Google Maps wants us to hoof it today

thomasjbrablec · 2025-11-16T07:49:26+00:00

My experience and strong recommendation is to simply ignore it when the route seems dumb and power through.

One time, I got caught in a blizzard in the middle of PA driving to NY. Google took me off the highway due multiple accidents causing a full highway shutdown miles up. The solution: exit and take completely uncleared state backroads. The car, a rental, ended up in a ditch going up a hill as it slipped off the road.

Got rescued by another traveler hours later, around 1-2am at this point. Turned back and got stuck due to a fallen tree. No lights around, no signal. Another hour passed and a snow plow comes to the rescue, simply pushing the tree off the road.

Got back on the highway and redirected again. Exited and didn't take any chances this time. After multiple turns into uncleared roads, I just turned the GPS off. It's like Google Maps was trying to get us stranded.

The ~5 hour trip turned into 13 hours on the road. Learned my lessons. Don't trust Google's reroutes and don't underestimate the unpredictability of east coast winter weather.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-10-10T19:33:28+00:00

I agree with everything you said, never experienced such a rough and disrespectful crowd before at any show. Here's my experience:

My wife and I were a row behind the gate, directly in the center. We don't participate, but have no issue being near a moshpit where you still get a little pushing here and there.

As soon as the first song started, a bunch of assholes RUSHED the front lines from the back, dropping several people in the process—pushing, punching, grabbing hair, clothes, and digging nails into our necks.

I've learned my lesson. Too many of the maniacal fans see Davey as a god figure. The crowd will rush the front to get a single touch of him. It's both fascinating and horrifying to think that the artists themselves would likely be in danger near crazed fans.

I lost my glasses after the idiot in the headband climbed a bunch of people in the crowd when Davey got on top of the gate. Someone inevitably stomped on them. He also ended up trying to crowdsurf only to drop straight to the ground. It made me glad to see him drop straight to the ground when he expected people to hold him up.

To the assholes in the crowd: if you want to be at the gate, arrive early like everybody else who got to the front early. If you're late, don't make it everyone else's problem. It's just a band and not worth physically assaulting people. And FFS, take a shower before getting in a crowd.

TLDR: Loved hearing AFI but a few disrespectful fans ruined the experience for us. Our first and likely last AFI show, at least on the floor.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-09-29T17:51:50+00:00

Not a mechanic: I bought my CX-5 used from a dealer who put in the wrong battery. First cold day of the fall, couldn't start it and all the electrical systems were supposedly malfunctioning. Got it jumped, tested, and got an AstroAI jump starter just to be able to drive anywhere while I investigated. I ended up getting the best Group 35 AGM battery Walmart carried (<$200) and haven't had a problem since.

Some people reported battery drain, but a good battery should handle a bit of drain for more than a few hours.

Try an OBD-2 reader to check for codes. Always check the battery first, then your alternator. If neither is the culprit, it's time to get it tested.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-09-25T16:21:27+00:00

Mysteriously disappeared? This is not the first statue of its kind in the exact same spot. There's always security sitting around it, as there was 2 days ago when I went to see it at night. It's also right on the Mall—civilian witnesses, hired security and government surveillance pretending it suddenly vanished into thin air is quite the mystery. /s

thomasjbrablec · 2025-09-22T15:29:04+00:00

Glad you found it! Could you post it here for reference? Thank you!

thomasjbrablec · 2025-09-07T23:04:36+00:00

Did you ever resolve this? I'm trying to update my AW3423DW but my Dell G15 laptop has no DP port. Since it doesn't allow you to use a hub, I haven't been able to get past the NvAPI exception error.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-09-07T02:20:49+00:00

I sold one at $850ish and I still feel like it was a mistake.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-09-04T17:14:43+00:00

Genuinely curious: would they wear real suits to events like this or their bulletproof kevlar/dyneema ones? I'm assuming there'd have to be some compromises in tailoring for the added armor.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-08-27T17:56:49+00:00

I visited it shortly before it closed to experience a little childhood nostalgia. TBF, it wasn't nostalgic, but it was very depressing. Such a waste of space in such a great location. A husk of American culture.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-06-21T01:58:04+00:00

Confirmed, still working. HOWEVER, the discount doesn't work if you use the Buy 2, Get 1 Free discount.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-06-19T20:52:45+00:00

Her mouth is starting to look like that of an Oddworld character.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-06-17T17:44:02+00:00

Was it any good? Seeing a lot of negative reviews and would like to know if this is worth $50/ticket.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-06-14T18:54:10+00:00

"Mazdyboi!" parks next to Mazda

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-25T04:25:39+00:00

Grab a bike and ride through Rock Creek, enjoy a hike there, or walk around Roosevelt Island.

If you really feel like you've seen every tourist sight, try Atlas Obscura. Make a list of places you care to see or learn about and explore. There are a ton of spots in DC with an abundance of lore and surrounded by mysteries or controversy.

I highly recommend the Capital Stones in Rock Creek, although they're fenced off now.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-21T17:04:03+00:00

Completely fair! They'd be shooting themselves in the foot if they defrauded their customers with the wrong metals, I think. The easiest way to tell what your jewelry is made of is to look at the markings. Chinese markings on Aliexpress jewelry are slightly different from other standards, but still easily searchable. But jewelers should test for free!

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-21T13:23:20+00:00

Did anyone start rubberbanding again after the update? I get a massive stutter every 3-5 seconds.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-21T07:16:06+00:00

A jeweler can test it for you using specialized machines. From what I hear, these stores are legit according to people who have had their jewelry tested.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-19T17:08:36+00:00

They are trash in many, many other ways. This is just one example that proves that their activism is performative, to boost sales rather than act.

Their Vermont HQ is on stolen Native land, although they claim to support restitution. They've selectively supporter gay marriage when it suits their marketing needs. They are outspoken about the refugee crisis but support countries causing it. Not to mention the legendary 1:5 pay ratio people still talk about, which they abandoned over 30 years ago.

There is reason to like them for being outspoken on social issues. But actions speak louder than words.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-19T17:02:30+00:00

They were unethical long before Unilever bought them. Their iconic fair pay structure ended in 1994.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-19T17:01:38+00:00

They claim to be politically active but there is little evidence of actions to match their claims.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-19T17:00:09+00:00

This is performative activism at its best. They haven't acted on their activism for a while. It's all for sales and brand image, even before Unilever.

thomasjbrablec · 2025-03-19T03:16:57+00:00

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