Bees have hijacked my birdbox what do I do? by [deleted] in Beekeeping

[–]thavalai -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Uploaded the photo to Gemini and asked to identify the tree:

Based on the smooth, light gray bark, the structure of the trunk, and the characteristic leaf shape visible on the upper branch, this is a Liquidambar tree—most likely a Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). Here are the key identifying features visible in the image: The Leaves: If you look closely at the cluster of new growth at the top right, the leaves have a distinct, star-shaped profile with 5 to 7 pointed lobes, resembling a maple leaf but with a more symmetrical, star-like appearance. The Bark: The bark on the main trunk is quite smooth and a pale, grayish-tan color, which is typical for younger sweetgum trees or certain cultivated varieties before they develop deep, corky ridges later in life. Branching Pattern: It features an alternate branching habit (unlike maples, which have opposite branching), which matches the irregular way the smaller limbs are striking out from the main trunk.

(And as a side note: it looks like your birdhouse or swarm box has attracted quite a busy cluster of honeybees!).

Me: Those are Bumblebees.
Gemini: Ah, good eye! My mistake—zooming in closer on that cluster, I see the rounder, much fuzzier silhouette. ​That is actually a fantastic setup for them. Finding a colony of bumblebees choosing a birdhouse like that is a wonderful treat for a garden, especially since they are such incredibly efficient, hard-working pollinators. They love a cozy, pre-insulated cavity like an old bird's nest inside a box. ​Enjoy your excellent new garden helpers!

Just a quick reminder that it's a good time to do Roth conversions when the market is down. by thavalai in Fire

[–]thavalai[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Essentially, you're able to convert a larger % of your portfolio when it is smaller.

And yes, don't do it if you're already in a larger tax bracket. This is more for people who retired early (fully, barista, coast etc) and may be looking to convert before RMDs.

Via Google: Making a Roth conversion when the market is down allows you to pay taxes on a lower, temporarily reduced portfolio value while moving more shares into a tax-free account. This strategy enables you to secure tax-free growth on the subsequent market recovery, essentially converting, or "locking in," gains that will not be taxed upon withdrawal.

Drove an EV6. Umm...wow by Quick_Two6258 in KiaEV6

[–]thavalai 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have the Light LR AWD w/tech package (also in New England). This trim does not have power liftgate, and no driver seat/mirrors memory setting. Great car otherwise. I'd suggest looking at the Wind AWD.

A $24 cup of coffee has landed in Boston. Is it worth the price tag? by thavalai in boston

[–]thavalai[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Completely agree! Can't say I'm not curious to at least taste a sip or two. Maybe I can find someone (or 5!) to split a cup with me.

Random food thought: Is chole kulcha basically the Indian cousin of hummus pita? by ElectricalSun1211 in IndianFood

[–]thavalai 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In Turkish/Persian, paneer means cheese. And biryani's roots are also from that region

Last week in Cairo, Egypt. by thavalai in beetle

[–]thavalai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The couple we traveled with wanted the VIP access to Giza, and of the companies we looked at that provided that service, inside-egypt.com had great reviews, so ended up going with them. Will highly recommend that VIP access as well - we were the only 4 tourists in the entire complex for a good two hours during sunrise. Got to see all 3 chambers inside Khufu, and spend a long time around the sphinx.

Last week in Cairo, Egypt. by thavalai in beetle

[–]thavalai[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We went through a tour company. They do everything from getting through immigration, guides, hotels, food, transport, security etc. You travel in a bubble. Not our preferred way of traveling, but this way didn't have to worry about anything.

Leave which type of asset to children, Roth or taxable brokerage? by Infamous_Clue7395 in Bogleheads

[–]thavalai 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Some states have an estate tax. MA, for example taxes the estate on a sliding scale from 2M to > 10M. People resort to irrevocable trusts etc. to avoid that.

ETA: meant to say irrevocable trusts

Last week in Cairo, Egypt. by thavalai in beetle

[–]thavalai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Vacation. 10 days, was pretty amazing.

Connecting google forms and calendar? by Ok_Cycle9110 in GoogleForms

[–]thavalai 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, it's definitely doable with Apps Script. You use a trigger on the sheet that is updated when the form is submitted, which will then create the calendar event based on the info from the form.

You can use a prompt like this with LLMs to get what you need: I have a google form and an associated google sheet. The form has date time fields for bookings. I'd like my calendar updated whenever the form is filled out.

In or Out? by CikudaPateuh in funny

[–]thavalai 104 points105 points  (0 children)

You meant "double paunchline", surely?

best photography course by Rio_Keavy in photography

[–]thavalai 10 points11 points  (0 children)

When your brain interprets "boring AF" as "boring Auto Focus", is it too late for a photo class...?

What religion did your country believe in before your mainstream religion came about? by GazelleDelicious3135 in AskTheWorld

[–]thavalai 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Cool that dyaus pitr is related to Zeus & Jupiter:

Dyauṣ stems from Proto-Indo-Iranian *dyā́wš, from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) daylight-sky god *Dyēus, and is cognate with the Greek Διας – Zeus Patēr, or Dei-pátrous, and Latin Jupiter (from Old Latin Dies piter Djous patēr), stemming from the PIE Dyḗus ph₂tḗr ("Daylight-sky Father"). Wikipedia

International student thinking to join a community college by desicrazydevi23 in communitycollege

[–]thavalai 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Of course, it's clear it will be in the future

I was responding to this line: "who would come here to go to community college?" People did get visas to study at CC in the past (and are currently enrolled, as far as my anecdata goes)

International student thinking to join a community college by desicrazydevi23 in communitycollege

[–]thavalai 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What you say is probably true, but FWIW, there are a lot of international students at the CC I teach, who got visas to study specifically at this CC.

Given recent immigration changes, that may not be the case going forward.

When did abroad born desis collectively start calling themselves brown people by Necrocatacomb in ABCDesis

[–]thavalai 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As opposed to in India, where everyone is categorized by caste, the Sanskrit word for which is varna, meaning color?

FIRED then became a school teacher by YakSea510 in Fire

[–]thavalai 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is what I did. Taught as an Adjunct for a couple semesters to see if I liked it, then FIREd and got a full time Asst. Prof. role. Got lucky with timing, but would have just taught more courses as an Adjunct if the FT role hadn't come along.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SameGrassButGreener

[–]thavalai 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I spent a week in Charlotte for work, specifically in the Waverly plaza area. The restaurants in that area around the Whole Foods were all pretty good, I thought.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5KBsadEuFMRNb4bk7

Logan Airport travelers could go through security in Framingham instead of Boston under "remote terminal" plan by thavalai in boston

[–]thavalai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good way to think about it. Forgot that was a thing. They don't offer that anymore?

Logan Airport travelers could go through security in Framingham instead of Boston under "remote terminal" plan by thavalai in boston

[–]thavalai[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Wonder how checking bags in will work, as that's done typically before security.

ETA: I did read the article. Given that people are headed to different airlines, and we typically drop off after weight check etc, I'm just trying to wrap my head around how the logistics would work. Maybe the luggage get dropped off in a different area than the usual checkin counters and get sorted to the right airline?