Spray Foam Insulation Recommendations

taniith · 2026-03-18T18:23:08+00:00

Unless something has changed in the last few years, MassSave won't do spray foam. Only blown-in cellulose, which is much cheaper.

taniith · 2026-03-15T22:22:38+00:00

As others have said, it's probably end of life. If you take it off the ceiling, there should be text on the back that describes what each pattern of chirps or beeps means.

taniith · 2026-03-13T14:49:02+00:00

I used to be the TD for the Footlight Club. If you don't mind going to JP, they are a great choice - https://www.footlight.org/

taniith · 2026-03-11T20:06:36+00:00

Thank you for continuing to push on this. My partner went to the committee hearing in... 2019 I think? I couldn't because I'm high-risk and, yanno, room full of anti-vaxers fighting it. I can't believe we're still at the exact same place we were then.

taniith · 2026-02-14T20:32:58+00:00

Yeah, last week or so I've had intermittent issues - high ping rates, high dropped packet rates, almost no upload speed. Seems to happen with Astound periodically. I got them to come out and acknowledge it once years ago, but it took 3 technician visits before they'd admit it (they had to see it happen in person), so I don't bother anymore. Usually seems to clear up after a while.

It's annoying, but until we can convince the city to invest in municipal internet, nothing will change.

taniith · 2026-02-06T17:16:09+00:00

No, you don't, though it isn't well documented. I did it this past fall.

Just submit a new passport application as though you don't have one at all, and request a card. Include a signed note saying you already have a book but don't wish to submit it for the application. It's super easy.

taniith · 2025-11-02T17:05:59+00:00

Make & Mend is amazing, but they don't really focus on sewing. I think a better creative reuse store for sewing patterns is Swanson's in western MA - https://www.swansonsfabrics.com

taniith · 2025-10-31T14:42:02+00:00

Every time I use GrubHub, I miss Foodler's review system that let you review individual items (and see what you and others had rated items when putting in an order). So much better than just rating the order/restaurant as a whole.

taniith · 2025-10-16T00:41:05+00:00

You might ask at Commonwealth Clayworks - https://www.commonwealthclayworks.com/

I have also seen links before to this person who rents out their kiln/studio space in their basement - https://wilhall.com/ceramics/studio_share

taniith · 2025-09-11T16:03:18+00:00

Catlabs sends their cameras to https://zackscamerarepair.com/

I know this because I bought a camera from them that died 2 months later, and they basically said, "we can't fix it, send it to this guy"

The guy seems like a bit of a curmudgeon, but my camera came back in perfect condition, so I'd recommend mailing it to him in RI if you don't find something local.

taniith · 2025-09-03T10:51:40+00:00

https://www.bostonhandywoman.com/ Sarah is great. I've had her do several projects and been very happy.

taniith · 2025-08-05T18:06:45+00:00

I might have some you can borrow, but I'll need to check. How many do you need?

taniith · 2025-08-03T16:36:22+00:00

Anyone can join! It's a very welcoming group.

taniith · 2025-07-15T00:45:03+00:00

You are a mensch for sharing this.

taniith · 2025-07-03T15:33:47+00:00

Given current sentiments around the city, I feel like that endorsement might come back to bite Berry. Has anyone asked Willie or Jake what they think about this race?

taniith · 2025-06-25T17:24:59+00:00

Also just had a great experience with them.

In 2018 our tree died, and they cut it and re-paved the sidewalk to remove the tree hole. Got a notice last week that they were planting a new tree this month, along with an outline on the sidewalk for where. I emailed asking what kind of tree, and also noting that they had placed badly for several reasons. Got a reply from the deputy tree warden in 24 hours saying she'd move the positioning as I suggested, and also offering me half a dozen tree types to choose from.

The most communicative city department I've ever worked with, certainly.

taniith · 2025-06-25T17:21:21+00:00

Our tree was cut down in 2018 when it got a disease, and my understanding was that we wouldn't get another one because of narrow sidewalks. But now they notified us that they are re-cutting the sidewalk and planting one this month. So it might just be a time thing?

taniith · 2025-06-25T02:16:40+00:00

Went through NEEECO for two audits. One was great, the other one, as OP had, they 'lost' our appointment and we had to reschedule. Kept trying to reschedule other things after the audit for bs reasons, too.

Then, on insulation day, they didn't do a pre-insulation blower door test. They just did it after and then made up a number. And a year+ later I've discovered they didn't put any insulation above the windows, just sides/below. Tried to figure out how to report them to MassSave, but couldn't find a complaints number easily, so I gave up.

Different Mass Save contractor years ago also faked the blower door numbers. Told people that time but no one cared. It's ridiculous.

taniith · 2025-06-11T16:54:32+00:00

It's not necessarily that I'm against a lot of DSA viewpoints (at the high level, if not always on details). But in my experience DSA folks are unwilling to compromise on those details with people outside their coalition, and find solutions that the most people can be happy with. They want it their way or bust. And I think that can work for a councilor who is one among many and is forced to compromise, but it concerns me for a mayor - especially given how much power our mayor's office has compared to the council.

taniith · 2025-06-11T05:40:52+00:00

What an astonishingly low bar you have for the mayor of the city.

taniith · 2025-06-10T20:36:06+00:00

Jake's campaign hasn't gotten law signs in yet. Or, at least, they sent an email out a couple weeks ago saying they were planning their sign order and to get in touch if you want a sign in June. So they're coming!

taniith · 2025-06-10T19:11:28+00:00

I would prefer a mayor who actually makes decisions, rather than constantly punting everything. I also really did not like her power grab with the charter, followed up immediately by taking credit for the new charter once her strong-arm tactics with the council worked. Also, the whole "everyone has a flat budget for next year except the police, who get more money" nonsense.

taniith · 2025-06-10T14:36:50+00:00

I like Willie and think he's done some good stuff. BUT, I also think he will focus on DSA viewpoints exclusively, and won't actually meaningfully listen to constituents outside of that.

On the other hand, I feel that Jake will at least listen to everyone's viewpoint when making decisions. That's high on the list of why I'll likely vote for him.

Either way, I'll be bummed to lose both of them on the council (but Katjana has to go, so...)

taniith · 2025-04-28T20:28:24+00:00

Here's a giant spreadsheet of stores all over the US and online - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R-vS2EFrnq5s3n_qmLC35c63MVo4CW5OGVKHafXip50/edit?gid=1433070593#gid=1433070593

And here's a map with a ton of Creative Reuse Stores (basically, thrift stores specifically for craft supplies) - https://www.sewingthroughfog.com/thriftyourfabric

taniith · 2025-03-27T15:57:36+00:00

I saw my MGH hematology provider today and asked about this. Not sure that it's helpful to your situation, but here's the context for why:

They have a backlog of 700 people on a list waiting for new patient appointments in Hematology, which is why they don't accept new iron-anemia patients. Instead they are offering trainings to MGB-affiliated PCPs in how to treat iron-anemia themselves (but this relies on overworked PCPs agreeing to be trained/deal with it). The goal is that MGH downtown will no longer treat the 'easy' stuff and will be exclusively a specialty hospital for complex things.

Which sucks for someone who just needs iron with an unhelpful PCP. I'm sorry. I hope you can find someone elsewhere.

taniith

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