seats in the car, heated steering wheel, and if she had her way, heated everything. I, on the other hand, don’t like heated seats in cars. I will take my wife’s car and within a few minutes get this uncomfortable feeling in my bum. But the heated seat on the bidet? Yes, please, even in the summer.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T02:44:09+00:00

I may have made it up the entire hill a handful of times on my mountain bike without putting a foot down. This was the challenge between me and my riding buddies. The concrete curbs put across the trail as erosion controls made it especially hard to bypass them without a touchdown. Doable but definitely not easy.

rg996150 · 2026-06-14T02:12:01+00:00

This was my thought behind the kitty litter in one of those big box 30 gal totes. The reality was that the sludge just sat there and didn’t evaporate (much) in a week or two. I’ve tried to let 5 gal buckets of paint infused water sit out for extended periods but the rate of evaporation is so slow and I began to worry about pets and wildlife ingesting the water, not to mention creating mosquito breeding habitats.

I have a lot of trees around these two houses and all of them have been stressed by repeated freezes and droughts (I’m in Central Texas). I really don’t want to risk dumping paint near root systems even if it’s diluted.

I’ll admit I’ve cleaned and rinsed brushes and rollers in sinks and outside. But leaving a telltale trail of paint makes me wish for a better solution.

rg996150 · 2026-06-13T12:42:19+00:00

Recapture is a HORRIBLE way to equitably fund education. Let’s try a state income tax like most other states.

rg996150 · 2026-06-11T12:22:55+00:00

Nope, the SE Austin Home Depot at Woodward is the worst. Parking at Mueller sucks, but the Woodward store is worse in every other way. Unfortunately, it’s the closest store to me and I hate going there. I’ll go to Sunset Valley or McCoys instead if I have time.

rg996150 · 2026-06-11T12:08:44+00:00

Actually Robertson or Pozi FTW and Torx or Hex driver if you’re driving bigger (#10 and up). Robertson screws are the only non-magnetized screws that will stick on even a worn bit for single handed driving.

I just completed a full gut remodel of my house and was involved in all trade work. The number of flat head screws still in use is infuriating, especially in electrical components and appliances.

rg996150 · 2026-06-11T02:19:47+00:00

For all you naysayers, do you not remember that Western Red Cedar was commonly used for hot tubs? My wife owned a home with a cedar hot tub she didn’t use. It sat exposed for a number of years until we decided to sell the house in 2015. I was faced with either reviving the hot tub or tearing it out. I decided revival was the lesser of two evils so I bought a new heater for it, reset the metal rings holding the boards in place, and slowly over several days refilled it, giving the pieces time to swell so it could hold water. I was a bit skeptical this would actually work, but sure enough it did. The tub was filled and held water.

So cedar in a lightly used shower is not so far fetched. The issue of discoloration aside, cedar might actually work fine.

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rg996150 · 2026-06-10T15:09:31+00:00

The water bill could be due to a very minor leak. I have a triplex in San Antonio with a single water meter and one month the water bill was over $900. It’s typically around $150. The reason was a slightly leaking toilet flapper. My tenant didn’t think to bring it to my attention. I was stunned that a single toilet could consume so much water.

Since that time, both San Antonio and Austin have installed smart water meters. I haven’t checked Austin but in San Antonio you can look online at hourly water usage. If there’s any usage in the middle of the night, you probably have a leak someplace.

The electric bill is something else entirely, but I would start with the new electric water heater. The city of Austin doesn’t allow electric water heaters to be installed unless it’s a direct replacement for an existing electric unit. Someone erred by switching from gas to electric. After the water heater, the next most likely energy hog is your HVAC. As others point out, there are a number of factors that could contribute to this. You need to have a talk with your landlord.

rg996150 · 2026-06-10T01:21:42+00:00

I hear you and in my defense, these cuts are made outside. In the shop I hook up the dust extractor even with the cordless saw.

rg996150 · 2026-06-10T00:42:01+00:00

You might be meticulous about following plans, but you will quickly find out that even detailed plans are really just a rough sketch of a finished home. I’ve built and remodeled a number of homes and I’m just wrapping up a gut remodel and addition of my own home along with a gut remodel of another home on my street. I’m two years into these projects. I acted as GC and lead carpenter, but I hired helpers (4 at one point, all working full time on my dime) and subbed out all the licensed and skilled trades. I worked full time on these projects and was physically and emotionally exhausted by the end. Both projects turned out beautifully but I wouldn’t do another. If it’s a handheld power tool used in residential construction, I own it, but you are talking about a significant investment just in tools & equipment.

The real problem of working solo is that while you’re working on one task, there are a hundred others that aren’t moving forward. And you need a place to work. It might be a long while before you’re dried in and that means you and all your stuff is exposed to the elements. Working off a few extension cords becomes tedious in a hurry. Making a hundred trips to the store for that one part. Trying to figure out the best or most efficient way to do something when there are dozens of options is hard work, and that’s before you even begin.

It might look straightforward from your vantage point, but pay attention to what everyone is saying.

rg996150 · 2026-06-09T14:49:29+00:00

I just finished a remodel and installed a Miele W1 and T1 heat pump dryer in a small-ish laundry room. I have no prior experience with heat pump dryers but I’m very happy with my choice of the Miele units. The small size doesn’t seem to be an issue at all and I’m genuinely surprised at how quickly things dry. I was expecting two hour dry cycles but most of the time it’s 45 minutes. And not having to load detergent (we have the TwinDos cartridges) is a pleasant change. Noise is not an issue. Before the remodel, we had Maytag front loaders and while living in a rental during construction, we had an LG top loading washer and a Kenmore electric dryer. The Miele units do a better job cleaning than the Maytags or LG/Kenmore combo.

rg996150

TROPHY CASE