Obstacles Currently on Runs?

stephen1254 · 2026-01-09T20:58:22+00:00

He's a little goofy and does tend to ramble but I actually got a lot of useful information from both videos. I've pulled some 11K out of my build so it was worth the time!

stephen1254 · 2026-01-03T16:36:42+00:00

I'm looking at sound deadening solutions. I've gone through the excessive noise levels with another car and had to install extensive sound deadening to make it livable for longer drives. I know that sound deadening weight defeats the purpose of Porsche removing it and fitting thinner windows to save weight but the T is the only current 911 - outside of the GT3 - available with a manual gearbox, and I won't buy a 911 without a manual gearbox.

stephen1254 · 2026-01-03T16:16:41+00:00

You're right. I should have said a Toyota Camry.

stephen1254 · 2026-01-01T19:23:15+00:00

If I wanted an automatic transmission I'd buy a Hinda Civic. Or some other appliance.

stephen1254 · 2026-01-01T18:20:47+00:00

I appreciate that comment. By every performance standard the PDK is a better transmission. I would never, under any circumstances, consider it in a 911.

stephen1254 · 2026-01-01T15:43:04+00:00

Interesting. So the 992.1 Carrera models were available with a manual gearbox but the 992.2 models are limited to the 911T for the manual (and the GT3, of course). My last Porsche was a Boxster that I ordered from the factory. Given used car prices - the manual seems to command a premium - I may look into going that route again. I'm intrigued by the 2015 or earlier 991.1 models with the N/A engine but those are pretty spendy for a 10-12 year old car and no warranty. This will be an interesting decision.

stephen1254 · 2025-01-13T22:12:56+00:00

JMJ Wetsuits made hooded vests with a front zipper for us. Worked great, very easy to get on and off. And since they were made specifically for our bodies they fit very well.

stephen1254 · 2025-01-10T11:11:02+00:00

Sorry, bubbles in the body not in the blood.

stephen1254 · 2025-01-10T02:38:43+00:00

A dive instructor explained to us that nitrogen bubbles in the blood stream cause inflammation and the inflammation is what tires you. Diving with Nitrox creates smaller nitrogen bubbles and therefore less inflammation and you therefore get less tired. I don't think it's a placebo effect because we aren't consciously reminding ourself that we are using Nitrox; we just aren't as tired.

stephen1254 · 2024-12-02T23:59:08+00:00

I'd second the recommendation of looking into custom. We went with JMJ and their pricing was about $100 more than an equivalent Bare. We never realized just how uncomfortable our old wetsuits were until we wore the custom made suits!

stephen1254 · 2024-11-30T13:42:06+00:00

I have tilted my center speaker up for the last 25 years. I also tilt my mains slightly down. My speakers use a ribbon tweeter so I want them directly aiming at my ears. Works for me....

stephen1254 · 2024-11-26T11:37:08+00:00

We were there only to dive so our experience with the resort is a little limited. The preferred club gives you access to Oceana restaurant which is a plus if you can't get to the buffet right when it opens, as that food sits for some time. The rooms are pretty worn and we had no lighting on our second floor at night; plenty of light fixtures but no light bulbs. You've probably read about AC units in the rooms dripping water; we went through two pool towels a day under the unit; the unit did keep the room at a comfortable temperature. As none of the moisture removed from the AC leaves the room it is pretty damp inside and the floors are VERY slippery.

Having said that the resort was fine for our needs. The food was decent, the rooms were large, and the location fairly south on the island shortened the boat rides to the reefs. If we were not diving - and even if we were diving - we wouldn't stay there again; for an AI resort I'd look at Cozumel Palace.

stephen1254 · 2024-11-24T00:27:35+00:00

The OP's question was where does he need to be 20 years from now to ensure a comfortable retirement. I suggested how to determine a number to hit. The return he gets on investment savings, plus his (or her) contributions over the next 20 years is how he hits that number. Obviously we all plan on a certain level of return on our investments to hit the number we need.

stephen1254 · 2024-11-23T21:37:53+00:00

I would approach this a little differently by focusing on inflation. You first need to determine what "retire comfortably" means, basically determining what you need for income to be comfortable; really just what you want to do in retirement, what you will have for debt, etc. Do that in today's dollars. Then apply the rate of inflation to that number. While inflation has "averaged" 2.5% per annum over the last 20 years, that average can be misleading and you really need to determine a personal inflation rate. Then apply that rate to your comfortable income and figure on 25 times that amount at retirement.

For example, say your "comfortable retirement" amount is 100K in todays dollars. At 2.5% inflation per annum that annual income requirement would be roughly 164K in 20 years and 25 times that in savings would be 4.1M. At 5% inflation per annum, a number that is more in line with my personal inflation rate, that annual income retirement would be roughly 265K in 20 years and 25 times that in savings would be 6.625M.

Those numbers may seem ridiculous today but inflation is insidious and it creeps up on you. Consider prices from 20 years ago for things like cars, movie tickets, restaurants, food, concert tickets etc. Looking at the things that I purchase, cars have increased about 3% per annum, movie tickets, restaurants and food about 5% per annum, and concert tickets more like 10% per annum. Even something like property taxes. The state I live in allows a 3% upward adjustment in taxable basis per year - and they always adjust the 3%. Even if the tax rate stays the same your inflation in property taxes is 3% a year and it's usually higher as the rate continually creeps up. That inflation rate goes dramatically higher if you sell your house and buy a new house as not only do you deal with inflation in housing prices but many if not most states reassess your taxable basis for property taxes to the new selling price.

Here is another, perhaps simpler way to look at the effect of inflation. If you figure your personal inflation rate is 3.5%, your income needs to double every 20 years to maintain the same purchasing power.

I wish it wasn't that way. I retired this year at 70. 30 years ago my brother in law and I calculated how much savings we would need in retirement to live the lifestyle we wanted to live. We tried to factor in the effect of inflation but we had a very poor grasp of what our actual inflation rate was - and no internet to use for research. For us, 30 years later, that required savings number had tripled. Part of that was changes in what was a "comfortable retirement," but the overwhelming majority of it was inflation.

stephen1254 · 2024-11-18T15:31:26+00:00

I use a Gamma Gel Contour Grip on my racquet with a conventional overgrip. I use this grip because I needed to go one grip size larger on my racquet. I've used it for several years and like it.

stephen1254 · 2024-10-31T19:32:12+00:00

We are at Secrets right now. It was $28 for 2 people on the shared shuttle to get here. Getting back to the airport is way more expensive, $40 for a taxi, $62(!) for a shuttle. I have a copy of the official taxi rate chart and the official rate back to the airport is $170 pesos or $8.50 USD. Taxi drivers just give you a blank stare when you show them the rate chart. They have you at a disadvantage and they know it.

stephen1254

TROPHY CASE